Shaped by the Waves by Christina Suzann Nelson

This novel is sort of an adult coming of age story. Cassie, raised by her aunt, does not know who her parents are. The plot centers on her dealing with the mental and physical decline of the only “mother” she has known while also dealing with tantalizing information about her biological parents.

I have mixed feelings about the character development. Little Lark, Cassie's four year old daughter, is the best. She is vivacious, so innocent, and loves to say what she's thinking. Shasta is a bit of a mystery. We read of her in her mentally declining months so we cannot understand her character from current actions. I wish there had been more fond memories from Cassie, revealing more of who Shasta had been.

One of the major messages of this novel is the need for community. Cassie was supported by many of Shasta's friends. There are many issues explored in this novel including infertility, spousal abuse, infidelity, dementia, surprises from DNA inquiry, and single parenting. I would have rather read of fewer issues, each with more intensity. I felt the issues were not explored as well and as deeply as they could have been.

This is a novel for readers who like women's fiction highlighting needs and the support we can offer one another.

You can read an excerpt here.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Christina Suzann Nelson is an inspirational speaker and the award-winning author of several previous novels. She writes and speaks about hope after dysfunction. When not writing, she is working with the Every Child Initiative, chasing escaped steers, reading, hiking, and enjoying her family. They live in Oregon's Willamette Valley. You can find out more at www.christinasuzannnelson.com. Photo credit: © Katey Tyron

Bethany House Publishers, 352 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)