Customer Reviews

Milk Money (HEARTSONG PRESENTS - CONTEMPORARY)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I really was amazed at this book and recommend it to everyone. A lone woman running a farm after her father's death, an accountant, and more. It is amazing to read how God brings opposites together and works things out between couples. I could see a lot of issues dealing with overcoming alchol that Franklin Reese had to deal with. My husband used to drink before he got saved but got delivered from all of it. All through our 30 years of marriage he has never once had a desire to go there again. Franklin had lost his wife and it was hard for him and he turned to achol to handle his grief. Emily Cooper on the other hand handled her father's death with the help of God. Yet even if we handle things different God works in our lives to what will reach us. I throughly enjoyed this book and it kept my attention.

Having read, "John's Quest" by this author, I can't help but comment on how much her writing improved in her second offering. That is a sign of a good author when they continue to grow in the art form of each book. I thought the plotline was nicely formed, the conversations honed to crisp, believable repartee, and the similes really lovely and inventive.

Emily Cooper is left to run the family dairy farm upon her father's sudden death and her stepmother's departure to find comfort in the arms of her biological daughters. Unbeknownst to Emily, Laura, the stepmother, has hired an accountant, Frank Reese, to figure out the finances of the farm and the validity of keeping it. Frank is handsome, charming, and alluring, but Emily catches sight of alcohol bottles in his back seat, which sets alarm bells off in her mind. Indeed, after a unhappy childhood and the demise of his beautiful wife, Frank is seeking comfort in a bottle. When he discovers that Emily's beloved father, whom she worshipped, was a gambler and the farm is in great peril, he has to confront Emily with this devastating news. A love hate relationship ensues and keeps the reader enraptured.

I recommend this book as a cozy, genuine read that also strengthens one's belief in the power of our Loving Jesus to conquer problems that seem impossible. Really nicely done, Cecelia.

Author, Cecelia Dowdy's novel, Milk Money, invites readers into the world of Emily Cooper, a twenty-something young woman who has not seen much outside the small town of Monkton. Reared on her family's farm, farming is basically all Emily knows and is familiar with, besides being an active member of her local church congregation, of course. With the recent passing of her father, Emily must quickly learn that there's more going on around her than her eyes can physically see.

An intriguing romance burgeons when Franklin Reese, initially an uninvited Certified Public Accountant, enters into Emily's world to assess the Cooper farms' worth. In spite of the reason for Franklin's presence, it is through Emily and Frank's close interactions they realize an attraction for one another. However, because of things past, the two find themselves apprehensive of taking their relationship to the next level. The two main characters, Emily and Franklin, are faced with issues of death, gambling, alcoholism and spirituality in this novel.

I liked the fact that the author held me in suspense of Laura's, Emily's stepmother's, motives as far as finances and living arrangements were concerned. Ms. Dowdy did not give away too much too soon. The imagery throughout the novel was great. I actually felt like I've visited a town like Monkton before. I was able to imagine a rural, farm town not too far from the hustle and bustle of a big city where there is open land and greenery abound. The title is very fitting of this novel and readers that aren't already aware of the importance of paying attention to detail when it comes to finances will definitely be enlightened after reading this selection. I was also pleased with the way the novel ended and was glad to see all work out for both Emily and Franklin's good. This was a relatively, short easy read and I would consider reading future novels from this author.

The loss of a loved one is enough to create a myriad of emotions for the average person. For Emily Cooper expressed emotions are something she has little time for. The necessity to keep the business running after the loss of her father is her major focus.

Author Dowdy's detail for life on a dairy farm and the ease in which dialogue is exchanged is both insightful and engaging. Her ability to create conflict without over-the-top familiarity was refreshing.

Throughout the pages of Milk Money you are shown how God will use what you may consider too hard or hopeless as an example of what is possible when we get out of the way.

Reviewed by Dr. Linda Beed
On Assignment Reviews

Cecelia Dowdy's sophomore (actually, I believe it's her 3rd...) effort, "Milk Money," is a lovely novel. Miss Dowdy has improved immeasurably in her creation of dialogue, and her attention to detail in storytelling makes this book an enjoyable read. From the charming title to the wonderfully engaging opening paragraph, I was hooked on this book. The conflict created by the author felt less contrived than in "John's Quest". Bravo, Cecelia, this is a cool book!

This is the story of Emily, a young girl running a dairy farm without the ability to do everything on her own, and Frank, the CPA hired by Emily's stepmom to see to the accounting side of the business. I was absolutely captured from the opening chapter, and invested as I learned why Emily was running the place and began to question stepmom's motives. "Milk Money" is a sweet story and a worthwhile way to spend a few hours.

I have finished the second story by Cecelia Dowdy.
Towards the end, the story was rushed and the development was not as good as in the first one "John's Quest" by the author. It is hard to write the story in such limited space. During the conversations the writer often wrote a summary of what was said and not actually using a dialog inside the dialog. I did not like that. But I understand that the writer had to fit the whole story.
The writer holds strong beliefs, but I believe that I know how the third story will look like by the same author. She has repeated the same plot by using different people and different surroundings for her second book. Women are of strong beliefs and men are not saved. Their attraction is growing. And by helping the other person and praying for the other person, that person turns around and becomes a believer which allows them to marry at the end. The people are real and have their personal problems. The writer used nice descriptions to take you right there to the scenes.
But at the end of "Milk Money", the heroine was holding strong attraction for the hero and that occupied her thoughs, but then she was too much hesitant towards him in the end. The writer explained why, but I think that love sometimes is too strong to think clearly. Love is very, very strong. So, I just was surprised that she was holding grudge towards him so strong. Love is blind, I do have to admit. Yes, we have to make decisions and make right choices, but don't we forget when we all had been falling in love.
I know how important it is to build a relationship having the God in the center most of all. But I would love to see a different plot by the author.
But these stories would be good for any single women up there to remember that God should be in the center of the relationship.

After reading Cecelia's first book, John's Quest, and loving that one, I was excited to get right into this book! And let me tell you...I was not disappointed! Cecelia did another wonderful job with capturing my heart and letting God shine through in her story, Milk Money.

Her plot line in this book was outstanding! She tells the story of Emily, who's father has passed away, leaving her sole proprietor of the family's dairy farm. But, she soon finds out about Frank, the alcoholic accountant hired to help keep the farm. Cecelia did a wonderful job in pulling reality into this Godly fiction story. She adds just the right amount of twists in the plot to keep you turning page after page.The characters tugged at my heart and I couldn't help but pray for them!

I highly recommend this book with 5 stars, for an evening by the fireplace read. It's full of love and hope and best of all, full of our Loving Heavenly Father shining through Cecelia's words! Well done, again, Cecelia!