May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Doctor-in-training Louisa Vaughn has no intention of remaining in Sweetwater Crossing. She's just there for a few days to help a friend. But she can't abandon the injured man she finds at the side of the road. Until his broken leg heals, she'll serve as the town's doctor and midwife. She may not be fully qualified yet, but surely she's better than nothing.
Josh Porter's plans to win his grandfather's challenge and fulfill his father's
final wish to gain full control of the family business hit a roadblock when he
breaks his leg. But his enforced stay in Sweetwater Crossing gives him new
ideas about the expansion of the company into new territory--ideas Louisa could
help turn into reality.
If only the town were more accepting of Louisa's talents! Someone is determined
to convince her to abandon her dream of healing others. Can Josh help her
uncover the person behind the threats before it's too late? And is there any
future for them together when neither of them plans to stay?
My Review:
I have enjoyed several Amanda Cabot books. This one included. In Against the
Wind, the author returns to Sweetwater Crossing where book one left off. In
book two, Louisa returns with no intention of staying until she finds a man by
the road who needs help. Josh Porter finds himself in this small town, a thousand
miles from home, unable to take care of himself. I love the tenacity of Louisa
and her caring and determined heart. She wants so much to be accepted as a
doctor in the small town, but fights against the opinions of others and some
tragic events. Josh wants to please his grandfather, but he's not sure it's the
best path for his life. With a strong faith thread, the two discover life is
filled with surprises, struggles, and difficult decisions. I enjoyed the story
and the characters. I received a free copy with no expectations, and opinions
are my own.
Book Description:
With a fulfilling job and a home of her own, former foster child, Merritt
Hastings, relishes her stable, respectable life. Dreaming for more is a sure
way for heartache. When a contested will turns her world upside down, she must
revaluate what’s important to her, what’s worth fighting for, and what’s worth
sacrificing.
Patience has never been Sam Daniels’ strong suit with his
history of acting quickly and asking questions later, and he’s ready for changes
in his life…now. Too bad the plans for acquiring a radio station didn’t include
a contract. Now he’s out of a job, out of a radio station, and out of prospects.
While his life is in flux,
at least he can help Merritt steady hers, or will he rush in and overstep
…again?
My Thoughts:
Dougherty has written a beautiful story full of emotion and heart. I love
learning as I read fiction, and this book opened my eyes to the life of Merritt
as a foster child and how difficult it is for kids who get moved around and
feel lost. As an adult, Merritt is thankful for the woman, Millie, who took her
in and loved her, but Millie has passed away and now Merritt has to deal with
Millie's ruthless relatives. Along comes Sam, who grew up with stability and
has dreams of owning a radio station. Merritt is practical while Sam is more of
a dreamer. She's not sure she can trust him, and he wants her to give him a
chance. I enjoyed this lovely story and all the great characters. If you want
to read a novel with charm, faith, and hope, read Forever Home. This is the
third book in the series and it can stand alone. I received a free copy with no
expectations.
Are you gathering your beach reads? Maybe your sit by the pool reads? Or summer reads under a shade tree. I hope you'll consider Home Away from Home, set in the summer on an island.
Order:
Amazon
Description:
Three friends. Two broken promises. One missing manuscript.
As a senior acquisitions editor for Fog Harbor Books in San Francisco, Ingrid Erikson has rejected many a manuscript for lack of defined conflict and dramatic irony--two elements her current life possesses in spades. In the months following the death of her childhood best friend and international bestselling author Cecelia Campbell, Ingrid has not only lost her ability to escape into fiction due to a rare trauma response, but she's also desperate to find the closure she's convinced will come with Cecelia's missing final manuscript.
My Thoughts:
The Words We Lost tells a story of friendship, love, and grief and how the
three twined together. Ingrid had stepped away from the life she knew after grief
and sorrow pushed her into a fog of confusion and despair. When she finally
returns to the only place she knew as home, a whole plethora of emotions throw
her into a search for a missing manuscript, along with a search into her heart.
Joel’s love for Ingrid is steadfast but shadowed by the past. As the two look
for their friend’s final piece to a wildly popular series, they discover
something far more important than Cece’s last fiction manuscript. This is a
thought-provoking story with a strong faith thread. I especially loved Ingrid’s
unique back story and the setting at a beautiful hotel on Washington’s coast.
And don’t miss the heart-rending story of Wendy, Cece’s mother. This is a book
to be savored. If you enjoy excellent story with strong characters I recommend
you read this book. I received a free copy with no expectations. Opinions are
my own.
Check out the conversation I had with my publishers about Home Away From Home, part 1.
Podcast with Penny Frost McGinnis
This beautiful children’s book, Odder, written in free verse is simply delightful. From beginning to end, Odder is one of those books that feeds the soul with joy.
As a fan of children’s literature, this is one of the best I’ve read in a while. It’s in a similar vein as another favorite of mine, Love That Dog. Plus, the cover is adorable!
P.S. Odder is not just for kids. Adults will love this story
based on true events.
5 stars.
I can say from my own writing experience, this is a conference I'll attend every year. I met my publisher and editor through this conference, It's a great place to network and learn from speakers who have been in the field of Christian writing for years, and you can attend in your favorite chair and comfy clothes.
What are you waiting for? Grab the early bird price!
Early Bird Price - $50 until April 1
Regular Price - $75 until April 30
Late Fee - $100 after April 30
Wouldn't you like to attend a reasonably priced online conference that has top
speakers, opportunities to network with other writers, and mentoring and editor
appointments for any stage of your journey whether you've just started writing
or are multi-published?
Register today!
.png)
Glancing left and right,
I crunched across the frozen weeds to the abandoned children’s home. I could
not afford to be spotted now. If only I could take a few seconds and snap some
pictures. The light from the early December sunset was perfect. Gashes of
blood-red light seeped through the clotted clouds, creating an ominous
background for the gray stone building that was rumored to be the scene of a
murder.
At the back wall of the home, I slung the strap for my
camera across my chest and climbed through an opening that once held a window.
I dropped to the bare ground, my long, dark gold braid catching on a loose nail
in the sill. I disentangled myself and crossed the dirt floor. The fire had burned
the wooden floor away. And the roof and the whole interior. The four stone
walls loomed above me like a medieval fortress as the sunset’s rays spotlighted
sections of the garbage-strewn floor.
I knelt by a large fireplace, straining to detect any
sound of psychics, ghost hunters, or thrill-seeking high school kids who had
come to catch sight of the ghost of Bella Rydell.
Nothing but a few caws from crows and sighs as gusts
of wind sailed through the empty window frames.
A lonely place. Very lonely, stuck on twenty acres of
unused county land.
Shaking off a shiver, I unzipped my down vest and
removed the two roses. I laid them on the rusty iron grate of the fireplace.
These would start everyone in the county talking
again.
I retraced my path to the window opening, hoisted
myself onto the sill, then sat suspended, my right leg swaying.
What was that?
Scrutinizing the naked trees, black against the
dimming sun, I held my breath.
Wind. Just wind, rattling the dried-up weeds. No
people.
Exhaling, I landed on the brittle grass and ran into
the woods. As I approached my battered, black truck, I took a few pictures. If
someone spotted me, I could say, with halfway honesty, I was out here capturing
the sunset.
An hour later, in my one-room apartment over Mrs.
Blaney’s garage, I warmed my hands around a mug of tea and stared at three
wrinkled envelopes.
Jason Carlisle. Walter R. Malinowski IV. Terence
O’Neil.
Those names on the envelopes were burned into my
brain.
I set down my mug, picked up my phone, and scrolled through
photos until I found my favorite. My mom and I stood on a beach in North
Carolina. She was in front since she didn’t even come to my shoulder. Her brown
hair had grown back long enough to mousse and brush back, and her cheeks had
filled out so the bones didn’t look razor sharp. I touched her beaming smile.
Mom,
I will do what you want. I promised. But I’ve got to do it my own way.
Since I’d placed the first pair of roses in the grate
on Halloween night, I’d gotten to know the men attached to the names a little
better.
But I still didn’t know which one was my father.
Or which one tried to murder my mother twenty years
ago.
Or if my father and her attacker were one and the
same.
Purchase link: Christmas Fiction off the Beaten Path
Chapter 1
I’M
NOT FOOLED, RAE. YOU’RE JUST LIKE YOUR MOTHER.
I
stared at the sheet of copier paper in my hand as the note fluttered in a gust
of January wind.
Really?
It had only taken three weeks for someone to hate me and my mom enough to leave
an anonymous insult?
Turning over the envelope, I saw my address was written in the same marker, same all-caps style. It was postmarked. I must have missed it when I grabbed my mail last night.
Shivering
on the miniscule landing to my apartment, I blew out a sigh, which formed a
little cloud in the freezing air. At least the idiot hadn’t crept up to my
mailbox in the dead of night. I shivered again, and it wasn’t from another
gust.
People
could hold a grudge in Marlin County, Ohio. I’d learned that in the last three
weeks since I discovered Mal was my dad and announced Bella Rydell was my
mother. The strained smiles, cold stares, conversations that didn’t get much
past “hello” and “I’m fine.” Mom had made a lot of enemies, but that was twenty
years ago. I’d told everyone who asked the story of how she’d been saved and changed
her life. Well, most of it.
I
shoved the piece of paper back in the envelope, tossed it inside my apartment,
and locked the door behind me.
Holding
my tripod and a roll of leftover bulletin board paper in one hand, I clutched
the strap of my backpack with the other and climbed down the icy steps to the
pad in front of the garage. Picking my way across Mrs. Blaney’s snow-covered
lawn, I pulled the keys to my ancient truck from the pocket of my down vest.
The Rust Bucket sat by the curb, draped in a thin layer of snow that couldn’t
disguise its demolition derby appearance.
After
ten cranks of the key, the engine caught. I grabbed the gear shift, and it
didn’t move. Not a millimeter. I hit the steering wheel. Not this morning.
Why this morning?
I
fished my phone out of the other vest pocket and checked the time. If I walked
fast and ran where it was safe on the slick pavement, I’d still make it to the
library on time. Although Mal had shown me how, I still couldn’t unjam the
gears without someone helping.
Grabbing
my backpack, and leaving the paper and tripod behind, I slammed out of the
truck. Some snow fell off. I wouldn’t have been surprised if both bumpers had too.
Avoiding
the slick sidewalk, I ran along the edges of the yards, heading
uphill to Main Street. In
Marlin County, if you weren’t going uphill, you were going downhill, sort of a
scaled down version of the West Virginia county Mom and I had lived in when I
was in middle school.
The
sun shone ice white in a clear sky so blue it looked like an illustration in a
hyper-cheerful picture book. But despite the sun’s dazzling appearance, not an
ounce of warmth made it to the hilly streets. I pulled my scarf over my mouth
and nose and held my arms tight against my sides. Maybe I should have taken Mal
up on his offer to buy me a proper winter coat.
I
zipped my vest to my chin. I hadn’t spent the past seven months figuring out
who my father was and if he had tried to murder my mom when she was pregnant
with me so I could live off of him. I was nineteen. I’d been on my own pretty
much since Mom’s last round with cancer. If I froze to the bone because my jean
jacket and vest only kept me warm above fifty degrees, fine with me. Nobody in
Marlin County was going to accuse me of being a manipulator. That’s what a lot
of people thought the daughter of Bella Rydell would be like.
Whoever
sent the note thought manipulation was an inherited trait.
My
left boot hit a slippery spot. I flung out my arms, steadying myself. With my
camera only wrapped in a towel in my backpack, I didn’t want to fall. Avoiding
broken bones was a good idea too.
At
the top of the hill, I passed the sandstone courthouse, decorated in icicles
like a giant wedding cake, glittering in the piercing sunlight. No time for a
photo shoot, although if I could capture the way the icicles glistened, it
could look like an ice castle in a fairy tale without any filters or photo
editing.
I
crossed Main Street, striped with white streaks of salt, followed Woodward
Avenue down along the side of the library, and turned into the parking lot.
Jill
Cerda, second-in-command and my boss when the library director wasn’t working,
tromped over to the employees’ entrance through piles of snow, her unzipped
coat flapping in the wind, her fine, graying hair dancing around her face. The
cold must not have bothered her. She had plenty of insulation—at least 200
pounds packed onto a body that was a lot shorter than my five-eleven.
I
assembled my professional smile, friendly but not too familiar. “Morning.”
The
slight tilt of her head might have been a nod back. Jill punched in the code on
the security keypad and sauntered inside. I hurried in as fast as I could
without running her over. Lowering my scarf, I drew in a deep breath of
unfrozen air, and my lungs appreciated it.
Jill
glanced at her phone. “Leandra is late.”
“She’s
not working today, ma’am. Leandra and Devon switched morning shifts, and Devon
won’t get here until after her girls head to school.”
“I
wasn’t informed of the switch.” Jill made a scolding noise with her tongue.
“Did they clear it with Barb?”
“I’m
sure they did, ma’am.” I took off my hat and fluffed my tangle of dark gold
hair.
“That
means you’re opening alone.” Jill aimed a finger at me. “You can’t goof off.
Keep your mind on your work.”
A
protest came to my lips, but I clamped them shut. Better to say nothing and get
away from her.
In
silence, we walked down the hall to the employees’ kitchen, flipping on lights
along the way. Three weeks ago, she wouldn’t have spoken to me like that. Since
she’d found out who my mom was, she hadn’t had a nice word for me.
I
hung up my coat on a rack, changed from boots to loafers, and put my lunch in
the fridge. From my backpack, I took out two books on photography I had to
return. I placed my backpack inside an empty cupboard. Leaving it by the coat
rack seemed a certain way to get my camera broken.
When
I entered the two-story lobby, the brilliant sunshine pouring through the tall,
narrow windows that faced Main Street almost made the overhead lighting
unnecessary. The harsh ceiling fixtures lit the room in a consistent, ugly
glare, killing the homey atmosphere the fireplace, overstuffed chairs, and
couch gave to the stacks and racks of books, magazines, and newspapers. But I
switched them on as part of opening procedures and smiled when they made almost
no difference.
Behind
the checkout desk, I turned on the computers and pushed the bin with items
patrons had dropped off overnight from the slot in the front wall. As I bent
over, my hair tried to blind me, and I lifted it up and back. So, it was going
to be one of those days when my hair was out to get me. Unless I braided it or
secured it somehow, I could never be sure it wouldn’t turn on me.
I
lifted a mass of books and DVDs from the bin. Could Jill have sent the
anonymous note? It didn’t seem like something a person in her fifties would do.
She would have been in her thirties when Mom lived here and preyed on any guy
with a decent bank account. Had Mom had an affair with Jill’s husband? But the
unsigned note indicated someone afraid of revealing his or her true feelings.
Jill had no problem showing me how much she disliked me.
I
had almost finished scanning in the materials when Devon Majors and her two
daughters, bundled to their eyes, rushed past the windows. I got the keys from
the drawer, went to the inner doors, unlocked them, crossed the tiny room with
the mat —what was the special name for this little room?—and opened the outer
doors.
Devon
waved to Liberty and Serenity as they trudged down Main Street. She ducked
inside and tugged off her knit hat. The sides of her long, dark brown hair were
pulled back in a series of braids, revealing the studs that lined the edges of
her ears and a glimpse of the vivid feathered serpent tattooed on the back of
her neck, while the rest of her hair poured over her shoulders like molasses.
“Rae.”
Jill’s heavy voice dropped from the balcony overlooking the lobby. “Have you
pulled the items for the hold shelf?”
“Just
about to print the list.” I hurried behind the desk.
“You
haven’t even printed it?” Jill sounded outraged, like I’d let the toddlers in
Storytime make a collage with broken glass.
“Rae’s
working alone this morning.” Devon looked up to Jill, shrugging out her red
parka. “I just got here.”
“I
know that.” She planted meaty hands on the black metal railing. “I’m not sure
the library can afford to have you come in after your daughters go to school,
Devon. Perhaps you’ll have to stick to the regular schedule like the rest of
us.”
A
fire leaped into Devon’s forest green eyes. She might have been more than half
a foot shorter than I was, but she never looked small, especially when she was
mad.
She
glared up at Jill. “Don’t you think—”
“Here’s
the list.” I waved the sheets. “We’ll get the items pulled and set aside in no
time, ma’am.”
“You’d
better.” Jill disappeared into the shelves of nonfiction adult books, the
floorboards creaking under her footsteps.
Devon
tossed a braid behind her shoulder. “I owe you. I was about to tell Jill what I
thought of her, and I can’t afford to lose my job.”
One
of the million things I liked about Devon was that she didn’t filter her words
or her feelings. I also liked that although she was thirty- two, she treated me
like a friend, not a kid. The only real friend I’d made in the county before I
discovered who my father was and that I had about 6,000 relatives.
“I
can’t afford for you to lose your job either.” I handed her half of the list.
“You’re one of the few people around here who doesn’t care that I’m the
daughter of Bella Rydell.”
“Don’t
let Jill, or anybody else, get you down.” She glanced at the sheets. “Everyone
will get used to the truth about you, and most of them won’t care. But that’s
one of the problems of living in a small town or a rural county like Marlin.
There’s not a lot of new blood moving in. It gives people time to hold on to
old wrongs.”
“Mom and I usually lived in small towns. It
was cheaper and safer than the city. But it was hard getting accepted.”
“Wellesville
is better than most in that area. I wasn’t sure how people would react to two
little girls who were half Native American in a county that’s ninety percent
white. When Shayne and I were traveling around the country, we never knew when
someone would take offense to his non- white bread looks. But, except for a few
losers, no one has made any nasty comments. The kids at school think it’s
cool.”
Devon
stepped closer and added, “Give it time, Rae. It’ll get better.”
I
rolled the hem of my sweater. “I don’t like how people treat Mal because of me.
Even people at church. I don’t want to cause him trouble.” “Your dad knew what
a storm he’d stir up if he acknowledged you. He’s an adult. He can take it.”
I
hoped she was right. I prayed she was right. Since early Christmas morning,
when Mal and I figured out he
was the only one who could be my dad out of the three men my mother had told me
were possible candidates, getting to know him and his family had gone better
than anything I had imagined.
My
stomach tensing, I swallowed hard.
I didn’t want to mess things up now.
Purchase Link: A Shadow on the Snow
I've read this beautiful story by Kathleen E. Friesen
and highly recommend Melody's Song.
Here's a peek at the first chapter:
A Christmas Blessing and click "Look Inside."
My review:
I
enjoyed this quick read. McNees writes a romance filled with hope that’s
perfect to set you in the holiday mood. Parker has social anxiety, something
many of us deal with, while Lauren is a social butterfly, with her eyes on the
wrong guys, until her friends dive in to help her out. McNees weaves the
holiday spirit with faith and hope to create a delightful Christmas story. I
purchased my copy. Opinions are my own.
What it’s
About:
A gifted trainer in a time women are not allowed to race, Nora Fenton prefers
horses to men. They're easier to handle, they're more reliable, and they never
tell her what to do. After her father's passing, Nora is determined to save her
struggling horse farm, starting with entering her prize colt into the harness
races at the 1905 Mississippi Fair. If she wins, she may have a chance at
independence. But when a stranger arrives and starts asking disconcerting
questions, she suspects he may have other motives than unseating her in the
training job that is rightfully hers.
Silas Cavallero will do whatever it takes to solve the mystery of his father's
death--even if it means training an unwieldy colt for Nora, who wants nothing
more than to see him gone. But when mysterious accidents threaten their safety
and circumstances shrouded in secrets begin unlocking clues to his past, Silas
will have to decide if the truth is worth risking ruining everything for the
feisty woman he's come to admire.
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading this well-written and thought-out story. Nora is a woman
before her time, living in the early 1900s when arranged marriages kept
families prosperous and women in the home. Instead of marriage, Nora has her
heart set on training horses and running the family farm. Silas, a man who
loved and lost his parents is out to find out what happened when his dad died. Nora’s
Uncle Amos is determined to fight against them both. The story has mystery,
romance, secrets, and an amazing horse. The Secrets of Emberwild will take you
on an adventure into the early days of horse racing. I’m a fan of Heartland, so
this book was a great read for me. I received a complimentary copy of this
book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I’ve invited author, Kathleen Friesen to visit my blog today. Kathleen lives in Canada and has been my critique partner for a while, now.
.jpg)
Let's start with a few quick get to know you questions:
Coffee, Tea, or Water?
Yes! I drink all of them, but not together. :)
Do you have a favorite song?
It’s hard to choose, but the first one that came to mind is Great
is Thy Faithfulness.
Do you have a favorite season?
Spring and Fall, but Summer in Saskatchewan is wonderful, too – not too
hot, and we get to go camping.
If you could
travel anywhere without worry about cost, where would you travel?
Health issues are an
even bigger consideration than cost, but if neither were a problem, I would
love to travel across Europe, to marvel at ancient, magnificent structures and
enjoy the beauty of lands that have been inhabited for thousands of years.
What genre do you
enjoy reading?
Christian Fiction is my favorite. Christian Romantic Suspense, Cozy Mysteries and intriguing non-fiction also draw me.
When you aren’t reading or writing, what do you like to do?
Interacting with
family and friends, learning – especially digging deeper into God’s Word,
gardening and baking
are great ways to spend time.
What is your favorite Bible verse? Why?
Depends on the need,
but I often turn to Romans 15:13, because we so desperately need hope. God is
the source of hope, and I’m forever grateful He chose me to be His child.
How can we pray for you?
I always need
clarity of thought, wisdom and heaps of encouragement. That I would continue to
be God’s vessel, whether in writing or anything else.
Kathleen's book Hearts Unbroken: embraces the aftermath of abortion in this story of faith, love, and abundant grace.
To Logan Rockwell, Paige Donnelly is his younger sister’s flirty friend—nothing more—until he rescues her from a horrific accident and yearns to be more than her hero.
Paige’s crush on Logan and dreams of catching his attention began years ago. Although the crash brought them together, her dreams died with a choice she’d made and would always regret.
Can Paige find forgiveness for what she feels is an unforgivable wrong? Can Logan be her forever hero, or will his ambition destroy their chance at lasting love?
Let’s talk
about writing:
What has been the
biggest challenge for you on your writing journey?
Discouragement,
especially when it comes to marketing. The whole concept scares me!
How long does it take you to write a book?
Anywhere from one to five years. It depends of my health, physical and emotional, as well as the busyness of life. Sharing good stories is a passion but not my livelihood.
If someone were reading your books for the first time, which book would you recommend they start with?
Either Melody’s Song or Hearts Unfolding, since they each begin a series. Melody’s Song is followed by Nila’s Hope and Redemption’s Whisper.
I believe you have a new release can you tell us about it?
Hearts Unbroken, book 2 in the Rockwell Chronicles, is my new release, and it shares Logan Rockwell’s and Paige Donnelly’s story. Paige has had a crush on Logan for years, but a choice she made has destroyed her dreams of ever being worthy of love. Hearts Unbroken deals compassionately and honestly with the touchy subject of abortion and its aftermath.
Hearts Unbroken releases in e-book form July 1, 2022, and I hope to have the print version ready a month later. I’m also re-releasing the first book in the Rockwell Series, a second edition with a new cover. That’s supposed to happen this summer also. When they’re all ready to go, I plan to have a sale on both!
Do you find yourself returning to a similar theme in your novels or do you have a new message with each release?
In each of my books, faith, forgiveness and hope are vital, and I love watching my characters grow to realize that God is waiting to heal their brokenness.
Is there a certain Bible passage or verse that goes along with the theme of your book?
2 Corinthians 7:10 talks about the difference between a godly grief that leads to repentance and salvation and the worldly grief that can lead to death – such a vital difference! Paige needed to learn this lesson.
Ephesians 1:7 goes with the theme, too: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
Did you enjoy creating one character more than another? If so, why?
Because Paige was a troubled character, I loved watching her
grow, but I’d have to say I enjoyed Logan more. He appeared in Hearts
Unfolding, and this story gave me the chance to get to know him better.
If you could be any of your characters, which one would it be? Why?
Tough question! I guess I’d love to be more like both Miss Glorie and Stacey Rockwell. Their wisdom and compassion inspire me.
How do you select the names of your characters?
I look up baby names for the years they would have been born and try them out. Some I have changed mid-story, because the original names didn’t fit their emerging personalities.
Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
I never considered doing that, but it’s an intriguing idea!
Thank you for joining me today!
I’m excited about your book and can tell readers I enjoyed Hearts Unbroken. I love how Paige and Logan’s story begins and ends. The way God’s love and forgiveness works through Paige and Logan’s life is beautiful. Kennedy’s little boy, Levi, is a favorite of mine, he’s a sweet boy with a caring heart. Kathleen has written a wonderful story of forgiveness and starting over as Paige walked the path of grief and redemption.
Book
Description:
Megs Devonshire sets out to fulfill her younger brother George's last wish by
uncovering the truth behind his favorite story. The answer provides hope
and healing and a magical journey for anyone whose life has ever been changed
by a book.
1950: Margaret Devonshire (Megs) is a seventeen-year-old student of
Despite her
fear about approaching the famous author, who is a professor at her school,
Megs soon finds herself taking tea with C.S. Lewis and his own brother Warnie,
begging them for answers.
Rather than
directly telling her where Narnia came from, Lewis encourages Megs to form her
own conclusion as he slowly tells her the little-known stories from his own
life that led to his inspiration. As she takes these stories home to George,
the little boy travels farther in his imagination than he ever could in real
life.
Lewis’s
answers will reveal to Megs and her family many truths that science and math
cannot, and the gift she thought she was giving to her brother—the story behind
Narnia—turns out to be his gift to her, instead: hope.
My Thoughts:
Once Upon a Wardrobe took me on the most amazing journey along with Megs
and her endearing brother George. What a wonderful visit with C.S. Lewis and his
brother Warnie. It's 1950 and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe has
just been published and eight-year-old George requires answers to the questions
he has about Narnia and Aslam, and Megs is determined to find them. Patti Callahan has penned a beautiful work of
art with her storytelling, characters, and adaptation of C.S. Lewis world in
Oxford. If you are a fan of Lewis, Narnia, or excellent literature, you'll love
this story. I plan to read it again and to read Callahan's Becoming Mrs.
Lewis. I highly recommend this lovely story. 5+ stars. I purchased my copy.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Description:
Dr. Ivy Collins, founder and CEO of Hedera, Inc., is ready to begin clinical
trials of her company's cutting-edge prosthetic. Her work has been heralded by
government, medical, and advocacy groups and everyone hopes the device will be
a success. Well, almost everyone. Someone is trying to sabotage Hedera and the
launch, but to what purpose--and how far will they go to get what they
want?
Meanwhile, U.S. Secret Service Agent Gil Dixon can't believe he's finally been
reunited with Ivy, his childhood best friend. Now that he's found her again,
Gil intends to spend the rest of his life with her. But it will take all his
skill to uncover the truth in time to save Ivy's life's work, her own life, and
the innocent lives caught in the crossfire.
Perfectly balancing chilling suspense and uplifting romance, award-winning
author Lynn H. Blackburn delivers a story of revenge, greed, and overcoming
that you won't want to put down no matter how late it gets.
My Thoughts:
Blackburn always brings the action and intensity. Gil and Ivy knew each other
as children and vowed to never part, but circumstances tore them away from each
other. Now they meet again under extenuating circumstances. The threats toward
Ivy force Gil to protect her, whether she wants him to or not. I love that the
story brings out how greed and revenge can destroy a person's heart and how
good wins over evil. Gil and Ivy's story is sweet and intense and the
friendship of all the agents is uplifting and encouraging. If you enjoy
suspense, Blackburn is for you. I received a complimentary copy of this book.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
