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How do YOU rate this book? Jakob and Meri's story continues...
Meredith Louis's Hollywood career is at a point of transition. No longer under Majestic Studios control, Meri is free to broaden her appeal as an actress and finally earn the recognition she desires.
Meri and Jakob return to their hometown for the holidays where Meri hopes to reconcile with her parents after a decade of silence. But after a disastrous encounter, Meri is plunged into turmoil as old fears resurface in unexpected ways.
Jakob, already dealing with unresolved family issues of his own, is further burdened by his inability to help his wife. Can he learn to step aside and trust God's plan.Will Meri recognize what she already has?
In All Things is a story of faith and restoration, cemented in the belief, "...that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
EXCERPT
"You should be there," Jakob said.
Over a year of marriage and the birth of their boys, and Jakob still punished himself as though he deprived her of something important. There was a strong possibility that her parents were at the opening. It was being touted as the biggest social event in Houston's history, so her mother wouldn't want to miss it. But Meri didn't care. All she wanted was Jakob. He fulfilled her.
"No. I should be here with you."
Miss Lamour broke out in song, and several not so talented voices joined in. Meri snickered.
"I meant that you should be a guest of honor, a celebrity -- invited to celebrate."
"Don't be silly."
He stopped playing with her hair and tipped her chin up toward him. "Let's move to Los Angeles."
"What?"
"I want your dreams to come true."
"What are you talking about?"
"You want to be an actress."
"Oh, Jakob. That doesn't matter anymore." She laid her head back onto his chest. "I'm a wife and a mother. You've got your job and school. Besides, we wouldn't even know where to start."
He lay still for a minute, and then his fingers ran through her hair again. "What if I figured something out?"
"Such as?"
"I don't know yet."
Meri giggled. She pushed herself up and kissed him on the lips. "I love you." Jakob's deep blue eyes held her gaze. Wheels were definitely turning in there. "What are you thinking?"
"I promise you, Meri. Somehow, I'm gonna make it happen."
A buzz of drunken laughter crackled through the radio at their bedside, drowning out Dorothy Lamour as she continued in song. Then a single word burst through the noisy clamor.
Meri covered her mouth. "Did he just say..."
The broadcast cut off and static buzzed from the radio's speaker.
She and Jakob looked at each other with widened eyes.
"I think so." A smile covered his face. He wrapped his arms around her, and rolled her beneath him as they laughed. "I wonder how they'll write that up in the papers?"
"As a warning against live broadcast in the excess of champagne." Meri fought to catch her breath. "I can't believe that happened."
Jakob hovered over her with a gentle smile and tender eyes. She reached up and brushed his cheek with her fingers.
"Believe in me, Meri. Will you believe in me?"
It seemed so crazy. What did he plan to do? Knock on Louis B. Mayer's door. This is my wife. She wants to be an actress. Yet, the conviction in his eyes overwhelmed all reason, and from her lips she heard the words, "I do." And it was the truth.
"What an amazing story! I haven't ever read anything by this author before. I do, however, plan to remedy that oversight as soon as possible... Ms. Williams has written a story in such a way as I've not seen before in inspirational romance. I say that to mean that this book is an essential spreading of the Word of God. Never have I read a book that covered and printed such in-depth scriptural reading. It was intense and sometimes a little hard to listen to. These characters had once been committed to God; they now had strayed. These two main characters (Meri and Jakob) were exceptionally loving, but lost in the shuffle. I highly recommend this book. It is a great way to learn the way God intervenes and interacts in romance."
"Williams’s beautiful pacing and language and unabashed reality set up another faith-filled journey of facing one’s fears and forgiveness. The drama of 1950s Hollywood, the tenderness of family, and the enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures combine to grip the reader from the start with a genuine, unique reading experience. No matter how much we love our families, no matter our financial success, we’re still the sum of the experiences that mold us. Williams reminds us that there is no other better substitute for faith in God, whom we can most assuredly trust with and in all things."
"Again, Shawna Williams shows her prowess for characterization. You feel everything along with Jakob and Meri, really getting into their heads and hearts. And while this is a character-driven novel, the plot is by no means a weakness. The lives of Meri and Jakob are complex, and a smooth pacing of events will keep you turning pages."
"I loved this book! I really love Shawna's writing style. She can pull you into the story, where you almost feel like you are there! Her characters are not perfect. Neither are we. They have the same feelings, insecurities, flaws, etc. that each one of us has. That is what makes them so real. My heart went out to Meri. She longed for something she had already been gifted with. She had to overcome many things to get where she is at the end of the book. I especially loved the scripture that Shawna picked for this book, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28)...I gave this book 5 stars. It deserves it! Read "No Other" first. It will let you meet the characters and know some of the background of the families of Jakob and Meri. Then read "In All Things" and follow the characters you've come to love!"
"I didn't think I could possibly enjoy the second book in this series more than the first. After all, No Other made my top fiction list for 2010. It's rare that more than one book in a series ends up on my favorites list in the same year. But In All Things struck a chord in me that resonates still... There were so many insightful lessons in this book that were naturally woven into the plot and characterization that I could write a novel just posting them all. However, I want everyone to read this book for themselves. It had so much heart to it, unlike some of the anemic books I've read this year that barely touched on the inner workings of the heart and focused more on the era or the setting. This book was brave on so many levels, and I felt like I got to know the characters personally. I'm sure going to miss them. They'll have to live on forever on my favorite reads list for 2010."
"I really liked No Other and was excited to find out what happened to the characters I had grown to love... I would love to read more books about the characters of these books. There is more to the story that I would like to know about. I hope Shawna Williams writes a third volume!"
"In All Things is the sequel to Shawna Williams’ debut novel No Other, a touching and heart felt story of God’s faithfulness amidst the seemingly impossible circumstances surrounding a young couple who find themselves in love during the post World War Two era. I loved No Other and was quite honestly skeptical about what a sequel might hold...I’m glad I did. In the end, book number two is even more satisfying than book one, if that were possible. Bravo to Shawna Williams and high praise for In All Things. This book proves that Shawna Williams is an author of substance and I look forward to reading what else she has to offer in the future."
"It’s a fascinating insight to visit 1950's Hollywood and the divas that inhabit its unique world. The author creates such a perfect atmosphere that you can smell the grease-paint and see the action in play... In All Things is perfectly plotted. It seems very gently paced but is in fact packed with drama and action that kept me engaged throughout... Ms. Williams is a great observer of character and portrays the various personalities with ease, efficiency and often great humor..."
"I just read In All Things by Shawna Williams and all I can say is . . . Why did I wait so long?!... In All Things is the gripping, emotional continuation of the story of Jakob and Meri Wilheimer, which began in No Other. In this story, Ms. Williams tackles REAL LIFE ISSUES, something that isn't often done in Christian fiction. Or if it is, it's just touched on. The characters in In All Things had some real problems and I'm so proud of Ms. Williams for writing Christian fiction that the average Christian woman (or man) can honestly relate to!... I hated to see this one end."
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