Making Face by Amy Harmon WOW!!

Making Faces by Amy Harmon
Making Faces is the story of a small town where five young men go off to war, and only one comes back. It is the story of loss. Collective loss, individual loss, loss of beauty, loss of life, loss of identity. It is the tale of one girl's love for a broken boy, and a wounded warrior's love for an unremarkable girl. This is a story of friendship that overcomes heartache, heroism that defies the common definitions, and a modern tale of Beauty and the Beast, where we discover that there is a little beauty and a little beast in all of us.

"If God makes all our faces, did he laugh when he made me?” - Fern

I don't even know where to begin! A friend recommended this book to me! It was my first Amy Harmon book, and it definitely wont be my last!

This story is simply:
beautiful
but tragic.
Romantic
yet heart-breaking
and so full of faith!
It left me speechless and pondering for days.

It starts off with a sweet, caring girl, whose unrequited love, for the most popular boy in school, goes unnoticed until its too late.

Fern, Bailey and Ambrose.

Fern is the “plain-jane” girl (in her own eyes) who has been in love with the town wrestling hero, Ambrose Young. She’s a preacher’s daughter and her heart is just so innocent and pure. She’s lover of romance novels and an an aspiring writer.

She expressed her feelings well in this poem that touched my core!
“If God makes all our faces, did he laugh when he made me?
Does he make the legs that cannot walk and eyes that cannot see?
Does he curl the hair upon my head 'til it rebels in wild defiance?
Does he close the ears of the deaf man to make him more reliant?
Is the way I look coincidence or just a twist of fate?
If he made me this way, is it okay, to blame him for the things I hate?
For the flaws that seem to worsen every time I see a mirror,
For the ugliness I see in me, for the loathing and the fear.
Does he sculpt us for his pleasure, for a reason I can't see?
If God makes all our faces, did he laugh when he made me?” 

Long story short, at the end of their senior year, Fern finally seems to gain a little of Ambrose’s attention, but to her dismay, he, along with four other friends decide to join the military after graduation.

Tragedy strikes the five friends while away and only one returns and he is changed, both physically and emotionally.

“If God saved my life, why didn't he save their lives? Is my life so much more valuable? So I'm special... and they're not?” - Ambrose


Ambrose hides away and shuts everyone out, even Fern, who happens to work at his father’s bakery. Though Fern can see beyond his physical scars, he finds it hard to believe.

“You act like beauty is the only thing that makes us worthy of love,” -Fern


But as they slowly rebuild their friendship, somewhere along the way love shines through. It just goes to show that sometimes you just don’t realize the beauty that’s right in front of you. It takes looking past what’s on the outside to see what’s on the inside.


This is one of Fern’s quotes that I loved and could of written myself, because it describes me perfectly.

“Scripture comforts me, and romance novels give me hope." -Fern


and then there’s Bailey. Beautiful Bailey Sheen.
Make sure you guys dig deep and realize this story is not just about Fern and Ambrose.

It’s about love, loss, a little self discovery, true friendship and most definitely hope.

Bailey and Fern are cousins, and their relationship is the most precious thing I’ve read in such a long time!

Bailey is confined to a wheel chair, due to being diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Fern has somehow become his constant companion and help. Their relationship touched my heart so deeply, as we too have a young cousin who is wheelchair bound with MD. The storyline shows how Bailey lives his life knowing that tomorrow is not guaranteed.

It’s hard to come to terms with the fact that you aren't ever going to be loved the way you want to be loved. - Bailey


This was a very inspiring and emotional read that I highly recommend!

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One Night With a Rock Star by Chana Keefer LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! this book!!!

It's Anne of Green Gables Meets Rattle & Hum. Worlds collide. 

When Esther was a young teen with frizzy hair and too-skinny legs, Sky’s music soothed her through awkwardness and pain. During the Glam-Rock 80s, Esther is a College Journalism student and fledgling Print Model. One chance meeting with her Superstar crush rocks both their worlds. Will Esther's deep roots in Family and Faith keep her feet on the ground when a tornado named Sky blows her world apart? 

One Night With a Rock Star is a rich, satisfying Saga filled with multi-dimensional, lovable characters, sigh-worthy Romance and a tale that will carve itself onto your soul. 

Explores themes of spirituality, modern morality, relationship with God versus religion, how to aim for vibrant, lifelong love and how one can "have it all" yet still long for meaning and purpose in life. 

While the tale includes sexy situations, it is not gratuitous. Appropriate for and enjoyed by young teens and young-at-heart of all ages. 

Includes a Study Guide for individuals and groups regarding crucial life choices, vital relationship with God, and investing in long-term, healthy, romantic love that gets better with time.

*sigh* I don't even know where to begin.

I found this book through my Bookbub emails and the title captured my attention immediately!
What can I say without giving away too much?

What is a 20 yr old Christian girl (Esther) to do when she literally meets the ROCKSTAR (Sky) of her dreams and they actually form a connection? How does faith play into all of this? How does she walk away or does she? ;-)

I laughed, I cried, I got angry and even yelled out loud at Sky! lol and oh the ANGST!! I was like "are they going to kiss or what?!?!?!?" lol

This writing transported me back in time, to place where I could vividly see myself as Esther.

I loved how their relationship grew and how it was not just some insta-love, but it had the ups & downs, even if at one time it seemed too good to be true.

I LOVE the Christian/inspirational references and feel it was well blended into the story and appeared at all the right places at the right times. I loved Sky's transformation...if that's the word I'm looking for.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE??? THE CLIFFHANGER!!!!!!! OH. MY. STARS!!!! 

HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO WAIT UNTIL 2015 FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS!!! AGHHHH!!!

It was so real to me, I hated when this book came to an end.
I'M having major book hangover right now!!!!
With all that said, AWESOME read Mrs. Keefer!
This one is now one of my all-time favorites!! :)
I think I will just have to re-read over and over until the 2015 released ;-)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

HOT by Laura L. Smith: Great read for older teens.

Lindsey feels alone, like no one truly understands her. That is, until she meets Noah, who possesses a calm self-confidence that Lindsey craves. But what price will she pay to escape to the comfort of Noah’s soft words and strong arms?This novel uses the power of story to challenge teens to discover the relevance of faith. Young adults will identify with Lindsey’s feelings of insecurity and uncertainty. Promoting a personal trust in God, this story awakens the imagination through personal discovery, dynamic characters, and unexpected plot twists.

I read this book with the mind-set of a 14-16yr old and thought the book was well done. I agree with others that this is a great discussion starter for teens & parents. It was realistic to issues teens face in everyday life, thus readers can relate. I too, wished the ending was a little different between Lindsay & Noah. I think some closure & discussion between the two is what I was seeking. I love that the story shows that christians struggle with their choices and aren't perfect. I also would liked to have seen more regarding Lindsay and her parents relationship regarding her decisions. Otherwise, great book, I would definitely recommend!
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Sweethaven Summer by Courtney Walsh: I want to go to Sweethaven!!!

A faded scrapbook reveals secrets that reconnect old friends in a place called Sweethaven.  Campbell Carter has come to Sweethaven in search of answers about her mother's history. Just before losing a battle with cancer, Suzanne Carter sent letters to childhood friends from her hometown of Sweethaven, Michigan. Suzanne's three friends -- Lila, Jane, and Meghan -- haven't spoken in years, yet each has pieces of a scrapbook they made together as girls. Suzanne's letters have lured them all back to the idyllic lakeside town, where they meet Campbell and begin to remember what was so special about their long Sweethaven summers. As the scrapbook reveals secrets from the past, old wounds are mended, lives are changed, and friendships are restored -- just as Suzanne intended.

Absolutely LOVED this book!! The setting, the plot, the character development..everything!!! I actually cried about 3 different times and felt that for her first novel, Courtney Walsh was SPOT-ON!!! I felt like I was the fifth girlfriend watching all unfold from the sidelines! Also loved the touch of scrapbooking in the story line! Being a scrapbooker myself made the story more believable, real to me..thus the tears! I especially loved the character of Luke!! He was kind, considerate, apparently handsome but most of all sensitive to Campbell; without having to push himself out there.. I totally fell in love with him (I'm a hopeless romantic at heart). An awesome story of forgiveness & friendships!!....so why are you still reading my review!! Go and read this book already!! --and recommend it to all your friends.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars