Beyond Molasses Creek

Beyond Molasses Creek
Nicole Seitz
Thomas Nelson Publishers
January 2012

Almost peeking into the cockpit as she boards the plane, Ally Green has to remind herself that she won't be serving drinks on this flight. She is a passenger today. Her stewardess days are well behind her, as are the chances she might have recognized the pilot. No, today she is headed home. Leaving her exotic locations behind to pick up the pieces after her father's death.
But being home makes her restless. She has never been known to stay put. She's a wanderer. And now here of all places, where she can stare across the river at Vessey Washington's house. Oh, Vessey. Her heart flips just thinking his name. What happened back then? Will she be able to pick up those pieces as well? Will her father's mysterious notes left behind force them to tell each other the truth?
On the other side of the world, Sunila Kunari pounds her chisel into her latest statue. His latest statue- her boss, 'the cruel man'. Working day after day, she and her parents obediently callousing their hands in order to pay off an illusive debt owed him, until the day Sunila gets her chance. Her big break. And she takes it. Throwing aside Caste, her position in this world, she wanders the streets of Nepal, in search of the man who once offered her hope.
Does she have the strength to leave behind what she must to finish her task? What surprises will she learn about herself and the only world she has ever known?
Stretching over miles and ocean, two women, forced to face their pasts, come to terms with their future.

I LOVED this book. This is my first book read by this author, but it will not be my last. I have to say, I was very pleasantly surprised. I've come to expect a certain writing style from a good portion of the Christian fiction I read. Hers, however, was very different. It very much reminds me of some of my favorite European modern fiction writers. It's that writing which got me hooked on the first page. And then the story developed. What a story teller she is. She did a fantastic job weaving real situations, and real emotions, all into one beautiful tapestry full of hope. Very down to earth and comfortable. I think it should go without saying, but, I highly recommend this book! And quite honestly, I'm thankful it's a boo I could also recommend to a non-christian fiction reader.
This book was provided by the publisher, free for review. I also post all my reviews on amazon.com and bookgateway.com

Nearing Home

Nearing Home
Life, Faith and Finishing Well
Billy Graham
Thomas Nelson Publishers
December 2011


Spoken in Billy Graham's beloved simplicity, here is a book full of hope, advice, experience and insight into a life long lived. Having lived into his 92nd year, much longer than he anticipated, Graham Offers wisdom to the young, and reaches out to the elderly in a sense of kinship. He graces these pages with much wisdom to be gleaned by all generations.
What must it be like to have seen the world 90 years ago, and see what it has come to be today. How has technology changed things? Cars? Are relationships different? Has society rejected or embraced God's teachings? Graham has extracted much insight and shares the blessings and aches of this time, and more specifically, his current time here on earth.
What are we living for? Do we have our hearts set on eternity, or are we living for the moment, never caring what our future holds? These are questions he addresses in his attempt to secure your place in front of the pearly gates. True to form, Graham speaks with gentleness, simplicity and peace, but not without urgency.
In this semi-autobiographical work, he shares about the loss of his much loved wife, his rigorous Evangelistic work schedule and cherished friends he met along the way. He encourages the old to love the young,and the young to treasure the old. He shares what it's like to grow in age. But most of all, he shares his passion and love for Jesus Christ. And his zeal doesn't stop in his own relationship, he extends and invitation to share what he has spent his life teaching about.

I thought this book was simple and peaceful. An easy read to provoke thought. And while I, as a young person, I don't particularly like the idea of growing old, much less reading about it, he did well in presenting the idea of growing old gracefully. I will say, this book did not wow me, but I can't say that's what I was looking for in it either. Billy Graham is like and old favorite sweater, always cozy and warm. I I can think of many people who would really enjoy this book.