Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Thursday, September 24, 2020
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.
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
To Die is Gain
"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.
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Fly By
Monday, September 21, 2020
Spicing Up the Porch
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.
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Monday, September 14, 2020
Spruce them up
Take mayonnaise......
and wipe down the leaves with a very thin layer.
Friday, September 11, 2020
May We Never Forget
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Friday, September 4, 2020
The Noel Letters
Wow! Where to begin.
As an angry young woman, Noel Book Post blames her father for the death of her mother. Being estranged from him for 16 years, she is notified that her father is dying. She returns only four hours after his passing. And so the journey begins.
Noel can hardly believe her father leaves everything to her. Including his beloved book store, Bobbooks. Newly divorced, and most recently fired from her editing job in New York, she battles decisions about how to move forward. When mysterious letters start arriving for her, she is perplexed who has sent them.
As only Richard Paul Evans can write, he takes us on a journey of how a young woman can only see the short comings of others and not herself. When she learns the true story of what happened to her mother, everything changes. She attempts to throw everything away. Only to find herself broken and worn.
This story is about learning how to forgive others and herself. Admitting she has been wrong about so many things. And then picking up the pieces.
I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.