Under Contract: Life in the Middle of Dreams

by Ashley Murphy

A verse novel which enlightens life in the middle of dreams.

Under the kitchen sink, I reached
for a glass vase.

Gradually, water flowed from the
faucet. At the halfway mark, the
water stopped filling up the sides
of the vase.

Out of the knife block, I grab the
scissors. Over the garbage can, I
trimmed the ends of each flower.

The vase sat in the middle of the
island. Shane reached around my
waist. Against the vase, he rests
the card.

He then leaned into me,
"Happy Birthday."

Marcy Gene often spends time on her front porch swing next to her husband. A mother of two, she longs to be intentional with each child. Summer comes and goes while a new school year is just around the corner. One day Marcy Gene discovers an "under contract" sign in the yard of a home she's been eyeballing. Will her friends help when she's in search of items to complete a dream of hers?

224 pages, Paperback

Published June 28, 2016

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to check out new books, authors and even genres. I was really drawn to this book because of its title. I really enjoyed the structure of the writing in this book. it was a nice clean story very thought driven.
I think Ashley Murphy brings a new style of story telling to full life!

[Kim Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading a verse novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The main character, Marcy Gene, is the epitome of the Christian woman, leading by example and diligent in prayer.

I felt as if I was in the same room with the characters of the book. I was drawn into the family's day to day routines as the story was told of Marcy Gene's dream COME ALIVE--her very own art studio from contract to grand opening with an art retreat.

I loved the reminder "We are ART! The artist created us, we are His masterpiece..."

This book was an easy read for my summer reading list and left me with a sense of hope for future dreams because it showed the bits and pieces of life that went on in the MIDDLE of it all.

[Lisa P Clement · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first time to read a verse novel. It is a sweet journey of a family who love and support each other in everyday life. It reads like a journal of the mom’s life and how she begins to share the gifts God has given her with others. The author writes in a way that awakens your mind to thinking how you might walk out the calling God has for you on your life.
Worth taking the time to stop and read it. It’s an quick read but makes you stop and think about your life.
I was given a copy to read by the author and this is my honest opinion.

[Rhiannon Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

The story is beautifully written and engaging. The characters are lovable and I want Marcy Gene as my friend and art teacher.

My favorite part is that this story is written in verse, and it reads with the fluidity of a poem.


*received free birthday party copy from author to help celebrate her book.

[Nicole Gifford]

This book was a delight to read. I enjoyed Ashley’s writing style. Her faithfulness and kind heart. Marcy Gene was a loving mother and wife and an accomplished artist. I loved how she brought all her gifts together and shared them with other women. Loved this book!