Monthly Archives: November 2012

Saturday Matinee! If Only!

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If Only

If you had to choose a day in your life to re-live all over again, which day would you choose, and why would you choose to relive that particular day?

I saw IMDb’s Ultimate Romantic Movie List recently. This movie is listed as #1, but Titanic is #2. Although I did enjoy this romantic movie, I have to admit that it DOES NOT top Titanic!

Ian, a British businessman, is emotionally neglectful toward Samantha, his girlfriend. Feeling like a second-class citizen, Samantha is unsure if their relationship will work. Ian adores Samantha, but, does not understand why she’s upset with his actions. Clueless, Ian wants Samantha to know that he adores her, but, he doesn’t know how to show her how he feels. When Samantha dies in a car accident, Ian is stunned when he’s miraculously given a second chance to prove his love.

This movie had a slight science-fiction/whimsical slant. Since Ian is given a second chance to relive the previous day, the movie kind of reminds you of the film GROUNDHOG DAY.

I loved how Ian did his best to make his second chance count. The surprise ending will make you sit up and realize that it’s important to show the ones that we love how we feel about them.

If you had to choose a day in your life to re-live all over again, which day would you choose, and why would you choose to relive that particular day?

If you’ve seen this movie, I’d enjoy hearing your thoughts about it!

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

Christmas Roses By Amanda Cabot

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If your parent had abandoned you when you were a child, would you search for him/her for two years when you were an adult?

That’s the premise for Christmas Roses by Amanda Cabot. Mark Williams was abandoned by his father when he was a child. Now, he’s determined to find his dad, trying to discover why he’d left his mother alone to raise Mark. Mark’s mother had told Mark that his father had died when he was a youngster. However, after his mother’s death, he discovers that his mother had not been telling him the truth about his dad.

Mark goes on a two year search from town to town, trying to find his dad, using his carpentry skills to make a living. When he stops in a small Wyoming town, seeking lodging while he continues his search, he meets Celia Anderson. Celia, a Swedish woman, is raising her daughter alone since her husband was killed in a mining accident one year ago. Celia is drawn to Mark, however, he’s bitter against his absentee father, and he’s also bitter against God. It appears that there’s no way that a relationship could work between them.

This was a light read that you can finish in a few hours. The story was refreshing. I felt that the conflict between the characters was deep and realistic. I also loved the small, close-knit, religious town. The townspeople socialized together, enjoying a group dinner on Thanksgiving. It’s heartwarming to see an entire town celebrating a holiday with one another. I thought it was interesting that Celia was Swedish. You learn a bit about Swedish customs, plus, there’s a great-sounding Swedish pound cake recipe in the back of the book!

Many thanks to Baker/Revell for providing me with a free review copy!

So, if your parent had abandoned you when you were a child, would you search for him/her for two years when you were an adult?

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

Saturday Matinee! Breaking Dawn Part 2!

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Why is the Twilight series so popular?

I saw Breaking Dawn Part 2, yesterday, at nine o’clock in the morning. I didn’t even realize movies were open so early!

This movie stayed pretty true to the novel, Breaking Dawn.

Bella awakens and she’s now a vampire! Hungry for blood she goes on a search for food in the woods, along with her husband Edward. Edward has to try and tame his wife’s desire to feed on humans. Meanwhile, Bella’s and Edward’s child, who is half mortal and half vampire, is mistaken for full-vampire child (an immortal child). This mistake places their child’s life in danger. An immortal child is extremely dangerous because of the child’s tender age, the youngster is uncontrollable in society.

As usual, there’s fighting, werewolves, and just plain weirdness…after all, it’s Twilight. It’s an entertaining weirdness though. I enjoyed the movie about as much as I enjoyed the book. There’s a brilliant scene near the end that I’m sure will have you on the edge of your seat.

So, why do you think the Twilight series (both the books and the movies) is so popular? Leave a comment!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Sweet Devotion By Felicia Mason

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Sweet Devotion by Felicia Mason

Have you ever attended a church camp? If so, tell me about your church camp experience. What was your favorite camp activity?

Amber Montgomery relocates to Wayside to forget about the abusive relationship she suffered with her ex-boyfriend in Los Angeles, who also happens to be a cop. Amber hates cops, and when Paul Evans mistakenly handcuffs and arrests her, she’s determined that he’ll suffer for his mistake. There’s no way she’s going to be manhandled by another cop.

Paul Evans is stunned that he’s arrested Amber by mistake. Since he’s accidentally bruised her hands during the arrest, he feels even worse. He’s trying to conquer his own demons and he’s now raising his niece and nephew as he comes to terms with things that have happened in his past.

There’s something about Amber that draws him in, in spite of her prickly, no-Jesus attitude. When Amber is hired as a cook for Paul’s church’s summer camp, the twosome find time to spend together, getting to know one another.

Amber’s a preacher’s kid, plus, she’s done lots of missionary work with her parents. She knows what it’s like not to have friends in remote areas – maybe being alone isn’t so bad. But she second guesses her opinions about relationships and faith as she gets closer to Paul.

I really enjoyed this novel. It shows how our faith can falter, almost disappear, because of traumatic circumstances. The lesson learned from this novel is, no matter what happens in your life, God is always there for you, he’ll never leave you or forsake you.

I encourage you to download this novel onto your Kindle, Nook or other e-reader.

So, have you ever attended a church camp? If you have, tell me about some of your church camp experiences. What was your favorite church camp activity? Leave a comment!

 

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

The Christmas Pony By Melody Carlson

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The Christmas Pony by Melody Carlson

When you were a child, which gift did you MOST want to receive for Christmas? Did you receive this most-wanted gift for the holiday?

It’s 1937 and Lucy Turnball wants a pony for Christmas. However, times are hard and her mother and grandmother struggle to make ends meet since the death of her father. They own a rooming house yet, they have no boarders.

However, things change when two boarders, George and Veronica, show up at their home. Veronica is beautiful, glamorous, and she’s anxious to get to Hollywood to become a movie star! George is quiet and thoughtful. Why are they traveling together? Also, why are there strange vibes between George and Lucy’s mother?

As Lucy gets to know George and Veronica, she realizes that first appearances are not always accurate. She also stresses about playing the angel in the Christmas play. Will she get to play the coveted role this year?

This book was a light, somewhat fun read and I could imagine a lot of children and young teens would enjoy this story since it’s told from the viewpoint of a 12-year-old girl. It’s a nice Christmas story to enjoy over the holidays along with a cup of warm cocoa.

So, when you were a child, which gift did you MOST want to receive for Christmas? Did you receive this most-wanted gift?

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

 

Saturday Matinee! The Secret Life Of Bees!

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The Secret Life Of Bees

Have you ever run away from home? If you did, what happened after you left?

I reviewed the novel, The Secret Life Of Bees, recently. The movie stayed true to the book, for the most part. Lily doesn’t feel loved at all. When her abusive, non-emotional father punishes her for something she did not do, Lily figures she’s had enough. When their housekeeper, Rosaleen, is arrested for an altercation with some white men, Lily breaks Rosaleen out of jail, figuring she’s going to get killed. They run away,  ending up in a small town, a town affiliated with Lily’s  deceased mother.

Set in the sixties, this movie deals with issues of racial unrest, coming of age, and religion. Lily and Rosaleen are taken in by a family of sisters (May, June, and August). The sisters make their living from the honey they produce at their beehives, set on their vast acreage of property. August becomes a mentor to Lily, teaching her about life and the beekeeping business. Lily also meets Zach, August’s employee and a friend of the family. Lily is drawn to Zach as she searches for answers about her deceased mother.

This movie was pretty good. I enjoyed watching it. I especially like how Lily’s character grows and matures throughout the film.

So, have you ever run away from home? If you did, what happened after you left?

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Recent News

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I wanted to talk a little bit about the recent storm. I felt blessed that my area was spared from massive damage from Hurricane Sandy. Please remember to keep those people in New York, New Jersey, as well as other areas who were hit hardest by the storm, in your prayers. Were you, or your loved ones, affected by the recent storm? If so, let me know. If you’d like me to say a prayer for you, leave a comment or email me.