Book Review: What Follows After by Dan Walsh

Back Cover Summary:

In October 1962, Colt Harrison and his little brother, Timmy, hatched a plan. They would run away from their Florida home, head for their aunt's house in Savannah, Georgia, and refuse to come home until their parents got back together. But things go terribly, terribly wrong. Colt's mother and father must come to grips with years of neglect and mistrust in order to recover their beloved sons, their love for one another, and their broken marriage.

I loved this well-written page-turner written by an author who goes right to the heart of the story. Dan allows the reader a peek into the present, then sweeps them into 1962. I would have been five years old when the story took place. The memories I have from that era are confirmed by his thorough research and well painted picture of the times. He incorporates the American Dream, of those times, and the views on family and life as he tells the story of a broken family and their journey to recovery.

I finished the book in two days, which is rare for me. As a reader, I sometimes struggle with books written by male authors, but Dan has his finger on the pulse of the characters' emotions as he places them in a world of fear, faith, and love. If you enjoy well-written, fast-paced stories about family and faith, read What Follows After. Five + stars.

Waiting for Spring

Every garden needs a little gnome. He's patiently waiting for spring.

Summer of Joy by Ann. H. Gabhart

Summer of Joy

Summary from back cover: 

For Jocie Brooke, the summer of 1964 certainly was eventful, but it's nothing compared to what's coming to Hollyhill, Kentucky, and the Brooke family next. The past is coming to call, threatening to destroy the relationships that everyone thought were so strong. Two people--one thought to be gone for good and the other no one's ever heard of--are making their way to the small town. And it promises trouble for everyone.

Review:

Ann Gabhart spins a pleasing tale of family, love, and small town life in Summer of Joy. Set in the 1960s while men go to Vietnam and the Beetles sing about love, David balances work, a congregation and an eclectic family. Leigh loves David and wants more than anything to join his lovable clan.

Hollyhill is full of quirky and lovable characters layered with lives of complication, compassion, and faith. I enjoyed meeting each one and watching them bloom. Ann does an amazing job creating the people in this small town. From young Jocie, the local archivist and wanna be journalist to Zella, romance reader and top notch Christian, readers will love the entertaining story lines as the folks are intertwined in each others’ lives. I enjoyed stepping back in time to a slower pace. Grab a cup of coffee and slip into this touching story, sprinkled with comedy and suspense.

Photos from http://www.annhgabhart.com/index.html

Spring!

Little Flower Bed

Little flower bed--
buried in brown leaves,
dead stems, and wilted fingers--
longs for bursts of fuchsia, gold,
India green and tangerine.

Melted snow
saturated the soil. Woke the roots.
The black-eyed Susan babies
(a friend shared last year)
race to break through.

My little garden dreams
of spring. Fresh buds, rubber-red peony sprouts,
gray lavender, drooping columbine,
jewel toned zinnias.

Soon, little garden, soon.

Honored to have an article in Southern Writers magazine

My article "Always a Tourist" is featured in the March/April issue of Southern Writers magazine.

A Stroke of Art

If you live near a city or an artsy town, you may have visited studios hosting painting parties. Friday evening, two of my daughters, my niece, and I spent the evening at Stroke of Art where art is a party. The cozy studio tucked into a corner in Withamsville, Ohio hosts painting parties, special events and art for children.

Our Instructor Carrie

When we arrived, our instructor, Carrie, greeted us with a kind welcome. She set us up with easels, canvas, paints, water, brushes and pallet knives. As a group, we selected the painting we wanted to create. Even though we followed the same idea, our choice of colors and our personal styles made our finished art unique.

As much as I appreciated the perfect set-up with generous supplies, I loved the laughter, encouragement and camaraderie with the girls. We snapped pictures, reminisced, admired each other’s work and just enjoyed being together.

No matter your ability, I highly recommend this fun experience.

Do you have an art studio where you can paint or have an art party? If you do, please share.