Books: "Wonders Never Cease" by Tim Downs

In Tim Downs’ latest novel - Wonders Never Cease - Kemp McAvoy is a disgruntled nurse who believes, when he is assigned as the private nurse of has-been actress Olivia Hayden, his ship has finally come in. Olivia Hayden, in a medically induced coma, will receive an angelic messenger who delivers an astounding message that will produce a best selling book and millions for Kemp. But, when his girlfriend’s six-year-old daughter claims that she is seeing angels, will this make his whole scheme start crashing down?
Tim Downs has created a beautiful story that leaves you guessing until the very end. It is heartwarming and tender. He has created very likable characters (Natalie, Leah and Emmett) as well as despicable characters (Kemp, Wes and Morty). While the story seems to jump around a lot at the beginning, the fluidity in which the story moved worked with the pieces. I absolutely hated Kemp and his selfishness, but Natalie and her selflessness was enough of a balance. This story was one that was difficult to put down and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Overall it is a great piece of fiction that restores one’s faith in the human race and in a higher power.


As a side note, I did receive a free copy of the book from Thomas Nelson Publishing as a member of the BookSneeze.com Blogger Community program. I was not required in any way to post a positive review. The opinions stated above are mine and mine alone.

Books: A Century Turns by William J. Bennett

A Century Turns: New Hopes, New Fears by William J. Bennett chronicles the past twenty years of America and the changes it has undergone. While twenty years may not seem like a lot in the span of how long America has been a country, it is enough to mold a young person who goes from being an awkward eleven-year-old to an educated thirty-one year old mother of three with one more on the way. As I read this unbiased history of the past twenty years, I was reminded of events that had happened along the way, which brought back distinct and poignant memories. Events such as the crumbling of the Berlin Wall, Operation Desert Storm, the Oklahoma City bombing, the Columbine High School massacre and September 11th to name a few. As I read, I would have flashes of memories where I remembered where I was and what I was doing when social and or political events significantly impacted me. A Century Turns is a history book and while at a couple points did seem to read as a textbook, there are enough anecdotal stories in which one could see an inside glimpse of more the Washington political scene. This is a recommended read for all to remember where we came from to see where we are going because it seems to be that every twenty years or so, history repeats itself. Are we learning from our past mistakes?

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”