I reviewed Five Miles South of Peculiar by Angela Hunt.

Synopsis:

“If these three sisters don’t change direction, they’ll end up where they’re going. ” Darlene Caldwell has spent a lifetime tending Sycamores, an estate located five miles south of a small town called Peculiar. She raised a family in the spacious home that was her grandfather’s legacy, and she enjoys being a pillar of the community. Sycamores is the kingdom where she reigns as queen . . . until her limelight-stealing twin sister unexpectedly returns.

Carlene Caldwell, veteran of the Broadway stage, is devastated when she realizes that an unsuccessful throat surgery has spelled the end of her musical career. Searching for a new purpose in life, she retreats to Sycamores, her childhood home. She may not be able to sing, but she hopes to use her knowledge and experience to fashion a new life in Peculiar, the little town she left behind.
Haunted by a tragic romance, Magnolia Caldwell is the youngest of the Caldwell girls. Nolie has never wanted to live anywhere but Sycamores. She spends her days caring for her dogs and the magnificent gardens she’s created on the estate, but when she meets a man haunted by his own tragedy, she must find the courage to either deny her heart or cut the apron strings that tie her to a dear and familiar place.

Can these sisters discover who they are meant to be when life takes an unforeseen detour? In a season of destiny, three unique women reunite and take unexpected journeys of the heart.

Paperback, 384 pages

Published June 5, 2012, by Howard Books

About the Author:

With nearly 4 million copies of her books sold worldwide, Angela Hunt is the bestselling author of more than one hundred books, including The Fine Art of Insincerity, The Tale of Three Trees (love it!), Don’t Bet Against Me, The Note, and The Nativity Story. Her nonfiction book Don’t Bet Against Me, written with Deanna Favre, spent several weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. She and her husband make their home in Florida with their dogs. Learn more at AngelaElwellHunt.com.

My Review:

Having three daughters and being from the South, this book called to me, y’all. The dysfunction of the three sisters in the novel was disheartening and I so yearned for them to make things right. It was almost like Faulkner in its sorrow and hopelessness. I’m still mad at some of the secrets that were and are still kept among those ladies. Nolie should have received some professional help long  before she hit age 40. I can’t believe Carlene and Darlene had never confronted some of their issues in over 30 years. It’s a lesson in communication and relationships, for sure. I guess there really are people like these characters with similar issues. All the people in the book were broken in some way and God mended them and brought them together to make a new family of sorts. Hurrah for happy endings.

I was a little disappointed in so many of the overused Southern clichés. The imagery and metaphors were almost laughable in some places. Just a little over the top. People from the South don’t really make comparisons to Scarlett in Gone With the Wind all the time. Southern people don’t all hate ethnic food. I’m sure the book is very believable and stereotypical to someone not raised in the South.

I did rather enjoy the book, but I groaned at some of the figurative language. I did not really like the characters, mostly because I was mad at them. I think I learned something about relationships and God and that’s all that can be asked. It certainly made me think about my family and the relationships that always need improvement.

I received this book from Glass Road Publications for an unbiased review.

I reviewed Legacy Road by Graham Garrison.

About the Book:

Wes Watkins’s journalism career took off when he was asked to eulogize Michael Gavin, a stranger to Wes but a hometown hero to the humble folks of Talking Creek, Georgia. While researching Gavin’s life, Wes was confronted with an estranged relationship of his own that he wasn’t prepared to address, having ignored for years the occasional letters from his imprisoned father. Wes has chosen to focus instead on his growing career and his budding relationship with Emmy. His life is looking up . . . until his marriage proposal to Emmy goes south.

Left to wonder if he can reconcile with Emmy before she is deployed to Afghanistan, Wes can no longer avoid the other reconciliation that troubles him. But when Wes uncovers a painful truth about his parents’ past, patching things up with his father may prove impossible. Wes’s life is close to spiraling out of control. Will Wes learn to forgive? Or will the best year of his life turn into the worst?

Set against the haunting backdrop of several Civil War battlefields, Legacy Road is a grace-full exploration of hidden secrets–and what happens when they are revealed. Through the ups and downs of human relationships, of family ties lost and found, southern fiction fans will ponder the age-old question: How do you forgive others–and release yourself–from a past that threatens to destroy you?

My Review:

Of course, I originally was drawn to the novel because it was set in Georgia. I really enjoyed the storyline too though! I very much liked the subplots of Wes Watkins’ relationships with his parents and his girlfriend, Emmy. It’s complicated, you know? I think we can all relate to our expectations not necessarily falling into line with what God has planned for us. I’ve been in a position similar to Wes’ where everything looks so good and then it all falls apart. I think most people can sympathize with Wes’ situation – with his dad or mom or girlfriend or his experiences at work or school. At least Wes got a happy ending, mostly. Wes is truly an Everyman character for a modern time, with Facebook even! I love how Wes’ professor, Paul, is a mentor: he goes beyond the role of teacher to force Wes and his mom to confront their choices and unforgiving attitudes. It’s the catalyst needed to bring them all together and face what bitterness had done to them. Love how everything develops and the surprising choices people made or the events that forced their hand and how that affects them now and how they deal with it.

Quite a delightful novel that makes you want to mend your ways and make relationships right before it’s too late. Well written, even with lots of high school and college football references and an ending that seems a little rushed.

I loved reviewing Naomi and Her Daughters: A Novel by Walter Wangerin, Jr. Thanks to Zondervan.

A great Biblical fiction story about a well-known Mama whom God lifts up and redeems.

He is my redeemer. He can redeem even this. and that. Yes!

Melding biblical accuracy with imaginative detail, Wangerin explores themes of love, faith, grief, and community. While the widow Naomi mourns the deaths of her two adult sons and the shocking murder of a beloved adopted daughter, she ponders the plight of her Moabite daughters-in-law—and makes a decision that will change the course of history.

288 pages, hardcover from Zondervan. $10.00 hardback or $9.78 for Kindle.

I found this book so refreshing and delightful. I loved the interwoven stories of Naomi, Milcah, Boaz, and Ruth. The Bible characters were quite brought to life and given vivid personalities that personified their circumstances. Of course, Naomi is the central character and I immediately loved her and sympathized with her all through the book. It’s a mama thing.

The title focuses on Naomi’s relationships with Milcah and Ruth, both adopted daughters who bring Naomi great comfort and joy. I love the title “Hakamah” meaning “singer” that describes Naomi as a teller of the Bible stories so they were learned and passed down orally through generations.

The liberties the author has taken with the events and characters surrounding Boaz and the other kinsman-redeemer are humorous and add such a humanity to a well-known and beloved Bible story.

It certainly makes one think about how these people would have reacted to the events in their lives. I love how the author portrayed them. Makes a great discussion. I plan to have my daughters read this when they’re older. I can’t wait!

I received this for review purposes from Zondervan publishing.

I’m pretty blown away by some of David Platt’s teachings. He really is radical and he calls others to be radical Christians too. His book Radical Together calls churches to pursue a calling to actually do what Jesus taught, even though it goes against the mainstream. It might be uncomfortable. It might make churches lose followers.

About the Author:

Dr. David Platt, President of the International Mission Board and founder of Radical, is deeply devoted to Christ and His Word. David’s first love in ministry is making disciples, sharing, showing, and teaching God’s Word in everyday life. He has traveled extensively to serve alongside church leaders throughout the United States and around the world.

A life-long learner, David has earned two undergraduate and three advanced degrees.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Arts in Journalism (A.B.J.) from the University of Georgia, and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Master of Theology (Th.M) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  He previously served at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary as Dean of Chapel and Assistant Professor of Expository Preaching and Apologetics, Staff Evangelist at Edgewater Baptist Church in New Orleans, and eight years as the Senior Pastor of The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, AL. David has written several books, Radical, Radical Together, Follow Me and most recently Counter Culture (to be released February 2015). He also has a radio program on Moody Radio, Radical with David Platt, that can be heard around the world and features past sermons and teaching from David’s ministry.

David and his wife Heather have four children, Caleb, Joshua, Mara Ruth, and Isaiah.

Well, I was so reluctant to read this book: Grumble Hallelujah.

I think I knew that it would reveal too much of myself that I didn’t want to see. Caryn Dahlstrand Rivadeneira is real. She gets up close and personal and in your face.The book is divided into five parts. It was really difficult to get through the first two parts. I had to put it down and mull it over for a while. Then the last three parts went quickly. There were tears and gnashing of teeth as I faced the cold hard truth of my mercilessness and heartbrokenness.

Fear and failure are addressed and she cites Bible verses about these and how and why we should conquer fear and embrace failure.

The chapter on jealousy sure hit home. I mean, who doesn’t battle with jealousy over something or someone? I think it’s wonderful that she can be vulnerable and transparent about real issues that we all face but that no one really admits even to close friends and family members. I love how she turns that jealousy thing around and explains how we should “prefer” the life God has offered us, with all its ups and downs, because it’s what God wills for us and it will make us grow into who we are meant to be.

It really is an amazing and life-changing book. God is made real and our experiences are exposed and challenged. He can handle our grumbles. He savors our hallelujahs.

This book could not have arrived with better timing! We’ve been reading about Saul and David with Tapestry of Grace and this tied in perfectly with our studies. My three girls loved it!
Showdown with the Shepherd by Marianne Hering

It was so exciting to hear my 4- and 5-year-olds exclaim, “Mom, it has God in it!” They quickly compared this book to another popular series, but with a Christian theme. We were able to speculate what could have happened during that time with David. It was a great discussion.

My eldest, at 11 years, recognized the characters from Adventures in Odyssey. All in all, this is a fun and educational series.

Connections, connections.

The younger two listened with rapt attention as I took turns with my eldest, reading aloud . I really enjoyed the book and couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. So glad it’s a series!

The girls read Problems at Plymouth and assured me they loved it. They summarized the story and told me all about it so excitedly. Perfect with Thanksgiving just around the corner! It certainly went with our theme this month.

The characters are sweet and believable. The drawings are well-done and help my little ones follow along. The reading level is aimed at 7+. It was too easy for my 11-year-old, and my 5- and 4-year olds couldn’t quite read it yet. We all were captivated though!

AIO Imagination Station Books are a great addition to our homeschool library.

For more information, visit the Imagination Station website.

About the Books
In Showdown with the Shepherd, Patrick and Beth go to the Holy Land in the tenth century BC. Their goal is to get back the ring Hugh stole and return him to 1450s England where he belongs. But troubles await them as soon as they step out of the Imagination Station. First they meet an angry bear and later an angry giant. Set against the backdrop of the David and Goliath story, the cousins learn that having a giant faith is more important than having a giant on your side.
Patrick and Beth’s next adventure leads them to Plymouth Plantation in 1621. There they meet William Bradford, Miles Standish, and Squanto who are trying to establish peace between the Pilgrims and the Indians. Things are anything but peaceful, however, when a musket is stolen and the Pilgrims conclude the Indians are planning war. Only Patrick and Beth know who the real thief is—the traitor Hugh—and it’s up to the cousins to find him and stop him from causing trouble. When the cousins hear a gunshot during the first Thanksgiving feast, their worst fears are realized.

About the Giveaway

This giveaway is for the whole series of 6 books!

First, head over to the Imagination Station website and leave a comment on this post. Tell me which book looks most interesting to you and your kids and why! Deadline 7 December 2011. Winner announced 10 December. Make sure to leave a separate post for each entry. Winner will be selected at random.

For extra entries:

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Please note that this prize can only be shipped to a U.S. or Canadian address.

Thanks to Tyndale House Publishing for providing the giveaway prize and for providing my review samples! I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own.