Book Review: Everyday Conversations, Eternal Impact: Lessons Drawn from Jesus and the Woman at the Well by Pastor Lloyd Pulley

"Jesus answered and said to her, 'Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life."
John 4:13-14 NASB

http://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Conversations-Eternal-Impact-Lessons/dp/1597519782/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314709116&sr=8-1
Paperback $7.99
Kindle $5.99

http://www.lloydpulley.com/about
Thank you to Bridging The Gap Publications for my free review copy. 
The website for publisher currently under construction.

Published by Bridging The Gap Publications April 10, 2011
112 pages
Christian Non-Fiction/Apologetics/Evangelism

The story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well from John chapter 4 is one of my favorite stories from the New Testament. The conversation that they had was personal, intimate. In this harried and hurried world that we live in, to slow down and have a personal and intimate conversation....and not in Twitter or texting format....tugs at my heart. Everyone seems to be in a hurry, no time for deep intimate conversations.
But at what cost?

In Everyday Conversations Eternal Impact Lloyd Pulley teaches us that "evangelism is not about the clever dialogue, but rather a love for the lost."
Are we in-tuned and listening to the Holy Spirit's promptings in order to share from ourselves about Jesus?
Clever words, pamphlets and a cheesy smile should be discarded as rubbish. Instead we should live our lives outwardly in action everyday as a reflection of what Jesus has done in our inner person; this is the primary way that we tell others about Jesus. Sometimes we are given opportunities to talk to others about Jesus. If the person is uninterested don't be pushy, but continue to demonstrate Jesus in our word and action.
Only the Holy Spirit can open the door to talking to others about Jesus.

Everyday Conversations Eternal Impact is small--compact at 112 pages. Yet it packs a powerful study on talking to others, sharing with others, and reminding us that it is in living out authentically what we believe about Jesus in our everyday life that matters the most.

There are 5 key biblical principles:
S--sensitive
H--humble
A--arouse
R--reveal
E--explain

Of course that is an acrostic for SHARE.

Lloyd Pulley speaks on each of these. For example chapter 5 is H--humbly build a bridge.
"We must humbly approach people with humility and respect. When we do that, we immediately begin building bridges into their lives instead of erecting walls, which keep us separated."

I really liked this book!
I learned much and was re-reminded of much.
I learned the deep significance of my everyday life that counts the most in sharing Jesus with others.
I was re-reminded that humility and respect build bridges; and that arrogance and prejudice destroy.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Mugabe and the White African by Ben Freeth--Forewords by Desmond Tutu and John Sentamu

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm."
Ephesians 6:12-13 NASB

Link for the book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/mugabe-and-the-white-african/ben-freeth/9780745955469/pd/955469?item_code=WW&netp_id=892942&event=ESRCG&view=details
Paperback $11.99

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Mugabe-White-African-Ben-Freeth/dp/0745955460/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1313109217&sr=8-2
Paperback $9.95

Link for the PBS Documentary:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world/july-dec11/filmproject_07-21.html

Published July 2011 by Lion Hudson/Kregel
256 pages
Christian Non-Fiction/Zimbabwe/Biography

Thank you to Kregel and Litfuse for my free review copy.

This is an amazing story of bravery, steadfastness, and great faith!

Books to me are not just an entertaining form of recreation.
Books---stories---teach! They teach me about other cultures and people groups, historical events, current topics in our world, and most of all individual lives that against an adversity (whatever that adversity maybe) triumph by not giving up.
Mugabe and The White African has shown me what fighting for a cause with Christian grit and determination is all about.
I've read books on Apartheid and the history and culture of South Africa. I'd not read about Zimbabwe and the violence and abuse against the white farmers.
The two forewords written by Desmond Tutu and John Sentamu were eye-opening, candid, serious. They gave a dark prelude to the story that Ben Freeth would share.

Zimbabwe is an African country just to the northeast of South Africa.
In 1963 Robert Mugabe became Secretary General of Zimbabwe African National Union or ZANU. In 1980 he became First Prime Minister, and in 1987 he became President.
In 1966 the killing of white farmers began. By the late 1970's "on average, one farm murder of a white civilian every three days. Every farm was a target."
People were fearful, afraid to speak about what was happening.
The police did not involve themselves, they were aloof, uncaring. 
Land Reform was what Robert Mugabe and his "henchmen" called it, stripping away the profitable farms from white African's. This land then became a desolate waste, unmanaged by no one.
Ben Freeth's definition of Land Reform, "it is about controlling the land in order to control the people on it. Dictators know that to control the land--it controls food--food to survive with starvation to control people." 
Many of these white farmers had been in Africa, often on the same land since the 1700's. The farms were not only their livelihood, but they employed workers that then lost their jobs when the land was stripped away.
Mugabe hated these western imperialist's. His hate was born from a heart of vengeance that produced evil.
Ben Freeth had been raised in a part of Zimbabwe that had remained unscathed. When he married Laura Campbell he moved to Mount Carmel--the Campbell farm, located in the middle of fruitful Zimbabwe. This area of Zimbabwe had been an area that was often targeted by Mugabe's regime.

 
In the foreword by Desmond Tutu he gave a definition of ubuntu, "the essence of being human. It speaks particularly to the fact that you can't exist as a human in isolation since we are all interconnected. The spirit of ubuntu is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished and when others are tortured or oppressed."
Ben Freeth gave an eyewitness account of the humiliation, torture, and oppression of the white farmers under Mugabe's regime. I felt his account was not written in order to seek further dissension, unrest or war. But it was written in order to share the plight and struggle against not just a mere man, named Robert Mugabe, but against evil. More than once in the book Ben Freeth expressed that there was a "lifeless" and "dead form" that emanated from Mugabe. There was an "overwhelming presence of evil."
The love of Zimbabwe and Africa is apparent in Ben Freeth's story.
This land runs not only with the sweat and blood of the black African, but also with the white African.
I am glad that I read this book, it opened my eyes to another story of the struggles of Africa. The story was from the viewpoint of a white man, yet this should not diminish its validity.
This book has opened my eyes to another story of Africa. White African's in Zimbabwe number 1%, yet they are apart of the interconnection of humans living in Africa.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Amish Values for Your Family by Suzanne Woods Fisher

"Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." Amish Proverb

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Amish-Values-Your-Family-Simple/dp/0800719964/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311859860&sr=1-1
Paperback $8.40
Kindle $7.98

Link for the book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/amish-values-for-your-family/suzanne-fisher/9780800719968/pd/719968?item_code=WW&netp_id=871946&event=ESRCG&view=details
Paperback $8.49
eBook $8.99

Authors site:
http://suzannewoodsfisher.com/

Litfuse Publicity Group

Published August 1 2011 by Revell a Division of Baker Publishing Group
192 pages
Christian Non-Fiction/Amish/Wisdom/Family

The Amish culture exhibits strength in family unity and moral values. The Amish maybe an anomaly to many yet they are respected. Suzanne Woods Fisher has written a book on many of the family values that are "lived out" in the Amish. At the beginning of each chapter is a Amish proverb. The chapters subjects are on money, daily chores, typical life in an Amish family, growing children, children leaving home, school, and Amish marriages. The book demonstrates the commitment, faithfulness, humility and obedience that the Amish "live out" in their lives.

I felt this was an enjoyable read!
I do feel it speaks more to a young parent, rather than a parent of older children (such as myself). Yet, having said that I did enjoy the book and felt I understand the Amish a little better.
What resonated with me the most is that the Amish children have a security that many American homes do not have,  the divorce rate for the Amish is zero. "They believe that the marriage commitment is for life. They don't question it. They know they have to make it through hard times as well as good."
There were several quotes from the book, proverbs, that I have written down---they just were so poignant and sweet.
"People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
"Be life long or short, its completeness depends on what it was lived for."

I was asked to share in my review what value impacted me and how I could apply it to my life today and how it would benefit my family.
I will speak from experience about commitment in marriage. My husband and I married young, had children quickly, most of our early years we were as poor as "2 squirrels in winter." We have been through much in our marriage, yet God in His mercy and grace supplied our needs. The value that my husband and I applied to our marriage almost 29 years ago was "commitment," we've stayed the coarse, persevered, kept the faith. Our children and now grandchildren have the added blessing of having parents together---in thought, in goals and dreams, and in unity.

Thank you to Litfuse and Revell for my free review copy.

Additional Information From Suzanne Woods Fisher and Lifuse Publicity Group

Guest blog from Suzanne Woods Fisher for “Amish Values for Your Family” (Revell)

Five Things I’ve Learned from the Amish that Have Nothing to Do with being Amish and Have Everything to Do with being a Christian:

Being Amish is not a lifestyle. Life among the Amish has to do with faith. Faith can’t be squeezed to an hour or two on Sunday morning; it infuses their entire life like a teabag in hot water. What they do and how they do it is rooted in the spiritual question: What is pleasing to God?

Amish proverb: “Letting go of earthly possessions enables us to take hold of heavenly treasures.”

The Lesson: To pray about my day’s activities and offer them to God, first, for His purposes. And then trusting interruptions (seeing a friend in the grocery store, for example) or de-railings (those days when everything goes wrong!) to be God-managed.

Cherish your family. A family that works together, grows together. Amish families spend a lot of time together and try to keep their work close to home. Children are valued as gifts from God, wanted and enjoyed. They’re included in all of Amish life—from barn raisings to three-hour church services. An Amish bishop once said, "We don't prepare our children for the future, we prepare our children for eternity."

Amish proverb: “Tomorrow’s world will be shaped by what we teach our children today.”

The Lesson: Involving children in chores and activities may not be the most convenient or efficient way to accomplish a task, but the benefits are long lasting. Look for ways to get everybody involved—cook together, sweep out the garage together, set the table together. And have fun while you’re doing it!

Draw a land in the sand. The Amish want to be good stewards of God’s resources—time, money, material goods. They know that convenience comes with a cost. They don’t want to be dependent on outside sources (such as electricity or gas!). Convenience means loss of something valuable. For example, fast food means less nutrition. More stuff means more maintenance. They’re willing to say no.

Amish proverb: “Things that steal our time are usually the easiest to do.”

The Lesson: Technology has its limits. And technology isn’t all good. Evaluate purchases more thoughtfully. Think of where a purchase or an added expense will lead your family. More time together or less? More stress or less? Reframe your view of time and money and goods as God’s resources.

Watch Your Words. The Amish continually stress the importance of filtering their speech.

Amish proverb: “Words break no bones, but they can break hearts” and “Mincing your words makes it easier if you have to eat them later.”

The Lesson: Say less. Prayer more.

Nothing replaces face-to-face visits. Back in the day when telephones emerged on the scene, the Amish bishops made a deliberate decision to keep the telephone out of the house. They didn’t want to interrupt family life. But they drop everything for a face-to-face visit.

Amish proverb: “Use friendship as a drawing account, but don’t forget to make a deposit.”

The Lesson: Nurture relationships by investing face-to-face time in them. No technology can substitute for the real thing.

Honor the Sabbath. An Amish person would never think of working on a Sunday. But it’s more than that—they truly cherish their Sabbath. They spend time on Saturday to make Sunday a smooth and easy day.

Amish proverb: “Many things I have tried to grasp and have lost. That which I have placed in God’s hands I still have.”

The Lesson: Strive to make Sunday a different day than other days. A day of rest is important on so many levels—time to worship, time to reflect, time to re-energize. A re-charge your battery day.

Suzanne Woods Fisher is a bestselling author of Amish fiction and non-fiction and the host of a weekly radio program called Amish Wisdom. Her most recent book, Amish Values for Your Family released in August. The Waiting is a finalist for a 2011 Christy Award. Amish Peace: Simple and Amish Proverbs were both finalists for the ECPA Book of the Year (2010, 2011). Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world. When Suzanne isn't writing or bragging to her friends about her first new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To Suzanne's way of thinking, you just can't take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth. Keep up on Suzanne's latest news on Facebook, Twitter and on her blog!

Blissful Reading!

Annette

Suzanne Woods Fisher Contest

Suzanne Woods Fisher is thrilled to announce the release of Amish Values for Your Family, her latest non-fiction release. "It offers loving ways to bring your fractured home back to life-Amish style. Read it and apply generously! It’s a beautiful book-funny, charming, soulful, and beautiful." -Mary Ann Kirkby

 

Read the reviews here.

 

To celebrate the release of Amish Values for Your Family, Suzanne has teamed up her publisher Revell Books to giveaway a Kindle, and with Bill Coleman (the amazing photographer used on Suzanne’s book covers) to give away a signed Bill Coleman original.

 

One Grand Prize winner will receive an Amish Values Prize Package (valued at over $200) and includes:

 

* A brand new KINDLE

* A Signed Bill Coleman original

* Amish Values for Your Family (for KINDLE)

 

Click on one of the icons to enter. Winner will be announced on 9/2 at Suzanne’s blog. Be sure to stop by the blogs on Suzanne’s blog tour – many have copies of Amish Values for Your Family to give away.

 

But, wait there's more! Suzanne is running a Bill Coleman caption contest during the month of August on her blog. Title one of Bill’s gorgeous photos for a chance to win a print from Bill’s Amish Photo site and/or a copy of Amish Values for Your Family.

http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13421895).

  

Link to buy the book:

http://www.amazon.com/Amish-Values-Your-Family-Simple/dp/0800719964/ref=sprightly-20

It offers loving ways to bring your fractured home back to life-Amish style. Read it and apply generously! It's a beautiful book-funny, charming, soulful, and beautiful."
-Mary-Ann Kirkby, author of I Am Hutterite

For readers who long for strong families that know how to truly enjoy life together, there is much to learn from the Amish. Values like community, forgiveness, simple living, obedience, and more can be your family legacy--without selling your car, changing your wardrobe, or moving out to farm country.

In Amish Values for Your Family, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher shows how you can adopt the wisdom of the Amish when it comes to family matters. In this inspiring and practical book readers will find charming true stories interlaced with solid, biblical advice about parenting, marriage, and all aspects of family life. As readers get an intimate glimpse into the everyday lives of real Amish families, they will learn to prioritize what's truly important, simplify decision-making, slow down as a family, safeguard time together, and let go when the time comes.

 

About Suzanne:

Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. She has many, many Plain relatives living in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and travels back to Pennsylvania , as well as to Ohio , a couple of times each year for research.

Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world.  In both her fiction and non-fiction books, she has an underlying theme: You don't have to "go Amish" to incorporate many of their principles--simplicity, living with less, appreciating nature, forgiving others more readily-- into your life.

When Suzanne isn't writing or bragging to her friends about her first new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To Suzanne's way of thinking, you just can't take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth.

 

Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.

Book Review: Across The Wide River by Stephanie Reed

"This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." 1 John 3:10 NIV

Link for the authors site:
http://www.stephanielreed.com/

For more information on the Underground Railroad in Ohio:
http://www.ohiomemory.org/cdm4/results.php?CISOBOX1=underground%20railroad&CISOOP1=all&CISOFIELD1=CISOSEARCHALL&CISOOP2=&CISOFIELD2=&CISOBOX2=&CISOROOT=all

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Across-Wide-River-Stephanie-Reed/dp/0825435765/ref=pd_sim_b_1
Paperback $9.99
Not available on Kindle

Link for the book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/across-the-wide-river-1/stephanie-reed/9780825435768/pd/35763?item_code=WW&netp_id=344196&event=ESRCG&view=details
Paperback $8.19

Stephanie Reed has written another book as well:
The Light Across the River

Thank you to Kregel Publishers for my free review copy. 
The Kregel Book Tour runs August 15-19.
www.kregel.com/blogtours

Published by Kregel 2011, originally published 2004
Christian Non-Fiction
Biography/Underground Railroad/Early 19th Century/Slavery/Abolitionist's 
Written for young adult reader's, but I feel for adult reader's as well.

When Lowry Rankin is almost 9 years old, he and his family move from Kentucky to across the Ohio River to Ripley, Ohio. Lowry's father is Reverend John Rankin a Presbyterian minister and abolitionist. At an early age Lowry is deeply affected by slavery. He witnessed the abuse and brutality of black slaves under the bondage of white slave masters. The Rankin family's red brick home in Ripley, Ohio becomes the first stop in the pre-Civil War Underground Railroad.

Rankin family home in Ripley, Ohio.

Across The Wide River follows the family's mission in helping runaway slaves once they cross the Ohio river. The story also tells Lowry Rankin's life story and his development in to a young man.

Looking out the Rankin family home window at the Ohio River.

I loved this book!
I wish the book had been longer, there was so much more of the story I would have loved to read.
Across The Wide River gave me a better view of what it was like for the runaway slave escaping across the river in fear of their lives, with the hope of freedom on the other side.
I learned what it was like for those that escorted the black men and women and children to their next destination.
The network of people involved in the Underground Railroad was larger that I realized. In looking back when I was in school it is a shame that we did not study more about this history.
The abolitionist's were faith driven and heroic in their willingness to put their life in danger for the sake of others.
The author Stephanie Reed had a life long mission to study and write about the Underground Railroad that was in Ripley, Ohio. She states that as a young girl she would pass by the Rankin home on her way to visit her grandparents. She stated that she "spent years doing library research." She noted that she interviewed descendants of the Rankin's.

Blissful Reading!
Annette 

Book Review: People of the Book, Extreme Devotion Series Book #4 by Kathi Macias

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15 NIV

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1596692820/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=195M1T0NZFJQPS8KKCH1&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846
Paperback $9.94

Link for the book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/people-of-the-book-extreme-devotion/kathi-macias/9781596692824/pd/692824?item_code=WW&netp_id=879754&event=ESRCN&view=details
Paperback $9.99

http://kathimacias.com/

http://kathieasywritermacias.blogspot.com/



Published April 2011 by New Hope Publishers
320 Pages
Christian Fiction/Saudi Arabia/Persecution/Missionary

In the Extreme Devotion series we've traveled from South Africa to Mexico to China and now Saudi Arabia.
In each of the books Christians have been faced with persecution because of their belief in Jesus as Lord.
They have all been moving, potent, memorable. The stories have not been just an "entertaining" Christian fiction story, but have been a powerful and perfect picture of Christian's living out their faith in Jesus Christ--no matter the cost.

Farah Mohammed is 19 years old, she lives with her parents, older brother Kareem and younger sister Nadia. They live in Saudi Arabia. Farah is a committed and devout Muslim. She prays fervently, lives piously and submissively, reads the Quran, and performs acts of charity and kindness. She has been praying that Allah would make himself known to her in a mighty way. During Ramadan she prays that maybe at this time Allah will make himself known to her. But, when Ramadan is over, she is disappointed. Kareem is seething with jealously because his sister Farah is so pious, but more importantly she does not "worship" him as the older and powerful brother.
Farah has a cousin named Nura. Nura is about the same age as Farah. She is an only child. She too lives in Saudi Arabia and her family is Muslim. Nura has a friend that she met in a chat room on the Internet. This friend has talked to her about Isa Masih--Jesus Christ. Nura is interested, yet she knows that to become a Christian is dangerous. Nura tells Farah about this new friend she has met on the Internet.
Added to the story of Farah and Nura are characters from America. These characters each have their own story that brings the power of prayer and the ability to spread the Gospel message on the Internet.

Although I liked this book as well. I did have a little harder time falling in to the story. It could just be me for any variety of reasons. Such as it could have been that I'd just read Red Ink and was still thinking about that book.
And.....
Farah was not a character that I grew an attachment to. Maybe, because of her pious and devout nature some of her "real" character was held back from the reader. Sort of like a person that feels they are righteous in their religious beliefs and so they hold back from the world the parts of their personality that they feel are imperfect. But, it is the imperfectness that makes us human and approachable to others. Because others will feel we have empathy for them, that we will understand them, and be able to help them.
Some people might would sum up what I just wrote by saying Farah was not a 3-D person.
I did enjoy the story of the characters from America---they brought real life situations that I can relate to in to the story.
Now that I've written that last sentence, that could also be a reason that I did not grow close to the character Farah, I could not relate to her.
Farah's world of Islam is so "other world" to me that I can say with honesty I'm rather ignorant of this culture and religion.
Yet, I am so glad that I read this book! Even though it is a work of fiction, it did get me out of my "little box" so to speak, and I was able to learn about what it is like for a female in Saudi Arabia and also about the Muslim religion.
Isn't that one of the reasons we read? So that a book, a story, can take us to another culture, country, religion. And by doing so we are able to reach outside of ourselves in understanding them and maybe to help them. And as a Christian I am better able to pray for them and to look for an opportunity to share Jesus with them.
In reading the Extreme Devotion series I felt the books have all had a two-fold message:
1. The power of prayer, and in that I include the power of prayer against the dark forces of the evil one.
2. Forsaking all, including life, for the sake of spreading the Gospel message.

These 4 books in the Extreme Devotion series have been dynamic reads for me during this summer! I am looking forward to the next book that Kathi Macias will write!

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: The Sweetest Thing by Elizabeth Musser

"A friend loves at all times." Proverbs 17:17a

Published June 1 2011 by Bethany House
400 pages
Christian Fiction/Great Depression/Coming of Age Story/Friendship/Romance/Mystery

Link for the book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/the-sweetest-thing-elizabeth-musser/9780764208317/pd/208317#curr
Paperback $9.99
eBook $9.69

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Sweetest-Thing-Elizabeth-Musser/dp/0764208314
Paperback $9.68
Kindle $10.19

Thank you to Bethany House and An Open Book for my free review copy!

It is 1933 and it is President Hoover's last day in office. The new President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in his address to the nation stated "the only fear is fear itself." Yet, people are homeless, hungry, banks have closed, people have lost jobs, long lines form at soup kitchens, and people are praying for a miracle from the deafening roar of The Great Depression. 
Perri Singleton and her parents listen by radio to Roosevelt's address. They live in a southern mansion (reminiscent to Tara) in Georgia. Perri has a younger sister and brother. Perri's father works in a bank. Her father has seemed so lost in a daze of stress over the bank and the state of their affairs. Perri's mother seems so delicate. Perri and her mother after the radio address, drive over to the Chandler's home in order to meet their new guest from Chicago, Mary Dobbs Dillard. Dobbs and Perri are both about the same age, 17. Dobbs is the niece of Mrs. Chandler and she has come to live with the Chandler's in order to finish school and get a break from her life of "poverty." Dobbs father is a pastor to the impoverished, the needy, he is a "sawdust trail preacher." Dobbs' mother is a stoic and wise person. Dobbs has two younger sisters. She also has a beau named Hank.
Perri is a product of a wealthy family. She has gone to the best of schools, lived in the finest of homes, attended all the society functions, and is a member of the country club. She is beautiful, popular, smart, always has a swarm of friends with her, has several smitten fellas. Perri though has just been going through the motions in a home that is teetering on the edge of the precipice. Her well-ordered life will soon be surrounded in mystery, shame, and pain.
Dobbs is a product of a poor family. Poor in money, yet wealthy in family bond and love. Dobbs has gone to church all of her life, she sits on the front pew leaning in to listen to her father's messages of repentance and belief in Jesus. Dobbs has loved and trusted her father, even possibly idolized him without knowing it. She comes to Georgia reluctantly. Feeling rather different and sticking out because of her long hair and plain clothes, yet she is often bold in her speech. Her roots seem to be deep in her faith.
Both girls from different past lives will emerge on a single path. Both will learn things about themselves they'd thought would never happen. Both, will endure much.

I absolutely loved this book!
It is a southern tempo story. Have you ever read To Kill a Mockingbird, or any of Eudora Welty's stories. In these stories you probably noted the slow tempo of the stories. There is no hurried rush, but rather a gradual revealing of the characters and events.
There is excellent use of the environment to show emotions of the characters and events in the story. For example from page 58-59.
"Perched high up on a hill on Wesley Road, with a driveway that climbed and twisted around, our house appeared from behind a forest of trees as if in a dream-a three stories-white-brick mansion with six white columns out front and black shutters on the big windows, with front and back porches and big magnolia trees that surrounded the house. Everything that had at one time meant home and comfort and beauty now looked gray, as if a thin layer of ash had swept in on the breeze and settled on our house and yard."

The story deals with many issues from the 1930's, the south, and from life:
Socio-economic class
Black Servants
Poverty
Homelessness
Alcohol
Gambling
Gossip
Prejudice
Ignorance
Segregation
Apathy
Friendship

The story also shows:
Crisis of faith---doubt
Trust
Faithfulness even when we don't understand
Forgiveness
Reconciliation
Prayer

The author wrote on a subject that I've not seen in other Christian fiction books, at least not to this extent; the gnawing raw feelings of doubt about God, about His goodness and trusting in Him. The character that felt this way is vehement in her anger towards God. She does not hold anything back. I knew though that behind that mask of anger is fear. Fear that has become as enormous as the Titanic itself.

There is a mystery in the book and when that is resolved I was really surprised--I'd not expected the ending.

I did not feel that the book "wrapped up nicely like a Christmas package" but that it depicted the reality of life.

I have plans to re-read this book which is not the norm for me. I enjoyed this story so much, I recommend it to anyone. It is a great read for adult and for young adult.

Blissful Reading!
Annette