Review: What Once Was Lost by Kim Vogel Sawyer

September 26, 2013

Title: What Once Was Lost
Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer
Publisher: Water Brook Press
Pages: 352
ISBN: 978-0-307-73125-8
Publications Date: September 17th, 2013

Synopsis:
A woman meant to serve, a child in the dark, a man standing apart—can these three souls embrace a God with new plans for them?

On a small Kansas farm, Christina Willems lovingly shepherds a group of poor and displaced individuals who count on her leadership and have come to see the Brambleville Asylum for the Poor as their home. But when a fire breaks out in the kitchen leaving the house inhabitable, she must scramble to find shelter for all in her care, scattering her dear “family.”

With no other options, Christina is forced to approach Levi Jonnson, a reclusive mill owner, to take in a young blind boy named Tommy Kilgore. Levi agrees with reluctance but finds himself surprised by the bond that quickly grows between him and Tommy. As obstacles to repairing the farm pile up against Christina, she begins to question her leadership ability and wonders if she can fulfill the mission to which she's dedicated her life. And when an old adversary challenges Christina, will she find an unlikely ally—or more—in the aloof Levi? Can Levi reconcile with the rejection that led to his hermit-like existence and open his heart and life to something more, especially a relationship with a loving God?
Review:
This was the first book that I have read by Kim Vogel Sawyer. I will say her writing style is great and keeps the story flowing nicely.

We start off the story with Christina Willems running the poor farm that she and her father had run for years in Brambleville Kansas. Not long ago, Christina had lost her father and she had taken up sole care of the poor farm and the people who live there. However, the peace that surrounds the people there doesn't last long when they are roused in the middle of the night by Tommy, a ten-year-old boy who was blinded in an accident and dumped on the steps by his family, wakes everyone to let them know the fire. Everyone is able to escape, but the house suffers a lot of damage.

Christina does her best to place everyone who has lived in the house with people in town temporarily, until she can speak with the mission board about repairing the house. However things do not go as smoothly as Christina hopes. As soon as something seems to be in place, another area of her plan fall apart. We watch Christina start of high in her dreams and hopes for her future, only to be brought lower and lower, until all seems lost. Everything that Christina has ever hoped for seems to be stripped away.

Levi Johnson is the mill owner and operator for the town. He lives out a ways and hardly visits with the people in the area, turning him into a recluse. He sees no point involving himself with people. However, he is the last option Christina has to place Tommy, the blind boy in her care. Many people in town were happy to help the residence of the poor farm, but Tommy. After a little time Levi agrees. After a short time with Tommy, Levi slowly comes out of his shell and he finds that not only is Tommy helping him, but he is able to help Tommy. Since his accident, Tommy had lost the confidence a normal ten year-old-boy would have and with encouragement, he helps bring it back to Tommy.

What Once Was Lost was a story of over coming. Whether it is emotional, physical, or mental, it was over coming and relying on God to get you through.

Through out the story, I seemed to feel a better connection to Levi. I enjoyed reading his part of the story and his obstacles. I had a little harder time connecting to Christina. Her attitude about excepting help was a little hard to follow. She kept saying beggars can't be choosers, but she kept saying she wanted to go about getting help her own way. I did enjoy the story overall.

Too Read
4 out of 5

About the Author:
Kim Vogel Sawyer is a best-selling author highly acclaimed for her gentle stories of hope. More than one million copies of her books are currently in print with awards including the ACFW Carol Award, the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Kim lives in central Kansas, where she and her retired military husband, Don, run a bed-and-breakfast inn with the help of their feline companions. She savors time with her daughters and grandchildren.

You can check out Kim's website at http://kimvogelsawyer.com/ .
If you would like a sneak peek at What Once Was Lost, you can check out the first chapter HERE.


Thank you to Blogging for Books and Water Brook Press, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

1 comment

  1. I've been reading quite some Kim Vogel Sawyer books the last few years and really liked most of them. If you 're looking for more of her books to read, you might want to try My heart remembers and In every heartbeat.

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