I've read rave reviews about the book but it took me this long to actually decide to read it. I wasn't sure I'd like this book based on the blurb - something about a missionary's wife who really doesn't want to be a missionary emotionally dallying with an old flame from the past didn't sit right with me. That being said, the book is so much more than just that. It is beautifully, lyrically, poetically, melodically written. The written cyber-messaging between Lauren and Aiden is so real, raw, and beautiful and it reveals the soul and mind of two artists, not bound by time or space. The book is powerfully thought-provoking and asks deep questions about what our faith really means and what our faith in action looks like.

The author seamlessly transitions from recounting the past events and showing the present to tie the recalled events to the relevance of the present day time.
The heartaches and difficulties in marriage, rearing a teenager, adjusting to a foreign land and culture while trying to hold on to the God they came to serve are very palpable and heartfelt. The first person narrative is employed to its fullest extent to get the reader involved in Lauren's life in Nepal.

Despite all the beauty of the book, I had a hard time connecting with both Lauren and Sam. They are so different in character and personality and really went into marriage blind-folded. Lauren is wishy-washy, ruled by emotions (though she comes off as the more level-headed one in her relationship with Sam and Aiden), generally ungrateful and whiny. Sam is unbending, unyielding, manipulative (even in his prayer and piety) and solely focused on one thing. I couldn't reconcile that they both love God and want to serve Him, and yet they cannot and will not let God change them to who He wants them to be. And, then, there is Ryan, their son, who really ends up being the casualty of spiritual and emotional war between the parents. Perhaps the author wanted the main characters and their relationships portrayed exactly this way, to open the reader's eyes to the heartbreak, to the human sin and error involved in missions and ministry.

Lauren's emotional involvement with Aiden was really tough to read. How her involvement affected her relationship with her husband (though she never acknowledges it in the book) was even tougher to read. The words Lauren exchanged with Sam made me think hard and long about how we disguise so many of our thoughts and feelings when we're conversing with our supposed loved ones. Why do we do that?

This book was clearly outside of my comfort zone and I cannot say I enjoyed the book. It made me uncomfortable for most of my reading. However, the the book delved into issues most do not address. And the writing was fantastic. Kudos to the author for a beautifully and thoughtfully written book that tackled extremely difficult topics.

I was given an advance digital reader copy of this book by Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. I was not required to give a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

This book will cause me to contemplate life for quite a while. I am still working some things out in my head, but WOW. I am in awe of this author's vulnerability of voice. Such a breathtaking tale of struggle, temptation, tension, and forgiveness. A powerful read that will stand on it's own for many years to come. Heartrending and beautiful.

Of Stillness and Storm is a powerful and intimate look into the lives of a family that gave up all the modern comforts to travel to Nepal to share the word of God. Lauren made this change to her life with some concerns but Sam pushed through with his dream and dragged his wife and young son across the world. That is when the world they knew began to be torn apart.

Ryan becomes withdrawn and angry. Lauren feels isolated and alone while Sam heads off full of life into the isolated parts of Nepal to bring supplies and the word of God. You literally watch their family be torn apart and find yourself getting angry at times with Sam, who seems oblivious to what is going on with his son and wife. Ryan’s pain broke my heart both as a Mother and a person. He needed so much help but he did not know how to ask for help and no one knew quite what he needed. His Father felt he should just get used to the change – which many of us know is not the solution to mental health. He was taken from everything he loved and knew, without any say and entered a world he could not understand. This took such a great toll on his emotional and mental health. We see this unravel slowly throughout the novel.

Lauren is amazing and kind woman but my heart broke for her. She never truly spoke her mind to her husband and let him walk all over her with his decisions. It was satisfying to watch her change when an old friend enters her life online. She gains back some of her passion and take charge of her own needs and wants.

The ending was devastating and hopeful at the same time but is perfect for this novel. Of Stillness and Storm is powerful and moving. It gives us an intimate look into the lives of those who gave up everything to help others – the good, the bad and the ugly. We also see the effects these decisions have upon the most innocent individuals – the children of these families. A definite must read.

Interesting and well written, this gave me some insight into the struggles faced by missionary families. Good characters, well plotted. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.

I had a difficult time getting into the story. It felt as though there needed to be a "time" when this book would have been right but it definitely wasn't when I tried it. It has received rave reviews from our patrons however.

Of Stillness and Storm follows the life of a missionary family, Sam, Lauren, and their son, Ryan, as they face the challenges that living in Nepal have created and the many unforeseen consequences of their choices. It weaves together the story of their life in Kathmandu with the ten year journey it took to get them there. Because of signing up for Facebook, Lauren reconnects with an old flame, Aidan, who is fighting a losing battle with brain cancer. Reconnecting through Facebook and Skype, the conversations help to bring joy to an otherwise only challenging life. When Ryan continues to spiral downwards, what can Lauren and Sam do to bring health and sanity back into their family again?

Michele Phoenix, an advocate for third culture kids, has created a novel that shows how life overseas can negatively affect some children. She writes in a creative style, weaving text with instant messenger conversations and Facebook messages, as well as a number of flashback chapters. The city of Kathmandu is vivid in its descriptions, and the heart of the main character is laid out clearly for all to see. It was a story that was hard to read and agonizing at moments, but worthwhile. I hope it makes you ask questions and ponder... if so, the author has succeeded.