Review: The Last Homecoming by Dan Chabot

 

HOME IS WHERE THE HEARTSTRINGS ARE… Three troubled strangers gather on Christmas Eve to say farewell to a doomed old house, the secure shelter and refuge where each of them grew up over the course of 90 years. They all have warm, golden memories of youthful, magical Christmases here, and of the Rockwell-esque small town that nourished them as children. These old walls were witness to the stories of… …An elderly, feisty nun with life-searing experiences as a nurse in World War II, whose promiscuous youth still haunts her; …A depressed former Major League baseball pitcher who is contemplating a horrific act; …The hometown newspaper editor, still dealing with the tragic consequences of her long-ago teenage love affair. They are joined by their gracious host, the last owner of the house, whose own deep attachment has led her to stage this last homecoming for people who know it is not just a house, but a shrine of memories and echoes. But before it goes down to make way for a new bridge, this safe old sanctuary has surrendered some astonishing final secrets…

My Take:

The large old home in Upper Peninsula Michigan that Nettie Tannehill has lived in for 40 years is about to be torn down, a victim of a new bridge into town which somehow had to come through her old neighborhood. This 90 year old home has been a shelter from the storm for four families and countless neighborhood children, and the memories stored inside those hallowed walls are priceless. Who can set a value on what a home is worth? She's fought against the eminent domain order, somehow won and lost, and now she will be losing a lifelong friend. But in order to properly say goodbye to the old home, she gathers all the families that have dwelt there for one last Christmas together, to say goodbye. 

The house has been home to a tough nurse in WW II, a nun, a war hero, a major league baseball player, a newspaper editor. All these families are now facing terrible decisions, insurmountable crises, and ruin. But here, in this last Christmas gathering, they have a moment to return, reflect, and recharge. And the old home is about to reveal its deeply hidden secrets. Ones that will impact them all.

Content:

Drug Content:
PG – There's a bit of drinking, and a few people in town suffer the consequences of uncontrolled alcoholism. Bar life is unpacked.  
 
Violence:
PG – The tragic plight of kids with cancer is touched on, and some of the conditions and violence of war is described, but nothing too graphic.
 
Language:
PG - There's a light salting of coarse language.
 
Adult Content:
PG - There are the consequences of premarital sex. Petting is discussed, and the youthful conquests and escapades. There's no on-screen action.
 
Christian content:
Every family struggles with their faith, and each has a different story to tell. There are church and convent scenes, and frank discussions about God's direction and purpose for our lives. Deeply moving acts of service, compassion, and self-sacrifice are unpacked. The consequences of unforgiveness, hate, and spite are depicted. 

  

Final Analysis:
The Last Homecoming by Dan Chabot is a beautiful and moving slice of Americana. Its wistful descriptions of life through the last century are a masterpiece of worldbuilding. The simple life of yesteryear tugs at the heartstrings. And the description of life in UP is especially meaningful to me, as my grandmother came from there, and the iron mines of Ironwood, MI. Her pasties were a favorite memory of mine. It's amazing how one can remember the taste of something from half a century ago. And as a bonus, at the end of this book there's a recipe for them!

I have to admit, this book is packed with heartwarming stories that will have you in tears. So bring a tissue, because you'll need it. Great world building, wonderful characters, and an epic saga of hope to tie it up in a beautiful bow. Five Stars!

About the Author:

Dan Chabot is a veteran newspaper editor, writer and columnist. His latest novel, "The Pot of Gold at the Rainbow Cafe," is a heart-warming story about what's right with America, its big heart and its kind and generous people, still a nation of exceptionalism, opportunity and fairy-tale endings. He has written three others: "Godspeed: a Love Story," poses an intriguing question -- How can a lie be wrong when it makes so many people feel so good? "The Last Homecoming" (Everybody remembers the house they grew up in) brings together at Christmas, for a final farewell to a doomed old house, four people who grew up there over the course of 90 years. "Emma's Army" pokes some fun at today's woke culture.

These days Chabot lives in Florida.

Review: JESUS IS BETTER THAN PORN by Hugh Houston

JESUS IS BETTER THAN PORN: How I Confessed my Addiction to My Wife and Found a New Life.

by 

Hugh Houston

Habitual sins, like pornography addiction, are only a problem for unbelievers, right? Wrong! Becoming a Christian is only the start of a lifelong battle against sin. This book is the story of one man's courageous battle against sin, in the power of God's spirit. Hugh’s story shows that any Christian can be trapped in the dark pit of sin, even a respected pastor, feeling isolated and fearful to ask for help. But Hugh’s story of heartbreak and humility and trusting in Christ, shows that God makes a way back. 

This is a story of God bringing back life and grace, after terrible pain. It can be your story too. That's what the gospel is all about! 

Sin leads to death but in this book God (and Hugh’s practical advice), shows us a far better way: Jesus is so much better than porn! 

My Take:

Porn is a pandemic addiction assaulting men (and women) around the world, especially with the onset of the internet and the availability and anonymity it provides. Where once a person had to brave the back magazine racks and adult book stores, now that person can navigate to porn with only a few taps or clicks, from the privacy of their own room or smart phone.

But though it is pandemic both outside and inside the church, it is rarely discussed either from the pulpit or among close friends. Many men think that they are alone in this struggle, but as more material becomes available concerning it, evangelical efforts such as Celebrate Recovery, XXXChurch and literature such as this one and Every Man's Battle make it clear they are not.

Hugh Houston shares his courageous story of coming clean, and the struggle and victory he's found in Christ. His story makes it clear that every Christian man is susceptible to this dark battle, whether a pastor or a lay leader, or a pew warmer. With powerful examples and liberal doses of scripture, Hugh provides constructive help and hope for any man or woman wanting freedom from this addiction.

Content:

This is a non-fiction book, but it's subject matter requires ratings on content, of course.

Language:

G - Squeaky clean.

Adult Content:

PG-13 - The book covers subjects like adultery, divorce, and masturbation, the last point there is what  gives it a PG-13 rating. None of the material is graphic but it is subject matter that needs guidance. 

Christian content:

This is a solidly Christian book by a respected pastor who has been in the thick of this addiction. Scripture and faith fill every page, and deliverance is offered only through the power of Christ and the work of the Spirit. The theology I found in this work is clearly evangelical and biblically based.

Final analysis:
This work gives solid help for any man or woman struggling with a sex addiction, especially pornography. It is hard-hitting, clear, and effective. Each chapter ends with discussion questions and suggestions for further work, and it would make an excellent men's small-group study book. I consider that it can stand beside Every Man's Battle as a help in overcoming this tragic addiction. Five Stars!

About the Author:

I chose to write this using a pen name in order to share my most intimate thoughts while maintaining my privacy. My wife and I have been missionaries for most of our adult lives. 
We have four adult children.

I am an avid reader and have included many quotes and examples from other sources which I have found to be helpful in my own life and which I believe can bless others as well.
This is my story and I pray that it will help you with your story. 
You can reach me at: onlywithhishelp@gmail.com

Review: Paris in Oakland by Eliza Q. Hemenway

Paris in Oakland

by Eliza Q. Hemenway

Every so often a story of hope makes its way into a hurting world. Paris in Oakland is that story.

Follow Katherine and her mother, Eliza, as they navigate a medical nightmare seeking treatment for Katherine's Lyme disease. Never imagining an illness could be controversial, Katherine and her mother find themselves caught in the middle of a deeply divided medical community. This proves to be dangerous medicine, leaving young Katherine bedridden, in constant pain and ultimately fighting for her life in the pediatric intensive care unit.

From the pen of documentary filmmaker Eliza Hemenway, Paris in Oakland not only exposes the injustices of Lyme disease, but is also a story of faith and a compelling read for anyone suffering sickness or caught in circumstances beyond their control. If you are seeking inspiration, healing or hope, Paris in Oakland is the book for you.

My Take:
When Katherine began complaining of her legs hurting, strange rashes, and  frequent headaches, no one but her mother seemed to believe there was anything wrong. The varying ailments plaguing Katherine seemed unrelated, but they were puzzling, and none of the medical doctors her mother Eliza brought her to could identify the problem. Katherine and her mother became victims of a deep divide in the medical community on the existence and treatment of Lyme Disease.

As the disease continues to ravage and debilitate Katherine, leaving her bedridden and in constant pain, her mother navigates a frightening and depressing maze of roadblocks, rejections, and denial of service for her condition. Eventually this brings Katherine to the edge of death in an intensive care unit, where doctors are still denying there is a problem.

In this true story, documentary filmmaker Eliza Hemenway exposes the ravages of Lyme Disease, its struggle for recognition and available treatment in the medical community, and the unwavering faith of a mother championing the cause of her daughter against unimaginable odds. It is a chronicle of suffering, of political bureaucracy and abuse, but also a poignant record of hope in a very dark place.

And there are some places where only God can shine light.

Content:

This is a non-fiction account, but it reads like a novel, and I need to record the content.

Drug Content:

G - Other than antibiotics and herbal remedies, I don't believe there was anything in the story, not even drinking.    

Violence:

PG - The ravages of the disease was the most obvious source of violence in this story. Also in view was the abuse of doctors who refused to treat or acknowledge Lyme disease. The violence done throughout most of this book was emotional.

Language:

G - Squeaky clean.

Adult Content:

G - Clean.

Christian content:

Throughout, scripture is quoted where appropriate. The mother and her daughter find that their faith community seems to be almost the only support group they can rely on. God's provision and guiding hand is exposed and God is credited for the miracles He performs in arranging circumstances to meet Eliza and Katherine's needs, physical, emotional, and spiritual.

Final analysis:
The story encapsulated in Paris in Oakland needed to be told. Just because symptoms do not lead to a predictable diagnosis, does not mean the symptoms don't exist, that they are psychosomatic. There are many people with debilitating diseases that need a relative, a friend, to champion their cause, and this book would give them and their champions hope.

I have known several people, including a close relative, suffering from Lyme Disease. One friend nearly died from it. It can be very debilitating, and this work gives me a better perspective of the pain, suffering, and risk the disease brought into their lives.

The stakes in this story were very high, the conflict palpable, the struggle fierce. The characters, as this is a true story, were starkly real, their doubt and faith, anger and love, were well-depicted. The story was gripping. That having been said, the pace had moments where it flagged like the failing daughter. The timeline was not chronological and the time jumps a bit disorienting. I found it a bit difficult keeping track of whether I was in the present or past. So, good story, relatable, timely and needed. Four Stars!

About the Author:



ELIZA HEMENWAY has a M.A. in media studies, and has worked in photography, film and radio, directed the documentary film Uncommon Knowledge, and was the founder and director of the Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival. She has served as a judge on numerous film festivals and was an independent-film reviewer for KRCB-FM, National Public Radio. For updates on her current creative non-fiction projects, visit her website at www.hemenwayproductions.com.

The book that's taken twenty years to write...

The book that’s taken twenty plus years and a lot of hard knocks to write is finally complete and edited. If you have ADD/ADHD kids of your own and are in need of a laugh or maybe a little help, check this one out...

Christmas Eve, I finally launched the book about our life at home with four ADD/ADHD kids.This is packed full of laughs and advice from parents who have been there in the trenches.

Here’s the back cover blurb:

Spraypainting the cat? What was he thinking?

With four year college degrees under our belts and a dab of training in Child Psychology, my wife and I thought we were ready for anything when it came to this parenting gig.

We had no idea we would be outnumbered and outgunned. From diet to riot, meds to charts, we’ve tried it all, to train up our kids in the way they should grow.

From the Home School of Hard Knocks, our four ADD and ADHD kids have taught us more about coping and planning ahead than any four year college degree could have, especially when it comes to understanding what goes on in the mind of a five year old in a Buzz Lightyear costume flying on a treadmill. To Infinity, and Beyond.

Links are available on my author website at www.lynvia.com.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled reviews...

Review: Hire Train Monitor Motivate by David J Waldron

Hire Train Monitor Motivate 
by David J Waldron

The transformational workplace of the twenty-first century is front and center. Are you ready to navigate its twists and turns toward reaching your career goals and dreams? In Hire Train Monitor Motivate, author and veteran organizational leader, David J. Waldron, offers powerful, yet simple techniques that can dramatically improve your organization, team, or individual career achievements in today’s hyper-competitive local and global marketplaces.

This practical book will teach you how to master the art of workplace effectiveness by first making a lasting commitment to placing people first, whether a customer, recruit, staff member, or coworker. Then hire, or get hired for an optimistic mindset; train, or be trained for delivering quality products and services; monitor, or allow monitoring for regulatory compliance; and motivate, or stay motivated for enduring performance.

As a practitioner more so than an academic, Waldron, presents unpretentious, everyday workplace rules that when implemented, or followed, can transform your organization, team, or individual career to one of lasting distinction. Master the proven techniques for playing the game the right way and learn how to practice leadership or teamwork by inclusion toward making your workplace a great place to learn, earn, and grow.

Hire Train Monitor Motivate guides the reader toward recognizing his or her essential role in today’s transformational workplace. A work environment—whether for-profit, nonprofit, or in the public service—that requires an understanding and buy-in to the Millennial Model, the cultural transition of the now predominant generation that, according to Waldron, is fast becoming the new standard in organizational behavior, group dynamics, and individual effectiveness. This horizontal hierarchical model will likely drive the influential organizations, teams, and careers of the twenty-first century as the vertical hierarchy of the Baby Boomer generation did in the twentieth century.

Waldron guides the reader in embracing crucial areas of the modern workplace. Join him as he explores the emerging dominance of the expert economy; the importance of lifelong learning and perpetual career development; and how to be an active participant—as opposed to the spectator—on the precipice of reinventing compensation and worker equality. Plus, why accepting the significance of work/life balance will remain necessary to sustainable career success.

Whether an owner, donor, leader, manager, supervisor, or staff member, make a commitment to your essential role in the transformational workplace. Read Hire Train Monitor Motivate, today, and make your workplace a great place tomorrow. Your organization, team, and career are counting on you.

My Take:
This seems to be a clear, concise roadmap to transform your workplace into a place customers and workers can't wait to return to. This rolls out to about a four hour read. It's brevity isn't indicative of a lack of meat, though. Using seven proven steps to transform your workplace, Waldron gives nuggets of wisdom and several riveting stories along the way.

The focus on hiring the best people you can afford for your company, and then empowering them to guide the vision and direction of the company, is fairly forward thinking, though it's more common than it used to be last century. With focus on hiring practices, career planning, building quality products you can get behind and believe in, workplace sculpting, monitoring for regulatory compliance and quality control, and motivating your employees, there is help for executives here at whatever stage of development your team and customer base lies.

Final Analysis:
Honestly, I was concerned when I began reading this, that I would find this to be a dry, pre-packaged textbook that I would not be able to drill through. But I found it fresh, well written, concise, informative. Five Stars!

About the Author:
David J. Waldron is a passionate student and practitioner of organization, team, and individual career effectiveness in the transformational workplace. He is the author of the new book, Hire Train Monitor Motivate (Country View) published May 31, 2016 and now available on Amazon Books and in the Kindle Store.

He is also author of The Ten Domains of Effective Goal Setting (Country View: 2016) and A Great Place to Learn & Earn (Country View: 2015). 

David is an award winning contributing writer to Seeking Alpha; and frequent contributor to Career Education Review, HR.com, and Pulse. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business studies from Stockton University and completed The Practice of Management Program at Brown University. David lives with his wife, Suzan, outside Providence, Rhode Island USA. 

Review: Cupcakes for Breakfast by Su-Ny Kluckow

Cupcakes for Breakfast
by Su-Ny Kluckow

To every man and woman who has ever been unhappy with the way they look, to every person who has found themselves eating when they were full, because they were bored, or angry, or watching TV, or out of guilt because someone expected you to, to anyone who thinks they might be obsessed about, or addicted to, the consumption or control of food, this book is for you.

In a heart-felt book that reads like a daily devotional, Su Ny has laid bare issues in her life with eating, and has provided insight and encouragement for anyone who might be on the same path. Whether you find yourself obsessed with the scale or binge-eating, or depressed about your weight, the content in this book gives a hand up through the deliverance found in Christ.

As a Fat Daddy, I found this book applicable in my own life, as we love to spend our meals in front of Netflix, and this tends to make me overindulge; I find myself continuing to eat until the show is over, and often find that I've taken more than my share.

Food addictions, like any other addiction, require boundaries, dependence on God, and accountability, and Su-Ny gives solid steps for establishing these foundations.

Each chapter leans heavily on God's Word for its basis, with well-researched thoughtful and appropriate passages to support each step in deliverance. Each chapter closes with an appropriate heartfelt prayer.

I highly recommend this book for anyone struggling with weight and food issues. Five Stars.


About the Author:
I’m from a small coastal town called Jeffrey’s Bay on the Eastern Cape of South Africa, where I live with my husband and two baby boys whom God gave to us after an 8-year walk of faith. I believe that I am wonderfully and fearfully made in the image of God. I am His devoted daughter and princess of the Almighty King.
Would I write if no one would ever read it? I look at writing as a form or worship, a time to be intimate with God. When I am writing He is inspiring me, prompting me to engage Him on a level that sometimes is deeper than prayer or the words that I might speak otherwise. I feel close to Him when I hear my keyboard chatter with anticipation, each keystroke inviting Him to bless my thoughts and interact with my soul. Writing is a way that I bless others, with words of encouragement and love via, E-mail, text or a physical letter. If I was the last person on the planet...you could find me at any coffee shop banging away at my laptop; provided being the last person on the planet there were electricity or coffee shops...wait who would make my coffee?
It is my mission and purpose to advance His Kingdom and love His people.

Review: Hattie the Hummingbird - Where is Heaven, Anyway? by Dunnett Albert

Where is Heaven Anyway?: A Hattie the Hummingbird Story 
by Dunnett Albert
Illustrated by Catherine Wilder


After the loss of her friend Auggie the Frog, our sweet Hattie the Hummingbird sets out to answer the question "Where is Heaven Anyway?" Through this beautiful poem and stunning watercolor images, Hattie's question is answered through a story, dreams, and her just "knowing." A story for all ages, young and old, who want to understand how the ones who love us the most never truly leave us.

My Take:
This beautifully illustrated picture book is a poignant poetic story of coming to terms with death and heaven, for children of all ages who have experienced a loss.

The pictures in this book are just gorgeous. The poetry is poignant and written on a 2-5 year old level, quite appropriate for the target audience. The sentiments in the book are heart-felt; apparently the author has experienced a similar loss, as many of us have. The questions of why does death occur, where do people go when they die, and where is heaven, are dealt with tenderly.

While younger children need a simplistic concept answer to these questions, I'll put in the caveat here that this story relates, as the blurb above mentions, that heaven is around us, and that our loved ones visit us in our dreams, and are always with us. This concept is comforting for younger children but is from a non-denominational perspective, so be prepared to answer questions from older kids.

Final Analysis:
In closing, I'll say that this picture book was clean, kid-friendly, and perfectly appropriate for preschool kids dealing with grief and in need of healing, and it's artwork is just stunning. Five stars.

Review: The Writer's Anointing by Londa Hayden

The Writer's Anointing
By Londa Hayden



Do you ever wonder if your writing will ever go anywhere? Does God really have a purpose for your passion? This book will help the writer within you realize your true anointing in Christ Jesus and how to walk in it. Don't give up on your writing endeavors until you read this book. Get equipped with practical tips and steps to take for a greater confidence in yourself, your God, and your dreams.

This book is really more of a booklet, about 3000 words, and a free download on SmashWords. However, I felt it was worth mentioning, as it covers the basics of Why do we Write, and is it a Calling?


From a Christian perspective, Londa recounts her own journey of faith into writing, and the questions she asked, which it would do well for those of us who are writers to consider.Spiritual and practical, this booklet is a good resource for the Christian considering stepping out on faith as a writer.

I gave it four stars.

About the Author

Londa Hayden is a native Texan, who attended East Texas Baptist University and pursued a major in music. Using her skills in music therapy both in public and private schools, she worked with special needs children of all ages. Her talent carried over into children's worship ministry. After being a stay at home mom for several years, she worked part-time in the medical field. Besides writing, Londa also enjoys arts, crafts, theater, movies and volunteering for humanitarian causes. She's contributed to a local Christian writer's newsletter and organizes workshops and retreats as the president of Bartlett Christian Writers. As the Memphis Christian Writer Examiner for three years, Londa featured interviews with local authors and offered advice corners from Christian publishing leaders such as Sally Stuart, Terry Whalin, James Watkins, and Dr. Dennis Hensley. Currently, she contributes as a staff writer for Southern Writers Magazine. She has published work in Devo, an Upper Room devotional magazine for teens, "Popcorn Boy," the winner of the Blog2inspire contest, and "Date Pray Wait" along with several anthologies. A fundraiser project "In the Savanna," and a free ebook to writers titled "The Writer's Anointing." She also has a Christmas Children's book series, Candy Moon, and the sequel, Candy Moon Choo Choo. "Where Two Rivers Meet" formerly titled "Jasmine in Bloom," came in as a Fraiser Finalist and released September 2015 with two sequels to follow in this Washington's Woods series. Today, she enjoys spending time with her three sons and living in beautiful Tennessee with her husband.

Learn more about Londa by visiting her website at londahayden.com.