Thin Places

February Book Review Blitz #2

Have you ever been in the midst of a terribly difficult situation, yet you could see God at work? You’ve experienced a thin place.

In her book, Thin Places,  Mary DeMuth describes a thin place as a place where heaven and the physical world collide, a place where everyday life meets eternity. It’s about finding a glimpse of eternity amid the messiness of life and feeling God draw near. 

In this moving memoir, Mary presents a story that would seem devoid of God’s presence, of an existence where He has abandoned and turned His face. Yet, as Mary spills her tragedies on the page, bleeds them as she describes the process, the reader can see that she has found hope. She has discovered that God did not abandon her. She has gone back to places most would bury forever, and she’s found God, right there in the middle of the pain of abuse and emotional abandonment. Her story gives hope. It gives those who have lived through similar pain a reason to go back and look for their own thin places, those places where God really was there. 

More than anything, this is a story of how God can take a tattered life and turn it into something so beautiful. In order to help others turn their trials into triumphs, Mary has had to be vulnerable. It’s her gift to the reader. 

I received a complimentary review copy of the book from the publisher, but this has no bearing on the impartiality of my review. I truly loved this book.

Third Time’s A Charm

Have you ever experienced something that was painful to go through, but you discovered healing and liberation in the process? I read a book last week that displayed this so well. In the first of my February Book Review Blitz, Third Time’s a Charm Author Virginia Smith walks the reader through the process of letting go and finding healing. Let me tell you a little about the author and the book. Be sure to check below for how you might eligible to be entered into a drawing for a very nice gift of ten books from the author.

Virginia’s publicist says:
Virginia Smith recently contracted her twelfth book in four years. Previous books in the Sister-to-Sister series include: Stuck in the Middle and Age before Beauty. In 2008 she was named Writer-of-the-Year at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Stuck in the Middle was a finalist for American Christian Fiction Writers’ 2009 Book of the Year Award. A Taste of Murder was a finalist for the 2009 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. Ginny and husband, Ted, divide their time between Lexington, Kentucky, and Salt Lake City, Utah, escaping as often as possible for diving trips to the Caribbean. Admittedly, her adventurous outings are often as much fun as they are “book research.”

The Inspiration Behind the Main Characters:
I was watching a DVD when I first envisioned Tori Sanderson. In Sweet Home Alabama, Reese Witherspoon is chic, petite, and more than a little headstrong. Plus, she’s ashamed of her upbringing, and therefore insecure even though she enjoys a successful career. That’s exactly how I pictured Tori as I wrote the first two books in the Sister-to-Sister Series. But Tori is several years younger than Reese, so as I wrote the opening chapter of Third Time’s a Charm, I was struggling to come up with the perfect visual image. One evening I saw an advertisement for “Samantha Who,” starring Christina Applegate. I jumped out of my chair and shouted, “That’s her! That’s Tori!” So I gave my character a curly perm to match Christina’s. I Googled the show’s cast and found Barry Watson, who became my model for the handsome handyman, Ryan Adams. And Mitch Jackson is modeled after Michael Weatherly, the gorgeous but suggestively inappropriate Tony DinNozzo on “NCIS.” Sounds like I’m a television junkie, doesn’t it? Not really, but I do like to have a visual image for characters as I write. It helps them come alive in my mind, and hopefully in the minds of my readers, too. 

About the Book:
(Dual Residency: UT & KY) – There’s not too much in this world that a little retail therapy can’t fix—except maybe the empty hole in your heart from lost and undiscovered love. Tori Sanderson is no exception. Facing abandonment issues with her father, Tori sets out to find the real reason he left her. Along the way she discovers even deeper truths. Add in two matchmaking sisters plus a couple of attractive men vying for Tori’s attention, as well as a tempting job promotion possibility, and you’ve got one confused sister. Through it all, Tori searches for the love she’s been missing all these years.
Author Virginia Smith, presents Third Time’s a Charm, the third installment of the Sister-to-Sister Series. Page-turning humor surrounding the lives of three sisters will once again engage readers, while somber self-discovery will unveil Tori’s struggles, and perhaps a few of your own. In a world with more than a few dysfunctional families, this story will ring true for many.


Interview With the Author:
1. This book is the third and final book in your Sister-to-Sister Series. How did you feel when you completed this last book?
I felt a little sad, because I have lived with the characters for three years, and they’re very real to me. I’ll miss them. Plus, I wanted to leave readers with a good impression, so I was anxious for the last scene to be strong. I prayed over that last line for a long time, and when the words finally came, I got chills. They were absolutely the perfect wrap-up for the whole series. I still get tears whenever I read them.

2. Which of the sisters in this trilogy do you relate to the most? Why?
That’s a hard question to answer, because there is a piece of me in each of the Sanderson sisters. But I’d have to say I relate most closely with Tori, because she is professionally ambitious, and she struggles to balance her career and her personal life. I did that for over twenty years, so much of her conflict comes from my experiences.

3. You've been contracted to write 12 times in the last 4 years. To what do you attribute this success and how would you encourage others who are doing everything possible to get published?
Perseverance. I wrote for over twenty years before my first book, Just As I Am, was published. But I believed that the Lord gave me the desire to write, and even when my pile of rejections was growing (to an astounding 143 before my first publication!), I knew if He wanted me to write, I was going to keep writing. Even now – or maybe especially now – I trust Him for every story, every contract. Sometimes I still receive rejections, but I keep writing because He keeps giving me stories.

4. How is your relationship with your own sisters similar to Tori and her sisters? Did you pull from these sibling experiences when writing Third Time's a Charm? How?
I sure did! Actually, my sisters were the inspiration behind the whole Sister-to-Sister Series. They are the most incredible women in the world, and I wanted readers to glimpse the relationship we have. And they were excited to have starring roles in my stories. It was funny watching them try to identify themselves in the books, because I took characteristics from each of us and mixed them up to create each of the Sanderson sisters. Tori, for instance, is a career-minded person, like me. She’s creative, like one of my sisters. And she’s a big flirt, like the other sister. Uh… I’d better not identify who that is, or I’ll start a family feud!

5. What's next for Virginia Smith?
In May of this year I have a new book coming out from Steeple Hill. Researching A Daughter’s Legacy was a lot of fun, because it is set in a zoo! It’s my first straight romance, and was something of an experiment for me to see if I liked writing the genre. I loved it, and have a few ideas germinating in my mind for future romance novels.
Then later in the year, Into the Deep will hit bookstores. That’s a romantic suspense novel with a scuba diving theme. It takes place partly in Key West, and partly in Cozumel, Mexico. Can you tell I have a lot of fun researching my books?

For a more in-depth look into the life of Virginia Smith visit the KCWC blog.

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Michelle’s Review of the Book:
This was a delightful read. One thing I loved was that it’s the 3^rd book in a series, yet I hadn’t read the other books and felt right at home in this one. The author does a nice job of creating a series of books that can also stand alone.

Although in everyday life, I’d never related to glamorous main character Tori, her upscale lifestyle, or her prestigious career, I felt as though I was living vicariously through her in the book. I love a book that carries me away from my own life into a world I’d never experience otherwise. This book did that for me.

Ginny Smith has a way of weaving the lighthearted and the serious together seamlessly. At the heart of this story is a girl who longs for a daddy. Smith has tackled something that plagues so many young women today and affects them so deeply.

I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Virginia Smith’s publicist and I know I’ll be looking for more books by this author. I’d say third time isn’t just a charm, it’s a winner.

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The Grand Prize will be awarded to one fortunate person who leaves a comment at one of the blog tours participating in the KCWC Third Time's a Charm blog tour. The prize includes:
The complete collection of Virginia Smith books, TEN in all (listed below), with a personal behind-the-scenes commentary written by the author - especially for this tour!

• Sister-to-Sister Series, including: Stuck in the Middle, Age Before Beauty, and Third Time's A Charm.
• Unforgettable Mayla Strong Books: Just As I Am and Sincerely Mayla.
• Classical Trio Series from Love Inspired Suspense: A Taste of Murder, Murder at Eagle Summit, and Scent of Murder.
• Murder By Mushroom
• Bluegrass Peril

On Feb. 11, Michelle drew the name of one person who commented on this post and sent it to Virginia’s publicist to be entered into the grand prize drawing. Congrats to Edna for having her name entered!

January Book Winner

Using www.random.org, I entered the number of comments on my book drawing post and generated a winning number. Congratulations to Angie on winning 2 months in a row! It pays to be a faithful reader. :-)

Angie gets to choose her free book from those listed on the book drawing post. Fun!

Tomorrow begins my February Book Review Blitz. I've got some great titles to review!

Has Your Family Had This Virus?

A Epidemic of Family Proportion

       I shivered as we approached the automatic doors thinking, this is last place I want to be on a subzero night. I strode over to the check-in desk with my teenager in tow.

      “May I see your insurance card?” the receptionist asked.
       While she entered information into the computer, I gazed over the brimming waiting area. Coughing, sneezing, glassy-eyed and crimson-cheeked patients and their companions filled nearly every chair. The walk-in clinic in flu season promised a lengthy wait.

       “Thank you. Please have a seat.”
       In a medical clinic, it isn’t difficult to guess which are the sick people. We judge from their symptoms, and we avoid them. Who likes getting sick? Even at home, when someone is ill, we wash our hands more, use separate hand towels and we try not to share germs. But a bigger epidemic than influenza is sweeping our culture. This wave is more subtle than a respiratory virus, but if we look close enough, we might see that the disease has spread even to our own homes.
       Listen closely to those around you. Listen to your own words. How often do you hear, “I’m too busy,” or “I can’t rest right now?” In the grocery store, we see the mother with little ones trailing behind. “Hurry up,” she says, “We’re going to be late.” This is the disease of feeling chronically short of time which leads to an ongoing sense of frustration. People with hurry sickness never have time to relax.
       Hurry sickness isn’t the only culprit in the epidemic. Its near cousin is overload syndrome, a title that describes the stress that comes from having too much—too much stress, too many possessions, a crowded schedule, and an overloaded mind. The overloaded person seems to live from one crisis to another, and when a new stressor comes along, he or she goes into a meltdown. Eventually it wears down the physical body as well.
       A close examination of the hurried or the overloaded person might give some clues to yet another culprit in the epidemic. Those who are always trying to keep up with the Jones, with ever-increasing debt, likely suffer from what has been coined affluenza. As our culture becomes more affluent, there is increased pressure to have more material things. Victims of affluenza frequently suffer from both hurry sickness and overload syndrome as they struggle to get ahead.
        If a quick check-up reveals that you are afflicted with any of these or even all three, there is hope. Just as with viral infections, treatment and prevention are essential. Like an antibiotic for an infection, the first prescription in getting better is to deal with the worst of the problem right now. If too much stuff is bogging you down, it’s time to purge your possessions. Give to charity, auction on E-bay, have a yard sale, or take a trip to the landfill, but do whatever you need to do to free yourself of the things that are suffocating you. If hurry is your problem, ask yourself what you are doing right now that you don’t really need to do. Purge your schedule by focusing on what really matters.
       Affluenza is a sneaky virus. Sometimes we don’t even realize we have it. I’m a great bargain hunter, and I love shopping at thrift stores, but that doesn’t mean that the pursuit of more stuff doesn’t affect me even in my bargain hunting. It may be difficult to deny our children a Nintendo Wii when everyone else has one; and it’s easy to fall into traps of thinking we need things that we don’t.
       Once we identify solutions, it’s time to think about prevention. Just as we wash our hands to prevent the spread of colds and we immunize against the flu, it’s important that we protect our schedules and our minds from relapses. The best prevention is learning to say no. It sounds simple enough, yet it’s difficult to put into action. I struggle too, but it gets easier the more I practice. We can learn how to say no to purchases, no to new commitments, and no to more stuff—even if it is free.

       We can wipe out this epidemic, at least in our own homes, by renewing our focus on godliness (Ephesians 4:19), and letting go of worldly desires. We bring emotional health and tranquility to our families by guarding our time, spending wisely, and making God-honoring choices. I think our family could use an overload syndrome booster shot.

Reprinted from Michelle's March 2008 "Habits for Quality Living" Wisconsin Christian News Column

I love blog parties! This post is linked up with The Winter Bliss post at The Inspired Room

Not Every Experiement Works--Free Book

In my eagerness to give away some books this month, I experimented a bit with my drawing by setting goals for a certain number of readers. For every 25 readers added, I'd give away another book.  I was over ambitious and I'll admit, not every experiment works. But sometimes you just have to try right? 

Anyway, I Still DO want to give away something this month and there are only 3 days left in the month. So, I've removed the previous post and here's your brand new opportunity to win a free book. 

I will put the name of every person who responds with a comment below on THIS POST into a drawing on Feb. 1. The winner may choose one of the books listed here and I'll send it off in the mail to you. Be sure to include a link to your website or your e-mail so that I can contact you  (Feel free to modify e-mails for security reasons. Example: michelle(at) michellerayburn.com). 

• Making Work at Home Work by Mary m. Byers
• The Power of a Positive Mom by Karol Ladd
• Writing So Heaven Will Be Different - compilation by different authors
• Daniel's Den, a novel by Brandt Dodson
• The Christ: A Closer Look at the Events in the Life of Christ by Carroll Roberson (includes music CD with 17 songs by Carroll Roberson)
  

Remember, only entries of public comments posted on the blog count. E-mails sent to me are not entered into the drawing. For those who receive the blog by e-mail, you'll need to link to the blog to leave your comments. (How to Comment Tutorial Here)

To enter , just tell me that you'd like to be entered in the book drawing.

Looking ahead: I have 6 books on hand to review in February so watch for some new books from some fabulous authors!

Will You Pray with Me Today?

Prayers for Haiti

Today, I'm praying for the people of Haiti. After seeing news of another aftershock, I can only imagine the panic people must feel. So often, these types of disasters feel so far removed from our everyday life here in America.

Let's pray together for Haiti today.  Using the MckLinky tool below, enter your title, your prayer (250 words or less) and if you'd like, enter a link to your own blog.

I'm encouraged by the news that they are still pulling people alive out of the rubble today. And I'm praying that God continues to work miracles...Praising Him too that some children have been allowed to come to the US to meet their adoptive families!

If you're reading this via e-mail or via a feed on another web site, you can post your prayer on www.FaithCreativityLife.com  

Photo from New York Times 

 

Debut Author Releases Book

Winter is the perfect time for reading. This month and next, I'll be touring several authors on my blog as I receive books from their publicists for review. The first of these featured authors is Joyce Wheeler. Joyce's debut novel releases this week from Pleasant Word, a division of WinePress Group.

About the Book

Joyce Wheeler's debut novel introduces readers to Jolene O'Neil, a passionate woman whose life is both plagued and blessed by extraordinary events. Jolene's reactions to these events have a rippling effect within the lives of others as she runs from a compromised past toward the hope of a peaceful future. Can she choose a course against the will of the God yet still find His salvation?

                                                ~From the press release

About the Author

Joyce Wheeler grew up on the prairies of South Dakota, learning at an early age to appreciate the greatness of God's creation. The transition from rancher's daughter to rancher's wife when she married Justin came easy, and they have continued to pass their ranching tradition down to their children and grandchildren.

Joyce's interest in adventure and intrigue persuaded her to conjure up meaningful stories about ordinary people in difficult circumstances. She has walked, ridden, and drove over prairie trails and used those times to not only praise our Creator, but also weave stories that would reflect her appreciation of God's world.

As an avid reader, Joyce traveled the world in her armchair with a cup of coffee in one hand and a book in the other, until her own unfulfilled desire to write a book began to unfold. At the urging of friends and family, Joyce took delight in developing characters of her own in and among the settings of a ranching lifestyle in which she is knowledgeable. The result was Joyce's very first book, entitled My Lady.

In addition to being a wife, mother, and grandmother, Joyce has enjoyed being a homemaker, bookkeeper, and gardener. Her hobbies include activities like family gatherings, music, horseback riding, hiking and ranch work. Some of her fondest memories are skiing with her grandchildren and white water rafting on the Snake River. Her greatest joy, however, is the growing knowledge that God is a part of every aspect of our lives and serving Him is the most exciting adventure of all.

Excerpt

"Jolene watched the parched Wyoming scenery flash by in a dreary sense of brownness as she straddled the back of Dexter's Harley. The hot August sun beat mercilessly on her black pants and shirt and ran tiny rivulets of sweat down her back. Even with the helmet and earphones, the drone of the motorcycles all around them was deafening and she only caught a small part of whatever Dexter was saying to her..."
                                           ~Opening paragraph of MY LADY Prologue

My Review

Book Review of My Lady

Review by Michelle Rayburn

I received a complimentary copy of Joyce Wheeler’s novel “My Lady” from the publisher and read it in a weekend. The twists and turns will have readers captivated and waiting for the next surprise, or tragedy. In order to prevent this review from becoming a spoiler, I won’t share the full plot, but main character Jolene O’Neil experiences more than her share of life-altering events. Only a strong woman could remain sane though what she has weathered, and only in fiction can a story move this fast. For the satisfaction of the reader, it’s great to know how each phase of the plot resolves as readers are sure to empathize with Jolene and wonder how she manages to withstand so many losses. I wanted to take her in and protect her.

Wheeler knows how to draw in a reader with drama and narrative, yet I couldn’t help feeling a bit rushed as I processed the story. As the character moved from tragedy to triumph to more tragedy and so on, I couldn’t relate to Jolene’s ability to move on so quickly. But, I felt satisfied at the end with the resolution of the story and I enjoyed the elements of mystery and suspense.

At times, I felt as though the spiritual element of the story was tacked on, and main character Jolene’s decisions sometimes blurred the line between godly and ungodly. Even the threads of redemption don't clearly demonstrate how Jolene, a believer, was wrong in making certain choices. Ultimately, many of the story elements felt more like guilty pleasure and fantasy for the author and reader than I’m personally comfortable with, mostly because they promoted spiritual mediocrity without acknowledging it was such.

Overall, I think the author has potential and she can write a compelling story, but the competition sets the bar high in fiction.