Author Archives: Cecelia Dowdy

Saturday Matinee – The Shack

Have you read the novel, The Shack? Have you seen the movie? Which do you prefer?

I reviewed The Shack, the novel, years ago!

I enjoyed the movie MUCH MORE than the book. Seriously. I think I enjoyed the movie more because I believe it gave some background information about Mack, the main character. I don’t recall there being any information about Mack’s childhood and his dysfunctional relationship with his father in the book?

***Spoiler alert!

When Mack goes on a camping trip with his family, sans his wife, his little girl (Missy), goes missing. Turns out she’s been murdered. Mack’s wife refers to God as Papa, and Missy uses the same term of endearment for God. The murder happens in a secluded Shack and when Mack receives a mysterious note in his mailbox, telling him to come to the Shack to meet Papa (God), he thinks it’s a joke.

The movie is about Mack meeting Papa, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in the Shack. He has conversations with each of them, working through his grief. I believe the movie makers added the part of Wisdom. I don’t recall Wisdom in the novel, but, I could be mistaken since I read it so long ago.

I really enjoyed this movie. It shows how hard it’d be to work through grief when losing a child. I know if I were to lose my child, I’d struggle with forgiveness. I’d have been a lot like Mack in the movie (and the book).

Oh, another thing they did in the movie, which they did not do in the book, Mack gets accidentally hit by a semi-truck. The movie indicates in the beginning that he escaped the on-coming truck, then goes to the Shack to meet Papa. But, at the end, after he leaves Papa and the rest of the Holy Trinity, the movie backtracks and he’s then hit by the truck.

When he awakens in the hospital, he tells his friend that he’d gone to the Shack. The friend says it’s impossible – the accident occurred shortly after he left his home to go to the Shack. Apparently, Mack had been in a coma all weekend. The movie indicated the Shack visit occurred in his mind in dreamlike state – kind of like Dorothy waking up at the end of The Wizard of Oz.

So, have you ever read the book The Shack? If so, how do you think it compares to the movie?

Podcast – The Business of Writing

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I was recently interviewed on a radio station in Washington DC. Come take a look at the podcast! I talk about The Business of Writing. If you want to get your book published then you might want to watch. I focus on romance writing since that’s what I write and I’m most familiar with it.

44 Cranberry Point

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44 Cranberry Point by Debbie Macomber

Have you ever felt threatened by an anonymous note?

Bob and Peggy Beldon run the Thyme and Tide bed and breakfast in Cedar Cove. Things have been weird since a man died in their home. Turns out the dead man has unique connections to a couple of folks in Cedar Cove – which makes a cozy-type mystery to be played out in this novel.

Roy receives mysterious postcards. He had no idea who could be sending him these cryptic messages.

Grace is still upset about her unwanted breakup with Cliff. Can she win him back? She’s sorry about the online love affair she’s had with Will, her best friend, Olivia’s brother.

Meanwhile, Olivia still tries to get her husband, Jack, to slow down. He’s a workaholic and they should be spending more time together. She also attempts to get him to improve his eating habits.

This book reminded me of a movie script or a TV show instead of a novel. There were lots of characters. I suppose that’s why they made a TV show from this series of novels.

So, have you ever felt threatened by an anonymous note? If so, what did the note say? Did you ever find out who sent it to you?

Loving Luke – a squeaky clean, sweet romance novella! Only 99 cents – also on Kindle Unlimited!

Happy Mother’s Day!

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Happy Mother’s Day!

How will you be spending your wonderful day? Dinner? Movies? Spending time with family? Whatever you do, be sure to enjoy and pamper yourself! As mothers, we deserve to be pampered!

Like A Brother

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Like A Brother by Maurice M. Gray, Jr.

Have you ever loaned money to a family member? Did they pay you back?

Jeremiah (Jay) is always there to support his family. His support is so strong that his family takes advantage of his kindness – putting his life at a major disadvantage. His dating life is also somewhat complicated since he has a crush on Jenisse, a woman to whom he’s been connected for years. He wants to move forward with his life and date others, but, something is holding him back.

This book shows how complicated familial relationships can be. It’s hard to make the family dynamic work, especially when folks have a lot of issues from which to overcome. God has the answers to our problems and it’s important for folks to own up to their insecurities and issues. Overall, this was a good, insightful read.

This is a unique romance novel told totally from the male point-of-view, which was refreshing. It tells of the struggles that a good, intelligent man can face while trying to date. I think it’s hard for some women to realize that there are good men out there, good men that are struggling to find a good woman. So, when women complain about not being able to find a good man, then they should read this book, see how it is from the other side (the man’s point of view).

So, have you ever loaned money to a family member? If so, did they ever pay you back?

A Husband For Holly

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A Husband For Holly by Marion Ueckermann

Have you ever hired an interior decorator? Was it expensive? Were you pleased with the results?

When Holly is hired to decorate the office of the new parish priest, she gives the project her best effort, using her talents to make the office look wonderful. However, Christopher (the new Scottish priest) has much on his mind. He’s still reeling over his broken heart, plus, he has a wandering father who suffers from Alzheimer’s.

Holly is not interested in romance right now. Her decorating business takes up most of her time. But, for some reason, she can’t ignore the deep attraction she has for handsome Christopher.

I enjoyed this light, wonderful holiday story. This story also shows how hard it is to deal with an ailing parent.

So, have you ever hired an interior decorator? Was it expensive? Were you pleased with the results?

Wish You Joy by Jan Thompson

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Wish You Joy by Jan Thompson

Have you ever disliked your co-worker or business partner? If so, what did you do about it?

Cyrus owns 51 percent of Christmastown, a company that provides Christmas decoration services. Amy, who owns 49 percent of the company, must work with Chris.

She can’t stand him. They start off on the wrong foot, and it’s hard for them to get along. But, Amy has a photography business, and she’s out of the country a lot. She has to time to spend running the business with Cyrus.

But, Amy discovers that her past is not what it seems. She finds she needs to overcome pain from the past before she can move forward with her life.

Overall, a light, good read.

So, have you ever disliked your co-worker or business partner? What did you do to improve your business relationship?

Heavenly Peace by Lesley Ann McDaniel

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Heavenly Peace

Have you ever chose a gift tag from a Christmas tree for a needy child? What did that child request as a gift?

When widowed Valerie and her son Ethan visit a coffee shop, they choose a gift tag for a child in need. Ethan is excited, and he spots a man removing the gifts from the tree. “Is that man the Grinch?” Ethan asks his mommy…

Jake is not the Grinch, he’s a man who works with disadvantaged folks, collecting gift donations from under the tree to distribute to needy children.

Valerie is attracted to handsome Jake, but, although her husband is deceased, shouldn’t she remain faithful to him forever, never to marry?

Jake is smitten with Valerie, but, she’s wearing a wedding ring – so, she’s married, isn’t she?

Valerie is shocked when she finally reads the tag she’s removed from the tree. This child has requested a miracle, she doesn’t know how she can give this child her requested gift. Can Jake help her to fulfill the wish for this needy child?

This was a sweet, heartwarming short Christmas story. It was a good, light read.

So, have you ever chose a gift tag for a needy child? If so, what did that child request as a gift?

Book Giveaway For All! :-)

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Fifteen FREE Christian romances are available for a limited time (through April 30th)! Come visit this link for details! These are light, joyous contemporary stories that will make your heart glad.

Sweet Dreams, book 3 in The Bakery Romance Series, is available on the above-mentioned link. So, if you have not read Sweet Dreams, now is the time to get a free copy.