Three Winners of Travis Thrasher's 'Broken' Are.....

The Random Number Generator has chosen the three winners of 'Broken' by Travis Thrasher. This announcement deserves a DRUM ROLL!:


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The three winners are:


* Linda


* Katie M


* Ben


Congratulations; I will be sending out an email to each one of you. Please note that if I do not receive a response in one week, I will choose another winner.


To those of you who would like to read this book, you can order it here.


Many thanks to Val at FaithWords for providing the review and giveaway copies!


Please come back soon for more reviews and giveaways!

‘Stronger: Trading Brokenness for Unbreakable Strength’ by Jim Daly with James Lund – Book Review

Often, the Lord will cause problems for us in order to make us stronger. That is the premise of the latest book by Jim Daly (with James Lund), ‘Stronger: Trading Brokenness for Unbreakable Strength.’

Here is the synopsis of this book:

Jim Daly, president and CEO of Focus on the Family, doesn’t claim to know the “whys,” and he doesn’t even promise that you will either. But he’s had his own share of harrowing experiences, and through the pain, he’s accepted a transformational truth: God uses struggles to strengthen your faith.

With warmth and candor, Daly shares anecdotes from his childhood, adult life, and international travels for Focus on the Family. He tells engaging, real-life stories that, although seemingly tragic, demonstrate the constancy of God’s grace in the midst of disillusionment. Without describing a step-by-step program, he imparts practical biblical principles that demonstrate how we draw on the only source of enduring, powerful strength.

Stronger shows us that we can find strength in our weakness and that we can always continue to grow in character and maturity. Through Christ, our brokenness is redeemed. Through Christ, we become stronger.

Here is the biography of Mr. Daly:

Jim Daly assumed the presidency of Focus on the Family in 2005 after sixteen years with the ministry. In 2007, he wrote his autobiography, Finding Home, a deeply personal look at his journey from orphan to head of an international Christian organization. He lives in Colorado Springs with his wife, Jean, and their two young sons.

Here is the book trailer for this powerful work:

In the Introduction, Mr. Daly explains what his book is about:

In the pages ahead, we will take a look at real strength – what it is, what it isn’t, and what God says about it. I think you’ll be encouraged. The Lord does not waste our frustrations and our tears. I believe that when we let Him, He uses our pain and failures and weaknesses for incredible good – for ourselves and for His glory. (p. 15)

Mr. Daly makes the point that U.S. citizens are really accustomed to their comfort. It translates into our spiritual lives as well:

For many believers, this is a typical story: They struggle in life. The struggle leads them to an answer to their pain – a personal relationship with Christ. They move to a level of joy, peace, and fulfillment they’ve never experienced before. But over time – when life continues to throw them one curve after another – the sense of joy and satisfaction diminishes. They began to doubt their faith, asking questions such as “Lord, where are You? Why are You allowing troubles to bombard me one after another? Surely this isn’t the wonderful plan You have for my life?” They continue to go through the motions of attending church, but their hearts are no longer in it. Or they give up their faith altogether. (p. 36)

Even the apostle Paul tried to avoid pain; he eventually realized it was a gift from God:

Like most of us when we first encounter a trial, Paul didn’t recognize that gift right away. As you or I would probably do, he asked for it to be removed – three times. Yet the Lord responded that His grace was all Paul needed. That was huge. In this trial or any other, God was enough. From this “single” thorn, Paul learned to renew and deepen his dependence on God. That’s also a good thing.

Paul also discovered that the Lord’s power is perfected in our weakness. This means that in some mysterious way, God’s power is even more potent when we are at our weakest. I think it has to do with us getting out of His way. We don’t try to manipulate the Lord’s strength once we feel His presence. We are so undone that we allow Him complete control, which naturally (yet often to our surprise) works to our greatest advantage.  (p. 45)

Paul learned to delight in his weaknesses:

….Paul was able to delight in his weakness and trials. Delight implies a deep joy, as well as peace and fulfillment. It’s not just a passing sense of pleasure, the kind of good feeling, that comes from chewing on a chocolate bar, but something far more meaningful and lasting. Isn’t that what we all want more than anything – to be fully immersed in the permanent state of meaningful delight that comes from relationships with Jesus?

This is what I mean when I say, “God turns everything on its head.” As strange as it sounds, Paul discovered this deep delight “in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties” (2 Cor. 12:10).

These are the gifts that made him strong (p. 45)

Mr. Daly makes the strong point that we need to make a choice between beaten, bitter, or broken. Bitterness is not a good choice:

Bitterness is easy to justify and difficult to recognize in ourselves. Maybe that’s because it grows and develops over time. It starts when something bad happens, usually something we believe is unjust and undeserved. We feel wounded and hurt. We search for a way to deal with the pain. Sometimes, that leads to a defeating attitude of self-pity.

If we rest in self-pity long enough, it transforms into anger. Our blood pressure rises. We continually replay the incident that caused our pain in the first place. We want to take out our rage on the offender. Often, though, our anger seeps into our relationships with everyone else.

Eventually, our anger descends into the most harmful state of all: bitterness. We feel continually distracted by our rage and desire for revenge. We may become discouraged and disillusioned. We find ourselves poisoning our relationships, always blaming others for our problems. We lose our energy, our joy, and our strength. Worst of all, the bitterness we feel blocks us from enjoying a close and vital relationship with the Lord. (p. 62)

Our hope for healing comes from Jesus:

I can’t emphasize enough that no matter how devastating your circumstances, Jesus understands where you’ve been and where you are. He is ready to help. If you can turn everything in your life over to Him, you will find the hope and peace you seek. I’m not saying it will happen in an instant. It may not happen today, tomorrow, or next week. For a time, you may not sense His presence or any change at all. Yet He is there, nudging you toward the choice that makes the difference. (p. 70)

Mr. Daly includes examples from real life. I loved the one that told the story of Hiroo Onoda, who, as a Japanese soldier in World War II (which officially ended in 1945), did not surrender until 1974!:

Only after Taniguchi [his former commanding officer] read an official order declaring “individuals under the command of the Special Squadron to cease military activities and operations immediately” did Onoda realize he’d been fighting an unnecessary war for almost thirty years.

Onoda later wrote, “Suddenly everything went black…I felt like a fool for having been so tense and cautious on the way here. Worse than that, what had I been doing for all these years?”

In those life-transforming moments, Hiroo Onoda realized the truth and that he’d wasted years pressing a battle that had already ended.  Yet aren’t we all a lot like Second Lieutenant Onoda sometimes? We cling to our pride and our instincts and distance ourselves from the truth. We fight a lonely war against God’s desires and purposes for our lives, and in the process, we miss out on the joy and peace that He offers. Our actions, whether they involve lying, stealing, greed, adultery, or any manner of sin, show that we’re in open rebellion. Some of us, meanwhile, try to hide our resistance. We may talk the lingo and go to church every Sunday, but inside we’re still battling to hang on to what we feel are “our” lives.

Our war is hard, but we fight on, week after week, year after year. The alternative – unconditional surrender to the Lord – is too frightening to contemplate. Surrender, after all, might change everything. (p. 78)

Mr. Daly goes on to detail how we gain strength through perseverance, character, and hope. He closes out the book this way:

Wherever you are in your faith and in the struggles of life, I urge you to call out daily to our heavenly Father. I can guarantee that He will hear your words. I can also say with complete confidence that he can turn your tears of sorrow into tears of anticipation.

No matter what you face today, the Lord understands what you’re going through. He may not remove the pain, but He knows how to use it for His good purposes. He is standing by to walk through it with you.

He is always ready to offer you His strength and love. (p. 228)

This reminds me of how, when you break a bone, it is always stronger after it heals.


I really loved this book! I love Mr. Daly’s wonderful attitude; he has made some great choices in life. The Lord has helped him overcome a difficult childhood, and has brought him a long way in this life. I appreciate how Mr. Daly shares personal examples, and many examples of other people who made good choices. This book is perfect for all readers, and anyone will be able to glean important information on how to make good and God-honoring choices.

You can order this book here.

This book was published by David C. Cook Publishers and provided by The B and B Media Group for review purposes. 

CSN Stores Websites - Perfect Way to Finish Up Your Christmas Shopping!

How many of you are traveling for Christmas? Personally, Fred and I will be staying here in Michigan. It will be nice to have our first Christmas with Shelby and Sammy (who will turn 13 weeks tomorrow) - but always missing our beloved Toby, our precious 15 year old English Cocker Spaniel, who we lost on September 11. It sounds enticing to head down to Fred's parent's home (they live near Tampa, Florida); that will have to wait until next year...

If we are planning on heading out, I wouldn't hesitate to look for the luggage stores at the CSN Stores website. We do plan a trip to Nashville in the spring for our nephew Aaron's graduation, so we may take a peek over there soon to make sure we'd adequately luggaged up! I like the color of that roll-on!


Speaking of the CSN Stores, I have another opportunity to review one (or more!) of their products shortly. I may order those long-awaited cowgirl boots that I have been hoping for for the last several months (maybe I can find a pair in purple - I have been on a purple kick for a while!)! Please stay tuned!

‘The Fruitful Life: The Overflow of God’s Love Through You’ by Jerry Bridges – Book Review

It is pretty obvious that if we all lived with our lives being led by the Spirit, as exemplified by its fruit, this world would not only be a better place, but we’d be happier and more God-honoring people. In his book, ‘The Fruitful Life: The Overflow of God’s Love Through You,’ Jerry Bridges takes a deep look at the qualities written about by the apostle Paul in the fifth chapter of the Book of Galatians.

Here is the synopsis of this book:

How can we put on the garment of grace? As we become serious followers of Christ, we want to live loving, joyful, anxiety-free lives. Yet loving our enemies seems impossible. Even being patient with our family is often difficult. How can we put on the gentle garments of grace when we’re so busy battling our odd behavior patterns?

In The Fruitful Life, beloved author Jerry Bridges explores the nine aspects of the “fruit of the Spirit” described in Galatians 5: 22-23; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He clarifies the cultivation process by showing us how to practice the fruit in real life.

Bridges says these qualities of character can truly mark our lives if we devote ourselves to a twofold pursuit: God-centeredness and God-likeness. This book will guide you on that quest by focusing on God’s nature as revealed in Scripture and by helping you cultivate the beautiful fruit given by the Holy Spirit.

Here is the biography of this author:

Dr. Jerry Bridges is an author and conference speaker. His most popular book, The Pursuit of Holiness, has sold over one million copies. He is also the author of Transforming Grace and The Practice of Godliness (from which this book is derived). Jerry has been on the staff of The Navigators for over fifty years, and currently serves in the Collegiate Mission where he is involved primarily in staff development, but also serves as a speaker resource to the campus ministries. A popular speaker known around the world, Jerry lives with his wife, Jane, in Colorado Springs.

Here is Dr. Bridges discussing Godliness:

Dr. Bridges explains why he thinks it’s important to take a look at the fruit of the Spirit in our day:

We should also notice that the fruit of the Spirit is both formational and relational – not just a matter for private experience. For example, “joy” is more accurately “joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17), “peace” is the peace Christ gives us (see John 14:27), and “love comes from God” (1 John 4:7). Further, several of these character qualities have a definite outward focus toward other people. They require practice in the midst of the world. As Jonathan Edwards said, “All true Christian grace tends to holy practice.”

Another reason for revisiting the fruit of the Spirit is that I often hear a certain possessiveness today about “my spiritual gifts.” Certainly, we can be thankful that in the last generation there has been a thriving literature on spiritual gifts. But again, sometimes there is a self-focus for the gifts. We use “assessment instruments” to nail down what our gifts are and seek to use them in a way that can tend toward personal fulfillment. The danger is that the gifts of the Spirit will be separate from the fruit of the Spirit. This can lead to prideful ambition rather than humble, loving service. Sinclair B. Ferguson writes that the fruit of the Spirit “should be distinguished from the gifts of the Spirit, but ought never to be absent in their exercise. For without love, and the humility which accompanies it…the purpose of the gifts of the Spirit is thwarted.” (pp. 8-9)

It is important that Christians are strongly devoted to God:

        The attitude of devotion to God is composed of three essential elements:

·         The fear of God

·         The love of God

·         The desire for God

From this godward attitude arises the character and conduct that we usually think of as godliness. So often we try to develop Christian character and conduct without taking the time to develop God-centered devotion. We try to please God without taking the time to walk with Him and develop a relationship with Him. This is impossible to do. (p. 30)

I will focus here on a couple of the fruits of the Spirit that are most meaningful to me at this point in my life – Joy and Peace.

In the chapter on Joy, Dr. Bridges points out that we have to make a decision:

So the choice is ours. We can be joyless Christians, or we can be joyful Christians. We can go through life bored, glum, and complaining, or we can rejoice in the Lord, in our names being written in heaven, in the hope of an eternal inheritance. It is both our privilege and our duty to be joyful. To be joyless is to dishonor God and to deny His love and His control over our lives. It is practical atheism. To be joyful is to experience the power of the Holy Spirit within us and to say to a watching world, “Our God reigns.” (pp. 85-86)

Wow – that paragraph is really convicting to me. I spend, and have spent, more time than I like to think about (or admit) focusing on the negative. I failed to consider the fact that that grieves the heart of God…

In the chapter on peace, Dr. Bridges admits that his mindset is similar to that of many of us:

I doubt that any Christian is more vulnerable to worry and fretfulness than I am. I sympathize with others who are also prone to anxiety. I am well aware that it is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that we can experience His peace. But God tells in His Word that His peace is available, and we must not be content until we experience it (see Philippians 4:7). We must persevere in prayer until He answers. (p. 94)

Working on our relationship with God will bring positive results:

The practice of developing our relationship with God should never be thought of as drudgery. We are seeking to grow in our devotion to the most wonderful Person in all of the universe, the infinite glorious and loving God. Nothing can compare with the privilege of knowing Him in whose presence is fullness of joy and in whose hand there are pleasures forever (see Psalm 16:11, NASB). From this joyful relationship flows the rich harvest of our transformed character. (p. 178)

Each chapter ends with ‘Exercises for Practice and Discussion.’ I think this is a very biblically sound book, and think it would be a wonderful tool for personal or group study. I appreciate Dr. Bridges’ heart and intellect, and thank him for putting it down in print for the rest of us.

You can order this book here.

This book was published by NavPress and provided by them for review purposes.

‘The Mockingbird Parables: Transforming Lives Through the Power of Story’ by Matt Litton – Book Review

In ‘The Mockingbird Parables: Transforming Lives Through the Power of Story,’ Matt Litton points out the parallels to this literary masterpiece with the Christian faith.

Here is the synopsis of this book:

For many of us, To Kill a Mockingbird was the first book to evoke a moral and spiritual stirring. Perhaps we read it for a high school English class or at the urging of a friend, never imaging how powerful a story could be. By the end, we were left wondering whether we had even a shred of Atticus Finch’s courage, Scout’s faith in goodness, or Dill’s innocence.

In The Mockingbird Parables, Matt Litton’s journey through Harper Lee’s beloved 1960 literary masterpiece, introducing each character through the lens of faith. The enigmatic Boo Radley as an allegorical representation of God, “the divine mysterious neighbor” who watches over, protects, and longs to know his children personally. The hero, Atticus Finch, as a model of faith, integrity, and even parenting. The main character, Scout Finch, and what she might teach us about the role of women in church and society.

The Mockingbird Parables compels us to ask these often-ignored questions. Do we truly love our neighbors? Are we building community? Are we influencing society for the better? By illuminating the parallels between Christian faith and Lee’s masterpiece, Litton reaffirms the magnitude of a novel perhaps more relevant today than ever before.

Here is the biography of the author:

Matt Litton is a writer, educator, and speaker. He completed his undergraduate work in English and Religion and holds a Master of Arts in Education from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee. Matt and his wife, Kristy, have four children: Noah, Elijah, Jakob, and Raegan.

Here is Mr. Litton talking about ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and his book:

In the interest of full disclosure – before I even get started – I have to admit that I have never read ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’…. I realize that is an oversight that needs to be corrected soon – and even more so after having read this book. I have seen the classic movie, which stars Gregory Peck, several times, so I am familiar with the characters. However, watching the movie does not substitute for reading this classic book. I was relieved to hear Mr. Litton mention in the book trailer that he hopes his book prompts people who have never read the book to do so. I am relieved I am not the only one who has not read it!

This book is rich! It definitely is pushing me to read ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’ Before that happens, I will be renting the DVD version of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ and watching that again – it has been too long!

Mr. Litton describes the importance of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ upon its release and just as much so today:

It is a unique novel because of its continued relevance to readers. At the time of the book’s publication in 1960 (and the subsequent release of the Academy Award-winning movie), it rattled the establishment with its forthright and severe criticism of racism, and doubtless opened the eyes of average Americans, pushing the nation toward true civil rights for all its citizens. In fact, I believe it stands today, revered and often quoted, as a beacon pointing the way toward our continued pursuit for equality in the world. The novel has been described simply as the story of one man’s stand for racial justice, but we cannot ignore the many and valuable themes and lessons found in its pages. (p. 4)

‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ is full of biblically based themes:

Over the past few years I have come to ascertain something very spiritual about the themes veiled in the pages of this deeply familiar American novel. There are messages scribed here so bent with common sense, compassion, and grace, truths so deeply founded in our conscience as Americans, that they simply cry out to be unfolded. In many ways, the book was born of Atticus Finch’s celebrated pronouncement that people can never truly understand others unless they somehow climb into their skin and walk around in it. This decree for true compassion is the foundational message of the novel, and similarly an attribute that is a principal charge of faith. (p. 9)

Mr. Litton describes what he would like to accomplish with this book:

You and I – neighbors, Christians – we are the only vehicle for God’s reconciliation of the world. There is no backup plan. I hope these parables will help you rediscover what it means to be a good neighbor – and to experience the gospel message retold in modern language, unobscured by religious dogma. It is my hope that these parables may, in some small measure, play the role of a grandfather clock in the foyer of your faith. I am inviting you to take part in the story, in anticipation that it might aid you, as it has me, in imagining the possibilities and the hope of the gospel, questioning what it really means to be a person of faith in this world. (p. 14)

Mr. Litton breaks his book down into parables about the different aspects of the story: the character Boo Radley, Scout Finch, Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson, Miss Maudie and her azaleas, the Missionary Tea, as well as the topics of parenting, the Great Depression, and care for our neighborhood and the planet on which we reside. I will focus here on a few subjects of most interest to me.  

I was intrigued to read how Mr. Litton equated the character of Boo Radley with God. He equates how Boo leaves gifts for the children in the knot of a tree to how God pursues us:

I am finding that God works in the same way. When we take the time to observe the day a little more like children do, with a little more inquisitiveness, we begin to see the gifts that God leaves for us in the midst of our routines. God has positioned gifts in the knotholes along the way of my journey in so many distinctive ways: a deer running in front of me on an afternoon walk, a dove flying alongside me on a bike ride, the silence of the Andes mountains in Peru, or a simple but beautiful moment with my family. The knotholes are present at eye level in each of our daily lives; it is up to us to take the time to catch the glint from the tinfoil. “Long before we first heard of Christ…he had his eye on us, had designs on us” (Eph. 1:11 MSG). (pp. 25-26)

I also gleaned a lot from the chapter entitled ‘The Parable of Scout Finch: The Role of Women in Faith.’ Being a female, I have always been interested in the role of women in Christianity, and the role that women are expected to play in our society as a whole. Mr. Litton made the point that women played a significant role in the early Christian church:

The early church saw no issue with women holding positions of power – and “slave women,” at that! I am saddened to see women pastors, phenomenal speakers and leaders, who dedicate themselves to a denomination only to be relegated to less significant roles. I often wonder what the history of the church would look like if women had played a more prominent role in leadership. How many wars fought in the name of our peaceful faith could have been averted by the nurturing strength, the divine vision, and the holy compassion of women? What about the women who were leaders in the spread of the New Testament church – women like Lydia, who heard the gospel and became a key component of the church, or Junias, whom Paul called “outstanding among the apostles” (Rom 16:7 NIV)? How can we pretend as people of faith that it is biblical to hand authority only to men as “head of the household”? How can we exclude the voices of women from our pulpits? As Eugene Peterson comments in his introduction to Galatians, “When men and women get their hands on religion, one of the first things they often do is turn it into an instrument for controlling others, either putting them or keeping them ‘in their place.’” (pp. 73-74)

Strong words, indeed! And I have to argue with every one of them.

He also points out that we still live in a very patriarchal society:

The neighborhood scold, Mrs. Dubose, who takes pleasure in screaming insults at the children from her front porch, also constantly questions Scout about why she wears overalls instead of a dress and camisole. The requirements of entrance into the world of women might sound a bit outdated, but they are, at their heart, the same as today’s message to women. It is a call to conform, to submit, to be tempered, and to be defined by the dogma of culture and religion. Although different words are used now, our patriarchal society’s discomfort with women’s divine strength is still very evident. Take a moment to consider the superlatives used to praise women, and what feminine qualities are exalted and valued in our modern culture. Most involve denying strength and holding fast to appearance, and as you go down the list, you will notice they are all very superficial. This is nothing new. I read recently that Eleanor Roosevelt, one of the strongest women in the history of American politics, was asked in an interview near the end of her life whether she had any regrets. Her response was heartbreaking. This woman who had dedicated herself to helping others responded that her only regret was that she had never been pretty. She had been harassed by others (including her own family) and all of her life she had been called “granny” and “the ugly duckling.” The media shamed her for her appearance. Rather than celebrating her strengths, journalists and even her family accosted her for the way she looked. (pp. 67-68)

Anyone that knows me also knows that I love being outdoors, no matter the weather. Mr. Litton opines on how God’s Creation features prominently in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird:’

I often wonder if we can maintain a healthy soul without finding quiet time outdoors. I love that the secretive Boo Radley uses a tree to communicate with the Finch children. Scout and Jem notice the gifts left for them by Boo Radley in the knothole of an oak tree they must pass by every day on their way to and from school. For me, creation is a direct reflection of God, and it is hard to imagine experiencing God without the beauty all around me. For a jog one Indian summer afternoon to a bike ride on a remote trail, nature is often the vocabulary God uses to speak to me. But I believe that Scripture points to the power of creation as a reflection of God too: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse” (Rom 1:20 NIV). To experience nature is to witness the fullness of the presence of God; nature teaches us the glory of the Creator so that we may believe, and observing nature is a form of true worship. (p. 87)

In the closing pages of his book, Mr. Litton hopes that we would exemplify the actions of both Jesus and Atticus Finch when it comes to our words:

It is my hope that we would all be profoundly aware of the capacity of our language to help or to heal those around us. In a culture enthralled with the power of the final say, enamored with the thrill of having the last word, captivated by the clout of being right, this ordinary lawyer from a small town in Alabama models for us something completely different. He presents an ethic of communicating that is more divine than we imagine at first glance. We speak of a God who put on human skin and walked around in it, a God of understanding and compassion who leaves the door open to relationship with us. We should always be vigilant to avoid using language that closes the doors of redemption to others. Atticus Finch affirms to us, and To Kill a Mockingbird reminds us, that it is the mission and deepest responsibility of the words we use to communicate hope, to spread truth, to be agents of grace and change to the hearts of our fellow men and women, and to speak God’s reality of compassion into the souls of our neighbors. (pp. 219-220)

I really enjoyed this book! It sent me in the direction of a classic novel, and it also points out some valuable truths about life. I love to read the interpretations of others, and appreciate Mr. Litton for sharing these with his readers.

  

You can order this book here.

This book was published by Tyndale House and provided by them for review purposes.

‘Farley’s Five and Dime: A Dime Store Novel’ by Renée Riva – Book Review and Giveaway

I really love reading a book that just warms the heart. I am still glowing and cozy warm after reading ‘Farley’s Five and Dime: A Dime Store Novel’ by Renée Riva!

Here is the synopsis of this wonderfully entertaining book:

A Charming Waltz Down Memory Lane. “There was nothing real special ‘bout Farley’s Five-and-Dime except that I was a Farley. That, and my family lived up above the store in what we called The Loft. And my daddy built a secret two-story slide beside the back staircase that went from The Loft right down into the store – which came in quite handy when my brother, Sammy and me were in need of a midnight snack…”

What more could an eleven year old girl who worked the soda fountain in a 1950’s five-and-dime store possibly want?

Nothin’ much…until the town of Hog Eye Holler announces their annual Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Waltz. By her upcoming twelfth birthday, Mazie Farley will finally be old enough to attend, but is she setting her sights a little too high? Best friend, Maybeline Zirkle certainly thinks so…

‘Mazie May Farley, you need to have your head examined if you think you’re going to get Billy Ray Baxter to ask you to that dance!”

But nothing stops Mazie from trying…and trying…and trying! Her comical, self-defeating schemes will keep everyone laughing and falling in love with this high-spirited, red-headed whirlwind. Crazy Mazie carries us along in a tale of warm Southern charm, gentle humor, and a touch of sweet serendipity.

“The best thing about life is…it’s never so bad that it can’t get worse.” – Mazie May Farley

Here is the biography of this author:

Renée Riva has been writing humorous, family and animal stories ever since she won her first writing contest in the second grade. A former greeting-card verse writer and popular speaker, Renée has also published three children’s books: Izzy the Lizzy, Guido’s Gondola, and Rudy the Runt, as well as a Young Adult Trilogy: Saving Sailor, Taking Tuscany, and Heading Home. Farley’s Five and Dime is her latest project about a fun and feisty little character named Mazie Farley.

Renée and her husband reside in Washington State with their three daughters, a dog, a cat, and a baby box turtle named Buster.

This story, which takes place at the end of 1958 and the beginning of 1959, is written in the first person voice of the main character, Mazie May Farley. Here she is describing her family:

It was just me and Daddy and Sammy that made up our family after Mama went to heaven in 1956. I was only nine years old when she left us. I remember thinking she must have been needed pretty bad up there, ‘cause I sure needed her down here, but heaven got her anyway. (p. 10)

I love the tone; she seems like a neat little girl!

Mazie knows what she wants, and she has a plan to get what she wants:

The way I see it, there are only two things standing between me and Billy Ray. Two years, age-wise, and Emma Jean Jacobs. The first one I can overcome by January 30^th when I turn twelve, and will be only one year behind. The second one will take some scheming. For starters, every girl in Hog Eye, Kentucky is in love with Billy Ray Baxter and wants to be the one he asks to the Sweetheart Dance on Valentine’s Day. So far, Emma Jean is the only one Billy Ray seems to notice though. That is gonna have to change by February 14^th, and I intend to make sure it does. Lucky for me, Farley’s Five-and-Dime soda counter is the one place I can always count on Emma Jean to come looking for Billy Ray. And that is exactly where I plan to fight this battle. (p. 19)

God gets a message through to Mazie through her Sunday school teacher, Miss Tiffany; she was not too receptive!:

Sunday morning, I’m sitting in Sunday school at Holy Cross listening to Miss Tiffany talk about loving our neighbor during the Christmas season by doing kind deeds for them.

Good thing Emma Jean is not my neighbor.

“And who is our neighbor?” Miss Tiffany asks.

I’m thinking of old Mr. Martin, and how just maybe I’ll bake him up a sugar loaf for Christmas.  

“Our neighbor is anyone God brings along our path, and whether we like them or not, we are to show love to them.”

Oh, great. Not what I wanted to hear.

“This is the time to make things right. Right the wrongs of the past year, so we can spend Christmas with a joyful heart and a clear conscience.”

Can we just settle for the joyful heart?... (p. 31)

Mazie has great admiration for Nellie, a waitress at their favorite restaurant, Country Vittles:

I watch her every move when I’m here ‘cause I want to grow up to be just like her. I already practice my pony tail swing when I’m working the counter at the Five-and-Dime. My hair is just now finally long enough to wear in a super short pony tail. No more pixie-cuts for this cowgirl or I will never look like Nellie. (p. 44)

Mazie gives us a glimpse about life in a small town at Christmas time in 1950s America:

We walk home by way of the park tonight to see the living nativity that the town of Hog Eye puts on every Christmas Eve. The newest baby boy, born closest to Christmas Eve, gets to play Baby Jesus every year. This has caused some competition between some of the expectant mothers in the past as they have all tried to plan their baby’s birth around Christmastime. One year, two baby boys came along on the same day, but we couldn’t have two Baby Jesus’s, so they had to take turns and work in shifts. It’s quite an honor to be Baby Jesus in this town. You get your picture in the newspaper and go down in the Hog Eye Holler Museum of all Baby Jesus’s from way back. Some of the first Baby Jesus’s are older than the hills by now. For some folks in this town, that is their only claim to fame. (p. 47)

The end of the book is unexpected, but very sweet!:

There are times in life when everything once hoped for seems suddenly hopeless, and life begins to lose its shine. Then out of the blue, serendipity shows up and knocks your socks right off. I guess you could say this was one of those times. And we waltzed. (p. 148)

I have read one other book from Renée – ‘Heading Home’ (you can read my review here). It is truly one of my favorite books I have read this year – and I have read A LOT of books this year! I really loved her humorous and fun style. It seems really rare these days – or else I am just hanging out with the wrong people! But her writing just warms my heart. And ‘Farley’s Five and Dime’ is no exception! I really loved this book. Renée has a writing style that makes me want to read more and more of her work. I will be keeping my eye open for other books coming from her computer. I look forward to them with great anticipation!

This is a great gift for another or for you to read as a Christmas tradition! It is geared to a younger audience - therefore, easy reading - but enjoyable for one and all! You can order this book here.

This book was provided by StoneHouse Ink for review and giveaway purposes.

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I have one copy of this book to pass along to one of you; thanks to Aaron at 

StoneHouse Ink for generously providing this copy! 

There are several ways to gain entry:           

1) Leave a comment here on the blog, telling me how God has helped you through a stressful situation. Please make sure to leave your email address in this format – sample[at]gmail[dot]com. 

2) Follow me on Twitter; I will more than likely follow you back! If you are already a Twitter follower, that counts, too! Please leave a new comment to that effect.

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4) Become my Facebook friend. Please leave a new comment to that effect.

5) Follow this blog as a NetWorked Blog Follower after you’ve become my Facebook friend. Please leave a new comment to that effect.

So there are five chances to enter! Please limit one entry per option, and please include your email address, or, sad to say, the Random Number Generator will have to choose a different winner.

This giveaway is for U.S. residents only. The deadline for entry is Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST. A winner will be chosen via the Random Number Generator on Thursday, December 16, 2010 and will be contacted via email. The best to all of you!