Wednesday, March 01, 2006

A Family Forever by Brenda Coulter

"A Family Forever is a superbly written and heartfelt story. Brenda Coulter brings to light real-life faith struggles and God’s healing grace."--Romantic Times BOOKclub

This month’s book review is on A Family Forever by Brenda Coulter (published by Steeple Hill copyright 2006).

To the guys who are reading this post I must tell you that my husband decided to read this one too…and he couldn’t put it down. He read it in two sittings (it would have been one but I MADE him go to sleep!) It is THAT good! Even though it is a "Romance Novel", the story is so good that you will forget you are reading a "chick book!" I can tell you that this had to have been a "NO BRAINER" about being published. After the first chapter you will be hooked…I bet the publisher said, "PRINT IT NOW!" Man, I am not exaggerating; this book is a MUST READ!

Okay, so I have you interested, right? I hope so! Here is what it is about:

It starts out in a café with Shelby staring at her mushroom omelet with revulsion. Now, the ladies who have gone through morning sickness (and the men who have watched their wives go through this lovely process) can relate…I’m not really giving anything away by telling you that Shelby has just realized that she is a little bit more than three weeks pregnant. The problem is that her fiancé, David, just died three weeks ago…she is sitting in the café with her fiancé’s brother, Tucker, and they are discussing how each other are getting along and dealing with David’s death. Suddenly Tucker puts two and two together and gets ‘uh’ baby.

Shelby is embarrassed.

She and David were supposed to be getting married…she knew she shouldn’t have slept with him, but she thought it would be okay since the wedding was to be soon. She is a Christian and David and his family were too.

She feels that God is punishing her. She also feels that Tucker never approved of her…that she wasn’t good enough. He did not want his brother to marry her.

Tucker knows that Shelby cannot afford to have the baby. He also feels obligated to take care of Shelby for David’s sake.

Tucker feels guilty.

He thinks that his brother died because he didn’t stop him from riding his motorcycle without a helmet on the wet street that night. David’s last words were, "Take care of her?"

So, Tucker asks Shelby to marry him…he would take care of her and the baby.

Shelby wants to keep the baby and sees no other alternative…she agrees but on the condition that it is only for the baby’s happiness.

That was what the first chapter kind of covered…I’m not going to tell you EVERYTHING! I will tell you that Shelby had suffered through much abuse in her life and she must deal with a lot of trust issues during the book.

So, what do you think? Can two people who do not love each other find happiness in a marriage of convenience? Will a baby be happy in such a family? What about grief? They haven’t even had time to grieve! What will people say? What will their families say?

I laughed and cried while reading this book. I literally had tears streaming down my face as I bawled like a baby. (I know I am sounding way too cliché but it is all true!) This book will rip your heart out and then replace it with a larger model. It has some great Christian lessons also.

Man, I think I’m going to go reread it! I hope you decide to read it too. If you want to order it from Amazon.com click here.

Also, Brenda is a blogger! She very sweetly sent me my very own autographed copy for the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Blog Tour. Go say "Hey!" to her at her blog, No Rules. Just Write.

A Family Forever is Brenda’s second 'Love Inspired' book. Her first was Finding Hope...I’ve got to order and read that one still.

20 comments:

Bonnie S. Calhoun said...

If there's anybody out there who needs a cracker-jack reviewer...Mimi's your woman...that's a great review girlfriend, but they always are!

M. C. Pearson said...

Yeah, but cracker-jacks are full of nuts! Ha ha ha. But they are also sweet.

You make me blush. Thanks Bonn Bonn.

Anonymous said...

i think i'm going to look for that in the bookstore. sounds really interesting. =)

Brenda Coulter said...

Oh, my. Halfway through that post I was thinking, "I've gotta get a copy of this book!" ;-)

Tell your husband that quite a lot of men read romance novels--they just don't admit it. One of my all-time favorite reader letters was from a man who said he and his wife really enjoyed my first book. He read it aloud to her as they lay in bed together at night. Is that wildly romantic, or what?

Thanks for blogging about my book.
<3<3<3

jel said...

Hi ya, mimi's
thanks for visiting my place!

and you will just love reading Finding Hope,

oh did you get moved let?

thanks again
have a get day!

M. C. Pearson said...

Pia~ It is so good; you'll love it...and it is in paperback so it isn't expensive!

Brenda~ Thanks for stopping by! I'll put you on my links soon. You did such a great job with that book. *Sigh* I hope a producer sees it and makes a movie of it.

Jel~ Glad you've finally a blog! I've been wondering who Janice was; I love your country blog.

I'm sure to be reading Finding Hope soon.

We've only just begun the moving process...getting books and such over there...we have to paint one room still and my parents are turning that into a laudry room/pantry for us. Electricians and plumbers should be done next week. The BIG move with the truck will be on the weekend of the 18th. Keep praying! :)

Trinity13 said...

Sounds pretty good, but I still don't think my hubby would read it! I can't believe yours did!!!

Kimber said...

"Cracker-Jacks" and "Bubble Gum"...your always are SO sweet (and yes, you are a NUT!!!) and great at giving reviews....

Being a book lover - I'll have to check it out :)

Hope the packing is goin' well - thinkin of ya!

Jean-Luc Picard said...

What a wonderful review; I can see why it looks so interesting.

Anonymous said...

You've got me intrigued!

audrey` said...

Thank you so much for sharing this book.
It sounds interesting.
I'll look for it in the book store :)

Nick Zegarac said...

Finding hope is indeed a heartfelt and inspirational tale. Great post.

WannabeMe said...

Congrats to Brenda! Seems like wherever I go, she's got her friends promoting her new book! What great friends!

Fred said...

Just stopping in to say hi, MC. Have a great week.

Pirate said...

I will have to take up one of these books. I am so`far in my promised reading It may be awhile.

Ciera said...

Oh my gosh---all of that was in the first chapter?! AHHHHH!!! Maybe I can get my librarian boss to get it for us...

Jean-Luc is very good at not answering questions, isn't he? "I don't know what you're talking about..." LOL

M. C. Pearson said...

Trin~ He read it locked in the room and under the covers with a flashlight...well, all most. He refused to bring it to work with him but he read it so fast that he didn't have to worry about that. :)

Thanks Kimber~ Packing is S-L-O-W and I'm t-i-r-e-d! But it won't get done unless I do it...

Jean-Luc~ Maybe not as much fun as Sira but it is a romantic time. ;)

Nettie~ Oh, I think you'd really like it!

Audrey~ It should be at Wal-Mart. Hope you find it!

Nick~ Cool! You read her first one. I've heard it is really good...glad to hear it again. I will be getting it as soon as the move is over.

Dana~ just let me know when yours gets picked up...send me a copy and I'll review it! ;)

Fred~ it is always nice to see my Tampa Bay friend! Will visit your bloggy soon!

Pirate~ I know, I've got tons to read! I'm reading my friend David Meig's (Curmudgeon's Rant) right now and having a blast. I'll hop over to your blog soon too!

M. C. Pearson said...

Ciera~ Yeah, he does like to play the Ronald Reagan game. ;)

Hope your librarian can get it...shouldn't be difficult though. It is at Wal-Mart now. :)

Ciera said...

Well---if it's at Walmart...rats, I don't have my car tonight...


LOL!! Not as much fun as Sira!!! That was great. {blushing} And he enjoys not answering way too much I think!

Kimber said...

Okay, step away from that box...stop packing and come on and blog a bit!!!

You are missed :) Thinkin' of ya!