Just finished reading another book. I was not at all happy with the ending. It was a very well written book and did really keep me guessing till the end!
It's about a recently widowed woman who has two very different men interested in her. At first she can't even fathom looking at someone romantically. Eventually she realizes she has a decision to make.
I wanted her to pick the opposite person. I won't say much more because I don't want to wreck the ending. Suffice to say, there is a happy ending but that it wasn't the man that I would have picked. Maybe you will feel differently!
Thursday, 19 July 2012
Gifts of Hope by Heather Hunt
Gifts of Hope is the second in The Gift Series. This can be read as a stand alone, however, so if you haven't read the first one yet, no big deal! Dive right in. I think you'll like it.
I enjoyed this book. I liked that it wasn't trying to be the typical Christian fiction, you know, all nice and tidy and neat. For instance, where the worst transgression is a huge misunderstanding between friends. Don't get me wrong, I like that too! This one had a misunderstanding of mammoth proportion. But I liked that that the author wasn't afraid to show the messy side of things. I liked thinking, "Boy, if they had just followed the path that God lays out, none of this would have happened." It gives me hope that my own kids will, hopefully, follow the paths of righteousness. Yet, if they did mess up, there is forgiveness, grace, and mercy. I, for one, am SO relieved that God majors in grace!
The story was intriguing, the characters well developed and the love portrayed seemed very realistic. I did find the 6 year old a bit older than her age. I found her quite precocious though, so I was able to get past it. I do wish sometimes, that characters would open up and be honest a little sooner. Of course, that would have considerably shortened the novel, so I can understand why the book wasn't written that way.
Overall, a great book. I will definitely read more of her work.
I enjoyed this book. I liked that it wasn't trying to be the typical Christian fiction, you know, all nice and tidy and neat. For instance, where the worst transgression is a huge misunderstanding between friends. Don't get me wrong, I like that too! This one had a misunderstanding of mammoth proportion. But I liked that that the author wasn't afraid to show the messy side of things. I liked thinking, "Boy, if they had just followed the path that God lays out, none of this would have happened." It gives me hope that my own kids will, hopefully, follow the paths of righteousness. Yet, if they did mess up, there is forgiveness, grace, and mercy. I, for one, am SO relieved that God majors in grace!
The story was intriguing, the characters well developed and the love portrayed seemed very realistic. I did find the 6 year old a bit older than her age. I found her quite precocious though, so I was able to get past it. I do wish sometimes, that characters would open up and be honest a little sooner. Of course, that would have considerably shortened the novel, so I can understand why the book wasn't written that way.
Overall, a great book. I will definitely read more of her work.
Gifts of Life by Heather Hunt - a review
I just finished reading Gifts of Life by Heather Hunt. I liked it a lot. So much so, that my next read is Gifts of Hope which I will start right after this blog post!
The main character experiences some serious tragedy and I like that it was realistic. I also like that the author didn't focus on the crime as much as she focussed on the woman. We got very good insight into her heart and head. I enjoyed that. I also liked that things weren't so tied in a pretty bow from the outset. I love that the rascally man had anothe side to him. And I enjoyed that the author focussed on both of them, their thoughts, their actions and their hearts.
The story itself was pretty fast paced. We got a very good look at what life as helicopter pilot and nurse looks like. The intrigue, the adrenaline rush, the sad fact that not everyone can be saved.
It was a really good story with incredibly descriptive moments. I would recommend it and I will definitely be reading more of Heather Hunt's material!
Happy Reading everyone!
The main character experiences some serious tragedy and I like that it was realistic. I also like that the author didn't focus on the crime as much as she focussed on the woman. We got very good insight into her heart and head. I enjoyed that. I also liked that things weren't so tied in a pretty bow from the outset. I love that the rascally man had anothe side to him. And I enjoyed that the author focussed on both of them, their thoughts, their actions and their hearts.
The story itself was pretty fast paced. We got a very good look at what life as helicopter pilot and nurse looks like. The intrigue, the adrenaline rush, the sad fact that not everyone can be saved.
It was a really good story with incredibly descriptive moments. I would recommend it and I will definitely be reading more of Heather Hunt's material!
Happy Reading everyone!
Down 23 pounds!
Actually, if I take the measurement off the scale from this morning, it's close to 25....but after I hit a new number, it goes up and down a bit (time of day etc) for a couple days before holding steady. So I'll just report the 23....for now. Yay! I have never lost weight like this before and am so pleased!
To date, I've lost six inches off my waist, my chest has gone down so much, I probably need new bras and today I tried on a 'large' at Labels and it fit! So ya, I'm pretty pumped!
To date, I've lost six inches off my waist, my chest has gone down so much, I probably need new bras and today I tried on a 'large' at Labels and it fit! So ya, I'm pretty pumped!
Friday, 15 June 2012
Weight Loss
So, I'm down 19 pounds. This is not an overnight thing. I have been working at it since January. I started following a weight loss blog. If you want the link, let me know and I'll dig it up for you. I joined myfitnesspal.com. I started drinking a protein smoothie, by Visalus every morning and I began exercising thirty minutes to an hour after dinner each evening.
Just tracking my food has made quite a bit of difference. Not that I am a huge eater, it's just that I was eating the wrong things. Too many starches/carbs, not enough fruits and veggies, that kind of thing. I started to try and get the most nutrition out of my food and began substituting things that would fill me AND give the best amounts of protein, fiber etc while keeping the calories to a minimum. The site is fabulous for aiding in creating a caloric amount specifically for you. You plug in your current weight and your weight goal, and it generates a calorie, carb, protein, sugar etc. goal for your day. As you go about your day, you log what you've eaten. This can take a bit of time initally, but if you keep plugging away at it, it gets easier.
I have also had a thyroid issue and my doctor has finally figured out the correct dosage so the things I have been doing are finally making a difference. I aim to be a 'fraction of my former self' (size wise) by this time next year. It has become my motto. "A Fraction of My Former Weight." I won't mention what that fraction is but I will say that I have a few multiples of 19 to go!
I am so encourgaed to see this change. I have felt so discouraged about this aspect of myself for so long that this is an entirely new feeling for me. I was content in everything about my life....except my size. And there was nothing I could do to change it. Now, the things I do actually make a difference to my body. I still fight discouragement when I hit a small lull and things don't happen as quickly as I'd like. But I remind myself often that things ARE happening. God has me going slow and steady for a reason. I believe that reason to be that it will STAY off. I'm not fad dieting, I'm making a series of lifestyle changes and I'm feeling pretty good about that.
Stay tuned, I'll mention this again!
Just tracking my food has made quite a bit of difference. Not that I am a huge eater, it's just that I was eating the wrong things. Too many starches/carbs, not enough fruits and veggies, that kind of thing. I started to try and get the most nutrition out of my food and began substituting things that would fill me AND give the best amounts of protein, fiber etc while keeping the calories to a minimum. The site is fabulous for aiding in creating a caloric amount specifically for you. You plug in your current weight and your weight goal, and it generates a calorie, carb, protein, sugar etc. goal for your day. As you go about your day, you log what you've eaten. This can take a bit of time initally, but if you keep plugging away at it, it gets easier.
I have also had a thyroid issue and my doctor has finally figured out the correct dosage so the things I have been doing are finally making a difference. I aim to be a 'fraction of my former self' (size wise) by this time next year. It has become my motto. "A Fraction of My Former Weight." I won't mention what that fraction is but I will say that I have a few multiples of 19 to go!
I am so encourgaed to see this change. I have felt so discouraged about this aspect of myself for so long that this is an entirely new feeling for me. I was content in everything about my life....except my size. And there was nothing I could do to change it. Now, the things I do actually make a difference to my body. I still fight discouragement when I hit a small lull and things don't happen as quickly as I'd like. But I remind myself often that things ARE happening. God has me going slow and steady for a reason. I believe that reason to be that it will STAY off. I'm not fad dieting, I'm making a series of lifestyle changes and I'm feeling pretty good about that.
Stay tuned, I'll mention this again!
Honor Redeemed by Lorie Lough
Normally, I love Lorie Lough. Her characters are rich, she writes in a way that you can actually feel what the characters feel. Her stories are great, intriguing and gripping.
But I'm having an issue with her First Responder Series. I read the first one, From Ashes to Honor, and enjoyed it. But it didn't end the way I would have chosen. Enter book two, Honor Redeemed. It lets you know what happened to the characters from book one. But it was done in such a way that I felt like I had missed out on something. I didn't like that part but since Honor Redeemed was a book about a new couple, I figured I'd give it a try. Except this book ended just like the first, with things left hanging in the balance. That is not my kind of book. You become so invested in the characters that to jump forward to such a degree without reading what happened, at the time it happened, and not in retrospect, left me feeling somewhat removed....or empty.
I'll likely read the third of the series. Eventually there will be a happy ending. At least I hope there will be! This series is worth reading, but it's not the type of series where one feels absolutely compelled to get the next book. It's more of an "It's on my list; I'll read it someday"...which I will.
Having said that, not all people like a happy ending. So if you want angst and a dangling ending, this is just the book for you!
But I'm having an issue with her First Responder Series. I read the first one, From Ashes to Honor, and enjoyed it. But it didn't end the way I would have chosen. Enter book two, Honor Redeemed. It lets you know what happened to the characters from book one. But it was done in such a way that I felt like I had missed out on something. I didn't like that part but since Honor Redeemed was a book about a new couple, I figured I'd give it a try. Except this book ended just like the first, with things left hanging in the balance. That is not my kind of book. You become so invested in the characters that to jump forward to such a degree without reading what happened, at the time it happened, and not in retrospect, left me feeling somewhat removed....or empty.
I'll likely read the third of the series. Eventually there will be a happy ending. At least I hope there will be! This series is worth reading, but it's not the type of series where one feels absolutely compelled to get the next book. It's more of an "It's on my list; I'll read it someday"...which I will.
Having said that, not all people like a happy ending. So if you want angst and a dangling ending, this is just the book for you!
Friday, 1 June 2012
Maire, by Linda Windsor
Okay, Linda Windsor is my new favourite author of the week. This is the first book (of hers) that I have read and I have already determined I will be adding others to my collection as soon as possible.
A Brief Synopsis:
Maire, warrior queen has come to invade. She pillages, she plunders, but she really does not have a taste for violence. Conquering? Yes, absolutely; but violence, not so much. And then she meets Rowan. Rowan is a warrior and he has the scars to prove it. But he refuses to kill. He doesn't even want to fight. So, being the smart, sassy woman that she is, she decides he will make a great hostage husband - even if he is a Christian. And she will rule. But along the way, something happens. Rowan is not easily controlled. He really does become king in his own right. But danger lurks. Evil is waiting. The horrid Morlach is ready to curse the two of them in order to take over all the land. Will they ever be one in spirit? Will they overcome the evil of the enemy?
This was a great read. The characters were gripping. The heroine was real; she had confidence, she had doubts, she was human; she was not just a warrior or a queen but she was a woman. The hero, was a perfect blend of strength and softness.....and the 'bad guy' was really bad! The other characters all had distinguishing personalities and they were each very easy to get to know. The village of Glennmara is quaintly described and the peasants are just everyday folk trying to eke out an existence in a land that has been robbed of its value. I found myself really gripped by this book and found myself wanting to read the next in the series right away. The book was serious, engaging, often fun and light-hearted and at times heart-wrenching....which makes a great recipe for a novel.
I highly recommend this book.
A Brief Synopsis:
Maire, warrior queen has come to invade. She pillages, she plunders, but she really does not have a taste for violence. Conquering? Yes, absolutely; but violence, not so much. And then she meets Rowan. Rowan is a warrior and he has the scars to prove it. But he refuses to kill. He doesn't even want to fight. So, being the smart, sassy woman that she is, she decides he will make a great hostage husband - even if he is a Christian. And she will rule. But along the way, something happens. Rowan is not easily controlled. He really does become king in his own right. But danger lurks. Evil is waiting. The horrid Morlach is ready to curse the two of them in order to take over all the land. Will they ever be one in spirit? Will they overcome the evil of the enemy?
This was a great read. The characters were gripping. The heroine was real; she had confidence, she had doubts, she was human; she was not just a warrior or a queen but she was a woman. The hero, was a perfect blend of strength and softness.....and the 'bad guy' was really bad! The other characters all had distinguishing personalities and they were each very easy to get to know. The village of Glennmara is quaintly described and the peasants are just everyday folk trying to eke out an existence in a land that has been robbed of its value. I found myself really gripped by this book and found myself wanting to read the next in the series right away. The book was serious, engaging, often fun and light-hearted and at times heart-wrenching....which makes a great recipe for a novel.
I highly recommend this book.
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