A Winter Dream - Richard Paul Evans

Richard Paul Evans' new Christmas book "A Winter Dream" is out in bookstores now.  This story is based on the Bible story of Joseph and his brothers.  This modern day account has ad exec sacrificed & banished due to jealousy.  Joseph Jacobson has a few bumps along the way and one wonders if he will ever find happiness.

I don't want to give too much away because I know several people are reading this one.  I enjoyed it. 

I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

This is my FIRST book for the challenge.

Promise Me by Richard Paul Evans

Promise Me by Richard Paul Evans is the latest in a string of Christmas books for the author. This year’s offering revolves around a woman named Beth and her daughter Charlotte. This book is about the sacrifice of a mother and a mother’s love that knows no bounds. It is a lovely romantic story with Christian values, although the Christian values are so cleverly entwined that you don’t even realize they are there. This is the first time Evans has written something with a heavy fantasy theme, and the reader won’t realize it is fantasy until toward the end, although the reader will probably figure out something supernatural is going on mid-way through the book.

I enjoyed this year’s offering. I usually enjoy his Christmas books, as well as his other books. I am glad a few years ago I picked up one of his books because I thought the cover was pretty and I was looking for a quick Christmas read. Since then I’ve been on my library page every July requesting his latest Christmas book to be stocked by Christmas. In the past, I’ve had to request, however, this year, I did not have to, they were on the ball. I suppose I’m not the only one who is requesting these, but I am usually in the first batch of recipients, therefore, I'm always reading this Christmas book in October. More Christmas books to follow, next month or December.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Ease of Read: Easy
Estimated Reading Time: 2 days

Richard Paul Evan's Latest Book

It is October, and Christmas is two months away, you know what that means don't you? It means that Richard Paul Evan's has a new Christmas book out!! Mine is in the library waiting for me. This year's offering is entitled "Promise Me".

Synopsis

"As you read my story, there is something I want you to understand. That in spite of all the pain—past, present and that still to come—I wouldn't have done anything differently. Nor would I trade the time I had with him for anything—except for what, in the end, I traded it for."

Beth Cardall has a secret. For eighteen years, she has had no choice but to keep it to herself, but on Christmas Eve 2008, all that is about to change.

For Beth, 1989 was a year marked by tragedy. Her life was falling apart: her six-year-old daughter, Charlotte, was suffering from an unidentifiable illness; her marriage transformed from a seemingly happy and loving relationship to one full of betrayal and pain; her job at the dry cleaners was increasingly at risk; and she had lost any ability to trust, to hope, or to believe in herself. Then, on Christmas Day, as she rushed through a blizzard to the nearest 7-Eleven, Beth encountered Matthew, a strikingly handsome, mysterious stranger, who would single-handedly change the course of her life.

Who is this man, and how does he seem to know so much about her? He pursues her relentlessly, and only after she's fallen deeply in love with him does she learn his incredible secret, changing the world as she knows it, as well as her own destiny.

I enjoyed last year's book The Christmas List very much. It made me cry. Most of his books do, especially his Christmas stories.

My library must think I'm nuts because everytime I learn of a new book by him, I request it. Actually this year, they got this one in without me having to bug them in July...LOL!

I will pick it up tomorrow and start reading it right away. I never wait until December to read his stuff, because then you can't get a hold of it. I always get it (or try to) the first week it arrives. It came out on October 5th.

I recommend to anyone who likes a good Christmas story. His books are not usually very long. This book is 352 pages, but it is small in size. And if you are so inclined I recommend going back over the years and reading his other books. The only Christmas story that didn't appeal to me was Grace. That was depressing.

If you find you like his stuff, you can read his non-Christmas books too. He has a few, and one recent series The Walk Series that started earlier this year.

The Christmas List: A Novel by Richard Paul Evans

O wad some Pow'r the giftie gie us
To see oursels as others see us!

The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans was released this month. As usual, I got his book way too early for Christmas reading, but I read it anyway, as it is due back in 2 weeks.

Before I read the book, I automatically thought that it was an updated version of A Christmas Carol. But actually, it seems to be based more on the Robert Burns poem "To A Louse, On Seeing One On A Lady's Bonnet At Church" . Which I've quoted above and put it in its entirety below.

Jim Kier has the rare gift of reading his obituary. We are all curious about what would be said about us after we are dead. We all hope nice things; however, Kier learns that he has left a trail of misery in his path. Can he repair the damage he has made?

He attempts just that. He has compiled a short list of the people he hurt the most. As he attempts to make amends, he learns the extent of how much he has destroyed people’s lives…and not all of them are scars that can be seen. During this process, he learns that his original intent was misguided. He has an epiphany that he set out to make amends so he would feel better, but when things don’t go as planned, he re-assesses his motives.

The only part that hinted on A Christmas Carol would be the epilogue, where we got to see how Kier’s life had changed, and how he had changed the lives of others.

I don’t wish to give away too much of the story, it is a must read. I cried throughout most of this book.

Although this isn’t a ‘Feel Good Warm and Fuzzy’ Christmas book, it isn’t as depressing as last years offering “Grace”. This book actually has a message of hope and the power of forgiveness.

Very nice ‘fairy tale’, just like A Christmas Carol, and just like A Christmas Carol, we all are not so naive, that we would think someone so profoundly evil, would change overnight; or at all.

And though this doesn’t revolve around Christmas, the book ends on Christmas Day. It takes place during the Christmas Season, although very little mention of it is made in this book, just little references here and there.

"To A Louse, On Seeing One On A Lady's Bonnet At Church"
is a 1786 Scots language poem by Robert Burns.

Burns original
O wad some Pow'r the giftie gie us
To see oursels as others see us!
It wad frae mony a blunder free us,
An' foolish notion!

Standard English translation
And would some Power the small gift give us
To see ourselves as others see us!
It would from many a blunder free us,
And foolish notion!

In this poem the narrator notices an upper class lady in church, with a louse that is roving, unnoticed, around in her bonnet. The poet chastises the louse for not realising how important his host is, and then reflects that, to a louse, we are all equal prey, and that we would be disabused of our pretensions if we were to see ourselves through each others' eyes.

Library Borrows for this week

I think I over did it with the library borrows. But when they come in after being in my queue for so long, I have to go get them. I can't renew most of them because the queue is so long. So I'll be very busy reading all of these over the next month.

Night Flight by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

In this gripping novel, Saint-Exupéry tells about the brave men who piloted night mail planes from Patagonia, Chile, and Paraguay to Argentina in the early days of commercial aviation.

After reading "The Little Prince" I wanted to know what else he wrote. There are actually a few other books out there, and I believe they all revolve around aviation. This will be a quick read, about 80 pages.




The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

A charming and inventive story of a child struggling to find her identity at the turn of the 20th century. As the only girl in an uppercrust Texas family of seven children, Calpurnia, 11, is expected to enter young womanhood with all its trappings of tight corsets, cookery, and handiwork. Unlike other girls her age, Callie is most content when observing and collecting scientific specimens with her grandfather. Bemoaning her lack of formal knowledge, he surreptitiously gives her a copy of The Origin of Species and Callie begins her exploration of the scientific method and evolution, eventually happening upon the possible discovery of a new plant species. Callie's mother, believing that a diet of Darwin, Dickens, and her grandfather's influence will make Callie dissatisfied with life, sets her on a path of cooking lessons, handiwork improvement, and an eventual debut into society.

Callie's confusion and despair over her changing life will resonate with girls who feel different or are outsiders in their own society. Callie is a charming, inquisitive protagonist; a joyous, bright, and thoughtful creation. The conclusion encompasses bewilderment, excitement, and humor as the dawn of a new century approaches. Several scenes, including a younger brother's despair over his turkeys intended for the Thanksgiving table and Callie's heartache over receiving The Science of Housewifery as a Christmas gift, mix gentle humor and pathos to great effect. The book ends with uncertainty over Callie's future.

Loved the cover, that is what attracted me to it. It is also a children's book, but after reading they synopsis, I had to read it. It sounds charming indeed. As of today there is a perfect 5 star rating on Amazon.


When Morning Comes (Sisters of the Quilt: Book 2) by Cindy Woodsmall

Her relationship with fiancé Paul Waddell in tatters, Hannah Lapp has fled her secluded Old Order Amish community in hopes of finding a new home in Ohio with her shunned aunt. Hampered by limited education and hiding her true identity, Hannah struggles to navigate the confusing world of the Englischers.

Back in Owl’s Perch, Pennsylvania, Paul is wracked with regret over his treatment of Hannah. Fearing for her safety, he tries to convince Hannah’s remaining allies–brother Luke, best friend Mary, and loyal Matthew Esh–to help search for his love. Hannah’s father, however, remains steadfastly convinced of her sinful behavior. His blindness to his family’s pain extends to her sister, Sarah, who shows signs of increasing instability.

Convinced her former life is irreparably destroyed, Hannah finds purpose and solace in life with her aunt and in a growing friendship with Englischer Martin Palmer. Will the countless opportunities in her new life persuade Hannah that her place is amongst the Englischers — or will she give in to her heart’s call to return home and face her past?

I recently finished When the Heart Cries (Sisters of the Quilt: Book 1) by Cindy Woodsmall, and I loved it. The library has all 3 books in this series, however, book 2 only came in large print. Pah! Well I'm not going to let that stop me. The good thing is, I won't need to put on my glasses when reading this one.


Currently Reading:
Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom

What if our beliefs were not what divided us, but what pulled us together?
In Have a Little Faith, Mitch Albom offers a beautifully written story of a remarkable eight year journey between two worlds – two men, two faiths, two communities – that will inspire readers everywhere.
Have A Little Faith begins with an unusual request: an 82-year-old rabbi from Albom’s old hometown asks him to deliver his eulogy.
Feeling unworthy, Albom insists on understanding the man better, which throws him back into a world of faith he’d left years ago. Meanwhile, closer to his current home, Albom becomes involved with a Detroit pastor – a reformed drug dealer and convict – who preaches to the poor and homeless in a decaying church with a hole in its roof.

Moving between their worlds, Christian and Jewish, African-American and white, impoverished and well-to-do, Mitch observes how these very different men employ faith similarly in fighting for survival: the older, suburban rabbi, embracing it as death approaches; the younger, inner-city pastor relying on it to keep himself and his church afloat.

I've read a few Albom books and I've enjoyed them, this is his latest effort. I've started it and I'm enjoying it very much. Should be done with this by the end of the week if not sooner.


Waiting in the library as I write this:
The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans

Real-estate mogul James Kier, who gets the chance to read his obituary—before he dies. What he discovers unnerves him as the death notice portrays a ruthless, friendless man. James decides to make amends to the many people he's hurt over the years.

Suspiciously sounds like A Christmas Carol, but we will see. I wasn't thrilled with Evans' book last year, too depressing, I'm hoping this years offering will be more joyous. I got this early, I was expecting it for November, but it came out on October 6th, and the queue is quite long, so I'm going to have to read it this month. come to think of it, last year's book "Grace" , I got in October as well. Look for my review on this one.

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

The Christmas List: A Novel

by Richard Paul Evans

Release Date: October 6, 2009

There is no synopsis written for this book. Here is what is floating around out there in its place. It is written by the author.

Dear Reader,

When I was in seventh grade, my English teacher, Mrs. Johnson, gave our class the intriguing (if somewhat macabre) assignment of writing our own obituaries. Oddly, I don't remember much of what I wrote about my life, but I do remember how I died: in first place on the final lap of the Daytona 500. At the time, I hadn't considered writing as an occupation, a field with a remarkably low on-the-job casualty rate.

What intrigues me most about Mrs. Johnson's assignment is the opportunity she gave us to confront our own legacy. How do we want to be remembered? That question has motivated our species since the beginning of time: from building pyramids to putting our names on skyscrapers.
As I began to write this book, I had two objectives: First, I wanted to explore what could happen if someone read their obituary before they died and saw, firsthand, what the world really thought of them. Their legacy.

Second, I wanted to write a Christmas story of true redemption. One of my family's holiday traditions is to see a local production of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. I don't know how many times I've seen it (perhaps a dozen), but it still thrills me to see the change that comes over Ebenezer Scrooge as he transforms from a dull, tight-fisted miser into a penitent, "giddy-as-aschoolboy" man with love in his heart. I always leave the show with a smile on my face and a resolve to be a better person. That's what I wanted to share with you, my dear readers, this Christmas -- a holiday tale to warm your season, your homes, and your hearts.

Merry Christmas




What's your "waiting on" pick this week?Want to participate?
Grab the logo, post your own WoW entry on your blog, and leave a link in the comments section!

Richard Paul Evans

The latest book I have read by Richard Paul Evans was entitled "The Sunflower". Evans is known now for his Christmas books, but his first few books did not totally revolve around Christmas. They had a Christmas scene, mostly toward the end. This is one of those books. "The Sunflower" mostly takes place in Peru, South America. It is a wonderful love story about loss and hope. Christine was to be married but shortly before their wedding date, her fiance backs out, leaving her devistated. Christine's friend Jessica signs them up to go to Peru to help work with orphans. Christine is not thrilled with this idea, but she feels called to go. The other story centeres around Dr. Cook and his running away from his life as a doctor in the states. Obviously these two people meet at some point. Very nice story, I think one of my favorite of his.

"Noel" was actually the first book written by him that I read. This was a few years ago. I'll be honest, I was attracted to the shiny ball on the cover. I had never heard of Evans at this point. This story is about two strangers who change each other's lives. Mark's car dies on a snowy night and he goes into a coffee shop and meets Macy. Over the next few weeks, they tell each other their life stories. They become close and Mark wants to Mary Macy but she has baggage. I enjoyed this one, more of a Christmas feel.

"The Christmas Box" was Evan's first novel and it was self-publishedway back in 1994. A young couple are caring for a lonely widow. The widow on her deathbed reveals her secret sorrow through a Christmas box filled with letters. This particular book has a lot of Christian imagry throughout.

Then I went sort of left field and read "The 5 Lessons a Millionaire Taught Me". Not to be confused with his other book "The 5 Lessons a Millionaire Taught Me...For Women". The latter just came out earlier this year.

This is a very interesting non-fiction book about prosperity. In short it is a financial guide
lays out the five principles common to many self-made fortunes. Fascinating reading.

In "The Gift" Nathan Hurst, a frequently traveling, Tourette's-suffering security chief for a retail chain. (I lifted that sentence from Amazon, it is so good). He gets stranded (snowed in) at a Denver airport on Thanksgiving. He meetins Lizzy and Collin. Collin has leukemia but he also has a healing gift and cures Nathan of his Tourette's.

This book really pulled at the heart strings. I think this was my favorite out of all the Christmas books I've read so far.

Then along comes "Grace". This was the Christmas book for 2008. He comes out with one a year. This one was very depressing. Eric finds runaway classmate Grace living in a dumpster. He falls in love with her. Of course Eric's life isn't peachy, his dad is recovering from Guillain-Barré, which puts a lot of strees on his mother. The book went along just find until the end. I did not like this one as much as the others. This is a Christmas season book, it really should be more uplifting.

"Timepiece" was a book I did not read during the Christmas season. But it was an earlier work and didn't really revolve around the Christmas season, although it had the obligitory scene.

This story traces the miraculous lives of David and his wife MaryAnne as they discover the power of love, loyalty, forgiveness -- and a long-forgotten keepsake that will change the fate of their family for eternity (Amazon).
This is another one of my favorite one of his books by Evans. Such a touching and interesting story.

Book Disappointment

I had ordered Stephen King's "The Stand" from my local Library. I waited six weeks for this book to become available. It finally did. I went to pick it up this morning and it was the HARDCOVER!! I had to decline it. I really want to read it, but I'm not going to throw my back out doing it. It weighs only 1.7 lbs, but standing or walking with that weight gets difficult after a while, and I would have to continuously be reading it, as I only have 3 weeks with the book, and can't renew it as there is a waiting list. The librarian re-ordered it for me and it will be luck of the draw if I get the paperback. I may have to buy it after all. And don't be fooled, the paperback weighs 1 lb, but at least it is compact.

I was a little bummed about it, because I am taking my son to college tomorrow night, and the bus ride is about 20 hours round trip. I thought this would be the perfect book, but alas it isn't meant to be.

So instead I'm going to read the other book that was there.

Sunflower by Richard Paul Evans.

From Publishers Weekly
Evans delivers an entertaining albeit syrupy picking-up-the-pieces romance. Heartbroken and bereft when her fiancé backs out a week before the wedding, Christine Hollister allows herself to be talked into a volunteer work trip to Peru by best friend Jessica so that the pair can work together in an orphanage called the Sunflower. There she meets Paul Cook, the handsome but damaged former ER doc who left the U.S. after being blamed for a series of tragic Christmas deaths on the ward. The budding romance between Paul and Christine is totally predictable (including the awkwardness of their initial meetings). Evans adds a nice dramatic touch when Jessica's newfound boyfriend is seriously hurt while guiding a group of orphanage workers through the mountains near Machu Picchu, and he has a nice feel for framing devices, dialogue and scene-pacing. Evans also puts the jungle setting to good use during the couple's "dates." Although the various references to Christmas feel gratuitous, and a sudden appearance by jilter Martin doesn't do much to make the ending harder to anticipate, the finish nonetheless remains satisfying.