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Monday, May 13, 2013
Summer Reading - 50% off Inheritance when you buy the ebook at Smashwords.com
A review of Inheritance
Review date: August 2012 by Stephanie at RomancingTheBook.com: http://romancing-the-book.com/2012/08/review-inheritance-by-lisa-barker.html
Review: I wouldn’t exactly rate this book R, even though there are mature topics, mild language, and brief sexual depictions. Its material definitely isn’t light, but none of it is particularly graphic either — most themes are either pondered upon, or merely insinuated. I would say there are maybe one or two disturbing scenes (like the details of a suicide, as well as a parent hitting a child), but the majority of the book is very PG.
The budding relationship between Wendy and Joe, especially, qualifies as a ‘sweet’ romance. Joe has had a rocky past involving sex addiction, so occasionally he does have fleeting thoughts of her sexually, but their relationship is never fully consummated, so Inheritance isn’t at all sexually explicit. Its heavier themes mostly revolve around both of the characters’ troubled pasts, as well as their struggles to cope and recover from them in the present. As a whole, there’s a Christian undertone to it, and the ending, as well as the traditional ‘no sex before marriage’ motif, both make Inheritance, in the end, an inspirational romance.
I feel the characters were pretty likable, although shallow. Their deepest intimacies are displayed, so I felt I should have related to or sympathized with them better, but to me, they seemed too superficial. Wendy and Joe’s relationship was not believable. Within months of meeting, they decided to become engaged… but THEN started dating? Do relationships nowadays (or, ever) even work that way? Joe says, when asked about wedding plans, quote-unquote: “We’re going to court [as in, date], Father. We just met.” You don’t become engaged after just meeting. Regardless of Wendy’s immediate understanding of Joe’s bitter inner battles, I feel he didn’t have to propose to her right then and there. I have never heard of a relationship that works that way — don’t people usually date for a while first?? So this kind of was unrealistic and frankly, a bit difficult to take seriously. It seemed straight from a cheap paperback romance… and it didn’t even make sense.
Other than the basis of the romance, though, I liked this book. The secondary characters are extremely well-crafted: I either hated them or loved them, just as Barker would have wanted. Her voice is smooth and sentimental; she’s definitely an author to keep an eye on! The story moves swiftly, and is overall enjoyable. Human sins, and the raw desperation to vindicate oneself of them are beautifully portrayed. As a Christian romance, this one is a bit preachy, but I loved the turmoils and deep afflictions Wendy and Joe suffer and heal themselves from eventually. If you can stomach flawed characters and the slow (and often frustrating) journey of redemption, but still appreciate a good, chaste romance, I recommend Inheritance by Lisa Barker.
Review: I wouldn’t exactly rate this book R, even though there are mature topics, mild language, and brief sexual depictions. Its material definitely isn’t light, but none of it is particularly graphic either — most themes are either pondered upon, or merely insinuated. I would say there are maybe one or two disturbing scenes (like the details of a suicide, as well as a parent hitting a child), but the majority of the book is very PG.
The budding relationship between Wendy and Joe, especially, qualifies as a ‘sweet’ romance. Joe has had a rocky past involving sex addiction, so occasionally he does have fleeting thoughts of her sexually, but their relationship is never fully consummated, so Inheritance isn’t at all sexually explicit. Its heavier themes mostly revolve around both of the characters’ troubled pasts, as well as their struggles to cope and recover from them in the present. As a whole, there’s a Christian undertone to it, and the ending, as well as the traditional ‘no sex before marriage’ motif, both make Inheritance, in the end, an inspirational romance.
I feel the characters were pretty likable, although shallow. Their deepest intimacies are displayed, so I felt I should have related to or sympathized with them better, but to me, they seemed too superficial. Wendy and Joe’s relationship was not believable. Within months of meeting, they decided to become engaged… but THEN started dating? Do relationships nowadays (or, ever) even work that way? Joe says, when asked about wedding plans, quote-unquote: “We’re going to court [as in, date], Father. We just met.” You don’t become engaged after just meeting. Regardless of Wendy’s immediate understanding of Joe’s bitter inner battles, I feel he didn’t have to propose to her right then and there. I have never heard of a relationship that works that way — don’t people usually date for a while first?? So this kind of was unrealistic and frankly, a bit difficult to take seriously. It seemed straight from a cheap paperback romance… and it didn’t even make sense.
Other than the basis of the romance, though, I liked this book. The secondary characters are extremely well-crafted: I either hated them or loved them, just as Barker would have wanted. Her voice is smooth and sentimental; she’s definitely an author to keep an eye on! The story moves swiftly, and is overall enjoyable. Human sins, and the raw desperation to vindicate oneself of them are beautifully portrayed. As a Christian romance, this one is a bit preachy, but I loved the turmoils and deep afflictions Wendy and Joe suffer and heal themselves from eventually. If you can stomach flawed characters and the slow (and often frustrating) journey of redemption, but still appreciate a good, chaste romance, I recommend Inheritance by Lisa Barker.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Velcro Man is reading Jelly Mom
Going waaaay back to 2005...here's an early Jelly Mom column.
Climb Every Mountain
I have this two-year old son who would climb Mt. Everest if it were in my living room.
The problem is he’s afraid of heights.
That’s right, anything over two-feet off the ground and he turns into Velcro Man.
So frequently I hear “Mummm, Mummm, Mummmma!” from some room in the house, and I can be sure to find Velcro Man clinging to the top of some dresser, counter, table, bookcase or bunk bed for dear life.
What does this say about my son?
No, he is not stupid. Moms do not like to consider that. Stupidity in children somehow equates with a degree of low intelligence and incapability in parents. If my son is stupid, I’m an unfit mother. It doesn’t have to make sense. That’s how moms think.
Instead, I think: My son readily and enthusiastically continues doing that which scares him the most. He’s a risk taker. But he’s cautious. Maybe he’ll be a firefighter or a policeman. Yeah...
“Mummmmma!!” His cries break into my daydream.
I come running. He grins at me with his rodent teeth (you know how hamsters have those two long teeth on the bottom—that’s my boy!) and who can resist such a grin? I can’t.
I peel Velcro Man off his latest peak of glory and he cuts off the air to my lungs with his steel-armed grip around my neck. No, the boy was never dropped as a baby. He just doesn’t like heights.
I set him down and he goes right back to his ‘mountain’ of choice and starts climbing. The higher he goes, the stiffer he gets, until at last, as if some unseen force freezes and immobilizes his muscles, he reaches for the top and cries, “MUMMMMMA!!!”
This is the boy we don’t bother to strap into the highchair. He’s a real cling-on.
In fact, if I want to keep him out of mischief I can just put him on a counter where he will remain sitting stiffly as if one itsy-bitsy move will set off an atom bomb. (Kidding.)
(I have to write ‘kidding’ in some of these columns. You never know when some childless-somebody is going to come by and take everything I write literally. It’s up to the reader to discern fact from fiction, but some need a little help. I’m writing for pure entertainment, you know.)
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Where have I been and what have I been up to?
What a tumultuous year 2012 was. Soooo glad it's over. I welcome each and every new day that takes me a step forward.
My little birds are leaving the nest or moving toward that momentous day. The bigguns, the twins, are in college now. Can you believe that? When I started the Jelly Mom column they were nine years old. The middle son is now a sophomore in high school and the rug rat is a precocious 4th grader. Sure there are funny things happening, but they've all reached the age where it's not so funny when mom airs your antics globally and I respect that.
Plus we have all been through a hard time since Boo's passing. We handled her passing and the time that followed beautifully, but beauty is not enough. The strain her illness and death put on my marriage and family had its day (or year) of reckoning. That was 2012. But the family is intact and healing and we appreciate your prayers to see us through. Much love coming your way from me!
So, life being what it is (kids all growing up) I have witnessed a new chapter of my life opening - the return to the workforce. Wow! So many blessings abound. I currently work for an undisclosed large restaurant chain at an undisclosed location. I'm having a ball! The people I work with and for, the customers, the work - it's all a blessing in so many ways. Hey, I have BIG people I can talk to now - and lots of them. :) :) From a veteran mom-at-home's point of view, that's fantastic!
I also absolutely thrive on the friendly, cheerful connections necessary to provide exemplary customer service. I love each and every customer and get a thrill out of making their day. That's my goal, to leave each guest with a smile and a good outlook for the rest of the day. I'd like to think that few can resist my powers.
What am I writing about these days? Well, I am taking a correspondence course in writing for children with the Institute for Children's Literature. I highly recommend them. Absolutely one of the best things I have invested in since college...you know, as far as growing those writing skills. So, yeah, I am trying my hand at writing for children.
Other big news - I lost 80 pounds! It took me 2 1/2 years, but I did it and I have maintained my weight for nine months now. Woo-hoo! Yay, me! Gone are the days of me getting stuck in the window trying to break into my own house. Bring on the grandbabies - no locking out this granny!
I hope all is well with you, my friends. May your new year be filled with good health, prosperity and much joy.
Love,
Lisa
Sunday, April 15, 2012
I had fun below casting some of the characters...
What do you think?
Stewing about a new book. Good to know that the writing bug is awake. Feeling like doing some writing today. Your prayers are always appreciated.
Stewing about a new book. Good to know that the writing bug is awake. Feeling like doing some writing today. Your prayers are always appreciated.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
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