The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip, (Paperback)

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip is Sara Brunsvold's debut novel, and it is extraordinary itself! It is an inspiring, faith-filled story of two women, years apart in age and in spiritual maturity, who become friends through a work assignment. Aidyn Kelly thinks she's been given the task of writing an obituary for a dying woman and believes that it will be a matter of checking places and dates. Wow, is she ever wrong! Clara Kip becomes her friend, her mentor, and eventually, the one who changes her life. Brunsvold has packed a powerful faith message into this story that alternates between dates beginning in 1969, and the time that Clara and Aidyn meet in 2016. It is a relevant look at a life well lived, and Clara's determination to spread the gospel. It's also a tale that keeps you invested until the very end. "Thank you, Mrs. Kip. Thank you for helping me find a life that matters." As I finished this book, I began to remember the people who've influenced me in my own life and realized that I could easily insert their names into the above quote. It also challenged me to become the person who helps another person find their own 'life that matters'. The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip is a satisfying, life-changing story that will make you cry but leave you smiling when you come to the end. It's also a book that I'll read again! I received a copy of this book from Revell. There was no obligation for a positive review.

What a gift this read was, not exactly what I was expecting, but so much more! Yes, I loved this book! A young woman, given one more chance, is sent to do an obituary for a woman that was still alive. She is about to be gifted with Clara Lu Kip, and what a wonderful gift she receives. Mrs. Kip is a woman who loves God, and wears her faith on her sleeve, she wants everyone to know her Savior! Enter Aidyn Kelley, a fresh new reporter, trying to prove herself, but she is really in for a treat and not really expecting the impact of Mrs. Kip. This is a story about dying, but really it is about life, both are not easy, but go hand and hand, but with Mrs Kip the walk is with God, and she shares her joy with all. I am now looking for more by this author! I received this book through the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.

this book is SO good. Quite the story with mix of emotions as you feel like you're right there with them. Hard to put down and one I'll read again and again

2022 has already yielded several true literary gems of which The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip shines among the brightest. I typically avoid books about cancer, that being a topic that seeks to foil my attempt to read to escape the darkness of the times in which we live. By acquiescing to the nudge I felt to read this book, I experienced a breath of life in Mrs. Kip's story, a life lived by loving deeply, by the giving of one's self over to many tiny deaths. This book is potentially life changing, and I pray that I will allow it to change mine a little more each and every single day. The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip is extremely well-written. Brunsvold does not shy away from the physical realities of the final days of our earthly life, but she does bathe them in spiritual loveliness, with the great anticipation for what awaits us as believers, while also inspiring us to finish well, doing the Lord's work until our final breaths. This is a story that is not to be missed. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Aidyn is a young reporter for Kansas City's newspaper, The Star. In the time she has been at the newspaper, she has felt over-looked and under-appreciated. She pours out her woes to her boss's boss. By doing that, she may have set her career back years. Despite realizing what a mistake she made, Aidyn still resents the "punishment." She must write an obituary of someone who is still alive, requiring a visit with an unknown hospice patient. Mrs. Clara Kip is dying; she has just checked into a hospice facility. As she enters, she asks God to use her, and Clara gets two assignments. When Aidyn and Mrs. Kip meet, the young reporter barely listens. Aidyn duly notes that Mrs. Kip never had children, was a widow for decades, and has cancer. When her editor sends Aidyn back to improve her impersonal article, Aidyn starts paying attention. That is when she slowly realizes that Mrs. Kip lived an extraordinary life. After spending years mourning her husband, and being angry with God, Clara Kip became a Christian. She worked with a large number of refugees, helped them find employment, a place to live, and learn the language. Because of the path Clara forged, many other refugees were able to follow it. Clara became a friend to the hurting. Through it all, Clara says the only thing amazing about her life is what God has done. As Aidyn just starts to understand Clara's life story, Mrs. Kip's physical life is quickly winding down. Will the two of them have enough time to get through everything? This book will amaze you. It will inspire your faith, touch your heart, and possibly cause you to run out of Kleenex. I highly recommend this five-star book to fans of life stories (even though this was fictional), or inspirational tales. Make sure you read it! On a personal note, I was thrilled this was set in Kansas City, thank you Sara Brunsvold. Revell Books has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip, for the purpose of review.

Clara Kip is dying but the legacy she leaves behind is unbelievable in ithe way it encompasses everyone whose lives she has touched. Cub reporter Aidyn Kelley is assigned to write her obituary but in interviewing her, she finds a new friend and a story worth telling to the world. This is a story that touched all of the right strings of my heart, making me laugh aloud at the antics of Mrs, Kip and then cry quietly as her time to pass away got closer. By the time the book ended, I admired Mrs. Kip;s dignity and acceptance of life's hard times and her unwavering faith in God. This book is one of the best ficition books that I have ever read, with characters that spoke softly but insistently into my soul. The plot was perfectly paced for the story that was being told. In fact, I did not want it to end and would love to know what heppens to Aidyn later after she has been influenced so much by an old lady who poured so much into her life. I received a complimentary copy of this book but all opinons expressed are my own.

The title of the book was not what immediately pulled me in, but rather the subject matter. In the past months, my husband has been hospitalized and required to be a live-in patient at a rehab center. It has been the most trying times of my life and when I saw this book, I knew it was meant for me at this particular time of my life. It was perfect. The characters were perfect and I fell in love with Mrs. Kip. She was amazing. She didn't let her situation keep her down. She was dedicated for doing good to others. As she and the reporter, Aidyn meet and become acquainted, I see such personal growth in Aidyn and the paths of life become clear and apparent. I loved the caring people in the book and it hit home in my husband's own situation. Brought some tears to my eyes and peace in my heart. I really, really loved this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own.

This is the first book by Sara Brunsvold and it's a winner. I usually do not give 5 star reviews, I save those for the best and this is a 5 star winner. The book is a Christian book but not preachy. It shows how an ordinary sinner, just like me, was saved and how she lived her life with gusto. It shows how an older Christian can make a huge impact on a young (not necessarily young in years) Christian's life for the better. The story flows well, and the characters are well developed and believable. The storyline is unique and held my attention throughout. I was sorry to come to the end as I enjoyed spending time with the 2 main characters. This book is well worth your time and it is not an effort to read. I highly recommend this book, you won't be disappointed.

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold is an exceptional piece of women's fiction. It was a pleasure to discover the depth of Mrs. Kip's life right alongside the young Star reporter, Aidyn Kelley. Mrs. Kip's golden spiritual insights were hard-earned, but seeing how she lived them and gave them away was incredibly inspirational. Mrs. Clara Kelley is not just a fictional gem, but a woman who can work off the page in convicting and inspiring God's warriors to love and fight in His name. This is the kind of soul-touching story that will stay in my heart for a long time and will be on the top of the list of my favorite books of 2022. Fans of women's fiction will fall in love with this story. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own.

“But he is a God of new life, Miss Kelley. A God of rescue and redemption,” Aidyn is told in Sara Brunsvold's novel, The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip. ~ What ~ This three-hundred-and-sixty-eight-page targets those who like fiction that focuses on dealing with one's end of life here on Earth. With no profanity but topics of alcoholism, dying, and death, it may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending includes the author's note, biography, and advertisements. In this story, seventy-nine-year-old Clara is living her last days in a hospice facility, trying ardently to show God's love one last time before she meets her Maker. When the hospitable yet ornery spitfire is interviewed by a twenty-two-year-old journalist for her supposed obituary, the dying woman has to step up her game one last time to help guide the girl with a youthful, naive ego to understand the power of faith, prayer, and trusting the Lord. ~ Why ~ This is a tear-jerker read that tenderly shows how a person who has given others love deals with dying. The quickly growing relationship between the two women is uplifting and caring while the cub reporter matures observing a spunky but graceful lady passing into eternity. Since I have volunteered with the elderly for years and have dealt with loved ones passing, I appreciate how accurate the process of dying was told. ~ Why Not ~ Those who do not like a Christian-based story that conveys peace and comfort at the end of life may not like this book. Others may not care for the slow start of the story or that there were some presumably stereotypical characters, yet both were necessary to the flow of the tale. ~ Wish ~ I do not recall the eternal plan of salvation that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day was thoroughly explained. I prefer all pronouns of God capitalized for reference. ~ Want ~ If you want to read a story about an elderly woman dealing with mortality and a young woman finding new life, this one that promotes the extraordinary gift of companionship will be cherished. Thanks to Revell for this complimentary book that I am under no obligation to review.