Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda

From the publisher:

Somer’s life is everything she imagined it would be—she’s newly married and has started her career as a physician in San Francisco—until she makes the devastating discovery she never will be able to have children.
The same year in India, a poor mother makes the heartbreaking choice to save her newborn daughter’s life by giving her away. It is a decision that will haunt Kavita for the rest of her life, and cause a ripple effect that travels across the world and back again.
Asha, adopted out of a Mumbai orphanage, is the child that binds the destinies of these two women. We follow both families, invisibly connected until Asha’s journey of self-discovery leads her back to India.
Compulsively readable and deeply touching, Secret Daughter is a story of the unforeseen ways in which our choices and families affect our lives, and the indelible power of love in all its many forms.

It's no secret that I tend to shy away from "International Bestsellers" or books that the masses adore.  It seems that when I read them, I can't seem to share the love.  When I came across this book in the thrift store, it sounded interesting . . . different, and I felt like I should give it a go.

I'm so glad I did.

This is the story of two families that live in two very different parts of the world.  One family in the US, an expat from India and his American wife.  They are doctors, affluent, pretty . . . but infertile.  The other family is a poor family living in a village in India.  They wanted to start a family, but it has to be the right family.  This means having sons.  When this family has a daughter, a mother is faced with a life changing, heartbreaking decision that effects them all.

Tied in this gut wrenching story, the story weaves in the truths of gendercide and feticide.  That is the killing of a child due to its gender, whether it's after birth or while the baby is still in its mother's womb.

The story sucks you in right from the beginning, tugging on your emotions.  It was especially hard for me as a mom, as a mom of a daughter, and someone who believes that every life is precious ad real, even when unborn.

I found myself really in awe at how the author described the American wife.  When I lived back home in the US, I never really noticed it.  But since living in Canada (while there are MANY similarities, it isn't the same), I have started to notice what the author described.  And since I discovered the tv show, House Hunters International, a real estate show that follows families moving and finding homes overseas, I've really noticed it.  Americans, generally women, seem to be such snobs!  The character of Somer, our America mom in the story, really suck with me.  How she was a snob to her husband's family and the different lifestyle of people in India.  Even the denial that her own daughter, her adopted daughter from India, is not like her.  The desires for her daughter, Asha, to find out who she is and where is she from, unsettles Somer.  More so as a mother than as an American woman.

We witness the truths of being a poor family in India.  We witness the truths of what is like to be a woman, a daughter and a wife in India. 

While we follow the lives of these families for over twenty years, we witness the evolvement of the relationships between husbands ad wives, parents and children, death and birth.  The lives of the men in this story was not developed, and I can see that some readers will have some trouble with this.  However, I believe the author did this one purpose.  This is a story about women.  This is a story about mothers.

This is a book that I would highly recommend to all.  It is a fast read, each chapter coming from different characters' points of view.  If you've thought of picking this one up, please do so soon!

To bring more awareness to gendercide, a documentary indicating that "the three deadliest words in the world . . . 'It's A Girl!'."  As I have only viewed the trailer and not the entire documentary, I do have to agree that this a problem worldwide--even in our western first world nations.  I came across this article about a month ago.  Canadian moms, born in India, see more sons born than daughters.  Such a significant amount that it is being noticed.

Title: Secret Daughter
Author: Shilpi Somaya Gowda
Publication Year: 2010
ISBN: 978-0-06-197430-4
Publisher: William Morrow
Source: Personal copy
Rating: 5/5
Recommend? Yes!

Book Review: What A Son Needs From His Dad by Michael A. O'Donnell, PhD

From the publisher:

What Important Role Does a Dad Play in His Son's Life?

He may be a little boy asking you to play catch today. But what about the years to come? Will you continue to be an important influence, helping him realize the potential God has given him?

As a man, you know a lot of what your son will face, and no one is in a better position to prepare him for life. Michael O'Donnell's insights offer simple but powerful techniques to help you start your son on the road to maturity. You can build the father-son bond you want and lead him into a healthy, well-balanced manhood.

What a Son Needs From His Dad will give you proven day-to-day strategies to:
•    instill character and strong spiritual values
•    develop responsible habits toward work and money
•    dialogue about sexuality and prepare him for marriage
•    encourage godly friendships with other boys and men

Be the man you want your son to become and launch a relationship with him that will last a lifetime.

When I became pregnant with my first, I hoped for a boy.  Girls scared me.  I grew up a tomboy with two older brothers.  They, between the two of them, have produced five boys and no girls.  My little knowledge of children comes from my nephews.  They were a lot of fun and enjoyed rough and tough boy things.  I can handle that.  Deep down I knew I was having a girl and it scared me.  (Yes, my first child is a girl.)

My daughter and I seemed to bond instantly and I felt I understood her.  I know how to meet her needs, understood what she wanted and how to comfort her.  She was a very difficult baby in the sense she was high needs (she cried/fussed/screamed literally 24/7 her first month on this earth), but I just knew what she needed.

So when I became pregnant with number two, I was suddenly scared that it would be a boy.  Maybe I didn't understand them as well as I thought I did.  My gut was telling me this one was a boy, which was confirmed  with an ultrasound.  When he was born, I felt like a first time mom all over again.  Turns out the holding and the cuddling his big sister craved wasn't what this little guy wanted.  I remember telling him, both of us in the midst of tears, "I don't know what to do to make you happy."  I couldn't figure him out and it did put a damper on our bonding.  I was so convinced he wasn't too impressed with having me as his mom.

So when Bethany House offered this book, I jumped at it.  Even though I am "mom," and not "dad," I figured it couldn't hurt to gain a bit of insight on boys. (Truly, they are weird creatures.)

Reading this book, it seemed a lot of this is basic, common knowledge of information for child rearing.  Some can be applied to a daughter as well.  However, if we stop and take a look at our society, and understand that a good portion of our chaos is due to parental choices, well, it's easy to conclude that maybe we as parents aren't making the best choices when it comes to raising children.  All choices have consequences.  Some consequences are negative, while some are positive.

O'Donnell emphasizes that fathers have a very important role in their children's lives.  With sons, fathers have to be the role that they want their sons to emulate.  O'Donnell outlines seven core issues that they must live, to help develop them in their sons:

1) develop disciples of Christ
2) good citizens
3) holders of worthy vocations; responsible workers
4) chooser of good friends
5) able to enjoy life
6) sexually chaste; understanding of male sexuality; avoiding the hazards of pornography
7) lovers of their wives; supporters of their marriages

One thing that I loved about this book is that O'Donnell also outlined stages of development in a boy.  These stages begin in birth and end at old age with the knowledge of impending death.  Stage 1 is Trust vs. Mistrust, which is from birth to eighteen months.  A baby learns to trust by having a predictable, nurturing environment.  (All the more reason why I refuse to let my babies 'cry-it-out'--but that's another blog post for another blog.)  This, for me, has confirmed that I was correct in following my instincts with my children despite all the flack I received from other people.

For my secular readers, this is a Christian book with foundations in Christ.  So, in addition of being a dad who is emotionally and physically present to your son, the book goes beyond that.  It teaches dads to instill strong, spiritual, Christ-like character in their sons.  And to do that, you must live what you preach.

As a mom, this really didn't help me to understand my son more.  But maybe it's because I'm female that I don't fully get it.  Maybe there is more there that a dad can connect with, look at his own life, and see what he can do to shape his son's life in a positive way.

This book does not have all the answers.  But I think it's a wonderful place to start for dads looking for direction with their sons.

Title: What a Son Needs from His Dad
Author: Michael A. O'Donnell, PhD
Publication Year: 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0969-7
Publisher: Bethany House
Source: Received from publisher in return for honest review
Rating: 4/5
Recommend? Yes.

Book Review: Beyond All Measure by Dorothy Love

From the publisher:

Ada has loved deeply and lost dearly. But protecting her heart could mean missing the love of a lifetime.

Ada Wentworth may be young, but she's seen enough of life to know she can only rely on herself. Everyone including God it seems, has let her down. Having lost her family, her fiance, and her fortune, Ada journeys from Boston to Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, to take a position as a lady's companion. Though initially charmed by the pretty little Southern town tucked into the foothills of the great Smokies, Ada plans to stay only until she can earn enough to establish a millinery shop.
Her employer, Wyatt Caldwell, the local lumber mill owner, is easily the kindest, most attractive man Ada has met in Hickory Ridge. He believes Providence has brought her to town and into his life. But how, after so many betrayals, can she ever trust again? Besides, Wyatt has a dream of his own. A dream that will one day take him far from Hickory Ridge.
As the South struggles to heal in the aftermath of the Civil War, one woman must let go of her painful past in order to embrace God's plans for her. Can she trust Him, and Wyatt, with her future and her heart?

I was pleasantly surprised when this book arrived in my mailbox from the publisher.  I actually had won it on another blog (although I forget which one--my apologies!!!).  And as much as I was surprised at its arrival, I was more surprised once I started to read.

Ada, alone in this world after losing everything, takes a job as a lady's companion.  This job takes her from Boston, Massachusetts to Hickory Ridge, Tennessee.  The year is 1871, and the divide between the north and the south is still living and breathing (as it is today.  I never realized it until this Yankee went down south for awhile).  While her employer, Wyatt Caldwell, is happy that he has someone to take care of his aging, ailing aunt, other members of the community are not so welcoming.  They also are not afraid to let her know.

Ada had plans to make enough money to move on, and open her own millinery shop.  Yet, once she and Wyatt meet, we realize it is only a matter of time before love blossoms.  However, Ada is not so intent on having a new love in her life, especially after her fiance leaves her high and dry.

Throughout this story, the characters grow and evolve.  Ada seems to lock her heart from any sort of love due to the hurt from her past, but we find her softening up to not only to Wyatt, but his cankerous aunt and fellow townspeople, also.  Wyatt, ever the hero, is believable and not over-the-top.  I feel that Ms. Love's character development was great, especially considering this is a Christian historical romance. I typically find characters can easily be very flat in this genre.  Along with great characterization, it is apparent that the author knows her history and/or did her research.  This was seen over and over again in various scenes.  From the southern Yankee sympathizers vs. the true-blooded southerners, to aspects of the KKK, I really felt like I was transported back in time.


The only issue I have with the novel is when

Spoiler:

Ada's former fiance comes back into the picture.

I felt that it was hurried and thrown in there to tie up all loose ends. This could have been the cause of publisher's guidelines rather than the idea that Ms. Love's writing is somewhat lacking.

Overall, I was really impressed with this novel and looking forward to reading the next novels in the Hickory Ridge series.

Title: Beyond All Measure
Author: Dorothy Love
Publication Year: 2011
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Source: Won via another book blog/Personal copy.
Rating: 4/5
Recommend?  Yes.

Book Review: Courting Miss Amsel by Kim Vogel Sawyer

From the publisher: Edythe Amsel is delighted with her first teaching assignment: a one-room schoolhouse in Walnut Hill, Nebraska. Independent, headstrong, and a firm believer in a well-rounded education, Edythe is ready to open the world to the students in this tiny community. But is Walnut Hill ready for her?

Having raised his nephews since their parents' untimely deaths, Joel Townsend is thrilled to learn the town council has hired a female teacher. His sons could use a woman's influence. But he sure didn't bargain on a woman like Miss Amsel. Within the first week, she has the entire town up in arms over her outlandish teaching methods. Of course, Joel can't help but notice that she's also mighty pretty—and just might make a good mother for his boys.

When Edythe decides to take her pupils to hear Miss Susan Anthony speak on the women's suffrage amendment, the town's outcry reaches new heights. Even Joel isn't sure he can support her newfangled ideas any longer. And if he can't trust her to teach the boys, how can he trust her withhis heart? 

Edythe is following her dreams to become a teacher.  Dreams that were put on hold to take care of her younger siblings, when they were left without a mother.  Her father, while in the home, was overcome by his own depression and often belittled Edythe to keep her from leaving.  But overcoming her doubts, she leaves the youngest sibling in the hands of other, now-adult siblings, to usher in her dream of teaching in Walnut Hill, Nebraska.  And marriage isn't an option in her future.

Enter Joel Townsend, a gentleman who is raising his two orphaned nephews.  He's a likeable fella, but I really didn't learn too much about him.  But he is pleased that the old, cankerous teacher is being replaced.  He is more confident in the decision on the new school teacher once his eyes fall upon Edythe.

Edythe is not fully accepted into her community because her ideas on teaching are a little eccentric for a school in a small farming community.  It has some people, mostly men, in rather of a tizzy.  Miss Amsel feels that an education, no matter where one is being educated, should be well-rounded and full of different subjects and ideas.  This is something that is rather unusual in the midwest in 1882.  (It kind of reminds me of the Little House on the Prairie episode where Mrs. Oleson takes over teaching after dismissing Laura Ingalls.  Mrs. Oleson tried to implement all sort of different subjects, including French.  But everyone was against it, stating that they should be taught subjects that were going to be useful to their future life as farmers and farmers wives.)

These men were really in for it when Edythe becomes aware of laws that indicate that when a woman is married, her property then becomes property of her husband.  She becomes fascinated with the Suffragist movement and wants to take a few older students to hear Susan B. Anthony speak.  Of course this is rejected by the school board, but Edythe decides that she must hear Miss Anthony speak in person.

Throughout this, Edythe and Joel somehow manage to fall in love with each other.  Even though there was no development in their relationship in the book,  I found it rather believable that they did.  I don't know if it's because I knew it was going to happen, or if the author did well with forging a relationship with the little she put towards it.  Either way, it made the title of the book a bit misleading.

Although this novel was published 2011, I'm starting to get a little ho-hum about the entire woman's rights being the main focus of novels.  I get it.  The Suffrage movement was a huge, important movement.  Yet I don't believe every woman was involved or even agreed with it.  So I don't expect that every mid- to late-19th century setting in women's fiction to include it.  Is it my imagination, or does it seem to be everywhere right now?

I really, really enjoy Christian Historical Romance genre.  For me, it's my chick flick.  I enjoy sitting down and just read a clean, entertaining story where you know how it will eventually work out.  It doesn't bother me that it's formalistic.  I expect it, and it's rather comforting to go to when you just want to read, relax and forget about life for a little bit.  Even so, I do expect decent writing.  I believe I received it from the author.  I just have one issue that stuck with me.  There were a few parts where the author uses leading question to keep the reader hanging on.  Yet, as a reader, I feel that the author should not have to use this.  The storyline should be thorough, leading the reader to asking themselves these same questions, wanting to turn the page.  I personally find it a bit insulting, actually, when I come across this.

Overall, I did enjoy this novel.  I haven't been reading in awhile as morning sickness has taken over my life.  I picked this off my shelf one night when I didn't feel so tired I only wanted to pass out.  It felt good to read.  It felt good to read this story, and eventually the end made me feel good, too.  The author succeeded in her endeavor.

Title: Courting Miss Amsel
Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer
Publication Year: 2011
Publisher: Bethany House
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommend?: Yes, if you enjoy Christian historical romances.

Expecting: A New Little Reader

My faithful readers, if there any of you left, I'm not purposely neglecting my blog!  I have been wanting to read, but haven't felt like doing much of anything.  Some days I can't do much of anything.  See, we recently found out that a new little reader will be joining our family sometime at the end of October.  Oh boy!  I was hoping to have a picture to share, but I wasn't able to get one at my ultrasound yesterday.  But I saw a little heartbeat pumping away!

I've been so tired, exhausted, and batting 24/7 nausea, that reading and blogging has once again been placed far back on the things to do.  At this point, my kids are lucky to eat.  And what they're eating isn't the best, but they're not complaining.  So it looks like I'll have a home of three under two (!!) for at least a month, and then three babies three and under.  (If anyone has been there, words of encouragement are welcomed.)  Wow.  If you told me this would be my life ten years ago, I would have NEVER believed it.

I'm slowly working on a book.  So many nights lately, I've been so tired that I crash after the kids go down.  I do plan on continuing to blog, but I'm wondering if I may broaden my focus from books to life in general.  Because we all know I'm not reading as much as I'd like.  Hopefully that will change soon!

Wishlist Wednesday: Into the Free by Julie Cantrell

I'm back to participating in Wishlist Wednesday.  It actually feels good to be blogging again.  I've been out of the book loop for awhile and happy to be back.

For those of you who don't know, Wishlist Wednesday is a book blog hop where we will post about one book per week that has been on our wishlist for some time, or just added (it's entirely up to you), that we can't wait to get off the wishlist and onto our wonderful shelves.  For other Wishlist Wednesday picks, or to sign up, check it out over Pen to Paper.

From the publisher:

Young Millie Reynolds must confront the past and overcome her family’s long history of destructive choices before finding her own path to freedom.
Millie Reynolds knows firsthand the shame of family secrets. With an abusive father and a “nothing mama,” she craves a place of true belonging. Over time, the Gypsies that travel through town each spring offer acceptance. Then tragedy strikes and Millie leaves her world of poverty to join a prominent family on the other side of town. There, with the help of unlikely sources, Millie uncovers painful truths about her family’s past as she struggles to face a God she believes has abandoned her. When unconditional love is offered, Millie learns the power of forgiveness and finally discovers where she belongs. 

I recently heard of this book and have heard nothing but positive things.  Over on Amazon, there's mostly positive reviews, with only a few so-sos.  While I usually shy away from books that receive so much praise, this one intrigues me. (If you're interested and have a Kindle, it's only $2.39 today on Amazon.) I don't have a Kindle, and I prefer a tangible copy, so this will go on my wishlist!

Here's a trailer available on Youtube:

Book Review: By the Light of the Silvery Moon by Tricia Goyer

From the publisher: Remember the Titanic 100 years after its doomed voyage with Tricia Goyer’s fictional portrayal of one woman’s journey. To Amelia Gladstone, this ship means promise of seeing family again. To Quentin Walpole, the Titanic represents a new start in America…if he can get onboard. All seems lost until Amelia offers him a ticket, securing his passage—and bringing him face-to-face with his railroad tycoon father and older brother, Damian. As Amelia works to reconcile father and son, she finds herself the object of both brothers’ affection. Can she choose between two brothers? Or will she lose everything to the icy waters of the Atlantic?

Amelia sets off with her aunt on Titanic's maiden voyage.  Her sister lives in the US and has a marriage prospect with whom Amelia  has been corresponding with.  Her aunt's son, Henry, found himself in some legal trouble and thus missed the voyage.  An extra ticket in hand, they're ready to board the ship when Amelia notices an unkempt man being forcefully removed from the ship.  Having compassion, Amelia offers him the ticket.

Quentin is rather taken aback by Amelia's generosity.  Ever since he spent his inheritance, he's lived a life on the streets in a foreign country.  He has seen how people love you when you have money and do away with you when you don't.

From there, it is easily understood that Goyer is retelling the parable of the Prodigal Son.  We learn that Quentin's father was in England on his never ending quest to find his lost son. His older brother Damian, who stayed by his father's side, has grown bitter over the entire situation.  All of this while romantic interest develops between Quentin and Amelia AND Dominic and Amelia.

Goyer pens a wonderful, heartfelt novel that kept me reading.  I had to know how it ended.  While this is Christian fiction, we know how it will end.  Or do we?  I must say, I was seriously questioning how it all was going to unfold and eventually end.

And to be honest, at first, I didn't like Amelia.  She seemed too . . . perfect.  Then I realised that it wasn't her that I disliked, but parts of myself.  I want to be full of compassion and not turn my eye on someone because they may not appear a certain way or be someone that I deem worthy of help.  Sometimes I succeed; other times I fail.  It wasn't Amelia that I didn't like, but that part of me.  Amelia turned into a character that I cheered on, wanting her to survive and have the one man she truly loved.  (I found reading about the ship sinking, Goyer's portrayal of her characters had my heart going and it really went out to the poor souls who went through that ordeal.)  Ultimately, Amelia is the person that I strive to be.

This was the first Christian fiction book in a long time that kept me reading, turning the pages as fast as I could.  I was sneaking in a few sentences whenever I could because I was eager to see how it all ended.

As I stated, this is Christian fiction, so obviously expect Christian overtones.  However, I think most mainstream reader who enjoy romantic fiction will enjoy this one.

Title: By the Light of the Silvery Moon
Author: Tricia Goyer
Publication Year: 2012
Publisher: Barbour Publishing
Source: Netgalley and Barbour Publishing
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend?: Yes.