A Wonderful Place to Be

I can't remember a time when I wasn't enamored with books.

Stories offer somewhere to go when you stay home.

They share adventure, mystery, love, and so much more.

When I open the pages of a book, imagination ignites and 

I travel on journeys I'd never take, otherwise.

Whether reading a book or writing one, I'm thankful for stories.

What kind of books do you enjoy?

 

An Adventure of Obedience

Psalm 128:1
Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
who walk in obedience to him.

Obedience to God is an act of faith.

For as long as I’ve walked with God on my writing journey, He’s only asked one thing of me—to be obedient. With every word I’ve typed, class I’ve taken, conference I’ve attended, He has opened doors for me to walk through. Mind you, I didn’t have to step through any of them. The free will He gives us to choose our own adventure could have kept me from the journey He planned. And at times, I know I stepped off the path, but He waited patiently for me to turn around and seek Him again. You see, I had a dream to be a writer, and I prayed about my desire. I had no idea where the journey would take me, but I knew God walked with me.

He’s my writing partner. The One who knows my every thought and prayer. He understands my heart’s desire and He’s given me the tools to follow my dream. I know this because He’s the one who placed the dream on my heart from the beginning.

Scott and Lori Conley had a dream to provide food to children, offer scholarships for camp, and provide pillows to kindergartners. They prayed about the possibility of beginning a ministry to empower children and provide for their unmet needs. Lori and Scott got the program off the ground with much prayer, and Empower Youth soared. Since then Lori has made her way to heaven, Scott remarried, and the dream has continued. Even though Lori is in her heavenly home, Scott has remained obedient to God’s call.

We don’t know where our passions might lead. I pray my words encourage and bring hope. I know Empower Youth feeds the hungry both physically and spiritually.

My question now is, do you have a dream, a desire, a passion you want to pursue? Is it something God has placed on your heart? Pray, read the Bible for guidance, and seek people who will encourage you and give you wisdom, and be obedient.

Have faith in the One who created you for your adventure.

Historical Fiction: A View Most Glorious by Regina Scott (American Wonders Collection Book #3)

Book Description:
Reluctant socialite Coraline Baxter longs to live a life of significance and leave her mark on the world. When her local suffragette group asks her to climb Mount Rainier to raise awareness of their cause, she jumps at the chance, even though she has absolutely no climbing experience. If she can do it, any woman can do it. And after her mother issues an ultimatum--that Cora marry the man of her mother's choosing if she is not successful--Cora must do it. But she can't do it alone.

Noted mountain guide Nathan Hardee initially refuses to help Cora, but has a change of heart when he sees what is at stake. He knows enough about the man Cora's mother has chosen to know that the headstrong young woman should have nothing to do with him, much less marry him.

Climbing Rainier will require all of Cora's fortitude and will lead her and Nathan to rediscover their faith in God and humanity. These two loners make unlikely partners in righting a wrong and may just discover that only together is the view most glorious.

My Thoughts:
Coraline Baxter has spunk and purpose. She's level headed and adventurous, qualities that go against her society upbringing. Nathan Hardee is hardworking and thoughtful, yet he's fallen from the grace of society because of his father. Mount Ranier, the star of the story, shines as a beautiful creation to be respected and admired. When Coraline's step-father hires Nathan to lead them on a climb to the summit, Nathan isn't certain it's a good idea, but Coraline has plans and is determined. Coraline's mother adds another layer to this delightful story. She's a lady in the societal sense of the word. Her daughter climbing a mountain leaves her spinning. Oh, and there is a potential suiter for Coraline. Let me say, he's not the nicest guy in town. Regina Scott has spun an enjoyable tale of determination, faith, and courage. I've read all three of the American Wonders Collection and loved each one. If you enjoy adventure, history, and romance you'll love A View Most Glorious. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Spirit Leads Me

Psalm 143:8-10
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.
Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,
for I hide myself in you.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.

Oh the adventures we shared.

As kids, the neighbors, my cousin, and I played in the creek across the field. We couldn't resist the challenge of crossing from one bank to the other. We'd climb across fallen trees and try not to tumble into the not so deep water. We'd clamber over the slippery rocks

and balance on wet moss and rocky surfaces. One slip of the foot and we'd splash in the creek or maybe injure ourselves. But we climbed anyway. If we didn't challenge ourselves to conquer the creek, one of us would dare the other.

What I remember most—we weren't afraid. We took the challenge. We knew if we fell, one of our friends would help us up.

Seems like the life we live these days resembles the climb over slippery, uneven rocks. Jagged stones fill our paths and fallen trees offer a way out, but they may be dangerous, too.

With all the uncertainty, disagreements on how to move forward, and frustration over the changes life has taken, I have to trust God. Or I'd fall apart. Or worse tumble into the cold waters of fear. Believe me when I say, "COVID-19 is a scary uncertainty. The divide in our country frightens me." Yet I know I can face my fears and stare them down; because I trust in the one who will lead me away from the rocky terrain and take me to level ground. The Holy Spirit is working amidst all the chaos. He's holding my hand and giving me hope.

I love that I have God to trust in, Jesus to cling to, and the Holy Spirit to guide my way.

Trust God with the difficult stuff.

Fiction Review: The Peasant's Dream by Melanie Dickerson

Book Description:

In this reverse Cinderella story, a poor farmer’s son, who dreams of using his talent as a woodcarver to make a better life for himself, falls in love with a duke’s daughter and must fight for a chance to win her heart.

Adela is the youngest daughter of Duke Wilhelm of Hagenheim and is never allowed outside of the castle walls. She loves her family, but she sneaks away one day to the market in the town center. There she meets a handsome young man and wonders what it might be like to fall in love with a poor farmer with a kind heart instead of marrying the man her family is suggesting for her.

Frederick earns the income for his family and defends his mother from his father’s drunken rages. He also uses his talent and creativity to carve figures, animals, and scenes into wood, and he's asked to carve these scenes into cathedral doors when his talent is noticed. Frederick is inspired by the sweet and beautiful Adela, but he has no knowledge of her true identity. When he gets swept up into a plan to kidnap the duke’s daughter, both are shaken by what they learn about the other.

With the heartbroken Adela resigned to an arranged marriage with her noble suitor, Frederick must decide what he’s willing to risk for love.

My Review:
Be ready to swoon. Dickerson has created a beautiful fairy tale featuring a kind-hearted young man who wants nothing more than to provide a better life for his mother and sisters. Then he meets Adela, the lovely daughter of a duke. With elements from the Cinderella story, she's woven a delightful tale filled with adventure, chance meetings, deception, and of course love. The Peasant's Dream is book 11 of the Fairy Tale Romance series. I loved the setting and the story. This book made me smile, laugh and fret. If you enjoy fairy tales, or beautiful love stories, pick up a copy of The Peasant's Dream and drift off to another world and time. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A Little Country Ingenuity

I love rural America.

Growing up, we lived in the country surrounded by farm land. On any given day a tractor might scuttle by the house. So when my husband sent me this photo recently, I had to smile.

Tim shuttles books from library to library in our county. We'd had some snow and ice which made me a bit concerned about his travels. He managed to drive between branches without any problem. At one of the southern-most branches that had more snow, he snapped a picture in the parking lot. An older lady had journeyed across the ice and snow on her tractor, with a heated cab, because she didn't want her books to be overdue.

I've worked in libraries for twenty-four years. Her ingenuity touched my heart. If only we could all muster up the responsibility to be that conscientious.

If you're raising children, teach them to be thoughtful, adventurous, and practical like the woman on the tractor. They'll live a better life for it.

Children's Book Review: A Chameleon, a Boy, and a Quest by J. A. Myhre

About the book: 

Mu, a ten-year-old orphan, has lived his entire life in the heart of Africa. For as long as he can remember he has served in the household of a great-uncle where he is unloved and ignored. In his drudgery-filled life, Mu has little hope of happiness, and little hope that anything will ever change.

But one day, everything does change. On his way to draw water one morning, Mu is astonished when a chameleon greets him by name and announces that they will embark on a quest together. And what a quest it turns out to be! Mu faces danger and finds unexpected allies as they journey through a fascinating and ever-changing landscape.

My Review:
My favorite character in the story is a chameleon named Tita who guides Mu through the mountains and valleys of Africa. The two encounter natural elements that hinder their path as well as evil soldiers. They also find animal friends along the way. I wanted to like this story because it does introduce the reader to Africa. And the adventure is great. But I cannot endorse this book due to a violent scene, I found unnecessary, even though the purpose is explained at the end of the story. If you buy this book for a child, please read it first and see what you think. 

I received this book in exchange for a fair review.

About the author: 

J. A. Myhre serves as a doctor with Serge in East Africa where she has worked for over two decades. She is passionate about health care for the poor, training local doctors and nurses, promoting childhood nutrition and development, and being the hands of Jesus in the hardest places. She is married to her best friend and colleague Scott, and together they have raised four children for whom many of her stories were written as Christmas presents.

Find Jennifer online: website

Book Review: Channing O'Banning and the Turquoise Trail by Angela Spady, Illustrated by Tammie Lyon

Channing O'Banning loves to draw. No matter what she's doing, she's prepared to pull out her colored pencils and pad and sketch a picture. Author, Angela Spady has used her experience as an award winning teacher to create a delightful fourth grade character readers will love. In Turquoise Trail, Channing and her family head west to search for dinosaurs, learns about Native Americans, and solve a mystery. In the mean time, she learns more than she ever imagined.

How refreshing to read about a child who wants to learn about the world around them through art. Tammie Lyon's sweet illustrations bring Channing's imagination to life. I've given a copy to my granddaughter and highly recommend the series to any child who likes the Magic Tree House books. Channing's friends Maddy and Cooper make the story interesting for girls and boys. This is second in a series of chapter books and a winner of the gold Immy award.

Find more information at: channingobanning.com

I received Channing O'Banning and the Turquoise Trail from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.