Chizzy's Topsy Tale by Donna Shepherd

Whimsical rhymes speed Chizzy and Dotty into the jungle on a whirlwind search for tempting fruit. Kevin Scott Collier illustrates Chizzy's rollicking escapades with a deft and humorous touch. Solid values, like helping a friend in need and minding Momma, make Chizzy's Topsy Tale a wonderful read-aloud choice.

Children’s and Inspirational Writer and Speaker, Donna J. Shepherd looks at everyday life and finds God’s fingerprints everywhere. A columnist for The Dabbling Mum, National Association of Baby Boomer Women, and Christian Work at Home Moms, she has hundreds of articles and devotionals to her credit. Her devotionals and stories appear in Daily Grace for Women, Anytime Prayers for Everyday Moms, and The Best Grandma in the World.

I am always honored when an author approaches me for multiple reviews. That is the case with Donna Shepherd, as I have previously written reviews for Ouch Sunburn & No More Gunk, as well as Maybe We Are Flamingos (see links in my left-hand sidebar).  Chizzy's Topsy Tale is another great team-up by author Donna Shepherd and illustrator Kevin Collier.  This book did not disappoint.  With it's fun rhyming verse and it's vibrant illustrations, this book will be a favorite for many children.  The tale of Chizzy is fun and enjoyable to read.  The illustrations are amazing, as they are outlined in white as opposed to black, a look I haven't seen before and really enjoyed.  I'd definitely recommend this one!

Forever Lily by Beth Nonte Russell

"Will you take her?" she asks.

 When Beth Nonte Russell travels to China to help her friend Alex adopt a baby girl from an orphanage there, she thinks it will be an adventure, a chance to see the world. But her friend, who had prepared for the adoption for many months, panics soon after being presented with the frail baby, and the situation develops into one of the greatest challenges of Russell's life.
Russell, watching in disbelief as Alex distances herself from the child, cares for the baby -- clothing, bathing, and feeding her -- and makes her feel secure in the unfamiliar surroundings. Russell is overwhelmed and disoriented by the unfolding drama and all that she sees in China, and yet amid the emotional turmoil finds herself deeply bonding with the child. She begins to have dreams of an ancient past -- dreams of a young woman who is plucked from the countryside and chosen to be empress, and of the child who is ultimately taken from her. As it becomes clear that her friend -- whose indecisiveness about the adoption has become a torment -- won't be bringing the baby home, Russell is amazed to realize that she cannot leave the baby behind and that her dreams have been telling her something significant, giving her the courage to open her heart and bring the child home against all odds.
Steeped in Chinese culture, Forever Lily is an extraordinary account of a life-changing, wholly unexpected love.
Beth Nonte Russell received a master's degree in psychology from Marymount University and provided counseling services at a community mental health center. She lives with her husband and two daughters, Lily and Jaden, outside Washington, D.C.
This book was not what I expected it to be.  When I received the review request for this one, I was excited.  It has been a while since I've had opportunity to review an adoption-related book here on my blog; and I do like to make sure that I have adoption content here to share - especially with people who may be contemplating adoption and looking for reading material.
I know, from our times in Vietnam, that situations like the one portrayed in this book really do happen.  To me, it seems unreal and impossible.  But, I've heard tales of mothers who rejected their new babies because the baby bonded with the father and not the mother; or, like the perspective adoptive mother in this  book, the baby "just wasn't what they expected".  It seems ridiculous to me, though.  I will admit that, when I first laid eyes on Gracie, she wasn't what I expected either - her face was covered in a rash and her head was mishapen (due to bottle propping).  But, within a matter of minutes, she was mine; and I could have never given her up!  So, though I'm sure the author meant to portray Alex in a light that would make us question her motives, I'm left with many questions that went unanswered in the pages of the book.  What was wrong with the baby that she could just decide that she didn't want her?
I enjoyed the China-adoption-related storylines in this book.  The Chinese culture, the adoption trip itself, the trip the see the baby's orphanage, etc. - I found that all extremely interesting and was able to tie it with similarities of my own Vietnam adoption adventures.  I appreciated Beth's descriptions of her feelings for this baby - how quickly she was able to feel a bond with her and the  strong desire in her heart to make this baby her own.
However, as most of my readers are Christians, I need to point out that this is NOT a Christian book.  Actually, I'm not sure exactly what religion this book would tie into.  There are references to praying, and there's a time that God is mentioned (with a capital "G"), but Buddha is also mentioned, chatting with a "spiritual advisor", meditation, etc. along with some other ideas that are just very foreign to me as a Christian.  Throughout the story, Beth shares dream sequences.  All along, I thought that her dreams seemed a bit too vivid to be real, and I found myself actually skimming over  them, or skipping them altogether at times. The dreams were just extremely odd.  Toward the end of the book, you find out that she believes that these dreams are actually remembrances of a past life that she lived.  Hello?!  I just don't buy that. 
Because of the things mentioned in the previous paragraph, I will not be inclined to recommend this book.

Joy the Jellyfish by Kristen Collier

What if you were a nearly-transparent creature who was almost impossible to see swimming in a vast ocean? Who would be your friend? That is the plight of Joy the Jellyfish, who swims the ocean looking for a friend.

Kristen Collier is a critically acclaimed Christian novelist, a columnist for several newspapers, and a feature writer for magazines.  Kevin Collier is a children's book author and has illustrated over 40 children's books.


I was honored to be asked to review this precious book!  I love children's books anyway, and this one has a very sweet storyline and illustrations that are colorful and fun.  I've come to love any book that is illustrated by Kevin Collier (our Splish artist); but this book, in particular, is fabulous.  It's very obvious that a lot of extra time and effort were put into making this book wonderful.
The storyline is simple, yet profound.  Joy, the seemingly transparent jellyfish, has trouble making friends.  She believes it is because others don't notice her or can't see her. Finally, she comes to realize that in order to have friends, you have to BE a friend.  Of course, the book has a happy ending. 
This book would be excellent for a beginning reader, or especially for a shy child.  If you have a special child on your Christmas list, and you've been looking for a great book, I'd definitely recommend adding Joy the Jellyfish to your gift buying for this year.  The  book can be purchased here, and is also available on Amazon.com, Target,com, and other online book retailers.
If you'd like to have even more fun with Joy, check out the book's website, where you'll find all kinds of great worksheets to expand the learning and fun of the book!

White Christmas Pie by Wanda Brunstetter

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
White Christmas Pie
Barbour Publishing, Inc (September 1, 2008)
by
Wanda E. Brunstetter

Step into Amish country for this bittersweet holiday romance. Here you'll meet Will Henderson, a young man tortured by his past, and Karen Yoder, a young woman looking for answers. Add a desperate father searching for his son, and you have all the ingredients for a first-class romance that will inspire and enthrall.

Abandoned by his father, Will Henderson was raised by an Amish couple. Now he's about to marry Karen Yoder but is having second thoughts. Can Will overcome the bitterness of his past in order to secure his future? Karen cannot break through the barrier her fiance has suddenly constructed around his heart. When she seeks the advice of an old boyfriend, Will begins to see green. Has he already lost his chance for happiness?

When an accident threatens Will's life, the strength of blood ties is tested. Will a recipe for White Christmas pie contain the ingredients for a happily-ever-after?

If you would like to read the first chapter of White Christmas Pie, go HERE


Fascinated by the Amish people during the years of visiting her husband's family in Pennsylvania, WANDA E. BRUNSTETTER combined her interest with her writing and now has eleven novels about the Amish in print, along with numerous other stories and ministry booklets. She lives in Washington State, where her husband is a pastor, but takes every opportunity to visit Amish settlements throughout the states.

This year Wanda also published A Sister's Hope.




This was the first of Wanda's  books that I have read.  I have heard of her and have  been seeing her books in stores, etc. but I had never had opportunity to read one.  So, I was anxious for White Christmas Pie.  Living among the Amish, I tend to be much more critical of these books based on the Amish - and there seems to be an overabundance of them these days.  I have read most of Bevely Lewis' books and I find them to be quite  good.  However, if you've been reading my  blog for any length of time, you know I've read some Amish books by other authors that I have NOT enjoyed.
So, yes, I'm critical, I admit it.  Here's my thoughts on White Christmas Pie --- as far as the Amish, I was so glad that this book was set in Indiana, rather than PA.  Anything written about the Amish that I wasn't quite sure about (and there wasn't much), I was able to "chalk it up" as differences in various Amish sects - so that was GOOD!  However, I wasn't really impressed with the writing style of this book.  It seemed extremely simplistic to me, almost as if it were forced.  In other words, things were written into the storyline that, to me, would have been better off left  to the imagination.  I don't know if that makes any sense or not.  The more I read it, the more I liked it - I thought it started off somewhat slow and drawn out. 
I will pick up more of her books, though, as I'd be interested to see if they are all written in this same style.  We shall see.....

Angel Eyes & Stubby's Destiny by Dixie Phillips

Angel Eyes is a heartwarming adventure of two cherubs, Kennedy and Tristan. They help children understand what the angels might have felt when Jesus came to Earth and was crucified. Dixie Phillips' inspirational story coupled with Kim Sponaugle's colorful illustrations make the story come alive and guarantees to leave Divine footprints in the hearts of children of all ages.
Stubby's Destiny is an inspirational story about a defeated donkey, Stubby, who feels he was born wrong. He was just about to give up when Divine destiny tapped him on the shoulder. He was chosen to carry the King of Kings upon his back. Stubby's Destiny will bring hope to hurting children who feel their situation is hopeless.
Dixie Phillips and her husband, Paul, have been married for thirty-one years and served the congregation of the Gospel Lighthouse Church in Floyd, Iowa, for the past twenty-seven years. The Phillips have four grown children. Dixie hopes to capture the hearts of little ones for Prince Emmanuel with her heartwarming stories. Visit Dixie's writing ministry at www.floydslighthouse.com.
What can I say?  These books are PRECIOUS!  With their charming illustrations and their heartwarming storylines, these two books are sure to become favorites to many children.  Dixie Phillips has used some endearing characters (a donkey who's feeling down on his luck, and some child-like cherubs) to help tell the story of the  gospel in such a way that children can easily relate to it and understand it.  Kim Sponaugle is an extremely talented artist whose illustrations are colorful and fun to look at. 
I see a lot of children's  books and I really do enjoy reading them.  I'm an adult, though, so you don't want to take my word for it!  My 8 year old daughter read both of these books and she says that they were very good and she thinks that kids would really enjoy reading them.  So, there you have it!  If you're looking for a good Christmas gift for some of the little ones in your life, be sure to check out these two titles by Guardian Angel Publishing.

Happy Birthday, Ashley!

Today's is Ashley's 15th birthday!

Please stop by her blog and tell her

Happy Birthday!

 

Ashley,

I'm so glad you're mine

and I'm very proud of the lovely young woman that you are  becoming.

You constantly make me proud-

in your dealings with people,

your writing, and your desire to honor God with your life.

I am blessed to be your mom

and to be home with you every day.

Love,

Mom

One Holy Night by J. M. Hochstetler

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
One Holy Night
Sheaf House (April 1, 2008)
by
J. M. Hochstetler

In 1967 the military build-up in Viet Nam is undergoing a dramatic surge. The resulting explosion of anti-war sentiment tears the country apart, slicing through generations and shattering families. In the quiet bedroom community of Shepherdsville, Minnesota, the war comes home to Frank and Maggie McRae, whose only son, Mike, is serving as a grunt in Viet Nam.

Frank despises all Asians because of what he witnessed as a young soldier fighting the Japanese in the south Pacific during WWII. The news that his son has fallen in love with and married Thi Nhuong, a young Vietnamese woman, shocks him. To Frank all Asians are enemies of his country, his family, and himself. A Buddhist, Thi Nhuong represents everything he despises. So he cuts Mike out of his life despite the pleas of his wife, Maggie; daughter, Julie; and Julie s husband, Dan, the pastor of a growing congregation.

Maggie is fighting her own battle--against cancer. Convinced that God is going to heal her, Frank plays the part of a model Christian. Her death on Thanksgiving Day devastates him. Worse, as they arrive home from the gravesite, the family receives news of Mike s death in battle. Embittered, Frank stops attending church and cuts off family and friends.

By the time a very pregnant Thi Nhuong arrives on his doorstep on a stormy Christmas Eve, Frank is so filled with hate that he slams the door in her face, shutting her out in the bitter cold. Finally, overcome by guilt, he tries to go after her, but driving wind and snow force him back inside. With the storm rising to blizzard strength, he confronts the wrenching truth that what hate has driven him to do is as evil as what the Japanese did all those years earlier, and that he needs forgiveness as desperately as they did ...

Frank doesn't know that what God has in mind this night is a miracle. As on that holy night so many years ago, a baby will be born and laid in a manger--a baby who will bring forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing to a family that has suffered heart-wrenching loss.

If you would like to read the first chapter of One Holy Night, go HERE.

J. M. Hochstetler writes stories that always involve some element of the past and of finding home. Born in central Indiana, the daughter of Mennonite farmers, she graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Germanic languages. She was an editor with Abingdon Press for twelve years and has published three novels.

One Holy Night, a contemporary miracle story for all seasons, released in April 2008. Daughter of Liberty (2004) and Native Son (2005), books 1 and 2 of the American Patriot Series are set during the American Revolution. Book 3, Wind of the Spirit, is scheduled for release in March 2009. Hochstetler is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Christian Authors Network, Middle Tennessee Christian Writers, and Historical Novels Society.

I was really attracted to this book because of (1) the Christmas story and (2) the references to Vietnam.  However, I just really have to admit that I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would.  In addition to the "main cast of characters" - Frank, his wife Maggie, and their children, Julie and Mike - there were so many "extra" stories going on, involving so many additional characters, that it was hard to follow sometimes.  I would have enjoyed the story so much more if it were just the main characters and the storyline involving them. 

Green Science Windmill Generator

We recently received the Windmill Generator kit from Green Science to review. 

Another incredible green toy for older kids from 4M!

Build this amazing wind generator and learn about renewable energy. Watch the LED glow as it is powered by free energy from the wind. No batteries required! Help save the planet by recycling a plastic bottle to support your wind generator.

Contents:

* 1 Rotor
* 1 Front-housing with gear and rotor shaft installed
* 2 Half screw caps
* 1 Tail
* 1 Toy motor with gear
* 8 Small screws
* 1 LED unit with wires and detailed assembly instructions
This was an exciting product to me.  I'm not a huge fan of science, so it's hard for me to just come up with fun science experiments on my own.  I must admit, though, that when I first opened this box, I was a little intimidated by all the pieces that came with it (some very small).  I sat down to work on this project with my 8-year-old daughter, and we put the windmill generator together with surprising ease.  The directions were extremely clear and easy-to-follow and the pieces were well-represented in the directions so we had no problem distinguishing what was what.
But, the true test of projects like these is always how they work, right? We got a fan and turned it on high speed and, sure enough, the windmill generator took off!  We couldn't wait until darkness rolled around and we could test it again.  It was so exciting to see the light that was generated from the wind!  We added water to the bottle and enjoyed the effect that the light made on the water. 
This was definitely a fun project.  When 2 non-science people  give it TWO THUMBS UP, you know this company has succeeded!  I would definitely recommend this Windmill Generator project and will be looking into more Green Science kits to make science fun and  come to life!  These kits can be purchased at Kobold Toys.  Christmas is coming, and I'm sure you kids would love these - educational gifts that are actually FUN!

Lady Flatterley by Linda Wagner

This book is about a unique caterpillar named Lady Flatterley.
It was Lady Flatterley's dream to become a butterfly, not knowing all along this was already God's great plan for her.
Unbeknownst to Lady Flatterley, the process required some work on her part and that was to  build a cocoon!
This story follows one of God's little miracles in nature as she transforms into what God has in store for her.

Way up high in the tall oak tree,

Lived a caterpillar named Lady Flatterley.

She hid amongst the leaves all day long,

Hoping she’d be safe from wind that was strong.



Flatterley’s home was made out of leaves,

All snuggled inside, she felt safe as safe could be.

Her coat was soft and beautiful, her friends would say,

Orange and black on her back, so pretty she was made.



One day while hiding in the tall oak tree,

Lady Flatterley felt the flutter of a gentle breeze.

She peeked out through the dark green leaves,

Was only the bumble bee for Flatterley to see…

Linda Wagner is a mother, grandmother, and registed nurse.  She lives in sunny Florida.
Linda has raised two sons and has been blessed with five grandchildren.  As a parent, teaching her children to treat others with love and respect was of utmost importance to her.
Lady Flatterley is Linda's first book.  You can find out more information at http://www.outskirtspress.com/LadyFlatterley or http://www.lindawagnerbooks.com.
Lady Flatterley is a sweet children's book with bright, colorful illustrations and the story of the transformation of caterpillar to butterfly set to rhyming verse.  The tale of Lady Flatterley follows her from her time as an insecure caterpillar who simply wants to hide herself away from the world, to a beautiful butterfly who spreads her wings and flies!  Lady Flatterley is so excited when she catches a glimpse of herself in a window for the first time.  But, rather than get proud and have an attitude, she remembers to raise her hands and give thanks to God. 

Zooprise Party/Fiesta Zoorpresa by Rebekha Delgado

When Sally the zookeeper wishes Mori the okapi a Happy Birthday, Lito, the nosiest of all the  gerenuks, is listening at the fence between the two exhibits. Follow along as he gets Elvis the king vulture to help him plan and pull off a surprise party for Mori. Will Mori be surprised? How will all the animals in the zoo get to the party?
This book is the joint effort of author Rebekha Delgado and illustrator Joy Delgado. What started out as a family project, this entertaining picture book has taken flight!  A fully bilingual, English/Spanish, story that has an activity book and a teacher's guide to go with it, this trio truly goes beyond reading. Intended as a read-aloud for small children or for older children to read it for themselves, it can be purchased at Amazon.com, Target,com and the publisher's website.  To learn more about Zooprise Party/Fiesta Zoorpresa and gets lots of free activities, visit http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com.
This is a very different book!  I've seen some other bilingual books before,  but none quite like Zooprise Fiesta.  On each page of this fun story, you will find the English version on the left-hand side and the Spanish version of the same tale on the right-hand side.  It's a sweet little story and one that your kids will enjoy hearing over and over again.  If you have bilingual children or are working on teaching either English OR Spanish as a second language, this book would certainly fit right in.
As a homeschooling parent, I was especially exciting to see the accompanying books.  The workbook is full of fun pages for children to fill in and do - all accompanying the story and making it "come to life".  My eight year old daughter enjoyed reading the book, but she's spending much more time working through the sheets in the workbook.  There are fill-in-the-blanks, coloring pages, matching, word search, crossword puzzles and more.  She is having to refer back to the book to find answers to some of the questions, making this a very educational (yet fun) adventure.  The Teacher's Guide contains great lead-in questions, lots of extra information about the zoo characters in the book, and both art and game ideas  - enough to turn this book into a mini-unit-study. 

Professor Horace Cryptozoologist by Kevin Scott Collier

I want to preface this review by saying that I was honored to be asked to review this book.  Kevin Scott Collier introduced himself to me this past summer - he discovered our Summer Reading Splash blog and wanted to offer his services to illustrate a "real' frog mascot for us (one that wouldn't look so much like clip-art).  As a result, Splish was born - and we've literally been on a wild ride ever since!  Be sure to stop by Splish's blog next week and check out our National Young Readers Week promotion - there will be LOTS of FREE book giveaways and some fun news about Splish (which Kevin had a big part in!)  Now, on to my review......
 What happens when legends collide and an eccentric old man meets creatures of lore? Will he give them up? Or will he keep their secret? As Professor Horace, Cryptozoologist, ventures into the unknown, he encounters Big Foot, the Loch Ness Monster, and the Ropen. The myth seeker becomes myth himself. Suggested age readers 5-12.

Kevin Collier is the author and/or illustrator of over 100 children's books.  One book he illustrated won the New York Book Festival 2008.  Another was voted one of the top 50 children's books of all time by World Magazine.  His current projects include a Christian television program in which he teaches children to draw.  Visit Kevin at his website.

I love this book!  I know by now that you, my readers, have figured out that I'm a sucker for a good children's book.  I especially like them when they contain rhyme.  This may be a result of growing up on Dr. Suess - but, whatever the reason, I love storybooks set to rhyme.  Kevin has written an adorable tale of Professor Horace and his journey into cryptozoology and, eventually, obscurity.  Kids will love hearing this story and will ask to hear it again and again.  The pictures are in classic Kevin Collier style - so colorful and fun to look at (if you've seen Splish, you know what I'm talking about!)  There is so much to take in on each page.  Something that all homeschooling parents will appreciate is the "index of characters" at the back of the book - it explains the myths and legends of the creatures pictured and/or mentioned in the  book.  This page would be a great introduction for some further research for older kids.
You can find out more information about Professor Horace by visiting his website.  All of the proceeds from this book are going to the Christian school that Kevin's son attends.

Rain Song by Alice J. Wisler

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Rain Song
Bethany House (October 1, 2008)
by
Alice J. Wisler

Nicole Michelin avoids airplanes, motorcycles, and most of all, Japan, where her parents once were missionaries. Something happened in Japan...something that sent Nicole and her father back to America alone...something of which Nicole knows only bits and pieces. But she is content with life in little Mount Olive, North Carolina, with her quirky relatives, tank of lively fish, and plenty of homemade pineapple chutney. Through her online column for the Pretty Fishy Web site, she meets Harrison Michaels, who, much to her dismay, lives in Japan. She attempts to avoid him, but his emails tug at her heart. Then Harrison reveals that he knew her as a child in Japan. In fact, he knows more about her childhood than she does.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Rain Song, go HERE

Alice sold her first story to David C. Cook for a take-home Sunday School paper called Sprint. The year was 1988, this was her first submission to a paying market, and the check sent to her was for $125.00.

She was on her way!

Since then, Alice has sold articles and devotions to the Upper Room, Alive Now, Standard Publishing, ByLine magazine and others.

In 2006 she sent her novel Rain Songto Bethany House...and the rest is history! She signed a two -book deal and the second, How Sweet It Is will be out in 2009.

This book is currently "on my nightstand".  So far, I've really been enjoying this one.  It does not read like a first novel at all - it is extremely well-written. I'll be  back to share my final thoughts once I've finished the book.
UPDATED 11/7/08: My original assessment of this book proved to be true!  Alice J. Wisler definitely has a gift for writing.  Her style is unique - interesting and fun to read in a voice all her own (which I think is unusual in today's Christian fiction market where so many books start to sound alike after awhile). 
Her main character, Nicole, has an endearing personality.  From the  very first page, you find yourself cheering for her to overcome her fears and insecurities. I found myself reverting back to "cheerleader mode" - wanting to say "You can do it! 3 cheers for Nicole!"  The supporting characters in the book are also very memorable - I love the choice of names and the extreme variety of personalities that are represented here. 
The end is satisfying.  Though, I must admit, I find myself longing for book 2 - wonder if there's one in the works?!

Forsaken by James David Jordan

It is time for the FIRST Blog Tour! On the FIRST day of every month we feature an author and his/her latest book's FIRST chapter!

The feature author is:

James David Jordan
and his book:
Forsaken
B&H Fiction (October 1, 2008)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

James David Jordan is a business litigation attorney with the prominent Texas law firm of Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. From 1998 through 2005, he served as the firm's Chairman and CEO. The Dallas Business Journal has named him one of the most influential leaders in the Dallas/Fort Worth legal community and one of the top fifteen business defense attorneys in Dallas/Fort Worth. His peers have voted him one of the Best Lawyers in America in commercial litigation.

A minister's son who grew up in the Mississippi River town of Alton, Illinois, Jim has a law degree and MBA from the University of Illinois, and a journalism degree from the University of Missouri. He lives with his wife and two teenage children in the Dallas suburbs.

Jim grew up playing sports and loves athletics of all kinds. But he especially loves baseball, the sport that is a little bit closer to God than all the others.

His first novel was Something that Lasts . Forsaken is his second novel.

Product Details:

List Price: $14.99
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: B&H Fiction (October 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0805447490
ISBN-13: 978-0805447491

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Even in high school I didn’t mind sleeping on the ground. When your father is a retired Special Forces officer, you pick up things that most girls don’t learn. As the years passed I slept in lots of places a good girl shouldn’t sleep. It’s a part of my past I don’t brag about, like ugly wallpaper that won’t come unstuck. No matter how hard I scrape, it just hangs on in big, obscene blotches. I’m twenty-nine years old now, and I’ve done my best to paint over it. But it’s still there under the surface, making everything rougher, less presentable than it should be. Though I want more than anything to be smooth and fresh and clean.


Sometimes I wonder what will happen if the paint begins to fade. Will the wallpaper show? I thought so for a long time. But I have hope now that it won’t. Simon Mason helped me find that hope. That’s why it’s important for me to tell our story. There must be others who need hope, too. There must be others who are afraid that their ugly wallpaper might bleed through.


What does sleeping on the ground have to do with a world-famous preacher like Simon Mason? The story begins twelve years ago—eleven years before I met Simon. My dad and I packed our camping gear and went fishing. It was mid-May, and the trip was a present for my seventeenth birthday. Not exactly every high school girl’s dream, but my dad wasn’t like most dads. He taught me to camp and fish and, particularly, to shoot. He had trained me in self-defense since I was nine, the year Mom fell apart and left for good. With my long legs, long arms, and Dad’s athletic genes, I could handle myself even back then. I suppose I wasn’t like most other girls.


After what happened on that fishing trip, I know I wasn’t.


Fishing with my dad didn’t mean renting a cane pole and buying bait pellets out of a dispenser at some catfish tank near an RV park. It generally meant tramping miles across a field to a glassy pond on some war buddy’s ranch, or winding through dense woods, pitching a tent, and fly fishing an icy stream far from the nearest telephone. The trips were rough, but they were the bright times of my life—and his, too. They let him forget the things that haunted him and remember how to be happy.


This particular outing was to a ranch in the Texas Panhandle, owned by a former Defense Department bigwig. The ranch bordered one of the few sizeable lakes in a corner of Texas that is brown and rocky and dry. We loaded Dad’s new Chevy pickup with cheese puffs and soft drinks—healthy eat­ing wouldn’t begin until the first fish hit the skillet—and left Dallas just before noon with the bass boat in tow. The drive was long, but we had leather interior, plenty of tunes, and time to talk. Dad and I could always talk.


The heat rose early that year, and the temperature hung in the nineties. Two hours after we left Dallas, the brand-new air conditioner in the brand-new truck rattled and clicked and dropped dead. We drove the rest of the way with the windows down while the high Texas sun tried to burn a hole through the roof.


Around five-thirty we stopped to use the bathroom at a rundown gas station somewhere southeast of Amarillo. The station was nothing but a twisted gray shack dropped in the middle of a hundred square miles of blistering hard pan. It hadn’t rained for a month in that part of Texas, and the place was so baked that even the brittle weeds rolled over on their bellies, as if preparing a last-ditch effort to drag themselves to shade.


The restroom door was on the outside of the station, iso­lated from the rest of the building. There was no hope of cool­ing off until I finished my business and got around to the little store in the front, where a rusty air conditioner chugged in the window. When I walked into the bathroom, I had to cover my nose and mouth with my hand. A mound of rotting trash leaned like a grimy snow drift against a metal garbage can in the corner. Thick, black flies zipped and bounced from floor to wall and ceiling to floor, occasionally smacking my arms and legs as if I were a bumper in a buzzing pinball machine. It was the filthiest place I’d ever been.


Looking back, it was an apt spot to begin the filthiest night of my life.


I had just leaned over the rust-ringed sink to inspect my teeth in the sole remaining corner of a shattered mirror when someone pounded on the door.


“Just a minute!” I turned on the faucet. A soupy liquid dribbled out, followed by the steamy smell of rotten eggs. I turned off the faucet, pulled my sport bottle from the holster on my hip, and squirted water on my face and in my mouth. I wiped my face on the sleeve of my T-shirt.


My blue-jean cutoffs were short and tight, and I pried free a tube of lotion that was wedged into my front pocket. I raised one foot at a time to the edge of the toilet seat and did my best to brush the dust from my legs. Then I spread the lotion over them. The ride may have turned me into a dust ball, but I was determined at least to be a soft dust ball with a coconut scent. Before leaving I took one last look in my little corner of mir­ror. The hair was auburn, the dust was beige. I gave the hair a shake, sending tiny flecks floating through a slash of light that cut the room diagonally from a hole in the roof. Someone pounded on the door again. I turned away from the mirror.


“Okay, okay, I’m coming!”


When I pulled open the door and stepped into the light, I shaded my eyes and blinked to clear away the spots. All that I could think about was the little air conditioner in the front window and how great it would feel when I got inside. That’s probably why I was completely unprepared when a man’s hand reached from beside the door and clamped hard onto my wrist.

I really, really enjoyed this book.  It contained so much of what I enjoy in a good book - a Christian message, family, intrigue & msytery, a hint of romance.  I really liked James David Jordan's writing style - it was different from what I'm used to.  It seems odd to me that a man would write in the first person (as a woman), so I was probably a bit skeptical going into this book. However, he totally hit the nail on the head, and I was quickly drawn in and intrigued by this book.
The character of Taylor was so multi-faceted and the supporting cast of characters were as well.  You could really look into their hearts and minds because of how well they were portrayed in writing. Some of the scenes were a bit graphic (which seemed to me more obviously the work of a man)- but were tastefully done. I can SO see this book made into a movie and I will DEFINITELY be picking up more books by this author.