Fiction Book Review: Under the Bayou Moon: A Novel by Valerie Fraser Luesse

Book Description:
Restless with the familiarity of her Alabama home, Ellie Fields accepts a teaching job in a tiny Louisiana town deep in bayou country. Though rightfully suspicious of outsiders, who have threatened both their language and their culture, most of the people in tiny Bernadette, Louisiana, come to appreciate the young and idealistic schoolteacher as a boon to the town. She's soon teaching just about everyone--and coming up against opposition from both the school board and a politician with ulterior motives.

Acclimating to a whole new world, Ellie meets a lonely but intriguing Cajun fisherman named Raphe who introduces her to the legendary white alligator that haunts these waters. Raphe and Ellie have barely found their way to each other when a huge bounty is offered for the elusive gator, bringing about a shocking turn of events that will test their love and their will to right a terrible wrong.

A master of the Southern novel, Valerie Fraser Luesse invites you to enter the sultry swamps of Louisiana in a story that illuminates the struggle for the heart and soul of the bayou.

My Thoughts:
The bayou of Louisiana is different from any place I've ever traveled. Valerie Fraser Luesse paints a picture from the cypress trees with the Spanish moss draped on limbs to the alligator eyes watching folks glide along in their boats. Under the Bayou Moon is the story of Ellie and Raphe and their fight to help the people of Bernadette. While a beautiful love story takes place, the book is really about the people who live a different life style in a unique part of the world.  I enjoyed learning about the area and getting to know the people. Though fiction, the story felt real. This may not be everyone's cup of tea, but if you choose to read Under the Bayou Moon, be prepared to spend time in a place that feels like another world. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Trust

Some weeks are harder than others. This is one of them.

A dear friend passed from this earth and entered the gates of heaven.

My heart breaks for his wife, one of my best friends, 

even as I rejoice in his eternal peace.

When life hurts and things don't make sense, there's only one thing I can do.

Trust in the Lord and his plan for us. 

 

Historical Fiction Review: The Librarian's Journey: 4 Historical Romances

Book Description:

A brave fight for literacy during the Great Depression

Four women set out on horseback to bring the library to remote communities

Part of FDR’s New Deal was the Works Progress Administration, which funded the Pack Horse Library Initiative. Ride along with four book-loving women who bravely fight for literacy in remote communities during the Great Depression by carrying library books via horseback. Will their efforts be rewarded by finding love in the process?

Love’s Turning Page by Cynthia Hickey
1936, Ozark Mountains
Grace Billings jumped at the chance to be a traveling librarian, but she didn’t anticipate the long days of work, the intense poverty, or the handsome new schoolteacher whose love for the mountain people surpasses even her own.

In This Moment by Patty Smith Hall
1936, Pine Mountain, Georgia
Forced out of her nursing job due to budget cuts, Ruth Sims applies for a position with the Pack Horse Library incentive, only to discover she must go to the one place she swore never to return. The children instantly steal her heart with their thirst for books, and she’s happy in her post until she meets their teacher, Will Munroe—the man who broke her heart. 

Book Lady of the Bayou by Marilyn Turk
1936, Mississippi
Forced out of her comfort zone, Lily Bee Davis travels by horse or boat taking books to remote areas. When she meets little Evie and her reclusive father at a dilapidated plantation house, she is drawn by their losses and longs to draw them out into life again. 

The Lawman and the Librarian by Kathleen Y’Barbo
1936, Kentucky
Lottie Trent connects with a backwoods bully’s wife by secretly carrying messages for her in exchange for books. FBI agent Clayton Turnbow is on the trail of a criminal gang and discovers the packhorse librarian maybe a key member. 

My Thoughts:
I enjoy reading about the women who carried books into the mountains to help their communities. They traversed rough terrain, sometimes on a horse, others on a mule. These four stories give us a snapshot of what they went through while entertaining us with a romantic tale. I enjoyed the stories set in the Appalachian Mountains so much. The story set in Mississippi made me shiver when Lily Bee goes into the swamplands to deliver books. All four stories feature a strong female character who is determined to help with the literacy of her community. I particularly liked The Lawman and the Librarian. Lottie and Clayton have a certain chemistry that made me want to read more. If you enjoy historical romance and stories of brave women, you'll enjoy The Librarian's Journey. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fiction Book Review: The Nature of Small Birds: A Novel by Susie Finkbeiner

Book Description:
In 1975, three thousand children were airlifted out of Saigon to be adopted into Western homes. When Mindy, one of those children, announces her plans to return to Vietnam to find her birth mother, her loving adopted family is suddenly thrown back to the events surrounding her unconventional arrival in their lives.

Though her father supports Mindy's desire to meet her family of origin, he struggles privately with an unsettling fear that he'll lose the daughter he's poured his heart into. Mindy's mother undergoes the emotional rollercoaster inherent in the adoption of a child from a war-torn country, discovering the joy hidden amid the difficulties. And Mindy's sister helps her sort through relics that whisper of the effect the trauma of war has had on their family--but also speak of the beauty of overcoming.

Told through three strong voices in three compelling timelines, The Nature of Small Birds is a hopeful story that explores the meaning of family far beyond genetic code.

My Thoughts:
I thoroughly enjoyed The Nature of Small Birds. Susie Finkbeiner has written this family story of love from three distinct points of view. She chose wisely as we hear the voices of Dad, Mom, and sister to Mindy, the lovely young lady they adopted into their family. With little knowledge of the adoption process, I opened this book with hope of reading a great story. Through a group of flawed people who choose to love each other warts and all, I found a page-turning story filled with hope. Mindy's story is beautiful, while at the same time sorrowful. Finkbeiner does a remarkable job weaving different time periods (1975, 1988, & 2013) together through these distinct voices. During and after the Vietnam War many terrible things happened, perhaps the blessing was saving the children. I hope you'll read The Nature of Small Birds, if for no other reason than it's a beautiful story filled with hope.  I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Nothing Greater

Mark 12:30-31

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." The second is this: "Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these."

Seagulls swooped around the pier.

At Huntington Beach in northern Ohio, the seagulls flew about in search of food. A heron rested on the rocks and watched. Before long a seagull padded over to squat beside the heron. The bigger bird didn't move, he allowed the little fellow into his space without quarrel. Side-by-side they perched on the rocks, two very different, yet beautiful birds.

As I watched these two, I thought about how God created people as unique beings who populate the same planet. I'll admit, I've come across a few folks I didn't want to share space with. Yet, God called me to love.

I've heard Jesus' words in Mark many times, but some days, I need reminded. I might be the heron minding my own business, when the seagull pops in and sits beside me. Or the other way around. No doubt someone out there doesn't want me sitting beside them. That's okay.

My mom told me years ago, "You don't have to like everyone, but you do need to love them." That's what God calls me to do. I may not agree, but I can love. I may not like, but I am called to love.

Is it always easy? Nope. But who said life, as a follower of Jesus, was easy? Does it take patience? Yes, and kindness, gentleness, self-control and all of the fruit of the Spirit God gives me.

When I love God with all my heart and soul and mind and strength, I will love my neighbor. Not just my physical neighbors, but the people I interact with on social media, too. Jesus also says to love myself. He wants me to care about my physical, spiritual, and mental being.

Love God. Love neighbors. Love ourselves. God created people to care for each other. Let's do this.

All Things Good

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

1 Timothy 4:4

When I came across this verse, I paused and read it again.

Everything God has created is good.

When I am outside, I am always in awe of God's creation.

All that he has made is good.

This beautiful heron posed for me at Old Woman's Creek Estuary.

To me, herons are such graceful birds.

They remind me of God's grace when people, like me, sin.

Even when I've failed and marred the good,

God through Jesus restores the good all over again--through forgiveness.

Praise God--His grace covers all my sin.

 

Clothed With Joy

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.

Pink, purple, red, and yellow flowers bobbed their heads.

On our trip to Lake Erie, blooms exploded with color. The hydrangea bushes waved blue, pink, and purple heads. The bluemink or flossflower complimented the golden buds of the oxeye chamomile, and the prairie sun blooms. Purple salvia nodded in the sunshine while red petunias rested at their feet. Everywhere we looked vibrant hues filled yards and gardens.

After we returned home, I visited my mom. She has planted flowers for as long as I can remember. Even though she doesn’t do the physical planting now, she has a little flower garden. Family helps her take care of her butterfly bushes, lavender, and many other blooms so she can enjoy their beauty. As I walked with her along the driveway and watched butterflies and bees sip nectar, I thought about how much joy those plants brought my mom.

Just as God’s beautiful creation brings delight, so does the love my Savior gives.

In the Psalm, David mourned his losses and mistakes. But because God loved him and forgave him, David wrote how the one who created the universe turned his wailing into dancing. He replaced his sorrowful cries with blissful steps. He took away his sadness and covered him with joy. As a result, David vowed to sing praises to God forever.

As the colorful beauty of the flowers bring delight, God in all of his glory brings joy. Not just happiness, but pure joy.

A heart full of delight radiates to the face through a smile.  And like the beauty of the flowers, a smile is a gift we can give to anyone.

Be filled with joy!