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The Inn at Shining Waters #3
River's End
In the final story of The Inn at Shining Waters, Anna Larson's granddaughter Sarah is beginning to find her independence. But her relationship with her parents suffer as a result and she travels away from all that is familiar.
While the solace of the river calls Sarah back, surprises await upon her return. Three generations of family heartbreak and disappointments converge at Shining Waters as Sarah finds God right in the center of it all.
While the solace of the river calls Sarah back, surprises await upon her return. Three generations of family heartbreak and disappointments converge at Shining Waters as Sarah finds God right in the center of it all.
288 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2012
24 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
Melody Carlson
418 books3,254 followersMelody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.
She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.
Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.
She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.
Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
January 17, 2022
In the third and final story of The Inn at Shining Waters, Anna Larson's granddaughter Sarah is beginning to find her independence. But her relationship with her parents suffers as a result and she decides to travel away from all that is familiar.
While the solace of the river calls Sarah back, surprises await upon her return. Three generations of family heartbreak and disappointments converge at Shining Waters as Sarah finds God right in the center of it all. Forgiveness and redemption are front and center as the trilogy brings everything together. While the plot is mostly predictable, the writing was so good and the author has created such likeable and believable characters that I had to see it through to the end.
While the solace of the river calls Sarah back, surprises await upon her return. Three generations of family heartbreak and disappointments converge at Shining Waters as Sarah finds God right in the center of it all. Forgiveness and redemption are front and center as the trilogy brings everything together. While the plot is mostly predictable, the writing was so good and the author has created such likeable and believable characters that I had to see it through to the end.
January 8, 2025
I'm a Melody Carlson fan! But I've only read her Christmas novellas. Man, am I glad I found this series! What a treat! I've loved all three books.
This third and final book focused a lot on all three women, especially Sarah. It picked up right where the last book left off. It was interesting because Ana has to make so many decisions as a mom and grandma, and I found myself really weighing in and respecting some of her boundaries she stood firm on while also becoming frustrated with other decisions she made. I wont give spoilers but this book did feature some religious abuse and featured some of the communes and cults that were prevalent, especially in Oregon, in the 60's and 70's. I did feel there was more faith based content in this book that in the previous two.
One thing that I really enjoyed about this series is how each book really took us through the seasons of Anas life. Starting at a time she felt lost and hopeless and desperate for change, and ending the series with Ana looking out over her legacy. I've really loved this whole series!
This third and final book focused a lot on all three women, especially Sarah. It picked up right where the last book left off. It was interesting because Ana has to make so many decisions as a mom and grandma, and I found myself really weighing in and respecting some of her boundaries she stood firm on while also becoming frustrated with other decisions she made. I wont give spoilers but this book did feature some religious abuse and featured some of the communes and cults that were prevalent, especially in Oregon, in the 60's and 70's. I did feel there was more faith based content in this book that in the previous two.
One thing that I really enjoyed about this series is how each book really took us through the seasons of Anas life. Starting at a time she felt lost and hopeless and desperate for change, and ending the series with Ana looking out over her legacy. I've really loved this whole series!
September 10, 2014
Anna is a bit dense. Sure, Clark's fishing, she will believe anything. I get a little peeved that she doesn't take full responsibility for Lauren's upbringing. The circumstances were not her fault but she sat idly by and gave Eunice free reign over her daughter. She was free to go to her mothers house anytime. Her mother wanted her to but Lauren was spoiled and she didn't want to upset her. Well lady the spoiling had to stop sometime. You had to eventually step up to the plate and raise your own kid. Don't blame Eunice because you didn't have the brains to do it when she was a kid.
A common theme in Carlson's books is that if you don't go to college you have wasted your life. What a joke. Why did Lauren have to go to college? She was running a successful inn that she went back to running only a few years after college. Waste of money if you ask me. Then Sarah also with the college issue. Only to run an inn that they already knew how to run. The only useful thing they got out of college was husbands.
A common theme in Carlson's books is that if you don't go to college you have wasted your life. What a joke. Why did Lauren have to go to college? She was running a successful inn that she went back to running only a few years after college. Waste of money if you ask me. Then Sarah also with the college issue. Only to run an inn that they already knew how to run. The only useful thing they got out of college was husbands.
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October 24, 2016End to a lovely trilogy that explores love, change, and redemption in relationships. I had such a lovely time narrating this. #Heartwarming.
May 28, 2021
Look, so I read a LOT of Melody Carlson books when I was in high school. A LOT of them. And I loved them. I picked up River’s End in a fit of nostalgia at my local library. In all fairness, I think I picked up the absolutely WORST possible book of Carlson’s for me.
I’m not an expert, or anything, but I find cults intriguing, and I’ve read/watched/listened to a decent amount of content on them, INCLUDING a lot of survivor accounts that talk about how HARD it is to get out, physically and mentally. Within the first 50 pages, I found myself yelling “CULT. Sarah ran away from a CULT!” and waited for Carlson to deal with it. She erm... didn’t. Not even in the trite “she recovered by the Grace of God!” sort of way I was dreading, given Christian fiction. Instead, she glossed over all of the darkness and repercussions of Sarah’s (and later Jewel’s) experiences. Like, seriously, we’re talking about “tempted to follow the example of YouTuber Münecat and break out my lipgloss” levels of glossing over, here. And for me, that ruined the whole book. It trashed my suspension of disbelief, and made the whole thing ring really hollow.
In short, I’m pretty sure that if I’d managed to snag almost any other Melody Carlson book, it would have been a MUCH better experience. But I didn’t. And it wasn’t. So I’ll probably repeat the experiment with a different (hopefully less frustrating) book.
I’m not an expert, or anything, but I find cults intriguing, and I’ve read/watched/listened to a decent amount of content on them, INCLUDING a lot of survivor accounts that talk about how HARD it is to get out, physically and mentally. Within the first 50 pages, I found myself yelling “CULT. Sarah ran away from a CULT!” and waited for Carlson to deal with it. She erm... didn’t. Not even in the trite “she recovered by the Grace of God!” sort of way I was dreading, given Christian fiction. Instead, she glossed over all of the darkness and repercussions of Sarah’s (and later Jewel’s) experiences. Like, seriously, we’re talking about “tempted to follow the example of YouTuber Münecat and break out my lipgloss” levels of glossing over, here. And for me, that ruined the whole book. It trashed my suspension of disbelief, and made the whole thing ring really hollow.
In short, I’m pretty sure that if I’d managed to snag almost any other Melody Carlson book, it would have been a MUCH better experience. But I didn’t. And it wasn’t. So I’ll probably repeat the experiment with a different (hopefully less frustrating) book.
January 29, 2021
A Beautiful Journeying Hated to See End
A long-time fan of Melody Carlson’s work, this series was a delightful find for me. Who wouldn’t want to be more like Anna, the protagonist throughout the series? Like all beautifully written and developed characters in a story, there is usually a little of us in each of them. We can be stubborn, but brilliant like Sarah, willful, but with a good heart underneath like Lauren and so on throughout the series. But Anna and her wonderful husband, Clark, and mother in law, Hazel set encouraging examples of how we could be, how we want to be, deep inside. Not perfect,but good people who make a difference.
I love how the author wove so much Native American history, the science of nature, and the love and wisdom our Our Heavenly Father throughout. Carlson managed to do all this without sounding like a lecture or preachy in any way. Her wisdom flowed throughout this series as naturally as the river flows.
I was sad to finish the series, but will read on with her other works, yet unread by me. Thankfully Carlson is as prolific as she is talented.
A long-time fan of Melody Carlson’s work, this series was a delightful find for me. Who wouldn’t want to be more like Anna, the protagonist throughout the series? Like all beautifully written and developed characters in a story, there is usually a little of us in each of them. We can be stubborn, but brilliant like Sarah, willful, but with a good heart underneath like Lauren and so on throughout the series. But Anna and her wonderful husband, Clark, and mother in law, Hazel set encouraging examples of how we could be, how we want to be, deep inside. Not perfect,but good people who make a difference.
I love how the author wove so much Native American history, the science of nature, and the love and wisdom our Our Heavenly Father throughout. Carlson managed to do all this without sounding like a lecture or preachy in any way. Her wisdom flowed throughout this series as naturally as the river flows.
I was sad to finish the series, but will read on with her other works, yet unread by me. Thankfully Carlson is as prolific as she is talented.
April 26, 2022
River's End - the end of a multi-generational at least partially Native American family running an inn by a river and only the grandmother is put together enough to solve any of the multitude of problems arising because of her daughter's youthful mistake of becoming a mother too early in life.
This horrible mother had driven her (I'm assuming) bastard child away who ran to join a commune.
After Cult leaders changed, she decided she didn't like it as much and came home to her grandma and to alternatively antagonize or avoid her unforgivable mother.
Of course the horrible mother drove her away again because only grandmothers can be understanding in these situations, and she rejoined the Cult, then traveled and very nearly became a Jonestown victim except that she had gotten sick and couldn't go with them before the fateful event.
Horrible mom tracked her down and sent grandma to fetch her.
Eventually all happy and several generations later, they celebrate grandma's (I assume) eleventy-first birthday with billions of great-great grandbabies.
This horrible mother had driven her (I'm assuming) bastard child away who ran to join a commune.
After Cult leaders changed, she decided she didn't like it as much and came home to her grandma and to alternatively antagonize or avoid her unforgivable mother.
Of course the horrible mother drove her away again because only grandmothers can be understanding in these situations, and she rejoined the Cult, then traveled and very nearly became a Jonestown victim except that she had gotten sick and couldn't go with them before the fateful event.
Horrible mom tracked her down and sent grandma to fetch her.
Eventually all happy and several generations later, they celebrate grandma's (I assume) eleventy-first birthday with billions of great-great grandbabies.
April 3, 2018
This trilogy reads a bit slow, but I still enjoyed it. The books beautifully portray the strength that can be found in the relationships between women, both in the family, and among dear friends. The main character inherited her beautiful property on a somewhat remote river from her part-American Indian mother. It was first owned by her Indian great-grandmother and passed down through the matriarchal lineage. The author paints a beautiful setting of peace, reflected in nature, and founded on a belief in God.
May 18, 2022
Excellent trio of books in this series. Couldn’t believe how fast I read them….probably because I could not put them down. Tons of life lessons on each book. I enjoyed this book the most. It covered several things that happened in history as I was growing up. It was extremely interesting to hear another person’s version of the incidents. Highly recommend this author!!!
December 2, 2025
A great finish to the 50 year story of several generations of women in one family. You need to read the 3 books in order. Lots of good insights on forgiveness, family, finding peace in nature, and love that goes the distance.
April 4, 2019
A good finish to an entertaining series.
December 2, 2018
I enjoyed this whole series! Carlson teaches deep truths without preachy tones.
October 8, 2019
enjoyed the series
December 24, 2019
Satisfying conclusion to the three generational story of forgiveness.
March 16, 2021
I accidentally started the third book first, quit and listened to them in order. The series was just ok. The third book seemed a little more annoying and whiny. Oh well. All done, moving on.
October 8, 2021
Had to end somehow but not as good as the first two books.
January 13, 2022
I enjoyed all three books in this series, but I don't really need to read that everyone is praying about everything on just about every page. Satisfactory ending (owned print copy)
February 4, 2024
#3 The Inn at shining waters series
March 16, 2025
Nice story but too much retelling of facts mentioned earlier.
August 19, 2012
We all know at some point in our lives, chapters in our life stories must reach an end before new one's begin and that is just what happens in the conclusion to the Inn at the Shining Water Series of books by Melody Carlson, River's End. It's a book of some sadness, anxiety, hope and of course new waters to chart, but it is also filled with the most heartbreaking and sweetest goodbyes as well.
If you have followed the series from the beginning with River's Song, you learn about Anna's story and her Indian heritage and why the river holds a place for her people and offers any who come to live here a chance for healing and restoration. In River's Call, we learn about Anna's daughter Lauren and the healing of a broken relationship between Anna and Lauren, and finally now a grandmother in River's End, and the prodigal returning home of her missing granddaughter, Sarah who has gone without a trace for two years. She has answered the call of the river and came home.
Now as history repeats itself, mother and daughter are at odds and bitterness between the two continues to escalate as one tries to heal and the other tries find a path towards forgiveness. Each is trying too hard to make the other one see the path towards new beginnings as Sarah returns home from living in a commune in Oregon that seems to have inspired a bit of sadness and harbors grudges towards her mother for not being good enough while she was growing up. Lauren on the other hand wants nothing more than to apologize and move forward without recognizing the pain and hurt that Sarah is carrying within her heart, she wants the quick band aid fix but the pain goes much deeper than Lauren realizes.
As Anna tries to help them work together to find healing along the water by working at the Inn during the summer season, it only seems to do nothing more but cause each of them to avoid the other for the sake of not getting into heated confrontations, and drive them further apart. Anna's mother-in-law, Hazel, returns home from a long trip in China only to return home ill. Anna hopes some old-fashioned home made remedies might do her some good but soon we find out that Hazel's heart has grown much older than she feels and Anna and Clark along with some of the readers must find a way to say good-bye to a loveable character that has been so prominent from the very beginning. Will Lauren and Sarah find healing in the passing legacy Hazel has to leave behind, or will the river's call go unanswered between the two?
I received River's End compliments of Abingdon Press, and Pump Up Your Book Tours for my honest review. In this series it shows the lasting consequences that can happen when we let bitterness poison our hearts and keep us from the opportunity to say our final good-byes to those we love the most. It shows how forgiveness isn't about letting someone off the hook for the pain they have caused, but more about the healing that happens within our own hearts when we can let the burden go and finally move forward in freedom spiritually. While the river I believe is a metaphor for the spiritual river all of us have running through our lives, we must all heed to its call and return home to God, for without it we will be left in a faithless drought and always be searching in thirst for something to fill it unless it's God. Only He can fill the emptiness in anyone's life and that's why I rate this series a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. Trust me, you'll want to read this series from the first book to gain all the insight you can from Melody Carlson's words!
If you have followed the series from the beginning with River's Song, you learn about Anna's story and her Indian heritage and why the river holds a place for her people and offers any who come to live here a chance for healing and restoration. In River's Call, we learn about Anna's daughter Lauren and the healing of a broken relationship between Anna and Lauren, and finally now a grandmother in River's End, and the prodigal returning home of her missing granddaughter, Sarah who has gone without a trace for two years. She has answered the call of the river and came home.
Now as history repeats itself, mother and daughter are at odds and bitterness between the two continues to escalate as one tries to heal and the other tries find a path towards forgiveness. Each is trying too hard to make the other one see the path towards new beginnings as Sarah returns home from living in a commune in Oregon that seems to have inspired a bit of sadness and harbors grudges towards her mother for not being good enough while she was growing up. Lauren on the other hand wants nothing more than to apologize and move forward without recognizing the pain and hurt that Sarah is carrying within her heart, she wants the quick band aid fix but the pain goes much deeper than Lauren realizes.
As Anna tries to help them work together to find healing along the water by working at the Inn during the summer season, it only seems to do nothing more but cause each of them to avoid the other for the sake of not getting into heated confrontations, and drive them further apart. Anna's mother-in-law, Hazel, returns home from a long trip in China only to return home ill. Anna hopes some old-fashioned home made remedies might do her some good but soon we find out that Hazel's heart has grown much older than she feels and Anna and Clark along with some of the readers must find a way to say good-bye to a loveable character that has been so prominent from the very beginning. Will Lauren and Sarah find healing in the passing legacy Hazel has to leave behind, or will the river's call go unanswered between the two?
I received River's End compliments of Abingdon Press, and Pump Up Your Book Tours for my honest review. In this series it shows the lasting consequences that can happen when we let bitterness poison our hearts and keep us from the opportunity to say our final good-byes to those we love the most. It shows how forgiveness isn't about letting someone off the hook for the pain they have caused, but more about the healing that happens within our own hearts when we can let the burden go and finally move forward in freedom spiritually. While the river I believe is a metaphor for the spiritual river all of us have running through our lives, we must all heed to its call and return home to God, for without it we will be left in a faithless drought and always be searching in thirst for something to fill it unless it's God. Only He can fill the emptiness in anyone's life and that's why I rate this series a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. Trust me, you'll want to read this series from the first book to gain all the insight you can from Melody Carlson's words!
July 8, 2015
I’m thankful for the review copy of a book that puts the final touches to life for Anna and Clark at the Inn at Shinning Waters. Again American history is interwoven into the story line. This time it’s the 70’s and Anna’s granddaughter Sarah has been missing for two years. Lauren, Anna and Clark have been searching for her with now leads. This leaves an ache in all their hearts. They need to work together to find proof she’s still alive.
I like that the author has let each book in this series focus on one woman and her trials in the maternal like of the Larson family all told through Anna’s perspective in first person. The River’s Song, book one was Anna’s story as she sought to find peace, healing and meaning to life. She and the reader learned much of her Indian heritage.
In book Two River’s Call focuses on Lauren and the predicament she finds herself in. Eunice tries to entangle Anna and Lauren in her web of deception and control. Ann has the courage to follow her the dream God has given her. She also had the courage to forgive and stay the course no matter how hard the storms of life hit her. She will not be abused by Eunice or her daughter at the same time she looked for opportunities to love them both. It was difficult.
In book Three River’s End, Anna, Clark and Lauren are working together to find any clues to Sarah’s whereabouts and they learn to work together as they serve the guests at the Inn at Shinning Waters. The thing that would make this a great situation for Anna would be if Sarah were in the fold. As time goes on Anna feels that she is losing her grip on the main focus of The Inn; which was to bring healing and peace to those that stayed there.
This author weaves in some pretty serious things that happened in the 70’s and has her characters be affected by the events. The theme of forgiveness and healing are natural threads throughout this novel and series. The Siuslaw woman – the Larson women have learned to adjust to the changes life brings them. But through this story the River remains constant. Anna realizes, “Everyone has to decide their own path in life.” No one can live your life for you.
I like how this author shows regular people facing challenges and problems the best they can. In all three of these books the authors talks about relationships. They take time, prayer, work and all need to be clothed in forgiveness. The time and effort they put into their relationships would pay off in the long run. They had to be patient with themselves and each other. This book could be read as a stand-alone but I highly recommend reading books one and two in this series as it makes this read all the more richer and a more memorable experience. I highly recommend this book as a book club pick and just plain fun. It’s a series that you won’t soon forget and one that will stay in your heart long after you read the last book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I purchased this book on Amazon.
I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
I like that the author has let each book in this series focus on one woman and her trials in the maternal like of the Larson family all told through Anna’s perspective in first person. The River’s Song, book one was Anna’s story as she sought to find peace, healing and meaning to life. She and the reader learned much of her Indian heritage.
In book Two River’s Call focuses on Lauren and the predicament she finds herself in. Eunice tries to entangle Anna and Lauren in her web of deception and control. Ann has the courage to follow her the dream God has given her. She also had the courage to forgive and stay the course no matter how hard the storms of life hit her. She will not be abused by Eunice or her daughter at the same time she looked for opportunities to love them both. It was difficult.
In book Three River’s End, Anna, Clark and Lauren are working together to find any clues to Sarah’s whereabouts and they learn to work together as they serve the guests at the Inn at Shinning Waters. The thing that would make this a great situation for Anna would be if Sarah were in the fold. As time goes on Anna feels that she is losing her grip on the main focus of The Inn; which was to bring healing and peace to those that stayed there.
This author weaves in some pretty serious things that happened in the 70’s and has her characters be affected by the events. The theme of forgiveness and healing are natural threads throughout this novel and series. The Siuslaw woman – the Larson women have learned to adjust to the changes life brings them. But through this story the River remains constant. Anna realizes, “Everyone has to decide their own path in life.” No one can live your life for you.
I like how this author shows regular people facing challenges and problems the best they can. In all three of these books the authors talks about relationships. They take time, prayer, work and all need to be clothed in forgiveness. The time and effort they put into their relationships would pay off in the long run. They had to be patient with themselves and each other. This book could be read as a stand-alone but I highly recommend reading books one and two in this series as it makes this read all the more richer and a more memorable experience. I highly recommend this book as a book club pick and just plain fun. It’s a series that you won’t soon forget and one that will stay in your heart long after you read the last book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I purchased this book on Amazon.
I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
September 4, 2012
"Three generations of women return to their roots to discover who they are and who they are meant to be."
The Inn at Shining Waters trilogy follows the story of three generations of women: Anna Larson, daughter Lauren, and granddaughter Sarah, through the decades of the 1950s-1970s. In River's End, their story comes to a conclusion with the primary focus on Sarah, and her two year journey from the familial inn to a religious commune (cult) and back to her family.
This trilogy deals with the family dynamic of three generations of women: their joys, sorrows, love, heartbreaks, disappointments, forgiveness and faith. It is the journey of three women who had to walk their own "trail of tears," in order to discover themselves, the strength of their family bond, and their faith and love in God, who was with them through each step of their journey.
River's End is a wonderful conclusion to The Inn at Shining Waters trilogy. River's End brings the story of the three generations of women full circle, for life is like the river it keeps flowing and we must eventually heed the call and come back home. The author weaves a story that is spiritual and inspirational, as it sends a message about the beauty of God's love and the ability to heal by showing forgiveness and allowing love in our hearts as we go through the trials and tribulations that occur in our lives.
The author has created a wonderful cast of characters, and does a great job of developing them throughout the trilogy. The reader can relate to the individual strengths, weaknesses, beauty and faith that made up these three women. Their individual stories were captivating, while the dialogue and interactions kept the storyline flowing smoothly through the decades, it made the stories in the trilogy that much more of a compelling read. Rich in detail and vivid descriptions, the author transports the reader to the beautiful scenic river and Inn at Shining Waters in Oregon, while capturing the essence and events of the decades of the 1950s-1970s, it was like taking a walk down memory lane. This is a beautifully written and thoughtful trilogy; the heartwarming and inspirational stories of Anna, Lauren and Sarah will resonate with you long after the last page is read.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
The Inn at Shining Waters trilogy follows the story of three generations of women: Anna Larson, daughter Lauren, and granddaughter Sarah, through the decades of the 1950s-1970s. In River's End, their story comes to a conclusion with the primary focus on Sarah, and her two year journey from the familial inn to a religious commune (cult) and back to her family.
This trilogy deals with the family dynamic of three generations of women: their joys, sorrows, love, heartbreaks, disappointments, forgiveness and faith. It is the journey of three women who had to walk their own "trail of tears," in order to discover themselves, the strength of their family bond, and their faith and love in God, who was with them through each step of their journey.
River's End is a wonderful conclusion to The Inn at Shining Waters trilogy. River's End brings the story of the three generations of women full circle, for life is like the river it keeps flowing and we must eventually heed the call and come back home. The author weaves a story that is spiritual and inspirational, as it sends a message about the beauty of God's love and the ability to heal by showing forgiveness and allowing love in our hearts as we go through the trials and tribulations that occur in our lives.
The author has created a wonderful cast of characters, and does a great job of developing them throughout the trilogy. The reader can relate to the individual strengths, weaknesses, beauty and faith that made up these three women. Their individual stories were captivating, while the dialogue and interactions kept the storyline flowing smoothly through the decades, it made the stories in the trilogy that much more of a compelling read. Rich in detail and vivid descriptions, the author transports the reader to the beautiful scenic river and Inn at Shining Waters in Oregon, while capturing the essence and events of the decades of the 1950s-1970s, it was like taking a walk down memory lane. This is a beautifully written and thoughtful trilogy; the heartwarming and inspirational stories of Anna, Lauren and Sarah will resonate with you long after the last page is read.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
September 4, 2012
I started this book before going to bed one night. I only read the first couple of pages but was too tired to read much more than that. The next day was a Sunday so I knew I had time to finish the book. I sit in my chair in my office with my dog and I just could not stop reading. I got frustrated every time something pulled me away from the book. This book is not a quick read but it is an amazing thought provoking read.
River's End is the third in The Shining Waters series of books. I honestly did not know there were other books in this series until I was looking up the book. This is a great stand alone read. The characters and plot is amazing. When reading it feels like the author wrote about experience. I admit to never reading anything by this author before however I have found a new author to follow.
Anna is a strong female that is trying to keep her family together. It takes time but Anna realizes that just like the river she has to let everyone decide on their own path.
Sarah a young female that is headstrong that learns forgiveness is more than just saying "I'm sorry". She learns that running away is not the answer to life's problems.
Lauren a mother that learns the past cannot be changed, life must go forward and that forgiveness is hard to come by.
Reading this book will make you think about your past. It will make you think about that grudge you are still holding against someone in your past. This book can help you look into your heart and find that forgiveness for that person. It will make you realize that the bitterness you are holding on to is just putting poison in your heart and life. That bitterness just grows and makes you and everyone around you a hateful person that no one wants to be around.
Yes, there is talk about God in this book. That is what helps to make this book so great.
On the back of the book it has this great blurb:
"Three generations of women return to their roots to discover who they are and who they are meant to be."
The above statement is so true. People have to return to their roots to discover who they are and what they are meant to be in life.
If you or your teenager (16+) is looking for a great Christian read, then check out Melody and her books. You will not be sorry. The writing, the message, everything about the book I read was wonderful. I laughed and cried while reading this book.
Thanks for an amazing read Melody.
The bunnies and I give this book carrots.
River's End is the third in The Shining Waters series of books. I honestly did not know there were other books in this series until I was looking up the book. This is a great stand alone read. The characters and plot is amazing. When reading it feels like the author wrote about experience. I admit to never reading anything by this author before however I have found a new author to follow.
Anna is a strong female that is trying to keep her family together. It takes time but Anna realizes that just like the river she has to let everyone decide on their own path.
Sarah a young female that is headstrong that learns forgiveness is more than just saying "I'm sorry". She learns that running away is not the answer to life's problems.
Lauren a mother that learns the past cannot be changed, life must go forward and that forgiveness is hard to come by.
Reading this book will make you think about your past. It will make you think about that grudge you are still holding against someone in your past. This book can help you look into your heart and find that forgiveness for that person. It will make you realize that the bitterness you are holding on to is just putting poison in your heart and life. That bitterness just grows and makes you and everyone around you a hateful person that no one wants to be around.
Yes, there is talk about God in this book. That is what helps to make this book so great.
On the back of the book it has this great blurb:
"Three generations of women return to their roots to discover who they are and who they are meant to be."
The above statement is so true. People have to return to their roots to discover who they are and what they are meant to be in life.
If you or your teenager (16+) is looking for a great Christian read, then check out Melody and her books. You will not be sorry. The writing, the message, everything about the book I read was wonderful. I laughed and cried while reading this book.
Thanks for an amazing read Melody.
The bunnies and I give this book carrots.
September 13, 2012
It was very difficult to decide on a rating for this book. And you might be surprised that I put it in the historical category. Read on, and I think you will discover why.
First of all, this is a clean read. No profanity, no sex, no violence. It is a Christian book, and the faith of the characters is woven extremely well into the story. I realize I am at a disadvantage since I have not read the other books in the series, but you can actually jump right into this book with no previous experience with the author or the series. I never felt lost.
I enjoyed the historical aspects of the story. When I realized that the cult started by James Jones and its subsequent massacre was mentioned in the book, I was amazed. While this is only a very small portion of the book, and it does not directly impact any of the characters, this heightened my interest in the book. I was able to put into perspective the time period during which the book took place. I call this historical fiction even though no one else may. I also enjoyed the fact that this took place in Oregon. I love books that are set in the Pacific Northwest (since I live there).
The story itself was very moving at times. The message, I think, would speak to everyone. Forgiveness and releasing bitterness is probably something all of us sometimes struggle with.
My criticisms are minor, but they did sometimes keep me from enjoying the book as much as I could have. I sometimes felt I did not know the characters as well as I should, but that could be due to not reading the rest of the series. I also felt that sometimes things worked out too well for Anna. I would have liked to have seen a little more tragedy happen to her. I sometimes prefer a little more realism, but that is just a personal preference. I also felt that sometimes the event happened too quickly. That may sound strange, but sometimes the events seemed a little choppy. The epilogue really seemed to cram a little too much into a few pages. But again, this is just my opinion.
In conclusion, I would recommend this book to those of you who like inspirational books and family-friendly books. I think you will find what you are looking for in this book.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
First of all, this is a clean read. No profanity, no sex, no violence. It is a Christian book, and the faith of the characters is woven extremely well into the story. I realize I am at a disadvantage since I have not read the other books in the series, but you can actually jump right into this book with no previous experience with the author or the series. I never felt lost.
I enjoyed the historical aspects of the story. When I realized that the cult started by James Jones and its subsequent massacre was mentioned in the book, I was amazed. While this is only a very small portion of the book, and it does not directly impact any of the characters, this heightened my interest in the book. I was able to put into perspective the time period during which the book took place. I call this historical fiction even though no one else may. I also enjoyed the fact that this took place in Oregon. I love books that are set in the Pacific Northwest (since I live there).
The story itself was very moving at times. The message, I think, would speak to everyone. Forgiveness and releasing bitterness is probably something all of us sometimes struggle with.
My criticisms are minor, but they did sometimes keep me from enjoying the book as much as I could have. I sometimes felt I did not know the characters as well as I should, but that could be due to not reading the rest of the series. I also felt that sometimes things worked out too well for Anna. I would have liked to have seen a little more tragedy happen to her. I sometimes prefer a little more realism, but that is just a personal preference. I also felt that sometimes the event happened too quickly. That may sound strange, but sometimes the events seemed a little choppy. The epilogue really seemed to cram a little too much into a few pages. But again, this is just my opinion.
In conclusion, I would recommend this book to those of you who like inspirational books and family-friendly books. I think you will find what you are looking for in this book.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
August 28, 2012
After having some mixed feelings about the first two books in this series (I liked the first better than the second), I was interested to see how the last book would wrap things up. It could have gone several different ways, and since the second book in the series, River’s Call, ended on such a cliffhanger, this was one series I definitely wanted to finish.
The biggest thing was that I kept getting so frustrated with Sarah in this novel. A lot of times she acted like a selfish brat. She had such a loving family to go home to, yet she kept running away, always searching for something better. I guess this could be an example of how we as Christians sometimes run from God. We have a wonderful, loving Savior who welcomes us with open arms and forgives us, but so often we are stubborn and want to do things our own way.
While I was frustrated with Sarah’s character, I was once again frustrated with the parents in this novel and their attitudes toward their children. It just still seemed to me as if the parents and grandparents left Sarah on her own to figure things out for herself. I just kept wanting the adults in the situation to get this poor teenager some help! Anna, the grandmother, eventually led her to the Bible so that she could read what God says about forgiveness. But, up until that point, they just seemed to be of the opinion that Sarah was a teenager and that all teenagers go through these messed up sorts of things before they eventually come around and grow out of it. The adults walked on eggshells with Sarah, always afraid that she would up and leave again. They didn’t want to do anything at all to upset her in any way, and they definitely didn’t want to make her do anything she didn’t want to do. If I did that with my daughter, she would never have any discipline in her life at all!
One thing I did like in River’s End was the relationship between Anna and Clark. They seemed to grow closer throughout the series, and their love was so sweet and true. I also liked the way that the author depicted the different changes that occurred to the inn and to the river throughout the three novels.
Read my complete review here: http://shoopettesbookreviews.blogspot...
The biggest thing was that I kept getting so frustrated with Sarah in this novel. A lot of times she acted like a selfish brat. She had such a loving family to go home to, yet she kept running away, always searching for something better. I guess this could be an example of how we as Christians sometimes run from God. We have a wonderful, loving Savior who welcomes us with open arms and forgives us, but so often we are stubborn and want to do things our own way.
While I was frustrated with Sarah’s character, I was once again frustrated with the parents in this novel and their attitudes toward their children. It just still seemed to me as if the parents and grandparents left Sarah on her own to figure things out for herself. I just kept wanting the adults in the situation to get this poor teenager some help! Anna, the grandmother, eventually led her to the Bible so that she could read what God says about forgiveness. But, up until that point, they just seemed to be of the opinion that Sarah was a teenager and that all teenagers go through these messed up sorts of things before they eventually come around and grow out of it. The adults walked on eggshells with Sarah, always afraid that she would up and leave again. They didn’t want to do anything at all to upset her in any way, and they definitely didn’t want to make her do anything she didn’t want to do. If I did that with my daughter, she would never have any discipline in her life at all!
One thing I did like in River’s End was the relationship between Anna and Clark. They seemed to grow closer throughout the series, and their love was so sweet and true. I also liked the way that the author depicted the different changes that occurred to the inn and to the river throughout the three novels.
Read my complete review here: http://shoopettesbookreviews.blogspot...
September 15, 2012
Melody Carlson in her new book, “River’s End” Book Three in The Inn at Shining Waters series published by Abingdon Press takes us to Oregon in 1978.
From the back cover: Three generations of women face brokenness, humility and hope.
In the final story of The Inn at Shining Waters, Anna Larson’s granddaughter, Sarah, is beginning to find her independence. But her relationships with her parents suffer as a result and she travels away from all that is familiar.
The solace of the river calls Sarah back but surprises await upon her return and three generations of family heartbreak and disappointments converge at Shining Waters. Reuniting with her mother and grandmother, however, shows Sarah the conquering strength of family and faith.
Generations is the theme of this novel and it is marvelous in the hands of master storyteller Melody Carlson. This time the focus is on Sarah Larson but Anna and Lauren still have roles to play as well. There is something about the river, Shining Waters, that helps to bring about renewal of the soul. And, in this case, it is Sarah who needs the power of the river and the Holy Spirit to provide reconciliation and forgiveness.
Melody Carlson knows how to tell a story and in ”River’s End” she has given us a book where we can explore how to deal with our own pain while watching how Sarah deals with hers. “River’s End” is an amazingly beautiful story of how God can take our hurts and turn the bad into things that are good. I liked this book and am sorry to see this series end.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and business professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Abingdon Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the back cover: Three generations of women face brokenness, humility and hope.
In the final story of The Inn at Shining Waters, Anna Larson’s granddaughter, Sarah, is beginning to find her independence. But her relationships with her parents suffer as a result and she travels away from all that is familiar.
The solace of the river calls Sarah back but surprises await upon her return and three generations of family heartbreak and disappointments converge at Shining Waters. Reuniting with her mother and grandmother, however, shows Sarah the conquering strength of family and faith.
Generations is the theme of this novel and it is marvelous in the hands of master storyteller Melody Carlson. This time the focus is on Sarah Larson but Anna and Lauren still have roles to play as well. There is something about the river, Shining Waters, that helps to bring about renewal of the soul. And, in this case, it is Sarah who needs the power of the river and the Holy Spirit to provide reconciliation and forgiveness.
Melody Carlson knows how to tell a story and in ”River’s End” she has given us a book where we can explore how to deal with our own pain while watching how Sarah deals with hers. “River’s End” is an amazingly beautiful story of how God can take our hurts and turn the bad into things that are good. I liked this book and am sorry to see this series end.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and business professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Abingdon Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
April 9, 2012
Unlike Melody Carlson's other novels , I always find The Inn at Shining Waters an interesting tale as most of her novels are set in the present world and target those edgy topics whereas still targeting the edgy topics , her The Inn at Shining Waters spans from the 1950's to 1970's. In Book #2 we read how Anna's daughter Lauren had fallen pregnant whilst at college and then had to toss and turn with the decision to either abort, keep the baby or give it up for adoption. In Book #3 River's End we discovered that Lauren had kept the baby but of course the past years for the child - Sarah was not all roses and peaches. When Sarah was 16years old , she ran away from home and now two years later where the novel starts it is her 18th birthday and they have not heard a peep from her. Grief-stricken, Anna believes that her granddaughter is dead but the family will be in for a shock of a lifetime as Sarah arrives home and not in good shape. It seems that Sarah joined a religious cult and has been brainwashed into their beliefs and into thinking that she is not good enough and clean enough for God's love and forgiveness. After an argument breaks out between Lauren and Sarah , Sarah is off again and the nights of worry start all over again. The novel then follows Anna, Clark and Lauren's search for Sarah , what they do find though is another scared girl named Jewel who was a part of the cult and is trying to escape. The foursome then go on a journey to rescue Sarah from the dangers of the cult. Can the foursome free Sarah and show her that no matter what happen's she is awesome in God's Eyes .One of the things I really enjoyed about River's End was that Melody Carlson had featured the 1970's tragedy of the Jonestown Cult where the preacher had poisioned the whole cult with Kool-Aid and hundreds of cult members died.
As always if you are looking for a Christian fiction author and love to find one that can target those hard edgy content issues in a way that reflects Christianity, then Melody Carlson should be your number one choice.
As always if you are looking for a Christian fiction author and love to find one that can target those hard edgy content issues in a way that reflects Christianity, then Melody Carlson should be your number one choice.
September 13, 2012
The final story from the Inn at Shining Waters series. This third book continues the legacy of Anna Larson's family, with the focus on her granddaughter Sarah. The relationship between Anna and her own daughter Lauren has been strained but was restored in a previous novel, working together to run the Inn on the river that Anna inherited from her parents in Oregon.
Lauren's daughter Sarah has struggled in finding love and caring in her own mother and runs away from home and is not heard from for 2 years. 2 years of not knowing if she was dead or alive, no contact with either Anna or Lauren. Suddenly one day she appears back at the Inn. She is sickly, underweight and depressed. Anna takes her in, but Sarah doesn't want her mother Lauren to know she is there. Such bitterness still brews in Sarah.
Anna has always been close to her granddaughter and tries to help her through this time by asking her help in the Inn. Sarah was involved in a cult that significantly messed with her mind and concept of God. Anna struggles as a Christian to help Sarah weed through the right and wrong of what the cult did. Sarah is resentful to her Mother and Anna has no choice but to put Lauren at a distance, to try to help Sarah fully come back to them.
I hurt for Lauren in that her daughter Sarah was so unforgiving. That she had to leave on 'vacation' to allow Sarah a place to stay. In the end it worked out for the best giving Lauren a push out of the 'nest' into the world to find her own giftedness, rather than just staying secluded working at the Inn.
Anna is a true matriarch in the family and in this 3rd novel we continue to get to know her better. 3 generations, all with heartache and pain, struggle to put the past behind and live as a family together.
Melody Carlson has a way of weaving emotions in her characters that you feel when you read it. I love when an author evokes feelings like this in a reader!!
Lauren's daughter Sarah has struggled in finding love and caring in her own mother and runs away from home and is not heard from for 2 years. 2 years of not knowing if she was dead or alive, no contact with either Anna or Lauren. Suddenly one day she appears back at the Inn. She is sickly, underweight and depressed. Anna takes her in, but Sarah doesn't want her mother Lauren to know she is there. Such bitterness still brews in Sarah.
Anna has always been close to her granddaughter and tries to help her through this time by asking her help in the Inn. Sarah was involved in a cult that significantly messed with her mind and concept of God. Anna struggles as a Christian to help Sarah weed through the right and wrong of what the cult did. Sarah is resentful to her Mother and Anna has no choice but to put Lauren at a distance, to try to help Sarah fully come back to them.
I hurt for Lauren in that her daughter Sarah was so unforgiving. That she had to leave on 'vacation' to allow Sarah a place to stay. In the end it worked out for the best giving Lauren a push out of the 'nest' into the world to find her own giftedness, rather than just staying secluded working at the Inn.
Anna is a true matriarch in the family and in this 3rd novel we continue to get to know her better. 3 generations, all with heartache and pain, struggle to put the past behind and live as a family together.
Melody Carlson has a way of weaving emotions in her characters that you feel when you read it. I love when an author evokes feelings like this in a reader!!
September 10, 2012
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
First of all, I hate to see this wonderful series end. I have thoroughly enjoyed Melody Carlson’s series, The Inn at Shinning Waters. While Anna’s grandaughter is struggling to find out who she is, and her daughter Laura is grieving the way she’s treated her daughter, causing Sarah to hate her, Anna is struggling with the changes that keep taking place at the Inn and in her life. People Anna loves keep coming and going, the only stable one is Clark.
Melody Carlson deals with things we all go through in our everyday lives in this book. And she shows that difficult situations attack all ages, just as it does in Rivers End, and the first two books in this series as well. And I appreciate how she shows God’s love, mercy and grace in those situations. Sometimes all we can do is pray, and Anna had to do that often. I love the Shinning River setting, it is so calm and relaxing and would be a wonderful place to live. I’m like Anna, I think I could live some place like that, away from the fast pace world today. My only downfall with the book is the time frame between the end of the book and the Epilogue, about 30 years? I would have liked another book and especially a little more about the house Clark built for Anna. It just didn’t pull it together like I would have liked. It left too much inbetween. But over all, I loved this series and will be looking for more like this from Melody Carlson!
This book was provided by PUYB and the publisher, Abingdon Press for me to read and review. I was not requried to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are mine only.
First of all, I hate to see this wonderful series end. I have thoroughly enjoyed Melody Carlson’s series, The Inn at Shinning Waters. While Anna’s grandaughter is struggling to find out who she is, and her daughter Laura is grieving the way she’s treated her daughter, causing Sarah to hate her, Anna is struggling with the changes that keep taking place at the Inn and in her life. People Anna loves keep coming and going, the only stable one is Clark.
Melody Carlson deals with things we all go through in our everyday lives in this book. And she shows that difficult situations attack all ages, just as it does in Rivers End, and the first two books in this series as well. And I appreciate how she shows God’s love, mercy and grace in those situations. Sometimes all we can do is pray, and Anna had to do that often. I love the Shinning River setting, it is so calm and relaxing and would be a wonderful place to live. I’m like Anna, I think I could live some place like that, away from the fast pace world today. My only downfall with the book is the time frame between the end of the book and the Epilogue, about 30 years? I would have liked another book and especially a little more about the house Clark built for Anna. It just didn’t pull it together like I would have liked. It left too much inbetween. But over all, I loved this series and will be looking for more like this from Melody Carlson!
This book was provided by PUYB and the publisher, Abingdon Press for me to read and review. I was not requried to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are mine only.
September 30, 2012
River's End
The Inn at Shining Waters #3
by Melody Carlson
The peaceful waters of the Siuslaw River provide rest and healing to those who come to stay at The Inn of Shining Waters. But all is not peaceful as Anna's granddaughter Sarah struggles in the turbulent 70s to find her own peace and place.
River's End is end of the journey for generations of Siuslaw women as Anna, her daughter Lauren, and Sarah learn to adjust to the changes that life brings. But throughout the river remains a constant.
When Sarah returns after a two year absence she is embittered against her parents for the neglect she suffered during her childhood. Living in a communal setting while seeking a spiritual fix has left Sarah a confused, angry, and damaged young woman.
Anna warns Sarah about the poison of unforgiveness. At a time of family crisis Sarah has a fight with her mother that causes Sarah to feel that she no longer fits in at Shining Waters. Sarah again disappears from the lives of those who love her. As Anna, Clark and Lauren search for Sarah they learn that they must let each other travel their own Trail of Tears until they find their way home.
As the women of Shining River learn to let go of their insecurities, fears, and bitterness they all grow as people and in their relationships with each other. River's End is a story of faith and family.
I received a copy of this title in conjunction with this PUMP Up Your Book coordinated tour. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Inn at Shining Waters #3
by Melody Carlson
The peaceful waters of the Siuslaw River provide rest and healing to those who come to stay at The Inn of Shining Waters. But all is not peaceful as Anna's granddaughter Sarah struggles in the turbulent 70s to find her own peace and place.
River's End is end of the journey for generations of Siuslaw women as Anna, her daughter Lauren, and Sarah learn to adjust to the changes that life brings. But throughout the river remains a constant.
When Sarah returns after a two year absence she is embittered against her parents for the neglect she suffered during her childhood. Living in a communal setting while seeking a spiritual fix has left Sarah a confused, angry, and damaged young woman.
Anna warns Sarah about the poison of unforgiveness. At a time of family crisis Sarah has a fight with her mother that causes Sarah to feel that she no longer fits in at Shining Waters. Sarah again disappears from the lives of those who love her. As Anna, Clark and Lauren search for Sarah they learn that they must let each other travel their own Trail of Tears until they find their way home.
As the women of Shining River learn to let go of their insecurities, fears, and bitterness they all grow as people and in their relationships with each other. River's End is a story of faith and family.
I received a copy of this title in conjunction with this PUMP Up Your Book coordinated tour. All opinions expressed are my own.
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