Yearly Archives: 2007

A Moment Of Weakness By Karen Kingsbury

A Moment Of Weakness by Karen Kingsbury
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Multnomah (March 1, 2000)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1576736164
ISBN-13: 978-1576736166

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I was up until two AM last Saturday finishing the novel. THAT’S MONUMENTAL FOR ME. I HAVEN’T STAYED UP SO LATE FINISHING A BOOK IN THREE YEARS!!

I’m aching to talk to somebody about it. I kind of miss the book clubs I used to belong to. When I was in the book clubs, we would all read a book a month, then we’d meet in a restaurant or somebody’s home and discuss the novel. This is one of those times I wish I could have a discussion with somebody about this!

From Amazon.com:
Book Description
Karen Kingsbury’s twelfth book, A Moment of Weakness, is a captivating story of human weakness and divine faithfulness. Jade and Tanner were childhood friends until scandal drove them apart. Then one golden summer they found each other again and shared dreams of forever. But in a moment of weakness they made a decision that would tear them apart for nearly a decade. Now, Jade’s unfaithful husband wants to destroy her in a custody battle that is about to shock the nation. Only one man can help her in her darkest hour. And only one old woman knows the secret about that summer — and the truth that can set them all free. Had they found each other again after all these years only to lose everything that matters most…?

As children, Jade Conner and Tanner Eastman were best friends—until scandal drove them apart. Then, one golden summer, they find each other again. Through endless days they share their hearts and souls and dreams of forever. Then—in a moment of weakness—they make a decision that will tear them apart for nearly a decade.

In their own separate corners of the country, Jade and Tanner have become fighters for religious freedom. Now Jade’s unfaithful husband is determined to destroy her in a custody battle that will rock the nation and shake people’s understanding of faith and freedom. Could Jade lose her only child because of her faith? Only one man can help her in her darkest hour. And only one old woman knows the secret about that summer and the truth that can set them all free.
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On one of my writers’ listservs, we were discussing the best book we’ve read in
2007, excluding the Bible. Hands down, I felt that A Moment of Weakness is the best book I’ve read for 2007. I’ve read two of Karen’s other novels, but I like this one the best. I plan on purchasing some more of her novels and writing my views about them on this blog.

Although this is a Christian novel, I felt Kingsbury did an awesome job of showing the sexual tension between Jade and Tanner. Also, I loved the way both characters “found” their way back to each other not once, but twice. Their relationship survived huge conflicts, conflicts that didn’t seem easily resolved. This is a great novel to read for those struggling with the mistakes they’ve made in the past, mistakes made from going against God’s word, even though those mistakes were made after their salvation.

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SPOILER BELOW:
Reading the novel got me to thinking about Christian dating relationships. Tanner and Jade, against their better judgment, made love the day before he was to leave to go to Hungary for three-week religious trip. I often wonder how many Christian couples are able to have a long-term dating relationship without having intercourse. I watched the couple struggling with their deep attraction during the course of their golden summer together, and I felt that Kingsbury did a great job of showing their attraction to one another.

I also loved the way God brought the couple together as young adults. When they were reunited in their early twenties, it was refreshing to see them together, falling in love. Tanner’s mother was a strong conflict in the relationship due to the bitter feelings she has for Jade’s mother. Jade’s mother has not only hurt Jade in the past, but has also hurt Tanner’s parents.

My heart cried as the couple was ripped apart again, leaving Jade pregnant and estranged from everyone. Her sudden marriage to Jim made her problems worse, not better, and her decision started me to thinking about how we sometimes take matters into our own hands, wanting to solve our problems without looking to God for guidance.

When Jade’s marriage falls apart, and she’s in danger of losing custody of her son because of her Christianity, Tanner again appears in her life. I especially loved the courtroom scene at the end of the novel! It was powerful and moving.

As I read the second half of the book, I had to wonder if Kingsbury added Tanner’s older brother to the story after the book was written. I felt that Tanner’s older brother, who was only mentioned a few times in the story (I can’t even recall his name), was added to the story only to give Doris’s (Tanner’s mother) lies to Jade more credibility. What I mean is this: Doris hates Jade, so to break up her son and Jade, she lies to Jade, making false claims that her son is a womanizer and he has two children out of wedlock whom she sends money to each month. She shows Jade pictures of the children, who look just like Tanner. The photos cause Jade to believe Doris, making her abandon all thoughts of being with Tanner and hurriedly marrying Jim, so that she can have somebody to support her and her child. When Doris’s lies are exposed, Jade discovers that the children whom Doris has mentioned are actually Tanner’s older brother’s children! Tanner’s older brother is not in any scenes and when Tanner’s and Jade’s wedding occurs at the end of the story, Tanner’s brother is not mentioned as attending the wedding. I felt he would have at least attended the wedding. I was wondering if Kingsbury added the brother on later, to create a reason (the children who look like Tanner) to make Doris’s lies more believable to Jade. I emailed Kingsbury and asked her this yesterday, but, so far, no response.

You should read this book, if you haven’t done so already! I’m sure you’ll love this one!

Cecelia Dowdy

Trouble On The Home Front

I was supposed to blog about the novel I loved best for 2007, however, there’s a bit of medical trouble on the home front. Staph infection has been discovered in my son’s daycare, and it appears that both him and myself, may have been infected. Both of us are taking antibiotics now, and he’s supposed to stay out of the daycare for two days, unless the lesions on his skin get worse. If they do, then it’s back to the doctor’s! If you feel so inclined, please lift us up in prayer. It’s been a mighty stressful week! Also, please lift up my son’s daycare in prayer! One child has been definitely diagnosed with the staph infection, and we hope this child will heal quickly!

I’ll blog about my favorite book for 2007 soon!

Stay blessed and happy holidays!

Cecelia Dowdy

Interview With Stephanie Perry Moore

I’m passing on an interesting link to an interview featuring African-American Christian Fiction author Stephanie Perry Moore! Enjoy!

Stephanie Perry Moore Interview

Also, I finished A Moment Of Weakness by Karen Kingsbury on Saturday night/Sunday morning! Awesome book! Can’t wait to voice my thoughts about this story soon!

Cecelia Dowdy

Too Tired For Christmas Cookies

Back in the day, before I had a child, I’d make big batches of cookies to share with my friends and family during the holidays. I’d make chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and peanut butter. I haven’t done that for a few years now. I no longer have the energy to make so many cookies! I’d rather sit in my living room and read a good book! Maybe sometime after the holidays I’ll find the energy to make some cookies. My favorite cookie recipes are the ones featured in the Debbie Fields cookbook.

The cafeteria at my husband’s job sells pies and cookies during the holidays. My hubby opted to buy some Christmas cookies for us to enjoy this year. He purchased chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin. They’ll be available for pick up next week.

Do any of you have a favorite Christmas cookie recipe? If so, what is it? Can you provide comments with links to your favorite recipes, or can you provide the recipe in your comment?

Happy Holidays!

Cecelia Dowdy

Boo Humbug by Rene Gutteridge


Boo Humbug by Rene Gutteridge
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press (September 11, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1400073537
ISBN-13: 978-1400073535
From Amazon.com
Book Description
It’s Christmastime in Skary, Indiana, but the holiday season has been hijacked by maverick director Lois Stepaphanopolis as she attempts to bring her horror-ific vision of A Christmas Carol to life. But the holly-decked path from page to stage is a thorny one, as Lois attempts to rally her skeptical cast, including new father Wolfe Boone, and then she learns that her reluctant marketing director, Alfred Tennison, is truly a Christmas Scrooge.

Alfred’s grassroots marketing plan proves more than successful as the buzz builds that Skary should anticipate an overflowing audience for their opening night– but a crucial miscommunication leaves the visiting theatergoers expecting of a very different Christmas production. As chaos ensues, can the actors pull off an improv miracle — and can the Skary community convince their own Scrooge to embrace the true meaning of Christmas?

Christmas comedy! That’s the best I can describe this novel! I found myself chuckling a little as I read the book. Two new fathers need to get out of the house. The trials of taking care of newborn babes take their toll on two new fathers, so they plan to spend time out of the house by working on Lois’s Christmas play. However, Wolfe and Oliver, find themselves estranged from their wives when their beloved spouses accidentally discover their reasons for undertaking parts in Lois’s weird and crazy play.

Melb and Ainsley struggle to raise their kids as Melb worries incessantly about the health and well-being of her child.

Then Lois’s scatter-brained idea to put on a new, updated version of Dicken’s Christmas classic will make you chuckle. However, when Alfred’s marketing plan creates a successful buzz for the play, it turns out he creates the wrong kind of buzz! With such a huge misunderstanding, Lois doesn’t know how she can turn her play around completely before the actors must perform to a packed audience.

However, perform they do, using a script with a highly unusual twist.

Enjoy this novel for the holidays!

Cecelia Dowdy