Monday, August 30, 2010

MISSON OF HOPE


Wow, wow, and triple wow. MASKED BY MOONLIGT was the first book I read by Allie Pleiter, and it blew me away. I’ve since read the Kentucky Corners series, and though they were good, I longed for another MASKED BY MOONLIGHT. When I heard she was writing a sequel, I was overjoyed.

The cover captured me immediately and being a historical, well I just had to read it. But what I hadn’t expected was that THIS was the sequel to MASKED BY MOONLIGHT. You can’t imagine my excitement when I made the discovery.

MISSON OF HOPE was amazing! From the first page I was hooked, and from there it never stopped. There are books that you can barely make it through…ugh. There are books that you fly through. And then there are those like MISSON OF HOPE…ones you read purposefully slow, absorbing EVERY word because it’s that good.

As an inspiring writer I was blown away by Allie’s writing, the plot, and the wonderful characters. All of them captureD me, so realistic as if they would suddenly step out of the pages. I'm in awe of how she writes so completely different from the Kentucky Corners, to a Historical.

MISSON OF HOPE was based on the same concept as MASKED BY MOONLIGHT, though Allie was able to create a completely unique story with just the right touch of MASKED BY MOONLIGHT to connect the two.

I will miss Quinn, he’s such a neat characters.

Monday, August 23, 2010

THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST


No kidding, this movie changed my life. In all my years I never really got it until this movie. Being a visual person, seeing THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST made me realize what not only God/Jesus went through but Mary as well. A mother myself, know no matter what I go through with my kids, it can't compare to what Mary had to endure, seeing her son go through what He did. And He was innocent.


This movie and reading "The Purpose Drive Life", catapulted me into a Christ Centered Christian. I now fully live my life for Him. I live to seek out and live out my passions that God has given me. There's nothing like a life serving others in His name.


I'm the adult coordinator for the prison pen pal program through my church, Willow Creek Community Church in, S. Barrington, IL. An amazing ministry. If you love to write, have the gift to mentor and encourage, check out the pen pal ministry through Willow Creek at, www.willowcreek.org.


There's no greater joy then to serve Him!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

WIFE MOST WANTED



Well, LOVED the cover. I liked the storyline. But I couldn't get into the writing, and had to stop pretty early on which always pains me. I often wonder if things would change later in the story, if nothing else, wondered where the writer was going to take the story. But I've learned that life is too short and there are just too many books waiting to be read. I just don't have the time to muddle through one that is poorly written.

This was the first book I've read by this author so it may very well have just been an "off book" for her. I'd be willing to give her one more try, providing the title and synopsis grabs me.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

A SIMPLE AMISH CHRISTMAS


A SIMPLE AMISH CHRISTMAS is simply delightful, and my first ever Amish read. I’m not sure why it took me so long to finally read one but I’m certainly glad I did. I grew up watching LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE and have always felt drawn to the “simple life”. So why not the Amish.

It’s hard to believe this is Vannetta’s first book, it’s that well written. As an aspiring writer I found myself rereading several parts in hopes of the words sinking in enough to emulate later in my own writing.

A SIMPLE AMISH CHRISTMAS is a sweet story with characters you’ll love, and a plot that will keep you turning the pages. You feel as though you’ve entered into the world of the Amish. The glossary in the back was helpful, though it didn’t take long to figure out the meaning of the words as you read along.

The ending was uniquely amazing. I just LOVED what Vannetta did with it. It nearly took my breath away. It gives me goose bumps just to think of it.

Vannetta Chapman is a name to look for in the future.

Friday, August 6, 2010

THE TIME TRAVERL’S WIFE


From what I'd been hearing THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE was a must see movie. I thought often about purchasing the book, and reading it first. I thought often about seeing the movie. My busy life didn't allow me to get to the movie theater, and the stack of unread books I have kept me from purchasing the book. Besides, I'm growing leery of reading a book prior to a movie. At least right before I know a movie is coming out, and it's in book form. When a book is so fresh in your mind, and the movie makes some major changes, and or leave some amazing parts out, its' hard to take. It's a whole other circumstance when I've read the book, and some time later, usually years; it comes out in movie form. I then HAVE to see it...if the book was good, of course.

While at the library the other day, I spotted THE TIME TRAVERL'S WIFE and didn't think twice about grabbing it. That very night I watched it.

After seeing the movie, though I know books are ALWAYS better, I'm glad I didn't purchase the book and read it. I believe I would have been thoroughly confused. But more than that I was a little mystified of what the story clearly missed in my eyes.

Why was he traveling back in time?

The movie was good in that it kept you interested. The acting was great. I even cried, yet I felt I was cheated. Cheated out of knowing the meaning to his travels. Why the author didn't make that know is beyond me. Or maybe it's me. Maybe I missed something. I just feel that if there was a clear reason for his travel, the story could have been hugely powerful; instead it left me wondering what'd it all mean. Why...

I'll still rate this movie high, and tell others that it was a good movie...just not great. Not great because the author missed their chance to make it great in my eyes. What a shame. But it was a unique romance if nothing else.

Maybe it's just writer in me.

Monday, August 2, 2010

OZARK WEDDINGS


In Ozark Weddings, you get three stories in one

LARKSPUR DREAMS – In Larkspur Dreams, Lark’s new neighbor couldn’t be any more different than she. But as they say, opposites attract, and attract they do. As different is West is to East, Lark is to Everett. But God has a plan for them, and they soon find themselves drawn to one another as love blossoms in an unlikely match.

THE LOVE SONG – Clair O’Neal is naive, and shy, living in her own world. When she meets Glenn Yves, he sees beyond her outer shell, and offers to help her become the beautiful person he know she is from the inside, out. Then comes along Hudson Mandel. A man who also sees Clair’s beauty. Which man will win her heart…

CASTLES IN THE AIR – Nori Kelly and Zachary Martin are neighbors, and an unlikely match. They both are reading a book in hopes of finding true love. Zachary realized he’s in love with Nori, if only he can just get Nori to notice him.