“A Mile in His Shoes” is a family friendly movie sure to appeal to those who love sports or those who usually root for the underdog. Those who have been jaded by big money special effects Hollywood offerings may find this film a bit tame for their tastes. But anyone who enjoys a feel-good movie that is not embarrassing to watch with their kids will find it a refreshing choice.
The featured character, Mickey suffers from a form of autism know as Asperger’s Syndrome that makes him very different from his peers. His experiences as a new member of a minor league baseball team could very easily be the topics of several conversations such as how to treat people different from ourselves or the difference encouragement can make in a person’s life.
I won’t go into details about the plot because there are sufficient reviews available that do so and I do hate to watch a movie after the plot has been revealed to me. No spoilers here. Just be assured that unless you are extremely picky and/or cynical, “A Mile in His Shoes” should provide an enjoyable family movie night.
GIVEAWAY:
If you would like a copy of “A Mile in His Shoes”, I have one copy to give away. Just leave a comment about why you think you would enjoy this film. Entry deadline is Wednesday, January 25.
This DVD was provided for review by Propeller Marketing.
ABOUT THE DVD:
From the director of “Angels in the Outfield” comes an inspiring story about a special boy with an amazing gift, and the coach who believed. Dean Cain and Luke Schroder star in the gmc movie based on the book “The Legend of Mickey Tussler”.
Only a miracle can help baseball coach Arthur ‘Murph’ Murphy (Dean Cain) and his losing minor league baseball team. As Murph sets out to recruit new talent for the team, he stumbles upon Mickey (Luke Schroder), a young farmer with an incredible pitcher’s arm. However, Mickey’s parents are reluctant in allowing him to join the team because he has Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism. Murph convinces Mickey’s parents that life in the minor league will benefit their unique son, but he doesn’t realize just how much his new recruit will help the team s game and, more importantly, their spirit. Based on a true story, Thomas Kinkade Presents: A Mile in His Shoes is an inspirational film that celebrates faith, determination and the power of friendship.
Don is one of the original members of the STATLER BROTHERS, the most award-winning act in the history of country music. He and his brother and two friends began singing in their hometown of Staunton, Virginia when Don was only fourteen years old. Working all over their home and neighboring states as a part time group, they were discovered in 1964 by Johnny Cash and given their first record contract. By the time Don was 20 years old, the STATLERS had their first major, world-wide hit record with FLOWERS ON THE WALL, which started a string of hits that generated a career in the music industry that lasted for four decades. The STATLERS have been recipients of multiple industry awards:
It wasn’t until the STATLER BROTHERS decided to retire from traveling in 2002 that Don pursued his writing career to another level. Having songwriting and scriptwriting under his belt, the next obvious step was to write a book. And that book was the scripture based HEROES AND OUTLAWS OF THE BIBLE published in June of 2002 by New Leaf Press. He has since written two other non-fiction books and in 2008 saw another dream come true for Don when he released his first novel, O LITTLE TOWN. Novel number two came in the form of ONE LANE BRIDGE, and THE MULLIGANS OF MT. JEFFERSON, is a sequel to O LITTLE TOWN.
Don is the father of two sons. Debo and his wife, Julie, and daughters Sela Mae and Adra, live within a stone’s throw. You may have seen Debo’s name on many songs written with Don on albums over the years.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Cal, Harlan, and Buddy grow up together in a small Virginia town in the years before the second World War. United by age, proximity, and temperament, they get into—and out of—all the trouble that boys manage to find. They even earn a nickname from a local restaurateur who gives the boys their first jobs and plenty of friendly advice. “Uncle” Vic calls them the Mulligans, because they always seem to find a way through a thicket of trouble—family problems, girls, college, war—to success. Cal and Harlan and Buddy have been blessed with second chances.
Now it’s 1959, and police lieutenant Buddy receives an early-morning phone call: his friend Harlan, a store owner, has been shot in a break-in. Cal, now a preacher, meets Buddy at the hospital, and together, as professionals and as friends, they begin to unravel what might have happened to Harlan.
Because I am such a fan of Susan May Warren’s books, “The Shadow of Your Smile” has been lurking on my Kindle for several weeks tempting me at every turn. I have a hard enough time sticking to my review schedule and making the deadlines so it was with great difficulty that I managed to ignore its siren call until finally it was time. This novel was worth waiting for!
In addition to most all of the author’s previous books, I have read all of the Deep Haven series to date and expected another fairly light hearted romance with an awesome spiritual message. “The Shadow of Your Smile” is just a bit different than the earlier Deep Haven novels with a more somber plot line and even some suspense thrown in for good measure.
One senseless tragedy with two deaths has entangled so many people in its aftermath. Because of grief and guilt, bad decisions are made, a marriage is falling apart, a husband is tempted, bad career and life choices are made. But God still has His hand on the lives of His children in Deep Haven and another near tragedy may just be what it takes to turn things around.
“The Shadow of Your Smile” is a beautifully written story that delves deep into the hearts of those affected by the tragic deaths of loved ones. The reader is given an up close and personal look at the struggles and pain experienced by each of the characters. I literally wanted to say “Don’t do that!” more than once but of course I had to let the plot take its predetermined course. In the end, I had to agree that the author knew what was best and the resolution was a satisfying one.
This was an excellent story with a strong message of hope, forgiveness, and reconciliation. There are also some very good marriage tips woven into the story if you look for them, especially the one about being more aware of the hopes and dreams of your spouse. Once again I say, “Get yourself a copy of this book asap! You won’t be sorry.”
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A beautiful blanket of snow may cover the quaint town of Deep Haven each winter, but it can’t quite hide the wreckage of Noelle and Eli Hueston’s marriage.
After twenty-five years, they’re contemplating divorce . . . just as soon as their youngest son graduates from high school. But then an accident erases part of Noelle’s memory. Though her other injuries are minor, she doesn’t remember Eli, their children, or the tragedy that has ripped their family apart. What’s more, Noelle is shocked that her life has turned out nothing like she dreamed it would. As she tries to regain her memory and slowly steps into her role as a wife and mother, Eli helps her readjust to daily life with sometimes-hilarious, sometimes-heartwarming results. But can she fall in love again with a man she can’t remember?
Will their secrets destroy them . . . or has erasing the past given them a chance for a future? Read the story behind the story HERE.
See what other bloggers have to say about “The Shadow of Your Smile” HERE.
Purchase a copy of “The Shadow of Your Smile” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty-five novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia, Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.
Susan’s larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder ofwww.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.
Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!)
A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found on her website.
Come Back to Deep Haven and Win a $200 Visa Card from @SusanMayWarren!
Sometimes love requires a little forgetting … Come back to Deep Haven and find out what’s been happening in your favorite quaint hamlet. If you’re new to the Deep Haven series – this is the perfect book to start with – each book in the series is a stand alone story.
Susan is celebrating the release of The Shadow of Your Smile by giving away a prize pack worth over $200 from 1/9-1/28.
One grand prize winner will receive:
A $200 Visa Gift Card(Use that to rekindle a little romance, treat yourself to a spa day, snap up those shoes you’ve been eyeing, or purchase a few great books!)
The entire set of Deep Haven Books
The winner will be announced on 1/30/12 on Susan’s blog, Scribbles! Just click one of the icons below to enter and tell your friends about Susan’s giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.
Golden Keyes Parsons writes historical fiction for Thomas Nelson Publishing, and is also a popular retreat/conference speaker. Her highly acclaimed Darkness to Light Series chronicled the journey of her French Huguenot ancestors in 17th century France. Her newest novel, His Steadfast Love, a Civil War novel set in Texas, just released November 2011. Golden lives in Waco, TX, with her husband, Blaine, where they enjoy their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and are avid sports fan of their alma mater, Baylor University.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
It isn’t until the Civil War comes to her doorstep that Amanda Belle must choose between love and family.
It’s the spring of 1861 on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Amanda never thought she would marry because of a promise she made to her dying mother, but her attraction to Captain Kent Littlefield is undeniable.
When Texas secedes from the Union, her brother Daniel aligns with the Confederate States, while Kent remains with the Union troops.
Her heart is torn between the two men she is closest to and the two sides of the conflict. Amanda prays to God for direction and support, but hears only silence. Where is God in the atrocities of war-and whose side is He on?
Amanda senses her life is at a turning point. She must trust God to deliver her family through the chaos of war with her heart and her faith intact.
Learn more about Golden and her books on her Website.
MY REVIEW:
His Steadfast Love is a love story set during the Civil War, yet its primary Texas setting is decidedly different from most novels I have read about that period of time. The author’s attention to detail enhanced the story that was filled with various perspectives from several different participants of the story.By the end of the book, I felt that I had been given an intimate look at how this war affected the entire nation, from the slaves to the soldiers and their families. And I could also understand the reasoning behind why each side fought this war. His Steadfast Love does not attempt to cause the reader to choose sides but illustrates the horrible tragedy of war.
The story was made more personal as it centered around Amanda Belle and her family who lived on the Texas Gulf coast. When war was declared, not only did Amanda’s brother Daniel leave home to fight for the south, but Kent Littlefield, the man she loved was a Union officer. As the war raged on, Amanda was forced to make several difficult choices, even one that could separate her from her beloved family.
His Steadfast Love contains many emotional scenes that include sickness, injuries, death, and other tragedies as well as joyful scenes when loved ones are reunited. There are enough twists and surprises to keep those pages turning. Very well written, this book stresses the importance of forgiveness and dependence upon the Lord. I would recommend His Steadfast Love to those who enjoy historical fiction.
Dale Cramer spent his formative years traveling the world as an Army brat, then settled in Georgia at the age of fifteen when his father retired.
After high school he became an electrician, a job that took him to places as diverse as power plants, stadia, airports, high-rise office buildings and a hard-rock mining operation.
Twenty-five years of experiences in the trades provided him with the wealth of characters, stories and insights that populate his novels.
When he married his childhood friend, Pam, in 1975 he had no way of knowing they would not have children until fifteen years later.
In his early forties, when Dale left his job to become a stay-at-home dad, he suddenly found himself with time on his hands, so he pursued a lifelong dream and taught himself to write.
Using an online writer’s forum as a training ground, he wrote his first short stories in 1996. As his writing skills improved he turned to novels, publishing his first book, Sutter’s Cross, in 2003.
Since then, Dale has published four more novels and garnered a measure of critical acclaim with two Christy Awards, a listing among Publisher’s Weekly’s Best Books of 2004 and numerous other Best lists. Dale and his wife Pam live in Georgia with their two sons.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Bandit troubles intensify as Caleb Bender’s family tries to settle into their new life in 1920s Paradise Valley. When El Pantera kidnaps Rachel and leaves her brother, Aaron, for dead, Jake Weaver and the Mexican native Domingo pursue the bandit leader to his mountain stronghold in a hopeless rescue attempt. Jake and Domingo manage to escape with Rachel, with the bandits hot on their trail. In a desperate attempt to avoid recapture, Domingo puts himself squarely in harm’s way, giving Jake and Rachel time to get away. This is not the quiet life Caleb Bender envisioned when he led his family out of Ohio. What is a father to make of his daughter’s obvious affection for a man outside the fold? And how will a pacifist Amishman like Caleb respond to the events that threaten his family and their way of life?
You can learn more about Dale and his books on his website.
MY REVIEW:
The Captive Heart is a fictional account of Amish history that is unknown by most people. When I think of the Amish, I think first of Pennsylvania, then Ohio and Indiana. I had no idea that a group of them had relocated across the Mexican border in the early 1900’s.
The Captive Heart is a gripping story that illustrates the hardships and dangers faced by the Amish families in their new home. Especially prominent were the difficult choices made by the nonviolent Amish when faced with the very real threat of the violent bandits who tormented them. Interwoven through the account of the families’ struggles to adapt to the harsh environment is a tale of forbidden love and redemption.
Based on true events, The Captive Heart is a different type of Amish story than the norm. I recommend that you check it out for yourself.
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This DVD was provided for review by Propeller Marketing.
