Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Sweet September Book Review & Stuff

***This is a repost of a book review I did about 3 weeks ago.

I forgot to wait until I got the notice from Amy at

the LitFuse publisher's group and got ahead of myself.

I posted my review before she got us scheduled, so

I'm reposting my review on the date she selected for me.

I have a little update under the book review.***

A few weeks ago I was contacted via email regarding a Christian book series from Guideposts. Before that time I knew about Guideposts and have subscribed to it at different times over the years, but I never knew they published Christian novels.

"Home To Heather Creek" is the name of the series of books, and a different author is writing each book in the series, with the same characters continuing throughout the series.

Here's what the publisher had to say about the series of books:


"Home To Heather Creek" is an exciting, heartfelt new fiction series just launched by Guideposts. It follows the story of the Stevenson family as they discover the joys and challenges of this new second chance.

Charlotte Stevenson's world is turned upside down by the death of her daughter Denise. Denise ran away from home when she was a teenager, and Charlotte has never forgiven herself. Now, Denise's three children are coming to live on Heather Creek Farm:

Sam, fiercely protective of his younger siblings;
Emily, desperately missing her friends;
And young Christopher, a sweet soul who only wants to fit in.

Is this Charlotte's chance to make things right?


I agreed to read "Sweet September" by Tricia Goyer, the second book in the series and do a review here on my blog. So that I'd be able to start the series from the first, they also sent me the first book in the "Home To Heather Creek" series, "Before The Dawn" by Carolyne Aarsen.

I have to say that I enjoyed both books. Either stand alone as you don't have to read them as a series, but I do think the story is stronger and richer if you start with the first book and then read the second book in the series.

I'm a very fast reader so they're short enough for me to read in one sitting, but for most people who read more leisurely they could probably be read over several days' time. They're in depth enough to get involved with the characters' lives but not so deep that you get cumbered down with the story.

Overall they give insight into the Christian life and how we need God in our lives every day, but they're not preachy at all.

The books themselves are hardback with attractive matte bindings and artwork. The books are very well made.

If you're looking for Christian novels to read, I recommend "The Heather Creek Series" from Guideposts. And there are more books coming in the series! For more information on the series, click HERE.Just a note to let everyone know I'm still here but not feeling my best. On top of all my blood sugar problems my allergies are worse than they've been in ages. I'm sneezing my head off, multiple times in a row and multiple times a day. I need to hang a bucket under my constantly dripping nose and I've got sinus pressure headaches.

I've been reading your blogs but not commenting much. My eyes have been so blurry at times I can't read much so I can't see to type much either. I'm wearing out my backspace key trying to type this without too many typos.

I'm already on prescription allergy meds and I don't go to my diabetic counselor until Sept. 26th, so until then my diabetes is unmedicated. That's when my diabetic counselor will review my blood sugar levels and prescribe oral meds and/or insulin.

Right now my sugar is spiking and bottoming out at times, so at times I feel fine, then a little while later I feel awful.

Anyway, I know you're tired of hearing about my health issues, 'cause I'm tired of it and I'm living it!

Just wanted to let you know that I'm still here, just fighting some health issues. I'll try to put up a real post sometime in the next few days but it will depend on how I'm feeling.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hope you feel better soon. We'll be here, waiting for you.

Mim said...

Diane
Nope not tired of hearing about your health... just hoping you can get things regulated soon. Not fun when you are under the weather and newly diagnosed diabetes takes a while to get organized, doesn't it!
Hang in there and be well soon.
Mim

zztop357 said...

I hope you get to feeling better soon sister. Theirs a lot of colds and allergies going around right now.
God bless. Love you Sister.
Donna

Jess said...

The books were good...and Dad said you stayed home from church. Hope you start feeling better soon.

Love you,
Jess

Lib said...

Hi Diane,
Hope you feel better soon!
Hope you're having a good wk.
L,H,B,Lib

Our Home Schooler and Jen said...

praying for you my friend
hope you start feeling better
HUGS
Jen

Unknown said...

Just so you know JD and I have been having fits with allergies too. That darn rag weed is blooming like crazy and without much rain the pollen is flying around like crazy. You just feel better soon and we are are here sending up prayers for you and I am sending you an extra punch of positive energy. Speedy Recovery sweety.

Susie said...

Hi Diane,
Sorry to hear you're not feeling much better. I remember when Mom was sick it would make her blood sugar fluctuate. It also has that affect on my brother.
Take care my friend,
xoxo

Carole Burant said...

Dear Diane,

So sorry to hear that you're still not feeling your best...between your diabetes and your allergies, I can certainly understand why! Prayers that everything will soon settle down and you'll be 100% better:-) xoxo

Lucy Stern said...

Diane, I'm ALIVE!!! We survived but it was a harrowing experience...I am glad that you were finally able to get your diabetic supplies and that you now know what you will need to do to take care of you diabetis.

I'll be writing about the hurricane in the next day or two, right now I have been too busy with clean up. More later.

MightyMom said...

quit mooning about and get to work!! I have questions that must be answered!! and my email inbox is EMPTY!! ;-)

Brenda said...

Diane, I'm sorry you're feeling so horrible. Won't be long tho' til the Doc gets your D under control. Be encouraged, you are much loved!
God bless,
Brenda :)

Tricia Goyer said...

Diane,

Thank you so much for taking the time to read, review and post about my book.

Hope you are feeling better soon!

Blessins on your head.

Tricia

Barb said...

Well, I'm really thankful you jumped the gun and reviewed this series three weeks ago, Diane. Our friend Kelli read my comment on that post and she sent me Before The Dawn! I can't wait to read it.

I'm sorry you're feeling so lousy right now. The diabetes with it's highs and lows is bad enough to deal with, but factor in some seasonal allergies (which I'm very familiar with myself) and I imagine you're miserable. I hope you get it all straightened out soon. I know once your doctor figures out what you need, you can control the diabetes and start feeling a lot better.

I hope you feel better soon, my friend. xoxo

kansasrose said...

Those allergies can make one feel so awful hon, let alone the sugar spikes and lows. Sending you love and prayers dear friend. You and yours are always in my thoughts and heart. I hope you get some relief soon, and feel much better from this cruddy stuff hon! Love, Jen

kkryno said...

Diane; if you can't talk to your friends about how you feel, who CAN you talk to? We'll listen and worry and hope you get to feeling better. I'm sorry that you can't get into your diabetic councilor until the 26th. Please just be careful and aware. Have a good Friday.
Love, V.

Gigi said...

Diane, I pray that you're soon feeling better...the 26th can't come soon enough, I know. Until then, rest and take good care of yourself (maybe let others pamper you a bit too!).

Aunt Jenny said...

I sure hope you are feeling alot better soon...take it easy!!!!
You are in my prayers for sure!!

Dawn said...

I sure appreciate your coming by my place when you're not feeling your best! It is exactly what I am worrying about with this new blogging adventure of mine - that people will forget to come over because I'm not on Bloglines.

Hope you're better soon!!

Meow (aka Connie) said...

Oh Diane, I am so sorry to hear that you are feeling so terrible. Allergies can be horrible ... hope the weather changes soon, to take away some of the symptoms. As for the Diabetes ... roll on the 26th, so you can get it all under control. Must be a terrible time for you.
Otherwise, I hope everyone is well, and you are still enjoying time with Emmy ... she is such a cutie.
Sending love and hugs to you, Dear Diane ....
Take care, Connie xx

Girl Raised in the South said...

Diane, I'm sorry to hear you're feeling so under the weather. Six days til you can get to the doctor and hopefully they can figure out what to do to regulate things better. And allergies - this year has been a bear for them! I switched from allegra to Zyrtech at the suggestion of the pharmacist and boy did that help! I have to show my license every time so they know I'm not part of some crack ring, but I sure don't miss taking them or my eyes start to itch, I start coughing, etc. so I hope they can figure that out too. You sound over the top miserable. I also read at Barb's place about the recent job loss, so I'll be praying that he is able to find something good that will be stable. xoox

Sweetie said...

This is my first visit. I really enjoyed your book reviews. My husband is diabetic also. Prior to his diagnosis seven years ago, I was not aware of the problems that are caused by this horrific disease. I'm anxious to check out your recipe blog.
Sweetie

Nancy said...

I'm sure you will feel better once you get on diabetic medication. I am sorry you have been feeling so bad, Diane.

As you can see, I am back! I am trying to catch up. My son took his cats home Sunday night, and I have been busy working my 2 jobs....still up working tonight. Just thought I needed a break to read blogs!

(((((( HUGS ))))))