Review of Hunter's Moon by Don Hoesel

Bethany House sent me this complimentary copy to review for them.

Bestselling novelist CJ Baxter has made a career out of writing hard-hitting stories ripped from his own life. Still there's one story from his past he's never told. One secret that's remained buried for decades.

Now, seventeen years after swearing he'd never return, CJ is headed back to Adelia, NY. His life in Tennessee has fallen to pieces, his grandfather is dying, and CJ can no longer run from the past.

With Graham Baxter, CJ's brother, running for Senate, a black sheep digging up old family secrets is the last thing the family and campaign can afford. CJ soon discovers that blood may be thicker than water, but it's no match for power and money.

The summary of this book sounded riveting and fascinating. I was excited and looking forward to reading it.

I was sorely disappointed. It took a very long time to get through this book. The plot was very slow moving until the last couple chapters. Secondary characters were interspersed throughout the story line which helped the story move a bit. Towards the end, all of a sudden those secondary characters' perspectives were shared (which weren't at all through 95% of the book). It just read choppy. The last couple chapters were chalked full of suspense that was lacking throughout the rest of the book.

It took a long time to figure out who was related to what character as there was a bombardment at the onset of son's, uncle's, cousins, in-laws, brothers, wives, husbands and sisters and it was very confusing and hard to navigate through. I think it could've been a much better book if it didn't move slowly, have less characters and the suspense was distributed throughout the book instead of at the very end.

Review of Not A Sparrow Falls by Linda Nichols

Bethany House sent me a complimentary copy of this book to review.

Mary Bridget Washburn is tired of running, tired of being haunted by the empty shell her life has become. how in the world did the little girl she once was become a woman on the wrong side of the law?

This was an great book, well written and one that I didn't want to put down. Very emotional and it sucks you right in from the beginning. It's also a great reminder that your lies will catch up with you eventually and that if in ministry, it can run your life and ruin it if you're not careful.

I really enjoyed this book, right up to the end and will stay on my bookshelf to read again.

Review of Touching the Clouds by Bonnie Leon

Revell Books sent me a complimentary copy of Touching the Clouds to review.

Kate Evans is an adventurous and independent young woman with a pioneering spirit. When she leaves her home in Washington State to follow her dream of being an Alaskan bush pilot, she knows it will be an uphill battle. But she never expected it to be quite like this. As the lone woman in a man's world, she finds that contending with people's expectations is almost as treacherous as navigating the wild arctic storms.

This story follows Kate on her flights during the 1930's in the Alaskan wilderness and the feeling of needing to be more. A good, quick read, this 1st book in the Alaskan Skies Series started off this series well and I'm curious as to what the 2nd book will be about.

One thing that caught me off guard was the quick ending. I wasn't expecting it to wrap up in a half page and thought that book two will be a continuation and leaving one hanging, wondering what happens to Kate and her new relationship. Obviously, this could very well still happen.

Looking forward to reading book two!

Available July 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

no agenda today

It's been a long while since I posted anything on here. As my boss said yesterday, "If you work in Children's Ministry, your summer doesn't start until after VBS is over." I'm thankful that our VBS wasn't in August!

Today is the first day I've been home in the last 10 days. 10 days straight of working 12+ hours each finally took its toll yesterday at about noon. I thought I had hit the wall on Wednesday, but found yesterday it wasn't the final wall to hit, and it wasn't the wall that broke. Our women's ministry director just happened to be walking by the room I was decorating and asked how I was holding up. The wall crumbled with that one question and I finally cracked and broke. I was purely exhausted and it finally caught up with me. Thankfully she has big shoulders and completely understood and gave me a big hug. Our entire team was spent and by the grace of God, we all still love each other :)

I have the most amazing co-workers as they forced (literally) me to take a break yesterday and took over my job of putting together the bins for Sunday. I was able to sit outside and eat lunch (Mary's leftovers that she graciously thrust into my hands). It was just the break I needed to finish that last day of our Kids' Summer Adventure. My boss sat us all down and told us to take next week off and only do what absolutely needs done. I'll be able to take Tuesday through Saturday off to spend with my family whom I have missed so very much.

My amazing husband has held down the home fort and has taken care/played with the kids. His patience is mind blowing as he has held it together every day of me not being here and has been so supportive and encouraging of me and working. I couldn't have made it as long as I did without his support. Thank you my love!

The week was a huge success, tons of kids, amazing volunteers and kids hearing about Jesus. The set was beyond amazing. The weather was perfect. I loved hearing those 3 year olds to 4th graders sing at the top of their lungs as a huge group. Yelling "Let's GO!" after the Bible point was spoken every single time. The excited buzz in the air each night as kids rotated from station to station, laughing and having a blast. It was worth all the hard work and long hours.

It's 1:30 and I'm still in my pajamas. No agenda. No set to tear down and put together a new one (had to do that each night for the Bible story room). No walking from building to building to make sure everything is set for the evening (I think I walked miles over the week). Nothing to do but sit. And make pb&j sandwiches for lunch.

A Review of A Love of Her Own by Maggie Brendan

Revell Books sent me this complimentary copy to review for them.

This is the 3rd book in the Heart of the West series, but stood by itself very well. Here is a little synopsis of the book:

It’s here, in Lewiston, Montana, where April McBride travels to attend her brother’s wedding. Still cautious after a broken engagement, she fully intends to guard her heart. One look around the small mining town convinces April that doing so won't be difficult—just a bunch of dusty shops, bad service, and ill-bred cowboys.

A very well developed book that didn't completely lose you by being the 3rd book in the series if you hadn't read the first two. In this story the main characters were well defined and the main characters from previous books were introduced as secondary.

This was a very easy read, flowed very well and had a good story line. Not a whole lot of suspense or "I wonder what's going to happen in the end", but I don't think it was intended to be like that.

Overall, a good read.

Available June 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

trickery

My kids enjoy trickery. They try to get the other one to look at something and then say, "made you look!" The other night this was one of their tricking sessions while at the table.

Sam: Alina look! A hummingbird! Quick! Look!!! HA! Made you look!

Not missing a beat Alina said: Sam look! It's Jesus! Made you look!

I about fell over laughing. The both cracked up as well. I love hearing their banter and the funnies that come from their teasing and talk.

Review of This Fine Life by Eva Marie Everson

Revell sent me this complimentary copy to review.

What a tender-hearted story. The reader follows Mariette Puttnam through the early years of the 1960's right after her graduation from high school. A story about finding faith and love, experiencing heart ache and learning about growing up.

Here is a small clip from the back:

This Fine Life is a stand-alone novel by popular author Eva Marie Everson that transports readers to small-town Georgia in 1959: Mariette Puttnam has just graduated from boarding school during the summer of 1959. When she returns to her privileged life at home, she isn't sure where life will take her. More schooling? A job? Marriage? Nothing feels right. How could she know that the answer is waiting for her within the narrow stairwell of her father's apparel factory, exactly between the third and
fourth floors?

For a quick, heart warming story, pick up this book.

Available May 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

and still going strong!

15 years ago at about this time, I was standing in a church packed with 400+ people getting ready to say "I do" to the man standing across from me. We were so, so young. I was only two years into college and Ed had a full time job at the YMCA. There was so much I didn't know at the age of 20, let alone so much I didn't know about myself.

Little did I know what the journey would look like for us.

And what a journey is has been.

We have been together over half my life now between dating and marriage and learning life with you, my love, has been amazing. I couldn't ask for a better companion along this road or a better friend to journey it with. There have been valleys I never thought we would make it out of alive. The mountain peaks have been filled with so much adrenalin it was hard to come down. The peaceful meadows of when life was quiet. And riding the roaring rivers where life seems to move so swiftly we barely see where we've been or where we're going.

I'm looking forward to the next 15 years and beyond. The areas that haven't been traveled yet. The mountains we haven't seen. The part of the river that is around the next bend. The valleys where we can encourage each other through.

I'm glad we haven't arrived yet. There's so much left to live with you. Happy Anniversary my love!

the beginning

This week marks our 15th wedding anniversary. When I tell people how long I've been married, it's quite humorous to see their reaction. Last week one coworker said he thought I wasn't even 30 yet. The week before another said she thought I looked like I was in college.

I thought it'd be fun to share some of our story from way back when.

The picture you see is from my Senior Banquet (not prom mind you. That wasn't allowed). Ed and I had started dating the summer between my Junior and Senior year. Of high school. We had been making eyes at each other for a couple years before Ed finally asked me out.

He was wisely advised by his friends not to ask me out when he wanted to as I was just 15 years old. So two years later he did. But I informed him that he had to ask my dad first for permission.

That sure didn't deter him. He went out to lunch with my dad and asked permission of which was granted.

Our first date he feigned cold hands while sitting at an outdoor MSU play and slipped them into mine. Yeah...he's sneaky like that. He also blatantly lied and said for dinner he was going to get a sandwich from Quality Dairy (if you know Lansing, you know QD..think 7-11, but also having ice cream. And milk in a bag. I joke not.) We did end up at QD, but also in the same parking lot was a little restaurant called Swenson's. He headed that direction while I headed to QD. Yeah...he's sneaky like that too.

From the first time he told me he loved me (in which I threw up), I continued to get sick in his presence. It took months to recover from that. I even broke up with him one day, calling the next saying I made a mistake.

He claimed he was going to marry me to his mother even before we started dating. Yeah...he's persistent like that.

So many stories in our courtship. All of which make me smile.

labels

Whilst in the store the other day, I was reading labels to Sam on cereal (showing him how much sugar is in the sugary cereals as he and his sister always ask for them and I always say no) and noticed a little thing called BHT that is added to the packaging material to preserve freshness. It also appears in things like potato chips, which tend to be high in fat, along with baked goods and a wide variety of other foods.

Onto Google I went and found, according to good 'ole wikipedia, the definition.

First off, I can't even pronounce this additive. Butylated hydroxytoluene. Exactly. It's an antioxidant food additive.

Then I read what else this is used for as an antioxidant additive. It's used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, jet fuels, rubber, petroleum products, electrical transformer oil,[2] and embalming fluid.

Yum! And it's great that I have unopened boxes of what I thought are healthy cereals sitting in my cupboard with this on the label.

As with everything else out there, debate and controversy ensue with one side saying it's safe and others saying it can increase tumors and malignant cancers.

I just want to live on a plot of land with a milk cow, some chickens, maybe a pig and a garden, hang my wash on the line and churn butter. I know. It's harder than it sounds, but doesn't it sound grand?

Last week I was yet again reminded how much we have.

For our anniversary coming up, we splurged and bought a new bed. Ed was waking up more tired than he was when going to bed and in serious pain each morning.

The same day we bought the bed, I received an e-mail from one of my coworkers stating a man in the congregation was working with a couple from Pakistan who needed a bed. The wife is 7 months pregnant and the husband is looking for work. I thought in my wee brain, "we have a bed that's still in good condition."

Two of the custodians at church came and got it from our house on Monday and took it to the couple. One of the guys took pictures and video to show me their journey.

He said, "this is their couch. She slept there while her husband slept on the floor." He then showed me their bedroom and the bed on the floor. There was about a foot of space to walk on one side of the bed and that was it. No dressers or anything else could fit in the room.

He also said, "they washed out their two cups just to give us a drink." Two cups. That's all the dishes they had. I received an e-mail later from the man and from a woman that is working with them also, saying they absolutely LOVE the bed and are so very thankful for it.

Here I sit on my comfy chair surrounded by bookcases full of books and a piano against the other wall. My kitchen is chalk full of dishes. Do I really need all this? There is a couple out there with a bed, a couch and 2 mugs.

What can you do to help someone? Goodwill is great and helps a lot of people, but there's just something about seeing who you are giving to that pierces the heart.

Again, it's been a while since I've written anything other than a book review. Life has a way of flying by without realizing it. By the time you stop and look back, weeks have come and gone.

So here we are, the 2nd week of May. The year is almost half over! Time...where have you gone? The kids have four weeks left of school.

Then summer. We're hoping to travel to lots of places this summer and experience the West Coast. Our list keeps getting longer and longer of places we keep finding.

Ed has started summer classes and I'm pretty excited I get to take one of the classes with him. Child and adolescent counseling.

This is the last week in my current position at work. Next Monday the new boss starts. Hopefully this week I find out what that means for my hours. I already have something new with helping one of the satellite churches with their children's ministry, so that'll be a new learning experience to add to my belt.

I can tell my noggin is weary as this is the most stumbly post I've ever written.

Review of Irene Hannon's In Harm's Way

Revell Books sent me this complimentary book to read and review.

In Harm's Way is book three in the Heroes of Quantico series. I was a bit hesitant to review this book as I haven't had great success with books further along in a series. But this one was a great read all by itself. I could tell who the other books were about as those characters overlapped into this book, and they were more minor characters which was really nice.

This book was a great mystery even though you knew who the suspect was from the beginning. The reader had the inside scoop and was able to watch how the suspect was found and caught. How the main characters put the pieces together. And there was still the sense of justice at the end even though the reader knew the conclusion.

A great read and an author that I would definitely read again.

Available April 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Review of A Million Miles In A Thousand Years by Donald Miller

Thomas Nelson sent me this complimentary copy to read and review for them.

This book sat on my shelf for a few weeks before I decided to pick it up. I'm not a big non-fiction fan, and I have heard that this was a good book, but I had to be in the right spot to be ready to be challenged.

To start out, this was an amazing book. A very, very easy read in the sense that you are listening to someone talk. The flow of this book made complete sense and the reader could easily track Donald's train of thought. His sense of humor would pop up unexpectedly and I would literally laugh out loud. This is such a down to earth book, both heart and life compelling.

Donald makes you think about your life as a story being written. He says, "If I have a hope, it's that God sat over the dark nothing and wrote you and me, specifically, into the story, and put us in with the sunset and the rainstorm as though to say, Enjoy your place in my story. The beauty of it means you matter, and you can create within it even as I have created you."

The part that resonated within me the deepest and still sticks to me like thick molasses is this (it's long, but oh so good):

Growing up in church, we were taught that Jesus was the answer to all our problems. We were taught that there was a circle-shaped hole in our heart and that we had tried to fill it with the square pegs of sex, drugs, and rock and roll; but only the circle peg of Jesus could fill our hole. I became a Christian based, in part, on this promise, but the hole never really went away. To be sure, I like Jesus, and I still follow him, but the idea that Jesus will make everything better is a lie. It's basically biblical theology translated into the language of infomercials. The truth is, the apostles never really promise Jesus is going to make everything better here on earth. Can you imagine an infomercial with Paul, testifying to the amazing product of Jesus, saying that he once had power and authority, and since he tried Jesus, he's been moved from prison to prison, beaten, and routinely bitten by snakes? I don't think may people would be buying that product....It's hard to imagine how a religion steeped in so much pain and sacrifice turned into a promise for earthly euphoria. I think Jesus can make things better, but I don't think he is going to make things perfect. Not here, and not now.

He hit the nail right on the head.

I'm ready to read this book again. Such great nuggets of wisdom that totally make sense in life. I would recommend this to anyone to read. Go out and buy it! It's a must have for your personal library.

Review of Too Close To Home by Lynette Eason

Revell Books sent me this complimentary copy to read and review for them.

What a great book! I'm becoming more and more of a fan of mystery books, especially ones that I can't figure out "who done it" until the end.

Here's a short overview of the book:

In this thrilling first book, readers meet Samantha Cash, who is the FBI's secret weapon. Her methods are invisible, and she never stops until the case is closed. When missing teens begin turning up dead in a small Southern town, Samantha is assigned to help homicide detective Connor Wolfe find the killer. s they get close to an answer, the case becomes personal. The killer seems to be taking an interest in Connor's 16-year-old daughter, who thinks her dad is getting way too protective.

I had a hunch who The Agent was (the bad guy), but not until well over half way through. It was a hard book to put down as it sucked the reader in right from the beginning. The characters were well developed and the story line flowed smoothly.

The teaser at the end for the 2nd book was just as rivating and it'll definitely be a book I will want to read.

Available April 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Review of Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Bethany House sent me a free copy of Sense and Sensibility to review for them.

This is a bit different version as it is an Insight Edition which has notes along the margins. Trivia, notes, and inspirations to enhance the story.

A great classic as any Jane Austen book is. I really liked the comments about the movie, the little blips about Jane Austen's life and their humorous remarks about the characters.

It took a bit longer to read with all of these side comments, but they did enhance the story. I didn't care for the inspiration notes as they seemed to almost force the story towards God (which isn't a bad thing, but just distracting with an already true classic story).

I liked this book overall and it'll hold a spot on my bookshelf.

Year two is coming to a close. I never ever thought it would ever come. I really, truly didn't. But it is upon us. Ed has one more class on Wednesday and then year two is complete (though he does have to take some summer intensives, but his 2nd year will be "officially" done).

His internship for the fall has been confirmed and he's ready to start.

After this summer he has 18 credits left.

18 credits.

And then he's done.

I can't even imagine what that is going to feel like for him, for me or for our family. Or what life is going to be like after that (we still do have another year...).

We dream of what is to come and before we know it, he'll be walking down the aisle and receiving his diploma for all of his hard work.

And then what? (that's the question everyone asks).

Good question.

awakening

Amidst other firsts happening this, my first year of mid 30's, I've taken up running. I have to say that I heart it. I thought I'd never be able to run as I get horrendous shin splints even when walking or hiking. I found out at the running store that I have unbelievably high arches which causes the pain. And after purchasing the most amazing shoes on earth with the highest arch support possible, it's wonderful. It's like walking on a cloud of marshmallow yumminess. Course, that would totally defeat the purpose of running.

The last time I ran I didn't have any shin splint pain. Now granted, I've only run twice, but the days I can't run, I wish I could. I yearn. Long. Drool. ok..not that bad. Even when it's raining outside. Even after a long day of work. It's so theraputic. I pop my ear buds in after work, crank up my Black Eyed Peas (and other assorted fast paced, loud music) and head down to the lake for the three mile trek.

Then my friend Katie threw a challenge at me. You see, she's a runner. Has run marathons. Many marathons. She was SO excited when I told her I started running. She said I should run a marathon and my first question was, "how long is it?" I balked at her answer and said NO WAY! (yes..that loudly too) But she wasn't about to give up heckling me (she really didn't heckle me...ok maybe a wee heckle). A week later she asked "How about a half marathon?" My question: how long is it? 13 miles. That sounded a little more doable. She even said I don't have to talk to her while running. So I agreed.

June 26th is my day of death.

I asked about training and was informed to start with a mile. I laughed out loud and explained that the longest I've run is 3/4 of a mile and about died. But she waved it off as no biggie.

I have 3 months right?

A Review of A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin

Revell Books sent me this complimentary book to review. A Distant Melody was the first novel for author Sarah Sundin.

A tale set during WWII about two of the least likely people who find friendship through corresponding across the ocean. Heartache, loss of family and friends and discovery of one's self are waves of themes throughout this book.

A great book overall. A bit long in places, but for a first novel, it was good. This is the first book in the series Wings of Glory and I would definitely read the second.

Available March 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Falling in love

This is not an official book review. I didn't receive this book from a publisher, but as a Christmas gift to our family from the school my husband attends. It has been collecting dust on the bookshelf for the past three months. This past week my friend and mentor, Jane (who is awesome), brought it with her to our meeting and read a story from it. It triggered something in me. I went home that night and blew the dust off of it.

We started reading it before bed. Alina has asked every night if we can read a story from the Bible and end up reading at least three. The language it uses is so appealing to kids my kids' age. It easily explains the lineage of Christ. In every story there is a reference to why Christ came and The Secret Rescue Plan. It has been a huge springboard in discussions about Christ and God and being in God's family.

I also think it's a great time to read it with Easter coming, though we'll more than likely finish it before then at the rate we're going.

I also don't think it's just for kids. With reading the stories out loud, it's seeping into my soul. This is a very good thing as my soul needs it.

So if you are looking for a kids' bible, I highly recommend The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones.