"The Undoing of Saint Silvanus" by Beth Moore

The Undoing of Saint Silvanus by Beth Moore is her first fiction novel. It takes place in New Orleans and centers on a group of people who live in an old refurbished church. When Jillian gets a mysterious phone call from a woman who works for her grandmother telling her that her father is dead, she hops on a plane and finds her grandmother living at Saint Silvanus. Jillian’s mother does not get along with her mother-in-law and was not happy about Jillian going to see her. Some family secrets are revealed, Jillian finds herself in great danger when she gets involved with the wrong person but makes some good friends with the bunch at Saint Silvanus. Jillian is not a religious person but Adella, the woman who called her, is and managed to help Jillian and her grandmother mend their relationship. This novel is about how God can pick up the pieces of broken lives and put them together.

I thought this Christian fiction novel would have more humor but most of it was pretty dark. It moved along very slowly and some things didn’t make sense to me, like why all the flashbacks to when the church was actually a church. Nor did I understand if the father had money for Jillian to inherit, why he lived on the streets like a bum. I liked Adella the best because although she was the Christian in the book, she was presented in a good light and provided at least some humor with her wit and direct ways. I didn’t much care for Jillian, the main character, but liked her better as the book progressed. It certainly is quite a story and one I will probably remember because of the original plot.
(Karen's review, 3 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"The Girl Before"

In The Girl Before by Rena Olsen, Clara Lawson lives with her husband Glenn.  She helps with the family business.  Then one day the FBI breaks in and Clara is separated from Glenn.  When she is asked questions, she starts to realize that maybe everything she thought was right was not so.

I enjoyed this book.  the story flowed really well and I felt for Clara.  This is going to be a movie!  I think you should check it out!  It has a real good ending too!
(Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday

Karen's:

"I wasn't looking for you to surprise me.  You tell me you've heard from the Wicked Witch of the South and tht Rafe is dead and some stranger has your personal contact information, and you want to know why I'm unnerved?"

From page 11 of The Undoing of Saint Silvanus by Beth Moore.

Okay, Lord, I don't want to worry about Steig, the kids, the celebration, Ken's retirement, and all the other stuff.  I want to trust You.

From page 29 of The Second Half by Lauraine Snelling.

Gerard's:

What I don't write is:  I'm so lonely in the world I want to peel all of my flesh off and walk, just bone and gristle, straight into the river, to be swallowed, just like my father.

From Page 27 of Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow.

There is a toilet in the corner of the room, but I only use it when I am sure it is nighttime.  I only know it is nighttime because they run the lights from dim to dimmer.

From page 8 of The Girl Before by Rena Olsen.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading. 

Happy Reading!

"Girl In Pieces" by Kathleen Glasgow

In Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow, Charlotte has seen a lot of loss in her 17 years.  She has a way to deal with it but to find out what that is, you will have to read the book!  Now her mom has given up on her, but she gets a chance to start fresh.  How does she do?

I really enjoyed watching Charlotte grow as this book went along to a real nice ending.
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)  

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Fast into the Night--a Woman, her Dogs, and their Journey North on the Iditarod Trail" by Debbie Moderow

Fast Into the Night by Debbie Clarke Moderow is a true story about Debbie and her dogs doing the Iditarod race in Alaska.  I really enjoyed how Debbie connects with her dogs.  This was the best part of the book to me.  I enjoyed it and thought Debbie told her story very well.
(Gerard's review, 4.5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!