Guest Blogger: Chip Rice

Summary: Daniel Crawford has long admired the tree that stands alone on a hilltop, two farm fields away from his modest home in a sprawling neighborhood. But despite the tree’s alluring qualities, Dan never attempts to see it up close, until a devastating loss leaves him angry and frightened and grasping for peace. Finally standing beneath the giant white oak, he takes comfort in its majesty, and encounters an unlikely friend.

Walter Benning is a wise, quirky, endearing farm owner. And his scholarly insight provides a fresh perspective that contradicts Dan’s drive to ascend the corporate ladder while bolstering his resolve to fight for his crumbling marriage. Although enticed by Walter’s wholesome humility, Dan continues to crave executive status and moreover struggles with violent memories, an abusive father, and recurring encounters with a suspicious stranger. Meanwhile, Dan’s wife clings to signs of positive momentum, dreading divorce and safeguarding news that will forever alter their family.

Through a series of trials, Dan draws closer than ever to Walter, eventually disclosing his most guarded secrets and taking seriously his mentor’s Christian world view. But then a dark chapter from Walter’s past is unveiled, leaving Dan to wonder: Has the revelation diminished Walter’s credibility, or only added to it? As he struggles for answers, Dan’s fragile family, emerging faith, and masculine identity hang in the balance. And in the midst of it all, when his father presents an extraordinary job opportunity, Dan’s changing heart leads him full-throttle down a road of imminent confrontation. Seasoned with suspense, THE TREE is a redemptive, heartwarming tale of one man’s quest to become the husband and father his family so desperately needs. -- www.chiprice.net

I am so happy to welcome author Chip Rice to Booking Mama. Chip is actually a friend of mine who has recently published his debut novel THE TREE! I met Chip a few years back when our sons were on the same baseball team. Chip is a terrific guy and dad (as I'm sure you can tell after reading his guest post), and his novel sounds like a story that will definitely touch your heart. I wish him the best of luck and success with THE TREE.

Time, Love, and Moments

With discordant shouts, my boys stampede the staircase, racing to the Legos. I force a deep breath and another sip of half-caff, massage my eyelids, and calculate the days until school begins. “Dad! Play with us!” Their call is expected, inevitable, and admittedly enraging. I have meals to plan, a chapter to outline. Funny thing, though: I know the day they depart on bus 145, I’ll close the door of my quiet, empty, writer-friendly house, and try not to cry. On vapors of energy, I join them in the playroom. 

After over a decade of at-home fathering, I know that time with young children is priceless, not to be missed. And yet regrettably the passage of time itself is often required to impart this truth, to sink it deep. “They grow up fast,” our elders inform. “Someday you’ll miss this.” Many are the adages thrust upon parents, new to the game. I’d certainly heard them, amid the trials of round-the-clock feedings and diapers and terrible twos (especially threes!). I’d heard them, but failed to listen. They were remarks with face value, a form of well-meaning counsel, understood but never felt. Not completely. Not without time.

My heart finally engaged in the fleeting nature of parenting. It happened sometime between Daddy and Dad, when Thomas and Winnie became suddenly lame and bodily noises achieved LOL status. Innocence, what remained of it, became a dripping candle I could not extinguish. And then came school, Little League, and, dare I say, interest in girls. Children do indeed grow up fast. Too fast. And I sure miss cuddles and nights in the rocker and soft little fingers wrapped tightly to mine.

Perhaps the finest advice I received as a stay-at-home dad was that extremely long days equate to fast years. I’ve found this paradox undeniably true. At-home parenting—a blessing and privilege brimming with precious moments—can sometimes feel like drudgery. It is a job without end, where a day feels like two and there’s no going home because you’ve never left. Friday’s lose their appeal. Weekends, too. Sleep deprivation becomes a sport of endurance, and adult conversation (about anything!) induces an irrational, mild euphoria.

As a forty-something, stay-at-home dad, I find that drudgery lives and even thrives in my ambitious, times-a-wastin’ thoughts. And yet it’s so easily sifted from hindsight. Hence long days and fast years. I need only look back to remember the miracle of birth, to set my mind on things above, perhaps even spill tears for all the endearing quirks and priceless moments tethered to seasons that come once in a lifetime. Seasons now past, gone but not forgotten. I need only look back to abandon my agenda, forsake my flawed sense of purpose, infuse my heart with another dose of eternal perspective, and rediscover youth on a carpet lined with interlocking bricks.

Big brother digs into the Lego tote, determined to locate a microscopic piece. The search is deafening, almost maddening. Finally, it stops. He applies the tiny part to his intricate battle ship. And then younger brother’s eyes find mine. A boxy truck of red, orange, yellow, blue, green, and gray is held aloft for my inspection, for my approval. “Like it, Dad?” His little hand rotates, providing views from all angles. A wheel falls. He recovers it, presses it in place. “I love it,” I say, playfully squeezing his ear lobe, savoring his grin. I absolutely love this moment.

******

Chip Rice lives in central Pennsylvania with his wife and two sons. He is a former school counselor turned stay-at-home dad and author. His debut novel THE TREE is a suspenseful, redemptive, and ultimately heartwarming tale of one man’s quest to become the husband and father his family desperately needs. Find out more at www.chiprice.net.

THE TREE is available on Kindle, Nook, Apple, and Kobo. Click here to order.

Kid Konnection: So Not Okay

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to share with you a middle grade book that deals with a very serious issue -- bullying.

Summary: There is no such thing as neutral.

According to the Ambassadors 4 Kids Club, one out of every four students is bullied—and 85% of these situations never receive intervention. Parents, students, and teachers alike have amped up the discussion of how to solve the bullying problem for a networked generation of kids.

Written by bestselling author, Nancy Rue, each book in the Mean Girl Makeover trilogy focuses on a different character’s point of view: the bully, the victim, and the bystander. Each girl has a different personality so that every reader can find a character she relates to. The books, based on Scripture, show solid biblical solutions to the bullying problem set in a story for kids.

So Not Okay tells the story of Tori Taylor, a quiet sixth grader at Gold Country Middle School in Grass Valley, California. Tori knows to stay out of the way of Kylie, the queen bee of GCMS. When an awkward new student named Ginger becomes Kylie's new target, Tori whispers a prayer of thanks that it’s not her. But as Kylie’s bullying of Ginger continues to build, Tori feels guilty and tries to be kind to Ginger. Pretty soon, the bullying line of fire directed toward Ginger starts deflecting onto Tori, who must decide if she and her friends can befriend Ginger and withstand Kylie’s taunts, or do nothing and resume their status quo. Tori’s decision dramatically changes her trajectory for the rest of the school year. -- Thomas Nelson

I rarely read Christian fiction, or even middle grade fiction for that matter, but the new novel SO NOT OKAY by Nancy Rue appealed to me. When Booking Daughter was younger, she loved Ms. Rue's books about girls and the various problems they faced. Not only could she relate to these books, but she appreciated the powerful messages in the stories.

SO NOT OKAY is about Tori, a nice sixth grade girl who is content with group of friends and knows to stay away from Kylie, the "queen bee" of their middle school. However, when the new girl Ginger moves into their school, Kylie decides that Ginger will be her target. On one hand, Tori is grateful that she's not the one being harassed; but on the other hand, she feels bad for Ginger and tries to be kind to her. It probably won't surprise you that Kylie decides to pick on Ginger and her group of friends too. While Tori knows in her heart that she's doing the right thing, she fears that her friends won't be quite as willing to stand up for Ginger. Tori has to decide whether she has what it takes to put up with Kylie and her friends' taunts or ignore Ginger and fly below Kylie's radar. Tori quickly realizes that with either decision comes a fair share of heartache and pain!

SO NOT OKAY is the first in the Mean Girl Makeover trilogy, and I think it contains some very important messages. Each book in this series focuses on a different character -- the bully, the victim and the bystander -- and shows their view point on the situation. Needless to say, these three girls have very different opinions and reactions to what happens in the story. I think the concept of this trilogy is fantastic because it allows all types of girls to relate to the characters in the story.

As a parent, I think SO NOT OKAY is a great book for young girls. Bullying and mean girls are rampant in elementary and middle school, and often times, girls have no idea how to handle the situation. They don't want to tattle and draw even more attention to the situation; however, they don't know how to talk to (or not talk to) the girls that are tormenting them or their friends. SO NOT OKAY not only shows that these girls are not alone in being bullied, but it also offers some ideas for how to deal with these mean girls.

I also liked that SO NOT OKAY dealt with some very serious issues while also being a fun story with fun characters. There was a lot of humor in the story and Tori is just a wonderful character who learns to deal with bullying as a bystander. While the ideas in this book are based on scripture, the story isn't heavy-handed or preachy. In addition, this novel teaches tweens important lessons about self-worth and confidence.

SO NOT OKAY would make a great book for schools and book clubs, especially mother/daughter ones. There is a great deal to to learn from Tori about being bullied and also standing up and doing the right thing. Some other topics that you might want to discuss include peer pressure, friendship, loyalty, parent/child relationships, teacher/student relationships, and faith.

SO NOT OKAY is a great start to, what I hope, is an important series of books about bullying.

Thanks to the author for providing a review copy of this book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Review: Man in the Blue Moon

Summary: “He’s a gambler at best. A con artist at worst,” her aunt had said of the handlebar-mustached man who snatched Ella Wallace away from her dreams of studying art in France. Eighteen years later, that man has disappeared, leaving Ella alone and struggling to support her three sons. While the world is embroiled in World War I, Ella fights her own personal battle to keep the mystical Florida land that has been in her family for generations from the hands of an unscrupulous banker. When a mysterious man arrives at Ella’s door in an unconventional way, he convinces her he can help her avoid foreclosure, and a tenuous trust begins. But as the fight for Ella’s land intensifies, it becomes evident that things are not as they appear. Hypocrisy and murder soon shake the coastal town of Apalachicola and jeopardize Ella’s family. -- Tyndale

I should probably preface this review by saying that MAN IN THE BLUE MOON by Michael Morris is probably not a book that I would have gone out of my way to read. However, I am a member of the She Reads network, and they selected MAN IN THE BLUE MOON for their November book club selection; and as a result, I felt like I should read it. I wouldn't go so far as to say that I was dreading reading this book, but I will say that I'm not the target audience for this story and probably not the best judge about the merits of this novel. So you might want to take what I'm saying with a grain of salt....

MAN IN THE BLUE MOON tells the story of Ella Wallace, a mother of three boys whose husband has disappeared and left her high and dry. She desperately wants to keep the land that's been in her family for generations, but an unethical banker has different ideas about how the land can be used. Ella becomes more and more desperate to provide for her sons and save her land, and her prayers seem to be answered when a strange man claiming to be a relative of her husband's arrives and promises to help her. Ella gradually begins to trust Lanier despite some pretty strange actions on his part; however, others begin to turn on him as many of the secrets about his past are revealed.

There are some outstanding reviews for MAN IN THE BLUE MOON floating around the blogosphere, so I have a feeling that my reaction to this novel might be different from most. (Heck - Pat Conroy even blurbed it!) If I'm being entirely honest, I had a hard time getting through the novel. I just felt as if the story could have been told with less words. It's possible that I just wasn't in the mood for a book like this right now, but I found myself reading only a few chapters a day; and that's pretty unusual for me. I also had some issues with the pacing of the story -- some parts were a little tedious for me while other parts seemed to go by very quickly.

However, I think what was the biggest issue to me about MAN IN THE BLUE MOON was the author's writing style. I'm not usually a big fan of novels with a lot of descriptions, and Ms. Morris definitely uses a lot of details and even metaphors. Initially I was impressed with well he brought to life this small town through the use of his eloquent prose; however, I eventually thought some of it was a little over-the-top. I recognize that I'm more critical of flowery descriptions than most readers, and I'm sure many will think his writing is absolutely beautiful... and for the most part I agree.

In addition, I had some difficulties relating to the characters. I really never felt as if I was invested in Ella's life; and I think that made a major difference in how I perceived her story. I so wanted to feel Ella's pain, both with the loss of her husband as well as her plight to save her land; however, she seemed a little distant to me. And as far as the "bad guys" go, I thought they were fairly stereotypical; and I wanted some more dimension to them as well.

I know it sounds like I didn't enjoy MAN IN THE BLUE MOON at all; however, that's not the case. I just didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped. There are many very good things about this novel including Mr. Morris' ability to create a story. I very much appreciated the basic premise of MAN IN THE BLUE MOON, and I thought it was very cool how the author based a character on a real life event experience by his grandfather. I also liked how well Ms. Morris captured the essence of a small Florida town in the 1920s as well as the the mentality of the townspeople. And furthermore, I appreciated how he introduced some interesting and complex questions about faith into the story. I commend the author for dealing with these faith issues in an intriguing (and non-preachy) manner.

Because of these reasons, I do think many book clubs, especially those that like Christian fiction, would enjoy discussing MAN IN THE BLUE MOON. As you can clearly see, my thoughts about this novel are quite different from the majority; and when people have different views about a book, there is always the possibility of a great discussion. A reading guide in included in the back of the book with fourteen thought-provoking questions. Some of the themes you might want to explore include family, obligation, miracles, love, commitment, forgiveness, sacrifice, faith vs. discernment, and hope. You can also discuss the actions and motivations of many of the characters.

Overall, I do think MAN IN THE BLUE MOON had some merits and will appeal to many readers who enjoy Christian and historical fiction.

You can read more about the on-line She Reads book club and MAN IN THE BLUE MOON here. There is even a giveaway for a custom necklace and copies of the book if you participate in the on-line discussion.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Review: The Guest Book

Summary: Twenty-five years after she began exchanging drawings with a mysterious boy in the guest book of a Carolina beach house, Macy Dillon is back at Sunset Beach---this time toting a hurting heart and a broken family. Will she be able find the man whose drawings moved her so deeply when she was a child? Questions of childhood, loss, and longing for love are explored in author Marybeth Whalen’s touching and thought-provoking, The Guest Book. -- Zondervan

I haven't been reading a lot of Christian fiction lately, but I thought I'd make an exception for Marybeth Whalen's latest novel THE GUEST BOOK. First of all, I think the book sounded like an ideal summer read since it takes place at the beach. And secondly, Ms. Whalen just seems like the nicest person. If you don't believe me, then just ask any of those fortunate bloggers who met her at SIBA.

THE GUEST BOOK tells the story of Macy, a young single mother who has always dreamed of being an artist but works at a grocery store instead. (Granted, her boss occasionally "allows" her to do painted murals but it's a grocery story all the same!) Macy is just trying to do her best for her daughter, but life hasn't been easy for her. Macy had to give up her dreams of being an artist when she got pregnant, and the father of her child wasn't committed to Macy or their daughter. Although he deserted them a few years ago, he's back and seems to want Macy and his daughter to be part of his life. In addition, her family hasn't recovered from the death of her father many years ago -- her mother is still actively mourning him and her brother tends to be a bad boy with a drinking problem.

Maybe it's because of all these reasons that Macy has been clinging to some happier times from her childhood. Each summer, Macy's family would head to Sunset Beach for their family vacation. One year, about 25 years ago, Macy began exchanging drawings with an unknown boy. She never learned his identity and has spent all of these years wondering who he was and if they were possibly meant to be together. However, when Macy's father died, these vacations ended... until now. Macy's mother decides that the family needs to return to the Carolina beach house for some healing and closure. Macy is thrilled to be returning to the place of so many happy memories, but she also realizes how much the family will miss their father.

Macy hopes to take this time and truly heal from the loss of her father. However, she also hopes to track down the identity of the boy (now man!) who left her those drawings so many years ago. During these few weeks of vacation, Macy discovers that she has an abundance of men interested in dating her; and the irony is that all of them could be her mysterious artist. As Macy begins to narrow down her search and hopefully discover her soul-mate, she also begins to learn some valuable things about herself and her family.

I enjoyed THE GUEST BOOK quite a bit. It was a touching story about love, loss and second chances; and it definitely touched my heart. My only regret was that I didn't take this along with me on my beach vacation last month because it is a terrific "beach read." I thought Ms. Whalen did a great job of describing the beauty of the beach as well as the quaintness of the small Carolina town. Plus, this book kind of served as calorie-free comfort food ( if that makes sense!) It just satisfied some cravings for a sweet story and made me feel good.

I am somewhat hesitant to read Christian fiction because I fear that the books will be preachy. It might sound awful to say that, but I know I'm not alone with that concern. And that's one of the things that I really have to commend Ms. Whalen for in writing THE GUEST BOOK. The references to faith and the characters' relationships with God were very crucial to the story, and I thought they were extremely well done. In fact, I actually appreciated how Ms. Whalen used the symbol of "an artist" throughout the story, and some of her prose even made me take a breath and reflect. That's truly saying something! 

Another strong aspect of this novel was the character development. For the most part, this novel was Macy's story; and I loved how much she grew, both mentally and spiritually, by the end of the book. I especially liked how she was able to remember her father and his strong faith. However, I also appreciated how much Macy's mother and brother evolved throughout the story. This entire family was unable to move on after the death of the father, and both of them were very damaged souls. I loved how their visit to Sunset Beach not only brought back pleasant memories of their happier times, but it also allowed them to finally let go of the pain and move forward.

THE GUEST BOOK would make an interesting book club pick especially for groups made up of women. I wasn't able to find a link to the discussion guide, but there is one in the back of the novel with eight thought-provoking questions. Some of the themes you might want to explore include family dynamics, sacrifice, loss, grief, love, second chances, and faith. In addition, I was happy to see that there was a recipe for Brenda's Cranberry-Cherry Spritzer that you could serve at the meeting.

Overall, I recommend THE GUEST BOOK to fans of Christian fiction or anyone who enjoys a sweet story about love, loss and redemption.

Thanks to the author for providing a review copy of this novel.

Kid Konnection: New Picture Books

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to share with you some newly released picture books.

Summary: In Brother Sun, Sister Moon, award-winning author Katherine Paterson reimagines a hymn of praise originally written by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1224. Illuminated with the exquisite illustrations of cut-paper artist Pamela Dalton, this picture book offers a stunningly beautiful tribute to nature.

Katherine Paterson is a two-time Newbery Medal winner, a two-time National Book Award winner, and the 2010-11 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. She lives in Barre, Vermont.

Pamela Dalton is a master of scherenschnitte, the art of papercutting. Her artwork has enthralled collectors worldwide for more than two decades. She lives in Ghent, New York, where her home and studio overlook a biodynamic farm and a school community. This is her first book. -- Handprint Books/Chronicle

BROTHER SUN, SISTER MOON: SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI'S CANTICLE OF THE CREATURES reimagined by Katherine Paterson and illustrated by Pamela Dalton is one of the most gorgeous children's books that I've ever seen. This sure-to-be-a-classic book is a beautiful retelling of the Canticle of Creatures as reimagined by Katherine Paterson, the two time Newbery medal winner. And the book's artwork is nothing less than spectacular.

The Canticle of the Creatures, which was originally written by St. Francis of Assisi in 1224, is a beautiful hymn of praise. This hymn pays tribute to life, and it's clear that it's based on much of what St. Francis of Assisi experienced while living in the Italian countryside. BROTHER SUN, SISTER MOON celebrates "creation" from the sun, to the moon, to family and to work. It's all about the joy and beauty of life!

As much as I loved the text to this picture book, the artwork definitely sets it apart from your typical children's books. Pamela Dalton's cut-paper designs are truly one-of-a-kind and the perfect complement to the beautiful words. Each page is filled with so many precise details that it's almost hard to grasp that these illustrations are made from cut paper. Booking Son and I took time on each page to just check out all the spectacular images.

I absolutely adored BROTHER SUN, SISTER MOON. It's a beautiful book in many ways and one that is sure to be treasured by parents and children alike.

Summary: Duck and his barnyard friends are up to something. One by one we meet them, and then hear their familiar sounds.  But that Duck always has the last QUACK! In close-up images, the animals seem to be climbing upon each other. At the very end, we see the hilarious finale. Young readers will delight in making the animal sounds, noticing the funny expressions, and picking out surprising details in the illustrations. -- Tricycle Press

CHICKEN, CHICKEN, DUCK! by Nadia Krilanovich is a cute book that's perfect for the younger picture book audience. It's a funny story, and at the same time, it is also a great book to help little ones learn animal names and sounds.

At six years old, Booking Son is way too old for this book, but he had fun reading it to me. The idea behind the book is very simple, yet very fun. A whole bunch of farm animals are introduced to the reader one-by-one. They appear to be climbing on top of each other to make a barnyard pyramid. At the end of the story, there is a funny little surprise that is sure to bring a smile to your child's face.

As I mentioned before, CHICKEN, CHICKEN, DUCK! is perfect for little ones. There are only a few words on most pages and many of the words are just animal names or sounds, so it will even appeal to kids who have a hard time sitting still. The illustrations are also adorable and sure to capture your toddler's imagination. The animals are just precious and the expressions on their little faces make them almost come alive.

If you are looking for a cute introduction into barnyard animals and their sounds, then I definitely recommend CHICKEN, CHICKEN, DUCK!

Thanks to the publishers for sending a review copy of this book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Review: The Christmas Bowl

Summary: Marianne Wallace is focused on two things this holiday season: planning the greatest family Christmas ever and cheering on her youngest son’s team in their bid for the state championship. Disaster strikes when the team loses their mascot—the Trout. Is it going too far to ask her to don the costume? So what if her husband has also volunteered her to organize the church Christmas tea. When football playoffs start ramping up, the Christmas tea starts falling apart. Then, one by one her children tell her they can’t come home for Christmas. As life starts to unravel, will Marianne remember the true meaning of the holidays? -- Tyndale

I was able to squeeze in one more Christmas book before the holiday season was over, and I'm so happy to say that it was a fun one. I took a break from the cleaning and cooking a few days ago to read THE GREAT CHRISTMAS BOWL by Susan May Warren. It was the first book that I read by Ms. Warren, but I'm sure it won't be my last. I thought THE GREAT CHRISTMAS BOWL was just a delightful holiday read.

THE CHRISTMAS BOWL tells the story of a Marianne, a mother of five adult children, who desperately wants to celebrate Christmas with her entire family. After Thanksgiving kind of falls by the wayside with everyone doing their own thing, she is even more determined to have all of her kids home for Christmas; However, she quickly learns that she has little, if any, control over many things in her life. When Marianne takes on a few new positions (including one as the high school mascot), she learns some wonderful lessons about sacrifice, love, family, hospitality and friendship.

I thoroughly enjoyed THE CHRISTMAS BOWL. It was a super quick read, but it definitely touched my heart. I loved the powerful messages in the story, and when I finished this novel, I just had happy feelings about the holiday season. In fact, THE CHRISTMAS BOWL is one of those books that helped me keep in mind the true meaning of Christmas.

Furthermore, THE CHRISTMAS BOWL was also one very funny story. I loved how Ms. Warren managed to incorporate some very funny scenes into the book... namely the ones where Marianne is dressed as a trout. The humor was so well done that I was able to picture the scenes perfectly and even found myself laughing out loud! THE CHRISTMAS BOWL was a great book, but I think it would be a perfect holiday movie as well!

I highly recommend THE CHRISTMAS BOWL if you are looking for a feel-good story this holiday season. I had a wonderful time taking a break from all the hustle and bustle and just thinking about what's important!

Review: The Christmas Glass

Summary: In the early days of World War II in Italy, Anna, a young widow who runs a small orphanage, carefully wraps her most cherished possessions -- a dozen hand-blown, German-made, Christmas ornaments, handed down by her mother -- and sends them to a cousin she hasn't seen in years. 

Anna is distressed to part with her only tangible reminder of her mother, but she worries that the ornaments will be lost or destroyed in the war, especially now that her orphanage has begun to secretly shelter Jewish children. Anna's young cousin Filomena is married with two-year-old twins when she receives the box of precious Christmas glass. 

After the war, Filomena emigrates to America, where the precious ornaments are passed down through the generations. After more than forty years, twelve people come to possess a piece of Christmas glass, some intimately connected by family bonds, some connected only through the history of the ornaments. As Christmas Day approaches, readers join each character in a journey of laughter and tears, fractures and healings, as Filomena, now an eighty-four-year-old great-grandmother, brings them all to what will be either a wondrous reunion or a disaster that may shatter them all like the precious glass they cherish.-- Guideposts

You might remember that I participated as a judge in this year's INSPY Awards in the General & Literary Fiction category. I had to read five nominated books -- all of which were good in their own right, but I wanted to share my thoughts about a particular one. It's called THE CHRISTMAS GLASS by Marci Alborghetti and while it wasn't my favorite, I do think it's a wonderful read during the holiday season.

THE CHRISTMAS GLASS follows the story of twelve hand-blown glass Christmas ornaments as they change hands throughout the years. The book begins back in the 1940s (during World War II) when a young widow who runs an orphanage is afraid that the Nazis will destroy her possessions because she is protecting some Jewish children. She sends her beloved Christmas ornaments to her cousin Filomena and her twin daughters for protection. These ornaments are handed down through the generations to family and friends, and twelve very different individuals (with very different life stories) ultimately end up with these precious ornaments.

THE CHRISTMAS GLASS is a heartwarming story about the twelve owners of the ornaments. Each chapter gives the background story about the various owners and how they came to be in possession of an ornament. These characters are complex and often times troubled; however, they are all brought together in some way by these ornaments. The relationships of the characters to the ornaments are obvious in many cases (i.e. Filomena's daughters and grandchildren) while the reasons some of the other characters have an ornament are a little less clear. As the reader follows the paths of the ornaments, he/she begins to see how all of the characters' stories are intertwined.

I don't read a lot of Christian fiction, but I didn't feel that THE CHRISTMAS GLASS was overtly "religious." I didn't find the book preachy in the slightest, and I honestly think it will appeal to many readers. In fact, if I had to summarize the main theme of this book (or at least the one that struck a chord with me), I'd have to say it was story about family. THE CHRISTMAS GLASS is a touching story that covers many years and many different characters, but it also delves into the complexities of relationships and family life.

At its heart, THE CHRISTMAS GLASS is entertaining read about family, love, faith, and Christmas. I have to admit that it's not a book that will remain in my thoughts for a long time; however, it is one that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. It's a heartwarming story that is also a quick read, and that makes it ideal for this busy time of year.

Review: Crossing Oceans

Summary: Jenny Lucas swore she’d never go home again. But being told you’re dying has a way of changing things. Years after she left, she and her five-year-old daughter, Isabella, must return to her sleepy North Carolina town to face the ghosts she left behind. They welcome her in the form of her oxygen tank–toting grandmother, her stoic and distant father, and David, Isabella’s dad . . . who doesn’t yet know he has a daughter. As Jenny navigates the rough and unknown waters of her new reality, the unforgettable story that unfolds is a testament to the power of love and its ability to change everything—to heal old hurts, bring new beginnings . . . even overcome the impossible. A stunning debut about love and loss from a talented new voice. -- Tyndale

As part of my effort to read more Christian fiction, I decided to pick up CROSSING OCEANS by Gina Holmes. Based on the book's description, I thought it sounded like a contemporary women's fiction story that I'd enjoy about a single mother who returns to her childhood home. And I admit that Tess Gerritsen's blurb on the front cover didn't hurt either -- "Poignant and unforgettable, this book will break your heart -- and then put the pieces back together again."

So when I read that blurb plus the book's description, I knew I was in store for a touching story. CROSSING OCEANS deals with a young mother who has terminal cancer and only a few months to live. She is doing her best to mend relationships from her past so that her five year old daughter will be taken care of when she is gone. Not exactly the most happy of storylines. In fact, there were times when this novel was very difficult for me to read and I found myself crying. However, I don't want to scare away any readers because this book was definitely worth the emotional impact.  The story is a beautiful one about a mother who sacrifices many things for the love of her child; and ultimately, the book did end on an upbeat and hopeful note to me.

My heart went out to Jenny for so many reasons. As if being a single mother and knowing you only had a few months to live weren't enough, Jenny was also trying to deal with a  lot of personal baggage. Her mother had died of cancer when she was a teen and she had an almost non-existent relationship with her father. Her daughter had never even met her family or her father, and Jenny only had a short time to get everything squared away. Yet despite all of these things, Jenny managed to find some peace and happiness and even mend those troubled relationships -- all because it was the right thing to do for her daughter.

What broke my heart even more than Jenny's life was her daughter Isabella's. She was only five years old and didn't understand all of the changes in her life. Not only did she move to a new home, but she had to live with people that were virtually strangers to her. And, she didn't understand all of the tension and fighting among the grown-ups. When Jenny finally explained that she was dying through the use of an ocean metaphor, poor Isabellla was so distraught and confused that she began lashing out. It was just such a tragic situation for everyone.

I was extremely impressed with Ms. Holmes' writing style. She chose to write CROSSING OCEANS in Jenny's voice, and I thought she did a wonderful job of capturing the essence of Jenny's character. I have no idea how I would react in a similar situation (although this novel definitely made me explore those thoughts), but I think Jenny's character behaved very realistically. Jenny still got depressed and angry, and she even showed signs of jealousy -- all behaviors that I could relate to. And while Jenny ultimately made some huge sacrifices for her daughter, she was extremely human in how she came to make those decisions.

While this novel is technically Christian fiction, I didn't feel that the messages were at all heavy-handed. I appreciated the faith aspects of this novel and how Jenny's faith helped her through this difficult time; however, I don't think that there were a lot of references to God.  I'd go so far as to say that the messages in this story were there but not obvious enough to make "non-Christian fiction readers" uncomfortable. I think women of all ages and beliefs will appreciate Jenny's story.

CROSSING OCEANS would make a fantastic discussion book for groups who enjoy reading contemporary Christian fiction; however, I think any group made up of moms will be deeply affected by this novel. There is a discussion guide in the back of the book which delves into some wonderful and thought-provoking questions. Some of the things your might want to discuss include secrets, sacrifices, death, parenting, parent/child relationships, love, faith, marriage, forgiveness, trust, acceptance, and grief. So many of the themes are universal to all women, and most of the questions weren't centered around faith or spirituality.

I hesitate to say that I really enjoyed CROSSING OCEANS because of the subject matter; however, I can definitely say that I deeply appreciated this novel. It was a beautiful story about the strength of a mother's love for her child, and it's one that will resonate with many women.

Thanks to the author and Promotions a la Carte for sending me a review copy of this novel.

Review: A Hope Undaunted

Summary: What happens when the boy she loved to hate becomes the man she hates to love?

The 1920s are drawing to a close, and feisty Katie O'Connor is the epitome of the new woman--smart and sassy with goals for her future that include the perfect husband and a challenging career in law. Her boyfriend Jack fits all of her criteria for a husband--good-looking, well-connected, wealthy, and eating out of her hand. But when she is forced to spend the summer of 1929 with Luke McGee, the bane of her childhood existence, Katie comes face-to-face with a choice. Will she follow her well-laid plans to marry Jack? Or will she fall for the man she swore to despise forever? -- Revell

I keep saying that I don't read a lot of Christian fiction, but that doesn't seem to be the case lately...

One Christian fiction author that I absolutely adore is Julie Lessman. Not only is she a super sweet person, but she is also a fantastic historical fiction/romance author. I have read and enjoyed her Daughters of Boston series (you can read my reviews here, here, and here), and I was very excited to learn that she is now writing another series -- Winds of Change. The first novel in the Winds of Change series is A HOPE UNDAUNTED.

I just loved all of the characters in the Daughters of Boston series, and I was relieved when I started reading A HOPE UNDAUNTED to find that many of the same characters appear in this novel. The book centers around Katie who is the youngest daughter in the O'Connor family -- the Daughters of Boston books each deal with her three older sisters. Katie was just a young girl in the other novels, but in A HOPE UNDAUNTED, she has definitely grown up. And, Katie's spunk as a child has carried forward into her young adulthood. She knows what she wants and when she wants it!

I really, really enjoyed A HOPE UNDAUNTED. Of course, I have come to know and love the O'Connors, and I always like reading about their lives. I loved that the extended family was included in this book through the inclusions of side stories, but the real treat of this novel was Katie. I found Katie to be a very interesting character, and I appreciated learning about her journey to find her faith.

I have to admit that I kind of had a difficult time liking Katie and her friends throughout the first part of this novel. I thought Katie was extremely self-centered and materialistic; however, I also think she struggled with her role in life. Not to make too many excuses for her, but she was the youngest child of a large family which couldn't have been easy; and she was growing up in the 1920s when there was so much change occurring for women. Since I was familiar with Katie's sisters' stories, I had a feeling that she would eventually "see the light." I just know that I found myself frustrated with how long it took for her to get there.

That's not to say that I didn't like Katie because I certainly did. Even when she was acting bratty, there was still something about her. As Katie struggled with growing up and realizing what was important in her life, I could see little glimmers of hope for her character. It took some major crises to occur before Katie allowed God into her life, but isn't that the case with so many of us? What I really liked was that once Katie realized her priorities, she showed the same spunk and determination that demonstrated in the first half of the book...but with a more positive (and meaningful) result.

I'm usually not a fan of romance books, but for some reason, I don't seem to mind these elements in a Julie Lessman novel. I think she has a way of writing these scenes where they don't come across as silly. What I do know (and love) is that she manages to show some very real aspects of male/female relationships -- both the ups and the downs. And, I guess I'm just a sucker for how much her characters love each other on many different levels.

As is the case with every Julie Lessman book that I've read, I thought the messages in A HOPE UNDAUNTED were beautiful and ones that I can never hear too often. There were quite a few positive messages about faith, trust and love in this story, but the one that really spoke to me was the importance of patience. (Maybe if I read the book again, another message would stick out to me, but evidently I needed to hear about patience at this point in my life.) Despite all of the lessons that Katie learned during this story, I think the one that was probably the most difficult for her was learning to be patient. When I saw how she demonstrated this trait during the end of the book, I realized just how far she had come.

Another aspect of this book that pleasantly surprised me were the historical details. The book takes place in the late 1920s a time of great change in our country.There were lots of references to women's rights and the suffrage movement that I found very interesting, but I also liked reading about prohibition as well as the Great Depression. In fact, I really enjoyed that the story took place during the Roaring 20s, and I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

If you are a fan of Julie Lessman's, then you won't want to miss A HOPE UNDAUNTED!

By the way, there are lots of fun activities surrounding the release of A HOPE UNDAUNTED. The author is sponsoring a contest with a brand new KINDLE and other great prizes! Check out the details at the contest preview page. In addition, she is hosting a Facebook Party on October 7th, with a live chat and the KINDLE winner will be announced. Go here for the details.

A big thanks to Revell/Baker Publishing Group for sending me a copy of this novel. A HOPE UNDANTED is available September 2010 at your favorite bookseller.

Review: Charlotte Figg Takes Over Paradise

Summary: Newly widowed Charlotte Figg purchases a double-wide trailer sight unseen and moves to the Paradise Trailer Park with her dog, Lucky. Unfortunately, neither the trailer nor Paradise are what Charlotte expected. Her trailer is a ramshackle old place in need of major repair, and the people of Paradise are harboring more secrets than Bayer has aspirin. Charlotte’s new friend Rose Tattoo learns that Charlotte played softball and convinces her to rally the women of Paradise into a team. Reluctant at first, Charlotte warms to the notion and is soon coaching the Paradise Angels. Meanwhile, Charlotte discovers that the manager of Paradise, Fergus Wrinkel, abuses his wife, Suzy. Charlotte sets out to find a way to save Suzy from Fergus and in the process comes to a difficult realization about her own painful marriage.-- Abingdon

In my effort to read more Christian fiction books, I decided to try CHARLOTTE FIGG TAKES OVER PARADISE by Joyce Magnin. I was in the mood for a feel good book, plus Ms. Magnin is almost a local author since she lives outside of Philadelphia. I am going to be very upfront when I tell you that this is not a typical read for me. I don't read a lot of Christian fiction, and when I do, it's usually more historical in nature.

I enjoyed CHARLOTTE FIGG and got exactly what I expected with from this novel. It was a cute, heartwarming story about faith and friendship, and it allowed to me to escape for a few hours. There was lots of humor and a few serious side stories; and it was just one of those books that give you the warm fuzzies. I especially enjoyed the messages about female friendship.

My favorite thing about CHARLOTTE FIGG were all of the unique characters. Of course, I really liked Charlotte, a recent widow who moves to Paradise and starts over with her life. When she faces one trial after the next, she finds that she has more inner strength than she ever imagined. It also didn't hurt that she had a wonderful support system of friends -- and boy were they special. Each woman that Charlotte met in Paradise was dealing with her own set of issues whether it be baggage from her past, spousal abuse, or even being set apart because of her appearance.

I find that I usually enjoy books about female friendships and this was no exception. I loved how Charlotte decided to start a women's softball team in an effort to find herself again. However, I also loved how much the concept of this team came to mean to each woman. Throughout the book, I could see how each woman not only benefited from playing on a team, but also how each one became a better (and stronger) woman as a result of their friendships.

Upon first glance, Paradise Trailer Park was filled with individuals whom many people would consider misfits or outcasts. I loved that Charlotte was able to see past her initial reactions and come to realize how special each person was (and how much they had to offer.) In fact, because of Charlotte's perseverance, all of Paradise became a much happier place to live.

CHARLOTTE FIGG TAKES OVER PARADISE is part of the Bright's Pond series; however, it definitely stands alone as a novel. THE PRAYERS OF AGNES SPARROW, a Library Journal Top 5 Pick for 2009, is the first book in this series. I admit that I am a little curious to read AGNES SPARROW now, and I just might pick it up the next time I'm in the mood for a comfort read! There is also a third book planned for the series -- GRISELDA TAKES FLIGHT; and an excerpt of this novel was included in the back of my book.


CHARLOTTE FIGG would make a good selection for Christian book clubs who are looking for a light read, although there are a few serious issues included in the story too. There were some good discussion questions included in the book to kick off your discussion. Some of the topics you might want to further explore include marriage, loss, grief, abuse, teamwork, friendships, secrets, and sacrifice.

I recommend CHARLOTTE FIGG TAKES OVER PARADISE to fans of Christian fiction or really anyone who enjoys a sweet story about friendship. Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy of this novel.

Review: Valeria's Cross

Summary:In the 3rd century, pampered Roman princess Valeria falls in love with Mauritius, captain of the Theban Legion. She sends him off to battle, where he suffers under the schemes of a notorious pagan general with an ambition for power and a lust for Valeria. In a scene based on true events, the evil Galerius kills Mauritius and his entire legion for their Christian faith. And in a shocking turn of events, the grieving Valeria is forced to become Galerius’ wife against her will. Never has a marriage been set up for such failure. Valeria loathes her new husband, but he seems to undergo a change of heart, adopting a child for her and giving her power and authority, and even love. She struggles with the commitment she knows she must keep, and the love she knows she will never find again. -- Abingdon Press

I am one of those geeks who took Latin by choice in high school. And one of my favorite parts of class was learning about ancient Rome and its history. So when I read the description for VALERIA'S CROSS by Kathi Macias and Susan Wales, it sounded like a book that I'd enjoy. (Plus, I have been trying to read more Christian fiction!)

I have to say that I enjoyed VALERIA'S CROSS, but I don't think I'd go so far as to say that I loved it. It was a good book that I found very interesting and I would recommend it to people who enjoy Roman history, but it just didn't reach that next level for me. There was nothing inherently lacking in this novel, but on the same note, there wasn't anything that made it really special for me either.

I liked the character of Valeria and thought she was filled with so much passion -- both for her love of Christ along with life in general. I appreciated how strong Valeria had to be to choose Christianity against the wishes of her father the Emperor, and I liked how the authors portrayed Valeria as having doubts about God's will because of the many trials she faced in her life. In addition, I felt as if the authors did a very good job showing Valeria's desperate desire to be a mother, and I actually could feel her pain.

While I did really like Valeria, I had some issues with her character because she didn't always seem consistent to me. I realize that she was a very complex woman, but I thought some of her behavior just didn't ring true (especially her feelings towards her husband.) I tried to keep in perspective while reading this novel that times were very different as were women's roles in society, but I don't know if that always explained it to me.

One thing that I really enjoyed about this novel were the historical aspects of the story. I love, love, love books about Rome, and I can say that I learned a great deal about this time period while reading VALERIA'S CROSS. At times, the book almost read like a true story and I admit to being fascinated about the early Christians and their strong convictions.

VALERIA'S CROSS would make an interesting selection for book groups who enjoy reading Christian fiction. I think there is a great deal to discuss in this book about faith and religion as well as a very interesting time in history. There is even a reading guide in the back of the book with twelve questions. Some of the topics for discussion include the strength of women, mother/daughter relationships, betrayal, faith, morality, and loyalty.

I recommend VALERIA'S CROSS if you are like me and love learning about ancient Rome or if you are interested in early Christianity.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Review: How Dolly Parton Saved My Life

Summary: Dolly Parton once said," If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one." In the bustling city of Atlanta, four very different ladies take her advice to heart and open a catering business that will cater to them—successful, independent women who put their families first.

But flouting the traditions and expectations of Southern society turns out to be more complicated than they ever anticipated. Even as the pressure of running a business bonds them together, the realities of managing real life threaten to tear the whole thing apart. As financial woes, personal hurts, and family troubles test the strength of their business and their friendship, they discover that sisterly support and lots of heartfelt prayer just might be the only way to survive.

Full of sass, grit, and good old-fashioned faith, How Dolly Parton Saved My Life is a hilarious and poignant look at friendship with a distinctly Southern flair. -- Broadway

My on-line book club wanted to read something a little lighter for the month of August, so we decided to go with HOW DOLLY PARTON SAVED MY LIFE: A NOVEL OF THE JELLY JAR SISTERHOOD by Charlotte Connors. Unfortunately, I missed our meeting because my family was celebrating my kids' birthdays, but I'm not sure that this book was really an "ideal" pick for the women in our group anyway.

I don't regret reading this book, but I thought it was just okay. Parts of the story entertained me for a few hours, but I really don't think that I'll remember much about this book in a few weeks. It was part Southern fiction, part women's fiction, part chick lit, and (a big) part Christian fiction. Usually I would be drawn to a book that incorporates all of these components, but I'm sorry to say that HOW DOLLY PARTON SAVED MY LIFE fell a little short for me.

HOW DOLLY PARTON SAVED MY LIFE is the story of four women who join together to start a catering business. The chapters alternate between each of the women so the reader gets to know and understand each one of them. All four women have their fair share of personal issues from problems with their love life/husbands to issues with their children and their church. By the end of the story, each of the women discover things about themselves while at the same time developing friendships with the others.

I wasn't aware of this when I started the book, but there is also a pretty heavy Christian theme running throughout the novel. In fact, I definitely would classify HOW DOLLY PARTON SAVED MY LIFE as Christian fiction. I don't read a lot of Christian fiction so I'm probably not the best judge, but I thought this book was almost heavy-handed at times. However, I did think that parts of this book were cute and it was a feel-good book about the strength of women and their friendships -- it's just not one that resonated with me as a whole.

The author did attempt to make this story multi-dimensional. She threw in some twists and surprises for the characters; however, I still found much of the story (and the characters) to be kind of predictable. I can't say that I minded reading the book, but there was nothing that kept me truly hooked on the story or the characters. Having said that, I did appreciate the basic messages that the author was trying to convey about motherhood, friendship, and faith.

There was one thing that did stand out to me in this book. I thought the quotations from Dolly Parton that were included were hilarious I can't really say that I know many Dolly Parton songs or lyrics (the extent of my knowledge is pretty much Dolly Parton night on American Idol), but I loved how funny and insightful many of the quotes were. I have to say my absolute favorite was the one at the end of the book:

"If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain."

I'm not sure that our book group had much to talk about, but there is a reader's guide available. Some of the themes that appear in the book include friendship, love, secrets, spiritual growth, mother-daughter relationships, self awareness, perseverance, the dilemmas of working moms, guilt, and trust to name a few. This book might work really well for a book group made of up young Christian moms.

Despite all of this, I do think that there is an audience for this novel. I can see that fans of very light Christian fiction might enjoy HOW DOLLY PARTON SAVED MY LIFE. Unfortunately, it just wasn't the right novel for me.

Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy of this novel.

Review: The Sister Wife

Summary: What if the man you loved told you God wanted him to take another wife? What if that woman was your best friend? Set in the heart of the earliest days of a new nineteenth-century sect known as the Saints, The Sister Wife is a riveting account of two women forced into a practice they don't understand, bound by their devotion to Prophet Joseph Smith. When Mary Rose marries Gabriel, neither of them could foresee how quickly the community would turn to the practice of plural marriage. Devastated when Gabe is faced with an order from the Prophet to marry her best friend, Bronwyn, Mary Rose tries to have the faith to carry through with the marriage. But can she really be married to the same man as her very best friend? Can Mary Rose and Bronwyn face betraying both their husband and their God to do what they feel is right? -- Avon Inspire

I always love to participate in Book Club Girl's BlogTalk radio shows! So I decided to request THE SISTER WIFE: BRIDES OF GABRIEL BOOK 1 by Diane Noble in preparation for her upcoming show. I have to admit that I didn't really read the description of the novel too closely, but I figured that any book about sister wives would be interesting. I can't imagine "sharing" a husband (plus I'm a pretty big fan of the show Big Love.)

I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't have picked up this book if it weren't for Book Club Girl's show. I didn't hate it, but to be honest, I'm not sure that it appealed to me. While I do enjoy historical fiction and some Christian fiction, I'm not a big fan of romance books. And I thought THE SISTER WIFE had a fair amount of romance in it. I was actually looking for a little more historical fiction and a little less romance, but that's just me and my taste.

Besides the romance, I did have a little bit of a problem accepting some of the things that took place in the story. I realize that when I read romance-type books that I need to suspend some of my reality (I guess I'm just not a romantic person.) I could get past the love-at-first-site between Gabriel and Mary Rose, but I did have an issue with how quickly Gabriel embraced the Mormon religion. I also thought it was hard to believe how quickly Mary Rose, a wealthy young English woman, adjusted to her new home and community in the United States.

Having said all of that, there were some things that I definitely appreciated about this novel. I really did like a few of the characters, especially Mary Rose. At the beginning of the novel, she showed so much strength and she had such a spark to her personality. I loved that she was willing to stand up to men for what she believed and that she followed her heart. However, I feel like all of her strengths kind of disappeared by the end of the novel. I realize that she was in a bind and didn't really have options, but I guess I just wanted her to be able to do something more. I found her entire situation to be so sad and my heart just broke for her.

Bronwyn was also an interesting (and very likable) character. She was definitely thrown into a difficult situation after her husband died, and I have to admit that I did feel a great deal of compassion towards her character. I really didn't see how she could have done anything differently and I know she loved Mary Rose like a sister, but I still hated what happened! I felt bad for Bronwyn, but I felt worse for Mary Rose.

I did find many of the historical aspects of this novel to be fascinating. I admit to knowing little about the Mormon faith, but I'm not entirely sure that I should be taking all of my lessons from this novel. (I have a feeling that there are a lot of other sides to this story!) I appreciated that Ms. Noble researched not only the origins of the Mormon faith, but also some American history of the mid 1800s.

I also found interesting some of the themes that the author presented in this book. I think Ms. Noble did a great job of asking some very difficult questions about faith, commitment, and friendship. As I read this novel, I really did try to put myself in both Mary Rose's and Bronwyn's shoes; and I have to admit that I wasn't able to see things as they did. Of course, there is no possible way I could even understand their situations given my religious beliefs as well as the time period I live in.

THE SISTER BRIDE is the first book in the Brides of Gabriel series. Even though the book didn't really appeal to me, I have to admit that I'm more than a little curious about what happens between the characters and especially the sister wives. I have a feeling that a good portion of THE SISTER BRIDE was written to set up the story for the following novels, so the future books might be more to my liking. In addition, there were definitely some open-ended issues that I'm anxious to see how the author resolves.

I do think THE SISTER WIFE will appeal to many women, and I think it would make an interesting book club discussion for some groups. There is a reading guide available with many thought-provoking questions. These questions caused me to think more about the novel, but also to look more closely at some of my personal views. There are many interesting themes to discuss in this book including miracles, faith, marriage, love, trust, acceptance, heaven, relationships, friendships, and beliefs.

Book Club Girl will welcoming Ms. Noble on Thursday, July 8th, to Book Club Girl on Air to discuss her novel, THE SISTER WIFE. I will unfortunately be out of town and unable to listen to the show live, but you can set your reminder for the show here. I have already submitted some questions that I hope Ms. Noble will answer. I have a feeling that this show is going to be extremely interesting.

While THE SISTER WIFE isn't really a book that I would normally read, I did find parts of it to be extremely interesting. I recommend it if you are looking for a book about faith and marriage, or if you enjoy historical fiction with lots of romance.

Thanks to Book Club Girl for sending me a copy of this novel.

Review: She Walks in Beauty

Summary: For a young society woman seeking a favorable marriage, so much depends on her social season debut. Clara Carter has been given one goal: secure the affections of the city's most eligible bachelor. Debuting means plenty of work--there are corsets to be fitted, dances to master, manners to perfect. Her training soon pays off, however, as celebrity's spotlight turns Clara into a society-page darling.

Yet Clara soon wonders if this is the life she really wants. Especially when she learns her best friend has also set her sights on Franklin De Vries. When a man appears who seems to love her simply for who she is and gossip backlash turns ugly, Clara realizes it's not just her marriage at stake--the future of her family depends on how she plays the game. -- Bethany House

One of my unofficial reading goals this year was to read more Christian fiction. So when I saw My Friend Amy's raving review of SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY by Siri Mitchell, I just knew I wanted to read it. I always look to Amy for my Christian fiction recommendations, and so far, she hasn't let me down. That was definitely the case with SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY.

SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY told the story of Clara, a very bright young girl, who is forced by her father and her aunt to debut into society. She is more interested in attending college, but her aunt wants her to "catch" Franklin De Vries, the heir to the De Vries fortune instead. Clara isn't at all prepared to debut because she has no idea about many of the social graces; so despite her desires, she is forced to learn all about how to dance, how to flirt, and what utensils to use. In addition to all of this pressure, Clara is competing against her best friend for the heir; and she finds herself attracted to Franklin's younger brother Harry (which isn't at all acceptable.)

I loved Clara! I thought she was a terrific character with so much inner beauty. She was smart, kind, and even funny, but she was also loyal to her family. She accepted her role and did her best to live up to the expectations her father and aunt set for her. Time and time again, my heart went out to her, yet Clara was so strong and had so much sense. As I read this novel, I just had a feeling that everything would eventually work out for her.

Another thing I really liked about this book was the mention of of Jacob Riis's HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVES and how it influenced Clara. It was extremely interesting for me to see Clara learn about people who lived in poverty, and I loved the effect it had on her and her future. I also really enjoyed how the author juxtaposed the grandeur of Clara's life with the horrific conditions of how the "other half" lived.

This was the first book that I've read by author Siri Mitchell, but I guarantee it won't be the last. I really appreciated her writing style and humor, and I loved all of her descriptions of the late 1800s New York. Not only did she bring to life the time period with all of the balls, dances, and gorgeous dresses (which I loved by the way), but she also demonstrated some of the less glamorous aspects of that time. She did a wonderful job of showing how much pressure there were on women to be "perfect. While the characters in the novel had to play games to attract suitors and be bound in tight corsets to appear beautiful, I realized that in some ways we still go to the same sort of extremes today to live up to society's standards.

I don't read much Christian fiction, but I was surprised how "light" this novel was on the entire Christian aspect. There were a few references to God, especially towards the end of the novel, but they were definitely not the focus of this story. In fact, I was a little surprised (not disappointed, just surprised) that there wasn't more mention of God. Personally, I thought the parts of the story about self-acceptance and helping the poor would have had much more blatant references to scripture. As a result, I think this book will appeal to many fans of historical fiction -- not just readers who enjoy Christian fiction.

SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY would make for an interesting book club discussion. There is a reading guide in the back of the book with twelve thought-provoking questions. Some of the topics you might want to further explore include the Victorian mindset, society's expectations, prejudice, vanity, grief, love, parent/child relationships, self-acceptance, deception, perseverance, and charity.

I definitely recommend SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY if you are a fan of Christian fiction, historical fiction or even romance. It is a beautifully told story that will also keep you entertained.

Thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy of this novel.

Reviews: Magna and Making Waves

Last summer, I reviewed Book 1 and 2 in the Scenarios for Girls series -- TRUTH OR DARE and ALL THAT GLITTERS by Nicole O'Dell (you can read the reviews here and here.) Both Booking Daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed these "interactive fiction" books which allow the reader to put herself into the shoes of the main character. At a critical point in each of these books, the reader gets to decide what course of action she thinks the character will take. These books always include valuable messages about faith as well as "doing the right thing."

So when Ms. O'Dell contacted me and asked if I were interested in reading and reviewing the next two books in the series, Booking Daughter and I were happy to assist.

Summary: Molly Jacobs isn’t sure what she should do: Should she follow through with stealing some clothes for her friends from Magna—the trendy girls’ clothing store where she works? Or should she do what she knows is right, even if it means losing her newfound popularity? Girls ages 10 to 15 make the choice in this interactive story and see how the consequences change Molly’s life. Includes a contract and prayer to remind the reader of the importance of making godly decisions. -- Barbour

SCENARIOS FOR GIRLS 3: MAGNA tells the story of Molly, a young teenage girl who gets a much-desired job at a popular clothing store. Molly and her two best friends all applied for a position at the store, but her two best friends didn't get the job.

Molly is extremely responsible and has a knack for putting together clothing ensembles and meeting the customers' needs. She immediately impresses the manager and puts herself on a fast track to management potential. The issue is that the popular older girls at school and her two best friends try to get Molly to do favors for them because of her position at the store.

Molly does make a few mistakes in this book to impress her friends that I considered to be pretty serious. She eventually realizes that she did the wrong thing and admits it to her boss (as she should have.) However, I really had an issue with Molly's "mistake." As smart and savvy as Molly was, it just didn't ring true for me that she wouldn't have understood the consequences of her actions. Having said that, I know that teens don't always have common sense; and I truly think Molly was a nice girl who just got in over her head.

When Molly's best friends ask for a huge favor, she feels the pressure and doesn't want to let them down. Molly knows for certain that she could risk her job if not more. What will Molly do?

Booking Daughter and I both thought that Molly would make the wrong decision, although we hoped she had learned her lesson. At the critical point in the book, we just felt as if she was more worried about keeping her friends happy than staying true to herself.

Some of the ethical issues discussed in this book include: actions and consequences, peer pressure, and the desire for material things.

Summary: Decisions, decisions! How is a girl supposed to choose? Lessons of right and wrong are put to the test in the Scenarios series, where you can test your decision-making abilities in an eye-opening, but safe, way. Each book follows a character up to the point where she has to make an important, life-changing decision—then it’s your turn to choose. Will your choices lead to a happy ending? -- Barbour

SCENARIOS FOR GIRLS 4: MAKING WAVES was definitely our favorite of the two. We both agreed that the storyline was more interesting and the character of Kate was much more likable and real to us.

In MAKING WAVES, Kate is a young teenager who feels a little lost. Her father died a few years ago and her best friend recently moved away. Since she enjoys swimming (and finds that swimming is therapeutic for her), she decides to join her high school's swim team. She discovers that she has a natural talent for swimming and she quickly becomes the star of the team.

Kate faces a lot of issues in the book that comes with a "celebrity" status. She feels some insecurities because she doesn't want to upstage the older girls, and she also succumbs to peer pressure so she can be part of the team. In addition, she puts a tremendous amount of pressure on herself to break records and earn a scholarship to college. Kate finds that balancing a sport, school, friends, and her church life can be challenging to say the least; and she finds herself absolutely exhausted. It's at this point that Kate begins to make some questionable decisions.

How far is Kate willing to go to be the best? That's the dilemma that she faces in this book. Both Booking Daughter and I agreed that Kate was a smart girl and that she had her priorities in place -- she just needed some time to figure things out. We think she probably made the "right" decision!

Some of the lessons in the book include: not taking unknown legal substances or illegal drugs, being cautious about dating relationships, and not being afraid to share your faith with others.

For MAGNA and MAKING WAVES, we ended up reading both of the scenarios as we've done for all four books. I liked the end results from either decision, and I especially appreciated the messages. One very important message that resonates throughout both stories is the theme of forgiveness -- learning to forgive yourself as well as asking for God's (and other's) forgiveness.

Another positive aspect of these books is the section in the back called "My Decision" which includes a prayer asking for God's help with many of the ethical issues that the characters faced in the book. In addition, there is a place where the reader can sign a pledge that she has learned from the choices that the characters made. There are also specific references to the lessons that the reader should have taken away from the book.

As a mother, I can't recommend these books enough for young girls. There is a pretty strong Christian message (which I think is terrific), but it might come across slightly heavy-handed to some parents. I think Ms. O'Dell's messages are wonderful and they are perfectly stated for a middle grade audience.



Thanks to the publisher for sending me review copies of this book.