devotion- the novel

"Devotion" by Marianne Evans is a novel about a devoted Christian couple who have been married for almost 9 years.  They have been trying to have a baby that entire time but just have not been able to conceive.  This couple truly loves each other, but in the intervening years has begun to take each other for granted.  They live a wealthy lifestyle with Kellen in the music business as an agent to some very successful clients.  The business that he works for appreciates him and rewards him often with increases in his salary.  Juliet is very busy with her charity work pulling off very high end money making projects mostly for her church but also for the local homeless shelter.  Kellen has been gradually pulling away from time he usually spent in prayer, in Sunday morning worship, and just relaxing at home.  Chole steps in his office and his world rapidly takes off in a new direction as he finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her romantically.  He tries to resist but one day in his office they kiss and an office worker walks in on them.  Kellen instantly feels bad and immediately looses all romantic feeling for her.  Juliet accidentally finds out about the kiss in the bathroom at an office party.  This is the story of Juliet and Kellen working on their relationship and trying to find their way back to a healthy marriage. 
I liked this story, but found that the character of Kellen was much like we women wish that men felt and acted, but I don't think that most men would. This man was almost womanly in his actions.  I think that Ms Evans could have used more time discussing with men how they go about trying to resurrect a marriage.  However, this story was great and one that I think many of us in our busy working worlds of not spending as much time together and not enough time in prayer and in church is one that we need to hear and consider as we live out life. I received this e-book for free from the Book Club Network. (Submitted by CB)

one glorious ambition review

What does an epileptic, an insane person, someone with downs syndrome, a debtor, an alcoholic, a passionate woman, and a murderer have in common?  Give up?  Well, in the 1800s they would have all been put in the same jail cell.  I have no clue who thought that would be a good idea and why some of the above mentioned were even jailed at all is ridiculous!  Dorthea Dix is the daughter of a mentally ill mother and alcoholic and child abusive father.  (Neither parent was jailed.)  Dix spent her life trying to fit in and find a family; the family she had was incapable of loving her at all.  When she reached 40 yrs old she discovered that her life's work would be relieving the suffering of those "relieved of their reason." She spent the rest of her life doing so. 
The book starts off told in fiction form following Dorthea from childhood to her twenties.  It takes a more historical telling form when she starts her cause of humane treatment of those with mental disabilities of many sorts.  This book tells of amazingly horrible acts of abuse to people of mental ailments. Including the ability to buy such a person to use for labor or entertainment purposes. Though it could read dry at times, the information is astounding.  Dix is also made known to the reader clearly and I spent a lot of time feeling sorry for her.  She always tried to fit in and yet was always afraid that she might become mentally ill.  I give this book a B+.  Really good.  I received this book for free from www.bloggingforbooks.com. 

June

June has been the usual.  Kids were out of school, swimming lessons, football, driver's ed, library programs, etc.  I went and practiced golf for the first time and did a little bowling that I haven't done in years.  I read 10 books this month.  Six were real and four were digital.  My favorites of the month were German Suitcase, Cherries, and Firefly Island. 
Widows and Orphans- Susan Meissner
The Unseen- Heather Graham
Hope- heather Bixler
All Things New- Lynn Austin
Thanksgiving 1942- Alan Simon
Unrivaled- Siri Mitchell
Cherries- John Podlaski
The Making of Theodore Roosevelt- Robert DeMayo
German Suitcase- Greg Dinallo
Firefly Island- Lisa Wingate

the point review

"The Point: The Redemption of Oban Ironbout" by William E. Jefferson is a novel about a young couple that have taken a "break from life" and find themselves in the Isle of Estillyen, an island with quirky people and a group of monks.  While on the island they meet Oban Ironbout, who has had a long suffering life. 
This book is real hard to get through and I never had any desire to read it.  I can't really say why.  It wasn't poorly written.  There wasn't anything ridiculous or degrading in it.  It just never grabbed my attention.  I received this book for free from Handlebar Publishing.