Sunday, September 27, 2009

WinterHaven by Athol Dickson


When Vera Gamble gets the news that her brother's body has washed up on a rocky beach in Maine, she makes the trip to Winterhaven to bring him home to Texas. Arriving on the remote island, she finds herself plunged back into visions and heartaches from the past. And is seems as if the people of Winterhaven have as many secrets as she does. Ghosts from the past and present create a sense of menace even as Vera meets romance in the form of the handsom Evan, the mysterous islander who found her brother's body.
This is a suspensful page-turner where nothing is as it seems, an intriguing and enjoyable tale to send a few shivers up your spine this fall.

As far as "The Year of Reading Gloriously" this had a very interesting background as Vera was the daughter of a troubled faiith healer. She is obviously a beleiver, but is struggling with her faith after the passing of her brother, mother and losing her father to Alzheimer's. How she struggles to come to terms with a loving God who has allowed such tragedy in her life is a part of this mystery.”
Other themes include faith healing, supernatural gifts and visions and recovering from life's sometimes enourmous heartaches and losses.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Atonement Child by Francine Rivers


I have been a naughty, naughty Blogger. I did read "Atonement Child" by Francine Rivers. I found it to be riveting story that wasn't afraid to tackle some of the heartache and politically incorrect topics in our country today. But I forgot to write my review until 1-4-2010 so I'm going to post-date it to make it easier to find. Forgive me.


What happens when you are trying your best to live for God and the unthinkable occurs?


A crime against a young woman, an unintended pregnancy, a wavering fiancé all have been done before, but Ms. Rivers breathes into her characters such life that you feel you would know them if you met them on the street (one of my favorite things in a novel).


This book contains a lot of good information as well as an excellant story. It may seem, at times a bit preachy, but the subject matter is certainly worth it. I'm glad she was able to share so much in such an unjudgemental and graceful manner.


If you have never read Rivers, this would be a great book to start with. I highly recommend it!


And as long as I'm at it, I think I'll start a new rating system. Since cardinals (that's right, the bright red birds) make me happy whenever I see them I think I'll have to give Atonement Child a 4 (out of 5) Cardinal rating.


That translates to "Read it--you'll be glad you did"