Book Review: The 13th Gift By Joanne Huist Smith

THE 13TH GIFT
A True Story of a Christmas Miracle

By: Joanne Huist Smith

Published: October 28, 2014

Publisher: Harmony

Nonfiction/Memoir



I won this book last year through Bookreporter.com, but since it arrived after Christmas, I decided to save it to read this Christmas. I like reading at least one Christmas story over the holidays and this one didn't disappoint. I read it in just a few hours between tears of sadness and joy. It's one I recommend.

Just a couple months before Christmas, Joanne's husband died unexpectedly from a heart condition. Joanne and her three children, a tween girl and two teenage sons, were left to manage school and work along with the upcoming holiday season while grieving deeply for their father. Even though Joanne knew she needed to find some Christmas spirit for her young daughter, she just couldn't muster the energy it took to decorate and shop. Then, thirteen days before Christmas, gifts started arriving at their doorstep. Nothing extravangant, but gifts like ornaments and Christmas wrap, helped open their hearts to allowing joy back in their home. Nearly fifteen years later, Joanne brought their story of a Christmas miracle to readers. It offers a lesson for us at any time of year.

Joanne and her children's grief filled the pages. They missed their husband and father and were angry that he left them behind. Joanne had no interest in being part of the Christmas hoopla and found herself hiding behind her work, avoiding the home and parenting responsibilities that seemed too overwhelming. Her oldest child was missing curfew and her youngest was dreaming of the kind of Christmas all young girls hope for. I felt their pain and yearned for them to find hope in amongst the gifts of strangers.

This true story offers a a number of reminders: there is still kindness in our world, that not everyone is excited about Christmas, and that there is still hope even among the sadness.  Even though this is a Christmas story, it offers ideas to care for those who are suffering at any time of year. Small ways to offer a smile or a glimmer of hope to someone will pay the giver back in multiple ways.

By sharing a little kindness with others, every day can be Christmas in your heart.

Side note:

Favorite quote from the book: "I feel very much the way I did on Ben's fourth Christmas, when he was so excited about a gift he had made for me that he uwrapped the present himself. His eyes had glowed when he handed me the red scarf cut from the fold of my very best dress with kid scissors." Page 87

Cover: LOVE IT! It fits this book perfectly and jumps out when amongst others on the shelves. It's one you can set out at Christmas time, year after year.

Joanne Huist Smith - source

Joanne (Jo) Huist Smith was an award-winning journalist for the Dayton Daily News where she chronicled the lives of people and issues shaping her Ohio community. She began writing short stories and journaling at age nine. Jo was awarded first place from the Ohio Associated Press for Best Community Service for her 2009 package of stories on heroin’s destructive path through rural and suburban neighborhoods. The judges said her series “delivers information straight to the bloodstream.” Jo’s career has been guided by advice given to her by former Dayton Daily News Managing Editor Steve Sidlo: “Love truth and you’ll be alright.” Those words are echoed in everything she writes, including THE 13TH GIFT.

She is a life-long resident of the Dayton area and a graduate of Wright State University. She has three adult children and two absolutely adorable red-headed grandchildren.  For more information, check out her website, HERE. 

To purchase a copy of THE 13TH GIFT, click the photo below:

Thanks to the publisher for sending copy of this book through the contest at Bookreporter.com. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase the book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 

A post from today, 8 years ago - Our Purpose

A post from today, 6 years ago - An Inspiring Start

A post from today, 5 years ago - My Favorite Reads from 2010

First Book of 2016

I'm joining up with Sheila at Book Journey and sharing along with other bloggers, the first book I'll be reading to kick off the new year! To see her original post and see photos from last year's First Books, click HERE. To see all the great books we are reading this year, click HERE.

Our family is traveling home today from Florida so I'll have plenty of time to get some reading in...before we stop and watch the

  Iowa Hawkeyes play in the Rose Bowl!!! WaHooOOOooo!!

I have so many books I "should" be reading and even more books that I "want" to read. So, I decided to choose a book that I just recently heard about and one I that I "want" to read. After listening to a couple podcasts about this book, I was immediately intrigued. I used my Amazon coupon for 30% off the purchase of one book over Black Friday weekend and have been anxious to read it ever since!

My first book of 2016 is 

A MANUAL FOR CLEANING WOMEN
Selected Stories
By: Lucia Berlin
Published: August 18, 2015
Publisher: Farrar, Staus, and Giroux
Format: Hardcover

A MANUAL FOR CLEANING WOMEN compiles the best work of the legendary short-story writer Lucia Berlin. With the grit of Raymond Carver, the humor of Grace Paley, and a blend of wit and melancholy all her own, Berlin crafts miracles from the everyday, uncovering moments of grace in the Laundromats and halfway houses of the American Southwest, in the homes of the Bay Area upper class, among switchboard operators and struggling mothers, hitchhikers and bad Christians.


What book will you be reading to kick off 2016? Feel free to share it below! 


A post from today, 6 years ago - 2010 Offers A Fresh Start
A post from today, 4 years ago - Scenes from Our Week - Week 13
A post from today, 3 years ago - Get Motivated in the New Year with Motivated Moms

Book Review: Secret Sisters By Jayne Ann Krentz

SECRET SISTERS

By: Jayne Ann Krentz

Published: December 8, 2015

Publisher: Berkley

Fiction/Romance/Mystery



Jayne Ann Krentz has written over 50 New York Times Best-Selling novels and this is the first one that I have read. I don't usually read the romance/suspense genre, but the synopsis intrigued me so I gave it a try.

Madeline and Daphne are best friends and spend their days together while Daphne's mom works for Madeline's grandma at the hotel she runs. After a brutal attack on Madeline during a party at the hotel, their lives are forever changed. They have been bound by a secret that will haunt both of them forever.

Madeline and Daphne haven't spoken since that fateful night and now, eighteen years later, the past has come back to confront them. When Madeline returns to Washington after her grandmother's death she comes upon the death of the hotel caretaker. Now she is wondering if these deaths are truly accidental and if they have anything to do with the attack on her many years ago. Madeline must find Daphne and along with her security expert, Jack, they need to get to the truth of what truly happened the night Madeline was attacked.

Krentz is extremely talented at building suspense throughout the story. Nothing goes smoothly for the characters and she builds in multiple surprises to keep you guessing. Each twist in the story will leave you suspecting one person over another.  As Madeline and Jack investigate the loose ends, the reader will also try to see what clue they are missing. As more and more people are found dead and Madeline and Daphne confront dangerous situations, the novel begins to move quickly. Since I'm not a romance reader, I found the relationships rushed and unrealistic. But, Krentz's readers would be sure to remind me that an entire romance has to fit in just 300 some pages.

Fans of Krentz will find her latest book thrilling as well as passionate. The culmination of solving the crime will leave you shocked and wondering how you didn't figure it out in the beginning.

Side Notes:

Favorite Quote: "He kissed her with the soaring passion of a man who has just been set free from a cage. She understood his response because she had only recently escaped from an invisible prison herself. "

Cover: I like it, but don't see the connection to the story except for the fact that Madeline may be running away from something. Still, maybe a shot of the hotel on Cooper Island would have been better.

Jayne Ann Krentz - source

The author of over 50 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, Jayne Ann Krentz writes romantic-suspense in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print.

She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full-time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.

Ms. Krentz is married and lives with her husband, Frank, in Seattle, Washington. For more on Krentz, visit her website, HERE. You can also find her on Facebook, HERE. 

To purchase a copy of this book, click the photo below:

Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase the book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 


A post from today, 7 years ago - Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009
A post from today, 5 years ago - How I Did in 2010
A post from today, 4 years ago - Reflections on 2011 and Looking Ahead to 2012
A post from today, 3 years ago - My Favorite Reads this Year 

A Little Monday Inspiration - Time

Lack of direction,

not lack of time,

is the problem.

We all have 24-hour days.

Zig Ziglar

Zig Ziglar is a well-known and respected speaker and author. Even though he has been gone for 3 years, his words and knowledge still live on.

I'm spending my time over the next couple weeks focusing on my family and myself. This may sound selfish to some, but this is just what my heart and soul needs. I'm hoping when I return, I'll be ready to dive back into my work, being more organized and refreshed.

I'm wishing all of you a wonderful new year and I'll be back soon with lots of book reviews and other fun posts!

Merry Christmas to You All

An ornament that I made in Sunday School over 30 years ago

is still a reminder of 

The Reason for the Season.

"While they were there, 

the time came for the baby to be born, 

and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.

 She wrapped him in cloths 

and placed him in a manger, 

because there was 

no guest room available for them."

Luke 2:6-7 NIV

May your Christmas be filled with love, laughter, and the light of Jesus in your heart. 

Book Review: 34 Seconds By Stella Samuel

34 SECONDS

By: Stella Samuel

Published: October 4, 2015

Publisher: Stella Samuel

Fiction/Romance




Nikki and Will had that summer romance that every girl dreams about. They sat on the beach, they took long walks, and Will sang Nikki the songs they wrote together. Their romance was full of passion and Nikki thought they would be together forever. Instead, Will wasn't "marriage material" and ended their relationship. Nikki now lives in Colorado with her husband, Chris, and two young children. Her past is being brought back to the front of her mind because she is traveling back home to Virginia to attend Will's wedding. Will and Nikki have maintained a solid friendship over the years, talking weekly, even after Will broke Nikki's heart. A year after Nikki revisits her past by attending Will's wedding, she must again confront it in a much more heartbreaking way, by returning home to Will for his final journey.

Samuel's debut novel is full of emotion, romance, heartbreak, and love. Nikki flashes back often to her time with Will while she is getting her children breakfast, while they nap, and lying in bed. The passion she and Will shared seems to monopolize her thoughts and takes her focus away from her family. Attending Will's wedding was very difficult for Nikki and she spends a large amount of time obsessing over Will rather than enjoying the festivities and her family.  I found  Nikki's whining and obsession became a bit annoying as I traveled through the story.

When her weekly phone calls with Will stop abruptly after the wedding, Nikki is confused and hurt. She can't understand why Will no longer is making their friendship a priority and his new wife isn't offering any information. A few months later, Nikki is summoned to Will's bedside, and again, the story focuses on Nikki's obsession with her memories of Will. I found the flashbacks to Nikki's relationship with Will to be a bit boring at times. The first few gave a nice picture of the intensity of their romance and the passion Will and Nikki shared, but after awhile, I started skimming them as they were a bit repetitive. Samuel is extremely talented in her writing and I'm sure worked hard on the editing process, I just felt like it was a bit much. The words to the many songs that Will and Nikki wrote were written from the heart. A neat addition to this novel would be a recording of these songs!

When Nikki returns home to be with Will, I felt like his final days were a bit too bogged down in the details. I understand the difficulty associated with someone in his final days without the minutiae of details, including pages of him thrashing in bed or unable to get off the floor. Her focus on Hospice and the wonderful care they provide to patients and their families is commendable. She shows that the final days can be anything but smooth and predictable, but with guidance from Hospice, they can be an invaluable resource.

I think Samuel has a knack for romance writing but needs to find a more concise way to tell the story that will keep readers from skimming. Less is more.

Stella Samuel - Source

Stella Samuel lives in Colorado with her husband, three children, two cats, and two beautiful Saint Bernards. She's been writing for years but decided to begin publishing once her children were in school and away from home a few hours each day. She enjoys writing, reading, watching children laugh, and music. For more on the author, check out her website, HERE. You can also find her on Facebook, HERE, and Twitter, HERE. 

To purchase a copy of this novel, click the photo below:

A post from today 2 years ago - Book Review: The Holdout by Laurel Osterkamp
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A post from today 7 years ago - A House Full of Memories


Thanks to the author for sending a copy of this novel for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase the book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com reviews. 

Children's Book Review: How the Grandmas and Grandpas Saved Christmas By Richard J. Gausselin

HOW THE GRANDMAS AND GRANDPAS SAVED CHRISTMAS
Book I

By: Richard J. Gausselin

Illustrated by: Jennifer Downing

Published: December 2014

Publisher: Outskirts Press

Fiction

Santa runs a pretty tight ship in his toy factory. Every elf has a job to do and needs to work hard to get every single toy made by Christmas Eve. Santa believes that the toys are to be made with hands and hearts and not computers. Each toy is made with love for that special boy or girl.

On an unexpectedly sunny day, the elves take a break to play snowball which leads to disastrous repercussions for Santa's toy factory. When Santa and his lead elf try to finish the toys, Santa realizes it just isn't going to be possible. Then a bright idea leads him to call in the grandparents all over the world. Maybe they can all work together to save Christmas.

This is a really great story for Christmas and has a wonderful message about the importance of helping others as well as one about following the rules! Mrs. Claus and an elf warn the others about slacking off on the job. When the elves end up in a difficult situation, they realize that their choices can have consequences.

Even though this story has a younger message, it isn't one your younger child will be able to read to themselves.  One page is full of text while the next page has the illustration. It would make for a great bedtime story that is read by a parent. The illustrations are bright and show the range of emotions in the characters. There are numerous details in each illustration that the child will enjoy pointing out.

This book would make a great addition to your Christmas library. It's lesson is a good reminder for all of us.


Richard J. Gausselin’s books are inspired by his childhood Christmases of the 1940s and ’50s, when toys were “made with hands and hearts.” As a father of six and grandfather to thirteen, he has enjoyed reading ’TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS on Christmas Eve for over fifty years. He hopes adults and children will enjoy HOW THE GRANDMAS AND GRANDPAS SAVED CHRISTMAS (Books I, II, and III) and make them part of their holiday tradition. For more on his books, visit his website, HERE. 

If you would like to purchase a copy of this book or the next one in the series, click the photo below:

I will be linking up with Booking Mama and other bloggers for her Saturday feature Kid Konnection. Click HERE, to see other bookish posts related to children's and YA literature.

Thanks to the author for sending me a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase this book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com.