Winner of A Hope Undaunted, and other Books I've been Reading

And the winner is...

Molly!! Congrats! Shoot me an e-mail with your mailing info and we'll get your copy out to you. :-)










I've read a few books lately that I've loved.




A lady from work lent this book to me and I really enjoyed it. The genre and voice was a little different from my normal reads but guess what? The girl still gets the guy. :-) You'll have to read to find out which guy she gets! Besides the wonderful hero and romantic love of the story, there are some other great nuggets of wisdom in this read. I'd definitely recommend it.



I flew through this book. I felt like I had to know what happened next. I think what made this story so powerful was the characterization. From the first page you know you're dealing with a heroine who is both ruthless and incredibly loyal. These qualities really made the story compelling. That and the high level of personal stakes involved for the heroine.



I've been disappointed with most of Dekker's latest offerings but this one surprised me and gives me hope for future stories. A couple different things hooked me in this story. The unique worldview (gypsy), the mystery of what happened during the fire, and the romance. The twist in the story at the end is very intriguing, very Dekker (could be Healy too, I just haven't read enough of her to know for sure)

What have you enjoyed reading lately? Anything out of your norm? What's on your TBR list?

Comments

Katie Ganshert said…
Lol! We're thinking along the same lines this week Jessica! I keep hearing about the Hunger Games. I really ought to read it.
September 29, 2010 at 6:25 AM
Tabitha Bird said…
Hunger games is on my TBR list!

Hey, thanks so much for the comment on my blog. I am so thankful for God's grace in bringing me through a really crappy childhood and I believe He has plans to use my pain and my life for His glory. Thanks for following Jess and for all the times you make the effort to come across and comment.
September 29, 2010 at 6:27 AM
Jessica Nelson said…
Katie, I don't know if you'd like it or not, but it's worth a read! I was completely hooked. :-)

Tabitha, and likewise, I appreciate all the times you pop over here! Also, I learn sooo much from you. Thank you. :-)
September 29, 2010 at 6:38 AM
Wendy Paine Miller said…
The Hunger Games = good.

I just finished Jody's book and picked up Every Good & Perfect Gift last night. Got into it right away. Love when a book does that.
~ Wendy
September 29, 2010 at 8:08 AM
Robyn Campbell said…
YAY for the Hunger Games, boo for Mockingjay. Didn't like it, but shh, don't tell anyone. I think I'm the only person on the planet that didn't like it. Well, I know of one other writer that feels like I do.

I appreciate your reviews.

Thanks for praying for Kate, Jess. Things don't look good right now. But all that can change with prayer. And besides, her Holly (her mama) and Aaron (her daddy) really need prayer too. They are faithful to trust in the Lord, (Aaron is a preacher) but they are drained. And I know where they are coming from. Having to worry about a child's health is THE WORST!

Hugs my friend. :)
September 29, 2010 at 8:28 AM
Jessica Nelson said…
Wendy, that title sounds familiar. I'll have to look into it! It's always wonderful to find a book you can get right into. :-)

Hey Robyn,
Yeah, I won't be reading the second and third 'cause I've heard that too. I'd rather stay happy with the first.
I can't imagine what it would be like to live with the pain of a sick child everyday. I'll keep praying for them.
September 29, 2010 at 8:32 AM
Jeanette Levellie said…
Congrats to Molly!

I can't wait to read the Dekker/Tosca Lee book coming out soon. I don't know the title, but with those two, who cares?

Love
Jen
September 29, 2010 at 8:46 AM
Terri Tiffany said…
I have a stack of them I am pushing to get through. Did great for about a month of reading and now not so much as working on my own. I love Nicholas Spark's romances and saw he has a new one out at my library!
September 29, 2010 at 8:46 AM
Warren Baldwin said…
Haven't read Ted Dekker yet, but have been told I need to.

Thanks for the comment about the teen post. I'm going to have all 3 lectures up eventually.

The coffehouse is so neat. I take my college daughter there every morning when there on a visit. Some nights, too. College town, so the place is hopping even at midnight. How do they sleep with all that caffein? Proceeds from the shop fund well drilling and food for an African nation. Pretty neat.
September 29, 2010 at 9:15 AM
Patti said…
Loved Hunger Games. I haven't read the other ones. Right now I'm reading my first non-fiction book in a long time "A year of living biblically"
September 29, 2010 at 10:44 AM
Diane said…
I just read my first Dekker ever which was Immanuel's Veins. If you like vampire stuff then this is a great pick. I loved it of course with my sci-fi fetish..... :O)
September 29, 2010 at 11:16 AM
Cheryl Linn Martin said…
I'm working on a couple classics-- To Kill a Mockingbird and Pride and Prejudice. Over halfway through TKAM and about one third through P & P.

After that, it's a newer book, Chasing Lilacs by Carla Stewart. And then a couple Nora Roberts and JD Robb books--that's what I get for attending RWA this year!!
September 29, 2010 at 11:34 AM
Tana said…
I love your honest reviews! I'm so glad you liked the Hunger Games! And yes, congrats to Molly!
September 29, 2010 at 12:11 PM
Jessica Nelson said…
Jeanette, I agree. I'll bet their book will be both chilling and soul-stirring!

Woohoo, Terri! Better go and get it! *grin*

Warren, that's pretty awesome. What a cool place to go. :)
September 29, 2010 at 12:27 PM
Jessica Nelson said…
Patti, that sounds like a good one. I bet it's challenging. I should read more non-fiction...

Oooh, Diane, I hadn't heard of that one but the title is intriguing!

Hey Cheryl, I've heard Chasing is really good! I hope you enjoy. And kudos for reading P&P. I probably won't ever read Austen. Loved To Kill A Mockingbird though!

Thanks for popping by, T. Anne. :-) It's easy to be honest about books I've liked, you know?
September 29, 2010 at 12:29 PM
Erin MacPherson said…
I read BURN a few weeks ago and I loved it. I agree that I've been somewhat disappointed with Dekker recently (I LOVED his first books...Red, Black and White were incredible!)
September 29, 2010 at 2:05 PM
Tamika: said…
I've been holding out on Hunger Games, but now I think I need to plunge in:)

Thanks for the reading suggestions! Since Friday is payday I plan to treat myself to Jody's new book.
September 29, 2010 at 2:29 PM
Sarah Forgrave said…
Man oh man, how did I miss this giveaway? I love Julie's books! :-)

I'm reading comparison books for my proposal. Then Jody Hedlund's book is next on the list.
September 29, 2010 at 3:27 PM
Susan J. Reinhardt said…
Hi Jess -

Congrats to Molly!

I've read a couple of Alton Gansky books the last few weeks. Good stuff. You'll be seeing them on my blog, so I won't say much here.

Blessings,
Susan :)
September 29, 2010 at 8:41 PM
Anonymous said…
Thanks for these reveiws and recommendations. I've been thinking about reading Collins. I just finished my second Dekker novel, Immanuel's Viens and really, really liked it. He is a master of suspense! And it was so different from his other that I read. He is excellent at his craft!
September 29, 2010 at 9:05 PM
Molly said…
Jennifer,
YAY! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I have sent you an email!!!

Can't wait to get it!
Blessings
Molly
September 30, 2010 at 5:27 AM
Linda Kage said…
Yay to Molly! Congrats. I've got HUNGER GAMES in my TBR pile.
September 30, 2010 at 8:45 AM
Deb Shucka said…
I've always enjoyed Trigiani's books. Hunger Games in on my list, and now Burn is, too. Thanks for sharing.
September 30, 2010 at 3:48 PM
Jill Kemerer said…
I love that all three of these are quite different from each other. My to-be-read next book is Joanna Bourne's The Forbidden Rose. I can't wait to dive into it, but I have to wait a few more days. Boo-hoo!
October 1, 2010 at 5:20 PM
Nancy said…
It's always good to read out of your comfort zone a few times. I recently read E. Nesbit's The Enchanted Castle and enjoyed it. Another good children's book is The Mysterious Howling, by Maryrose Wood. This is is new book and it promises a sequel so I have to wait quite awhile to truly find out what happens. Worth the wait.
October 2, 2010 at 12:41 PM
patti said…
I have FOUR POWERFUL books on my nightstand: Julie's, Laura Frantz' The Frontiersman's Daughter, Outlander by Gabaldon, and The Unlikely Disciple.

Now if I can dig out of the writers cave and READ!
Patti
October 2, 2010 at 5:08 PM
Linda Glaz said…
Just finished Brandilyn Collins' DECEIT, talk about twists and turns. Amazing read!
October 3, 2010 at 9:06 AM
Jessica Nelson said…
Linda, I'll have to give it a try.

Patti, those are books I've heard of, so they must be good!

Nancy, I've never heard of those but the titles are intriguing!
October 3, 2010 at 3:58 PM
Jessica Nelson said…
Erin, I liked that series too. The third one was SO powerful!

Tamika, you should. It sucks you in.

Sarah, you're reading them? That's pretty cool!
October 3, 2010 at 4:00 PM
Jessica Nelson said…
Hi Susan, I've heard of him, not sure if I've read him or not. Maybe one of his books? Hmmm.

Lynn, oooh, I hadn't even heard of that one!It sounds intriguing.

You're welcome, Molly. :-) I hope you get it soon!
October 3, 2010 at 4:02 PM
Jessica Nelson said…
Linda, that's good! Thanks for popping by. :-)

Deb, somehow I'm not surprised that you've read her. :-)

Jill, that title sounds really interesting! And yeah, even though I mostly read in the same genres, I like diversity. The one thing common to all three of these is a satisfying, romantic ending. *grin*
October 3, 2010 at 4:05 PM
Angie Muresan said…
Years ago I read all the Adriana Trigiani books. I wonder if I'd still be interested in them now, or if my tastes in romance have changed.
October 6, 2010 at 12:54 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

We All Got to Learn to Do It Sometime

*grossness alert* We all have to learn to deal with doo-doo eventually. Consider me a newbie mom, but it never occurred to me that my son should be wiping himself until about a month before kindergarten. And then the flashbulb went on and I scrambled to teach him. One problem. He didn't want to. He's fastidious and doesn't like to make mistakes, so the thought of taking care of this daily chore literally reduced him to screaming and crying on the toilet. Basically, he didn't trust himself. He was afraid. Scared to get his hands dirty. Afraid he'd miss something. This is probably weird, but it made me think of us as writers. There comes a point where we have to "grow up" and trust ourselves. We can't always rely on a crit group, agent, or editor to wipe up our mess. I think this should be a part of maturation for every writer, that we can look at our work and be confident in our ability to clean it up. Not saying we'll make it perfect or that we won
Read more

Work First, Play Later

I'm back! I had a wonderful time with my family. Thank you all for asking. :-) In 2009 my schedule evolved into a blog first/write later kind of thing. It happened that way because my husband began using the computer in the afternoons and evenings for his project, but now that I have a router, my schedule's changing. It's time to work first, play later. That means I do my chores/errands in the morning, write at naptime, and visit your wonderful blogs in the afternoons and evenings. So if I don't show up in the morning, don't be alarmed (if you even notice, lol). I'm just changing things up. I'm too exhausted in the evening to write, that's why. During the day I have way more energy to write but at night there's a fifty percent chance I won't do it because I'm so tired. When's the best time for you to write? I also need to shout out my awesome crit partner, Linda Glaz! Some of you may have met her at ACFW. She's a wonderful, faithful,
Read more

Melodramatic Mother

Mom, this one's for you. *wink* The other day we were on the phone and my mom was describing some of her ailments to me. She's normally a healthy person, but she does suffer from allergies and sinus issues. She's also a vivid person and this comes across in her language. In this case, she told me her pain was skewering up through her nose. Skewering. She never finished the description because I laughed. What a perfect word! Strong, to the point, I had an exact (if somewhat gross) image of what was happening. Do you have a vivid person in your life? Someone who thinks in ways you forget to? And in your WIP, are you using the strongest verb possible to convey EXACTLY what you mean?
Read more