Book Review: Leaving Carolina ** Win a Copy**

Title: Leaving Carolina

Author: Tamara Leigh

Publisher’s Synopsis: Piper Wick left her hometown of Pickwick, North Carolina, twelve years ago, shook the dust off her feet, ditched her drawl and her family name, and made a new life for herself as a high-powered public relations consultant in LA. She’s even “engaged to be engaged” to the picture-perfect U.S. Congressman Grant Spangler.

Now all of Piper’s hard-won happiness is threatened by a reclusive uncle’s bout of conscience. In the wake of a health scare, Uncle Obadiah Pickwick has decided to change his will, leaving money to make amends for four generations’ worth of family misdeeds. But that will reveal all the Pickwicks’ secrets, including Piper’s.

Though Piper arrives in Pickwick primed for battle, she is unprepared for Uncle Obe’s rugged, blue-eyed gardener. So just who is Axel Smith? Why does he think making amends is more than just making restitution? And why, oh why, can’t she stay on task? With the Lord’s help, Piper is about to discover that although good PR might smooth things over, only the truth will set her free.

First, I want to say that in my opinion, the publisher’s synopsis does nothing for this story.  Had I read the back of this book in the bookstore, I’d never have bought it.  So, if the synopsis doesn’t grab you, don’t let that stop you!

As for the book, other than a few minor warts, I loved it.  It had all the escape of a fluff book with just enough ‘punch’ to make you want more.  I was really challenged in my Christian walk by some of the things addressed in this book.  She deals with very difficult and deep topics with an ease that is almost unfair (speaking as a writer anyway).  Piper spends much of the book coming to grips with admitting an embarrassing secret from her past (and the negative effects it had on others), the protective walls she’s put up around her, and you even see her defense mechanisms in the choice of career she made.

The humor was perfectly timed and of ‘my kind’ of variety.  I loved a few one liners that I’d give anything to quote but I doubt you’d appreciate out of context.  The self pep talks were so similar to what I’ve done all my life that I could almost predict what she’d say and when.  Expertly written in that regard.

My only real complaint (aside from that synopsis of course) is that the book is written in the first person present tense.  I found it tedious to read that way.  Why it couldn’t have been first person past I don’t know, but it made what was otherwise a delightful escape frustrating at times.  Some sections were easier to lose myself in than others (mostly her jaunts into the past) but coming back out of them jarred.  This isn’t necessarily a real problem.  I just really don’t like first person present point of view in writing.

I am giving away this copy provided by Waterbrook/Multnomah so do comment so I can enter you into the drawing.  To make your entry tell me if you enjoy first person present tense in writing.  I’m very curious!

Book Review: Limelight

Title: Limelight

Author: Melody Carlson

Publisher’s Synopsis: Claudette Fioré used to turn heads and break hearts. She relished the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle because she had what it takes: money, youth, fame, and above all, beauty. But age has withered that beauty, and a crooked accountant has taken her wealth, leaving the proud widow penniless and alone.

Armed with stubbornness and sarcasm, Claudette returns to her shabby little hometown and her estranged sister. Slowly, she makes friends. She begins to see her old life in a new light. For the first time, Claudette Fioré questions her own values and finds herself wondering if it’s too late to change.

This book is a perfect example of what is so delightful about Melody Carlson’s writing.  I read two of her books in this blog tour “Fun Fall Fiction” and they are truly night and day.  The other is about a teenager just beginning her life and making difficult choices about whether or not she wants a career “in the limelight”, while this one is about a woman who is at the end of her life and is seeing the emptiness of it all. It is truly fascinating to see two very different styles of writing that fit the people the books are about perfectly.

Claudette is old, forgotten, and depressed at the beginning of the book and slowly through the pages, you see how she became who she is and she begins to see that things she thought she knew weren’t what they seemed.  The superficiality of her life has left her empty and in the final winter months of life, she latches onto something more– something deeper.

I found the references to Hollywood’s Golden Age to be delightful.  I loved imagining Claudette as an extra on the set of Meet Me in St. Louis and being drawn to the screen by another Claudette of Hollywood– Claudette Colbert.  (The reference to It Happened One Night didn’t hurt either!)

One of my favorite parts of the story is also one of the things that bothers me the most.  In this age of tolerance, acceptance, and accusations of homophobia if you dare to admit you believe the Bible forbids it– calls it an abomination– it is difficult to demonstrate to those who don’t understand the difference between “homophobia” and disagreement.  I can be personally against something that someone does or believes in without being “afraid” of them or their position.  I can reject their actions without rejecting them as a person.  (For example, I am against the Democratic agenda.  That doesn’t make me “Demophobic” nor does it make me hate my Democratic mother-in-law.  It makes me disagree with the platform and the actions of democrats who make policies that I am forced to live with.  The same goes the other way for them I’m sure)  However, it is generally assumed that if you are anti-homosexuality, you hate or fear it.  This isn’t always true and it certainly isn’t true of me.

This makes it hard to write my one criticism of the book.  You see, I am glad that Ms. Carlson tackled the topic.  In Christian circles we tend to act like if we don’t mention homosexuality, it’ll just go away.  It’s been around since Abraham’s time at the very least and it’s going to be around until the earth is consumed by fire.  Like poverty, wealth, war, children, all good and bad things, we have it with us until the end of time.  As much as I believe it is wrong, I don’t believe it is right to villify those who have embraced that life.  As Ms. Carlson so simply puts in her book, Jesus died for them too.  He did, and I believe with all my heart that His blood covers the sins of the homosexual who cries out to Him for forgiveness of all of his sins (not just homosexuality) just as Jesus’ blood covered mine.

Where I am uncomfortable with her story is related to the fact that one of the characters is “gay”.  That’s fine.  Gayle Roper did a brilliant job of having a homosexual main character in one of her books.  I was pleasantly suprised to see it in here because, as I said, I think we to often stumble around and into the elephant of homosexuality in Christian circles (I’ll admit it.  I’m not comfortable with it and I do avoid it… then again, I avoid discussing sexuality at all.  Sex and all it entails is a very private thing for me and one I usually only discuss with the only person that can benefit from that discussion– my husband).  However, I was very disappointed that after mentioning it as a matter of course, showing that a church in Hawaii has accepted the man and his ‘partner’ into their fellowship, the subject is dropped after a statement to the effect of, “Jesus loves and came to save you too.”  I agree with the statement, don’t get me wrong, but I found myself dissatisfied with the feeling that I’d been dropped into a politically correct novel that ignored the very strong words that the Bible has for homosexuality.

Do let me be clear.  Ms. Carlson in no way glorifies it, outwardly condones it, or really even makes much of it.  It’s a “matter of course” that starts a chain of events (The fact that this man is seeking the Lord and found welcome in a fellowship of Christians).  What bothers me is only that by treating it so matter-of-factly, you can’t help but feel a little lost when there is no resolution of the Biblical standpoint of the topic.  It’s not overt, but it’s there.  I would love to know that I’m wrong and I’ve missed something in the book (I did read it late at night).  It’s a very nit-picky objection because as I said, she never outright condones it.  But the fact that it is dropped in our laps and never revisited, makes it seem like its there for the sake of ‘tolerance’ rather than the way to further the story.

How would I change it?  I probably wouldn’t.  Maybe that’s why she did it the way she did.  Keep the story realistic (I mean come on, Hollywood isn’t exactly homosexual-free territory any more than my little town in the desert is), make a stand to remind Christians to separate the person from the sin (I’m all for that!!!), but when there’s no other way to deal with the elephant, leave it for the next person who might know how to discuss it more realistically.

So see, as I said.  What I loved most (the fact that she tackled it at all and with such Christian grace) is also what bothers me most.  I find that just a little ironic.

This copy, provided for my review by Multnomah/Waterbrook  is waiting for a new home.  I am making myself give these away because I have PILES of books to read and no where to keep them.  Otherwise, this one would have stayed.  I know I will read it again sometime.  It’s that good and I want to make sure I didn’t miss anything.  Read Limelight.  You don’t want to miss getting to know Claudette and watching her prove that an old dog can most definitely learn– even if it isn’t a trick for the camera.

Book Review: Diary of a Teenage Girl *Win Copy*

Title: Diary of a Teenage Girl:  What Matters Most

Author: Melody Carlson

Publisher’s Synopsis: Maya’s Green Tip for the Day: Recycled fashion is one of the most fun ways to go green. A pair of jeans could be transformed into a denim skirt. A sweater into a vest. A bunch of old ties into a dress. A blanket into a poncho. Accessorize it in new way–with beads, buttons, appliqués, buckles, stencils, or ribbons…your imagination is only the limit.

Sixteen-year-old Maya Stark has a lot to sort through. She could graduate from high school early if she wants to. She’s considering it, especially when popular cheerleader Vanessa Hartman decides to make her life miserable–and Maya’s ex-boyfriend Dominic gets the wrong idea about everything.

To complicate matters even more, Maya’s mother will be released from prison soon, and she’ll want Maya to live with her again. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. And when Maya plays her dad’s old acoustic guitar in front of an audience, she discovers talents and opportunities she never expected. Faced with new options, Maya must choose between a “normal” life and a glamorous one. Ultimately, she has to figure out what matters most.

This appears to be the third book of a series since the cover says “No. 3″ on it, but I didn’t get the sense that I’d missed anything.

This book is obviously written for teenagers (that’s a shocking thought!) in mainstream America.  The book deals with typical school drama, coming of age uncertainties, insecurities, and all the little things that can become big ones in a hurry.  Maya is delightfully flawed without it getting old, has a compassionate side, and definitely grows throughout the story.  I think the average fourteen-fifteen year old girl would probably enjoy seeing the strengths, weaknesses, and growth of a girl who truly does, at the core of everything, love the Lord and wants to serve Him.

I found the “green notes” at the end of each chapter to be doable and yet a little disconnected from the book.  I wasn’t sure what the point of them being there was but I finally figured out that there was another book about her where she becomes (or promotes) environmentally conscious.

I’m not a good judge of the best audience for this book (I wouldn’t buy it for my girls), but I am guessing that if you have daughters or nieces, little sisters, etc who are average girls in average American schools, and who need encouragement in their walk with the Lord but maybe get a little tired of preachy devotionals or novels, this might just be a great alternative.

Win this review copy generously provided by Multnomah and see for yourself.  I’ll try to draw sometime this week.

Giving Thanks~

This month’s banner isn’t one of my favorites.  I’ll probably try again later this month.  Every month can’t be as easy as last month’s was for me.  And, yes, I’m sick of the word “month”.  So far, every sentence I’ve written has had the word “month” in it.

 

However, the fault of the ho-hum banner is not this marvelous kit from Penny Springman of Sweet Shoppe Designs.  I was so amazed at the incredible papers, the elements, and the alphabets in both dark AND light!  It also has lower and upper case letters in BOTH dark and light.  Talk about impressive!

 

Can’t you just see your Thanksgiving pictures on the page with these lovely mottos, that gorgeous butterfly, and oh man, the barrel.  I know my “take two” will use that barrel.  It’s amazing.

 

Now, one thing I discovered is that it is hard to find fall/Thanksgiving themed kits that aren’t “cutesy”.  I wanted a turkey, some Indian corn, lovely pumpkins, baskets, maybe a realistic looking cornucopia… that kind of thing.  Nope.  I didn’t find most of it– but this kit had the closest to what I wanted of all and I am so thrilled to have it.

 

Now, for take two…  I have to do that.  This kit deserves a better showing.  I told you, these tiny banners are HARDER than a full-sized page.  I promise!

Winner- If God is Good!

Now, I’ll tell ya… this book has been a bit of a thorn in my side.  And, I must ask, if God is good, why must he keep putting thorns in His people’s sides?  I mean, I know I’m in good company.  There’s Paul with the original thorn, there’s David with his loss, Timothy with his stomach complaints, Job and the loss of all his children, Jeptha and the consequences for stupid vows… let’s face it, side-thorns are way overrated.  I’m not into the whole martyr thing, ok?

So, this book comes along, and I have several entrants that I really want to have the book.  And… of course… I don’t get to decide because I use Mr. Random to do it.  I like to be “fair” when possible.  You guys aren’t my kids, so I don’t feel the need to remind them that life isn’t fair so I don’t have to try to be the great equalizer either.  On the blog, however, I do try.  I mean, I don’t have 20 copies of everything to give anyone who happens to read and comment.

So, this time, I did a lot of praying.  They weren’t eloquent petitions of lofty ideals.  Nope.  They ran more to the simple, “Lord, control that generator and let the number fall where You want it.  Yeah.  I asked for Cosmic interference.  Again, don’t sue me, but you can pretend if you like.  So, off I went and MR. Random said…

So, I went to see who won.  Would it be Michele who appreciated the balance offered in the book?  Barbara who wanted to see his comments on Open Theism, or maybe Sarah who has a great respect for Mr. Alcorn…

Alas… God, in His benevolent wisdom, chose …

HEIDI!  A woman who has walked through grief that I can’t even begin to comprehend… and just months ago.  I’ll be reviewing her book this week so you’ll see just how timely this “random” win truly is.  I was sure that Barb would win.  After all, she’s been pounding Heaven and earth (that’d be me btw) with petitions for it.  I know she’s righteous, so I guess James chapter 5 tells us she’s not very effectual.  (How’s that for twisting scripture into illogical conclusions???)

Sorry Barb… better luck Providence next time.  Congrats Heidi.  I’ll ship it soon!  Meanwhile, everyone else… dash on over to Random House and snag your very own copy.  It’s worth every penny.

Winner- Extraordinary!!!

So, it was time for this little beauty.  There were only four commenters on it, so each one had a much stronger chance of winning of course.  I tried to guess which integer Random.org would have chosen, but I was way off.  I chose 1.  It chose…

So……. off I go again… (Cause I’m alwayson the go don’tcha know… hey, that rhymes better than it used to!– quick, name that movie that I just misquoted!)

Voila!  Kathy.  Again, I know a few,  off I went  (I’m really put off by this, aren’t I?   hee hee) to find out which Kathy will be receiving this great book…

And I don’t think I know her.  I don’t recognize this email addy.  So, unless someone has gotten a new one for web use, this is a newbie to me!  If so, welcome to Paradoxology, Kathy!

And, remember… this is the book you’ll be winning…  If you didn’t win, you can always hop on over to Random House and buy yourself a copy.

But wait!  There’s more!  Those who entered this little giveaway can take a deep breath… hold it…. hold it…

Hold it some more….

In addition to the fabulous copy I’ve already given away, I am giving away….

ANOTHER COPY!  Yes that’s right.  Not only will a lucky blog reader win one of these lovely hardcover books, TWO will win.  Yes, thanks to the generosity of Waterbrook’s Blogging for books crew (and my tiny house with no room on the shelf for very many more books), you have a second chance at this book!  Those who say there are no second chances are wrong!  There is no free lunch on this blog (you wouldn’t want it by the time it arrived anyway), but there ARE free books.  Loads and loads of lovely free books all due to the overwhelming generosity of Waterbrook.  (Yes, that is a shameless plug.  It’s my blog, I can.)

So, I hopped over to the random integer people again…  and who did they choose this time????

Yep… number three.  Again, I didn’t pick the right number.  (I thought I’d hedge my bets with sticking to number one.  I’m no gambler apparently.)

Off I went to see who number three is…  I’m just going to tell you btw.  I got tired of copying and pasting.  Sue me.

No don’t.  I just had to shell out 3k for my permanent dentures.  I’m broke.

Number 3 is Bethany.  I suspect I know which one.  I’m off to see…

Yippee!  It is so!  Bethany (you son of a Germanic arch angel you), you won!  I’ll zip it your way asap.

There you have the winners folks.  I do send every book I promise to… I may take a week or three, but I always send em.  You too could win one of these marvelous free books from… (say it with me) WATER BROOK if you just comment on Paradoxology Book Reviews!

How’s that for my commercial?  I liked the “wait, there’s more” myself.  Gave it an air of authenticity, don’tcha think?

Winner- The Sound of Sleighbells

I did the Random.org thing and this popped up…

So, off I went to the site to find out who might have won this delightful story (and I just typed out ‘one’ it so I’m guessing that I am sleep-deprived or going senile… or both.  Just thought I’d throw in another freebie for good measure.)

There was quite a bit of anticipation… scroll down to number nine… who might it be… who signed up for it.. let’s see…

Waiting.

Waiting…

Yippee!  Kirstin.  Then, because Kirstin isn’t the kind of name like Chautona where you know that you’re the only one… I had to click on the name to see which one…

So, I snuck over to my dashboard, checked out the name, and what do you know… it’s my friend Kirstin from Kansas!  Yippeedoodle!  So, Kirstin, I’ll be shipping your book sometime this week.  (Gotta make room for more books don’tcha know.

If you didn’t win this time, I do recommend dashing over to Random House’s website and snagging yourself a copy.

Book Review: The Sound of Sleigh Bells *WIN FREE COPY*

Title: The Sound of Sleigh Bells

Author: Cindy Woodsmall

Publisher’s Synopsis: Beth Hertzler works alongside her beloved Aunt Lizzy in their dry goods store, and serving as contact of sorts between Amish craftsmen and Englischers who want to sell the Plain people’s wares. But remorse and loneliness still echo in her heart everyday as she still wears the dark garb, indicating mourning of her fiancé. When she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth’s soul responds and she wants to help the unknown artist find homes for his work–including Lizzy’s dry goods store. But she doesn’t know if her bishop will approve of the gorgeous carving or deem it idolatry.

Lizzy sees the changes in her niece when Beth shows her the woodworking, and after Lizzy hunts down Jonah, the artist, she is all the more determined that Beth meets this man with the hands that create healing art. But it’s not that simple–will Lizzy’s elaborate plan to reintroduce her niece to love work? Will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she’s always dreamed of and a second chance at real love–or just more heartbreak?

Oh my word.  What a huge blessing this book was for me.  So much wisdom, such a tender story, even the romance appealed to me in a way that it rarely does.  I felt the heartache of Beth and guessed its source.  I loved how Mrs. Woodsmall managed to show the weaknesses and humanity of the Amish without feeling the need to portray them in an excessively negative light.

It seems that modern Christian fiction likes to romanticize the Amish as though they’ve attained a higher plane of Christian existence where sin is limited to wanting to wear skirts an inch or two longer or shorter than the Bishop likes.  Swinging the pendulum to the other side, other authors try to ignore the beauty within the Amish lifestyle and root out deep evil as though the Pennsylvania or Ohio hillsides are deep dens of Amish iniquity that resemble an inner city in their criminal activity.  Cindy Woodsmall created real people, with real problems, who happen to be Amish.  It was refreshing.

I want to meet these characters– they’re that real to me.  I want to see Jonah’s carvings and cup Beth’s face in my hands and encourage her to heal.  I want to buy one of those carvings to remind me of lessons learned in reading this book.

Buy the book.  Read it.  Then read it again.

And don’t forget to comment– I’ve got a HARDBACK copy to give away thanks to Waterbrook’s generosity.  Not only did they provide the book that I reviewed, but they also provided one for me to give away to my readers.  I’ll be doing a drawing for several of these books on Friday.

Book Review: Extraordinary ** Win a FREE Copy**

Title: Extraordinary– The Life You’re Meant to Live

Author: John Bevere

Publisher’s Synopsis: Isn’t it true that we long to see the extraordinary, experience the extraordinary, do the extraordinary? Yet, so often we settle for mediocrity when greatness is within our grasp.

Why are we drawn to stories of heroic triumph over seemingly impossible circumstances? In our fascination with adventure movies, superheroes, and tales of incredible human feats, do we reveal an inherent desire for something larger and greater in life? Maybe what we think is a need to escape or be entertained is actually a God inspired longing…for the extraordinary.

Best-selling author John Bevere reveals how all of us were “meant for more,” extraordinarily created and intended for a life that is anything but ordinary. Here is the roadmap for your journey of transformation. You are marked for a life that far surpasses the usual definitions of success or fulfillment.

Isn’t it time to pursue your extraordinary life?

I have TWO copies to give away to random commenters.  Please leave a note saying you’d like to be entered!

Harvest Spice: October’s Banner

Compliments of the Shabby Princess, I used this FREE (for personal use only) kit to create this month’s banner.

The Shabby Princess has a wonderful collection of FREE kits that are perfect for beginning designers to use  until they get a feel for their own personal style and how they like to use things.  Then, once you get familiar with digi-scrapping, head on over to their lovely Shoppe where you can choose from an amazing array of marvelous kits that are sure to take your scrapbook pages from drab to delightful!