A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers

 

 

 Once again, Francine does not disappoint. This is book one in an older series that she did. The book is based in the times shortly after after Christ's resurrection. The first three chapters of the book are slightly difficult to get through, but they are important for the background of the book. After that, you start to follow three main characters, Hadassah, a young Christian in a Jewish world, Atretes, a Greek warrior, and the Valerians, a well off Roman family, who will eventually cross paths in the most unlikeliest of ways.

 

The times that they are living in are dangerous. Wars and battles are everywhere, from Roman conquests of entire nations to the games in the arenas. The book is not for the squeamish. Rivers has you rooting for young Hadassah, and for the God that she holds her faith in. Hadassah's faith gets tested several times, and it can't help but make you think what would happen if that were me? What would I have done? 

5 of 5 flamingos. It's that good.

Three Weddings and A Bar Mitzvah by Melody Carlson

Three Weddings and a Bar Mitzvah was the fourth and final book in the Bloomberg Place series. The beginning of the book gets you hooked. By this time, you are so involved in the characters lives you can't help but want to know what happens next. Once again, I can't really say much about his because it will reveal previous information. But I will say that the four roommates all have scheduling conflicts for the same weekend. Some are for their weddings, some are for the weddings of others, one is for a bar mitzvah, and lastly a family reunion.

There is family drama, lessons on forgiveness, and a good amount of humor. The book does tie up all the loose ends quite nicely. I enjoyed the series and would recommend it. :)

4 of 5 flamingos.

Spring Broke by Melody Carlson

 

Spring Broke was the third book in the Bloomberg Place Series. You will be glad to know that the book was just as good as the previous two. I am having a hard time thinking about what to write about the book without giving anything away.... 

Kendall, with the advice of Megan, decides that she is going to have a garage sale. It's a way to make money and without actually having to get a job, and Kendall likes that idea. Soon after, the house is filled with junk that Kendall decides to bring down from the attic. Unfortunately, this is not what Megan and the rest of the girls have in mind and it causes tension in the house.

The book also has family drama with Anna, her brother Gil, and their Abuela (grandmother). Their Abuela thinks that the kids should only date people within their culture/ethnicity. Gil and Anna stick up for themselves and cause their mother to become angry with them. Friendship between Lelani and Anna is tested when Anna believes that Lelani causes Anna's boyfriend to break-up with her.

Lelani decides that it's time to go to Hawaii and confront her mother... No one could have imagined what would happen in just a few short days. 

4.5 of 5 Flamingos

I Heart Bloomberg By Melody Carlson & Let Them Eat Fruitcake By Melody Carlson

Today's entry is a double entry... I've been so busy lately that I've not had time to update. I read books 1 and 2 of 4 in the Bloomberg series. The first three I found at Books A Million (BAM) for $3.97 each and then the fourth one I ordered off of Amazon for $.01 (plus $3.99 shipping and handling... LOL). 

Anyway, after reading the back of the books, I thought that these would be a nice, fun series to get into. I'll be honest, as much as I like picking books, sometimes it's nice to know what to read next... keeps me focused. 

Well it turns out, I was right. (shocker I know) Kendall lives at 86 Bloomberg Place and she decides that she needs to get some roommates. She puts an add in the paper and asks for the applicants to go through a few odd things before actually #1 seeing the place and #2 becoming a roommate. She finds 3 women who are from 3 completely different walks of life and says "my home is your home" ... now pay me rent. 

The book is narrated by each of the four women at different times. Chapter headings are categorized by the  women's names and I like it. You get to know the personality of each of them quite well, by getting to hear their internal voice... or rather, thought voice. Each woman also has her fair share of relationship issues, family drama, and emotional turmoil... from extreme narcissism to avoidance issues. One turns to God, one turns to shopping, another work, and the other doesn't know where to go.

I have been enjoying the series so far and I don't want to give anything away! So I encourage you to pick it up... or take it from me when I'm done ;)

 4.5 of 5 flamingos.