Sunday, June 29, 2014

Pam - Sharon Srock

Source:  I won a copy from the author.

From Goodreads:

Pam’s divorce broke her heart. The cruelty of her ex-husband broke her spirit. A bottle of sleeping pills almost took her life. Four years later the scars of Alan Archer’s emotional abuse are beginning to fade under the love of her new husband. When Alan returns to Garfield, Pam must learn that buried secrets and carefully cultivated indifference do not equal forgiveness.Alan Archer has returned to Garfield with a new wife and a terminal heart condition. His mission? To leave a Christian legacy for his children and to gain Pam’s forgiveness for the sins of his past. Two hearts hang in the balance waiting for the delicate touch of God’s healing hands.

My Thoughts:

One thing I really like about this book was how the author didn't try to make her characters perfect in their Christian walk.  This often happens in Christian fiction. I know as a long time Christian that I have often slipped up. I was definitely able to connect with Pam. I went through my own divorce and remarriage. Just because you "say" you forgive someone, doesn't mean you did so in your heart.  However, it is the first step to forgiveness. There is so much that can be learned about forgiveness from this book, whether you have gone through a divorce or not. This was actually the first book I had read by this author. I did purchase the first two in the series , "Callie"and "Terrie". I look forward to following the next one.  I will gladly recommend this series to my friends.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

The Word Changers by Ashlee Willis

Genre: YA, Fantasy
Source: I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Blurb
Her parents’ marriage is falling apart. Fifteen-year-old Posy feels her life is falling apart with it. Retreating to an old library down the street, she selects a mysterious book in a secluded corner and is magically drawn into its story…

Posy finds herself in a kingdom ruled by a cruel and manipulative king and queen who have attempted to usurp the role that belongs only to the Author of their story. The princess has fled and the kingdom is teetering toward rebellion. Posy is joined by the Prince Kyran as they fight with the characters of the story against their slavery to the Plot.

Posy and the prince search beyond the borders of the story for the runaway princess. They visit mysterious places, face horrifying monsters, and fight fierce battles. They make both friends and enemies as their journey leads them into many dangers. But some of the worst dangers, Posy soon finds, lie deep within her own heart.

Now Posy must find the courage and forgiveness needed to save the story and, most important, heal the heartache she knew in her own world

My Thoughts:
The main character Posey lives in a home where her parents are constantly fighting. One day while they are having a really bad fight she storms into their room and says some pretty hateful things. She storms out and goes to the library.  At the library she finds a mysterious book she's never noticed before.  The next thing she knows, she has fallen into the book.  She is the replacement for Princess Evanthe who has run away.  She goes along with this for a while.  Soon she realizes how much she wants to go home.  She joins up with Prince Kyran to find his sister.  Along the way she learns so much about herself. There are themes of forgiveness and healing throughout the book. 

The author has done a wonderful job of building up this world.  It is created so artistically well that you travel along inside the story just like Posy. This book reminded me of "Storybound" by Marissa Burt.  It too had a story where a person entered the story. One of my favorite lines in the book was found in the first chapter. The owl tells her "We are characters living within the Plot."  Since this is allegorical there is so much, as a Christian, that can be read into the meaning of it.  I like many others often dreamed of going into a story and living the life  that they lived. I can't wait to read more by this author.  Just think, this is only her first book. She can only get better with each book.


About Ashlee
Ashlee has a passion for three things: God, family, and books, and is happiest when all three can be enjoyed together.  Ashlee graduated from Central Christian College of the Bible with a Bachelor of Science in Christian Education. She divides her time chiefly between homeschooling her young son, reading about fantasy worlds she wishes she could visit, and dreaming up fantasy worlds of her own to write about. She loves taking walks in the woods, drinking tea with friends, and spending time with the ones she loves most.  Ashlee lives in the heart of Missouri with her husband, son, and cat, where she is busily at work on her next book, also a fantasy for young adults.
 
You Can find her here:
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Twitter         
Goodreads   
Amazon
                                                                       Her Blog


 

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

WINNERS




We have our winners of the $20 Amazon Gift Cards.  



Congratulations to:

S at Snaps & Snippets    and Rachel at Rachel Turns Pages