Historical Fiction Review: The Spark of Love (Mesquite Springs Book #3) by Amanda Cabot

Book Description:
When a spurned suitor threatens her, heiress Alexandra Tarkington flees New York for Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country, where her father is building a hotel. But the happy reunion she envisions is not to be as her father insists she return to New York. Instead, Alexandra carves out a niche for herself in town, teaching schoolchildren to paint and enjoying the company of Gabe Seymour, a delightful man she met on the stagecoach.

But all is not as it seems. Two men, each with his own agenda, have followed her to Mesquite Springs. And Gabe is an investigator, searching for proof that her father is a swindler. When a series of apparent accidents threaten her life, Alexandra and Gabe will have to work together to discover the truth. And perhaps along the way they will discover that the sparks of attraction they've felt from the beginning are more than sparks--they're love.

Bestselling author Amanda Cabot invites you back to 1850s Texas for this exciting and heartwarming tale of treachery, love, and learning to trust.

My Thoughts:
I've enjoyed this series so much. The Spark of Love took me back to Mesquite Springs where Alexandra goes in search of her father. I love how characters from the first two books in the series are woven into the fabric of Alexandra's story. Detective Gabe's job takes him into the heart of deception in Mesquite Springs. He hopes Alexandra will trust him, even as he uncovers the truth. This story of trust, redemption, and love is a wonderful read. I recommend the whole Mesquite Springs series, but each book can stand alone. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I'm Glad One Thing Never Changes

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

White dust drifted to the floor, from the blackboard.

Remember at the end of the school day wanting to be the student who erased the whole board, then went outside to slam the erasers together to clean them. Of course I just wanted to go outside, yet there was something about wiping the board clean that brought satisfaction at the end of the day.

Classrooms today have changed. Instead of a blackboard, my daughter, Sara's first grade class has a whiteboard she uses to either write on with special markers or use as a place to hang important classroom learning tools. There's also a smartboard, a large screen hooked to her computer, where she shares lessons, directions, and educational videos.

Classrooms have changed. Students are learning more now than ever. They also learn the basics, in new and innovative ways. Sara has been teaching for more than a decade and has had to continue to learn new and interesting ways to teach.

Change can be good, and most things in life evolve in some way. Look at our kitchens and compare them to our grandparents or great grandparents' kitchens. Yet one thing never changes because He is already as good as it gets. Jesus stays the same. He's always loving, and forgiving as He seeks our hearts. He's the rock I stand on, the One I depend on, the One I pray to. Jesus never waivers from being the Son of God, my perfect hope.

When I'm in the middle of uncertain circumstances and I'm not sure what to do, I turn to the One who stays the same, the One who loves me no matter what. I'm thankful Jesus is the same every day, and with confidence I can move forward and trust Him.

Count on Jesus in your season of change.

Cozy Mystery Review: Caught and Collared by Jackie Layton (A Low Country Dog Walker Mystery, book #4)

Book Description:

When a scavenger hunt turns up a dead body, dog walker Andi Grace Scott will have to make a dogged effort to collar the culprit . . .

Setting out for a day of fun on her town’s first-ever scavenger hunt, Low Country dog walker Andi Grace Scott is dismayed to find an unattended dog wandering the streets—but that’s nothing compared to the shock she gets when she finds a dead man floating in the swimming pool of the dog’s owner. What’s more, she’d seen the very same man having a very public altercation with his wife just the night before. Despite being warned off the case by the local sheriff, Andi Grace can’t help nosing around to find out who’s behind the foul deed.

It turns out the victim was a well-known radio personality who focused on cold-case investigations and was rumored to be breaking a huge story on his next show. As Andi Grace digs deeper to learn who may have wanted him dead, she’s faced with a suspect list that includes a cold-hearted widow who stands to inherit a bundle, a local country star with family demons to hide, and any number of unknown criminals who may have been the focus of the victim’s big reveal. Whether the motive was love gone bad, a career under duress, or a killer’s deadly secret, Andi Grace knows she’ll have to act fast before she becomes the next cold case herself . . .

My Thoughts:
I love, love, love Jackie Layton's cozies. Andi Grace's nosey to know personality draws her into another murder in her beach town. Filled with quirky characters and a seaside setting, Caught and Collared brings Andi Grace and her fiancé Marc into the world of podcasts and cold-cases. All the wonderful pups add a delightful twist to the story. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, Layton's books should be on your to-be-read pile. I purchased a copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

When I Grow Weary

Change or the thought of change makes a soul weary.

When I grow tired, I long to rest in God's arms.

That requires me to stop and seek my Father and His love.

He is my quiet place and my rock.

He renews my spirit.

 

Created to do Good Work

Ephesians 4:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

With a cardboard template, I cut the pieces from colorful fabrics.

I've been a crafter for as long as I can remember. For many years I sewed quilts, three layered blankets sewn together from the underneath to the top with tiny stitches, then bound around the edges. When I first attempted to make a  quilt, I did everything by hand. I fussy cut the pieces using a cardboard or plastic template and a pair of scissors. Then I handstitched the pieces together with needle and thread and quilted by hand. As I learned more methods over the years, I mastered the rotary cutter and sewed pieces together on my machine. No matter how I made the quilt, I knew the purpose. They were created to provide warmth and comfort for my family.

When I look around at people, I see how unique each human is. Like my quilts, made in a variety of designs from different fabrics, people vary too. My personality, stature, intellect, skills, and experiences set me apart because God created me to be myself. He formed me before I was born and gave me unique attributes.

As God made me, He knew my purpose. He knew why I needed to live on earth at this time and in this place. As a believer in Christ, I try to do good work. For me, the good works reflect in my writing (or at least I hope so.) The abilities, desires, and talents God instills in a person is a guide to the reason God created them. Some folks have wonderful musical abilities, some speak, some listen, some smile and share kindness, while others may minister to folks' physical needs.

In whatever way God created me to be, He is the one who knows my purpose and guides my path. Growing up in a time when everything pointed to "finding yourself," I had to look past society and seek God's word and pray for his revelation to who I am.

Do good work for God, our creator.

Who God Created Me To Be

Growing up in the seventies, I read books like I'm Okay, You're Okay 

and took personality tests in magazines to try to

 figure out who I was supposed to be. 

It took me a long time to realize God 

had made me with a distinct personality and a purpose.

Once I started to understand who God created me to be, 

I was relieved that I didn't have to keep searching. 

Instead, I learned to trust Him.

 

Cover Reveal!

If you are signed up for my newsletter, 

you had a sneak preview of my book cover yesterday.

Today, I'm so excited to share with you, my friends.

Home Where She Belongs releases May 1, 2022.

I'll be posting information on where to preorder soon.