A Lady's Honor - a cliffs of Cornwall novel (Zondervan)

If you like 19^th Century romances set in England, you might enjoy A Lady’s Honor - A Cliffs of Cornwall Novel by Laurie Alice Eakes, published by Zondervan. But if you’re looking for a story that is easy-to-read as in well written, this book falls short—a pity as it detracts from an otherwise decent plot. 

For example, at the beginning of the novel (page 3), as the reader is being lured into the drama, an annoying little French phrase pops up, “Souvenez vous qui vous etes.” The phrase is apparently the protagonist’s family motto—“remember who you are”—but the French is incorrect; it should be “Souvenez-vous qui vous êtes” or “rappelez-vous qui vous êtes.” The phrase is repeated once again in French a little further into the novel but we still don’t know why a Trelawney would speak French—especially incorrect French. Is it supposed to clue us into the fact that she’s well educated? If so—and one can only guess as no explanation is given—wouldn’t the French be accurate?  Sigh!

Ok, fair enough, so you might not get the French. But take a look at this sentence: “…Her grip would surely crush his fingers. Her cries would surely deafen them…” (page 284). Hmm. Deafened fingers? Oh yeah, she obviously means deafened people, but why should the reader have to do be stumbled by ambiguity? It interrupts the flow.

And there are many more mistakes. But what about the narrative?

A Lady’s Honor tells the story of a young girl, Elizabeth Trelawney, whose struggle to win approval and to live up to what she thinks others expect from her in order to merit their love keeps her from pursuing her own heart. She especially values the endorsement of her beloved grandparents who require more from her than just good behavior.  In order to inherit Bastion Point, the only place she ever felt was home, Elizabeth must discover some kind of treasure.

With smugglers doing their dirty business and killing people who get in their way, Cornwall is not a safe place. After the death of a friend, Conan, Elizabeth and her female cousins may be in danger. And the man who has set his heart on helping them, Rowan Curnow, has also set his heart on Elizabeth. But his is not a match for Elizabeth Trelawney—not if she is to keep in good standing with the grandparents.

A Lady’s Honor is a Christian novel and, on that level, it presents a clear message about God’s unconditional love.  

A link to this story also appears in Assist News Service.

Janey DeMeo M.A.

Copyright © May 2014

www.orphansfirst.org

www.twitter.com/JaneyDeMeo

The Captive Maiden, teen fiction

The Captive Maiden: Happily Ever After …Or Happily Nevermore? by Melanie Dickerson, published by Zondervan is an action-packed romantic teen fiction – a retake of the Cinderella story with another twist – a good story (unfortunately weakened by poor editing).

Gisela, an orphan, is the victim of her wicked stepmother and stepsisters who use her as a maid and treat her cruelly. Gisela dreams of her “prince” and sneaks out to tournament where Valten, the duke’s son, will choose a queen of love and beauty to invite to the ball. Gisela’s beauty does not go unnoticed but the forces of evil personified in her stepmother plot not only to destroy Gisela’s chances with Valten but also to destroy her life.

Gisela soon finds herself prisoner to Valten’s worst enemy, Reuxler. And although Valten sets out to rescue her, the situation goes from bad to worse. Mentions of God, prayer, and salvation are creatively woven into the story and boosted by the presence of a delightful traveling evangelist.

Read my full review of The Captive Maiden in The San Diego Christian Perspectives Examiner. 

And look for it in Assist News Services. 

Janey DeMeo M.A.

Copyright © January 2014

www.orphansfirst.org

www.twitter.com/JaneyDeMeo

http://janey-demeo.blogspot.com

Why Christians Don't Pray

Ever thought about why Christians don't pray? I have. Plain Truth recently published my article, Why Christians Don’t Pray! You can read it here.

Thanks for stopping by. Keep praying.

Janey L. DeMeo M.A.

How Kids Inspire My Writing

Someone asked how much children inspire my writing. Here’s my answer:

My children were not just the inspiration but also the catalyst for my first published work. I wanted to honor God as a mom, but also as the senior pastor's wife, and women's teacher in our Theological Institute in France, I felt responsible to study biblical parenting—particularly in light of the atheistic and pessimistic French culture producing many unhappy parents and kids. While I knew God wanted me to be Spirit-filled and parent according to biblical principals and higher love, I also sensed He wanted me to encourage fellow parents in the journey. He was calling me to be a conduit to pour out to others - albeit a sinner saved by grace and a mom learning to parent. So, I did things back-to-front and published my first book in France before I'd written much else (just a few booklets and newsletters, but that's all).

That book is entitled, Mon Dieu, ces enfants! published by Editions Vida. It now exists in a different format in English as a book & workbook in one—fabulous for individual or group study:
Heaven Help Me Raise These Children!-- Biblical Direction for Practical Parenting Issues. Order at www.Carepointministry.com (Click on PARENTING).

That was 12 years ago. And although I write on many subjects today, my now-grown children still inspire me. But, equally inspiring are the orphans and suffering children I work with. Their stories are compelling and need to be
told. Their daily struggles, their dreams, their brokenness, their compassion, their unique personalities, their sense of justice because of the injustice they’ve seen—those things motivate my writing. They enthuse me with passion so much so that even when my writing is not directly related to them, it often provides a tool to publicize their needs by allowing me to put my website in the bio line: www.orphansfirst.org

I wonder how much I'd be writing if it weren't for the children. But then again, we’re all children in our Lord’s eyes. So, I guess for as long as there are people, I’ll be writing. (I do love animals, but they don’t read a whole lot…)

Janey L. DeMeo©October 2007
Founder/director of Orphans First - www.orphansfirst.org
www.JaneyDeMeo.com

Drawing Near To A Generous God, Embraced by Grace

OK, so where’ve I been? I told you in my last blog, but that doesn’t explain the silence since I returned. The thing is that life hasn’t stopped whirling around me and, frankly, my head’s spinning.

My daughter’s Master’s graduation was beautiful and we enjoyed renewing contacts with friends in Atlanta, one of my favoritist cities. The adoption awareness seminar in Daytona Beach, FL – sponsored by Embraced by Grace, a Christian adoption agency – went fantasticly well and was catalyst to several adoptions.

Here on the homefront, last week we enjoyed a special banquet at the Spirit of the West Coast with Peter Furler of Newsboys speaking, followed by a wonderful, God-exalting concert by the Newsboys. My husband, son and I had a blast just enjoying the Newsboys' great music, super performance and spiritual inspiration. Helping build houses for poor people in Baja, Mexico, this band lives what they sing and preach. Love 'em. And tomorrow we have Switchfoot, This Holiday Life & a bunch of other bands on Moonlight Beach hosting a surf contest. (Can you understand why I keep harping on So Cal-ers being so spoilt? It's the truth). Too bad Louis won't be there. Yes, Louis left yesterday to minister again in several countries in AFRICA. And I will be in Chicago next week for the Write to Publish conference—a Christian writer’s conference I highly recommend.

Talking of writing, I have an article in this month’s issue of Indeed magazine (Walk through the Bible) called: Expectant Squawking (Drawing Near to a Generous God). This is a great devo mag more meaty than most—a great tool to go deeper with God.

On that note, some great books I recommend are by Chris Tiegreen, Indeed’s editor:
http://homepage.mac.com/ctiegreen/Personal2.html Chris’s writing is refreshingly deep. He doesn’t cater to the feel-gooders who formulate their doctrine based on what keeps them comfy. Chris, like many of my fave authors, knows about suffering and understands its value in our lives. And, whether we like it or not, pain has great value.

Speaking of suffering, this weekend features the Worldwide Weekend of Prayer for Children at Risk (see details at www.viva.org). The idea behind this event is to encourage churches, small groups and individuals to specifically put time aside to pray for the world’s suffering children. There are so many needs out there, it’s not hard to think of children who need our prayers. Sadly, there are still too few churches who implement this event on their premises or who even promote it for small groups. I hope it’s through ignorance and not through indifference. God forbid that we wouldn’t find it important enough to put aside our comfort for a while and give time to intercede for those who cannot speak up for themselves: Prov.31: 8,9.

This brings me back to the title of my article mentioned above: God is indeed generous. He waits to be gracious to us (Isa.30:18). And He waits for us to call on Him on behalf of others.

On that note, yikes, the clock is ticking me off. Must go. I’m hosting a prayer meeting at my home tonight and the house needs cleaning. Don’t want folks sneezing ‘cause of dust in the middle of praying right?

If I don’t blog before I’m back from Chicago, please know I appreciate your visits and especially your prayers for the suffering children of the world.

Janey DeMeo (copyright 31 May, 2007)