MONTANA HEARTS

Being the cowboy lover I am, when I spotted this book on the shelf at the store I couldn't resist. Never having read a book by Charlotte Carter before, I was taking a chance but after reading the synopsis I was hooked.

Montana Hearts was well written with a wonderful storyline and characters you're sure to love. A very sweet story, played out at just the right pace. I especially loved the ending. Though you could imagine how it would end, the author threw in a few twists with a unique ending. Very cute. I loved it.

GOD'S PROMISES FOR MOTHERS

I wasn’t too thrilled with this devotional. I’m more into contemporary writing then straight out of the Old King James Bible, version. So, if you like that type of writing, then it’d be a good choice for you but if you’re like me, then no. I enjoy a devotional like Joyce Meyer’s would write.

COWBOYS AND ANGELS

After running across this movie on Amazon, being the cowboy lover I am, I just had to have it. The acting was good, and the overall movie was good. The underline message was good as well but I felt it was a little too subtle. A little disjoined, a little confusing. It felt like there was something missing to the connection between the Angel,the cowboy and the other woman.

In the end they kind of threw you for a loop, not leaving you with an “ah, ha” moment but confusion. I mean I got it but it was rather blunt, not carried out very well. I felt they should have played it out a little better to get across the point they’d been trying to convey that hadn’t been clear up until that point. At any rate, it was a good movie, just not great due to the way it was played out in the end.

LAST CHANCE CAFE

I rarely watched TV and only recently discovered I had Lifetime with my new cable provider along with being able to tape shows. When I discovered by chance that a movie was on earlier, LAST CHANCE CAFÉ and that I'd missed it, I was mortified. I simply couldn't wait another month until it was to be on again. I just had to order it online (eventhough I had to order it from Lifetime), knowing it would be a movie I'd watch over and over, again.

I'm a HUGE Linda Lael Miller fan, and have read many of her books, fifteen or more. One of them being LAST CHANCE CAFÉ, which I loved. Oh, what a great day it was to discover one of her books has been made into a movie. I would love to see all of them become a movie...well, almost all of them.

Just as I loved the book, the movie was good as well. Loved the storyline. The acting was good though I wouldn't say great. There were some really great scenes, so true to Linda's writing.

THANKSGIVING GROOM

When I pick up a book with the name BRENDA MINTON on it, I know I’m in for a treat. Just as I’ve come to love about Brenda’s books, the characters and the story that unfolds in THANKSGIVNG GROOM had me turning the pages, wanting to know what happens next. What great characters!

I have to admit that the cover of a book speaks volumes to me, being a visual person and all. I also have to admit that I wasn’t too enthused with this particular cover. Funny how things have a way of taking you by surprise, though. I knew the exact moment in the book that the cover was created for and it was so perfect it changed my whole view of it. It was a very profound moment for it had become alive.

I loved Tuckers, as well as Penelope’s story. Brenda has an amazing way of portraying stubborn, hardheaded characters, yet you can’t help but fall in love with them. She also has a way with delivering some really great lines that leave you in awe of her writing.

I must say the ending really did it for me. The way it all came together, and what Tucker did (Sorry, you’ll have to read it to find out.) stirred up many emotions. Very touching.

Can’t wait for her next book.

EAT PRAY LOVE

I guess there is a spoiler in my review but I don’t really know any way around it to get across what I’d like to convey. Sorry about that. I usually don’t put them in my reviews.

Every since I saw the cardboard standup at the movie theater, I wanted to see EAT PRAY LOVE. I didn’t make to the theater when it was out and waited patiently in hopes that my local library would get it in. And they did. I waited three weeks on a waiting list and when I got the call it was my turn, I went in to pick it up immediately and planned to watch it that night.

I must say I was a bit disappointed in this movie. I was really expecting something profound. Yet as often as the case, I heard the book was really good by a few people. Still, having watched the movie I can’t say I’m eager to read it. A positive note, the acting was good.

I for one am a deeply committed person, so right off the bat the main character leaving her husband the way she did, didn’t sit well with me. As the story unfolded, I kept waiting for something, something that never happened.

The flashbacks of her husband put in my mind she’d come to her senses and discover she really did love him, and needed to give her marriage the work, commitment and chance every marriage deserves. It bothered me greatly that it never materialized.

I totally get that people often make the wrong decision, and that one needs to discover who they are, their purpose in life and all that. In EAT PRAY LOVE, honestly, the only connection to the title I came away with is EAT. She did indulge in eating. As far as PRAY, I was thrown for a loop on the whole praying thing. As a Christian, did I miss something? Or was the PRAY part, praying to a picture of a woman. That was a little disturbing to me to say the least. As far as LOVE, well yeah, she quickly went from one guy to another with a hint of LOVE. Is it me or did she basically jump into another relationship like she confessed she had from the marriage she’d just ran away from?

So in the end I was sorely disappointed in this movie. I felt the title was misleading, leading you down a path far from what the title suggested.

Maybe a better title would be EAT MEDITATE AND HAVE A FLING.

THE MAN I WANT TO BE - CHRIS YOUNG

Okay, so I’ll admit it. There are times I purpose a CD for one song in hopes that I’ll like enough of the others on it to make it worth my wild. Once I receive the CD, I’m often so enamored with that one particular song that I can’t stop listening to it, thus never getting to the others on the album…or I only listen once through, not really absorbing each one for it’s uniqueness. There are those times when a song hits you right away and you fall quickly in love with it and other times where it takes hearing it a few times before you become hooked.

Mind you, this does not happen all the time but with this particular album, it did. So I specifically purchased it for GETTING YOU HOME. Months later I have the radio on in my car, something I rarely do (always listen to CD’s), and an amazing song comes on, VOICES. It didn’t take long to recognize the amazing, soothing, deep rich voice of Chris Young. Immediately it hit me that I may very well have that song.

When I got home I punched in CHRIS YOUNG on Amazon, and just as I thought, he only has two CD’s out and I have them both! What a great surprise that was. Since then, I’ve listen to the entire album over and over, loving ALL of it.

Funny how things work out sometimes.

YULETIDE COWBOY

YULETIDE COWBOY is a very charming story. How could one not fall in love with such a sweet and caring man such as Chance Turner? I liked the storyline for Lynn as well as Chance. Woman fleeing abusive situations is a great topic to bring to light. I was also intrigued by the whole rodeo preacher. Something I had never thought about, yet thoroughly enjoyed getting a glimpse into. As always, Debra Clopton has a way of drawing you into her stories and having you fall in love with her characters.

ABBIE ANN

Once again Sharlene MacLaren has swept me away in ABBIE ANN. A large novel at 500 pages, reads smoothly, taking you on an amazing journey that you never want to end. What wonderful characters! I thought the first two in the series HANNAH GRACE and MAGGIE ROSE, had amazing characters with remarkable stories. I shouldn’t have doubted for a minute that I would love Abbie Ann and Noah any less or their stories.

Besides Sharelene’s wonderful writing and storytelling, she has an astonishing way of weaving in layer upon layer of drama and twists. She delivered wonderful lines that had me laughing, as well as heartwarming moments that made my eyes well up with tears. And all done so smoothly and naturally that you forget you’re reading fiction.

I was totally amazed at the details to boat building throughout the story. I’d have to guess a lot of research went into ABBIE ANN. Just one of the things I love so much about Sharlene’s writing is the depth and growth of each characters story.

I can’t wait to receive the next book of Sharlene’s I recently ordered, LONG JOURNEY HOME. Hurry up, Amazon!

CATCH AND RELEASE

Love this movie. What a great story, with great acting. I caught a glimpse of this movie on a Youtube put together video of several scenes from different movies. I was intrigued and with a little investigation, discovered my library had a copy. I went the next day to borrow it. Once I started it, I soon realized I had watched it some time ago, yet couldn't get myself to turn it off. It's one of those movies you can watch more than once. I just may watch it again, one day.

MAGGIE ROSE

Once again I’m am blow away by Sharlene MacLaren’s amazing writing. I loved HANNAH GRACE, so when I’d finished, it had me wanting for the next in the series, MAGGIE ROSE. I was certainly blessed when I’d won a copy of HANNAH GRACE on Sharlene’s website. I had yet to read her work and now can’t seem to get enough of it.

MAGGIE ROSE was an amazing story, incredibly written. Loved the plot. Love the Characters. Luke’s Spiritual journey, and life lessons he encountered. Very powerful, moving, and thought provoking. Maggie and Luke weren’t the only ones with tears in their eyes as this wonderful story came to an end. Brilliantly done, I must say.

Now on to the third and final book in this remarkable series, ABBIE ANN. Can’t wait to see where Sharlene takes ABBIE ANN...and me, in what is sure to be another great novel.

REMEMBER ME

Well I must say I am in love with Rob Pattinson all over again. I loved him in Twilight, and I loved him in REMEMBER ME. Wow, what an amazing movie. Great story! Great acting. For whatever reason I had not remembered what the ending was about. That came as a total shock. Here I was going along loving this story, totally engrossed in it, and yet had no idea where it was heading. The idea was never a thought or a possibility. It was as if I was given two stories in one. It made me want to go back and watch it again with new eyes. But then again, I don’t know if I could handle it, knowing what happened in the end.

Very powerful and moving.

Definitely a movie to REMEMBER.

THE WRITER'S JOURNEY

THE WRITER’S JOURNEY is quite a monstrous book in size as well as the information it contains. I must admit it took me some time to get through it. Although I don’t regret reading it I must say in many ways it was way beyond my comprehension. So much information that I had a hard time deciphering it all. The examples were extensive which had its advantages as well as its disadvantages.

I would have to say what I took away from this book is the sense that characters are quite complex, thus are humans. I now have a different perspective on the structure of a novel, and even more so the importance of it. This book also put to words the feelings an amazing movie or book can provoke. Why, how, and the importance of it.

At one of my writing meetings, we watched the concepts of this book being taught by the authors on DVD. Though I was only able to watch the first half, I must say it was easier to comprehend then the book. I would highly recommend the DVD’s verses the book.

BIG TIME RUSH

When my girls first started watching BIG TIME RUSH it didn’t take long for their songs to seep into my soul. They were catchy, uplifting with great vocals. There CD wasn’t out yet with no indication of when it would be but we just had to get a hold of their songs. So we purchased several off of itunes to tie us over. But once we discovered the CD would be released, we signed up right away for it.

What a great CD. Something the whole family can enjoy. Who would have thought that only a few weeks later we’d get to meet them!

Check out my other blog post to hear about our experience meeting BIG TIME RUSH.
http://kymmcnabney.blogspot.com/

THE EXONERATED

SHOCKING…HORRIFYING…UNTHINKABLE

As much as I was disturbed by this movie for so many reasons, I was also very disturbed by a few reviewers’ comments. I agree, the movie was not presented in the most entertaining way but really, that was not the point, nor its purpose. How can one be so shallow as to not have compassion and sympathy for these individuals and what they endured?

I’ve volunteered in the prison and jail ministry for several years. No matter how much society wants to deny it, these cases are not rare, unheard of, or fabricated. They happen all the time! What often goes on in the systems can be like a horror movie played out, messing with people’s lives on all kinds of levels. Destroying one individual at a time, often taking many innocent people with them.

One thing this movie brought to lights is not only is the system often unjust, the people working in it are often evil, filled and hatred. There are innocent lives being shattered, as well as the affects it has on their loved ones.

How often do people point fingers, condemn, and judge! But never stop to think of their loved ones. They are often the innocent and hurting. We all have a father and a mother, grandparents, many of us siblings, aunts and uncles, cousins, best friends. Whether or not someone is guilty or innocent, they often have loved ones out there that did nothing wrong to deserve the hurt by every cruel word and action directed towards the one convicted.

This movie elicited so many emotions it’s hard to even put them into words. Each story unique, tugging at my heart. To think what these individuals endured! How their families suffered! And for what?!?!? They were all innocent! But the revelation of that fact could NEVER reverse the damage that had been done from a wrongful conviction!

But through it all, God did show up! These men and this woman are extraordinary, faithful, inspiring individuals.

When the movie ended I was speechless, motionless for some time. I clenched my eyes shut and sat in silence, tying to soak it all in.

How? – How could people be so cruel?


Why? - Why do we allow such things to happen?


Evil? - How can one allow Satan to enter their lives and inflict so much pain and injustices?


God? - God has nothing to do with Evil…that’s all Satan. God allows us free will, and with that free will many men have chosen to follow Satan instead of God, therefore allowing evil to attempt to devour the world and destroy God’s people He loves so dearly.


When I was finally able to pull myself together, I did the only thing I could after such an experience. I reached for my Bible. I closed my eyes and opened it up. The pages before me…the end of Matthew, chapter 12 and be beginning of chapter 13. The bold heading that stood out and grabbed my attention reflected that of the movie. Once again God had not failed to comfort me in my time of need, giving me His word to find peace. At least enough to allow me to eventually fall asleep.


I pray that people from all over will watch this movie. That it will move their hearts the way it did mine, giving them the knowledge and compassion to realize we are in no position to judge and condemn. Yes, there are those that are guilty and should pay for their crimes. But there are also those that are wrongfully convicted. For those that are guilty, I just have one phrase those judging…What would Jesus do! And that’s not a question. The facts are all there in black in one. One just has to open the cover and read. Treat others they way you’d want to be treated. You reap what you sow. And the greatest of these is…love.


REVIEWERS COMMENT I FOUND VERY DISTURBING:
Pure talking heads here. Several wrongly convicted ex-cons, played by actors, tell their stories of woe. You've heard it all before. This is a stage play adaptation that's more play than movie. Maybe the play worked better. This got on my nerves.


MY COMMENT TO THIS REVIEWER:
Sorry to hear you missed the whole point. The words "no heart" comes to mind. I agree at first it was hard to stay focus. So many different stories and the way it was presented. But if you’d stuck with it, you might have been captivated by the individual’s lives, as well as discovered the horrifying truths and then maybe you would have discovered some compassion within.


MORE REVIEWERS COMMENTS THAT DIDN’T SETTLE WELL:
1) Anyone can tell these people's stories. I would be pissed if I have to pay to see this movie in the theater.
2) This HAS to be one of the BORINGEST if not The Most Boring movie I’ve EVER seen !!!Guess I could tag it A Waste Of Time?

COMMENT TO A REVIEWERS:
Sorry to hear you missed the whole point. The words "no heart" comes to mind. I agree at first it was hard to stay focus. So many different stories and the way it was presented. Sorry to hear you weren't captivated by the individual’s stories enough to discover the horrifying truths of then, allowing you to ascertain some compassion within.

If you chose to make the effort to locate and watch this movie, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.

Blessing,

Kym

A TAILOR-MADE BRIDE

Hold on to your bonnet, for once you start this amazing story you'll be taken on a whirlwind of an adventure. Talk about a quick read. I had the hardest time putting it down, my life easily forgotten but the house needed cleaning, the kids needed to be taken care of, meals needed to be made...

What amazing characters, you're sure to fall in love with. I loved Jericho and Hannah. It was as if they were real people. I loved every situation they were placed in, and how it played out. I caught myself rereading several lines, they were that good. It's hard to believe this was her first novel. Every scene was amazing. Every chapter ended in a way that leaves you no choice but to start the next. It wasn't long before I reached the end, wishing for it to go on, and on.

Make sure to check out Karen Witemeyer's website for the epilogue. You won't want to miss it.

THE BAND PERRY

After discovering the video on Youtube, IF I DIE YOUNG I wasn't sure if I liked the song or not, let alone Kimberly's' voice. The next time it popped up, I was drawn to it and gave it another try. And another, and another, and before long I decided I really liked it, along with Kimberly's unique voice. Not able to get enough of this great song, I just had to purchase it from itunes.

I later started watching/listening to HIP TO MY HEART, and once again wasn't too sure what I thought about it. This time it didn't take me long to decided I like it, too. Only problem was, I couldn't seem to get enough of it.

With a quick search, I discovered they were releasing a new CD in October. Okay, I'll wait to purchase another song off of itunes. Patience. Patience. I must say it was worth the wait. What a great CD. Love all the songs! Music and lyrics. I love everything about them.

HEAD IN THE CLOUDS

HEAD IN THE CLOUDS has my head in the clouds, dreaming of meeting my Gideon. What a wonderful story.

Probably the first half of the book I took my time, reading slowing, absorbing every word. After that point, I could no longer hold back and flipped through the pages, rapidly. If the cover doesn’t draw you in, then the title surely will. But if that isn’t enough, if you dare to read between the covers, the first page is bound to capture you.

As an aspiring writer, I savored every word. HEAD IN THE CLOUDS was brilliantly written, with an amazing storyline that will take you on an adventure you never want to end. How could one not fall in love with Gideon Westcott, as well as Adelaide Proctor? Every character was alive, bringing you into their world in such a way you forget they’re not real.

Karen was able to give Gideon a strong faith in such a natural way it flowed throughout the book, never seeming forced or jarring. Adelaide’s was also presented in the same way. Two wonderfully strong characters that seemed to compliment one another.

There was never a dull moment in HEAD IN THE CLOUDS. What there was is a wonderful placement of action, and romance at all the right times. Always believable, keeping you turning the pages. Right up to the very end.

It’s hard to believe this is only her second book. I can’t wait to get started on her first, A TAILOR-MADE BRIDE. Karen has definitely been added to my “favorite authors” list.

Funny thing, I had forgotten I signed up to be an influencer for this book. In September I went to the ACFW Conference in IN, and spotted HEAD IN THE CLOUDS and purchased it, along with A TAILOR-MADE BRIDE. When I arrived home, guess what was awaiting me? A copy of HEAD IN THE CLOUDS from the publisher! So even though I originally signed up to be an influencer, I don’t consider myself one because before that became a reality, I had purchased it on my own. I was that drawn to the story!

CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC

What a cute surprise. I'm really not all that into goofiness. But Confessions of a Shopaholic was goofy, silly, funny, and just plain cute.

I hadn't even heard of it when I spotted it at my local library and when I noticed Hugh Dancy was one of the main characters; I had to give it a try. I'd just loved him in Ella Enchanted.

Though very silly, it was a great story, well done and acted.

I just might be tempted to watch it again.

ROBIN HOOD

Wow, what an amazing movie. Love it! The setting was wonderful as well as the acting. The story itself was fascinating. Great action with the right amount of romance with a true hero. The more I experience movies with Russell Crowe, the greater appreciation for the man I have. He is truly a gifted actor.

THE LAST SONG

As soon as I heard about this movie coming out, I knew I had to see. I was pleasantly surprised by Miley's acting. I think she did a great job. It was an amazing story. Having watched a few of Nicholas Sparks movies, I know to expect something amazing...except when I read the book first.

After seeing A WALK TO REMEMBER several times, I finally made the decision to read the book. The first of the Nicholas Sparks books I've read. Though it was well written and a good story I could not believe how different it was. I guess I should have known then when I decided to see DEAR JOHN how different the movie would be from the book. What a letdown that was, though I'm sure it would have been good if I hadn't had the book to base if off of. Why, oh why do authors let that happen! And movie directors. If a book is a hit, why in God's name would they change it? And I mean major changes. It makes me wonder which I should do...read Nicholas Sparks books or see his movies?

It's not really working, doing both.

WHEN IN ROME

When I first caught a glimpse of WHEN IN ROME, I was intrigued. A better look at the commercial and I later decided it seemed kind of stupid, to be honest. So when it came out at the theater I didn't bother to see it. But when I discovered it was at our library I figured, why not. Boy was I glad I did. What a cute movie! Well acted and a great storyline. Totally believable romance...between the main characters.

EXPOSED

I am so blessed to have been EXPOSED to this amazing book.

Some of the words that come to mind:

Compelling!

Inspiring!

Powerful!

Gripping!

Heartwarming!

Ashley Weis is an amazing story teller. Exposed was beautifully written, and a story so desperately needed to be told. With today’s society so inundated with sex, it’s a must read. Ashley did an amazing job of keeping her readers turning pages. There are three main characters, Ally, Taylor and Jessie. Every other chapter was Ally and Jessie’s story, the others were Taylor’s.

Every chapter ending left you NEEDING to turn the next page. A definite “Wow” or “What” response. The entire story took you on an amazing journey into the lives of those affected by the porn industry.

The husband, the one caught up in the lies of porn.

The wife, the discovery of her husband’s addiction turns her world upside down.

The “porn star”, the devastation the industry inflicts on ones soul.

Every chapter had me captivated. The heart of the story and the way it was told was enough for this amazing book to stand on its own. I pretty much figured where the story was going…but oh how wrong I was.

With about seventy pages to go, I slipped into my bed and started to read. I soon realized I wouldn’t be putting it down until I finished. But what I hadn’t imagined is I would be shocked not once, or twice, but three times. I was blown away by the ending. The words amazingly powerful come to mind.

I can’t tell you want chapter I was on when the weeping began but I can tell you this. It did not stop until long after I closed the book. I can’t remember ever finishing a fictional book and wanting to pray for the characters with stories that touched my soul so deeply I ached for them.

My prayer is that this book will one day become a bestseller. The compassion alone it creates is one our society is in desperate need of.

DISCLOSURE: What can I say, I love books. As an inspiring author I love to read and share my experience of the books I’ve read. Through my reviews on Amazon, along with being part of the ACFW Email Loop, I’ve been blessed to be allowed as an influencer for several books. Of course not every book that’s looking for influencers is for me. I do my homework first. First I note the cover, then the title. If those two things draw me in, I then go to Amazon or other places I can read a synopsis. If I’ve never read the authors work before, I then read the first several pages when possible to see if their writing appeals to me.

When I receive a book, I’m quite excited to get started though in the misty of the excitement often comes a little anxiety. I am honest to a fault and hate nothing more than the thought of having to give a bad review. Thanks to the good Lord above, I have rarely come across one that I didn’t like. In fact quite the opposite. Many times I’m thrilled to have been blessed to read such a wonderful story. I’ve discovered several new authors I now can’t wait to read their next novel. And that is something I love to spread so it’s really a win, win situation.

This book was one of those blessings I offered to be an influencer.

BROKEN

BROKEN LIVES CAN BE REPAIRED

BROKEN is like no other I’ve read. Being a fan of Travis Thrasher’s romance novels, when I spotted BROKEN I purchased it. Though he may write in a variety of genre, how can one not at least give one of his other novels a try?

I loved the journal entries before each chapter. It pulled you into the very heart of the main character, Laila.

The story started as pure mystery that kept you turning the pages, wanting to understand what was going on. As the story unfolds, page after page, you are slowly taken on a journey of a young woman who through a series of bad choices found herself on the run.

Travis did an amazing job of bringing in several characters with such vivid stories they each elicited their own set of emotions within you, whether that be sorrow, anger, love. Though I’m not a fan of the supernatural ideas, I loved the message BROKEN gave. A glimpse into one’s journey of learning to trust in God enough to start a new chapter in their life.

The most powerful aspect of the story for me was why Laila became who she became. The message of how bad decisions can haunt us for a very long time if we don’t confront them and make peace with them through God.

ONE TUESDAY MORNING AND BEYOND TUESDAY MORNING

A couple of years after 9/11 I spotted a book at Sam’s Club. What attracted me was the fireman on the cover (my husband is a fireman). When I realized it had something to do with 9/11 I hesitated. I wasn’t sure if I was ready for a story about that day, fiction or non-fiction. I even wondered what an author was thinking by writing such a book…especially on a few years later.

With indecision, I purchased it.

As I read the story I felt a new awareness to those directly affected by 9/11, and prayed from them anew. I still think of that book and in turn, think of those families that were directly affected by that day.

The book/s, ONE TUESDAY MORNING, and BEYOND TUESDAY MORNING, by Karen Kingsbury.