Good times of stress

Well, well, well. These past weeks have been pretty hectic: too much work, too much paper work, too many minor problems, one rather big problem and a few misunderstandings; you know. the days in the life of the typical average person. I'm tired, somewhat frustrated, a little sleep deprived and hurting all over my neck, my shoulders, my back and my head. Yes, I am stressed. Very, very stressed. I haven't had time to read, let alone write reviews, and lets not talk about how I went a week and a half without internet... It has been a very interesting few weeks.

But enough. I'm here to talk about how in the midst of all this mounting tension and stress I have been able to be joyful. You see, joy, true joy, does not depend on your circumstances. A while back, I wrote a review for the Joy of Calvinism and I quoted one of the most reassuring lines I have ever read: "Joy is not an emotion. Joy is a settled certainty that God is in control." And this line alone has given me hope because it is true, and since it is true, in times of stress, like this one, I am not only able to be joyful, I can also have peace. This is how my life looked like last week: my husband and I wanted to buy a simple $8.00 gift for our son. We went to the nearest ATM because the vendor only accepted cash. However, my husband came back from the ATM pursing his lips and moving his head from side to side. We only had $15.00 in our bank account. And it was one of those moments when you can go either way: crazy or cool. We kept our cool. Somehow, thank God, we didn't start to think about the phone or electricity bills that would soon come our way. No, we didn't panic. We quickly gathered our jaws from the floor, walked to our car, went home and took note of the many things we could not do until our next paycheck, which, quite frankly, included everything except breathing.

Now, a couple of days ago, my husband received an unexpected call. A job he had done (as a musician) finally paid off, and he was told to go and pick up a check. And it was a very good check; exactly what we needed to get us through this next week. To us, it was God at work. To the skeptics, it was an overdue payment. But you know what? That check could have come sooner, or it could have come later. Our miracle was that it came when it did: just in time.

This is me, with stress and joy.

We can have joy in times of stress. God will see us through. We can let go, breathe and let Him work it all for our good. That is His promise. Yes, we get frustrated, sad, tired and everything else that comes with the territory of being stressed. It's normal and expected. But I have hope. I have the certainty that everything is in God's hands because He is in control. Nothing escapes Him or surprises Him. So we can be calm and have peace. I can have joy in the midst of all my troubles.

Threat of Darkness, by Valerie Hansen

Overview (from Goodreads): As a nurse and special advocate for children, Samantha Rochard is used to danger in small town Serenity, Arkansas. But when she suspects a little boy is in jeopardy from his powerful father, the danger turns on her. Her only source of protection? The handsome police officer who broke her heart five years ago. Yet after John Waltham comes to her rescue in more ways than one, Samantha must trust in him-and the Lord-to watch over her...and save one sweet little boy.

Review: This novel is about much more than what the overview says. Yes, there is an abused child, and, yes, Samantha does try to rescue him with the help of her ex-boyfriend, John. But her life is also in danger right from the beginning, a direct outcome from a very scary situation that she goes through as the book opens. And it is a great way to begin a novel: it got my attention, had me interested, and got me wondering what would happen next. 

Samantha is a character who has gone through a lot and who has an inner battle with God about what happened in her past with the man she loved, and a struggle with herself about the way she is feeling toward this man again. So she is someone anyone can relate to. John, on the other hand, is almost useless. As a cop he is always either late or getting knocked out. Cops in general here are very mediocre; they apparently don't know the first thing about doing a simple search, securing evidence or interrogating witnesses or suspects. And that is very irritating. 

The plot is actually pretty interesting, and I love the fact that, since it is written in third person, we get to see how both Samantha and John feel and think. It has mystery, suspense, romance and action, you know, all the goodies. However, the dialogues, as well as some actions, sometimes lacked continuity. For example, the characters would speak and I would read again because from one person to the next you get the impression that part of the dialogue is missing, like one person is answering something that was never asked, or another asked something that was never answered. Another example: Samantha and John would search inside the house because an intruder had been there, but they couldn't find anything, so they would say, "Let's search again, in case we missed anything the first time around." But in the next paragraph, they would go outside to search around the house, and then change their minds, get in the car and go someplace else. It's as if the author forgot her original intention.

The ending was too good to be true, and the too good part was so rushed that it would have been better to give it a fair treatment in an epilogue. 

One last note, during the whole novel, Samantha's problem and threat is front and center, not the abused child. However, towards the end, it's the child's case that gets all the action, and Samantha's case is resolved but very uneventfully. 

So the action and suspense is good enough to interest you in the first place. The police mediocrity is bad enough that you may feel deflated. The problems with the dialogue and continuity is disappointing. But you will want to stick around for the resolution when the case of the abused child takes center stage and the action will hold your attention. 

3 out of 5 stars 

*I received a copy of this book from Harlequin through NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.

Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride, by Sandra D. Bricker

Overview (from Goodreads): Sherilyn Caine has left Chicago behind to marry Andrew Drummond IV, an Atlanta native with a family name that tops all the social registers. Landing the job as The Tanglewood’s wedding planner is a piece of cake for someone with a Type A personality; she’s the perfect fit for a wedding destination hotel known for its attention to even the tiniest details.

But when everything else is going along swimmingly, why are her own wedding plans drowning right before her eyes? One way or the other, Sherilyn is determined to make this wedding work—until the latest development threatens to call the whole thing off. Is it possible that Sherilyn is allergic to her fiance?

Review: Not as predictable as I expected: the characters' journeys had some very nice twists and turns and, although the ending is pretty much same old, same old, it was still cute and romantic. There are some pretty ridiculous things (Sherilyn possibly allergic to her fiance... seriously?), but it is well written. The author does a great job of being funny without overdoing it, which I think is a great skill.

As a Christian novel, with Christian main characters, it was strange how their faith was not mention in the first half of the book and then in the second half it was constantly brought forward. I mean, at first I doubted they were a Christian couple and thought the Christian part would come from Emma and Jackson (the friends). I am not saying that faith should have been front and center in this story; what I expect is consistency.

Other things I didn't like: the irritating movie star, which I'm guessing will reappear in the next installment of the series, otherwise why would the author give him a large (and mostly superfluous) part here? It would have been better without him, or at least with less of him. Also, aunt Sophie. I'm a little torn here because I find her endearing, but her part almost read like a filler to state the obvious —that Sherilyn is part of their family, which I think we were told every other page.

All in all, mostly enjoyable and quite funny in parts. I laughed and I shed a few emotional tears; yeah, I'm a crier. It was great, after reading the first in the series (Always the baker, never the bride), to see Emma and Jackson again, together in a stable and very nice relationship, as well as seeing less and less of Jackson's sisters, a huge plus for me. Also nice, seeing Fee and watching her get swept off her feet. And let me not forget the wonderful descriptions of food and desserts... Oh, to be invited to one of those food tastings!

This is the second book in the series, and can very well be read apart from the first. However, as with any series, true enjoyment usually comes from reading them all and in order.

3 1/2 stars out of 5

Murder on the Rocks, by Karen MacInerney

Overview (from Goodreads): Natalie Barnes buys the Gray Whale Inn, a bed and breakfast in Maine, and publicly opposes Bernard Katz's proposed resort development, which threatens a colony of black-chinned terns, and when Katz is found dead, Natalie must find the true killer in order to clear her own name.

Quick Review: Well, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. Although well paced, the author goes into unnecessary details, sort of like "I grabbed the milk from the refrigerator and closed the door with my left foot", all the time. It's not the milk part, but the left foot part that bothered me, as if she was writing a detailed movie script rather than a novel. The characters were ok but Natalie's love interest was meh. I guess he will be developed more as the series progresses, but he was so uninteresting that you wonder what she sees in him and doubt he's worth sticking with the series to find out. Natalie, on the other hand, is more interesting. However, she does some pretty dumb stuff trying to figure out who the killer is, which was disappointing.

The mystery is amusing at first but too easy to figure out. Even if you're not trying to guess it, you will instantly know who the killer is and part of the reason behind the murder. So it was somewhat entertaining but mostly forgettable.

2 1/2 stars

A Woman's Wisdom: How the Book of Proverbs Speaks to Everything, by Lydia Brownback

Overview (from NetGalley): Advice books are no short-lived trend, even though much of the advice parading as “wisdom” proves shallow in the long run. What we need is biblical wisdom, and even more than that we need hearts set on the One who governs all our practicalities. The book of Proverbs unlocks the key to both, helping us to face very real challenges such as:

• handling our material resources wisely
• keeping ourselves sexually pure
• practicing biblical femininity in a world that scorns us for it
• sustaining God-glorifying marriages
• elevating biblical priorities ahead of day-to-day pressures

Unpacking the timeless counsel in the book of Proverbs, A Woman’s Wisdom teaches us to know the very Author of wisdom and to apply his relevant, how-to riches.

Review: This is so much more than a book: it's an in-depth look at the book of Proverbs and the Bible in general on the matter of wisdom; it's a Bible study for you, your Bible group, the women's group in your church that will help you grow in your understanding of who you are and who you should grow to be in the Lord. This is a great tool for any church and any individual seeking to be more Christlike. It's a look at wisdom as a result of someone who fears and trusts in God and believes in Jesus as her savior, and lives her life accordingly.

It is extremely well written. The author goes right to the point (which is a big thing for me), very straightforward, using simple terms; very wise and precise. It will lead you to take a good look at yourself, at who you think you are and who you really are, and it will guide you along the way in your path to wisdom and growing in the knowledge of God. It also explores the many blessings of living wisely, as beautifully stated in Proverbs 31. The author does a great job of explaining how you can really be a virtuous woman, what it means to be one. But I want to be very clear: this is not a step by step guide on becoming wise. It is a book on biblical wisdom, which starts with knowing, loving, trusting and fearing God and continues on with our growing in His knowledge. Wisdom is God-given but we also have to work at it.

Excellent book that I will be reading again. I highly recommend it.

5 out of 5 stars.

*I received a copy of this book from Crossway through NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.

The Amish Bride, by Mindy Starns Clark, Leslie Gould

Overview (from NetGalley): Ella Bayer and Ezra Gundy are in love and hope to marry someday, but she is a young Mennonite woman while he is an Amish man. Though both Plain, one of them will have to forsake what they believe to embrace another way of life.

Hoping some distance will cool the relationship, Ezra’s family sends him to work at an Amish dairy farm in Indiana. But Ella disregards what her family wants and follows Ezra. In short order she finds a place to live, a job in a bakery, and an unexpected but budding friendship with a handsome Amish farmhand, Luke. When a family tragedy forces Ella back to Pennsylvania, she must face all she’s been running away from. And once she has made peace with those around her, she has an important decision to make: Whose Amish bride will she become—Ezra’s or Luke’s?

Review:This was a very interesting read. However, although the romance is what first attracted me to this novel, it is not what kept my interest. As the story opens, Ella's grandmother gives her a book, sort of a diary, that Ella's great-grandmother wrote since she was a child, right up until a few days before she died. Some parts of this diary are written in code, and Ella's grandmother is desperate to know what her mother wrote and asks Ella to decipher the code for her, since she has not been able to do so after many years of trying. Now, that got my attention. Not only because of the secrets that were obviously hidden in the diary, but because I wanted to know why Ella's grandmother needed to know what was written there. It is very clear since the beginning that it's not just curiosity: her peace of mind depends on it. I loved that; it intrigued me.

The story is well written; I loved learning more about the differences and similarities between Amish and Mennonites, and how they played out in Ella's and Ezra's romance as well as in the whole family dynamic. But the story is too long. Ella is a nice character but, although she is 17 going on 18 years old, most of the time her voice "sounds" much more older, more mature. What I mean is that it seems as if she was not written with an 18 year old in mind. I've seen this many times but in reverse: an older character that sounds like a teenager. I'm not saying that Ella acted like a mature adult. I'm saying she sounded like one: the choice of words, the phrasing.

I had mixed feelings about the romance (not in a bad way). Sometimes I loved Ezra. Other times, it amazed me how Ella could be in love with him. Luke, on the other hand, was so sweet and quiet that I sometimes wanted to shout "Speak up!" I really wanted Ella to pick one specific boy, but, strangely, I never stopped rooting for the other. Quite interesting. Both love interests were very well written, as well as Ella's mother, grandmother and brother.

It's a sweet story of love, forgiveness, faith and trusting God to lead us to what's best for us. It is the third book of a series, so there are many characters and a long family history behind it. It can stand alone, but read as a series should give the reader a better understanding of the family.

3 1/2 out of 5 stars


*I received a copy of this book from Harvest House Publishers through NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.

Paper or plastic?

Last week my Nook, my beautiful, hard-working Nook, stopped working. Just stopped. It quit on me. All I could think about was the hundreds of books that were right there and I was unable to read them. Suddenly, I panicked thinking that I would have to spend weeks waiting for the Geek Squad to finish repairing it, and what about my reading? I guessed that I would have to go back to my paperbacks... but I just wanted my Nook. And then it hit me: what has happened to me? I used to be the one who almost swore that she would never give in to the ebooks and readers' fad. Oh, how I loved (and still do) the good smell of a new book. That wonderful paper, cover, and binding smell that only a new book can give you. Oh, how I loved going to Borders (the only bookstore that used to be close to my house) and just breathe.

But now, now that I have tasted the sweet freedom of reading page after page with only one hand, now that I have obtained so many free books (most of them pretty good) and I'm able to read them without suffering through the unmerciful glare of the computer screen, now that I can have my books delivered in seconds instead of waiting impatiently at my mailbox, I realize that I am addicted. Without the Nook I felt almost lost. No bookstore near, not a library in sight, I was doomed.

But, alas, my guarantee had not expired, and they gave me a "new" one the same day I went to have it checked out. And once the nice lady gave me my package, I was able to breathe once again, not the nice smell of a new book, but the great relief of having my reading time restored.

So what has happened to me? Am I so dependent on technology that I just cannot grasp the idea of curling up with literally a good book anymore? Oh, if only my computer teacher could see me now! I mean, technology is NOT my friend. I still need someone to explain to me, step by step, how to do most things in my own blog. Most of the time I have no idea what I'm doing. And I'm considered tech-savvy in my home, so I come from a technologically challenged family. But I simply love my reader and the many books I have been able to download and read because of it.

I still enjoy a good paperback book every now and then. I have many still waiting to steal a little of my time. And I could never part with my old, beloved editions of so many books that I fell in love with while reading them and breathing their intoxicating, new-book aroma. Reading "old school", I fell in love with places, characters, scenes, situations, words and books in general. I got to experience many wonderful, new and strong sensations from a very early age, all because of the printed word in actual paper. And I think that is why at first I was so reluctant to give readers a try: not having that rugged paper feel takes away from the romance aspect of reading that reminds us of how and why we fell in love with reading in the first place. But trust me: it's all there, every word, every feeling, every sensation, only in a different format.

Leaving Lancaster: A Novel, by Kate Lloyd

Overview (from NetGalley): More than anything else, thirty-something Holly Fisher longs for family. Growing up in Seattle without a dad or grandparents, she wonders what it would be like to have a heritage, a place of belonging. Holly is furious when her mother, Esther, reveals a long-kept secret: Holly's grandmother and uncles are still alive and begging Esther to return. And Holly is shocked when she learns that the family she's never known lives on a Lancaster, Pennsylvania, farm-as part of an Amish community her mother once abandoned.

Guilt-ridden Esther, terrified to see her mother and siblings, begs Holly to accompany her on a visit to Esther's mother before she dies. But can their journey to a conflicting world heal their emotional wounds and finally bring them home?

Set in the heart of contemporary Lancaster County, Leaving Lancaster explores the power of forgiveness, family reconciliation, and love where least expected. 

Review: Love, regret, forgiveness, redemption, second chances, new beginnings; these are some of the words that best describe the idea or themes behind this novel. This is the story of a woman coming home to the family she deserted, and the story of this woman's only daughter finally feeling at home with the family she never knew she had. Both women are afraid, scared and in desperate need of love, mercy, grace and each other. It could have been such a wonderful, beautiful, touching story, but the execution prevented it.

This is the problem I had: the two female leads were so unlikable, their attitudes so undesirable, that it was very hard to find a redeeming quality in them. The thing is that both women appear to have been written with much younger versions in mind. Holly, the daughter, sounded like an 18 year old, and the mother... maybe a 30 something, but they were both so childish and immature in their thinking, actions and in the way they spoke that it was hard to sympathize with either one. They were fighting constantly, and contradicting their thoughts with their words; for instance, the daughter would do a little soul searching and realize that she needed to cut her mother some slack, but then almost immediately say something rude to her, out of the blue. She was a brat. Half the time I was expecting them to start a "You did!" "I did not!" "Did, too!" "Did not!" fight.

Also, sometimes it felt as if the author had forgotten her own plot and previous scenes. For example, the mother mentioned her 5 brothers to her daughter, and Holly says: "Mom, you're talking gibberish. First a mother. Now, five brothers?..." Then, a few pages later, the mother mentions her five brothers again, and Holly says: "Five brothers and this is the first I'm hearing of them?" Really, no. Other times the characters' words and actions made no sense, their expressions and reactions coming out of nowhere.

I will say this, however: the author did a beautiful job writing the big confrontation / redemption scene. It was beautifully written, expressed and managed. It was really moving. Also, Nathaniel was a very nicely written character, as well as Jeremiah and Beatrice.

The novel did keep my interest as it slowly unraveled the mysteries and secrets behind this family and their actions. But not all was revealed, which I think means that there would be more to come.

2 1/2 stars out of 5 

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher, David C. Cook, through NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.

The Get Yourself Organized Project: 21 Steps to Less Mess and Stress, by Kathi Lipp

Overview (from NetGalley): An organizational book for women who have given up trying to be Martha Stewart but still desire some semblance of order in their lives.Most organizational books are written by and for people who are naturally structured and orderly. For the woman who is more ADD than type A, the advice sounds terrific but seldom works. These women are looking for help that takes into account their free-spirited outlook while providing tips and tricks they can easily follow to live a more organized life.

In her inimitable style, Kathi Lipp offers:

• easy and effective ways women can restore peace to their everyday lives
• simple and manageable long-term solutions for organizing any room in one’s home (and keeping it that way)
• a realistic way to de-stress a busy schedule
• strategies for efficient shopping, meal preparation, cleaning, and more

Full of helpful tips and abundant good humor, The Get Yourself Organized Project is for those who want to spend their time living and enjoying life rather than organizing their sock drawer.

Review:This is a fantastic book written with people like me in mind (you know, people who would like to be organized but don't think a little mess is the end of the world because there are things more important in life). Kathi Lipp has a no-nonsense writing style: funny, to the point, very sincere and candid. She does not pretend to be an expert, a Martha Stewart type. She just knows what the daily life of the average family looks like and gives us pointers on how to make it less messy based on her own experiences and organizational methods, as well as with the help of a few, very clever friends.

The goal is not to have a picture perfect home cut out from a magazine. The goal is to have a home organized around what works for you and your family; it has to work for you instead of you  having to work hard to be organized. And we are not talking about your house only, no. Mrs. Lipp sets out to help us organize our life, from the basics (the living room, the bedroom and bathroom) to the more complicated (schedules, paperwork) and even the car. But again, she does all this not with a I-know-more-than-you attitude, but with the attitude of a friend who has been through the same thing and wants to share with you what works for her.

To be completely honest, we have a very messy home, and we've tried to make it better, but every clutter book out there seems to be written in a foreign language for us. Now, we have a space that looks good and works for us. This book made all the difference. The only thing that I didn't love about it was the use of so many plastic bins. I get that they are great (I use them, too), but if I were to use as many as were suggested here we would have very little free space. But we came up with other solutions, which in the end is what the author expects and encourages us to do.

4 1/2 stars out of 5

*I received a copy of this book from Harvest House Publishers through NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.

A Plain Death: An Appleseed Creek Mystery, by Amanda Flower

Overview (from NetGalley): 24-year-old computer whiz Chloe Humphrey moves with some uncertainty to Appleseed Creek to direct technology services at a nearby college. Her first acquaintance is Becky, an ex-Amish teenager looking for a new home. While driving Chloe’s car, Becky collides with a buggy, killing an Amish elder. But what looks like an accident is soon labeled murder when police discover the car’s cut brake line. Now, Chloe must take on the role of amateur sleuth to discover who the real intended victim was before the murderer makes a second attempt. Becky’s handsome Amish-turned-Mennonite brother, Timothy, a local carpenter, comes in handy along the way. With God’s help, they’ll solve the mystery that’s rocking this small community.

Review: I really liked the premise of this book, and for the most part, it delivered. It is nicely written, very simple but, nevertheless, nice. The main characters —Chloe, Timothy and Becky— were ok. It has a very good pace; never felt dragged or too slow or boring. The mystery is a good one; you form your ideas here and there, you try to piece it all together and you kind of know, but then you're not so sure, so you go back and then you're pretty sure and the author changes it up a bit once you get to the climatic scene. So it keeps you interested.

That said, I had a few problems with this novel:

• The romance is very lacking. I was expecting something more romantic or substantial to happen between the romantic leads, but no. It left me hanging, waiting, expecting until it was over.
• The climatic scene was just too bland and rushed. It left a few questions unanswered but I'm not going to get into them because I don't want to spoil it for the rest of you.
• The hero. Yes, it is someone unexpected, but the reason this person gave for being there is laughable, it made no sense.
• Finally, the portrayal of the Amish left much to be desired. I will not get into the details, but suffice it to say that in this novel the Amish who stayed Amish were presented in a very bad light and those who left the Amish were great, the good guys, with the exception of the Troyer family and Aaron.

In the end, I had a nice time reading this novel; it is entertaining and kept my interest, but I wish and hoped it was better. It ended with a few loose ends, so I'm thinking there will be more to come.

3 out of 5 stars

*I received a copy of this book from B&H Publishing Group through NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.