Book Review: Crooked Lines by Holly Michael

Posted on by

indexI am so excited about this book.  I love a good book, especially when it is written by one of my friends!! You can read about how I met Holly Michael at the end, but first the book review!!

This book draws you in with the very first sentence.  It tells the story of the spiritual journey taken by each of the two main characters, Rebecca and Sagai.  But they are worlds apart; Rebecca is from Wisconsin and Sagai is from South India.

Rebecca has so many questions that need to be answered.  As the story unfolds so many times I could feel her emotional pain, I felt her frustrations and sometimes her self doubt, which lead me to keep turning the page in hopes that she would find her answers.  She is a strong woman with determination that continually shines through even in the face of obstacles.  Something all of us can strive to achieve.  She also had me smiling with some of her phrases and literally laughing out loud on one particular instance when she receives a book from her Mother-in-law.

Sagai is so dedicated.  He knows he is called to be a priest from a very early age, and he goes through anything and everything to fulfill his destiny.  He has a big heart and so wants to be a priest that he tends to look past things that he should be questioning.  Eventually his frustrations and doubts are revealed, which is very realistic even for someone who knows their purpose in live.  But it’s his faith in God that helps him continually move towards his destiny.

Holly writes about India and Sagai’s life in such detail.  I liked the way she used various greetings and phrases in different languages, to capture the heart of the culture.  Most of which I could not pronounce, but it did not take away from the story, it only enhanced it.  I also found myself Googling words for various things in the Indian culture to get a clearer picture of what she was talking about.  The story flows seamlessly between the two characters and cultures, and you get a clear understanding of the culture that Sagai comes from, (even without Googling).

This is such a good story, with great characters; something I really enjoy in a book.  One other thing I would like to mention is the cover; such a beautiful cover design!!  The main thing I liked about this story is that it isn’t about them finding religion, but finding their purpose and/or calling for their lives.  It is a true spiritual journey for both characters, not only in finding God, but also in finding their true selves.  Anyone can read this book regardless of your spiritual beliefs.  I especially like the one common thread throughout the book that actually binds the two characters together.  As I mentioned, the very first sentence draws you in, but it’s the last couple of sentences that makes you say “hmmm” with a smile on your face.  I actually like to read books that are part of a series…just sayin’. =]

A little background:

I met Holly Michael about 25 years ago, when she was my supervisor at my first office job.  She taught me how to operate a PC with no hard drive by using those 5 ¼ floppy disks.  She was the one that introduced me to “modern technology” and I continued through the years advancing along with it.  We worked together for several years, until she left to start her family.  I always knew she would be a great mom, her 3 grown children are shining examples of that.  Both her sons play football, one for the NFL and one for the Rajin’ Cajuns, and her beautiful daughter just started teaching at a University.  She talked about being a writer, and I always knew she would be a great writer, this book is a shining example of that.

I am a total book lover, I love the feel of a book in my hands…the clear black type on crisp new paper…turning each page…the new book smell.  But again, Holly has nudged me towards modern technology.  I never thought I would ever use a Kindle, since I am such a book lover.  But the anticipation of wanting to read this book got the better of me.  I do not own a Kindle (yet) so I downloaded a free Kindle app to my laptop just so I could download the book and finally read it!! (Yeah…not exactly the convenience a Kindle portrays in their commercials, but it served its purpose for me).

I am ordering it from Amazon, and you can too, just click on the book cover at the top.  I’m sure I will read it again when I get the book in my hands, just so I can get the whole new book experience.

You can find more from Holly Michael at:

www.writingstraight.com and www.indiascrown.com

Five Minute Friday: Reach

Posted on by

Five Minute Friday has moved to http://katemotaung.com. I haven’t joined in for quite awhile. I have been checking the prompts, but just couldn’t get any ideas or words together to form a coherent thought. I know…Five Minute Friday’s are really not about being all proper and eloquent, we are to just supposed to write for five minutes on the prompt provided…still can be intimidating, yet always rewarding.  If you would like to learn more about it, click on the icon to the left. So here goes, I’ve shook my head, cleared out the cobwebs and this is what I came up with:

TODAY’S PROMPT: REACH

GO…

The other day, I had an appointment. My name was called and I followed a woman back to her office, so she could get all my information. She did not say hello, she did not smile, she was doing her job. As she was doing her job gathering my information, I noticed that I was giving her short answers myself. But soon after, I realized I didn’t need to act the same way. I continued giving her my information trying to be more pleasant. She was an attractive lady, maybe around my age or younger, dressed nicely. She had on a blue blouse with white pants and white sandals. Her hair was nicely done as well (something I always notice since I was once a hairstylist). When we were done, she walked me up to the second floor to the office I needed to be in. As we walked up the stairs, I just said to her, “you know I really like your outfit, I’ve always liked the blue and white combination.” She thanked me and then proceeded to tell me that someone told her she wouldn’t be able to where the white shoes after Labor Day. I had to laugh, I didn’t think anyone followed that rule anymore, and that is what I told her. I sat down in the waiting room and she took my information to the person who needed it. As she walked past me to go back to her office, she said “(the person’s name) will be with you shortly, Carrie.” This time she was actually smiling a little.

Sometimes we just need to reach out to people, even if it is just a hello with a smile, or a compliment. Everyone is dealing with something, and we tend to just focus on ourselves.  I could have walked in silence with this stranger, lost in my own thoughts, but instead for that brief moment we shared a smile and a laugh, and I know myself I felt better, hopefully she did too.

STOP…PENCILS DOWN

Five Minute Friday: Write

Posted on by

5minutefriday

Joining Lisa-Jo Baker for Five Minute Friday.  She describes it as a writing flash mob.  I’m still trying to get used to the idea of “no extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font or punctuation. Unscripted. Unedited. Real.”

If you want to join in, click on the Five Minute Friday icon at the left for all the details.

Here we go…

TODAY’S PROMPT: WRITE

BEGIN

IMG_1690aI have always liked to write.  Not so much write as in telling a story, that passion came later in life.  I’m talking about physically writing, printing, cursive, the art of penmanship.  I can remember before I entered Kindergarten, I wanted to write in cursive.  I was in awe as I watched my mom write a note.  The quick, but graceful up and down movement and flow of her hand as it would glide across the crisp white paper leaving a blue line of beautifully scrolled letters looped together to form her thoughts…her words.  Most of my Five Minute Friday posts are handwritten before I type them.  I can think better as I write.  My thoughts, emotion, character and artistry comes out in my handwritten word.

My passion to write came from reading.  I enjoy when an author writes a story that is so descriptive it’s like a movie playing in your mind’s eye.  I love to write words in such a way that you feel like you are there.  When you can smell the lavender and vanilla and the warmth of a fluffy white towel bundled in your arms fresh from the dryer.  As you walk through the woods on a crisp autumn day, the cadence of your steps and the crunch of the leaves beneath your feet, rhythmically drum away the cares of the world.  You see the deep reds and oranges of the leaves in the cool shade and the bright golden yellows illuminated by the sun that warms your soul.  A cool breeze dances around you and weaves through your hair refreshing your mind as you take in the beauty around you that you can’t deny the handiwork of The Creator.

I write, not to become famous, it’s something I enjoy doing.  If I happen to finish a novel, or someone is encouraged by my words, that’s a bonus…I write because I’m compelled to put pen to paper and write what I cannot contain in the confines of my mind.

STOP…PENCILS DOWN

Small Town with Big City Views

Posted on by

5minutefriday

Five Minute Friday with Lisa-Jo Baker  write for five minutes “no extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font or punctuation. Unscripted. Unedited. Real.”

If you want to join in, click on the Five Minute Friday icon at the left for all the details.

Here we go…

TODAY’S PROMPT: SMALL

BEGIN

I grew up in a small town in Indiana, right on Lake Michigan, population 4,937.  As a teenager, my BFF and I spent our summer days laying out at the beach, gettin’ a tan.  As I sat on that beach, I could look across Lake Michigan and see the Chicago Skyline.  I was in a small town, but it was like something bigger and better was within my reach.  I moved out to the suburbs at age 19, got married and started a family, and only went back to visit my family who still live there.

Recently, my family has moved to this small town.  Not so much by choice, but by necessity. I am seeing this town again through the eyes of my teenagers, who have declared that they want to stay, and not move back to the suburbs.  It was no small move for us, my kids had to leave the friends that they grew up with, but they have adjusted well.  This is a good experience for them, and they have found a new sense of freedom.  In this small town, they got out and met a whole bunch of new friends.  At any time they can meet up with their friends since everything is in walking distance, and a lot of their friends live just right around the corner, well…everything is just right around the corner in a small town.  My kids have spent time here over the years visiting my parents.  My dad would walk with them everywhere, take them bike riding, or walk along the lake.  The town has a lot more going on now than when I was growing up, and that’s what my kids love about it.  There’s a Cruise Night every month, where old cars line the main street, while 50’s music plays in the background.  There’s a huge festival called Pierogi Fest, which celebrates the Polish and Slovak culture here with a parade, food fenders, music, contests and tons of people.  My daughter is amazed at how many people she knows and recognizes as she’s out and about with her friends, never having that experience in the suburbs.

© 2013

© 2013

She loves to take pictures and has a real eye for it, so she is especially enjoying the opportunity to take pictures with her friends in the park that sits on the lake with all it’s trees and beautiful gardens. Capturing a sun set at the beach, or the beauty of that magnificent view of Chicago.

I never tire of that view of the city across the drink.  But I see it differently now.  You don’t have to give something up, when there’s always something else within reach.

STOP…PENCILS DOWN

First Day of School

Posted on by

My first born had his very first day of school today.  He was up early this morning, got himself ready, and had his backpack packed last night and he was ready to go.  I told myself I’m not going to cry, I’m not going to cry.   So as he was leaving and I had to reach up to hug his 6″ 1′ frame, I was able to smile as I looked at his clean-shaven face.  My son has been home schooled all his life, he is a senior this year and he wanted the Public High School experience.  We are now in an area where I am comfortable with this decision.  It’s a small high school in a small town.  He’s made a lot of friends already over the summer, and….we live right across the street. =]

He will be turning 18 in a couple of weeks.  It is funny how turning 18 seems so magical and you really think you’ll be an adult as you anticipate that big day.  But as a parent you realize there’s a fine line, that you wish was broader, between being a teenager and an adult, especially with boys.  But I know this experience will be good for him and I am excited and look forward to see what this year has in store for him.  But when June comes, and he’s in his cap and gown, there is no doubt, and I won’t be able to talk myself out of it…I am going to cry.