Excellent ~ Love Comes Calling by Siri Mitchell ~ Review

I don’t think I’ve giggled as much during a historical novel in quite some time. “Love Comes Calling” has an extremely memorable heroine in Ellis, an ADD young lady with the absolute best of intentions, but the biggest struggle in actually following through.

Written in first person, I think I laughed more in the scattered way of Ellis’s thinking more than anything. ADD was portrayed in the best way without being annoying in the presentation. Though there were moments, as a reader, I knew she was forgetting something which makes for a nervous moment during the reading. Ha!

History is well layered into the story blending well with the conflict surrounding prohibition, and don’t all historical fiction readers love a story surrounding the old switchboards and archaic phone system? Maybe it’s just me, but it’s rife with potential comedy and tension—which the novel had in spades.

I loved the love story. It’s sweet and simple, but breaks a cliché with our hero already in love with Ellis and Ellis running in the opposite direction—but you’ll have to read the book to find out why.

A truly enjoyable book, I read it in two days and loved every minute of it. Pure pleasure of historical fun.

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.

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            Dreaming of becoming an actress, Boston socialite Ellis Eaton captures Griff Phillips' attention.

But while filling in for a look-alike friend at the telephone exchange, she overhears a call that threatens Griff's safety. With handsome policeman Jack Flanigan investigating - and her heart in a muddle - will she discover what might be the role of a lifetime?

Giveaway! The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn by Lori Benton!

Welcome to Writing for Christ Lori Benton, it is great to have you here! So you’re a writer? What made you decide to start creating characters and story world?

Thanks, it’s my pleasure!

When I was in third grade, my friend Leah announced she’d written a story. It had never occurred to me that a nine-year-old could write her own story. I loved to read, and made up stories and story worlds using my plush toys or animal figurines, but for some reason hadn’t considered trying to write my own story. It sounded like the coolest idea ever, so I gave it a go. Then I did it again. Every few years I’d write a story, or start one, until my early twenties when I finally got serious about trying to make it a career.

What is the one title that has significantly impacted your life?

Fiction: A Voice in the Wind, by Francine Rivers. It taught me that Christian fiction could be gritty and real, and it showed me how to write unflinchingly. I’m still trying to master that. The heroine of that book, Hadassah, had a huge impact on me spiritually. For years after I would think, “What would Hadassah do?” in any trying situation. I still think that, sometimes.

Nonfiction: Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young. This little devotional was a significant factor in my maintaining peace and the awareness of God’s sovereignty through one of the most challenging years of my life. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

If you could get a do-over when it came to learning this whole thing called writing, what would you go back and tell yourself?

“Lori, honey, learn to tighten your writing now, rather than waiting nearly twenty years to get the hang of self-editing.”

5 preference questions:

Homemade or take-out? Homemade

Email or snailmail? Email, though getting a letter is so rare that it’s a treat

Online shopping or Black Friday deals? Online shopping. I’m that atypical female who doesn’t like to shop in stores

Books or movies? I could live without movies, not books!

Note-taker or memorization? Note-taker. The older I get the more porous grows the memory.

               

Yes, I’m asking you to play favorites…which of your books is your favorite, published or unpublished? And if this is your debut novel, has your favorite been published yet?

My favorite book has not been published yet. It was my first 18^th century set novel, the one I began in 2004 as my brain was healing from the lingering effects of chemo fog. It’s set in North Carolina, on a piedmont plantation, in 1793. The hero is a prodigal. The heroine is a slave. I hope one day it will be published.

Places for readers to learn more about you?

My website: http://loribenton.blogspot.com/

My Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLoriBenton#

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lorilbenton/

Thank you for being with us today!

Thanks for having me, Casey. Always a pleasure to chat with you about writing!

Readers, enter to win Lori's book here!

Please leave an email address! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.

For extra entries:

~Be a follower

~Be a subscriber

Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.

Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on May 9th

Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com 

When a DREAM Comes True

My one word for 2014 is DREAM. It thumps in my heartbeat and pounds in my head. What am I dreaming and am I dreaming in the direction God wants for me?

Sometimes we have a dream that is more like a desire. A desire that might not be in God’s plan for us. So we mine the depths of that desire, pray over it, commit it to our Heavenly Father and trust that if it’s the right thing, He’ll bring it back around.

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That happened to me early this winter. And I got to reach out and touch the dream I’ve always wanted: to work in the publishing industry. I love people. And books. And being friendly and encouraging. To spend my days wrapped around these things makes life incredibly pleasurable. And I’m so thankful!

When you trust you are where God wants you to be and He continues to make the path so incredibly smooth and worry free, you know you’re exactly where you should be. I never would have thought this would be a possibility for me. I mean…me? Working for a literary agent? Really? Naw. That’ll never happen. I won’t live near so grand a life.

But I also never thought I would be a first-name basis with some of my very favorite authors. In fact, it’s more than just first names, it’s friendships. Friendships I never would have dreamed could happen.

Sometimes we lose hope because our dream is taking too long to reach us. But that’s only because we have it on our own timetable and not God’s. Sure, I dreamed about having this job. Moving to a new place and doing new things, but I never actually thought it would happen. I mean, why me?

The better question: why not me? Why not you?

Desires when birthed in Christ and given back to Him, can move mountains of insecurities and uncertainty. Desires that walk hand in hand with our dreams can often seem out of reach, but with God ANYTHING is possible.

I’m writing this post in absolute awe of all He has done for me in the last couple weeks. He’s made every crooked path I could even start to worry about straight in front for me. He has made this dream very clear to me: it was the right one to invest in.

And I’m sitting here, just…amazed. I don’t know how to say thank you. So instead, I’ll not worry. I’ll not fuss about details, because He’s already proven He’s got this. So I’m trusting and walking in faith with a smile on my face. Knowing it won’t all be easy, but I’ll be where He wants me.

I’ll continue to prove myself faithful. And eager to see what He does with the rest of my dreams in 2014.

Amazing. Absolutely Amazing ~ For Such a Time by Kate Breslin ~ Review

Possibly my best discovery yet this year in a debut historical novel, “For Such a Time” is a moving work of fiction.

There is a romantic tension in this book that is so tightly woven throughout the story that I held my breath and only the pounding of my heart reminded me I was alive and reading. Stella is a captivating character coming into her own—a Jew living under the roof of a Nazi and he has no clue about her heritage.

The story strongly mirrors that of the Biblical story of Esther and I loved that about it. Set in a Nazi concentration camp, it’s heartbreaking to read what happens to the Jews and Stella’s striving to protect as many as she can, from the position she is in as a Nazi’s secretary.

It was the romance that grabbed me by the heartbeat and wouldn’t let go. I wouldn’t have expected the book to have such strong tension rife throughout the entire book, but it made for some pulsating moments. The book became near impossible to put down, and don’t plan on distractions during the last hundred pages of the book. I’ll warn you now: it’s impossible.

I would definitely highly recommend this title. A fabulous work of fiction with strong writing and even more captivating characters. I am incredibly impressed.

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.

            

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More about the novel...

In 1944, blonde and blue-eyed Jewess Hadassah Benjamin feels abandoned by God when she is saved

from a firing squad only to be handed over to a new enemy. Pressed into service by SS-Kommandant Colonel Aric von Schmidt at the transit camp of Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia, she is able to hide behind the false identity of Stella Muller. However, in order to survive and maintain her cover as Aric's secretary, she is forced to stand by as her own people are sent to Auschwitz. Suspecting her employer is a man of hidden depths and sympathies, Stella cautiously appeals to him on behalf of those in the camp. Aric's compassion gives her hope, and she finds herself battling a growing attraction for this man she knows she should despise as an enemy. Stella pours herself into her efforts to keep even some of the camp's prisoners safe, but she risks the revelation of her true identity with every attempt. When her bravery brings her to the point of the ultimate sacrifice, she has only her faith to lean upon. Perhaps God has placed her there for such a time as this, but how can she save her people when she is unable to save herself?

Giveaway! Visible Threat by Janice Cantore!

Welcome to Writing for Christ Janice Cantore, it is great to have you here! So you’re a writer? What made you decide to start creating characters and story world?

I’ve always loved to read. Growing up books were my favorite thing, I loved to escape into a good novel. Horse books were my favorite growing up, but somewhere along the line I developed a love for mystery/suspense.

What is the one title that has significantly impacted your life?

For fiction, there are a couple of titles, a novel by Randy Alcorn called Deadline, and a novel by Francine Rivers called A Voice in the Wind. They spoke to me, the Christian message was so clear and the story drew me in and kept me there. They made me want to write Christian fiction.

If you could get a do-over when it came to learning this whole thing called writing, what would you go back and tell yourself?

I’d want to learn better writing habits and how to discipline myself when it gets really tough to put words on the page.

5 preference questions:

Homemade or take-out? Homemade

Email or snailmail? Toss up

Online shopping or Black Friday deals? On line, I love Amazon

Books or movies? No contest, books

Note-taker or memorization? Note taker

               

Yes, I’m asking you to play favorites…which of your books is your favorite, published or unpublished? And if this is your debut novel, has your favorite been published yet?

The book I’m working on now is my favorite. It’s Romantic suspense, working title, Nothing Remains Hidden, I love the characters and the premise and I’m hoping it’s my best one yet.

Places for readers to learn more about you?

https://www.facebook.com/JaniceCantore

http://www.janicecantore.com/

Thank you for being with us today! 

Readers, enter to win Janice's book here!

Please leave an email address! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.

For extra entries:

~Be a follower

~Be a subscriber

Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.

Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on May 2nd

Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com 

Please Don't Ruin My Man

 It breaks my heart to see what the flippant female can do to the male heart. I see it more and more in the young men surrounding my home town and the sons of my friends. I see it more and more just walking down the street and all the young men that won’t look me in the eye.

Girls, do you not realize what you hold in your hands when a man surrenders his heart to you? It’s not an easy gift and doesn’t come without a great deal of trust. So why do you throw it back at his feet?

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I watch good guys go to the city, college, or maybe staying in the same town they have always grown up in. I watch them lose their heart to the girl they think they will marry and spend the rest of their life with. I watch them invest so much in wooing this girl. Spending time getting to know her and discover what she enjoys and what she loves. And yet, she’ll turn her back on him and leave him eating her dust.

Please read between the lines: I’m not saying to stay with someone who isn’t the one God has for you. I’m not saying you should treat a man as if he were fragile glass. Treat him like a man. A man who wants to find someone to spend the rest of his life with.

Treat his heart the way you want him to treat yours.

Why do the ladies of our society think they can lead a man on and simply walk away as though he doesn’t care?

It’s these girls, I want to show up on their doorstep and give them a piece of my mind. Because I watch these young men turn their back on the hurt this relationship caused and start to see every girl through the same blurred glasses.

It reflects poorly on me. On my friends in the same situation of wanting to find a good man…only to realize many of the good men have been ruined by a hurtful female. Why do you destroy my chances of a life with the man I could love simply because you were selfish?

There is a line to walk here. A line between getting to know someone to see if you could spend the rest of your life with them and leading them on. You’re not just talking with “some guy”. You’re talking, spending time with, getting to know someone’s husband…maybe yours.

We’ve forced our men into a corner. What pleasure does our world take in that? In making them feel inferior and worthless? Why do we beat our men down? Why do we let our girls tramp her stiletto heels across his back and leave?

Girls. I’m speaking to you right now. Don’t treat a man as though you could live without him. God made a man and woman to be together for a reason and it isn’t all procreation. So please don’t be selfish and slam a door in my face simply because you “wanted to have a good time”.

 Please don’t ruin my man.  

A Beautiful Story ~ A Broken Kind of Beautiful by Katie Ganshert ~ Review

There are many reasons why, as a reader, I should not have cared for Ivy. Reasons I would agree with and could say she is not the easiest heroine to cuddle up with on a rainy day. But, to know Ivy, to read about her life, is truly to love her.

Characterization through this book was in a word: stellar. Davis is a rugged, tormented kind of hero. Wearing the weight of the world on his shoulders and yet holding a love for Ivy he cannot allow himself to express or explore. A hero who denies himself for the best of the heroine becomes a character every girl dreams after.

When characters are this complex, you can’t rush where they start the book to where they end it. Every moment must be believable and every moment was. The writing is rich and textured, layered with meaning and emotions, beauty and depth. The title is truly perfect for the book. Beauty is fleeting. Loveliness is here but a moment, the heart, the soul of a person, pure or rotten is lasting.

Ivy’s transformation is like the unfolding of a beautiful flower. But I think it was the power behind Davis’s forgiveness and heart transformation that tugged at my emotions the most.

Two thumbs up beginning to end. A truly beautiful story.

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the author for my copy to review.

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More about the novel...

Fashion is a fickle industry, a frightening fact for twenty-four-year-old model Ivy Clark. Ten

years in and she's learned a sacred truth -- appearance is everything. Nobody cares about her broken past as long as she looks beautiful for the camera. This is the only life Ivy knows -- so when it starts to unravel, she'll do anything to hold on. Even if that means moving to the quaint island town of Greenbrier, South Carolina, to be the new face of her stepmother's bridal wear line -- an irony too rich for words, since Ivy is far from the pure bride in white.

           

Giveaway! A Broken Kind of Beautiful by Katie Ganshert!

Welcome to Writing for Christ Katie Ganshert, it is great to have you here! So you’re a writer? What made you decide to start creating characters and story world?

I’ve always loved writing, all the way back to my elementary school days. But I’d say what officially started the journey was a trip to Kenya eight years ago. I came home from that trip with a story that refused to be ignored. So I sat down and I wrote my first novel. It’s safely tucked away on my hard drive and will never see the light of day, but it’s what led me down this publishing path.

What is the one title that has significantly impacted your life?

Can I cheat and give you a trilogy? My all-time favorite novels are Francine Rivers’ Mark of the Lion series. I’ve never had a character impact my faith as powerfully as Hadassah before. I re-read them at least once a year.

If you could get a do-over when it came to learning this whole thing called writing, what would you go back and tell yourself?

I would go back and tell my pre-published self to appreciate her lot. I know, I know. That’s kind of weird. But it’s truth. I think as authors, we are constantly striving forward. We are pressing hard toward the goal of publication. And when it happens, it’s magical. It truly is. But holy buckets of ever lovin’ gravy, is it ever a lot of work. The stakes feel higher. The self-doubt and insecurity doesn’t go away. I wouldn’t trade where I am for the world, but I would like to go back and enjoy the time I had before the pressure got so real.

5 preference questions:

Homemade or take-out?

Take out. Only because we rarely get it. We’re on a budget in the Ganshert household, which means eating in most of the time.

Email or snailmail?

Email. Snail mail is fun, but email is quick and convenient and free.

Online shopping or Black Friday deals?

No contest, online shopping. I think Black Friday deals is about as appealing as taking a pliers to my toenails.

Books or movies?

Movies when I’m on a deadline and my world is consumed with whatever story I’m working on. Books when I’m between manuscripts.

Note-taker or memorization?

Um…..attentive listener who can paraphrase? I don’t really take notes when people are speaking. But I wouldn’t say I’m great at memorization either.    

Yes, I’m asking you to play favorites…which of your books is your favorite, published or unpublished? And if this is your debut novel, has your favorite been published yet?

I promise I am not just saying this because this is the book that’s currently releasing, but A Broken Kind of Beautiful. It has long been my personal favorite. I am so passionate about Ivy’s journey and the core message of this novel. It is truly the story of my heart.

Places for readers to learn more about you?

My website: www.katieganshert.com

My author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKatieGanshert

Twitter: @KatieGanshert

Thank you for being with us today! 

Readers, enter to win Katie's book here!

Please leave an email address! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.

For extra entries:

~Be a follower

~Be a subscriber

Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.

Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on April 25th

Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com 

Adventures in Singledom

What’s more fun than experiencing an awkward singles night? Why, blogging about it of course. Because if one can’t laugh at one’s circumstances, one might as well have company to link arms with and share the laughter.

I’ve never attended a singles group before. Being from a small town where I wasn’t involved with any of the local churches (see this post), this whole concept was one I was familiar with, and yet foreign at the same time. But getting together with a singles group? Sounds like a great way to get out and meet new people in an area I’m not familiar. Plus,

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one single girl can never be too willing to get out in safe environments and actually meet guy—people. *wink* *wink*

Oh, was I in for a surprise.

Let me preface this by saying I was forewarned, but I’m getting ahead of myself and a good storyteller never jumps ahead of the dramatic curve.

But let me just ask something: does this kind of stuff only happen to me?? (some of you might remember this story where the guy asked for my number at the barn dance. I’m obviously a magnet for these kind of encounters…)

So imagine me: Saturday night. New church (which I really like, I might add). Nice jeans. Cute “Life is Good” purple jacket. Hair down. I’m ready for a good time. I park in the church parking lot, pass a few people leaving from the Saturday afternoon service, greet the preacher on his way out the door. I navigate my way to the room where the singles are gathering (without getting lost—things are looking great!).

I pause in the doorway. Yep, there is the sticker with my name on it. I slap it on my purple sweatshirt and tentatively step into the room. Did I find the wrong room? I glance down at my tag. Nope, that’s my name.

Except…everyone in this single’s group could…could be my parents. And my grandparents. And….my great grandparent.

I was the youngest member of the single’s game night by (wait for it)…seventy six years.

I’m not kidding.

Okay, maybe I am a little bit. He was the father of the lady coordinating the event. But still.

A few grins, a few winks, a few shoulder nudges as the new girl on the street corner of the singles group. So I chatted, stuffed a brownie in my mouth, played a few games, chipmunked my cheeks with a cookie, played another game and then it was time for yep, you guessed it ice breakers.

You know the ones. Where you stand in a line and hold hands and pass a hula-hoop across your body and linked hands without breaking the line? So that was actually a game and not an ice breaker, but it might as well have been the icing on the evening.

My hands are usually always clammy. It’s not fun. It’s not pleasant. It just is what it is with me. Period. And well…standing there, holding hands, as we closed out this fun and yet-oh-so-awkward evening, one of the attendees turns to me and says, “your hands are sweaty”.

Why yes, sir they are. I prefer clammy, personally, but whatever.

All fun and games aside and lest you think it was a horrible and traumatic experience, it was a good evening. A fun time of laughter and games and I’m glad I went. But let me ask this question again: do things like this only happen to me? Because I’m starting to think that’s the case.

I’m single. Proud of it actually, though I look forward to the day I get to marry “Mr. Right”. But until that day, I’ll plan on having fun and sharing these awkward, interesting, laughable events. Because hey, one can’t be alone in their awkward singleness can they?*

Just, next time, I’ll look for that asterisk that is next to the word “singles” and hope I find one that is actually more around my age range.

*please note this event happened before I wrote this post. I could very well be traumatized for life in putting myself out there for these potentially awkward situations that I seem to attract.

Giveaway! A Plain Man by Mary Ellis!

Welcome to Writing for Christ Mary Ellis it is great to have you here! So you’re a writer? What made you decide to start creating characters and story world?

Because now as I walk my dog around the neighborhood talking to myself, the neighbors say ‘there goes that writer’ instead of ‘there goes that crazy lady.’ All I had to do was pass out copies of my first book.

What is the one title that has significantly impacted your life?

I know you’ll hear this a lot, but only the Bible has changed my life. I have lost my fear of sickness and death that can rob you of peace, especially as we age. The Bible has given me true direction in this life and joyful hope for the next.

If you could get a do-over when it came to learning this whole thing called writing, what would you go back and tell yourself?

Stop fretting over the little details. All we can do is write the best books we can, and promote ourselves as time allows. We can never do it all, and we will go crazy if we try!

5 preference questions:

Homemade or take-out? Homemade, as long as someone else is doing the cooking!

Email or snailmail? I love getting real cards and letters from friends, family and fans, but for work related tasks…it’s email all the way!

Online shopping or Black Friday deals? Neither one. I actually went fishing during the last 2 Black Friday sales. I don’t like crowds. Although I do some shopping online, I still prefer a day trip to the mall or discount store. And I try to shop at local mom-and-pop’s as often as I can such as hardware stores, clothing boutiques, and independent bookstores.

Books or movies? That’s another tough one…what’s up with you, Casey?? I guess I must say movies because I have very tight writing deadlines. Reading as this point in my life isn’t as relaxing as going to the movies. Plus, there’s that buttered popcorn to consider!

Note-taker or memorization? Finally, an easy question! Note-taker all the way. If we had to rely on my memory, we would never get to a single social event of have a stitch of normal food in the house.             

Yes, I’m asking you to play favorites…which of your books is your favorite, published or unpublished? And if this is your debut novel, has your favorite been published yet?

I guess it would be The Quaker and the Rebel, which released in January. It was my first book written twelve years ago, and then rewritten last year.

Places for readers to learn more about you?

I can be found on the web at:  http://http://www.maryellis.net//

http://www.maryeellis.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Mary-Ellis/126995058236

Thank you for being with us today!  

Thanks so much for inviting me!!!

Readers, enter to win Mary's book here!

Please leave an email address! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.

For extra entries:

~Be a follower

~Be a subscriber

Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.

Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on April 18th

Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com 

The Saga to Making New Friends: Yay or Nay?

I got to attend church on Sunday. Some of you might be cocking your head and thinking, “got to?” See, I haven’t attended a church in over 14 years. Yes, you read that right. My family and I did home church because there wasn’t a church we truly felt we could attend in my home town. So when I moved to the thriving metropolis of Denver, I knew the first thing I wanted to do was find a church. A church I could come home to amongst the pews. Hug the friends I see as I walk through the doors and spend time before and after the service visiting. A place I could lift my arms in praise to a Savior who died for me. A place where I could be spiritually fed by a pastor who preached the Word of God.

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I had been craving this place. This sanctuary. A spiritual home I have never had. But see, I have this small problem (and most of you probably aren’t going to believe me when I say this but…) I’m shy. I’m not terribly outgoing. I’m MUCH more comfortable in my own house, in comfy clothes and a good novel close at hand. I’m content hanging out with fictional people and not chatting with near strangers when I don’t know if we even have a thing in common.

So you can imagine my dilemma to be in a strange place, where I only know a handful of people and none of those handful go to this church and I’m sitting here on the edge of my pew and hoping someone sticks out their hand and introduces themselves (besides the part of the service when you turn around and smile at a perfect stranger and shake hands and say “good morning.”)

I seriously sweat this part of the friend discovery. I mean, I know, you don’t meet people unless you introduce yourself around. How else is that supposed to work? Um hello, blonde hair.

So do I stick out my hand and offer my name to a stranger who looks half-way presentable and I’m interested in meeting? Nope.

*slicking away in shame*

And what it really comes down to? I’m scared. Nervous. Worried. Yep. Worried. Worried it’ll be a waste of my putting myself out there. They (whoever “they” is—we’ll pretend it’s a cute 6’, dark haired guy; not really, but it’s fun to pretend. ;-) won’t remember me next time, find me annoying and go out of their way to avoid me.

I’m jealous. Jealous of the friendships amongst my peers or the friendships that just seem to click by two people being put together in the right place at the right time. I guess my blog is a day to lay all my flaws out there. Because really, it’s only more harmful to sit on the edge of the pew, avoid the crowd and study the edges of my toes when someone smiles my direction.

Why can’t I stick out my hand and say “great to meet you, I’m Casey and I’m brand new here.” Because that takes vulnerability. An opening up and allowing other fallible human beings into our lives, even just a little bit. And vulnerable is not something I do well or easily.

So I’m standing here, gulping back my fear, worry, jealously, putting out my hand, not to yank it back, and introduce myself to someone I don’t know. I’ll let you know how it goes…

Oh help.

Tweet: What freaks you about making friends? Is it the vulnerability or the fear? @C_Herringshaw http://ctt.ec/1jpNt+

Sing for Me by Karen Halvorsen Schreck ~ Review

“Sing for Me” is a debut novel set in an era that is rife with corruptness in a time that made falling in love and pursuing your dreams an impossible thing.

I couldn’t help but feel a great deal of empathy for Rose who is burdened to care for her disabled sister, wanting to sing because that is the desire God has laid on her heart and falling for a forbidden love, one her family, especially her father and definitely all of society is not going to accept or tolerate. It was hard to read and know how much Rose wanted to grow above these society expectations and I definitely saw a part of her character deepen and grow throughout the book.          

I, unfortunately, did not fall in love with the story like I really wanted to. I think it was a style element more than anything which is not the fault of anyone and no one’s problem, except for my own personal taste. There were elements that moved slowly and much of the action and elements repetitious, however, that being said, this is primarily a literary novel and while I consume many of these type of novels, this one just didn’t 100% move me. I still encourage readers to give the book a chance for the emotional impact it does have the reader.

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.

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More about the novel...

When a good church girl starts singing in a jazz club and falls for the music—as well as a handsome African American man—she struggles to reconcile her childhood faith with her newfound passions.

Raised in the Danish Baptist Church, Rose Sorensen knows it’s wrong to sing worldly songs. But Rose still yearns for those she hears on the radio—“Cheek to Cheek,” “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”—and sings them when no one is around. 

One day, Rose’s cousin takes her to Calliope’s, a jazz club, where she dis­covers an exciting world she never knew existed. Here, blacks and whites mingle, brought together by their shared love of music. And though Rose wor­ries it’s wrong—her parents already have a stable husband in mind for her—she can’t stop thinking about the African American pianist of the Chess Men, Theo Chastain. When Rose returns to the jazz club, she is offered the role of singer for the Chess Men. The job would provide money to care for her sister, Sophy, who has cerebral palsy—but at what cost? 

As Rose gets to know Theo, their fledgling relationship faces prejudices she never imagined. And as she struggles to balance the dream world of Calliope’s with her cold, hard reality, she also wrestles with God’s call for her life. Can she be a jazz singer? Or will her faith suffer because of her worldly ways? 

Set in Depression-era Chicago and rich in historical detail, Sing for Me is a beautiful, evocative story about finding real, unflinching love and embracing—at all costs—your calling.