Fiction Review: On Cue by Bettie Boswell

Book Description:
When a college sweetheart used Ginny Cline's dreams for his own glory, he stole her joy of composing music and her trust in men. Years later, encouraged by prayer and a chance to help the local museum, she dares to share her talents again. Unfortunately a financial backer forces her to place her music and trust into the hands of another man.

Theater professor Scott Hallmark's summer camp benefactor coerces him into becoming the director of Ginny's musical. The last thing he needs is another woman who uses him to get what they want, especially an amateur who has no idea what they are doing.

As Ginny's interest in Scott grows, her confusion arises over Honey, a member of Scott's praise band. Mix in a couple of dogs and quirky cast members for fun and frustration as the couple work together to discover that forgiveness and trust produce perfect harmony.

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed Bettie Boswell’s debut story about two talented music lovers. Ginny spent a year-and-a-half pouring herself into writing a musical about the Underground Railroad, which she’d love to see performed. Professor Scott Hallmark is pressed into becoming the director. She’s excited about the play, but not the Professor. And she’s not ready to open her heart, especially when Scott keeps talking about Honey. On Cue is a delightful story about two people who want the same thing, but have to trust their hearts to find it. The strong Christian thread and the delightful secondary characters make this a pleasant read. If you enjoy sweet romance, you’ll want to read On Cue. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

His Rest Restores

Matthew 11:28-29
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

I was concerned I’d worn her out.

Our seven-year-old granddaughter, Ella Cate, spent the night on Monday. What a delight! (I’m not prejudice, nope, not at all.) On Monday, we played on the playground, swam in the community pool, watched cartoons, drew pictures, and ate kid food with Grammy’s requirement of fruit. She blessed every meal with a sweet prayer and went sound to sleep that night. On Tuesday, we spent most of the day at the pool, met her parents for dinner, then she went home to sleep in her own bed.

On Wednesday morning, I went to her house and discovered a tired little girl. A good tired, mind you, but tired nonetheless. We watched a movie, then went with my daughter to lunch and patio furniture shopping.

When I called Ella Cate on Thursday and heard her perky voice on her momma’s phone, I knew she’d gotten her pep back. A restful morning on Wednesday and a good night’s sleep helped restore her sweet little self.

Ella Cate and I had so much fun, but even in good times, we got tired. A night of rest restored our energy and carried us through.

Jesus offers rest for the weary and burdened. Who does that entail? All of us. Folks worn out from the stress of life. People burdened with sin and folks concerned for family and friends. Jesus knew we’d grow tired, he knew, when he died on the cross, he’d take on the weight of the world. The very picture of Jesus gentle and humble heart reminds me how much he loves me.

In Jesus, I rest in the assurance of grace and forgiveness and the promise of eternal life in heaven. 

Seek Jesus for relief from this weary world.

If the Birds

God created birds to sing—

I love to hear the birds sing in the morning,

What a glorious song they sing.

If the birds can sing praises to God—so will I.

 

Practice Joy While You Wait

Psalm 27:13-14

I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten better at waiting—sort of.

As a child, my mom signed me up for the Dr. Suess book club. I remember being so happy when the wait ended each month, and I had a shiny new book in my hands. I’m sure I wondered every day if a book would come in the mail. When my little package would finally arrive, I’d read the books over and over until the mail carrier delivered the next batch. 

As a momma-to-be, I waited for Sara to arrive. The closer to the due date the more anxious I was to meet my baby. I was the same with Maggie and Hannah, the waiting was the worst.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to take a book to the doctor’s office, people watch in line at the store, and order with Amazon Prime (so I don’t have to wait.) But when I’m working on a project—a book or devotion that’s sent out to be considered for publication, the waiting can be excruciating.

But I’ve chosen to apply a nugget of wisdom I learned from Michelle Medlock Adams at a recent virtual conference. She said we can have joy as we wait, and the joy in waiting stems from knowing God is sovereign, he’s at work even as I wait. Whatever results from my efforts, God has my best interest in mind.

To practice joy as I wait isn’t easy. My anxiety peaks and the what-ifs dance in my mind. But when I focus on God and the joy of being his child, instead of myself, the waiting is easier.

David, who wrote this psalm, waited. And he reminds me to take heart and be strong—to find the joy. Gratitude produces joy as I anticipate an outcome. I’m thankful for the opportunity, grateful for the possibility, and joy filled because I know God has this.

Find a reason to have joy as you wait.

His Love

The trees around Marblehead State Park fascinate me. 

As they grow out of the rocks, some roots submerge between the cracks, 

while others crawl over top and seek refuge.

Regardless, the trees continue to grow because they have nourishment

from the earth, where the roots dive deep.

Much like these trees, as believers in Jesus, our roots dive deep into his love—

even as we dwell on this earth.

His love sustains us.

 

Romance Fiction Review: Make You Feel My Love by Robin Lee Hatcher

Book Description:
One broken woman. One lost man. And the long-buried secrets tying them together.

After escaping an abusive relationship, Chelsea Spencer flees to Chickadee Creek—the town where her great aunt Rosemary owns a quaint little antique shop. There, Chelsea plans to help with the shop as her aunt heals from an accident—and perhaps find some healing of her own.

Liam Chandler was one film away from a leading role when his brother Jacob was stricken with cancer. After spending the last months of Jacob’s life with him in Boise, Liam heads to the vacation home he built outside of Chickadee Creek to get his life and his faith back on track.

While working to clean out a storage room in the antique shop, Chelsea finds an old violin. Aunt Rosemary says she may have the instrument, but they soon learn it is very valuable and once belonged to Cora Chandler, Liam’s great-great-grandmother.

Drawn together by the old violin and stories from the past, Chelsea and Liam begin to find answers for their present and the future God has in store for them.

My Thoughts:
Robin Lee Hatcher, a talented story teller, has written a beautiful story of hope. Chelsea left behind an abusive boyfriend. Liam is healing from family wounds. Both characters prefer to hide instead of opening themselves up to more hurt. A violin connects them to the past and a woman named Cora, who longed for a new beginning. I loved reading Cora’s story as she set out on her own in the 1800s. Hatcher sprinkles Chelsea and Liam’s heart wrenching stories with encouragement and weaves in Bible verses filled with wisdom. I hope this story is read by anyone who feels lost or overwhelmed by a difficult situation, because the reader can gain confidence and know God offers peace and joy. If you enjoy stories set in small towns, with good characters or stories that point to a better way, read Make You Feel My Love. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Assurance of God

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I am the most peaceful—when I’m by the water, listening to the waves lap.

We spent a couple of days at Lake Erie. I could sit and listen to the water race to shore and lap back out all day. There is something about the sound and the motion that covers me with calm. Perhaps the lull or the push and pull, or maybe the overwhelming feeling that God is in control, and I don’t need to worry about one little thing—because the crashing waves remind me of the incredible power of God and his love for us.

As I sat by the lake, on a huge rock at Marblehead State Park, I closed my eyes and my mind painted a picture of the Father who loves me. I imagined him reaching over and giving me a hug. At that point, I understood, a little more, the peace that surpasses my comprehension—the peace I feel in times of trouble. Only then did I get a glimpse of Jesus’ gift of calm.

In John 16, Jesus preps his disciples, the twelve he chose, to understand his future. He laid out God’s plan and assured them that whatever happened to him, he was with God. He revealed to them their future, too. They would all go to their own homes, their villages, back to their work, and he’d be with his Father in heaven. Even as Jesus assured these men, who traveled and taught with him for three years, that they’d experience peace, he reminded them they’d have trouble.

The presence of trouble doesn’t mean we are without the assurance of God.

Isn’t that the way of the world? We all experience problems, obstacles, and doubts. Yet, Jesus offers peace. As his followers, we have the same assurance as the disciples. A peace planted in our hearts by God.

Seek his peace.