BOOK NOOK REVIEWS: Michelle Phoenix

Title: Of Stillness and Storm
Author: Michelle Phoenix
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Books

Ages: Adult

Synopsis: 

 

It took Lauren and her husband ten years to achieve their dream—reaching primitive tribes in remote regions of Nepal. But while Sam treks into the Himalayas for weeks at a time, finding passion and purpose in his work among the needy, Lauren and Ryan stay behind, their daily reality more taxing than inspiring. For them, what started as a calling begins to feel like the family’s undoing.

At the peak of her isolation and disillusion, a friend from Lauren’s past enters her life again. But as her communication with Aidan intensifies, so does the tension of coping with the present while reengaging with the past. It’s thirteen-year-old Ryan who most keenly bears the brunt of her distraction.

Why you should read it: 

 

It can be easy for a person to look around at their own picture perfect life and think they could never understand the depth of someone else's emotional dilemma when that person lives on the other side of the world.

But author, Michelle Phoenix, manages to overcome that obstacle with the finesse of a master word player as she draws her audience into Lauren's struggle to acclimate to life in Nepal.

Her husband, Sam, strongly feels God's calling to become a missionary among the remote tribes living in the mountains, and leaves his family to fend for themselves for weeks at a time in a place as alien to them as some distant planet.

At first we can understand, and even sympathize, with Sam's wish to make a positive difference in the world. It's a commendable trait, but this clever author also forces us to acknowledge a life changing event based on good intentions doesn't always guarantee a happy ending.

The harder Lauren tries to honor her marriage vows by supporting her husband's dreams, the deeper the wedge driven between herself and her son, Ryan, who deals with his own struggles of being uprooted from friends and family to live in a country he has come to loathe.

Add to this powder keg of emotional upheaval a ghost from Lauren's past in the form of Aidan, who is dealing with his own struggle to come to terms with a life threatening illness. Aidan reconnects with Lauren via the internet, but this rekindling of their childhood friendship only adds fuel to the emotional and spiritual fires already threatening to destroy this family.

If we had a crystal ball, we could predict the epic storm coming, but when the escalating tension finally breaks in a life altering conclusion, it's not just the characters of this story who are left to access the emotional roller coaster ride Ms. Phoenix has just taken us on.

A great addition to any home library!

Like-O-Meter Rating: 5 out of 5...grab it!

 

**Rating scale**

 
 5 out of 5...grab it!
 4 out of 5...think about it.
 3 out of 5...take or leave it.
 2 out of 5...maybe not for you.
 1 out of 5...forget about it!

(Disclaimer:

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

Monstore Buyers Beware!

When I was much younger, my sister and I used to play a game called Witching Hour where our imaginations allowed ghosties and ghoulies and other beasties to roam our back yard in that special time between dusk and darkness.  But never in my wildest dreams did I ever consider buying one of the monsters to just hang around my house!

My friend, Tara Lazar, created an idea in her delightful debut picture book, THE MONSTORE, where children can purchase talented creatures to assist them in handling an array of problems.  

When Zack decides to purchase Manfred the monster to help keep his little sister Gracie out of his bedroom, he thinks all his problems are solved.  He doesn't plan on Gracie teaming up with Manfred to turn the tables on him.  He wants his money back but quickly finds out there are no returns, no exchanges, and no refunds. What's a brother to do? Why, buy another monster of course!

This wonderfully creative story from a talented debut author blends well with the gorgeous illustrations done by the equally talented illustrator James Burks.  Children of all ages will laugh at the surprise ending of THE MONSTORE and I'm sure there will be some writers (myself included) who will think to themselves, "Why didn't I think of that first?!"

I brought my copy of Tara's book to my TaeKwonDo school and read it to my kids during our daily story time.  They LOVED it!  If that is any indication of potential success, I would be willing to bet THE MONSTORE will become a smash hit!

THE MONSTORE can be found at IndiBound (http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781442420175), Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Monstore-Tara-Lazar/dp/1442420170/), and at BN.com (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-monstore-tara-lazar/1113243861).  This book is published by Alladin/Simon & Schuster and the ISBN # is 9781442420175.  

For more information about Tara, check out her website at http://taralazar.com, keep up with her on Twitter (https://twitter.com/taralazar) or check out her Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/authortara).