Ever since I was a very little girl, I’ve had a favorite holiday– Christmas.  I’ve blogged about it dozens of times.  However, for me anyway, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas if Thanksgiving didn’t give it a kick-off.  On this day, every year, as we enjoy the bounty that the Lord has provided for us, I’m often humbled.

We have delicious food– lots of it.  Heaping bowls of mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green beans, rolls, pies, and of course, our family favorite, Hungarian Coffee Cake.  It’s a reminder, using all the senses, that we’re so very blessed.  The dishes, dirty counters, filthy floors, and cluttered house are a testimony to just how much we have to be thankful for– and to share.  I sit here, exhausted after scrubbing up after cooking up a storm, and dinner isn’t for four more hours!  The house is still a mess, the counters covered with more dirty dishes than the sink and the dishwasher could handle, papers on my living room floor from the couple of hundred of newspapers that my children delivered this morning.  The table is loaded with books for me to ship and Lorna’s doll house.  There’s laundry to fold, and well, we need to do some work in here– and this is only what I can see from my chair!

After I’ve rested, I plan to get up, clean up the room, and then take a shower.  We’ll eat, play a game or three, watch a movie, listen to music, and in the middle of that, we’ll probably start putting up the Christmas village.  I love this time of year!

This year, Thanksgiving is extra special to me.  In my NaNo Novel, I’m writing about the future– 2125 to be exact, and a woman from 2009 who was abducted there.  Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter… they all don’t exist anymore and watching my character try to recreate the holidays that meant so much to her is really giving me a fresh appreciation of them for me.  I’m seeing everything in a new light.  The food just isn’t empty calories or worn-out traditions.  The abundance of food represents the abundance of our blessings in this country, in our homes, and in our lives.  I know the argument can be made that people over-indulge to the point of gluttony on this day.  This is, most definitely possible.  However, regardless of the veracity of that assertion in an individual’s life, the fact is, it’s hard to over-indulge when you have nothing with which to do it!  It’s still a testimony to the goodness of God.

Tomorrow, this day will be a memory– one more year of feeling thankful for what the Lord has done in my life.  Today, however, I’m going to live it.    This week alone had so many things for me to be thankful for.

Monday– Lunch out with dear friends.  Every time I publish a book, Teresa, Glenda, and I go to Nicoletti’s Cafe and have a ’signing’.
Tuesday–  My Nolan.  He turned fifteen this year.  Also, my new teeth.  They’re going to be so amazing!  I can’t wait.
Wednesday– My husband and I ‘celebrated’ (by existing in a continual state of marital happiness) our twenty-first anniversary.
Thursday– A lovely meal with my wonderful family.
Friday–  Black Friday sales, decking our home for Christmas, and this year, a ‘write-in’ for NaNoWriMo.
Saturday–  … I can’t imagine what it’ll be, but it’ll be amazing.
Sunday–  The Lord is good, I am thankful, and it’ll be another wonderful Lord’s day.

Series: The Annals of Wynnewood

Title: Shadows and Secrets

Book: One

Author: Chautona Havig (that’d be me)

Publisher’s Synopsis: No one knows what the cloaked creature is or why it is so terrifying.  The villagers of Wynnewood only know they must stay away from ‘the Creature’ for fear of their physical and spiritual safety.

An unfortunate encounter with a dragon introduces Philip Ward to the Creature, and to his surprise, he finds a friend, confidante, and companion in more adventure than he’d ever dreamed possible.

Follow Philip and the creature as they rescue a lame child, discover ‘pirate treasure’, and test the mettle of true friendship.

Shadows and Secrets is the first book in the Annals of Wynnewood.

Well, this book was one of the most unexpected of any of the books I’ve ever begun.  I was sitting, writing another book (that is yet to be finished), when I wondered what medieval superstitions would do with differences that we often see as unique.  I wondered about portwine stains, ‘hare lips’ (as they were called back then),  and similar anomalies.  Within hours, I had several chapters written and the rest is history.

No fantasy book is complete without a map of the area, so I begged everyone I knew to suggest an illustrator.  My friend Michele immediately demanded suggested that I contact her friend Craig.  Being the obedient person I am, I did.  Craig was so enthusiastic about my little underpaid project, I knew the map would be brilliant.  And don’t you agree that it is?

Isn’t it just the most amazing thing?  I am so thrilled with it and I can’t wait to see what he does with the map for the sequel, The Unicorns of Sceadu.

Shadows and Secrets is written for fantasy lovers of all ages (and has been enjoyed by young children through adults), but my target audience was 11-15 year olds.

If you’d like a copy, feel free to email me at chautona @ chautona . com or hit the paypal button.  I’d be happy to sign it for you, wrap it for you, and get it to wherever you need it to go by Christmas.

In keeping with my tradition of giving away a copy of a book, I’ve decided to give away a copy of this book, gift wrapped if you request it, and shipped wherever you want!  Feel free to enter as often as you like, but make sure someone has entered between your entries (no back to backs).

Book will arrive in time for Christmas.  This contest ends November 30, 2009.

Title : Right Where I Belong

Author: Heidi Kaether

Publisher’s Synopsis: A poignant book about Savannah Rose and the lessons God taught me through her life and death. It includes my newest cd, recorded with my sister, Cheri entitled “Through God’s Eyes – Songs of Comfort and Praise for the Valley”. The book is written in a scrapbook format and includes lots of special touches like rhinestone stickers and mini-books, making this a book you’ll enjoy with your sense of sight, your sense of hearing and your sense of touch.

When Heidi asked me to review this book, I immediately said I’d be happy to do it.   I’ve watched Heidi deal with the grief in the loss of her baby girl in such a beautiful way that it encouraged me in so many areas of my life.  As a dear friend, I hoped to be able to share her encouragement with others.

However, I have to admit, I was a little concerned with how to review a book like this.  How do you write a glowing review of a book about something so painful?  What if the book wasn’t something I could honestly recommend?  How would that work?  It’s not like I can say anything negative about how someone grieves!   Fortunately, Heidi’s book is a lovely glimpse into the beauty, the anguish, the faith of one family who went through the loss of their precious baby at birth.  I think this book is exactly the kind of encouraging book that would be a perfect gift for those who are suffering through their own pain.

You can see the love that Heidi put into each page of the book.  Full color pictures, arranged in scrapbook style, show you the journey from pregnant, through loss, and finally out of the Valley of the Shadow of Death.   Included in the full-color book is a CD of ten original songs by Heidi Kaether and Cheri Fulton.  For a sample of the music, you can visit Savannah-Rose.com.

In a world where death is so often combined with hopelessness and despair, Right Where I Belong is a refreshing glimpse into the life of those who know Who loves and cares for us most and the true Source of comfort in times that otherwise would tear our hearts to shreds.

Ok, so the time has come.  I’ve put this off as long as possible, and like anything that you procrastinate over, it took a fraction of the time I expected.  Either that, or I’m so happy to be procrastinating on something else that I didn’t notice the great heaping gobs of time it did take.  Either way, I’m pleased.

First, I went through my emails and found all the ones about the entries.  Then I went to each blog and counted comments.  I checked Amazon.com for reviews.  I left no name uncounted that I possibly knew of.  If you didn’t email me, well, that’s your fault.  Snort.

So next…  I wrote out a slip of paper for every entry.  Remember,  that each person got an entry for reviewing at Amazon.com, one for blogging, and one for each comment.  As I wrote out the entries, I knew we had odds stacked in favor of Anita.  She had the most comments!  So… I wondered.  Will it follow the odds or will someone defy.  Let’s see, shall we?  We shall!

There are all the names looking so lovely!

Neatly *cough* folded and ready for picking…

The odds were with her!  Anita wins!!!

So now I have to number all her entries and draw again…

And the winner is, comment six!  Congratulations Erica!!!

So, there you have it.  Anita is now (or soon will be)  the proud owner of an Amazon E-certificate and Erica will receive a signed (or not if she prefers) copy of Argosy Junction in her mailbox as soon as I get her address, sign the thing, and pop it in the mail!

Thank you all for your lovely reviews.  I was truly humbled reading the kind things you had to say about my book.  It’s very dear to my heart, but seeing it encourage others really blessed me!

I have to say, it was fun to look at the maps, lay them all out, and then try to decide who actually won!  I mean, I had to choose three winners…

The irony came when I realized that all three winners were from the same family.

Katie Ann-  Won a copy of the Annals of Wynnewood: Shadows & Secrets!  The moment they arrive it’ll be signed and shipped to her.  Here is her winning map for the younger division.

Nathan (Katie Ann’s brother) won for the middle division!

And Jeremy (Katie Ann and Nathan’s brother) won the overall prize of $50.00 in Amazon Gift Certificates!

I’d like to thank everyone who participated and I look forward to hearing what you think of your books when you get them.  Now, let’s all pray the box arrives tomorrow, ok?

Title: Touched by a Vampire– Discovering the Hidden Messages in the Twilight Saga

Author: Beth Felker Jones

Publisher’s Synopsis: EXAMINING TWILIGHT THROUGH A BIBLICAL LENS

Cautionary, thoughtful, and challenging, Touched by a Vampire is written for Twilight fans, parents, teachers, and pop culture enthusiasts. It includes an overview of the series for those unfamiliar with the storyline and a discussion guide for small groups.

I was so excited when I heard Multnomah was sending me this book to review.  Although I enjoyed the books to a point, I have my own concerns about them and wondered if this book would address them and possibly show me things I’d missed.  Fantasy is such a complex genre that I think it’s a little easier to blur the lines between appropriate and not sometimes.

First, I’d like to note that there is little in this book that I don’t agree with in principle.  Almost every concern the author raises, I agree with the principle behind it whole heartedly.  That’s very important to note because it’s going to look like I didn’t like the book or that I think Ms. Jones has too much time on her hands or something.  Neither is true.  (Well, I kind of hope she does have too much time on her hands.  I’d like her to teach me how that is done!)

My objection to her book only lies in perceptions.  When two people read the same book, they’re going to see things through different lenses.  (Give two people the same book by Michael or Debi Pearl and you’ll see what I mean!)  I’m not just talking the lens of Christ-filled or not, conservative or liberal, or similar things.  I’m talking about life experiences and personality.  Those things often make it seem like a Christian is weak or immature because they don’t see things the same as another person.  It took me years to understand that sometimes, it isn’t that at all.  It’s simply perception.

I’m not going to refute her take on the book point by point.  I don’t think it’s necessary.  I am only going to show the difference in perception of two readers.

Beth Felker Jones–  Ms. Jones sees the all-encompassing love that Bella has for Edward in these books as encouraged, portrayed as positive, and intended to be a model for what every girl does/should want.

Chautona Havig-  I saw the book as showing just how dangerous such ‘obsessiveness’ can be and where it can lead.  I saw it as a fact of the plot, but in no way encouraged.  It is a common thing for young teen girls to become wholeheartedly wrapped up in their current ‘crush’ and truly believe nothing can possibly part them.  I saw Meyer as taking that to its logical conclusion and showing the heartache that comes with it without turning the book into a moralistic lesson rather than a semi-fairytale.  (Which I think is what she intended it to be.)

I’m not saying that I don’t think anyone read the book and came away with a desire for a “love like Bella and Edward’s”.  Actually, I’m sure they did.  However, the subtitle of tis book is “Discovering the hidden messages in the Twilight Saga.”  The message I got is 100% opposite from the message Ms. Jones got.

I agree, without any reservation, with her contention that obsessive, all-encompassing love in real life for anything or anyone other than JESUS is wrong.  I don’t quibble there.  I just disagree that the book even glorifies it.  I saw it (and I think my girls did as well) as a sad commentary on a lonely girl who grew up without a father’s influence in her life.

Where I did completely agree with the author is in that this series, while written and marketed to the young adult market) is really too sensual for most teenagers.  Honestly, had I read the third book first, I would not have allowed one of my girls to read it.  It was too sensual for me and I’m married!  I think a lot of Christian parents knew that Meyer was a Mormon and given the Mormon’s reputation for morality, trusted her too implicitly with their children’s reading material.  Others, like me, saw the sensuality in the first and second book as a bit much, but decided it was something their child could handle and didn’t realize how much it was going to increase in the third book.

So, to be quite frank, I was so excited to read this book and then was a little disappointed.  I was not disappointed with the content in so much as what she sees as important for Christians.  What she has to say about our world view is spot on.  I’m applaud her for tackling it and tackling it so well.  Unfortunately, I don’t see that her points, in so much as they relate to the Meyer books, are solid.

Read the book.  I seriously think it encourages us to look at what we read and what we watch and what messages we’re sending to ourselves and our children in our choices.  She does that beautifully.  But, if you are looking for a book that warns others about the dangers you see in the Twilight books, keep looking.  Anyone who has read the books will either agree with her completely, or shred her arguments point by point.  As usual, I did a little of both.

I have two copies of this book to give away.  Truthfully, I almost kept one for myself, but decided I just don’t have the bookshelf space even for a skinny book like this.  My thanks to Multnomah for their generosity.

Title: Thirsty

Author: Tracey Bateman

Publisher’s Synopsis: There’s no place like home, they say.
“Hello, I’m Nina Parker…and I’m an alcoholic.”
For Nina, it’s not the weighty admission but the first steps toward recovery that prove most difficult. She must face her ex-husband, Hunt, with little hope of making amends, and try to rebuild a relationship with her angry teenage daughter, Meagan. Hardest of all, she is forced to return to Abbey Hills, Missouri, the hometown she abruptly abandoned nearly two decades earlier–and her unexpected arrival in the sleepy Ozark town catches the attention of someone–or something–igniting a two-hundred-fifty-year-old desire that rages like a wildfire.

Unaware of the darkness stalking her, Nina is confronted with a series of events that threaten to unhinge her sobriety. Her daughter wants to spend time with the parents Nina left behind. A terrifying event that has haunted Nina for almost twenty years begins to surface. And an alluring neighbor initiates an unusual friendship with Nina, but is Markus truly a kindred spirit or a man guarding dangerous secrets?

As everything she loves hangs in the balance, will Nina’s feeble grasp on her demons be broken, leaving her powerless against the thirst? The battle between redemption and obsession unfold to its startling, unforgettable end.

When I got the invitation to review a vampire book for Multnomah, well let’s just say I was intrigued.  There are a couple of things you should know.

1.  The only vampire fiction I’ve ever read was the Twilight Saga.

2.  I don’t intend to make a habit of reading vampire fiction.  It’s just not my thing, and from what I understand, most isn’t of the ‘don’t murder humans’ variety.  I’m not going to start rooting for creatures that kill people.  Sorry.  Not happening.  That’s a little like fish cheering on the guy with the hook in the water.

So, with that in mind, I opened this book with a bit of trepidation.  Had I made the right decision?  Was it fair to the publisher to review a book that I knew I probably wouldn’t purchase?  Or, was I possibly a needed balance in a world that is a bit obsessed with the whole genre right now?

First of all, true vampire aficionados will not like her take on the whole vampire thing.  It leans more toward Meyer and less toward Dracula (at least from what I understand Dracula to be about.  I haven’t read it so this is just my possibly wrong understanding).  Unlike Meyer, the vampire(s) of Bateman’s book are born that way (more Harry Potterish than Meyerish) and you get a stronger sense of danger even though you (like Meyer) do trust him.

Now, before I get blasted for comparing everything to Meyer as if she is the standard of the vampire genre when it’s been around for years and she’s pretty much created her own world (which I personally think is the appeal) please remember, she is all I  have to compare it to.  I haven’t read any other and don’t intend to.  So, when I compare to Meyer it is only becuase that’s the only thing I can compare to– sorry vampire die hards… if you even read this blog.  (Kind of doubt that).

The best part of this book was that while it is technically a “vampire novel”, two-thirds of it has nothing to do with the vampire(s) at all.  It has a plot, standing alone, and it’s a good one.  I loved how Ms. Bateman really worked hard to let us see into the heart of the main female character and see her flaws for the raw ugliness that they were, and the virtues that her own sin-filled life hadn’t completely stamped out.

I loved that it didn’t have a “neat and tidy” ending, and yet it was still satisfying.  There was no “happily ever after” so to speak but there was a promise of a real life for real people and in a way that made me stand up and cheer.

There were so many layers to this plot that it’s hard to write about without giving away too much of it.  I will say, I think this is the kind of book that those who avoid vampire novels will enjoy anyway because of how it is written and how that part of the plot is dealt with.  I also think that Meyer fans won’t see it as a “copycat” and would enjoy it.  As for those who loved the original genre before the advent of Twilight, well, my guess is that this wouldn’t offend their vampirish sensibilities either.  Somehow Ms. Bateman has managed to bridge her novel very nicely– probably because she didn’t glamorize vampirism in any way and because she did show one to be a semi-sympathetic character.  It is hard to balance, but she did it well.

Multnomah gave me a copy to review and I’m passing it along to share the ‘thirst’.  Sorry, couldn’t resist.  Just post a comment and you’ll be entered.

Now I’m curious… can anyone tell me what the appeal of vampire novels is?  I understand the appeal of Twilight as a specific set of books.  What I don’t understand is the appeal of the genre itself.  Anyone care to enlighten me?

Title: White Picket Fences

Author: Susan Meissner

Publisher’s Synopsis: When her black sheep brother disappears, Amanda Janvier eagerly takes in her sixteen year-old niece Tally. The girl is practically an orphan: motherless, and living with a father who raises Tally wherever he lands– in a Buick, a pizza joint, a horse farm–and regularly takes off on wild schemes. Amanda envisions that she, her husband Neil, and their two teenagers can offer the girl stability and a shot at a “normal” life, even though their own storybook lives are about to crumble.

Seventeen-year-old Chase Janvier hasn’t seen his cousin in years, and other than a vague curiosity about her strange life, he doesn’t expect her arrival will affect him much–or interfere with his growing, disturbing interest in a long-ago house fire that plagues his dreams unbeknownst to anyone else.

Tally and Chase bond as they interview two Holocaust survivors for a sociology project, and become startlingly aware that the whole family is grappling with hidden secrets, with the echoes of the past, and with the realization that ignoring tragic situations won’t make them go away.

Will Tally’s presence blow apart their carefully-constructed world, knocking down the illusion of the white picket fence and reveal a hidden past that could destroy them all–or can she help them find the truth without losing each other?

Wow.  I’m late with this blog review because I had to read it again.  Yes, I read this book in two readings almost back to back.  It’s that good.

There are several plots that don’t really seem as intertwined as they are until they come together at the end.  Now honestly, I knew they would– the book doesn’t try to hide the plot ties– but they don’t seem like they should intertwine as they appear and develop.

Tally- She’s a very deep character– I felt a little “Rory Gilmore” meets Abby from NCIS in her.  She carries a lot of mature weight on her shoulders.  Her story alone is a fascinating one and could fill its own book.  I love how Ms. Meissner doesn’t leave you with the impression that the girl’s life is to be pitied as much as you’d assume.  She lets you see the positives too.

Amanda- She’s not just another suburban mother in a perfect little home.  As I read her story, I saw how easy it would be for anyone to end up exactly in her place.

Neil- He’s such a wise man in parts of the story and such an ostrich in others.  I can’t reconcile his personality clashes within himself.

Chase- I loved how she didn’t take the easy out with Chase and his struggles.  I know it might seem like it, but she didn’t.  She left just enough of the ugliness of the past touching him still and left us with the ending that few authors would have chosen.  She truly had me doubting him for a bit– but not in the way I expected to.

Delcey- She captured a talkative, self-absorbed teenaged girl perfectly.  Just when you were sure she couldn’t think about anything of any depth, the girl surprised you.  Well done.

Matt-  So much of him was perfect for carrying the story where it needed to go but there were parts that made me scratch my head with “huh?”

The Warsaw Connection-  In order not to give away the plot, I just had to say that this MADE the book.  I think it took a good story and made it great.  Well done.

To be honest, I was frustrated with the writing at times.  In particular, there was one paragraph with four sentences.  The first started with a name… the next three with “she”.  That kind of thing drove me crazy when the story wasn’t carrying me along with it (and therefore out of the focus that kept me from noticing if it was continual or not.  So, I don’t know if there were just a few glitches here and there or if a really well told story hid writing problems.  Frankly, I don’t care.  It’s a really well-told story and I think one that any fiction lover (and a few non-fiction types) should sink their teeth into.  And then grab it and sink them again.  You won’t be sorry.  I wasn’t.

I will mention that there were two different words used a few times that generally one doesn’t find in books by Waterbrook.  Nothing earth shattering… you can find them in the Bible.  But, I thought I’d warn you.

I do have two copies of this one, both provided for review by Waterbrook, but I’m keeping one.  I have a few friends who would like it and I want to read it again.  Post a comment and maybe you’ll win this puppy!

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!

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.