I read the second book in this series first and reviewed it here. Last night I finished the first book in the series with many of the same characters and it makes the reader feel like part of a family, or in this case, part of a small town. Varina Denman has a way of writing that involves the reader in the thick of the plot and makes the reader feel what the characters are feeling.
Ruthie graduated from high school in Trapp two years ago, and because of her mother's inabilities to hold a job, Ruthie works at two jobs. When Dodd Cunningham and his family move into town, he is immediately taken with Ruthie and he would like to know her better. He is not only the new math teacher at the high school, he is also the new preacher of the church where all the movers and shakers go. Ruthie is reluctant to allow him into her heart and mind, and with good reason. Years before, when her father left, someone told the elders of the church that Ruthie's mother had committed adultery and that's why her husband left. That's when the church withdrew their fellowship--and literally ex-communicated Ruthie's mother, Lynda. Ruthie has a healthy mistrust of the church and its members.
Part of the plot of the book revolves around the secrets people carry around with them. Neil Blaylock hides that he lied about Lynda's adultery, and even hides other things as well. Clyde Felton has recently come back to the town after serving twenty years for statutory rape; he hides what really happened in that situation. Lynda hides her previous relationship with Neil and the lies he told that caused her husband to leave. As secrets unfold, it allows some healing to occur, but it also allows bitterness to blossom and bear fruit.
While this story is somewhat of a romance, it is also a cautionary tale of the abuse of power within a church and the depth of damage secrets in the church can do. Jaded is an accurate title for those reasons. Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and healing for the soul.
My thanks to David C Cook for allowing me to read and review this book.
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Tiffany Girl
I had a hard time with DeeAnne Gist's last book that I reviewed here, and some of the same issues exist with her newest offering: Tiffany Girl. The essence of the story revolves around the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893, and some of the exhibits and exhibitors. Louis Tiffany has been commissioned to do a series of twelve stained glass windows and needs to hire some "Tiffany Girls," so he goes to the art school to choose some of the more promising art students to fill in for the men who have gone on strike. Among those girls is Flossie Jayne, a New Woman who wants to assert her independence with a job, her own money, and her own place to live. In her new boarding house, she rooms next door to a newspaper reporter, Reeve Wilder, who doesn't have many good things to say about these New Women. In fact, he writes a satirical piece on the New Woman, Marylee Merrily, basing her very closely on Flossie. He never intended for the piece to be published, but it got submitted with some of his other work and now his editor wants a whole series. The residents of the boarding house gather every week for the next installment of the satire, enjoying it immensely. It wasn't what Reeve intended, but it was out of his hands.
In this book, there are sympathetic characters, bad-guy characters who prey on the innocents, and enough filler characters to make the story flow. My problem with this book is the way the story leaps over periods of time. Sometimes it's only a couple of days or a week or two, other times it is months to more than a year. Overall the novel is a good read, a solid four stars.
My thanks to Howard Books for allowing me to read and review this novel.
In this book, there are sympathetic characters, bad-guy characters who prey on the innocents, and enough filler characters to make the story flow. My problem with this book is the way the story leaps over periods of time. Sometimes it's only a couple of days or a week or two, other times it is months to more than a year. Overall the novel is a good read, a solid four stars.
My thanks to Howard Books for allowing me to read and review this novel.
Sunday, April 5, 2015
At Home in Last Chance
Cathleen Armstrong has a writing style that grabs the reader from the first sentence and doesn't let go until long after the book has been closed. I loved One More Last Chance when I read it. So, when At Home in Last Chance became available, of course, I jumped on it. Several of the same characters show up again, with only one or two new ones for me.
This is the story of Kaitlin Reed finding out that her home is truly in Last Chance, even though she hates working in the diner for her brother. Juanita is still Juanita--a law unto herself, a woman who doesn't seem to be able to whisper quietly or even have an "inside voice." Whatever Juanita knows, all of Last Chance knows. Olivia is growing up, and figuring out what a seven-year-old's life is supposed to look like. Chris is still marrying Sarah, and Elizabeth is still everyone's Gran. The newest addition to the picture is Steven--and it seems he's only there temporarily until he goes to the law enforcement academy. When Elizabeth falls and breaks her leg, it seems that everyone's life is turned upside down. Olivia is TICKED that she can't see Elizabeth in the hospital, but is appeased when she gets to go to Elizabeth's house everyday and take care of Sam, the cat.
Steven is taken with Kaitlin and wants to explore what a relationship with her would be like. Kaitlin is scared of making another bad decision that hurts her daughter, and is reluctant to let Steven in her life.
What you find when you read this book is a small town that truly cares about its residents, that joins together for every occasion, that takes pride in its ability to help at a moment's notice, and where the residents find strength to stand up for what they feel is right; but, dang it, it's hard to accept someone new into its fold, and Kaitlin had the hardest time settling into Last Chance because of her previous poor decisions.
Cathleen's talent as a writer shines through her characters, her settings, and her plot. She is a truly enjoyable author to read. Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and dinner at the Dip 'N Dine.
My thanks to Revell publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.
This is the story of Kaitlin Reed finding out that her home is truly in Last Chance, even though she hates working in the diner for her brother. Juanita is still Juanita--a law unto herself, a woman who doesn't seem to be able to whisper quietly or even have an "inside voice." Whatever Juanita knows, all of Last Chance knows. Olivia is growing up, and figuring out what a seven-year-old's life is supposed to look like. Chris is still marrying Sarah, and Elizabeth is still everyone's Gran. The newest addition to the picture is Steven--and it seems he's only there temporarily until he goes to the law enforcement academy. When Elizabeth falls and breaks her leg, it seems that everyone's life is turned upside down. Olivia is TICKED that she can't see Elizabeth in the hospital, but is appeased when she gets to go to Elizabeth's house everyday and take care of Sam, the cat.
Steven is taken with Kaitlin and wants to explore what a relationship with her would be like. Kaitlin is scared of making another bad decision that hurts her daughter, and is reluctant to let Steven in her life.
What you find when you read this book is a small town that truly cares about its residents, that joins together for every occasion, that takes pride in its ability to help at a moment's notice, and where the residents find strength to stand up for what they feel is right; but, dang it, it's hard to accept someone new into its fold, and Kaitlin had the hardest time settling into Last Chance because of her previous poor decisions.
Cathleen's talent as a writer shines through her characters, her settings, and her plot. She is a truly enjoyable author to read. Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and dinner at the Dip 'N Dine.
My thanks to Revell publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.
The Plain Choice
To find out why someone would want to join a Plain Community, you would need to read Sherry Gore's biography, The Plain Choice. There you will discover what kinds of circumstances can lead to such a choice and lead to such peace that is beyond description and understanding.
To understand Sherry's choice, you have to understand Sherry herself. She didn't have an idyllic upbringing in a loving, Amish/Mennonite family. Her childhood was spent between her mother and her father on opposite coasts, but after her father remarried, she found his home less than loving--his new wife told Sherry she didn't even like her, much less love her. When Sherry goes back to Florida, her mother tries to shuffle her out because her new husband needs space. Sherry ends up homeless until a cousin finds her living on the beach and brings her home. All this time, Sherry does not even have a speaking relationship with God. Sherry enters into a disastrous marriage with an abusive, bullying conniver who marries her because of her father's wealth. He even used their child as a weapon against her. After some soul searching, she found seh couldn't stay with him, and she had to use every bit of wits she had to get out of the marriage. From there her life takes some dramatic turns and unexpected twists. She does meet another man and marries him, and then she finds her ultimate destiny--Jesus Christ.
From there, Sherry describes her growth and her experiences in the church and her desire for a church that would meet her needs. Through a conversation with a new-found Christian friend, she finds what she needs to look for in a church. She was told, "The church is like a back brace. In the beginning your muscles are weak and it's hard to stand up straight. So you have to use the church, use those who love and support you, to grow stronger. Then one day you'll stand upright and you'll find you don't need the brace any longer. . . . Only when you are standing upright and tall yourself can you lean over and help brace the person next to you." This friend of Sherry's describes what being a Christian is all about--leaning on each other until we are all strong enough to allow others to lean on us.
There will be tears as you read this book, there are laugh out loud moments (Sherry's daughters and a ball are irresistable for a laugh), there are moments when you will nod your head and understand what Sherry is saying because you've been there too. It's all there, along with a fried pie or two--which took me back to my own childhood and the pies my mother used to make. (I just wish Sherry had posted her recipe for fried pies--that's my only criticism!)
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Sherry has bared her soul in a way that you feel like you are having tea with a close, trusted friend.
Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a fried pie with a cup of tea.
My thanks to Zondervan Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book!
To understand Sherry's choice, you have to understand Sherry herself. She didn't have an idyllic upbringing in a loving, Amish/Mennonite family. Her childhood was spent between her mother and her father on opposite coasts, but after her father remarried, she found his home less than loving--his new wife told Sherry she didn't even like her, much less love her. When Sherry goes back to Florida, her mother tries to shuffle her out because her new husband needs space. Sherry ends up homeless until a cousin finds her living on the beach and brings her home. All this time, Sherry does not even have a speaking relationship with God. Sherry enters into a disastrous marriage with an abusive, bullying conniver who marries her because of her father's wealth. He even used their child as a weapon against her. After some soul searching, she found seh couldn't stay with him, and she had to use every bit of wits she had to get out of the marriage. From there her life takes some dramatic turns and unexpected twists. She does meet another man and marries him, and then she finds her ultimate destiny--Jesus Christ.
From there, Sherry describes her growth and her experiences in the church and her desire for a church that would meet her needs. Through a conversation with a new-found Christian friend, she finds what she needs to look for in a church. She was told, "The church is like a back brace. In the beginning your muscles are weak and it's hard to stand up straight. So you have to use the church, use those who love and support you, to grow stronger. Then one day you'll stand upright and you'll find you don't need the brace any longer. . . . Only when you are standing upright and tall yourself can you lean over and help brace the person next to you." This friend of Sherry's describes what being a Christian is all about--leaning on each other until we are all strong enough to allow others to lean on us.
There will be tears as you read this book, there are laugh out loud moments (Sherry's daughters and a ball are irresistable for a laugh), there are moments when you will nod your head and understand what Sherry is saying because you've been there too. It's all there, along with a fried pie or two--which took me back to my own childhood and the pies my mother used to make. (I just wish Sherry had posted her recipe for fried pies--that's my only criticism!)
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Sherry has bared her soul in a way that you feel like you are having tea with a close, trusted friend.
Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a fried pie with a cup of tea.
My thanks to Zondervan Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book!
Friday, April 3, 2015
I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter
and make believe it came from you. . . .
Hannah Brencher is the author of a new memoir called If You Find This Letter. She started writing letters because of someone she saw on a subway train in New York City, someone who needed to hear something special, something affirming, something that reaches into the heart and deposits worth into the soul. At first, it was just okay for her to write the letters and leave them around town--on the train, in coffee shops, on bulletin boards, in community centers--any place where people might need to read something that builds. Then she posted on her blog what she was doing, and people wrote to her asking for letters for themselves and for others. The whole circumstance of the letters has brought about a campaign of writing letters to people all over the country who need to hear good words. She has set up a website to allow people to volunteer to write letters and to allow others to nominate worthy recipients for letter bundles.
Hannah is honest with her writing--as only a memoir should be written. She understands the need for these letters and the desire to make a difference in this world, and she does it one letter at a time. One of the things that really struck me about Hannah's writing is her desire to give of the best of herself in each letter. She also wants to be part of something bigger than herself. She had great encouragement from her friends to keep the letters going.
She details all the events that were formative in her life--from her year as a volunteer with the UN and in a community center, to the death of one of her closest friends. Her writing is personal and personable, yet pulls no punches. Readers will laugh with her, cry with her, ache with her, and be inspired by her. I would encourage anyone to read this book and then sign up to be a letter writer. There are so many people who have never received a hand-written letter in their lives. This is one thing my mother did when she was still alive and she did it well. People knew how she felt about them and were often touched by her thoughtfulness. I do write letters, but not enough of them and I don't always say what needs to be said, but I try, and that is all that is needed.
Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a letter to lift your day.
My thanks to Howard Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.
Hannah Brencher is the author of a new memoir called If You Find This Letter. She started writing letters because of someone she saw on a subway train in New York City, someone who needed to hear something special, something affirming, something that reaches into the heart and deposits worth into the soul. At first, it was just okay for her to write the letters and leave them around town--on the train, in coffee shops, on bulletin boards, in community centers--any place where people might need to read something that builds. Then she posted on her blog what she was doing, and people wrote to her asking for letters for themselves and for others. The whole circumstance of the letters has brought about a campaign of writing letters to people all over the country who need to hear good words. She has set up a website to allow people to volunteer to write letters and to allow others to nominate worthy recipients for letter bundles.
Hannah is honest with her writing--as only a memoir should be written. She understands the need for these letters and the desire to make a difference in this world, and she does it one letter at a time. One of the things that really struck me about Hannah's writing is her desire to give of the best of herself in each letter. She also wants to be part of something bigger than herself. She had great encouragement from her friends to keep the letters going.
She details all the events that were formative in her life--from her year as a volunteer with the UN and in a community center, to the death of one of her closest friends. Her writing is personal and personable, yet pulls no punches. Readers will laugh with her, cry with her, ache with her, and be inspired by her. I would encourage anyone to read this book and then sign up to be a letter writer. There are so many people who have never received a hand-written letter in their lives. This is one thing my mother did when she was still alive and she did it well. People knew how she felt about them and were often touched by her thoughtfulness. I do write letters, but not enough of them and I don't always say what needs to be said, but I try, and that is all that is needed.
Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a letter to lift your day.
My thanks to Howard Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
It's Not a Bucket List
Anita Higman writes beautiful fiction that really reaches readers where they are. Summer's List is no exception. Summer's Granny Snow has written a list that she wants Summer to accomplish--including finding an old friend, take a hot air balloon ride, fall in love with a dog, right an old wrong, and kiss someone you love. There are other items on the list, but this gives a good start to the list. Granny has been holding something back from Summer--she's dying of congestive heart failure and there is nothing that can be done about it. She wants Summer to do these things in order to find out what God has planned for her.
In reconnecting with a friend, the friend on Granny's mind is Martin Langtree--a friend from Summer's childhood who was adopted after his mother died and Summer lost track of him. Then Granny wanted Martin to accompany Summer on the quest of completing the list. Granny knew that Summer would need someone sympathetic to help her through some rough times coming up, and it wouldn't be the fiance she just broke up with.
Martin lives behind his brothers in a caretaker's cottage on his parents' estate. His brothers live in the big house and all three are somewhat happy with the arrangement. The only mystery is where their parents are. Desmond and Ivan don't care for Martin and Martin is not sure why there is such animosity. The brothers tried all their lives to get their father's approval while Martin was working for their mother's approval. None of them got what they wanted while they were growing up, and that added to the family dysfunction.
This is the setup for Summer's List. Working through animosities and bringing healing to the characters is one of the tasks Anita put in front of herself in writing this novel. Her characters are empathetic, with their own set of foibles and warts while trying to find their way through life's difficulties. Her settings are whimsical and totally complement the plot. The plot pacing is quite comfortable--neither too fast nor too slow. It was quite a delight to read Anita's latest offering. Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a list of adventures to keep you intrigued.
My thanks to Moody Publishers for allowing me to read and review this book.
In reconnecting with a friend, the friend on Granny's mind is Martin Langtree--a friend from Summer's childhood who was adopted after his mother died and Summer lost track of him. Then Granny wanted Martin to accompany Summer on the quest of completing the list. Granny knew that Summer would need someone sympathetic to help her through some rough times coming up, and it wouldn't be the fiance she just broke up with.
Martin lives behind his brothers in a caretaker's cottage on his parents' estate. His brothers live in the big house and all three are somewhat happy with the arrangement. The only mystery is where their parents are. Desmond and Ivan don't care for Martin and Martin is not sure why there is such animosity. The brothers tried all their lives to get their father's approval while Martin was working for their mother's approval. None of them got what they wanted while they were growing up, and that added to the family dysfunction.
This is the setup for Summer's List. Working through animosities and bringing healing to the characters is one of the tasks Anita put in front of herself in writing this novel. Her characters are empathetic, with their own set of foibles and warts while trying to find their way through life's difficulties. Her settings are whimsical and totally complement the plot. The plot pacing is quite comfortable--neither too fast nor too slow. It was quite a delight to read Anita's latest offering. Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a list of adventures to keep you intrigued.
My thanks to Moody Publishers for allowing me to read and review this book.
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Justified
I hate when I read books out of order, but when I finished Justified last night, I was totally enthralled. I will go back and read the first book in the series. Varina Denman has enthralled me with Justified, and now I MUST go read Jaded when I get a chance.
So we have a young lady who has done things not quite in order--she's pregnant and not quite married. It's not that the father of her baby doesn't want to marry her, he does. It's that he's too much like her father and a bit too handy to hit or slap her. Fawn Blaylock's family threw her out of the house when she turned up pregnant and it was the best thing that happened to her. She found her feet, she found her strength, and she found someone to love. She's had to wade through rattlesnakes, the ex-boyfriend turning stalker, giving birth in a Texas dust storm, standing up to her father, and finding out the man she thought to be her father really wasn't. Those are just some of the things that happened, the others include being the object of gossip in church, finding a job to support herself, going to school to finish a degree, finding out what a true friend is, finding out what true love is, and getting past some of the hurts incurred in her life.
I have looked briefly at Varina's blog and see that she has encountered hurt within her church, and she knows she's not the only one. She has this in common with a lot of people who are not very vocal about their pained hearts because of the church. That she has woven so tenderly and seamlessly into this novel the fact that Christians are notorious for shooting their own wounded makes her a definite must-read. Real-life is well described through Varina's fiction--people seeing what they want to see, people being what they think others want them to be, people with misplaced desires and loyalties, and people falsely accused of things they didn't do.
What we want is to find acceptance from the others around us, but what we need is only the acceptance God gives. It's hard to overlook things that happen to us in the realm of the church without becoming embittered by them. It's hard to let those things go, especially the guilt from our own sins. And yet at the same time, we will overlook our own sins to point the finger at someone else's sins. We are a scurvy lot.
Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a cup of Fawn's iced coffee
My thanks to David C Cook for allowing me to read and review this book. It was well worth the time spent.
So we have a young lady who has done things not quite in order--she's pregnant and not quite married. It's not that the father of her baby doesn't want to marry her, he does. It's that he's too much like her father and a bit too handy to hit or slap her. Fawn Blaylock's family threw her out of the house when she turned up pregnant and it was the best thing that happened to her. She found her feet, she found her strength, and she found someone to love. She's had to wade through rattlesnakes, the ex-boyfriend turning stalker, giving birth in a Texas dust storm, standing up to her father, and finding out the man she thought to be her father really wasn't. Those are just some of the things that happened, the others include being the object of gossip in church, finding a job to support herself, going to school to finish a degree, finding out what a true friend is, finding out what true love is, and getting past some of the hurts incurred in her life.
I have looked briefly at Varina's blog and see that she has encountered hurt within her church, and she knows she's not the only one. She has this in common with a lot of people who are not very vocal about their pained hearts because of the church. That she has woven so tenderly and seamlessly into this novel the fact that Christians are notorious for shooting their own wounded makes her a definite must-read. Real-life is well described through Varina's fiction--people seeing what they want to see, people being what they think others want them to be, people with misplaced desires and loyalties, and people falsely accused of things they didn't do.
What we want is to find acceptance from the others around us, but what we need is only the acceptance God gives. It's hard to overlook things that happen to us in the realm of the church without becoming embittered by them. It's hard to let those things go, especially the guilt from our own sins. And yet at the same time, we will overlook our own sins to point the finger at someone else's sins. We are a scurvy lot.
Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a cup of Fawn's iced coffee
My thanks to David C Cook for allowing me to read and review this book. It was well worth the time spent.
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