A REVIEW OF "COURTING EMMA" Monday, March 24, 2008 - 11:26 AM

I POST THIS REVIEW BECAUSE I WANT MY READERS TO KNOW THAT, FOR ME, WRITING CHRISTIAN FICTION IS ALL ABOUT REACHING THE LOST AND TOUCHING THE HEARTS OF MY READERS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE OPEN THEIR BIBLES FOR A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT, BUT FIND GOD'S MESSAGE OF LOVE IN A NOVEL. MY DEEPEST HEART'S DESIRE IS THAT AFTER READING ONE OF MY BOOKS, SOMETHING IN THE STORY WILL PROMPT ITS READER TO SEEK ANSWERS THROUGH THE HOLY WORD OF GOD.

THIS REVIEW ENCOURAGED ME IN SUCH A POWERFUL WAY BECAUSE IT MADE ME REALIZE THAT GOD TRULY DOES USE FICTION TO DELVE DEEP INTO THE HEART OF A WOUNDED WARRIOR. PLEASE READ ON...

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Emma Browning has always had her issues with trust and love, never having received it freely, nor ever freely being able to give it. Her father, Ezra Browning, lived through is own kind of torture, until he'd met and married Emma's mother. When she died giving birth to Emma, Ezra's desire to lead a productive and healthy life died right along with her. In the years that followed, Ezra's life took a downward spiral, aided by the poison of alcohol. He took his anger out on Emma, berating and belittling, beating and punishing her, and if not for Clara Abbott, her guardian angel, she might not have survived. Emma went to live with Abbott when she turned 16. Since Abbott's home was also the town boardinghouse, Emma had inherited it when Abbott died, leaving her pretty much set for life. One day, Reverend Jon Atkins was in need of a room and reluctantly, Emma let him have one. She was against the idea of a preacher living in her boardinghouse, pushing religion or judging the other boarders, but what she didn't realize was that by taking him in, she'd unleashed a life changing series of events that would change her, her father and their relationship between each other. These events would also change the way the town looks at themselves and their duty to God. This is truly a happy ending.

This book touched me in ways that are totally unexplainable. Never before has a book made me shed tears, especially in a crowded roomful of strangers. It made me think of my own issues, which helped me to strongly identify with the main character. My only reaction was a strong desire to fall to my knees and pray. This book reopened things about myself that I'd let go of and should probably find my way back to. This book, without a doubt, gets a 5.

***REVIEWER: I AM LEAVING THE REVIEWER'S NAME UNPUBLISHED

IT'S HERE!!! COURTING EMMA, third and final installment in the Little Hickman Creek Series has arrived. But wait!!!! If you live in the area, please come to my book-signing at Hage's in Muskegon from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, April 5.

Want a synopsis of the book? Well, you're gonna get one anyway!!!! Here it is, and VERY brief. If you want more you have to read the book. hee-hee.

Book Title: Courting Emma
ISBN: 978-1-60374-020-3
Publisher: Whitaker House
Book Blurb:

Twenty-eight-year-old Emma Browning has experienced a good deal of life in her young age. Proprietor of Emma’s Boardinghouse, she is “mother” to an array of beefy, unkempt, often rowdy characters. Though many men would like to get to know the steely, hard-edged, yet surprisingly lovely proprietor, none has truly succeeded. That is, not until the town’s new pastor, Jonathan Atkins, takes up residence in the boardinghouse.

After a stunning, unexpected turn of events, will Emma risk removing her protective shell to accept the love of God—and the love of a man?


LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!

HELLO, MY SWEET FRIENDS AND FAMILY! THOUGHT I'D SHARE MY SEPTEMBER '08 RELEASE COVER DESIGN. IT'S CALLED LONG JOURNEY HOME, AND BELOW IS THE SYNOPSIS OF THE BOOK. WHAT DO YOU THINK?


LONG JOURNEY HOME:

After divorcing her abusive husband, single mother, Callie May, is still nursing the scars of a painful past. The last thing she needs in her life is another man, so she’s less than thrilled when a handsome but brooding stranger moves into the apartment across the hall.

Dan Mattson may be attractive, but his circumstances certainly aren’t; a former pastor, he abandoned his flock in Michigan and fled to the Chicago suburbs after the death of his beloved wife and baby daughter in a tragic automobile accident. Embittered by his loss, Dan turns his back on God.

Callie mistrusts men, and the angry Dan often gives her good reason. Both are weighed down by the scars and disappointment in their pasts. When Callie’s ex-husband shows up to wreak more havoc in her life, Dan finds himself coming to her defense—and facing his own demons in the process. Will Dan and Callie be able to get past their baggage and give love another chance? Can they come to see life’s tragedies as part of God’s perfect plan? And most important, will they allow the power of God to change their hearts and mend their hurts?

SMALL MIRACLE – By Shar MacLaren
Gavin Mark Tisdel
March 3, 2008

Have you ever seen a miracle? Well, I did just today.
A precious little baby boy, just right in every way.
I took him in my hungry arms and simply stared in awe,
And searched from head to toe to find not even one small flaw.

Ten perfect little fingers, ten perfect little toes,
Two rosy cheeks, a splendid chin, the cutest little nose.
A crown of downy fawn-like hair, the smoothest, creamy skin,
And eyes that crinkle tightly shut to keep the darkness in.

Two little hands to reach and grasp, two feet to kick and sprawl,
Two ears to hear, two eyes to see, two legs with which to crawl.
A thousand veins to carry blood, a heart to pump it through,
Two lungs to breathe, 300 bones, and everything brand new.

Two families, one little room, all squeezed in four by four
To see this precious brand new babe we instantly adore.
If ever love could blossom more, or hearts could grow in size,
Then that is what I saw today -- before my very eyes.

“I will praise you, Lord, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are your works…” Psalm 139: 14a