Today he releases his new book, The Rockin’ Chair. I haven’t a chance read it, but a few of my friends have and absolutely loved it.
Brief Synopsis: Memories are the ultimate contradiction. They can warm us on our coldest days – or they can freeze a loved one out of our lives forever. The McCarthy family has a trove of warm memories. Of innocent first kisses. Of sumptuous family meals. Of wondrous lessons learned at the foot of a rocking chair. But they also have had their share of icy ones. Of words that can never be unsaid. Of choices that can never be unmade. Of actions that can never be undone.
Following the death of his beloved wife, John McCarthy – Grandpa John – calls his family back home. It is time for them to face the memories they have made, both warm and cold. Only then can they move beyond them and into the future.
A rich portrait of a family at a crossroad, THE ROCKIN’ CHAIR is Steven Manchester’s most heartfelt and emotionally engaging novel to date. If family matters to you, it is a story you must read.
Steven’s books are Christian Fiction, and emotionally powerful. Although fiction, sometimes I feel like I’m reading a memoir or a true account.
Author Bio: Steven Manchester is the published author of the #1 best seller, Twelve Months, as well as A Christmas Wish (the holiday prequel to Goodnight, Brian) and Goodnight, Brian. He is also the Pressed Pennies, The Unexpected Storm: The Gulf War Legacy and Jacob Evans, as well as several books under the pseudonym, Steven Herberts. His work has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CBS’s The Early Show, CNN’s American Morning and BET’s Nightly News. Recently, three of his short stories were selected “101 Best” for Chicken Soup for the Soul series.
This book is a wonderful novel that reads like a memoir. It is the story of Chase,a New England mega church pastor, who loses his faith when tragedy strikes his congregation. He heads on a pilgrim to Italy and walks in the steps of Francis of Assisi to try and find what it means to be a Christian.
I really, really enjoyed this book. Chase comes from the “modern” church – seeker friendly, prosperity gospel, internally serving. He steps over the line in looking into a Catholic saint’s life. And while he has his misgivings, instead he looks beyond the “Church” and sees what Francis faced in his lifetime to follow Jesus – ignoring what the church and society thought he must do. Chase faces many different demons in his own self analysis. He opens his heart to believe in the possible, and to see the truth.
Chase is a charismatic protagonist and his journey is serious, but lighthearted. He is honest in his search for the truth. As we read his story, we are bound to find a piece of our own faith journey there, something we even struggle with in our churches today. Bringing St. Francis into the equation and jumping the line into Catholicism points out another of the church’s weaknesses – the division between the various factions of the church, and their unwillingness to accept other forms of Christianity as heaven bound.
His cast of sidekicks are wonderfully enlightened, likeable and helpful. Chase is open to the change, even as other characters are not. The study guide in the back is quite detailed and helpful in guiding the reader to think more about what this book is trying to say. Would make a wonderful selection for a Bible Study type group or book club.
Overall I agree with many of the things that Chase discovers in his search for faith (not 100% though). He puts his finger squarely on some of the biggest problems in American churches today. Personally I found things to carry with me on my own church journey. If nothing else, this book will make you think.
Note: I was provided a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions provided are my own.
In the tradition of his past books on history, Philbrick gets down to the nitty-gritty on what really happened to jump-start the American Revolution. While there was some discontent in other parts of the colonies, it was the spark lit by the New Englanders that started the raging fire. These colonists would not be denied. It is a much more detailed account of some of the things happening in the Boston area in those early days of rebellion.
Philbrick is once again at his best, flushing out the real stories of history for readers. In an era when the American Revolution has been reduced to a handful of questions on a standardized test in our school systems, Philbrick walks us through the characters and in-depth circumstances of this pivotal time. Through this work we see that the colonial fight was not always a grand and honorable endeavor, but it was in fact a “Revolution” – a rebellion and overthrow of those in charge.
This book impressed me. Once Philbrick actually got us to that fateful day in 1775 – the shot heard round the world – I was completely fascinated because of how many gaps of knowledge that this account filled in. What was it like at Lexington and Concord? What was it like on Breed’s Hill? What were the British thinking about the events? This last part is the little studies side of our historical story. While we often see the British as the pompous Lords trying to manipulate us in our freedom story, Philbrick reveals not only arrogance, but their indifference and fear in dealing with the rebellion.
I also enjoyed the section on George Washington as he takes over what will become the Continental Army. Washington is as human as the next person in this story – fighting his own pride in several instances, but also growing as he understands the army he’s inherited and what he must do to prepare them for this fight.
I also love that this book is full of “real” history – quotations, annotations, references. It is not a Hollywood version of our history, but instead the real thing – eyewitness accounts, letters and other historical documents. The author does not imagine what the characters feel – he reads their own words.
This book will rock your history perceptions on the American Revolution.
Recommend for: History lovers and students of the American Revolution.
Note: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.
This is a very different sort of novel – much different than I was expecting. The story centers around a floating community, a new concept in living. As the work is being completed on parts of the complex, a giant sinkhole traps some of the residents and workers in it. As the group decides what to do, conflict arises. Who can be trusted?
I had a very hard time with this story. The plot line surrounding the city/sinkhole kind of put me in a cloud. There were lots of characters and different points of view, which was not only confusing but kept me from feeling connected to any of the characters. Most of them were quite unlikable as well. But once it got rolling in the second half of the book, it became difficult to stop reading. Very suspenseful. I have not read any books by Ms. Healy before, and I don’t know if this work has convinced me to read her other work.
The book does have a Christ-centered message, so if that kind of thing offends you this is not the book for you.
Recommend for: Fans of Ms. Healy’s work and those who like suspenseful/fantasy stories with a Christian twist.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.
The history books tell us the story of the escape of John Wilkes Booth after he assassinated President Lincoln – how he left the DC area, sought medical help in Maryland, crossed the Potomac River and was discovered and shot at a Virginia Farm by a Union soldier. But is that what really happened? The author walks us through the “official” government report version, and then points out the discrepancies from eye witnesses and physical evidence. He also addresses the many Booth sightings that followed and points out the ones that may have more credibility than others.
People who follow my reviews already know that I’ve been studying the Civil War with my children this year, so I was quite fortunate to receive a copy of this book to read at this time. I had read about the “official” version of the events following the shooting at Ford’s theater. I even saw a documentary on the History Channel. But I had also heard that Booth escaped and lived for many years afterwards. I was curious to see what the author would come up with.
As it turns out, he lays out a scenario that may seem statistically unlikely (my husband’s thoughts), but in light of the background details provided – it makes more sense than the government version once the details are flushed out. In consideration of things happening in our country today – events where our government is telling us half truths, it’s important to see how history can be written for us rather than the truth being told. It seems in the years following Lincoln’s death, it was widely believed that Booth escaped, yet today it has crossed over into “urban legend” rather than historical fact or even unsolved mystery, despite contradictions in the documented details.
I like that the author also added a variety of the “Booth Sitings” instead of just the ones that he believes are true.
I probably would give it a 4.5 rather than a 5 star. Despite the extensive bibliography, a few footnotes and quotes would have added more weight to the story. It’s one thing to reference what a report says vs. quoting what a report actually reads. It’s not the type of work that needs bulk annotation, but a few direct references wouldn’t have hurt.
Recommend to: History lovers. People who have heard of this mystery, but have read about the details.
Note: I was provided a copy by the publisher for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I didn’t learn much about the Civil War growing up in the rural north during the 1970s. After living in the heart of Dixie for more than 15 years, I only had nominal brushes with Civil War history. But when I became a Home Educator, everything changed. As I have studied history with my family, I have fallen in love with the men and women who built this country. Our trip through the Civil War was eye-opening. Even though those units are long gone, we continue to pursue additional information on the events of those years. Jeb Stuart wasn’t someone who really crossed my radar before this study, and we’ve been astonished to learn of his feats. This book on Stuart’s most glorious times has worked right into our studies. In the middle of this book we got the chance to visit with two fantastic reenactors playing Jeb Stuart and Heros Von Borcke at the Chancellorsville 150th and also stopped at Yellow Tavern – the place where Stuart was mortally wounded. But onto the book….
Jeb Stuart is one of the long, lost legends of American folk history. A Cavalry General for the Confederacy during the Civil War, Stuart lived larger than life. With his plumed hat and sabre, he galloped into history with his daring rides and dangerous raids. Akers chronicles his greatest year in this book, from June 1862-June 1863.
Before we delve into the tales and adventures of the debonir Cavalier, we meet the cast of colorful characters surrounding Stuart. We meet Heros Von Borcek – a former Prussian soldier – who seems to add life and humor with his numerous gaffs and his partial mastery of the English language. There is the legendary John Mosby, the Grey Ghost, who earns fame in his own right as a Confederate raider. Young John Pelham – Gallant Pelham – a 24 year old artillery officer who amazes the South with his daring and skills. Sam Sweeny is lead banjo player and songster. Having Sam along for the ride is like “having Bruce Springsteen at your tailgate party.” And many more lively and boisterous young men with remarkable character and skills are drawn to the command of Jeb Stuart. Together, they take the Union by storm.
The Year of Glory begins in June of 1862, just before the Battles of the Seven Days, Jeb and his crew penetrate the Union lines – riding all the way to McClellan’s camp. They scout out the position, take some prisoners, acquires some horse, burn supplies and some how make it back around to Lee with adequate intelligence of what is going on behind enemy lines. This is only the beginning.
Over the course of the next year, Stuart and company will seemingly defy the odds, as they make remarkable and daring raids, lead amazing charges in battles and make ruthless moves that astound the Union and provide confidence for the underdog Confederacy. We learn about the camp life of these soldier – how they are never idle, even when they are not on official business, they are charming the local southern bells and making friends with families, and from time to time getting into a little mischief. It’s a different view of what one might picture as being the life of a soldier in the Civil War.
Akers uses a unique style of writing. While he quotes and references many first hand sources of events – tracking our debonair hero through the remarkable timeline of glory – he also interjects antidotes of Stuart and the Military Family, often pointing out ironies of things yet to come. This helps to keep the story fresh and entertaining. The sources (memoirs, letters and reports) help us to see the real Stuart from the inside out. We see he has the capacity to laugh and joke, yet sorrows for the losses that come in life. Akers does not try to define Jeb for us. He lets us peek in on his most intimate thoughts along with stories told by his comrades to draw us to his conclusion – Jeb Stuart was a remarkable man at a most delicate time in history.
Stuart is probably most remembered for his failure at Gettysburg, but there is so much more to the man than that. Civil War readers will enjoy this story of the glory that was Jeb Stuart.
One of the interesting things that caught my attention in this book, was the folk songs and poetry of the Civil War. Jeb Stuart loved to sing and the author mentions “Jine the Cavalry” as one of his favorite songs. He also quotes other Civil War tunes and poetry, reminding us that entertainment in the 1860s was not a tv, movie, ipod or even a radio. The lively sing and dance alongs by the campfire were popular entertainment.
I really wish more people would take the time to learn about these incredible men and discover more about who they really were, instead of allowing them to slip out of our history books or become a dry answer on a standardized test. Because, Jeb Stuart, and many of the men mentioned in these pages were so much more than that. Thanks to the author for the incredible research to paint this picture of these men and to the publisher for providing me with a copy.
Recommend for lovers of historical bios and Civil War Buffs.
Note: I was provided a copy of the book by the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.
Summary: Robin Price has lost plenty. Her husband Micah’s death 4 years ago is something she has never really gotten over. Raising their son Caleb alone and running the “dream” cafe that she and Micah always talked about is more than enough for her. When developer Ian McKay comes to town, he wants to buy out the cafe to build condos that may revitalize this small town of Peaks. But will Robin give up her dreams to let him do that? McKay has his own past to deal with as he pursues this venture, and it rears it’s ugly head as he tries to push his way through to close the deal.
This book is a companion story to Ganshert’s Wildflowers from Winter. Robin made a secondary appearance in that story with the loss of her husband being a factor that drew Bethany back to Peaks. Now it is Robin’s grief and circumstances that have the reader’s attention.
Again Ganshert gives us a character full of emotion. Robin is still grieving, not only her husband,but the loss of the life she should have had. She is on auto pilot – doing what she needs to do for her son, her cafe and the ministries she is involved in. And while she has friends to help her out and push her along, she feels like she doesn’t need pushing. Her one outlet is playing the piano, where she fully lets her emotions swirl.
Ian McKay is supposed to be the “dirtbag” developer – money grubbing. But when we get a peek at his character, we realize he too is broken, going through the motions and has his ladder on the wrong wall. Even his bid to make the deal is to save the jobs of others in his company. How can we dislike him?
I love, love, love Ganshert’s small town charms and characters – the place where everyone knows your name and your business. No one plays games, it’s all out in the open. The Christian theme of this story is really “God will provide in all things.” We see each of the characters having their own faith struggles in trying to understand circumstances and make decisions – even minor characters. Church and ministry are front and center here.
Overall this was a wonderful and feel good read, one that will make you believe that good things can come out of bad things and that time can heal wounds. I would call it light-christian-chick lit. The message was not new, but a pleasant reminder that sometimes what we want is not always what we need. I look forward to future books in this series and am guessing that Amanda’s story will be next on the list for this inspirational author.
Recommend for: Lovers of Christian chick lit and romance.
Note: I was provided a review copy by the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.
