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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
5.0
I just finished a great book called Mind of Her Own by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer. Louisa Copeland is a wife to Collin and mother to three kids (brave woman). Madison is twelve years old and a typical teenage girl, Joey is five, and Tim is four. Louisa is getting ready to make dinner and goes to get the indoor grill out of the pantry. Their dog, Cleo comes running through the house and runs into Louisa just as she starts pulling on the grill (you just know this is not going to be good).
The next thing Louisa knows is she is waking up in a hospital with a stranger. The man states he is her husband, Collin, but she does not know him. And he keeps calling her Louisa! Her name is Jazz Sweet and she is an inspirational romance writer who lives in Florida (somewhere). She cannot remember the name of her agent or where she lived in Florida. The doctor tells Collin to take her home and she will maybe get back her memories. Jazz does not want to go home with Collin who is a stranger to her especially when she hears there are kids in the house. But it seems she has little choice in the matter. The doctor believes that there is something that happened in Louisa’s childhood that is the trigger (what could have happened to Louisa that she wants to forget).
The Copeland family is in for some difficult weeks. The children are not sure of this new mom. She is very different. Jazz is more vibrant (hates Louisa’s boring clothes) and carefree, but she is not used to taking care of children. Jazz is used to spending her days writing and tends to forget what is going on around her when she is working (which can lead to missing children and dogs). Jazz does not do laundry, cook, or like cleaning (she hires a cleaning service). Collin had been spending a lot of time at work trying to make partner. Now he is having to spend more time at home and he finds out that he likes it (as well as his new wife). He also discovers his wife’s journals that give him insight into Louisa (as well as himself). With faith, love, and patience this family will come back together again better than before. All thanks to an indoor grill!
Mind of Her Own was an insightful and engaging novel. I read this novel straight through (I did not want to put it down). There is a very delicate subject in the novel that the author handles beautifully. I give Mind of Her Own 5 out of 5 stars. This is a Christian or inspirational novel, but it is in no way preachy or in your face (very subtle).
I received a complimentary copy of Mind of Her Own from the author in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogspot.com/2015/07/mind-of-her-own.html
The next thing Louisa knows is she is waking up in a hospital with a stranger. The man states he is her husband, Collin, but she does not know him. And he keeps calling her Louisa! Her name is Jazz Sweet and she is an inspirational romance writer who lives in Florida (somewhere). She cannot remember the name of her agent or where she lived in Florida. The doctor tells Collin to take her home and she will maybe get back her memories. Jazz does not want to go home with Collin who is a stranger to her especially when she hears there are kids in the house. But it seems she has little choice in the matter. The doctor believes that there is something that happened in Louisa’s childhood that is the trigger (what could have happened to Louisa that she wants to forget).
The Copeland family is in for some difficult weeks. The children are not sure of this new mom. She is very different. Jazz is more vibrant (hates Louisa’s boring clothes) and carefree, but she is not used to taking care of children. Jazz is used to spending her days writing and tends to forget what is going on around her when she is working (which can lead to missing children and dogs). Jazz does not do laundry, cook, or like cleaning (she hires a cleaning service). Collin had been spending a lot of time at work trying to make partner. Now he is having to spend more time at home and he finds out that he likes it (as well as his new wife). He also discovers his wife’s journals that give him insight into Louisa (as well as himself). With faith, love, and patience this family will come back together again better than before. All thanks to an indoor grill!
Mind of Her Own was an insightful and engaging novel. I read this novel straight through (I did not want to put it down). There is a very delicate subject in the novel that the author handles beautifully. I give Mind of Her Own 5 out of 5 stars. This is a Christian or inspirational novel, but it is in no way preachy or in your face (very subtle).
I received a complimentary copy of Mind of Her Own from the author in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogspot.com/2015/07/mind-of-her-own.html
beyondevak's review
5.0
I L-O-V-E-D this book! It was funny, sweet, charming and uniquely different.
NOTE: I requested and received a copy of this title via NetGalley.com for an honest review.
NOTE: I requested and received a copy of this title via NetGalley.com for an honest review.
jbarr5's review against another edition
4.0
Mind of Her Own by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer
When I started this book I thought wow what a great way to get out of doing the household chores til I realized she was not faking it. Then I got scared that she forget about her life and thought she was someone else and not married, no kids, etc.
She returns to the house where Collin tries to help more around the house and with the kids. He discovers journals from Louisa and starts reading them, not realizing it's her true feelings, about them and life.
He tries to make things better for Jazz by doing things he's never done before with her and the kids-taking time from work and having fun activities with them all. Scents might jog her memory so he gives her many things to smell and sometimes it does remind her of some things in the past.
She brings up things he never knew about and she swears she's a writer but not bookstores carry her books.
They all go to her family reunion where she recalls one tragic event and it comes to light what happened when she was just a child and it puts one of her children in harm's way and Collin helps to stop it from happening again.
He had also never realized how much church mattered and being part of the community with religious beliefs. Good read, kept me interested and was fun to read about. Other inspirational works by other authors are highlighted at the end of this book.
I received this book from Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review.
When I started this book I thought wow what a great way to get out of doing the household chores til I realized she was not faking it. Then I got scared that she forget about her life and thought she was someone else and not married, no kids, etc.
She returns to the house where Collin tries to help more around the house and with the kids. He discovers journals from Louisa and starts reading them, not realizing it's her true feelings, about them and life.
He tries to make things better for Jazz by doing things he's never done before with her and the kids-taking time from work and having fun activities with them all. Scents might jog her memory so he gives her many things to smell and sometimes it does remind her of some things in the past.
She brings up things he never knew about and she swears she's a writer but not bookstores carry her books.
They all go to her family reunion where she recalls one tragic event and it comes to light what happened when she was just a child and it puts one of her children in harm's way and Collin helps to stop it from happening again.
He had also never realized how much church mattered and being part of the community with religious beliefs. Good read, kept me interested and was fun to read about. Other inspirational works by other authors are highlighted at the end of this book.
I received this book from Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review.
daphself's review against another edition
3.0
You can't remember your former life, but you can remember your alter ego. You can't remember your husband or your children, but you can remember your dreams. This is what Louisa Copeland's life becomes as she is suddenly transformed into Jazz Sweet.
What I really like about this books is that it shows a dual plot. Not only does Louisa/Jazz try to remember, but she is also trying to forget. There are things in the past that many of us wish to forget and Louisa/Jazz gains that blessing. Blessing? Yeah, because this injury that caused her amnesia is also the healing ointment for her life. Playing it safe and being perfect isn't what will cut it in her new life.
Diana Brandmeyer did a great job at telling this story and the healing that comes between Louisa and Collin. I only wish some points were more detailed emotionally to really gain the fear that lurked around Jazz trying to remember who she was as Louisa and the fear of disappearing if Louisa came back.
It's an enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone.
**I received this book by Tyndale through The Book Club Network.**
What I really like about this books is that it shows a dual plot. Not only does Louisa/Jazz try to remember, but she is also trying to forget. There are things in the past that many of us wish to forget and Louisa/Jazz gains that blessing. Blessing? Yeah, because this injury that caused her amnesia is also the healing ointment for her life. Playing it safe and being perfect isn't what will cut it in her new life.
Diana Brandmeyer did a great job at telling this story and the healing that comes between Louisa and Collin. I only wish some points were more detailed emotionally to really gain the fear that lurked around Jazz trying to remember who she was as Louisa and the fear of disappearing if Louisa came back.
It's an enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone.
**I received this book by Tyndale through The Book Club Network.**
leleedow's review
4.0
This was a great read once I finally got past the 1chapter. I love Jazz sweet and Collin together. I did feel that the ending felt really rushed!
daphself's review
3.0
You can't remember your former life, but you can remember your alter ego. You can't remember your husband or your children, but you can remember your dreams. This is what Louisa Copeland's life becomes as she is suddenly transformed into Jazz Sweet.
What I really like about this books is that it shows a dual plot. Not only does Louisa/Jazz try to remember, but she is also trying to forget. There are things in the past that many of us wish to forget and Louisa/Jazz gains that blessing. Blessing? Yeah, because this injury that caused her amnesia is also the healing ointment for her life. Playing it safe and being perfect isn't what will cut it in her new life.
Diana Brandmeyer did a great job at telling this story and the healing that comes between Louisa and Collin. I only wish some points were more detailed emotionally to really gain the fear that lurked around Jazz trying to remember who she was as Louisa and the fear of disappearing if Louisa came back.
It's an enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone.
**I received this book by Tyndale through The Book Club Network.**
What I really like about this books is that it shows a dual plot. Not only does Louisa/Jazz try to remember, but she is also trying to forget. There are things in the past that many of us wish to forget and Louisa/Jazz gains that blessing. Blessing? Yeah, because this injury that caused her amnesia is also the healing ointment for her life. Playing it safe and being perfect isn't what will cut it in her new life.
Diana Brandmeyer did a great job at telling this story and the healing that comes between Louisa and Collin. I only wish some points were more detailed emotionally to really gain the fear that lurked around Jazz trying to remember who she was as Louisa and the fear of disappearing if Louisa came back.
It's an enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone.
**I received this book by Tyndale through The Book Club Network.**
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