One Last Wish-Three Novels was written by Lurlene McDaniel. It is one of those books that combines a few short stories within it paper back covers. Lurlene McDaniel is a good writer. She has the ability to introduce you to her characters in a way that makes you feel like you have just met a friend that you want to know better.
The subject of all three books is death and dying which is not what i would call a pick me up sort of subject…but…it is a part of life. Because it is a part of life, it is nice to see the subject illuminated in a way that shows that a person has choices; some control over the way they die, when they have a disease/illness that is diagnosed when time allows them a period of time to prepare. The idea of quality of life over quantity of life is strengthened when you have read the stories; it puts things into perspective.
Even though dying is not a happy topic…i like the fact that Lurlene chooses to show each individual in the stories with personality and strength. She doesn’t gloss over the fact that if given the “ultimate” choice…they would choose to live; but, it does show degrees of individual dignity.
The books are moving…so make sure that you aren’t going through an emotional trauma when you read it 
…it just might push you to curl up in your bed all weekend.
A Life In Letters, written by Margo Howard of the advice column fame, is a book based on letters she received over the years from her even more famous mother, Ann Landers, also of the the advice column fame.
We get a glimpse of the ups and downs of a mother- daughter relationship that is impacted by all of their personal relationships with other people who seem to float in and out of their lives, over the years.
The letters are revealing not only of Ann Landers public personna but also of her complex relationship with Margo . There is, of course, all kinds of gossipy tid bits woven through out the letters relating to many celebrity and high powered individuals who knew Eppie Lederer otherwise known as Ann Landers and her daughter Margo.
The book is interesting in a kind of enquiring mind sort of way. If you take the time to compare the public, and the private person; it is somewhat interesting to see the contradictory sides of Ann Landers. She was a woman who many held up, as a paragon of virtue, for knowing exactly what to do, and when & how to do it, through her daily newspaper columns.
In a way, this is an un-official biography of both women…as the letters were written about every day events in both of their lives.
This book, A Life In Letters, was copyrighted in 2003 and it was published by Warner Books, Inc.
The book, Hannah’s Gift…Lessons from a Life Fully Lived, requires at least one small box of tissues that have been softened with lotion. This book…made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me sob like nobody’s business…and it made me want to change the way that i look at life with all of it’s ups and downs.
Hannah introduced the power of the human touch to the medical professional’s approach in helping pediatric care patients. She introduced the idea of not limiting the activities of a sick child, when another approach can be considered, without compromising the health of the child. In other words, don’t say no just for the sake of saying no…time is limited…say yes once in a while, and feel the liberation of that!
I can think of all kinds of people that i want to personally recommend this book to. I stayed up last night, until 2:30 this morning, to read it cover to cover; and, I am not sorry for the sacrifice of time.
Hannah is three. She is a life force to be reckoned with. Hannah is diagnosed with a cancerous tumor. She and her family are on a collison course with the depths of their faith. Hannah lives with joy in her red shoes that “fit perfect”. She insists on being given some control in her daily life.
Hannah is an inspiration. Even after her death, she leaves a legacy of living life to the fullest. Hannah teaches many not to fear the opinion of others; not to hold oneself back, by fear. She teaches that life is better living in truth, when you have the facts. She also inspires a closer relationship with the spirit of God.
Hannah’s family was each gifted in the present, and in the future, through knowing her and learning from her short life. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book. If you know someone who is grieving…share the book. If you know someone struggling with cancer…share the book. If you know someone locked in fear…holding themselves back from their joys…share the book.
Hannah’s Gift…touched me in ways that are amazing. Just yesterday, previous to reading the book; I had been blogging on the subject of grieving; at the request of a friend who is grieving the loss of her mother. Part of my blog post referred to my vision of grief as being like an onion…full of layer upon layer of discovery and loss. Hannah’s Gift also, later in the evening of my reading, likened grief to the layers of an onion. God spoke to me at the reading of that. He speaks to us in real ways when we are listening. Just like he spoke to Hannah’s mother through a complete stranger who was encouraged by a Hannah who had passed to create a handmade rug for her mother. Just like he spoke to Hannah’s mother through two other women who made a quilt before Hannah’s death in his usual perfect timing.
My blog post was that everyone grieves differently…and that is ok. The key is not to get stuck in anyone area of grief that is destructive. Hard to avoid…but, necessary for the soul to go on.
Hannah’s Gift was written by Hannah’s mother, Maria Housden. She overcame the despair and depression that her loss caused to go on to write this inspiring book. Truly, God intended her to share her wisdom and her journey. He has changed Maria’s life since that time…it has been a life of meaning. Painful at times, inspiring at times, and he has taught Maria about living in the moment, loving in the moment, letting go with dignity, and teaching through it all.
Hannah’s Gift was copyrighted in 2002 and was published by Bantam Books, a division of Random House, Inc.
Play Dirty is a work of fiction written by Sandra Brown. The premise of this book is that a man by the name of Griff Burkett is released from prison after five years. He is a former football player who was charged and convicted for throwing a game because he had owed gamboling money.
He has a hard time finding employment and is pretty much considered a pariah in the community. No one wants to hire him. He has no friends. He has no family. He is approached by a very rich man and his wife and asked to perform a very personal and confidential service for a large sum of money.
Against all odds…he goes against his better judgement and does what they ask of him…for the money. It all goes badly. In the end…he is pursued by a man who is bent on destroying him and his remaining reputation.
Griff is basically a good guy at heart who is misunderstood in both large and small ways. He doesn’t trust others enough to communicate what he is really feeling, most of the time. This sets him up to find himself in the middle of a murder investigation.
The story line is a bit far fetched, what with a police officer with a vengence who literally gets away with murder…but, Sandra Brown is a writer with great skill…so the reader overlooks alot.
The only problem i have with this particular book is the raunchy language at times. It is a shame that someone with Ms. Brown’s writing skill finds it necessary to use this type of language to set a scene. I do love her books…but this is getting to be more of a problem for me when i read them.
`Play Dirty was copyrighted in 2007 and is published by Simon & Shuster.
Karen Kingsbury has written another fabulous book titled, Family. I loved this book because it has many of the elements that make up my family situation.
The book is written about the Baxter Family. Throughout the book, the main theme is God’s unfailing love and care woven throughout a person’s difficulties and successes.
Unbeknownst to John Baxter’s children…he and his late wife had conceived a child before their marriage which they were forced to give up through adoption because of Mrs. Baxter’s parents. They went on in their relationship to get married and have four other children. They longed for their missing child. Yet, they prayed for him throughout his life. God rewarded them with an eventual reunion.
The four children knew nothing of this other missing sibling. They each come to terms with the idea of having an adult sibling that they knew nothing about in their own way. This requires adjustments in understanding how they can bond with someone who is part of them and yet doesn’t have the foundation from growing up with them. Yet, God inexplicably binds them together from their DNA, to their faith, and a desire to know one another and form a relationship.
God’s guiding hand provided Mrs. Baxter’s dying wish to meet her adult son. He had the opportunity to meet her a day before she passed away. Her husband later hired an investigator to find his son…who turned out to be a very famous actor.
The son struggled with is faith. He comes to know God again…and seeks out an eventual relationship with his father…but hesitates on meeting his siblings out of respect for their privacy. He doesn’t want them to have to deal with the paparazzi and all of the craziness that goes along with being famous.
Scattered throughout this book, Family, is the reenforcement of the idea that God takes care of his children. He knows what we need even before we do. He has his hand in things that we dont see…and he works everything out for our own good…even when we can’t possibly see a way for that to happen.
I highly recommend this book for anyone struggling with their faith and their choices in life.
This book, Family, was published in 2006 by Thorndike Press which is an imprint of Thomson Gale, a part of the Thomson Corporation.
Grandmother’s Song is a sweet picture book that celebrates the cycle of life in a family…from one generation to the next. It is written by Marion Dane Bauer. She introduces a memory of when she was expecting her child and then she talks of how her tummy grew. Then the joy at holding her child. The years of childhood as she learns to crawl, walk and run. As time goes on…her daughter is expecting a baby. The cycle continues as her grandchild grow inside of her daughter.
Grandmother’s Song is illustrated by Pamela Rossi. It is done in soft colors and shades and the pictures are done almost in an impressionistic way…as there are no sharpe lines and edges. The whole book looks almost as if it is a memory or a dream.
The book Grandmother’s Song, ends with a lilting song of welcome, to her grandson…just as originally she sang a song of welcome to her daughter, at her birth. It is a sweet book that can be read to very young children who will enjoy the sing song style of verse.
Grandmother’s Song was published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers and was copyrighted in 2000.
Diary Of A Mad Mom-To-Be is a very funny book written about one woman’s journey from a professional, young, up- and- coming lady, who not only didn’t desire children anytime soon…she didn’t entertain thoughts of adjusting her lifestyle to such an idea. As if she had been struck with a whole new personality…she warps into a woman driven to become pregnant; and, pregnant on her schedule… much to her husband’s, her friend’s, and her family’s dismay & delight, in alternating opinions!
Amy Thomas, the main character, should be awarded a medal of bravery for even CONSIDERING bringing a baby into her web of relationships. Once you meet some of the interesting characters in Amy’s and her husband’s life, you will understand completely.
Her friends, some who are very child phobic; and, some who are very supportive…are quick to offer up an opinion. Some of those opinions are helpful… some are just judgemental. There is the derisive laughter that flows, when Amy announces (after prenatal birthing classes) her intention to do a natural childbirth.
This announcement is met with reminders of Amy’s total inability to tolerate pain. Amy of course, dismisses these reminders by way of comments such as, ”natural childbirth is so totally better for both her and the baby…never mind the pain aspect”! You get the idea….much laughter involved.
The journey is eye opening, for Amy, such as news that it takes 10 months of pregnancy(shocking, I know, this pregnancy math) to bring forth a desired child. The journey is even contagious, in some cases. In others …Amy’s pregnancy acts almost as if it is child repellant. LOL
This book is a little salty/earthy/crude at times in the area of language, for some people. But, at it’s best…it is very entertaining for anyone who dares to take on the challenge of childbirth. There is a little something for everyone.
The author, who conceived this book, is Laura Wolf. This is her second novel. It was published by Bantam Dell and was copyrighted in 2003. The cover art, which is equally adorable was done by Jane Boyle Hallman. The book design by Lynn Newmark.
The book is peppered through-out with Things To Do Lists. They are highly entertaining as well. I think anyone considering adding a child to their nest will enjoy this book. At the very least, it should be required reading; as one of the lists is, Things They Never Tell You About Pregnancy!
Mama Love is a picture book on nurturing. It is filled with loving and caring shown in each page. The characters are a mama (chimpanzee) and her baby.
The illustrations are cozy and comforting. They show mama and her child in their own environment doing everyday things. It is all positive in detailing the mother and child relationship. The illustrations are wonderfully colored in greens and golds and a hint of maroon. The chimpanzee’s facial features are soft and friendly.
Mama Love was written by Kathy Mallat who was an art teacher in elementary school for thirteen years. She now produces pictures books full time. All of her books are through Walker & Company. She lives in Maine and you can connect with her website at: http://www.kathymallat.com.
This book Mama Love was copyrighted in 2004 and published by Walker Publishing Company, Inc. The book design is by Bruce McMillan. Mama Love is written for children ages 2 to 6 years of age.