Small Town Girl | Book Review

Small Town Girl by Ann H. Gabhart is another story of boy meets girl.  Set during the pre-WWII era Kate Merrit and Jay Tanner meet while both being in the wedding of Kate’s sister.  Little did Tanner know but, Kate was actually in love with her sisters fiancé. 

Everyone in Rosey Corner assumed that Kate and Carl Noland (towny in love with Kate) would be the next to get married after her sister.  Kate has other plans though and not even Jay can try to change them.  At least, not until Pearl Harbor happens. 

I am including the publishers summary at the end of this review.  I am doing so because I couldn’t get into this book.  I tried really hard to like this book but, it was your typical boy meets girl, girl rejects boy until something major happens. 

While the writing style of Ms. Gabhart is very simple and easy to read, she gets caught up in the thoughts of her characters.  In this book there was so much going on in the characters heads that I felt their inner thoughts actually took away from the story line instead of helping it.  It was overwhelming reading everything that they were thinking.  Most of which was unnecessary. 

This might be a good book for someone to sit in a hammock and read but, it was too slow and distracting for me.  I do look forward to reading anything else that Ms. Gabhart writes in hopes of finding one of her stories engaging and entertaining.

How long can two people stand on the brink of love without plunging in headfirst?
In the autumn of 1941, rumors of war whisper through Rosey Corner. The town practically vibrates with apprehension, as if it is holding its breath. But for Kate Merritt, it seems life is letting out a prolonged sigh. As Kate watches her sister marry the man Kate has loved since she was fifteen, her heart is silently breaking. And even the attentions of Jay Tanner, the handsome best man, can't draw her interest.

Then suddenly, Pearl Harbor changes everything and Kate finds herself drawn to Jay in surprising ways. Could she truly be in love with him? And if he enlists, will she ever see him again?

In her gentle and textured style, Ann H. Gabhart tells a timeless story of love, sacrifice, and longing that will grip your heart and stir your spirit. Fans of Gabhart's Angel Sister will love seeing Kate Merritt all grown-up, as well as other characters they have come to love.  

*Publishers Summary*

 *I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.*

  Available July 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

When Love Bend Down | Book Review

This book review is a little different than any of the others I have done.  I didn’t request this from any of the publishing companies that I partner with, I wasn’t sent this book in exchange for my review but, instead I was asked to read this book by my pastor to see what I thought.  Our church right now is doing a series called “City on Our Knees” talking about times when Jesus “bent down” and this is what When Love Bends Down is all about. 

Now, this concept might surprise many since we, as Christians, have a tendency to put Jesus on a pedestal.  He was the son of God and God in the flesh so, why not put Him on a pedestal?  The problem with that is that Jesus never meant for that to happen, that’s why he would bend down whenever He got the chance.  But, He didn’t just bend down for everyone although, I am sure He would. 

Jesus lowered Himself to His knees for people that we would probably just pass by and not take a second glance at.  In the book When Love Bends Down: Images of the Christ Who Meets Us Where We Are by Michael Lodahl, Lodahl paints a few stunning pictures of when Jesus went to His knees before people that are what, we would deem as unworthy, to show them and the people around them the true reason that God sent Him to earth….To serve. 

During the first half of the book Lodahl takes 3 chapters to share a few amazing stories when Jesus literally went to His knees before His humble followers.  I think my favorite story was the chapter about when Jesus washed His disciples feet.  He bent down to lower himself to a level that the servants were on.  It was the servant job to wash visitors feet when they entered a house but, Jesus was the one to wash feet that night. 

Yes, Jesus was in the position of servant.  This is where the moral of the stories (so to speak) come in.  Jesus wasn’t sent to Earth to be a God (like everyone thought) and rule over everyone.  God sent Him here to teach His church how to act and live.  It’s all about serving.  Living a life that is “bent down” is about humbling yourself before others to serve them in their times of need.  Who better to teach that than Jesus? 

We, as a community, would never expect Jesus to serve us but, in Lodahl’s book he shows us how that’s all Jesus was sent here to do.  He was sent to lead by example.  How better to teach than to show?  Jesus could have talked and talked all day long and still…nothing would have ever sank in.  But, when you read the words on the pages of this book and imagine the scenarios that accompany them you will change.  You can’t help but change the way you look at those times, Jesus and His teaching.  The biggest idea that will change is any ideas you had as to the purpose of God in the Flesh. 

I previously only mentioned the first half of this book and there is a reason for that.  It’s because I feel this book could have stopped right there and been better for that.  Lodahl writes amazing stories and shares some wonderful lessons when he is talking about Jesus bending down but, in the last half of the book I got lost.  He is constantly repeating himself and talking in circles.  I felt like it took away from all the power the first half had.  The book lost a ton of momentum and would have been a GREAT book had he finished it before adding, what I felt was, unnecessary chapters and words.  Overall though, this book was defiantly worth reading.  Minus the extras, there is some powerful ideas and teaching between to covers of this book.

Emmy Rossum Sentimental Journey | Album Review

Emmy Rossum is a woman of many talents.  Not only is she an incredible actress (staring in the Showtime series Shameless with William H. Macy.) but, she has a wonderful, whimsical, voice.  Her new album, Sentimental Journey, released on January 29th, is a collection of classic covers that takes us through the American Songbook. 

There are 12 classics on this album, with my favorite being Pretty Paper.  The album has a 1940's feel.  I felt like I was sitting in a club listening to the beautiful singer up on stage and I loved that about this album.  The songs go from slow ballads to quick, up-temp, get up and dance. 

Rossum was taking the tracks of her "passion project" and corresponding with each month of the year.  They had to feel right and fit with that time of year.  Sometimes they weren't a literal fit.  

"Each song needed to either lyrically or emotionally reflect the corresponding month," Emmy explained. "Some songs were obvious fits, like Summer Wind for June, and Pretty Paper for December. Others songs were less literal fits. I chose Nobody Knows You (When You're Down and Out) for September because, to me, the plaintive melody and lyric emotionally reflect the cold weather creeping in and the sense of melancholy we can get in the fall months."

 If you would like to see the music video for "These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)" go here.

Sentimental Journey Track Listing:

    “Sentimental Journey” (Les Brown, Ben Homer, Arthur Green)
    “The Object Of My Affection” (Pinky Tomlin)
    “I’m Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover “(Mort Dixon, Harry M. Woods)
    “These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)” (Eric Maschwitz, Jack Strachey)
    “(I’ll Be With You) In Apple Blossom Time” (Albert Von Tilzer, Neville Fleeson)
    “Summer Wind” (Heinz Meier, Johnny Mercer)
    “Many Tears Ago” (Winfield Scott)
    “All I Do Is Dream Of You” (Nacio Herb Brown, Arthur Freed)
    “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out” (Jimmy Cox)
    “Autumn Leaves” (Joseph Kosma, Jacques Prévert)
    “Things” (Bobby Darin)
    “Pretty Paper” (Willie Nelson)

To buy this album

iTunes

Amazon

I participated in this campaign for One2One Network. I received a free copy of the CD to facilitate my review. By posting, I am eligible for incentives. All opinions stated are my own.

Roads-Chris Mann's Debut album | Missouri Made Momma

Music is a big part of my life.  I grew up singing in choir at school and I just love music.  I especially love the sounds of a new artist that has amazing talent such as Chris Mann.  His name and face might be familiar to most of you and it should.  He was one of the finalist on NBC’s “The Voice.”

He has previously release a Christmas album but, his first full-length debut album “Roads” gets released today.   I had the wonderful privilege of being able to hear the album in it’s entirety and loved it all.  Which is unusual for me since I have no problem finding one or two songs on any album that I like but, to love the whole album…rare.

His voice is just  AMAZING.  He has a blend of pop and modern-day crooner, which mix perfectly into a gorgeous sound that you never want to stop listening to.  Plus, he sings one of my all time favorite songs…Ave Maria!

While listening to his album his emotions and passion for music comes through with every word that he sings.

I can’t recommend this album enough.  Yes, entire album.  I highly suggest that everyone get it and take the time to sit and listen to the lyrics in Roads, at least... the whole album is a must listen to.  Roads lyrics will touch your soul and the video will pull at your heart strings.  It just might change your outlook on the world today.

Go buy Roads by Chris Mann

Amazon

iTunes

Disclosure:  This review was an opportunity from One2One Network. I was provided with a copy of the album and I am eligible for a prize drawing. All opinions stated are my own.