Tag Archives: Steven Manchester

The Menu

Posted on by
Reply

Author: Steven Manchester
Publisher: Luna Bella Press
Genre: Christian Fiction
Source: Steven Manchester

Goodreads:  Blessed with a high emotional IQ, Phinn Reed enters the world with the promise of finding his soul mate. With heaven’s memories erased, his romantic quest teaches him that the heart often sees clearer than the eyes—and that not everyone has ordered the same items from The Menu. Evidence that love stories come in many different forms, The Menu is a spiritual journey involving more than just a man and a woman; it is a modern-day tale that reaches far beyond the boundaries of reason. 

Ope’s Opinion: I have been a fan of Steven Manchesters from his first book.  If you have not read his books yet, this one would be a good place to start.   If you have a church library, this book needs to be there – you may need more then one copy!

This is a story of life, love and faith, which is written in such a heart felt way that it will stick with you long after the read.  More than likely, there is someone you will want to pass this book on to.

This book is about choices and living with them – one of your choices should be to read this book!

Bread Bags & Bullies

Posted on by
1

Author: Steven Manchester
Publisher: Luna Bella Press
Genre: Fiction
Source: Steven Manchester 

 

Goodreads:  It’s the winter of 1984. Twelve-year old Herbie and his two brothers—Wally and Cockroach—are enjoying the mayhem of winter break when a late Nor’easter blows through New England, trapping their quirky family in the house. The power goes out and playing Space Invaders to AC DC’s Back in Black album is suddenly silenced—forcing them to use their twisted imaginations in beating back the boredom. At a time when the brothers must overcome one fear after the next, they learn that courage is the one character trait that guarantees all others.
This hysterical coming-of-age tale is jam-packed with enough nostalgia to satisfy anyone who grew up in the ‘80s or at least had the good fortune to travel through them. 

Ope’s Opinion:  If you were a boy in the 80’s and had brothers, you would probably relate to this story.  I am a reader of Steven Manchester and I do enjoy his books.  He has a way of making his characters feel real  ( like someone you know).  

I enjoyed being taken back in time. It gave me an inside perspective of my brothers lives as they were growing up.  This was an easy read, as Steven’s writing flows.

I still think Goodnight, Brian is my favorite Manchester book.  If you enjoy this one and haven’t read his other books – go back and look them up.

 

Out Now

Posted on by
Reply

This is out today!

Goodreads:  It’s the winter of 1984. Twelve-year old Herbie and his two brothers—Wally and Cockroach—are enjoying the mayhem of winter break when a late Nor’easter blows through New England, trapping their quirky family in the house. The power goes out and playing Space Invaders to AC DC’s Back in Black album is suddenly silenced—forcing them to use their twisted imaginations in beating back the boredom. At a time when the brothers must overcome one fear after the next, they learn that courage is the one character trait that guarantees all others.

This hysterical coming-of-age tale is jam-packed with enough nostalgia to satisfy anyone who grew up in the ‘80s or at least had the good fortune to travel through them.

Thank you Steven for sending this to me!

 

Three Shoeboxes

Posted on by
Reply

Author: Steven Manchester
Publisher: Fiction Studio Books
Genre: Fiction / Mental Health
Source:  Steven Manchester

 

Goodreads:  The latest emotional rollercoaster of a novel from a master of tearjerkers and family fiction.

Mac Anderson holds life in the palm of his hand. He has a beautiful wife, three loving children, a comfortable home, and a successful career. Everything is perfect—or so it seems. Tragically, Mac is destined to learn that any sense of security can quickly prove false. Because an invisible enemy called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has invaded Mac’s fragile mind and it is about to drop him to his knees. He does all he can to conceal his inner chaos, but to no avail. Left to contend with ignorance, an insensitive justice system, and the struggles of an invisible disease, he loses everything—most importantly his family.

One shoebox might store an old pair of sneakers. Two shoeboxes might contain a lifetime of photographs. But in Three Shoeboxes, a father’s undying love may be just enough to make things right again.

Ope’s Opinion: If you are a male or have a male reader in your life, I would suggest this book.  It is about PTSD, but it also about a man dealing with his emotions and learning how to share them.

Steven Manchester writes in such a way that sweeps you away into another world and you forget what time it is or what else you were suppose to be doing.  Although the subject is hard to read it went quickly.  It didn’t feel depressing or drag you down.

 

The Thursday Night Club and Other Stories of Christmas Spirit

Posted on by
1

Author: Steven Manchester
Publisher: Fiction Studio Books
Genre: Holiday Book
Source:  Steven Manchester

 

Goodreads:  A joyous and deeply emotional collection of three unforgettable Christmas novellas.

With a series of #1 bestsellers like Twelve Months, The Rockin’ Chair and Pressed Pennies, Steven Manchester has established himself as one of the premier voices of moving and heartfelt fiction. Now, he collects his three unforgettable Christmas novellas in one volume.

The Thursday Night Club: Five college friends, three men and two women, have been getting together every Thursday night to share humble meals and an abundance of laughter. But when tragedy takes one of them, leaving the others to question the fairness of life, the Thursday Night Club decides to embark on a contest in the memory of the generous spirit of their fallen brother. The objective of the contest is simple: whoever performs the kindest deed by Christmas night wins the pot – four quarters. And there are only two conditions: the benevolent deed must be anonymous, and it cannot cost a single penny to pull off. As the four friends undertake the contest, the healing begins and they become inspired beyond their expectations. There might be a winner in this competition, but it is very clear there will be no losers.

A Christmas Wish: Steph is on a search for truth in her heart as she faces the prospect of real love for the first time. Brian is out to enjoy his favorite season in a way that doctors never thought he could. And at the center of it all is their grandmother, affectionately known as Mama, a woman of remarkable commitment and charity who knows something very important about making Christmas wishes come true.

The Tin-Foil Manger: Published in this volume for the first time, this is the story of Nancy, an elderly woman with little to live for and Jeanne, the caretaker who wants to believe that Nancy has more to live for. Together, they embark on a journey to the past – a past of modest Christmases, tin-foil mangers, and abundant love – to rediscover the time when Nancy felt truly alive. Nancy’s memories and how they touch Jeanne, will turn this Christmas into one for the ages.

Rich with emotion and profound with meaning, these three stories of Christmas spirit that will strike a chord in your heart any time of year and make you look at the holiday season in new ways.

Ope’s Opinion:  A year ago I read The Thursday Night Club and enjoyed it.  I decided when Steven sent me this book to reread it.  It was just as good the second time.

The other two stories were just as good as The Thursday Night Club.  They were perfect for this busy time of year – short, meaningful and a reminder of the reason for the season.  They made me stop for a minute, relax and think about what is really important.

Thank you Steven for writing such heartfelt characters and stories.

 

New Book By Steven Manchester

Posted on by
1

ashes-amazon1

Publication Date:  February 21, 2017
Publisher: Story Plant

Goodreads:  Middle-aged brothers Jason and Tom Prendergast thought they were completely done with each other. Perceived betrayal had burned the bridge between them, tossing them into the icy river of estrangement. But life and death has a robust sense of irony, and when they learn that their cruel father has died and made his final request that they travel together across the country to spread his ashes, they have no choice but to spend a long, long car trip in each other s company. It s either that or lose out on the contents of the envelope he s left with his lawyer. The trip will be as gut-wrenching as each expects it to be . . . and revealing in ways neither of them is prepared for. At turns humorous, biting, poignant, and surprisingly tender, ASHES puts a new spin on family and dysfunction with a story that is at once fresh and timelessly universal.”

If you have read Steven Manchester before then this one should be added to your TBR list.  If you haven’t read him before, then try this is one as your first!!

The Changing Season

Posted on by
2

the changing season

Published:  February 17, 2015
Publisher: The Story Plant

Goodreads:  This was supposed to be a simple summer for Billy; one more lazy expanse of time before college began. He’d fill the hours playing with Jimmy – his canine best buddy – going camping and doing all the things he promised Jimmy they’d do before Billy left.

But that was before the accident that shook the entire town.

It was before the summer job that turned into something so much more than a way to get a paycheck.

And it was before Vicki.

This summer was destined to be many things to Billy, things he didn’t truly understand until now. But it was definitely not going to be simple.

An enormously touching, richly textured, deeply moving novel of new adulthood, THE CHANGING SEASON is an experience to savor.

Ope’s Opinion:  Great book!  It took a little while to get started, but worth the time to keep reading.   If you have someone in your life who will be graduating from high school this spring – this would be an awesome gift. 

The relationships in this book felt real. The heart ache and decisions were some we all face.

Steven Manchester has been an author I have read often.  This is one of my favorites of his.

Rating:  4

Look What Came in the Mail !!

Posted on by
Reply

It was so nice to open the mail box
and find a familiar author pop out!

 the changing seasonPublication Date:  November 17, 2015
Publisher: Story Plant

Goodreads:  This was supposed to be a simple summer for Billy; one more lazy expanse of time before college began. He’d fill the hours playing with Jimmy – his canine best buddy – going camping and doing all the things he promised Jimmy they’d do before Billy left.

But that was before the accident that shook the entire town.

It was before the summer job that turned into something so much more than a way to get a paycheck.

And it was before Vicki.

This summer was destined to be many things to Billy, things he didn’t truly understand until now. But it was definitely not going to be simple.

An enormously touching, richly textured, deeply moving novel of new adulthood, THE CHANGING SEASON is an experience to savor.

With all the changes going on around me right now,
it was nice to open the mailbox to a familiar author
that I know I am going to be able to enjoy reading.

Gooseberry Island

Posted on by
Reply

Author:  Steven Manchester
Publisher:  The Story Plant
Genre: Contemporary Military                             gooseberry
Source: Steven Manchester

 

 

 

Goodreads:  They met at the worst possible moment…or maybe it was just in time. David McClain was about to go to war and Lindsey Wood was there at his going-away party, capturing his heart when falling for a woman was the last thing on his mind. While David was serving his country, he stayed in close contact with Lindsey. But war changes a person, and when he came home very little had the same meaning that it had before – including the romance that had sustained him. Was love truly unconquerable, or would it prove to be just another battlefield casualty?

Gooseberry Island is the most nuanced, dramatic, and romantic novel yet from a writer whose ability to plumb the depths of human emotion knows few peers.

Ope’s Opinion:  This book felt very realistic – maybe too realistic for me at times.

There was a little more detailed war times then I usually read.  You needed the war experience to understand David.

Lindsay’s character was well written.  She was a strong, independent woman.  A good example for young woman.

It was nice to read about characters with strong morals that felt real and flawed.

Steven Manchester writes deep, thoughtful stories.  This was another one of his books worth curling up with this winter.

Rating: Four Chairs – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.
de9fc-4chairs