Reader Views

Love Dance: Awakening the Divine Daughter

“Love Dance: Awakening the Divine Daughter” is the first book in the Love Dance series which chronicles the author’s version of Mary Magdalene’s story. It begins with her finding out that she is betrothed to Yeshua, her childhood friend, whom she has always loved. She is surprised that her wealthy parents agreed to an alliance with him because he is just a carpenter’s son. After their union, Yeshua is committed to keeping her at his side as an equal. She helps him to stay grounded and connected.

This is a beautifully told story. It begins with their engagement and takes them through the trials that Yeshua experienced early on in his life. His goal is to unify the tribes of Yisrael. He feels this is his calling. But in doing so, he has to deal with opposing factions. Along the way, the couple also has their own issues in their relationship. They have the births of their children and Mary’s attraction to Yeshua’s best friend and another woman. Yeshua deals with this the best that he can.

Unlike the stories commonly told of Mary Magdalene being a whore, in this story she comes from a respected family and plays a critical role in Yeshua’s life. She carries a tremendous amount of sensuality which seems to draw others to her. She has to find a place for these feelings so that they do not hurt her marriage. She is honest with Yeshua about them. Her sensuality and feminine energy unite with Yeshua’s male energy to make them whole as one. Readers with open minds will love this story. Traditional fundamental Christians will probably not be comfortable with it.

“Love Dance” takes the story of Mary Magdalene and Christ to another level. Instead of it seeming like a dryly-written story, it is rich with description that goes beyond the mundane. Everything that the characters are experiencing is described so that the reader can feel it, see it, and smell it. This also works on the spiritual level. Colors of auras are described. Mary and Yeshua are able to leave their bodies to have experiences on purely spiritual levels. Mary also learns about the power of manifesting from thoughts. Being that Christ had so many special gifts, it seems to me like this might be more like how his life really was. Read “Love Dance” and decide for yourself.

Love Dance: Awakening the Divine Daughter
Deborah Maragopoulos
American Book Publishing (2007)
ISBN 9781589824119
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (11/07)

Element of Blank

Ann Harper Reed
Lulu (2006)
Ann Reed (2007)
ISBN 9780615141947
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (8/07)

Ann Harper Reed’s “Element of Blank” is a courageous and powerful book on a subject that is definitely not discussed often enough, namely, domestic abuse. Ms. Reed’s story of Sally and David is bone-chilling and nail-biting tense. Although the outcome is – unfortunately just like in too many other cases – all too predictable, the journey to the bitter end leaves the reader hoping for a miracle.

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Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This: Refreshing Rest Stops for Moms on the Run (Hearts at Home Books)

Reviewed by Lori Plach for Reader Views (6/07)

“Just wait till you have kids of your own!” How many mothers have ever said that when they are reaching their limit. When children are little, they think their mother knows everything. When they get older, they think their moms are totally out of touch. But as the years go by and you become a parent yourself, you start to realize that your mother was right all along. Your mother might have told you that “someday your time will come.” If you are faced with the trials and tribulations of motherhood and just need to take a break, you have just the place to lose yourself. It’s time to sit back and enjoy a book so you don't feel so alone.

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Flirting with Forty

Jane Porter
Warner Books (2006)
ISBN 0446697265
Reviewed by Beverly Pechin for Reader Views (8/06)

If the first page of the book starts you off laughing, you know you're in for a great ride. Author Jane Porter somehow hits the nail right on the head as she puts the main character, Jackie Laurens, into the real world. Surrounded with the not-so-perfect factors in life; divorce, kids, single motherhood and married friends, Porter gives a candid and often hilariously true view of how life really is for many women as the world they once knew suddenly is no longer theirs.

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Anonymous Lawyer: A Novel

Jeremy Blachman
Henry Holt (2006)
ISBN 0805079815
Reviewed by Tammy Petty Conrad for Reader Views (8/06)

I loved this book! But based on the title, “Anonymous Lawyer”, it normally would be the last book I’d pick up. And the concept of a book written as a blog didn’t thrill me either, especially since I haven’t even seen a blog on the Web (I know, I’m a Neanderthal). But it is devilishly funny. So wicked you know you shouldn’t laugh, but you can’t help yourself. The scene where a fifty seven page memo is not long enough is hysterical!

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Something That Lasts

James David Jordan
Integrity Publishers (2006)
ISBN 159145428X
Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (07/06)

Author James David Jordan has written a refreshing novel that confronts the current prevailing fallacy which routinely entices the public into the untrue belief that adultery is normal, acceptable and harmless. In his debut book, the attorney and baseball fan author illustrates in his novel the tragic and devastating results which unfaithfulness can produce.

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Progressions

Judy Lawn
Zumaya Publications (2003)
ISBN 1894942000
Reviewed by Cherie Burbach for Reader Views (6/06)

We first meet Vanessa when her husband and children have left, leaving her with an empty house and a fairly low self-outlook. She has a nosy-but-good-natured neighbor (Dora), a potential suitor-but-more-like-friend (Henry), and a self-improvement-reciting-friend (Lisette). All of these folks have Vanessa’s best interest at heart, but yet... she seeks something more. Vanessa decides to take a tour of the South Island, and while there meets mysterious, sexy Nigel, who sweeps her off her feet and changes her outlook on the past and the future. Will she ever look at her life the same again?

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"Walk Softly (and carry an ak)"

Read complete review on Reader Views By Suzi Q. Smith Lulu Press (2006) Reviewed by Cherie Burbach for Reader Views (3/06) “Walk Softly (and carry an ak)” is a slim volume of free-verse poetry from poet Suzi Q. Smith.  Smith has been writing poetry and performing spoken word for over a decade.  “Walk Softly” is her first published collection – with 42 poems ranging in theme from family life to independence to love.  All the poems are told from a tough underlying feminine spirit.  Early on in the book is “Prowl,” a raw poem about filling loneliness with casual sex:      “my hollow eyes are sleeping, starved to numb      I’m out of tears for drunken Casanovas,      even still, sometimes      it’s so hard to be alone.”

"The Time Keeper"

By Kevin E. Cropp

Copper Press (2006)                                       

Reviewed by Marcelline (Marcy) Burns for Reader Views (1/06)

This is the story of conflict between an adolescent boy and his mother, written mostly (but not entirely) in the boy’s voice. It is a story lived in general, if not in detail, by the author, who tells us of the reconciliation between them that came about only when the mother moved painfully toward an early death from cancer.

The author’s message is powerful. The repair of a dysfunctional mother-son relationship involves a willingness to risk and the courage to persist in the face of anger and resentment. The mother’s need for reconciliation gave her sufficient courage.

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