Book Review: The Confession – John Grisham

John Grisham is one of those authors that I can’t wait to read his latest work. This book came out last week and I waited until this past Monday to buy it so I would finish the one that I was currently reading. It was hard to be in a number of airports on my previous trips seeing this book on the shelf and not buying it. I knew I would be leaving on a trip again on the 8th and would save it for then. The Confession – John Grisham addresses the whole system around the death penalty and guilt or innocence.


Book Cover excerpt:
For every innocent man sent to prison, there is a guilty one left on the outside. He doesn’t understand how the police and prosecutors got the wrong man, and he certainly doesn’t care. But how can a guilty man convince lawyers, judges, and politicians that they’re about to execute an innocent man?

Personal Reflections:
Oh man. This was intense and well worth the price of buying the hardcover version. You can believe that this actually happened, what a story. There were two very different endings that I thought were coming and it was amazing how John Grisham actually wrapped it up. I almost gave up reading this author a few books back, but this one will definitely get me to buy his next.

Book Review: Her Daughter’s Dream – Francine Rivers

This is second in a 2 part series that is loosely based on the author’s own family and the mother/daughter relationships through the generations. Francine Rivers ability to accurately describe the history that the stories are set in are her trademark. Her Daughter’s Dream – Francine Rivers is another amazing book.


Book Cover Excerpt:
In the dramatic conclusion to Her Mother’s Hope, Francine Rivers delivers a rich and deeply moving story about the silent sorrows that can tear a family apart and the grace and forgiveness that can heal even the deepest wounds.

Personal Reflections:
This is another book that brought both tears and healing in my own life. The story takes many turns and it is always hard when it doesn’t turn out the way you would love it to. I highly recommend this book, not only from the historical benefit, but from the pure pleasure of the read.

Book Review: Her Mother’s Hope – Francine Rivers

It has been 6 years or so since I 1st learned of Francine Rivers. I was visiting a friend in Illinois and we went to the book store and she highly recommended the book Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. I bought it that day and we spent the rest of the day in her family room next to the fireplace both reading. Now that is a close friendship, when you are both content just to read, share popcorn and have some tea. No need to entertain each other. I got an email from Amazon.com that Francine Rivers had released a new book. I was leaving on vacation within a few days so I headed out to Barnes & Nobels to see if I could get the book. I go there and found out that the new release was actually part 2 of a two part series and I picked up the 1st of the series, Her Mother’s Hope – Francine Rivers.


Book Cover Excerpt:
Heartbreaking news from home strengthens Marta’s resolve as she moves to England and eventually to Canada. There, she meets handsome Niclas Waltert, a man just as committed as she to forging a better life in a new place. But nothing has prepared her for the sacrifices she must make for marriage and motherhood as she travels first to the Canadian wilderness and finally to the dusty Central Valley of California to raise her family.

Personal Reflection:
I love the depth of the history that Francine Rivers includes in her novels. You know that she has spent hours on the research and you feel that you are actually living in another time at another place. This book details the impact that a mother has on a daughter. I have not always understood my mother and the way she raised us. I have gotten the opportunity over the last five years to be one of my mother’s care givers I have come to realize a little more about her own background and how it impacted the way she raised us. Hardship has a way of molding us in many different directions. This book is a page turner and I am so glad I didn’t have to wait to read the sequel. If you start this one, be ready to get the second one pretty quickly or it will drive you nuts.

Book Review: Safe Haven – Nicolas Sparks

Nicolas Sparks is one of those authors I found via an airport book. The 1st book of his that I read was Six Weeks with My Brother, a true store of the journey he took around the world with his brother. After reading that, I fell in love with his style and the depth of character development in his writings. Now I have read every one of his books and watch anxiously for each new release. His lastest is Safe Haven - Nicolas Sparks


Book Cover Excerpt:
But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo’s empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.

Personal Reflections:
This one was very suspenseful and didn’t end the way I thought it was going to. As I said, the characters are so believable and you just get sucked into the story. I enjoyed this book and it might just be one of my favorites that he has written.

Book Review: Eat, Pray, Love – Elizabeth Gilbert

This is another one of those airport books Eat, Pray, Love; One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India, Indonesia – Elizabeth Gilbert. I had seen the previews for the movie starring Julia Roberts and was somewhat intrigued, but I’m not a big movie fan because usually the only good parts are in the previews. I actually looked at this book about a dozen times before I finally purchased it.


Book Cover Excerpt:
In her early thirties, Elizabeth Gilbert had everything a modern American woman was supposed to want – husband, country home, and successful career – but instead of feeling happy and fulfilled, she felt consumed by panic and confusion. This wise and rapturous book is the story of how she left behind all these outward marks of success, and what she found in their place.

Personal Reflection:
That excerpt from above reads almost like my own personal testimony (without the husband) and how I went on my own personal search for fulfillment when I had all the outward signs of success. Unlike Elizabeth I found the true fulfillment in Jesus Christ. But the book is an interesting read. The writer has an interesting style of describing the characters she met on her journey. Because of her style I will probably read one of her other books. It was a nice read.

Book Review: Without a Word – Jill Kelly

I enjoy reading, but it seems like most of the time I’m busy with life and don’t take the time to sit and read. Lately, I have been doing a bit of traveling so I have taken advantaged of all that air travel to read. I’m going to spend the next few days posting reviews of the books I have read this fall.


The first book is Without a Word – by Jill Kelly. I was in the airport when I saw this book and decided to purchase it. It is a habit of mine to wonder through the book sections/stores at airports, I have found some very interesting books and favorite authors this way. I knew of Jim Kelly because I am a fan of football, but I really didn’t know about him and the struggles of his family.

Here is an excerpt from the jacket cover:
More than a memoir, this book contains a mother’s heart--- pieces of precious, journaled memories engraved on the author’s soul – as well her long journey from resentment to forgiveness as a wife. Here, too, are intimate reflections from Jim and from those who walked with the Kelly’s through the shadow of death and into the light of hope. Without a Word transparently shares it all: The heartbreaking moments… and those Jill would love to relive. Moments that add up to a time filled with unimaginable pain…and indescribably joy. Moments that silently transformed the hearts of every member of her family… and changed their lives forever. Moments that may even change our heart and life, too.

Personal reflections:
I have to say, I’m not sure I would recommend reading this on the plane as I did, it was intense and the tears flowed, but yet I couldn’t stop reading it, I just dried my eyes on one of those scratchy airplane napkins and keep reading through the blur. Jill and Jim Kelly are truly transparent in this book, not only about the struggles of having a child with a terminal illness, but about their struggles as a husband and wife and as individuals. I wouldn’t call this book ‘fun’ but I am glad I read it.

Veteran Day – Thank You

This week I am in meetings with representatives from the Global Leaders in Technology that have gathered to set standards and guidelines for technology for the next 3,5,10 years and beyond.

I sat back last night and just listened as small groups gathered over coffee. Yes, there are people here from the USA, but there are also many other nations represented here: Japan, Taiwan, Belgium, Spain, Russia, France, England, Chili, Argentina, Israel, India, Korea, China… All of them are here to determine the face of technology in the future. Free to travel to this country to exchange ideas for the betterment of us all.


Ask yourself the question; what if there wasn’t a sort of diplomacy? What if the world was ruled by dictators? Would this open exchange of idea occur?

I personally want to thank all the Veterans today. Thank you for the freedoms we have, for the freedoms this world has. Those of you who have served; you who are now serving and those who died serving are true heroes.

THANK YOU.