Bethany's Calendar Book Review

Bethany’s Calendar review

Elaine Marie Cooper

Cross River

2014

ISBN: 978-1936501229

Nonfiction memoir

$12.99 paperback

Purchase on Amazon

See more about the Book and Author here, starting Sunday, Dec. 14

Poignant reflection and brave advice for the grieving.

From the author’s introduction of her family heartbreak, through the honest and vulnerable challenges of home and social life through this difficult time, to the joy of remembering, Bethany’s Calendar will touch every reader.

The one thing Elaine Cooper was certain she never do after she realized a dream of writing fiction based on family history was the write about the death of her daughter to cancer. It took a decade before Cooper heeded the gentle nudges and was able to put the story into perspective and make it more than a reflection, but also a guide to help others who are in grief. It is a story not just for a family suffering through trauma, but everyone who intersects with them. Advice on how to approach, when, or even whether, people who are in treatment, in pain, or caring for loved ones in pain, is offered with each of the 35 short chapters, as well as in an ending segment, Things We Learned.

The Coopers rejoiced when their daughter Bethany, a valedictorian and caring, resourceful young woman, went to college. The first three years were on task, as expected. The fourth was a strange struggle for her, as well as inexplicable changes in her personality. An attempt at independent living and work across country failed, as did a dream job at home. Drugs were ruled out, as was a psychotic break. Physical tests done after a bizarre episode at home which resulted in a police pick-up and subsequent several-day stay in a hospital psychiatric unit revealed the devastating news that Bethany had cancer in her brain.

While the author’s training as a nurse helped her understand the physical issues involved with treatment, and that there would be no recovery, the emotional distress for the family and friends is never something anyone can prepare for.

This is a book for anyone to read, whether caregiver, friend, or family of someone going through a loss, or if you’ve had or are facing loss, you will find some comfort and great advice.

Book review: Topping the Dome by RIchard Novak Great Read!

Topping the Dome by Richard Novak

Early American History, Creative nonfiction

$2.99 ebook

$9.96 print

$18.84 audible

Create Space, this edition, 2011

ISBN 978-1466276789

Buy on Amazon

From the publisher: 

2013 will be the 150th anniversary of topping the Capitol Dome in Washington with the sculpture of Freedom by Thomas Crawford. A picture of the Capitol Dome is second only to the Flag as America's most iconic image and can be seen daily as a segue into news from Washington. This is the tragic story of the creator and creation of the sculpture Freedom. 

In 1835, Thomas Crawford leaves America to study sculpture in Rome under the world's premier sculptor. His career takes him back and forth between the ancient Capitol of Rome and the new Capitol of America, Washington, D.C. Art and politics collide as his patrons in America struggle to have his work accepted by a Congress bitterly divided over the issue of slavery. Crawford would eventually create more sculpture for the Capitol than any other sculptor. With the country at war, Abraham Lincoln refuses to halt the construction of the Capitol, and Crawford's greatest work, the statue of Freedom, is placed on the Capitol Dome in the midst of the Civil War, December 2, 1863. In this true story, three other men, Charles Sumner, a staunch abolitionist, Senator, and ideologue, Clark Mills, a self-taught sculptor and opportunist, and the supervisor of construction of the Capitol, Captain Montgomery C. Meigs, an autocratic achiever, play major roles in this confrontation between art and politics and the success of Thomas Crawford. Their careers, in their own way, mirror Crawford's during this tumultuous period leading up to the Civil War.

My review:

Creative non-fiction is always tricky, especially when recreating conversation, dialog, and setting. Novak has done a more than credible job of telling the events of crowing America with a dome on the Capitol building. It was a long road of showing American pride in our early national history. From ordering a sculpture, Freedom, to finding the perfect person to create the "crowning achievement" to garnering the funds to cover the cost, readers of American history will find much to appreciate in this detailed and highly documented story.

A nearly thirty-year journey, Topping the Dome focuses on the sculptor, Thomas Crawford, and his ally in government, Charles Sumner, and their friendship and efforts to keep the America they loved from crumbling into ruin during the buildup to the Civil War.

Novak, a sculptor, history buff, world traveler, and former medical school professor, has put together a fine book. Included are photographs of the people and events, and a truly astonishing bibliography. Parts of original letters back up the narrative. Novak's personal experience as a sculptor adds to the story in a way someone who didn't understand the process could never have achieved. Artists also will find this story of creating a gem of national pride intriguing.

About the author: Richard F. Novak, a sculptor for 40 years, has works in both public spaces and private collections. This work is the culmination of two years research. My original intent was to tell the story from the perspective of a sculptor. However, as I moved through the extensive research material available, the era and the fascinating men and women who touched on his life shaped an intriguing story which I felt must be included with Crawford's. Rather than present the story as another encyclopedic description of Crawford's achievements, I decided to bring these amazing characters to life in the genre of an historical novel. The dialogue is, of course, fictional, but the story is based on the actual events as they unfolded from 1835 to 1863. For more see toppingthedome.com.

Book Review: Cheryl Colwell and Adriana's Secrets

Adriana’s Secret, book 2 in the Secrets of the Montebellis series

Cheryl Colwell

c. Nov 2014

Inspired Reading publishers

Historical inspirational fiction

ebook  $.99

print $13.99

ISBN 978-0989237154

Buy on Amazon

From the publisher:

Tragedy strikes the mountain town of Mont Castello, the home of Adriana Montebelli. Orphaned in 1888, Adriana's life is swept along at the whim of forceful men who decide where she will live and who she will marry. Instead of breaking her, their cruel deceptions toughen her resolve to take control. Though she rises to manage the vast Van Buren estate, she wonders if her broken heart will have the strength to love again. Follow Adriana in this historical novel as she navigates the challenges of woman's suffrage, union violence, and the tragic hardships of love and loss, while struggling to cling to her faith.

My review:

My heart is still racing!

I'll sheepishly admit I didn't read book 1, but I plan on remedying that shortly.

This installment does stand alone. Taking us back a hundred years in California, Colwell sets the stage for betrayal, family dysfunction, greed, suffrage, unions, and above all else, second chances and love. And a pesky bear, as the cover alludes.

Two orphaned sisters handle their parents' deaths in very different ways. Older sister Adriana, at seven, is a gentle and innocent soul, while little sister Ladonna, is a hellion. Who knows what she would have been like if their parents had lived. In this small traditional village with many Italian descendants, life if hard, and the family who took in the girls end up having to give Ladonna away, while second born son to Adriana's ward harbors life-long hatred on many levels.

The story takes the reader along the path of the girl's journey of loss and triumph through their personalities and choices, and the events manipulated by others.

Nicely wrapped from the opening through the flashback around Adriana’s life story, to the ending; told from multiple viewpoints, Colwell has devised a well-crafted tale in the vein of Steinbeck and the Grapes of Wrath. Those who enjoy American history and especially Steinbeck, will enjoy Adriana's Secret.

About the Author:

Cheryl Colwell began writing fiction in 2007. True to her tagline, "Stunning Suspense," her characters visit stunning locations while they pursue adventurous quests peppered with mystery, suspense, and romance. Passionate about all things creative, Cheryl finds inspiration in the countryside of Ashland, Oregon - the perfect venue for her interests in writing, gardening, and art. John, her husband, best friend, and chiropractor, keeps her in shape for gardening and writing long into the night. They are delighted to have four unique and talented children and three grandchildren. A smart and playful English Shepherd makes their empty nest a happy place. Books: Adriana's Secrets, Book Two in The Secrets of the Montebellis Series, published 2014 by Inspired Fiction Books, The Proof, published 2014 by Inspired Fiction Books, The Secrets of the Montebellis, Book One, published 2013 by Inspired Fiction Books. I Believe in Healing by Cecil Murphey, published 2013 by Regal, includes a story she wrote about the healing of a family member. Visit her website.

Great Holiday Family Read - Theodora's Children

Theodora’s Children: a tale of hope

Rick Nau

Dancing Pen Books

November 2014

E-book

Buy on Amazon

$2.99

About the Book:

Meet Gretchen, a young girl who seems to have everything a person could ever want. She lives on a great estate, so wonderful it would make the children of kings and queens envious. But something is missing from her life, something that all the money in all the banks in all the world cannot buy, something that almost drives her to madness–as you’ll see from this snippet:

Could it be that what the counselors said about her was true? Was she delusional? Had she imagined everything that had happened thus far–the fire, the rescue, the midnight rendezvous, the terrible hovel, the faces of the children, grim and blue in the bitter cold. All these thoughts raced through her head, causing her to wonder whether everything in her life had been a nightmare, from its beginning to what would soon be its end.

Be prepared for Celebration and Despair; Loneliness and Wonder, Villains and Heroes, Palaces and Dungeons, Kings and Queens, Ice Cream and Avalanches, and Much, Much More. But most of all, be prepared for a celebration of Christmas.

My Review:

Told by a grandfather to his grandson and granddaughter, this sweet story of a lonely girl whose only wish could never come true is a lesson in coping with disappointment. When we learn the mystery of faith, we have a Father who never leaves us truly lonely.

Josh and Daph bicker as much as any siblings comfortably in front of their grandfather, Jesse, who would like to pass on life lessons to them in a challenging and memorable way. He does this through his stories, this one of Theodora’s Children, is rich with allegory and character. A girl who has everything, Gretchen, wishes for only one thing: a sibling. When she can’t have a brother, she imagines one.

Read on to learn what Gretchen does when life doesn’t go her way. She’s not spoiled or greedy, the grandfather says. Just lonely. I would say that when a child can’t learn to be content, peace is difficult to accept. In the story, Gretchen meets a mysterious girl who tells her about a woman named Theodora who finds lost children, and a Father who loves her more than anything. When the girl disappears, Gretchen risks her safety and the law of her entire realm to find her and learn about her Father. Along the way, Gretchen and her parents learn that poverty comes in many forms.

Told from Jesse’s voice to the grandchildren, parents and grandparents will delight in this story which begs for meaningful conversation. Theodora’s Children is a great read over the Christmas holiday.

M Ann Ricks and The Shift

Genre: Christian Fiction

Paperback: 342 pages

ISBN-10: 0991039955

ISBN-13: 978-0991039951

About The Book

There is a sense of urgency in the atmosphere as God is transitioning what the world has deemed impossible and unbelievable into the possible and the believable. Don’t be alarmed by the "sudden" moves of God. Pastor Douglass and his family have been positioned for such a move but because of the dense fog of deception that seems to surround them, some in the Douglass family have created their own beliefs, fabricating their own sense of self; negating the truth, God’s truth, even when truth is staring them in the face. They, like many, are living lives devoid of the knowledge of who they really are and robbing themselves and those they love of their true identity and freedom. Deeply embedded lies from enemy have blinded eyes, impaired hearing and hardened hearts and Angels from the army of God have been deployed. The assignment: the execution of God’s divine design. Dreams, supernatural revelation and actual attacks from man's ultimate foe will expose all and confirm God’s plan for Xion, Veronica, Zeborah, Bo and Pastor Douglas. Can they handle the truth and surrender? Will the infrastructure of unbelief crumble? The lives of the Douglass family will never be the same and neither will you, because of THE SHIFT !

About The Author

M. Ann Ricks, (Melissa Ann), is a Christian Fiction novelist residing in Bear, Delaware with her excellent husband and two awesome sons. She is a graduate of Rider University and formerly a national accounts insurance executive. Using Jesus Christ as her example, as He shared many parables, she creates stories with fictional characters that contend with real life issues and inserts the Word of God to communicate the genuine and unfailing love of God while making it abundantly clear that Jesus is the ONLY answer. M. Ann is determined to tell the world how wonderfully awesome Jesus Christ is and can be in our lives if we just allow Him to be. She is honored to be used by God to spread His message with the stories she creates with the leading of the Holy Spirit, knowing that He will provide her with stories and the insight that will lift up the name of Jesus as He promised that if He is lifted up, He will draw all men to Him. She is the author Awesome Wonder: The Gift of Remembrance, The Son and THE BLOOD DONE SIGNED MY NAME.

An interview with the Ann:
What do you love about this book? 

I love how God shows Himself strong! Because He is more than a conqueror, WE ARE! No Demon in hell can stop our purpose or the prayers of the righteous. I love how God is so loving and so true to His word. I love how we WIN when we truly surrender and simply say YES!

Would you please introduce us to your favorite secondary character? 

There aren’t main characters or even secondary characters in THE SHIFT because each character is considered vitally important to the story. Admittedly, I did have fun with the creation of Mr. Bo Pillar, a man after God’s own heart.

What do you hope readers will tell others about the book when they’re done reading it?

It’s time for the eyes and hearts of the hurt and confused to be opened so that they can truly experience the freedom and power that being a true and unapologetic follower of Christ affords. The truth is, only GOD can define who we are and only then can we be who God has purposed us to be. God is ABLE to do it all because His blood and sacrifice guarantees it!

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Love Brings Us Home, 7-Book Box Set

Love Brings Us Home

7-Book Boxed Set

only 99cents!

By Hallee Bridgeman, Valerie Comer, JoAnn Durgin, Kimberly Rae Jordan, Lynette Sowell, Staci Stallings, and Debra Ullrick

About the Book

Seven sweet stories celebrating love and home in one amazing, 

limited time collection!

Greater Than Rubies by Hallee Bridgeman: Antonio Viscolli asked and Robin Bartlett said "yes!" Soon, she will say "I do." Or will Boston's "Royal Wedding" leave someone standing at the altar? Raspberries and Vinegar by Valerie Comer: Josephine Shaw, a feisty environmentalist and local-food advocate, falls for Zachary Nemesek, the junk-food-loving reluctant farmer next door. Awakening by JoAnn Durgin: When Lexa Clarke tumbles from the top beam of a house and straight into the arms of TeamWork Missions Director Sam Lewis, Sam suspects his life will never be the same. Home is Where the Heart Is by Kimberly Rae Jordan: Free spirit Violet Collingsworth never expected to return home to live. But when she goes back to attend her grandmother’s funeral, she meets the sheriff and begins to reconsider. Wildfire Wedding by Lynette Sowell: During the height of Texas wildfire season, Krista and Luke prepare for their wedding while battling past guilt and future fears, when a fire breaks out, threatening the town. Cowboy by Staci Stallings: To all the world, Ashton Raines has it all: fame, money, and the adoration of millions of fans. Then one night he walks away from it all. Can down-on-her-luck waitress, Beth, let God work through her to lead Ashton back to hope and faith? Reunited at Christmas by Debra Ullrick: Shelby Davis thought she’d never again see the ex-fiancé who dumped her. Then Ryker Anderson gets lost in a blizzard, and she’s on the snowmobile search and rescue team. Now what?

LINK to KINDLE

The Authors of "Love Brings Us Home"

Hallee Bridgeman Greater Than Rubies Twitter Website

Valerie Comer Raspberries & Vinegar Twitter Website

JoAnn Durgin Awakening Twitter Website

Kimberly Rae Jordan Home is Where the Heart Is Twitter Website

 

Lynette Sowell Wildfire Wedding Twitter Website

Staci Stallings Cowboy Twitter Website

Debra Ullrick Reunited at Christmas Twitter Website

Follow The Authors at the Links

with their pictures!

 

Enter to Win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!

Enter below to enter a $50 Amazon gift card, sponsored by author Sophie Dawson! a Rafflecopter giveaway This book blast is hosted by Crossreads. We would like to send out a special THANK YOU to all of the CrossReads book blast bloggers!

Stocking Stuffer Books Today from the comfort of your computer

Cyber Monday Book Special - Book Comparisons Uniquely Picked Out for Christian Readers

I am really excited about our  

Cyber Monday Book Special.

John 3:16 Authors

have compared books and made it easy

for you to discover

Christian books similar to well-known secular books in

genre and content (but that are family-friendly).

Take a moment and click on bit.ly/LRSave 

to see our

special Christmas feature

that is unique and easy to navigate with

links to Amazon for easy purchase.

Enjoy!