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From the Bookshelf of Transformational Fiction…

The Feathered Bone

Julie Cantrell

Start date: October 1, 2016

Finish date: October 31, 2016

Discussion: Book Club Reads

Why we're reading this: October's Book Club Selection…more
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Book Club Reads

* 2016 October Book Club-The Feathered Bone
By Jessica · 1 post · 13 views

last updated Oct 06, 2016 08:37AM

2016 September Book Club-The Things We Knew
By Jessica · 13 posts · 20 views

last updated Sep 29, 2016 06:41AM

What Members Thought

Mar 13, 2016 Martha rated it it was amazing

I had no idea what to expect when I picked up this book. However, I was not expecting to feel like my life had changed. There are not many books I say that about.

I know this book may not touch others as it did me, but I am hoping that will speak the message of hope in dark circumstances to everyone that reads it.

This book covers some really hard topics, such was depression, domestic violence, suicide, kidnapping, trafficking, and divorce. But the key element in this book was it was not a depre ...more

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Jan 10, 2016 Catherine rated it it was amazing

I had to sit awhile after finishing this novel. There are so many feelings evoked throughout that it's hard to process all at once. This is an important book, and one that should be widely read, but it's also difficult to read at times because of the subjects the author deals with. As always, Cantrell's spectacular prose, attention to detail and characters who step off the page make for a rewarding reading experience. If you're looking for depth and a story that will pull on all your emotions, t ...more

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May 26, 2017 Rebecca rated it really liked it

"A feather may look weak. Vulnerable. But the truth is, it's a powerful little thing."

The unthinkable has happened, Sarah Broussard has disappeared in the blink of an eye; vanished in the middle of a busy café, gone without even a whisper. A school field trip to New Orleans has left an entire small town stunned, as days, then weeks go by.

Amanda Salassi and her daughter, Ellie, are fighting their own nightmares; feeling responsible, having been the last ones to see Sarah before they rushed throu ...more

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Mar 11, 2016 Jessica Baker (A Baker's Perspective) rated it really liked it

This was a powerful story that kept me on my toes. I will warn you, sometimes it treaded into dark territory, however Julie approached everything with such grace and emotion that I found myself able to handle the depth of the storyline. There were several times in the book that I just wanted to turn to the back page to see what how it ended, but I forced myself to lug along and enjoy Amanda's journey.

I could not imagine being in Amanda's shoes, being a chaperone on a field trip where my best fr This was a powerful story that kept me on my toes. I will warn you, sometimes it treaded into dark territory, however Julie approached everything with such grace and emotion that I found myself able to handle the depth of the storyline. There were several times in the book that I just wanted to turn to the back page to see what how it ended, but I forced myself to lug along and enjoy Amanda's journey.

I could not imagine being in Amanda's shoes, being a chaperone on a field trip where my best friends daughter disappears. Nor could I imagine being the mother of that child, a minister's wife whose faith is rocked to the core when her daughter disappears. I appreciate how Julie kept these women real. They reacted in ways that were true to human nature, not in a way that was not believable. I think that is what I most noted about this book. Every situation Amanda was faced with turned her life upside down. She didn't always handle it with grace and faith, and I think a lot of people in reality would have done the same. We would all like to think that our faith will get us through everything, and in the end it really does, it that doesn't mean we may question it now and then.

Julie did a great job in capturing the letters written to the sparrow. We can all learn a lesson from this - have the faith of a child. Now that everything will be okay and God is in control. I found myself wanting more of these little notes to sparrow. I much preferred to read these notes then a few paragraphs of that particular storyline. I think it helped ease the pain of what was really happening in this situation.

Again, this is a darker Christian book, however the topics are real. Things like this do happen and I'm happy there is someone out there who can write them in a way we can relate to. It certainly makes me take an extra look at the world as well as my faith to make sure it is strong.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review which I have given. ...more

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Jun 10, 2016 Rebecca rated it it was amazing

This book was given to me by the Fiction Guild in return for writing an honest review. This is my first book that I've read from Julie Cantrell and I know it won't be my last.
Full of non-stop suspense...I was so easily pulled in because of the strong emotions that were played out by the characters involved in the story.

This story starts out in pre-Katrina in New Orleans when Amanda Salassi chaperones her daughters sixth grade field trip to the French Quarter during Halloween. The worst thing you This book was given to me by the Fiction Guild in return for writing an honest review. This is my first book that I've read from Julie Cantrell and I know it won't be my last.
Full of non-stop suspense...I was so easily pulled in because of the strong emotions that were played out by the characters involved in the story.

This story starts out in pre-Katrina in New Orleans when Amanda Salassi chaperones her daughters sixth grade field trip to the French Quarter during Halloween. The worst thing you think could happen during a field trip does in fact happen. Amanda is watching the girls near the bathroom and her daughter's best friend, Sarah, suddenly disappears and is no where to be found. The community comes together and searches for Sarah until all hope has been lost and they can't find her. Amanda's daughter feels guilt and goes into a deep depression because she feels responsible and it is really hard for her to cope with. Amanda's husband isn't any help because he's mentally and physically abusive towards her. Amanda feels like her whole world has been turned upside down. Amanda knows she has to find herself strength and courage to get through this tragedy that has brought everyone some personal loss.
The other main character, Ellie, who was taken away and kidnapped must find a way to deal with her loss from her family. She was taken away from everything that was real for her. She must find strength to get through each day. She does receive a journal and pens from one of her abductors. Ellie starts writing to sparrow and this gives her hope and courage to stay strong.
This story follows tragedy and loss that is built around the time of Katrina. Everyone there lost something dear to them but with hope and courage they were able to get through it. This story deals with many painful issues; loss, courage, abuse, and abduction. I feel that Julie Cantrell did a very good job writing about these real issues in a well-thought manner.

From Sarah's journal to sparrow she wrote these scriptures:
He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Psalm 91:4

Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Matthew 10:28 ...more

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Jan 29, 2017 Catherine Richmond added it

The Feathered Bone deals with tough issues, but it's not an issue book. It's Amanda's story. Her daughter's best friend disappears on Amanda's watch, setting off a painful journey. The characters struggle realistically - no easy answers or deus ex machina here. Louisiana and its people are beautifully described. ...more

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Oct 26, 2016 Caryl rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2016-challenge

A gripping story of tragedy that ends restoration. I appreciated the strong cord of faith that is within this story. May we all remember that WE ARE LOVED.

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