Review of Dreaming of a Father's Love by Sharon Lavy

Back Cover Blurb:

Sara Brubaker was two years old when a German Baptist couple adopted her. She has become a beautiful woman, and works as a secretary for Alexander's. Now she's torn between wanting to live in the normal world of fun and fas
hion, or joining the Dunkards to truly belong with her adoptive family. Birdie Alexander thinks if she works at the family business hard enough and long enough she will gain her father's love. Can she learn a thing or two from the German Baptist secretary? Irene West is Birdie's lifelong Sunday school friend. Irene misses having a father figure around, and is very boy crazy, which causes Birdie to struggle with the friendship and Irene to struggle with life. Will Birdie overcome her self-righteous nature before it's too late—for Irene?

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My Take:

Have you ever read a book, that the farther you read into it, the more absorbed you became?

 

That's what happened with Sharon Lavy's "Dreaming of a Father's Love" book. I loved the title, the book cover, but wondered where on earth she was taking this story. I found out and was pleased. The story left me with a satisfied, fulfilled feeling, and I love that!

 

Birdie (Roberta) Alexander is a determined, smart young woman who--whether she knows it or not--takes after her adored father. Matching wits with him sets a stage letting readers know only two possible outcomes can occur.

 

I enjoyed too--and I was so afraid it wouldn't happen in a successful way--Birdie's character development. That made the story!

 

One thing I want to bring into this review was the very well written descriptions of the church affiliations. Rather than a tedious explanation, I was pulled into the ceremonies and customs of the groups. Learning the whys enthralled me and gave me a sense of understandng. I'm so glad she didn't give into the temptation of leaving these out as so many writers do today, fearful (and probably true in many cases) of losing the interest of their readers. To me, Sharon's church function scenes were important in bringing life to the story. 

 

The secondary characters added additonal interest to the story plot. I could feel the emptiness in Birdie's friend, Irene's life. Sara, I didn't get until I realized the underlying problem in her heart was solved the way it should have been. Do you hate deaths? We all do, but Sharon set one character up in such a way that it was almost expected.

 

All in all, this is a keeper book. If you love character development books, books that leave you with an all around good feeling, then you'll want to get this one.

 

Thank you, Sharon, for making it available!

 

To buy Sharon's book, go here:

Amazon

 

 

About Sharon:

Sharon A Lavy lives with her husband in SW Ohio. When not reading, writing, or sewing for her family, she enjoys traveling with her husband in the small plane they call Charley. She is best known in the novel writing community, as that German Baptist lady. In the Old German Baptist community she’s a dressmaker, a pattern maker, and the sister who writes. And in her own mind she’s a wife, a mother, and a grandmother, but above all a child of God. ~~ Her greatest desire is to be a woman after God’s own heart~~ Sharon has a heart for hurting women, and writes women’s fiction. Because when~~it’s all said and done~~It’s all about relationships. If you enjoyed reading this book, would you be so kind as to post an honest review? WordServe client since 2012 Member: ACFW, RWA, FH&L Website/Blog: www.sharonalavy.com

 

To connect with Sharon, go here:

Website: www.sharonalavy.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OldOrderTweeter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSharonALavy
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/sharonalavy
 

 

 

Blessings 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday Morning Gratitudes

new fallen snow
coziness
a book that may not begin good, but ends well
a beloved scripture verse
being loved
cakelike brownies with nuts and icing
a faithful hubby
playing games with grandsons
roasting hotdogs with grandsons
giving

Blessings!

Happy Birthday, Little Man

 

One year ago today,
God blessed us with your arrival.
He knew how much joy
you would bring us.

And though we give you gifts to celebrate,
by far the gratitude we feel for our gift OF you,
is much greater.

Thank you, God!


Blessings 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



This and That and a Call to Arms . . .

Good morning, folks.

Didn't know I was going with a "This and That" post this morning, but at the last minute went with it.

First of all:

* My blog. You all have noticed the change in looks on my blog. Yeah, I've been trying to upgrade it. Give it more of a look with what I write: suspense and sometimes strong topics (with a little romance thrown in). Smile. Bear with me as I work through the problems of getting it the way I want. I know sometimes the words have been hard to read. I'm hoping to get my friend and computer guru to sort through the problems. Thanks for your patience!

* Interviews and giveaways. I know I haven't had many, if any, lately. I'm trying to decide how I want to proceed with my blog. Now that I'm contracted for a book release in the near future, how can I use my time the best possible way. I want to provide entertainment and knowledge for you, yet I must allow for the time it takes, too. I love my blog, but when it becomes a drag on my emotional and strength, then I feel I have to move on to newer and different ways to use it. This is not saying I will never have another interview; I'm praying and thinking about the way I should go . . . for now.

* My book, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, will hopefully be out toward the end of this year (no release date yet; I'll let you know as soon as I know) when. I'm over the moon happy about it, BUT I'm also working hard learning as much about marketing as I can. I'm trying to pick and choose what I believe will be the best and most effective ways to get the word out about my book.

In light of that, I believe one of the best ways is word of mouth. So-o-o, I'm going to be looking for men and women who want to join me in a close relationship to promote my book. It's a call, of sorts, for help.

What you do:
* spread the word through all media areas you're connected with
* share any material (bookmarks, etc) I send you
* be on the lookout for places and events where I could/can promote my book.
* share reviews, recommendations, etc.
This is a partial list which will probably be amended as I learn more.

NOW, what do you get out of working with me?
* Special gifts throughout the year (possibly gift cards, books, etc.)

* Promotion on my blog for YOUR blog, work, etc.
* Special contests ONLY for my helpers.
Maybe more.

Interested? Email me at browncarole212(at)yahoo(dot)com

I love you all and appreciate your faithfulness throughout the years. Email me, or comment, if you have questions or suggestions.

Wonderful blessings!

Monday Morning Gratitudes

happy moments
a cute mouse
a good animal story
reading to children
brown paper bags
good writing pens
lazy dazy days
productive days
fresh coffee
ice

Blessings

Sunday Morning Peace

 

Winter beauty lifts the soul.

 

Blessings

On Passionate Writing

A word is not the same with one writer as with another. 

One tears it from his guts. 

The other pulls it out of his overcoat pocket. 

~Charles Peguy

 

What causes two writers using the same words to create two very different pieces of work? What makes the one vibrate with life and the other dull and simple as a sheet of cardboard?

 

Is it education?

Genetics?

Experience?

 

Is it lifelong wisdom?

A gift from God?
Fate?
An accident?

Which is better? An agonizing and stormy empathy with the words being written or a quieter confident approach? Which makes the genius and which the mediocre?

Thoughts?

Blessings
 

 

Monday Morning Gratitudes

yogurt
compassion
curiousity from a child
meeting with friends
shopping with Amanda
fun desktop screens
cute mouse pads
new calendars
naps that revive!
melting snow

Blessings!

A Little Bit of My Life

Baby Jon in his Davy Crockett hat, all tuckered out

Blessings

On Passionate Writing . . .

Charles Dickens said:
Make them laugh,
make them cry,
and make them wait.

That's passionate writing.

Books that make me laugh are some of my favorites.
They take me to an imaginary realm
where my own cares are forgotten
for just a tiny bit of time.
They relax me.
Energize.
Renew the spirit.

Books that make me cry evoke feelings of deeper emotion. Somewhere deep inside me a need,
perhaps a problem,
or a worry
empathizes with the tender moment,
the danger,
the victory.

How do you feel about passionate writing?

Blessings!

Monday Morning Gratitudes

heat
clean fallen snow
redemption
a new camera
children's expressive faces
unexpected compliment
medicine (can you imagine getting over some things without it?)
health
a mailbox filled with cookies :)
a book contract!

Blessings

Sunday Morning Peace

And God saw everything that he had made;

and it was good.

Genesis 1:31

 

 

New Year Blessings!



BIG News and a Little Bit of Meandering

2012 started out with my determination to become published.

I was already going through a discouragement period, and I felt little change as the months passed. Tidbits of things should have given me a hint that change was in the air. Or maybe better said, in my heart.

Friends encouraged. One special friend figuratively sat me down (although actually we were standing for most of the conversation) and gave me a "talking to." What did I take away from that?

1. Quit beating myself up.
2. I have talent; use it
3. Believe in God

I'll have to admit, my faith was weak at this point. Yet I'll have to admit I think I had to get into this "slough of despond" for God to gain my attention. I had to get to the point where all I could say was, "God, I believe. Help my unbelief."

I put the words on my desktop. Every few days they would catch my attention. Every few days I'd repeat them like a mantra; a prayer from a heart with little faith.

Then a writing conference.
A meeting with an editor.
A manuscript request.
Work. Editing.
A send-in.
Waiting.
Waiting.
More waiting.
Calls from my agent. Emails.
Contact.
BIG News.
I'd been offered a contract.
December 17: date signed.
I became an author!

Elation. Happiness. Satisfaction. Relief.

Yes. All this.
And more.

Peace.
Because throughout this year I learned in my own way to let go and let God. My faith might be weak, but God is strong. My faith might be little, but God works through little and weak and deformed and broken.

I couldn't make it happen, but God did. In his own time.

It's his book, his novel, and whether he blesses it in a mighty way, or a small one, it is his.

Blessings!

Seven Things I Plan to Accomplish

What's in store for me this 2013?
I don't know but I do know I've set a few goals I hope to gain.
Here they are:

1.  Come up with a super marketing plan; something never tried before but guaranteed to sweep my book into the NY Times Best Selling ranks.

If that doesn't work, then come down out of the clouds and work hard at what's been tried and proven.

2.  Come as close to finishing as I possibly can at least two books I'm working on now. It'll take dogged determination. Do I have it?

3. Do all the edits coming up this year in a reasonable but speedy amount of time. A must!

4. Do some serious research on a novel I hope to begin soon. I've been putting this off even though I normally love research. It might help if it was a topic I wanted to study.

5. Check out publishers for our children's books series. Another seemingly endless tunnel. Gotta be done.

6. Improve my blog in looks and content. Since I'm technically challenged this is harder than it looks.

7. Work on increasing my faith in God. Just saying the words doesn't get the job done. Active prayer, Bible reading, and action on my part is required. And sometimes that action is just being quiet and listening.


That's enough for now and quite a list if even half can be reached.

What's your thoughts and goals for this year?
Want to share?

Happy New Year!
Blessings