A bit disappointing

 When I ordered Novel Interiors: Living in Enchanted Rooms Inspired by Literature by Lisa Borgnes Giramonti, I expected something a bit different than what I received.  Novel Interiors features rooms from about sixty books from authors such as Dickens, Hemingway, and Lewis Carroll. What I expected was rooms similar to what I might see were a movie to be made of the book along with a description of materials and colors that would have been used in the time period in which the book was written.  What I received was a book of rooms INSPIRED by the novel.  While there are some good decorating ideas, it just wasn't what I expected at all. 

Ms. Giramonti does provide narrative that will inspire any do it yourself decorator whether you are focusing on a kitchen, bedroom, or living area.  The photography is intriguing to look at with details in every inch, each of which is connected with an author's quote from a piece of literature.  The rooms are not stuffy but comfortable and fairly easy to re-create if you find one that appeals. 

Would I pay the $35 price tag for this book?  No.  The best part of the book?  The beautiful paper that lines the cover.  I was looking for rooms that were much more historical than what is featured with more detail as to how to recreate those rooms.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to leave a positive one.  

Lessons from my favorite musical

Les Miserables has long been my favorite musical. The first time I saw it on stage, the spiritual undertones amazed me as that isn't typical for Broadway musicals. More recently, it was made into a touching movie which opened two years ago on Christmas Day.  (Guess where I was Christmas afternoon that year!) What Bob Welch has done goes beyond the spiritual connections I was able to make to bring into light 52 life lessons one can take away from the book and musical. Each lesson is steeped in spiritual truth and values one can apply to their daily lives holding secrets to a more fulfilling life. From materialism to a judgmental spirit to looking for hidden opportunities, each lesson spoke to my heart. Now for the difficult task of application and bringing them to mind when life takes a turn.  I also note that he has another volume based on one of America's favorite Christmas stories, It's a Wonderful Life so once I get these lessons down, there are more to be discovered!

I love how Mr. Welch weaves in his own life experiences and takes the words of Victor Hugo and put them in simple easy to understand language.  I might pull this out again, focusing on one lesson a week for the new year.  Could it be coincidence that there are 52 weeks in a year and 52 lessons?  For the general reader, I think watching either the movie or seeing the Broadway production would be almost essential to full understanding of what Mr. Welch is talking of.  He does do an excellent job of filling in the reader who might not be familiar with the storyline but I don't think the takeaway as great if reading is your first exposure to Les Miserables.

Love the musical and love this book that helps me gain better understanding and deeper meaning and application to the story.  Highly recommended for anyone who feels about Les Mis as I do.  I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and am in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

Love Unexpected

Emma Chambers has been uprooted more in her young life than  should ever be. First the famine in Ireland drives her and her brother away then the search for a better life takes them away from Mackinac Island aboard a ship.  When that ship is attacked by pirates, they take every last penny she and Ryan have and leave the ship ablaze forcing them to swim to shore.  When they "land" on Presque Island, Michigan, they have nothing but the clothes on their back and each other.  Homeless, it would seem that the best way to begin a new life is for Emma to marry a recently widowed lighthouse keeper who needs help with his small son.  Will love grow in what begins as simply a marriage of convenience or will Patrick's questionable dark past and the rumor surrounding his first wife's death prevent Emma from experiencing the special kind of love only God can grow between a man and his wife?

I have never read a Jody Hedlund book I didn't thoroughly enjoy.  Her writing style is gentle, easy to read and dives right into a story that captures the reader's attention. Love Unexpected, the first in the Beacons of Hope series, is no exception. As she often does, Jody weaves together characters who are quite imperfect and yet are used by God which is quite encouraging to this reader.  I found it quite interesting that Jody's inspiration for these characters is rooted in real historical people.  I have never travelled in Michigan but it has now made my list.  While I don't expect to see the quaintness described in this time period, I can only hope to find remnants of it. 

I highly recommend this book to any historical fiction  reader or one who enjoys a good love story. This story has it all--character to love and relate too, a charming historical setting, and twist and turns in the plot that will keep you turning each page.   Jody's way with words will draw you into Emma and Ryan's lives immediately.  I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive one.

Duck commander Bible

What was I thinking? I have always been afraid of doing a review on a Bible because who am I to give the positives and negatives of a Bible, God's word? Well, I am still not going to write a review on the Bible but instead on the supplemental materials included in this edition.

The men in my life all love the series, Duck Commander so I thought I would give this
Bible a try.  What I found pleasantly surprised me just a bit. While not a big fan of the television program, I do admire the faith aspect that is present in every episode. I didn't ever feel it was a showy,  preachy faith but that the faith of this family ran deep. Sort of, what you see is what you get. The Duck Commander Faith and Family Bible demonstrates just that. The Bible itself is written in the New King James Version. Scattered throughout the entire book are 125 articles written by Phil and Al Robertson all of which focus on one of five topics near and dear to every American: faith, family, fellowship , forgiveness, or freedom. Easy to read and understand and then apply to your daily life, each article would make a good devotion and is followed by related scripture. Also included are reading plans and supplemental charts such as The Parables and Miracles of Jesus and The Miracles of the Apostles. What I think very useful is a Set Your Sights Index which is a list of 25 life topics that often send us straight to the Bible looking for answers giving you yet another way to use this Bible. Topic covered include but are not limited to anxiety, faith, fairness, family, healing, money, purpose, and stress.

What is missing? An index and concordance but I suppose the Index mentioned above is somewhat of a replacement with not as many key words. I use a concordance often when reading my Bible so would have to have one close by. Including it might make the volume a bit bulky so I can understand why it was omitted. Another thing that didn't make a positive impression on me was the paper quality. Adequate but sort of newspaper like. However, neither of the things is a deal breaker for me. I loved this edition of the Bible and think it is perfect for anyone wanting to "dive deeper into God's word".

I did receive this copy free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive review.

David Wilkerson

I have always been fascinated with New York City.  I didn't have opportunity to personally visit until I was around 40 years old but I went there in other ways--through books.  As a teen, there was a fiction young adult series in the church library, each about a teen drug addict in the city who through various paths turned his/her life around and gave their life to Christ.  I loved those stories of redemption and life in the city!

Probably no one has done more to transform New York City than David Wilkerson, author of The Cross and the Switchblade. David's son, Gary, shares the story of his father--a man whose faith and hard work, reaching out to the unlovable, helped change the streets of a drug filled, gang filled city by sharing the love of Christ. But David was human too and his life wasn't always something to write home about but he didn't give up.  He had struggles but trusted God.  What a lesson we could all learn!

I love that Gary didn't paint his father as perfect but shared with the readers his struggles.  God used him anyway just as He can use me given my limitations and shortcomings.  All the better to show God is the one at work rather than me, right?  The text is easy to read and can easily be completed in a day.  A must read for anyone who loved The Cross and the Switchblade or one who enjoys biographies.  Personally, I loved it!

When I saw this book available through the publisher for review, I ordered it immediately. Just three weeks ago, I passed Wilkerson's church in NYC and spoke with one of the members who invited me to visit next time we were in town.  Think I might just take him up on it and see for myself the impact Times Square Church is having on the city.  As mentioned, I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to write a positive review.

The 13th Gift

For Joanne Huist Smith, the Christmas tune, The Twelve Days of Christmas, held the secret to happiness and she had attained that.  Then shortly before Christmas of 1999, her world was shattered when her husband died unexpectedly.  The rest of the world was preparing for Christmas day but Joanne struggled to get out of bed and be a mother to her three children.  The thoughts of celebrating Christmas was one of the last things on her mind.  How could she when her husband wasn't there to be part of the memories? 

Each family member was dealing with the loss in different ways. Her oldest, Ben, seems to have withdrawn from the family while daughter Megan has become the peace maker.  Middle child Nick is weary.  Then thirteen days before Christmas, a poinsettia appears on their doorstep with a note that it is from their true friends.  Threatening to just let it sit outside and freeze in order to help avoid the holiday altogether, Megan talks her Mom into bringing it inside.  Each day a different gift arrives and through them comes healing to the family as they try to discover the identity of the giver and how to celebrate Christmas and still honor the memory of their father/husband while making new memories of their own.

If you know me at all, it will come as no surprise why I chose this book.  It is a Christmas story of course! I loved the way the author spoke from her heart and walked us through her grieving process with honesty.  However, I would have preferred she left the language out of it.  I can't be convinced that anger/frustration/grief must lead to cursing.  Would I recommend this book?  Yes, with a disclosure. I loved the tradition her friends began and wish I had thought of it when my children were home to help pass it along. However, I think I might just start it myself.  A beginning?  Praying that God would show me who might need that kind of friendship and encouragement this Christmas season.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive one.

Charming children's story about Santa

It is so much easier to think about receiving than giving, isn't it?  Even as an adult, I wake up Christmas morning in anticipation of what is under the tree with my name on it, not just thinking about my children and the smiles on  their faces when they open a gift they have hoped for.  The same was true of Nick when his father takes him shopping for last minute Christmas gifts--at least until he overhears the department store Santa talking about the story of Saint Nicholas and how he came to be the icon we know today as Santa Claus.  Nick's heart is changed and he begins to focus more on the giving of gifts to his family and those in need.

I enjoyed the story of St. Nick and how his travels with his parents opened his eyes to the needs of others and even how his own tragedy brought about the giving man we know today.  I loved the illustrations which portray the setting of the story back in the "good old days". Being a Christian family who allowed Santa to be part of our Christmas family traditions, I appreciate that the authors have taken a Christian perspective on Santa, even to the point of him asking God about His will for his life.  I do think there will need to be some discussion with your children about one of Nick's friends who needs money for a dowry since that isn't a common practice today. Overall, I give this story four stars. Our family love Christmas stories and still share them together on Christmas Eve.  This one will be added to our collection for years to come.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.