Sunday, April 28, 2019

Becoming Us by Robin Jones Gunn



Hello all! 

Do you all remember the Christy series from awhile back? I have heard all about the books a lot of times, but  I will admit that I did not read them, but I know how popular they are.  This is the first book in a new series that features Christy all grown up.

Christy has a side appearance because this book is really about Emily and her new found friends Christy, Tess, Sierra, and Jennalyn.  Emily, her husband, Trevor and their daughter Audra have moved from the east coast to sunny California to start a new chapter in their life together. Emily and her small family used to live with Trevor and his family.  Trevor got an opportunity to take over a family member's car dealership and they jumped on the chance to start again and stand on their own. 

It proves to be more difficult that originally thought.  They struggle financially and with other issues.  I won't go into Emily's biggest struggle, but for her it is heartbreaking and hard for her to move on.  

Emily meets Jennalyn and is drawn into a small group of women who meet for some relaxation and good times but also to have some meaningful conversations about their lives and to build their faith in God.  

As the story went on I really started connecting with some of the struggles the women were facing.  Don't we all face something in our lives?  Sometimes,  it seems hard to move on from that dark place.  

Recently, I have found myself in several situations where I feel it's very hard to move on, but also in those times I feel the need to strengthen my faith as well and this is what these women are doing.  They are purposefully making choices to think, speak, feel and DO better all with the help of each other and their faith. 

I recommend this book.  It's a very good read of family, friends, the connection we make with others, struggle, and faith. It is also about the conscious choices we make in how we treat each other. You can make it out of that dark place with the right people and God.  

Book releases late May 2019.  Thank you so much to WaterBrook and Ms. Gunn. 


Tuesday, April 2, 2019

How Not To Die Alone by Richard Roper



Hello all!
Courtesy of Netgalley, I got to read this book and let me tell you! Well, wait. 

Set in the U.K., Andrew works for a government council that deals with people who pass away that seem to have nobody in their lives.  The council's job is to look around the person's home to see if they can find next of kin or some kind of funds to have a simple burial.  Sounds like a dreary job, but Andrew takes it to the next level. If the deceased seems to have nobody in their life, Andrew takes the time to attend the small church service offered. He feels that it is the least he could do. 

However, in the book, you know something bad has happened to Andrew, but we don't know what it is right away.  Andrew spends his days at work and lonely nights living in a drab apartment.  The only thing that keeps him going is his love for model trains and the online forum where he feels he can talk to his online "friends." Andrew also has a secret.  I am not giving anything away here, it's in the description of the book, but Andrew's loneliness has driven him to create a fake family for the sake of his co-workers.  

He weaves tales of his wife, Diane and two children.  He feels this is going along fine until the boss wants each employee to hold a dinner party at their respective homes. Well, I knew the secret was going to come out but couldn't wait to find out how. 

Also another wrench in the works is new hire at the job, Peggy.  Peggy is married (really she is!) with children and has her own issues.  Both Peggy and Andrew strike up a friendship that proves to be beneficial to both parties. 

I couldn't wait to find out how Andrew's secret was going to come out, how it would affect his very rigid constructed life and also how it would affect his real friendship with Peggy. The author did a phenomenal job with the development of these characters, from Andrew to Peggy to their horrible co-workers (ha!), they all seemed real to me.  

i found  this book very touching and it made me smile and even laugh in some parts. In all honesty, the way Andrew's friends rally around him in the hour of his need had me teary eyed. What a well rounded, thoughtful, engrossing story.  I think a lot of people will enjoy it. Thank you so much to Netgalley and to the publisher!

 Coming May 28, 2019!