The Lightkeeper's Ball (A Mercy Falls Novel)

The Lightkeeper's Ball (A Mercy Falls Novel)

Kept Me Guessing


What a refreshing book for me. The Lightkeeper's Ball kept me guessing until the final reveal. Just when I thought I figured it out there was another twist. The character build of Olivia Stewart as we followed her through this mystery was very intriguing. As a reader we grow with her in her learning to trust her inner voice and quiet her self doubt. The Christian principles and quiet God focused topic matter was not preachy in the least. I found it refreshing the way author Colleen Cobly did not thump that Bible, instead refocused the reader on trust in The Lord and prayer. Definite "Seeker" Book. I do have to say I was rather surprised by this topic since I do not regularly ready Christian novels simply because of the peachiness of them. I have to admit I ordered this book because of the cover art. It is very beautiful and caught my eye; intrigued me enough to want to read it. & I am very happy I made that decision. Will I be reading the other two books from this series? Most definitely and I look forward to the read!


See ya round like a donut!, SoCal Marisa

Book Review: 666 Park Avenue

Fun, Sassy, & Sexy!

666 Park Avenue: A Novel was so much fun to read. I read it cover to cover in two days. I could have finished it sooner but I didn’t start reading until late at night and had to take a sleep break but I picked up the book right away the next day. I have to say I haven’t been this excited over a paranormal book since Twilight or even Vampire Diaries and can’t wait for the next installment The Dark Glamour: A 666 Park Avenue Novel which according to amazon is not until August of this year. Come on August!

Jane Boyle’s character is funny in her thoughts. I chuckled a lot as she went through her day to day stuff. Aside from the whole having powers and being a witch thing I found I could related to her as she saw herself. As an awkward individual who wanted to be heard. Malcolm her lover and fiancé is just so very dashing with his sexyness and family secrets. Quite literally sweeping Jane off her feet at their first encounter and not letting her catch her breath for most of the book.

We travel from France to New York in the first few builder chapters and then the ball really gets rolling. Starting a new life and trying to figure out the whole witch business in secret Jane makes some new friends and grows in her own confidence.

There were a few areas of the book that I found to be a little confusing and that was with Malcolm’s whole family. They seemed to shift together and were hard for me to recognize with exception to Lynne and one or two others. However there were a few plot twists that I really didn’t see coming which excited me. The ending and climax of the book I did see one missed opportunity of gaining power during a fight scene in the mansion. The ending felt a little rushed for me but also was a great cliff hanger. This is why I can’t wait until August to see what Jane does next. All in all I really liked the book and how it flowed and I cannot wait to read the next installment! =-)

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa

American Girl: The Care & Keeping of You; The Body Book for Girls

Oh it is about that time. It is time for me to do my duty as a mom. It is time for me to share the joys of our changing bodies to my daughter. I cannot say I am super excited about this. I cannot say I am looking forward to this. I will not say I am going to feel comfortable about this at all.

She is 9. We are a bit early. But I need for her to be prepared for when things start happening and plus, stuff is happening to her friends. Like girl bumps and things growing in places. I remember how girls are. They tell each other things. & none of them are entirely accurate either. I want her to be way more prepared then I was. Let's be honest I freaked out when I first started....I either wasn't paying attention during "the movie" or no one said a thing to me. Either way when it was my turn I was absolutely unprepared for it to happen and totally scared outta my mind. I thought I was dying. Then to be laughed at by my mom like I should know what was happening to me and thrown a pad.....um, yeah, do not want that for my girl!

My darling daughter is the type of child who worries and over thinks things. So I need to get to her before her friends do and mis-inform her. She is not showing very many signs just yet. She is getting taller and the most I can see as a change is her legs are getting some definition. She does not stink. Her hair is not greasy. No bumps or things. As a matter of fact I think she could be like me and not start anything until middle school. But again, her friends are already changing.........

So I was talking to some of my friends lamenting over this new phase in our lives and that I am not looking forward to. (I am so not ready for my baby to grow up!) When a few of my friends suggested I get the American Girl: The Care & Keeping of You; The Body Book for Girls. I thought to myself could it be that simple? But then really what will it say?

I shared my dilemma with my girlfriend and being on the same page (& sharing a brain) she and I started our quest for this book for our daughters. She found and picked up the books for us, which I have in my hot little hand.

During our search we also found a companion journal for the book. American Girl: The Care & Keeping of You Journal. So naturally both our girls now have a copy of that as well.

Browsing through the book and journal I get the gist on how the book is set up. They start with basic body care. Things you and I take for granted. Like showering and washing our face and hair. How all of this is going to increase. So I am reading. I love the introduction... "During puberty you'll grow up and out, and not all parts will grow at the same rate." Duh. But this is important information for a growing/changing girl. She is not going to know this and she is going to compare herself to others. Maintaining her self image is very important to me. She is a sweet girl and everyone loves her. If she is going to be a late bloomer like me then she could feel left out of conversations like I did. Girls whisper among one another and unless you are in "the club" you are not going to know what to expect. It is like child birth, you do not know what to expect until it happens and then you are going to scream for a lot of painkillers!

So reading through the book I really like the topics; odor control, to shaving, to growing body parts to maintaining a healthy happy body through diet and exercise. I especially love how the book describes eating disorders and how to avoid them by eating properly. All through the book it reminds the reader that if they have any questions to ask their mom, aunt, teacher..... Reminding them they are not alone.

The journal works well with the book. Every topic in the book is covered in the journal. It teaches the reader to pay attention to their bodies and practice good up keeping of it. While the journal is not an imperative companion to the book, I feel it is an excellent tool for young girls when learning of their bodies. All-in-all I am happy with both purchases and definitely recommend them.

Now when it is the boys turn.....Hubby gets to talk to him when it is time!!!

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa

The Shack

The Shack (Special Hardcover Edition)

by Wm. Paul Young.

I just finished reading The Shack by Wm. Paul Young. A friend of mine lent it to me quite a quite while back and it has taken me some time to get to reading it. OK, a lot of time. Apparently I took it with me on some weekend trip because I found it recently in my weekender bag. I'm guessing I didn't have that much time to read it.

Normally, I can blow through a book in no time. This one took me about a week to finish even though it was only 248 pages in length and the letters were averaged sized. Mack is our main character and he is struggling with his faith and forgiveness after the brutal murder of his young daughter Missy. Yeah, I know, not your light text. So naturally this is going to take me some time to finish because it is so emotional a read.

Just as expected The Shack brought me to the place of misery for Mack beginning with his daughter Missy's abduction. He suffers great depression and his family life suffers as well. Four years later Mack receives a letter from God inviting him to The Shack; the place where they believe Missy was taken to but never found.

Mack reluctantly returns to The Shack for his weekend with God. Half expecting him not to be there. What transpires changes everything. We are shown God as separate but equal individuals in the Trinity; God, Son, Spirit. We are reminded of Love, Faith, and Forgiveness. The method of which Mr. Young uses to describe our God to us is very potent. I am not ashamed to admit I cried. Not your simple single tear cry. The kinda cry where the tears flowed. All of us need to be reminded of the simple act of Love and The Shack does just that.

The Shack does not preach to us Bible verse after verse. Yet, it does remind us of the unending and perfect love just waiting for us. It reminds us God is a God of Free Will, He does not want to control us. However, He will work to fix the damage caused by evil. All we have to do is be open to His healing love.

Without blowing the story line for you there is a discussion on our eternity. This part was especially comforting to me. Recently my Granpa passed away and was delivered from his severe body pain. I could not help but think of him in the second waterfall scene and a little later in the meadow scene. To be reminded once again, was very good for me. Good for my heart.

While this is not an easy book to read. You may cry. I did! I definitely do recommend it. 5 stars!

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa

The Help

The Help

By Kathryn Stockett

So not too long ago while playing Bunco with the girls one of my friends starts talking about this book that is a must read. The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Just listening to her describe the book about three women during the 1960's who meet covertly to write about domestic help in Jackson, Mississippi had me intrigued. She was so enthusiastic about the book and these women I thought I'd like to see what it's all about. So I get my copy and actually hold on to it for a few days before I get the chance to start reading it. During a car trip driving the long road from California to Utah. I cracked that spine of the book and instantly was transformed to a different time and place.

We start with Aibileen who is a domestic that has just recovered from her son's tragic death. "Mae Mobley was born on a early Sunday  morning in August, 1960. A church baby we like to call it." Right away I get a sense of who Aibileen is and I warm to her real quick. Just reading her voice and getting into her character from her point of view I am reminded of a warm hug and an easy smile. I can almost here her humming as she cleans. I just get this sense of comfort from Aibileen as she talks about her sons tragic death and the process of her healing. In Aibileen you get the first sense of the community she lives in and how her friends support her. How they all support one another.

Then there is Miss Skeeter who has just graduated from Ole Miss and her mother is terrified Skeeter will soon be an old maid. Constantly harped at and feeling low about herself, Skeeter is searching for her identity and purpose in life. She takes the advice of a New York publicist and writes about about what she knows. Domestic help and the women who employ them. Awkward Skeeter is caught between two worlds. She doesn't really belong in either world but it's all she knows.

Miss Skeeter and Aibileen recruit Aibileen's super sassy best friend Minny into helping write their book. Employed one day and unemployed the next Minny is always suffering for her inability to control her tongue (She and I are so alike!) She has gotten herself into some hot water and needs a little help from her friends.

The stories that transpire from this trio of conspirators will have you laughing on one page and scared for them on the next. This is a definite page turner of a book. I am so glad my friend raved about The Help, I probably wouldn't have read it otherwise. I highly recommend it. 5 Stars!

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa

A Little Bible Study Help Here, Please.

Hey so my Small Group (Bible Study Group) has finished our focus. We have decided to do small studies and such during the Holiday Season since we are going to breaking so often. Right now I really need something else though. I need to keep close to God. I am still dealing with my Granpa's passing and haven't had that good cry I know is coming. My Faith isn't lacking. As a matter of fact it's getting stronger.

So now I'm sitting here wondering what I should do to keep up my conversations with God. I have my quiet times, yes. But I need to focus on his word. I have four studies sitting here in front of me and I was wondering your thoughts on them? How they helped you grow? Which would you recommend? Are there any other great Studies you would recommend?

Having a Mary Spirit
Allowing God To Change Us From The Inside Out
by Joanna Weaver

If I am reading the back cover correctly this study is to build on your grace and strength in Christ's word. I have to admit grace is one of the things I need to build on for my love growth. If I learned anything from our last study it was I need to grow in love. I felt very convicted and rightly so. One of the last "questions" directed me to Write down names of two people with whom you share a time-tested relationship of love that you can depend on. & how I could be more like them. My granparents jumped to the front of my mind and their history of love and giving is profound.

Breaking Free
Discover The Victory of Total Surrender
by Beth Moore

While at our Women's Retreat earlier this year I received this book as part of a door prize. I went to the retreat with a lot of pain and unforgiveness in my heart. I stepped away from my old Small Group and found a new one. I was still feeling lost and hurt and I needed to let go of my hurts and betrayal. I forgave that weekend and lifting that burden from my heart was a turning point for me. I realize though there are other areas in my life I need to release from. I have always wanted to do a Beth Moore study and know they can be very intense but very satisfying. One of the local churches loves Beth Moore and often works her studies. With hubby working nights I can't go, but I think this book was a message to me....

The Power of A Positive Mom
by Karol Ladd

I picked this book up during one of my Family Christian walk throughts. Being a mom I always want to do what's best for my children. Often I fail. Sometimes I let the stress of life get to me and I am not the best mom for them. I want to be a better mom definitely. So I picked this book up and it's been sitting on my shelf for a while.

The Power of a Positive Wife
By Karol Ladd

So when I was looking at books on how to be a better mom, I got the wife guilt. I'll admit that even though our relationship is strong, it could be so much better. Both of our focus is on our children. We live for them. We do everything for them. But I did marry my husband to not only be my husband but my life partner. I want to continue to grow my relationship with him and don't want to say when we retire.... now what? I'm sure he has that need too. We are a kid focused family right now. But we do need to grow our relationship with each other as well. Spend more time together. Which is hard with his work schedule and my volunteer schedule. It makes it a challenge when he's gone during our family times but he's home for alone time with me.

So there you have it. That's the list of books sitting here on my bedside table waiting for me to read them. Which would you recommend? I have several needs. & really could go in any direction. Eventually I will get to all of these studies. I am just a little lost on my start. So comment away! =)

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa