Welcome to Book Island!

Review: Life Without Summer

 

 

 

 SAVOR THE SUMMER

 

Lynne Griffin's haunting and exquisite debut "Life Without Summer" is a book that seeps into your heart and doesn't let go. Tessa Gray is being eaten alive by grief.  Tessa's world turns the darkest steel gray the moment she loses her adorable 4-year-old daughter in a horrific hit and accident outside of Abby's pre-school.  From that day forward Tessa's very existence is measured in "days without" Abby.  Tessa's personal cartographer helping her map her journey through the twisted abyss of loss is therapist Celia Reed.  Though Tessa wears grief like armor Celia attempts to help Tessa not be blinded by her "bleak crusade for justice."

While helping Tessa navigate this heart-crushing unchartered territory, she finds out that X marks the spot for some bruised terrain in her own life.  Her troubled teen-aged son, her alcoholic ex-husband and her fledgling marriage have Celia unearthing things perhaps left buried.  Two souls intertwine in surprising ways--the answers one woman seeks turns out to be the other's only chance for serenity.

"Life Without Summer" maps the intersecting roads between loves, marriage, truth and healing.  It is a beautiful trip you’ll be glad you've taken, but you may be a bit sad to reach the end--savor every moment of "Life Without Summer."    

yep, still inhabiting the Island--the Amish Love Invasion

Amish Love

 

What’s all the hubbub about Amish fiction? Major media outlets like Time and ABC Nightline are covering it, and authors like Cindy Woodsmall are making the New York Times bestseller list regularly. What makes these books so interesting?

 

Check out the recent ABC Nightline piece here (http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=7676659&page=1) about Cindy and her titles When the Heart Cries, When the Morning Comes, and When the Soul Mends. It’s an intriguing look at Amish culture and the time Cindy has spent with Amish friends.

 

And don’t forget that Cindy’s new book The Hope of Refuge hits store shelves August 11, and is available for preorder now.

I hope to resume regular blogging in mid June :)

 

Guest Blog: Lying on Sunday by Sharon K. Souza (Reviewed by Deena @ My Bookshelf)

The only thing that thrills me more than finding a new author to love is introducing her to YOU! With her debut novel, Every Good and Perfect Gift, Sharon K. Souza captivated me. Her follow-up novel was just as enthralling, yet even more painful for me to read.

She paints a vivid picture of a wife's worst nightmare, and shows how God leads the way out of the maze of pain and confusion.

"Lying On Sunday" chronicles the life of Abbie Torrington, devoted wife and mother of two daughters. As she finalizes preparation for her youngest daughter Becca's birthday celebration, the phone rings.

Tragedy of momentous proportion implodes her life. Once the dust settles, Abbie realizes that her husband is dead.

And he died while in the arms of another woman.

On their daughter's birthday.

With more unpleasant surprises in store for Abbie that day.

Her daughters mourn the loss of their beloved father; Abbie mourns the loss of truth, trust, and betrayal of the worst kind. How can Abbie tell her girls the truth of their father's lies, and would anyone believe her anyway?

Abbie's entire life has been a struggle for truth. She's estranged from her mother for some unknown reason, constantly battling to be perfect for Trey Torrington, her cheating spouse--and desperate to connect with her oldest daughter, Bailey, who is more like her father and grandmother than Abbie can bear.

Your heart breaks for this fictional character whom you realize could be sitting in your church RIGHT NOW. She might be your friend RIGHT NOW. Any woman of faith could be living this nightmare right now, and how will we respond to her?

Will we be like Abbie's best friend, Shawlie--hiding secrets from her she needed to know years ago? Will we be like Becca, reluctantly supporting her but not going far enough? Or will we be like Abbie's dad, always there, always taking up her defense, always trying to make it right?

Or will we take her to the throne of God--praying mercy, grace, strength, healing and courage--and that we be His instrument if He so chooses?

With lively characters that walk off the pages and into your heart, Sharon has penned another novel worthy of high merit. I award "Lying On Sunday" five out of five bookmarks with a box of tissues as a charm. This was a painful read for me, but so worth it (not because I've lived it, but because, deep down, I've always feared it. Praise God, no longer--but this was a testing ground for me).

Happy Reading!

Gonna have to be Nancy Drew and solve the case of the disappearing reviews

GRRR, I actually felt like blogging and over the last several days,  i've tried for hours to post 4 different reviews, and they keep vanishing into cyber-ether.

I'm off to solve the case wearing my Nancy Drew hat-- Stay tuned :)

I dream of Deena, the book genie, Debs old and new :)

Deena  from the awesome site "A Peek at My Bookshelf"  is being a book genie and giving away 30 Books in 30 days.  She's a prayer warrior and a great lady.  I know there is probably a way to make the above button take you to her site for details, but I haven't figured that out quite yet so go here for giveaway details.

Also, as of today my sweet girlies Jess, Dani, Eileen, Jenny, Lisa  , and Gail, become Deb Founders as they usher in the 2009 class of new Debs at the Debutante Ball to fill their debut writer dance card.  The gloves have been passed.   This amazing grog with these lovely gals is an amazing site for voracious readers.  I owe these ladies my heart so check out their sites. 

The grog has been up and running since 2007, and two of the founding Debs  the lovely little bird of paradise Mia King and my sugarplum "other Kristy," (that would be novelist extraordinare Kristy Kiernan)  both these sweet souls sent me their scrumptuous 2nd novels to feast on.  Kristy has written the gorgeous "Matters of Faith" which is 5 star dining for a reader's soul, and she has become an amazing friend.   I  was enamored with Miss Mia when I discovered her "Good Things" and she sent an ARC(advanced reader copy) of "The Sweet Life"  I am hoping to buy a copy of "Sweet Life" and send it to on a Hawaii excursion if Mia will sign it for me.  Kristy promised to inscribe her debut "Catching Genius" if I get one and send it to the Sunshine state.  There are authors who mean the world because they  have become friends, amd I will treasure  these personally inscribed novels for the rest of my days. It truly means more than words can articulate :)

Working hard on 4 reviews to post as soon as humanly possible, but still having to take it slow. 

Dolly Parton Dairy Queen, and the Applewood PTA

Okay everyone I'm dipping my toes back into the blogging pool.  Book manna is arriving daily and over the next week or so I hope to resume full reviews, and host an author interview or two.  My sweet authors I will not let you down.  God has used you to deliver more blessings than I count--it's more than i could ever repay, but i thank my Creator for putting everyone of you in my orbit.  I will have to take it slow, but every promised review will happen unless I no longer draw breath.  These kindnesses have made some yucky bruised days a lot brighter, Some island care packages arrived today with some fun titles.  Broadway Books sent "The Passion of Tasha Darsky" by Yael Goldstein Love and "Outside In by Courtney Thorne Smith(yep, the actress).  But by far my fave title in the Broadway stack was "How Dolly Parton Saved My Life" by Charlotte Connors.

Also landing on my island doorstep is the yummy southern dish "Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen"    by sweet Susan Gregg Gilmore.  There are also two titles from one of my favorites James Scott Bell and a new author Kate Lloyd. 

But by far the BEST UNEXPECTED treat of the day came from the beyond kind Ellen Meister Along with her first book "Confessions of the Applewood PTA" (she personalized it). she sent a t-shirt sporting the title of her 2nd novel "The Smart One" that the kind folks at HarperCollins sent my way.  A gazillion thanks Ellen it means the world.  So over the next lil while I'll be learning lessons from Dolly Parton, the Dairy Queen and the Applewood PTA:)

Hope y'all have dreams of Blizzards and big blonde...hair ( Fun true tidbit:) Dolly has a hair salon and a chapel side-by-side in her humble abode :) 

Sweet Dreams don't give up on me :) Miles of love to y'all

NO MATTER WHAT!!!

I will resume regular frequent blog posts tomorrow... have tons of yummy books to dissect!  Bless my authors for their sweet care and concern--massive spasms have invaded my body since surgery.  Please keep warm thoughts!!  I love y'all--I'm not giving up don't you all  either please:)

kidney stone still wreaking MAJOR havoc

Even though the kidney stone left my body a week ago, I'm still enduring major agony...if things aren't tons better by Fri. I may be admitted for pain management.  I was told to expect "mild discomfort" well. you could combine my cracked tailbone and being dehydrated, and you may come close to my pain levels.  Of course the docs say this isn't normal.  What else is new???  If you are an author I've promised a review it will happen--hopefully soon.  If I could've forseen this  agony, I probably would've postponed launching.  Please pray I'm back to blogging like mad by this time next week or sooner.  Please don't give up on me!!  Miles of love to y'all :)

Welcome to the World Little Bear...Thomas Barret Becker

Last night at about 9:30 my phone rang to announce the arrival of Thomas Barret Becker. (his mama Crystal plans to spell it with 1T instead of 2, but  for these pictures daddy Tom,aka Fred to me, spelled it with 2) They are calling him Barret  WHAT AN HONOR!!  His mama is Ethyl to my Lucy. My little namesake was 9 lbs. and 21 and 3/4 inches.  (His older sister Miss Lura(Lulu) was 10 lbs, and 14 and-a-half ounces.  So I wanted everyone to see my "little bear".  And in approximately 2 months, my other honeybee will be here(Mr.Alton Walker Webb.)  Can't wait to meet Walker too. And watch the miles of lovely these sweet lil boys bring to all of us. 

I will resume regular book related fare tomorrow.  Just feeling truly rough.  Hopefully I  will turn human again after the 16th(kidney stone removal.).  If you are an author I've promised a review please be patient.  Yesterday I received  the mesmerizing "Tell No Lies" by Julie Compton.  Also "Bunko Babes" by the wondrous Leah Starr Baker is FINALLY here.  She's a soul sister because she has systemic lupus.  But we both embrace the lessons of hidden GLORY in  ANY circumstance.  I hope she and I get a chance to talk VERY soon.  Also by next week I should be ready to blog about "Every Good and Perfect Gift" and "Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon" among others.  If you're expecting a review--the only way it won't happen is if I take my last breath first.  I'm a woman of my word!!

Also many thanks to St.  Martin's Minotaur for the 2 surprises in my mailbox "Down by the Riverside" and "Swing Low Sweet Chariot by Jackie Lynn(thanks Hector!!).  St. Martin's Minotaur is also the publisher of "Tell No Lies"--so in the next while I'll be blogging about these and others for weeks and months to come. YAY!!!!!!

The Friendly Book Nook mention

The Friendly Book Nook is giving away Live a Little by Kim Green  Today was my first visit to this blog but for a mere mention here... I earn extra chances to win this yummy read(Yes, everyone i know I think all books are yummy.  But I'm being brave and entering a contest!!

Next week several reviews will go up at once,  I still want the site to have an island vibe.

an interesting tidbit about "More Than It Hurts You" by Darin Strauss  These are my thoughts on his cover:  It reminds me of a ransom note.  This is a book about Munchausen By Proxy, so i wonder i the main characters feel like life as they know it has been kidnapped.