The Seceret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery + more books of the Bible, books 23-28

 

This book had been on my list since it came out.  I hadn't had a chance to read it, but I gave it to my mother in law for Christmas, then told her I wanted to read it when she got done with it.  Since she is a fast reader, she got it to me in early February, but I just recently finished it.  HIGHLY recommend!

Present Day. After tragedy plunges her into grief and unresolved anger, Sarah Ashby returns to her childhood home determined to finally follow her long-denied dream of running Old Depot Grocery alongside her mother and grandmother. But when she arrives, her mother, Rosemary, announces to her that the store is closing. Sarah and her grandmother, Glory Ann, make a pact to save the store, but Rosemary has worked her entire life to make sure her daughter never follows in her footsteps. She has her reasons--but she'll certainly never reveal the real one.

1965. Glory Ann confesses to her family that she's pregnant with her deceased fiancé's baby. Pressured into a marriage of convenience with a shopkeeper to preserve the family reputation, Glory Ann vows never to love again. But some promises are not as easily kept as she imagined.

This dual-timeline story from Amanda Cox deftly explores the complexity of a mother-daughter dynamic, the way the secrets we keep shape our lives and the lives of others, and the healing power of telling the truth.   (Picture and description from Amazon)

Slowly but surely plugging through my Bible Reading plan, I completed Philemon, James, 1 & 2 Peter, and Job (finally again!).  

Ready to jump into my next book!

O:)

Melissa

Good Boundaries and Goodbyes, and a lot of books of the Bible, books 11-22

 

Is it unloving or selfish to set a boundary? Are Christians ever called to walk away from a relationship that’s no longer safe or sustainable? Lysa TerKeurst deeply understands these hard questions in the midst of relational struggles.  But after thousands of hours of counseling intensives and extensive theological research that transformed the way she defined healthy relationships, Lysa is now more committed than ever to loving people well without losing the best of who she is. She wants to help you do the same. In these pages Lysa will help you:

1. Understand the five factors to remember when implementing healthy boundaries.

2. Determine the appropriate amount of personal and emotional access someone has to you based on how responsible they'll be with that access.

3. Stop being misled and emotionally paralyzed by wrongly interpreted or weaponized scriptures that perpetuate unhealthy dynamics in difficult relationships.

4. Overcome the frustrating cycle of ineffective boundary-setting with realistic scripts and practical strategies to help you communicate, keep, and implement healthier patterns.

5. Be equipped to say goodbye without guilt when a relationship has shifted from difficult to destructive and is no longer sustainable.  

6. Receive therapeutic wisdom you can trust directly from Lysa’s Christian counselor Jim Cress, who weighs in throughout the book. 

You'll be relieved to learn that boundaries aren't just a good idea, they're a God idea.  (picture and description at Amazon)

Took me way too long to finish that, but there was some really good stuff in there.  I've also gotten super dedicated in my Bible Reading Plan [getting up at 4:30 so I have an hour to read!] and finished 1 & 2 Timothy, Psalms, Titus, 2 Kings, Philemon, Proverbs (for the 5th time!), Hebrews, Luke, James and 1 Peter.

Now I'm ready to finally jump into our Book Club book, which is next week! You are always welcome to join us!

Keep Reading!

Melissa

Hope Harbor & Ephesians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Philippians, books 6-10

 

This is the book Robi chose for us for Book Club this month, and there's a funny story behind it.  When we were talking about it at the restaurant we were all debating whether we had read it or not already.  I didn't see it on our very lengthy list, but it sounded familiar.  We all chalked it up to the fact that we had read several Irene Hannon books (all amazing!) and maybe we were just stuck on the author part and not the actual book.  I went to look on Amazon for it for my paperwhite and it said I purchased the book in paper copy in 2017!  I was shocked!  Maybe I had read it after all!  So I scoured my bookshelves but was unable to find it.  I figured either I had bought it for the library, or maybe in all the trading of books around it got lost in the shuffle.  Who knows!  So instead of buying it again, I was able to find a copy of it in the library.  

But the funniness continues!  After I finished the book, which I absolutely loved!, I decided to see about the other books in the series.  Now, mind you, I'm trying NOT to add any more books to my L O N G neverending list of books I want to read, but I was curious.  So, it ends up I already read book #2, Sea Rose Lane here.

Tracy Campbell never wanted to leave Hope Harbor, Oregon, or the idyllic three-generation cranberry farm where she grew up. But life--and love--altered her plans. When tragedy strikes and changes her plans yet again, she finds herself back in her hometown with a floundering farm to run and a heartbreaking secret. Romance is not on her agenda. Nor is it on Michael Hunter's. The visitor from Chicago has daunting secrets of his own. But when Tracy recruits him to help save a struggling charitable organization, the winds of change begin to sweep through Hope Harbor, bringing healing, hope, and love to countless lives--including their own. (photo and description at Amazon)

Since this is a stand alone series of sorts, I may eventually pick it back up.  I'm a fan of Hope Harbor!

Still plugging through my Bible reading plan, I finished Ephesians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians and Philippians.  

Happy Reading!

Melissa

Dear Dana & Galatians, books #4 & #5

 

I don't even remember where I heard about this book, maybe online somewhere, maybe Reader's Digest, I don't know.  But it had been on my list for a while and after I finished the last book (snoozeville) I decided to jump into this one.  Boy was it even way better than I thought it would be!  In fact, I bought it for my Paperwhite, but since I ended up highlighting and bookmarking so many pages I decided I needed to buy a real copy of it!  So I did! 

When Amy Daughters reconnected with her old pal Dana on Facebook, she had no idea how it would change her life. Though the two women hadn’t had any contact in thirty years, it didn’t take them long to catch up—and when Amy learned that Dana’s son Parker was doing a second stint at St. Jude battling cancer, she was suddenly inspired to begin writing the pair weekly letters.  When Parker died, Amy—not knowing what else to do—continued to write Dana. Eventually, Dana wrote back, and the two became pen pals, sharing things through the mail that they had never shared before. The richness of the experience left Amy wondering something: If my life could be so changed by someone I considered “just a Facebook friend,” what would happen if I wrote all my Facebook friends a letter?  A whopping 580 handwritten letters later Amy’s life, and most of all her heart, would never, ever, be the same again. As it turned out, there were actual individuals living very real lives behind each social media profile, and she was beautifully connected to each of those extraordinary, flawed people for a specific reason. They loved her, and she loved them. And nothing—not politics, beliefs, or lifestyle—could separate them.  (Picture and description at Amazon)

All I have to say is, if we are Facebook friends, there is a good chance you might get a letter from me some time this year!

Also, while still plugging through the Bible, I finished Galatians this past week as well.

Next up I am headed to Hope Harbor, Oregon with Irene Hannon and my book club buddies!

Keep Reading!

Melissa

The Lady and the Mountain Doctor, book #3

 

I was ready for some pioneers, out west type stuff and decided to read this.  Highly disappointed.  Story doesn't follow what description says, simple writing, somewhat unlikely story, although I know things were a lot different back then in the wild west!  Luckily it was only about 250 pages.

Miriam Bryant has always dreamed of leaving the never-ending work of her family's remote mountain ranch to travel abroad as a genteel lady. She's thrilled when the opportunity finally arises, but a gruesome hunting accident crushes her plans, leaving her stranded for weeks in a Montana Territory mining town. The single bright spot in her disappointment comes in the form of this mountain town's newest doctor.  Fresh out of medical school, Alex Donaghue is excited to join his brother's practice and prove himself in the mining town of Butte, in Montana Territory. But the tough conditions in the mines and the brutal winter are worse than he expected. Now a mysterious lung disease is killing patients he fought so hard to cure. The single bright spot in this dreary place comes in the form of their newest patient.  But when Miriam's life is threatened by the effects of a medical tragedy, will Alex have what it takes to save the woman he's come to love? Will Miriam ever find the place God created her for, or is it too late? (picture and description at Amazon)

It's almost time for Book Club, so I'll be excited to see what is picked next!

In other news, for anyone who remembers or cares, I have been plugging through the Bible with this plan for many, many years off and on.  It is a 250 day plan if you stick with it (reading 10 chapters day!) but I have worked on it for many years.  I am determined to get it finished this time, even though it will still take me a very long time.  On a weekday I can only get in about 5 chapters (unless I start getting up at 4:30).  BUT!  The good news is that today I reached the half way point! :)

Happy Reading!!

Melissa

The Ride of her Life, book #2

 

Has it really only been a year since I started this series?!?  It seems like it was so long ago.  This series follows three spunky girls at the Lake Manawa resort duriing the early 1900s. The series started with Marguerite in Making Waves, then went to Emily in A Great Catch and we have now finished with Lilly here in The Ride of Her Life.   I'm sad to see this series end, but I have fallen in love with the author and plan to find more books written by her.

She's planted firmly on solid ground.  He's ready to sweep her off her feet.  The only man pragmatic Lilly Hart needs in her life is a six-year-old. Widowed for three years, Lilly has decided to leave the home of her intrusive in-laws to stand on her own. However, her in-laws find her new life as a cook at Lake Manawa utterly unsuitable for their grandson. When an argument ensues, a handsome stranger--who designs roller coasters, of all things--intercedes on her behalf. But Lilly is not about to get involved with any man, especially this cocky gentleman. Little does she know she is about to begin the ride of her life. (picture and description at Amazon)

I'm also still plugging through the Bible, so plan on seeing updates here as well on that.

Happy Reading!

Melissa

A Will, a Way and a Wedding, book #1

 

Finally finished up this series.  It was super cute, if not drawn out.  My only regret was that I didn't read the series one after the other, instead of years apart! :)

As Daphne begins making reluctant plans to let Aunt Dee's house and life go and pick up the pieces of her fractured life, the guy she's been dreaming about begins to change his tune. Of course, another huge obstacle pops up at about the same time, threatening to ruin what might finally be true love. Meanwhile, she continues writing the advice column, learning more about love and commitment than she ever thought possible. But will she cinch the deal in time? (picture and description at Amazon)

Keep Reading ~ what is your goal for 2023?

Melissa