The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright

You know those novels that are about miracles? Not magic, but realistic miracles that happen every day around the world? The kind of miracle where someone needs a second chance in life and gets it?

The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright is that kind of miracle book.

Malcom Cooper ran off to Brazil to escape his problems, but they found him anyway. Malcom's sister, Sammy called him to break the news of their parents' deaths. Malcom immediately made plans to return to his small town roots and be with his siblings for the funeral.

While Malcom is home, the three siblings discover boxes and boxes full of letters from their father to their mother. During his entire married life, Jack wrote to his wife every Wednesday.

The letters illuminate a family secret, and Malcom is not sure it is a secret he can live with.

This is a book about forgiveness, growing up, dreams, expectations, family, love, and making relationships work.

I enjoyed this grown-up book. If you enjoy it, you may also like Christmas Jars by the same author, For One More Day by Mitch Albom, and Letters for Emily by Camron Wright.

Review by Emily, Head Mama of DCR

whimsy books

Sarah, My Beloved by Sharlene MacLaren

Sarah, My Beloved by Sharlene MacLaren, 2007 (October).

Sarah, My Beloved is the second book in the Little Hickman Creek Series by Sharlene MacLaren. Sarah, first introduced in Loving Liza Jane as the mail order bride who arrived a bit too late to win her prospective husband's heart, is living in the town's boarding house. Sarah feels convinced that God has brought her to Little Hickman. And that He has great plans for her there. Enter Rocky Callahan. (He was also introduced in Loving Liza Jane as the grieving man whose bitterness has turned him away from God.) Rocky is the new caretaker of his niece, Rachel, and nephew, Seth. When Sarah sees these three 'lost' souls that need loving kindness, she opens her heart to a family in crisis. And when Rocky blurts out a proposal of marriage, Sarah, after some consideration, agrees. She is eager to show these children some love and tenderness. And she hopes to melt Rocky's bitterness away as well. But this marriage "in name only" soon becomes a place where love blooms and blossoms. But this path to true love won't be easy for either of them.

I enjoyed Loving Liza Jane. But I really enjoyed Sarah, My Beloved. I am looking forward to the third book in the series, Courting Emma, which will be released in Spring 2008.

Review by Becky Laney, frequent contributor

Becky's Book Reviews: http://blbooks.blogspot.com/

Becky's Christian Reviews: http://stand-firm-then.blogspot.com/

Ordinary Days: Family Life in a Farmhouse by Dorcas Smucker

Life is sometimes hectic and busy. Sometimes we need to slow down. Ordinary Days: Family Life in a Farmhouse will encourage you to do just that. Dorcas Smucker, the author, is the wife of a Mennonite minister and mother of six. She has written a collection of stories that will make you want to sit, relax, and appreciate the ordinary, yet important, moments of your life.

The essays are divided into categories: family, seasons, relatives, places, and lessons. While Mrs. Smucker's life on her farm is much different than my own, I found myself nodding and smiling as I related to her stories. Her tales brought back memories of long car trips, helped me remember the way it felt to finish school and begin a seemingly endless summer, and rekindled my appreciation for seeing life through the eyes of a child. Her stories reminded me to value the ordinary days that make up my own life.

Whatever your station in life, you will appreciate that these stories reflect on issues common to the human experience: life, death, work, play, family, friendship, even speeding tickets. These essays are meant to be read slowly and savored, so plan to spend some time as you journey through Mrs. Smucker's ordinary days. The time you spend with her stories will help you remember and appreciate your own.

If you are interested, Mrs. Smucker also has a website and a blog. She invites you to come and visit.

Review by Lauren, regular contributor

Baseballs and Bows

The Debt by Angela Hunt

The Debt is the story of Emma Rose Howard. Emma Rose is the committed and loving wife of a busy and prominent minister. Emma Rose plays a vital role in her congregation; her days are filled with acts of service for her husband and her brothers and sisters in Christ. Out of the blue, one phone message changes everything. The caller reminds Emma Rose of her past and forces her to evaluate her life. Emma Rose learns that while serving the people of God is noble and important, she has neglected an even greater calling.

In this novel, Angela Hunt poignantly reminds the reader that although Christians are called to serve their brothers and sisters in Christ, they must not forget their mission in the world. If you are in need of a gentle shove to help you step outside your comfort zone, check out this thought-provoking book. I am new to Mrs. Hunt's novels, but I plan to read more of her novels soon.

This book is Christian fiction and is appropriate for adults.

Happy Reading!

Posted by Lauren, regular contributor.

Baseballs and Bows

Letters for Emily by Camron Wright

Letters for Emily by Camron Wright was one of the best books I read in 2006. I walked into my public library and chatted with the librarians about clean novels they loved. Letters for Emily came highly recommended.

Harry Whitney is dying. Alzheimer's is taking away his mind and life. In his "good" times, Harry types frantically at his computer. His estranged kids think he is crazy, and never cared much for him in the first place.

After Harry dies, they find three exact copies of a book complete with stories and poems by Harry. The collection is called Letters for Emily, as Emily, Harry's granddaughter, was his only true friend at the end of his life.

Each poem/story in the book is a riddle. Each answer is a password for a computer file. Harry's children and grandchild learn a lot about Harry that explains much of his behavior, but more importantly they learn about themselves and the power of forgiveness.

This is one of those books where you laugh one second and cry the next. The structure of the book is fascinating. If you enjoy books by Mitch Albom, Nicholas Sparks (not all his books are Clean Reads), and Richard Paul Evans, you'll like this one, too. I loved it.

Posted by ME, Emily. My personal blog is here.

And look what others have said about this book!

“Clever, heartwarming and heartfelt, LETTERS FOR EMILY is a novel every member of the family should read. I love it!”
– Mary Higgins Clark, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

“This is an exceptional story, gleaming with goodness and hope.”
– Richard Paul Evans, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

“Eloquent...powerful and gripping.”
– Publishers Weekly

“...An advice-laced heartwarmer in the tradition of Mitch Albom’s popular Tuesdays with Morrie .”
– The Boston Herald

“This wonderful book is touching, sweet and blessed with a voice that remains long after the last page is turned.”
– Kathy Ashton, Editor, The Inkslinger Book Review

“...A very intelligent, well-crafted and feeling piece. I found it totally absorbing and difficult to lay down. The writing style is full of energy -- the characters real and alive. …A passionately poignant work that touches the human heart. Reading it was an absolute pleasure.”
– Ray Goldrup, Movie and Television Screenwriter

“I loved this book. I absolutely loved it! Telling the story through the letters, the passwords, and the poems was enthralling, wonderful and unique. You can’t imagine how close to my heart it came.…A warm inspirational story which leaves you feeling more grateful for love and family. Chills. Tears. Fabulous!”
– Amanda Dickson, KSL Radio

“Two pages had not passed, and I had already laughed out loud twice and felt the catch of a tear. This is an honest and good-hearted book.”
– Marvin Payne, Actor and Playwright

“Comforting as cocoa, a heartfelt first novel...”
– Kirkus Reviews

Quaker Summer by Lisa Samson

Heather "Hezzy" Curridge is like so many women today. She has it all and yet still feels unfulfilled and wants to have and do more. She and her husband are raising a teenaged son who is sometimes a target for the bullies, which reminds her of her own mistakes in this arena from her school years. In this novel by Lisa Samson, we follow her journey as a church dropout to try to find a way to better know and serve God and God's people. We also follow the journey of a married couple who might be drifting apart. We follow the journey into Heather's past, and her bold steps towards helping to create a new future for her and her family.

Lisa Samson has a wonderful insight into people. Through Heather, she analyzes a woman's guilt at overeating, overachieving, and overspending. She examines women's friendships--some genuine and some superficial, as well as the obstacles that we create that hinder finding new friends or going deeper with the ones that we have. Characters are described, but then as they act, they leap off the page at you.

One thing that I love about her novels are that they are so diverse. Each novel features a rainbow of characters who have different skin colors, different ages, different ways of worshiping God, different gifts and different personalities, indirectly challenging us to look at the people in our lives, or the people who aren't in our lives.

Quaker Summer is a novel that you will enjoy as each chapter introduces a new character, a new story, or a new issue that Heather is wrestling. The book also contains a reader's guide, so the topic, along with the provided questions would make it an excellent book club choice.

Reviewed by regular contributor Jennifer.

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