The Ball's In Her Court by Heather Justesen

The Ball is in Her Court by Heather Justesen offers a straightforward, but sensitive view into the world of foster care and adoptive families. I was excited to hear about the topic matter of this book, it’s one I don’t feel has been “over-done” and I think Heather did an admirable job telling the story. So, first an introductory book trailer and portion of the backliner.

She's got a great job, a loving group of family and friends and basketball skills like you wouldn't believe, but Denise DeWalt's life is far from perfect, and she's about to come face-to-face with a past she hoped to leave behind forever.

Twenty-six-year-old Denise thinks she's come to terms with her childhood in the foster care system, but when her old nightmares return, Denise realizes that she must deal with her past once and for all if she ever wants to move on to a brighter future with Rich, the only man who can see past her former life. As Denise's search leads her closer and closer to the one person she hoped she'd never have to face again, she begins to realize that her future depends on just one person--herself.

Denise was a very likable character for me. She was a strong woman who still had flaws and problems that needed to be addressed. I loved the way Heather created a very realistic set of coping mechanisms for Denise. I also greatly appreciated the explanation of the grief and healing process. I think it was valuable information that many of us tend to look over. It applies to any difficult situation, sometimes we forget that those things can bury themselves deep within us, then find their way to the surface again when you least expect it. Healing is not quick and clean and sometimes those of us who find ourselves on the outside of that process looking in, forget to respect that process and the individual time table of another.

There were times when I read that things felt a little too repetitive-- a little too much emphasis on things that had already been explained to the reader being re-told. Some of it minor, one more major. It might just be me, and it may not necessary be anything negative overall. We all know I tend to be a little whiny where most would not see a problem, but in the few major incidences I felt a little cheated.

Let me explain. I, as a reader, had knowledge of how certain situations affected Denise. I knew what her reaction and thoughts would be. Denise knew, as well, but was still working through those issues (see the above thoughts on healing). There were just some times when I felt there was more of the story that could be told, a set of more in depth emotions and concerns I was still missing. Maybe not. Heather was focusing on what mattered most and made the greatest impact in the story. But I felt there were layers that we as a reader might need to know about, thoughts and ways of coping that weren't presented, that could be helpful to someone who found themselves in a similar real-life situation. Does that even make any sense? The Ball’s in Her Court was a book that made me want to understand and gave me greater compassion for people I might come in contact with. I’d bet it would have the same affect on you.

Try it out- You can read the first chapter of The Ball’s in Her Court on Heather’s website.

Thanks for a straightforward, yet still positive, look into a world most of us haven’t been close enough to in order to understand. You did a great job, Heather!

Heather is also celebrating her new release with a ton of give-aways on her blog, so stop by and get your name into the mix. You’ll also find the complete list of stops on her blog tour in the side bar of this blog.

Unsung Lullaby by Josi S. Kilpack

I would have to say that Josi S. Kilpack’s Unsung Lullaby is my favorite book by her to date. Josi has a no-holds-barred kind of way of addressing some pretty tough issues that face the modern Latter-day Saint. That sensitive but up front style is probably what makes this particular title my favorite. It’s a subject I’m very familiar with.

The back cover captures the whole sentiment of the situation in a nutshell, “But after all the doctors, all the money, and all the prayers, all she had to show for it was a heart full of unsung lullabies.” How I felt for Josi’s Maddie. I found myself totally engrossed in walking this very difficult path with her.

No, I have not had to face the heartbreak of infertility, but many of my friends have. I have watched and listened to their struggles, I’ve tried to cheer and support them as they chose their individual paths searching for answers and solutions. I held hands and wept with others for the tiny babies that were unable to survive. I’ve also mourned with friends when insensitive and hurtful remarks were directed at them from “friends” and leaders both inside and outside of the church. If nothing else, Unsung Lullaby really drives home the message of “judge not, that ye be not judged”. You do not, and can not, know the thoughts, feelings, and desires within someone else’s heart, no matter how well you think you know them. Christ has implored us to love and care for one another, not to show our ignorance by telling others how they should be living the gospel or why certain blessings are being denied them at this place and time.

That’s the most important message for me in Unsung Lullaby. No matter what our path is, no matter what our trials, we are to love and support each other and leave the rest to God. Unsung Lullaby is also very realistic. Infertility isn’t the only challenge facing Matt and Maddie, the main characters in the book. Rather, it is in addition to the problems of every day life and the realities of what “family” can mean in a variety of circumstances. Unsung Lullaby challenges the notion of what’s worth fighting for. I like the balance of realism and sensitivity to the spirit that is present on the pages of this book. I love the way Josi shows many sides of the same story so that no matter what your experiences with infertility and teen pregnancies may be, you can find yourself within the pages of Unsung Lullaby.

Josi does not assume, nor does she try to overtly press her readers into believing that there is only one answer and method available to those who know this kind of pain. She makes it clear that any process or goal of procreation is an act of faith in the Lord and a joint partnership with Him to find the best answers for your particular situation. It is not something that the woman, or family, need to feel alone in. Though, this is often the case. When you’re arms are empty, it is a very lonely place to be. Sadly, having a well meaning friend say, “I know how you feel” often only serves to make things worse. Even if our circumstances are very similar, we can not know another’s heart. That’s another reason I feel Unsung Lullaby is such a great literary blessing: it offers a safe haven, a world outside of your own to either understand a friend’s heartache better, or explore your own without judgment or bias.

In the coming months I’ll touch on a few other titles by Josi Kilpack, including her newest title, due out in September: Her Good Name. Josi is definitely an author worth reading and watching for great things.

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