Book Review and a Free Book up for grabs!
I received the novel Daughter of Jerusalem by Joan Wolf (2013) from Worthy Publishing and I was asked to give an honest review and be a part of their blog tour.
This is the first book that I have read by Joan Wolf and it was a pleasure to read. Daughter of Jerusalem is a fictionalized account of Mary Magdalene taken from the various accounts in the New Testament. Joan has created a complex intelligent, independent and engaging character. Though the culture and setting of the story reflect the Jewish and Roman lifestyle of the first century in Galilee the aspirations and struggles of Mary easily resonate with modern readers in this account. Mary's early life, family, friends and love, her marriage, affair are clearly fictional but plausible. Her aspirations, challenges and failures are similar to our own. She found in Jesus forgiveness, love and a purpose. This novel reminded me that the Bible is about how Jesus interacted with ordinary people. That His story and our stories connect so that there can be transformation and new stories. This novel challenged me to reflect on my journey of life and faith. I highly recommend it.
Worthy Publishing has also provided me with an extra copy of the novel to give away to a reader of this blog. If you would like a copy please let me know in your comments. I will choose one of you on Wednesday, July 24th and ask for your address so that I may mail it to you. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did!
Friday, July 19, 2013
Book Reviews and a contest for a free book
Although I am an avid reader, it took a few months after my initial illness to return to reading. ( you can begin to realize how ill I was....) I was also committed to teaching 2 online courses for Queen's University - Teaching Reading Part One and Teaching Special Education Part One which consumed my mental capacities. After the courses were done we worked hard to completely move all of our belongings and thoroughly clean our family home as it was sold. This was where we raised our 5 sons so the rooms held many memories - echoes of stories told, conversations, homework, sibling arguments, games played, times with friends and major milestones. For my husband it was a letting go and goodbye to his labour of love. He designed, framed, and finished this home. We are so thankful to have a home here in Griffith where we can enjoy gardening, making maple syrup, hunting and most of all time with family and friends.
I have been reading and hope to post more regularly some book reviews/suggestions. A publisher graciously offered me a book to review and a copy to give away to one of you (see netgalley.com and worthy publishing). The review will be posted tomorrow so you need to contact me by Monday, July 21 and I will choose one of you to send the book to.
Tomorrow's book review: Daughter of Jerusalem by Joan Wolf (2013) Worthy Publishing.
I have been reading and hope to post more regularly some book reviews/suggestions. A publisher graciously offered me a book to review and a copy to give away to one of you (see netgalley.com and worthy publishing). The review will be posted tomorrow so you need to contact me by Monday, July 21 and I will choose one of you to send the book to.
Tomorrow's book review: Daughter of Jerusalem by Joan Wolf (2013) Worthy Publishing.
Enjoying the warmth of summer
I have not posted since February....at that time I was looking forward to our holiday in Florida and an opportunity to rest and rejuvenate in the warmth of the sunny south. I ended up in the hospital in Florida instead of beside the pool and on the beach. Life looks different from a bed and incapacity. Thanks to insurance I was able to be taken care of in a great hospital, D.P. Philips Hospital in Orlando, be medivacced home in a jet and then spend a few days in an Ottawa hospital. It has been a long time recovering my physical, mental, emotional and spiritual energy. I am so grateful that my mom and dad were able to come and help from Vancouver Island. My mom cooked almost every meal for 3 weeks during our busy maple syrup season. During the 2 weekends that she was here we had more than 12 people in our house...busy times! I was always able to go into my room and shut the door for rest. It is only as I look back that I realize how ill I was.
"My grace is sufficient for you, my strength is made perfect in weakness." We had been discussing in our women's study group becoming a woman of grace. It always amazes me that the words/thoughts that I am led to meditate,consider and reflect on somehow are prophetic or relate directly to my future/current life experiences. So when I sought grace, I ended up with weakness. When I have sought patience I often encountered trials. When I want to learn more about love and forgiveness I encounter difficult people and situations. God's truths are meant to be experienced not only read.
It is very hot today. I went out to pick some peas and beans from the garden. Often the topic of conversation is the weather - too cold, too wet, too dry, too hot etc and we gravitate to complaints. Let us be thankful! I am thankful for the warmth. I could not enjoy heat and swimming in Florida, but I can go down to the river and find rest and peace here, now. The flowers are blooming. It amazes me to see the variety of flowers - daisies, clover, alfalfa, milkweed, lilies, roses, and many others (though I do not know their names) blooming profusely not only in gardens, but along the roadsides and streams and in meadows and fields. We bloom even when it seems no one appreciates our efforts, our stories, our lives.
Keep blooming today...you will attract others, your Father will enjoy your beauty. Fruit comes after the blossoms. As I picked the beans I saw many more blossoms on the plants. When the fruit is picked there is more energy to produce more fruit. Have a great day!
"My grace is sufficient for you, my strength is made perfect in weakness." We had been discussing in our women's study group becoming a woman of grace. It always amazes me that the words/thoughts that I am led to meditate,consider and reflect on somehow are prophetic or relate directly to my future/current life experiences. So when I sought grace, I ended up with weakness. When I have sought patience I often encountered trials. When I want to learn more about love and forgiveness I encounter difficult people and situations. God's truths are meant to be experienced not only read.
It is very hot today. I went out to pick some peas and beans from the garden. Often the topic of conversation is the weather - too cold, too wet, too dry, too hot etc and we gravitate to complaints. Let us be thankful! I am thankful for the warmth. I could not enjoy heat and swimming in Florida, but I can go down to the river and find rest and peace here, now. The flowers are blooming. It amazes me to see the variety of flowers - daisies, clover, alfalfa, milkweed, lilies, roses, and many others (though I do not know their names) blooming profusely not only in gardens, but along the roadsides and streams and in meadows and fields. We bloom even when it seems no one appreciates our efforts, our stories, our lives.
Keep blooming today...you will attract others, your Father will enjoy your beauty. Fruit comes after the blossoms. As I picked the beans I saw many more blossoms on the plants. When the fruit is picked there is more energy to produce more fruit. Have a great day!
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Working Together
Preston and Josh were so excited to work with grandpa. He mentioned going outside and they began looking for boots, mittens and jackets. We bundled them up and they waited anxiously on the 4 wheeler while grandpa gathered what he needed. Then they rode off to the sugar shack. Their help slowed things down for grandpa but he wouldn't give up the moments together. Preston and Josh each have their own small hammers and boards with roofing nails for practice. Each time the sleigh was filled with wood, the boys had to ride on top of the wood. ....
Today's Book Review
It is like reading about your best friend!
Saving Grace by Fiona McCallum
Saving Grace is a saga reminiscent of Maeve Binchy's tales. As I read the story of Emily's struggles to reinvent herself after a disastrous marriage I found myself caring about whether she realized her dreams. It was like reading the story of a best friend. I could hardly believe that the novel was over and I wanted the story of Emily and her friends to continue. I hope that the author has a sequel in mind as I became attached to the characters. I highly recommend this book.
I received this book for review purposes compliments of Netgalley and Harlequin Australia.
I am enjoying the books from Net galley as I have an opportunity to read widely. I hope that you will find these reviews useful.
Saving Grace by Fiona McCallum
Saving Grace is a saga reminiscent of Maeve Binchy's tales. As I read the story of Emily's struggles to reinvent herself after a disastrous marriage I found myself caring about whether she realized her dreams. It was like reading the story of a best friend. I could hardly believe that the novel was over and I wanted the story of Emily and her friends to continue. I hope that the author has a sequel in mind as I became attached to the characters. I highly recommend this book.
I received this book for review purposes compliments of Netgalley and Harlequin Australia.
I am enjoying the books from Net galley as I have an opportunity to read widely. I hope that you will find these reviews useful.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Book Reviews
Where ever you go, there you are.....
Razed Book One, Foundations Series
Paula Wisman Mindstir Media
I was provided this text by Netgalley and Mindstir Media for review purposes.
Prodigal by Rektok Ross
Stories of Hope and Healing:
This young adult story portrays a boy and girl who find each other but struggle to connect. Lexie, the main character, has to move to a new state for her senior year of high school because of her mother's need for cancer treatment. She is surprised to find a blossoming social life in this new environment. She connects with Ash, a popular athlete, but they find it difficult to forge a relationship based on trust and honesty. Both Lexis and Ash begin to find hope and healing as they deal with the trauma of the death of parents. I found that the story resonated with my experiences of moving during my senior year. The author also captured some of the difficulties adolescents encounter when trying to forge a romantic relationship when they were too hurt to love. I highly recommend this book to young adult readers. The only suggestion I have is that the title more adequately reflect the themes and experiences portrayed.Saturday, February 9, 2013
Diamonds on the Snow!
The sparkle of the crisp and crunchy snow erase memories of yesterday's storm. Winter can be so beautiful even though the wind and cold can blow away calm and comfort. Last night I tossed and turned fighting the storms of my past which destroy my equilibrium. Preston and I enjoyed three days together, but at times the challenges evoke memories of exhaustion, loneliness and despair from the past. Why is it so hard to leave the past behind. I am always dragging it with me.
"Lay aside every weight and entanglement and fix our eyes ahead...." Hebrews 12: 1,2.
There is another place where it says, "forgetting what lies behind I reach forward to what lies ahead..."Philippians 3:13.
I find it so hard to forget. Instead it seems that there are days when life is beautiful like the fresh snow and sunshine, but my struggles are only temporarily forgotten and ready to be revealed by the next winter storm. Sometimes all it takes is a look, a word, or tiredness which open cracks for the winds to blow through.
On a brighter note, last week Darrell and I went to the movie Les Miserables. A long time ago I saw the live musical. This story depicts the transforming power of grace and mercy. Justice keeps hounding us, pursuing us, like my memories of failures and pain, but only the memory of forgiveness can transform wounds and poverty into love. I see those silver candlesticks freely given to Jean Val Jean as reminders of the extravagant gift of light and hope to be displayed wherever life takes us.
I hope to share some book reviews later this weekend. I am trying to find the balance between reading - living in the stories of others and creating my own stories. This afternoon we will go outside and enjoy the sunshine and snow together. Go and do the same.
"Lay aside every weight and entanglement and fix our eyes ahead...." Hebrews 12: 1,2.
There is another place where it says, "forgetting what lies behind I reach forward to what lies ahead..."Philippians 3:13.
I find it so hard to forget. Instead it seems that there are days when life is beautiful like the fresh snow and sunshine, but my struggles are only temporarily forgotten and ready to be revealed by the next winter storm. Sometimes all it takes is a look, a word, or tiredness which open cracks for the winds to blow through.
On a brighter note, last week Darrell and I went to the movie Les Miserables. A long time ago I saw the live musical. This story depicts the transforming power of grace and mercy. Justice keeps hounding us, pursuing us, like my memories of failures and pain, but only the memory of forgiveness can transform wounds and poverty into love. I see those silver candlesticks freely given to Jean Val Jean as reminders of the extravagant gift of light and hope to be displayed wherever life takes us.
I hope to share some book reviews later this weekend. I am trying to find the balance between reading - living in the stories of others and creating my own stories. This afternoon we will go outside and enjoy the sunshine and snow together. Go and do the same.
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