Myra JohnsonReseñas

A small book with a large message. Can I say I loved everything about it from the compassionate way mental illness is dealt with to journeys back to God and the faith that heals. I found it so believable and the characters were so real that I could identify with them and their struggles. The road to letting go of control and letting God can be difficult but this was heart warming and the lighthearted moments that Tate and the canines brought left me smiling. An all around great read that is quick for a rainy day with your blanket. I enjoyed this so much as it left you with hope.
I won a copy from the author. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

Kip leaves Texas for he knows not where. His Mom who had left him and his Dad years before showed up again. Sheridan has trust issues because of something happened to her and her Mom. Nathan gets hurt riding horse was his Dad's but now his. Kip is delivering a horse for special program Cross Roads Farm does. Mrs. Cross offers him job as Manager. So he gets to stay with his horse. There are two romances evolve. A Mother abandons her son and then shows up to tell him he has a sister he never knew about. Forgiveness hard to give. I really enjoyed book. It is hard to put down.

I'm so happy to discover this 'new to me' author! Myra Johnson shares a heartwarming story of two people who've experienced hard knocks and tremendous hurts but have still managed to endure. I loved the strong love and commitment that Maddie McNeill offers the unwanted dogs in her care, and Witt Wittenbaurer is truly an overcomer! Learning his backstory made him even more endearing and I kept rooting for someone to recognize his true worth. Can Maddie's wounded heart find healing from this kind, generous man? Will Witt's Christian witness help restore the faith she once had?

If you enjoy lovable dogs, second chances, midlife romance, and the joy that comes from forgiveness and redemption, grab a copy of A Steadfast Companion. I loved this contemporary Christian romance and I'll be searching for more books by this author!

I received a complimentary copy from the author. I am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

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I enjoyed this second chance, love inspired, romance. I bought this at a local store and voluntarily chose to review it. This clean, story rated a 4.5* rating. This story caught my attention pretty fast and I stayed up late last night to finish it. When he's upset, he just wants to hold his baby, almost absesily. I liked the way they dealt with the other boyfriend of his ex-girlfriend. Both need to work on their troubled past. Lot's to enjoy and a very important issue they were both dealing with.½

A friend sent me this book in a box of Love Inspired books. I'm pretty sure I've read the author before.

One of my "things" is to try to figure out how a title fits the story. In this case, it can go two ways. One is that Ben plans to be a rancher only through the holidays while he sorts out his life after being downsized from work. The second is that Marley gets a rancher as her holiday "present". (I doubt that's a spoiler since if you read these kind of books, you know love wins in the end.)

Despite liking the main characters, I couldn't help thinking "Ho-hum, another story about a guy who thought he had his career all planned out and now doesn't want to realize God has another plan."

I did like Marley being a photographer, but there truly wasn't much about photography in the story, and given that she's struggling along financially, I had a hard time finding it believable that she didn't have to think more strongly about relocating her business to a lower rent location.

I didn't like Marley's dad's actions. He seems like the stereotypical politician. More worried about his public image than in what really matters in life. It seemed to be all about him. How the press finding out about Marley would affect him. I liked Marley's mom better.

So sweet

Fairly predictable but oh so sweet and lovely. Inspiring lovely and nice. With acquiring for sure and worth taking the time to read

not my usual kind of read but so well-plotted that I put it into the 'writing' sub-library, for future reference

Review for CASTAWAY WITH THE COWBOY:
I had never read a historical romance with a plot like this one. Shipwreck, jungles, slave ships, hidden passageways! A winner all the way!

The hero was very “take-charge” and did what was necessary for the survival of others, thinking of himself last—which makes for a great leading man. I loved seeing a cowboy thriving so far out of his element.

The leading lady was refreshingly feminine, but gutsy and eager to learn, something I love about Pam’s heroines. Each character gave a sense of family and played a part in the plot. The twist ending was fantastic!

I look forward to reading the rest of the stories in this collection. These authors are always at the top of my TBR list.

***I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

A charming historical romance that illustrates how holding on to regret can cripple a person's future happiness. Gilbert returns home crippled by war injuries-not only physically, but also mentally. He deals with the typical feelings of seeing himself as less of man now that he is crippled. The one person who seems to be able to lift him out of his funk is nurse Mary McClarney. She hopes he will be able to let go of his regret at having ruined his relationship with his former fiance and find the courage to love again. However, she also has her own fears that she will need to overcome before this romance can have a happy ending.
This was an enjoyable romance set in the years just after World War II. It has a good message and you could see how the characters grew from the beginning to the end. I'd suggest it to people who enjoy inspirational romances.

I read this on the Nook and it had 223 pages. This novel has a good storyline. The book is well written for the most part. Especially for a debut novel. But the author started to drag down the story by not letting the main character Natalie move on. We only needed so much of Natalie's selfishness and consistent conflict to get the point.

Natalie Pearce faces the most difficult Christmas of her life. Her mother remains in a nursing home after suffering a massive stroke and her marriage is on the verge of dissolving. Her husband Daniel wonders if this Christmas spells the loss of everything he holds dear.

This was a good relaxing read, rather predictable but fun and you learn some bits about WWI as well. It can be read as a stand alone story or you can start with book 1 in the series and work your way through them. I'll go back and read the other two in the series. The whole class issue comes into play as well as the Ballard family and their socialite friends have money while the Trapp aren't on their level plus Joanna had a brush with scandal in her past that the Hegneys and others aren't quite ready to move beyond and their son is the high school star who likes to inform all his mates of his prowess. Will the Trapps be able create a family unit? Read on.

If you are looking for a fun and delightful Christmas romance, then this story is one you might not want to read right now. Although it definitely has a Christmas theme to it, it was a story of how a family struggles through a very difficult time in their life. It was very well written and showed that even a family who thinks they "have it together" can face some real struggles when tragedy strikes.

Natalie and Daniel are raising their one child and working and life seems to be going about in a normal fashion. Then one day Natalie finds herself getting a phone call that her Mom is in the hospital with a stroke and because no one found her for awhile her prognosis for recovery is not good. Natalie blames herself for this as she turned down her mother's request to come over to the house and help her the day it happened. Now Natalie is pulling away from her husband and her family and can't seem to come to grips with her life. She thinks working hard all the time will help but it ends up separating her from her husband and daughter. Can anyone or anything get through to Natalie?

I thought the author did a good job of getting into the minds of each family member and helping you to understand their thought processes. I was a little upset with Natalie and her failure to see what she was doing to her family. I felt sorry for the daughter who was trying so hard to keep her folks together. And I wished that Daniel could have tried a little harder to help Natalie. It was a good but difficult ending to a very somber story. Love and forgiveness go hand in hand and life is not easy sometimes, but God is faithful and when we take our eyes off ourselves and put them on Him, we can make it through those hard times and come out stronger.½

Title: One Imperfect Christmas
Author: Myra Johnson
Pages: 274
Year: 2009
Publisher: Abingdon
Traditions tend to run for many generations, often times morphing into something newer with each remembrance of how the tradition began. For instance, in my husband’s family, we all would make side dishes except for the turkey to go along with his mother’s stuffing. Now, with family in heaven, we still eat a turkey with stuffing and watch football just like way back in the day. In this work of fiction, Myra Johnson paints a tradition built around Christmas.
Natalie is a gifted graphic artist and painter; her mother is a very gifted painter as well. With the 50th Christmas celebration of Natalie’s parents coming closer, some things are going to change. Through the last year, a marriage has been rocky, a daughter has run away twice, and a possible job change for Natalie’s husband has occurred in the life of the family. Driven with guilt, Natalie has pulled away from those closest to her and with her mother gravely ill facing reality is even harder.
All the characters in the book are learning what really matters along with facing who they are and where their faith is during this season. I liked how the author painted in the story the truth that sometimes when very heart-wrenching times come, everyone reacts or handles the emotions that come with the storms of life. I liked how this novel portrayed more realistically how sometimes the holidays aren’t all Rockwell portraits. There are those whose holidays are the hardest times of the year to live through and without Christ there can be no sense of hope or peace.
While reading this novel, I kept thinking how much I didn’t want to read it because this is another hard holiday season for my family and that of my friend. Yet, those who know the Lord don’t mourn as those without hope. Even during the darkest times, God does something that only He can do in our hearts and lives that gives us the strength to take the next step one day a time. One Imperfect Christmas is a tear-jerker for sure, but also one that shows how brightly God shines in the darkest days we will know as we journey here on earth.
If you aren’t having a tough season right now, enjoy it, but remember to pray for those who are. You may never know how your prayers can change the heart of those hurting, but rest assured God hears.
My rating is 4+ stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.”
Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457

Wow, I really enjoyed this book. Annemarie is being pursued by two men, both suffering from shell shock in WW1. She is torn between them for different reasons. You won't be able to guess who she ends up with and for what reasons!

This is a fantastic historical romance with a touch of sadness at what our soldiers must endure. Very well written with an endearing storyline.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Title: When Clouds Roll By (Till We Meet Again Book #1)
Author: Myra Johnson
Pages: 352
Year: 2013
Publisher: Abingdon
In a novel sure to capture your heart, When the Clouds Roll By, features a romance set it the timeframe of WWI. The main characters are fraught with past memories, injuries and for some servicemen, nightmares. The audience will be captured by the intensity of the building climax as past meets future. The suspense of what may come in the story along with the mystery of choices made will keep the audience enraptured for many hours. An aspect of the novel that is clearly present throughout the pages is the tension that loved ones at home endured. Another characteristic of the novel is the memories many servicemen continued to live with even though they had returned home. Those waiting at home for them were not sure how the men’s’ experiences had changed them or their futures; only time would tell.
One of the main characters, Chaplain Samuel Vickers, struggles with believing God can forgive him when he cannot forgive himself. Samuel’s memory, unbeknownst to him, has blocked out some of the actual events. While he tries to convince Gilbert not to give up on his fiancée, Gilbert nonetheless decides to walk a different path that may lead to destruction. Annemarie has loved Gilbert since they were children; however, the future mother-in-law seems unwilling to postpone the wedding. No matter what Annemarie shares with her future mother-in-law about Gilbert’s injuries and frame of mind, there seems to be no way to bring about an understanding of the decisions that concern the couples’ future. In a moment of haste, Gilbert releases his fiancée from her promise because he believes his physical change makes him half a man.
The suspense of the novel kept me reading until the wee hours of the morning, and I’m glad I took some time to read this book. The audience will find a mystery within a mystery, and the suspense in the story never lets up. During this era, there were differences in social standing that is brought into the tale to help readers understand the characters even more. The friendships forged between soldiers on the front are also witnessed in the way they interact on their voyage back home. These friendships are a source of comfort, understanding and confidentiality that helps bring healing to many a wounded soul.
I have never read a book by this author before, but I will be on the lookout for other fictional tales told by Myra Johnson. The prevalent theme as I read the book seemed to be the heart’s cry for forgiveness, love and hope from God and loved ones. I couldn’t help but be struck by the reminder of the many who have served our nation in other wars who have suffered and been scarred by what they have seen. In this historical tale, we are reminded that time, support, prayers and love help those returning from the war. Even if I guessed where the direction of the plot was going, I couldn’t have imagined how the author brought it to fruition. I really loved reading When Clouds Roll By and I think you will too!
My rating is 5+ stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.”
Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457

Myra Johnson’s When the Clouds Roll By is the story of Annemarie Kendall, a talented young potter during World War I. She is thrilled when her finance, Gilbert, is finally able to come home. Despite his having been wounded, she is ready to start their life together. Gilbert is suffering from debilitating headaches, depression and is addicted to morphine. Army Chaplain Samuel Vickary befriends Gilbert and accompanies him home to Hot Springs, Arkansas. He has his own war-inspired issues to deal with, causing him to doubt his faith. As Gilbert pushes Annemarie away, she is drawn to Samuel, as is he to her. Annemarie is torn between the two men.

I loved this book! I read it in one sitting. It was incredibly well written. Ms. Johnson sure knows her stuff. She must have done tons of research into WWI, the world of potters, clay and glazes, as well as medical procedures and practices of the time. They all seemed spot on.

Her characters seemed to grow throughout the book driven by a great storyline. I was drawn to Annemarie and Samuel from the minute I met them. Gilbert made me want to shake him, all the while having some sympathy for him due to what he had gone through during the war.

Characters, attention to detail and a great story make this book easy to recommend to everyone.

I received When the Clouds Roll By by Myra Johnson compliments of Abingdon Press for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for a favorable review.

When the Clouds Roll by is the first in an exciting, thought provoking new series. The time frame is at the very end of WW1. The setting mostly takes place in a small Arkansas community.
Gil and Annemarie had been close childhood friends, high school Sweethearts, and engaged couple before the war. However, in the past year, Gil"s letters had become a little less warm. Annemarie worried he perhaps didn't care for her in the same way.
Gil was severely injured and was being sent home. A chaplain, Samuel, and Gil became very close on the ship and then the train home. Although the chaplain wasn't injured, he suffered spiritually and emotionally from the horrors he experienced on "the front lines". Sam decided Gil's home town sounded perfect for him to heal within and was able to be transferred to the small Veteran's hospital there.
Against Sam's pleadings,Gil had determined, since he wasn't "a whole man" anymore, he would drive Annamarie away - he couldn't stand to feel her pity.
When the two men arrived at the train station, Gil greeted his family warmly but totally ignored his anxiously awaiting fiance'. The ambulance was awaiting transport of the men and other soldiers who were being located in this hospital. Most still suffered Post Traumatic War Syndrome.
Between the hurt Annemarie was feeling, and Gil's mother pushing her to plan the wedding, she escaped, often, the pottery factory - where she worked for her father- into the refuge of her private workshop where she was creating delicate, beautiful pottery.
At the hospital, Gil refused to allow Annamarie to visit, although she persevered each day to try to visit him. A young nurse, Mary, developed strong feelings for Gil although he did not return them.
This is a bittersweet story of how so many lives are affected by war - not only those who serve. It is a story of dismemberment suffered by many who are called on to fight against the enemy. It brings to light, that Post Traumatic War Syndrome is definitely not new, just better understood.
Some Key points: Distress, physical disability, drug addition, women's independence, love, loyalty, pain, betrayal, friendship, and family support.
The end of the story causes the reader to "beg for more". It is very "clean" reading, fit for YA/Adults.
It was a little repetitive at times and I felt the Title was not the best choice for the story, still, I feel it is deserving of almost five stars.
I was sent this as an Advanced Reader by a publisher to read and give an honest review, of which I have given.½

3.5 or 3.75 stars. I'm glad to have read this, though I made the mistake of starting to read this book last night in bed; I intended to read just a few pages before sleep and ended up reading the whole thing. I didn't know anything about this book before reading it, except that it was recommended on Amazon and had a Christmas angle. I wasn't expecting the religious focus of the book, which increased more in the middle/end of the story, but of course it fit. Most of the story/characters were very believable, however much you wanted to shake some sense into most of the characters. Some pieces toward the end were a bit less natural to me, but I'm not discounting their authentication/realism. Well written, well told.

ONE IMPERFECT CHRISTMAS is not a light and fluffy read – but it is not doom and gloom either. I spent most of my time just wanting to slap Natalie, the mental anguish she put herself through and her reasoning just didn’t ring true for me. I just didn’t get how Natalie and Daniel wouldn’t unload their real thoughts to each other – even in anger they held back. However, author Myra Johnson had a very good supporting cast and every other character in the book was likeable and believable and they made the book for me. Natalie seemed unable to grasp the fact that her father was losing his wife of 50 years and her brother was losing his mother; they had a much more realistic look at events, though the reader had no doubts that they were just as distressed. It was all me, me, me with Natalie. Johnson’s writing style is easy to read and as she switched between the points of view there was no jarring of the senses. Natalie does have a crisis of faith, and this is handled very well and the Christian aspects are not shoved down your throat. Overall it was a good read and a warm uplifting end, despite the sadness, rounded off the story.

Honestly, i was about 25% through the book and I have decided there are too many books I enjoy reading for me to spend time of this one. In many ways I suspect it isn't a really bad book - the writing is ok and the story isn't bad. The characters are boring and honestly very annoying. I constantly want to tell them 'Get over it". As I read the other reviews I am thinking that more is coming besides Natalie's guilt of depression but I don't want to wait for it.

"One Imperfect Christmas" by Myra Johnson is a book that goes beyond simply entertaining the reader. For me, it made me think and, more importantly, feel. Belinda, the matriarch of the family, has suffered a massive stroke and needs longterm care. Myra Johnson has skillfully weaved a tale that examines the effects of this tragic stroke on the various family members. In addition, she conveys to us the thoughts and wishes of the stroke victim Belinda.

Anyone who has ever cared for a sick loved one will be able to identify with the feelings of Belinda's daughter Natalie. Myra Johnson doesn't just list the usual feelings of grief, sorrow, guilt, etc.; but, and this is the painful part, she delves into exactly why and how these feelings occur. She avoids the tendancy most of us have to catapult the victim into a saint and, rather, portrays her as a three-dimensional human being.

Myra Johnson also does a masterful job painting the many layers of a real marital relationship. It is so poignant to see two people wanting the exact same thing and being within inches of achieving it, save for the lack of communication that so often mars real life love. And Natalie's dad, caught in the crosshairs of trying to hold the family together while keeping hold of his own emotions, is a character that I found incredibly appealing.

Finally, I loved the fact that though this was an undeniably Christian family, they were, without dispute, authentic. Myra Johnson shows that even the most devout faithful don't always skip happy-go-lucky through life, whistling merrily in the face of misfortune. In many cases, as in this story, the believer's faith is hard won through trial by fire. I highly recommend this book. As you read this family tale, your smile may fade, but I guarantee, your hope will soar.

NCLA Review -Pearce has allowed guilt, depression, and apathy to make a mess of her life. She feels her actions resulted in her mother’s debilitating stroke. Instead of drawing closer to her family, she shuts them out and buries herself in her work. She and her husband separate, she alienates her daughter and neglects her mother and father. Bringing her mother home results in a Christmas that reconciles everyone. The plot is predictable, the characters are one-dimensional and the narrative at times bogs down with repetition. However, if the reader is looking for a sugarcoated Christmas story, this is it. The author has included questions for discussion at the end. Rating: 2 —AMB . 274p, Abingdon 2009, 9781426700705, $13.99 [813.6]

This is not the typical feel-good Christmas book. It's a story of a family struggling through a rough time. Sometimes, they operate as a loving family, but more often, they pull apart. It's a bit of a tearjerker.

Natalie is a complex character caught up in guilt and operating in a chaotic world of her own making. She overreacts to her mother's stroke by first clinging to her side and then by diving headlong into work. Her husband and daughter are pushed away and sadly neglected. The readers learns how easily a good marriage can go haywire through neglect and how a parent-child relationship can quickly become strained.

Although the topic is gloomy, this Christian fiction book has an uplifting theme: "learn to love and forgive."