9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Kraus Fiction Fan, not disappointed yet!, March 2, 2008
This review is from: The Renovation: Carter Mansion (Project Restoration Series, Book 1) (Paperback)
As a fan of authors Jim and Terri Kraus, this book by Terri writing solo lives up to the great quality of fiction I've come to expect. Wonderfully moving story, memorable characters, fine writing style. I'm recommending it to all my friends--especially those in need of the message of forgiveness, the theme of this book, which is so well-done without being "preachy". And as an avid HGTV viewer, I loved the unique setting/tie-in to the renovation of historic houses. This thoroughly enjoyable book could only have been written so authentically by someone intimately familiar with the whole restoration process. The next two books in the series can't come fast enough for me! Would make an excellent choice for a book club.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
--, April 18, 2009
This review is from: The Renovation: Carter Mansion (Project Restoration Series, Book 1) (Paperback)
I selected this book for review initially because of the intriguing title. I very much admire old houses and the process of rebuilding and restoring them. My dad was a carpenter, and I will always remember helping him hold boards to cut, the smell of freshly cut wood, frequent trips to the lumber yard and going with him to help others with their building projects.
The author has a very good grasp of the English language, and in reading the book, I was happy to learn the meaning of some words that I had never heard before, such as 'pellucid', which means 'very clear'. I love new words! At the beginning of each new chapter, the author used a couple of quotes relating to forgiveness, which is the main theme of the story.
A couple of my favorite quotes from the book are: 'When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us." (Alexander Graham Bell) "To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." (Philip Yancey)
This story is not so unlike a similar story running through each one of our lives, though perhaps in a different setting. We all have things in our past that we would like to forget, as well as things (and people) that we are determined not to forgive. We cannot go forward with any measure of peace and growth until we face the truth head on, however prickly and painful that may be, and deal with it. Then we can find out who it is that God intended for us each to be and proceed in that direction in His grace.
This is the theme of the story, and it is eloquently and compassionately written. I can relate to the characters because I possess similar traits as they do, and have tackled some serious forgiveness issues in my life as well. I think that people from all walks of life could read this book and glean some valuable insights into the importance and freedom of forgiveness. We all need forgiveness, and we all need to be forgiven.
Although Terri Kraus has co-authored nine other books with her husband Jim Kraus, this is her first solo attempt, and it is incredibly well thought out and written. This is titled as 'A Project Restoration Novel', so I hope this means that this is a new series with more books in the works. Take the time - read this book - I guarantee it is well worth your investment. There is hope of freedom in forgiveness here for all of us!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not A Romance But A Love Story, January 3, 2010
This review is from: The Renovation: Carter Mansion (Project Restoration Series, Book 1) (Paperback)
More than a little pleasantly surprised.
Inside are real characters with real personalities. Not some Barbie doll romantics where boyfriend and girlfriend are so perfect it makes you want to gag. No these are real people who act real. A man who berates his child in front of the woman he's dating. The boy who walks away from the scolding parent. In addition to home restoration, this book's central theme is forgiveness.
This isn't a romance. It's a love story. God's love for us and how we extend that love to others through forgiveness just as He has forgiven us.
Oh some things about Ethan I couldn't stand. He wants his way on a job site even though it's not his property and he is the contractor. He thinks things should remain the same. And that's his prerogative but not his home. His living in the past extends to other things as well.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
