Military Monday: Rhe’s Bookshelf Reviews ‘blue stars’, by Emily Gray Tedrowe

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blue stars, by Emily Gray Tedrowe
summary:
Blue Stars: A Novel brings to life the realities of the modern day home front: how to get through the daily challenges of motherhood and holding down a job while bearing the stress and uncertainty of war, when everything can change in an instant. It tells the story of Ellen, a Midwestern literature professor, who is drawn into the war when her legal ward Michael enlists as a Marine; and of Lacey, a proud Army wife who struggles to pay the bills and keep things going for her son while her husband is deployed. Ellen and Lacey cope with the fear and stress of a loved one at war while trying to get by in a society that often ignores or misunderstands what war means to women today. When Michael and Eddie are injured in Iraq, Ellen and Lacey’s lives become intertwined in Walter Reed Army Hospital, where each woman must live while caring for her wounded soldier. They form an alliance, and an unlikely friendship, while helping each other survive the dislocated world of the army hospital. Whether that means fighting for proper care for their men, sharing a six-pack, or coping with irrevocable loss, Ellen and Lacey pool their strengths to make it through. In the end, both women are changed, not only by the war and its fallout, but by each other.
review:
I feel like there is a part of me that still hasn’t decided how I feel about this book. I wanted to love every single page of it, but I had a difficult time really investing myself in this book. Knowing many of these amazing families (families of wounded) myself I was really hoping to see a more accurate description of their lives. I’m not sure if it was the hyper-political feelings that came through in the book or the fact that while I am sure there are family members that are very similiar to the characters in the book, I felt like these were an extreme portrayal with very stereotypical and somewhat negative personality traits. Having never been through the experiences myself, I guess I can’t actually say for certain. The meat of the book was really those pages inspired by the controversy at Walter Reed in the mid-2000s. That part of the book was very well portrayed, but I felt it got lost. I just wasn’t quite sure how I felt about this book, mostly because I think I had such high hopes for it. While the author herself isn’t a military spouse, she is the sister of Marine. I had no inkling that the novel would be discussing injury either, it took awhile to figure out the direction of it. I had never read a novel about military life, that wasn’t a romance before, so perhaps maybe I was excited to see a part of my life come out from the pages of this book. 
I give this book 2.5 out of 5 stars. 
**I received an Advance Reader’s copy of this book. I was not compensated in any other way; and as always my thoughts and my opinions are my own. 

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Rhe’s Bookshelf – Love Without End

 
Summary

Chet and Kimberly have both failed when it comes to love. Will they risk their hearts to love again?
Chet Leonard’s life was forever changed when his seventeen year old son died and then, soon after, his wife walked out on their family. Over two years later, all he wants to do is hold onto his horse ranch and raise his remaining sons to be honorable men.

Kimberly Welch, widowed mother of Tara, a rebellious fifteen-year-old, has reached the end of her finances and nearly the end of her rope. She and Tara come to King’s Meadow to try to piece their lives back together again. Kimberly has no intention of become involved with the residents of this remote mountain community and certainly not with any man.

When 84-year-old Anna McKenna returns to King’s Meadow and to the Leonard ranch, she becomes an agent of change and healing for the two hurting families. With her help, Kimberly and Chet’s families at last discover a love without end.

Review
The book was a well-written life story, not necessarily one focused on romantic love between the two main characters. Two people barred by life circumstances, that threaten to drive them apart, when they are so clearly meant to be together. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I generally don’t read books where the main characters are not really in my same age bracket, or life stage. Both Chet and Kimberly have almost grown children. I also do not find myself to be a super fan of country western story lines. Its a fun, warm, country read from Ms. Hatcher, but I wouldn’t characterize it as a romance. There is much more in the story, and way more going on in the surrounding story line. It was a good book but not my cup of tea. If you are a fan of Robin Lee Hatcher, or novels with a country flair I suspect you will really love this book. 
Rating
3 out of 5 stars

**this review is in partnership with BookLook Bloggers. I received a book in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I was not compensated in any other way. As always, my thoughts and opinions are my own.


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Rhe’s Bookshelf – Brave Mom

 

In Brave Mom, Sherry Surratt, president and CEO of MOPS International, shares honestly and openly about the fears every mom struggles with. From worry about your child’s safety and health to wondering if you are a good parent, to fears about your marriage and loss of self-identity, Sherry comes alongside every mom with practical, real, and hopeful help for these common fears that we’re all afraid to talk about.
The 10 most common mom fears are each covered in their own easy to read chapter, made up of stories of real moms and the help and answers they found. Filled with advice and insight from Sherry and the hope and grace found in God’s wisdom, Brave Mom gives moms everything they need to leave fear behind and live the admittedly messy life of parenting with confidence and joy. Each chapter also contains a prayer for moms to help them turn their fears over to God’s protection and care.
As the mom experts, MOPS provide moms around the country a connection to other moms, practical help to move ahead, and the warmth and grace of God’s love.

About the Author
As the CEO at MOPS International, Sherry Surratt is excited to work with dedicated folks who trade their lives daily to invest in moms and families. She is passionate about helping women step into their influence and change the world, whether it’s in the office or in the incredibly important role of mom to their kids. Sherry lives in Denver with the love of her life, Geoff, and has two wonderful kids, Michael and Brittainy, beautiful daughter-in-law Hilary, and her two gorgeous grandchildren.

Review
Full disclosure, I love MOPS. I’m a huge fan. In fact I’m such a huge fan that finding a MOPS group is easily in the top three things I do when I move somewhere new. As a military spouse finding common ground with women starts at church and at MOPS. I am beyond blessed that I have found that each time I’ve moved. The MOPS organization has been a part of me since I was sixteen years old, when I began volunteering in the Moppets program. It has followed me through adulthood, marriage and now with children of my own. It is an organization for every women. This book had been on my “to-read” list, so when I was presented with the opportunity to review it of course I took it.
What I love about this book is the “realness” woven throughout. I know that sounds cliche’, but we don’t have enough of that in our world today. Parenting and mother in general is put out there on Facebook in a less than acurate way. Not that people are lying but very rarely do people post pictures of the chaos or horridness of their day. I’m lucky to have several friends who are keeping it real and I strive to do that within my own life, both IRL and virtually. My kids are perfect, my house is messy, I’m almost never a gourmet chef and sometimes I do and say the wrong thing in front of my children.
Sherry Surrat talks about all these things in the book, while focusing on the MOM FEARS that I think is behind all those things. I’m afraid my children won’t grow up to be the best human being’s they can is a real fear of mine. How do I know what will happen? Will they make the right choices in life. Will they make their choices or simply just follow blindly what I say and believe. Because frankly I don’t want them to do either.
Surrat’s voice in the book is one of familiarity. You can imagine sitting and having these conversations on our couch with a cup of coffee, as if you were best friends. That is what makes this book so wonderful. Sometimes the added stories really broke of the flow of the book for me, and I skipped them in my initial reading. When you have a flow going, well….you go with it. I’ve already passed this book on to a friend to read (she’s in MOPS with me also). While nothing in this book is necessarily a game changer or world-rocker, I almost feel like that is the point. The presentation is what makes this book important and different. We need to read stuff like this. Stuff we already know deep down in hearts to be true, but have a really difficult time remembering during those crazy diaper-changing, potty-training, messy house days.
4 out of 5 Stars
*I received this book in partnership with BookLook Bloggers. I was not compensated in any other way. As always, my thoughts and opinions are my own. Take them, or leave them.

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It’s Saturday, so time for a Book Challenge Check-In!

This is my third year of the Goodreads Book Challenge and I uped my numbers this year. Two years ago I was a miserable failure..I guess having a baby and moving across country messed with my book-reading mojo. As a result, last year I set the bar a little lower then normal and exceeded it. If you participate in a book challenge please leave a comment or link me to your Goodreads or blog. I love finding out what other people are reading. I get my best suggestions from there, friends and Pinterest of all places. I’m a succor for the 100 Books To Read Before You Die list. I just came across this, Gilmore Girls inspired list and I am dying to jump into it. Make sure to check out my “Rhe’s Bookshelf” tab for reviews, and visit my goodreads account by clicking on the challenge link below. And don’t forget, share your book posts, blogs or accounts in the comments.

Books 1-25 of my 65 2014 book challenge
 A Story Unfinished by Matt  Mooney   A SEAL's Seduction by Tawny Weber Lonesome Cowboy by Debbie Macomber Texas Two-Step by Debbie Macomber Back in Service by Isabel Sharpe
Rescue My Heart by Jill Shalvis A Hero to Come Home To by Marilyn Pappano Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia A Perfect Evil by Alex KavaBreaking Point by Lindsay McKenna
Navy Rescue by Geri Krotow His Woman in Command by Lindsay McKenna A Mother's Secret by Amy Clipston The Global War on Christians by John L. Allen Jr. Murder at the FBI by Margaret Truman
 The Returning Hero by Soraya LaneSplit Second by Alex Kava  The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks Murder in Georgetown by Margaret Truman Murder in the CIA by Margaret Truman
Seasons of Tomorrow by Cindy Woodsmall Jane Austen Girl by Inglath Cooper The Healing Quilt by Wanda E. Brunstetter Steel Will by Shilo Harris Falling for Her Soldier by Ophelia London

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Rhe’s Bookshelf – Seasons of Tomorow by Cindy Woodsmall

 Seasons of Tomorrow, Amish Vines and Orchards Series #4   -     By: Cindy Woodsmall

Summary 
Rhoda Byler feels freer than ever in the Old Order Amish settlement she helped to establish. Healed from past wounds, she focuses on nurturing the orchards in her care and pursuing God’s plan for her unusual gifts. When a horrible tragedy occurs, what will become of the bright future that just recently appeared?
The moving culmination in this popular Amish romance series, Rhoda Byler finally has the confidence and freedom she’s always longed for in the Old Order Amish settlement she helped establish with the King family. But can faith, hope, and most of all love prevail when a horrible disaster strikes?
Review

I have been waiting to read this book and I was beyond excited. I don’t want the series to end and Cindy keeps it going with Seasons of Tomorrow. I felt like it was all coming to a head with this book. By this time in the series you are totally invested in these characters and you genuinely love them. I felt myself going through the emotions a ton in this book. There were some lovely new additional characters introduced during this book. Even though I felt as though this was probably the last book in the series I definitely wanted more. Cindy is great with the happy endings and that’s why I like to read. There were trials and tribulations, hardships along the way, but all’s well that ends well. This series is what made me really fall in love with Amish fiction. Having never read one before this I wasn’t really sure that I would be interested. She won me over I love it. I’ve read several others from different authors ( you can find those on my bookshelf tab ). Thanks for another great book Cindy.

You can purchase this book through Amazon {affiliate link}

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