Chapel Springs Revival by Ane Mulligan

I read the most delightful and hilarious book I’ve read in a while. Ane has created a wonderful array of characters in the small town of Chapel Springs. I’m a huge fan of Gilmore Girls and I have to say Chapel Springs reminds me of the southern version of Stars Hollow. And what would Claire do without her dear friend Patsy, who had troubles of her own. Claire’s dilemmas both warmed my heart and made me laugh out loud. I chose to read Chapel Springs Revival as I recovered from surgery. It was the perfect medicine.

Pay Attention

Knee replacement has given me a new perspective on what it means to pay attention. Being temporarily disabled, I've had to use a cane and a wheelchair. The cane slows me down, so I tend to appreciate the weather, the solid sidewalk, and the the outdoors in general a lot more. I've always been thankful for my surroundings, but going at a snail's pace makes me much more alert to what's around me.

Then there's the wheelchair. I used one when I went to the grocery store or any other big box store. When I shopped, previous to surgery, I tried to be aware of what was around me. I never wanted to step in front of someone else or get in the way, even though I probably did. Now from the perspective of a child's height, in a chair that I had to guide, my eyes were opened to the difficulty that comes from other people not seeing what's around them. People cut in front of me, or overlooked me and pushed past. Not everyone, but most. I did have a young man offer his help as well as an employee. And of course my husband. Then there were the items on out-of-reach shelves, especially the lower shelves. When the cans were pushed back I couldn't see them, let alone reach them by myself. Although I could stand to reach the top, many people can't.

Another observation I discovered is that many people who use the chairs have invisible disabilities. I tend to believe if someone is in a chair, they need to be. As soon as I am back on my feet, I'll offer my help. If people want it great, if not that's fine too.

My purpose in writing this little rant is to bring to attention the need to "pay attention." Be aware of surroundings. See who's beside you. Know what's going on. Offer a hand. Get out of the way. Be polite and compassionate. Just pay attention!

Desperate Measures by Christy Barritt

Christy Barritt has once again penned a heart-racing thriller. As soon as I opened the first chapter, I knew I was in for a roller coaster of emotions, surprises and excitement. And she did not disappoint. In this romantic suspense, the perfect hero steps in to rescue the heroine. But he doesn’t know why or what he’s in for. One of the things that shines through Christy's books is the amount of research she’s put in to make the details accurate and the story believable. I love the thrill of the chase, the tension of the romance brewing and the endless doubt that anything will work out. Most of all, I enjoyed the satisfying ending. If you enjoy suspense, you'll want to pick this one to keep you up at night. If you're new to the genre, this is an excellent choice to introduce yourself to it. I highly recommend Christy's new book, Desperate Measures.