Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Suspense Book Review: Life Flight (Extreme Measure book 1) by Lynette Eason
EMS helicopter pilot Penny Carlton is used to high stress situations, but being forced to land on a mountain in a raging storm with a critical patient--and a serial killer on the loose--tests her skills and her nerve to the limit. She survives with FBI Special Agent Holt Satterfield's help. But she's not out of the woods yet.
In the ensuing days, Penny finds herself under attack. And when news reaches Holt that he may not have gotten his man after all, it will take all he and Penny have to catch a killer--before he catches one of them.
Bestselling and award-winning author Lynette Eason is back with another high-octane tale of close calls, narrow escapes, and the fight to bring a nefarious criminal to justice.
My Thoughts:
In Life Flight, Lynette Eason delivers a heart-pounding, page turner. Penny Carlton is determined to fly her rescue helicopter and save lives. Holt Satterfield is on the tail of a serial killer. With storms and dense woods and mountains causing havoc, Penny and Holt make tough decisions as they work together to capture the killer. I don't usually read books with a serial killer because frankly they scare me. With the main character sharing my name, I had to give this one a try. Eason is a master at suspense, proven by the late hours I spent reading Life Flight. I appreciate the thread of faith that runs throughout the book and the strong characters. Penny is an amazing heroine and Holt the perfect hero. If you enjoy suspense, you'll want to read book one of Extreme Measure. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Saturday, January 1, 2022
Shine like Stars
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.
Sparkle like stars.
Tim and I visited Carter Caves many years ago. In one of the caves the guide turned off his lantern, and we couldn't see our hands in front of our faces. Darkness blanketed the cave until the guide lit the lantern again. I don't know about you, but I didn't like the veil of darkness. It unnerved me, but the light from the lamp brought comfort and hope.
Too often the world seems dark—shadowed by evil, fear, grief, and sadness. Many folks fight through addiction, anxiety, and depression. Jesus calls me to be the light in a dark world, to shine hope and love on the people around me. How do I do that? I pour out the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
To shine like stars, I need to glow brighter than the darkness that shrouds our world. To shine like stars, I need to shine like Jesus and show the hope he offers to everyone I meet. I admit, I'm not always good at shining like a star. Because I'm an introvert, sometimes I have to climb out of my protective shell, consider the needs of others, put a smile on my face, and offer hope. I pray God helps me to light the way to Him.
This year, I want to shine like the stars.
Be the light and seek the Light in this new year.
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Light and Hope
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
Time Crossing Romance: Never Leave Me (Waters of Time #2) by Jody Hedlund
Book Description:
In the last stages of a genetic disease, Ellen Creighton has decided to live
out her remaining days at the estate of her longtime friend Harrison
Burlington. Harrison cares deeply for Ellen, but as a wheelchair-bound
paraplegic, he's never allowed himself to get serious in a relationship.
However, he's desperately trying to save her by finding the holy water that is
believed to heal any disease.
When he locates two flasks, Ellen refuses to drink one of them because she
believes the holy water killed her sister and father. In an effort to convince
her to take it, Harrison ingests the contents first, and when Ellen witnesses
the effects, she can no longer deny the power of the substance in the bottles.
Dangerous criminals are also seeking the holy water, and Ellen soon learns they
will go to any lengths to get the powerful drug--including sending her back
into the past to find it for them.
My Thoughts:
I've read both of Jody Hedlund's Waters of Time books. Book 1, Come Back to
Me and book 2 Never Leave Me are both such interesting and
fascinating stories. They should be read in order. Hedlund's imagination and
research meet up and explode into stories I would never have dreamed of. The
whole concept of time-travel seems so out of reach, yet she writes with such
authority, I wanted to believe Ellen and Harrison could make the journey. With
danger lurking and incredible circumstances, Ellen draws courage from within as
Harrison's faith carries them through the unbelievable. I received a
complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are
completely my own.
Saturday, December 25, 2021
Her Firstborn Son
Luke 2:6-7
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave
birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a
manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
When a baby is placed in my arms; I feel giddy.
Twelve years ago, on December 22, Sara gave birth to our
grandson, Elijah Duncan. He spent his first Christmas in the hospital with his
mom and dad. When we stopped by on the twenty-fifth to celebrate the holiday,
we found him swaddled in his baby blanket and cuddled in his mother's arms. I
couldn't wait to get my hands on him.
What a blessing that Christmas was.
Imagine the wonder Mary felt when she held baby Jesus. As a
mother, I know what incredible joy a new baby brings. Consider this—the
baby Mary held grew to be the man who became King of Kings, the One who
sacrificed His perfect life to forgive sin. Because of Jesus I have the hope of
heaven. All He asked of me was to believe, have faith, repent, be baptized, and
obey.
Every day I seek Him and ask Him for guidance. The Holy
Spirit gives me wisdom and clarity, but my part is seeking, listening, and
obeying. I love Jesus and thank Him for forgiving my sins and loving me so
much.
As we celebrate this beautiful season of love and giving,
focus on the One whose life started as a babe in a manger and grew to be the
man who would give his life for us all. The words, "Jesus loves me this I
know," come to mind when I think about Jesus. He loves us and wants us to
love Him and believe in Him.
Believe, this Christmas, in Jesus.
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Your Gifts
Saturday, December 18, 2021
Joy Replaced Fear
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people."
I remember sitting in a classroom in the junior high building, my heart pounding with fear.
I'd been absent the day my class took the standard exam, so the teacher sent me to the big study hall, which seemed miles away from my classroom. There I sat, a painfully shy, elementary student, surrounded by teenagers. The teacher stood what seemed like seven feet tall, while the paper and pencil on my desk taunted me. As I started to darken circles on the multiple-choice questions, tears stung my eyes. The teacher, in all of his wisdom, must have noticed my discomfort. He leaned over and assured me everything would be okay. And it was. I don't recall the results of the test, but I took it and evidently passed whatever hurdle I needed to.
My teacher wasn't an angel, at least not that I know of, yet he calmed my fear and gave me courage to finish my task.
When the angel appeared to the shepherds in the field near Bethlehem, the fear must have overwhelmed them. The night was most likely quiet, a few sheep baaing, maybe a breeze, and a snore here or there from dozing shepherds. Then the sky lit up with God's glory and surrounded the mighty messenger. Bless those shepherds' hearts, as they trembled in fear, and the angel consoled them with encouragement and spoke of the most wonderful news.
No doubt the shepherds had heard of the long-expected Messiah, but they never dreamed they'd be alerted to his birth in such an awesome way. With courage and encouragement from the angel, the shepherds listened and followed his directions. And lo and behold they witnessed baby Jesus in his mother's arms.
At the sight of the Lord, pure joy replaced any fear.
This season seek Jesus with the courage of the shepherds and experience true joy.