I just finished the first two books in a series...Just As I am and Sincerely, Mayla....and I wish I had the third to read. (There better be a third!)
Readers fall in love with Mayla in book one Just As I Am. Purple haired, four piercings in each ear, and two on her face, friends with gays...Mayla is not a character you are easily introduced to in Christian Fiction. However, at the beginning of the book Mayla is baptized and continues to live her life for Christ throughout the story. She is a good example of what a beginning Christian should be. It is so easy to relate with Mayla as she experiences the ups and downs of becoming a new CHristian. Starting out with a bang and finding a way to continue that furvent faith of a beginning believer. She tackles many issues that are common in today's society but not always discussed.
I really enjoyed this book and thought that it introduced an amazing line of characters for a continued story for many books to come. Mayla struggles with non Christian friends adapting to her new Christian life. She is a wonderful testimony to many people throughout the story. Youg get to know Mayla non Christian roommate Sylvia, two gays living together in her apartment, Michael and Stuart, and Alex, a surprise friend she meets when visiting him in the hospital during his battle with HIV.
I did not know very much about living with HIV and it was sad to see the deteriating of the body that takes place.
You also are introduced to Alex's sister Lindsey and his parents and see the struggle that takes place when your parents have deserted you due to the decisions that you make.
There were so many serious issues throughout this book, however, Virginia was able to make the book fun and laughable and very humorous. I really enjoyed this book and was excited to learn more about Mayla in book two.
Last but not least we cannot forget her crush with the preacher and seeing how it will pan out!
On to book two.
Sincerely, Mayla was a great follow up to Just As I Am. At the beginning of the story the author expresses her hesitance in writing book two hoping that it will be able to stand up to book one that everyone enjoyed so much. Well Virginia, no fears....it did!
Mayla is back and is jobless. After the boss's niece moves in on Mayla job, Mayla begins to question herself. She has regrets about not going to college after high school and is stuck in a rut.
However, after an interview in wet snow soaked clothes, from trying to rescue a pet rabbit off the road, Mayla decides to head to Florida to visit the aunt and grandmother that she has not seen in years. Aunt Louise and Grandmother were introduced in book one. Her father's relatives, she has lacked correspondence with them, after her mother's decision to end life support on her father, which led to anger and feelings of betrayal from the in-laws.
From the moment Mayla jumps on the plane, readers are in for a action packed read!
Lindsey, Alex's sister from book one is having struggles of her own and ends up hitchhiking to Kentucky and then greyhounding to Florida to discuss her problems with Mayla.
Mayla is later saddled with an angry homosexual after his partner leaves him for Christianity! Meanwhile, don't forget about Pastor Paul. After confessing feelings for Paul, Mayla is turned down by the Pastor. So Mayla decides to get even by fabricating a love story about the music pastor from her Aunt and Grandmother's church. This really sets Mama's Tuesday night group to gossip!
I really enjoyed this book and once again the book was able to tackle many serious issues while remaining upbeat. I am impressed by Virginia Smith's work and am dying to get a hold of book three!
I think that Mayla handled the situation with Lindsey well. I really enjoyed the patience that she showed with her. She was able to get her opnions across and she did not do it in a pushy manner. I feel that this is very important. The author showed several times how to handle Christian issues without being pushy. Many people label Christians this way so I thought that was important.
I also enjoyed the scripture throughout the book. Mayla was also just such an amazing witness. It is so awesome how many people were lead to Christ. The author showed how it is just a chain event....once one was led the other's saw the positive pieces of their lives and wanted to be a part of it. It is so important to remember how life altering witnessing can be. It is such an important role of Christian, but one that is sometimes overlooked.
I cannot wait to see Mayla in book three!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Book Review: Lost in Nashvegas/Diva Nashvegas
AWWWW!! I just finished the Nashvegas books by Rachel Hauck. What a great set of fluff romances. I reallly enjoyed these books. They were light romances, but the romance was just so picture perfect that I devoured them!
I was alittle upset to see mild cussing and guy/girl sharing a bed in the stories; but there was still a Christian message, even if the author included risky topics.
Both of the books focus around two different main characters...
Book one Lost in Nashvegas features Robin who is a young girl with stage fright from Alabama who desires to be a songwriter. She moves to Nashville after saying no to her marriage proposal at home. She has a great support group of two cousins and an older acquintance from her family's past. It was great to read about the strong connection between all the woman, the budding romance, and the struggle for fame in such deep competition.
Diva Nashvegas is about Aubrey James, daughter of two famous country gospel singers who died suddenly in a car crash and sibling of a brother who has been missing for six years. She is being followed by the media and splashed all over the tabloids. Her love interest in a socialite with a high need mother who is constantly meddling. Aubrey definitely is struggling to find her way back to Christ, while allowing her fiance to move in with her. She has a turn of character after a fan of her parents berates her for her unChristian behavior. Famous songwriter Robin Rae also helps her consider new material and she has an encountering with a Christian interviewer from her past...
Although as I mentioned there was some material I did not find necessary for Christian fiction, I had a great time consuming Rachel's Nashvegas books. Good set of chick lit.
I was alittle upset to see mild cussing and guy/girl sharing a bed in the stories; but there was still a Christian message, even if the author included risky topics.
Both of the books focus around two different main characters...
Book one Lost in Nashvegas features Robin who is a young girl with stage fright from Alabama who desires to be a songwriter. She moves to Nashville after saying no to her marriage proposal at home. She has a great support group of two cousins and an older acquintance from her family's past. It was great to read about the strong connection between all the woman, the budding romance, and the struggle for fame in such deep competition.
Diva Nashvegas is about Aubrey James, daughter of two famous country gospel singers who died suddenly in a car crash and sibling of a brother who has been missing for six years. She is being followed by the media and splashed all over the tabloids. Her love interest in a socialite with a high need mother who is constantly meddling. Aubrey definitely is struggling to find her way back to Christ, while allowing her fiance to move in with her. She has a turn of character after a fan of her parents berates her for her unChristian behavior. Famous songwriter Robin Rae also helps her consider new material and she has an encountering with a Christian interviewer from her past...
Although as I mentioned there was some material I did not find necessary for Christian fiction, I had a great time consuming Rachel's Nashvegas books. Good set of chick lit.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Book Review: Sweet Caroline
Caroline Sweeney is a "Pollyanna". She is constantly doing good for family and friends. When Jones (a friend of the family) lives her his run down cafe; Caroline is at a loss. She doesn't know what to do! She has just been offered an awesome job in Barcelona, but feels a yearning to stay and once again, take care of unfinished business for someone that she cares about...
This is a great CHristian Southern Fiction book by Rachel Hauck.
This book had alot of great components. It made me laugh out loud. It also made me sad at times. I really enjoyed all of the characters and am glad to see that there will be a sequel.
You will really want to see what happens to Caroline and how she handles the circumstances that she is dealt. This had a lot of good lessons about coming to Christ as well. There was a great romance throughout the story.
I would have to say that my favorite part of the book was the ending...made me yearn for more. A good and a bad thing I suppose since the next is not due out until summer.
The book definitley kept me reading however, and I was very drawn into all of the characters. You begin to care for all of them deeply as Caroline does. She just had such a big heart. It definitely paid off in the end.
I would have to say however that I felt that there was some inappropriate material in the book however, I put into consideration that some of the circumstances were when Caroline was finding out what being a Christian was and that all of the circumstances ended in a positive light.
Check it out!
This is a great CHristian Southern Fiction book by Rachel Hauck.
This book had alot of great components. It made me laugh out loud. It also made me sad at times. I really enjoyed all of the characters and am glad to see that there will be a sequel.
You will really want to see what happens to Caroline and how she handles the circumstances that she is dealt. This had a lot of good lessons about coming to Christ as well. There was a great romance throughout the story.
I would have to say that my favorite part of the book was the ending...made me yearn for more. A good and a bad thing I suppose since the next is not due out until summer.
The book definitley kept me reading however, and I was very drawn into all of the characters. You begin to care for all of them deeply as Caroline does. She just had such a big heart. It definitely paid off in the end.
I would have to say however that I felt that there was some inappropriate material in the book however, I put into consideration that some of the circumstances were when Caroline was finding out what being a Christian was and that all of the circumstances ended in a positive light.
Check it out!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
On Sparrow Hill by Maureen Lang
Wow.
On Sparrow Hill, the sequel to The Oak Leaves left me quite speechless. I felt that God had me read this book at this time in my life for a certain reason. The main message that I recieved from this book was having the heart of a servant; like Jesus. This was a most important reminder to me right now as I struggle with sleepless nights with a teething baby! It reminded me of all that God has done for me and I will think of having a heart as a servant more in my life as a parent.
On to the book...
On Sparrow Hill was a great followup to The Oak Leaves. It continues the saga of the Fragile X SYndrome that plagues families...I was excited to read this story to find out more about Berrie.
It was really interesting to read more about how disabilities were handled so long ago. I also thought that the romance in this book was great. It held a greater part of the story.
The story goes back and forth between Berrie Hamilton and Rebecca SEabrooke.
Berrie lives in a manor where she deals with "feebleminded" children and allows them to live in the manor and teach them tp be functional in the world. This would have been a very liberal way of thinking during this time; when children with disabilities were thought of as "idiots".
Rebecca is managing Quentin's family estate, which serves as a place of tours to allow further education of history. Rebecca uncovers letters Berrie has written to Cosima. She begins reading them and Quentin at this time recieves an email from Dana (from Oak Leaves) who plans to visit the estate to learn more about the journal that she has from Cosima. Dana and Quentin are cousins; both descendants of Cosima. It was uncovered in family journals in The Oak Leaves that the family members are carriers of Fragile X Syndrome. So when Dana finds out that she is pregnant, she becomes very nervous. Unsure how she will handle a child with disabilities.
The stress and nervousness of giving birth to a child with disabilities are unleashed in this novel in a way I have never seen presented. It is done in a realistic unjudgemental way.
It was interesting how the struggles that Rebecca and Berrie were facing were so simliar even though they lived in worlds 150 years apart.
I really enjoyed this story and the depth that was involved. There was a ton going on in the story and I don't know where to go with this review because there is so much that could be said. There was mystery, love, emotion...just so much to offer in all of the characters. I really enjoyed this book a great deal and would definitley recommend it as well as the prequel The Oak Leaves.
This book taught me a valueable lesson. I just cannot believe how awesome the timing was for me to be reminded to have the heart of a servant.
On Sparrow Hill, the sequel to The Oak Leaves left me quite speechless. I felt that God had me read this book at this time in my life for a certain reason. The main message that I recieved from this book was having the heart of a servant; like Jesus. This was a most important reminder to me right now as I struggle with sleepless nights with a teething baby! It reminded me of all that God has done for me and I will think of having a heart as a servant more in my life as a parent.
On to the book...
On Sparrow Hill was a great followup to The Oak Leaves. It continues the saga of the Fragile X SYndrome that plagues families...I was excited to read this story to find out more about Berrie.
It was really interesting to read more about how disabilities were handled so long ago. I also thought that the romance in this book was great. It held a greater part of the story.
The story goes back and forth between Berrie Hamilton and Rebecca SEabrooke.
Berrie lives in a manor where she deals with "feebleminded" children and allows them to live in the manor and teach them tp be functional in the world. This would have been a very liberal way of thinking during this time; when children with disabilities were thought of as "idiots".
Rebecca is managing Quentin's family estate, which serves as a place of tours to allow further education of history. Rebecca uncovers letters Berrie has written to Cosima. She begins reading them and Quentin at this time recieves an email from Dana (from Oak Leaves) who plans to visit the estate to learn more about the journal that she has from Cosima. Dana and Quentin are cousins; both descendants of Cosima. It was uncovered in family journals in The Oak Leaves that the family members are carriers of Fragile X Syndrome. So when Dana finds out that she is pregnant, she becomes very nervous. Unsure how she will handle a child with disabilities.
The stress and nervousness of giving birth to a child with disabilities are unleashed in this novel in a way I have never seen presented. It is done in a realistic unjudgemental way.
It was interesting how the struggles that Rebecca and Berrie were facing were so simliar even though they lived in worlds 150 years apart.
I really enjoyed this story and the depth that was involved. There was a ton going on in the story and I don't know where to go with this review because there is so much that could be said. There was mystery, love, emotion...just so much to offer in all of the characters. I really enjoyed this book a great deal and would definitley recommend it as well as the prequel The Oak Leaves.
This book taught me a valueable lesson. I just cannot believe how awesome the timing was for me to be reminded to have the heart of a servant.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Across the Wide River by Stephanie Reed
I just finished a great historical fiction book. Across the Wide River. This story began in the 1820's. It tells the story of Lowry Rankin, son of an abolitionist minister.
It was interesting to read about pre Civil War and the Underground Railroad. I had never sat down and thought how long slavery issues were struggled with. It was interesting to see the tension of slavery in Ohio because of Kentucky (a slave state) being on the other side of the river. The book was filled with numerous historical facts. A lot of research obviously went into this book..
The story was based upon a real person and real events, but some of the names were changed.
Lowry was born in Tennessee but his family moved because his father wanted to live in an anti slave state however felt called to minister in Kentucky. After witnessing the beating of Lowry's best friend; (a slave) who was beaten by a bystander for learning to read and write with Lowry, Lowry's family uproots and move across the river to Ohio. His family then begins to help fugitive slaves get to Canada. Their home is a stop along the way of the Undergroud Railroad.
It was amazing to see the amount of time that it truly does take to be a part of such a noble cause. I have even more respect for those who serve on the Railroad. This was a lifestyle and way of living that they took on. SO many sacrifices and dangerous that could have and did befall many who helped slaves escape at this time.
This was a wonderfully written historical fiction book. I would definitely recommmend it. It was catergorized as teen fiction on the back, however, I definitely think that an adult could find interest in the story. It was short however, but I am definitely looking forward to reading the sequel, due out sometime this month. I cannot wait to hear the rest of Lowry's life!
Check out this book!
It was interesting to read about pre Civil War and the Underground Railroad. I had never sat down and thought how long slavery issues were struggled with. It was interesting to see the tension of slavery in Ohio because of Kentucky (a slave state) being on the other side of the river. The book was filled with numerous historical facts. A lot of research obviously went into this book..
The story was based upon a real person and real events, but some of the names were changed.
Lowry was born in Tennessee but his family moved because his father wanted to live in an anti slave state however felt called to minister in Kentucky. After witnessing the beating of Lowry's best friend; (a slave) who was beaten by a bystander for learning to read and write with Lowry, Lowry's family uproots and move across the river to Ohio. His family then begins to help fugitive slaves get to Canada. Their home is a stop along the way of the Undergroud Railroad.
It was amazing to see the amount of time that it truly does take to be a part of such a noble cause. I have even more respect for those who serve on the Railroad. This was a lifestyle and way of living that they took on. SO many sacrifices and dangerous that could have and did befall many who helped slaves escape at this time.
This was a wonderfully written historical fiction book. I would definitely recommmend it. It was catergorized as teen fiction on the back, however, I definitely think that an adult could find interest in the story. It was short however, but I am definitely looking forward to reading the sequel, due out sometime this month. I cannot wait to hear the rest of Lowry's life!
Check out this book!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Well...I just ended an eight book streak of Lauraine Snelling....
I am not one to read whole series one after the other...I usually spread things out with different books in between. However, I started reading A Promise for Ellie and did not stop till I had consumed eight of Lauraine Snelling's books!
I absolutely loved the Red RIver of the North series, and Return to Red River as well. I then picked up Promise for Ellie, book one of Daughters of Blessing. Oh how I loved the families of Blessing. I continued to read Sophie's Dilemma and A Touch of Grace as well. I absolutely loved all three books. I cannot wait for Rebecca's Reward. I am curious however, if we will hear the story of Astrid; and I also wonder how long she will continue with this setting and line of characters. I absolutely adore this series and sooo do not want to see it end.
I then started Lauraine's Secret Refuge series. This took place in the south (Kentucky) during the Civil War. First starting out I had a hard time getting into the first book of the series Daughters of Twin Oaks. However, by about page 100 I was hooked and didn't stop reading until I had finished Sisters of teh Confederacy and The Long Way Home as well. This was a great series filled with lots of great historical facts. I also enjoyed the wagon train heading west aspect that Lauraine interwove into the story. She just included a lot of interesting adventures; women working in the hospital, going on raids in the north for drugs not readily available in the south, living in caves, encountering Indians. This series was great.. However, I felt that it was ended slightly abruptly and I was really puzzled with the way that it ended.
I then tackled two of Lauraine's contemporary works, The Healing Quilt and The Way of Women. Both good books about serious issues; both included characters with cancer. However, I felt that both books ended with a little bit too much left for the imagination... I prefer for the author to tell me how all the characters lives wrap up rather than figuring this out in my mind on my own. I also was slightly disappointed with the use of profanity and sexuality in The Way of Women.
However, overall, the point of this post is ...if you haven't already... CHECK OUT LAURAINE SNELLING! Fans of historical fiction, esp. You cannot pass up her Red River books or Secret Refuge series.
Happy Reading!
I absolutely loved the Red RIver of the North series, and Return to Red River as well. I then picked up Promise for Ellie, book one of Daughters of Blessing. Oh how I loved the families of Blessing. I continued to read Sophie's Dilemma and A Touch of Grace as well. I absolutely loved all three books. I cannot wait for Rebecca's Reward. I am curious however, if we will hear the story of Astrid; and I also wonder how long she will continue with this setting and line of characters. I absolutely adore this series and sooo do not want to see it end.
I then started Lauraine's Secret Refuge series. This took place in the south (Kentucky) during the Civil War. First starting out I had a hard time getting into the first book of the series Daughters of Twin Oaks. However, by about page 100 I was hooked and didn't stop reading until I had finished Sisters of teh Confederacy and The Long Way Home as well. This was a great series filled with lots of great historical facts. I also enjoyed the wagon train heading west aspect that Lauraine interwove into the story. She just included a lot of interesting adventures; women working in the hospital, going on raids in the north for drugs not readily available in the south, living in caves, encountering Indians. This series was great.. However, I felt that it was ended slightly abruptly and I was really puzzled with the way that it ended.
I then tackled two of Lauraine's contemporary works, The Healing Quilt and The Way of Women. Both good books about serious issues; both included characters with cancer. However, I felt that both books ended with a little bit too much left for the imagination... I prefer for the author to tell me how all the characters lives wrap up rather than figuring this out in my mind on my own. I also was slightly disappointed with the use of profanity and sexuality in The Way of Women.
However, overall, the point of this post is ...if you haven't already... CHECK OUT LAURAINE SNELLING! Fans of historical fiction, esp. You cannot pass up her Red River books or Secret Refuge series.
Happy Reading!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Taming Rafe by Susan May Warren
Upon starting this book I was a little frusturated. I felt like their were too many characters introduced at once, and so many dramatic things happening, I just couldn’t keep up with it all, and then the author through in an additional book in the book; it just really through me off. I had not remembered a ton about the previous book, and maybe this made matters worse. However, when I was about one hundred pages into the book I started to get engrossed in the story; and had a better understanding of where the story was going.
From page one hundred on, however, I didnt stop until I had reached the end! So incidentally, now I am very tired this morning! I really loved the romance in the story, of lost loves that have been found again and of young love. It was just a really good book that really kept me in the story. There was a lot of suspense in the story.
This was the sequel to Reclaiming Nick and all of the characters from the previous book were included and you learned more about that. The book centered around Rafe, (obviously) who is a bullrider. In the very beginning of the story, he is involved in a bull fight which kills his best friend. He is healing from this lose and personal injuries when he is driving and goes through the front of a hotel where Katherine is holding a fundraiser for Mercy Doctors which helps children with cancer. Because of all of the chaos she makes no money, which is desperately needed in order to continue operation. So she goes on a journey to seek out Rafe, and his money! The story has a good many story lines involved other than this and actually has a novel being woven into the story written by one of the characters as well. As earlier stated, there is a lot going on in this novel! However, once you realize where everything is going, I think that you will be hooked! I recommend it!
Near the end of the book, it talks about the people who try to stay on the bulls and the people who have to take the bull back out of the arena afterwards and Kat sees how these people do not get the attention as the ones on the bucking bull. However their role is just as important. Maybe because I am a stay at home mom who’s role isn’t always the first noticed, I don’t know…but this part of the story truly touched me. I would highly recommend this story. But start it earlier in the evening than me!
I also am looking forward to finding out more about Stefanie, it will be nice to have a girl as our main character. :o)
From page one hundred on, however, I didnt stop until I had reached the end! So incidentally, now I am very tired this morning! I really loved the romance in the story, of lost loves that have been found again and of young love. It was just a really good book that really kept me in the story. There was a lot of suspense in the story.
This was the sequel to Reclaiming Nick and all of the characters from the previous book were included and you learned more about that. The book centered around Rafe, (obviously) who is a bullrider. In the very beginning of the story, he is involved in a bull fight which kills his best friend. He is healing from this lose and personal injuries when he is driving and goes through the front of a hotel where Katherine is holding a fundraiser for Mercy Doctors which helps children with cancer. Because of all of the chaos she makes no money, which is desperately needed in order to continue operation. So she goes on a journey to seek out Rafe, and his money! The story has a good many story lines involved other than this and actually has a novel being woven into the story written by one of the characters as well. As earlier stated, there is a lot going on in this novel! However, once you realize where everything is going, I think that you will be hooked! I recommend it!
Near the end of the book, it talks about the people who try to stay on the bulls and the people who have to take the bull back out of the arena afterwards and Kat sees how these people do not get the attention as the ones on the bucking bull. However their role is just as important. Maybe because I am a stay at home mom who’s role isn’t always the first noticed, I don’t know…but this part of the story truly touched me. I would highly recommend this story. But start it earlier in the evening than me!
I also am looking forward to finding out more about Stefanie, it will be nice to have a girl as our main character. :o)
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