A Bond for the Holidays, book #91

If you will remember, I just finished A Christmas Bond, a prequel to this series, last week.  I decided since I already has this one I'd go ahead and read it fast since it was 12/31 and since this book only had 86 pages! :)  Other books that I have read in this series are here and here.

A terrible secret revealed... Emily and Robert have been happily married for eighteen years, but a secret stands between them... and just before Christmas, the truth comes out. Their comfortable family blows apart, and it takes a Christmastime trip to the Covenant School's new farm--and a whole lot of praying--to keep them together for the holidays, and just maybe, to find a new level of happiness and meaning forever. (Picture and description at Amazon)

Wonder what all exciting books I'll break into in 2021!  I know for sure there will be a boatload Tamara Alexander! :)
 

The Wedding Dress Christmas, book #90

 

Ahhh but this book was a sweet read!  I'm a little irritated at myself now because I can't find here on the blog where I read the other books in this series, but it may have been when I wasn't keeping track of them here.  This is the last in a cute little series about a mysterious wedding dress that magically fits whoever is supposed to wear it, starting in 1912 all the way to modern day!  The other books in the series, in order, are The Wedding Dress, The Wedding Chapel, and The Wedding Shop.  I highly recommend all these!!! 

December comes to quaint Hearts Bend, Tennessee, with a blanket of white and the glitter of Christmas lights.  For JoJo Castle there is no place like home. Her onetime love of adventure ended when her life in the big city came crashing down. Now that she’s home, she never wants to leave again. Country music sensation Buck Mathews has charmed the world with his smile and his music. However, news of his mother’s illness brought him home to Hearts Bend for the holiday season.  Working with her cousin Haley in The Wedding Shop, JoJo has no aspirations of love. But when her high school crush returns to town, her buried feelings surface.  Busy with his career, Buck hasn’t had time for family and friends, much less love. Seeing JoJo in The Wedding Shop reminds him there are things more important than his career. But JoJo and Buck have opposing life goals, and there’s no middle ground. Can love, especially the kind that touches hearts at Christmas, overcome her fears and his quest for greatness?  With the help of a very special wedding dress, there just might be a Christmas miracle. (picture and description at Amazon)

Luckily I was able to squeeze in ONE MORE before the new year ...

O:)

Melissa

The Bible, books # 41-89

Revelation 19:1 Hallelujah!

 

If you remember, I have been reading through the Bible with Roger and Katie this year, along with some members of our church.  I was excited to do it with Katie since she had never done this before and I loved hearing her questions, comments, inspirations, etc.  

Roger is close to finishing as is Katie.  

Back in June I posted here and here about the first 17 I read, and here we have the final 49.  I was really thinking I might hit 100 books again this year like I did in 2015 (where I also read the Bible through in a year)

Not sure I am going to fit in 11 more books before Thursday night, but I did start a short one this morning.  

Despite the diversity of the Bible books and their separation in time, there are several unifying themes that run through both the Old and New Testaments:

• There is only one true God. He created all that is the universe and takes an active, ongoing and loving role in its maintenance.
• God loves His people of all races, nationalities and religions, and seeks their love in return.
• God created men and women with the power to choose between good and evil. We are called to do good by serving God and respecting our fellow human beings of the world. Evil is a constant temptation that we must do our best to resist.
• God seeks the salvation of all people, individually and collectively, from the power of sin and evil. God has intervened directly in human affairs and has also sent the prophets and, finally, His Son Jesus, the Messiah or Christ, to help us with that salvation.  (pictures mine, description from here)

Of all the books I have ever or will ever read, this one will ALWAYS be my favorite!

Keep Reading!

O:)

Melissa

 

The White Christmas Inn, book #40

 

This was our delightful pick for our January Book Club.  We always read two Christmas books, one picked for December and one picked for January since we still have half of December to read the one for January!

It was a quick read, mainly because I read most of it while I was in bed with a migraine all day Sunday.  That part wasn't fun, but I just transported myself to this lovely place as I was writhing in pain and couldn't sleep anymore.

It reminded me of where I want to spend next Christmas.  Christmas at home is fun, don't get me wrong, but I have washed more dishes and made more messes in the last week than I want to again, for, say, another year!  

A New England inn seems like the picture-perfect place to spend the holidays. But when a snowstorm shuts the roads and keeps them all inside, the guests find themselves worrying that this Christmas may not be exactly what they dreamed of. Molly just needs to keep her head down and finish her latest book, but her writer’s block is crippling. The arrival of Marcus, a handsome widower with two young girls, is exactly the distraction she doesn't need. Hannah was hoping for a picturesque winter wedding, but her plans come crashing down when her fiancé calls everything off. She reconnects with her childhood friend, Luke, when he comes to check on his grandmother before the storm. Jeanne and Tim don't know how they're going to keep the inn open another year—or how to bridge the distance between them in their marriage. With a flurry of unexpected guests, they'll have to work together to fix all the problems that crop up. But will it be enough to rekindle their relationship? As the characters’ stories intertwine, they start to find hope where they thought it had been lost. With faith, and a little bit of Christmas magic, the inn—and its inhabitants—might just make it through the holidays after all.  (picture and description from Amazon)

Luckily, since it it still Christmastide and I have a few more days off I'm hoping to squeeze in another Christmas book before the season ends.

Happy Reading!

O:)

Melissa

A Christmas Bond: Sacred Bond Series Prequel, book #39

 

This is a fun little series I forget about, but the books are quick to read and interesting.  To sum it up, the Sacred Bond is a group of troubled boys who get a second chance at life.  They have had rough times growing up and end up in a group home together.  Through the encouragement of their "house dad" John they form a bond to take care and be there for each other no matter what.  I have read one book here  and I think another one as well that I need to go back and find :)  

In this Christian romance, war hero John Moretti sees the delinquent boys he mentors as the sons he never had, and he wants to give them every opportunity to reform. Crime victim Annie Bauer views them as dangerous threats to her elderly grandma, who lives next door to the boys’ residential school. When the Baby Jesus is stolen from Grandma’s yard nativity scene, the boys’ potential involvement may send them straight to hard-core juvie, and break the fragile connection that’s building between Annie and John. Until the so-called delinquents join together to make a sacred bond… Christian romance fiction isn’t often gritty . . . especially Christian Christmas books! But A Christmas Bond takes place in an inner-city neighborhood and features angst-ridden characters who aren’t typical of more lighthearted Christian fiction—they have serious problems to deal with. With the help of a strong faith, the hero leads the boys in his care toward a commitment to use their considerable strength to help others who are weaker or in need. (picture and description at Amazon)

Merry Christmas!!

O:)

Melissa

Catching Christmas, book #39

I have been wanting to read this book for a very long time.  I would see it (in the good old days!) at the bookstore and think, "I should buy that book!" but for some reason I don't.  Then I would see it on Kindle and think, "I should get that, but did I buy the book somewhere?"  So finally I broke down and got the Kindle version.  This year, now that I am done with work, I had time to read and was looking for Christmas books.  Hooray!  Finally I can read this book!  It was well worth the wait!

As a first-year law associate, Sydney Batson knows she will be updating her resume by New Year’s if she loses her current case. So when her grandmother gets inexplicably ill while she’s in court, Sydney arranges for a cab to get her to the clinic.  The last thing cab driver Finn Parrish wants is to be saddled with a wheelchair-bound old lady with dementia. But because Miss Callie reminds him of his own mother, whom he failed miserably in her last days, he can’t say no when she keeps calling him for rides. Once a successful gourmet chef, Finn’s biggest concern now is paying his rent, but half the time Callie doesn’t remember to pay him. And as she starts to feel better, she leads him on wild-goose chases to find a Christmas date for her granddaughter.  When Finn meets Sydney, he’s quite sure she’s never needed help finding a date. Does Miss Callie have an ulterior motive, or is this just a mission driven by delusions? He’s willing to do whatever he can to help fulfill Callie’s Christmas wish. He just never expected to be a vital part of it. (picture and description at Amazon)

Happy Christmas!  Enjoy this season, however it looks for you!

O:)

Melissa

 

 

The Christmas Remedy, book #38

 

Sweet little book that kept me on the edge of my seat.  Love quick books for Christmas that have just a little something different ...

When an Old Order Amish woman takes a job at a small-town pharmacy struggling to survive in a world of "big box" stores, her motive is to help her Plain community. But the advent of the holiday season brings an unusual mystery to the surface--and possibly love.  Twenty-four-year-old Holly Zook lives a unique life for a young Amish woman. Years ago, her bishop allowed her to continue her education and become the lead technician for Greene's Pharmacy, an old-timey drugstore that looks out for the Amish community--a group largely without secure healthcare plans. She knows she can't marry and hold onto her professional job. She's Amish, and she can only have one or the other, so she spurns love and works toward addressing treatable diseases--like the one that claimed her father's life.  As long as Holly continues to avoid Joshua Smucker, the one man who draws her like a warm hearth in winter, she should be fine. When something unexpected threatens Greene's Pharmacy, Holly and Joshua must work together to unravel what's happened and find the "missing" patient before the Board of Pharmacy shuts them down. As the snows of December arrive, with Christmas in the air, will Holly succumb to the generous spirit of the season?  (picture and description at Amazon)

Now to find another one to read this next week!

Happy Reading!

O:)

Melissa

Shattering Secrets, book #37

I have to admit, when I saw this book my friend picked out for Book Club this month, I wasn't convinced I would like it.  We are supposed to be reading a Christmas book this month and this poor girl on the front, with no Christmasy looking decorations on it did NOT look like something I was going to enjoy.  Well, I thought, at least it only has 289 pages so maybe I can suffer through.  But with reading the Bible through this year as well I have been pretty picky about fiction books I pick up.  Once I went back to work in late June I've had to make hard decision with my time reading.  Ugh!  Sigh .... Since I got caught up on my Bible reading I decided to plunge in and get it over with.  

It took a while to get into, mainly because the only time I had to pick it up to read was about 10:30 at night in bed ~ where I would read about 5 minutes and fall asleep.  But once I really got into it, I was hooked!  

But then ~ THIS HAPPENED in the plot!!  (not giving it away!)

And then ~ THAT HAPPENED!!

And then  ... and then .... well, you know how it goes.  Even though my heart was grieving for the characters, I had to keep going.  Forget wrapping presents, going shopping, etc.  I HAD to stick with these guys to see how it was all going to end!  

An annual Christmas project sends a professional blogger in search of a little boy's one and only Christmas wish--his father--and unearths a story with the potential to rip apart a family forever.  

It’s a truth universally unacknowledged that sin will hunt you down and advertise its presence the moment you try to hide it.  

Davia Cordell came to Rockland for one purpose–find her son’s father before she dies. An ex-prostitute, she’s well aware that the news will cause waves, but what’s a mother to do?  As these women join forces to search for Joey’s father–a Rockland area pastor, no less– Emily learns compassion for a woman who just wants the best for her son and can’t quite imagine that Jesus wants anything to do with her.  

Each day, Davia weakens until Emily isn’t confident that she’ll find the boy’s father in time–if at all.  Doubts form. Should she even look?  Is it right to risk destroying a family like this? What about what this will do to the father’s church? 

 A mother’s love. A boy’s confidence. A family’s faith. A preacher’s failure. Is redemption even possible anymore? (picture and descripton from Amazon)

You will want to read this book.  Trust me on this.  It will make you think long and hard about what decision you would make for yourself.

Keep Reading, even when you can't judge a book by its cover!

O:)

Melissa

 

Same Kind of Different as Me, book #36

 

This book has been sitting on my shelf for years when I brought it home from the church library when we closed it.  I always wanted to read it but never got around to it.  Leah needed to read it for school so I sent it to her earlier but never thought anything else about it.  Well then she comes home last weekend for break and tells me she has to read the whole thing and write a paper on it while she is home so I decided it was an excellent time for me to read it ~ we could read it together!  Since she had my paper copy and was marking it up I just ordered a copy for my paperwhite and went from there.

Just like Just Mercy this book ripped me up!  So many things over the last few years ~ and months! ~ have made me realize all this "white privilege" I have and never even realized.  I have a few black friends and it honestly never occurred to me how completely different their life really is.  Shame on me for not realizing that ~ but here's hoping I can start every day being a little more understanding and open-minded about what I can do to help crush my own racists views that I never realized I had.  

This is a must read!

A dangerous, homeless drifter who grew up picking cotton in virtual slavery. An upscale art dealer accustomed to the world of Armani and Chanel. A gutsy woman with a stubborn dream. A story so incredible no novelist would dare dream it.  It begins outside a burning plantation hut in Louisiana . . . and an East Texas honky-tonk . . . and, without a doubt, in the heart of God. It unfolds in a Hollywood hacienda . . . an upscale New York gallery . . . a downtown dumpster . . . a Texas ranch. Gritty with pain and betrayal and brutality, this true story also shines with an unexpected, life-changing love.  (picture and description from Amazon)

And now it's time for Christmas books!  

Keep reading!

O:)

Melissa

Colors of Truth, book # 35

 

What can I say, but Tamara Alexander has blown it out of the water once again.  If you remember, in 2019 she wrote book 1 in this series, With This Pledge, which had me on the ground!!  I immediately bought 3 more copies and sent one to my mom, my mother in law, and my aunt.  The prequel to this series. Christmas at Carnton, came out in 2017 and it was equally amazing.  I feel certain I also bought 3 extra copies of that as well.. 

In short, I love this book, I love Tamara Alexander, and you need to read this.  

In a town battered and bruised by war, one woman embarks upon an impossible search--and one man must face the past in the very place that almost destroyed him. Tennessee, 1866. According to the last letter Irish immigrant Catriona O'Toole received from her twin brother, Ryan, he was being dispatched to Franklin, Tennessee, where--as a conscripted Confederate soldier--he likely endured the bloody Battle of Franklin that claimed the lives of thousands. Catriona leaves behind the lush green of their Irish homeland in search of him, with nothing to her name except the sum of cash Ryan sent to their family. Now the sole provider for her seven-year-old spitfire sister, Nora, Catriona hopes to reunite the siblings--the only surviving members of their devastated family. Wade Cunningham is a former Federal soldier who now works for the newly formed United States Secret Service and is trying to uncover counterfeiting rings in the postwar South. In order to infiltrate their sophisticated enterprise, he must pose as a former Confederate in Franklin--a town where counterfeit greenbacks run rampant. When Wade meets Catriona, he is immediately intrigued by her and the little redheaded scamp in her care--but what he doesn't anticipate is that the cash in Catriona's possession is some of the most convincing counterfeit money he's ever seen. Soon the object of Wade's affection is also the suspect in a major crime--one he's expected to prosecute. With rich historical detail and multifaceted prose, USA TODAY bestselling author Tamera Alexander tells a riveting tale of truth, betrayal, and unlikely romance that unveils the many shades of God's perfect redemption.  (picture and description from Amazon)

In an interesting tidbit ... when you write books about Civil War times you inevitably have to write about slavery.  Yes, it was wrong, but it is still part of history that we should not forget.  Her publisher asked her kindly to rewrite parts of the book to make it "less offense" and she knew she could not do that and tell the story like it truly happened ~ the good, the bad, and the ugly.  So her publisher cancelled this book and the final book in the series.  Not deterred from getting her story out, she took it upon herself to self publish and still got the book out on time.  You can see more about that here.   

Just to be clear, this does not mean I condone or think the treatment of black people has been fair at all, but I do believe history should not be changed.  History is something we learn from, not gloss over or delete the bad parts.  

As always, I can't wait until the third/fourth book in the series comes out.  And then I will cry my eyes out .... or go back and read many of her other books that I haven't read yet!  

Keep reading ...

O:)

Melissa

If I Were You, book #34

 

What can I say but WOW WOW WOW!!! I have a new favorite book!  It combines a great story, history lessons, and an amazing finish with mostly closure!!!  Surprisingly no pioneers or indians, but still amazing!

In a town battered and bruised by war, one woman embarks upon an impossible search--and one man must face the past in the very place that almost destroyed him. Tennessee, 1866. According to the last letter Irish immigrant Catriona O'Toole received from her twin brother, Ryan, he was being dispatched to Franklin, Tennessee, where--as a conscripted Confederate soldier--he likely endured the bloody Battle of Franklin that claimed the lives of thousands. Catriona leaves behind the lush green of their Irish homeland in search of him, with nothing to her name except the sum of cash Ryan sent to their family. Now the sole provider for her seven-year-old spitfire sister, Nora, Catriona hopes to reunite the siblings--the only surviving members of their devastated family. Wade Cunningham is a former Federal soldier who now works for the newly formed United States Secret Service and is trying to uncover counterfeiting rings in the postwar South. In order to infiltrate their sophisticated enterprise, he must pose as a former Confederate in Franklin--a town where counterfeit greenbacks run rampant. When Wade meets Catriona, he is immediately intrigued by her and the little redheaded scamp in her care--but what he doesn't anticipate is that the cash in Catriona's possession is some of the most convincing counterfeit money he's ever seen. Soon the object of Wade's affection is also the suspect in a major crime--one he's expected to prosecute. (picture and description from Amazon)

In other news, I have also been mainly keeping up with our RBT readings, so there are several books of the Bible I have read too!

Keep Reading!!

O:)

Melissa

Mason Jar Mayhem, book #33

 

 Our book for Book Club.  Interesting story, but pretty boring read.  

Spring has come to Sugarcreek, and the community is rallying behind an effort to help victims of domestic violence. At a work day to remodel abandoned cottages for families in need of safe havens, volunteers discover dozens of jars filled with old coins hidden within the walls of a kitchen. When the money is stolen from the safe in Cheryl’s office at the Swiss Miss, she feels responsible to find the thief and recover the loot. The investigation takes her back to the 1940s and connects people and events from the past to current friends and neighbors. It’s a journey to discover invaluable truths, such as “one doesn’t have to be rich to be generous” and “It’s those who give most freely of their time and treasure who find true peace for their souls.”  (picture and description from Amazon)

I've also read several books of the Bible, but I'll have to add those later ...

Keep Reading!

O:)

Melissa

If For Any Reason, book # 32

Just finished this precious book for Book Club this coming week.  It was harder to read because now that I have started back to work I am exhausted when I get home and can only read a few minutes before I fall asleep.  But this morning I got up early and finally got to the exciting conclusion!!

Emily Ackerman has traveled the world, her constant compass and companion a book of letters her mother left for her when she died. With no father in the picture, her mom’s advice has been her only true north. But when professional failure leads Emily back to Nantucket to renovate and sell the family cottage she inherited, she wonders if her mom left advice to cover this . . . especially when her grandmother arrives to “supervise.” And especially when her heart becomes entangled with Hollis McGuire, the boy next door–turned–baseball star who’s back on the island after a career-ending injury.  As sparks fly between her and Hollis, Emily is drawn to island life, even as she uncovers shocking secrets about the tragic accident that led to her mother’s death. With her world turned upside down, Emily must choose between allowing the voices from her past to guide her future or forging her own path forward.  (picture and description from Amazon)

Keep Reading!

O:)
Melissa

Jonah, book #31

Just finished Jonah today.  I have read this several times and heard the story about 1000, but Jay's take on it this past Sunday was super interesting.  Hint, it's not all about the whale.  Take a listen here.

O:)
Melissa

Two are Better, book #30

Several weeks ago this book showed up on our doorstep ~ and the doorstop of everyone in our neighborhood!  The authors, Tim and Debbie, live in our neighborhood now and as a "Corona-Gift" gave a copy to everyone here.

I loved reading this book and following along nervously and excitedly with them.  This video gives a recap of the book, although I just found it today after I finished the book.    

If you are in the mood for adventure or curious if dreams are really worth it, I highly recommend you get a copy of this book today!

Waiting upon the Lord takes on new meaning when you've been searching for companionship for over thirty years. Such was the case for Tim and Debbie Bishop. At age 52, the couple finally found in each other that special someone they'd been searching for years to marry. They moved from marriage proposal and wedding, to Tim's "retirement" and relocation, to embarking on their cycling adventure in only ten weeks. (picture and description at Amazon)

Happy Reading!

O:)
Melissa

Old Testament Books, books #14-29

And since I am reading the Bible through this year, I cannot forget to record those books!

Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
1 Chronicles
Job
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon

Roger, Katie and I are reading the Bible through with our church.  It's really fun to read along with Katie at breakfast (during our "stay at home" time, not sure what it will look like next week when I go back to work) because some of these stories are the first time she is reading them, or seeing Bible stories she heard growing up in context.  We are following a plan by George Guthrie called "Reader's Guide to the Bible."  

I hope I can keep up with her because there is some serious shaming that goes on when you get behind!  ;)

Happy Reading!

O:)
Melissa

Summer of Promise, Book #13

Just finished reading this for Book Club.  Another 5 star for me ~ 1880s wild west.  No pioneers or indians, but still love the time period!


Though she had planned to spend the summer in Vermont, Abigail Harding cannot dismiss her concerns over her older sister. Charlotte's letters have been uncharacteristically melancholy, and her claims that nothing is wrong ring false, so Abigail heads west to Fort Laramie, Wyoming. When her stagecoach is attacked, Wyoming promises to be anything but boring. Luckily, the heroics of another passenger, Lieutenant Ethan Bowles, save the day.  Abigail plans to marry when she returns to Vermont, just as soon as she attends to her sister. As the summer passes, she finds herself drawn to this rugged land and to a certain soldier determined to persuade her to stay. When summer ends, will she go back East, or will she find her heart's true home?  (picture and description at Amazon)

And, since this is the first book in a series, there is the eternal debate ~ do I go read the next ones in the series, even though I have plenty of other books to keep me busy, or just leave the other sisters out there, forever wondering what happened to them??

Alas ....

O:)

Melissa

Little Fires Everywhere, Book #12

So this was interesting.  I had seen the ads for the show and had our home girl Reese Witherspoon in it.  It looked interesting but I didn't think much else about it.  When we were in Huntsville the other week I saw Rebecca had this book and she told me I should take it and read it.  Her last recommendation to me, Just Mercy, ended up being good so I decided to read this too.  

It took me a while to get into it, but in the end I loved it - for a non-Christian book.  Sorry not sorry if that offends, but I just prefer to not read books with lots of language and sex in them.  All the characters had troubles, but I think Izzy's trouble is the one that broke my heart the most.  Not to give too much away, but about 1/3 of the way through the author tells a back story about when Izzy was born and if Elena had explained to her why she seemed to "be on her" more than the others it might have made her not be so rebellious.  

I do love the way the author would be in the present and very easily ~ before you even realize it ~ slip into the past, or into another scene that was playing out simultaneously, then bring you right back where she started.  It made the story all the more rich, without feeling like you never knew which "time" or "place" you were in.

In Shaker Heights, a placid, progressive suburb of Cleveland, everything is planned—from the layout of the winding roads, to the colors of the houses, to the successful lives its residents will go on to lead. And no one embodies this spirit more than Elena Richardson, whose guiding principle is playing by the rules. Enter Mia Warren—an enigmatic artist and single mother—who arrives in this idyllic bubble with her teenaged daughter Pearl, and rents a house from the Richardsons. Soon Mia and Pearl become more than tenants: all four Richardson children are drawn to the mother-daughter pair. But Mia carries with her a mysterious past and a disregard for the status quo that threatens to upend this carefully ordered community. When old family friends of the Richardsons attempt to adopt a Chinese-American baby, a custody battle erupts that dramatically divides the town—and puts Mia and Elena on opposing sides.  Suspicious of Mia and her motives, Elena is determined to uncover the secrets in Mia’s past. But her obsession will come at unexpected and devastating costs.  Little Fires Everywhere explores the weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, and the ferocious pull of motherhood—and the danger of believing that following the rules can avert disaster.  (picture and description from Amazon)

Now back to our Book Club Book since we are FINALLY meeting next week IN REAL LIFE!!!  

Keep Reading!

O:)
Melissa

A (wildly) Wonderful Wedding, book #11

Great little quick read.  Like watching a Hallmark movie, you know how it is going to end, but you want to see how its going to get there ...

They may be the worst maid of honor and best man in the history of weddings…  Five years ago, Drake and Danielle had a whirlwind summer romance—but on the day they were going to elope, Drake got cold feet and took the coward’s way out. Now a successful business owner, Drake is more than a little concerned when his best friend announces his upcoming nuptials—to the woman he’s only dated a little over a month.    Danielle is shocked when her best friend announces she’s getting married—in two months—to her boyfriend of a whole whoppin’ month. And then she meets the best man. Drake? Her friend is marrying the best friend of her ex-fiancé? She has to do something to help her friend see that this hasty wedding is a mistake. But she can’t do it alone. Will Drake and Danielle be able to work together to stop this crazy, wild wedding, or will they lose their hearts again in the process?  (picture and description at Amazon)

Wonder how much time I'll have to read once I get back to work?  For now I'm just plugging along down my list ...

Keep Reading!
O:)
Melissa

The Quilter's Daughter and The Bishop's Daughter, books 9 and 10

   

Well, I'm finally done with this series.  I guess it has just been a while since I have read Wanda Brunstetter, or maybe I just haven't read three books straight of hers, but it got a little old.  In all three books there was a sub-plot going on and I was more interested in the sub-plot than the actual story.  I'm glad they were all published when I read them because I would not have wanted to wait for a year or more to find out what would happen with this insane sub-plot.  And this sub-plot literally resolved on the very last page of the book.  

No spoilers, but if you have questions I'll be happy to answer them.  

The Quilter's Daughter:

Abby Miller leaves her successful quilt shop and patient fiance in Ohio to help her newly-remarried and now pregnant mother in Lancaster County. While she's away, Abby's world is shattered in one fell swoop. How can God make anything good come out of this tragedy? With shaken faith, Abby is forced to look for answers away from friends and family. Will she find them in the ashes of the past, in her love of quilting, or in the heart of an overlooked Amish man?  (picture and description at Amazon)

The Bishop's Daughter:

Leona is Bishop Jacob Weaver's daughter and a dedicated teacher in a one-room Amish schoolhouse. After her father's tragic accident, Leona's faith wavers. How could God allow something like this to happen to one of His servants? Outlander Jimmy Scott comes to Pennsylvania in search of his real family. When he is hired to paint an Amish schoolhouse, Jimmy and Leona find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other. Can anything good come from the love between an Amish woman and an English man? What secrets will be revealed and what miracles await God's people in Lancaster County? (picture and description at Amazon)

Anxious to start another book before I go back to work, but since BOOK CLUB I FINALLY MEETING THIS WEEK I'm going to see what Robi has for us!!

Keep Reading!

O:)

Melissa

The Storekeeper's Daughter, book #8

Started this series recently.  I hope the other books in the series answer the questions that this one left hanging .... 

Time seems to stand still in Naomi Fisher’s tranquil community, but it cannot hold back tragedy. Helping her widowed father run a store, manage a household, and raise seven children is a daunting task. There is no time to think about courtship and having her own family, still her heart yearns for the attention of Caleb Hoffmeir. But her days are plotted for her—until the afternoon her baby brother goes missing from the yard. How can Naomi expect anyone to love and trust her if she couldn’t take care of one small boy? Should she leave all that is familiar and seek a new avenue of life?  (picture and description at Amazon)

Keep Reading!

O:)

Melissa

Love Finds You ... in Valentine, Nebraska, Book #7

First off, let me say that if you ever see one of these Love Finds You books in my hand, please ask me if I really want to be reading that, then slap it out of my hand.  :)  I have been reading so many deeper, richer books lately that to go back to this fluff was a little frustrating.  But, I'm a girl that will finish the book, no matter what, so I stuck with it.  It's like watching a Hallmark movie where you know how it is going to end, but you still stay to the end ....

That said, the story was cute and entertaining.  Like watching a sitcom after you have been watching Gone with the Wind.

What can a California girl do with a few dusty acres of land in rural Nebraska? So Kennedy Blaine wonders after she inherits a ranch in the small, western-style town of Valentine, Nebraska. As Kennedy makes arrangements to sell the property, she finds herself drawn to the ranch and to its attractive manager, Derek Sterling. She decides to spend the summer in her ancestral home and reconnect with family members. But soon Kennedy is subjected to harassment by someone who clearly wants her to leave Valentine. Depending on God’s protection and Derek’s assistance, she sets out to discover who is behind the offenses. But when her search reveals painful details about her family and raises questions about Derek’s own past, will Kennedy still want to know the truth?  (picture and description at Amazon)

Got a couple of options to move on to next, but I also want to work around the house while I am home.  However, spending the warm afternoons reading outside is a little bit of heaven!

O:)
Melissa

Dangerous Illusions, book #6

Marilyn chose our book this month, even though we are not officially meeting.  She went with a favorite author who never disappoints.  I had a bit of a time getting into it, but once I was in I was hooked!!  Now the temptation will be to get the rest of the books in the series, even though I have plenty of other books to read already!  

Trish Bailey is on overload trying to deal with a demanding job, an ailing mother, and a healing heart. When a series of unsettling memory lapses leads to a tragic death--and puts Trish under police scrutiny--her world is once again thrown into turmoil.  Detective Colin Flynn isn't certain what to think of the facts he uncovers during his investigation. Did Trish simply make a terrible mistake or is there more to the case than meets the eye? As he searches for answers, disturbing information begins to emerge--and if the forces at work are as evil as he suspects, the situation isn't just dangerous . . . it's deadly.  (picture and description from Amazon)

Now it's just wondering what to read next ...

O:)
Melissa

Just Mercy, book #5

Rebecca read this book last fall for a book club she was in and thought I would like it.  The movie trailers looks interesting, so I finally picked it up.  

Man this is a HARD book to read!  I mean, I watch all those police/crime/legal shows but this stuff is REAL LIFE and it gave me an eye-opening look at what is wrong with the justice system these days.  Mainly with blacks, but also with white and the poor.  I just wonder how on earth normal human beings can do the things they do and think it is ok.  Bryan has worked literally tirelessly at fixing this system for nearly 25 years and made a lot of headway, but I think there is still more to be done.  


Bryan Stevenson was a young lawyer when he founded the Equal Justice Initiative, a legal practice dedicated to defending those most desperate and in need: the poor, the wrongly condemned, and women and children trapped in the farthest reaches of our criminal justice system. One of his first cases was that of Walter McMillian, a young man who was sentenced to die for a notorious murder he insisted he didn’t commit. The case drew Bryan into a tangle of conspiracy, political machination, and legal brinksmanship—and transformed his understanding of mercy and justice forever.  Just Mercy is at once an unforgettable account of an idealistic, gifted young lawyer’s coming of age, a moving window into the lives of those he has defended, and an inspiring argument for compassion in the pursuit of true justice.  (picture and description at Amazon)

Read, but be warned you won't be the same when you finish.

Now on to something lighter before I jump into our book for Book Club, which is a suspense/mystery!!  

O:)
Melissa

Stuck Together, book #4

Another wonderful read ~ finished this series up.  The only thing I didn't like about this (and #2) was how she tied in so much of what happened in the previous book(s) so you could read #2 or #3 without having read the previous ones.  But since I had it got tedious.  But other than that I'm sad to say good bye to my new friends.  Now I just need to make some more! :)

When a lawman who values order gets stuck with a feisty crusader who likes to stir things up, there's going to be trouble in Texas!  Now that she's settled in town, Tina Cahill is determined to get Broken Wheel's saloon closed for good. To that end, she pickets outside the place every afternoon. Unfortunately, so far no one has paid any attention.  Vince Yates earned the nickname "Invincible Vince" because of his reputation for letting absolutely nothing stop him. But Vince is about to face his biggest challenge yet: his past has just caught up with him. His father, mother, and the sister he didn't know he had show up in Broken Wheel without warning. His father is still a schemer. His mother is showing signs of dementia. And his surprise sister quickly falls for one of Vince's best friends. Vince suddenly has a lot of people depending on him, and Tina doesn't approve of how he's handling any of them.  With nearly every other man in town married off, Vince finds himself stuck with strong-willed Tina over and over again. Of course, Tina is the prettiest woman he's ever seen, so if he could just get her to give up her crazy causes, he might go ahead and propose. But he's got one more surprise coming his way: Tina's picketing at the saloon has revealed a dark secret that could put everyone Vince loves in danger. (picture and description at Amazon)

Curious to see where my reading will lead me next!

O:)

Melissa

Fired Up, Book #3

Another good book in the Trouble in Texas series!  

Dare Riker is a doctor who saves lives, but someone seems determined to end his. It may have something to do with the traitors he dealt with during the Civil War, or it might be related to the recent incident with Flint Greer and the ranch. Whoever the culprit is, he or she seems really fired up, and Dare can't let his guard down for a moment, which is a challenge, since right now he's trying to win the heart of the recently widowed Glynna.  Glynna Greer came west as a mail-order bride and ended up in a bad situation. Now her husband, Flint, is dead, and she's determined to care for her son and daughter on her own. She wants to believe Dare Riker is as decent as he seems, but she's terrified to lock herself into another marriage. She plans to support her small family by opening a diner--never mind that cooking is not her greatest talent. The men in Broken Wheel, Texas, are so desperate for home cooking that they seem willing to overlook dried-out beef and blackened biscuits.  Glynna can't help but notice that danger follows Dare wherever he goes. There's the avalanche. And then the fire. But things really get out of hand when someone plunges a knife from Glynna's diner into Dare's back. Are Flint's cronies still plotting revenge? Is Glynna's son engaged in a misguided attempt to protect his mother? Is a shadowy outsider still enraged over past injustices? And can Dare survive long enough to convince Glynna to take another chance on love?  (picture and description from Amazon)

Already started the third book!  I miss my Book Club Buddies to no end through this virus mess!!  :(  

Keep Reading!

O:)

Melissa