Book Review : Lucky Baby by Meredith Efken

Lucky Baby by Meredith Efken

Product Details:

• Paperback: 293 pages
• Publisher: Howard Books; Original edition (April 13, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416595503
• ISBN-13: 978-1416595502

All Meg Lindsay wants is to give a child the love and acceptance she wished she’d been given. When she talks her reluctant husband into adopting a Chinese orphan, she expects her dream to come true. But becoming a parent has a way of opening up painful doors from the past, and it’s all Meg can do to hold her new little family together. What started as a good intention could destroy her marriage and her family, especially if the daughter they’ve grown to love abandons them, too.

Meg’s journey is a magical one as East meets West and imagination aligns with reality. Lucky Baby takes the reader on a realistic yet mystical journey into the complexities of family life.

I had no idea how I'd love this book before I'd started reading it. The story was told from three different perspectives, mainly Meg Lindsay, Wen Ming and Eva Zhen An. I was deeply captivated by Meredith's wonderful literary prose. I felt as if there was a power in her writing that deeply affects the reader, be it happiness, joy, grief and sadness.

Growing up under the pressure and disapproval of her mother, Meg Lindsay was determined to be a mother who was able to shower selfless, unconditional love onto her adopted daughter, Eva. However, she sometimes wondered if her decision of adopting Eva was right, because her daughter seemed to hate America and was unhappy while living under the same roof with her. Eva constantly hurt her mother by telling everyone that Meg was not her birth mother and that she wanted to go back to China. But her love towards Eva had taken its roots in her heart and she always forgave Eva's defiance and harsh words.

I ran to her. I wrapped my arms around her and rocked her like a baby. She was getting so big, but still --- I needed to hold all of her at once. I pressed my face into her hair, the sweaty dampness like perfume to me. "I love you! You can hate me. You can tell the whole world I'm not your mom, but I still love you. I will always love you. I will not leave you. I'm staying. I'm staying. I'm staying." --- pg 217

Son of the famous physicist Naomi Ricci --- Lewis Lindsay, who was also Meg's husband, had spent his whole life experimenting to find the Higgs just because he wanted to earn his mother's love back again. He was abandoned by his mother when he was very young and suffered because he was deprived of his mother's love. Before his mother left, she told him to find the Higgs first if he wanted her back. He was at first afraid of the thought of adopting a child because he feared that he would do the same thing as his mother had done to him --- neglect and abandon his child. However, he proved himself wrong at last and that he was capable of caring and loving his child after all.

Wen Ming was an orphan with eye-sight problems. She was a very good friend of Eva, but she turned her love towards her mei mei (little sister) into a kind of possessiveness. Eventually, she learned that loving someone means letting go. An elusive woman taught her this.

"In a family, love doesn't depend on physical location. Love can travel the world in a single heartbeat. Love lets fo. and then bridges the distance. You would put those you love in a cage, but that's not love. Love sets free." --- pg 278

Meredith uses a literary technique called magical realism in writing this story, which includes some elements of fantasy in a realistic world. I don't find this type of writing easy to take in, but it does successfully connect Meg Lindsay's and Wen Ming's worlds together.

In a nutshell, Lucky Baby is a powerful and emotional read. It shows us that being a mother is not an easy task. The author also shows us the incredible influence a mother's love has on the life and development of her child and also her own inner growth. The special bond between a mother and her child is unbreakable and everlasting, even though it may endure various obstacles and heartbreaks. Readers are bound to love this book.

Rating:

I'd like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Meredith Efken, the author of Lucky Baby for sending me an ARC of Lucky Baby for this review. Thank you, Meredith!

MEREDITH EFKEN is the author of the critically acclaimed SAHM I Am series that traces the friendship of a group of stay-at-home mothers through their emails to each other. She is also owner of the Fiction Fix-It Shop, which offers freelance fiction editing and writing coaching, with the mission of encouraging other writers to reach their full potential. She serves on the steering team of her local writers’ group and volunteers as an online teacher for American Christian Fiction Writers.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Blog

Get Lucky Baby Online

Audiobook
Amazon $26.29
Barnes & Noble $25.19
Books Christian $25.50
Oasis $34.49

E-book
Barnes & Noble $9.99
Whitcoulls $13.39

Paperback
Amazon $11.19
Barnes & Noble $10.07
Simon & Schuster $13.99

* The prices above are based on respective websites. Shipping fees and tax charges are not included. Please visit the specific site(s) for more details.

{Book Review} Havah: The Story of Eve by Tosca Lee

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: NavPress (September 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600061249
• ISBN-13: 978-1600061240

Synopsis:

Myth and legend shroud her in mystery. Now hear her story.

From paradise to exile, from immortality to the death of Adam. Visit the dawn of mankind through the eyes of Eve—the woman first known as

Havah.

Review:

Havah: The Story of Eve is a wonderful re-telling of the dawn of mankind from Eve's viewpoint. Tosca nicely imagines the life of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden and writes the story with an excellent literary prose which is bound to captivate readers. As a result of their decision to eat the "Forbidden fruit", Adam and Eve lost their innocence, became separated from God and were exiled from the garden where they were forced to adopt agriculture under less than desirable circumstances for a living.

Their yearning to hear God's voice again after the exile was saddening. They wanted to return to their birthplace and tried to find it their whole life, but all of their efforts were to no avail. They experience the many emotions of life - happiness, sadness, joy, sorrow, hope, heartbreak and despair. They lost their second son, under some extraordinary circumstances. This tragedy caused Eve to grieve for a long time. She remembered him even after a long time. Eve's attempts to bring the dying Adam on a unsuccessful journey to return to Eden before he took his final breath was really touching. Even though there were some albatross between Adam and Eve, in her heart, Eve still loved Adam.

Tosca had imagined all these convincingly. The life of Adam and Eve before and after the exile was well-written. This book is truly a masterpiece! I really loved this beautiful tale and highly recommend it to everyone, especially Christian readers. I'm sure you'll find it as interesting as I do.

Rating:

Special thanks to Tosca Lee for providing me a copy of Havah: The Story of Eve for this review! Thank you, Tosca!

Author's bio:

Tosca Lee is a sought-after speaker, consultant, and writer who travels the world in her role as a leadership consultant and performance coach. A former Mrs. Nebraska, she is a regular spokesperson for local charities and has been lauded nationally for her efforts against breast cancer. In her spare time, Tosca enjoys studying history and theology, cooking, and traveling with her family and friends. She currently resides in Nebraska.

~Tosca's Online Connections~
Facebook :: Twitter :: Website

Purchase Havah: The Story of Eve from Amazon / Alibris / Barnes & Noble

Tosca's Other Books:
Demon: A Memoir
Iscariot (Coming Soon)

Watch the trailer:


*Demon and Havah’s first editions published by NavPress have just gone out of print in anticipation of their re-release by B&H publishing this summer, with new covers, and all kinds of cool stuff.

{Book Review} Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee

Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: NavPress (May 18, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600061230
• ISBN-13: 978-1600061233

Synopsis:

One night changes everything.

Recently divorced and mired in a meaningless existence, Clay drifts from his drab apartment to his equally lusterless job as an editor for a small Boston press until the night Lucian finds him and everything changes with the simple words: I'm going to tell you my story and you are going to write it down and publish it.

What begins as a mystery soon spirals into chaotic obsession as Clay struggles to piece together Lucian's dark tale of love, ambition, and grace only to discover that the demon's story has become his own.

And then only one thing matters: learning how the story ends.

Review:

Demon: A Memoir is told from an interesting perspective, and I really liked how Tosca weaves everything together with her beautifully-crafted words. The concept, main theme and synopsis of the story sounds brilliant. I found it interesting sometimes, but the other times, I found it a little confusing.

I liked how Tosca portrayed the demon's hatred towards humans. It was clear that Lucian was jealous because God loved the humans, who were newly-created but imperfect, more than his kind. When Lucian first warned Clay: "the story is really about you.", I was intrigued. However, it appeared several times throughout the novel and seemed to have become a cliché. I really enjoyed reading the middle part of the novel, because that's where the "real content" is.

After reading this book, I obtained a better understanding about the happenings in the Bible, such as the creation of mankind and the garden Eden, God's reaction to man's first sin and Jesus' sacrifice. I realized that God is forgiving and is always offering a second chance. He still loves us even though we had sinned and sometimes betrayed Him. His love for us is immense and unmeasurable.

"But even the forbearance of El in his grief had limits," he said. "And there came the day that he could abide it no longer. Of course, I expected him to slam down the heavy fist, but the day came, and still he held off. Like a mother giving a child to the count of three, El gave the clay people one hundred and twenty years to change their ways."

And as for Satan, he will do anything to further the distance between God and humans. So, it is up to us to choose whether we want to be on God's side or give in to Satan's lure.

Overall, Demon: A Memoir was an enjoyable read. This novel shows us the limitless extent of God's love and the weaknesses in humans. It is a thought-provoking novel which I'm sure Christian readers would love to read.

Rating: 8/10

Special thanks to Tosca Lee for providing me a copy of Demon: A Memoir for this review! Thank you, Tosca!

Author's bio:

Tosca Lee is a sought-after speaker, consultant, and writer who travels the world in her role as a leadership consultant and performance coach. A former Mrs. Nebraska, she is a regular spokesperson for local charities and has been lauded nationally for her efforts against breast cancer. In her spare time, Tosca enjoys studying history and theology, cooking, and traveling with her family and friends. She currently resides in Nebraska.

Tosca's Online Connections
Facebook :: Twitter :: Website

Purchase Demon: A Memoir from Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Tosca's Other Books:
Havah: The Story of Eve / A Novel
Iscariot (Coming Soon)

Book Review : The Call of Zulina by Kay Marshall Strom

“No one will come to help you. We all called in every language we know, and no one ever comes to help.”


The Call of Zulina by Kay Marshall Strom

Book Details:

• Title: The Call of Zulina (Grace in Africa)
• Paperback: 303 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (August 2009)
• ISBN-10: 1426700695
• ISBN-13: 978-1426700699

Purchase from Amazon / Eden / Kay's website

WEST AFRICA, 1787: Grace Winslow, daughter of a mixed marriage between an English sea captain and an African princess, is swept up in a slave revolt after she escapes the family compound to avoid an odious betrothal. As the truth about the fortress Zulina unfolds, Grace begins to grasp the brutality and ferocity of the family business--the capture and trade of slaves. Despite being held for ramson, viciously maimed and threatened with death, Grace casts her lot with the African captives. She is especially moved by the African Cabeto's passion and willingness to sacrifice anything, including his own life, for his people's freedom. Leaning on the faith of her nanny Mama Muco, Grace risks everything to follow her heart.

The Call of Zulina explores the theme of slavery, which has aroused controversies and debates from people all around the world. In this story, Grace Winslow is my favourite character. She has her own scales of justice. She fights for what is right until the very end – even if that means to go against her parents. Her bravery, determination and desire for freedom will capture your heart.

Despite of being an African princess, Lingongo sells her own people to Westerners as slaves in exchange of gold and more gold. She is heartless and evil, and has no mercy for anyone – including her own daughter. Lingongo never love anyone. In her heart, there are only two things : hatred and revenge. She even leaves her daughter to die, and has no intentions of saving her only child. I find her completely disgusting.

All Joseph Winslow thinks about is to marry Grace off to a wealthy but repellent man to ensure unlimited financial supports. Sometimes Joseph's way of conversing is a little bit confusing (he's a sailor). I really pitied Grace's condition. She seems to have everything, but the truth is, she is merely a pawn of her parents, and she is seriously lacking of freedom. Luckily, Mama Muco is always there for her, supporting her in every way.

In chapter four, the author tells us how the peacefulness of a small village is destroyed by slave traders. The scene is heart-breaking...Almost everyone in the village is captured, chained, and eventually sold to faraway places, where they'd be a slave for their whole lifetime. If anyone fights back, a bullet will promptly end their lives. I just don't understand why would these slave traders do such inhumane things to the native Africans. If they were the ones who are captured, how would they feel?

The Call of Zulina by Kay Marshall Strom is an exciting tale which reminds all of us of the brutalities of slavery and resonates with the clear message of banishing slavery in all forms. I enjoyed reading this book, and I look forward to reading the second book of the trilogy.

I'd like to express my deepest gratitude to Kay Marshall Strom and Gina Stinson for sending me a paperback copy of The Call of Zulina. THANK YOU!!!

Rating : 8/10

Purchase from Amazon / Eden / Kay's website

About the author:

Kay loves to write, and she loves to share what she writes about. Guess you'd call her a natural-born communicator! Author of 36 books and numerous magazine articles, Kay's work has appeared in many compilations and book clubs, and around the world in many languages. She has recently completed three new non-fiction books and a historical novel trilogy.

Visit Kay's website here