Book Review - "Beautiful Mess"

“Beautiful Mess: The Story of Diamond Rio” written by Diamond Rio with Tom Roland is an account of the life of the country singing group Diamond Rio and also an account of each of the individual lives making up this group. This is a nice hardcover book published by NelsonFree that includes pictures of the group, lists the awards and honors they have received and also lists their top twenty songs (25 of Diamond Rio’s songs have been a top 20 hit!).

The book begins with an incident that took place during a 4th of July celebration. Diamond Rio was performing a concert and they were not sounding “right” to the listeners. It really was a “beautiful mess” taking place this day. Performing in Nashville several friends and families of the group were present and up until this point, the group was able to keep secrets amongst their members. The book pulls the reader into the book in this first section. After the group is discussed as a whole, there is a chapter devoted to each of the group members, Marty, Dan, Jimmy, Brian, Gene and Dana.

Any Diamond Rio fan, country music fan or anyone who enjoys reading biographies/autobiographies and person accounts will enjoy this book. It is written in a personal and easy style that pulls the reader in and leaves you will a good feeling at the end.

Book Review - "A Man of His Word"

Kathleen Fuller’s Amish novel, “A Man of His Word” is the first title in a new series set in Middlefield, Ohio. Fuller portrays the customs of the Amish living in this specific area. This novel has family relationships, marital issues, and general day to day living in the Amish society along with the “English” tied together creating a wonderful story.
The book moves at an enjoyable pace as it moves along the course of various relationships and trials that are faced by the main characters. The focus of the story is on Moriah, a newlywed, looking forward to a life filled with happiness and love and growing old along side her husband. However, suddenly Moriah finds herself without her husband beside her and also discovers that she is carrying their unborn child. Moriah learns some truths about love and hope throughout the trials she faces.
I have read several Amish novels, and enjoyed them. I enjoyed reading this novel and am looking forward to the next title in the series that is to be released in the spring.

Book Review - "Love & Respect"

Dr. Emerson Eggerichs’ book, “Love & Respect: the love she desperately desires, the respect he desperately needs,” is the latest in Christian marriage “Self-help” books. Eggerich writes in a conversational tone and fills the book with personal anecdotes drawing the reader into his life and identifying with his own marriage.
This book is split into different sections focusing on cycles that take place in a marriage. For example, the first section is labeled as “The Crazy Cycle” highlighting areas that can interfere with the relationship between man and wife. The book begins with the statement, “How can I get my husband to love me as much as I love him?” as the author shares that this is a statement he has heard over and over again. He can relate as he grew up in an unhappy home with parents who separated while he was at a young age.
The second section is “The Energizing Cycle” and this gets into the details of building a closer relationship filled with both love and respect. Closeness, openness, loyalty and understanding are all keys to building a cycle that will be one of love and respect. The book concludes with the third section, “The Rewarded Cycle” offering hope and also how a marriage can truly be with these components.
The book is definitely worth reading for anyone in a marriage and could be an option to read together as a small group.