Review: Through the Deep Waters by Kim Vogel Sawyer

May 5, 2014

Title: Through the Deep Waters
Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer
Publisher: Water Brooke Press
Pages: 352
ISBN: 978-0-307-73129-6
Publication Date: May 6th, 2014

Synopsis:
A past filled with shame can be washed away with a love that conquers all

Born to an unloving prostitute in a popular Chicago brothel, timid seventeen-year-old Dinah Hubley was raised amidst the secrets held in every dark, grimy room of her home. Anxious to escape, Dinah pursues her dream of becoming a Harvey Girl, waiting tables along the railroad in an upscale hotel. But when she finds out she isn’t old enough, her only option is to accept a job as a chambermaid at the Clifton Hotel in Florence, Kansas. Eager to put everything behind her, Dinah feels more worthless than ever, based on a single horrible decision she made to survive.

The Clifton offers a life Dinah has never known, but blinded to the love around her, Dinah remains buried in the shame of her past. When a handsome chicken farmer named Amos Ackerman starts to show interest, Dinah withdraws further, convinced no one could want a sullied woman like her.  Despite his self-consciousness about his handicapped leg and her strange behavior, Amos resolves to show Dinah Christ’s love. But can she ever accept a gift she so desperately needs?
Review:
This is the third book I've read by Kim Vogel Sawyer and I think it is my favorite of hers thus far. I tend to like stories with a little grittier background to it. I find that certain difficult situations help make characters more life like and it also brings problems that people don't think about forward.

I will say as a disclaimer, this story deals with a topic some people may find hard to deal with, rape, but it is handled in a respectful way. As I said, certain situations allow characters in a story become life like, and these circumstance made Dinah come to life with the emotions she battles and the thoughts that plague her afterwards.

Dinah is a girl who has not led a happy life. She is the unwanted child of a prostitute. She has no real friends, expect for the cook in the brothel....she was born and raised in the brothel, so because of the circumstance she born into, she is shunned by everybody. When she finds out her mother is sick, she wants to help, but the method that is provided is not the way she wanted to help. Unfortunately, her say was stripped from her and scars she carries makes her close up to those around her. When her mother passes away, Dinah flees Chicago to a smaller town to have a fresh start. Here, she can bury her past.

In Florence, Kansas, Dinah is introduced to a new way of living. It is a smaller and quieter life then she has experienced, and new people. One being her new roommate, Ruthie. I'm just going to say it, Ruthie rubbed me the wrong way from her first introduction. She reminded me instantly of a couple of people I've met and as I progressed, my thoughts proved true to how her role would shape up, but thankfully, lessons are learned.

Another person that Dinah is introduced to is Amos. A local chicken farmer who was disabled in an accident when he was a boy. He is a hard working man who has had to deal with a tough situation, but instead of wallowing in grief, he has risen to the occasion. I enjoyed reading about Amos. He was laid back and a little naive about women, but it made him all the more real.

This is a story of brokenness and emotional scars. They are the injuries that can't be seen and unless you can read a person thoughts, you won't know what they are going through. It's like the saying I've seen floating around, "Don't judge. You have no idea what trials they are going through." This story is a good reminder.

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 in print and have garnered awards including the ACFW Carol Award, the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Kim lives in Kansas, where she and her retired military husband, Don, run a bed-and-breakfast inn with the help of their four feline companions. She enjoys spending time with her three daughters and nine grandchildren.



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


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