Serials and Scenarios - The Perfect Life

Click on the book cover to visit the Amazon page for more info and more reviews of The Perfect Life. Robin Lee Hatcher has visited the Dregs before. Click here for her interview.

My Review:

The Perfect Life is a drama involving a woman's crash into the reality of the fallen world. Even more difficult is the fact that she faces the brutal truth that Christianity is not a promise of the sweet life. Her struggle to survive, accept and overcome her rude awakening, winds through the novel and is told through both first person and supporting third-person characters.

The drama unfolds a lot like the story of Job with much inner soul-searching and lamenting on the part of Katherine.

Those who avoid novels with a lot of introspection may struggle with the slower moving format of a woman devastated and her plunge into self-preservation.

However, sticking with the story and following the heart-breaking progress from broken dreams to hope is very much worth the trip.

Serials and Scenarios - The Next Level

Click on the book cover to visit the Amazon page for more information and reviews.

Book Description:

Business degree in hand, Logan enters the immense Universal Systems building and is hired as an organizational analyst — a trouble-shooter. His job: evaluate the company’s five divisions, each on a separate level and each operating on startlingly unique principles. Which set of principles is successful? Why is most of the company’s profit generated by one tiny division? What is real profit, anyway? And who is the enigmatic executive that Logan ends up reporting to?

Logan engages in a life-changing pursuit for The Next Level–a fascinating parable that will help you answer some of life’s most perplexing and vital questions. Joining Logan in evaluating each level’s approach, you’ll be inspired to consider the big picture of your own life from an entirely different perspective — one that holds the key to life’s ultimate purpose. No matter where you are now, get ready to embark on your own passionate pursuit of The Next Level.

Review:

I haven't read David Gregory's previous books, but I got the set for Christmas. After reading The Next Level, I'm looking forward to reading Dinner with a Perfect Stranger.

The Next Level is an allegory/parable set in the corporate world. In simple story-telling third person voice Gregory takes the reader through the ranks of a large corporation. Each level contains it's own surprises and lessons learned.

The Next Level is a very quick read so it would be great for shorter attention spans. The lesson/moral drives the story but the author makes the message low-key enough that the story can be enjoyed without a the sensation of having survived a power preaching session. Both thought-provoking and entertaining, fans of Gregory should enjoy this short novel. Others who might enjoy it, those facing life changes, graduations, job shifts and spiritual crossroads.

Scribbles and Scrambles - Top o' the Monday to You.

Iowa is oozing Spring.

Gross imagery, but true. The air is heavy with humidity and the ground, swamplike.

Lest you think my taste leans to the Shrek, let me continue my thoughts.

Today, the sky produced monochromatic shades of Robin's egg blue and the sun shone. So much so that the cats called a truce and shared the four p.m. stripe on the living room carpet.

So, I've decided that today is as good a day as any to embrace the adventure that God is providing.

Have I mentioned that He has been bestowing much attention on our previous prayers for growth, change and health? If you know God well, you know He doesn't work in any prescribed format. Nor does He provide a suggestion box. Oh, I know He listens to me, but asking Him to get involved in my life is akin to praying for patience. I'm going to get the opportunity to stretch some muscles.

Today, I'm working on thanking the Lord for the IRS. This may take awhile, and it may be the reason my entire neighborhood was swathed with the hint of spring...because Kelly's inner Pollyanna really could use a blast of awesome nature to begin to warm to the idea of embracing taxes.

If nothing else, this week I'll have the opportunity to at least avoid thinking about taxes for a bit since I have two books to read and three to review this week.

Scribble and Scrambles - Smokin'

My aunt and nephew/cousin dropped by for a visit last night. After laughing at the ping-pong dogs we settled in for a chat.

Rob arrived shortly after that and with him came some serious campfire scent. N/C questioned the smell. Apparently, (I must confess that I only half-listened...as long as he's not spurting blood, I don't take work mishaps too seriously since there's hardly a day without one) the wood burning unit in the shop decided to back up and pump smoke into the building. Blah. Blah. He got it all taken care of and the only lasting consequence was the odor.

When people come over to sit a spell ya gotta offer them food. I had a partial bag of Valentine triple chocolate yum kisses I'd been hoarding, so in classic Martha Stewart hostess mode I tossed the opened bag on the table and told them to help themselves. (In defense of my hospitality skills, I did get my aunt water -- with ice.)

There was more chatter about fires and smoke. My aunt probably told the story about Scar Pie. (I was editing my N/C's work in progress.) Scar Pie, for the curious, was coined a couple of decades ago during a trip to Colorado. While we were enjoying a meal in a nice restaurant, a man at the next table lit up a cigar. Known the world over for our strong family trait of sarcasm, one aunt leaned toward the other and asked if she was enjoying her Cigar Pie. However, in the clinking of glasses and conversation, all that was heard was Scar Pie.

As the fire/food talk died down last night, my aunt, who's very polite and always shares chocolate and coffee, leaned over and offered a candy to Rob. "You want a smokin kiss?"

Now, I tell you, I've never had a woman ask my husband that while I was sitting right next to him. And my own aunt at that!

In some families, a person who made a verbal faux pas would blush and flee. Nope, in mine we will refer to it again and possibly even blog about it. You never know.

Serials and Scenarios - Julie Carobini's Truffles by the Sea

Mixing it up at the Dregs. The Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is touring Truffles by the Sea.

I haven't gotten my copy of this book yet. But I'll bet Kim has a review. Hang on a minute, I'll give you her link. Yep. I knew it. Here it is.

And here is a link to another review, too.

But, Julie did answer a few Dregs questions. And she has a sweet offer for all who visit it her site.
"To celebrate my upcoming CFBA tour March 5-7, I'll be giving away a copy of Truffles by the Sea AND and a 1/2 lb. box of yummy truffles to three of your readers. All they need to do is drop by my blog Waves of Grace during the tour and leave a comment and a way to contact them if they win!" You can click on Julie's cute face and get there, too.

Here are Julie's A's to the Dreg's Q's.


Fiction character you would most like to be or most identify with and why?

I’m Lucy from While You Were Sleeping. She put her foot in her mouth and it stayed there a looong time. That’s so me.


If you could change something in any novel, what would you change about it and why?

I’d take that weird fire ritual out of The Secret Garden. It’s such a beautiful story that it’s a shame that one scene dissuades some from reading it. Just love the doxology scene!


Pick one…..Pink iguana, purple cow, periwinkle giraffe. Which one and why? Can be negative or positive.

I’d have to say the periwinkle giraffe…yeah, vibrant blue with one big ol’ long neck, the kind that just can’t hide from trouble ;)


Favorite turn of phrase or word picture, in literature or movie:

“I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to … love her.” That one, from Notting Hill, just popped into my head. Seriously. It’s a sickness.


If you were assured of writing a best-seller, what genre would it be? Give us a sliver of information, a characteristic or glimpse of a scene.

Romantic Comedy: A wide swath of beach, a hunky Frisbee playing surfer, his long lost love from Mrs. Prono’s 4th grade class tanning on a nearby blanket, an errant throw…you get the picture.


What makes you feel alive?

Holding my hubby’s hand as we walk the beach. Sappy, maybe, but oh so true!


How does something worm its way into your heart? Through tears, truth, humor or other?

Humor that also reveals truth. Those elements are in the stories I like to read—and I’m trying to write that way too.


Where would you most like to travel ----- moon, north pole, deep seas, deserted island, the holy land or back to a place from your childhood, somewhere else? – and why.

Italy! I’m married to an Italiano, and we’d both love to see where his “papa” or “grandfather” once lived. Besides, I’ve heard the food is bellisimo!


Favorite season and why?

Summer. It’s flip flops and long days and nightly grilling. Just love it.


Which compliment related to your writing has meant the most and why?

People have told me they’ve laughed out loud when reading my books. Hm…I think they meant that as a compliment. Haha. They’ve also said that my main characters feel like their best friends—I love hearing that.


What criticism has cut the deepest and why?

Oooh, you’re really going to make me go back and read what I’ve tried to forget? Okay, here’s the thing. Some don’t like my work, and that’s life. I don’t like everything out there either, even some books that have gotten rave reviews. What I look for is consistency. If everyone makes the same negative comment, I’d be silly not to take note of that. So far, though, that’s not been the case (yay).


What would you do today if you knew you had only a week to live?

Move to an ocean front apartment with my entire family, and watch the sunset every night. And eat pizza. And chocolate mousse. With whipped cream. Yeah, that’s what I’d do.


Super power you'd love to borrow for awhile?

To be able to read people’s minds—wait, scratch that.


Favorite chore

Hahahaha…hoohoohoo…heeheehee…oh…you’re serious?


Grammatical pet peeve…sound off.

Why IN THE WORLD are so many people afraid of the word “me”??? It’s not a sin to use “me”, people! J


Societal pet peeve…sound off.

Close talkers. When someone stands that close to talk, I get this overwhelming urge to go find a mint. Gimme a little space!


CREATIVE CORNER:

Pick any of the following and have fun with it.
Pick a Genre - Describe a kiss….
Chick-Lit

(Okay, I might hate myself in the morning but here’s what I can do at the last minute…:0)

Firm hands wrap around my waist, and cinch me closer to his chest until we’re breathing in the same ragged rhythm. I tip my head up, and my lips find his chin, its coarseness filling me with a taste for more of him. Those same hands find the back of my neck, bury themselves roughly in my hair, and if I didn’t know better, my knees just might give way to an old fashioned swoon. Instead, he gently lifts my chin until our mouths are just a whisper apart, and with admirable restraint lowers his lips to mine until I’m quite sure my feet no longer touch the earth.



Thanks, Julie.

Don't forget to visit her blog to sign up for a chance at truffles!

Scribble and Scrambles - Ha, Ha, Ah

Today must be fun with words day. I have gotten several really great jokes via e-mail.

Or I may just be in a bubbly kind of mood. Either way, I really love to laugh.

Sometimes it seems really callous to laugh and enjoy life when the economy is tenuous, when people are sick and dying, when endangered species are losing ground.

You know, all those things really bother me.

But I've spent a long time trying to right wrongs and fix people's brokenness. And I've learned that I can't fix people, nor can I truly right a wrong. Unless it's one I committed, but even then I'm limited.

I can offer arms to hug, fingers to wipe away tears, ears to listen, a heart to ache, and prayers. But I can't undo or restore anything.

I can rest and refresh in God. Receive joy in knowing the King of kings will give me an audience and listen to my needs and concerns.

Celestial artwork arrayed in the heavens delights my soul. God's creativity and sovereignty humble me and inspire me. I can offer what I have and who I am to those who need a touch from heaven. I can point to the God of the universe as their protector, strength and salvation.

I can delight in life's quirks and in people who are the epitome of quirk. I can laugh out loud and suck in life. I can dream and delight and savor. Part of me thinks that this is what I was created to do. Not walk a careful line, shaking my head at the wrongs in the world, but embracing with enthusiasm the rights.

I hope today brings you joy and a smile if not an outright har, har, har.

Scribbles and Scrambles - Cave Dwelling

The theme of the trip to Minnesota seems to be caves. So that's what I'll focus on today.

First, I must say that the cave tour and swing dance event was pretty fabulous. If you are ever in St. Paul and are dying to get a fix of ganster lore there's the link.

The first order of cave business is to report that no one was injured at swing night. Nor did we see any ghostly gangsters. The legend claims four men were yelling minutes before an eyewitness entered the room and saw three Tommy-Gunned messes and one holding the smoking gun. However, once the police got involved, all was cleaned up and the shooter and shootees didn't exit the cave. Rumor has it that the shooter likely got out eventually, but the shootees remained behind, buried in the sand.

After the tour, we took lessons. The girls in our gaggle out-numbered the males so they danced with other gentlemen.

A couple of the guys were labeled creepy.

I think I'll cover what makes a guy creepy to a young lady sometime in the near future. Because there were far less attractive men who danced all night, while the ones with the creep labels were looking for partners. So if you are a guy looking for a great girl and they run from you, come back and we'll see if we can't help you figure out how not to send out creep vibes.

And speaking of creepiness...we did not see a bat in the cave.

Until dinner the next night. New to we Iowans was a phrase uttered in annoyed sibling in Minnesotan - "Eww! You have a bat in the cave." Followed by the mother's comment, "Go get a Kleenex."

Very creative and guaranteed to be overused here.