Tuesday, July 30, 2019

"Hugo" by Pamela Poole



On September 21, 1989, Hurricane Hugo came in the dead of night, slamming Category 4 power into Charleston, South Carolina at the worst possible time—high tide. Painter Place is scoured by the writing Atlantic storm surge, forcing Caroline Painter Gregory to say goodbye to a life she loves and face a future that may hold the worst that might happen. On the devastated South Carolina coastline of 1989 and then in Arles, France during the centennial of Van Gogh's life there, Hugo continues the saga of Painter Place.

If Caroline Painter survives a hurricane, she may face the worst that can happen.
September 21, 1989: Some monsters in the dark are real. Can Painter Place survive?
A novel based on historic Hurricane Hugo, a Category 4 storm that mauled the Carolinas in 1989.
Disaster often brings out the best--and worst--in humanity.
Do you believe Christ can be found in life's storms? 


Author bio:
Pamela Poole's love for the South inspires all her books and paintings. She has written three novels and two short stories that take place on the fictional island in the Painter Place Saga, and she will launch the fourth book. Landmark, in 2019. Pamela lives life loving Jesus and her family as a wife, mother, and Gigi, and she is blessed with true friends. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and various author and artist organizations. She and her husband Mark live in Raleigh, North Carolina.
"Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us— to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20,21


Purchase Link:


"Hugo" by Pamela Poole is the second novel in the (Painter Place Saga) series. I really recommend reading these novels in order to get the full impact.  This story is based on a real hurricane called Hugo. I really loved this story even though it was fictional. The characters are a family that were rich but this story clearly shows that they have struggles, in some instances more than the average person has.    This story is much more than a love story, through it is a love story. It is a story that shows sometimes you just have to trust your loved ones even when things look like they have betrayal you and kept secrets. This book is full of love and trust in loved ones as well as Jesus and letting faith lead you when it seems you have nothing left. 

I really enjoyed reading about Van Gogh and the dance scenes,  which really surprises me because I am not into art or dancing. This book really had nothing that I didn't like. A definitely five star novel for me.

I am going to share a few quotes from the book that really grabbed me that I shared on Facebook.  I really like the section where Chad answers a question about God treating people who love Him and do so much for other people by talking everything away from them. Chad answers by telling Dr Tony Rush that he, Chad, is where Jesus is and that is in the middle of the storm in the boat., and that takes faith. I don't know maybe this passage means more to me because my pastor sermon at church yesterday was about Jesus being in the boat with you in life's storms. I really like it when the books enforce what sermons teach! Another truth this book points out is that "Sin is never private even when you think you're alone, like Noah getting drunk and throwin' his clothes off. It always takes you   places you never wanted to go, and you pay for that ticket over and over the rest of your life." 
"It is God Himself from whom we should measure what is true, not the babbling of well-meaning people" I was just thinking He shows us off, doesn't He? God, I mean. If we're His, He doesn't let Satan go any further than we can endure. He always gives us victory, but it comes with a price. Otherwise, how would struggles ever mean anything?" "Yes. The bad times, the hard stories, those are the only ones that leave an impression on people. Job would be unknown to the world without His pain."
Something to think about! I really am amazed sometimes at what truths are pointed out in fiction, but I believe that God uses anything and everything to get your attention!


I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.




Social Media links:

Pamela Poole, Artist and Author, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamelaPooleArt

Pamela Poole, Artist and Author, Twitter:
https://twitter.com/PamelaPooleArt

Pamela P. Poole, Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/pamelapooleart

Author blog on Southern Sky Publishing:
https://www.southernskypublishing.com/blog

Twitter page for Southern Sky Publishing:
https://twitter.com/southernskypubs


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Pamela Poole

1 comment:

Pamela Poole, Artist and Author said...

Debbie, it's such a blessing to me that your heart was touched by quotes and situations in Hugo, Painter Place Saga Book 2. Like you, I find that Jesus often speaks to my heart through books, sermons, or songs He sends just when I need them - whether for my own situation or to keep in mind as He opens doors of opportunity to be salt and light in the world. I love your heart for hearing from Him!

In this story, the concept of being able to trust Christ's faithfulness through the storms in life was the goal. But the characters played out what often happens to many believers - disaster throws us off our bearings and can bring out the worst in us, and we cope differently while we work through it. He is faithful to take us to the next level in spiritual maturity, but our relationships may have to adjust. I used the idea of the Big House surviving due to its foundations being settled in bedrock. A believer's faith is like that!

Insider peek: When I wrote this book, I couldn't get twins off my mind, so they are part of the story. By the time it was released, my daughter was pregnant with twins and trying to hold onto them until they could survive birth. They were born at 26 weeks, and my grandson (now 3 1/2) got meningitis. My granddaughter was not tested due to "protocol" in NICU, but within hours after getting her 2 months immunization, she went to heaven before ever coming home. We learned she was infected but didn't run a fever, and they didn't check her white cell counts. My grandson is adorable and in therapies for mild cerebral palsy. While I was writing Hugo, I had no idea of what was to come so shortly, but Christ did. He was preparing me to face a devastating storm as the GiGi of a twin here on earth and one in heaven.