2010 March 11

Sugar by Bernice L. McFadden

Thursday 11 March, 2010 by knittingmomof3 2 Comments

Title: Sugar
Author: Bernice L. McFadden
Publisher: Plume
Publication Date: January 2, 2001
Paperback: 240 pages
ISBN: 978-0452282209
Genre: Literary Fiction

From the Publisher:

The novel opens when a young prostitute comes to Bigelow, Arkansas, to start over, far from her haunting past. Sugar moves next door to Pearl, who is still grieving for the daughter who was murdered fifteen years before. Over sweet-potato pie, an unlikely friendship begins, transforming both women’s lives–and the life of an entire town.

Sugar brings a Southern African-American town vividly to life, with its flowering magnolia trees, lingering scents of jasmine and honeysuckle, and white picket fences that keep strangers out–but ignorance and superstition in. To read this novel is to take a journey through loss and suffering to a place of forgiveness, understanding, and grace.

My Review:

Sugar by Bernice L. McFadden is a shining example of how literary fiction should be written; with warmth, depth, vivid imagery, and beautiful prose. Sugar is a novel about two women; one born in brothels and looking for a new life, the other an ideal wife and upstanding community member grieving the loss of her son. When Sugar moves in next door to Pearl their lives are destined to become intertwined and McFadden weaves their lives together so delicately and lovingly, it is indeed work of beauty. Throughout the novel, the reader is drawn into the extraordinary lives of Sugar and Pearl; two women who could not be more different yet through their compassion, wisdom, and humor help to change each other’s lives. While the small town of Bigelow does not approve of this new friendship, McFadden does a superb job writing about all the chin waging that occurs in the very much segregated south of 1955. Pearl and Sugar are each delightfully vibrant characters and one cannot help but become attached to these two women. McFadden’s vivid imagery as well as her ability to make the characters and surrounds real keeps the reader thoroughly engaged in this novel. Sugar is an astonishingly beautiful novel, at times heart-breaking, yet shows the reader the healing side of forgiveness. Sugar will touch the heart of the reader and stay with the reader long after the cover has been closed on this incredible work. Sugar is a remarkable tale of love, loss, friendship and forgiveness. I am thankful this beautiful work was brought to my attention and truly am grateful for the chance to introduce Sugar to my readers.

About the Author:

Bernice L. McFadden is the author of three novels—the national bestsellers, Sugar, The Warmest December, and the sequel to Sugar, entitled This Bitter Earth (all available in trade paperback from Plume) . Her fourth novel, Loving Donovan, will be available from Dutton in February 2003. Bernice was recently awarded the Zora Neale Hurston Society Award. For more information, please visit the author’s website.

I received a complimentary copy of Sugar by Bernice L. McFadden from the author. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Bernice L. McFadden, Book Review, Peguin, Sugar

Booking Through Thursday – Illustrious

Thursday 11 March, 2010 by knittingmomof3 7 Comments

How do you feel about illustrations in your books? Graphs? Photos? Sketches?

If the book requires them, such as a sociology, fitness, or health book I am all for them. Mainly I read historical fiction, memoirs, mysteries, and fiction. None of which require anything other than text.

Anyone can play along each Thursday with Booking Through Thursday.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Booking Through Thrusday, Illustrious, Meme

Book Review: Heart of My Heart

Thursday 11 March, 2010 by knittingmomof3 Leave a Comment

Title: Heart of My Heart: 365 Reflections on the Magnitude and Meaning of Motherhood
Author: Kristin Armstrong
Publisher: FaithWords
Publication Date: April 9, 2010
Paperback: 384 pages
ISBN: 978-0446561693
Genre: Inspirational, Family & Relationships

and 1/2

About the Book:

Whether God is using Kristin to raise children or the children to grow Kristin, He is present in every moment and every page. This warm, real, and insightful devotional celebrates the journey of growth mothers take with their children. Since their births, Kristin realized she has “discovered more about myself and my God in the pursuit of discovering my children.” Each entry in this 365-day devotional contains a Bible verse and a personal reflection from Kristin. It is on this intimate, daily walk that mothers can gain the courage to rely on God and emerge as a better woman.

My Review:

Heart of My Heart: 365 Reflections on the Magnitude and Meaning of Motherhood by Kristin Armstrong is a beautifully written devotional written especially for mothers as they grow with their children as well as grow in their faith. The book is sized small enough to fit into a diaper bag, tote, or large purse. Each day’s reflection begins with a brief Bible quote and then proceeds with a short devotional allowing the reader time to sit and reflect upon the message for the particular day. The ultimate goal of this particular devotional, to my understanding, is to grow as a mother and woman, to become the best person one can become for not only oneself, but for one’s children. Each day is well laid out and the passages provided are thought provoking, motivational, and inspirational. While this book is targeted for mothers with younger children I still found the reading of the day to help me take some time for myself, to contemplate and extrapolate the passage to suit being a mother of teens. Heart of My Heart would make for a delightful baby shower gift or simply a nice gesture for a harried mother of young children.

About the Author:

Kristin Armstrong was married to cyclist Lance Armstrong for five years, raising their three children while living in France and Spain. She is the author of a children’s book, Lance Armstrong: The Race of His Life, and a contributing editor for Runner’s World magazine. Kristin is passionate about her Christian faith, her family, her friends, and her career. She speaks French and Spanish, is a marathon runner, and enjoys cooking, reading, painting, and traveling. Kristin now lives in Austin, Texas, with her family–her son, Luke, and twin daughters, Grace and Isabelle.

I received a complimentary copy of Heart of My Heart by Kristin Armstrong from Hachette as part of the tour. Receiving a free copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Book Review, Hachette, Heart of My Heart, Kristin Armstrong

Book Tour & Review: Alphatudes by Michele Wahlder

Thursday 11 March, 2010 by knittingmomof3 3 Comments

Title: Alphatudes: The Alphabet of Gratitude
Author: Michele Wahlder
Publisher: Life Possibilities Publishing
Publication Date: January 15, 2010
Paperback: 128 pages
ISBN: 978-0982364505
Genre: Inspiration

About the Book:

Alphatudes reveals the unexpected and simple secret of living a joyful life – gratitude. In a world obsessed with negativity, we must deliberately choose to focus on the positive. The good news is that the homework is already done!

Alphatudes utilizes our earliest grade school victory—the ABCs— to achieve an even greater victory: a sustainable shift in your thinking that leads to contentment, optimism and peace of mind. An alphatude is defined as: a person, place or thing for which one alphabetically expresses gratitude.

Filled with vibrant illustrations, Alphatudes takes you on an inspiring 26-step journey where you’ll discover how to: heighten your awareness of life’s daily gifts; attract opportunities with a positive mind-set; find blessings in difficult situations; and free yourself from worry, negativity and resentment.

Legendary recording artist Olivia Newton-John has graciously provided a free download of her beautiful song, “Grace and Gratitude”, with the purchase of this extraordinary book.

My Review:

Great things come in small packages as Michele Wahlder thoroughly proves in her emotionally packed book, Alphatudes. According to Wahlder “an alphatude is defined as a person, place or thing for which one alphabetically expresses gratitude”. Wahlder has managed to take what at times can be a daunting task, the act of being grateful, and turned it into a less complex exercise by focusing on the basics, the alphabet. The beginning of the book explains the concept behind the book, how to choose gratitudes and most importantly how to use her book to help achieve balance, stability, acceptance, and happiness in one’s life. Then the book proceeds to give examples for each letter of the alphabet as well as a quote to accompany the word, followed by a page describing the word and the actions required and concluding with a short prayer. Alphatudes is a stunningly beautiful book filled with hope (hope is actually one of the alphatudes used in this book) and gives the reader a sense of calmness, well-being and the knowledge that the grass is not greener on the other side, rather it is just a different view. I would recommend Alphatudes to anyone looking for a way to simply live a more relaxed, happy and positive lifestyle. Personally, I will be picking up a few to be giving as gifts.

About the Author:

Michele Wahlder, MS, LPC, PCC, is an internationally recognized life coach, career counselor, speaker and gratitude enthusiast. She is the founder of Life Possibilities, LLC, a company that champions people to become the highest vision they hold for themselves in their lives, careers and relationships through the vehicles of coaching, seminars and books.

Wahlder delights in helping her clients discover their strengths, passions and purpose so that their outer lives authentically reflect their hearts’ desires. She has worked with numerous organizations, including Match.com, Fitness magazine, Lucent Technologies and Girls, Inc., to improve individual performance and organizational effectiveness.

Wahlder is a popular guest on television and radio, including WFAA-TV’s Good Morning Texas, KDAF-TV’s The 33 News and CBS and CNN Radio. Wahlder received a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Tulane University, holds a master’s degree in Counseling Education from Texas Woman’s University, is licensed by the state of Texas as a Licensed Professional Counselor and is certified through the International Coach Federation as a Professional Certified Coach. She has been honored as the Global Career Spokesperson for Bayer’s Global MS Awareness Campaign.

Wahlder understands firsthand the challenges associated with surviving a life-threatening illness and has allowed the experience to make her a stronger, more compassionate and grateful person. She continues to volunteer for several nonprofit organizations that offer adults and children opportunities to enhance their lives and pursue their dreams. A native of Alexandria, Louisiana, Michele Wahlder lives in Dallas, TX, with her fiancé Michael, “bonus daughter” Zoe, and Portuguese water dog Moses.

You can visit Michele online at www.lifepossibilities.com and www.alphatudes.com

Michele Wahdler’s ALPHATUDES VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR officially began on March 1st and ends on March 26th. You can visit Michele’s blog stops at http://www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/ during the month of March to find out more about this great book and talented author!

I received a complimentary copy of Alphatudes the Alphabet of Gratitude by Michele Wahlder from Pump Up Your Book Promotion as part of the tour. Receiving a copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

Filed Under: Book Tour Tagged With: Alphatudes the Alphabet of Gratitude, Book Review, Michele Wahlder, Pump Up Your Book Promotions

Book Review: Eat the Cookie…Buy the Shoes

Thursday 11 March, 2010 by knittingmomof3 1 Comment

Title: Eat the Cookie…Buy the Shoes: Giving Yourself Permission to Lighten Up
Author: Joyce Meyer
Publisher: FaithWords
Publication Date: April 14, 2010
Hardcover: 208 pages
ISBN: 9780446538640
Genre: Religion/Inspirational

About the Book:

Engrained in our culture is the belief that unbending discipline is the only sure way to success. You must go to the gym five times a week, never order the dessert, and don’t even think about buying that dress you keep staring at in the store window. Breaking from such a regimented lifestyle is a sign of weakness, right? Wrong!-and Joyce wants to tell us why…

Though setting rules in our lives are important, it’s just as important that we break them from time-to-time. Structure is a powerful tool, but when diverging from your own goals is seen as catastrophic, it can have a hugely negative effect on us. Balance is a core value in life and every once in awhile we deserve to indulge in a guilty pleasure or two. So don’t feel bad about straying from your goals every once-in-awhile and in fact, embrace it: eat the cookie and buy the shoes!

My Review:

While the premise of the book, Eat the Cookie…Buy the Shoes is an excellent one and a message I believe many should hear, I wonder how many readers may be put off by the preaching in this novel with the fun, whimsical title, I hope not many. Meyer’s message is one that should be read, yet often I found myself feeling overwhelmed by what seemed to me to be too heavy a hand on the religious end. Yes, I realize Joyce Meyer is rather popular and has her own ministry, however, with the title of the book and the message that we need to give ourselves a break now and again, that it is okay to splurge, to not be perfect, to eat the dessert, to indulge now and again, I felt those lessons were overshadowed and at times lost in the preaching. I personally would have preferred to read a more light-hearted novel, however, I realise as well that this is exactly what many want to read about and I appreciate that. While this book was not what I thought it would be and was not for me, I still believe Meyer’s messages to women are very valid and hope many of her faithful following and those new to her ministry will give Eat the Cookie…Buy the Shoes a try.

About the Author:

Joyce Meyer has been in full-time ministry since 1980. She is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than seventy inspirational books. She has also released thousands of audio teachings as well as a complete video library. Joyce’s Enjoying Everyday Life television and radio programs are broadcast around the world, and she travels extensively conducting conferences in the US and abroad.

Joyce and her husband, Dave, are the parents of four grown children and make their home in St. Louis, Missouri. Visit her website at www.joycemeyer.org.

I received a complimentary copy of Eat the Cookie…Buy the Shoes by Joyce Meyer from Hachette as part of the tour. Receiving a free copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.