Thursday, September 23, 2021

Turtle Heart -- A Review and A Giveaway

Four years ago, I talked here about a book by Lucinda (then) Miller. Today, I am happy to tell you about another book by the same author, although her last name has now been changed by her marriage to Ivan Kinsinger.



Luci is gifted in the art of story telling. In Turtle Heart you will find the same layers of emotion and honesty that drew readers into her book Anything But Simple. While enjoying the story line and the eccentricities of Luci's friend, Charlene, you will also find yourself digging deeply to examine hard questions. Questions like how to meet people where they are, like Jesus did. Questions about different cultures and acceptance. Questions about things foreign to a sheltered Mennonite world, like splintered families and homosexuality. 

There are many ways that I identify with Luci, in her story. Her description of herself as a youth and young adult could, quite easily, have been describing me:

"No one hates me and no one loves me because no one really knows me. I constantly wear a smile on my face because I want everyone to think I am enjoying myself, that I have friends somewhere, just around a corner. 

I am a young adult, more confident, but still commonly described as "sweet" -- a word I both love and hate. Hate, because it defines me as passive and without spine. Love, because it protects me. People treat me kindly because I am sweet."

I also identify deeply with her difficulty to stand up for herself and say no. It is helpful to listen to her navigate her own humanity -- feelings of resentment at being taken advantage of -- and her deep longing to be Jesus in skin to her friend. One does not have to cancel out the other, when apologies are given and we get up and try again.... and again. 

I love how Luci shares her struggles with hard questions about God and Faith. I am, by nature, an "accept-er" and some of her questions are not ones I have dealt with deeply myself, but now have children who do. Her father's wisdom in providing answers, when he can, but simply confessing "I don't know", when he doesn't, was powerful. In Luci's own words:

"...there is tremendous release in these words: "I don't know." I begin to realize I don't need to know everything, and that not knowing is necessary to living."

The fact that Luci has poured her heart and soul into Turtle Heart is evident throughout the book. She has opened the doors to her inner self and confessed thoughts and feelings that are vulnerable and raw. Through her words, she holds out her heart with open hands, asking the reader to handle it gently. Hoping against hope that as you do, you too will begin to see and love the people around you -- the ones who are like you, and the ones who are so very different -- through the eyes of Jesus. 

If you would like to read Turtle Heart yourself, you can order online through Amazon, or Barnes and Noble or order an autographed copy directly from Luci at lucindajkinsinger@gmail.com. 

Luci is generously allowing me to give away one copy of her book to my readers! If you would like to be included in the giveaway, leave a comment below (or via email or Facebook), and I will choose a winner on September 30, one week from today. US addresses only. 

45 comments:

Regina said...

I've been following Lucinda's blog for awhile a now. She is definitely a gifted writer.

Leah Escoto said...

Would love to be entered in the giveaway..

Faith said...

Yes I too, enjoyed her first book a LOT and would live the chance to win a copy of Turtle Heart

Anonymous said...

This book has caught my attention. I would love to read it.
Regina M

Maria Wagler said...

I to would love to be entered into the giveaway. With living in a different culture than the one I grew up in this book sounds quite intriguing to me!! There is sooo much to learn about building friendships in different cultures and I feel so often I don't do well in that and struggle so hard to go there very deep!

Karlene said...

I would love to have the link to Lucy's blog!

Bethany Eicher said...

Here you go! https://lucindajkinsinger.com/blog/

Rhonda said...

This book sounds like one I would love to read!

tabitha said...

I’d love to win this, but either way I want to read this book!

Brenda said...

Sounds like a must read to me. :-) Winning it would be fun. I would read it and than put it in the church library.

Anonymous said...

This book is one I definitely want to read sometime. I think it has a lot of things to ponder and think about.

Unknown said...

Yay, excited about this giveaway. I'd love to read the book!

Laura said...

I would enjoy reading Luci's book. I follow her blog and appreciate the insight she shares there.

Anonymous said...

Would like to read this book!

L. Zimmerman said...

I would love to be entered in the giveaway! I bought both her previous books, Anything but Simple, and The Arrowhead. I enjoy her writing, and the way she makes you THINK.

LRM said...

I believe I would enjoy reading this book. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks. Linda Rose

Irene said...

I enjoyed reading Anything but Simple, and am quite sure I want to read her new book. Please enter me into the drawing!

Marlese Anderson said...

I would love to win this book!

Grace said...

I haven't read any of Lucinda's books yet but I follow her blog. So I'm looking forward to reading them sometime!

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed reading Anything but Simple and I would love to have my own copy of her new book. Please enter me into the drawing!

Vanessa's Ventures said...

It sounds interesting.😀 I would like to read it too.

Linda said...

I’m always on the lookout for new books, both for me and my small library.

Rachel H. said...

I'd love to read Luci's book. Thanks for hosting a giveaway.

Anonymous said...

I love to read Luci's blog!

Rachel F said...

I'd love to enter the giveaway. Thankyou

Unknown said...

I'd love to enter giveaway. Thankyou

Kara Wadel said...

This book sounds very interesting to me and I enjoy Lucy’s writing.

Kara Wadel said...

I am excited to enter this giveaway. And eventually I look forward to reading this book!

Betty Schlabach said...

I would love to win and read this new book. I have been subscribed to Luci Kinsigers blog for some time. I recently started my own blog, if anyone cares to look it up. It can be found at southerngardencottage.com

Anonymous said...

I read Lucinda's blog, and I would love to win her book. Please enter me in the drawing. MZ

Anonymous said...

I would love to be entered!

Lanita said...

I would love to read this book!

Gloria Otto said...

i’d love to enter the giveaway!

Dorcas said...

I would love to read this book! I also read her blogs and enjoy her writings. But i also enjoy yours. :)

Nograssgrowingundermyfeet said...

I like open honesty with which Lucinda writes, and would love to get my hands on this book! Ann

Anonymous said...

Would love to have this.

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to reading Luci's new book. Dawn

Jeni said...

I would like to be entered in the give away for Luci’s book,please. Thanks!

Audra said...

I would love to read this book!

Judith said...

I would love to read this book.

Melody Trejo said...

Looks like an interesting book I really would like to read!

Julia said...

I would like to read this book!

Melinda Kornelsen said...

I'd love to read this book!

Abigail M said...

I’ve enjoyed Luci’s writing for a while now, and would love to read this book.

Karen said...

I would love to read this!