A Book I Said I Would Never Read

Yes, I said I would never read the Harry Potter series and now I am. Once again, I have learned the lesson "never say never." I started and finished the first book in the last 24 hours and very much enjoyed it. I certainly understand why people who read the Harry Potter series are, for the most part, now enjoying the "Twilight Saga" (which I have read).

My goal for this book series regarding my blog is to research Harry Potter and make a series of short essays comparing the books to a single topic, such as segregation or something of the like. Good vs. Evil seems all to easy to explore.

There are no guarantees that I will read all of the books right together, but I will do my best to stay focused. I tend to get subject bored and bounce a little before finishing a series. This is the precise reason why I love that series don't initially come out all at once. Otherwise I would never finish more than two books.

Get ready readers... the research and brainstorming starts tonight. Feel free to FB me any questions, challenges etc.

Ace

"Beauty For Ashes" by Dorothy Clark

Hello Readers!

I am sitting in my living room enjoying the beautiful sound of the light rain falling outside my door. There is a rainbow to the south and the sun setting in the west. Such bliss.

As you may have guessed... this post means I have finished yet another book. I believe "Beauty for Ashes" makes around book number 37 for the year.

As I was reading I kept thinking about what I would post on this book. I still have not settled completely on what I will write but here it goes...

The book falls into the Inspirational Romance category. It is set in the late 1800s between Philadelphia and New York in a time of great industrial advances. Both families that are present in this book are from wealthy backgrounds.

Elizabeth, the lead female, is young and looking for an escape from a life and possible marriage of abuse. She meets Justin, a recently widowed father of two looking for nothing more than a marriage of convenience.

In many ways this book really hit me. Mostly because of a conversation I had on Monday with my friend and sister in Christ, Courtney. Courtney and I were discussing the ups and downs of life and relationships. She spoke about how often girls are just looking for a man to rescue them from the point of life they are in. This could be from any situation, but just a feeling that the life with the man in question looks better than what you can see in front of you. A marriage of convenience. I feel many girls struggle with this at some point in their lives, whether it is at 15 when getting pregnant seems like a great way to keep that cheating boyfriend around, at 22 when you are finished with college but not dating anyone, or at 27 when society starts to have their doubts about your relationship status. At any point, a marriage or relationship of convenience is not what God has planned.

BUT, the great news is, as the book is titled, God can make beauty from ashes. No matter the situation, if you give God control, he can remove the fear, doubt, and worry from you and turn things into a beautiful story that not even you could imagine.

"Beauty for Ashes" had a great story line for young ladies. One that teaches hope and redemption through Christ alone. I did however have a few complaints about it. While the story at the end was incredibly enticing to keep reading and turn the page, the overall description of the scenery was missing. It was really hard to get a good picture of what the country looked like where this was taking place. As a reading junkie, this is important to me. It is hard to get completely enthralled in a character or story line when you can't picture where and when it is taking place.

Overall, this book was good. I really liked the message that it gives about giving all of your circumstances to God and he will set before you a path you could never imagine for yourself. It is worth reading if you like inspirational romance, but don't think you are going to get a good look into history.

About Nancy Pickard

Nancy Pickard is the Author of "The Scent of Rain and Lightening" along with countless other crime novels, short stories, and essays. She has won multiple awards for her writing including the Agatha Award and the Reader's Choice. She is a brilliant and fluid writer. I am quickly growing to love her ability, even before reading her other books.

I got all of the information from her official website http://www.nancypickard.com/

She has a posted e-mail on her site if anyone is interested.

"The Scent of Rain and Lightening" part 2

Okay, here it goes...

READ THIS BOOK!!!

I know, I know, I will probably write that a lot. But, this book really is worth reading. Fair warning though, it is pg-13 content, so don't say I didn't warn you.

The end of the book was ten times better than the beginning. After the last blog post I couldn't put the book down. Twists and turns I never saw happening. Because I love murder mystery writings I usually will pick up on the typical twist at least to some degree. While reading it I got this anxiousness about what was going to happen next. I wanted to flip the page ahead to read, but knew I couldn't miss any details so I read faster.

"The Scent of Rain and Lightening" brought fiction to life in a way that many book cannot.

It is my understanding that the author, Nancy Pickard, is a renown mystery author. I am now on a search to read more of her books.

Like I said, read this book if you are in to the light thrill. It isn't bloody gory, jump out at you. It is written beautifully so that the read can picture everything as if watching as a fly on the wall.

Have no fear, I am 50 pages into my next book. It is a totally different genre. This one is more on the side of historical romance. So, get ready.

Ace

P.S. I read this book from my Sony Reader but it can be found at most stores I think!

"The Scent of Rain and Lightening" part 1

Hello fellow readers!

First, thanks for stopping by. Especially thanks to those of you who have told me you stopped by!

I began "The Scent of Rain and Lightening" by Nancy Pickard the day before yesterday. I currently have 50 pages left. Remember, these are my opinions only. You are entitled to your own and I would love to hear them. Don't take my word for these books, read them yourself! I will try my best not to spoil everything!

Summary:

Jody Linder is a small town girl raise by her grandparents after her father was tragically murdered and her mother mysteriously disappeared. After the accused killer spent 23 years in jail, he is now back in town. Jody is on a quest to discover everything she can about both her mother and her father. Twist and Turns kept me from wanting to put the book down.

Thoughts So Far:

Ms. Pickard is an amazingly fluid writer. The book itself in written in a way that makes you feel you are wrapped up in a cozy blanket sitting next to Jody on the couch with anticipation while she tells you the tail of her life. While there are a few PG-13 and possibly R rated scenes, who's life doesn't have those. Ms. Pickard wrote to makes sure that the reader felt involved. To me, this is one of the most important aspects to a good book. I have to feel connected to the characters in a way that keeps me interested, even through the less entertaining parts of the book.

Once I finish the book I will post again with more detailed thoughts and overall reaction to the entire book.

Ace

Book Review

Ok bloggers, here it is. I am changing the overall format of my blog site. In the last few year I have decided I like to read. I am going begin blogging about the books I read. I may go back and reflect on books past, but will write about each new book I read. I try to be reading at least one book that is on the best seller list as well as many, many others. I read a variety of books from murder mysteries to love stories to non-fiction and religion. If you have a book you would like me to read please let me know! I take any suggestions! You can contact me on here or on facebook.

Happy Reading!

P.S. The first book I will blog on is "The Scent of Rain and Lightening" by Nancy Pickard

I know, it's been a long time.
But have no fear, today is Valentines day.... which means I am sure ot have time on my hands!

Quick update: I spent a semester at UT and was peacefully lead back to Liberty Online. So, I get to do my school in my pj's everyday (I wish). It is actually a lot like homeschooling for college. It has been great. God has really used my available time to mold me and shape me and lead me on a new life journey. I am substitute teaching right now and loving it.


Growing up I always talked about wanting to teach but was told to pick a different carrier by my grandmother "because the kids were so different and hard these days." Well, I have come full circle, I think. I am not going to school as an education major, but when I graduate I will apply to teach while taking the necessary classes to get the certification.

Man, God is awesome. I have started meeting back up with my mentor and that has been so encouraging. Beth Moore is our leading lady author for the study we are doing. She just hits it with you straight. A lot like Greg Pinkner for all you out there who know who he is.

I write this blog as a means to get random thoughts out of my head. A lot of time there is no point in them and I know people could care less about what is going on. But, somehow, just the reflection on what has been going on in my life is a stress relief and a way to relax.

One day I will get a topic worth elaborating on... maybe even start a book. I get so many ideas for topics I could write about, but when I sit down to write them I forget. When I was younger I like to read those cheesy books that were made to look like a girls journal. I wrote several of those..... Make believing I had this drama, gossip filled life, thinking that was so cool. When in reality I was too shy to talk to anyone. I even hating reading and only read those because they got me the points i needed for AR. Have you ever written a book? If you could write a book, what would it be about?

Here is a tid bit of information I learned the other day at a training session that really shocked me. Kids in Florida have figure out how to get high on their own urine.... ewww. Why would you even want to do that? I also learned lots about the number of time kids in this county have been caught having inappropriate relations with other students at school. Really??? why at school???? The problem is that none of this stuff is new. It has been happening for years and years, but no one seems to know how to fix it. It would be a disservice to everyone to split guys and girls up in school because that is not how realy life is. Oh goodness. Sorry about that soap box.

Well I need to get off here. If you are still reading this, remind me to give you a hug next time I see you.


p.s. my dad gave me the best valentines card ever.