Never the Bride

Never the Bride by Cheryl McKay and Rene Gutteridge knock my socks off. It was good people. Real.Good.

This is another book I received from the Blogging for Books program through WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. When I was looking at the available titles, I really wasn't sure if I wanted to read this book. Never the Bride...hmmm, let me see if I can guess what happens....She is always a bridesmaid but never the bride....one day she meets someone, gets married and lives happily ever after. The end and boring.

I read the description and still wasn't convinced until I read about the authors. The authors both had a hand in the movie, The Ultimate Gift. I really like that movie so I hit the button to get Never the Bride for review...even thought I had my doubts.

The book came and it sat. I finally ran out of things to read so I picked up Never the Bride while my daughter was giving me a manicure. I started to read it out loud as daughter painted my toes a lovely shade. We both laughed on the first page. Hey! This book might be better than I assumed.

I was so wrong about this book....yes, I judged a book by it's cover and title...she admits as she hangs her head in shame. I.loved.this.book. Period.

Yes, the main character is 34 years old and has never been married. Yes, she has been a bridesmaid...a.lot. But it is much deeper than that...really deeper. I'm having a hard time right now deciding how to write a review without giving anything away. Hmmm....

What I can tell you is this book is more about a relationship with God than the main character, Jessie, finding a husband. I found myself mentally yelling at Jessie. Again, don't want to give a lot away. But, the book involves a purple feathered pen, helping men with the most perfect proposals ever, God of course, and a very surprising ending.

Even though it is categorized as fiction/romance/contemporary, Never a Bride made this old married woman think about her relationship with God. I longed, really longed to talk to God and feel God's presence like Jessie did...even at the most inconvenient times. I found myself zoning out during the sermon on Sunday [shhh....] and thinking about my relationship with God all because of this book. [that is a good thing y'all!]

Should you spend your hard earned money on this book? YES! And, do I think this book should be made into a movie? You bet!!

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”

Dreamy Orange Cream

Every now and then, I receive an email from Eat Better America (I signed up for it). They have some delicious looking pictures in those emails. The one that really stood out was the Dreamy Orange Cream.

I made it this afternoon and here it is in all its delicious glory. The dessert dish is from my Grandma. Isn't it pretty?

Sorry it is sideways. Blogger would only upload this picture in landscape and not portrait. :(
I guess you'll have to stand sideways to get the full effect to see my Grandma's dish.

Our son, Mr. Picky, even said it was wonderful. Note: the recipe called for granola on top but that totally grossed me out. So I omitted the granola. And I believe I will use more oranges...maybe some around the sides.

Invisible

Do you ever feel invisible?

You talk, but, no one seems to hear?

Your ideas, your thoughts, your feelings seem to not matter to others.

Oh, you know not every idea or thought is a good one.

But, that doesn't matter.

Respect; that matters.

Everyone just wants to be heard.

Everyone wants to feel heard.

Everyone wants to feel like someone.

Some say you do not have confidence.

Some say you need to work on your confidence.

But, does "some" ever wonder why you need to work on confidence when "some" treat you as invisible?

This isn't a rant.

This isn't a vent.

This is just one person trying to figure out why sometimes she is invisible to others...or at least feels that way.

I try to be kind.

I try to express myself in a way that isn't "hard-nosed" but gentle.

"People" may say that this feeling of invisible is "my" problem.

What shall I do, yell or get into their faces?

Rude.

"Come out of your shell," some say.

I'd love to tell them to "go back into their shell" because not everyone needs to steal the show.

But I don't.

Although one day I may blow if backed hard enough into a corner.

So, I try to remember, and you should too, that when you feel invisible, just remember...

God sees you.

He is proud of you.

He is pulling for you.

Isn't He the only one who truly matters?

Too Rich for a Bride Review

Too Rich for a Bride by Mona Hodgson is an easy summer read.

The plot revolves around a strong, independent women, Ida, who only wants to be a businesswoman at the turn of the century. She needs to be strong in order to accomplish her goals. Ida finds herself traveling from Maine to Colorado not only to be near her sisters and their husbands, but to make a fresh start in the west. And, become a businesswoman.

Surprise...(not really) enter two men into her life.

Personally, I couldn't connect with the characters of the book~~not to say others who read the book won't connect. I have nothing against strong, independent women. Nothing. But I found it a bit wearisome.

I did find myself giggling or smiling in certain situations the lead character, Ida, found herself. I felt the lead male character, who was a preacher, was a little easier to connect with than Ida.

I received this book free from the publisher, Waterbrook, for review and was not required to write a favorable review.

Change.

Change.

Does that word send shivers down your spine or do you jump for joy?

Depending on your definition of change, it could do either. For example, I think I'd jump for joy if I found change in the bottom of my purse or in a can't fit into forgotten  pair of jeans. However, if change meant something that just uprooted me to the core, then shivers down my spine might apply.

Change can also mean I need to work on me. You know, change me...phew, just got a shiver! Change the way I do things, the way I see things and yes, change my a...a...a...attttt....attitude (huge shiver).

But, I'm comfortable with me. And if people don't like me...tough, it is their problem not mine. Oh, reader, aren't we good at believing that lie?

I'm a mean girl some days. I gossip and then only after I gossip I realized I did it. [hangs head in shame] I don't get why people annoy me so I become annoyed with them. I can blame it on horrormones but I can't blame all of it on that. [even though I try my best to blame it on that!] I don't love people well when I don't like them. [there, I said it.]

God calls me to love my neighbor. Not love only the ones I like and are easy to love but love those who are not easy to love as well. Sigh. I try, people, I really do. Some days, I'm just not good at it. Other days, I take a deep breath and really try.

The biggest thing I need to change? I think I really need to learn to love myself. Accept me. Really believe God loves me and chases after me when all others fail me, leave me and reject me. I'm not good at rejection and it really hurts. And, changing the way I think of myself...well, wow, that is harder than it seems. I mean really, it sounds a little selfish to talk about "me, me, me." If I can't love me, can I love others well?

So, here is to changing. Learning to love others better, love God better, and believe God better. If you are in the midst of change, I'm pullin' for ya!

Because I care, I'm letting you in on what I've been listening to for about a week straight. I am particular fond of tracks 5 & 6...


Third World Symphony by shaungroves