Tuesday, August 27, 2013

"winter in full bloom" by anita higman

About the book (from Litfuse): Lily Winter's wings are folded so tightly around her daughter that when empty nest arrives, she feels she can no longer fly. But Lily's lonely, widowed life changes in a heartbeat when she goes to visit a woman who is almost a stranger to her—a woman who also happens to be her mother. During their fiery reunion, her mother reveals a dark family secret that she'd been hiding for decades—Lily has an identical twin sister who was put up for adoption when they were just babies.

Without looking back, Lily—with her fear of flying—boards a jumbo jet and embarks on a quest to find her sister which leads half way around the world to Melbourne, Australia. Soon, she is befriended by imprudent Aussie who might prove to be the key to finding her sister. But her journey becomes a circle that leads her back home to attempt a family reunion and to find the one dream she no longer imagined possible—the chance to fall in love again.

My take: Winter in Full Bloom is the compelling story of Lily, a woman whose life is turned upside-down by the revelation that she has a twin sister. Her search leads her not only to her sister, but also to two things she didn't know she was searching for: a chance at love and a renewed relationship with her mother.

I greatly enjoyed the first half of the book, as Lily meets Marcus (the aforementioned "chance at love") and her sister Camille and forges relationships with both of them. But in the second half of the book, when Lily goes home and she and Marcus both confront their pasts, I didn't stay as engaged. In particular, I felt that the conflict with Lily's mother was resolved too simply, and the confrontation with Marcus's family, while intense, didn't quite ring true.

While it's not one of those "I just can't put it down" books, Winter in Full Bloom has an intriguing plotline and unpredictable twists. And can we just acknowledge that cover? I'm not sure what it has to do with the story, but it certainly is beautiful!

My rating: 3 stars

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Buy the book.
Read my review of Higman's A Merry Little Christmas.


About the author: Best-selling and award-winning author Anita Higman has over 30 books published (several coauthored) for adults and children. She's been a Barnes & Noble "Author of the Month" for Houston and has a BA degree, combining speech communication, psychology, and art. Anita loves good movies, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends. Connect with Anita at www.anitahigman.com.

About the giveaway: Anita Higman's latest novel, Winter in Full Bloom, has just released. She's teamed up with her publisher, River North Fiction, for a fun giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat Party on August 29th.

Winter-in-Full-Bloom-rafflecopter
 
  One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire HD
  • Winter in Full Bloom by Anita Higman
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 28th.Winner will be announced August 29th at the Winter in Full Bloom Author Chat Party on Facebook. During the party Anita will be hosting a book chat, talking about family, announcing the winner of the Kindle Fire, and giving away a ton of books, gift certificates, and more. Oh, and she'll also be giving party goers an exclusive look at her next book.

So grab your copy of Winter in Full Bloom and join Anita on the evening of August 29th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)

DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE FUN; RSVP TODAY. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE 29th!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from 
Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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."

Friday, August 23, 2013

"dark halo" by shannon dittemore

About the book (from Goodreads): One halo brought sight to Brielle. Another offers sweet relief from what she sees.

Brielle can’t help but see the Celestial realm. Even without the halo, it’s everywhere she looks. And with the heavens above Stratus ravaged by war, Brielle wishes for another gift, any gift. Because Jake is gone. The only boy she’s ever loved has been taken by the demon, Damien—and she knows if she ever wants to see him again, she must fight.

But fighting is so hard when everything you see makes you afraid.

When she receives instructions from the Throne Room leading her to Jake, she unknowingly walks into a diabolical and heartbreaking trap. Then the Prince of Darkness himself offers Brielle a halo of his own making. With the dark halo, she won’t have to see the fear and brokenness that surround her. She’ll be free of that unbearable burden. And it comes with a promise: the guarantee of a life with Jake.

When confusing details about Jake’s past emerge, and the battle above reaches a fever pitch, Brielle is forced to make a choice. Will she choose the dark halo and the ignorance that comes with it, or will she choose to live with her eyes wide open and trust the Creator’s design—even if it means a future without Jake?

My take: Wow. Dark Halo is everything I hoped it would be and more. Shannon Dittemore has crafted a brilliant conclusion to her Angel Eyes trilogy—a conclusion that had me gasping in surprise, crying out in despair, and cheering for joy.

The story picks up right where Broken Wings left off, and it often refers back to events in both Angel Eyes and Broken Wings, so I would highly recommend reading both of those books before picking up Dark Halo. But please do pick it up. This is a wonderful trilogy that entertains while also making you think.

I don't want to spoil anything, so it's hard to say much about the book except that the big questions from the first two books are answered and wrapped up in an extremely satisfying manner. Also, my wish after reading Broken Wings came true: that book looks so much better in light of the complete story. And now that all three books are available, you can read them straight through from start to finish—that would be a great way to spend a weekend!

Read this trilogy. You won't regret it.

My rating: 5 stars, as well as 5 stars for the series as a whole.

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Read my reviews of books one and two: Angel Eyes and Broken Wings.
Buy the book:
 photo B6096376-6C81-4465-8935-CE890C777EB9-1855-000001A1E900B890_zps5affbed6.jpg  photo 111AD205-AA04-4F9E-A0F4-C1264C4E9F30-1855-000001A1E8CEB6D7_zps9b730b94.jpg  photo B1426D4C-9EEC-4C0B-A1FB-90524B03C0CA-1855-000001A1E82B3B3E_zps17d98f4d.jpg  photo KoboIcon_zps515cdc1a.jpg


About the author: Shannon Dittemore is the author of the Angel Eyes Trilogy. She has an overactive imagination and a passion for truth. Her lifelong journey to combine the two is responsible for a stint at Portland Bible College, performances with local theater companies, and a focus on youth and young adult ministry. When she isn’t writing, she spends her days with her husband, Matt, imagining things unseen and chasing their two children around their home in Northern California.

ANGEL EYES was Shannon’s debut novel and the launch of a young adult supernatural trilogy. It was published in the summer of 2012 by Thomas Nelson. The sequel BROKEN WINGS hit shelves in February, 2013 and the final novel in the trilogy, DARK HALO, released August 20, 2013.

Author Links:
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About the giveaway: Shannon Dittemore is having a Live Twitter Chat August 27th at 6pm (Pacific) where she will be giving away a Kindle Fire HD and other prizes!  Enter here:
http://shannondittemore.com/win-a-kindle-fire/

5-sets of the Angel Eyes Trilogy including Angel Eyes, Broken Wings and Dark Halo. US only. a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook free from the publisher via YA Bound Book Tours I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed 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."

Thursday, August 22, 2013

"broken wings" by shannon dittemore

About the book (from Goodreads): Giant angels with metal wings and visible song. A blind demon restored from the pit of darkness. And a girl who has never felt more broken.

Brielle sees the world as it really is: a place where the Celestial exists side by side with human reality. But in the aftermath of a supernatural showdown, her life begins to crumble. Her boyfriend, Jake, is keeping something from her—something important. Her overprotective father has started drinking again. He’s dating a much younger woman who makes Brielle’s skin crawl, and he’s downright hostile toward Jake. Haunting nightmares keep Brielle from sleeping, and flashes of Celestial vision keep her off kilter.

What she doesn’t know is that she’s been targeted. The Prince of Darkness himself has heard of the boy with healing in his hands and of the girl who sees through the Terrestrial Veil. When he plucks the blind demon, Damien, from the fiery chasm and sends him back to Earth with new eyes, the stage is set for a cataclysmic battle of good versus evil.

Then Brielle unearths the truth about her mother’s death and she must question everything she ever thought was true.

Brielle has no choice. She knows evil forces are converging and will soon rain their terror down upon the town of Stratus. She must master the weapons she’s been given. She must fight.

But can she fly with broken wings?

My take: I was so excited to read Broken Wings. After all, I named book one, Angel Eyes, my #2 book of 2012. The day I received it (which was back in February, I think), I opened it up and started reading. But for whatever reason, I just couldn't get into it. So I put the book down and didn't pick it up again until this week. Once again, I had trouble getting into the story. I think it's because Angel Eyes was so good—full of intrigue (who exactly are Jake and Canaan?), suspense, and action—that the slower pace of Broken Wings was a bit of a letdown.

Broken Wings is the "in between" book. The reader already understands Jake's gift and Canaan's nature, Jake and Brielle are in a good place relationally, and the only real conflict throughout most of the book comes as a result of Brielle's father's drinking. But the book also sets up what is sure to be an epic showdown between good and evil in the final book of the trilogy, Dark Halo, and the action really ramps up near the end of the book.

Don't get me wrong, Broken Wings is a good book. Written well with an interesting plot, it's better than much of what's out there. I hope that once I've read Dark Halo, I'll see exactly how it fits in and just how good it is. But taken now, it just didn't quite live up to my (admittedly high) expectations.

My rating: 4 stars

See what other bloggers are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my review of Dittemore's Angel Eyes.

About the author: Shannon Dittemore is the author of the Angel Eyes Trilogy. She has an overactive imagination and a passion for truth. Her lifelong journey to combine the two is responsible for a stint at Portland Bible College, performances with local theater companies, and a focus on youth and young adult ministry. When she isn’t writing, she spends her days with her husband, Matt, imagining things unseen and chasing their two children around their home in Northern California.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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."

Friday, August 16, 2013

"the letters" by suzanne woods fisher

About the book (from Litfuse): Rose Schrock is a plain woman with a simple plan. Determined to find a way to support her family and pay off her late husband's debts, she sets to work to convert the basement of her Amish farmhouse into an inn. While her family, especially her cranky mother-in-law, is unhappy with Rose's big idea, her friend and neighbor, Galen King, supports the decision and he helps with the conversion. As Rose finalizes preparations for visitors, she prays. She asks God to bless each guest who stays at the Inn at Eagle Hill. As the first guest arrives and settles in, Rose is surprised to discover that her entire family is the one who receives the blessings, in the most unexpected ways. And she's even more surprised when that guest decides to play matchmaker for Galen King.

With her signature plot twists combined with gentle Amish romance, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites readers back to Stoney Ridge for fresh stories of simple pleasures despite the complexity of life. Fisher's tale of God's providence and provision will delight her fans and create many new ones. Welcome to the Inn at Eagle Hill.

My take: I have mixed feelings about Fisher's The Letters, the first book in her new Inn at Eagle Hill series. Parts of it I absolutely loved—mainly any time I was reading about Rose, Galen, or Delia (the guest at the inn). I was also delighted to see characters from Fisher's Stoney Ridge Seasons series, including Will from The Haven, Jimmy Fisher, and Uncle Hank.

But any time I was reading about Rose's mother-in-law or step-daughter, I had a hard time staying engaged, and I even caught myself skimming through the pages. I'm not sure exactly why that is, as this book is written just as well as Fisher's other books.

The book is full of humor (Rose's boys are quite entertaining), intelligent plot twists, and sweet romance, so I wish that I had wholeheartedly loved it. I definitely want to see where Fisher goes next with this series; my hope is that I will love the subsequent books as much as I have enjoyed every other Fisher book I've read!

My rating: 3-1/2 stars

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Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Fisher's The Haven, The Lesson, and A Lancaster County Christmas.

About the author: Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Lancaster County Secrets series and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor of a new Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist. She is a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. For more information, please visit suzannewoodsfisher.com and connect with her on Twitter @suzannewfisher. Get Amish proverbs delivered right to your iPhone or iPad! Download the Free App! http://bit.ly/134r55G

About the giveaway:  Suzanne Woods Fisher is celebrating the release of the first book, The Letters, in her new series by giving away 2 iPads, 2 Kindle Fires and 2 Nook HDs! Wow!
The-Letters-Suzanne-Woods-Fisher
Two grand prize winners will receive:
  • An iPad
  • The Letters by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Four second place winners will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire HD or a Nook HD - winner's choice!
  • The Letters by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 17th. All winners will be announced August 19th at Suzanne's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Suzanne's blog on the 19th to see if you won one of the great prizes! (Or better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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."

"death be not proud" by c.f. dunn

About the book (from the publisher): Following the vicious attack by a psychotic colleague, and reeling from the suspicion that Matthew Lynes is not all that he seems, Professor Emma D’Eresby flees her college teaching position in Maine to her hometown in England— taking the mysterious seventeenth-century journal she stole from the college’s archives with her.

Broken physically and emotionally, Emma drifts until, fearing for their daughter’s sanity, her parents invite a family friend to assess her. In the course of their conversation, Emma discovers that he spoke to Matthew over thirty years before.

This finally spurs her into action and soon, when she finds what certainly must be a reference to Matthew in the journal, she begins to understand Matthew’s profound secret.

But when Matthew arrives to confess his love for her, she must decide if she can trust him—and he must decide if he can share his extraordinary secret with her. Drawn by a deep connection that both feel but don’t quite understand they find they must set aside their doubts and trust each other.

Readers will be thrilled by the second installment in The Secret of the Journal from British author C. F. Dunn. Mixing suspense, romance, and the supernatural, Death Be Not Proud explores the profound moral implications of a life seemingly invulnerable to time.

My take: Death Be Not Proud picks up right where book one in the series, Mortal Fire, leaves off. Emma has left Matthew in the States and returned to England with her parents to recover from her attack. The majority of the book focuses on Emma's quest to learn the truth about Matthew—who he is and how he is connected to the journal she had been searching for. The story moves at a rather slow pace, but it's enjoyable. Basically, this book serves as a bridge between the first book and the third; not much happens, but it both answers questions from the first book and sets up what is sure to be an intense ride in the third book.

I would recommend reading Mortal Fire prior to this book, as many things wouldn't make sense without the background from book one. Death Be Not Proud is a great follow-up to Mortal Fire, and I look forward to reading what comes next in Rope of Sand.

My rating: 4 stars.

See what other bloggers are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my review of book one, Mortal Fire.

About the author: C. F. Dunn runs a school in North Kent for children with developmental disabilities, dyslexia, autism, and other difficulties.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Kregel Publications.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also some of the links on this page are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase a product, I will receive a commission.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.”

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

"changing churches" by dottie parish

About the book (from the back cover): Are you a "church hopper" or thinking of becoming one? Do you look down on Christians who change churches? Did you know that 76% of "church switchers" are devout Christians? Do you wonder about vast changes in church? Do you wonder what will bring church unity and transformation?

Changing Churches describes, through the eyes of one couple, the difficult journey that "church switchers" travel—a journey often precipitated by disruptive church changes. The book encourages Christ-like transformative change in churches rather than man-devised makeovers.

As you read you will learn about:
• The right reasons to leave a church.
• How to manage the pain and angst of leaving a familiar church.
• How to search for another church-the anxiety and adventure.
• How to handle conflict between spouses about leaving and searching.
• How to find the new church that fits you and fits God's plan for you.

Changing Churches is helpful in understanding the sweeping changes in churches and what we can do to build up the church.

My take: Changing churches can be a very painful thing. Though the times I've changed churches as an adult haven't been rough, I've watched friends and family members agonize over the decision of whether or not to stay with their current church for doctrinal reasons. And I've recently watched an acquaintance go through an incredibly difficult church switch because of abusive leadership. This is the type of church switching I understand.

To be honest, I've often looked down on chronic church-hoppers—those who seem to jump around between good churches. (Yes, as I'm typing this, I have a few people in mind ...) I hoped that by reading this book, I'd be able to understand those people's motivations better.

Dottie Parrish tells a fascinating story of her and her husband's journey to three very different churches. Their reasons for changing churches were substantial—at one church, their new pastor was a false teacher, and at another, the worship was very much a production, and they needed to be in a place that took worship seriously. The Parrishes fit into the first type of church switchers I mentioned, and Dottie even outlines what she feels are valid reasons for church switching. Many of those in the second group—the chronic church-hoppers—change for reasons that, at least as far as I can tell, aren't serious. So while this book didn't help me understand those people, it did give me insight into some of the pain my friends and relatives may have felt.

In the first section of the book, Dottie tells her story. In the second part, she gives ideas for pastors, church members, and church leadership—both for looking for a good church and for improving your current church. While her information is solid, I have to admit it didn't keep my attention nearly as well as the first section.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I learned a lot. I'd recommend it to anyone who is considering changing churches.

My rating: 4 stars

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Buy the book.

About the author: Dottie Parish brings a seasoned counselor’s wise viewpoint and the soft heart of a child of God to her first book, Changing Churches: A View from the Pew. A longtime resident of the greater Cincinnati area, Parish holds a Master of Social Work degree from Ohio State University and a bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University. She has more than 30 years of professional experience as a counselor at two family service agencies as well as in private practice. Her experience included diagnosing and treating individuals representing a wide variety of problems, socioeconomic backgrounds, and ages as well as short and long term therapy. Her private practice included individual, marital and family therapy with special interest in helping couples resolve marital differences.

She organized and led The Third Option educational group for married couples from 1996-2007 – in two locations.  Parish also wrote a weekly advice column, “Family Counselor,” for more than fifteen years for the Hamilton Journal News, Hamilton, Ohio.

Dottie Parish is a wife, mother and grandmother, and she loves Jesus and His Church. Her current devotion to God and His church stems from extreme misgivings about drifting away from God and church after graduate school. She and her husband lived for decades without faith. Their return to faith in 1990 begins the journey described in Changing Churches. Dottie blogs on a variety of subjects at http://www.faithnotes-dottie.blogspot.com and on Marriage and Family issues on www.taberstruths.com.

You can also visit with Dottie on her Author’s Website or get to know her on Facebook.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a free copy of this book to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Some of the links on this page are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase a product, I will receive a commission. 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.” I am part of the CWA Review Crew.

Monday, August 12, 2013

35 before 35: #15

#15: Buy a house

I've already written quite a bit about buying a house (here and here), so basically what's left is to show you the pictures! I moved in one week ago with the help of my parents, Blendy, two uncles, an aunt, and a cousin. They were an absolutely amazing moving crew; we started at 8 a.m., and by 4:30 p.m., I was all moved in, and my old house was completely cleaned.

Most people who post pictures of their new houses either post before the move-in or after all their stuff is put away. I moved the day after closing, and I didn't think to take any pictures before the move. With school beginning this week, it may be a while before I have everything put away and organized. So here's my house ... in all its messy glory!

The house from the front. You can't tell because of the angle on the photo, but the house faces the street corner. I've always liked things that were slightly askew!
The living room from the front door. What you can't tell is the ceiling is slanted, which makes the room seem HUGE. I love it!
The living room facing the front door.
The kitchen from the living room.
The kitchen from the family room.
My bedroom.
The family room. This used to be a garage that the former owners converted. It will eventually be where the cats live, but for now, it's storage.
The bathroom.
The spare bedroom. This is the only room that needs work—I'm going to paint it! For now, this is where the cats live when I'm gone.
The back yard. I love that it's completely fenced in. And the shed is pretty nice.

And there you have it—my house! I'm so excited to have it!

Sunday, August 11, 2013

"counterfeit dreams" by jefferson hawkins

About the book (from Amazon): Scientology presents a glittering public façade, with smiling celebrities, polished videos, slick TV ads and impressive buildings. It is an image that Jefferson Hawkins helped to craft in his 35 years as a top marketing executive for the Church of Scientology. Yet behind that façade is a hidden world of physical and mental abuse, sleep deprivation, labor camps, family disconnection and human rights abuses. It is a nightmare world that is carefully hidden from public view. Counterfeit Dreams is a must-read for anyone who wants to know the truth about today’s most controversial cult.

My take: Like most Americans, my knowledge of Scientology is limited. Prior to reading this book, I could have told you that Scientologists hate psychiatry (thanks to the Tom Cruise/Brooke Shields/Matt Lauer debacle a few years ago) and that several celebrities are Scientologists. Then, in the wake of the news that Katie Holmes filed for divorce from Tom Cruise, I read an article about Scientology that quoted Jefferson Hawkins and linked to his blog. On the blog, he details his experience with Scientology; after reading the first four posts, I was hooked. I also felt like I was missing something, so I bit the bullet and bought Hawkins' book, which is an expanded version of the blog. I'm glad I did.

Hawkins' tale is nearly unbelievable, and were it not so meticulously detailed, I would be tempted to believe some of it was fabricated. Hawkins spent more than 30 years as a member of Sea Org, which is basically Scientologists who work for the "Church." He was the man behind Scientology's massive Dianetics campaign in the '80s, which helped the book (written by Scientology's founder L. Ron Hubbard) shoot to the top of the New York Times bestseller list. Because of his position in the organization, this book is much less of a look at how Scientology bilks celebrities (as well as regular people) out of thousands or even millions of dollars than it is an exposé about the highly dysfunctional "home office" and the abusive man who controls the organization, David Miscavige.

I will say that while Hawkins' tale is interesting, it is long. He spends chapters explaining his duties at the various places he was stationed over the years, and I was far less interested in reading about how Scientology functions as an organization (hint: it has an incredibly counter-productive organizational system) than I was in learning about what led him to leave. Because of this, I got bogged down somewhere near the middle of the book and didn't pick it up again until last month, when I learned that The King of Queens actress Leah Remini left the church. That news reminded me of this book, and I finished it in just a few hours.

One thing that disappointed me was the way Hawkins told of his departure from Sea Org and Scientology. One minute (in the book), he's at home with his wife; in the next, he's driving away with his possessions in tow. From what I gathered, Hawkins didn't choose to leave; rather, Miscavige kicked him out. (This was all alluded to in previous chapters, so his departure wasn't a surprise; I just wish he would have told the reader exactly how it happened.) I found it quite interesting that it was only after he was forced to leave that he began to seriously think about the things he had believed for 30 years and realized he didn't want to remain a Scientologist.

After reading this book, I still don't have a great understanding of the tenets of Scientology, and I really don't care to. But one thing that surprised me is that while Scientology is a recognized religious group, it really has nothing to do with religion at all. (Unless you want to make the argument that L. Ron Hubbard is a god—the man certainly was revered!) Morality is not an issue in a Scientologist's life—at least not in the lives of those in Sea Org. People sleep around, divorce is often encouraged, lying is rampant, swearing and anger outbursts are normal, and physical and mental abuse are seen as a way to keep people in line. And don't even get me started on David Miscavige. It sounds like that man should be spending the rest of his life in prison, not running a legally-recognized (and tax exempt) "church"!

If you're curious about Scientology, I would highly recommend this book. It is incredibly interesting! Also, if you know of a book by a celebrity who left Scientology, please let me know—I'd love to know how celebrity Scientologists experiences differ from those in Sea Org (my guess is the similarities are minimal).

My rating: 4 stars

Buy the book.

About the author: Jefferson Hawkins worked for the Church of Scientology for more than 30 years, most of that time as a senior marketing executive. He was the brains behind the successful Dianetics campaign of the 1980s. He left Scientology in 2005, and now works as a graphic designer and artist in Portland, Oregon. He is committed to helping individuals and families who have been victimized by Scientology. His blog, Leaving Scientology, is dedicated to exposing the abuses and crimes of the Church of Scientology, and helping people to leave the Church.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I purchased this book myself and have no connection to the author or publisher. Some of the links on this page are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase a product, I will receive a commission. 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."

Thursday, August 1, 2013

it wasn't supposed to be like this

When I was a kid, I learned my parents were 24 when they got married. That sounded positively ancient. Surely I'd get married much sooner than that!

I am currently mere days away from my 32nd birthday. And I'm still single.

I had always imagined that by this point in my life, I'd have a husband, two or three kids, and be a stay-at-home mom. For whatever reason, God has put me on a different path. Most of the time, I'm okay with this—I'm actually glad I didn't marry young, as I've done a lot of growing up in the 14 years since I graduated from high school. I enjoy the freedom I have as a single woman; I don't really have to consider anyone else when deciding on purchases, entertainment, meals, or travel. I can do whatever I want on the weekend. I only have to worry about getting myself ready in the morning, so I can sleep until the last possible second.

Overall, my life is good.

Tomorrow, I'll sign the documents to officially purchase my first house. I've heard that moving is one of the five most stressful things in life, and I've never before believed it, but I sure do now! There is so much more stress involved with finding and purchasing a house than there is with renting. And don't even get me started on the loan approval process! (It's enough to give someone a heart condition. No kidding.)

And I wish I had someone to walk by my side, helping me make decisions and sharing the stress.

My parents have been fantastic, checking out houses and going furniture shopping with me, giving advice when I ask for it, and helping me pack. My loan officer has been incredibly patient, reassuring me when the approval process took longer than I thought it should and answering all of my "I have no idea what I'm doing!" questions. My friends have been behind me, cheering me on and praying for wisdom and sanity. My sister Steph has been a great sounding board, always bringing me back to reality. (Also, she mowed my lawn for me tonight so I wouldn't have to take a break from packing to do it. She's pretty awesome.)

But, as wonderful as these people are, they aren't "in it" with me. 

So I want to take a moment to acknowledge something that I usually don't: singleness is hard. It's not my ideal life, but it is my current life. And while journeying through life without a partner is difficult, I shouldn't use it as an excuse for letting my life stagnate.

That's why I took an accounting class this summer (and learned I most certainly should not become an accountant).

That's why I joined a book club through my church, even though meeting new people is difficult for me.

And that's why I'm buying a house.