A Shining Light by Judith Miller - a book review

 

 

I had never heard of this particular group of people before, so reading about the Amana community was very interesting. You can tell the author did alot of research. 

It is written in the first person narrative, which for me, was a little hard to follow at first. Once I got used to it, it made the story much more interesting. 

 There are many twists and turns in the plot and sometimes I wondered how much more this little family could take.  God provides for them in ways they would never have expected.  This is definately a faith based novel but not at all preachy. 

 
The characters are very engaging and ‘real’.  Throughout the story of this family’s journey there a many characters that at times can be hard to keep track of.

Overall, I liked this book. I can’t say it is one of my favorites but it is well written and interesting. 

Here is a synopsis from the publisher’s website:

 “The kind people of Amana have been her guiding light, but her greatest trial is yet to come...

 West Amana, Iowa, 1890

After Andrea Wilson receives the devastating news that her husband has been lost at sea, she returns home to Iowa with her young son, Lukas. But what she finds there causes more heartache: The family farm has burned and her father has died, leaving Andrea with nothing.

Andrea must rely on the kindness of the people from the nearby Amana village who invite her to stay with them for a time. She discovers much generosity and contentment among the Amanans--especially from the tinsmith, Dirk Knefler, who takes her son under his wing. But is the simple, cloistered life in Amana what Andrea wants for Lukas's future? Is she willing to give up the comforts and freedom of the outside world? And when yet another round of shocking news comes her way, will Andrea ever be able to find the serenity and hope that have eluded her for so long?”

 

I encourage you to read this book and learn about a very interesting group of people.

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer - a book review

Her father is a reformed outlaw, her mother was a talented artist and she is looking for a preacher.  Her heart's desire is to find a preacher so the local church can be reopened.  Joanna's widowed father just wants his daughter to be happy, so he and his 'gang' decide to take matters into their own hands.  They come out of retirement and rob the local train, only they don't take money of jewels or valuables...they take a preacher.  Crockett Archer is on his way to interview for a job as a minister, something he's been dreaming of for many years. Joanna is shocked to find out what her father has done but secretly hopes that Crockett will stay.  He doesn't.  He continues on to his interview only to find that his kidnapping has delayed him too long,  They hired another man.  He returns to Joanna's farm and asks to reopen her church.  In the meantime, he needs to find a job until the church is up and running.. Her father hires him to help on the farm.  Of course, this leads to all kinds of interesting situations involving an overprotective band of former thieves, a conniving young church member and her father's arrest. 

This story is about submission to God's will and keeping faith when hope seems gone.  It is told with humor and sensitivity.  The author concentrates on the characters more than she does on the surroundings  but there is no doubt that this is an historically accurate depiction of the old west.

The publisher says this:

"A cowboy who wants to be a preacher. An outlaw's daughter who wants to change his mind.

On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can't believe it when he's forced off the train by an outlaw and presented to the man's daughter as the preacher she requested for her birthday. He's determined to escape--which would be much easier if he could stop thinking about Joanna Robbins and her unexpected request.

For months, Joanna had prayed for a minister. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. But just when it seems her prayers have been answered, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett he ended up right where he was supposed to be?

With her signature blend of humor, history, and lively western romance, two-time RITA Award finalist and bestselling author Karen Witemeyer delivers a Texas love story sure to steal your heart."

I really enjoyed this book.  You can go here to read an excerpt and learn more about the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Baker Publishing Group and BethanyHouse through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund - a book review

As with many Christian romance novels, this one follows a predictable pattern. The heroine, Annalisa, is left widowed and penniless with a child to support and another on the way. In comes the handsome hero, Carl, ready to save the day. The difference with this book is how the author tells the story. She makes you feel like you’re a part of the story with her realistic descriptions of the surroundings and customs of the day.

From the publisher’s website:

“Michigan, 1880

Annalisa Werner's hope for a fairy tale love is over. Her husband failed her in every way and now his death has left her with few options to save the family farm. She needs a plentiful harvest. That, and a husband to help bring it in. Someone strong, dependable. That’ll be enough. A marriage for love...that's something she's given up on.

So her father sends a letter to his brother in the Old Country, asking him to find Annalisa a groom.

Then a man appears: Carl Richards, from their home country of Germany and a former schoolteacher--or so he says. He's looking for work and will serve on the farm until her husband arrives.

With time running out, she accepts his help, but there's more to this man than he's admitting. He's also gentle, kind, charming--unlike any man she's ever known. But even as Carl is shining light into the darkness of her heart, she knows her true groom may arrive any day.”

 

This story has it’s twists and turns and secrets. The characters are plentiful but not hard to keep track of and you get to grow along with them. Annalisa’s daughter is completely charming and you can’t help but love her. However, she seems very advanced for a two year old. Not very believable but still cute! The other thing I found a little disconcerting was the amount of physical intimacy between Annalisa and Carl. It made me a little uncomfortable with them not being married. It was still clean but went a little farther than I was expecting.

The characters rely deeply on their faith but the author isn’t ‘preachy’ about it. This is a story about history, customs, social issues like abuse and gambling, and Biblical principle of marriage.

The author includes, at the end of the book, a historical look at the events that she uses in the story.

Go HERE to read an excerpt and learn more bout Jody Hedlund.

I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

The Winnowing Season by Cindy Woodsmall - a book review

I’ve always loved Cindy Woodsmall’s books.  She has a unique understanding of the Amish that comes from her personal relationship with them.  Go to her website and check out her other books.

 This book is the second in the series, Amish Vines and Orchards.  Woodsmall includes a “the story so far” section at the beginning if the book in case you hadn’t read the first one. This was very helpful because without it you are kind of thrown into the story midstream.  The main characters are portrayed very realistically, flaws and all. 

From the publisher:

“The tornado that devastated Kings’ Orchard pushed Rhoda, Samuel, and Jacob to make a new start in Maine. Are they strong enough to withstand the challenges of establishing an Amish community—and brave enough to face the secrets that move with them?

 On the eve of their departure to begin a new Old Order Amish community outside of Unity, Maine, Rhoda Byler is shocked to discover that choices made by her business partner and friend, Samuel King, have placed her and her unusual gifts directly into the path of her district’s bishop and preachers. She is furious with Samuel and is fearful that the Kings will be influenced by the way her leaders see her, and not what they know to be true—that Rhoda’s intuition is a gift from God.

 Jacob King won’t be swayed by community speculation. He loves Rhoda, believes in her, and wants to build a future with her in Maine. But when the ghosts of his past come calling and require him to fulfill a great debt, can he shake their hold before it destroys what he has with Rhoda? Samuel has a secret of his own—one he’ll go to great lengths to keep hidden, even if it means alienating those closest to him. Throwing himself into rehabilitating the once-abandoned orchard, Samuel turns to a surprising new ally.

 Book 2 of the Amish Vines and Orchards series asks: can the three faithfully follow God’s leading and build a new home and orchard in Maine? Or will this new beginning lead to more ruin and heartbreak?”

This book is clearly written to be read in succession with the first and third books.  As much as I love her books, I was disappointed in how Woodsmall ended this one, or rather, how it didn’t end.  The reader is left hanging, with nothing much being resolved.  We still don’t know who Rhoda really loves, what all of her ‘visions’ mean, if the new community will survive, or what will happen with Jacob and his troubles from his past.  It does, however, leave you wanting to read the next one. Which, when you think about it, is probably the plan.  To be continued......when I read book three.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook Press  through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

All in Good Time by Maureen Lang - a book review

All in Good Time by Maureen Lang

 

This is the second book by Maureen Lang that I’ve read and is part of her Gilded Legacy series.  I didn’t really like the first one, so I was pleasantly surprised when I began reading this one and realized how much I liked it.  Her descriptions of the time period are so vivid, you feel you are part of them.  It combines romance, intrigue, mystery, deception and faith all intertwined with the social issues of the times.

This is what the publisher says:

“Dessa Caldwell has a dream: to open Pierson House, a refuge for former prostitutes in Denver’s roughest neighborhood. But after exhausting all charitable donations, Dessa still needs a loan, and nearly every bank in town has turned her down. Her last hope hinges on the owner of Hawkins National Bank.

Henry Hawkins has a secret: though he owns the most successful bank in town, his initial capital came from three successful raids on Wells Fargo coaches. Now he’s the most eligible bachelor in Denver, but to protect his criminal past, he’s built a fortress around his heart. Not even the boldest matchmaking mother can tempt him . . . until the day Dessa Caldwell ventures into his bank requesting a loan.

Though he’s certain her proposal is a bad investment, Henry is drawn to Dessa’s passion. But that same passion drives her to make rash decisions about Pierson House . . . and about whom she can trust. One man might hold the key to the future of her mission—but he also threatens to bring Henry’s darkest secrets to light. As the walls around their hearts begin to crumble, Henry and Dessa must choose between their plans and God’s, between safety and love.”

 Dessa works tirelessly trying to fulfill the dream of her late mentor,  Sophie Pierson.  She feels God has called her to continue Sophie’s quest and is very determined not to let anything stand in her way, including love.  As the story unfolds, Dessa and Henry are drawn closer together and we begin to see little cracks on their amour.  They both face dangers for different reasons but the author interweaves their stories so well that eventually you can’t tell where her story starts and his ends. 

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to her next one. There are discussion questions in the back that make it perfect for discussion groups, especially with the social issues that a major focus of the book.

 

Read an excerpt here.....

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Home in Drayton Valley by Kim Vogel Sawyer - a book review

From the Bethany House publisher’s website: 

“A dream of a better life...
A tragedy aboard a wagon train...
A tentative agreement...
Will it lead to love for two seeking hearts?

Hoping to escape the poor conditions of 1880 New York, Tarsie Raines and her friends Joss and Mary Brubacher and their two children set off for Kansas aboard an unusual wagon train. But when tragedy strikes on the trip across the prairie, Tarsie is thrown into a partnership with Joss that leaves them both questioning God and their plans for the future.

As their funds dwindle and nothing goes as planned, will they give up and go their separate ways? Or will God use their time in Drayton Valley in a way they never expected?”

I’ve said it before....I love Kim Vogel Sawyer’s books and I wasn’t disappointed by this one.  Having said that, I have to say, I would have liked to have had more background for the friendship between Mary and Tarsie.  I didn’t quite get why Tarsie would give her life’s savings to someone she didn’t really seem very close to. Once I got past that, I was able to enjoy the story.  Mary is such a sweet example of a submissive, hope filled wife, always believing that her husband, Joss, will find his way to God.  Joss comes across as a bitter, hate filled man.  I spent most of the first part of the book really disliking him, but there were hints of sensitivity and caring towards Mary, that suggested hope for his character.  Sawyer takes him on an emotional and spiritual journey that at times leaves the reader wondering where he will end up.  Tarsie is a spunky, corageous and moral young woman whose main desire in life is to follow God’s leading.

I love how Sawyer describes the conditions of the time period, from the dirty, crowded tenements of the city to rugged wagon train trail.

This book deals with struggles of that time period and many of the same issues we still deal with today, including predudice, alcoholism, and debt.  Sawyer shows us that God’s love can turn a life around and bring hope to a seemingly hopeless situation.

This is an exciting, emotional, and clean story of romance, forgiveness and redemption. 

You can read an excerpt on the publisher’s website,  http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/a-home-in-drayton-valley/323570.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House  through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano - a book review

A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano

I love a book that makes me chuckle as I’m reading it.  This one is full of “I love Lucy” type moments that kept me wondering what Eliza was going to do next.  I did, however, feel as if she were two different characters at times.  When she wasn’t finding herself in comical predicaments, she was very down to earth. 
 

From the publisher's website:

  “Lady Eliza Sumner is on a mission. After losing her family, her fiancé, and her faith, the disappearance of her fortune is the last straw. Now, masquerading as Miss Eliza Sumner, governess-at-large, she's determined to find the man who ran off with her fortune, reclaim the money, and head straight back to London.

 

Much to Mr. Hamilton Beckett's chagrin, all the eyes of New York society--all the female ones, at least--are on him. Unfortunately for all the matchmaking mothers and eligible daughters, he has no plans to marry again, especially with his hands full keeping his business afloat and raising his two children alone.

When Eliza's hapless attempts to regain her fortune put her right in Hamilton's path, sparks instantly begin to fly. The discovery of a common nemesis causes them to join forces, but with all their plans falling by the wayside and their enemies getting the better of them, it will take a riot of complications for Hamilton and Eliza to realize that God just might have had a better plan in mind all along."

While this book is publicized as Christian romance, I didn’t find it at all preachy.  I think even readers who don’t normally read Christian fiction but still enjoy a good clean novel, would like this book.   There’s mystery, danger, humor, and love all combined to make this a very enjoyable reading experience.  It is not a deep philosophical, intellectual book that makes the reader have to think too much.  I’m not that kind of reader.  I simply like to be entertained and feel good when the story is over.

 

I look forward to reading more from this author.

 

You can go to the publisher’s webpage and read an excerpt from the first chapter.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

 

His Love Endures Forever by Beth Wiseman - a book review

Beth Wisemen's 'His Love Endures Forever' is a story about two young people, one Amish, one an englisher , and how their lives and cultures collide.  Most stories about interaction between the two cultures involve an Amish girl falling for an englisher boy.  Leave it to Beth Wisemen to turn that around.  She brings us a story of a young girl who falls in love with a young Amish man.  The girl, Danielle, has suffered abuse at the hand of her mother and is taken in by an older couple, Martha and Arnold.  I loved these two characters!  Martha is a quirky, odd but loveable woman and Arnold is her tender and sensitive husband.
Danielle discovers that she is pregnant, but her Amish beau, Matthew, wants nothing to do with fatherhood.  In fact, he plans to leave the Amish and doesn't want to be tied down.  Danielle is prepared to raise her baby on her own but her best friend, another Amish young man named Levi, has his own suggestion. 
This story is about forgiveness, mercy, grace, faith, decisions, consequences and love.  As with most of Wisemen's books, once I started it I didn't want to put it down.  I love the way she draws you into the emotions of the characters.

From the publisher's website:
"An unplanned pregnancy. An absent father. Can love really endure all things?
Danielle Kent is anything but Amish. But as destiny would have it, she has fallen in love with an Amish man.
Now she’s 18, pregnant, and hopeful that the child’s Amish father—Matthew Lapp—will do the right thing and marry her. She knows Matthew plans to leave his Colorado settlement for a life in the Englisch world. But that plan never included a baby.
When Matthew walks away from her and their unborn child, she has nowhere to turn. Her unlikely friendship with Levi offers some comfort—yet they have so little in common. This wasn’t the plan she had for her life, and she has never felt so alone. She doesn’t want to be pregnant. Doesn’t want to be Amish. Doesn’t want to trust God.
And yet.
God has plans beyond what her mind can imagine . . . loving plans to show a lost young woman that His love never fails but endures forever."

This is the third book of the Land of Canaan series and I was glad to become reaquainted with some of the characters for the first and second books.

To learn more about BethWiseman and her books, go to her website.


I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookSneeze and Thomas Nelson through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

When Hope Blossoms by Kim Vogel Sawyer - a book review

This book is about a young Mennonite family who has recently lost their father.  Amy, the mom, decides it would be better for her three children to make a fresh start in a new place.  The house they settle in is next door to an apple orchard owned by a former Mennonite.  He does not like to be reminded of his upbringing and is not pleased to have them next door.  The author draws us into the characters showing us the good traits and the not so good ones.  I especially liked the way she captured the teenaged daughter's attitude.  As the story progresses, we learn that Amy and her family are not the only ones who have suffered loss and heartache, and we are shown how each person deals with it differently.  I found this story a little slow moving but still a tender and touching one. 

From the publisher's website:

"Amy Knackstedt hopes a new start in Weaverly, Kansas, will help heal the pain of losing her husband and provide a better future for her three children. But her new neighbor, Tim Roper, is not pleased to have an Old Order Mennonite family living next to his apple orchard. Tim left the Mennonite faith years ago and doesn't want any reminders of his former life.
Yet when circumstances throw Amy and Tim together, they form a friendship that surprises them both. Will past hurts always be a barrier between them, or will this tentative relationship blossom into something more?"

I received a complimentary copy of this book from BethanyHouse through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Look-ee what I made!!!

Three days a week I get the joy of babysitting for my precious granddaughter.  If the rest of my grandchildren were closer I'd love to get my hands on them regularly too!  We have such fun together And I love watching her discover new things and seeing her grow.  However, it's been about 25 years since we've had a baby in our home, on a regualr basis, around Christmas time and we were challenged to figure out how to keep her and our tree safe.  This is what I came up with. 

We made a trip to the local Home Depot and looked around but didnt see anything in the main part of the store that we thought would work.  Then, a very nice gentleman asked us if we needed help and I told him what we were trying to do. He suggested the gardening section and a decorative garden fence.  He remembered that they had had some that might fit the bill.  So, out we go to the unheated outdoor garden section. It was COLD!  We found some wood garden fence in sections that were a little shorter than what I had envisioned but we decided they would work.

After getting them home, my husband and I tried different configurations and plans on how to put them toether. I had origianlly wanted something that I could just fold up accordian style for storage. We quickly discovered that wouldn't work and still give us the semi-circular shape we wanted. So we settled in just hinging them together, end to end.  They'll take a little more room to store but now they make the shape we need.  At first I hinged only the top portion but after getting that done, I realized that it needed more stability, so I got out the handy-dandy drill and screw driver and hinged the bottom section too. Voila!!  Perfection -- sort of. Here's what I did .............
Drum roll please....................................................

I'm pretty proud of myself at this point and thinking, "Now I won't have to worry about her touching warm lights or tipping the tree over!!!

"

This is the way it's supposed to work..

 

However, I don't think little Toots got the memo......

She's such a smartie pants!!

 

 

So, back to the drawing board, looks like I'll have to add a rail across the bottom section.  Then we should be all set...should be....we'll see. We'll have another 'crawler' here at Christmas time also so I hope the new rail will keep her safe too.  

 

Merry Christmas to you and yours!  With all the hustle and bustle of the season, don't forget the real reason we celebrate .  God Almighty sent his baby boy to be born in a manger, to live, teach, heal, bless and then die for us so He could then save us. He gave us the most precious gift He could.  For those who recognize and accept His gift and vow to follow and obey Him , He gives the name Christian.  Friends, as good as you try to be, you can't call yourself a Christian and not agree with His teachings.  Think on that this Christmas season.  That's the REAL reason for the season!!! 

 

Love in Disguise by Carol Cox - a book review

This book was a fun book to read. The author creatively combines mystery, suspense, danger,  romance, humor and Biblical truth.  

When we meet the main character, Ellie, she is the personal assistant to a famous actress.  She dreams that one day she will also become a star. Unfortunately, she finds herself stranded and unemployed without any job prospects.  She uses the makeup and wardrobe skills she learned in the theater and ‘tricks’ her way into a job with the Pinkerton Detective Agency.  Her job is to go to the wild west mining town of Pickford, Arizona and try to discover who is behind robberies at the silver mines.  She disguises herself as two people, an elderly woman and her niece.  When one of the miners, Steven Peirce,  falls in love with the ‘niece’, her life becomes very complicated and she questions who she really is.  She wonders if he would love the real Ellie.  She also questions how Steven, an upright man of God, will react when he learns of her subterfuge.

I sort of had the thief figured out but wasn’t really sure until they are finally revealed.  The author keeps us guessing until the very end. 

This is what the publisher says:

“Can she solve the crime before they uncover her true identity?

Jobless and down to her last dime, Ellie Moore hears about a position with the Pinkerton Detective Agency and believes it's the perfect chance to put her acting skills and costumes to use. Reluctantly, the agency agrees to give her one assignment, one chance to prove herself. Disguised as Lavinia Stewart, a middle-aged widow, Ellie travels to Arizona to begin her investigation. When the need arises, she also transforms into the dazzling Jessie Monroe, whose vivacious personality encourages people to talk.

Mine owner Steven Pierce is going to lose his business if he can't figure out who's stealing his silver shipments. In his wildest dreams, he never expected to receive help from a gray-haired widow... or to fall in love with her beautiful niece.

Then the thieves come after Lavinia and Jessie. Ellie isn't safe no matter which character she plays! Should she give up and reveal her true identity? What will Steven do when he realizes the woman he's falling in love with doesn't really exist?

Set in 1880s Arizona, Love in Disguise blends romance, humor, and mystery for a can't-put-down read.”

You can  GO HERE to read an excerpt.
Take a few minutes and visit Carol Cox's website.

I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5. I would have given if 5 stars except I had a pretty good idea of who the culprit was, so it wasn’t a complete surprise when it was revealed.  I enjoyed the authors description of the landscape and the dialog between the characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House  through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Road Trip

     We just returned from a very special road trip.  Our oldest daughter and her soldier husband were just blessed with a new baby girl, from now on to be referred to as "the little peanut" or just "peanut".  We drove because, unless it's absolutely crucial, I don't fly.  Hate it!  It's not the actual flying that I don't like.  It's all the rigamaroll beforehand and the chaos of the airport that freaks me out.  Connecting flights, late flights, missed flights, rescheduled flights..... Bleh ! So, we drive,  or I should say, my husband drives. I ride, and if I must say, I'm good at it!  My husband doesn't like to read road signs, so my 'job' is to keep him informed of speed changes, exits, etc. This trip I had an added responsibility.  I was the official tire kicker. 
     Let me explain.....  Before we head out on one of these trips from the north to the south, through the mountains, we always have the car checked out, particularly, the brakes.  The report from the garage was positive - all systems go!  So, as is our usual tradition, we started out much later than I had planned - HOURS later -already I'm little cranky. We drove about 1.5 hours and then we noticed it.  The front passenger tire - squeak, squeak, squeak, and then a loud hum.  My husband pulled over.  We got out and P.U. It smelled bad!  So my husband did the only thing we could think of,  he kicked it! IT worked!!!  I held my breath, said a prayer and we continued on, after all, this was an important trip and could not be put off.  It was to happen about 6 more times on our trip. Sometimes my husband would just hit the rumble strips and it would stop, other times I got to give it a good kick. It was actually good therapy because I hate it when I think something's been fixed and it's not. I get a little grumpy. I don't like spending money for something and feeling like I wasted it,  Anyway...God was gracious and we made it there and back with no car breakdowns. 
     After driving about 8 hours, we stopped for the night at a place we'e stayed before, America's Best Value by Best Western in Beckly W Va.  ALL the non-smoking rooms were taken.  We were tired, so we took a smoking room.  It wasn't bad after the initial p.u. of smoke smell.  The clerk generously gave me the ---------- discount (I was so tired, I didn't even care what it was called). So, we find our room, open the door (p.u.) and schlep our bags in.  My husband immediately crawls into bed.  I make my way to check out the bathroom. I don't care if there is a hairdryer, microwave, iron, etc.  I do care if the bathroom is clean.  It was, thankfully.  Remember what I said about me not liking to feel like I've wasted money?  Well, I'm going to give you my honest opinion and observations and at times they might seem a little critical.  In the first place...I'm cheap!  I don't like to spend more than $75.00 for a room. and I don't think it's too much to ask that it be clean AND includes a decent continental breakfast.  If I have to pay more to go to a restaurant to buy breakfast, I feel cheated.  Anyway.... the carpet was stained and I wasn't really sure the sheets had been changed.  Now, I spent a couple of summers between college semesters, as a maid at a local motel.  I know what the sheets look like when they come out of the commercial dryers.  They are sreaming hot and if they're not folded right away, the wrinkles become sharp creases.  These sheets looked crumpled.  Maybe thats the way they are supposed to look but it made me a little leary, so I pulled back the covers and checked them out.  There were no obvious signs of previous use, so I gave in to the exhaustion and climbed in.  I like a soft mattress.  This was firm, but I think they all are. My husband, on the other hand likes a firm mattres, so he was completely comfortable. The room was quiet, and the bathroom clean. However, when we woke up the next morning, in the light of day, I noticed something nasty looking on my husband's blanket. I don't know what it was, but it looked like it had been there a while.  I don't even want to think about what it could have been and since we had been given a discount, I didn't feel like I should complain. I just made sure to really rumple the bedding and leave that 'thing' exposed where it couldn't be missed. They did have a decent continental breakfast.  Bagels, toast, cold cereal, oatmeal, boiled eggs, muffins, danish, milk, coffee, tea,  and juice.  (I'm probably forgetting something.).  As we head back out to the open road, I look through the receipts for gas, food, room, etc.  The discount ???  A whopping $3.00 !!!!  I should have complained.  CRANKY.
     We noticed the gas prices got cheaper the closer we got to Charlotte, NC.  We even noticed some advertised for $3.05 a gallon.  I think the cheapest we paid was $3.20 because we didn't pay cash. I hate it when stations do that!  We thought we were getting it for $3.15 a gallon but, not so.  I kept notes for the next trip.
     We finally reached our daughter's home in Georgia in the early evening.  I couldn't wait to get my hands on the 'peanut'.  So precious!! All arms and legs! Tiny little feet and hands and squirmy new-borness.  And such a content baby. 

     While we were there I was able to help my daughter get the nursery set up. Little peanut came 9 days early so things weren't as done as my daughter had hoped. We also did a little reorganzing in her office.  I did some laundry, kept the dishes done up and got to hold the peanut after she ate so Mommy could get some rest. My husband got to ride the John Deer mower and get their lawn mowed so Daddy could spend more time with his little girl before he headed back to work. We had a wonderful 5 days with them and leaving was hard.  Now that the peanut is here, traveling for them will be more difficult.  And, with our son-in-law's army schedule, it may be a while before they are able to come north, so we'll probably have to go south an extra time or two. 
     So, we head out on the road again.  We make a few wrong turns, take a wrong exit or two (obviously I wasn't doing my job very well) but get back on track, get out and kick the tire a couple of times.  We drive for 8 or 9 hours and finally stop for the night, this time in Wytheville, Va.  We've stayed  here before also. The Red Roof Inn.  I make the mistake of beginning my conversation with the desk clerk with "We saw your billborad advertising rooms for $49.99. We'd like one of those"  The clerk asks if we want smoking or non and I tell her "non".  Her response  "Oh, I'm sorry, all the non-smoking rooms at the billboard price are taken."  The only non-smoking rooms left are kings or suites.  Really?  Are you kidding me?  They must have a ton of smoking rooms because there weren't that many cars there.  (Next time, I'll begin with "We'd like the cheapest non-smoking room you've got" and after finding us one, I'll throw in the billboard thing). I asked for the AAA discount which the clerk cheerfully informed me saved me $20.00 off the room price.  In total, it was $77.00 for the night.  I already knew from our last trip that this hotel had the WORST continental breakfast (so we knew we were going to have to pay for breakfast somewhere - cranky).  Coffee, juice and muffins.  Not your normal sized muffins -  micro-muffins. The tiny snack size, about 1.5 inches.  However, the room was clean, quiet, neat and updated.  It had a microwave and mini-fridge.  No hair dryer or iron and the complimentary shampoo was a one-use foil packet, not your usual little bottle.  The bed, while firm, was comfortable for my husband but most of all it was obviously clean.
     We used the hot tire as an excuse to stop and take a gander at the New River Gorge.  My husband has wanted to do that for a while.  There is a scenic overlook that is just a short walk from the parking area.  There is also a wood stairway down to the bottom of the gorge.  The sign says that the walk down to the bottom is easy but the climb back up is 'strenuous' and that there are landings with benches for resting.  We opt out of the whole bottom of the gorge thing. We do, however walk to the overlook.  There is an impressive view of the frighteningly high bridge we just drove over and not so impressive view of tree tops.  The gorge is hidden amongt the trees. It was a beautiful day and a pleasant walk so not a complete waste of time.
     So, we're home. Thankful to the Lord for traveling mercies and a wonderful visit. We are greeted by an excited dog, hungry cat and very overgrown lawn.  Back to reality....and laundry.

Healing Hearts by Beth Wiseman: A book review

This is a collection of three previously published novellas. 

The first of the three, ‘A Choice to Forgive’ is centered around Lydia, a widow with three children. Her husband, Elam, dies after fifteen years of marriage.  His brother, Daniel, who had been shunned and living with the English, returns two years after his death.  Lydia was engaged to Daniel, but he left her with very little explanation.  His brother, Elam becomes her good friend and she eventually falls in love with him and marries him.  When Daniel, returns, he brings with him questions and secrets.  Lydia struggles with long lost feelings and we see her try to forgive Daniel. 

The second novella is ‘A Change of Heart’. This story is about Leah, a young woman who wants to be a writer.  However, young Amish girls are not encouraged in such endeavors. Leah’s father wants her to learn to be a good frau, but Leah has no interest at all in cooking, cleaning or sewing.  Aaron, a young Amish man, becomes interested in Leah and a romance develops.  There is conflict, love, mystery, humor and forgiveness in this story.  I found this to be my favorite of the three.  There is also a delightful character named Ruth, Aaron’s aunt, who left the community before she was baptized. She returns for a visit and adds some very humorous, touching and enjoyable moments.

The third story is ‘Healing Hearts’.  I have read this before in another collection. “Healing Hearts” is unusual in that the main characters are not a young couple discovering love. Rather, its about a married couple married for more than 30 years suffering from the empty nest syndrome and working to rediscover the love that they had when they were young. The husband, Naaman, has come home after leaving his family for a year.  His older children are not as forgiving as his younger children and his wife struggles with trying to be the wife she feels God wants her to be and her own feelings of doubt and resentment.  This is a story of forgivness and rediscovered love.

All three stories were enjoyable and uplifting.  They are easy, fun and clean reading and will keep you captivated until the end. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookSneeze and Thomas Nelson through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

From the Thomas Nelson web site:

Healing Hearts

A Collection of Amish Romances

Trade Paper

By Beth Wiseman

Three hope-filled stories about second chances, trusting your heart, and the power of forgiveness.

Healing Hearts—Empty-nesters Levina Lapp and her husband Naaman have no children under their roof for the first time in 30 years. When Naaman leaves to visit cousins in Ohio, Levina never expected him to be gone a year. Now that he's back, will they be able to move beyond this estrangement and rekindle the fire of the love they once shared?

A Change of Heart—Leah is a writer in a community that does not encourage such fruitless endeavors. She lacks the skills necessary to be a good Amish fraa—cooking, cleaning, quilting, and gardening. Aaron is aware of Leah's short-comings, but his heart is captured by this spirited young woman. Will Leah's role as an Amish wife and mother force her to set aside her creative life—or will Aaron make an offer she never dreamed was possible?

A Choice to Forgive—Lydia has loved two men in her life. Daniel, who disappeared one Christmas Eve long ago, leaving only a note saying he wanted to live in the Englisch world. And Elam, Daniel's brother, to whom she had been happily married for 15 years. When Elam dies, Lydia gives up on ever loving again. But she is shocked when Daniel wants to return to the Order and her life. Is there enough forgiveness in her heart to overlook the past and move into a future that could fulfill her dreams?

A Vision of Lucy by Margaret Brownley

A Vision of Lucy is the last book of Margaret Brownley’s Rocky Creek Romance series.  The main character is Lucy Fairbanks, a young woman ahead of her time.  She dreams of working as a photographer and having her photos published in a newspaper, but in the late 1800’s, women weren’t taken seriously in that profession. 

The book opens with Lucy climbing a tree in order to get a photo of the allusive and mysterious white wild mustang.  As she is perched in the tree with her camera she suddenly falls into a story....literally.  She falls out of the tree and on to the top of the Wells Fargo Stagecoach that is at that moment being held up by masked outlaws.  She is rescued by the reclusive, David Wolf, known by the local townspeople as “the wild man”.

 Lucy is constantly getting herself and others in madcap, zany and sometimes dangerous predicaments.  While I was reading this book images of Lucille Ball, Doris Day and Debbie Reynolds kept popping into my mind. I could envision any one of them playing the part of Lucy. 

At the beginning of every chapter there is a quotation from Miss Gertrude Hasselbrink.  Each quotation gives you a hint of what of what you can expect coming up.  My favorite was “When posing for a photograph, spinsters should avoid looking desperate or deprived. A serene smile will show that your circumstances are by choice and not for lack of beauty or character.”

I enjoyed reading this book and found myself wondering what Lucy was going to get herself into next. The mystery and tragedy surrounding David Wolf is an interesting contrast with the comedy and zaniness of Lucy.   However, while I found myself laughing along with Lucy and her antics, I feel like the sad and tragic moments were treated a little too frivolously, even comically in a few instances.

If you want a lighthearted, fun book to read with characters who are searching for God’s will in their lives, then you’ll like this one and you’ll probably find yourself chuckling out loud.

You can read the first few pages here :
http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1595548114&title=A_Rocky_Creek_Romance:_A_Vision_of_Lucy

This book is available at:
http://www.thomasnelson.com
http://www.amazon.com
http://www.cbd.com

I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookSneeze and Thomas Nelson through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Just Do It !

The more I read stories about the Amish, the more I realize how much we all could learn from their simplistic lifestyle .  I'm not saying we should all cut the electric to our homes, or sell our cars and buy buggies (although with the price of gas these days, that option is looking more attractive every day.....NOT!)
So, while I might not feel led to adopt many,  OK lets be honest, most, of their lifestyle choices, their concept of faith and reliance on God and His perfect wisdom is something so simplistic, I wonder why I struggle with trusting God as much as I do.  One of my favorite authors of Amish fiction, Kelly Long, recently lost a loved one.  She received some beautiful words of wisdom from an old Amish gentlemen.  After telling him about her struggle with her feelings of loss he asked her if she had hope. She answered that she did, and his reply sums up their belief in the simple manner in which they live their lives.  He said.."Then, have it!"  Or , in words we are all familiar with, Just do it!.
Go read Kelly's post, You won't be sorry.  It's something I hope never to forget.

Things I like Thursday

These people

And these people (my camera added that white blob....)

sparkle-ee snow

and these.......

go   here   to see more from Grape Country Candles........THE. BEST. CANDLES. IN .THE. WORLD.

My picket fence.... I know...it's old... that's what I like about it!

My thrift store and dollar store snowmen dishes

Love this! My Mom painted it!

And always  this!    God's word, His voice to us....powerful, healing, peaceful and always true.....

Other things I like:    my son-in-law's home roasted coffee (Get the hint Joel?)

                               my dishwasher

                               friends who plow our dirveway

                               my laptop

                              The Hallmark channel  (pre-Martha)

                              any dish that combines pumpkin and cream cheese

                              NCIS, Monk, Psych (don't get me started!)

Phew....that's all for now......................

Check back for my next book review, and it's NOT Amish, even though they are my favorite !

An Amish Love book review

An Amish Love – 3 Novellas by Kelly Long, Kathleen Fuller and Beth Wiseman

I live in a part of New York State with a considerable Amish population. It’s not unusual to hear an Amish buggy rolling down the road, or see one parked on the side of the road selling baked goods. I’ve always been intrigued by our obvious differences but until I started reading Amish fiction, I never realized what our likenesses are - our love of family and our faith in God just to name a couple.

I appreciate that most of the authors who write Amish fiction try very hard to be accurate in their depiction of their characters. Many are personal friends with the Amish community and they treat their characters with respect.

Anyone who reads Christian romance fiction expects a happy ending and these stories don’t disappoint. We leave each story happy and hopeful.

The three stories in this volume are independent of the others, but overlap and are connected by characters, places and happenings.

The first story is by Kelly Long. “Marriage of the Heart”, is the story of Abby, a spunky young woman, whose has grown up without her mother and Joseph, who has been living outside the community and has just been accepted back in. Abby tricks Joseph, by lying about him, into marrying her so that she can get away from her authoritative father. However, Joseph, her new husband, turns the tables on her and declares that they will live with her father. Sparks fly! Abby wants out, Joseph wants back in, deception throws them together, love sneaks in, secrets are revealed and faith binds them together.

“What the Heart Sees” by Kathleen Fuller, is the second offering. Christopher Miller’s fiancé is killed in a car accident and her friend, Ellie, is blinded. When Christopher goes against the doctrine of his Amish faith and tries to have the young Amish man, who he feels is responsible, arrested he comes under the bann and leaves to live among the English. He returns to the community desiring to be restored but struggles to forgive the young driver, Isaiah. Upon returning he discovers his sister has become engaged to Isaiah. His late finance’s best friend, Ellie, tries to encourage him to forgive and make peace, and through their friendship he discovers a stronger faith in God.

Beth Wiseman is the author of the last story. “Healing Hearts” is unusual in that the main characters are not a young couple discovering love. Rather, its about a married couple married for more than 30 years suffering from the empty nest syndrome and working to rediscover the love that they had when they were young. The husband, Naaman, has come home after leaving his family for a year. His older children are not as forgiving as his younger children and his wife struggles with trying to be the wife she feels God wants her to be and her own feelings of doubt and resentment. This is a story of forgivness and rediscovered love.

All three of these novellas have similar themes of spunky characters, comical situations, tender moments and sensitive intimacies. They are stories of love, loss, secrets, hope, courage, patience, forgiveness and a reliance on deep faith in God.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars only because I wish each story had been a longer, stand alone novel.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookSneeze and Thomas Nelson through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”