Heartache and Hope

E.V. Sparrow’s “Muldoon’s Minnesota Darling” is a touching story that explores the struggles of Mick Muldoon, a widower looking for a fresh start in America, and Shauna McGann, a young woman determined to help him despite her own secrets. As someone new to Sparrow’s books, I was quickly drawn into the emotional journey of these characters.

Mick Muldoon’s story begins with heartbreak and hope for a better life in America. But things don’t go as planned, and Sparrow skillfully describes Mick’s feelings of sadness and uncertainty. You can really feel Mick’s emotions and cheer for him to find happiness.

Shauna McGann adds a twist to the tale with her unwavering love for Mick. Even though others might be put off by his past and limp, Shauna sees past it all. The story gets even more interesting as Shauna faces her own struggles and secrets. You’ll be on the edge of your seat, wondering if Mick and Shauna can overcome their challenges.

What makes Sparrow’s storytelling special is how she talks about big ideas like faith and hope in a way that’s easy to understand. The characters feel relatable.

E.V. Sparrow’s writing was easy to follow. Sparrow pays attention to the little details and creates characters that feel like people you might know.

In this prelude to the Muldoon’s Misfortunes series, Sparrow sets the stage for a bigger story about people facing tough times but still trying to be happy. The mix of history, emotions, and a bit of mystery makes “Muldoon’s Minnesota Darling” a book I could not put down. It’s not just a story; it’s an adventure full of sad moments, hopeful times, and the strength of people trying to make their lives better.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!

Note: I received a copy of this book from the author and was not required to write a positive review.

Muldoon’s Minnesota Darling is on Tour with Celebrate Lit.

Book: Muldoon’s Minnesota Darling, a Novella

Author: E.V. Sparrow

Genre: Historical fiction

Release Date: May 10, 2023

A heartsore widower with hidden fears and little faith…
The naïve daughter of a farmer guarding a repulsive secret…
A township unaware of the hidden menace amongst them…

Heartbroken from losing his family and his farm, Mick Muldoon is hopeful as he emigrates to America with his siblings. All he finds is despair and no work. Were America’s rumored promises of plenty all lies? Would God ever hear and answer his prayers?

Seventeen-year-old Shauna McGann is determined to marry Mick Muldoon despite her mother’s objections. His past and his limp might repulse others, but not her. What burdens Shauna is her terrible secret – a secret she promised her friends she would keep. Now Shauna needs help and protection. Could she trust Mick, or will she lose everything by telling him?

Will Mick finally be free of loss and find success in America? Will Shauna overcome her fears and finally feel safe?

In this Muldoon’s Misfortunes prelude novella, author E.V. Sparrow creates a provoking tale of flickering faith and enduring hope through an emigrant’s efforts to adapt, and a young woman’s unprejudiced love.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

E.V. Sparrow is a short story writer turned novelist. Her readers encounter God’s unexpected presence through her character’s escapades. Her own adventures she wrote about involved traveling in over twenty countries. Sparrow lived on an Israeli kibbutz, worked for the U.S. Army in Bavaria, and hopped a freight train for a weekend.

A highlight for Sparrow is when Guideposts and Bethany House Publishers accepted four of her anthologized stories before she signed a 3-book historical fiction series contract with Celebrate Lit Publishing.

Her father’s family’s immigration from Ireland, their letters and documents, and some family stories inspired her current historical fiction novels.

In E.V.’s personal and church life, she ministered through prayer, worship, mission teams, and in Divorce Care and Singles. California native relocated to North Carolina, E.V. Sparrow and her husband enjoy family time with their grandchildren and exploring their new state.

More from E.V.

I’m writing books inspired by my father’s family because they believed in God but wrestled with their faith. Faith doesn’t come easy for every believer. We grapple with intimacy with God, but does God battle with us?

My oldest brother shared some stories of our great-grandfather, who emigrated here after losing his wives and children in Ireland. Yes, at least two families. I wondered, how could a suffering heart and soul survive those losses? Our great-grandfather’s inner turmoil didn’t change once he resettled in America. I read letters he wrote to his son—our grandfather and sifted through family photos. Certain aspects from the timeline of great-grandfather’s life fashioned my main character, Mick Muldoon. Mick encountered God’s unexpected presence several times without recognizing it.

Thinking through a Scripture verse, 1 Corinthians 13:13, (NIV) “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love,” reveals what remains when all else we are accustomed to is gone. I assume hope is as powerful as faith and love. It’s a triangle of strength for us until it goes wobbly. What happens when one or two of the three stabilizers are weaker than the others? Wounded, confused, and resilient characters named Mick, Orla, and Liam Muldoon.