Grace Unplugged by Melody Carlson

Grace Unplugged

Have you seen the movie? I haven’t, but I wanted to check out the book. I enjoy reading about musicians.

Let’s begin with the summary:

Grace Trey is an eighteen-year-old singer as passionate about her Christian faith as she is her phenomenal, God-given musical talent. Both traits come from her father, one-hit wonder Johnny Tray who found Jesus after losing his chart success two decades ago.

When Grace encounters her own music break of a lifetime, the sudden dive into the "real world" puts her deeper beliefs to the test. Pop superstardom is just within reach but appears to require some spiritual compromise. Will Grace reject her faith, or will she own it?

And now, my review:

Knowing my interest in music and songwriting, my friends who’d seen this movie, recommended I check it out. So, I started with the book. I wasn’t surprised to learn Melody Carlson had written the novelization. She’s the perfect choice, given her YA-writing expertise.

I was curious about the inspirational aspect of this story, and I wondered about the main character. It’s been a while since I’ve ready anything YA (young adult). Unfortunately, Grace, the main character, struck me as incredibly selfish, self-absorbed, and hard to like or respect. I couldn’t sympathize, which makes engaging with the story rather difficult. I’m planning to try the movie, as the main character’s flaws didn’t seem to block my friends’ recommendation or enjoyment of the film. I’m curious to hear from someone who has read the book and seen the movie as to their opinion. I know a novelization slows down the tempo of the story, allowing for deeper characterization. Perhaps that element is what didn’t work for this reader.

I know this—I’m glad whenever I find a story that includes Christian musicians. And it’s entirely possible that those who enjoy YA would hang in with this character to watch the arc. I’ll be watching for the DVD.

A Year of Weddings Series: A December Bride by Denise Hunter

A Year of Weddings

Zondervan Publishers (HarperCollins) has begun a new novella series, featuring some of our favorite authors. Every month for a year, beginning December, 2013 (the first one already released), they’re releasing a romantic novella. (some of them are pictured above) Here's their tagline: "A year's worth of novellas from twelve inspirational romance authors. Happily ever after guaranteed."

They’re a set of e-books, unavailable in print. If you don’t have an e-reader, you might try reading them on your smart phone via compatible apps. They’re reasonably priced as they’re novella length. 

A December Bride by Denise Hunter

The first one in the series is Denise Hunter’s A December Bride. The best part, if you’re a Denise Hunter fan, is we get to visit the setting of her book Barefoot Summer.

Let’s begin with the summary:

What started as a whim turned into an accidental—and very public—engagement. Can Layla and Seth keep up the façade in Chapel Springs this holiday season—for the sake of her career . . . and his heart?

Under normal circumstances, Seth Murphy—the best friend of Layla O'Reilly's ex-fiancé  —would be the last person she'd marry. But the news of their upcoming (and phony) nuptials convinces a big client that Layla may be high-society enough to work for his agency—a coup that would put her fledgling home-staging business on the map.

Seth has secretly loved Layla for years, even when she was dating his best friend. Maybe she'll never forgive him for the way he hurt her back then, but he has to try. And Layla is willing to keep up their engagement farce until she's landed her client.

For Layla, it's the chance to save her career. But for Seth, it's his last chance to win her heart.

And now, my review:

Sounds yummy, right?

Oh, how I love Denise’s writing! Though this e-book reads fast, due to its length, diehard fans will not be disappointed. Denise’s way with romance is so apparent between the hero and heroine. I highlighted a multitude of delightful passages as I devoured the story.

At first, Seth Murphy isn’t certain he’s making a wise choice, reaching out to Layla. But when she needs him, he can’t help himself. What follows is a season of learning to trust and forgive.

I liked the theme of Layla learning about her value, despite her history. And I loved that this was a reunion romance, where the two main characters were once close, then distanced, and were then forced back together by circumstances. And this hero is lovesick! I loved that! With subtle sarcasm and serious chemistry, this story kept me swiping screens.

As I mentioned, one of the things about it being a novella is the story moves along quickly, getting us to the desired HEA (happily ever after) ending. I love novellas for that, yet I could have spent more time with these two great characters. (*grin*)

Bravo, Zondervan, for beginning this series with Denise’s book. I’m looking forward to reading all the books in this series!

Highly recommended!

Merry Humbug Christmas by Sandra D. Bricker

Merry Humbug Christmas

Looking for some fun holiday novellas? Check out this two-in-one. This title is on sale for Kindle at $0.99 right now. (see link below)

Let’s begin with the summary:

A Merry Humbug Christmas features two holiday romance novellas from hilarious and heartwarming author Sandra D. Bricker. The perfect gift to yourself or someone else at this most wonderfully stressful time of year.

In "Once Upon a Jingle Bell," A Bah! Humbug cruise to the Mexican Riviera is Joss Snow’s answer to this year’s quest to avoid the holidays completely; at least until she’s rebooked on a different kind of cruise altogether. Candy canes, holly wreaths, reindeer and ornaments seem to be stalking her on the 12 Days of Christmas holiday cruise extravaganza. An escape back to land is her only goal . . . until she meets a kindred spirit in rugged Irishman Patrick Brenneman, and then the game is on! Avoid Christmas festivities at all costs . . . except maybe for that one stop under the mistletoe.

In "It Came Upon a Midnight Deer," Reese’s guilt over abandoning best friend Joss on their holiday tradition of avoiding all things Christmas is trumped by the joy of her recent engagement. Meeting Damian’s family for the first time on idyllic Sugarloaf Mountain is about as far from that Bah! Humbug cruise as she can get, and Reese can hardly wait to get there. But from the moment they hit that deer in the road just two miles from the cabin, everything seems to go wrong. There are no drummers drumming or pipers piping this particular year! And once she sets her future in-laws’ family cabin ablaze, she’s pretty sure there won’t be even ONE golden ring in her future.

And now, my review:

I liked how Sandie gave us the “Twelve Days of Christmas” song at the opening of every chapter with new, humorous lyrics that foretold the story. Clever! And her character’s antics were so fun. Poor Merry Christmas Snow (Joslyn) doesn’t celebrate Christmas. Every year she signs up for a non-Christmasy cruise, but this year, the cruise line has a surprise for her. A surprise that leads to a great blessing, ironically, at Christmastime. Meanwhile, (from the second novella), Reese, who was named after the peanut butter-chocolate candy, has such trouble on her visit to meet her fiancé’s family at Christmas. Hilarious, klutzy trouble.  

Sandie’s prose and gentle message of hope sneak in amongst her quirky characters and their adventures. I chuckled aloud as I read, truly enjoying myself. The holidays can be a heavy time of year, but these light novellas will brighten them up. They’re the perfect length for the busy Christmas season.

Enjoy!

Whispers of Hope -- Ten Weeks of Devotional Prayer by Beth Moore

Whispers of Hope

Today, rather than my usual fiction reviews, I’ve got a non-fiction/devotional for you. 

As always, let’s begin with the summary:

Scripture tells us to pray without ceasing, but how in the world do we do that? In fact, how should we effectively pray to begin with?

Best-selling author Beth Moore addresses these practical and pervasive matters in Whispers of Hope by walking readers through an easy to remember and apply method of prayer, coupled with seventy daily devotionals and followed by prompts to put this prayer method into practice.

Indeed, Whispers of Hope teaches the manifestation process of powerful Word-saturated prayer in response to a daily Bible reading. In turn, you will better understand how devotional reading and prayer are central to a stronger relationship with God.

And now, my review:

I enjoy devotionals, especially if they’re set apart in some way. The pages of this book are soft and the edges aren’t smooth—they’re rough cut and jagged, but soft. I love that! The well-designed cover folds over to use as a bookmark for a while. All of these make the experience more enjoyable.

Let’s talk about content. In the opening pages, Beth gives an outline for a prayer model one can use throughout the book. Then, the end of each chapter offers lined space for personal journal entries. I used my own journal as I may want to share the book later and wouldn’t want to write in it, but it’s a convenient option, if one wishes.

I respect Beth’s approach. That, just like in her teaching style, she doesn’t sugarcoat her devotionals. One of her first devos was on rebellion (the tower of Babel). I appreciate her candor. The Scriptures she included were a thought-provoking launching spot. I didn’t follow her prayer model because I don’t believe in formulaic prayer. I’d rather just commune with God.

Hope. Who couldn’t use more hope in their lives? Folks who've done Beth's studies will appreciate her style here. If you're looking for a good devotional, check this one out!

Born of Pursuasion by Jessica Dotta

Born of Persuasion by Jessca Dotta

Let’s begin with the summary:

The year is 1838, and seventeen-year-old Julia Elliston’s position has never been more fragile. Orphaned and unmarried in a time when women are legal property of their fathers, husbands, and guardians, she finds herself at the mercy of an anonymous guardian who plans to establish her as a servant in far-off Scotland.

With two months to devise a better plan, Julia’s first choice to marry her childhood sweetheart is denied. But when a titled dowager offers to introduce Julia into society, a realm of possibilities opens. However, treachery and deception are as much a part of Victorian society as titles and decorum, and Julia quickly discovers her present is deeply entangled with her mother’s mysterious past. Before she knows what’s happening, Julia finds herself a pawn in a deadly game between two of the country’s most powerful men. With no laws to protect her, she must unravel the secrets on her own. But sometimes truth is elusive and knowledge is deadly.

And now, my review:

I enjoyed this story. The characters were well-developed, so they were fun to follow. The novel is written in first person, which I also enjoy. I did find some POV missteps, as well as tense issues in the ARC version.

As I read through my comments I see a lot of the word “wow” in my Kindle. The story kept me engaged and reading. I found an instance that didn’t seem fitting for one of the characters, and at times I did feel a little lost in the story line as if certain information was kept from the reader. Unfortunately, that was confusing. 

One of my frustrations with the heroine was her passive nature. Perhaps that is very fitting for the time, but a passive heroine is frustrating to read at times.

Overall, I recommend this book and look forward to checking out the others in this series.