When Sparrows Fall by Meg Moseley

Reviewed by Nora St. Laurent

"...powerful, thought provoking novel."

I was delighted to receive the review copy of Meg Moseley’s powerful, thought provoking debut novel. She gives the reader a peek into how an impressionable young girl falls for an older man and in the process loses more than her freedom---she loses her identity. Meg gives a chilling, believable scenario of what happens to Miranda when she marries a religious man who aims to control every aspect of her life. I couldn’t stop reading it!

Miranda’s a widow and mother of six children. Her world hasn’t changed much since her husband Carl died two years ago. Pastor Mason kept them on the straight and narrow. He visited Miranda’s family unexpectedly and constantly reminded Miranda that women should be focused on matters of the home. Mason also told her to never forget Carl was the absolute ruler in her home.

Pastor Mason announced to the whole church he’d heard from the Lord and the whole church was soon to move to another state. Miranda sensed her inner alarm bells ringing. She started to pray that the Lord would give her the courage to stand up to this man who enjoyed playing God and using his congregation like they were puppets. He was a wolf in sheep clothing – she had to expose him for what he was. God help her.

Then her brother-in-law college professor, Jack Hanford enters Miranda’s life. Miranda is unnerved and relieved that Jack came to help. He just might be the help she needed to expose Mason for what he was. She wasn’t sure she could trust him though. Jack sees the strict rules this family lives by. He wanted to help them be free. Free to have fun and enjoy life and each other.

I enjoyed Meg Moseley’s writing style and Miranda’s six children and how they interacted with their Uncle Jack. Jack was the light in their darkness. Meg reveals many layers of Miranda’s complex life. Could she get out of this complicated web? I adored Jack, his love for his nieces and nephews and his passion for teaching young minds. Jack had a strong desire to expose these children to the world around them. First on the agenda was convincing Miranda reading fiction books was a good thing!

Meg’s story hooked me from the first page. I like how she handled this tough topic showing a scary scenario of control and one girl’s courage to do the right thing no matter what the cost. I was totally absorbed into this story as Meg reminded me of the precious gift we all take for granted – religious freedom – freedom to worship Him and not follow a bunch of rules that kill people’s spirit! This was potent. I can’t wait to see where Meg takes us next!

Nora St. Laurent is the CEO of The Book Club Network Incorporated and runs two book clubs near Atlanta, Ga., and is the former ACFW On-Line Book Club coordinator. Nora currently writes a Book Club column for the Christian Fiction OnLine Magazine and is a Book Club Talk "Columnist" for Novel Rocket. She writes reviews and interviews authors on her blog Finding Hope Through Fiction, Novel Reviews, Title Trakk, Suspense Zone and The Christian Pulse.