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Strength in Measure
Katherine Hayes was young, but she had experienced the grief and hurts of life from a very early age. She knew she was ready to take on her new role as Mrs. Alec Tucker. There was no way of knowing the tragedies that would soon ensue. Nolan and Cole Hayes were brothers by blood, but that was the only thing binding them together. After the loss of their father, the void between the two boys began to grow and their bitterness grew with it. One day their differences would cause a catastrophe that would change the course of their lives forever. Will God's strength be enough? A story of faith, love and loss during the Second World War
- GenresHistorical
603 pages, Paperback
Published August 5, 2022
About the author
LaKaysha Stenersen
6 books17 followersLaKaysha Elizabeth (Stenersen) is a young woman who hails from the beautiful and rugged PNW, in a small town beneath the mountains.
Writing since she was old enough to spell, books and storytelling have always been a love of hers. Music is also a large part of her identity, and it is woven into her stories as it is in her own life, as well as the love and faith that only comes from Jesus Christ.
Having grown up surrounded by a large and rowdy family, she finds inspiration for her stories from everyday experiences and the rich legacy of past generations.
Writing since she was old enough to spell, books and storytelling have always been a love of hers. Music is also a large part of her identity, and it is woven into her stories as it is in her own life, as well as the love and faith that only comes from Jesus Christ.
Having grown up surrounded by a large and rowdy family, she finds inspiration for her stories from everyday experiences and the rich legacy of past generations.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 29, 2022
4.5 ⭐️
Going into Strength in Measure, I wasn’t quite sure honestly what to expect, but I was super thrilled to support my fellow author and friend, LaKaysha. However, as I got into the story and immersed myself in the storyline and the characters, I really fell in love with this book. The writing is old-fashioned and beautiful, and I love it!
This book isn’t as much plot-drive as it is focused on character development, and those are my favorite kinds of reads. I just have to say—a few times, I texted the author feeling all the feels and sending all the emojis. There were so many tender and heart-wrenching scenes, relatable and real characters, and raw and genuine faith.
The characters—ahh, don’t get me started! The faith journey the author had them go on was just—wow, what a ride going from devastating blows to breathtaking highs. Without giving spoilers, just gotta say that the author nailed Cole’s character. So well done!
The only reason I knocked down .5 stars is because this book is a very long read, and I felt that some scenes could have been condensed to make it a tighter read potentially. However, this is nothing against the content itself, because it’s beautiful! I don’t know—in some ways, it reminded me of Little House on the Prairie but set in the 1940?! Which I’m totally okay with ;)
All in all, Strength in Measure is a stunning debut. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
Going into Strength in Measure, I wasn’t quite sure honestly what to expect, but I was super thrilled to support my fellow author and friend, LaKaysha. However, as I got into the story and immersed myself in the storyline and the characters, I really fell in love with this book. The writing is old-fashioned and beautiful, and I love it!
This book isn’t as much plot-drive as it is focused on character development, and those are my favorite kinds of reads. I just have to say—a few times, I texted the author feeling all the feels and sending all the emojis. There were so many tender and heart-wrenching scenes, relatable and real characters, and raw and genuine faith.
The characters—ahh, don’t get me started! The faith journey the author had them go on was just—wow, what a ride going from devastating blows to breathtaking highs. Without giving spoilers, just gotta say that the author nailed Cole’s character. So well done!
The only reason I knocked down .5 stars is because this book is a very long read, and I felt that some scenes could have been condensed to make it a tighter read potentially. However, this is nothing against the content itself, because it’s beautiful! I don’t know—in some ways, it reminded me of Little House on the Prairie but set in the 1940?! Which I’m totally okay with ;)
All in all, Strength in Measure is a stunning debut. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
March 15, 2023
4.5 stars
What a tender, heartfelt story of family, faith, loss, and joy. Strength in Measure opens in 1939 and delves into the lives of the Hayes family. LaKaysha Elizabeth really did an amazing job with her debut novel. The writing style was beautiful! Kind of in the old style, making me think of Little Women or Anne of Green Gables. The characters felt authentic and fleshed out, each with their unique personality and struggles and dreams; you really grow to care for them! I love that it was set in the Oregon mountains...makes me miss my childhood home even more! I could just picture everything and it was so good.
I appreciate the raw look at loss and tumultuous family affairs. And the depth of the faith theme was wonderful. Loved to watch these characters grow and lean on the Lord. He does give the strength we need, day by day!
There were a lot of characters whose lives were touched on, and none of them felt flat or unneeded. I'm really excited to get Nolan's story in more depth, and also hope to see more of Audrey!
Marriage and babies. Tragedy and war. The homestead life and family struggles. Loss and new life. I look forward to continuing the series! I definitely recommend!
What a tender, heartfelt story of family, faith, loss, and joy. Strength in Measure opens in 1939 and delves into the lives of the Hayes family. LaKaysha Elizabeth really did an amazing job with her debut novel. The writing style was beautiful! Kind of in the old style, making me think of Little Women or Anne of Green Gables. The characters felt authentic and fleshed out, each with their unique personality and struggles and dreams; you really grow to care for them! I love that it was set in the Oregon mountains...makes me miss my childhood home even more! I could just picture everything and it was so good.
I appreciate the raw look at loss and tumultuous family affairs. And the depth of the faith theme was wonderful. Loved to watch these characters grow and lean on the Lord. He does give the strength we need, day by day!
There were a lot of characters whose lives were touched on, and none of them felt flat or unneeded. I'm really excited to get Nolan's story in more depth, and also hope to see more of Audrey!
Marriage and babies. Tragedy and war. The homestead life and family struggles. Loss and new life. I look forward to continuing the series! I definitely recommend!
May 3, 2022
I was excited to read this new author and enjoyed getting to know the Hayes clan. It is definitely a long book, but you won’t be disappointed!
March 23, 2025
So glad this ended up popping up on my libraries bookshelf. I love the big family dynamics, the heartache that comes with having such a large circle and more so the immense blessing it is! Great character development, I can’t wait to get my hands on the next one. A wonderful testimony of God’s grace and mercy to us.
July 20, 2022
Do you love stories about families? Read this book.
Do you love The Walton's? Read this book.
Do you love WWII stories? Read this book.
Even if you DON'T love those things, you should still read this book. Because I believe everyone should read it. Books these days seem to be fluff. Even when bad things happen and characters go through a lot, the books themselves lack meaning. This is NOT like that. The characters feel real. The things that happen to them makes you want to hug them and cry with them. The first page sucks you in. Katie's story is relatable and inspiring. Cole's story is touching. And Nolan. Oh Nolan. Nolan has my heart. But his story is in the second book (Echoes of Mercy), so I won't go into that. (But goodness, someone give Nolan a hug!)
I cried a lot while reading this book. But that could be due to the fact that the author is my sister, and I was able to read between the lines and know where she got things. Why certain characters go through certain things. Because this story is largely inspired by our real lives, and the characters are based on real people in our lives. Even the setting has meaning to us. For Eastern Oregon was a huge part of our childhood.
I loved how she managed to show how the World War effected everyone - including the little town of Elk Valley way out in the mountains of Oregon. How it touched every person in the family differently.
I hear that a lot people comment on how many characters there are in this story, and though that is true, I wasn't bothered by it at all. In fact, it was nice to read a book about a large family who also had a large extended family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, so many siblings. Coming from a large, close family, this felt like a breath of fresh air. Just like watching The Walton's.
So. So. Good. please give it a chance!
Do you love The Walton's? Read this book.
Do you love WWII stories? Read this book.
Even if you DON'T love those things, you should still read this book. Because I believe everyone should read it. Books these days seem to be fluff. Even when bad things happen and characters go through a lot, the books themselves lack meaning. This is NOT like that. The characters feel real. The things that happen to them makes you want to hug them and cry with them. The first page sucks you in. Katie's story is relatable and inspiring. Cole's story is touching. And Nolan. Oh Nolan. Nolan has my heart. But his story is in the second book (Echoes of Mercy), so I won't go into that. (But goodness, someone give Nolan a hug!)
I cried a lot while reading this book. But that could be due to the fact that the author is my sister, and I was able to read between the lines and know where she got things. Why certain characters go through certain things. Because this story is largely inspired by our real lives, and the characters are based on real people in our lives. Even the setting has meaning to us. For Eastern Oregon was a huge part of our childhood.
I loved how she managed to show how the World War effected everyone - including the little town of Elk Valley way out in the mountains of Oregon. How it touched every person in the family differently.
I hear that a lot people comment on how many characters there are in this story, and though that is true, I wasn't bothered by it at all. In fact, it was nice to read a book about a large family who also had a large extended family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, so many siblings. Coming from a large, close family, this felt like a breath of fresh air. Just like watching The Walton's.
So. So. Good. please give it a chance!
December 9, 2025
DISCLAIMER: any medical procedures, incidents and such are purely for fiction and entertainment. I am not a doctor and know that many fictional liberties were taken.
This was my very first novel, and with that comes many mistakes and somewhat cheesy lines, ect. Someday I'd like to release a revised edition of the trilogy with new covers to boot, but that's something in the faraway future.
That being said, I love this book and this story.
The characters are as dear to me as my family in the real world--I loved growing up with them, watching them go through fire and flood, and shaping them into strong, faith-fueled adults that I would be proud to be compared to.
The many characters can be hard to keep track of for some, but I grew up in a very large family with many, many cousins, and that is reflected in this story.
The hardships Katie, Cole, Nolan, and the rest of the Hayes clan face are heartbreaking at times, but this is a story of hope and perseverance. A gentle reminder of God's goodness and strength during even the darkest times.
This was my very first novel, and with that comes many mistakes and somewhat cheesy lines, ect. Someday I'd like to release a revised edition of the trilogy with new covers to boot, but that's something in the faraway future.
That being said, I love this book and this story.
The characters are as dear to me as my family in the real world--I loved growing up with them, watching them go through fire and flood, and shaping them into strong, faith-fueled adults that I would be proud to be compared to.
The many characters can be hard to keep track of for some, but I grew up in a very large family with many, many cousins, and that is reflected in this story.
The hardships Katie, Cole, Nolan, and the rest of the Hayes clan face are heartbreaking at times, but this is a story of hope and perseverance. A gentle reminder of God's goodness and strength during even the darkest times.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews