Softly & Tenderly by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck

Rating: 4 stars

Softly & Tenderly is the second book in the Songbird series by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck, which continues the story of Jade Benson.  After being happily married for two years, Jade's life begins to unravel with the discovery that her husband, Max, has a young son from a previous relationship. Facing the impending loss of her mother who is battling leukemia, Jade runs to her childhood home in Prairie City, Iowa.  While trying to overcome feelings of betrayal, anger, and grief, Jade begins to question the life that she has built.  The presence of Dustin, her first love, is both comforting and dangerous for Jade's tumultuous emotions.  By returning home Jade reaches a crossroad in her life, but which path will she take?

After reading The Sweet By and By, the prequel to this novel,  I definitely wanted to read Softly & Tenderly.  I initially thought that the sequel may focus on Willow, Jade's younger sister, but it is very fitting that the authors chose to continue Jade's story.  When reading most books, I expect the endings to tie up nicely because don't we all want to hear about the "happily ever afters"?  Just as their debut novel introduced characters with flaws and weaknesses,  Softly & Tenderly, serves as a reminder that marriages do not lead to "happily ever afters" where every issue is blissfully resolved.   Each person in a family struggles with doubt, weaknesses, anger, sorrow, and sometimes deeply guarded secrets.  Despite these hurdles, hopefully the power to unite in times of need and lean on their faith and each other, each family member will be healed by forgiveness and the power of love.

Like real-life, Jade's struggles are not resolved by the end of the book; but as a reader, I have my ideas about the direction that she might be heading.  I look forward to reading the conclusion of the Songbird series, Love Lifted Me, upon its release during the winter of 2012.

Just as a side-note, this series would make a great Hallmark or Lifetime movie and to the tune of a country song.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookSneeze through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Happy New Releases!

With the new year, I always enjoy browsing the upcoming titles and anticipating many great stories, especially from some of my favorite authors.  As the saying goes, "you can't judge a book by looking at the cover," but it is wonderful when a favorite story also has an eye-catching design.  Over the past few years, I think that covers have grown even more appealing. It's just like when you open a beautifully wrapped present that holds a nice surprise.

I love all of Julie Klassen's novels and covers, and I can't wait to read The Girl in the Gatehouse.  Since my sister and I love the Jane Austen movies and Masterpiece Classics, Klassen's novels are always among our favorites.   The titles also look great on our bookshelves!





I love Lisa Wingate's humorous, and sometimes quirky, series of books that take place in Daily, Texas (Talk of the Town, Word Gets Around, and Never Say Never).  Larkspur Cove also takes place in Texas, but it appears to be a less light-hearted novel.  Nonetheless, I look forward to reading it soon.

Since Laurie Alice Eakes is not an author that I am familiar with, I am solely drawn to the cover and summary of this novel.  Lady in the Mist appears to be a promising read, and I look forward to its February release.

I love this cover, and last summer I became a big fan of Siri Mitchell.  After reading She Walks in Beauty and The Cubicle Next Door, my sister and I purchased all of her previously published novels.  I can't wait for the release of A Heart Most Worthy in March.

Yet another cover that intrigues me... I have not read any of Nancy Moser's previous novels, but I am looking forward to this one being the first. It looks like a movie that I would love to see!  An Unlikely Suitor will be released in March as well.  After traveling to Newport, Rhode Island and walking along the Cliff Walk a few years ago, I look forward to re-visiting it in this novel.

Although Elizabeth Camden is new to the inspirational fiction scene, the cover of The Lady of Bolton Hill peaks my interest. I am looking forward to reading this historical fiction novel, and I have high hopes that the story-line will meet my expectations.

Both The Frontiersman's Daughter and Courting Morrow Little had eye-catching covers and five-star story-lines, and I am certain that The Colonel's Lady will not be an exception.  I am a big fan of Laura Frantz, and I am especially interested to see if I notice any similarities to Margaret Hale and Mr. Thornton in the movie North and South.  Laura Frantz noted on her blog that she loved the movie as well. I can't wait until it's release in August!

I love all of Allison Pittman's novels, and I am very excited about her two releases this year.  I am eagerly anticipating the release of Lilies in Moonlight in April.  I can't wait until the sequel of For Time & Eternity is released this summer.  The plot For Time & Eternity gripped me from the first page, and the chapter excerpt at the end for its sequel Forsaking All Others left me hanging and wanting to read more right away!



These are just several of the many new novels of 2011 that have already grabbed my attention.  But wait... I haven't even finished reading a stack of books from 2010!  Having too many books that I want to read is a good problem though.  I love to curl up with a good book just before bed, and the holiday season has given me a great opportunity to read several books recently.  I am off to continue reading A Memory Between Us right now.  Did I mention that I can't wait to read the third book in Sarah Sundin's Wings of Glory series too...?

A "Capitol" Christmas

We visited Washington, D.C. a few days before Christmas, and we stopped by the Library of Congress, which is one of our favorite buildings.  The tall tree in the center of the main entrance was beautiful, but the building is simply majestic.  The mosaic tile work and the grand stairways and columns can only truly be appreciated in person.  If you ever have a chance to visit Washington, DC, the Library of Congress should not be missed!  We especially love reading the quotes around the ceiling of the main entrance.  One of our favorites is "In books lies the soul of the whole past time." 

Pictures of the Library of Congress and other holiday sights in DC are located on the "Side Trips" page.  We also loved the elaborate model train display in the U.S. Botanical Gardens Conservatory, which featured models of famous monuments throughout the world.

Our Top Ten Reads of 2010

Here are our top ten reads of 2010.  We consider them all #1 since we loved reading each of them!

Catching Moodrops, Jennifer Erin Valent

The Charlatan's Boy, Jonathan Rogers

Courting Morrow Little, Laura Frantz

Her Daughter's Dream, Francine Rivers

She Walks in Beauty, Siri Mitchell

The Silent Governess, Julie Klassen

For Time and Eternity, Allison Pittman

Under the Overpass, Mike Yankoski

While We're Far Apart, Lynn Austin

Within My Heart, Tamera Alexander

Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski

Rating: 5 stars

We often hear the phrase, "Put yourself in my shoes," when someone is encouraging us to see a situation from another perspective.  If we are introspective, we may readily try to envision what it would be like to have the life experiences of someone that we meet.  Besides reality-based television shows, like Undercover Boss, very few individuals have the ability or the courage to put that question into action.  Especially in a society that emphasizes wealth, glamour, and gaining fifteen minutes of fame, who would want to put themselves in another's shoes by living homeless?

Mike Yankoski and his friend Sam are two individuals who make such a decision.  In 2003, Mike is a twenty-year-old upper-middle class college student who feels the call to live on the streets after hearing a sermon one Sunday with the strong message to, "Be the Christian you say you are."  Mike decides to test his faith by taking time off from college and immersing himself into the life of the homeless in America.  He wants to observe how churches respond to the needs of the homeless and how he will personally be affected as he relies on God throughout his five-month journey.

Beginning in the Denver Rescue Mission, Mike has the comfort of a cot and a three meals a day, but he begins to learn the social rules of the homeless.  Soon, Mike and Sam are immersed into life on the streets as they travel to Washington D.C. , Portland, San Francisco, Phoenix, and San Diego.  With only a Bible, guitar, sleeping bag, journal, and backpack, they panhandle and rely on the kindess of strangers for their next meal.  They experience the humiliation of digging through the garbage for food and being treated as the outcasts of society. 

Under the Overpass is a thought-provoking read that encouraged me to continue turning the pages.  I thought of my experiences when seeing homeless men and women in the city and the feelings of pity that arise and how I wonder what events may have brought them to such a point in their life.  I am also guilty of looking the other way because of fear and discomfort.  Under the Overpass challenges us to react differently because if you and I were stripped of all of our comforts we would be the same people.  As Mike and Sam experienced, even churches can forget their ultimate mission.  I highly recommend Under the Overpass as a compelling book that will invite reflection, the opportunity for discussion, and the desire to take action.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook Press through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”