To Steal a Heart

 

Gabriella Goodhue's childhood as a street thief puts her in a position to help a friend unjustly accused of theft. What she didn't expect was to run into her old partner, Nicholas Quinn. Is he the Knickerbocker Bandit?

As Gabriella and Nicholas are thrown together, they find the misunderstandings of their youth is full of confusing information. But as they sort out what actually happened, they find their attraction grows.

Jen Turano has written well about the differences in status in the 1800's. Gabriella is a strong independent young woman, who has made her own way. Nicholas, having been groomed by a philanthropist, appears to be seeking a well placed wife to settle his name in society. But does meeting and reuniting with Gabriella change all of that?  

Although Ms. Turano often writes humorous dialogue, I found the amount of characters to sometimes be a bit confusing. But all in all, To Steal a Heart is a sweet clean historical romance. 

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

To Die is Gain

Our Pastor had been preaching out of the book of Philippians. For the last Sunday he preached on Philippians 1:21

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

These very profound words had such an impact. As our Pastor was preaching he began to cry. He said that as he studied this passage, the realization of his mortality grabbed him. He wrestled with the fact that he really wanted to see his children grow up. He wanted to be here with his family. And yet, the scripture teaches that to die is gain.

Day by day, as we each walk the pathway we are to go, life just seems to keep going. Until we are stopped in our tracks with the lose of a loved one or friend. It is then that we start thinking of the "other side".

16 years ago, on a Sunday morning, during the middle of a raging hurricane, my BFF lost her battle with cancer and walked into the arms of Jesus. I have missed my sweet friend all these years, but on that Sunday the Pastor's message brought a sense of peace to my heart. You see, Diana was such a special friend. She walked beside me for almost 20 years, encouraging me, always with love and a smile. It is selfish of me to want her to be here, when she has gained so much more. As she reached out her hand that Sunday morning, she left behind her tired body to walk with Jesus. I can almost picture her in my minds eye, looking back at all of us and saying, "It's all right, I'm whole now."


Mark 8:35 states: “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it” (ESV).

Jesus Christ offers you the greatest freedom - in learning how to die, we learn how to live.

Fly By

On our way home from a trip up north, we stayed at a new hotel next to an undeveloped field.  I was trying to capture the sunset when all of a sudden these birds started flying all about.  I am not sure what kind of birds they were, but after many attempts I finally captured this frame with my little point and shoot camera.

My Corner of the World

Our World Tuesday

Skywatch Friday

Spicing Up the Porch

Sumner has flown by, making way for the colors of fall. Bringing autumn colors indoors gives my home the touch of color we don't experience here in Florida.

Outside isn't nearly as rewarding. Lacking the reds, golds, and browns of nature, it becomes a bit more of a challenge. Recently I came across an outdoor pillow that would grace the bench that sits by our front door. But really, it needed something.

Digging around in my stash, I knew I had fabric that screamed fall.

Taking this slice of fabric, I sewed seams and wrapped it around the pillow.

Humm, what next? Not enough fabric to make a bow, so a piece of brown batik would have to suffice.

Now let's see what we need next.

 

Potted plants?

My daughter made this amazing Harvest sign.

Okay looking better.

Happy Fall Ya'll!

 

Metamorphosis Monday

Kansas morning

My Corner of the World

Our World Tuesday

Skywatch Friday

Spruce them up

Many years ago, I met a lady who replenished plants in office buildings.  She would take the old ones out, and put new ones in.  She gave me a hint to help spruce up a living plant.

Take mayonnaise......

 and wipe down the leaves with a very thin layer.

It would give them shine and luster.

An inexpensive way to spruce up your plants :-)

 Metamorphosis Monday

May We Never Forget

In the United States, Sept. 11 has become a day that haunts the nation of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Since the attacks, the day has been called Patriot Day and serves as a day to remember those who lost their lives. The day was passed by Congress on Oct. 25, 2001 and was signed into law by then President George. W. Bush. 

 "Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others. It’s a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning. But not only of loss and mourning. It’s also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice, and the love that lays down its life for a friend–even a friend whose name it never knew." -- President George W. Bush

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  John 15:13