Invisible Book Review

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Invisible by Ginny Yttrup is a novel with characters that many could relate with.

Ellyn DeMoss -- chef, café owner, and lover of butter -- is hiding behind her extra weight. But what is she hiding? While Ellyn sees the good in others, she has only condemnation for herself. So when a handsome widower claims he’s attracted to Ellyn, she’s certain there’s something wrong with him. Sabina Jackson -- tall, slender, and exotic -- left her husband, young adult daughters, and a thriving counseling practice to spend a year in Northern California where she says she’s come to heal. But it seems to Ellyn that Sabina’s doing more hiding than healing. What’s she hiding from? Is it God? Twila Boaz has come out of hiding and is working to gain back the pounds she lost when her only goal was to disappear. When her eating disorder is triggered again, though she longs to hide, she instead follows God and fights for her own survival. But will she succeed? As these women’s lives intertwine, their eyes open to the glory within each of them as they begin to recognize themselves as being created in God’s image. (Goodreads)

Ginny Yttrup is a talented author whom I have never read before and I am delighted to discover! This book is written from the heart, it is obvious in the writing that the author understand the difficulties she writes about. This book has four main characters and you the read the book from each point of view in order to really see the personal struggles and pain that isn't spoken. Because of the going back and forth between people I had to pay better attention to what I was reading and what point of view I was reading. 

This book and the life struggles were so realistic to me I felt like the author was reading my mind. Ellyn struggles with her weight, dieting, and seeing herself as beautiful. Sabina has it all but depression is overcoming her life. Twila's parents split up and her life took a downward spiral as an eating disorder took over. Dr. Miles has lost someone special and is healing from that wound while trying to see what God has in store for him. All of these people and their lives blend together in this California town that creates the story Invisible. 

This is a fantastic book that I highly recommend to anyone. It's worth the read, I couldn't put it down. 

"I received this book for free from Handlebar in exchange for an honest review".

Head over to Ginny's website!

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North of Hope Book Review

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North of Hope by Shannon Polson is a very well written account of her life as things took a turn when her parents are killed by a grizzly. 

After her parents are killed in a rare grizzly attack, the author is forced into a wilderness of grief. Turning to loves she learned from her father, Polson explores the perilous terrain of grief through music, the natural world, and her faith. Her travels take her from the suburbs of Seattle to the concert hall where she sings Mozart's Requiem, and ultimately into the wilderness of Alaska's remote Arctic and of her heart.

This deeply moving narrative is shot through with the human search for meaning in the face of tragedy. Polson's deep appreciation for the untamed and remote wilderness of the Alaskan Arctic moves her story effortlessly between adventure, natural history, and sacred pilgrimage, as much an internal journey as a literal one. Readers who appreciate music or adventure narratives and the natural world or who are looking for new ways to understand loss will find guidance, solace, and a companionable voice in this extraordinary debut. (Goodreads)

I was really excited about reading this book because of the adventure that Shannon has going to the Arctic! I also found the history and wildlife information fascinating. That being said, this book jumps back and forth between the present and past and the inter workings of the author's mind. I loved this book, but others might not enjoy reading because it can get a bit boring and confusing when going from one thing to the next. I know many readers enjoy fiction and this is not fiction. This is straight up real life, and it is not pretty to read the many details about her parents death, which she does include. The author did a ton of research prior to her trip and I would highly recommend this book!! 

There is not really a book to compare to this one but it reminds me of Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer.

North of Hope hits stores April 9, 2013!!

Stop by Shannon's website to learn more about her!

"I received this book for free from Handlebar Direction for Publishing in exchange for an honest review".

Goodbye to Yesterday Book Review



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Goodbye to Yesterday by Wanda E. Brunstetter is the first of six in the Discovery series.

Join Meredith and Luke Stoltzfus, an Amish couple who are faced with the greatest challenge of their young lives. Financial struggles. Arguments. A suspected pregnancy. A last-minute trip to Middlebury, Indiana. A drug addict on the run. A deadly encounter at a Philadelphia bus station. Will their love and faith be enough to bring them back together again, against all odds? (Goodreads Description)

I have read many of Wanda's books and I like the idea of spliting up this story into six books. When I received the book in the mail I was a tad confused simply because I hadn't done my research on this series. This book is tiny, about half the size of a normal book, and only has eight chapters.You could easily read this book in an hour. I like where the story is going but Brunstetter wrote it to keep the reader interested in the next book. The end of chapter eight leaves you hanging and I now have to read the rest of the books that follow. Starting in February there will be a book from this series released each month.

I reccomend this book to read because the story is good so far, but I wouldn't buy it yet. I would wait until all of the books come out.

"I received this book for free from Handlebar Direction For Publishing in exchange for an honest reveiw."