Fiction Review: On a Coastal Breeze (Three Sisters Island book 2) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Book Description:

For Madison Grayson, life is good. Newly licensed as a marriage and family therapist, she can't wait to start her practice. Despite the unfortunate shortage of eligible bachelors on the island--they're all too young, too old, or too weird--Maddie feels like she's finally found her sweet spot. Not even one panic attack in the last year. Not one.

And then Ricky O'Shea drops in. Literally. Floating down from the pure blue sky, the one man in the world she hoped never to see again--the one who'd been her archnemesis from kindergarten through her senior dance--parachutes into town, landing on Boon Dock, canopy draping behind him like a superhero. Ricky O'Shea. Now Pastor Rick, the new minister on Three Sisters Island.

Time to panic.

My Review:
The Three Sisters Island series continues. In book two, Maddie is finding her footing and setting up her counseling practice. She loves God and her family and wants balance to her days. But, Ricky O'Shea, a boy she had a love/hate relationship with, for years, drops back into her life. Maddie's not perfect, she's made mistakes and those memories, just might take her over the edge. But has Ricky changed? I enjoyed visiting Three Sisters Island again, Suzanne Woods Fisher catches us up on what's going on with the rest of the family and how Camp Kicking Moose has improved. This is a great series, set on an island off the coast of Maine. Maddie's story is one of doubts and pain, forgiveness and fresh starts. Kick your feet up and visit the island for a few days of relaxation. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Historical Fiction Review: A Mosaic of Wings by Kimberly Duffy

Book Description:
It's 1885, and all Nora Shipley wants, now that she's graduating from Cornell University as valedictorian of the entomology program, is to follow in her late father's footsteps by getting her master's degree and taking over the scientific journal he started. The only way to uphold her father's legacy is to win a scholarship, so she joins a research expedition in Kodaikanal, India, to prove herself in the field.

India isn't what she expects, though, and neither is the rival classmate who accompanies her, Owen Epps. As her preconceptions of India--and of Owen--fall away, she finds both far more captivating than she expected. Forced by the expedition leader to stay at camp and illustrate exotic butterflies the men of the team find without her, Nora befriends Sita, a young Indian girl who has been dedicated to a goddess against her will.

In this spellbinding new land, Nora is soon faced with impossible choices--between saving Sita and saving her career, and between what she's always thought she wanted and the man she's come to love.

My Review:
This intriguing story unfolds like butterfly wings. As Nora fights to make a name for herself in the scientific community and struggles to find her footing in the male dominated world of entomology, she discovers what it means to make difficult choices. Duffy's mastery of words and in-depth research weaves the beautiful and the arduous together like a stunning tapestry, as Nora finds her way. The author uses technical names for the creatures Nora encounters, which adds to the picture of Nora's beautiful, intelligent character. I enjoyed the push and pull between Nora and Owen and the gorgeous settings of both Ithaca, NY and India. If you love adventure, romance, and women's fiction, you'll want to read A Mosaic of Wings. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fiction Review: The Summer House by Lauren K. Denton

Book Description:

Sometimes it takes losing everything to find yourself again.

Lily Bishop wakes one morning to find a good-bye note and divorce papers from her husband on the kitchen counter. Having moved to Alabama for his job only weeks before, Lily is devastated but forced to contemplate her next steps when she sees a flier at the grocery store for a hair stylist position in a local retirement community.

Rose Carrigan built the small retirement village of Safe Harbor years ago—just before her husband ran off with his assistant. Now she runs a tight ship, making sure the residents follow her strict rules. Rose keeps everyone at arm’s length, including her own family. But when Lily shows up asking for a job and a place to live, Rose’s cold exterior begins to thaw. Lily and Rose form an unlikely friendship, and Lily’s salon soon becomes the place where residents share town gossip, as well as a few secrets of their own. Lily even finds herself drawn to Rose’s nephew, Rawlins—a single dad and shrimper who’s had some practice at starting over, and one of the residents may be carrying a torch for Rose as well.

Neither Lily nor Rose is where they expected to be, but the summer makes them both wonder if there’s more to life and love than what they’ve lived so far. The Summer House weaves Lauren Denton’s inviting Southern charm around a woman’s journey to find herself.

My Review:
In this story of change and growth, I appreciated that Lily ended up in a village filled with retirees. I found the setting refreshing. So often people forget that folks over fifty-five live interesting lives. Lauren K. Denton explores not only rising up after losing everything, as Lily does, but also letting go and enjoying life as we watch Rose bloom (pun intended.) I love how the author captures the endearing personalities of the folks in Safe Harbor. I can't forget to mention Rawlins. He's a single dad and a sweetheart with a touching story. I didn't care for the consumption of alcohol by the characters, although it had a connection to the story. Otherwise, The Summer House is a charming story. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Meadows Shout for Joy

Psalm 65:9-13

You care for the land and water it;
    you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
    to provide the people with grain,
    for so you have ordained it.
You drench its furrows and level its ridges;
    you soften it with showers and bless its crops.
You crown the year with your bounty,
    and your carts overflow with abundance.
The grasslands of the wilderness overflow;
    the hills are clothed with gladness.
The meadows are covered with flocks
    and the valleys are mantled with grain;
    they shout for joy and sing.

The gold finches sing outside my window.

Springtime—I walk outside and study my tiny flower garden. Which beauties will bloom soon? What leaves need to be tied down to allow others to sprout? What annuals do I want to add this year?

No matter what goes on around the world, my flower bed continues to grow. The rain showers fall and the sun shines. Soil enriches the plants, and the blooms burst with beauty.

A few weeks ago, I hung a finch feeder outside the living room window. From my chair, I watch, with delight, as the little gold and brown and red house finches stop by for breakfast and dinner. They flit and flutter, sometimes knocking each other off the bag, as they vie for the thistle seed. Those sweet birds add joy to my day.

In Psalm 65, David writes about God's constant presence. He's always with us. I witness Him in my natural surroundings. Go outside and look up. The clouds appear in the sky as does the sun. Look around. The grass, meadows, wheat, oats, corn all continue to grow. And if you live in the Midwest, you know the rain tumbles down on any given day.

No matter what we endure, God remains the same. He offers hope and joy for this weary world. Find a tree and thank God for the shade. Listen to the call of a bird or watch it take off in flight and witness the wonder of creation. Smell a bloom in the garden and thank God for the beauty. Take a bite of salad and remember who provided the nutrients for growth.

Seeking joy? Look to God's creation.

The birds rejoice with singing.

Songs of Joy

Lately, days seem to run together. Sometimes I don't know the day or date. 

What I do know is God has created evening and morning, and in his presence I find joy.

This colorful sunset fell over Lake Erie, as we watched in awe and wonder. 

Children's Picture Book Review: Fiona, It's Bedtime by Zondervan (Author), Richard Cowdrey (Illustrator)

Book Description:

It’s time to go to bed and Fiona can’t fall asleep until she’s said “GOODNIGHT” to all her animal friends at the zoo.

Fiona, It’s Bedtime, a follow-up to the New York Times bestseller Fiona the Hippo and A Very Fiona Christmas, is the latest book to showcase the adorable internet sensation from the Cincinnati Zoo. Fiona is beloved by fans all over the world, and her newest book is the perfect bedtime read-aloud for cuddling with your little one. Fiona, It’s Bedtime, illustrated by New York Times bestselling artist Richard Cowdrey, features everyone’s favorite hippo who wanders through the zoo saying “GOOD NIGHT” to all her animals friend before she heads to bed and settles into slumber.  

My Review:
Richard Cowdrey's charming and colorful illustrations will delight little ones as they're encouraged to go to sleep. The rhyming text of Fiona, It's Bedtime is fun to read aloud, as Fiona visits all her friends at the zoo. The text also captures the sleeping habits of the various animals. Living near Cincinnati, I have a soft spot for this lovable hippo. Cowdrey has captured her sweet persona on each page. This is perfect for children ages 2 to 8. Or an adult like me who loves children's books. Fiona, It's Bedtime will become a good-night favorite. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Struggle is Real

Psalm 30:11-12

You turned my wailing into dancing;
    you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
    Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

This week my anger flared.

Tim and I are doing well. We fill our days and enjoy each other's company. We're thankful we have a safe place to live and food on the table. Yet, my anger toward this COVID-19 virus reached a peak this week. I'm grieving the fact that I can't see my family, hug my children, or play with my grandkids. Tim and I can't go out for dinner at a restaurant. We can't attend church with the congregation. I walk in my neighborhood, but fear I might catch the virus. As I wallowed in my discontent, my fibromyalgia flared and made me even more miserable.

That was Tuesday.

On Wednesday, hope filled my heart. The ire dissipated and joy sang out. So often, I must walk through the darkness before I appreciate the light. As they say, "The struggle is real." Our mental health is being tested. So is our faith.

Dale Chihuly glass art  

Maybe anger eats at you, depression dogs your days, or anxiety attacks. I've suffered them all through the stay-at-home corona days. But I've also experienced joy through the Holy Spirit. When I get over myself and hand my cares to God through prayer, the Spirit fills my soul with joy and a peace that passes understanding. When I stop to thank God for my circumstances and ask Him to forgive my selfishness, he turns my grumbles into dancing, my grief into joy. I'm so grateful that God loves me even when I'm unlovable.

As my faith grows and stretches, I praise God for his continued love and grace.

How have you dealt with all the baggage of these stay-at-home times?
Are you taking care of yourself?
Physically, mentally and spiritually?

Even a few minutes in God's word and in prayer eases the stress.