Category Archives: Book Talk

Things Left Unspoken by Eva Marie Everson

Things Left Unspoken by Eva Marie Everson
Paperback: 381 pages
Publisher: Revell (June 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800732731
ISBN-13: 978-0800732738

***Just a reminder that I’m giving this book away. See this blog entry for details.

From Amazon.com
From the Back Cover
Every family–and every house–has its secrets. Jo-Lynn Hunter is at a crossroads in life when her great-aunt Stella insists that she return home to restore the old family manse in sleepy Cottonwood, Georgia. Jo-Lynn longs to get her teeth into a noteworthy and satisfying project. And it’s the perfect excuse for some therapeutic time away from her husband. Beneath the dust and the peeling wallpaper, things are not what they seem, and what Jo-Lynn doesn’t know about her family holds just as many surprises. Was her great-grandfather the pillar of the community she thought he was? What is Aunt Stella hiding? And will her own marriage survive the renovation? Jo-Lynn isn’t sure she wants to know the truth–but sometimes the truth has a way of making itself known.

Jo-Lynn Hunter has lost her job. She’s also recently lost her elderly Uncle Jim. Estranged from her husband, Evan, Jo-Lynn needs a project to keep her busy. She agrees to help restore the old family mansion in Cottonwood Georgia as part of a town restoration project. However, as she begins to clean the house and go through it, she finds secrets lurking in the walls of the big house. Was her great-grandfather really a pillar in the Cottonwood community? Should she keep his illicit affairs hidden?

Jo-Lynn’s life is plagued with secrets, and, as she continues to work on the house, she finds that her life is now in danger. Who wants to stop her from doing this project and why would somebody actually set her family home on fire?

Upon her visit in Cottonwood, Jo-Lynn makes friends who make a great impact upon her life. There’s Valentine Bach, the elderly carpenter who rebuilds her home with his crew. She finds that he shares more with her family than just a casual frienship. She also makes friends with Karol, a consultant who is helping with the Cottonwood restoration project. However, when Jo-Lynn befriends a set of teen-aged twin girls, she wonders what her life would have been like if she’d had children. Still angered at her husband, Evan, for not wanting children in their lives, she wonders if there’s hope for them to work through their numerous marital problems.

There’s also a serious twist, one that I was totally not expecting, towards the end of the novel. Also the spiritual thread is lightly woven throughout the story without being too preachy. This book is a nice, cozy, lightly-suspenseful read.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Here is the press release from the publisher:
Life in the South—and the secrets it keeps
A project to revamp an old family house takes readers on a windy ride through past and present in this rich, contemporary novel

Inspired by author Eva Marie Everson’s own Southern family, her latest book, Things Left Unspoken, has been described as “a lovely and deeply moving story,” and “Southern in the best tradition.”

In this stand-alone novel, main character Jo-Lynn Hunter is at a crossroads in life when her great-aunt Stella insists that she return home to restore the old family house in sleepy Cottonwood, Georgia. Seeing the project as the perfect excuse for some therapeutic time away from her self-absorbed husband and his snobby Atlanta friends, Jo-Lynn longs to get her teeth into a noteworthy and satisfying project.

Beneath the dust and the peeling wallpaper, things are not what they seem, and what Jo-Lynn doesn’t know about her family holds just as many surprises. Was her great-grandfather the pillar of the community she thought he was? What is Aunt Stella hiding? And will her own marriage survive the renovation?

Jo-Lynn isn’t sure she wants to know the truth—but sometimes the truth has a way of making itself known.

“…a splendid book by one of the South’s best contemporary authors.”

“…a gateway into a world of small towns, family secrets and lost loves.”

“…a story of restoration, not only of a house and town,
but of innermost parts of a human being.”

Eva Marie Everson is an award-winning author, a successful speaker, and a popular radio personality. She is coauthor of the Potluck Club series and the Potluck Catering Club series. Things Left Unspoken was inspired by her own Southern family history. She lives in Casselberry, Florida.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life. They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet.

For more information, visit www.RevellBooks.com.

Excerpt from Things Left Unspoken

In the early days, beyond the rose-covered trellises on the back porch, perfect rows of vegetables for canning and freezing were planted, both for our family and for neighbors in need when there was abundance. Standing behind the small garden was the farm. It extended alongside the highway that ran beside the left side of the house. The crops stretched toward the horizon and out of sight, interrupted only by the leaning of an old barn, the rise of a tin silo, or the deliberate movement of a John Deere tractor.
But those days were long gone. That was a time when everything seemed to be about life and living. These past few decades, the earth hadn’t been tilled or loved. No planting, no praying for rain, no harvesting. Nothing to show for what had been except the gray of the packed soil and an occasional twig rising up from out of the ground, a remnant of the last crop. Of what my great-grandparents had built, only the big house remained and it was a part of the remnant of what had at one time been a thriving farm in Cottonwood, Georgia.
I blinked several times and brushed away those memories of life. There was too much heartache in the moment to allow myself to remain within them. Now was a time to reflect on death and dying. I could sit here and commiserate, and no one would be the wiser as to the depths I was falling.

What readers are saying about Things Left Unspoken

“What a lovely and deeply moving story Eva Marie Everson offers us in Things Left Unspoken. Her beautiful prose is a gateway into a world of small towns, family secrets and lost loves, with places and characters so real, you forget you’re reading fiction. In fact, I didn’t just read this story, I lived it! And I won’t soon forget the treasures gathered on the journey.”
—Ann Tatlock, award-winning author of The Returning

“In Things Left Unspoken, we are granted a front row seat to a generational love story that unfolds like a rare flower, filling our senses with wonder and imparting truth that when love is the foundation, anything can be restored.” —Allison Bottke, author of A Stitch in Time

“A true southern novel from a true southern novelist. Things Left Unspoken is rich with humor and love.” —DiAnn Mills, author of Breach of Trust

“What a fine, fine book, full of insight, wonderful characters, and complex situations. Southern in the best tradition. A thoughtful discussion of what real love is and what we do because we love.”
—Gayle Roper, author of Fatal Deduction

“Everson writes from the heart of the South. In Things Left Unspoken, she wonderfully portrays the intricacies of small town families with their darkest secrets and deepest bonds. From the first line, she engages the reader in Jo-Lynn’s quest for a place to belong by gently unraveling a tale of tragic history, enduring love, and unexpected intrigue. This is a splendid book by one of the South’s best contemporary authors.”
—Ramona Richards, author of The Taking of Carly Bradford and The Face of Deceit

“Everson delivers a story that is powerful, heart wrenching, and thought-provoking. It is a story of restoration, not only of a house and town, but of innermost parts of a human being.”
—Yvonne Lehman, author, founder of Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference

Deadly Intent by Camy Tang

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Deadly Intent by Camy Tang
From Amazon.com:
Product Description
The Grant family’s exclusive Sonoma spa is a place for rest and relaxation—not murder! When Naomi Grant finds her client Jessica Ortiz bleeding to death in her massage room, everything falls apart. The salon’s reputation is at stake…and so is Naomi’s freedom when she discovers that she is one of the main suspects! Her only solace is found with the other suspect—Dr. Devon Knightley, the victim’s ex-husband. But Devon is hiding secrets of his own. When they come to light, where can Naomi turn…and whom can she trust?

==
This was a suspenseful novel and I enjoyed that some of the scenes took place in a posh spa where the rich come for rest and relaxation. However, when one of Naomi’s clients is found murdered, things drastically change at her family’s business! Who would murder Jessica, and why? When Dr. Devon Knightley, Jessica’s ex-husband, appears at the spa, demanding to see Jessica, moments before she is murdered, the mystery takes on another twist.

Naomi has met Devon at social functions, and wonders why he’s never attempted to contact her on his own. She’s attracted to him, but needs to be honest with
herself – he’s an atheist and she’s a Christian. How could that union happy?

Devon wonders about the death of his ex-wife as his own life becomes risky. It appears someone is trying to kill him, but who would want to harm him and why?

This book moves quickly and you can finish it in a short amount of time. The story and the characters will pull you in for an enjoyable, fast-paced read.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Bittersweet Memories – First Wildcard Tour

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It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old…or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today’s Wild Card author is:

Cecelia Dowdy

and the book:

Bittersweet Memories

Heartsong Presents (June 2009)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Cecelia Dowdy is a world traveler who has been an avid reader for as long as she can remember. When she first read Christian fiction, she felt called to write for the genre.

She loves to read, write, and bake desserts in her spare time. She also loves spending time with her husband and her young son. Currently she resides with her family in Maryland.

The three books in this series are: John’s Quest(Maryland Wedding Series #1), Milk Money (Maryland Wedding Series #2), and Bittersweet Memories (Maryland Wedding Series #3).

Visit the author’s website and blog.

Product Details:

List Price: $2.97
Publisher: Heartsong Presents (June 2009)
ISBN: 9781602603547
Binding: Mass Market
Pages: 176 pages

AND NOW…THE FIRST CHAPTER:

PROLOGUE
Karen burst through the church doors, tears streaming down her face. “Pastor Smith, I can’t believe Lionel is still missing!”

The reverend and his wife, Candace, pulled the hysterical woman into a hug, patting her back. After they released her, Candace stroked Karen’s hair. “Honey, thanks for coming as soon as we called. The police detective is in the boardroom, waiting to talk to you. Are you sure you’re up for this?”

Karen wiped her eyes, struggling to gather her thoughts as the events from the past couple of weeks played through her mind like a nonstop movie. Her fiancé, Lionel Adams, had been fired as church treasurer after being accused of stealing thousands of dollars from their megachurch. And it was rumored that the assistant treasurer, Michelle James, who had recently resigned, had aided him with the theft.
Like the rest of the congregation, Karen had been shocked when the allegations against Lionel were announced at church two weeks ago. And since Lionel had left town the day before, she hadn’t been able to contact him to find out what was going on.

Karen turned toward Candace, her trembling lips attempting a smile. “I’ll—I’ll do the best I can to—to answer his questions.”

The threesome began walking slowly down the hallway, toward the boardroom. A moment later, the pastor stopped outside a closed door, placing his hand on Karen’s shoulder. “Karen, Michelle is missing also.”

Karen gasped, stepping away from the pastor. “That. . .that can’t be true.”

He nodded. “Unfortunately, it is.” Speaking softly, he said, “The church leadership team is concerned for both her and Lionel’s welfare. We want to find them, but we can’t ignore what’s happened.”

Candace took her hand. “Honey, we have to do all we can to locate them. What if there was foul play involved? Don’t you want to make sure Lionel is safe?”

Tears rushed from Karen’s eyes, and she wiped the moisture away. Her head pounded as she leaned against the cool wall, the contact bringing relief to her heated skin.

“Are you okay?” asked Pastor Smith.

Pulling herself away from the wall, she silently prayed, God, give me strength. “I–I’m okay now.”

The pastor’s kind dark eyes offered comfort. “The detective is in here. We called you to be questioned first since you know Lionel so well.”

Karen glanced at Candace. “Nobody told the congregation exactly how much money Lionel may have stolen. We just know it was thousands of dollars. How much cash was
missing?”

The woman released Karen’s hand and looked at her husband, frowning. In a calm voice, the pastor paused before speaking. “Fifty thousand dollars.”

Karen’s head started spinning. With a muffled sob, Karen turned away, wiping her eyes. “Lord, please help me deal with this pain.”

“We’ll take this one day at a time,” Candace said. “The Lord will see us through.”
Karen looked back at the closed door, hesitating. “Is it okay if I go to the restroom be–before talking to the detective?”

“Of course,” Candace said with an understanding smile.

Leaving the couple, Karen walked to the bathroom, pushed the door open, and entered the room, desperately seeking a private moment with the Lord. Her heart skipped a beat when Tara Baker, the church secretary, dressed in an immaculate cream-colored suit and sporting stylish hair and polished fingernails, stepped out of the stall. Spotting Karen, her dark eyes widened.

While the secretary wordlessly washed her hands, Karen regarded her own worn jeans and faded T-shirt before touching her hair, which she’d pulled into a ponytail in her
haste to get to the church. She suddenly felt rumpled and dowdy. “I always thought Lionel and Michelle were up to no good,” Tara finally mumbled, drying her hands with a paper towel while glaring at Karen.Karen gritted her teeth, shocked at the rudeness of a woman who’d once flirted with Lionel.“I find it hard to believe that you had no clue what your fiancé was doing behind your back,” Tara said then turned on her heels and strode out of the restroom.

Waves of pain floated through Karen’s head as she struggled to blot out the secretary’s words. Turning her focus to the Lord, she prayed, “God, please help me. Help us to find Lionel and Michelle. And keep them safe. Amen.”

Somewhat soothed, she rejoined the pastor and his wife. Pastor Smith gestured toward the now-open door. “Karen, I’m so sorry about this.”

Karen gave him a halfhearted smile then entered the room, praying for strength. The detective sat in a chair near the front of the room.

The minister spoke, his voice full of kindness, “Detective Ramsey, this is Karen Brown.”

“Good morning, Karen,” greeted the detective.

“Good morning,” Karen mumbled, taking a seat near the detective. She turned to her minister. “Can you stay here with me, Pastor Smith?”

The clergyman touched her arm, gazing at the detective. “Is that okay with you, detective?”

Ramsey shrugged, opening his notebook. “If she wants you to stay, that’s fine.”
Pastor Smith settled into the empty chair beside her.

The investigator asked his first question. “Do you know where Lionel is?”

“I. . .” She paused, chewing on her lower lip. “The day before the church announced he was fired, he told me he was going to go out of town to visit his cousin. I haven’t talked to him since, and th–that was two weeks ago.” She paused, gripping the arms of the chair. “I—I haven’t been able to contact him since he left.” She took a deep breath. “He won’t answer his cell phone. I figured he wanted some time alone and I would see him when he returned for his hearing.”

The detective looked up from the notes he was writing. “Where does his cousin live?”
As Ramsey’s questions went on and on, Karen felt overwhelmed with worry, fatigue, and nausea. Hot tears flowing down her cheeks, she prayed, Lord, will I ever feel normal again?

Her head pounded with pain, and she began rubbing her temples.

Pastor Smith touched her elbow. “Are you all right?”

“My head. . .hurts.”

“Detective, is it okay if we stop the questioning for a few minutes while I get Karen some aspirin?”

“I don’t mind at all,” said Ramsey.

Karen heard Pastor Smith’s retreating footsteps as she closed her eyes and rubbed her aching head. Her pain worsened as she leaned back into the chair. And then the world faded out.

Here are a few reviews from the tour. Be sure to stop by these blogs and leave your own comments:

Sunny Island Breezes Blog

You all know that I’m a fan of Cecelia Dowdy, and this book did not disappoint me. Ms Dowdy has a way of capturing my attention and pulling me in right from the beginning of the book. We all know that being a Christian doesn’t automatically make a person perfect, but we really don’t expect a church treasurer to disappear with a large chunk of the church’s money. Especially when his assistant ends up missing, too.

But this is what Karen’s fiance’ did. This story takes us through the course of Karen’s life as she tries to understand what happened and how she’s going to deal with it. On top of it all, she has to deal with her mother’s plumber, Keith, who’s intersted in getting to know her better.

This is a good story that holds you to the end. It also brings some of her friends from the first two books of this series into the story line. This interaction adds a nice touch. But this isn’t all. There’s a subplot that involves Keith’s brother.

You’ve got me hooked, Ms Dowdy. I’m waiting for Anna’s story now. I see enough characters to keep these Maryland weddings going for awhile.

Jeanie’s Heavenly Treasures Blog:
I so loved this book! This is my first book that I read of Cecelia Dowdy but it sure won’t be my last! I absolutley love how she writes. In Bittersweet Memories she mixes suspense with some romance. So, I think it would appeal to many people looking for a book to read. I found myself not wanting to put the book down. Cecelia made the characters in the story come alive! That to me is a good author and a good read! Thanks Cecelia for writing this book. I look forward to reading all of your books!

Word-Up Studies Blog:
“Bittersweet Memories” by Cecelia Dowdy is the story of Karen Brown, whose fiancé has just abandoned her and run off with another woman and $50000 of their church’s money. Rather than contend with the ugly comments from church staff and members, Karen runs home to Mom in Annapolis to lick her wounds and build a new life. What she finds is her mother’s neighbor, a blunt plumber who already knows Karen’s story. How can she possibly heal, now?

Cecelia Dowdy has a gift for weaving a creative story. Sometimes her dialogue is a bit stiff and too perfect, but the appeal for me is that this story tackles one of the most difficult issues facing the church today – a lack of love for each other! For the most part, the characters are likeable, although I found Karen to be a bit childish and obnoxious in the beginning. Still this is an enjoyable read that will hopefully get people thinking about how they are showing their own love for their church family.

SAGA Blog:
This is a nice sweet love story. Girl’s heart is broken, tries to escape by leaving town, meets new guy (but won’t admit she’s falling for him), obstacles in the way and a resolution of them living happily ever after. Sometimes I just really enjoy a happy story with a happy ending with no big surprises.

From Aus Jenny’s Blog:
I thought this was the best book so far by Cecelia, I enjoyed all the books so far with this being no exception. I like the way that both Karen and Keith both have issues to deal with and Cecelia didn’t give them the easy option to fix the issues. It was good to watching this story unfold. I really hope there will be another book in this series as there is room for a follow up to answer some questions particularly about a couple of charactors. Even if you haven’t read the first 2 you would be able to follow this story. 5 out of 5 for this book.

From Books Hidden Corner Blog:
This book had such a lovely story with such a cute romance between the two main characters and I really enjoyed the story line…It was an extremely alluring plot and I really wanted to find out how love would bloom between the couple. I haven’t read the other two books in this series, but I’m sure that they are just as sweet!

From Mari’s Morning Room Blog:
I enjoyed this book. I’ve said before I’m not big on romance novels but I might get converted LOL.

I enjoyed the way the relationship between Karen and Keith developed slowly and even to her surprise. I really connected on the scenes with the teen ministry at the church, since that is a ministry I find important and significant. Even though there wasn’t a lot of character development with the teens, Cecelia did give you a deeper glimpse into a couple of the characters, which was nice.

I will say that early on, I could tell which phrases were some of her favorites because they tended to cluster together over a couple of chapters. That happened a bit early on and then I didn’t see it so much anymore.

I also loved how the Christian message was woven in without beating you over the head or smacking you in the face. It was great that everything was not tied up with a neat little bow at the end of the book, because that’s more realistic. Things aren’t always neatly worked out like I see in some Christian books and movies.

I definitely recommend this book. I plan to go back and read some of her other titles.

From Ramblings ‘N Writings Blog:
…I enjoyed the storyline of Bittersweet Memories, a romance with a tiny bit of suspense thrown in (what happens to Karen’s fiance’)….With that being said, Bittersweet Memories is a wholesome read filled with reminders of how we are to manage confrontations and problems as Christians. It is also a suitable for teenage girls seeking to know more about how relationships work.

Martha’s Homeschooling Blog – (see June 6 entry):
I enjoyed this little story, i felt like it had great elements and is was well written. It is a wonderful story for these net summer days when you need something light to read!

From En Route To Life Blog:
Bittersweet Memories takes us on a journey of overcoming pain and taking a chance again on trust. …I enjoyed every little bit of detail in Cecelia’s book. Each character was so clearly written. Kevin was THE type of man I hope every Christian woman finds, but he is not without his own sorrows and worries. I loved that Karen began to work with the youth group….Other things that worked for me was the pace of the romance between Keith and Karen….It isn’t surprising to find oneself attracted to someone even when you have been hurt by the opposite sex.

As a side note…I was thoroughly mesmorized by the yummy food descriptions. It took a lot to not raid my fridge after reading about some of these sumptuous meals. This may be a little thing to you, but ohhhhh yeah! Loved it.

All in all, I really enjoyed Bittersweet Memories. This is the first book that I have read by Cecelia Dowdy, and like they say, “It will not be my last.”

Redeeming Love?

1 Reply

The following comment was posted on my blog post about The Incredibles:
Anonymous:
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. How come that one didnt’ make the list? Just wondering…

I thought about it, and I think my list, and how I came up with the titles may be confusing. The Incredibles is a list of the Christian novels that managed to stay in my mind a long time, and that I’ve READ over the last few years…FOR THE MOST PART. I think the fact that one of the titles, A Moment Of Weakness, has a publication date of 2000, made the titles on the list confusing. Even though A Moment Of Weakness was published in 2000, I didn’t read it until a couple of years ago! So, to me, it’s a recent title.

I didn’t think about all of the Christian titles I’ve read in my entire life. I read so much that I didn’t feel like mentally going through all of the titles I’ve ever read over the last ten or so years! I’d have gone crazy trying to come up with ALL my favorites over that time frame. So I chose to focus on the titles I’ve read recently, like, since I’ve started blogging regularly.

I did read Redeeming Love and enjoyed it. I read it about ten years ago? Here’s the content, and my thoughts about the novel:
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (originally published in 1999)

Hardcover: 480 pages
Publisher: Multnomah Books; 1 edition (October 16, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1601420617
ISBN-13: 978-1601420619
Amazon.com Review
In this splendid retelling of the biblical story of Hosea, bestselling author Francine Rivers pens a heartbreaking romance between a prostitute and the upright and kind farmer who marries her; the story also functions as a reminder of God’s unconditional love for his people. Redeeming Love opens with the Gold Rush of 1850 and its rough-and-tumble atmosphere of greed and desire. Angel, who was sold into prostitution as a child, has learned to distrust all men, who see her only as a way to satisfy their lust. When the virtuous and spiritual-minded Michael Hosea is told by God to marry this “soiled dove,” he obeys, despite his misgivings. As Angel learns to love him, she begins to hope again but is soon overwhelmed by fear and returns to her old life. Rivers shines in her ability to weave together spiritual themes and sexual tension in a well-told story, a talent that has propelled her into the spotlight as one of the most popular novelists in the genre of Christian fiction. This is one of her best. –Cindy Crosby –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
===
I read this book a long time ago, and I believe it’s considered a classic. I recall that it shows that the Lord keeps forgiving us again and again, no matter how many times we mess up. Angel is a prostitute who had a poor and unhappy homelife. When Michael Hosea spots her, the Lord tells him that Angel will be his future bride. I recall their getting married and their relationship was full of problems. Micheal is a holy man, relying on God. Angel is initially unsaved in the story. It’s a long book, but I recall reading it fairly quickly and enjoying the story. The book keeps getting re-released, so I can assume it’ll probably continue to stay in print for a long time! It’s a wonderful tale that demonstrates God’s grace and forgiveness.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Demon – A Memoir by Tosca Lee

On The Run by Bill Myers

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I blogged about this a few days ago here.

This book was okay. It’s geared toward a young crowd – ten to twelve-year-olds, I guess. A mute boy named Elijah has special powers. When a TV camera catches Elijah on film, healing a dog (the dog was hit by a car), Elijah’s enemies see the footage, placing his life in danger. There’s a society out to steal him from his family, and as a result, the family has had to move a lot since Elijah’s birth. In this book, young Elijah and his brother and sister escape from their home alone, seeking refuge from those who are hunting them down.

If you have a young boy (or girl) they might find this book enjoyable. It’s VERY easy reading, and you can breeze through the story fairly quickly.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Unconventional by J.J. Hebert

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Unconventional by J.J. Hebert
This book won’t be available until July 2009, but I’ve had the opportunity to read it and I thought it was a great story! Here’s the summary of the novel:
YOUNG JAMES FROST just knows, deep in his bones, that he’s a writer. He writes far into early mornings, after his wearying hours of scrubbing toilets and sweeping floors. He loves writing that much.
But it’s not only the joy of words that keeps him grinding; it’s his desire to retire the janitor’s mop. He sees being published as the key to living an improved life. James has another deep-seated conviction: that he’s not good enough. He secretly longs to be accepted. However, the conventional others in his life seem all too willing to remind him that he’s wasting his time.

Then he meets and falls in love with Leigh, the one bright spot in his endless misery of self-doubt. A quiet but resolutely religious girl, she has to fight off disapproval of her own from overly critical parents, whose insults are countered by James’s often-voiced admiration of her. Likewise, Leigh’s faith in his talents begins to build his confidence, eventually allowing her to introduce him to a different way to help himself: relying on God.

Ultimately, James’s newfound faith is sorely tested to the point of doubt when his dream to be published seems to melt into a mirage, smothered by countless rejection slips from agents and publishers. His faith is also battered by having to fight highly emotional battles and suffer fear and loss. Just when James appears hopelessly sapped by devastating events, one last door opens, and he’s rocked by an epiphany.

UNCONVENTIONAL is designed to inspire readers to reach for their dreams. Buy this book. Read it. Share it with everyone you know. You—and they—will be glad you did!
===
The characters in this novel had so many issues to work through and that’s what made the story so engaging to me. James Frost wants to get his Science Fiction/Fantasy novel published. He spends his free time writing a book and he works for his father’s janitorial company. He hates being a janitor. If he has to clean up after one more person, young James feels as if he’d lose his mind! He wants to be a writer!

He meets attractive Leigh online. When they meet in person, James is smitten by the pretty woman, and wonders what she sees in him. He has no money, a beat-up car, plus his teeth are decayed! Leigh does have feelings for James and while they date, her affluent parents object to their relationship. James wonders if Leigh’s parents will ever accept him.

Leigh is a Christian and her influence prompts James to go on a spiritual journey while he tries to get his novel published. James also develops a friendly relationship with an old female novelist that gives the story a unique twist.

This novel had a young adult flavor to it. I enjoyed it, and I could see teens relating to the young characters in this story. The author deals with the subjects of salvation, alcoholism, and following your dreams.

I guess one reason that I really loved this book is because the author has an alcoholic secondary character in the story. If you’ve read enough of my novels, you know that’s a subject that I repeatedly place into my own work. Also, James is a young janitor – When I was around the age of James Frost I worked as a student housekeeper during the summers while in college. It gets kind of gross cleaning up after people – especially those all-male dorms! Yuck! It definitely wasn’t a job that I enjoyed and those dormant memories came tumbling back into my mind when I read J.J. Hebert’s novel.

Here’s my quote on the back cover:
“I loved UNCONVENTIONAL, a stirring love story and spiritual journey that will surely touch your heart. You’ll remember James Frost for a long time!”

~Cecelia Dowdy~

The Incredibles!

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No, I’m not talking about the Disney animated movie! I’ve decided to use that term to describe the four books mentioned in this blog post. These four novels are the best I’ve read in the last few years. What makes them incredible? Various reasons. Keep in mind that I didn’t scroll through my blog, making a decision about the top four books. For the MOST PART, these are books that keep coming to my mind, long after I’ve read them, over and over. I’ve read a TON of great books over the last few years that come to mind, however, all books don’t come to mind as frequently as these.

You’ll have to understand that if I keep thinking about a book nowadays, it has to be a great read! My mind is very cluttered with my full-time job, our son, my husband, making dinner every night, trying to write my own books, being on deadline, etc.! You get the picture! If somebody is able to write something that I keep remembering, crossing into my cluttered brain, then that’s an accomplishment! So here’s Cecelia Dowdy’s list of The Incredibles!:

1.
A Moment Of Weakness by Karen Kingsbury

I think one reason why this book made my list is because I actually stayed up half the night reading it! As I get older, I don’t stay up late very often. If a book can interrupt my beauty sleep, then it’s a great read! 🙂 The story line wasn’t even very complex or original in this novel, but, the writing grabbed me and I had to finish the book, losing sleep!

A Touch Of Grace by Linda Goodnight

This book made my list because it was a very emotional read that’ll make you cry. Also, it’s a Love Inspired, and when I started reading it, I had certain expectations since it is a category romance. I felt this story was more emotionally intriguing than any other Love Inspired I’d ever read. I felt it should have stayed on the shelf for a long time, not just one month! (For category romances, you’re only the shelf for a month, and that’s it! Most Harlequins are removed and replaced by new titles monthly, kind of like magazines!)

3.
The Shape Of Mercy by Susan Meissner

This book made the list because it’s different, unusual, and it crosses my mind occasionally! I think the subject matter made this book really stand out, as well as the great writing!

4.
A Passion Denied by Julie Lessman

I have never read Christian fiction quite like this. I’m not saying other titles like this don’t exist, but, I just haven’t found another author that I can compare to Julie. Her book is spicy spaghetti (explained in yesterday’s post) and I KNOW I’ll remember and think about this book for a long time!

What are some of YOUR favorite Christian fiction titles over the last few years? Why are they your favorites? Please share your recommendations!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

A Passion Denied by Julie Lessman

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A Passion Denied by Julie Lessman
Paperback: 480 pages
Publisher: Revell (June 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800732138
ISBN-13: 978-0800732134

From Amazon.com
Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Young Elizabeth O’Connor is the little sister John Brady always longed for. But she wants much more than that from her spiritual mentor. As she blossoms into a beautiful young woman intent on loving John, he must push back the very real attraction he feels for her. His past just won’t let him go there. Unfortunately, Lizzie won’t let him go anywhere else–until she discovers he is not all that he seems. Can true love survive such revelations? Full of the romance and relationships Lessman readers have come to love, A Passion Denied is the final book in the popular Daughters of Boston series.

From the Back Cover
Has she fallen in love with a man who cannot love her back? Elizabeth O’Connor has been like the little sister John Brady always wanted, sharing his love of literature and his thirst for God. But in the throes of the reckless Roaring Twenties, Lizzie has grown up. Suddenly she wants more from the man who has been her friend since she was a child. When this shy little bookworm blossoms into a beautiful young woman bent on loving John, she discovers that his past won’t let him return that love. But Lizzie refuses to give up–until his shocking secrets push her away. Can true love survive the betrayal and deceitful of a painful past . . . or will it be shattered like the fairy-tale dreams of a girl in love? Brimming with romance, longing, and redemption, A Passion Denied, will quicken your pulse and gladden your heart with a riveting story of the true power of love. Julie Lessman is the author of A Passion Most Pure and A Passion Redeemed and is the recipient of ten Romance Writers of America awards. She resides in Missouri with her family.

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This book was incredible! I loved it! If you haven’t purchased it, then you need to run out to a bookstore or access the Amazon link at the top of this post and place your order! This is another one of the greatest books I’ve read this year and it’s the first I’ve ever read by this author (at least I think it is!)

Lizzie O’Connor is in love with John Brady. From the first scene, where she explodes into the printing shop, professing her true feelings – demanding to know why John won’t reciprocate, you’re hooked into the story. Lizzie has spent a great deal of her life reading romance novels, and she has definite views of what incorporates a perfect, romantic relationship and holy John Brady suits her needs to a T. However, John’s past is riddled with secrets, secrets that continue to haunt his daily life. Will he ever find the courage to love Lizzie, or any other woman?

John is Lizzie’s spiritual mentor and they meet during their lunch breaks to study the Bible. Will this spiritual relationship now be shattered since Lizzie is so focused on becoming more than friends?

A host of secondary characters heighten the tension in this story: you have Cluny, a practically homeless teenager who Brady befriends, and you also have Lizzie’s siblings and her parents. Lizzie’s family work through their relationship problems which gives this book more depth…and passion!

On the cover, Romantic Times says: “This isn’t your mother’s inspiriational fiction.” I have to agree! I think one reason why this book pulled me in, holding me, making me want to read more because there was so much passion….yes, passion! Really! In most inspirational fiction, you can’t describe the way that you feel when you’re being kissed, but, think about it. When you kiss someone you love (or like a lot), think about how you feel…warm, glowing, heightened feelings of arousal that most Christian pubs won’t allow you to discuss. Well, Julie discusses these feelings and she discusses them well. Also, the characters drink and swear a few times, but it’s done in a realistic and non-offensive manner, making the story more intriguing.

I also loved the way she kept this plot moving. It’s one of the largest books I’ve read in a long time (463 pages), but Julie has enough plot threads interspersed within the story, causing it to move forward…and I guarantee, you’ll NEVER get bored reading this! Also, I love reading about identical twins, and what happens during the second half of the novel really surprised me!

So, definitely read this book. The passion, drama, and humor will amaze you. I have another book by this author called A Passion Most Pure. I plan on reading that soon! I realize A Passion Most Pure is book #1, and I should have read them in order. I don’t have book #2, but I plan on getting that one too!

If you’ve been reading this blog long enough, you know that I enjoy food and recipes. This book is really spicy. I’m going to use a food analogy to make my point. It’s kind of like, you have a big plate of spaghetti and it’s something you love (kind of like you have a big stack of Christian fiction novels), but this book, has some hot sauce thrown in, but not too much, and when you taste your spaghetti with hot sauce, it’s like, “Whoa.” But then you want to eat more because you’ve discovered a new kind of spaghetti that’s different than the kind you’re used to eating. Although you still enjoy the old spaghetti, the spicy spaghetti gives your tongue something new to try, making you aware of flavors that you didn’t know existed. I’m about ready for another plate of spicy spaghetti!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

The House In Grosvenor Square by Linore Rose Burkard

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The House In Grosvenor Square by Linore Rose Burkard
Paperback: 348 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (April 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736925651
ISBN-13: 978-0736925655
From Amazon.com
Product Description
Readers who loved the author’s first book, Before the Season Ends, will delight in this charming sequel set in Regency London.

As Ariana Forsythe plans her wedding to Philip Mornay, she must adjust to the realization that she is soon to become the wife of an extremely wealthy man. She wonders if it’s wrong to rejoice that her future husband is rich. But she promises herself to use her new position to do what she can to aid the numerous street waifs she sees all too often in London.

During a tour of her future home—the house in Grosvenor Square—Ariana makes plans to redecorate according to her tastes. But when Philip arrives home later, he is informed that an expensive silver candlestick and a miniature portrait of George III have gone missing. Moreover, each time Ariana visits the house, accompanied by a friend or relation, another item disappears.

Shortly thereafter Ariana is abducted as she leaves a performance at Covent Garden Theatre, leaving Philip to unravel the pieces of the mystery. Where has his future bride been taken, and by whom? For what reason? How does Ariana’s faith play a role?
Finally, after the safe return of his intended, how does Philip—a man of intense discrimination in his tastes—find the many alterations in his house? And what on earth is behind the sudden influx of bills from every charity in London, all thanking him profusely for his uncommon generosity? Will he have second thoughts about his future bride?

Readers will find romance, intrigue, humor, and inspiration in this new book of spirited romance for the Jane Austen soul.

I featured the prequel to this novel here.

This book is a delightful mix of comedy, drama, and suspense all wrapped up into one novel! Ariana Forythe is planning to marry wealthy Philip Mornay. She finds it hard to grasp the fact that after the marriage, she will be a wealthy woman. She wants to help the poor people in her area, and when they visit a place in need, Philip asks Ariana to decide how much should be given to the charity. Ariana is pleased that Philip has asked for her opinion, since he’s been cool towards her lately. Does he still want to get married?

Philip is smitten with his future bride. So much so that it’s hard for him to wait until the wedding! He’s attracted to her, and when they kiss, it’s hard for him to stop! He explains his aloofness to Ariana, hoping she’ll understand why they must keep their distance until the nuptials.

Meanwhile, Philip is greatly concerned for his fiancé’s safety. It appears her life is in danger, and he must protect her from the thugs that want to kidnap her.

As Ariana visits Philip’s home, wanting to redecorate, one of the housekeepers tries to keep Ariana away from permanent residence in Philip’s home. The employee tells Philip about items turning up missing after each of Ariana’s visits. Would his future bride deign to steal from him? Also, later, as both Ariana and Philip visit friends, they see Philip’s missing items in the homes of their cronies. What’s going on?

Ariana has a hard time connecting with Philip’s servants. Don’t they realize in a matter of time she’d be the new mistress of the house?

Missing items, multiple kidnappings, and an impending marriage make this novel a delightful read. There’s also has a prophetess in the story, which adds to this novel’s entertaining plot.

If you like Jane Austen and novels set during the Regency period, then you’ll enjoy this book. The story is entertaining and I found myself chuckling a couple of times.

~Cecelia Dowdy~