I don't know if any of you are on Wattpad, but I've had an account there for about six months. I haven't done a whole lot with it, but I do have the first chapter of a work in progress posted there called Valentine's Challenge if anyone is interested in reading. I hope to add to it soon.
http://wattpad.com/cindykgreen
Book Review: Merry Humbug Christmas by Sandra D. Bricker
During the holiday season I actually got some reading done. One of the books I read was from Sandie Bricker, her new Christmas book of two novellas. I first discovered Sandie's books when she started writing for Summerside Press in their Love Finds You series. I absolutely loved her book, Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas. It was well-written, funny, insightful and God-honoring. I loved it so much I bought a copy for my mom and my sister. I've read several more of her books since that 2008 release. And I now follow her on Facebook and thoroughly enjoy her comments and posts.
So when I heard she had a new Christmas book I knew I had to get it. I loaded it up on my Kindle and waited for a lovely Christmas tale to unfold. Like usual I loved her voice and heart warming stories told in her humorous way. They were enjoyable stories. Sandie is a talented author. My one qualm with this book and especially the first story was that it seemed to lack a true Christian message. There are Christians in the book but the Christianity was laid in place lightly.
For example, in the first story the heroine, Joss, doesn't seem to be a Christian even though she throws up a prayer now and again. The hero, on the other hand, does have a strong faith. I was expecting to see a transformation in Joss, a realization that she needed Christ in her life. But it never came. And the hero, Patrick, never seemed to have a problem that she wasn't a true believer. He still planned to have a relationship with her. Perhaps I'm being picky but that bothered me.
Overall, though, they are two delightful stories that I would encourage you to read.
Blurb:
A Merry Humbug Christmas features two holiday romance novellas from hilarious and heartwarming author Sandra D. Bricker. -- the perfect gift to yourself or someone else at this most wonderfully stressful time of year.
In "Once Upon a Jingle Bell," A Bah! Humbug cruise to the Mexican Riviera is Joss Snow’s answer to this year’s quest to avoid the holidays completely; at least until she’s rebooked on a different kind of cruise altogether. Candy canes, holly wreaths, reindeer and ornaments seem to be stalking her on the 12 Days of Christmas holiday cruise extravaganza. An escape back to land is her only goal . . . until she meets a kindred spirit in rugged Irishman Patrick Brenneman, and then the game is on! Avoid Christmas festivities at all costs . . . except maybe for that one stop under the mistletoe.
So when I heard she had a new Christmas book I knew I had to get it. I loaded it up on my Kindle and waited for a lovely Christmas tale to unfold. Like usual I loved her voice and heart warming stories told in her humorous way. They were enjoyable stories. Sandie is a talented author. My one qualm with this book and especially the first story was that it seemed to lack a true Christian message. There are Christians in the book but the Christianity was laid in place lightly.
For example, in the first story the heroine, Joss, doesn't seem to be a Christian even though she throws up a prayer now and again. The hero, on the other hand, does have a strong faith. I was expecting to see a transformation in Joss, a realization that she needed Christ in her life. But it never came. And the hero, Patrick, never seemed to have a problem that she wasn't a true believer. He still planned to have a relationship with her. Perhaps I'm being picky but that bothered me.
Overall, though, they are two delightful stories that I would encourage you to read.
A Merry Humbug Christmas features two holiday romance novellas from hilarious and heartwarming author Sandra D. Bricker. -- the perfect gift to yourself or someone else at this most wonderfully stressful time of year.
In "Once Upon a Jingle Bell," A Bah! Humbug cruise to the Mexican Riviera is Joss Snow’s answer to this year’s quest to avoid the holidays completely; at least until she’s rebooked on a different kind of cruise altogether. Candy canes, holly wreaths, reindeer and ornaments seem to be stalking her on the 12 Days of Christmas holiday cruise extravaganza. An escape back to land is her only goal . . . until she meets a kindred spirit in rugged Irishman Patrick Brenneman, and then the game is on! Avoid Christmas festivities at all costs . . . except maybe for that one stop under the mistletoe.
New Years Resolutions
I'm not big on making resolutions. What happens to our resolutions anyway? Inevitably, we always break them. It's like promising God that you'll never sin again. It's just not going to happen. So, no I didn't make any grand New Year resolutions this year. However, I do like to assess the past year and formulate goals for to the future as a new year commences.
This year I want to eat healthier and exercise more. I pray I'll read my Bible regularly and get up earlier. I hope to submit several new manuscripts to my publishers and get back into a regular writing routine. I'd like to read at least 36 books this year. That's only 4 a month. And I pray I make my family feel loved every day of the year.
What about you? What are your goals for the next year?
This year I want to eat healthier and exercise more. I pray I'll read my Bible regularly and get up earlier. I hope to submit several new manuscripts to my publishers and get back into a regular writing routine. I'd like to read at least 36 books this year. That's only 4 a month. And I pray I make my family feel loved every day of the year.
What about you? What are your goals for the next year?
Happy Thanksgiving!
Let us give thanks to God above,
Thanks for expressions of His love,
Seen in the book of nature, grand
Taught by His love on every hand.
Let us be thankful in our hearts,
Thankful for all the truth imparts,
For the religion of our Lord,
All that is taught us in His word.
Let us be thankful for a land,
That will for such religion stand;
One that protects it by the law,
One that before it stands in awe.
Thankful for all things let us be,
Though there be woes and misery;
Lessons they bring us for our good-
Later 'twill all be understood.
Thankful for peace o'er land and sea,
Thankful for signs of liberty,
Thankful for homes, for life and health,
Pleasure and plenty, fame and wealth.
Thankful for friends and loved ones, too,
Thankful for all things, good and true,
Thankful for harvest in the fall,
Thankful to Him who gave it all.
Cindy is on Facebook!
It official! Cindy K. Green is now on Facebook. I would love for you to come on over and give my page a Like. You can look me up as Cindy K. Green Author or try this link https://www.facebook.com/CindyKGreen. I plan to have a Facebook party/contest to inaugurate my page very soon. Stay tuned for more details. Happy Saturday!
Book Review: Amorelle by Grace Livingston Hill
BLURB: Amorelle Dean is tired.
Sick and tired of the string of well-wishers meddling in her future. Ever since
her father died only days before, every woman in town has a piece of advice. On
a visit to her uncle’s, Amorelle finds solace in the company of handsome George
Horton, but just as she begins to embrace their whirlwind engagement, she meets
another man and knows what true love feels like. Is it too late to alter love’s
course?
Amorelle Dean is a minister’s daughter. She is capable,
lovely and strong with a strong faith and a good Christian upbringing. However,
she is quite naive about the ways of the world. With the death of her father,
she now has to face the world on her own.
This book is not so much a romance as a women's fiction. The
title of the book is quite fitting. It is all about Amorelle and her life once
her father died, her growth personally and spiritually, mistakes she made and
the happiness only God can provide in granting her a happily ever after.
It is a story of great characters and a plot filled with mild
intrigue. Most times Grace Livingston Hill doesn't just write a cute romance
about boy and girl. There is something else going on in the external plot that
drives the story just as much as the falling in love part.
From the moment her father dies, Amorelle is at the mercy of other people whether they are
trying to match her up for marriage or turning her into a servant or forcing her into a horrid engagement. Then enters Russell Garrison and finally she has a protector, someone who understands her and appreciates her. Of course, this merely increases the conflict in other areas of Amorelle's life.
From the moment her father dies, Amorelle is at the mercy of other people whether they are
trying to match her up for marriage or turning her into a servant or forcing her into a horrid engagement. Then enters Russell Garrison and finally she has a protector, someone who understands her and appreciates her. Of course, this merely increases the conflict in other areas of Amorelle's life.
It's almost like a Cinderella story. She is the poor orphan
girl who comes to live in her uncle’s house with his new wife and her grown daughter.
They don't appreciate her and turn her into a servant and later allow an
imprudent engagement that Amorelle does not want. When wealthy Garrison arrives,
he is like the prince come to rescue her from her trials.
There are parts of the book which were slow and at times it
was agonizing to read how terribly Amorelle was put upon and preyed upon. Once
Garrison came into the picture, the story flowed and it became much more
interesting. It was a well written book and as always GLH presents the gospel
and God's affirming love. A good book not to be missed.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Book Review: Matched Pearls by Grace Livingston Hill
I grew up
reading Grace Livingston Hill. How
exciting it was to see that my first approved book for review with NetGalley
turned out to be a GLH reissue. These books were my first introduction into the
romance genre starting at the age of 11. Her books were always
well-written, sweet and God-honoring. I've noticed her books popping up
in stores recently, and I hope a new generation of girls and women will begin
reading her books.
Blurb:
Constance Courtland is
rich. Beautiful. And haughty. But the town beauty’s life is about to take a
drastic turn. After a terrible accident, her world is shattered, and she’s
forced to take a look at what truly matters. Can she let go of old ways forever
and embrace a bright tomorrow—with the help of a captivating yet startling
stranger?
Such a
beautiful story of the saving grace of God and the happiness and joy he
promises if we will only give our lives to Him.
Constance
Courtland is a rich college girl more interested in her social calendar than
her relationship with God. What she does want though is her grandmother’s
heirloom matched pearls. In order to get them, she just has to attend church
and be confirmed into the membership. This she does and gains the pearls.
At church during
her confirmation, Constance meets Seagave. He's new in town and joining the
church too. He is like a delightful breath of fresh air to Constance and yet she
doesn't quite know what to think of him. Graham Seagave is a Christian young
man with high ideals who initially believes Constance shares his faith. When he
realizes, the discrepancy he so willingly and beautifully witnesses to her.
He's such an honest sincere person from day one and nothing like the men Connie
knows as he proclaims Gods great promises.
This was so
much more a story of Constance finding The Lord than finding a mate. It was
lovely to see the dynamic of Constance's character. She changed from a spoiled
rich girl to a lovely young woman with a heart opening to God until she does
finally ask him in.
Seagrave is
an example of how all Christians should endeavor to be. He doesn’t just claim
to know Christ; he has a personal relationship and the ability to share Christ
for any who will listen. It is beautiful how much Bible he has memorized so that
he can pull out a passage as needed. Quite inspiring.
How beautiful
it was to see how Constance’s introduction to Seagrave opens her eyes to what a
sinner she is. Like so many who are lost, they can’t see their sin as
though they are blind until someone points it out to them. Then it becomes so
obvious they can’t neglect to see it. Constance first realizes it when she gets
back to college and even more so after she returns home after graduation and
she begins reading Seagrave’s Bible. She knows now more than ever what a sinner
and a hypocrite she is.
The book
includes beautiful descriptions of nature: weather, breezes, flowers, etc. GLH
is akin to L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables) in the beautiful, flowery
descriptions that flow masterfully and succinctly over the page creating visual
pictures in the mind of the reader.
This is one
of those books to enjoy and savor. The plot carries you swiftly from chapter to
chapter and is quite emotional. The gospel is simply revealed in the author’s
beautiful prose through the minster of the hero.
The
romantic finale develops into a gift to our characters from The Lord
above. Some readers might find the story old-fashioned from its
sentimentality to the style of prose with more telling than showing, but the
message in this book is just as strong and just as poignant as it was back in
1933. I do wish there had been more interaction of hero and heroine in the
middle of the book. Of course, this is when Constance went through the
introspection and growth she needed to do on her own. By the time Seagrave does
return, Constance was finally ready to make a commitment to Christ and to
Seagrave.
Highly Recommended!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
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