Books — Fluff — Stylin' Granny Mama

I decided to move this book review over to my Fluff page since it is not a Bible study or Christian self-help book. This is the first fiction book I have done a review on. Once again, this was presented to me by FrontGate Media. I was gifted the book and will receive a small monetary reimbursement for my time.

The Ghost of Darwin Stewart is the first in a three part mystery fantasy series called the Issachar Gatekeeper by L. G. Nixon, and is published by Fitting Words. You can learn more about the author on her website - L. G. Nixon. The intended audience for this book includes teens and young adults. The Ghost of Darwin Stewart is both a mystery and a ghost story written with a Biblical foundation.

Lucy Hornberger and her bestie Schuyler Williams are looking forward to a fun filled, sun soaked summer, completely unaware that both of their lives are about to change in ways they never would have imagined. Unbeknownst to them the forces of good and evil are about to drop right into Lucy’s lap and they will both play an integral part in a battle that has waged for centuries.

We meet Lucy and her single mom at a flea market where Lucy is perusing the wares at a vendor’s booth. Lucy finds an old looking magnifying glass along with a few other items in a trunk. When she looks through the glass she is terrified to see a world of dark spirits swirling and following people. She is mesmerized by it, until one of the hooded beings turns and points his boney finger directly at her.

Lucy learns from the vendor, whose name she finds out later is Iam, that the magnifying glass is actually an ancient tool and it has chosen her to wield its power. Lucy is skeptical, but within the trunk is a bracelet that she knows would be a perfect present for Schuyler’s birthday. The trunk and all its contents, both visible and hidden, including the Spectrescope, end up going home with Lucy. Thus begins an adventure for her and Schuyler that keeps the reader turning the pages to find out what happens.

The girls meet creatures who were present at the foundation of the world from Malpar, the bird-like Hayyothalan, to the Irredaemon, a fallen angel that poses as the ghost Darwin Stewart. All of them want to take the Spectrescope away from Lucy to give to their Master, Darnathian whose ultimate goal is to find The Life Tree and become more powerful than the High King of Ascalon.

Lucy and Schuyler learn to use the weapons and tools contained in the trunk and together work against, not only the evil that Darnathian unleashes upon them, but the frustration and misunderstanding of their parents. Will they be able to close the portal that allows the creatures to transverse back and forth between worlds before the evil steals the Spectrescope from Lucy? You’ll have to read the book to find that out.

When I first started reading the book, like Lucy, I was skeptical. L. G. Nixon does a good job of exploring the idea of the existence of ghosts, and what that looks like for us as Christians. You can read more about her thoughts and hear her interviews by clicking on the link. I personally agree with her in that Satan and his demons can pose as otherworldly entities, and in today’s world can appear to be “good'“. The Bible tells us that Satan himself poses as an angle of light (see 2 Corinthians 11:12-15), but we know his motives are only evil and meant for the downfall of God’s people and His creation.

The Ghost of Darwin Stewart is a great book, especially for young to middle aged teen girls. It reinforces the ideas that girls can be smart, brave and extremely strong even when they face criticism, false accusations, and evil itself. It provides heroines who are real and who struggle to grow up while still being under the headship of their parents. They are not perfect and that makes them easier to relate to. The book is free of bad language, innuendo or sex.

I do feel that due to the innocent nature of the main characters that this might not be as appealing to young adults. Let’s face it, we live in a world where 12 year olds can get an abortion. I appreciate that Nixon may have geared it towards young adults because of the horror aspect to it. However, having seen plenty of horror movies back in the day, I think this is mild by today’s standards. That being said, I strongly recommend The Ghost of Darwin Stewart for teens, especially those who like a mystery with lots of action and plenty of ethereal vibes. I also recommend this series for anyone who likes a good, clean read where good overcomes evil. I will definitely be investing in the other two books soon.

Midwest winters can get long. By mid to late February many of us are feeling like becoming snowbirds would not be a bad idea. I get tired of layering, tired of wearing heavy coats, thick scarves and gloves and tired of clouds. Having Seasonal Affective Disorder (described here) makes winter, not just an inconvenience, but an actual walk through a valley of shadows. While there are goods ways for dealing with SAD, like light therapy, melatonin and other medications and physical exercise, I often revert back to just doing something to make myself comfortable.

So, ladies here is another list. These are some of the things I do for comfort:

1. Curl up with a good book.

2. Watch something happy, silly or exciting. Absolutely, no sad movies during these cloudy months. (That's me. Others might feel a sad movie actually makes them cry and thus feel better. I prefer Gilligan's Island reruns.)

3. Take a nap. (I don't do this as much because as I've gotten older I have a harder time sleeping, but if the mood strikes, especially if I am fighting sickness, a nap is lovely.)

4. Go shopping. (If you are like me and love to shop, this is a real pick-me-up, but if you have a shopping addiction, this may not be the best choice for you. I try to go to one or two stores and have something in mind that I am looking for. But just walking the aisles, seeing spring colors and fashions lifts my spirits.)

5. Put on something baggy. What! No, you did not hear me say that! Well, once in a while, if I am going to be staying home, I do it! Hello sweat suit! Just to be fashionable, my black pants have fake rhinestones on them. (I'll post a picture of me with it on soon!)

6. Have English Breakfast tea in a fun mug.

7. Eat something comforting. Yes, I know, this is an issue for so many of us, and if you read the article on SAD, you know we crave carbs and overeat! However, not everything we reach for needs to be bad for us (although, let's face reality, bad food makes us feel good, at least while we are eating it.) I grew up with a dish my mother used to make several times during the long, snowy Buffalo, NY winter called Chicken and Biscuits. Part chicken pot pie and part stew, the smell and the warmth of the oven as it baked made me feel....well....cozy! It was an act of love on Mom's part as it took all day to boil the chicken, cut up the carrots, potatoes, onion and celery, put it all together and finally bake it 45 minutes then put the homemade biscuits on top to cook some more. But it was worth it.

Photo Credit: Rebecca Trumbull, Hands of my son in law.

I'm sure you all have your own ways of getting comfy. Let me know a few in the comments section below. And hang on, Spring will come, it always does.

Book Review: The Ghost of Darwin Stewart

Feeling Comfy?