Save the Date- by Jenny B. Jones

I recently read Save the Date as part of Thomas Nelson’s Book Sneeze program (http://booksneeze.com/blogger). The story is about Lucy, a girl who grew up poor, raised by a single mother who cleaned houses for Charleston’s elite. Lucy was looked down upon by her peers all through school and suffers from low self-esteem. To make matters worse, instead of the proposal she expected, her steady, dependable boyfriend broke up with her. Two year later, the home that Lucy runs for less-fortunate girls, is in danger of closing due to lack of funding. In exchange for the financial help she needs to save the house, Lucy desperately agrees to pose as fiancée to wealthy ex-football player, Alex Sinclair, in order to help his political aspirations. Alex and Lucy are opposite in so many ways, leading to numerous complications as they deal with acting like an engaged couple, Lucy must try to fit into the world she has avoided because she felt like an outcast, while Alex strives to put his public image of spoiled playboy behind him. The two grow closer and then have to deal with the eventual reality that it is only a temporary arrangement.

Although this was the first Jenny B. Jones book I’ve read, it will most likely not be the last. This book had many humorous parts scattered throughout, but there were also numerous times when the characters’ feelings and what was in their hearts spoke to issues faced by many people. Among these was the need to let go of past hurts and feelings of inadequacy; the need to face fears and move on; and most of all, the need for forgiveness and the freedom it can provide. What began as a typical Christian romance became something deeper and quite memorable, with a few unexpected twists and revelations. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys humor and a good romance, but also welcomes the opportunity to think about some deeper, personal issues along the way.

Same Kind of Different as Me

I just finished reading Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore as part of Thomas Nelson’s BookSneeze program: http://brb.thomasnelson.com .It is an inspirational, true life account of the authors’ lives, from their early years to how their lives intersected and became intertwined. Chapters alternate between the two men’s lives; and later, when they are part of the same story, they alternate between the men’s viewpoints of the same events. Denver Moore was a black man, who grew up poor in Louisiana, where he suffered prejudice and heartbreak. Ron Hall was a white man from modest beginnings who went on to experience success as an art dealer. Denver tired of his life and hopped a train out of Louisiana, eventually ending up in Ft. Worth, Texas. Ron met his future wife Debbie while in college in Texas, and through a series of events in their marriage, they ended up in Ft. Worth, as well. The remarkable story of how Ron’s and Denver’s lives not only crossed paths, but became connected is so incredible, that I hesitate to even share any more details, for fear of ruining the experience for someone else.

It was difficult to read this book at first, as it was slow-moving and kind of confusing to follow. But I am so glad I stuck with it, as about 50 pages in, I became more interested and invested in the story and the people’s lives, and soon thereafter could not put it down until I had finished the whole book. It is a story that addresses the issues of prejudice, homelessness, faith, and forgiveness, in such a compelling and raw manner that it had me in tears. I highly recommend that everyone read this book, as it will speak to your heart and inspire you to love people unconditionally, in the same way that God loves us.