The Miracle of Mercy Land by River Jordan

   From the start of The Miracle of Mercy Land you step into another time and place. You hear to the slow cadence of the south, soft as butter and music to your ears. You can smell the honeysuckle, jasmine and magnolia blossoms each time you take a deep breath. Memories of lazy summer days filled with fishing and chasing butterflies in the fields are brought back to your mind. And you find yourself not only visiting Bay City, Alabama, but seeing and sensing it through one Mercy Land.

Mercy Land, a Bittersweet girl, finds herself plunged into a mystery. A mystery where there are no real answers on how to solve it. This mystery involves a book. A very special book. It showed up at Doc Philips place, without so much as a how do you do. Doc Philip is her boss and owner of the Bay City newspaper.

Together they try to determine the purpose of the book because this book shows the lives, past, present and could be future of everyone of Bay City. Doc thinks he’s suppose to use it to change something that took place in the past. Mercy is trying to determine the book’s purpose. And together they find out that the choices one person makes affects the lives of many.

The author, River Jordan, has written a beautiful book about some wonderful, ordinary people. She brought to life Mercy Land and Doc Philips and those who play an important part in their lives in such a manner that you become a part of the story as well. River Jordan is a wonderful storyteller and this book, The Miracle of Mercy Land, will take you into the past, to southern Alabama, where you will experience those hot summer days with a cool breeze coming off of the bay; along with the sudden squalls that frequent the area that time of year; and in life. River Jordan and her cast of characters in Mercy Land will keep you captivated to the very end.

River Jordan is a critically acclaimed novelist and playwright. Her previous works include Saints in Limbo and The Messenger of Magnolia Street. She speaks around the country on the “Power of Story” and produces and hosts the radio series Clearstories from Nashville, Tennessee, where she makes her home. You can visit her at www.riverjordan.us.

This book was provided to me free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group for the purpose of writing a review.

COMING BACK STRONGER By Drew Brees

Okay! This is the second book and the last one to be reviewed for 2010! Sit back and relax and enjoy!


Coming Back Stronger is a memoir written by Drew Brees. This is a great story! There, I said it. I really enjoyed this book. Drew has an interesting life story and what he has gone through will keep you riveted. 


Click here for the link to read the first chapter. 


This is from the inside cover of the book: 

What doesn't kill you makes you STRONGER. After a potentially career-ending shoulder injury left quarterback Drew Brees without a team - facing the daunting task of having to learn to throw a football all over again - coaches and commentators across the NFL wondered, Will he ever come back?

When Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005, leaving more than 80 percent of the city underwater and almost two-thirds of the population homeless and displaced, people the world over wondered, Will the city ever come back?

And with their stadium transformed into a makeshift refugee camp, forcing the Saints to play their entire 2005 season on the  road, legions of sports fans wondered, Will the Saints ever come back?

Now you have the premise of this great story. I found myself shaking my head with wonder at the determination of a man and a city determined to come back. Not just come back... but come back a winner. 

I don't want to spoil the book for you, it is definitely one you want to read. But I do have to say, I like football and I watched how the Saints have grown since the devastation of New Orleans. And having watched Drew Brees in action is a joy.


One of the things you will read over and again is Drew's optimistic outlook on everything. He never gives up. If he is feeling down, he does something to get back up. He has a wonderful way of dealing with the tragedies in his life. And he gives all credit to where it's due. God. 


I found myself encouraged reading Drew's story. It encouraged me and how I can change myself and my outlook when I find it becoming pessimistic. It will encourage you as well.


Drew Brees, his wife Brittany and son, Baylen, continue to live in New Orleans where they still pour their lives into the community that welcomed them when they first moved to New Orleans.


You can find this book almost everywhere you shop for your favorite books.


You can visit Drew Brees at www.drewbrees.com.


This book was provided to me by Tyndale House Publishers free from all obligations to give a positive review. Everything I have said is of my own opinion. 

 

 

 

FLIGHT OF SHADOWS By Sigmund Brouwer

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year! I am so far behind in my reviews it's not even funny! I am taking the last day of this year, 2010 to post a couple book reviews that have been waiting to be posted for the last month or so! That's how busy, crazy it has been around here! So....without further ado.... These two books are a great way to end the year and get right into the new year!


The first one is Flight of Shadows by Sigmund Brouwer. This one was provided by WaterBrook Press free of any charge or obligations. I am not expected to provide a positive review of this book or anything. So everything you read here is of my own opinion.


Flight of Shadows is a great book for the suspense lover. And, I happen to like suspense, so I really liked this book. This book happens to be the sequel to Broken Angel (click this link to view the Prologue and Chapter 1). I have also included the link for Chapter 1 of Flight of Shadows. Click this link to view the Prologue and Chapter 1.


I haven't had to opportunity to read Broken Angel, but I intend to rectify that. It was a bit difficult to read Flight of Shadows and not have to background to fall on. But that was my fault, not the author.


Flight of Shadows is a well-written novel. Brouwer is brilliant in his usage of imagination, description of his characters and the plot itself. You find yourself completely involved with Caitlyn's plight and flight from those who would harm her for who and what she is. She finds herself relying on the help of one she doesn't trust, to get her to people she believes will help her.


Flight of Shadows will not disappoint you, especially if you have read the prequel, Broken Angel. I intend to find that book, read it and then re-read this one. Don't be surprised if there will be another review!


Sigmund Brouwer has written eighteen books besides Broken Angel and Flight of Shadows. He promotes literacy by giving writing workshops in schools from the Arctic Circle to inner city Los Angeles. He is married to recording artist Cindy Morgan (who happens to be one of my favorite singers!), has two young daughters and they split their time between Tennessee and Alberta, Canada.


You can find Flight of Shadows at most of your favorite bookstores and online. 

12 Pearls of Christmas - Love by Lauraine Snelling

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom"! Please follow along through Christmas day as each post shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year. AND BEST OF ALL ... there's also a giveaway!!!! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS!  Pearls - a tangible reminder of God's grace to us all.

~~~

Love
by Lauraine Snelling

When asked to write a Christmas message, one of my first thoughts was Do I climb up on my soapbox regarding changing the words in Christmas songs, using only holiday, etc. I thought about it and decided no. After all, they’re only words and what difference does a word make---really make after all?

Then I kept on thinking. If they’re only words… But we as writers know the power of words, as do readers. When the wrong word is used, it jars, while the right word can be most powerful. Take one highly overused and under practiced word---Love. Four letters is all. We toss it around so glibly, saying love ya and luv and love. But think about the power in I love you. Three of the most precious words in our language when put together. Those of us who write romances or books with romance in them, understand the power when one of our characters tells another, I love you. As humans we can never hear that enough or too much.

Christmas is about love. The greatest love story ever told, that of God for us humans, and it never changes. Customs change, politics change, the years change but God’s love never, ever does. At Christmas we are invited to share that love, to give it away, to pass it around. To find wonder again and joy in simple acts of love. We make contact with people we might never see or talk with through the year. That says I love you. We buy and make gifts to give, we reach out to strangers in need, we try to make sure everyone has a special dinner and every child a present. By giving, we receive. So, let’s use the power words, but more so, put feet on those words and pass the love around. Let’s look for and find the wonder, the joy and the peace, maybe in small bits and pieces and perhaps in an avalanche of blessings. Make your days brighter with the simple gift of a smile, a kind word, a touch, for every single one that you give away, will come back to you multiplied. As you give, so shall you receive. Merry Christmas my friends. May we all recognize our blessings----and let an attitude of gratitude permeate this holiday and every day. With love and joy on this day, Lauraine!

 ~~~

About Lauraine: Lauraine Snelling is the award-winning author of more than sixty books, with sales of over 2 million copies. She also writes for a wide range of magazines, and helps others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s
conferences across the country. Lauraine and her husband, Wayne, have two grown sons, and live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a cockatiel named Bidley, and a watchdog Basset named Chewy.

For more information please visit Lauraine's website: www.laurainesnelling.com.

~~~

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. One entry per person, per day. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com) on New Years Day!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info

12 Pearls of Christmas -An Unforgettable Gift by Karen O'Connor

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom"! Please follow along through Christmas day as each post shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year.
AND BEST OF ALL ... there's also a giveaway!!!! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS!  Pearls - a tangible reminder of God's grace to us all.

~~~

An Unforgettable Gift
by Karen O'Connor

On Christmas morning, 1912, in Paducah, Kentucky, fourteen-year-old Charlie Flowers and his three brothers and two sisters huddled in their beds, fully dressed, trying to keep warm as the wind howled outside their small frame house.
      
It was a desperate time for the family. Earlier that year the children's father had died. And their mother had not found work. The coal had run out and there was little money––none for gifts. Their scrawny tree with decorations made from scraps of colored paper had been given to them the night before by a local merchant.

"Can't sell this one," the man said with a nod of his head before handing it over to the eager children.
  
To pass the time, the siblings joked and shouted stories from their bedrooms across the hallway from one another. Then suddenly a racket from the alley at the rear of the house broke into their games.
      
"Charlie," his mother called, "would you see what's going on out there?"
     
Charlie pulled on his shoes, grabbed a thick overcoat from the hook by the door, and ran out back.

There stood a man in a wagon bent over a load of coal, shoveling it into the shed as fast as he could.
      
"Hey Mister, we didn't order any coal," Charlie shouted. "You're delivering it to the wrong house."
      
"Your name's Flowers, isn't it?" the man asked, still shoveling.
      
Charlie nodded yes.
     
"Well then, there's no mistake.  I've been asked to deliver this to your family on Christmas morning." He looked the awe-struck boy square in the eye. "And I'm under strict orders not to tell who sent it," he teased.
      
Charlie ran into the house, his coattail flapping in the cold morning wind.  He could hardly wait to tell his mother and brothers and sisters. God had provided––just as he had on that first Christmas morning so long ago when He sent his only son to a needy world.
      

Charlie Flowers died in 1994 at age 96. And right up to the last year of his life, not a Christmas went by that he didn't tell the story of that sub-zero Christmas morning of his boyhood when two men gave his family an unforgettable gift.
      
It wasn't the coal that was remembered or cherished, Charlie often said––welcome as it was––but rather what two men brought to his desperate family. One, for his gift of recognizing their great need and taking the time to do something about it. And the other, for being willing to give up part of his own Christmas morning to deliver it.
      
That gift of so long ago has continued to warm the Flowers family from one generation to another, as Charlie's son––my husband, Charles––calls to mind these two unknown men each Christmas morning and whispers a prayer of thanks.

 ~~~

About Karen: Karen O'Connor is an award-winning author and writing mentor living in Watsonville, California with her husband, Charles Flowers. Karen’s latest book is 365 Reasons Why Gettin’ Old Ain’t So Bad (Harvest House 2010).

For more information, please visit Karen on the web at www.karenoconnor.com.

~~~

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. One entry per person, per day. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com) on New Years Day!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info