About the Book
Book: Hannah Claire’s Wilderness
Author: Caryl McAdoo
Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction
Right after she marries in 1970, love carries Hannah Claire to Nigeria, following her husband David to the mission field—for only two years, she thinks. Miracle upon miracle brings five-year-old African orphan Adaolisa into the young wife’s life and she becomes a mother. Can the love for a child keep her where she doesn’t want to be? The children of wickedness threaten to make her a widow; they threaten everything, and danger abounds! Only by obedience can Hannah and her revivalist husband survive and prosper in a land torn by violence.
Click here to purchase your copy.
About the Author
Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory which is what she lives to do. Her award-winning, best-selling novels enjoy a lion’s share of 5-Star ratings from Christian readers around the world. With forty titles, it’s obvious she loves writing almost as much as singing the new songs the Lord gives her—listen to a few at YouTube. She and high school sweetheart Ron celebrated fifty years of marriage June 22, 2018 and share four children and eighteen grandsugars. The McAdoos live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas, waiting expectantly for God to open the next door.
My Review
I really liked the premise for this book and so I was quite excited for the opportunity to read it. Having said that though, I was surprised that I found myself struggling through it. The faith element was very high which I appreciated, but I think it fell short on the realism for me and I think that prevented me from connecting with the characters as much a I was hoping.
I have heard some amazing true stories of people speaking in tongues and discover they are speaking the actual language of the people around them. Although I have never attended a church where people speak in tongues, I believe that God can use people in that way and it can be an incredible testimony. I struggle however with a person suddenly being able to speak the language of a different people and it becomes a permanent new skill. I think something about that concept cheapens the effort countless missionaries have put into learning the language and customs of people to reach them for Christ.
I also struggled to reading about a little girl who watched her parents get murdered show no obvious signs of her trauma. She was easily trusting, and connected with Hannah as if she’d been her child all-along when in truth she’d just met her. I would have preferred to see the relationship actually grow and develop with both ups and downs instead of the instant connection as if their pasts never existed. Adoption is a wonderful blessing, but it’s not all rainbows and butterflies.
I admit that I am a person who likes a lot of realism in what I read. I will also admit that I believe that can sometimes be a flaw of mine because it prevents me from enjoying the true nature of fiction. Honestly when I take the realism factor out this wasn’t a bad story. It was fast-paced and encouraging. So while this wasn’t one of my favorites, I believe it’s strongly due to personal taste and not the author’s storytelling abilities.
*I received a copy of this book through celebrateLit. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
Rating: 
Guest Post from Caryl
Have you ever thought you heard from God, and acted on that in obedience—oft at great sacrifice—only to doubt that you heard Him at all when things don’t go as you’d planned? Actually, everything almost goes just the opposite, and your world is turned upside down.
Did you really hear Him?
That’s what my heroine Hannah Claire faces, when a two-year stint looks like it’s turning into a lifetime commitment. Though I’ve never been abroad to the mission field, I’ve faced much the same thing as Hannah, believing I heard Him and then nothing happening as expected!
Personally, I’ve been waiting over thirty years, but have found great peace in that waiting and trusting God—knowing that He is on the throne and in control. I will never doubt that the vision He’s given, the call He’s placed on mine and Ron’s lives WILL come to pass, just as it did for Abraham.
Hannah doesn’t have to wait that long, but her experience takes her to the depths of fear and depression before she comes to know her Heavenly Father is altogether trustworthy. The Shepherd walks her through the valley of the shadow of death and makes her to lie down in green pastures. He stills the raging waters and leads her beside them.
Book three, King David’s Tabernacle, coming sometime in 2020, will bring the reward and give you glory bumps every step of the way as God makes Himself known in a mighty way, but first . . . there’s the refining. Gold is passed through the fire seven times to be purified.
Silver as well, until the smith can see his reflection. Followers of Christ are all being made into the image of God’s Beloved Son, and we can rest in the fact that He who began that good work in us at salvation will be faithful to complete it until His coming again.
I pray you will enjoy your journey through Hannah Claire’s Wilderness.
Blog Stops
The Becca Files, March 21
Inklings and notions, March 21
Through the Fire Blogs, March 22
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 23
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, March 24
Locks, Hooks and Books, March 24
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 25
Stephanie’s Life of Determination, March 26
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 27
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 28
Texas Book-aholic, March 29
janicesbookreviews, March 30
Bigreadersite, March 31
A Reader’s Brain, April 1
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 2
Real World Bible Study, April 3
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away
Grand Prize – $50 Gift Amazon Card
1st Prize – Signed, Paperback copy of CHOICE of all my books
2nd Prize – Signed copy of Hannah Claire’s Wilderness
3rd Prize – eBook copy of Hannah Claire’s Wilderness
4th Prize – eBook copy of CHOICE of all my books
5th Prize $5 Amazon Gift Card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/dcad/hannah-claire-s-wilderness-celebration-tour-giveaway
Thanks so much for both the book description and giveaway as well. I enjoy hearing about another good book.
Hey James! Good to see you again! 🙂 Blessings!
Thanks for your thoughtful review,
Hi Connie! Thanks for stopping by my Celebrate Lit Blog Tour! Blessings!
I waver between wanting a realistic book, and being able to suspend my disbelief.
And I believe there’s nothing I could ever dream up that God couldn’t do! So to me it is all quite realistic 🙂 I saw it all in my head! LOL! Thanks, Dianna, for stopping by! Blessings!
This sounds interesting–but I appreciate what you mentioned that you struggled with. I would struggle with the same issues.
Thank you for stopping by my HANNAH CLAIRE’S WILDERNESS Blog Tour! I appreciate your time! Blessings!
Becca, Thank you so much for choosing to participate in my Celebrate Lit Blog Tour! I value your time and appreciate the space on your blog! Thank you for your review.
You’re welcome 🙂
This book sounds like an amazing read.
Thank you, Debbie! I hope you’ll think so after reading it! Blessings!