Customer Reviews

The Renovation: Carter Mansion (Project Restoration Series, Book 1)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

the writer shares some of my passions, old houses and historic renovations, so perhaps i'm prejudiced. The human storyline was pleasing as well, with a Christian slant that I enjoyed. I hope there's a new insight to forgiveness when others read this one!

I had never heard of this author and haven't had the pleasure of reading the books authored by her and her huband. I will be reading those now that I have read this one. This is a wonderful story or love, loss and forgiveness in a faith setting. The author does an exemplary job of weaving the renovation of a house with the "renovation" of peoples' lives in this masterful story. I can't wait for Book 2. I am particular about the authors I read. The books I choose have to be well-written, have a good story line, good character development and keep me wanting more. This book did all that a more. I highly recommend this book.

I finished this book on my kindle last month.

What a wonderful story! The author does a great job of bringing her real-life experience in renovation into the novel.

This is a story of a father-son struggle - as a widower, the father resists the temptation to get involved with a woman, any woman - choosing instead to focus on raising his son. Though he tries to do the best by his son, his refusal to respond emotionally to him keeps them from moving forward after his wife's untimely death.

The reconciliation as they connect is well-written, thought-provoking and emotionally charged. The spiritual message is softly delivered. I plan to read more of her work.

Excellent!

The Renovation: Carter Mansion (Project Restoration Series, Book 1)

I got this book when it was offered as a free download for my kindle. Not expecting much due to this I thought that it ended up being a good read. The main character's desire to remain true to the past led to a somewhat perdictable storyline but still enjoyable and somewhat page turning. Although labeled as a piece of christian literature I didn't find that label to be too opressing. It wasn't until the last quarter of the book that the christian "aspect" of the book really seemed to come into play thru the use of a few bible verses and more focus on the church and faith. I found that the bible verses that were inserted into the text though were easy to somewhat skim over in additon to the inspirtational quotes that were located at the end of each chapter. Skimming over these parts did not make you miss anything in the book and could have been omitted.

I guess since this book was a free Kindle download, I expected a typical sappy and predictable love story. However, I was pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed this book. It flowed, was well-written and I did not want the story to end...

The Renovation is a wonderful novel that focuses on redemption and forgiveness. I loved that Terri Kraus tied together the renovation of a home with the renovation of the lives of her characters. This is a wonderful Christain novel that is perfect for those who love to read books with great developed characters facing real issues. Terri Kraus keeps the readers attention with the conflicts faced by her characters and the charm of a love story. Rarely do you pick up a book that leaves you pondering about the lives of the charaters after you have read the last page. The Renovation will draw you into the lives of these amazing characters and I am eager to read future books by Terri Kraus.

'The Renovation'

by Terri Kraus

Reviewer: Shari Van Baale

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 beginniing 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 can not 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 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 to forgive, and we all need forgiveness.

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!