Book Review: A Broken Kind of Beautiful by Katie Ganshert [and Giveaway]

Gold Brush Stroke

Don’t miss the Giveaway at the bottom of the post!

I rarely find time to read Christian fiction, but I refuse to miss one of Iowa author Katie Ganshert’s novels. Katie weaves real-life circumstances with biblical truths to create believable and compelling story lines.

A Broken Kind of Beautiful

In her latest novel, A Broken Kind of Beautiful (released April 15), Katie explores many themes through her characters, such as forgiveness, beauty, brokenness, trust, love, and commitment. But it’s the truth of God’s redemption that shines most brightly in this captivating read. I ended the book eagerly wanting more. 

A Broken Kind of Beautiful

In A Broken Kind of Beautiful we follow Ivy Clark, who went from being a rejected and abandoned little girl to a drop-dead gorgeous model at age 14. As a teenager in a fast-paced glamorous world, Ivy learns to use her beauty to her advantage and vows to never be hurt again.

But years later, as a 24 year old, Ivy begins to realize skin-deep beauty is not the kind that lasts. Her world turns upside down, and she grows desperate to right it.  

This desperation forces Ivy to face her painful past once again. She winds up living with Marilyn Olsen, a stepmother she never wanted, and working alongside Davis Knight, a man she doesn’t understand.

Although, I sympathized with Ivy’s plight, it was in the characters of Marilyn, Davis, and his blind sister, Sara, where I noticed reflections of my own life. Each of their struggles, in some sense, parallel those of ours as we strive to make sense of our walk in this broken world. 

As the story unfolds, readers are drawn into Ivy’s emptiness, Davis’ guilt, Marilyn’s heartache, and Sara’s loss. And we see glimpses of our own efforts to trust, forgive, and surrender control. 

A (Our) Story of Redemption

Katie Ganshert masterfully weaves the plot line of A Broken Kind of Beautiful, with veins of God’s truth and grace intersecting with human failings. Through her characters, she wrestles with the tough life issues we all face and gently draws us into a deeper understanding and acceptance of the depth of God’s love and forgiveness. 

But most captivating in this novel is the way Katie gently unwraps and exposes the gift found in brokenness: the beauty of redemption. His love for us rings true in this verse Sara pens for Ivy:

 “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)

Jesus Christ bought redemption for us all through His shed blood. But if we’re honest, it’s through our brokenness that we finally become open to the Lord’s redemptive work in our lives.

And that makes for a truly broken kind of beautiful. 

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

 You can purchase Katie’s latest novel at Christianbook.com or any of your favorite booksellers. 

And now for a fun giveaway! I love Katie’s books so much I want to give you a chance to read them for yourselves. Just follow the Rafflecopter prompts below for a chance to win Katie’s first two novels, Wildflowers from Winter and Wishing on Willows. (Read my review of Wildflowers from Winter by clicking here.) 

Wildflowers from WinterWishing on Willows

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, Katie is hosting a A Broken Kind of Beautiful Facebook Webcast Party on April 21st, from 6-7pm (CST). Click here to see the Facebook invite. The fun includes 6 prize packages.

Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author, but was not required to write a positive review.

Linking with:

wisewomanlinkupnewnew whimsical wed

 

By His Grace,

Julie

2 Comments

  1. Shelly Hendricks on April 16, 2014 at 10:58 pm

    Thanks for this great chance at the giveaway! heart hugs, Shelly <3

    • Julie Sunne on April 17, 2014 at 11:50 am

      I’m so excited to have you join this hope-filled community of travelers, Shelly. Looking forward to the journey ahead. Blessings, new friend.

Leave a Comment





Julie Sunne

Hello, I'm Julie, an imperfect wife and mother of four. Life in this broken world is not always easy. Yet, joy can be found in each day through the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I find it's easy for our day's blessings to get lost in its happenings. But God's "mercies never end" (Lamentations 3:22) and His "grace is sufficient" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

May the posts and pages on this site offer you a measure of peace and encouragement.

Search the Blog

Categories

25 spotlight bible verses
Maintain Godly Focus!

Are you struggling to maintain godly focus in the mess of each day's living? Do you too easily find yourself worrying about circumstances instead of trusting in God's promises? If you answered yes, why not download my ebook. It's filled with 25 power verses with space for personal reflection to help you maintain godly focus, no matter what situations arise.

(Privacy policy: Don't worry, your information is safe you can unsubscribe at any time.)

Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

New Book, Just Released!

Sometimes I Forget by Julie Sunne