Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Monday, June 1, 2020
Historical Fiction Review: The Green Dress (True Colors) by Liz Tolsma
Book
Description:
Fiction
Based on Strange, But True, History
True, riveting stories of American criminal activity are explored through unique stories of historical romantic suspense. Collect them all (True Colors series) and be inspired by the hope that always finds its way even in the darkest of times.
True, riveting stories of American criminal activity are explored through unique stories of historical romantic suspense. Collect them all (True Colors series) and be inspired by the hope that always finds its way even in the darkest of times.
As Harriet and Michael close in on the answer, putting their own lives at risk,
can the cause be found before anyone else dies?
My
Review:
They
say that truth is stranger than fiction. In this case, truth written as fiction
is riveting. Liz Tolsma wrote a fascinating story based on the Robinson family.
The story of the Robinsons (true) related through Harriet and Michael's eyes
(fiction) draws together an interesting history of a true crime. At times I
thought I knew who and how the crime was committed, but then the author threw
in something that made me doubt. If you enjoy reading about true crime,
mystery, or historical fiction, you may want to give this series a try. Also, there
was a thread through the book I found intriguing. You'll have to read it to
find out what it was. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions
expressed in this review are completely my own.
Saturday, May 30, 2020
Covered With Feathers
Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Faithful
to the end.
My daughter, Maggie, raises chickens on their
little farm. A while back she added turkeys to her flock of birds. One in
particular grabbed everyone's hearts. They call him Bubba. He's a special
turkey who has adapted to his crossed beak, that works more like scissors than
a scoop, when he eats. As he's grown older, Bubba strives to be a social butterfly.
When I pull in their driveway, he hustles out to my car and walks me to the
door. But if Maggie is outside, he goes into protector mode. He has taken
ownership of their yard and his keeper. As soon as I get out of the car, he takes
a watchful stance between Maggie and me. If he could, I'm sure he would cover her with his
wing.
In the Psalm the authors often reference battles
and war. They sought refuge, a place to find solace, and recharge for the
battle. King David turned to God who promised to protect him.
In these times when I feel vulnerable and
uncertain, I seek the one who watches over me. Jesus covers me with his love
and grace, like a mother hen cuddles her chicks with her feathers, or a new
momma swaddles her babe. When I'm afraid, I talk to him. When I need help, I
seek him. When hope wavers, I look to him. His love has provided a fortress
where I can rest and recharge. The one thing I love more than anything about
God, He never changes!
He's always the same. His love never changes. And
he draws me to him as I struggle in this life.
Seek Jesus as your protection against a world of
grief and sin. He loves you and wants you to love him back.
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
And God Created Egrets
On one of our trips to Lake Erie, we stopped by the Port Clinton Lighthouse.
We walked along the beach and searched for lake glass,
then sat on a bench and watched the waves.
We were preparing to leave when I turned and
looked toward the two ponds that sit in front of the lighthouse.
A speck of white caught my attention.
As I moved closer to the water, an egret stood.
What a beauty. I am partial to these remarkable birds, with their graceful movements.
As with any of God's creation, I love to watch them and learn their ways.
Fun fact: they build their stick nests near the water, but high in the trees.
Fortunately, this bird was photogenic!
Saturday, May 23, 2020
Am I my Words?
James 3:17
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then
peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit,
impartial and sincere.
I
am my words.
When I worked at the library, I hung encouraging reminders
above my desk. Many of them have moved to my refrigerator since I retired. One magnet
I'd picked up at a book conference said, "You are your words." I
thought about that phrase a lot. People observe actions, which are important,
but in this world where we chat on social media my words speak for me. When no
one can see me—I am my words.
Recently, I attended an online writers'
conference. One of the speakers shared about writing on social media. She
encouraged us to determine our posting value and to filter our words through
these values. She mentioned three I also impose on myself. Be fun,
inspirational, and encouraging. One I'd add, teach Jesus' truth.
As a believer in the Bible and Jesus, I find
myself clinging to these values and seeking God's wisdom more than ever. You
see, I have opinions about the world, but do my opinions speak the wisdom I
seek from God. I have thoughts on what might be best, but would my ideas help
or hurt? Would they flame an unnecessary fire? James 3:5 says, "Likewise,
the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great
boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark."
I am my words. As I pen my weekly devotion, I have
to ask myself if my words help or harm. When I respond to a Facebook post am I
sharing good news or stirring an already boiling pot.
One thing I've learned and try to practice is to
pray before my fingers touch the keyboard. I'm not perfect, sometimes I forget, but I try to put
Jesus' wisdom before my own. Opinions are good, thoughts are great, and I value
freedom of expression. But I'm called by my Father to be considerate and kind,
a vessel for his peace and grace.
What values do you align yourself with? Seek God's
wisdom as you express your thoughts and ideas. He loves us and wants us to show Him to the world.
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Fiction Book Review: Carolina Breeze (A Bluebell Inn Romance Book 2) by Denise Hunter
Book Description:A jilted bride. A struggling innkeeper. And a romantic mountain getaway that
changes everything.
Rising Hollywood star Mia Emerson is looking for a
safe place to land in the wake of a public breakup and scandal, and she finds
it in the lake town of Bluebell, North Carolina—the location of her canceled
honeymoon. She wants nothing more than to hide and wait for the tabloids to die
down.
Soon after her arrival at the Bluebell Inn, Mia
meets Levi Bennett, who runs the inn along with his two younger sisters. Drawn
to one another from the start, Mia trusts Levi to keep her location from the
press, and Levi confides in Mia about the financial state of the inn—a secret
he’s been keeping from his sisters.
When Mia and Levi discover an old journal that
hints at a rare diamond necklace hidden in the inn, they set off on a treasure
hunt to find the long-lost heirloom. What they don’t expect to
surface are feelings they thought were safely locked away. Mia and Levi must
decide if falling in love again is too big a risk—or if it will uncover a
treasure of its own instead.
My Review:
Denise Hunter knows how to write romance. Her first book in the Bluebell Inn series satisfied readers with her sweet romance between Molly and Adam. Now Molly's brother finds himself smitten with the romance bug. Mia Emerson has hunkered down at the inn. Along with her, an entourage of excitement and craziness follows. Levi has always been the family member with the calm, cool, no-nonsense demeanor. Now he needs to figure out how all the emotions he experiences fit into his well-laid plan. I especially enjoyed watching Levi grow into himself and re-discover emotions he'd buried. I also liked Mia's determination to be herself in the midst of accusations by tabloids. Hunter created a sweet story that shines light on trust, support, and love. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Denise Hunter knows how to write romance. Her first book in the Bluebell Inn series satisfied readers with her sweet romance between Molly and Adam. Now Molly's brother finds himself smitten with the romance bug. Mia Emerson has hunkered down at the inn. Along with her, an entourage of excitement and craziness follows. Levi has always been the family member with the calm, cool, no-nonsense demeanor. Now he needs to figure out how all the emotions he experiences fit into his well-laid plan. I especially enjoyed watching Levi grow into himself and re-discover emotions he'd buried. I also liked Mia's determination to be herself in the midst of accusations by tabloids. Hunter created a sweet story that shines light on trust, support, and love. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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