Karla

The Women of Valley View #6

by Sharon Srock

Karla Black had everything she ever wanted until the night tragedy tore her world apart, stealing her husband and her identity in one vicious twist. Twelve months later Karla is a shadow of the woman she used to be, struggling through her grief, living with bankrupt emotions, and resisting any suggestion that God might give her a second chance at love.

Ian McAlister was a helpless bystander as breast cancer took his beloved wife from him one breath at a time. As days of grief turn into months, Ian begins to dwell on the vow she elicited from him before her death. Promise me that you won’t grieve for too long. But how will he know when it’s time?

Two broken hearts, two futures destroyed by death, until a chance meeting in an unexpected place kindles a friendship between Karla and Ian that rockets into a romance neither one anticipated. Can they overcome their grief and the objection of family members to grab onto the surprising future that God has for them?

Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2023

About the author

Small-town Oklahoma and the friendships they produce are embedded in Sharon Srock’s heart. After spending her first fifteen years on the move, living in fourteen homes and attending thirteen schools, she landed in a tiny central Oklahoma community and made it her own. As someone who’s been blessed to be a part of the same hometown church for more than five decades, Sharon writes stories of hope built from her own unique perspective—stories that demonstrate a sisterhood formed not by blood but by heart, where ordinary women are able to do extraordinary things thanks to the friends who surround them and the faith that pulls them through. Sharon still lives in the middle of nowhere, Oklahoma, with her husband and three very large dogs. When she isn’t writing, she loves to read, cook, and travel. One of these days, she’s going to figure out how to do all three at the same time.

Sign up for Sharon's newsletter
Visit Sharon’s website: www.sharonsrock.com..
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SharonSrock/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...

Please visit her AMAZON page to find current info on her books: http://www.amazon.com/Sharon-Srock/e/...

Reviews

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
I’m not quite sure how to write this review. While there were things I really liked and enjoyed, I had problems with other parts of it.
My sympathies went out to Karla at the start of the book, and stayed with her most of the story. Her relationship with Ian was sweet and it was well done. I liked her son’s support of her and her decisions.
Karla’s daughter, Bridgett, was awful! She was a spoiled woman in her early 40s who acted like a bratty teenager. I was thankful Nicholas had a thing or two to say to her, and that Karla didn’t let her run her life. But she really bugged me. And in one scene she acted like a harlot.

My two biggest problems:
When Karla told her friends that she was only half a woman and had no identity since her husband was gone, they didn’t step up and point her to her true identity in Christ.
And I really had a hard time when Karla told her daughter that if she (Bridgett) got divorced she could still find love and get married again. What? It’s as though it doesn’t really matter if you get a divorce. Yeah, marriage is supposed to be for life, but hey, it really don’t matter because you can get married again. I didn’t appreciate that message.
Because of these two things I had to bump my rating down.

Overall, I did like most of this book. It was Christian, there were a few times that the Lord’s name was used in a way that made me wonder if that was supposed to be a prayer or not. There was talk of prayer, going to church, and reading your Bible.

[Marguerite Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karla has big decisions to make. Is it too late to find happiness after the tragedy the year before? I've enjoyed the Women of Valley View series.

[Rhonda Sledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by Sharon Srock really resonated with me because I have been in Karla's shoes. I had been a widow for 3 1/2 years when I met my husband who had recently lost his wife. Sharon did a great job in portraying the darkness and despair that follows such a loss. and though we seemed to have the support from our children, my husband's daughter-in-laws were vehemently opposed to our relationship, very much like Bridget in the story. Sharon did a wonderful job with this book just as she does with all her books.

[Deanna Mosier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always an excellent story!

The women of Valley View live their lives with faith in God, even in sad or troubling times. This story has the two main characters both living with their grief over the loss of their spouses. Her daughter is also going through a bad time. Tantrums, bullying and so much more! How will God work everything out? Read to find out. I love the awesome friendship between the women and the faith in their God. Amazing writing. Reading the next book is definitely on my agenda!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karla’s story is truly amazing. When Karla meets Ian she never expected them to be more than friends. Bridgett is struggling with her problems and making everyone around her upset. The characters in this book are all very special people. You will feel God working throughout this whole story. I had the honor to review this book for the author for a honest review. You won’t be able to stop reading this book.

[Candy gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karla, Ian, and Brittany

Oh wow the pain, hurt and so much more happens in Karla’s and Ian’s live the very same day in The same ER. Brittany’s, Karla daughter feels like she has been to hell And back numerous times with her husband. This is a wonderful and Magical love story, you don’t want to miss. Get your Kleenex ready.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharon Srock did it yet again!! I wasn't sure how I was going to like Bridgett, but she turned out alright. Karla was one of my favorites. Sharon kept my interest throughout the book. Her character development is spectacular! Thanks!!

[Carole Sellman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karla

I am finding Sharon Stock to be an extremel
y good writer. I would call her the Danielle Steel if inspirational fiction/romance. I love that she writes to young and "mature" audiences. Grab this book or any of her others if you want an enjoyable treat.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice conclusion to the series! I enjoyed this story with an older woman and her struggles.

[Donna Kale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love this series, wish she had more!

[Cecelia Gardon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Story

This is a great faith filled story without being preachy. It’s a bit over the top on romance reality, but don’t we dream of that?

[Gwen Hight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karla

This is a good story Karla lost her husband and meets Ian in the cemetery and God tells her it is time to live again but her daughter is against Ian but God's plan works

[Teresa Nasson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow...Wow...Wow!!! Loved it!!!
I was crying from the very first pages. This book was instantly captivating.
Karla, the main character in this book, is struggling to move on after her husband has died. On the anniversary of his death, she befriends a gentleman who shares her feelings of loss since he too has lost his wife. Filled with acceptance and fear of moving on, such conflicting emotions makes this a relatable read.

This story really touched at my heart strings. Sharon's ability to adapt real life scenarios into her writing is such a beautiful art.

I highly recommend, not only this book, but the whole series. Women of Valley View is packed with strong, motivated and God-fearing women. It makes for a refreshing read.

[Sharon Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karla: Women of Valley View
By: Sharon Srock

Karla's story comes to us in Book 6 from the Women of Valley View by Sharon Srock.

You can find love again.......

Back in Garfield, visiting our families of Valley View, Sharon has graced us with Karla's story. This is the final of our Women of Valley View and this series couldn't have ended with a better story. We have already fell in love with Karla and she has become one of our closest friends. Having been taken on several paths in life and overcome many hurdles here in Valley View, Karla's life has taken a very unexpected turn, a turn which will break our hearts in two. One that tears will fall, hearts will hurt, but God's love will bring them through. God's love and the love of friends in Valley View. Together, they can come through any ups and downs life throws their way. But does Karla doubt their love when her heart is hurting tremendously yet telling her to follow a path in which she never thought she'd ever be faced with? Does she let the feelings of her children hold her back from living God's plan for her? Let's stroll down the streets of Garfield together, sightsee and read Karla's story. We'll find hope, love and a peace from God that we are placed on this side of Heaven for happiness, joy and finding friends that love us no matter where our lives lead us. Through thick and thin, through happy times and sad ones too. The love, compassion, dedication and commitment found in Karla's friends will forever be etched into your heart. Sharon, I am forever grateful to have Valley View as a home, a home to escape too when life throws me rough patches to get through, because I can come to Valley View and Karla, Callie, Pam, Terri, Samantha and Kate, they can all help me get through it. With their guidance and God's unconditional love for me! I treasure this set always! Friends, don't hesitate to take to a trip to Garfield and explore Karla's story plus Books 1-5 with me, you will be blessed!

[Carrie Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karla is the final book in the Women of Valley View series. Though it can be read as a stand alone, I highly recommend all the books preceding it. I have enjoyed each story and getting to know this group of women as they each faced life challenges. The author created a unique friendship that drew me in from the very beginning and made me wish I could join them around the table eating cheesecake at their weekly Bible studies. Sharon Srock has a gift of writing in a way that you feel you are part of the intimate details. You will cry, laugh, get angry, become frustrated and feel joy right along with each one of the characters.
This may be my favorite book of them all, or at least come as a very close second to Pam. In this book, we come along side of Karla, who's husband is killed in a tragic accident. We also meet Ian, whose wife died after a long battle with cancer. In the midst of this story of grief and new beginnings, Bridget, Karla's daughter, faces her own devistation as her husband suddenly leaves her and abandons their 20 plus years of marriage. She responds in an understandable, yet destructive, way. Can she find her way back to God who loves her unconditionally?
Don’t miss this book. In fact, you won't regret reading this entire series. I am sad to see the series end, but can't wait to see what's next from this author.

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

[Anne Rightler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karla, although the sixth and apparently final book in Sharon Srock’s Women of Valley View series, it is easily read as a stand alone. A story of sorrow and grief, a story of recovery and restoration, and a story of closure and new beginnings. Karla, a widow for just twelve months, still grieving and a shadow of her former self has a chance meeting with Ian, a widower for a year and beginning to sense the need to deal with his loneliness. Both were happily married for forty-plus years, both have a strong faith in God and both have adult children who have varied feelings regarding their parents being in the dating game again. Will Karla and Ian’s growing affection for each other be secure enough to stand against feelings of spousal betrayal, angry children and other barriers that emerge in this budding relationship? Along with the romance there is the continuing story of a group of long time friends who bring comfort, wisdom and fun into each other’s lives. A sweet kitten and emergency shopping sprees and makeover sessions bring delight into the story. Throughout the novel there is a solid theme of a loving, caring God who is at work in the characters’ lives. Karla, is a charming inspirational book which will make readers want to go back to the beginning of the series to find out the story behind each of these friends’ lives.

[Linda Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is so sad to see the end of Valley View and especially hard, if you're crying.
We have watched this group of godly women as they supported each other through birth, marriage ,death and the trials and tribulations of life.
This book deals with Karla, a 65 year old, that loses Mitch, the love of her life, after forty six years of marriage and Ian, a widower, who lost his wife,the same night as Mitch .
They start as a friendship of two people dealing with the loss of their spouses.
I sympathize with Karla as she realizes Ian wants more than a simple friendship. She is urged by all her friends and even God to take the friendship to the next level but she balks.
Opening her Promise box and seeing the following verses, makes her realize what the Lord has been telling her
Psalms 32:8 " I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.",
Proverbs 4:25" Let your eyes look straight ahead and your eyelids look right before you."
Isaiah 30:21 "This is the way,walk in it."
Everyone will love this story especially if you're dealing with grief and loss.
Thank you,Sharon Srock , for a wonderful story and an awesome end to the series.
I received an advance copy and I am giving my honest review.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Woman of Valley View series has become near and dear to my heart. I have laughed and cried with these friends both old and new. Karla's story just endured these men, women, and families even more.

Both Karla's and Ian' worlds were changed on the same fateful night. Both reeling from the loss of their spouses of almost half a century, each must find a new path. Karla feels that she has lost her identity. Ian struggles to keep a promise. A chance meeting in an unusual location brings these two lost souls together. Will their grief or family members keep them separate? Or will God's plans be realized before it is too late?

I really enjoyed reading about Karla and her family. I mourned the loss of Mitch as I watched Karla grieve. Seeing Karla's character develop into the strong woman she becomes was inspiring. Watching Ian and Karla explore this unexpected romance was sweet. This whole series makes me want to have a support system such as these women and the men who cherish and support them.

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know if it has to do with my age or the fact that I would like to think that I've grown wiser as I have gotten older, but whatever it is, I love seeing stories where love develops after the age of  20, 30 and 40. Karla was a refreshing story. I got lost in the pages of the romance between her and Ian to the point that I couldn't put the book down. I felt their hearts beat for each other even though they were trying to sort through things that happened in their lives that caused major adjustments. But, I love the way they sought God for guidance and were willing to trust and obey Him. It was invigorating to see a story where a group of women came together to encourage and pray for each other.  And I like the spice that was added to the story with all the drama Bridgette was going through. Karla was a joyful, refreshing and exciting read.


Sharon Scrock, now Bridgette needs her own story. I want to know what happens next in her life.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karla by Sharon Srock
The Women of Valley View Series Book Six
Karla Black's life changed in a blink of the eye. A year later she was half the woman she had been. Physically, mentally, and spiritually. Just when a tiny glimpse of light lit her world, her daughter's world exploded. The pieces landing in Karla's life and pulling her back again.

Ian McAlister's wife had told him to love again after she passed away. A year later he found that he was lonely. A kitten helped some, but not like having someone to talk with. To go out to dinner with. And then he met Karla and saw a new path for his life...it wasn't a smooth and easy path though.

These stories are very real life and not always pretty. They have romance in them but also hurt, sadness, real life, and death. I've really enjoyed reading this series.
**Tissue alert
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...

[Susie Q · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say enough about this series by Sharon Srock. Karla is the 6th and final book. I feel as though I know all of the women of Valley View. No matter the age of the women in the books, I found that I could identify with them all. But Karla, who is exactly my age, is dear to my heart and Ms. Srock brings to the table something that we all think about as we get older. What would I do if something happened to my husband? What would my children think about me if I found someone else to love? This book covers this issue with such kindness and grace.

Laura Jennings does a wonderful job giving voice to the characters in this book. I could hear the love and compassion in her voice. I want to know more about these women of Valley View!!

I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone who wants a clean, Christian book to read or listen to.

I was given this audio book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

[Bhriv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karla, written by Sharon Srock, is book #6 in the Women of Valley View Series.
I just loved this book! I started out with a box of tissues…have to say the first chapter ripped at my heartstrings….BUT the rest of the book was such a great Srock book! Karla is just filled to the brim with reality…life, death, marriages on the rocks, LOVE, romance, happiness that surpasses imagination, and throughout all of it the encouragement to always keep the Lord first in our lives. Just LOVE this series...probably because I can see so many great ways these women have faced the real struggles of life and come out the other side with deeper faith and stronger relationships with each other and spouses. So many times I caught myself chuckling at the way Srock expresses herself through these characters! Yet another I strongly recommend!
I was gifted this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Janice Sisemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karla

This is such a good book. The characters seem like family to me. I loved Karla and Ian story. Their spouses both pass away a year ago and mainly Karla is really having a hard time since her husband's death was sudden. Her daughter marriage breaks up and she comes home, she has a hard time dealing with Karla moving on. I was so proud of Karla standing up to her daughter. Karla is in her sixties, so no matter what your age, there is always new beginnings. Of course, most of the characters from the others book were in there also. Could be read as a stand alone book but would recommend the whole series. Love the Christian part of the story, strong relationships, great descriptions. You just feel like you are there. I just hated for the story to end. I may have to read the whole series again. I was given a advanced copy by the author. Recommend the book.

[Linda Sollecchio · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel, KARLA, by Sharon Srock, is an uplifting work of Christian fiction. This is the sixth book of her series about life in small-town America for a group of multi-generational women who are wonderfully supportive with each other. It demonstrates that being a Christian does not keep these women from experience all the ups and downs in life. It does, however, show how being a Christian can give you the tools to deal with good times and bad.
This book is well-written and had me in tears in the first chapter. I laughed, cried, cheered, smiled, and held my breath as each character played out their happiness, bonds of friendship, emotional growth, and personal trauma. I'm curious about the other characters and their stories in this small town so I will definitely being reading the other books in this series.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Diana Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so loved this series, The Women of Valley View! Karla is book six in the series. Following these friends through their lives has been like family. Sad to see this is the last one in the series. But do look forward to what is coming up next by Sharon. Always well written strong characters. I love the spiritual in them. In this on Karla has lost big in her life when her husband died. Feeling like there just isn't much for her in life right now and feels lonely but not sure another man in her life is ever to be in her life again. Then in comes Ian just recently loss his wife to cancer. But she made him promise to only grieve for a short time and move on and find happiness. But not everybody is delighted about Karla even thinking about this. Great book pick it up and if you haven't read the other 5 now is the time pick them up also.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karla is the sixth installment from the wonderful Women of Valley View series. This series just doesn't get old and sad to see it end. I love every one an Karla is no exception. This heartbreaking story will bring a reader to tears but will, also bring the to see the beauty of faith, love, hope, and the special of true friendships. I would highly recommend this conclusion of this wonderful series.
5 plus stars.

[Connie L. Zwicke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book

I loved this book , Sharon once again made the characters come alive and go straight to my heart.

Sometimes it was hard to read with tears streaming down my face. A box of tissues is recommended.

Thanks Sharon for another great read. I will miss the Valley Women.

[Tom Show · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, intriguing, kept my attention. Wonderful reading, an author to follow. I will now read the other books in this series.