Wednesday, August 30, 2017

UNINVITED BY LYSA TERKEURST

Image Credit: goodreads.com
Rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you follow my reading journey, you might know that I am a follower of the Proverbs 31 Ministry, led by Lysa TerKeurst. So, when Auidble.com offered Uninvited: Living Loved When you Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely as part of its BOGO promo a couple of weeks ago, I couldn't resist taking advantage.

As I suspected, this was another book filled with wisdom by Ms. TerKeurst. The feelings she shares along with the personal narratives that will have you crying from empathy and laughter (often one right after the next) really resonated with me. While the Proverbs 31 Ministry is geared toward women, the aspects of shame, vulnerability, anxiety, and rejection are universal without respect to gender.

In her very practical, relatable way the author seems to know just how I am feeling and offers a spiritual perspective on how to cope and overcome those negative feelings. I do believe writing is TerKeurst's God-given talent, and what a blessing it is to be able to use your talent in a way to not only make a living but help others in the process.

Recommendation: I think I would like a traditional copy of this book. The audio recitation was a little fast for me. The author's words and themes deserve deeper thought a reflection than what I could gather from an audiobook.

Other Proverbs 31 Books I've Read (and Reviewed)

  • 5 Habits of a Woman Who Doesn't Quit by Nicki Koziarz
  • Unglued by Lysa  TerKeurst
  • Wait and See: Finding Peace in God's Pauses and Plans by Wendy Pope (review)
  • Listen, Love, Repeat by Karen Ehman (review)

Until next time ... Read on!

Thursday, August 24, 2017

THE GLASS CASTLE BY JEANNETTE WALLS

Image Credit: goodreads.com
Rating: 2 of 5 stars

Everyone has been raving about Jeanette Walls' The Glass Castle and the recent movie of the same title. One of my book club friends invited me to see the movie. Being the true reader that I am, I had to read the book before seeing the movie. Since I only had six days, I opted for the audiobook format that exponentially increases my reading time because it allows me to "read" while driving.

I would like to preface this review by saying I am definitely not discounting the trauma that Ms. Walls' endured growing up nor am I not acknowledging the fact that she (and her siblings), indeed, picked herself up by the bootstraps and made something of herself after growing up in a less than ideal home(s).

However, I don't enjoy the same excitement as everyone else. The book, told in a journalistic style, seems to be more of a regurgitation of facts. This is not surprising, knowing the author's career began in journalism. I really didn't find much creativity in her writing style. It was more 'this happened' then 'that happened' in chronological order, whereas when I listened to Trevor Noah's Born a Crime, I stayed engaged because his stories were more thematic rather than a basic re-telling of the facts.  There wasn't a lot of "why," and maybe because she doesn't know. There also wasn't a lot of imagery.

I felt like the book was more a window into her family's dysfunctional lives. And really, no judgement here. It is my belief that all families experience some level of dysfunction. The Walls maybe a little more than others. But why would she want to share such things? It was almost like reading (or listening to) a celebrity reality TV show. Now knowing that Walls used to be a celebrity gossip columnist, this makes sense.

I know much of society enjoys peeking into other's lives and watching the dysfunction of a celebrity's (and regular ole Joe's) families. I've never been a fan of reality television. This book seems to play into that with the author sharing all the negative details of her, her family's, and her community's daily lives. There wasn't much light in this book, and perhaps that's because there wasn't much light in Ms. Wall's life. But what I don't understand is why she thought it would be helpful to memorialize her very sad and pitiful childhood in this way.

My other issue with the book is the veracity of, not her stories I believe these things happened to her, but of how she was able to restate what happened in such great detail including dialogue. It just seems difficult to believe that in 2006 (when the book was published), she remembered what she said at 10 years old and then how her father or her schoolmate responded. I can't remember verbatim what I said to my mom yesterday much less 20 or 30 years ago. I think she could have told and illustrated her stories without the conversation filler that was probably remembered more by how she felt during the conversation and less by the word-by-word dialogue.

Recommendation: Walls had a story to tell, and she shared it with the world. It's garnered rave reviews and popularity. I know I am in the minority, but I just didn't enjoy it as much as others.

Until next time ... Read on!

Thursday, August 17, 2017

MY (NOT SO) PERFECT LIFE BY SOPHIE KINSELLA

Image Credit: goodreads.com
Rating: 4 of 5 stars

I must admit Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite chick lit authors. I got turned on to her, not for her Shopaholic series, but with Can You Keep a Secret? She always makes me laugh and her endings always make me happy. I would say her books offer a ray of sunshine if you need a break from darker, heavier content.

In My (not so) Perfect Life, we meet Cat (aka Katie) Brenner who is trying to give it a go as a successful advertising associate at a large firm in London. She is trying desperately to fit in and not be such a small fish in a very large pond. Unfortunately, because of the economy she gets fired and is forced to go back home and help her family with their start-up glamping business. In this comedy of errors, of course, her former boss shows up with her family to partake of this glamping experience. Katie sees this as a prime opportunity to get revenge. But, as with most things fiction and real, people are not what they seem. And once you really get to know them beyond their surface, you find there is more than meets the eye.

Kinsella definitely did not disappoint in the area of humor in this book. There is also the typical love element (girl wants to get a gorgeous guy). All standard chick lit stuff, am I right? The surprise is that the author delved more into what motivates someone in their career. She also tackles the importance of relationship development, not just romantic ones but familial and professional as well. And most importantly she broaches the very timely topic of how we all present ourselves on social media. It all looks glitz and glamor, but is it really that way for anyone? We're all a little raw once the masks (and make-up) come off. I appreciated that little nugget.

Recommendation: If you're a Kinsella fan, this book will strike you because it is a bit more serious in tone. However, she still offers up her unique humor in a style that keeps the reader intrigued till the end. Great read for a long summer weekend!

Until next time ... Read on!

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

KNIGHT ON THE TEXAS PLAINS BY LINDA BRODAY

  Genre: Western / Historical / Romance
Date of Publication: August 1, 2017
Pages: 352
Synopsis:
Duel McClain buries his wife and infant son, climbs in the saddle, and rides off. Locked in grief, he drifts from one Texas town to another as the months pass. He rides into a border town and gets in a card game in the saloon. On the last hand, the opponent across from him runs out of money. The man reaches down for a baby and plunks her in the center of the table. Whoever wins the pot, gets her too. After Duel wins with the Deadman’s Hand, he tries to give the baby back. But when the man tells him he’ll sell her, Duel keeps his prize.

On the way back to his home, he runs across a woman covered in blood. She only says her name is Jessie and the blood isn’t hers. The deep fear in her eyes touches Duel and he has to do something. He strikes a bargain—he’ll take her anywhere she wants to go in return for helping with the child.

Jessie sees honor, respect, and kindness in his eyes. And the moment she holds the baby in her arms, her heart melts. Once they reach Duel’s home, she confesses she killed her husband and tells him the law will come. Desperate to save her, he offers marriage and she accepts.

They settle in and love develops. But each day grows more tense. Lawmen are coming and they can’t stop them. Soon, she’ll face the hangman’s rope.

“Broday (the Men of Legend series) has a knack for capturing the hesitations of both Duel and Jessie and unfurling a twisting plot without resorting to melodrama. Through carefully deployed flashbacks, she slowly exposes the horrors of Jessie’s marriage, culminating in a truly grisly image of depravity without overwhelming the tender love story. Fans of historical romances will be pleased.”  ~~Publisher’s Weekly

"The instant a sweet baby girl, an abused woman, a stray dog, and a reluctant hero meet, readers are drawn into a tender and tough love story that touches many emotions and will have them believing in the healing power of love.”  ~~Romantic Times 4 ½ Stars Top Pick!

“Broday’s latest is a tender romance to touch the heart.”  ~~Bookpage

“This story is simply endearing, packed with powerful message of humanity and the true healing power of family and love!!” ~~Addicted to Romance  
Throughout the well-paced story, there was suspense, tears, fear, revulsion, and no shortage of laughter and joy. I didn't want the story to end.” ~~Teresa on Goodreads

About the Author:

Linda Broday is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 8 full length historical western romance novels, with another set to release 2017 as well as 10 short stories. 

"Watching TV westerns during my youth fed my love of cowboys and the old West and they still do. I reside in the Texas Panhandle on land the American Indian and Comancheros once roamed. At times, I can feel their ghosts lurking around every corner. Texas’ rich history is one reason I set all my stories here. I love research and looking for little known tidbits to add realism to my stories. When I’m not writing, I collect old coins and I confess to being a rock hound. I’ve been accused (and quite unfairly I might add) of making a nuisance of myself at museums, libraries, and historical places. I’m also a movie buff and love sitting in a dark theater, watching the magic on the screen. As long as I’m confessing…chocolate is my best friend. It just soothes my soul."

Connect with the Author:
WEBSITE   FACEBOOK     PINTEREST    TWITTER    GOODREADS


THREE SIGNED COPIES!
(US ONLY)

  August 15-24, 2017 
8/15/17
Guest Post
8/16/17
Review
8/17/17
Character Interview
8/18/17
Review
8/19/17
Notable Quotable
8/20/17
Author Interview
8/21/17
Review
8/22/17
Scrapbook Page
8/23/17
Review
8/24/17
Excerpt


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