🏞️🍂❄️ “Alaska Chance” (Alaskan Women of Caliber #3) (2022) ❄️🍂🏞️ – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Publisher: Independently Published (February 3, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1737392550
ISBN-13: 9781737392552
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“I’D BOUGHT INTO THE EXCITEMENT OF A CHANCE TO MOVE TO ALASKA,
THEN LIFE’S UNEXPECTED TWISTS CHALLENGED MY FAITH IN DESTINY.
After our wedding rehearsal, my fiancé, James, suggests we roll the dice to decide our fate for his next teaching job. Leaving life’s decision to chance sounds like fun. However, will it align with my innate tendency for order?
Our adventure promises northern lights, snowflakes, and the wonder of Alaska. But luck gives us a double portion of both blessings and burdens that threaten to bury me in an avalanche of doubt and worry.
Will I be able to care for my family in the crucial moments, or am I destined to falter? Where do I turn for assuring direction in this uncertain game called life?”
Thank you in advance to the author, Maryann Landers, for providing a complimentary review copy. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
While this is the third book in the series, unlike the first two, this is definitely a standalone read. No characters from the first two books – Alaskan Calibration and Alaska Calling are seen or mentioned in this book.
This one more closely follows the timeline of the first book – starting in 1963, though there is no real “end” year. Unlike the first book, this one does lack a year “guide” so the readers can relate or place the story.
The cover is a bit “modern” for the time being depicted, but the background really overshadows that mark. The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are hinted at, giving it a slight glow, highlighting the natural beauty unique to Alaska. As of note – the Northern Lights are on my “bucket list”.
The cover does fit the theme of the series as well.
But, whether or not a cover is pretty or … not so pretty, it is the contents that matter.
Like the first two books, this too is told in first person format from a woman’s perspective – in this case, Sharon Kline, who feels torn between constantly trying to please her parents and her cheery, adventure-fueled husband James. As the previous two books – no other POVs are presented.
Adding to the support characters – the main two are James’ sister Mary and Sharon’s brother John. After the move to Alaska, there are quite a few support characters, though none stay around too long due to Sharon and James’ frequent moves:
🏞️ Gary & Liza – their first landlords
🏞️ Howard & Marsha – Superintendent and his wife
🏞️ Pastor Fred – Pastor in church in Tanacross
🏞️ Lois & Tom – missionaries in Tanacross, friends to Sharon & James
🏞️ Brooke & Roberta – Sharon & James’ twin daughters
🏞️ Sam – son, birthdate unknown; only mentioned in story
The story begins in 1963 on the eve of Sharon and James’ wedding rehearsal dinner. After the rehearsal and a dance, James springs a “change” on Sharon – where they’ll end up after getting married:
Iowa
Pennsylvania
Kentucky
Fresno
Canada (Texas was tossed in favor of this option)
Alaska (Florida was tossed for this option)
Honestly, between Alaska and Florida? I’d have chosen Florida. Texas or Canada? Texas. Texas versus the others? Texas.
But, unlike me – James leaves it to the roll of a die and by the title, I think readers know where he and Sharon end up.
The wedding for the two is the easiest part – telling everyone about is a tad different. Of course, they end up sooner than they thought.
And, like some here in the lower 48, Sharon has a hard time adjusting to the bitter cold. Reminds me of the cute Johnny Horton song – “When It’s Springtime in Alaska (It’s Forty Below)”. While the song came out in 1959, Horton wasn’t far off. The Fairbanks, Alaska region did have a -40° temp in March 1970. Coldest “low” temp ever? -62° December 28th & 29th of 1961. In January 1934, coldest ever temp recorded: -66°. So, cold isn’t accurate – frigid is definitely more like it.
To help stave off Sharon’s “blue meanies”, James suggests a baby. This is the 1960’s so ideas about mental health were not widely accepted or practiced. But, the twins are welcome. Still, Sharon has her doubts.
It is after the flood their life shifts dramatically and Sharon has to roll with the changes or tries to. At one point she realizes they aren’t godless, but they aren’t godly either.
Despite having a husband and twin daughters, for Sharon, something is missing. Along the way, the people they meet seem to steer them or rather Sharon where she needs to go – towards God. Yet, she still feels empty – not quite there in her journey. And, her journey to find what she is missing is heartwarming, heart-breaking, and inspiring.
I wouldn’t exactly say this was “fast-paced”, but it didn’t “linger” at any one point. The author kept the story going and the short chapters made this the potential for a “quick read”. It was easy to start and kept my interest throughout the short story. The story itself is 195 pages, so it is definitely a “day read”. This of course depends on how the reader reads – I am a fairly fast reader, and yes, I do enjoy the books as I am reading (and taking notes).
For the most part, the story was pretty conflict free with regard to character interaction. Most of the “drama” came from events surrounding them. Once such was the 1967 flood in Fairbanks (https://www.adn.com/opinions/2017/08/15/fairbanks-recalls-the-great-flood-that-changed-everything/).
While the year isn’t mentioned in the story, it would coincide with the age of the twins. It was definitely as devastating as the author portrayed it in the book. She also gives a vivid description of Alaska’s beautiful scenery and its contrasting brutal nature. It certainly earns its nickname of “The Last Frontier”.
Slight “spoiler” – towards the end I love how Pastor Fred worked in the Game of Life. I played that with my cousins in the 1980’s, but it wasn’t until 2000 when I’d get my own game. I have a 2005 (or 2013) edition as well. I even have a PC version. So, I’m very familiar with the game and it is one of my favorites.
Though the pastor mentions living life by a roll of the dice and using that to decide our fates – blue or pink pegs (kids), landing on a new car – those things. The game has, since the 1960’s used a wheel, numbered 1-10. So, I had to wonder if Fred had found out about James’ tactic and worked that remark into his sermon for his benefit.
This is definitely a clean read – there is no foul language and no intimate scenes at all. The Christian and faith element is towards the end of the book when Sharon starts realizing what is missing in her life.
Just like the previous two – this does end rather abruptly. While it is a short story, there are some questions I have regarding Sharon and James’ son Sam. When was he born, where did he come into the story?
Also, there is no real conclusion with Sharon and her parents, only a “mending” with her mother. There is also an open-end with Mary as well as James.
As a result of those open-endings, I’m very much interested in reading future books by the author in this series. Those who’ve read the first two will likely enjoy this read. Those who enjoy Janette Oke’s work will likely enjoy this too!
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
Bookbub (not currently listed)
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
Other Book(s) in the Series:
Publisher: Maryann Landers (June 20, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1737392518
ISBN-13: 978-1737392514
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“I’D FOUND THE STABILITY OF PEACE
THEN MY FAITH WAS CHALLENGED BY THE ENMITY OF CHANGE
I met Roy at fourteen and with the toss of a coin that summer night, I dialed in the love of my life. We wasted years until we found the answer to our hearts' longing in Jesus.
On the evening of our baptism, Roy suggested our family of four venture on his dream vacation to Alaska. Although reluctant to traverse the country, I was determined to enjoy the much needed family time.
When an invitation to work at an iconic Alaskan roadhouse forced the trajectory of our summer in an unexpected direction, my tight grip on our familiar Michigan life started to slip.
Will this quest for an Alaskan adventure be worth the sacrifice for us all?
Will my new faith in Christ withstand the storms of change and awaken the transformation I didn’t know I needed or will I crumble under the leaden weight of my husband’s dreams?
The Alaskan Women of Caliber Series unfolds a fictional tapestry based on true, pivotal stories of rebirth, escape, love, sacrifice, and discovery. The visceral backdrop of the arctic impacts women and draws them to its Creator. Follow these women and the heartbeat of their high caliber life events.”
Series: Alaskan Women of Caliber (Book #2)
Paperback: 142 Pages
Publisher: Maryann Landers (September 22, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1737392526
ISBN-13: 978-1737392521
Click Photo for Purchase Information ➡️
“I’D REACHED MY DREAM CAREER AS AN RN
THEN THE DOUBT OF MY CALLING CHALLENGED MY FAITH.
After two years of working in a small city close to my family in Canada, my heart remains unsettled. Now, I find myself at a crossroads, not knowing which way to turn.
My calling seemed certain, now I question my career path and my relationship with my boyfriend. My futile efforts to pretend it’s all okay displace me, spinning me loose, and my world threatens to toss me into disarray. But the winds of change bring a hopeful challenge when a letter arrives from a nurse in Alaska inviting me to work at a remote clinic. Perhaps God has more in mind for me than I hope for myself.
Can I rise to this adventure and leave the familiarity of home and country?
Will I be able to set aside my own agenda and trust God’s timing?
Or will my need to have a detailed plan in all areas of my life be an obstacle too large for me to overcome?”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alaskan based Maryann Landers writes women’s faith filled fiction based on true stories of extraordinary women of her magnificent state. She loves to showcase the unique north and give her readers a little taste of rustic Alaska.
While writing in her log home in the woods she is also looking forward to her next adventure with her Alaskan husband, juggling mom tasks such as crafting homemade meals from moose and caribou meat, building DIY projects from scrap wood piles and guiding her teens in their homeschooling.
To learn about her inspiration to write Alaskan based stories read her blog at www.mary-ann-landers.com.
Her first novel in the Alaskan Women of Caliber Series, Alaskan Calibration, released June 2021.
You can find her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Maryann-Landers-104025905291107
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writealaska/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/landers_maryann
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