Review: Stray Affections

Title: Stray Affections
Author: Charlene Ann Baumbich
Publisher: Waterbrook Press (2009)
Pages:303
Genre: Christian Fiction
Book Source: This book was provided to me by the publisher for review purposes.

Stray Affections is set in a small Midwestern town. The protagonist of this story is named Cassandra. She is the mother of four little boys and she has struggled all her life with self-doubt. While she is at a collector's convention she purchases a snow globe that has a little girl with the same hair color as her own, surrounded by three dogs. The snow globe sets in motion thoughts of her long buried dream of becoming a veterinarian as well as many other childhood memories and troubles that have contributed to her present life choices. Charlene Ann Baumbich's story explores Cassandra's coming to terms with herself, her difficult relationship with her negative mother, and her faith in her innate ability to care for animals.

Charlene Ann Baumbich is an experienced writer who tells her story in a very straight forward style which made it very easy to read. In Stray Affections she explores many deep issues, involving human relationships to themselves, others, and their dreams but I felt that the themes were too obvious. They were simply told to the reader rather than subtley suggested through the gradual unfolding of the story. This story also shows how change is sometimes important in human relationships because without change people cannot progress and find peace. It is quite an emotional novel. Though it was not really my type of book, it may be enjoyable to dog lovers or anyone looking for an encouraging book that might make you think about your own emotional issues and how to make progress with them.

More Info: https://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307444714