Secrets

About The Book:  Jessica ran from her past...but can she hide from love?  Jessica Morgan wants desperately to forget the past and begin a new life. She chooses a small, peaceful town tucked away in Oregon’s Willamette Valley as the place to start over—Glenbrooke. Once there, Jessica conceals her identity from the intriguing personalities she meets—including the compassionate paramedic who desires to protect her and the jealous woman who wants nothing more than to destroy her. Will Jessica’s deceit ruin all hope for the future? Or will she find a deeper peace that allows her to stop hiding the truth from those who love her most of all?   This heartwarming bestseller, book one in the Glenbrooke series, introduces the fascinating people of Glenbrooke in a compelling tale of romance and spiritual truth.

About The Author:  Robin is a God-Lover, storyteller, happy wife and blessed mama. Her 82 books have sold nearly 4.5 million copies worldwide.  According to one of my favorite authors, Patsy Clairmont, "Robin is compelling and delightfully funny, but bring tissue to her speaking events! Her honesty is disarming and her rich experiences add tremendous heart to her gift of storytelling."

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My Thoughts On The Book:  As a high school teacher I like to preview teen books.  When my students ask for recommendations of what to read it is nice when I can guide them to something worth reading. This book fits the bill in every way.  It was very entertaining and intriguing. I read it in less than a day, so I know my students will be able to read it in a couple of days. Robin Jones Gunn does a terrific job of creating life-like characters. I really loved the struggles Jessica faced.  High School kids face these same trials every day.  I actually chose this book because I wanted something light to read.  This is the first book in the Glenbrooke series and after the first few pages I found that that I was hooked. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys series books or Christian romance.  I loved the very end of the e-book pages where the remaining Glenbrooke series is introduced.  There is an invitation that states;  "Come to Glenbrooke...A quiet place where souls are refreshed."  It makes me want to travel there....even if it is just for a bit....and inside the pages of a book!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah Blogging for Books Program. I was not required to write a positive review. All they asked for was an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

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Hodge Podge - Vol 115

Welcome to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you decide to play along with us then click here and add your link to the bottom of Joyce's post, and then 'March' on over to some of the other blogs participating. Here we go-

 

1. When were you last facing an ocean? Using just ONE word, describe how you felt as you faced that ocean. In May of 2012.  I was at Panama City Beach, FL with a lot of friends.  How did I feel?  Healed.

2. What are three sounds you hate to hear?  Gum being popped, angry people yelling, the alarm clock telling me it is time to move again.

3. This question comes to you courtesy of some real life friends. Hi real life friends! When you shop for yourself, do you try everything on in the store before buying or do you buy, try on at home, and then return what you don't like or what doesn't fit?  I usually try it on in the store.  If I am in a hurry I have bought it and tried it on at home.  Only a few times have I had to return it after that.

4. February 26th is National Pistachio Day...are you a fan of the little green nut? Do you use them in cooking and baking or prefer to eat them right out of the shell?  I like pistachios.  I prefer eating them right out of the shells....but I cannot eat them right now....since I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Collitis. I love pistachio pudding...and pistachio cheese cake.  I try and remove the nuts before I eat it.

5. When did you last have to compromise with someone? Were you happy to reach the compromise or slightly irritated it was necessary?   Compromise does not happen a lot in my life.  I am a peacemaker....and hate making waves.  Therefore...if it is not going to matter in five years....then I don't stress over it.  With that said....Frank and I do compromise a lot when it comes to television.  I love Hallmark channel...and the love story movies.  He loves Ax men...etc.  We compromise...sometimes he watches what I want...others I watch his shows (actually I crochet or read).  I don't mind the compromise.  If it bothers me that bad....I go watch what I want to watch in the bedroom.

6. Have you ever written a letter to an elected official? Did you get a response?  I have many times written letters to the governor of Alabama, Senators, and House members for various reasons concerning education in Alabama.  I have many times received responses and more than often not.

7. We 'March' into a new month at the end of this week...what's something on your March calendar guaranteed to make you smile?  EASTER!!!!!!!!  I cannot wait!!!!  Frank is preaching the community Holy Week Good Friday service at the First Methodist Church and I get attend (and sing)since we will be on Spring Break!!!!!

8.  I have disappointed someone I love and I feel horrible.  My sweet friend is selling Norwex.  She is a stay at home Mom and is doing this for some socialization time.  I had scheduled a party back in February but had to cancel when Frank got  novovirus.  We resceduled....Saturday, March 2nd....but the only time she had was 6:30.  I told her no problem....sent out 19 invites with an RSVP for Sunday, February 24th.  Sunday....I got 18 NO's. I was floored (I should not have been....most of my older buddies don't go out after dark and I knew this)....and 1..if I don't have anything else come up.  I told my good friend that I could not have the party....no one would be there.  I have disappointed her and I am so sad.  So what I want from you is....when was the last time  you disappointed someone?  What would you have done in this situation?  Signed....the creepy, insensitive, jerk.

Carrying My Candle

 

I gave up candy for Lent.  Forty days with no candy.  What was I thinking that close to Valentines Day?  It is going to be a stretch.  What I have been doing is reading my bible when I want a handful of M & M's.  This week I found myself reading from  John 1:5....and as I read it all I could think of was the song, Carry your Candle by Chris Rice.  The thing is....this year...I did not just give up something.  I took on something.  I have written a letter a day to someone who has touched my life spiritually and has picked me up when I have fallen.  It has been a real blessing to me to sit quietly and let my ink glide across the page of the paper I have chosen.    It has made me remember how much I love to write....with pen and ink.  There was a lesson here...pick up a pen.  I believe I will. 

2,000 years ago, the Apostle John wrote, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5, NAB). 

Carry Your Candle

There is a candle in every soul
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold
There is a Spirit who brings fire
Ignites a candle and makes His home

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

Frustrated brother, see how he's tried to
Light his own candle some other way
See now your sister, she's been robbed and lied to
Still holds a candle without a flame.

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

We are a family whose hearts are blazing
So let's raise our candles and light up the sky
Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus
Make us a beacon in darkest times

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, deceived and poor
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

 

Now, let me go light my candle and carry on.  God Bless You All!

Thoughts of Lent - Day 11

Today is Monday and the 11th day of Lent.  The scripture for today came from Luke 9:30 - 32.  "³⁰ And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, ³¹ who, appearing in ^[a]glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. ³² Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him."  The song In The Garden always makes me cry.
 

My study questions for today were...

1.  Why do you think the disciples were falling asleep while they prayed? In my whole life in church I have always heard that just before Judas' betrayal and nearing the time of His crucifixion, Jesus travelled to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives with His disciples so that He could pray. Before He went to pray, Jesus told the disciples to watch with Him as He prayed. But while Jesus was praying, His disciples fell asleep. Three separate times, Jesus came back during His time of prayer to find the disciples asleep. The following verses from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke include what Jesus said to them after He found them asleep:  Luke 22:46 "And said unto them, 'Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.'" Matthew 26:40-41 "And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, 'What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.'"  Mark 14:37-38 "And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, 'Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.'"  Mark 14:41-42 "And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, 'Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.'"  Matthew 26:45-46 "Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, 'Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.'"  This part of the story of Easter breaks my heart....but then...I have sat with people in the hospital....so they would not be alone...and found myself either nodding off or waking up suddenly.  Jesus’

2.  What do you think it would look like to see Jesus' glory?  Amazing is all that I can think of.   I have to say when I think of glory....I think of the song I Can Only Imagine.

My prayer for today is this:

"Jesus, sometimes we are like the disciples. We forget You are with us. We forget to pray. We fall asleep. Wake us up when we forget You and remind us who You really are, that You are God." Amen and Amen.

Project 365 - Week 8

It is that time of the week again.  Time to put up my week in pictures and tell you all about them.  I wish you would join in with us.  It is a lot of fun to see what everyone has been doing or thought photo worthy.  If you want then hop over to Fran's blog and check out what everyone else saw...through the camera lens.

 

Sunday, February 17th

 

Spring is near and daffodils are a blooming.  I love it when they pop their little heads out to see what is happening.  It rained some more and got colder after I shot this on Sunday next door in Mrs. Mildred's yard.

Monday, February 18th

 

I love pine cones in pine trees.  They are so pretty.  We had sun for a tiny bit today and I grabbed this shot outside the house.  I had novovirus and did not venture far from the house. 

Tuesday, February 19th

 

I pass a small cemetary every day on my way up and down Hwy 22.  Today it was graying again....rain is in the forecast and I stopped , got out, walked over about half the cemetary when I saw these three markers that reminded me of chess pieces.  I am tired of rain.

Near the edge of the woods there was this weird marker that really freaked me out and made me go back to my car and prepare to leave very quickly. 

 

Wednesday, February 20th

Spring is in bloom and I am so delighted because it means my Flower Club ladies from church will have flowers for me to shoot again.  I cannot wait.  I was delighted to see sun again.  Tomorrow rain is once again in the forecast.

 

Thursday, February 21st

My soccer team girls from fourth block.  They are so cute and so funny.  We are leaving for Tennessee after school today.  I cannot wait.  I want to get away for a few days.

 

Friday, February 22nd

 Susan works part time at the Village Bakery.  We stopped by to drop off some Imperial Margarine and I could not help but snap a shot of these yummy treats.  Yes, I sampled a few and brought home some petit fours. 

 

Saturday, February 23rd

Lunch at Wild Wing Cafe on our way out of town with Chuck and Susan.  It was a great trip.  Can't wait to see them again!

Shattered

About The Book: With All the Evidence Against Him, Only a Sister's Trust Can Save Him NowWhen her prodigal brother Reef's return to Yancey, Alaska, is shattered by his arrest for murder, Piper McKenna is determined to protect him.  Deputy Landon Grainger loves the McKennas like family, but he's also sworn to find the truth. And he knows those closest to you have the power to deceive you the most. With his sheriff pushing for a quick conviction, some unexpected leads complicate the investigation, and pursuing the truth puts Landon's career in jeopardy.  When Piper launches her own investigation, Landon realizes he must protect her from herself-and whatever complications await as the two follow clues deep into Canada's rugged backcountry. Not only does their long friendship seem to be turning into something more, but this dangerous case is becoming deadlier with each step.

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/hLsy9 

About The Author:  Dani Pettrey is a wife, homeschooling mom, and author. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves--the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters' faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland with their two teenage daughters. Visit her website at www.danipettrey.com.

 

My Thoughts On The Book:  The characters in Pettrey's book were so vivid.  I could not put the book down.  I am glad I started reading it on a Friday night because sleep was not happening until I knew the end results of the plot.  The connection between Landon and Piper and the whole McKenna family is electrifying.  Pettrey is a master wordsmith and quite a weaver of a story.  This is a definite must read.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Group review program for bloggers. I was not required to write a positive review. All they asked for was an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Five Minute Friday - What Momma Did That Made Her Mine

Five Minute Friday is a bit different this week.  It is still five minutes of uninterrupted writing but the topic has a history.  You see this week four friends have shared unique memories of their mothers with the readers of Lisa-Jo's blog. Today’s our turn. What did your mama do that makes her your mama? Let’s unpack those memories today. Let’s trace our fingers along the lines of the unexpected. The ordinary beauty in a day of motherhood. The food or the laughing or the dancing or the story telling.  Where is your memory buried?

(Caught dancing in the front yard to Sentimental Journey)

In just five minutes. Tell us all about what your mama did that made her yours….{and don’t forget to spend some time commenting on the post of the person who linked up just before you}

GO:
My momma loved to dance.  When she was young she actually danced in USO shows for troops.  She danced at parties, reunions, home, with my dad, with friends, she even danced in the nursing home after she went to live there. The nurses loved it when she would hear music and grab one of them and whirl them around the halls of Adams Nursing Home.  She danced.  My children all learned to dance the Boogie Woogie, Swing, you know the dances of the WWII era.  She was an amazing dancer.  I have video of her dancing in her black taffeta dress with red dots...and still have the dress.  I loved to hear the sound of  the taffeta brushing against the slip part.  I loved it when she would grab my hands and sing and dance with me.....it is one of my fondest memories of my mom. I danced with my children when they were babies.  If one of them was feverish or fretting I would hold them close and sway with them to a song I would sing softly.  It worked like a charm.  I did not inherit my mom's dancing abilities but I did inherit her singing ability.  I came from a family of singers and that is another of my favorite memories.  I loved to hear my mom sing to me....and to my children.  Irish Lullaby, Sweetest Little Rosebud, Amazing Grace were all songs my mom would sing me to sleep with.  I loved the lilt of her voice as she sang Irish Lullaby.  Kat loved them too and Sweetest Little Rosebud was HER special song.  I have a tape of my mom, my aunt Shirley, cousin Amanda and I singing at my mom's church.  The song was He Looked Beyond My Fault and Saw My Need.  There are times in the song when you cannot tell who is singing.  Amanda's sister Missy made us a copy for Christmas one year.  I cry every time I hear it.  We were a family from a long line of music.  When we got together the guitars would come out, the voices would warm up....and my mom would be right in the middle of this.....singing and dancing.  My mom died April 11th, 2011.  She was buried on my dad's birthday.  Through my tears as we gathered to celebrate her life.....with music of course....I almost laughed out loud because I could see her, my aunt Shirley and my dad....looking down....singing along....smiling with delight and dancing.
STOP

Just My Imagination....Once Again

I come from a family with a vivid imagination.  I guess that is part of being storytellers.  You have to have an active imagination to spin a tale worth hearing.  No, I did not have imaginary friends when I was younger but I did write creatively.  I dreamed all the dreams young girls dreamed.  I wanted to be a famous singer, buy my mom a baby blue Lincoln convertible, I dreamed of surfing the pipeline in Hawaii, I dreamed of Communist take-overs during the Cuban Missle crisis, but my biggest imaginative acts....dealt with my mom.  When I wanted to do something.....or did something wrong.....I would have the conversation with my mom in my head prior to asking or telling her whatever I had to tell her.  Most of the time I imagined it going the wrong way....and I would get home and not ask at all.  In my imagination my mom was this oge whose whole purpose in life was to make my life miserable.  In my imagination....she was the queen of this.  In reality....my mom was the mom everyone wanted to hang out with at my house.  My mom took my children on field trips and enthralled them with learning in a fun way. 

My mom made sure I saw the stars during the entire year at the Planetarium, she took me to the zoo, she taught me about flowers and orchids, she showed me how to grow herbs, she gave me a love for growing things, she took me to the movies, she took me to concerts, she took me to historical places....she made sure I knew the state of Florida well.  I have seen Wikiwatchee, Silver Springs, Nautical museums, Cape Canaveral launches, Norton Art Gallery art....you name it....I saw it.  Sometimes I went kicking and screaming (not literally) because my friends were going to amusement parks....but then....there was the beach. 

We lived near it....and my mom loved it.  She made sure I did too.  There is not many things I love as much as the feel of the sun on my skin and the smell of the salt/surf, and the feel of the breeze....except maybe....the beach right before a storm.  She made sure I saw that too.  We would run over to the beach as the squalls of a hurricane began pelting the earth with rain.  There was something about the wildness of the wind and surf that made us both very peaceful.  While most of my friends grew up wanting to be teachers, doctors, nurses and the like.  I grew up wanting to be a Social worker....and work with the migrants who came and harvested the oranges or sugar cane.  I wanted to be a mother.  I guess....I wanted to be my mom....even though if you had asked me then I would have told you that was a lie.  My mom was the Leave It To Beaver mom...June Cleaver. 

She was a stay at home mom who made cookies, cleaned, shopped (she actually had grocery store dresses she wore when she did this), she would take a job around Christmas to have extra spending money.  I am not saying that she was perfect....she was a tough mom....especially after the death of my brother.  We were not rich....I lived on the wrong side of the tracks....but we were rich...in love and God.  I had everything I ever needed.  The key word here is needed.  I had some of the things I wanted.  I don't ever remember doing without.....for necessities.  My mom sewed....so most of my clothes were homemade (they bore little tags that said, "Handmade with love by Wilma...and I hated that), I had some amazing outfits(and some that came from floor scraps at Avondale mills that had stains on them...she would put a pocket or applique over them to hide the spot)

 

  

(my mom made every outfit I have on)

....and so did my Barbie(I had some amazing clothes for her made by my Aunt MaeBelle and momma).....but I was a child...and did not understand....I wanted store bought.  I had to become an adult/mother to finally grasp the love and care that went into this.  I would wear my homemade clothes and imagine that my outfits came from Burdines....where Villager dresses were sold.  Yep...it was just my imagination....once again....running away with me.  My life was far from idyllic.  My mom had a breakdown when my brother died.    On the outside for the world to see....my life was perfect.....but within the walls with just my mom....life was very imperfect....but once again....my imagination ran wild.  I took all the wonderful traits from my friends moms....and build them into my mom...so nobody would know.  My daughter was in her twenties before she actually saw my mom turn from Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde and it frightened her.  I have to laugh now...because as Kat came unglued with the display....she told me that she did not know how I managed not to be an alcoholic or drug addict.  I have wondered that same thing myself.  I guess God watches out for his tiniest of sheep....and if they are lucky....they develop vivid imaginations.  There is no book that comes with child rearing...no "How-To" manual....it is all done by trial and error.  Sometimes we are spot on....other times we are off the course.  I was not a perfect mom.....but I was a mom with a vivid imagination....and I believed if you can dream it...you can achieve it.  I have three very successful(though not always perfect) children today that I am extremely proud of......and that my dear readers is reality....not my imagination running wild.  That is a Fact!  Thanks for letting me ramble.  Have a blessed day!

Hodge Podge - Vol 114

It is Wednesday and time to join the Hodgepodge fun. Joyce comes up with random questions....we answer them....link up with her....and the beat goes on.  Want to play along?  Click here and you can run get the questions too....After you post your answers you can click here and link up.

Here ya go-

1. When were you last 'on a mountaintop'? You may answer in the literal or figurative sense.  In October when I attended the Burgess family reunion at Cheaha.  I was definitely on a literal mountain top.  Cheaha is the highest point of Alabama.  Figuratively I was last on a mountain top at the last Women of Faith conference I went to.  I felt as if I would never come off that mountain....but alas...it happened....and so fast.
2. Do you establish and maintain a strict budget in your household? What is one piece of financial advice you would offer someone just starting out on their own?   I have had better skills at this than lately.  With that said I know the golden rule..."Never buy anything on credit.  Always pay cash."  Keep six months of salary in reserve.  That is not easy with your spouse working part time and in school. 
3. Cherries-yay or nay? Cherry pie, cherry cola, black forest cake, or a scoop of Ben and Jerry's Cherries Garcia...pick one.   I don't love cherries....but I do like cherry pie and black forest cake.....and raw cherries.  Ranier and the ones from Traverse City, MI are my favorites there.
4. Should you ever discuss religion or politics with people you don't know?   I don't discuss.  I listen to discussions.  Religious and Political discussions can ruin a party....a relationship....peace and quiet.  I have my own opinions....and they are mine.  I vote....I attend church regularly.....and as a Christian....I don't feel the extreme need to my opinions and thoughts on anyone else. 

5. When you take a road trip do you prefer to be the driver or the passenger? Where were you headed on your last road trip?   I love to be the driver....but so does Frank.  So, I drive when he gets tired.  I have an issue with motion sickness so I really need to be in the front.  Our last road trip was to Knoxville to see my precious friends, the Price family.  We are going to see them again this weekend and I cannot wait.  To quote one of Amanda's songs...."Put me on the road and I'm happy."
6. If we peeked inside your closet, what color would we say is most prevalent?  Black and turquoise right now are split-50% to 50%.  I am trying to get away from so much black so all of a sudden my closet is beginning  to burst forth with other colors.
7. Who's your favorite senior citizen and why are they special?  Every single one of the senior citizen members of our church and for different reasons.  The underlying reason is that they all make me feel so very special and loved.  I love spending time with them and learning from them.  They rock my world.   There is not a one of them who does not make me feel very much at home when I visit.
8. Insert your own random thought here. Today is Love Your Pet Day.  We have a miniature doxie named Beau Diddley and he allows us to live in the house with him.  He is one spoiled rotten doxie.  When I was growing up I had chihuahuas (Prince and Peanut) and two shelter muts (Blacky and Whitey.)  When my kids were small we had Big Boy, Sir Toby Gusmeister, Brownie,  Duke and Dolly, Mr. Wilson, and Eygpt.  Rocky was the grand dog and we loved him to death.  So...do you have animals?  now?  earlier?  What were their names, what were they?  Were they spoiled???

The Rocky Mountain Heiress Collection

About The Books:  Take a trip back to the nineteenth-century Wild West in these three inspirational romance novels, attractively priced and packaged as an eBook omnibus. Kathleen Y'Barbo's The Rocky Mountain Heiress Collection includes the rollicking romances of three amazing young women; an adventure-seeking heiress pretending to be a governess to go west, a feisty well-to-do society girl longing to become a journalist and chase the story of a lifetime, and the millionaire's daughter who is being asked to marry for the good of the family business . Fans of westerns will find themselves transported to frontier Colorado, and into stories with independent heroines, adventure, love, and ambition.
In the first novel, The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper New York socialite Eugenia Cooper longs to enjoy one last escapade before she marries banker Chandler Dodd. Opportunity knocks, and she heads for rough-and-tumble Colorado. When she takes the job as governess for silver baron Daniel Beck’s daughter, she wonders where her future lies. With Chandler—or with Daniel?

The second novel, Anna Finch and the Hired Gun gives us Anna Finch, who despite her father’s attempts to marry her off, dreams of becoming a reporter. A chance encounter with legendary gunslinger Doc Holliday gives her the opportunity of a lifetime, but Pinkerton agent Jeb Sanders is about to ruin everything. Though her father hired Jeb to keep her out of mischief, Anna’s inconvenient attraction to her hired gun only multiplies her troubles. She doesn’t realize Jeb has a score to settle with Doc Holliday, or that her association with the famous outlaw will affect more than just her marriage prospects.
Between her father’s desperation to see her wed and Jeb shadowing her every move, getting the story and fulfilling her journalistic ambition just got far more complicated than she ever imagined.

The final novel, The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck is the story of an unlikely romance that sometimes just an inconvenient marriage away.  Charlotte Beck may be entering adulthood, but she can’t seem to keep to her stubborn, independent spirit from bucking social protocol. Fed up with her behavior, Charlotte’s father Daniel pressures her to settle into a nice marriage despite knowing she is set on going to college. Then Daniel sees Charlotte with the handsome but annoying English astronomer Alex Hambly, and everything changes.  Though Alex and Charlotte can barely stand one another, Daniel offers them a deal they can’t refuse: if they agree to marry, he will save Alex’s family from financial ruin and grant Charlotte the freedom to go to college. Reluctantly the couple agrees, but in private they plot to annul the marriage as soon as possible.  But when Alex’s feelings change and he refuses to dissolve their contract, will Charlotte find a way out of her vows? Or will
she discover that maybe this marriage isn’t so inconvenient after all?

About The Author: RITA and Carol award nominee Kathleen Y’Barbo is the best-selling, award-winning author of more than forty novels, novellas, and young adult books. In all, more than one million copies of her books are currently in print in the US and abroad, and her books have been translated into Dutch, German, and Spanish, to name a few.
Kathleen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She holds a BBA from Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School and a certification in Paralegal Studies, and is a former member of the Texas Bar Association’s Paralegal Division.  A tenth-generation Texan, Kathleen Y’Barbo has four children of her own as well as seven bonus kids she gladly inherited when she married her own hero in combat boots (read about their real-life romance here!). Kathleen is proud to be a military wife, even if it did mean giving up her Texas drivers license.
My Thoughts About The Books:  When I began The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper I was afraid this story might be just another predictable historical romance. I am really glad I did not judge this book.  The story from beginning to end was delightful and completely captivated me. Gennie’s adventurous spirit is infectious and Daniel very interesting and when you added the sparks between the two this was the kind of read you don't want to put down.  The second book, Anna Finch and the Hired Gun was just as delightful as the first.  The main character was feisty and her spunk, coupled with Doc Holliday and Jeb Sanders makes this an engaging historical novel.  A must read.  The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck is filled with delightful humor, vivid characers, a little tad of mystery, and a ton of romantic flair.  If you are looking for entertainment and an absolutely engaging read then these three ladies in the Rocky Mountain Heiress Collection are for you.  Kathleen Y'Barbo bats it out of the park. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah Blogging for Books Program. I was not required to write a positive review. All they asked for was an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Moon Over Edisto

 

About The Book:  The past has come knocking on Julia's door. Can she summon the courage to answer betrayal with love?  Julia’s best friend, Marney, broke up her parents' marriage years ago. Now Marney shows up at her Manhattan apartment, asking the impossible—come home to Edisto Island to care for the half-sisters and half-brother she has never known. Marney, recently widowed, has lung cancer. There's no other family to care for the children while she’s in the hospital following surgery.  Julia loathes Marney. But if she doesn’t step in, her own mother—who has never gotten over the divorce—will be called upon to take care of the children. So she heads to South Carolina to keep the peace.  On Edisto, she begins to reconnect with the place and the people and she’s been running from her whole adult life. There’s the local doctor who once stole a kiss from her on that very beach, and the siblings she’s never known—especially the sister with selective mutism named Etta who’s the keeper of nearly every family secret . . . including the very one that just might bind-up Julia’s long-since shattered heart.

About The Author:  Beth Webb Hart, a Southy Carolina native, is the best-selling author of Grace at Low Tide and The Wedding Machine.  She serves as a speaker and creative writing instructor at schools, libraries, and churches throughout the region, and she has received two national teaching awards from Scholastic, Inc.  Hart lives with her husband and their family in Charleston.





My Thoughts On The Book:  I have traveled many times throughout the Charleston region and it tugs at my heart every time I am there.  As a child I used to dream I was a true Charlestonian, but alas.  Edisto Island has always been one of my favorite get-aways.  There is something extremely magical there.  The story line drew you right in as Beth Webb Hart's books usually do.  From the beginning of the book I found myself emotionally attached to the characters.  I loved the way this story unfolded as a tale of forgiveness and letting go of the past.  God is portrayed as the omnipotent one he is giving Julia what her heart desires even though she is not really aware that she wants it. At one point in the story Julia thinks Marney is destroying her life  for a second time only to realize she is about to make a huge mistake in marrying Simon and that Marney is actually giving  her what she truly desires and needs in her life...children and Edisto.  I could not put this book down and as the story drew to a close I found myself hoping this would be a series.  There was so much I still needed to know about Etta, Meg, Mary Ellen, Charlie, Jed and their lives on Edisto Island.  What an amazing book by a truly wonderful wordsmith!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishing Booksneeze Program for bloggers. I was not required to write a positive review. All they asked for was an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

I Come From A Long Line of Love

I come from a long line of exaggerating, laughing, yarn-spinning, opinion-hollering storytellers. In my family we all have opinions on everything and I grew up surrounded by long and loud discussions on politics, religion, and family.  On my mother's side the women would sit at the kitchen table and swap recipes, stories, and the latest things the kids were doing.  The menfolk would sit outside on an old school bus seat under the chinaberry tree and discuss life as they knew it.  My mother was not a huge storyteller.  She seemed to keep all of her stories close, and shared them sparingly to me when I was a child.  I loved hearing her tales as I was growing up.  She told me about my uncle Willie, who actually ran moonshine.  She would tell me tales about her baby brother, Trollis that she practically raised.  He is only 15 years older than me.  She was 15 years older than him.  Growing up in my little home at 1127 El Prado had many happy memories and just as many unhappy ones.  That was especially true after my brother's death in 1963.  Before his death....on the night before our birthdays, she would stay a bit longer in our room at bedtime and read an extra story or two.  One of the memories of my mom is how she smelled like Noxema.  When it was story time she would gather us close, and tell us all about how we came into the world, or about my dad climbing water towers, or about how she and my dad met (that was my favorite story). There were many other stories. She would tell of being in the hospital ward with Bunny Levinson's mom, moving to Florida, dancing in USO shows during the war, and she would sing....oh how I loved to hear her sing. One of my other favorites was how she and Mrs. Geiger saved grocery money so they could fly to New York City to see Robert Goulet in Camelot.  He was Lancelot.  My dad called her selfish and she thew all her change she had saved in his face....and did not go.  When she was 65 I arranged for her to see Robert Goulet in Camelot at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.  He was older now...and King Arthur.  I also arranged for her to meet him after the play.  He sang Happy Birthday to her and kissed her.  It was a dream come true and a story she would share throughout the rest of her life.   Stories and music were all part of my growing up.  At my mom's parents the stories and music was abundant.  At my dad's parents the stories were outrageous. My dad's brothers could tell some whoppers.  They were all hunters and fishermen....men's men...and could tell some bodacious tales.  Growing up among this wealth of tales made me love to spin a good yarn myself.  I have had people tell me they could listen to me weave a good story for hours and that I should do it professionally....they have told me that my life sounds so exciting while theirs sounds so hum drum....my response to them...."it is all in the use of the adjectives."  My grandmother Sasser could sew like you would not believe.  She quilted...made dresses....did wedding dresses with hand sewn seed pearls...and believe me they were amazing.  That was her story....her story was in the placement of each stitch.  She also quilted.  She would lovingly take scraps of fabric  and create a pattern that told a tale.  Not in the pattern itself....but in each scrap she placed in the framing called a quilt.  Yes, I am so lucky to have come from such a long line of story-tellers.  I want my children to know these stories....and know their history.....and about the people who lived before them. 

Project 365 - Week 7

Another week has come and gone and it is time for some Project 365 entries.  I have a photo for each day this week.  It has been a busy week that is for sure.  Want to see more great photos?  Hop over to Fran's blog and check them out....join in....link up.  We would love to have you.  So this is what my week looked like.

Sunday, February 10th

After church on Sunday Sandra joined us for lunch at Pizza Hut.  We have a group that goes out to lunch most every Sunday and we all have a great time together.  This week everyone was either sick or traveling so it was just the three of us.

 

Monday, February 11th

It rained unmercifully today and my guitar lesson did not come.  I finished up the last two of my cake plates.  I am working on these for the Women's Bazaar our church is having.  It is not until fall but I figured I would get a head start on what I am donating.  As soon as school is out we are going to set aside a crafting day.  I am so excited. 

 

Tuesday, February 12th - Fat Tuesday

 

Today is Fat Tuesday and I got out my beads to wear this morning and found a Mardi Gras cascarone nestled amongst my beads and coins.  I have never been to Mardi Gras but several of my friends have and brought me some beads which I wear once a year.

 

Wednesday, February 13th

We don't have Homeroom at our school.  Every Wednesday we have Advisement and today Candy Grams were delivered.  This was the sack sent to me for the people in my advisement who got a Candy Gram.  The Junior Civitan did them as a fund raiser.  My kids were so excited about getting them.

 

Thursday, February 14th

We have Secret Pals at work.  For Valentines Day mine gave me two steaks, two potatoes, a bag of salad and two individual desserts.  I also got a book from a friend for Valentines Day and while I was posting gifts I had to cover a few I have not posted.  The cute little cap on the left with the turquoise and pink flower was made for me by Dana (Bugs Eye View).  The black sequined scarf was made for me by Miss Shirley (aka Granny Pounds), and the other head band is a gift for my sister-in-law, Ann.  We bowled on Valentine's Day.

 

Friday, February 15th

My classes were working on projects to present.  One of my students found a picture on the IPad that obviously did not agree with her.  The first cross was made from the timber left when the First United Methodist church in Alex City burned.  The second was one a friend brought me back from the Holy Lands.  It is made of olive wood.

 

Saturday, February 16th

 

My dear friend Jo got married today to Jim Godwin.  I wish them years of happiness.

I made four of these for the two doors into the church and the two doors into the Fellowship Hall.  They turned out lovely.

Betty(Matron of honor), Jo, Jim, and the best man.

Jo and her grandchildren.  Grady walked her down the aisle and the girls were the flower girls.  Do they not look precious.

 The groom's cake was set with a barage of lighthouses.  Frank made the anchors and the rope is actually chocolate icing.  The cakes were made by Deborah Blair.

The bride's cake had a raspberry filling and was yummo!  Deborah outdid herself here.

The happy couple getting ready to leave for sunny Key West.  It was a great week.