Tree Swing Reading

Review of "Her Daughter's Dream" by Francine Rivers

Description:

In the dramatic conclusion to Her Mother's Hope, the Cold War has begun and Carolyn is struggling to navigate her shifting family landscape and the changing times. With her mother, Hildemara, away in a tuberculosis sanatorium, Carolyn develops a special bond with her Oma Marta. But when Hildie returns, tensions between her and Marta escalate, and Carolyn feels she is to blame. College offers the chance to find herself, but a family tragedy shatters her independence. Rather than return home, she cuts all ties and disappears into the heady culture of San Francisco. When she reemerges two years later, more lost than ever, only her family can help rebuild a life for her and her daughter, May Flower Dawn. Just like Carolyn, May Flower Dawn develops a closer bond with her grandmother, Hildie, than with her mother, causing yet another rift between generations. But as Dawn struggles to avoid the mistakes of those who went before her, she vows that somehow, she will be a bridge between her mother and grandmother rather than the wall that separates them forever. Spanning the 1950s to the present day, Her Daughter's Dream is the final chapter of an unforgettable epic family saga about the sacrifices every mother makes for her daughter-and the very nature of unconditional love.

My Thoughts:

I loved this book!  I always love everything that Francine Rivers writes, but this story of mothers and daughters was extra special. I loved May Flower Dawn especially and her determination to finally get to the bottom of the issues that had been coming between her mother and grandmother. Shows the power of the mother-daughter dynamic and the importance of communicating love to each other no matter what. Loved it!

Book Bullets:

• My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
• Genre:  contemporary fiction
• Themes: family, love, forgivenessPart of a
• Series: yes, book 2 of "Marta's Legacy" 
• Publication year: 2010
• Publisher: Tyndale
• Author's website: http://francinerivers.com/

1000 Posts!

Just wanted to say "HOORAY!" I just hit 1000 posts on my blog!

How fun!

 

Review of "The Mailbox" by Marybeth Whalen

Publisher's Description:

Centered on a real landmark on the coast of North Carolina, The Mailbox blends intriguing folklore and true faith with raw contemporary issues that affect every woman.

 

When Lindsey Adams first visits the Kindred Spirit mailbox at Sunset Beach, she has no idea that twenty years later she will still be visiting the mailbox—still pouring out her heart in letters that summarize the best and worst parts of her life.

 

Returning to Sunset for her first vacation since her husband left her, Lindsey struggles to put her sorrow into words. Memories surface of her first love, Campbell—and the rejection that followed. When Campbell reappears in her life, Lindsey must decide whether to trust in love again or guard herself from greater pain. The Mailbox is a rich novel about loss, hope, and the beauty of second chances.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this one, but thought it moved a little slow for my taste at times. I think since it came on the heals of reading another book that dragged for me, it suffered a bit because of my residual frustration. Fact of the matter is, it was a great read for a summer day with lovable characters and a feeling reminiscent of Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook.

Book Bullets:

• My rating: 4 out of 5 stars
• Genre: contemporary, romance
• Themes: second chances
• Part of a Series: no
• Publication year: 2010
• Publisher: David C. Cook
• Author's website: http://www.marybethwhalen.com/

 

Review of "The Brotherhood" by Jerry B. Jenkins

Description from the Publisher:

Boone Drake has it made. He’s a young cop rising rapidly through the ranks of the Chicago Police Department. He has a beautiful wife and a young son, a nice starter house, a great partner, and a career plan that should land him in the Organized Crime Division within five years. Everything is going right. Until everything goes horribly, terribly wrong. His personal life destroyed and his career and future in jeopardy, Boone buries himself in guilt and bitterness as his life spirals out of control. But when he comes face-to-face with the most vicious gang leader Chicago has seen in decades, he begins to realize that God is a God of second chances and can change the hardest heart . . . and forgive the worst of crimes. A thought-provoking police thriller from New York Times best-selling author Jerry B. Jenkins.

My Thoughts:

I really, really wanted to love this book.  Unfortunately I didn't.  It was far too slow for me and seemed disjointed with a too-fast resolution to a major crime issue at the end.  It ended up really bogging me down and taking a long to read.  Sorry.  Just how I felt about it. Other people seem to love it, so maybe it's just me...

Book Bullets:

• My rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
• Genre: suspense
• Part of a Series: yes, "Precinct 11"
• Publication year: 2011
• Publisher: Tyndale

Wednesday Hodge Podge

1. Have you ever been served breakfast in bed? Did you enjoy that? If someone were serving you breakfast in bed this coming weekend what would you hope to see on the tray?

I haven't. I'm not much for hanging around in bed in the morning. I'm too much of a morning person I guess!  I do love it when my family makes me breakfast though. I'd love to have eggs and hasbrowns with coffee.

 

2. What is one piece of advice you would give a new mother?

 

Don't compare yourself to other moms. We all have different strengths. Love your children like crazy and tell them that all the time!

3. When was the last time you wanted to scream? Explain.

 

My daughter came home with tales of a bully at school last night. I wanted to scream at the bully!

 

4. Can you hula hoop?

 

No. Except on Wii fit! :)

 

5. What is something people do in traffic that really bothers you?

 

Driving way under the speed limit is one, but also riding right on my tail lights too. I will drive slower just to annoy them.

 

6. What do you do when people don't admit they're wrong?

 

Usually vent to someone and try to pick up a different project and move on.

7. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word 'fun'?

 

My kids! 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

It's good to be blogging again.

Review of "Sweetwater Gap" by Denise Hunter

Description:

When Josephine's family insists she come home to help with the harvest, the timing works. But her return isn't simple benevolence-she plans to persuade the family to sell the failing orchard.

The new manager's presence is making it difficult. Grady MacKenzie takes an immediate disliking to Josephine and becomes outright cantankerous when she tries talking her family into selling. As she and Grady work side by side in the orchard, she begins to appreciate his devotion and quiet faith. She senses a vulnerability in him that makes her want to delve deeper, but there's no point letting her heart have its way-he's tied to the orchard, and she could never stay there.

My Thoughts:



We are reading this book for our book club this month! I love the "Women of Faith" fiction selections and this was no exception. A sweet and enjoyable romance with a fun cast of characters. I think it's a perfect good to read while relaxing in your favorite reading spot!

Book Bullets:

• My rating: 4 out of 5 stars
• Genre: contemporary
• Themes: forgiveness, family
• Part of a Series: no
• Publication year: 2008
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Author's website: http://www.denisehunterbooks.com/

 

In the Mutherhood

Here's a new tribute to moms from Anita Renfroe, who always makes me laugh!

Getting Back to Reading/Blogging Again

Sorry for being MIA for a while!  I am done with my craft sale and finally ready to get some balance back in my life with a return to reading again!

It will take a bit to get caught up on writing some reviews for the books I did read.  I will work on it. 

I find the blogging is an interesting tension for me.  It's hard for me not to compare myself to other blogs and feel inadequate.  All in all, my purpose for this blog has been about reviewing Christian fiction and giving away books as I am able.  In the end, I have to remain faithful to that goal, knowing I will never be extremely profound or influential with it.  And that's ok.  All I can offer is my humble little opinion and encourage people to be willing to give Christian fiction a chance. 

That's my thoughts for today. I will be much more present again, as long as I am able to keep the perspective of the purpose of the blog. No more comparing. No more pressure to read as much as other reviewers. Just enjoying my goals for it. My interests are many and  my time is limited. I am a crafter, a graphic/web designer, a mom, a wife, and more!  So that means that I may not read as many books as I would like, but that's the tension I have chosen to accept.

I hope you will continue on this reading journey with me! I look forward to it! :)