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The Ties that Bind #1
Lifelines
Life had been going swimmingly until biologist Dr. Robert Fielding was bewildered by a squall that still threatens to shipwreck him. Tormented by the losses in his life, he finds a dozen reasons why he doesn't need the friendship of his new neighbour, Anna Fawcett. After all, the senior and her disabled son aren't exactly in his league.
But how is he supposed to turn down fresh cinnamon buns? And Robert hasn't bargained on his neighbour's innocent, probing questions. They erode his faith in naturalism and collide with his assumptions about life, love, and truth. Have his foundational beliefs been the cause of his personal losses? As he searches for answers, Anna's example of loving integrity keeps him coming back. Or maybe it's her homemade pies. Yet to risk re-thinking his core convictions for a chance at personal peace would expose his soul and tear open an old wound.
Others in the neighbourhood, too, are under Anna's thrall - a teacher facing a crisis pregnancy, a crusty cat-lady, a cancer-ridden conspiracy theorist, a Cambodian immigrant family. Each is touched by the power of her obscure and ordinary life.
About the Author:
In a fit of optimism at age eleven, Eleanor Bertin began her first novel by numbering a stack of 100 pages. Only two of them were ever filled with words. Lifelines, her first completed novel, was shortlisted in the 2015 Word Alive Press Free Publishing Contest.
Eleanor holds a college diploma in Communications and worked in agricultural journalism until the birth of her first child. The family eventually grew to include one daughter and six sons (the youngest with Down syndrome) whom she home-educated for twenty-five years.
Eleanor and her husband live amidst the ongoing renovation of a century home in central Alberta where she blogs about sometimes-elusive contentment at jewelofcontentment.wordpress.com.
But how is he supposed to turn down fresh cinnamon buns? And Robert hasn't bargained on his neighbour's innocent, probing questions. They erode his faith in naturalism and collide with his assumptions about life, love, and truth. Have his foundational beliefs been the cause of his personal losses? As he searches for answers, Anna's example of loving integrity keeps him coming back. Or maybe it's her homemade pies. Yet to risk re-thinking his core convictions for a chance at personal peace would expose his soul and tear open an old wound.
Others in the neighbourhood, too, are under Anna's thrall - a teacher facing a crisis pregnancy, a crusty cat-lady, a cancer-ridden conspiracy theorist, a Cambodian immigrant family. Each is touched by the power of her obscure and ordinary life.
About the Author:
In a fit of optimism at age eleven, Eleanor Bertin began her first novel by numbering a stack of 100 pages. Only two of them were ever filled with words. Lifelines, her first completed novel, was shortlisted in the 2015 Word Alive Press Free Publishing Contest.
Eleanor holds a college diploma in Communications and worked in agricultural journalism until the birth of her first child. The family eventually grew to include one daughter and six sons (the youngest with Down syndrome) whom she home-educated for twenty-five years.
Eleanor and her husband live amidst the ongoing renovation of a century home in central Alberta where she blogs about sometimes-elusive contentment at jewelofcontentment.wordpress.com.
- GenresContemporaryFiction
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 10, 2016
10 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Eleanor Bertin
19 books171 followersPrior to thirty years of raising and home-educating a family of seven children, Eleanor Bertin worked in agriculture journalism. She holds a college diploma in Communications and returned to writing with her first novel, Lifelines, followed by the memoir, Pall of Silence, about her late son, Paul.
Eleanor lives with her husband and youngest son amid the ongoing renovation of a century home in central Alberta where she reads, writes, sweeps up construction rubble and blogs about a sometimes-elusive contentment at jewelofcontentment.wordpress.com. Visit her website at www.eleanorbertinauthor.com.
Eleanor lives with her husband and youngest son amid the ongoing renovation of a century home in central Alberta where she reads, writes, sweeps up construction rubble and blogs about a sometimes-elusive contentment at jewelofcontentment.wordpress.com. Visit her website at www.eleanorbertinauthor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 24, 2021
Lifelines: The Ties That Bind by Eleanor Bertin is my first read for 2021, and I am so glad my reading year began with this book! This is the second book I have read by this stellar author. My first Bertin book being Tethered. Lifelines: The Ties That Bind is another extraordinary title under the faith-based Mosaic Collection.
Eleanor Bertin is sublime at creating characters who are real. They are rich, layered humans who pull you in. She weaves a story through them and ties her readers' heart strings to them and their lives. Lifelines did just that as Bertin opened a window to the life of Anna: grandmother, mom, confidant, servant, and BEST neighbor EVER. Anna and her home are refuge for not only her grown family, but her neighbors and strangers who become both family and friends. I want an Anna in my life, but maybe the greater lesson in this story is that I need to be more like Anna in my circle of influence.
There are deep theological story lines in these pages told with great humility. Anna, who is somewhat of an apologist, is also tender and approachable. She is the epitome of the James 1:19 believer. Anna is quick to listen and slow to speak, but when she speaks or asks questions, those in her life pull close. Her next door neighbor, college professor Robert is one who begins to question the resolutes in his own life when Anna and her family invite him into their lives and their hearts.
Issues of abortion, creation, and forgiveness are tenderly explored through the lives and choices made by these characters. Jesse, Anna’s grown Down’s Syndrome son, is written so beautifully, and it is through his storyline Bertin gently navigates the plight of prenatal testing and the future of Down’s Syndrome births.
I received a complimentary e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Eleanor Bertin is sublime at creating characters who are real. They are rich, layered humans who pull you in. She weaves a story through them and ties her readers' heart strings to them and their lives. Lifelines did just that as Bertin opened a window to the life of Anna: grandmother, mom, confidant, servant, and BEST neighbor EVER. Anna and her home are refuge for not only her grown family, but her neighbors and strangers who become both family and friends. I want an Anna in my life, but maybe the greater lesson in this story is that I need to be more like Anna in my circle of influence.
There are deep theological story lines in these pages told with great humility. Anna, who is somewhat of an apologist, is also tender and approachable. She is the epitome of the James 1:19 believer. Anna is quick to listen and slow to speak, but when she speaks or asks questions, those in her life pull close. Her next door neighbor, college professor Robert is one who begins to question the resolutes in his own life when Anna and her family invite him into their lives and their hearts.
Issues of abortion, creation, and forgiveness are tenderly explored through the lives and choices made by these characters. Jesse, Anna’s grown Down’s Syndrome son, is written so beautifully, and it is through his storyline Bertin gently navigates the plight of prenatal testing and the future of Down’s Syndrome births.
I received a complimentary e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
November 9, 2025
Eleanor Bertin in her book Lifelines shows how people’s lives are connected whether they realize it or not. Anna is the connecting person to the people in the novel. She shows caring and hope to the people she is around. She is the go to person for when people need help. I found myself caring for each of the characters and wondered what would be next for them if a second book was written.
I received a complimentary e-copy of Lifelines. I was not required to write a review.
I received a complimentary e-copy of Lifelines. I was not required to write a review.
January 14, 2021
A beautiful and heartwarming story about Robert. He keeps to himself after his many losses. Doesn’t realize that his neighbor is just trying to show compassion. Will he realize how much it helps. Can’t wait for the next one.
September 15, 2016
An excerpt reprinted here from my blog: Kite Without Strings:
Eleanor Bertin’s first novel Lifelines (Word Alive Press, 2016) nudges the reader to look inward, to dust off the brain cells, plus think about mortality and his/her purpose on Earth.
On the surface, it’s a home-spun heart-warming yarn threaded with Anna Fawcett’s unflinching morals and the scent of freshly baked cinnamon buns. Reach deeper and it’s an intellectual debate peppered with such hot topics as religion, an unexpected pregnancy, abortion, special needs care, ageing, evolution, and the environment. If you’re prone to tears, expect to cry. If you prefer laughter, you’ll find humour too.
Each chapter begins with an epigraph which foreshadows the scene and/or launches the reader into a new arena of thought. For example in Chapter Nine, Bertin quotes the title of a 1988 book by Jamie Buckingham: “The truth will set you free but first it will make you miserable.”
Many of Bertin’s characters are miserable. The protagonist Dr. Q. M. Robert Fielding is a pompous biologist struggling with recent losses. In the first chapter, in the first line, he “is vexed –with the prickly branch of overgrown rose bush that had just scraped his face…He blew pent-up air out of tight lips, pffpllpff.”
Other struggling characters are Amelia who is facing a recent pregnancy on her own; and Joan, the neighbourhood cat-lady who felt “it was downright miserable out there and some people should wake up to the fact.”
Add the ordinary and more positive character Anna Fawcett plus her Down syndrome son Jesse to the storyline and the plot unfurls in surprising but believable ways.
The dialogue is strong indicative of each character’s personality. The well-researched viewpoints are balanced. Sometimes the chatter is superfluous reflecting the mundane and lonely life of a character. Sometimes the bantering of scholarly facts may bog down the uneducated but it adds depth to those looking for deeper discussions and meanings.
To state anything more about the plot would ruin the natural and gentle unfolding of character development and the reader’s experience.
However, Bertin’s premise that people can be “touched by the power of even those with obscure and ordinary lives” reminds me of Mitch Albom’s bestselling novel The Five People You Meet in Heaven and how each individual is special and vital to the well-being and learning experiences of those around them.
Beautifully written, thought-provoking, Lifelines “puts things into perspective” and offers readers “a lifeline of stability.” Bravo! Quite an achievement for a first time novelist!
Eleanor Bertin’s first novel Lifelines (Word Alive Press, 2016) nudges the reader to look inward, to dust off the brain cells, plus think about mortality and his/her purpose on Earth.
On the surface, it’s a home-spun heart-warming yarn threaded with Anna Fawcett’s unflinching morals and the scent of freshly baked cinnamon buns. Reach deeper and it’s an intellectual debate peppered with such hot topics as religion, an unexpected pregnancy, abortion, special needs care, ageing, evolution, and the environment. If you’re prone to tears, expect to cry. If you prefer laughter, you’ll find humour too.
Each chapter begins with an epigraph which foreshadows the scene and/or launches the reader into a new arena of thought. For example in Chapter Nine, Bertin quotes the title of a 1988 book by Jamie Buckingham: “The truth will set you free but first it will make you miserable.”
Many of Bertin’s characters are miserable. The protagonist Dr. Q. M. Robert Fielding is a pompous biologist struggling with recent losses. In the first chapter, in the first line, he “is vexed –with the prickly branch of overgrown rose bush that had just scraped his face…He blew pent-up air out of tight lips, pffpllpff.”
Other struggling characters are Amelia who is facing a recent pregnancy on her own; and Joan, the neighbourhood cat-lady who felt “it was downright miserable out there and some people should wake up to the fact.”
Add the ordinary and more positive character Anna Fawcett plus her Down syndrome son Jesse to the storyline and the plot unfurls in surprising but believable ways.
The dialogue is strong indicative of each character’s personality. The well-researched viewpoints are balanced. Sometimes the chatter is superfluous reflecting the mundane and lonely life of a character. Sometimes the bantering of scholarly facts may bog down the uneducated but it adds depth to those looking for deeper discussions and meanings.
To state anything more about the plot would ruin the natural and gentle unfolding of character development and the reader’s experience.
However, Bertin’s premise that people can be “touched by the power of even those with obscure and ordinary lives” reminds me of Mitch Albom’s bestselling novel The Five People You Meet in Heaven and how each individual is special and vital to the well-being and learning experiences of those around them.
Beautifully written, thought-provoking, Lifelines “puts things into perspective” and offers readers “a lifeline of stability.” Bravo! Quite an achievement for a first time novelist!
February 22, 2017
Lifelines by Eleanor Bertin is a bit of a dichotomy for me. On the one hand, it is composed of fantastic characters with depth and dimension. Their individual stories keep the reader intrigued, especially as they begin to connect and intertwine in the course of the overall plot. Jesse and Anna are the heart of this novel because of THEIR hearts and the way they soften the hearts of the other characters whose lives intersect with theirs. They are surrounded by such an eclectic supporting cast, though – some more likable than others, but all compelling in their own ways. The characters in Lifelines are definitely its strength!
On the other hand, I dislike having to pause a story for a sermon. And, while Lifelines ambitiously tackles some heated topics such as evolution and abortion, it does so – in my opinion – at the cost of the story’s flow. It felt many times that I would just get into the groove of the plot and the novel’s rhythm only to grind to a halt while Robert and Anna engaged in long conversations about evolution. LONG conversations about evolution. I normally can tolerate one such “station break” per book… Lifelines has a multitude. If we must sermonize during our novels, I prefer short snippets that work organically into the story instead of long sections that break up the pace of the plot.
Bottom Line: Lifelines by Eleanor Bertin is a well-written debut novel full of heart, and it will touch you in your own heart for sure. The mix of characters are all intriguing in spite of their dysfunction (probably because of it), and you will find yourself thinking about any number of them even days after you’ve finished reading the book. Hot-button issues like evolution and abortion may bog down the story in places, but Anna is so sincere in her conversation that you keep reading anyway.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)
See my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
On the other hand, I dislike having to pause a story for a sermon. And, while Lifelines ambitiously tackles some heated topics such as evolution and abortion, it does so – in my opinion – at the cost of the story’s flow. It felt many times that I would just get into the groove of the plot and the novel’s rhythm only to grind to a halt while Robert and Anna engaged in long conversations about evolution. LONG conversations about evolution. I normally can tolerate one such “station break” per book… Lifelines has a multitude. If we must sermonize during our novels, I prefer short snippets that work organically into the story instead of long sections that break up the pace of the plot.
Bottom Line: Lifelines by Eleanor Bertin is a well-written debut novel full of heart, and it will touch you in your own heart for sure. The mix of characters are all intriguing in spite of their dysfunction (probably because of it), and you will find yourself thinking about any number of them even days after you’ve finished reading the book. Hot-button issues like evolution and abortion may bog down the story in places, but Anna is so sincere in her conversation that you keep reading anyway.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)
See my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
October 25, 2019
Lifelines is a novel with many levels that develops around the character of Anna Fawcett. Anna's gift is to draw needy people to herself and endeavor to help them. In the course of the story, we see a biology professor whose life is empty, a teacher who is pregnant and alone, a nasty neighbour who makes life miserable for others, and the list goes on. As Anna works her magic with her neighbours, they become her friends, and her generous doses of meals, rides and spiritual support give them hope.
My favourite character in Lifelines is Anna's son, Jesse, who is proudly Down Syndrome. He works his magic on Anna's guests with his fresh perspective, honesty and love. The author allows Jesse his own viewpoint throughout, and it's superbly done.
Aside from the people Anna helps, much of the book concentrates on her constant, quiet debate to prove that God exists and that He is involved in people's lives. She offers many excellent opinions and thoughts as she processes her way through, bringing her friends along for the ride. Readers become connected with the characters and feel the tension as the various people consider the truth about God.
Interestingly written, good pace, strong and varied characters, lots of heart.
My favourite character in Lifelines is Anna's son, Jesse, who is proudly Down Syndrome. He works his magic on Anna's guests with his fresh perspective, honesty and love. The author allows Jesse his own viewpoint throughout, and it's superbly done.
Aside from the people Anna helps, much of the book concentrates on her constant, quiet debate to prove that God exists and that He is involved in people's lives. She offers many excellent opinions and thoughts as she processes her way through, bringing her friends along for the ride. Readers become connected with the characters and feel the tension as the various people consider the truth about God.
Interestingly written, good pace, strong and varied characters, lots of heart.
November 30, 2016
I had no idea what this story was about when I picked it up. I thought it might be stories of the author’s life. I was wrong. Lifelines exceeded my expectations. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. The characters did not follow regular type fiction characters. These characters came across as real, like the people down my street who deal with normal every day occurrences and troubles.
I especially liked the way Eleanor made me love Jesse, the young man with Downs Syndrome. I liked the way she made him real, lovable and kind.
Throughout the story we get glimpses into the debate between science and creation. I loved the sentence, “The idea of more than one way of viewing facts carried with it doubt and Robert far preferred certainty.” Eleanor weaves a broken relationship throughout the story with each person learning lessons on the way. Other entertaining neighbours also fit well into her tale. An excellent read. Thank you Eleanor.
I especially liked the way Eleanor made me love Jesse, the young man with Downs Syndrome. I liked the way she made him real, lovable and kind.
Throughout the story we get glimpses into the debate between science and creation. I loved the sentence, “The idea of more than one way of viewing facts carried with it doubt and Robert far preferred certainty.” Eleanor weaves a broken relationship throughout the story with each person learning lessons on the way. Other entertaining neighbours also fit well into her tale. An excellent read. Thank you Eleanor.
September 19, 2016
Lifelines is a compelling story of a caring, community minded, grandmotherly lady named Anna who takes every opportunity given her to serve and love the people around her. The main themes of the story are the sanctity of life (abortion, Down syndrome) and the origin of life (evolution vs creation). The story weaves together the lives of several characters as they are impacted by their caring friend and neighbour. I totally want to be like Anna, I really liked her! The story is good, maybe more enjoyable for me because I know the author and it was a window into her soul. She is a very passionate prolifer, and the mother of a boy with Down's syndrome which definitely influenced her choice of theme! The author makes no efforts to veil her message, she presents a very well researched and dearly held perspective that all life is valuable and ordained by a Creator.
April 18, 2016
A very enjoyable read. Discusses difficult issues, in particular creation and sanctity of life, with tenderness and great insight, while raising thought-provoking ideas and discussion regarding our beliefs surrounding the origins of life, and how they have profound impact on our beliefs regarding the sanctity of life. Yet, the most important take-away lesson - to love one’s neighbour. This is our best testimony. Sincerely appreciated Bertin’s glimpses into the life and perspective of a young man with Down Syndrome. Well done on your first published novel!
June 18, 2019
I absolutely LOVED this book. I was hooked right from the start and could barely put it down! Thought provoking and well written... I will be recommending this book to anyone I know who loves good fiction! Great job, Eleanor! I can't wait for the next one!
September 12, 2019
This is a fantastic book to read. I read it from beginning to ending. You never wanted to put it down. Eleanor created a very special story for each woman in the book. Her story felt like she was taking you thru the Bible .This was my first time reading her book but not the last time.
July 22, 2016
A touching tale that touches upon some of the issues closest to the hearts of believers. Well done, Eleanor!
January 26, 2021
Very thought-provoking
"Lifelines is a republishing of Eleanor Bertin's first novel. It is the first full-length story I have read by her, though I have read several of her novellas in various Mosaic Collection anthologies. I remember them as quite thought-provoking.
I loved Anna! This dear widow seemed unable to not spread love to everyone she came into contact with! We first saw this as she invited her new neighbor, Robert, over for dinner. She had a way of living her faith infectiously, yet without coming across as judgemental. And I found her love for learning to be great! She had an interest in so many different subjects and was quite intelligent and still humble.
Robert, a biology professor, thought that he had an open mind. Yet his interactions with Anna and her son, Jesse, had him rethinking things he was convinced he knew. Through her gentle questions, he began to consider the things he had accepted as "truth" were not as true as he believed. I loved watching his attitude towards Jesse morph from revulsion to acceptance and love. (And how could he not love that sweet, gentle, young man!!)
Anna was also touched by Amelia's life. I rejoiced when she learned that Jesus paid the price for her sin and took away all her guilt and shame. And related so well to her needing to be reminded again and again of that glorious truth. Anna's ministry to her included teaching the life skills that she had not learned from her parents.
This servant of God touched so many lives. Many of the conflicts remained unresolved and yet Lifelines felt complete. The story's satisfying conclusion left me pondering the future outcomes and wanting to know more about what happens next!
Originally Reviewed on Among The Reads
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
"Lifelines is a republishing of Eleanor Bertin's first novel. It is the first full-length story I have read by her, though I have read several of her novellas in various Mosaic Collection anthologies. I remember them as quite thought-provoking.
I loved Anna! This dear widow seemed unable to not spread love to everyone she came into contact with! We first saw this as she invited her new neighbor, Robert, over for dinner. She had a way of living her faith infectiously, yet without coming across as judgemental. And I found her love for learning to be great! She had an interest in so many different subjects and was quite intelligent and still humble.
Robert, a biology professor, thought that he had an open mind. Yet his interactions with Anna and her son, Jesse, had him rethinking things he was convinced he knew. Through her gentle questions, he began to consider the things he had accepted as "truth" were not as true as he believed. I loved watching his attitude towards Jesse morph from revulsion to acceptance and love. (And how could he not love that sweet, gentle, young man!!)
Anna was also touched by Amelia's life. I rejoiced when she learned that Jesus paid the price for her sin and took away all her guilt and shame. And related so well to her needing to be reminded again and again of that glorious truth. Anna's ministry to her included teaching the life skills that she had not learned from her parents.
This servant of God touched so many lives. Many of the conflicts remained unresolved and yet Lifelines felt complete. The story's satisfying conclusion left me pondering the future outcomes and wanting to know more about what happens next!
Originally Reviewed on Among The Reads
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
March 8, 2017
The novel Lifelines deals with issues of concern to many Christians. One is how to explain the origin of our universe and its many forms of natural life. Are they the results of "God-free" evolutionary processes or intelligent design? Another issue is pro-choice versus pro-life stances regarding pre-born babies in danger of being aborted. A third is radical feminism versus more traditional Christian attitudes toward the roles of men and women in society.
The story's central character, Anna, knows where she stands. She's firmly in the second camp on each issue. In sensitive and loving ways, she shares her beliefs with the people she encounters. There's a lonely biologist, Robert. There's a deserted pregnant wife, Amelia. There's a bitter complaining neighbor, Joan, who resists help from anyone who offers it.
These and many other people are drawn to Anna and the peaceful, welcoming home she shares with her Down Syndrome son, Jesse. In the process they're also drawn to her Christian faith. Through their encounters with Anna, they all change to a lesser or greater degree within the course of the novel.
The story reminds me of a Maeve Binchey novel in that it follows the lives of several characters who have one focal point in common. In Lifelines, that focal point is Anna.
Interestingly Anna herself doesn't struggle or change. She seems to have no character flaws, and is essentially the same at the end of the novel as at the beginning. I would have liked to see her character develop more. On the other hand, she's a wonderful example of Christian faith in action. Readers can learn much from her.
I like the quotations that begin each chapter. Works quoted include the Bible and the writings of L.M. Mongomery, John Milton, and William Shakespeare.
The story's central character, Anna, knows where she stands. She's firmly in the second camp on each issue. In sensitive and loving ways, she shares her beliefs with the people she encounters. There's a lonely biologist, Robert. There's a deserted pregnant wife, Amelia. There's a bitter complaining neighbor, Joan, who resists help from anyone who offers it.
These and many other people are drawn to Anna and the peaceful, welcoming home she shares with her Down Syndrome son, Jesse. In the process they're also drawn to her Christian faith. Through their encounters with Anna, they all change to a lesser or greater degree within the course of the novel.
The story reminds me of a Maeve Binchey novel in that it follows the lives of several characters who have one focal point in common. In Lifelines, that focal point is Anna.
Interestingly Anna herself doesn't struggle or change. She seems to have no character flaws, and is essentially the same at the end of the novel as at the beginning. I would have liked to see her character develop more. On the other hand, she's a wonderful example of Christian faith in action. Readers can learn much from her.
I like the quotations that begin each chapter. Works quoted include the Bible and the writings of L.M. Mongomery, John Milton, and William Shakespeare.
July 26, 2020
I want to be like Anna. She is sweet, loving, and understanding. She knows how to meet people where they are at and love them toward the Lord. In Lifelines, Eleanor Bertin introduces readers to a wide variety of characters - some of them who are hard to like and others readers will immediately love. All of them need the love of the Lord and Anna does what she can to provide that. There is a little bit of mystery in the story - will you figure it out before Anna does? Bertin has a way of making her characters think, which may cause readers to do some thinking on the same topics.
We will meet some of the characters from this story again in Tethered, but I’d like to hear more of Robert’s and Amelia’s stories. Lifelines has a lot of potential for a series of at least stand-alone spin-offs.
While this is an adult novel there would be no issue placing Lifelines in a k-12 Christian school library. I think high schoolers might enjoy it.
I received a complimentary e-copy of Lifelines. This is my honest review.
We will meet some of the characters from this story again in Tethered, but I’d like to hear more of Robert’s and Amelia’s stories. Lifelines has a lot of potential for a series of at least stand-alone spin-offs.
While this is an adult novel there would be no issue placing Lifelines in a k-12 Christian school library. I think high schoolers might enjoy it.
I received a complimentary e-copy of Lifelines. This is my honest review.
November 12, 2019
I'm generally pretty open to debuts and self-published or small-published authors. I love finding a great indie gem. However, this doesn't hold a candle to many of them. It feels very much like a slice-of-life with precious little plot or narrative drive. It's got a cast of great characters that's far too large and clutters the whole novel. And it's excessively preachy. I can get through many novels with mini-sermons, but this one just felt clunky. When one book tries to tackle too many issues (Lifeline deals with evolution, abortion and feminism along with others along the fringes) it's very, very rare that it can balance them all.
This book really had a lot of potential, and I agree with many of the themes. It had some good moments, and the characters were fun. But it just...isn't that good. Add to that fact that the ending felt incomplete, and I sadly can't really rate this more than 1.5-2*.
This book really had a lot of potential, and I agree with many of the themes. It had some good moments, and the characters were fun. But it just...isn't that good. Add to that fact that the ending felt incomplete, and I sadly can't really rate this more than 1.5-2*.
January 3, 2021
LITERARY APOLOGETICS
Who wouldn't fall in love with Anna? Bertin's main character reminds me so much of my dear mom-in-law (of the same name, even!) that much of her dialogue is familiar to me, a reminder of solid spiritual wisdom. And Bertin's character Jesse shares his Down Syndrome with my own nephew--again touching to me. However, if the heart is not simply a set of feelings but, rather, the seat of mind, will, and emotions, there is much more to say of Lifelines than that it resonated sentimentally. Bertin has taken a wholistic approach in her storyline, character development, and conflict, giving us a novel of "realistic fiction" that imaginatively applies biblical truth academically, morally, and emotionally. Like writer Jodi Picoult, Bertin places ethical issues as the heart of her work--but with a studied Christian response and, therefore, a satisfactory conclusion.
Who wouldn't fall in love with Anna? Bertin's main character reminds me so much of my dear mom-in-law (of the same name, even!) that much of her dialogue is familiar to me, a reminder of solid spiritual wisdom. And Bertin's character Jesse shares his Down Syndrome with my own nephew--again touching to me. However, if the heart is not simply a set of feelings but, rather, the seat of mind, will, and emotions, there is much more to say of Lifelines than that it resonated sentimentally. Bertin has taken a wholistic approach in her storyline, character development, and conflict, giving us a novel of "realistic fiction" that imaginatively applies biblical truth academically, morally, and emotionally. Like writer Jodi Picoult, Bertin places ethical issues as the heart of her work--but with a studied Christian response and, therefore, a satisfactory conclusion.
August 2, 2024
There are a lot of layers to this story. Redemption and forgiveness are key elements but various other themes come into play. Evolution, abortion, the treatment of people with disabilities… These potential “hot button topics” within the Christian community are debated either internally or externally by an array of characters as the book weaves several sub-plots together. One woman at the centre of it all, who by all accounts seems unshakable in her faith, ends up having to navigate an unexpected personal tragedy near the end of the book. We’re left with a sense that despite our human frailty, God is bigger than our circumstances. The author also leaves the door open for future books in the series.
January 17, 2021
A great story. I enjoyed every minute of this book. We all need an Anna in our lives who can encourage, teach, and challenge us to think beyond our own prejudices and to dare to let down our guard and be willing to sacrificially love. Would that she lived next door to me and that by careful observation I could then become an Anna duplicate! I highly recommend this book and encourage its readers to make purposeful application of the gentle beauty contained therein.
June 18, 2021
Mere words cannot express the wonder of this book. It makes you think. It makes you want to discover old books/authors. And above all it is a superb book of love and friendship and questioning minds. IF YOU READ THIS BOOK YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED
THIS!!!!
Christ, who said to his disciples, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you” can truly say to every group of Christian friends, “You have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for another. C.S. Lewis, The four loves
THIS!!!!
Christ, who said to his disciples, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you” can truly say to every group of Christian friends, “You have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for another. C.S. Lewis, The four loves
January 13, 2021
Through Anna's faith and sweet but firm character we follow rhe steuggles of the people she reach with her warm and kind heart. Robert, a scientist questioning his beliefs, Amelia, a pregnant teacher qithout a husband, a some many and different people that you will fall into Anna's spell.
January 15, 2021
Abortion, marital strife, evolution and science, disabilities, and so much more. A thorough and lovely novel that touches on a lot of topics. Wonderful characters.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
January 9, 2021
A great story that had me in tears at the end! Unique story of a woman with a Downs Syndrome son and all the people her life touches. A story that I think will speak to many.
June 18, 2019
A joy!!
I absolutely loved this book! It had me laughing and crying... I would definitely recommend it to anyone with a love of good fiction.
I absolutely loved this book! It had me laughing and crying... I would definitely recommend it to anyone with a love of good fiction.
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