A Slow Burn- Book Review

   I had the privilege of reading "A Slow Burn " by Mary E. Demuth for The Blog Tour Spot and the release of the book. This book is book two in the Defiance, Texas Trilogy. Book one was called "Daisy Chain" , which I also had a chance to review for The Blog Tour Spot.


A Slow Burn" is another book that I just couldn't put down. It focuses on Daisy's Mom, Emory and also on a character names Hixon. Both were in the first book but in this second installment in the trilogy we really get to know their stories.

This book is full of hope but also hard to read. The trials and tribulations of the characters are heart-rending and very real. But we do see hope through all the pain and suffering! God's love, grace and mercy are showcased in Mary's brilliant writing.

Below is more information on the book:

A Slow Burn....

She touched Daisy’s shoulder. So cold. So hard. So unlike Daisy.



Yet so much like herself it made Emory shudder.



Burying her grief, Emory Chance is determined to find her daughter Daisy’s murderer-a man she saw in a flicker of a vision. But when the investigation hits every dead end, her despair escalates. As questions surrounding Daisy’s death continue to mount, Emory’s safety is shattered by the pursuit of a stranger, and she can’t shake the sickening fear that her own choices contributed to Daisy’s disappearance. Will she ever experience the peace her heart longs for?



The second book in the Defiance, Texas Trilogy, this suspenseful novel is about courageous love, the burden of regret, and bonds that never break. It is about the beauty and the pain of telling the truth. Most of all, it is about the power of forgiveness and what remains when shame no longer holds us captive.



About the Author:



Mary DeMuth

Mary DeMuth is an expert in the field of Pioneer Parenting. She helps Christian parents plow fresh spiritual ground, especially those seeking to break destructive family patterns. Her message guides parents who don’t want to duplicate the home where they were raised or didn’t have positive parenting role models growing up.



An accomplished writer, Mary’s parenting books include Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture, Building the Christian Family You Never Had, and Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God. Her real-to-life novels inspire people to turn trials into triumphs: Watching the Tree Limbs (2007 Christy Award finalist, ACFW Book of the Year 2nd Place) and Wishing on Dandelions (2007 Retailer’s Choice Award finalist).



Mary is a frequent speaker at women’s retreats and parenting seminars, addressing audiences in both Europe and the United States. National media regularly seek Mary’s candid ability to connect with their listeners. Her radio appearances include FamilyLife Today, Moody Midday Connection, and U.S.A. Radio network. She also has articles published in Marriage Partnership, In Touch, and HomeLife.



As pioneer parents, Mary and her husband Patrick live in Texas with their three children. They recently returned from breaking new spiritual ground in Southern France where they planted a church.



Learn more about Mary at http://marydemuth.com./



A Slow Burn

Release: October 2009

Soft cover, 368 pp.

ISBN: 0310278376

August...

I can't believe today is August 1st! Where has the time gone? I have been in Florida for a month now. Monday I start my new job at a daycare center. My parents will be down to visit us in two weeks. On the 24th Julia starts school!

All of these changes are bittersweet. I miss my family and Brooklyn fiercely. The ache in my heart from missing my family and my hometown has not lessened. But I am learning to get used to Jacksonville. I found a great church, Celebration Church. I misss Christ Tabernacle in Queens too... but thanks to technology I can follow along with my church familia in NY via twitter, blogs, facebook and podcasts. I have been blessed to hear some of the sermons from Christ Tabernacle that I have downloaded on my ipod. The real faith sermon series is awesome. Check it out via their website christtabernacle.org.

I also start my new job on Monday. I am going to work at a daycare center in downtown Jacksonville. I am so excited. I wanted to work in a different setting possibly teaching and now God has blessed me with the type of job I have been praying for. I can't wait to meet the kids I will be working with but I am going to miss my little boys. I have never been away from Joshua for more than a few hours. Now I'll be working 8 hours a day! It's going to be so hard. But I know God will give me the strength I need.

Here is one of my favorite songs of the moment by Israel Houghton. It's called "Moving Foward" Pretty much fits how I feel right now!







Oh oh oh yeah yeah....


What a moment You have brought me to.

Such a freedom I have found in You.

You're the healer who makes all things new.

Yeah, yeah, yeah!

I'm not going back, I'm moving ahead.

I'm here to declare to you my past is over.

In You all things are made new. Surrendered

My Life to Christ. I'm Moving, Moving Forward.


oh oh oh....


You have risen with all power in Your hand.

You have given me a second chance.

Hallelujah, hallelujah!

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.



I'm not going back, I'm moving ahead.

I'm here to declare to you my past is over.

In You all things are made new. Surrendered

My Life to Christ. I'm Moving, Moving Forward. ( 2x )



You make all Things new.

Yes, you make all things new and I will Follow You forward. (4x)



I will follow you forward.....

The J-Crew's new Journey....

Some of you know that our family nickname is the J-Crew. We were dubbed with this nickname because all of our names start with the letter J!

Well the J-Crew has started a new journey in a new hometown! About three weeks ago we moved from my beloved Brooklyn, NY to Jacksonville, Florida! So the J-Crew is now in a city that starts with the letter J! To make the J- connection even more ironic the street we live on starts with the letter J too! We went from Jardine Place in Brooklyn, NY to Jade Drive in Jacksonville, Florida. I feel like we are an episode of Sesame Street that is being brough to you by the letter J!



We are enjoying Jacksonville and trying to settle down and find a church, jobs and other new connections on this new journey we are taking. God continues to amaze me in the directions He is taking me in.

If there are any Jacksonville mommies reading this post, please e-mail me! I would love to know about all the fun stuff we can do with the kids in our new hometown.

I have so many entries to post. I have tons of book reviews to write and of course I want to start my weight loss journey again. We were without the computer for three weeks since we moved because it got damaged during the road trip (yes, we drove from NY to Florida in our big move!)

I am glad to be back online and blogging again! I have missed everyone!

This is J-Mommy Jessie signing off!