Margaret

I'm still reading in the introduction and this book is fascinating. My book is being returned due to due date, but I'd love to get my hands on this again. (02/07/2012)

My first introduction to the writing of former protestant minister and Catholic convert author Scott Hahn was through his book on Mary during my research for my senior independent study for my Bachelor of Religious Studies. My three favorite religious writers that speak to my soul are C.S. Lewis, Henry Nouwen, and Scott Hahn. The way that details are used in Hahn's book create an understanding, but also a desire to continue a study on my own. Through The Lamb's Supper, Hahn goes in depth to not only the gospels, but also Revelations and many Old Testament and other scriptures in between.

Thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah/Doubleday Religion for providing a copy for review through FIRST Wild Card Tours.

Originally posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2010/12/15/the-lambs-supper-by-scott-hahn/

There are so many books that when I hear their author or title, I know I should have read them and “everyone” seems to talk about them. [b:Walk Two Moons 53496 Walk Two Moons Sharon Creech https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1170425323s/53496.jpg 1237212] is one of those, but I never read it. Now, I know that I will, I will go back for that one and just about every [a:Sharon Creech 11633 Sharon Creech https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1201118462p2/11633.jpg] that I can get my hands on because I found this one to be so fantastic. Fun, fantastic, fascinating, just plain fabulous. While part of me was thinking I would get a bigger ending, for what it is, it's worth the read. Partly because the author, partly because the cover image - this one I could not help but start when it dropped into my hands. I wasn't planning to read a middle grades book this week, but it was well... unexpected. [b:The Great Unexpected 13623948 The Great Unexpected Sharon Creech https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1337642216s/13623948.jpg 18182894] is a story about two orphan girls, where they came from, where they are and where they will go. It is a novel that can touch anyone and I think it is extremely valuable for the quality of thinking that it might bring to a young mind. This is one to read and then have some time to yourself to contemplate. All those questions, answers or not - this has an input. I wonder if this review makes sense to anyone, or if it just babbling... hmm... who knows, but perhaps that's not the point. This is a thinker book, and it's entertaining. Quirky and humorous I found this enjoyable and will not hesitate to read it aloud to my daughter again in a year or so and then offer it to her to read alone when she is able. At times, I hate to put it down but absolutely must go to sleep, I guess I should have started earlier in the day to read it all at once. This is the kind of read that makes the wheels turn but keeps me silent to just think and not try to get it all out. Yet I want to journal and write poems and share it with the world as well. How in the world can I ever describe such things?This touches on the harshness and the realities in life and circumstances, but instead of being morose it's plain fact with a sunny side. Exactly what we need in life and definitely something that all “oh-woah-is-me” characters can connect to. I think this is a needed book and will fit many places. Thanks to HarperCollins Children's for providing a copy for review.posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2012/12/10/the-great-unexpected/New to the paperback edition is an Extras Inside where you can read Sharon Creech's inspiration for The Great Unexpected, other Behind-the-scenes Author Tidbits, and an excerpt from The Boy on the Porch which I reviewed earlier today, you can read that review HERE. You can take it from me that The Great Unexpected is an awesome place to start if you have never read anything from Sharon Creech before and it is a great place to go next if you have.I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. I received no other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my personal, honest opinions. Your experience may vary. Please read my full disclosure policy for more details. posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2013/10/11/the-great-unexpected-2/Quotes I Love: “Lizzie said that if you imagined you were standing on the moon, looking down on the earth, you wouldn't be able to see the itty-bitty people racing around worrying you wouldn't see the barn falling in or the cow stuck in the pond; you wouldn't see the mean Granger kids squirting mustard on your white dress. You would see the most beautiful blue oceans and green lands, and the whole earth would look like a giant blue-and-green marble floating in the sky. Your worries would seem so small, maybe invisible.” ― Sharon Creech, The Great Unexpected, p.17“A driver had been sent to meet us. He was gray-haired, short, and nimble and introduced himself. “I am Patrick and so is every fourth man in Ireland, and the ones in between are named Sean or Mick or Finn, and I'll be driving you.” ― Sharon Creech, The Great Unexpected, p.171“Mrs. Mudkin closed her eyes. “We should pray.”“I ain't praying,” Crazy Cora said. Mrs. Mudkin said, “Lord, please bless—““I ain't praying.””–this land and the people who–““I ain't praying.””–have toiled on this earth–““Stop that praying.”“I can pray if I want to.”“Then be quiet about it.” ― Sharon Creech, The Great Unexpected, p.191

[bc:Hearts Entwined 35086276 Hearts Entwined Karen Witemeyer https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1496784252l/35086276.SY75.jpg 56389393]

It was a few years ago when I jumped into book reviewing and reading all the time and at the same time I became a quilter. So when I came a cross a book entitled An Elm Creek Quilts Album, a three-in-one of books #4-6 of her on going Elm Creek Quilts Novels I knew I had found a brilliant match. Now while I'm not sure that this book would be labeled as Christian Historical Fiction, it is inspirational as well as Historical and her Elm Creek Quilts Novels are sold by ChristianBook.com and that's good enough for me to label it as such.

I was delighted to see her newest title, Sonoma Rose to be coming out at the end of February. Immediately from the beginning of the novel I was intrigued and captivated by the characters and the story. Through out with the flashbacks and to current day watching the personalities change and grow as well as corrupt and fade for others was something that kept my interest. Dealing with topics that provide such personal controversy for so many people such as divorce in an abusive marriage, prohibition from vineyards that have been active for years and even medical break-throughs really makes a reader think. Watching some of our main protagonist's children suffer an illness that is just now becoming really well-known about is heart breaking. One of my sister's has an intolerance for gluten and while I had never heard of the Haas diet with bananas, it's fascinating to see the beginnings of such research that benefits her was started back in a time while so much other turmoil went on.

The forbidden romance and the circumstances of their lives makes it uncomfortable reading about Rosa and Lars. My romantic reader heart wants it to work out for them, although I do not condone their past, I admire their present and possible future. Just one more thing that keeps the pages turning, wondering how in the world it can work out for them. As a quilter, I love reading the descriptions of quilts and how they were lovingly made. Being able to visualize and connect with a character really brings them even more to life out of the page and Jennifer does that so well. After reading Sonoma Rose, I'm quite certain that I will want to return for more and more Elm Creek Quilt Novels.


Thanks to TLC Book Tours for providing an ARC for review.
Jennifer Chiaverini's Sonoma Rose Book Tour officially began on February 13th and will end on March 15th. You can visit the blog stops to find out more about this intriguing book.

Read Chapter One »

Originally posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2012/02/16/sonoma-rose-by-jennifer-chiaverini/