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Runaway Saint
When her aunt shows up homelesson her doorstep, Sara suspects anything but a miracle.Sara s an artist with a supportive husband and a house thatfolks on her block admire outright. But she s restless and bored with life.Then her legendary Aunt Bel shows up, wearing a smile after years without a word.Twenty years ago, fresh out of college, Bel left for a summer missions trip and never returned. Now she s on Sara s doorstep, looking for a place to crash. Sara can t say no to family, even if she hasn t seen Bel since she was a nine-year-old girl. But saying yes to Bel turns Sara s whole precariously-balanced life upside down.The enigmatic Bel gives Sara s family and their community a jolt of fresh thinking and clarity.But Bel is hiding something. Though she won t talk about it, Sara soon learns that Bel has been through a hellish ordeal. And she has the burn marks to prove it.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2014
35 people are currently reading
745 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Samson
64 books194 followersThe Christy-award winning author of nineteen books including the Women of Faith Novel of the Year Quaker Summer, Lisa Samson has been hailed by Publishers Weekly as "a talented novelist who isn't afraid to take risks." She lives in Kentucky with her husband and three kids.
Also, published under the name L.L. Samson
Also, published under the name L.L. Samson
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
September 17, 2020
Samson’s latest novel is filled with deep insights and amazing family interactions. Her gift for creating unique, flawed characters elevates this book above others. Each line has so much truth, and readers will likely ponder different passages long after finishing.
Sarah and her husband own a graphic design and printing business. Their lives hum along, with nothing out of the ordinary. Then Sarah’s Aunt Bel arrives. She left the U.S. for a mission trip to Kazakhstan 15 years ago, and no one heard much from her after that. Bel has scars — both inside and outside — and Sarah knows she needs to reach out to help her, but Bel will help Sarah as well.
Sarah and her husband own a graphic design and printing business. Their lives hum along, with nothing out of the ordinary. Then Sarah’s Aunt Bel arrives. She left the U.S. for a mission trip to Kazakhstan 15 years ago, and no one heard much from her after that. Bel has scars — both inside and outside — and Sarah knows she needs to reach out to help her, but Bel will help Sarah as well.
July 19, 2018
Runaway Saint was the perfect read for my transition from Turkey! Through the beautifully flawed character of Aunt Bel, Samson dispels the missionary myth with the truth: A missionary is called to a life of service, cauterized by a life of suffering, and characterized by a life of sacrifice. The central theme threaded throughout the novel and interwoven among the lives of the characters is, surprisingly, happiness. But not solely its manifestation or feel good emotions manufactured for a feel-good beach read. Instead, Samson grapples with the meaning of happiness: “I can understand happiness as something you possess, and I can understand the absence of happiness, like a hole of contentment waiting to be filled...maybe unhappiness isn’t a hole, maybe it’s not an absence. What worries me is that it might be a presence...Suppose the presence in the room when I’m all alone is a form of unhappiness...Something with roots and a whole history, something you can’t banish with a little behavior modification…As if happiness isn’t something to be attained. It’s more about banishing unhappiness, or at least the reasons for it.” And that's exactly what this trifecta of female family members achieve in Runaway Saint. “If there is happiness to be found, I think the formula must be something like this: To take what you find, whatever it is, and to make something beautiful of it. To strip life down to the bare metal and build it back up again gleaming and fresh.” Through the sharing of their individual stories and spilling of their private pain, Aunt Bel, niece Sara and Sara's hippy mother Rita strip their secrets to rebuild their relationship and find happiness that transforms their family--and the reader--along the way! “Happiness is right here, and I’d be a fool to be anywhere else.”
February 8, 2014
I've read several Lisa Sampson books and I know that she provides the reader with great depth of story in her novels. She uses the main characters, and their fears and flaws, to give the reader a chance to connect and experience the journey with them. Runaway Saint can be read at the surface or more greatly enjoyed by taking advantage of the nuggets inside the story. Main character Sara is unhappy or perhaps just discontent. She struggles to find her version of Jesus in the story and realizes that Jesus is different for everyone. Long-lost Aunt Bel certainly struggles. This fabulous story unravels a lot of hurt and a great deal of love as we wonder if the family can reconnect. The auxiliary characters like Sara's parents, Finn, the print shop staff and Holly also show us their human sides and give us even more ways to see our friends or our coworkers in these parts. A great story to be read when you're ready for some introspection.
Some stories are fiction and some stories are literature...I list this one to the elevated shelf of
literature.
Thanks to netgalley for arranging a review copy for me, to be provided in my own words.
Some stories are fiction and some stories are literature...I list this one to the elevated shelf of
literature.
Thanks to netgalley for arranging a review copy for me, to be provided in my own words.
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May 19, 2015It's no question that I love Lisa Samson's writing. This book had me intrigued. She painted her characters into some corners and got them out in unexpected and beautiful ways.
Great book.
Great book.
September 30, 2014
I loved Lisa Samson's writing style in this book, the beautiful and loaded descriptions, the way she tackled difficult questions.
April 16, 2020
I hated the writing voice, it seemed very trying to be hip and cool to relate with the kids and did not feel honest, did not feel from the author herself. The filler fluff I found boring and frustrating. We all just want to know what happened with Aunt Bel, I could really give a rat's ass about her rich friend and her prints.
I did however, quite enjoy and appreciate the main message - about how happiness is not so much a thing in and of itself but the careful acknowledgement and acceptance and removal of sadness. I also enjoyed the bit about the Jesus painting, although honestly I didn't really understand it. And I loved her focus on family and roots and how important that is to understanding herself.
However, as a person who has experienced family related tragedy, the tragic occurences in the novel felt very showman-y, and like she had to write something extreme and slightly absurd in order to get the reaction she wanted. Which, once again, feels dishonest and untrue to her natural writing voice. I kind of expected more respect for tragedy from a christian book but oh well, being christian doesn't mean you're perfect.
Oh - also hated how she called cigs cancer sticks. Like yeah, you're not wrong, but that feels like a tool to make yourself feel better than smokers due to the fact that you don't smoke.
I did however, quite enjoy and appreciate the main message - about how happiness is not so much a thing in and of itself but the careful acknowledgement and acceptance and removal of sadness. I also enjoyed the bit about the Jesus painting, although honestly I didn't really understand it. And I loved her focus on family and roots and how important that is to understanding herself.
However, as a person who has experienced family related tragedy, the tragic occurences in the novel felt very showman-y, and like she had to write something extreme and slightly absurd in order to get the reaction she wanted. Which, once again, feels dishonest and untrue to her natural writing voice. I kind of expected more respect for tragedy from a christian book but oh well, being christian doesn't mean you're perfect.
Oh - also hated how she called cigs cancer sticks. Like yeah, you're not wrong, but that feels like a tool to make yourself feel better than smokers due to the fact that you don't smoke.
August 27, 2017
I always love her books. Her characters are breathtaking to me, so flawed and loved. They're quirky while still being believable. God shines through all of her writing, but it's always an approachable, believable, real, living God. This was a quick read, but I found myself highlighting passages and laughing and my eyes filled with tears.
But the Christ he brought to life that night wasn't smiling. He wasn't gazing down coldly from on high. No, he was right behind you, breathing hard, putting all his strength into the swing of the lash, cutting your skin with his indignation.
The flat, stern Byzantine Christ calls us to suffer. Aunt Bel's Jesus goes deeper than that, back to the molten fires that forged us in the loving hands of our creator.
But the Christ he brought to life that night wasn't smiling. He wasn't gazing down coldly from on high. No, he was right behind you, breathing hard, putting all his strength into the swing of the lash, cutting your skin with his indignation.
The flat, stern Byzantine Christ calls us to suffer. Aunt Bel's Jesus goes deeper than that, back to the molten fires that forged us in the loving hands of our creator.
July 8, 2018
In depth study of one family's interpersonal relations because of "the accident" that occurred 25 years ago. Also touched on is the relation various characters have with Jesus Christ. It is a contemporary novel and was an engrossing read.
August 10, 2020
I give this 3.5 stars. I would consider this to be Christian fiction, because of the themes and characters. This would make for a great book club discussion. I do think there are a few loose ends on purpose, so there might be a sequel someday.
July 17, 2015
Well, I love Lisa Samson´s books. She makes you feel being "there", like sitting in the main characters' kitchen or living room - and believe me, the kitchen or living room is full of colourful characters! You live and breathe with them, within their unpretentious lives. Yes, "unpretentious" is a right word, as Lisa - as far I can feel it from her books - strives for authenticity and honesty. It is not different in her book "Runaway Saint".
Sara Drexel seems like a woman with nothing but a supposed happiness in her life. Loving, kind-hearted husband, eccentric, but loving parents, interesting job in print design industry, great gang of friends as colleagues, and so on and so on. But Sara is, somehow, not happy. She is not unhappy, if you get the difference. She is just not happy. Something is missing, and half of the time she doesn´t even know that, and she has a lot of uncertainties and an elephant in the room is her unwillingness to have children right now, and she doesn´t know why is that.
And then Aunt Bel arrives, runaway missionary, who left US for Kazakhstan in 19, now in her forties, almost forgotten and supposedly just a saint being serving somewhere. But Aunt Bel is nothing like that - she is beautiful, shy, disturbing, strange, innocent, looking through people into their hearts, seemingly lost - and, mostly, a catalyst. Her presence brings out the long-lost secrets, hurts, love, and what does it mean to have and to be a family. And how to forgive others and mainly yourself.
As I said, I love Lisa Samson. She is a very unique voice within the Christian literature with her absolute strive for authenticity and with her willingness to bare the vulnerability and hearts to be seen. No sugar-coating here. Just lovely understanding. No boring heroes here. Just bare souls (yes, mostly eccentric) in front of you.
Within this book as well.
Having said that, I don´t think this is Lisa´s best book (that is The Passion of Mary-Margaret for me and I love the book to pieces). It is worthy read, yes. Lisa understands people and loves them and sees them in unique sharp light. But, there is something amiss. The mystery around Aunt Bel is certainly interesting, but the whole Aunt Bel stays a mystery. You get just a hint about her. Who is real Bel? You will not be given an answer. And ending comes too abruptly for me. Everybody moves on just like that, and I miss the cathartic moments which should go around with a bit shocker like that! Also some characters are just only hinted as well - like Holly, Sara and Finn´s company customer and friend, who is obviously unhappy inside. I would love to explore her story more, I find her very interesting.
Also Finn, Sara´s husband, who is almost perfect guy, but I would like to get insight about him more, to know Finn as a real character, not just the Sara´s great support.
And having said, that, I still love the book. Some witty insights will stay with me for a long time. Like this: "She's doing what we all do, giving others what she needs herself, and in the process revealing what is missing in her life." Aren´t we all?
And then Aunt Bel arrives, runaway missionary, who left US for Kazakhstan in 19, forgotten and supposedly just a saint being. But Aunt Bel is nothing like that - she is beautiful, shy, disturbing, strange, innocent, looking through people into their hearts, seemingly lost - and, mostly, a catalyst. Her presence brings out the long-lost secrets, hurts, love, and what does it mean to have and to be a family. And how to forgive others and mainly yourself.
Well, as I said, I love Lisa Samson. She is a very unique voice within the Christian literature with her absolute strive for authenticity and with her willingness to bare the vulnerability and hearts to be seen. No sugar-coating here. Just lovely understanding. No boring heroes here. Just bare souls (yes, mostly eccentric) in front of you.
Within this book as well.
Having said that, I don´t think this is Lisa´s best book (that is The Passion of Mary-Margaret for me and I love the book to pieces). It is worthy read, yes. Lisa understands people and loves them and sees them in unique sharp light. But, there is something amiss. The mystery around Aunt Bel is certainly interesting, but the whole Aunt Bel stays a mystery. You get just a hint about her. Who is real Bel? You will not be given an answer. And ending comes too abruptly for me. Everybody moves on just like that, and I miss the cathartic moments which should go around with a bit shocker like that! Also some characters are just hinted as well - like Holly, Sara and Finn´s compabny customer and friend, who is obviously unhappy inside. I would love to explore her story more, I find her very interesting.
Also Finn, Sara´s husband, who is almost perfect guy, but I would like to get insight about him more, to know Finn as a real character, not just the Sara´s great support.
And having said, that, I still love the book. Some witty insights will stay with me for a long time. Like this: "She's doing what we all do, giving others what she needs herself, and in the process revealing what is missing in her life." Aren´t we all?
Sara Drexel seems like a woman with nothing but a supposed happiness in her life. Loving, kind-hearted husband, eccentric, but loving parents, interesting job in print design industry, great gang of friends as colleagues, and so on and so on. But Sara is, somehow, not happy. She is not unhappy, if you get the difference. She is just not happy. Something is missing, and half of the time she doesn´t even know that, and she has a lot of uncertainties and an elephant in the room is her unwillingness to have children right now, and she doesn´t know why is that.
And then Aunt Bel arrives, runaway missionary, who left US for Kazakhstan in 19, now in her forties, almost forgotten and supposedly just a saint being serving somewhere. But Aunt Bel is nothing like that - she is beautiful, shy, disturbing, strange, innocent, looking through people into their hearts, seemingly lost - and, mostly, a catalyst. Her presence brings out the long-lost secrets, hurts, love, and what does it mean to have and to be a family. And how to forgive others and mainly yourself.
As I said, I love Lisa Samson. She is a very unique voice within the Christian literature with her absolute strive for authenticity and with her willingness to bare the vulnerability and hearts to be seen. No sugar-coating here. Just lovely understanding. No boring heroes here. Just bare souls (yes, mostly eccentric) in front of you.
Within this book as well.
Having said that, I don´t think this is Lisa´s best book (that is The Passion of Mary-Margaret for me and I love the book to pieces). It is worthy read, yes. Lisa understands people and loves them and sees them in unique sharp light. But, there is something amiss. The mystery around Aunt Bel is certainly interesting, but the whole Aunt Bel stays a mystery. You get just a hint about her. Who is real Bel? You will not be given an answer. And ending comes too abruptly for me. Everybody moves on just like that, and I miss the cathartic moments which should go around with a bit shocker like that! Also some characters are just only hinted as well - like Holly, Sara and Finn´s company customer and friend, who is obviously unhappy inside. I would love to explore her story more, I find her very interesting.
Also Finn, Sara´s husband, who is almost perfect guy, but I would like to get insight about him more, to know Finn as a real character, not just the Sara´s great support.
And having said, that, I still love the book. Some witty insights will stay with me for a long time. Like this: "She's doing what we all do, giving others what she needs herself, and in the process revealing what is missing in her life." Aren´t we all?
And then Aunt Bel arrives, runaway missionary, who left US for Kazakhstan in 19, forgotten and supposedly just a saint being. But Aunt Bel is nothing like that - she is beautiful, shy, disturbing, strange, innocent, looking through people into their hearts, seemingly lost - and, mostly, a catalyst. Her presence brings out the long-lost secrets, hurts, love, and what does it mean to have and to be a family. And how to forgive others and mainly yourself.
Well, as I said, I love Lisa Samson. She is a very unique voice within the Christian literature with her absolute strive for authenticity and with her willingness to bare the vulnerability and hearts to be seen. No sugar-coating here. Just lovely understanding. No boring heroes here. Just bare souls (yes, mostly eccentric) in front of you.
Within this book as well.
Having said that, I don´t think this is Lisa´s best book (that is The Passion of Mary-Margaret for me and I love the book to pieces). It is worthy read, yes. Lisa understands people and loves them and sees them in unique sharp light. But, there is something amiss. The mystery around Aunt Bel is certainly interesting, but the whole Aunt Bel stays a mystery. You get just a hint about her. Who is real Bel? You will not be given an answer. And ending comes too abruptly for me. Everybody moves on just like that, and I miss the cathartic moments which should go around with a bit shocker like that! Also some characters are just hinted as well - like Holly, Sara and Finn´s compabny customer and friend, who is obviously unhappy inside. I would love to explore her story more, I find her very interesting.
Also Finn, Sara´s husband, who is almost perfect guy, but I would like to get insight about him more, to know Finn as a real character, not just the Sara´s great support.
And having said, that, I still love the book. Some witty insights will stay with me for a long time. Like this: "She's doing what we all do, giving others what she needs herself, and in the process revealing what is missing in her life." Aren´t we all?
February 3, 2018
It was hard getting started with this book, the beginning was slow. Once I read nearly half the book, I couldn't wait to pick it back up.
May 10, 2019
Wow. I dont know if I can even put into words what this book has done to me. Ut trust me, it is worth the read!!! I cried, I laughed, and I contemplated so many things.
July 7, 2022
Did not finish….. boring
November 11, 2024
I liked this story...simple and straightforward in its telling
February 13, 2014
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. Thank you Thomas Nelson. All opinions provided are my own.
Like many of Samson’s books, Runaway Saint takes place in Baltimore, MD where Sara and Finn run a print shop/design studio. It is a husband/wife venture, small, stylish and trendy. Sara is an artist of sorts, a designer, a creator. But on her 30th birthday, her hippie mom drops a bomb on Sara. Aunt Bel is back in town, the long lost missionary who disappeared from the US and their lives some 25 years previous. Sara is the only one who has space for her.
Something is not quite right with Aunt Bel, and really the whole family dynamic. As Sara continues forward in the pursuit of growing the business and deciding where she stands on having a family, she struggles with her relationship with her sainted aunt.
I’m a long time lover of Lisa Samson’s books. Since first stumbling across her Embrace Me on a “new releases” stand at the local library, I have made my way through most of the body of her work. (Including the Hollywood Nobody Series which is one of my favorite teen series.) She writes with clear, concise description, weaving the details into the story in ways that draw readers right in. Typically her stories are a little edgy, filled with Christian themes, and characters struggling through their faith. Her devotion to the greater Baltimore area and the way she links books together through characters and settings is charming for her regular readers. For some reason, this offering did not resonate with me like most of her books have.
The characters overlap a little bit on her last book The Sky Beneath My Feet, which is typical Samson. Her stories have become more “young urbanite”, almost Neta Jacksonish, rather that reflective of the characters and situations that Samson has previously tackled. While her writing is still spot on with its descriptive character, the plot line in Runaway Saint, seemed to lose it’s steam in the web of secrets that needed to be unraveled. While I still enjoyed the story in general, I felt like I had a harder time connecting to Sara. Her conflict, although buried in the plot, didn’t seem realistic and the resolution and faith component less relevant.
Still Samson is a force in Christian fiction and this new book is filled with surprise elements, some depth and spectacular descriptions. There is nothing “fluffy” about her approach. This one just seemed to miss the mark for me.
Recommend for: Women’s Fiction Readers who aren’t afraid of a little God in their stories.
Like many of Samson’s books, Runaway Saint takes place in Baltimore, MD where Sara and Finn run a print shop/design studio. It is a husband/wife venture, small, stylish and trendy. Sara is an artist of sorts, a designer, a creator. But on her 30th birthday, her hippie mom drops a bomb on Sara. Aunt Bel is back in town, the long lost missionary who disappeared from the US and their lives some 25 years previous. Sara is the only one who has space for her.
Something is not quite right with Aunt Bel, and really the whole family dynamic. As Sara continues forward in the pursuit of growing the business and deciding where she stands on having a family, she struggles with her relationship with her sainted aunt.
I’m a long time lover of Lisa Samson’s books. Since first stumbling across her Embrace Me on a “new releases” stand at the local library, I have made my way through most of the body of her work. (Including the Hollywood Nobody Series which is one of my favorite teen series.) She writes with clear, concise description, weaving the details into the story in ways that draw readers right in. Typically her stories are a little edgy, filled with Christian themes, and characters struggling through their faith. Her devotion to the greater Baltimore area and the way she links books together through characters and settings is charming for her regular readers. For some reason, this offering did not resonate with me like most of her books have.
The characters overlap a little bit on her last book The Sky Beneath My Feet, which is typical Samson. Her stories have become more “young urbanite”, almost Neta Jacksonish, rather that reflective of the characters and situations that Samson has previously tackled. While her writing is still spot on with its descriptive character, the plot line in Runaway Saint, seemed to lose it’s steam in the web of secrets that needed to be unraveled. While I still enjoyed the story in general, I felt like I had a harder time connecting to Sara. Her conflict, although buried in the plot, didn’t seem realistic and the resolution and faith component less relevant.
Still Samson is a force in Christian fiction and this new book is filled with surprise elements, some depth and spectacular descriptions. There is nothing “fluffy” about her approach. This one just seemed to miss the mark for me.
Recommend for: Women’s Fiction Readers who aren’t afraid of a little God in their stories.
July 1, 2014
Lisa Samson in her new book “Runaway Saint” published by Thomas Nelson takes us into the life of Sara Drexel.
From the back cover: When her aunt shows up homeless on her doorstep, Sara suspects anything but a miracle.
Sara’s an artist with a supportive husband and a house that folks on her block admire outright. But she’s restless and bored with life.
Then her legendary Aunt Bel shows up, wearing a smile after years without a word.
Twenty years ago, fresh out of college, Bel left for a summer missions trip and never returned. Now she’s on Sara’s doorstep, looking for a place to crash. Sara can’t say no to family, even if she hasn’t seen Bel since she was a nine-year-old girl. But saying yes to Bel turns Sara’s whole precariously-balanced life upside down.
The enigmatic Bel gives Sara’s family and their community a jolt of fresh thinking and clarity.
But Bel is hiding something. Though she won’t talk about it, Sara soon learns that Bel has been through a hellish ordeal. And she has the burn marks to prove it.
A web of secrets that need to be unraveled. Sara is a thirty year old married woman running a printing company with her husband that is beginning to question the direction of her life. Then Aunt Bel reappears and the only family member who has room for her is Sara. Aunt Bel has her secrets, the rest of the family has their secrets and Sara is just a regular married woman who is forced to deal with all of this. This book is all about family and the issues and stress that secrets can cause within the family. Ms. Samson writes a story that is all very real with very real characters in emotional conflict.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson. 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: When her aunt shows up homeless on her doorstep, Sara suspects anything but a miracle.
Sara’s an artist with a supportive husband and a house that folks on her block admire outright. But she’s restless and bored with life.
Then her legendary Aunt Bel shows up, wearing a smile after years without a word.
Twenty years ago, fresh out of college, Bel left for a summer missions trip and never returned. Now she’s on Sara’s doorstep, looking for a place to crash. Sara can’t say no to family, even if she hasn’t seen Bel since she was a nine-year-old girl. But saying yes to Bel turns Sara’s whole precariously-balanced life upside down.
The enigmatic Bel gives Sara’s family and their community a jolt of fresh thinking and clarity.
But Bel is hiding something. Though she won’t talk about it, Sara soon learns that Bel has been through a hellish ordeal. And she has the burn marks to prove it.
A web of secrets that need to be unraveled. Sara is a thirty year old married woman running a printing company with her husband that is beginning to question the direction of her life. Then Aunt Bel reappears and the only family member who has room for her is Sara. Aunt Bel has her secrets, the rest of the family has their secrets and Sara is just a regular married woman who is forced to deal with all of this. This book is all about family and the issues and stress that secrets can cause within the family. Ms. Samson writes a story that is all very real with very real characters in emotional conflict.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson. 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 17, 2014
Sara and her husband Finn are artists who run a printing company. Sara's aunt ran away years ago to become a missionary. And now she's returning. No one knows why she has come back or why she ran away in the first place. If they do, they certainly aren't telling Sara. So what will happen when Aunt Bel moves in with Sara and Finn? There are so many secrets and issues that Sara isn't sure she can cope with all of them.
I'm rather torn when I think about this book. One paper it's a really great story. But it began slowly for me and never really picked up. The characters were nice, but didn't compel me to love them. The emotions were real and sometimes raw, but I wasn't drawn in enough to make them my own. It was a well crafted story that just didn't grab me like it seems to have grabbed so many others. I really liked the way the author portrayed the marriage between the two main characters. But that was really the only thing that drew me into the book. I know that this type of story will really appeal to some people, sadly I wasn't one of them. Perhaps I need more drama, suspense, or romance in a book and this one felt more like a glimpse into a real life couple without my being able to make a connection with any of them.
I received this book free of charge from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.
I'm rather torn when I think about this book. One paper it's a really great story. But it began slowly for me and never really picked up. The characters were nice, but didn't compel me to love them. The emotions were real and sometimes raw, but I wasn't drawn in enough to make them my own. It was a well crafted story that just didn't grab me like it seems to have grabbed so many others. I really liked the way the author portrayed the marriage between the two main characters. But that was really the only thing that drew me into the book. I know that this type of story will really appeal to some people, sadly I wasn't one of them. Perhaps I need more drama, suspense, or romance in a book and this one felt more like a glimpse into a real life couple without my being able to make a connection with any of them.
I received this book free of charge from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.
May 14, 2014
Lisa Samson has a unique style of writing. You sort of feel like you were transported into another place, this life between artists, creative people and the ones with weird relatives.
I enjoyed reading about Sara, but the mystery of her aunt was difficult to figure out. I struggled through trying to solve whether she had a mental illness, had been abused or what the issue was.
This author will for sure keep you reading, as you connect with the characters just enough to want to know what on earth is the story, but there is also the question you keep asking yourself as you read…”Do I really want to know?” and you have to keep going.
Sara also has her own issues, she is facing past abandonment type issues that get brought up with Aunt Bel reappears. Her parents are divorced, and she tries to hold it all together.
What I enjoyed was that the story wrapped up some of her issues, Aunt Bel’s issues and wrapped them together to show that issues cannot always be sewn up in a nice neat package. They are kind of convoluted and complicated.
This book was given to me for review by BookSneeze. The opinions contained therein are my own.
I enjoyed reading about Sara, but the mystery of her aunt was difficult to figure out. I struggled through trying to solve whether she had a mental illness, had been abused or what the issue was.
This author will for sure keep you reading, as you connect with the characters just enough to want to know what on earth is the story, but there is also the question you keep asking yourself as you read…”Do I really want to know?” and you have to keep going.
Sara also has her own issues, she is facing past abandonment type issues that get brought up with Aunt Bel reappears. Her parents are divorced, and she tries to hold it all together.
What I enjoyed was that the story wrapped up some of her issues, Aunt Bel’s issues and wrapped them together to show that issues cannot always be sewn up in a nice neat package. They are kind of convoluted and complicated.
This book was given to me for review by BookSneeze. The opinions contained therein are my own.
July 12, 2016
I was so very excited to read this book, and I admit, mostly because I love the cover. This is the first book by Lisa that I have read so her writing is new to me. The story line is not at all what I was expecting, and I think that is a good thing. I really enjoyed all of the characters and their quirks. The marriage between Sara and her husband is realistic and I enjoyed how it flowed with the story line. The mysterious Aunt Bel was one part that slightly disappointed. As the reader you don't find out Aunt Bel's past until pretty far into the book. This keeps the reader intrigued, but the acutal discovery was not as shocking as it is made out. I almost asked myself, "Is that it?". But truly this book has so many angles I couldn't help but enjoy the story for what it is. I would say to have an open mind while reading this book. I rate it 4 1/2 stars. I would like to read more from this author because I think her writing is unique.
"I received this book from BookLook Bloggers for free in exchange for an honest review."
"I received this book from BookLook Bloggers for free in exchange for an honest review."
March 18, 2016
One of my favorite authors. Interesting perspectives that help me see things in new ways. Always helps me work through my own psychology.
Quotes:
"'Happiness as a goal is a recipe for disaster.'" (before p. 1)
"I keep my mouth shut...Finn's need to find things out is greater than my need, right now, to be a know-it-all." (p. 96)
"'I married you so I'd always have enough time for you, hon.'" (p. 119)
"'I've never been very good at not feeling what I feel. I need to just be me.'" (p. 186)
"If there's happiness to be found, I think the formula must be something like this: To take what you find, whatever it is, and to make something beautiful of it. To strip life down to the bare metal and build it back up again gleaming and fresh." (p. 191)
"She's doing what we all do, giving others what she needs herself, and in the process revealing what is missing in her life." (p. 224)
"The woman has been denied the one thing she needs in order to be who she ought to be." (p. 225)
"She's been a missionary, a person of sacrifice." (p. 247)
Quotes:
"'Happiness as a goal is a recipe for disaster.'" (before p. 1)
"I keep my mouth shut...Finn's need to find things out is greater than my need, right now, to be a know-it-all." (p. 96)
"'I married you so I'd always have enough time for you, hon.'" (p. 119)
"'I've never been very good at not feeling what I feel. I need to just be me.'" (p. 186)
"If there's happiness to be found, I think the formula must be something like this: To take what you find, whatever it is, and to make something beautiful of it. To strip life down to the bare metal and build it back up again gleaming and fresh." (p. 191)
"She's doing what we all do, giving others what she needs herself, and in the process revealing what is missing in her life." (p. 224)
"The woman has been denied the one thing she needs in order to be who she ought to be." (p. 225)
"She's been a missionary, a person of sacrifice." (p. 247)
July 20, 2014
Author Lisa Samson has created another book with quirky, fallible, likable and relatable characters that you will just fall in love with!
Aunt Bel is the family mystery, the silent skeleton in the closet, the one who left 20 years prior for a mission trip in Kazakhstan and never returned. And she just showed up on Sara and her husband's doorstep.
Sara has a gift for making things beautiful, and she uses it to create anything paper, from wedding invitations to posters to brochures. Her little print shop, housed in a renovated Baltimore firehouse, is building a good reputation. Their close-knit staff is creative and very talented, and add good moments to the story.
The more Sara gets to know Aunt Bel, the more she longs to uncover her secrets. When a stranger from Kazakhstan appears at the print shop, the mystery deepens.
The book also contains characters from other books she has written, and I enjoy that. I am moving on to reading Songbird next.
Aunt Bel is the family mystery, the silent skeleton in the closet, the one who left 20 years prior for a mission trip in Kazakhstan and never returned. And she just showed up on Sara and her husband's doorstep.
Sara has a gift for making things beautiful, and she uses it to create anything paper, from wedding invitations to posters to brochures. Her little print shop, housed in a renovated Baltimore firehouse, is building a good reputation. Their close-knit staff is creative and very talented, and add good moments to the story.
The more Sara gets to know Aunt Bel, the more she longs to uncover her secrets. When a stranger from Kazakhstan appears at the print shop, the mystery deepens.
The book also contains characters from other books she has written, and I enjoy that. I am moving on to reading Songbird next.
May 27, 2014
I have no idea how this ended up on my reading list, it's certainly not the sort of book I usually read, but I did enjoy it. A very nice exploration of family and relationships - the title character is an aunt who disappeared for 20 years before suddenly reappearing without explanation. That mystery turns out to be just the tip of the iceberg of family secrets.
Samson styles herself as a Christian author, which would have kept me from picking up the book if I'd known that in advance, but don't let that put you off. The characters' attitude toward religion is distinctly ambiguous, even anti-[organized] religion, and there are none of the usual messages.
Samson styles herself as a Christian author, which would have kept me from picking up the book if I'd known that in advance, but don't let that put you off. The characters' attitude toward religion is distinctly ambiguous, even anti-[organized] religion, and there are none of the usual messages.
February 27, 2020
There were so many things I loved about this novel. Sara and her husband Finn and their friends and family felt so real. Lisa is a master at creating unique, fun characters who you'd love to meet in real life. They discuss Flannery O'Connor and Fyodor Dostoevsky. Sara and Finn own a graphic design and printing business, and I had fun reading about the different types of paper and presses and their creations.
I couldn't read this book fast enough. I knew it would be good, because another Lisa Samson book, The Passion of Mary-Margaret, is one of my all-time favourite books. This is one of those rare books that made me want to re-read it as soon as I'd finished it, to appreciate the story and Sara's journey all over again. If you're looking for a fun yet thought-provoking novel, I highly recommend Runaway Saint.
I couldn't read this book fast enough. I knew it would be good, because another Lisa Samson book, The Passion of Mary-Margaret, is one of my all-time favourite books. This is one of those rare books that made me want to re-read it as soon as I'd finished it, to appreciate the story and Sara's journey all over again. If you're looking for a fun yet thought-provoking novel, I highly recommend Runaway Saint.
April 3, 2014
Sara is a young entrepreneur who appears to have it all. A wonderful husband and business partner, coworkers whom she adores and opportunities for growth. Yet inwardly she struggles. Who is the little boy that haunts her inner thoughts? Why does she not feel the happiness she desires? Who is Jesus to her? The answers may be revealed when her mysterious Aunt Bel returns after years of total absence. Aunt Bel is battling her own demons and is slow to share her past. Sara feels responsible for her parent's divorce, and is closer with her father than her mother. Her mother rejects Bel upon her return. Why? Sara's mother in her own way has also been hiding from her past. A story of accepting family, and all the baggage that may entail, with love and grace.
May 6, 2014
Lisa Samson is an incredibly gifted writer of Christian fiction, and I'm grateful that she brings to life genuine characters who struggle to accept God's goodness instead of figuring out that God fixes everything in our lives in the way we want. I loved how she developed the realism of Sara and Finn's marriage, and her disillusioned former missionary Aunt Bel. As a plus, I didn't see the twist at the end coming! I will always recommend her to our library patrons who don't want another Amish romance novel.
April 16, 2014
I hardly know how to rate this book, yet I finished it a few weeks ago and it has still stuck with me. Perhaps my confusion is this book is labeled "Christian Novel" but it hardly seems so. It is more a mystery, yet unfinished. I feel it could be part of a trilogy.
Sara and her husband run a printing press in a hip part of town. Her mysterious Aunt Bel appears. Sara hasn't seen her aunt in 30 years as she's been a missionary in Khazastan. There are some family secrets. That's all I will say.
Sara and her husband run a printing press in a hip part of town. Her mysterious Aunt Bel appears. Sara hasn't seen her aunt in 30 years as she's been a missionary in Khazastan. There are some family secrets. That's all I will say.
September 7, 2015
From page 191 "There's a Bible verse somewhere that says time and chance happen to us all, and I believe that is so. The world, the Universe, whatever you want to call it, is an ugly place, a broken place. And if there's happiness to be found, I think the formula must be something like this: To take what you find, whatever it is, and to make something beautiful of it. To strip life down to the bare metal and build it back up again gleaming and fresh." Beautiful... An interesting story of relationships, of family, of loss, and rebuilding.
March 28, 2014
While some aspects were difficult to relate to (having such a tight-lipped family member), it is still believable. At times I was so frustrated with the characters tip-toeing around each other, and yet, this is, in fact, how some families are. Objectively, however, this was a great read; detailed but not overly so, loving, and the final resolution between the characters was real and authentic. Will recommend others to read!
March 3, 2014
This is the story about a young, entrepreneurial couple, who invite a long lost aunt to live with them. Sara, the artistic one of the couples’ printing business, learns more then she bargained for when inviting her Aunt Bel to be a part of their lives. Aunt Bel has been a missionary in a foreign country for over 15 years with no family contact to speak of.
You can read my full review here:
http://www.devinedesignsjewelry.blogs...
You can read my full review here:
http://www.devinedesignsjewelry.blogs...
March 31, 2014
"Runaway Saint" by Lisa Samson is an interesting novel. The beginning drags a little because this story is, at its heart, a mystery. The exposition seems overly long; however, it is also necessary. The end of the novel is exciting and challenging.
I would recommend this book to people with the caution that they need to be willing to stick through till the end. It would be very easy to give up on the novel during the long set up.
I would recommend this book to people with the caution that they need to be willing to stick through till the end. It would be very easy to give up on the novel during the long set up.
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