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Still Waters: Contemporary Christian Fiction
What if the truth was the most dangerous lie of all?
Harper has spent the last three years running from her past, never staying in one place long enough to form any connections. So when she becomes stranded in a small town in Iowa, her only goal is to make enough money to get back on the road—until she discovers she has an unsettling resemblance to a local girl who took her own life years earlier.
Haunted by her unresolved trauma, Harper is desperate to understand what drove Sara to the edge. But while digging for the truth, she discovers hints that the reality is more sinister than she’d been lead to believe. These details unearth memories from a past Harper had hidden from everyone including herself and blurs the line between truth and perception. As rumors spread and tensions mount, the town begins to turn against her. If she can’t find a way to unravel the past from the present—instead of justice for Sara, her search for answers could shatter her fragile existence and destroy those she’s finally let into her guarded life.
Harper has spent the last three years running from her past, never staying in one place long enough to form any connections. So when she becomes stranded in a small town in Iowa, her only goal is to make enough money to get back on the road—until she discovers she has an unsettling resemblance to a local girl who took her own life years earlier.
Haunted by her unresolved trauma, Harper is desperate to understand what drove Sara to the edge. But while digging for the truth, she discovers hints that the reality is more sinister than she’d been lead to believe. These details unearth memories from a past Harper had hidden from everyone including herself and blurs the line between truth and perception. As rumors spread and tensions mount, the town begins to turn against her. If she can’t find a way to unravel the past from the present—instead of justice for Sara, her search for answers could shatter her fragile existence and destroy those she’s finally let into her guarded life.
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 27, 2025
42 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 5, 2025
Absolutely incredible!! Harper’s story is a deep, soul searching journey from the depths of despair to a glorious light filled with hope. This book is very well written about some subjects that can be very dark, but handled with so much care that you know what happened without any graphic detail. This story will bring tears to your eyes at time yet still has moments that make you laugh and cheer for Harper. There is some light romance in the story, and there is a mystery and suspense as well. This book is a bit of a departure from Shawna’s other books, but still has her wonderful storytelling and depth of characters as all her other books!! Highly recommend!!
March 24, 2025
Still Waters is an extraordinary cozy-mystery novel. Harper, the heroine, has a difficult and twisted past. You might call her a tomboy on steroids, who stands up to bullies and anyone else who gets in her way. Later in life, Harper realizes she can't always fight her way out of trouble. It doesn't take long for her to find herself on the run, penniless and homeless in Homersville Iowa.
Many look at her with suspicion because she bears a striking resemblance to Sarah, a girl who killed herself a couple of years back. Something inside of Harper knows the evidence doesn't add up to suicide. Harper tries to find justice and answers for Sarah. Many in the town don't appreciate her poking her nose in their business. But Harper won't let them stop her, even if it tears the town apart. Her best friend warned her time and time again to stop. Soon even the police stepped in to stop a riot.
One last thing I would like to mention. Harper didn't believe in God or didn't have much use for Him I really can't blame her, given her past experiences with the church.. At first, that part turned me off from reading the book. After all, it is a Christian fiction book. But somehow the author interweaved God into Harper's life and He helped to turn her life around. The ending of this exciting novel was more than surprising. I never saw it coming.
Thanks, Shawna for this well-written masterpiece.
Many look at her with suspicion because she bears a striking resemblance to Sarah, a girl who killed herself a couple of years back. Something inside of Harper knows the evidence doesn't add up to suicide. Harper tries to find justice and answers for Sarah. Many in the town don't appreciate her poking her nose in their business. But Harper won't let them stop her, even if it tears the town apart. Her best friend warned her time and time again to stop. Soon even the police stepped in to stop a riot.
One last thing I would like to mention. Harper didn't believe in God or didn't have much use for Him I really can't blame her, given her past experiences with the church.. At first, that part turned me off from reading the book. After all, it is a Christian fiction book. But somehow the author interweaved God into Harper's life and He helped to turn her life around. The ending of this exciting novel was more than surprising. I never saw it coming.
Thanks, Shawna for this well-written masterpiece.
April 16, 2025
Harper is tough. She's always had to be. Her chidhood and past have proven that. She's been traveling and running through life for the past 3 years. She trusts no one. When she finds herself stranded in Iowa, she plans to make just enough money to get back on the road again. She needs a job, and we soon discover Harper isn't always all bad.
The people Harper meets along the way are interesting with different life stories of their own. When she discovers that she looks like Sarah--a young woman who committed suicide several years ago, something compels her to discover the real truth of Sarah's story. Harper doesn't believe Sarah committed suicide. Townspeople criticize her when she starts digging deeper into Sarah's life, because "when you start digging into the past, finding the slimy underbelly" of the town can do just that.
"Still Waters" was a dark and mysterious story of a young woman who never could trust. She couldn't even trust the Church, but finally, she comes to terms with what she must do, and we learn just how strong Harper is when she travels on to do it. Another well written story by Ms. Coleing.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book and have voluntarily given my honest opinion in this review.
The people Harper meets along the way are interesting with different life stories of their own. When she discovers that she looks like Sarah--a young woman who committed suicide several years ago, something compels her to discover the real truth of Sarah's story. Harper doesn't believe Sarah committed suicide. Townspeople criticize her when she starts digging deeper into Sarah's life, because "when you start digging into the past, finding the slimy underbelly" of the town can do just that.
"Still Waters" was a dark and mysterious story of a young woman who never could trust. She couldn't even trust the Church, but finally, she comes to terms with what she must do, and we learn just how strong Harper is when she travels on to do it. Another well written story by Ms. Coleing.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book and have voluntarily given my honest opinion in this review.
May 23, 2025
This was a new direction in writing for Shawna Coleing. The subject matter is raw and she deals with it delicately. Emotions of the main characters were expressed expertly.
May 12, 2025
Harper our heroine was not overly likable...and for good reason. Her life has been filled with heartache and trauma that has led her astray with bad choices and away from people, God/the church. She is running from those consequences or her actions as well as demons that fill her with self-loathing and undeserved guilt.
While trying to leave behind her past she suddenly finds herself stranded in a small town. Her one goal is to make money and to get out as quickly as possible. But beyond her control, her hardened heart is starting to soften, and connections are being formed which she won't allow to take hold if she can help it. Add mystery, suspense, and twists and turns...because Harper is a look alike to someone in town who is dead. Was it suicide like was reported or was it something more sinister? Harper is determined to get justice for Sara who she suspects was murdered!
Another solid read from Shawna Coleing! I did receive an ARC from the author, but this is my honest review.
4 stars
While trying to leave behind her past she suddenly finds herself stranded in a small town. Her one goal is to make money and to get out as quickly as possible. But beyond her control, her hardened heart is starting to soften, and connections are being formed which she won't allow to take hold if she can help it. Add mystery, suspense, and twists and turns...because Harper is a look alike to someone in town who is dead. Was it suicide like was reported or was it something more sinister? Harper is determined to get justice for Sara who she suspects was murdered!
Another solid read from Shawna Coleing! I did receive an ARC from the author, but this is my honest review.
4 stars
July 8, 2025
It was...fine. I admit, I was disappointed that it just stayed so mid for so long. Everything wrapped up in a tiny bow at the end felt rushed. The whole premise seemed so unrealistic. Being from a small town, I know we round up the wagons tight when strangers poke their noses into people's business. We know everything about everybody...but don't let anybody NEW come in asking questions. I was bored for a while, and didn't really grow close to any of the characters. Kind of a bummer for me.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews