The Christmas Shoppe

I finished reading the book of Job last night. I think it's my seventh time through, and while it's not an easy book to read, there is always something new for me to learn. This time is was a lesson about something I've never really associated with Job: forgiveness. Let me give you a little history to catch you up if you aren't already familiar with his story.

Job was a true man of God, upright and righteous and God had blessed him greatly for his faith. Satan told God that the only reason that Job loved God was because God had only allowed good to happen to him. God gave Satan permission to attack Job's life. In one day, all of his flocks were destroyed and all his children killed. Job gave praise to God (proving his righteousness and faith), through ashes over himself and grieved. When he didn't deny God, Satan complained again that he hadn't been allowed to touch Job personally. So God again gave permission, and Satan gave Job a terrible case of boils and harangued his sleep with nightmares. Job was truly miserable, so three of his friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar came to mourn with him. For seven days they sat silent with him as he mourned his losses.

Then Job began a series of speeches crying out about the unfairness of his misery, asking God for a trial, to give him some reason for all of his losses. Each of his friends displayed their complete unworthiness of that title by attacking Job's faith and righteousness. Each man accused Job of hidden sins that God was punishing and exposing. Some of the attacks were awful, listing specific and horrific deeds that Job was completely innocent of. After each of their speeches, Job would defend himself and again beg the opportunity to talk to God about the reasons for the loss.

Finally after 37 chapters of exchanges between the men, including some by a Johnny-come-lately, named Elihu, who also threw in some attacks on Job, God appears and puts them all to shame. God asks some unanswerable questions of Job (and the men) proving His righteousness and the impossibility of understanding all that He does. Then He turns on the three friends (ignoring Elihu) and informs them that Job will have to pray for them to be forgiven for their sins and orders them to bring some animals for sacrifice.

Then comes a line I never really paid attention to before last night: When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before! Job 42:10. Yes, God restored all of Job's fortunes to him, including giving him the same amount of children as had died, but only after Job forgave his friends! 


What a powerful and important point! God never did answer Job's questions, so he never knew why God allowed him to suffer as he did. And at the end of God's speech, Job asks for forgiveness himself and states that he will sit in his ashes and repent of his insolence. God does not tell Job "If you forgive your friends, I will restore your fortunes." He simply told Job to pray for his friends and that He would accept those prayers in Job's name. Imagine Job's joy and surprise when after he forgave his friends (which probably isn't an appropriate term after how they treated him, but the Bible uses it, so I'll use it as well), God blessed him beyond reckoning!


It makes me wonder if there are people that I have refused to forgive and have therefore blocked off God's blessings in my life. Obviously there is a three step process here that God wants us to see: ask for forgiveness for self, forgive others and ask God to forgive them as well, and receive His blessings. I've asked God to show me any places in my life where I may be holding on to unforgiveness. Consider your own heart today to see if maybe you should do the same.

The Christmas Shoppe by Melody Carlson is a sweet holiday novella with a message of hope for readers. Susanna Elton is still settling into her job as city manager of Parrish Springs when newcomer Matilda Honeycutt moves to town and purchases a building, intending to open a new store. As Matilda begins to ready the store for opening, the whole town is thrown into controversy. A councilman is angry that she outbid him on the building and stirs up trouble against her, but even that doesn't create the trouble that The Christmas Shoppe's opening does. Instead of being filled with Christmas decor or gifts, the shelves are filled with broken  and dirty mismatched merchandise. Newspaperman Tommy Thompson hasn't celebrated Christmas in several years, since his heart was broken, and he's become disillusioned with small town living, especially once the rumors start to fly about The Christmas Shoppe, but when he is interested when Matilda refuses to let him interview her. He's even more intrigued when he begins witnessing strange things happening inside the store, and Matilda's fiercest enemies suddenly become her strongest allies. What is it about this little store that could completely change a town? Carlson's writing is, as always, enjoyable and keeps readers hooked with strong characters and a fascinating concept. The book's message will have readers considering their own hearts and just what gift they need most this Christmas. 


Thank you to Revell Books for providing me with a copy of this book for review. Available November 2011 from Revell, a division of the Baker Publishing Group at your favorite bookseller.

Here's to Friends

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Here’s to Friends David C. Cook (September 1, 2011) by Melody Carlson



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write! Currently she freelances from her home. In the past eight years, she has published over ninety books for children, teens, and adults--with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards. And her "Diary of a Teenage Girl" series has received great reviews and a large box of fan mail.



She has two grown sons and lives in Central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.





ABOUT THE BOOK

Once upon a time in a little town on the Oregon coast lived four Lindas—all in the same first-grade classroom. So they decided to go by their middle names. And form a club. And be friends forever.



Decades later, they're all back home in Clifden and reinventing their lives, but the holidays bring a whole new set of challenges. Abby’s new B&B is getting bad reviews and husband Paul is acting strange. Still grieving for her mom, Caroline is remodeling the family home, but boyfriend Mitch keeps pressuring her to go away with him. Artist Marley, distracted by a friend's family drama (and a touch of jealousy), can't find her creative groove. And Janie’s drug-addicted daughter has just appeared up on her doorstep! When a long-planned New Year's cruise turns into a bumpy ride, they learn once again that, in your fifties, friends aren’t just for fun—they're a necessity!



If you would like to read the first chapter of Here’s to Friends, go HERE.

Here's to Friends by Melody Carlson is the fourth book in the Four Lindas series. The four girls who made friends in school because they were all named Linda have carried their friendship through their lives and have now all returned to their hometown of Clifden, Oregon to deal with family crises together. Marley's painting career has come to a halt as she cares for her boyfriend's granddaughter. Abby is still struggling with her weight and trusting husband Paul. Janie's law firm isn't taking off as she'd hoped and worrying about her missing drug-addicted daughter, and Caroline is rebuilding her family home in hopes of selling it and finally beginning a life of her own, hopefully with boyfriend, Mitch. I wish I had known this was the fourth in the series before beginning the book, because I felt like I had walked in halfway through the story, not understanding the connections and complicated family histories. Carlson does a great job of portraying female friendships with the multiple layers and changing roles.

River's Song

River's Song by Melody Carlson is the first book in the Inn at Shining Waters series. In 1959, Anna Gunderson has returned to her family home on Oregon's Siuslaw River. She's spent the last nineteen years under the thumb of her controlling mother-in-law who often belittles her for her Native American heritage and has stolen the affections of her daughter, Lauren, through expensive gifts. Anna has come home to deal with the estate of her mother who recently passed away, leaving the land to Anna. Once home, Anna quickly finds her soul healing after decades of pain and numbness, the rhythm of life on the river reminds her of all that she has lost and of whom she is, including a Siuslaw Indian. She quickly decides to stay on the river and turn the old family store into a bed and breakfast, the Inn of the Shining Waters, named after one of the legends her Grandma Pearl often told her. I'm more familiar with Carlson's young adult stories, and this was a pleasant surprise. Anna is such a gentle and beautiful soul, I found myself aching and furious for the abuse she faced at Eunice's hands. The story grows naturally, at a steady pace, as Anna finds herself and some joy in life again. Carlson parallels the story of Anna's great-grandmother, who was forced from her home on the river to a reservation where she couldn't show her true self and was mocked and belittled before finding her way back home and making a good life. Anna's story follows this path, and Carlson's storytelling is elegant and restrained. This is not a loud or thrilling story full of explosions and blood; it's a quiet, yet beautiful story of a woman finding her way home and wanting to share that joy with others. I can't wait to read the next in the series. 

Thank you to Glass Road Publicity for providing me with a copy of this book for review!

Double Take

Today I am doing better than Tuesday. I'm not in writhing pain all the time, but I am completely exhausted, even after a full night's sleep. I still hurt too much to live my life, even in the limited form I am used to. This new medicine is a Butrans patch, and so far, I am not a fan. I was really hoping that this patch could give me my life back, instead it's taken away even the bit I had. I am reading again though, so here's today's review. Please keep me in your prayers.

Double Take by Melody Carlson is a young adult addition to the growing Amish genre. Madison Van Buren is sick of all the pressure in her life; her mom wants her to go to Tuscany for spring break, her best friend, Vivian wants her to go to Florida, her cheating boyfriend Garrett wants to make it up to her with a trip to Nantucket, and her dad wants her to tour Harvard to enter it after her senior year. When all four get angry at her for refusing to cave to their pressure, she takes a drive to cool off and ends up in Amish country in Pennsylvania. The drive brings back fond memories of a visit when she was a little girl, as well as her love for the Little House on the Prairie series. It's a dream come true when she bumps into Amish girl Anna Fisher who is having her own questions about the life she is living. Anna's boyfriend Jacob left their community for New York, and her parents are pushing her to marry someone else, but Anna can't forget about her feelings for Jacob. When the girls meet, they discover they share an uncanny resemblance and decide to switch places for a week. Madison will take Anna's place helping her aunt Rachel care for her four children and husband during the end of her pregnancy, while Anna will go to Madison's penthouse in New York and try to find Jacob. Their crazy plan actually works and both girls are thrown into completely unexpected worlds where all of their allusions about the grass on the other side of the fence being greener. Both will learn important lessons about themselves, and both will change the other's life in significant ways. Carlson excels at writing compelling and moving stories for young adults that seem very real while sharing vital life lessons in a very non-preachy way. I love how she kept the faith aspect subdued in this novel. While both characters come closer to God, it's very natural and unforced. While the conclusion gives Madison some real closure, readers are left up in the air about Anna's return to her life. I hope that Carlson will consider a sequel to continue the tale of these fascinating young women.

Thank you to Revell for providing me with a copy of this book for review. Available June 2011 from Revell, a division of the Baker Publishing Group at your favorite bookseller.

Christmas at Harrington's

I've read the story of Hagar, Abraham and Sarah's servant and mother of Ishmael, many, many times. You probably know the story yourself: God promised Abraham that he would give him more descendants than stars in the sky or sand on the shore, but after ten years, Sarah still hadn't conceived. She decided to take matters into her own hands and help God along by offering Abraham her servant Hagar. According to the law of the time, any children of Hagar would belong to Sarah and would technically meet God's promise (although not in the way He intended). Hagar quickly became pregnant and starting flaunting her condition in front of her mistress, until Sarah became so angry that she asked Abraham to throw Hagar out of their community. He reluctantly did, because he loved his wife and loved peace even more. Hagar wandered around the desert before falling down and crying in despair. The angel of God appeared to her, helped her find water, and then told her to return to Sarah and obey her, and he gave Hagar a promise that her son would also become the head of a large family, and that she should name him Ishmael. Hagar gave God the name El Roi for the "God who sees me" because He saw her in her misery.

I know the story well, but recently I came to understand it in a new way. When Abraham talks to God, we aren't too surprised. Abraham is a good man, God called him a "friend" and loved him enough to build an entire people from him. But it's a big deal that God would choose to "see" and help Hagar. Take another look at her story with me...

Sarah and Abraham are an elderly and wealthy couple. They have been blessed by everything that God can give, except that which they desired most: a son. They waited ten long years for Him to fulfill his promise with no results, so Sarah turns to her maid, Hagar. Hagar is an Egyptian; she has her own gods that she worships, although she probably keeps that secret from Sarah. She's obviously a valued servant to be offered this opportunity, but Hagar sees it a bit differently than Sarah does. Sarah expects Hagar to get pregnant, continue to do all of her duties around camp, then give birth and turn the child over to Sarah without ever acknowledging the fact that she had sex with Sarah's husband. What happened instead is that as soon as Hagar had confirmation of her pregnancy, she had an elevated view of her place within Abraham's life. Maybe she put her growing belly constantly in Sarah's view. Can't you hear her, "Oh Abraham, come feel my stomach; your son is moving!" then she slides her eyes over to Sarah with a growing smirk on her face. The Bible says "she began to despise her mistress", so I don't believe I'm exaggerating this: she believed that she could replace Sarah in Abraham's affections through her child.

So now take another look at God appearing to Hagar. Why? Ishmael wasn't the promised son to Abraham. He wasn't the one who would create God's chosen nation that would birth a Savior. Why did God reach out to Hagar who was an idol-worshipping, selfish, haughty, Egyptian. The only conclusion that I can reach is that God loved her and had plans for her. Despite her nature, despite her history, despite her hatred for Abraham's family, God loved her.

This makes me rethink how God touches and speaks to people. I guess that I always think of God talking to those people who are good, people who have it together, they pray daily, can quote the Bible at the drop of the hat, whose faith never wavers. But God doesn't just talk to the people we expect him to, and we should open our minds to the idea that God does love everyone, not just those who love and worship him. And He has plans for everyone, not just those who seek his will and desire to do it. God had plans for Hagar and loved her enough to save her. He saw Hagar, just as He sees everyone today, including those we can't imagine Him reaching out to, even those who don't deserve it. Especially those who we don't think deserve it.

I believe that there is hope in that for all of us, because we've all felt unworthy of God's notice or attention, or that there is no way that He could have a plan for us. Hagar's life gives us the assurance that God always sees us, no matter who we are.

Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson is a enjoyable novella perfect for the busy holiday season. Lena Markham has just been released from eight years in prison in time for Christmas. With no desire to return to the hometown that turned on her, she decides to start over in New Haven, Minnesota. When a donated red coat gets her a job as Mrs. Santa it seems like her life is getting better, but will the sins of her past haunt and destroy her chance of a future? Lena is a terrific character, completely selfless and willing to help out strangers. Her desire to help others quickly gains her friends in the community, and her attitude to portraying Mrs. Santa is inspiring and fun. Yes, the book is a bit sentimental, but if you can't read an overtly sentimental book at Christmas, when can you? This is the perfect season to remember to give people a second chance, to reach out to those in need and allow Christ's birth to renew our love for each other! Carlson's writing, as always, is filled with terrific characters and unexpected twists.

Thank you to Revell for providing me with a copy of this book for review. Available November 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of the Baker Publishing Group.

Catwalk

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Melody Carlson

and the book:

Catwalk (On the Runway Book 2)

Zondervan (May 7, 2010)

***Special thanks to Krista Ocier of Zondervan for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books for teens, women, and children. Before publishing, Melody traveled around the world, volunteered in teen ministry, taught preschool, raised two sons, and worked briefly in interior design and later in international adoption. “I think real-life experiences inspire the best fiction,” she says. Her wide variety of books seem to prove this theory.


Visit the author's website.



Product Details:

List Price: $9.99
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (May 7, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310717876
ISBN-13: 978-0310717874

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

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Catwalk by Melody Carlson is the second book in the On the Runway series. Paige and Erin Forrester are on their way to film New York Fashion week for their reality television show On the Runway, but first they both need to walk in a show for a "green" designer, then Erin needs to deal with her best friend Mollie's seeming abandoning her for boyfriend Tony, plus the girls' mother's relationship with Jon is becoming serious. I love this series about two sisters trying to stay true to themselves in the strange world of Hollywood. Paige is the star of the show and trying to keep up her relationship with big star Benjamin. Erin is more comfortable behind the camera and is giving old flame Blake another chance. Paige and Erin have a very believable sisterly relationship with plenty of push-pull and chemistry. They face the real problems of teenagers: parents dating, troubled relationships, and two-faced friends, but with a great twist of glamor. It's the rare young adult Christian series that is completely enjoyable and believable. I can't wait to read what happens next to the Forrester sisters.

Premiere

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!



You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Melody Carlson

and the book:

Premiere

Zondervan (May 7, 2010)

***Special thanks to Krista Ocier of Zondervan for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books for teens, women, and children. Before publishing, Melody traveled around the world, volunteered in teen ministry, taught preschool, raised two sons, and worked briefly in interior design and later in international adoption. “I think real-life experiences inspire the best fiction,” she says. Her wide variety of books seem to prove this theory.





Visit the author's website.







Product Details:



List Price: $9.99

Reading level: Young Adult

Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: Zondervan (May 7, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0310717868

ISBN-13: 978-0310717867



Press the browse button to view the first chapter:

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Premiere by Melody Carlson is the first book in the On the Runway series. Paige and Erin Forrester have just been tapped to star in their own reality television show about fashion. Paige is a natural in front of the camera and looks like a model while having an encyclopedic knowledge of the fashion industry. Erin is far more comfortable behind the camera where she doesn't have to worry about competing with her gorgeous and stylish sister. When their producer wants to introduce their show by having them appear on another reality show (think The Hills), Paige's chemistry with star Benjamin soon has his onscreen girlfriend Mia fighting mad. Erin is still battling her feelings of betrayal about ex-boyfriend Blake, but his interest suddenly returns when she's going to be on television. All she can do is turn to her faith in God to get her through this confusing time. This is by far Carlson's best young adult series yet. Erin is down-to-earth and immediately relatable to teenage girls who feel like they will never measure up to the popular girls, but she has a strength of character that is admirable and will be inspiring to readers. When I finished, I wanted to immediately read the next book in the series, Catwalk, because I wasn't ready to say goodbye to the characters. This is a series sure to go far with teenage readers (and their moms!).

A Trio of Christmas Delights

The Christmas Dog

The Unfinished Gift

Finding Christmas

The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson is a heart-warming story of the unexpected ways love can come into our lives. Betty Kowalski isn't looking forward to the holidays this year. Widowed for many years with her children living far away, she can't even muster up the desire to put up decorations. Her interactions with the cranky next-door neighbor Jack certainly haven't helped. When a dirty, skinny dog runs from his yard into hers, she assumes that it belongs to Jack and tries to return it, only to have it keep coming back. And then her granddaughter Avery shows up, angry at her parents and ready to spend the holidays with the grandmother she hasn't seen in years. Carlson takes what could have been a treacly Christmas story and makes it much more through her textured portrayal of Betty who goes from a fearful near-hermit to strong loving woman determined to do the best for those she loves. It's a story certain to touch all who read it.

The Unfinished Gift by Dan Walsh is an unexpected treasure. Patrick Collins is having a terrible Christmas. His mother killed in a car accident, his father fighting the Nazis overseas, he's sent off to wait for his father's return with a grandfather, Ian, he's never met. Ian is Scrooge personified: angry at the world, curmudgeonly, stingy, and holding on to a burning anger at Patrick's father that spills over into his relationship with the seven-year-old Patrick. Kathleen Townsend, Patrick's social worker, is doing everything she can to care for the sweet little boy, but when bad news comes, no one can protect him from the consequences. Walsh's rendering of Ian is that of a harsh almost brutal man, who turned his back on anyone who refused to do things his way. Patrick is a lovely, sweet boy who wants nothing more than to please the adults around him, but there's no pleasing Ian. Walsh reminds readers that Christmas is a time of second chances and to offer forgiveness. Keep tissues handy while reading this one!

I apologize for the lateness of today's post! My dad was in a car accident earlier today, and while thank God he's ok (3 broken ribs and possible small puncture on lung), I went to the ER to be with him and my step-mom and then drove him home to make sure he was okay.

The winner of the contest for Lisa Tawn Bergren's books was Jill Wendt. Congrats to her! I'll be starting a new contest on Monday, so make sure you stop back then!

Leaving Carolina & What Matters Most

Sometimes it feels like when I make plans, the world goes out of its way to disaccomodate them. I decided over a month ago to participate in National Novel Writing Month. I prayed regularly asking for God's blessing over my writing, and I asked Jesse to pray for me as well. The day before it started, Mia fractured her elbow. She hasn't been back to school since, although I'm hoping to send her tomorrow. She's bored and constantly looking for stimulation, but in the night she keeps waking up and crying from the pain. Her pain, of course, keeps me up, so my own pain has been acting up too. The day after the month started, Molly adopted a puppy. It's her puppy, but while she's in school, Cooper is my responsibility; one I'm not enjoying. I'm constantly taking things out of his mouth, defending Mia and our other dog from him or trying to get him outside before he has an accident.

So now I'm trying to figure out what the best plan is: work on the new project If You Only Knew of which I've written less than 1000 words, or finally edit my existing novel The Definition of Family and then finish the last 150 pages or so. I really thought that God wanted me to work on the IYOK in hopes that it would break my block on TDOF, but now I'm not so sure. I am not giving up! I'm still praying and hoping that sometime in the next week life will return to semi-normal state where I have time to write instead of constantly attending to my hurt girl's needs and a spoiled puppy's demands. Say a prayer for me, if you would be so kind. I could use some direction and more than a little peace!

Leaving Carolina by Tamara Leigh is funny novel about returning to your roots and paying the piper. Piper Wick abandoned her hometown of Pickwick, North Carolina and the first syllable of her last name at the same time twelve years ago, shaking the dust of the town from her feet. Working as an image consultant with the rich and famous of Hollywood, she's almost engaged to a conservative politician when she receives a phone call from home about her Uncle Obadiah's will. Uncle Obe wants to make restitution for the many wrongs the Pickwick family has done to the residents of their namesake town, but if he does, the many sins of their past will be exposed, including one of Piper's own that could jeopardize her job and her almost-engagement. I didn't feel as though this romance was as strong as Leigh's others books, of which I am a huge fan, but that still makes this a thoroughly enjoyable read. As Piper struggles to make things right with her family, she also tries to make peace with her own past and ignore her growing feelings for Uncle Obe's gardener/godson, Axel. There's an important message about not hiding your sins as well as offering forgiveness. Leigh is one of those authors who I look forward to every new release.

What Matters Most by Melody Carlson is the third book in the Maya line and the final book in the Diary of a Teenage Girl series. Maya Stark is finally starting to have a normal life. She's started high school and is making friends, but her mother's release from jail threatens her peace of mind. And the possibility of touring with Christian girl rock group, Redemption makes normal life seem not so appealing. She'll have to make some major decisions for a sixteen-year old girl, as well as deal with the repercussions of previous books in the series. As someone unfamiliar with the DOATG series, I did feel a little lost when it came to juggling characters and backstories. But when focusing on Maya the story was appealing. This is a young woman who has been through an enormous amount in just a few short years and has a good head on her shoulders along with a strong faith. Her "green" tips seemed a bit unnecessary, and while her appearances on TV were referenced regarding them, she never actually seemed to actually do them. Carlson completely nails how teenage girls think and speak, and I am truly impressed by her ability to write believably in so many different voices!

Thank you to Random House for generously providing me with both of these books.

Limelight

The doctor's office called this morning. Mia has joint effusion, which means fluid on her elbow. They still aren't sure if there is a fracture, but given the amount of pain she's still suffering, it's a strong possibility. She sees the orthopedist on Wednesday, until then, she's still out of school.

Between Mia, grocery shopping, and preparing for the new puppy coming tonight, I haven't had a chance to write anything at all today, but I'm hopeful I will get some done tonight after everyone else is asleep. But just to give you a taste of my work in progress, here is the first paragraph:

Conner leaned his back against the wall and allowed gravity to pull him to the floor. As he slid, his long sleeve T-shirt rolled up between his sweaty back and the wall. His mind noticed the discomfort for just a moment and then flicked away to the tennies on his feet. His legs seemed so long, and the shoes far away, but he could still see the bloodstains. Mom will be pissed! The idea passed briefly through his mind and then dashed it away . When Mom found out… shoes would be the least of his trouble.

Limelight by Melody Carlson is an unusual and humorous book about a starting life all over again at 82. Claudette Fiore's life was one anyone would envy: wealth, fame, handsome movie director husband, beauty; the epitome of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, until her accountant paid himself instead of the IRS leaving her without a home or the kind of life she's lived for the last sixty years. At first, the news causes her to attempt suicide, but two weeks in a psychiatric facility has left her determined to live on her own again. With the help of her stepson, she returns to her hometown of Silverton, California to a house left to Claudette in her mother's will. Returning to the town she couldn't leave fast enough and the sister she hasn't spoken to in years will test her self-confidence, and she will have to find her new place in the world. Claudettee's trials while trying to learn how to care for a home: washing clothes with dish detergent, starting a fire in the fireplace with a closed flue, and using her Crock-Pot as emergency bathroom facilities makes this book at times a laugh out loud riot. But there is also a powerful message about friendship and finding self worth outside of your gross income. Carlson is an outstanding author, her books for teens resonate strongly with the YA audience, but her voice in this book rings just as true. Claudette is a character I wouldn't mind visiting again!

Thanks to Random House for providing me with a copy of the book!

The new puppy arrived tonight. Buffalo Bill aka Billy aka Bill aka Buffy is a male rat terrier about eight weeks old. He's extremely cute and a bit wild. Here's hoping he settles down soon!

Three Weddings and a Bar Mitzvah

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Melody Carlson

and the book:

Three Weddings & a Bar Mitvah

David C. Cook (2009)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melody Carlson has published more than one hundred books for adults, children, and teens, with many on best-seller lists. Several books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards, including the Gold Medallion and the RITA Award. She and her husband live in the Cascade Mountains in Oregon and have two grown sons.

Visit the author's website.

Three Weddings and a Bar Mitzvah, by Melody Carlson from David C. Cook on Vimeo.

Product Details:

List Price: $14.99
Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 320
Vendor: David C. Cook (2009)
ISBN: 1589191080
ISBN-13: 9781589191082

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Megan Abernathy


“Okay, then, how does the second Saturday in June look?” Anna asked her housemates.


Megan frowned down at her date book spread open on the dining room table. She and Anna had been trying to nail a date for Lelani and Gil's wedding. Megan had already been the spoiler of the first weekend of June, but she'd already promised her mom that she'd go to a family reunion in Washington. Now it seemed she was about to mess things up again. “I'm sorry,” she said, “but I promised Marcus I'd go to his sister's wedding. It's been scheduled for almost a year now, and it's the second Saturday too. But maybe I can get out of it.”


Lelani just shook her head as she quietly rocked Emma in her arms, pacing back and forth between the living room and dining room. The baby was teething and fussy and overdue for her afternoon nap. Megan wasn't sure if Lelani's frustrated expression was a result of wedding planning or her baby's mood.


“Is it possible you could do both weddings in one day?” Anna asked Megan.


“That might work.” Megan picked up her datebook and followed Lelani into the living room, where she continued to rock Emma.


“Or we could look at the third weekend in June,” Anna called from the dining room.


“Shhh.” Megan held a forefinger over her lips to signal Anna that Emma was finally about to nod off. Megan waited and watched as Emma's eyes fluttered closed and Lelani gently eased the limp baby down into the playpen set up in a corner of the living room. Lelani pushed a dark lock of hair away from Emma's forehead, tucked a fuzzy pink blanket over her, then finally stood up straight and sighed.


“Looks like she's down for the count,” Megan whispered.


Lelani nodded. “Now, where were we with dates?”


“If you still want to go with the second Saturday,” Megan spoke quietly, “Anna just suggested that it might be possible for me to attend two weddings in one day.”


“That's a lot to ask of you,” Lelani said as they returned to the dining room, where Anna and Kendall were waiting expectantly with the calendar in the middle of the table and opened to June.


Megan shrugged as she pulled out a chair. “It's your wedding, Lelani. You should have it the way you want it. I just want to help.”


Anna pointed to the second Saturday. “Okay, this is the date in question. Is it doable or not?”


Lelani sat down and sighed. “I'm willing to schedule my wedding so that it's not a conflict with the other one. I mean, if it can even be done. Mostly I just wanted to wait until I finished spring term.”


“What time is Marcus's sister's wedding?” asked Anna.


“I'm not positive, but I think he said it was in the evening.” She reached for her phone.


“And you want a sunset wedding,” Kendall reminded Lelani.


“That's true.” Anna nodded.


“But I also want Megan to be there,” Lelani pointed out.


“That would be helpful, since she's your maid of honor,” said Anna.


Megan tried not to bristle at the tone of Anna's voice. She knew that Anna had been put a little out of sorts by Lelani's choice--especially considering that Anna was the sister of the groom--but to be fair, Megan was a lot closer to Lelani than Anna was. And at least they were all going to be in the wedding.


“Let me ask Marcus about the time,” Megan said as she pressed his speed-dial number and waited. “Hey, Marcus,” she said when he finally answered. “We're having a scheduling problem here. Do you know what time Hannah's wedding is going to be?”


“In the evening, I think,” Marcus said. “Do you need the exact time?”


“No, that's good enough.” Megan gave Lelani a disappointed look. “I'll talk to you later, okay?”


“You're not thinking of bailing on me, are you?” He sounded genuinely worried.


“No, but we're trying to pin down a time and date for Lelani.”


“It's just that I really want my family to meet you, Megan. I mean all of my family. And I want you to meet them too.”


“I know, and I plan to go with you.”


“Thanks. So, I'll see you around six thirty tonight?”


“That's right.” Megan told him good-bye, then turned to Lelani with a sigh. “I'm sorry,” she told her. “That wedding's at night too. Maybe I should blow off my family reunion so that you--”


“No.” Anna pointed to the calendar. “I just realized that the first Saturday in June is also my mother's birthday.”


“So?” Kendall shrugged. “What's wrong with that?”


Megan laughed. “Think about it, Kendall, how would you like to share your wedding anniversary with your mother-in-law's birthday?”


Kendall grinned. “Oh, yeah. Maybe not.”


“How about a Sunday wedding?” suggested Megan.


“Sunday?” Lelani's brow creased slightly as she weighed this.


“Sunday might make it easier to book the location,” Kendall said. “I mean, since most weddings are usually on Saturdays, and June is a pretty busy wedding month.”


“That's true,” agreed Megan.


“And you gotta admit that this is short notice for planning a wedding,” added Kendall. “Some people say you should start planning your wedding a whole year ahead of time.”


“Marcus's sister has been planning her wedding for more than a year,” Megan admitted. “Marcus says that Hannah is going to be a candidate for the Bridezillas show if she doesn't lighten up.”


They all laughed.


“Well, there's no way Gil and I are going to spend a year planning a wedding.” Lelani shook her head. “That's fine for some people, but we're more interested in our marriage than we are in our wedding.”


“I hear you.” Kendall laughed and patted her slightly rounded belly. She was in her fifth month of the pregnancy. They all knew that she and her Maui man, Killiki, were corresponding regularly, but despite Kendall's high hopes there'd been no proposal.


“I really don't see why it should take a year to plan a wedding,” Megan admitted. “I think that's just the wedding industry's way of lining their pockets.”


“So how much planning time do you have now anyway?” Kendall asked Lelani. “Like three months?”


“Not even.” Lelani flipped the calendar pages back. “It's barely two now.”


“Which is why we need to nail this date today,” Megan said. “Even though it's a small wedding--”


“And that remains to be seen,” Anna reminded her. “My mother's list keeps growing and growing and growing.”


“I still think it might be easier to just elope,” Lelani reminded them. “I told Gil that I wouldn't have a problem with that at all.”


“Yes, that would be brilliant.” Anna firmly shook her head. “You can just imagine how absolutely thrilled Mom would be about that little idea.”


Lelani smiled. “I actually thought she'd be relieved.”


“That might've been true a few months ago. But Mom's changing.” Anna poked Lelani in the arm. “In fact, I'm starting to feel jealous. I think she likes you better than me now.”


Lelani giggled. “In your dreams, Anna. Your mother just puts up with me so she can have access to Emma.”


They all laughed about that. Everyone knew that Mrs. Mendez was crazy about her soon-to-be granddaughter. Already she'd bought Emma all kinds of clothes and toys and seemed totally intent on spoiling the child rotten.


“Speaking of Emma”--Kendall shook her finger--“Mrs. Mendez is certain that she's supposed to have her on Monday. But I thought it was my day.”


“I'm not sure,” Lelani admitted. “But I'll call and find out.”


“And while you've got Granny on the line,” continued Kendall, “tell her that I do know how to change diapers properly. One more diaper lecture and I might just tape a Pamper over that big mouth of hers. Sheesh!”


They all laughed again. Since coming home from Maui, Kendall had been complaining about how Mrs. Mendez always seemed to find fault with Kendall's childcare abilities. In fact, Mrs. Mendez had spent the first week “teaching” Kendall the “proper” way to do almost everything.


To be fair, Megan didn't blame the older woman. Megan had been a little worried about Kendall too. But to everyone's surprise, Kendall turned out to be rather maternal. Whether it had to do with her own pregnancy or a hidden talent, Megan couldn't decide, but Kendall's skill had been a huge relief.


“Now, back to the wedding date,” said Lelani.


“Yes,” agreed Megan. “What about earlier on Saturday?”


“Oh, no,” Anna said. “I just remembered that I promised Edmond I'd go to his brother's bar mitzvah on that same day--I think it's in the morning.”


Lelani groaned.


“Edmond's brother?” Megan frowned. “I thought he was an only child. And since when is he Jewish?”


“Remember, his mom remarried,” Anna told her. “And Philip Goldstein, her new husband, is Jewish, and he has a son named Ben whose bar mitzvah is that Saturday.” She sighed. “I'm sorry, Lelani.”


“So Saturday morning is kaput,” Megan said.


“And Lelani wanted a sunset wedding anyway,” Anna repeated.


“So why can't you have a sunset wedding on Sunday?” Kendall suggested.


“That's an idea.” Megan turned back to Lelani. “What do you think?”


Lelani nodded. “I think that could work.”


“And here's another idea!” Anna exclaimed. “If the wedding was on Sunday night, you could probably have the reception in the restaurant afterward. I'm guessing it would be late by the time the wedding was over, and Sunday's not exactly a busy night.”


Lelani looked hopeful. “Do you think your parents would mind?”


“Mind? Are you kidding? That's what my mother lives for.”


“But we still don't have a place picked for the wedding,” Megan said.


“I have several outdoor locations in mind. I'll start checking on them tomorrow.”


“We'll have to pray that it doesn't rain.” Megan penned 'Lelani and Gil's Wedding' in her date book, then closed it.


“Should there be a backup plan?” asked Anna. “I'm sure my parents could have the wedding at their house.”


“Or here,” suggested Kendall. “You can use this house if you want.”


Anna frowned. “It's kind of small, don't you think?”


“I think it's sweet of Kendall to offer.” Lelani smiled at Kendall.


“I can imagine a bride coming down those stairs,” Kendall nodded toward the staircase. “I mean, if it was a small wedding.”


“I'll keep it in mind,” Lelani told her. “And your parents' house too.”


“It might be tricky getting a church reserved on a Sunday night,” Megan looked at the clock. “And speaking of that, I better get ready. Marcus is picking me up for the evening service in about fifteen minutes.” She turned back to Lelani. “Don't worry. I've got my to-do list and I'll start checking on some of this stuff tomorrow. My mom will want to help with the flowers.”


“And my aunt wants to make the cake,” Anna reminded them.


“Sounds like you're in good hands,” Kendall sad a bit wistfully. “I wonder how it would go if I was planning my wedding.”


“You'd be in good hands too,” Lelani assured her.


“Now, let's start going over that guest list,” Anna said as Megan stood up. “The sooner we get it finished, the less chance my mother will have of adding to it.” Megan was relieved that Anna had offered to handle the invitations. She could have them printed at the publishing company for a fraction of the price that a regular printer would charge, and hopefully she'd get them sent out in the next couple of weeks.


As Megan changed from her weekend sweats into something presentable, she wondered what would happen with Lelani's parents when it was time for the big event. Although her dad had promised to come and was already committed to paying Lelani's tuition to finish med school, Lelani's mom was still giving Lelani the cold shoulder. Make that the ice shoulder. For a woman who lived in the tropics, Mrs. Porter was about as chilly as they come. Still, Lelani had friends to lean on. Maybe that was better than family at times.


“Your prince is here,” Kendall called into Megan's room.


“Thanks.” Megan was looking for her other loafer and thinking it was time to organize her closet again. “Tell him I'm coming.”


When Megan came out, Marcus was in the dining room, chatting with her housemates like one of the family. He was teasing Anna for having her hair in curlers, then joking with Kendall about whether her Maui man had called her today.


“Not yet,” Kendall told him with a little frown. “But don't forget the time-zone thing. It's earlier there.”


“Speaking of time zones,” Lelani said to Marcus. “Did I hear you're actually thinking about going to Africa?”


Marcus grinned and nodded. “Yeah, Greg Mercer, this guy at our church, is trying to put together a mission trip to Zambia. I might go too.”


“Wow, that's a long ways away.” Kendall turned to Megan. “How do you feel about that?”


Megan shrugged as she pulled on her denim jacket. “I think it's cool.”


“Are you coming with us to church tonight, Kendall?” Marcus asked. “Greg is going to show a video about Zambia.”


“Sorry to miss that,” Kendall told him. “But Killiki is supposed to call.”


“Ready to roll?” Megan nodded up to the clock.


He grinned at her. “Yep.” But before they went out, he turned around. “That is, unless anyone else wants to come tonight.”


Lelani and Anna thanked him but said they had plans. Even so, Megan was glad he'd asked. It was nice when Kendall came with them occasionally. And Lelani had come once too. Really, it seemed that God was at work at 86 Bloomberg Place. Things had changed a lot since last fall.


“So are you nervous?” Marcus asked as he drove toward the city.


“Nervous?” Megan frowned. “About church?”


“No. The big interview.”


Megan slapped her forehead. “Wow, I temporarily forgot. We were so obsessed with Lelani's wedding today, trying to make lists, plan everything, and settle the date … I put the interview totally out of my mind.”


“Hopefully, it won't be out of your mind by Monday.”


“No, of course not.”


“So … are you nervous?”


Megan considered this. It would be her first interview for a teaching job. And it was a little unsettling. “The truth is, I don't think I have a chance at the job,” she admitted. “And, yes, I'm nervous. Thanks for reminding me.”


“Sorry. Why don't you think you'll get the job?”


“Because I don't have any actual teaching experience.” She wanted to add duh, but thought it sounded a little juvenile.


“Everyone has to start somewhere.”


“But starting in middle school, just a couple of months before the school year ends? Don't you think they'll want someone who knows what they're doing?”


“Unless they want someone who's enthusiastic and energetic and smart and creative and who likes kids and had lots of great new ideas and--”


“Wow, any chance you could do the interview in my place?”


“Cross-dress and pretend I'm you?”


She laughed. “Funny.”


“Just have confidence, Megan. Believe in yourself and make them believe too. You'd be great as a middle-school teacher.”


“What makes you so sure?”


“Because I remember middle school.”


“And?”


“And most of my teachers were old and dull and boring.”


“That's sad.”


“And I would've loved having someone like you for a teacher.”


“Really?”


He chuckled. “Yeah. If I was thirteen, I'd probably sit right in the front row and think about how hot you were, and then I'd start fantasizing about--”


“Marcus Barrett, you're pathetic.” Just the same, she laughed.


“What can I say? I'm just a normal, warm-blooded, American kid.”


“Give me a break!” She punched him in the arm.


“Is that your phone?” he asked as he was parking outside of the church.


“Oh, yeah, a good reminder to turn it off.” She pulled it out to see it was Kendall. Megan hoped nothing was wrong. “Hey, Kendall,” she said as Marcus set the parking brake. “What's up?”


“Guess what?” shrieked Kendall.


“I have no idea what, but it sounds like good news.” She stepped out of the car.


“Killiki just called.”


“That's nice.”


“And he asked me to marry him!”


Megan raised her eyebrows and looked at Marcus as he came around to meet her. “And you said yes?”


“Of course! Do you think I'm crazy?”


“No. Not at all. Congratulations, Kendall. I mean, I guess that's what you say.”


“So now we have two weddings to plan.”


Megan blinked. She walked with Marcus toward the church entry. “Oh, yeah, I guess we do.”


“And I'm getting married in June too!”


“That's great, Kendall. I'm really, really happy for you. And Killiki seems like a great guy.”


“He is! Anyway, we just looked at the calendar again. And we finally figured that I should just get married the same day as Lelani, only I'll get married in the morning. That way we'll all be able to go to both weddings.”


“Wow, the same day?”


“Otherwise, you'll be at your reunion or Marcus's sister's wedding. Or Anna will be at the bar mitzvah. Or Lelani and Gil will be on their honeymoon.”


“Oh, that's right.”


“And I want all of you there!”


“Yes, I suppose that makes sense.”


“It'll be busy, but fun.”


“Definitely.” Then Megan thanked Kendall for telling her, and they said good-bye. Megan closed her phone and just shook her head. “Wow.”


“Kendall's getting married?” asked Marcus as he held the church door open for her.


“Yes. Can you believe it?”


“Good for her.”


“And her wedding will be the same weekend as your sister's and the same day as Lelani's.”


Marcus held up three fingers and wore a perplexed expression. “Three weddings in one weekend? That's crazy.”


“Yep.” Megan nodded. “Three weddings and a bar mitzvah.”


“Huh?” Marcus looked confused, but they were in the sanctuary, and Megan knew she'd have to explain later.


©2009 Cook Communications Ministries. Three Weddings and a Bar Mitzvah by Melody Carlson. Used with permission. May not be further reproduced. All rights reserved.

Three Weddings and a Bar Mitzvah by Melody Carlson is the fourth and final book in the 86 Bloomberg Place series. Lelani and Gil are trying to put their wedding together around the interference of his mother. Kendall's surprise proposal from Killiki inspires her to get married on the same day, which puts all four housemates into a whirl of excitement, especially when you throw in relationship troubles for Anna and Meghan! Carlson has really developed these four young women throughout the course of the series from selfish and immature to generous and faithful. Kendall's growth has been exceptional; in the first couple of books, I could barely read her scenes, but by this volume, I couldn't wait to read more about her. Carlson portrays real friendships and family relationships with all of their ups and downs, insecurities, loyalties, and sacrifices. I'm so glad that I spent time at 86 Bloomberg Place!

I'm running a book contest this week for two of Karen Kingsbury's terrific children's book. The Princess and the Three Knights and We Believe in Christmas are both beautifully illustrated and will become family favorites in no time! If you'd like the chance to win, just send me an email before 10 pm on Thursday, October 1st. I'll announce the winner here on Friday. Good luck!