Noela reviews ISLE OF HOPE by Julie Lessman

Isle of Hope

Isle of Hope: Unfailing Love - Isle of Hope series, Book 1

by Julie Lessman

Julie Lessman; 1 Edition (November 1, 2015)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

5 (shining) Stars *****

Rich in romance, reconciliation, and restoration

The Isle of Hope in Georgia—the sleepy, charming coastal community dotted with palms and pines and an expansive salty marshland—provides many a peaceful postcard setting. Though while the water-logged salt marsh buffers the populace from stormy seas, the drifting and fractured lives of some of the residents are about to be ripped open yet again; to endure soul-deep pain from Lacey Carmichael upon her return. The question is… will they allow healing to take place or will their wounds worsen like the decaying marsh grasses?

Painful memories, hurt feelings, broken hearts and broken trust… Lacey has returned to Georgia to make amends caused by her abrupt desertion eight years ago. It was a time when she was without faith, and muddling through reckless teenage rebellion and a volatile divorce between her parents after an affair. What made her run away from the people she loved, especially her ex-fiancé Jack who had always comforted her? Eight years is a long time for unforgiveness to fester. Can Lacey’s father, Jack, and her friends forgive her, or have their feelings shifted beyond repair?

Pediatrician Jack O’Bryen, now nicknamed Dr. Doom, used to be happy. Back when he was with the girl he loved, possessing a strong faith in God, and a mom and dad he was proud of. All that fell apart when his pastor dad had an affair, and his girlfriend left him high and dry. Never the same, he lost his faith and his joy. And now the only girl he’s ever truly loved has returned a Christian and wants to build bridges. Can it be possible when Jack and Lacey are still miles apart in spirit? And will it be possible for all the relationships shredded by the affair between the two families—and by Lacey’s desertion—to find healing and new beginnings?

Punchy, passionate, and powerful!! That’s the sort of writing Julie Lessman delivers. From characters with raw, penetrating emotions that tied me up in knots and tears, to the most compelling, God-given story-thread I’ve ever read on forgiveness. This is a novel that has the potential to change your life. I know, because it’s made me believe in the impossible and given me hope where I had none. On top of all that; expect exquisite descriptive writing, two romances that squeeze your heart, and Julie’s trademark surprises! And God’s unfailing love. Highly recommended!!

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Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing 

love surrounds the one who trusts in Him. - Psalm 32:10

You can find ISLE OF HOPE for a bargain price at: AMAZON

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GIVEAWAY: Julie Lessman is generously donating TWO books this week for our giveaway! One winner will be chosen from my review, and the other winner from Bonnie Roof's review on Thursday!! As always, leave your email for contact purposes should you win. Use (at) and (dot) to protect yourself against spammers.

Carrie Fancett Pagels Reviews Dan Walsh's "The Unfinished Gift"

Audio review of “The Unfinished Gift” 

by Dan Walsh
(Revell/Oasis, 2010)

5 Stars *****

Easy and Compelling Listen

I listened to this book as a download through audible.com where I have a platinum membership.  I was sick when I listened to over half of it and was I ever glad that I had it.  This is a nostalgia book, i.e., it is not set long enough ago to be a historical nor recently enough to be a contemporary.  I imagine most people would say I am wrong and that this is a historical. So be it.

Having listened to the second book in the series first, I was expecting some sort of romance. I am bad about listening to things out of order.  This was an instance where the first book probably should have been read first.

 

The story is almost a men’s fiction, as the three generations relationships were pivotal to the storyline.  We have an estranged WWII pilot, Shawn Collins, whose wife has just died leaving behind their young son, Patrick.  The paternal grandfather, Ian Collins,  is the closest living relative but he has never even seen his grandson.  He’s a bitter, grumpy old widower with few redeeming qualities.  Rigid is his middle name. He doesn’t deserve to have this sweet little boy in his home.

A social worker, Katherine Townsend, who is assisting with the Collins child, has become emotionally involved with the boy.  An orphan herself, Katherine finds the irascible elder Collins undeserving of having his grandson in his custody. When Patrick goes missing, near Christmas, they must pull together to bring the child home safely.

I felt Patrick Collins was the most engaging character in the story.  I wanted to know more about Katherine and I was dying to see Ian have some of his crustiness ripped away, which kept me listening. I don’t normally read this type of book. However, I think this is a great audiobook, especially for someone who is ailing.  It is an easy and compelling listen.


Roger Mueller, the narrator, was amazing. He was perfect for this book, capturing the nuances of each character's voice.


Note: The Unfinished Gift was Dan's debut book and won two prestigious Carol awards through ACFW.  

GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest.  Drawing will be late Saturday.  Your choice of this author’s books, choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. *International winners will only receive the book in ebook format not as a paperback.

Interview with Melanie Dickerson

Melanie Dickerson is the author of The Healer’s Apprentice and of The Merchant’s Daughter.


Interview by Carrie Fancett Pagels

I met Melanie Dickerson through HisWriters, an online group for those who have either published or planned works with European characters. I have also been blessed to get to hang out with her at the ACFW conferences.

Melanie, welcome to Overcoming Through Time – With God’s Help.
 

Would you share either the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help, or the most tragic situation or circumstance one of your character’s has had to get past?

Wow, where should I start, Carrie? LOL! I grew up poor in a very poor area in south Alabama, but it made me determined to succeed and escape my circumstances. I definitely have that in common with my heroine, Rose! God blessed me and has brought me through some very lonely times into a place of trusting God completely (or at least, complete trust is my goal when I’m not trusting as much as I should). I’m thankful for my husband and two kids, and I have confidence in God that I can overcome anything, any disaster or tragedy, that might come my way. For years I was trapped by fear and low self-esteem, but I feel God healing me, and he has healed me, to a great extent. God is faithful!

One of the most difficult things we have gone through as a family is the loss of my husband's job over fourteen months ago. Then, on April 27th, our area was hit with several tornadoes in one terrible day, but God spared us.In this difficult economy, we are clinging to God's assurance that He will provide. He has provided, in so many ways, and he has blessed me with seeing my first book receive lots of acclaim, including being a finalist for a Christy Award. And then a dear friend told me, just days before the ACFW conference, that God nudged her and told her to help me get to the conference. In a matter of a few hours, she had raised, through ACFW members, enough money to send me to the conference. I was blown away by my friends’ kindness and generosity, as well as with God’s provision. God is amazing. Absolutely amazing. But I know many families out there are suffering like we are with the head of our household unemployed. It’s hard to see your husband go through this. We certainly are not alone.

What is your favorite bible verse and why?

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” I Peter 5:7  This used to be my favorite verse because I used to be so riddled with anxiety! But as I said, God has healed me of this problem, to a great extent.

A current favorite is “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1  Whether you are a slave to sin or a slave to guilt or a slave to legalism, God wants to set you free in Christ! This is a theme that I have set for my life, as I have struggled with these things, and still struggle at times.

And I also love “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 That’s pretty much the whole gospel right there! And what romance writer doesn’t want to claim the verse that says “live a life of love.”

Disability friendliness:

Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio? 


Wow, I wish it was available on audio! How cool would that be? It is on Kindle and all the other e-book formats. There is also a large print version available.

What has been the most important thing you hope your readers will get from your books and why?

I really hope they will get the message that Jesus is the name above every name, and is more powerful than the darkest power. I also hope they will see that trusting God and listening to his leading will serve them well! God has a wonderful plan for your life if you allow him to work things out. So many times we get in the way because we want our own way, we think we know best, and we just mess things up. But God loves us and he has a good plan for us.

Carrie Fancett Pagels and Melanie Dickerson at ACFW Conference

As you researched your books, did you learn anything that particularly touched your heart?

I actually was surprised that things haven’t changed as much as people might think since the middle ages. People always wanted love, always wanted to succeed and be happy. That never changed. People always wanted to connect to God and wanted to learn about him, and that hasn’t changed either. Emotions and conflicts are the same, but it was also fun to write in the middle ages because some of their values are different, and their laws and society were different, making great fodder for conflict and angst—for any writer with an active imagination!  

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?

The Merchant’s Daughter deals a lot with overcoming fear, overcoming feelings of betrayal and relational pain, and learning to trust God and rejoice in the Lord. I think it can be helpful for someone who’s going through emotional trauma of some kind.

CFP note:  In The Healer's Apprentice, Melanie also addressed these issues: Self esteem, trust, abandonment, adoption.


Thank you Melanie Dickerson for agreeing to answer these questions.  Have a blessed day and keep on writing!!


Giveaway:  Leave your comment and your email for a chance to win a copy of one of Melanie's books!

Book Review - Dance of the Dandelion by Dina Sleiman

Dance of the Dandelion

By Dina Sleiman


Published by White Fire  whose motto is "Where the Spirit Meets the Page."

Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

*****








I gave this Five Stars – I hesitated, almost giving it four because of some of the elements, but the story was so compelling and so well done that I could not.  And the elements that disturbed me were not at all gratuitous elements but intrinsic to the plot.  I could not stop reading Dandelion’s story, she was such an intriguing and different character. 

This is a debut book for Ms. Sleiman,  published by White Fire.  Out now in e-book format, it is available on Kindle as a download, which is how I read it.  The book will be out in print this fall.  I was privileged to critique part of this book this past winter but my comments to Dina, along with Narielle Living another writer friend, we both agreed that “What could we tell her about this book?”  We could not see from looking through the first chapters where we would edit anything.  It is a very well-written book and unique, unusual, in how it addresses the subject of seeking after God’s deepest love.

This is not a typical Christian fiction book and was not picked up by the mainstream CBA market yet it is an inspirational work, with a strong literary element (though not the bummer ending like so many literary books have).  Dance of the Dandelion has violence and lots of sensuality/sexuality in there although it is not erotica, but is meant to show the struggle and journey of Dandelion.  This is a "seekers" book, about a young peasant girl’s path to a deep relationship with God. Young women today could relate to the relationship issues that Dandelion has to process and go through to ultimately know herself and enter into a right relationship with God before being part of a complete marital union on earth.


Dance of the Dandelion is a page turner and a compelling read.  You will find yourself having to find out what happens to Dandelion and being up half the night!  Congratulations, Dina, and thanks for giving us this fresh new work!

Bibliotherapy: Poverty, abusive relationships, obsession, forgiveness, and healing. This would be a wonderful resource for therapists to use with young women struggling with relationships.




Giveaway: Leave a comment for a chance to win either the e-book (available now) or a paperback copy when it releases next month!  And leave your email addy, too!