Book Review // Strength in Measure *spoiler alert*

 Book Review // Strength in Measure
Strength in Measure

By Lakaysha Elizabeth

"From inside the door, he heard soft weeping, and his heart seemed to break into peaces at his cousin's grief. He tried to call over her tears, 'I'd give anything. Anything to bring Dick back. I'd ask God to take me instead if I thought it would do any good.'" Strength in Measure

I give this book FIVE stars

I'm doing this review by the consistent request of my friend, along with the sheer fun of the idea. So, this review may be a little different then all my other reviews, being that I'm going to go into great depth of the story. I will warn you of an spoilers. But, be warned right now, there may be A LOT. *grins* I can't help it, the story is to good not to share and so full of twists and turns not to let out some secret. Anyway, let's being.

What the story is about: The story is about a family, the Hayes, but is mostly focused on the eldest daughter, Katie, and wither the authoress meant to or not, the eldest two sons. *winks* The first chapter *spoiler alert already* starts the tell with the death of their father. The story continues from there with each personal struggles of the wife and children left behind. *spoilers possible here* From the youngest to the oldest the family is changed with him death. The youngest trying to find someone to cling to, the oldest pushing away those he loves most. Katie, married soon after her father's death, learns to fit into her new role as wife and later mother in difficult times.There are seven children and many cousins and friends to get to know and love. And, even though there are so many people in the story, LaKaysha writes in such a way that it's easy to become familiar with all of them.

What I LOVE about the book:

Okay...*rubs hands together in anticipation* This is the part you may have to skip if you don't want to find out too much. If that's not a spoiler alert I don't know what is, so... it's up to you if you want to continue reading this part. Also I'm going to write this part as if you've read the book before. Other wise I'd spend all day explaining and I don't want to do that. There that's done. Now on to more interesting things...

I love the diverse personalities. Each person is their own but so familiar. My personal favorite is Nolan's story. His struggles and pains tore my heart apart. And, well, he ends up fighting in WWII and well... the poor guy feels so alone. I honestly want to take him in my arms and hold him to my heart, let him cry and then wipe the tears away. I want to grip his shoulders and look him in the eyes tell him it will all be okay, that it's not all his fault. I want to reach out and gently touch his hand, no words said, to let him know that not all people judge him. And then... then I want to see him straighten up, to see a glint of hope enter his eyes, I want to see him pull through the struggles, to face down the fears, to find peace in the Lord, and find his family loves him still.

Then there's "little" Ethan. I don't know that he's ever called that in the stroy but that's who he became in my mind. He's not in the story much but somehow my heart went out to him. The youngest son, lost in the middle of everyone's struggles, fighting his own hurt and fear alone. Then one day, after a disaster struck, (It's the one disaster I will for sure not tell of. It feels too vital. Too important.) he's all the sudden grown up. It hit me hard. While I had been lost in all the other's stories sweet, quiet, Ethen became a man. And no one saw it coming.

Amy, the littlest child, is the joy of the family. Always smiling, always hoping. I find her much like me in a way. The happy bubbly one that no one can bring down, until she is. Then you will never see that completely happy, completely trusting, completely content child again. Perhaps because my situation is similar in away I feel for her, and know her. How is it that I can know the mind and heart of this child?

Konnor...oh, Konnor, what do I say of you. *laughs all the sudden because I just realized how REAL they all are to me for me to speak so* He is the understanding one. But, oh, how can I tell you of him? I simply can not.

Carrie, Konnor's twin, is probably the one I connect with the least. Probably because I'm not like her in most every way, but I know people who are like her so... Still she's an impotent part of the story.

Did I miss anyone? Oh, oh, oh! Indeed, yes, I did. Coal!

Coal is one I truly love. Character wise. He is such a jerk, but you love him anyway. It takes a good writer to make someone feel so like family that you love him through his hard outside and only wish he could come out on a better. He does that to me. I love him even though I... well, hate him. LOL. If you've read it you may know what I mean.

Then, last but not least, Katie and her husband Alec. A sweet couple that I loved to read about. Young but ready to face to world. They learn day by day to lean on the Lord. Then... WWII comes...

Okay, that's all the siblings and my opinion of each one. Let's see. What else do I love about the story besides the great characters, and story?

The setting is really interesting. Kind of western, kind of not. Kind of WWII and 40's too. I really like that.

I love the huge family. I mean besides so many siblings. All the cousins and friends. For me it feels so close to home. I love how the family isn't perfect, but isn't all crazy either. How close and how real it all is to me and my own life in that way. A family so different and ,yet, so close.

I love how the book describes each time and place in such a real way.

Oh, there is so much I could say but I'd better stop. It's long the way it is. LOL.

A final quote: "Konner's head snapped in his direction, his Adam's apple bobbing, as he pressed out through gritted teeth, "I only understand one thing. You left when we needed you most. You abandoned Cole and Mama. You left Carrie, and Amy. Ethan. You left me." Strength in Measure

My final words: READ IT. 

Lol. Kidding. You don't have to read it, but I think you would love it if you did! Here is the link,https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/strength-in-measure-lakaysha-stenersen/1139701486 and if you do read it. please leave a review at the link given to help out my cousin!

Oh and, btw, she's writing a second one... So, I'm waiting, because I have too, for it to be done.

Anyway that's all for today folks!

~Kylie Nancy