Odds & Ends

I thought for sure I'd get my groove back and be back to normal blogging this week. Obviously I was delusional. But I did want to share a few random thoughts.

1) We finally made it through The Season. My husband's birthday last night closed out our annual August/September marathon of all of our birthdays plus our anniversary plus the start of school. I had no idea, when I posted on August 1 about the start of those crazy weeks that were about to descend, what would be added to the midst of that.

2) My sister and I have finally managed to play a little Scrabble - 3 games, I think. It's been a time to relax and also just talk a little about our mom as things come to mind. And yes, I won all 3 games. She heads back to South America Thursday morning.

3) Getting the official death certificate makes it really official and final. Very sobering. How thankful I am for the hope we have in Christ.

4) It is very annoying when the funeral home gives you a sales spiel presentation on prearranging your own funeral at the time that you are picking up the death certificates. And when they act like they are generous in giving you a discount if you do it within 30 days. Of course those 30 days started when you signed the contract for your mother's services, which has already been 2 weeks ago. Here's a hint for them: Don't try to pressure me into doing something at an emotionally charged time in my life. I respond the exact opposite from what they want - it makes me want to never step foot on their premises again.

5) Video posts of blog friends talking are hilarious and a great stress relief at the end of the day when #3 & 4 have happened. I've got to figure out how to do it next time.

6) I have been utterly blessed by the loving and prayerful support of friends, both local and in blogland, over these last weeks. And two sweet gals from church sent me a gift certificate to a local spa for a massage. I. Can't. Wait.

6) I still need to get my van fixed!

If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. I Corinthians 15:19

. . .we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. I Thessalonians 4:13-14

Book Review - John 3:16

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
John 3:16
Tyndale House Publishers (September 9, 2008)
by
Nancy Moser


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nancy Moser is the author of three inspirational humor books and eighteen novels, including Solemnly Swear, Time Lottery, a Christy Award winner, and her latest historical, Washington's Lady.

Nancy and her husband Mark live in the Midwest. She’s earned a degree in architecture, traveled extensively in Europe, and has performed in numerous theaters,
symphonies, and choirs. She gives Said So Sister Seminars around the country, helping women identify their gifts as they celebrate their sisterhood. She is a fan of anything antique—humans included.

Find out more at Nancy Moser.com and Sister Circles.com


ABOUT THE BOOK

Five people looking for a reason to keep living are about to find it in the last place they expect... In my usual "big cast" style comes a story of what happens when one man puts his faith on the line and holds up a John 3:16 sign at a sporting event. Roman Paulson's life revolves around his son, Billy, a University of Nebraska football hero with a promising life ahead of him. But when Billy's coach encroaches on Roman's relationship with his son, Roman fears he'll lose Billy forever. Roman isn't the only one whose world turns upside down. He's one of five unsuspecting people whose lives intersect on a bright fall day.

If you would like to read the first chapter of John 3:16, go HERE

MY COMMENTS:
Books have been the last thing on my mind lately, for obvious reasons. I read this one back in August and enjoyed it. I was a little skeptical because of the title; I'm not big on those John 3:16 signs at games. But this had a different twist to it and wasn't what I expected. It was a wonderful story of faith and witnessing to family & friends and the fears that can affect our beliefs and actions. And I have really enjoyed the other books I've read by Nancy Moser (Washington's Lady and Just Jane.) It's a great book to read during the fall football season!

On Guard

Ahh, the new experiences I have been having these past couple of weeks.

I have never been athletic. Due in large part to the fact that I was (and still am!) quite a bit younger than my siblings, I tended toward solitary pursuits like reading when I was a kid. Still do.

So it was a new experience to go to the sporting goods store and buy myself one of these the other day: Yep, that would be a mouth guard, straight off the fooball aisle.

And no, I won't be modeling it on the blog. And gee, what a shame: I just don't have the video technology to Show & Tell in "I See What You're Saying" tomorrow. There is some mercy in this world after all! (Besides, it's clear, and I cut off the strap, so it's not as exciting as it looks.)

The dentist sent me to get one of these handy dandy, high-tech gizmos because the recent stress in my life has resulted in some pretty major teeth-clenching at night and a flare-up of TMD. (Not to be confused with WMD, which would be an apt term for what has inundated me lately!)

So I'm wearing it at night occasionally, and between it and my man's apnea machine, we are the picture of romance.

Oh, and while I'm not sure tooth decay and jaw issues are the calamity of which Solomon speaks, I do have a new verse to apply to my life:

He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. (Proverbs 21:23)

Then Sings My Soul - He Touched Me

I had a hard time cho0sing a song for today. It's been a tough couple of weeks. I've spent lots of time revisiting old memories in these days since my mom's passing. And as tempting as it was to post a song like Precious Memories or Beyond the Sunset, I wanted something a little more contemporary.

This is a relatively new hymn, written by Bill & Gloria Gaither in 1963 - a mere 45 years old as opposed to a hundred or more! I remember lying on my parents' bed on Sunday afternoons and hearing this song open Billy Graham's radio show The Hour of Decision. I really love this version by the Gaither Vocal Band, and it brought tender tears as I watched them sing it.

//

Be sure to visit Amy for more Then Sings My Soul Saturdays songs!!

Where the Deer and the Antelope Play

Isn't it bee-yoo-ti-ful? That, my friends, is what happens when a deer smacks into your car.

All I did was take one sister (the one from Houston, who had no power and no phone after Hurricane Ike and didn't even know our mom had died until almost 48 hours after the fact) to the place where she would be staying during her time here for the funeral. Stopped on the way home to admire 3 deer on the right side of the road, and just as I started up again, one appeared out of nowhere from the back left side of the van and came racing to cross in front.

Only he didn't quite make the corner.The impact stunned him and knocked him down for about 3 seconds, and then he jumped up and raced into the brushy area after the other 3.

And there wasn't even a Deer Crossing sign, so I don't know why the deer didn't get 2 tickets, for jaywalking AND hit & run!.

I'm Still Here!

Just popping in for a moment to say I'm doing okay, thanks to the loving and prayerful support of so many friends. Those of you in the blogging community have touched my heart so much with your comments and emails.

I've got quite a lot to tell you about in the upcoming days. This has been quite an experience. The timing of my mom's death in the middle of Hurricane Ike has complicated logistics a bit, as my dad is buried in Houston. On the Galveston side of Houston. Where the cemetery is now minimally functional with 150 trees down, no power, and one phone. We go down tomorrow to take care of the burial, with the graveside services adjusted from the original plan.

And then there is the little matter of the deer that decided I didn't have enough on my To Do List and rammed into the side of my car 4 evenings ago. Picture to come.

I'm thinking there's a massage with my name on it in the next week or two. . . .

TSMSS - A Song of Comfort

Thank you so much for your sweet words of love and encouragement and for your prayers this week. I am overwhelmed and touched by the way God has bound our hearts together in this blogging community, even though most of us have never met in person.

As family and friends gather today to praise God for the gift of my mom's life, this song will be sung at her service. Ironically, this was the first song I ever posted for TSMSS way back in April, and I even talked about my mom in that post. This was a favorite song of hers, and it has become such a dear song to me as well. What a comfort it is to know that His love will never let us go!

O LOVE THAT WILT NOT LET ME GO
O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

O Light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.

O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.

O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.

Words: George Matheson, 1882
Music: Albert Peace, 1884

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Go here for more Then Sings My Soul Saturdays songs!!

11/30/1926 - 9/13/2008

Thanks for your many prayers and sweet comments regarding my poem about my mom's hands.

My mom traded her tired, broken body for an imperishable one this evening. Years ago, she ushered me into this world; I was privileged to be there today as she slipped away.

As I was growing up, I remember her singing this beautiful hymn often. I never cared for it as a child. But as I sang it to her several times today as she traveled through the valley of the shadow of death, the third verse, especially, became sweeter and dearer to my heart.

I'm a little late for TSMSS this week. How grateful I am that even in sorrow, Then Sings My Soul Saturday - and every day!



While I draw this fleeting breath
When my eyes shall close in death
When I rise to worlds unknown
And behold Thee on Thy throne
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

Saturdays with Stella Winners!

Here are your random numbers:
1, 3
Timestamp: 2008-09-12 20:55:44 UTC
Congrats to Sara and Lid Linda! Email me your addresses, ladies, and I'll send the book your way!

Her Hands

I sit alongside my mother’s bed
As her life draws to a close,
Her body, frail and growing weak,
Can mostly only doze.

She stirs and reaches in the air
To grasp at invisible strands;
She settles back and sleeps again
And I gaze upon her hands.

Those hands, now wrinkled so with age,
The nerves, dead with disease:
So long she’s struggled to perform
Tasks which once came with such ease.

I think of all those hands have done
Throughout her many years
As child, wife, mother, and grandmom,
Through laughter and through tears.

While growing up it was her chore
The chicken’s neck to wring
For family dinners. (I’m amazed
She still could eat the thing!)

The years passed by and she became
The one we all called Mother
The “snapshot memories” of those hands
Pile one upon another.

Making cookies, sewing clothes,
Putting laundry on the line
Washing dishes, wrapping gifts,
Making homemade Valentines.

Soothing in the dark of night
If her kids were sick, had fears,
(But yes, those hands gave spankings too
To those same “sweet” children’s rears!)

Rolling our hair with bobby pins –
In the sixties, your hair had to flip! –
Five daily sack lunches, keeping (mostly!) straight
Who got mustard, who, Miracle Whip!

Though sometimes I pushed my mom’s hands away
In typical mom-daughter strife,
I know that I’ll miss the special touch
My mother’s hands had on my life.

I reach for her hand and clasp it in mine
And thank God in heaven above
That though these hands still, my heart will still know
My mother’s sweet labors of love.
Copyright 9/11/2008 Mocha with Linda

Blog Tour - In The Shadow of Lions

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
In The Shadow Of Lions
David C. Cook; 1 edition (September 2008)
by
Ginger Garrett


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ginger Garrett is the critically acclaimed author of Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther, which was recognized as one of the top five novels of 2006 by the ECPA, and Dark Hour. An expert in ancient women's history, Ginger creates novels and nonfiction resources that explore the lives of historical women.

Her newest release is Beauty Secrets of the Bible, (September 11, Thomas Nelson) based on the historical research that began in her work on Chosen. The book explores the connections between beauty and spirituality, offering women both historical insights and scientific proofs that reveal powerful, natural beauty secrets.

A frequent radio guest on stations across the country, including NPR and Billy Graham's The Hour of Decision, Ginger is also a popular television guest. Her appearances include Harvest Television, Friends & Neighbors, and Babbie's House. Ginger frequently serves as a co-host on the inspirational cable program Deeper Living.

In 2007, Ginger was nominated for the Georgia Author of the Year Award for her novel Dark Hour. When she's not writing, you may spy Ginger hunting for vintage jewelry at thrift stores, running (slowly) in 5k and 10k races, or just trying to chase down one of her errant sheepdogs. A native Texan, she now resides in Georgia with her husband and three children.


ABOUT THE BOOK


"I am the first writer, The Scribe. My books lie open before the Throne, and someday will be the only witness of your people and their time in this world."

So begins the narration of one such angel in this sweeping historical tale set during the reign of England's Henry VIII. It is the story of two women, their guardian angels, and a mysterious, subversive book ... a book that outrages some, inspires others, and launches the Protestant Reformation.

The devout Anne Boleyn catches the eye of a powerful king and uses her influence to champion an English translation of the Bible. Meanwhile, Rose, a broken, suicidal woman of the streets, is moved to seek God when she witnesses Thomas More's public displays of Christian charity, ignorant of his secret life spent eradicating the Bible, persecuting anyone who dares read it.

Historic figures come alive in this thrilling story of heroes and villains, saints and sinners, angels and mortals ... and the sacred book that will inspire you anew. Fans of Francine Rivers and Karen Kingsbury will love Ginger's intriguing combination of rich character development, artful settings, and inspiring historical insights.

If you would like to read an excerpt from In The Shadow Of Lions, go HERE


MY COMMENTS:
This was a fascinating book. I had never read much from this period in history, nor have I really ever studied the Protestant Reformation. And because I am always cautious about fictionalized stories of real people, I appreciated the author's notes at the back of the book which delineated what was historically accurate and what was supposition. I had not previously given much thought to the sacrifices made by martyrs in the those difficult times; how easy it is to take for granted the numerous Bibles lying around our house. May we never forget the price paid by those men and women who "believed every person could approach God and know Him intimately" and sought to get the Bible in the hands of the common individual.

CD Winner Alert!

9/29/08 UPDATE - I never heard from Nesha, so I drew another number. Congrats to commenter #4, Sara! Send me your address, please!

The original post was updated last night, but one of my winners hasn't seen it yet and I don't have her email, so. . .
9/9/08 UPDATE - WINNERS!
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
14, 16
Timestamp: 2008-09-10 01:13:33 UTC
Congrats to Nesha & Tammy! Send me your addresses, ladies!

This one is STELLAr!

Oh, I have a delightful book to tell you about and 2 copies to give away!

I must preface this by admitting: I'm not a dog lover. Or any animals, for that matter. I've never had a pet and don't care to. But I loved Allison Pittman's Crossroads of Grace series so much that when I read in her newsletter that she had written a book about her dog called Saturdays with Stella, I knew it would be good. So when I had a chance to review it, I eagerly agreed.

Stella is her newly adopted "tiny, shiny puppy of indefinable breed(s)" who joined the family a year after the death of their previous "perfect" dog, Neumann - who never pounced, never chewed a shoe, and always behaved with decorum. Stella, however, was the anti-Neumann. As she wreaked havoc on the Pittman household, it became clear that some serious changes were needed. So Allison signed Stella up at the local pet store for a six-week obedience class.

Amid the antics and adventures of teaching Stella doggy discipline, and accompanied by amusing commentary on the other class participants (including my favorites, two Yorkshire terriers named Prima and Donna!), Allison learns a few lessons about relating to her Master, including:

Sit -- at the feet of Jesus and listen for His voice
Drop it -- and let go of personal agendas
Come -- when it's time to run in the right direction
Stay -- in God's presence

Interspersed with plenty of chuckle-inspiring moments, this light-hearted and clever book is also tender and sweet. It reminded me that sometimes the most basic lessons are the ones I need to pay attention to. And if I liked it, I know that those of you with a soft spot for dogs will really enjoy it!

Allison Pittman is the author of the three books in the popular Crossroads of Grace series. Before her life as a novelist, Allison spent sixteen years teaching high school English. A founding member and copresident of the Christian Writer’s Group of the Greater San Antonio area, she devotes her time inspiring other writers to work toward their goals and sharpen their skills. Allison lives in Universal City, Texas with her husband Mike, their three sons, and Stella.

The publisher has graciously provided 2 copies to give away to you. Please leave a comment on this post by Friday (9/12) at 12:00 noon CDT, and I'll draw 2 winners that afternoon. (Continental US Residents only)

If you don't win one, you can fetch a copy of the book here.

Happy Reading!

Playing is Hard Work!

A friend of ours used to say "You're not having fun unless you're hurt, dirty, or tired." (Three guesses what gender that person was!) Having a refreshing Saturday definitely met those specifications!

Some friends invited us out to the lake yesterday. It was a great time of getting away from the stress that has been my life lately and enjoying some good food, good friends, and fun.

Today? I'm rethinking the "fun" part.

I'm sure this falls into the category of "shock and awe" but I had never been on a jet ski until yesterday. Neither had my kids. And I was thoroughly enjoying my chaise lounger by the lake when my boy comes back from his first outing on said jet ski. When they left the dock, he was on the back behind our friend, a (questionably!) mature middle-aged man. When they returned, their positions were reversed and my boy was gleefully at the helm.

"Mom, come ride on the jet ski with me!" Of course, everyone else thought that was a dandy idea (wonder why my man had a conveniently timed dizzy headache all day and stayed ashore?!) so I stupidly bravely climbed on. After all, this is my boy who is level-headed and fairly cautious regarding risks.

Uh, right.

The next thing I know, I am holding on for dear life as we are flying across the water around 50 mph, and he later said he hit 60 at least once. Fortunately, since it was after Labor Day the lake was relatively empty, giving him a clear path to terrorize me maneuver. At one point he said over his shoulder, "Why are you making those weird noises?"

The experience led me to several conclusions:

1. Jet Skis are just Harleys on water.
2. I am indeed no longer in my twenties. Or thirties..
3. Jet Skis have the same "day after" effect on one's body as horseback riding.
4. My boy isn't getting his driver's license until he's 30.

Here is a picture of my kids having fun tubing behind the boat.



And God put on a spectacular sunset at day's end. The first picture is actually looking a bit toward the east. The colors were splashed all across the sky.




The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1

Precious Lord Take My Hand

Over these past couple of weeks as I've watched my mom move closer to the end of her earthly life, I've been thinking more about heaven and what a blessed promise that is for us as believers. I've also been a bit nostalgic, so this beautiful old song from my childhood has blessed me. And like so many great songs of comfort, it was born out of tragedy:

"Thomas A. Dorsey grew up in Georgia as a 'preacher's kid.' As he began to be successful as a composer of jazz and blues songs, however, he drifted away from God." Dorsey came back to the Lord and began to write gospel songs and to sing in church services. During a revival meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, he received a telegram telling him that his wife had died in childbirth, along with his newborn son. "Stunned and grief-stricken, Dorsey cried, 'God, you aren't worth a dime to me right now!'

"A few weeks later, however, as Dorsey fingered the keyboard of a piano, he created the lines of 'Precious Lord' to fit a tune that was familiar to him. The following Sunday the choir of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in South Chicago Illinois, sang the new song with Dorsey playing the accompaniment."

Source:
Amazing Grace: 365 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel, 2002

Many people have recorded this song. It was apparently the favorite song of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and was sung at his funeral. I love this sweet rendition from one of the Gaither videos. The harmonica adds such a sweet touch. And I love the expression on the older gentleman's (Howard Goodman) face - the Lord has indeed led him home since this was recorded.

PRECIOUS LORD, TAKE MY HAND
Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on,
Let me stand;
I'm tired, I am weak, I am worn:
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light,
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

When my way grows drear, precious Lord, linger near,
When my life is almost gone:
Hear my cry,
Hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall,
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

When the darkness appears and the night draws near,
And the day is past and gone;
At the river I stand,
Guide my feet,
Hold my hand,
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on,
Let me stand;
I'm tired, I am weak, I am worn:
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light,
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

WORDS: Thomas A. Dorsey (1932)
MUSIC: George N. Allen (1844)

REMINDER: Click here for a chance to win a CD of a Grammy & Dove nominated Christian singer!

And be sure to visit Amy's for more songs for your Saturday!

Music CD Giveaway

9/29/08 UPDATE - I never heard from Nesha, so I drew another number. Congrats to commenter #4, Sara! Send me your address, please!

9/9/08 UPDATE - WINNERS!
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
14, 16
Timestamp: 2008-09-10 01:13:33 UTC
Congrats to Nesha & Tammy! Send me your addresses, ladies!

I am delighted to have the opportunity to introduce you to one of Christian music's newest artists. Discovered in Jamaica by none other than Toby Mac, Ayiesha Woods had won several Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Awards, including New Artist of the Year, Contemporary Female Vocal Performance of the Year, and Producer of the Year (which she was the first female to receive that award) for her independent solo album.

Her debut release, Introducing Ayiesha Woods, came out in 2006, and earned her nominations for a Grammy Award as well as a Dove Award.

Her second album, Love Like This, will be out and available in stores next Tuesday. Click on the songs below to whet your appetite. I especially like the title track, Love Like This, and Refine Me. Those of you who like Nicole C. Mullen and Out of Eden will especially want to add her to your list of favorites!



But wait - I've been provided with 2 copies of this brand new CD to give away! Just leave a comment on this post by Tuesday, Sept 9, at 1:00 p.m. CDT and I will draw two winners that afternoon.

Enjoy the music!

Time Flies

Fifteen years ago today my life was changed forever. I became a mom.

The years have passed in the blink of an eye as my boy has changed from that cuddly newborn to a teenager who is nearly as tall as I.

Since he's been known to read my blog, I won't embarrass him by going on and on about how great he is - how responsible, helpful, and diligent in his studies, as well as fun to be around. But I could, dontcha know!

Happy Birthday to my boy. I'm honored and proud to be your mom!

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. I Timothy 4:12

Hearts - Happy & Heavy

I keep starting this post, deleting it, and starting again. Too many thoughts are swirling around that won't form cohesive sentences, and I've been too tired to chase then down!

Yesterday I finally gave up and found the puzzle quiz. Now that was certainly enlightening!

In the fun category, school kicked off to a smooth start here last week. And for my girl, that meant volleyball tryouts after school Wed-Fri. (Last year she was heartbroken that she didn't make the team, but she also learned a sweet lesson about God's sovereignty when she later discovered it worked out for her best.) She told me after the first day of tryouts that she didn't expect to make it this year either. Her nemesis has been that pesky overhand serve. She just never has been able to give it enough power to get that ball over the net more than just occasionally.

In tryouts on Friday, she got 7 overhand serves over the net. SEVEN. I do believe there was some divine intervention and some divine numbering at work! At least once every day on this long weekend she has smiled (or squealed) and said, "I made the volleyball team!"

It's nice to have some cheer in the house. Because things are not so cheery with my mom. Today she was discharged from the hospital and transported back to what was to be the short-term nursing home. However, it is likely she will not leave there, and tomorrow we will take steps to involve Hospice. After 3 hospitalizations in 5 weeks, it is apparent that her body is rapidly giving out.

The nurse in me saw it coming, recognizes it, and accepts it. Yet it is hard to watch my mom's decline and to wonder when and how her last moments will be. To pray that God will minimize her suffering and take her home soon and yet feel the internal conflict that such a prayer brings.

There have been difficulties in our relationship and unhealthy emotional and spiritual issues in her life for years. But she's my mother. I've never known life without her.

How thankful I am that I do not walk this road alone.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. II Corinthians 1:3-4

Blog Tour - Back to Life

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Back To Life
Avon Inspire (September 16, 2008)
by
Kristin Billerbeck


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kristin Billerbeck was born in Redwood City, California. She went to San Jose State University and gained a bachelor's degree in Advertising, then worked at the Fairmont Hotel in PR, a small ad agency as an account exec, and then, she was thrust into the exciting world of shopping mall marketing.

She got married, had four kids, and started writing romance novels until she found her passion: Chick Lit. She is a CBA bestselling author and two-time winner of the ACFW Book of the Year for What A Girl Wants in 2004, and again in 2006 for With this Ring. Featured in the New York Times, USA Today, World Magazine, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, Kristin has appeared on the Today Show. She is credited with jump-starting the inspirational chick-lit phenomenon. Most recently she has been names as a finalist for the Christy Award in the Lits category for The Trophy Wives Club.

Her other recent books include: She's All That.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Lindsey realized when she married Ron, a man 17 years her senior, that the odds were he’d see heaven before her, but she never expected to be a widow at 35. There’s too much of life left for her to just sit around in mourning. But she can’t seem to kick start the rest of her life.

That is until she gets some help from Ron’s first wife, Jane, who shows up unexpectedly at her door one day as the executor of her husband’s estate. Jane is everything Lindsey’s not… independent, stubborn… and a lot older. Plus she has one surprise after another… including a son named Ron Jr. (she insists he’s not “really” Ron’s son). But an unlikely friendship develops as each woman begins to reevaluate what is really important, and owns up to the mistakes they’ve made in the past.

Told in the alternating voices of Jane and Lindsey, and with the return of many of the witty characters of The Trophy Wives Club, this book is a lighthearted, relatable read for when life goes in a direction you never planned. With faith and friends, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.

If you would like to read an excerpt of chapter 1 of Back To Life, go HERE

MY COMMENTS:
I'm looking forward to reading this book, but I haven't received it just yet. Waiting on that big brown truck!