Rating: 
Summary: Something for Everyone
Review: I was very pleasantly surprised by this novel. The book jacket would make one think this is "Oprah Top 10" material, which is fine if one leans towards the sentimental. However, I began reading it under unusual circumstances, and once I started, I soon came to care about the characters and what happened to them. Not unexpectedly, being a man, I honestly became more interested with the development and fate of the men in Alena's life. Foster displays an insightful hand with male character development, which is a challenge for many women writers--as it is vice versa for male authors. Foster writing is lyrical in a manner very reminiscent of Toni Morrison's "Sula", which I taught while on the English Dept faculty at the Air Force Academy. I was instantly transported to a time and place that shapes the story in such a way that both fictional and non-fictional moods coexist to make the story resonate with the reader. I grew up in the Chicago area (Evanston by way of Southside Englewood) and Foster seems to have a solid grasp of the mood of this post WWI metropolis bursting at the seems with economic opportunity and racial tensions. There are a couple parts of the novel I would have mapped out a bit differently, (I won't go into detail here and spoil the suspense) but that's a reflection of my usual tastes which run towards science fiction, and political satire--very irreverent, very linear, very testoterone- driven resolutions. Ms Foster's work deeply reflects the kind of person I'm sure she is in her daily life--patient, imaginative, warm and enduring hopeful. This engaging novel snuck up on me, and getting back to "Oprah's Top 10," probably made me a more open-minded reader and a perhaps even a better person in some ways.
Rating:
Summary: Passing by Samaria
Review: I wished I had the ability to really express how much I loved this book. It was beautifully written. It was so inspiring. It taught me or should I say, it reminded me of the true meaning of forgiveness. It was full of hope and faith and family. It showed the true strength of a people and what it means to turn the other cheek. Reading this book inspired me more than a year of Sunday's in church. It made me think. It made me proud. It made me want not only want to stop by Samaria, it made me want to stay awhile. Thanks, Sharon Ewell Rhodes for this gift of love and faith. It is indeed a story with "medicine for the heart and balm for the soul".
Rating:
Summary: It's About Time
Review: I'm am so glad that a true christian has found a way to write a book without compromising. This is a book that christians shouldn't be afraid or ashame to read. This book will not leave you needing deliverance from the material written inside. It does not stir up your lower nature, but it inspires you to live a Godly lifestyle. It is well written and a page turner. I loved the way that it was written so much that I bought the author's other two books immediately after reading this one.
Rating:
Summary: It's About Time
Review: I'm am so glad that a true christian has found a way to write a book without compromising. This is a book that christians shouldn't be afraid or ashame to read. This book will not leave you needing deliverance from the material written inside. It does not stir up your lower nature, but it inspires you to live a Godly lifestyle. It is well written and a page turner. I loved the way that it was written so much that I bought the author's other two books immediately after reading this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautifully Written!
Review: Mississippi is the setting for this inspiring, historical novel. Sharon Ewell Foster takes the opportunity to educate readers about the great migration of blacks from the south to the north through the eyes of the main character, Alena. Alena grew up in a happy home where her parents shielded her from much of the prejudice and ugliness around her in Mississippi. When Alena loses her best friend to a horrendous death, her innocent world falls apart. Desperate to keep her safe from harm, her parents send Alena up north to Chicago to live with her aunt. While safe from harm, Alena still is not safe from the bitter spirit that overwhelms her. She eventually builds a wall around her heart that threatens to destroy her chance at true love. This is a beautifully written debut novel that boldy uncovers the ugliness that existed between blacks and whites during this time period. The testimonial story of forgiveness unfolds in such a dramatic fashion, readers will never forget the ending.
Rating:
Summary: Something for Everyone
Review: Ms Foster's novel showed a great sense of time and place, but more importantly, though it touched on some very tough issues, a sense of hope and humanity as always underlying the conflict, both racial and romantic. I normally don't read romance novels, but to my surprise, I found it to be a lot more than a story one can easily pigeonhole or file under a one-size-fits-all rubric. This book isn't very long, yet it lays out and masterfully interweaves many different dramatic threads, which pull together to make the work ring true and resonate in one's mind and heart long after finishing the novel. Still, I can't say I'd take a chance on other books of this genre--I think I got lucky. I'll definitely re-read this one a few years from now. By then, hopefully, Ms Foster will have another book in the stores.
Rating:
Summary: Conveys such hope and spiritual inspiration...
Review: Ms. Foster has created an excellent book, that has changed my life in a very important way. This book renewed my faith in God, that had since died, and gave me hope for a better future. Using Alena, she inspires all who read, that anything can be overcome with time, hope, love, and God.
Rating:
Summary: Choosing to care
Review: Passing by Samaria is an historical fiction novel that focuses on life in Chicago and Mississippi during 1919. I enjoyed this piece of Christian fiction because Sharon Foster has used a wonderful story to demonstrate a biblical truth..."A new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26 Alena's character moves from tragedy to triumph in this heart wrenching story of life in Chicago and Mississippi during the early 1900's
Rating:
Summary: Choosing to care
Review: Passing by Samaria is an historical fiction novel that focuses on life in Chicago and Mississippi during 1919. I enjoyed this piece of Christian fiction because Sharon Foster has used a wonderful story to demonstrate a biblical truth..."A new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26 Alena's character moves from tragedy to triumph in this heart wrenching story of life in Chicago and Mississippi during the early 1900's
Rating:
Summary: Amazing story
Review: Passing by Samaria is an inspirational story dealing with racism, love, forgiveness, spirtuality and death. Life in Mississippi for Arlene is great. She never wanted to leave but when she revils a horrible discovery, her parents send her to live with her aunt in Chicago. Arlene is full of anger due to the discovery and her move. While in Chicago Arlene learns to deal with several issues. I loved this novel because it is a Christian romance novel and it showed different kind of people dealing with prejudice. I look forward to more by this talented author. Keep the faith and be blessed!
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