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I used to read Karen Kingsbury often, but over time, I tired of the repetitive themes in some of the books and characters so I haven't read her as much recently as I used to. This book was on the sale rack at the local library branch and it sounded different than her Baxter family related series.

It is set at Christmas. I know one of my friends prefers to read holiday books "in season" for that holiday. So, for those who prefer that, I mention it. I'll probably pass this book on to that same friend (who, coincidentally, recently read her first Karen Kingsbury book only recently.)

WARNING: SPOILERS MAY FOLLOW (READ ON AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION):

Sarah's old now, but she has a tradition she follows every December. At one point, Sarah was torn between the love of a man and her dreams for being a singing star. I can't fault her for wanting to pursue her dream of singing professionally. I do think at some point sooner than she did that she should have realized that wasn't in the cards for her--at least not at that time. It's a story of lost love that is found again, then lost in a different way. But Sarah feels her story will help one last person before she is reunited with her true love.

What I liked:
*the tradition of remembering: something Sarah had done with her husband until he passed away and then continued by herself
*That even in a place where most consider you "useless" or "past your prime", Sarah still had a mission to accomplish.
*That Sarah trusted God to give her someone who needed to hear the story.
*That Sarah's family allowed her to stay in the town where none of them lived because it was where she'd met and married Sam.
*That Sarah didn't give up when Beth didn't come every day as she'd first said she would.
*The ideas at the end of the book for connecting with seniors and those in retirement/assisted living/nursing homes. I like the meaning of the red gloves (even if they did feel like just an "add on" in this story. The story could have worked even without the gloves and it kind of felt like the gloves were added in just to keep it consistent with the other Christmas books in the series.) I do think that I might buy red gloves when I do buy gloves for various organizations.

What I disliked:
*Being reminded that someday my symptoms will be what Sarah has. I hope I face my death with the same dignity.
*Sarah's being so hung up on a singing career that she was willing to put aside everything else--her love for Sam, her Christian belief system, her purity--just to "get a contract" or "become a star"
*I worry that some people will read this story and think that "Oh, if I just turn whatever I want over to God then he's going to make what I want happen". This happens twice in this book--with Sarah's singing career and with re-finding Sam. Does God want to be first in our lives? yes. Does God always grant us what we want just because we've "turned it over to him"? no. I guess some would argue that if you're really turning it over to God you need to be okay with God saying no, and if you aren't okay with that then you didn't really mean it when you said you were turning it over to God. ( )

Karen Kingsbury's "Red Glove Series" were 3 books I am glad I took the time to read. Each one had a precious lesson to learn on love and I really enjoyed how red gloves were worked into each story. In Sarah's Song we learn about Sarah Lindeman who is in a retirement home and doing her annual reveiw of her "12 days of Christmas", which is a look back at the "moments" in her life that left a deep impact (good and bad). This year though Sarah wants to leave her story with someone and make a difference in their life. Beth works at the retirement center and Sarah wants to reach out to Beth and help her through whatever seems to be hurting her (which is a marriage that is falling apart). Through Sarah's song and her ornaments, Beth comes to understand the secret to love. I fell in love with Sarah and her story and she just seemed so real to me. Her love for Sam was so precious and dear and her story just touched my heart. Although there is alot of heartache and sorrow in this story, there is also alot of love and rejoicing in how God works in the heart and lives of people. I am very glad I took the time to read the "Red Glove Series". ( )

This was a very sweet little fast read. A love story with a Christian emphasis and a reach across the ages. Eighty-six year old Sarah relates her story to a young woman and the results are life-changing. ( )