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Women of Identity #1
Hidden Wings
LaRae Gunther is afraid to dream and locked into a pleasing everyone in her rural Illinois town. She escapes her domineering mother by going to college in Chicago and follows her wild dream of becoming an artist. A sudden tragedy occurs which sends her into a tailspin of fear and self-sabotage. When a Norwegian grad student named Lars takes an interest in both her and her art she is shocked. During their budding romance an unexpected illness happens and LaRae must return home. In the meantime Lars disappears without a forwarding address. In financial and emotional despair she takes on a dreaded secretary job when a letter states she has inherited her Great Aunt's tiny clapboard home in Norway. Upon arriving abroad a quirky, older artist befriends her and tries coaxing her into painting again. While there, will LaRae find Lars? Or will she crush on the suave art gallery dealer who finds her fascinating?
380 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2019
24 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 14, 2019
Hidden Wings by May Tomlin is a Christian contemporary novel about lives, love, family and God. It is an epic read that crosses continents and lives. The action moves from America to Norway, Africa and England. There is a real cosmopolitan feel to the novel.
We all have gifts. We need to be courage to use our gifts and not have lives squashed and moulded into something they are not.
Families come in various guises. We see a nurturing mother who contrasts sharply with other characters who insist on exerting their authority at all times. There is a huge heart that finds it hard to say ‘no.’
We all have voices competing for our attention. We must drown out the negative voices and listen to the life affirming voice of God.
The novel shows the emptiness of a life that chases money and fame. In contrast there is a full life to be found in knowing and following God.
There are motifs for God in the novel. He can be seen as the master gardener and the master potter both of whom work to produce objects or flowers of great beauty.
Hidden Wings was an epic read showing two characters searching to be all that God created them to be. I enjoyed it.
We all have gifts. We need to be courage to use our gifts and not have lives squashed and moulded into something they are not.
Families come in various guises. We see a nurturing mother who contrasts sharply with other characters who insist on exerting their authority at all times. There is a huge heart that finds it hard to say ‘no.’
We all have voices competing for our attention. We must drown out the negative voices and listen to the life affirming voice of God.
The novel shows the emptiness of a life that chases money and fame. In contrast there is a full life to be found in knowing and following God.
There are motifs for God in the novel. He can be seen as the master gardener and the master potter both of whom work to produce objects or flowers of great beauty.
Hidden Wings was an epic read showing two characters searching to be all that God created them to be. I enjoyed it.
November 5, 2019
How long has it been since you’ve read a book you couldn’t put down? I know me too!!! So imagine how excited I was when I finally found one! Hidden Wings is fabulous! The adventures and life of LaRae will keep you turning the pages!!! I promise you will thank me for recommending this book.
September 26, 2019
Transforming power of the love of God in a romance!
Believable! Such a good read! Good surprises and twists! I want to go to Norway after reading this! I really felt her struggle to say no to her family and be heard and then say yes to her own wants and needs.
Believable! Such a good read! Good surprises and twists! I want to go to Norway after reading this! I really felt her struggle to say no to her family and be heard and then say yes to her own wants and needs.
January 3, 2020
There were so many things I loved about Hidden Wings.
First, I love when a book creates a feeling that you "know" the characters. For me, that's what makes a book memorable, feeling connected to the characters in a way that you feel like you lived vicariously through their story. May's descriptive writing style was exciting and unique and really made this connection possible. It also made me want to continue to read about Lars and LaRae, where will their journey take them?
Second, I love when a book is relatable to my own story. And my story is mostly completely different from LaRae's story. May has a way of sharing issues of the hear through her characters that resonate with my own. It inspired me in many ways. Helped me grieve in some ways as well. I love when a fiction book can spark this emotional response and Hidden Wings definitely did that for me. It made me want to seek to see what I have lost in myself as a result of my past and encouraged to see myself in the grace of God's eyes.
Bringing me to number three. I love how May brought in authentic realness with humanity's struggle with their faith. Some characters were steadfast, some completely struggling, and some were seeking Him but were in transition. I could identify with all of those stages. I love when Christian fiction is well written, and realistic and Hidden Wings is definitely in that category!
And finally, I love how I was immersed in another culture I know little about. I felt like I was traveling along with LaRae to Norway. I love the simplicity of her life while she lived in Mandal, the relationships she formed with the locals, and how she reconnected with her ancestral roots. I loved reading about the foods of the region, the way of life, and the descriptive nature scenes made me feel like I was traveling with her.
I give Hidden Wings five stars because it truly deserves it! May's writing style is unique and refreshing, very real and relatable. I stayed up later than I should have many nights because I had to know what happened next! That, for me, is a sign of a really good book. And that's what I consider Hidden Wings, a REALLY GOOD Book!
First, I love when a book creates a feeling that you "know" the characters. For me, that's what makes a book memorable, feeling connected to the characters in a way that you feel like you lived vicariously through their story. May's descriptive writing style was exciting and unique and really made this connection possible. It also made me want to continue to read about Lars and LaRae, where will their journey take them?
Second, I love when a book is relatable to my own story. And my story is mostly completely different from LaRae's story. May has a way of sharing issues of the hear through her characters that resonate with my own. It inspired me in many ways. Helped me grieve in some ways as well. I love when a fiction book can spark this emotional response and Hidden Wings definitely did that for me. It made me want to seek to see what I have lost in myself as a result of my past and encouraged to see myself in the grace of God's eyes.
Bringing me to number three. I love how May brought in authentic realness with humanity's struggle with their faith. Some characters were steadfast, some completely struggling, and some were seeking Him but were in transition. I could identify with all of those stages. I love when Christian fiction is well written, and realistic and Hidden Wings is definitely in that category!
And finally, I love how I was immersed in another culture I know little about. I felt like I was traveling along with LaRae to Norway. I love the simplicity of her life while she lived in Mandal, the relationships she formed with the locals, and how she reconnected with her ancestral roots. I loved reading about the foods of the region, the way of life, and the descriptive nature scenes made me feel like I was traveling with her.
I give Hidden Wings five stars because it truly deserves it! May's writing style is unique and refreshing, very real and relatable. I stayed up later than I should have many nights because I had to know what happened next! That, for me, is a sign of a really good book. And that's what I consider Hidden Wings, a REALLY GOOD Book!
November 5, 2019
This book is about a young lady who has to find herself and her true purpose in life. She has to let go of all the expectations that has been placed on her by her family. I think we all have lived through similar experiences so it is easy to relate to her trials. It is a very realistic, yet beautiful story.
November 5, 2019
This was a great story and an easy, relaxed read! It held my interest from the beginning and there is point in the story where you just have to keep reading to find out the rest! I literally couldn't stop! Sure sign of a good book! I can't wait to read more by this author!!
November 5, 2019
Loved the settings, loved the relationships that develop. It was a treat to read a well written book! It’s been a while since I cried while reading. Well done, Ms. Tomlin. I look forward to more of your writing!
December 10, 2019
Such a fantastic story! I loved the way it developed and how I got to know each character along the way. Traveling overseas with the main character was extra delightful, even if it did trigger some wanderlust. :) 100% recommend!
December 16, 2019
I'm not much for fiction or romance but with the introduction of Lars (chapter 6), I was hooked & couldn't put it down. The imagery, the characters, the storyline in all its purity will have you so engaged you'll be sad when it's over. Highly anticipating the next book in the series!!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews