Love Like There’s No Tomorrow: How a Cardiac Arrest Brought My Heart to Life by Ocieanna Fleiss

 

Love Like There's No Tomorrow by Ocieanna Fleiss

Usually, I review fiction on this blog, but today I make an exception for an exceptional book.

Let's begin with the summary:

A few years ago, Ocieanna Fleiss—wife and work-at-home mother of four young children—would have described herself as overwhelmed, stressed, and focused on finishing her to-do list. But when at age forty-two, a sudden cardiac arrest stopped her heart, everything changed.

During those quiet months of recovery, as she reflected on her life, a pattern arose. Like a loving father, Christ had always walked with her—through childhood neglect, miscarriages, the death of her parents, and even through her own death!

Amazed by God’s loving hand in her life, Ocieanna overflowed with a desire to love in a new, more profound way. Out of this desire, transforming truths gently came to light: truths that changed her life forever and will show you how God can weave everything in your life into His elaborate plan.

And now, my review:

Open this book to the first page. Let the words flow through your mind. You’ll be hooked by the very first sentence: That day in January, the day my wife died, was the best day our family had experienced in months.

 

The day his wife died… We begin the book in her husband’s POV (point of view). I liked this aspect because his story made the account immediate and relatable (in so much as I’ve been married twenty-five years, and I would never want to see my husband in such a state as Michael saw his wife).

Ocieanna is my friend. We’ve been writing buddies for over a decade. We’ve gone on retreats and attended conferences together. I remember getting the call about Ocieanna’s cardiac arrest. Our mutual writing buddy, another close friend, had heard the news and wanted to make sure I knew. I couldn’t believe what she shared could be true. I’d just seen her, alive and well, a few days earlier.

Reading this memoir’s opening took me right back to those heart-breaking moments. The narrative is so compelling and heart-wrenching that I could neither stop reading nor stop tearing up. 

But the story, like her miraculous life, doesn’t stop there. Ocieanna opens up that beating-again heart and shares her story—the consuming, life-sucking stress leading up to the event. The way she looked at life before she died (wow, that’s powerful) and how she looks at life now. The way she sees her kids, and how she frames the mundane. But my favorite part is how she now experiences God’s love—in new ways. His acceptance. His peace. 

I’m so grateful for my friendship with Ocie and through her very vulnerable and tender book, you can experience her friendship and wisdom too. I’m grateful God gave her back to us, and I’m thankful she had a chance to share her story. Read this book. You won’t be sorry.

Highly recommended.

Gratitude: A Prayer and Praise Coloring Journal

Gratitude: A Prayer and Praise Coloring Journal

I’ve always loved creating art. When the recent adult coloring craze hit, complete with intricate designs, I immediately jumped in. So, I was excited to see/experience this book for review.

Here’s a summary:

Gratitude: A Prayer and Praise Coloring Journal invites you to bring creative journaling and the calming act of coloring into your quiet time with God. This beautifully designed interactive prayer book from Tyndale’s Living Expressions collection helps guide your thoughts as you pray about concerns such as health, overcoming stress, personal relationships, and more. Gratitude gives you a way to celebrate and give thanks to God for the many blessings he provides. Filled with over 100 designs to color, plenty of space for journaling and sketching, and 40 needs-based prayers, Gratitude helps you express your devotion to God with your whole heart!

And now, my review:

The book is more compact than I expected, only measuring 6x8 inches. But that size makes it easier to carry around. The cover is made of cardboard that’s 1/8” thick, so the journal is protected. Some of the pages have more printed color (color provided by the publisher/artist) than others. A few even have a black background already filled in. Others are completely colored in by the publisher. Some images are more intricate than others, and there are many themes—gardens, flames, flowers, ocean waves, cottages, etc. I liked that aspect very much. Something for everyone. 

I also liked the wholesome, upbeat feel of the journal, in general. This book has the potential to bring relaxation and blessing to the user and would make a nice gift.

Here’s the setup: Each double page (left plus right when the book is opened) is themed. These often include a prayer with lines to write your own thoughts, and a Scripture, as well as art for you to color. These elements are varied throughout the book.

I’ve always been a "journaler." I’ve never been a fan of guided journaling—pages that tell me what to think, or what to say to God, or what to pray. The prayers were adapted from an earlier publication from 2014 of prayers for mothers (see title page). They read in a religious and somewhat formal voice, almost as if the author is trying to tell the reader what to think or how to relate with God. They are (as the description explains above) “needs-based” prayers. Perhaps if all of them were instead gratitude based, the general feel of the journal would be more “we’re all on the same level” rather than the hint of condescension and direction (and blanket application).

I like the idea of a creative place to write my thoughts and then express myself in art and colors. The concept of this creative journal is welcome. I’m just looking for something a little less directive. Perhaps a Scripture and then space to write and then space with art to color would be more my taste.

Just a Kiss by Denise Hunter

Just a Kiss by Denise Hunter

 

Denise is one of my favorite writers!

Here's the summary of her book, releasing today:

Riley Callahan’s plans to reveal his secret feelings for his best friend are ruined when his life is drastically altered in Afghanistan.

Watching the love of his life falling for his brother was enough to send Riley straight to boot camp. But over a year later, he’s officially a marine, and Beau and Paige are no longer an item. When Riley’s tour in Afghanistan is up, he intends to confess his feelings to Paige and win his best friend’s heart once and for all.

But all that changes when an IED takes the life of a comrade and leaves Riley an amputee. Now he’s heading home, injured and troubled. His plans to win Paige are a distant dream. She deserves so much more than the man that’s left. All he can do now is put some healthy distance between them. But upon his return he discovers his family has arranged for him to stay with Paige.

Paige is a nurturer at heart and happy to take care of her best buddy. By all appearances he’s adjusting miraculously well to his disability. But as the days pass, Paige begins to see that the smiles and laughter are just a mask for the pain he’s hiding. He has nightmares and mood swings, and his unwavering independence keeps him from accepting help from anyone, including her. To make matters worse, her job is in serious jeopardy. The animal shelter that she’s poured her heart into has lost its funding, and she has three months to come up the money needed to save it.

As the weeks wear on with the two in such close proximity, Paige’s feelings for Riley begin to shift into uncharted territory. Why is she suddenly noticing his corded arm muscles and the way his lips curl at the corners? Will she be able to deny her feelings for another Callahan brother? And will Riley let his heart heal so he can let Paige in?

And now, my review:

The Summer Harbor series has been such a treat! From the beginning (Book One), we’ve known that Riley had a crush on Paige. Now we’re in Book Three and these two finally get a chance to see what might happen. Denise’s trademark storytelling and romantic threads shine, as usual.

One of the themes was identity. Who is Riley now that he’s missing one leg and suffering PTSD? Can he be the same man he was? Should he? When life gets tough again, should he run? Last time he did there were dire consequences. His lie is believing he’s damaged now, and he’d rather distance himself from the woman he’s always loved rather than burden her with his struggles.

In a mirroring parallel, Paige feels like she’s lacking value as well. For some reason, those she loves always abandon her. Rather than see it’s their issues that causes this pattern, she internalizes and blames herself. She can’t see her own valuable traits—her kind, nurturing heart; her loyalty and beauty. I was thankful the Callahans surrounded her, treating her like family even when Riley couldn’t treat her kindly b/c of all his pain.

I enjoyed this wrap-up of the series. Looking forward to seeing what’s next from Denise, and enjoying cheering her on as some of her books become Hallmark movies!