Passing Into Light by Sharon Ewell Foster is the sequel to the gut-wrenching Riding Through Shadows. While that book was incredibly moving, this book was a serious let-down. Shirley Ferris is back, bringing her children Mika and Lex to visit her cousin Mother Johnson down in Tyler, Texas. Shirley's husband is dead, and she's trying to figure out where to go next in her life. The book had a lot of flashbacks to the previous novel, and a lot less of Mother Johnson's faith. Her speeches don't ring as true and Shirley's actions sometimes just don't make sense. Shirley is a strong, complex character, so when she contradicts herself from scene to scene, it's frustrating reading and makes her appear weak. While I do believe the Lord can do miraculous things in our lives, the neatly tied ending seems beyond the realm of believability. The first book is described as semi-autobiographical; this book is not. Perhaps that explains the emotional disconnect.

In the fourth title published by Multnomah, readers that enjoyed Essence bestseller, Riding Through the Shadows, will enjoy this sequel - delving deeper into humorous, wise characters like Mother, Ma Dear and Tony Taylor.
When Shirley picks up a hitchhiker, a white teenage "PK" from her home- town, she doesn't know that this youth would be the tool God would use to chip away at her dreary dark past and help her enter into the bright future filled with light. Engaging from beginning to end, author Ewell Foster wraps the gospel message in her work without being preachy. You get the usual warm, well-crafted witty characters from her plus a surprise ending - and always implanting an eternal message.

***** Submitted by: Pamela Perry, Ministry Marketing Solutions for CBA Marketplace Magazine (March, 2003) and www.goodgirlbookclubonline.com The GOOD GIRL Book Club

If you're looking for down-to-earth folks with everyday problems and a shore nuff God, then here you are. As always, Ms. Foster warms the hearts and lifts the spirits of her readers with this tale of returning, rebuilding and restoring. When the last page is turned, you'll know that God will restore all the locust has stolen. Everything.

I have read all of Sharon Ewell Foster's books. So far, I have not been disappointed. She is a wonderful Christian writer who truly inspires, teaches and edifies the readers as she shares stories of adversity,triumph and faith. This wonderful book is a sequel to Riding through Shadows which is a very enlightening book about triumph, the reality of spiritual warfare and the importance of a committed prayer life. Passing into Light lets readers know how the stories end(?) with Shirley, now an adult with children of her own. This book also speaks about triumph, victory over one's past and how not dealing with and letting go of the past keeps you from pressing on toward that "high calling of Christ" Paul speaks of in Phillipians 4:13. As an avid reader,I am really happy to have found Christian fiction writers such as Sharon Ewell Foster. In reading Christian fiction, I have been able to enjoy good writing without filling my spirit with the language and behavior often found in secular writing.

"Passing into Light", finally wrapped all the questions the I had after "Riding throught Shadows." I found myself so enthralled that I couldn't believe that it ended. Shirley the little girl is all alone in the world being attacked spirtiually, emotionally, and physically. I know as a girl I felt that way. This book opened my eyes to the spirit world, much like J.R.R. Tolkeins "Lord of the Rings." Passing into Light teaches through theses characters how to overcome your circumstances, and reclaim your life. God truly spoke through this author, Sharol Ewell Foster.