Never The Bride by Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl McKay GIVEAWAY

Never the Bride

by Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl McKay

Random House, Inc / 2009 / Paperback

I was up until 1am finishing this book. I absolutely could not put it down!

Unlike Jessie Stone, I've been married 2x. By then end of this novel, I was thinking to myself that I was like Jessie in so many ways, except the one where it mattered most...waiting. I dove right in, both times. I never waited like Jessie did, even though she was actively searching. Oh, I thought I'd heard God's voice the 2nd time. Jessie thought God had answered her a couple times and chose to go right on ahead with what she believed.

Who here doesn't love the thought of being proposed to in a really unique way? One that will be the talk of the town? Well, Jessie Stone and her sister, Brooklyn, go into business helping men propose to the women they are dating! What a great idea!! Or so it seems.

I could relate to Jessie in that she's always wondering if the man she's talking to at that moment is the "One". I always wondered that, too. I knew any of the guys I was with at the moment could easily become MY one. I never really checked to see if he was GOD's one for me. That's where this story finally detours from mine. After struggling against God, Jessie finally hands over her pen that she's used to write out her expectations to God.

I love how the authors portray God in this story. He's quirky. Doesn't show up when Jessie believes she needs him. He doesn't do what she demands, but does what He knows is right for her life. He shows up when it's least expected and stays silent when she is asking for direction. God doesn't come as she expects and He writes Jessie's love story the way He desires. We also see when she breaks his heart, just like we all do. I liked that I had a physical idea of how God responds when we are out of His will.

The end of this story was emotional for me. I saw a lot of myself and my inner struggles through Jessie's words, actions and thoughts. I became very introspective and think of all the time I lost being out of God's will for my life when it came to the men I dated/married.

If you are a woman or young lady who is single, don't rush into anything. Wait on God. Even if it's been 10, 15, 20 yrs since you thought you should already be married. God's timing is perfect, as demonstrated in this novel. No, marriage isn't easy and just because your spouse is the one God chose for you, it doesn't mean they are perfect. Only God is perfect. Remember that!

I think all of us ladies would thoroughly enjoy this novel and I'm giving a copy away. If you'd like to read the 1st chapter, here's a link to my FIRST post from a few days ago. Check it out then come back here to answer 1 of 2 questions.

http://wovenbywords.blogspot.com/2009/09/never-bride-by-rene-gutteridge-first.html

Answer to one of these 2 questions: 1) If you're married, how did your spouse propose? 2) If you're not married, how would you imagine being proposed to?

My husband gave me a jewelry box for Mother's Day. I thought it was beautiful. What I didn't realize was, he had put my engagement ring inside the box. He thought I'd see it right away since the front of the jewelry box was glass. Nope, I was too thrilled at the jewelry box. Of course when he told me to open the front door, there it was in all it's shiny beauty.

To enter, answer one of the questions above and leave your separated email address so I can contact you if you win. No email address = No entry. Open to US residents only. Please read the new guidelines I have set in place on the front page of my blog at the top under the names of the winners. By entering this and any contest it will be assumed that you have read and agree to the terms of this giveaway. I will draw a name Saturday, September 19th.