Christmas Stalking

About The Book:  "What makes you think I'm hiding something?"  Ellie busied herself pouring the hot water into a mug.  "I get the feeling there's something in your past you don't like to talk about," Colt murmured.  "I didn't know full disclosure about all details of my life was necessary for me to get this job.  Your grandmother seems satisfied."  He dipped his head in a curt nod.  "Winnie is a great judge of character."  Meaning he had his doubts?  One of the reasons she liked being a bodyguard was that she could blend into the background.  She kept a lock on her past-a past she didn't want to take out and reexaminie.  "If you must know, the short version of my life so far is-" "That's okay-I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to bring up something painful."  "What do you mean?"  "To make sure Winnie was in good hands."  She stared into his light blue eyes.  "She's in good hands.  When I do a job, I do it one hundred percent."

About The Author: Margaret Daley is an award winning, multi-published author in the romance genre. One of her romantic suspense books, Hearts on the Line, won the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year Contest. Recently she has won the Golden Quill Contest, FHL’s Inspirational Readers’ Choice Contest, Winter Rose Contest, Holt Medallion and the Barclay Gold Contest. She wrote for various secular publishers before the Lord led her to the Christian romance market. She currently writes inspirational romance and romantic suspense books for the Steeple Hill Love Inspired lines, romantic suspense for Abingdon Press and historical romance for Summerside Press. She has sold eighty-three books to date.  Margaret is currently the President for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), an organization of over 2300 members. She was one of the founding members of the first ACFW local chapter, WIN in Oklahoma. She has taught numerous classes for online groups, ACFW and RWA chapters. She enjoys mentoring other authors.  Until she retired a few years ago, she was a teacher of students with special needs for twenty-seven years and volunteered with Special Olympics as a coach. She currently is on the Outreach committee at her church, working on several projects in her community as well as serving on her church’s vestry.  On a more personal note, she has been married for over forty years to Mike and has one son and four granddaughters. She treasures her time with her family and friends.

My Thoughts On The Book: Margaret Daley is quite a wordsmith and has written a wonderful story. The book is filled with intrigue, suspense and love thrown in to make for a chilling and wonderfully different kind of Christmas story. The setting is in the beautiful Colorado Mountains, the story takes place is shortly before Christmas. This was a great story. It was laced with just the right amount of suspense to make you sit on the edge of your seat from start to finish and it certainly has enough romance to make your heart skip a beat or two. I did not want to put this book down. I plan to read more by Margaret Daley. She definitely caught my attention.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Net Galley Publishing Group and Harlequin.  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.

A Snowglobe Christmas

 

About The Book:  Rafe Westfield has come back to Snowglobe after being gone in the military for five years. When he left Snowglobe he left behind an ex-fiancee., Amy Caldwell.  Suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome,  Rafe has horrific nightmares about his experiences in Afghanistan.   He and his brother open a sports rental business and everything is moving along nicely….until… Amy Caldwell comes back to Snowglobe to take over her moms business. Amy is going to run the shop so her mom can retire. Amy had her heart broken when Rafe decided to join the service and now returning to Snowglobe from Spokan Amy finds herself shaken when she unexpectedly runs into Rafe.  Amy and Rafe end up working on Christmas boxes for those in need through their church.  Can the closeness of working together and the wonderment of Christmas re-kindle the old flame?

About The Author(s):  Linda Goodnight is a RITA Award winner for excellence in inspirational fiction.  She has also won a Booksellers’ Best Award, an ACFW Book of the Year award and a Reviewers’ Choice Award from RT Book Reviews.  She is active in orphan ministry.  She lives in Oklahoma and can be reached at linda@lindagoodnight.com or Love Inspired Books.   Lissa Manley decided she wanted to be published at the ripe old age of twelve.  She lives in Portland, OR with her husband, a grown daughter, a college-aged son, and two bossy poodles.  When she is not writing, she enjoys reading, crafting, bargain hunting, cooking and decorating.  She loves hearing from her readers and can be reached through her website, www.lissamanley.com or through Love Inspired Books. 

My Thoughts About The Book:  As an avid lover of snowglobes and feel good Christmas stories I was drawn immediately to this book.  It was everything I hoped for.  On a very cold and blustery day I read the book in one sitting.  This was one of those get ready for the holidays kind of books.  The characters were very real and Snowglobe could have been any snowy town in the mountains.  Great read.  I can’t wait to read something else by these authors.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Net Galley Publishing Group and Steeple Hill Publishers 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.

A Season For Tending - Vol 1 of the Amish Vines and Orchards Series

About The Book:  In a community where conformity flourishes, seeds of Rhoda’s odd behavior were planted long ago. Can she cultivate her relationships with the same care and tenderness that she gives her beloved garden?  Old Order Amish Rhoda Byler’s unusual gift and her remarkable abilities to grow herbs and berries have caused many to think her odd. As rumors mount that Rhoda’s “gift” is a detriment to the community, she chooses isolation, spending her time in her fruit garden and on her thriving canning business.  Miles away in Harvest Mills, Samuel King struggles to keep his family’s apple orchard profitable. As the eldest son, Samuel farms with his brothers, the irrepressible Jacob and brash Eli, while his longtime girlfriend Catherine remains hopeful that Samuel will marry her when he feels financially stable.  Meanwhile, Samuel’s younger sister Leah is testing all the boundaries during her rumschpringe, and finds herself far from home in Rhoda’s garden after a night of partying gone badly. But Leah’s poor choices serve as a bridge between Rhoda and the King family when a tragic mistake in the orchard leaves Samuel searching for solutions.   Rhoda’s expertise in canning could be the answer, but she struggles with guilt over the tragic death of her sister and doesn’t trust herself outside her garden walls. As the lines between business, love, and family begin to blur, can Rhoda finally open up to a new life? And what effect will this odd, amazing woman have on the entire King family?

About The Author:  "Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best-selling author who has written six novels, three novellas, and Plain Wisdom, a work of nonfiction coauthored with her dearest Old Order Amish friend, Miriam Flaud. She’s been featured on ABC Nightline and the front page of the Wall Street Journal, and has worked with National Geographic on a documentary concerning Amish life.She is also a veteran homeschool mom who no longer holds that position. As her children progressed in age, her desire to write grew stronger. After working through reservations whether this desire was something she should pursue, she began her writing journey. Her husband was her staunchest supporter as she aimed for what seemed impossible.  She’s won Fiction Book of the Year, Reviewer’s Choice Awards, Inspirational Reader’s Choice Contest, as well as one of Crossings’ Best Books of the Year. She’s been a finalist for the prestigious Christy, Rita, and Carol Awards, Christian Book of the Year, and Christian Retailers Choice Awards. Her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families enrich her novels with authenticity. Though she didn’t realize it at the time, seeds were sown years ago that began preparing Cindy to write these books. At the age of ten, while living in the dairy country of Maryland, she became best friends with Luann, a Plain Mennonite girl. Luann, like all the females in her family, wore the prayer Kapp and cape dresses. Her parents didn’t allow television or radios, and many other modern conveniences were frowned upon. During the numerous times Luann came to Cindy’s house to spend the night, her rules came with her and the two were careful to obey them—afraid that if they didn’t, the adults would end their friendship. Although the rules were much easier to keep when they spent the night at Luann’s because her family didn’t own any of the forbidden items, both sets of parents were uncomfortable with the relationship and a small infraction of any kind would have been enough reason for the parents to end the relationship. While navigating around the adults’ disapproval and the obstacles in each other’s lifestyle, the two girls bonded in true friendship that lasted into their teen years, until Cindy’s family moved to another region of the US.  As an adult, Cindy became friends with a wonderful Old Order Amish family who opened their home to her. Although the two women, Miriam and Cindy, live seven hundred miles apart geographically, and a century apart by customs, when they come together they never lack for commonality, laughter, and dreams of what only God can accomplish through His children. Over the years Cindy has continued to make wonderful friendships with those inside the Amish and Mennonite communities—from the most conservative ones to the most liberal. Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband, three sons, two daughters-in-law, and a new granddaughter."

My Thoughts On The Book:   I love the writings of Cindy Woodsmall .  She is a wonderful storyteller and a master wordsmith. This first book in the  Amish Vines and orchards serieswas fast moving with a good many twists and turns in it. I have to be honest and say that I was a bit disappointed when the story was not even close to being resolved in the end of the book. I like closure, yet I understand that there had to be some loose ends for book two of the series to line up.  This book attracted me as an herb grower and some who is interested in herbs for medicinal purposes.   I connected immediately with Rhoda and felt a strong bond bloom as her character began to develop.  Personally,   I was a little surprised at the amount of worldliness in this Amish community.  The Amish portrayed in this story were definitely not perfect and holy in every way, and were capable of making mistakes and there were a few who exhibited a mean streak where their Amish brethren were concerned.  I can’t wait to read the next in the series and hate that I have to wait so long.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers as part of their 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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Project 365 - Week 44

 

Sunday, October 28th

I am doing this a little differently today.  For some strange reason....my computer is being stubborn and not letting me follow my normal plan.  Grrrr....so I hope you can keep up with the layout.Today I got two loaves of crunchy bread started.  One was craisin with orange zest and the other was plain.  They will have to sit and rise for 12-18 hours.  I started them about 10 pm so I can put them on when I get home from school and before Bobby's guitar lesson.  Hope my plan works. 

 

 

Monday, October 29th

This is the finished result of the bread dough.  Looks good doesn't it.  I succeeded in getting the loaves cooked and cooling before Bobby came AND put on a loaf of peanut butter - chocolate chip bread to take down to Mrs. Jane's house after guitar.  The day worked out just perfect and I accomplished everything I set out to.  I love it when a plan comes together.  I promise this will be my last bread picture for a while.  I will still be baking it....but you won't have to see it.  LOL!

Tuesday, October 30th

Tomorrow is the big Roanoke Fall Festival and on my way home I decided to get this TEC scarecrow guy....he may not be there after tomorrow.  I have been trying to get him for a week but there never was anywhere to park.  I lucked out today.

 

Wednesday, October 31st

Rock Mills United Methodist was well represented at the Roanoke Fall Festival.....we handed out well over 3000 pieces of Candy, prizes, Hugs(drinks and real ones), bookmarks about the church.  We were in the heart of the city from 4 - 6:30.  It was an amazing night.  The only thing that kind of got under my skin was all the adults and very large boys dressed up.....or not who stopped by and stuck a Walmart plastic bag in my face saying, "Give  me some candy!"  There should be an age limit to this.  Halloween is not my favorite holiday as it is....and this just seals the deal. 

Thursday, November 1st

I won a prize on one of my blogging buddy sites.  Rita from Meemaw Moments  was giving away some yummy granola toffee and I won.  I also was blessed with a book written by her DIL and cannot wait to read it.  Thank you Rita for picking me. 

Friday, November 2nd

Here is the last of the characters from Roanoke....this is Mr. H & R block...or Tax Man.  I thought he was just precious.  So with him I have captured all the ones I liked in town.  There were other scenes....but most of them were the traditional hay, pumpkins, mums, and a scarecrow or two. 

Saturday, November 3rd

I had a wonderful day today with my dear friend Deborah, her precious daughter, Jill, and my precious daughter, Kat.  We went to Birmingham to the annual Christmas Village.  It is one of the largest craft shows in the Southeast with over 700 vendors.   There were a lot of Pinterest projects there....and yes I did see some craft things I want to attempt.  The top picture is of the girls and I sampling Barber's Egg Nog.  Deborah took the picture because she hates Egg Nog.  The second shot is of the girls telling Santa what all they want.  The bottom shot is my friend, Debo....and some woodcrafts I want to attempt.  It was a marvelous day....simply Mah velous!  

 

 

 

I love doing Project 365.  I makes me focused and I am so grateful to Sara for hosting it.  I look forward to my weekly photo journaling....and reading what every one else has done.  If you want to see more great shots then hop over to Sarah's blog by clicking here. 

 

His Love Endures Forever

About The Book:  An unplanned pregnancy. An absent father.  Can love really endure all things?  Danielle Kent is anything but Amish. But as destiny would have it, she has fallen in love with an Amish man.  Now she’s 18, pregnant, and hopeful that the child’s Amish father—Matthew Lapp—will do the right thing and marry her. She knows Matthew plans to leave his Colorado settlement for a life in the Englisch world. But that plan never included a baby.  When Matthew walks away from her and their unborn child, she has nowhere to turn. Her unlikely friendship with Levi offers some comfort—yet they have so little in common. This wasn’t the plan she had for her life, and she has never felt so alone. She doesn’t want to be pregnant. Doesn’t want to be Amish. Doesn’t want to trust God.  And yet.   God has plans beyond what her mind can imagine . . . loving plans to show a lost young woman that His love never fails but endures forever.

About The Author:   Beth Wiseman is hailed as a top voice in Amish fiction.  She is a Carol Award winner and author of numerous bestsellers including the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series.  She and her family live in Texas.

My Thoughts About The Book:  Beth Wiseman has an amazing talent for weaving stories together.  This story tells about an Amish family and English family who’s lives are shattered by decisions made by many….yet….within the story there is the truth that God's love does endure forever.  I have read many of Wisemans books and believe this is one of my favorites.  I  would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Amish fiction  It is definitely a good story and so much  more.   The story line is not your typical Amish fiction. This story is not so much about the Ordnung but instead it is about the people and God's love.   I read this book without reading the first two and had no trouble getting up to speed on the story and the characters.  However,  I would highly recommend that anyone interested in this book should read the whole series, you won't be sorry.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Sneeze Blogging 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.

 

Roots

It is Friday and that means it is time for Lisa-Jo Baker's meme, "5 MInute Friday."  I love doing this.  Several months ago I felt as barren and dry as the Mojave and then found Lisa-Jo and words have been in abundance ever since.  Want to know about 5 Minute Friday?  Check out Lisa-Jo's blog by clicking here.  The basic directions are below.  It is so simple and I hope you will join in with the group.    So....how to get started. 

 

Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..
Oh and Ahem, if you would take pity and turn off comment verification, it would make leaving some love on your post that much easier for folks!
OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on:::

The Topic Today Is:   ROOTS

 

Go:

 

My familial roots run deep.  I come from a family where people are treated with respect, love is given freely and unconditionally, God is worshipped and followed, values and a man's word are very important.  In my life time I have experienced great delight digging my hands down into the soil, smelling it, and planting the roots of a plant deep so it will bring forth abundant life....and that is what my family has done....they planted each of us deeply....so we would bring forth abundant life.  We were planted in rich furtile soil with plenty of sun and nutrients to grow strong and healthy.  Whether the roots are plant or person.....they are important because they are the foundation of a man....or a plant.  I have put down roots in many places in my life....and have loved my growing season there. Sometimes I feel as if my roots are those of a gypsy....or gitano.....or migrant worker....tended for but a brief growing season and then moving on.  My roots in writing came from poetry.  I have volumes of journals with words....my heart....my roots.  Roots are so much more complex than that underground tangled part of a plant;   I find that my beginnings....those are my roots....the part that shaped and nurtured, and continues too,  the future me.  When my world feels at if it is shaken to the core and the thing that connects me, the roots, are being ripped out of the ground...I remember my core....my roots....the elders who nurtured my roots when I was younger.....and I know I will survive....and I will grow.    My roots are held firm and secure by hands joined in prayer connected to  God.  A plant root draws water from the soil,
I,draw stength from my family.....my roots.  My roots are aging....they are not gone....yet....they are still sending out new growth.....going forth and multiplying. 

STOP:

Have a great weekend. 

Family Reunions

(Prophitt Reunion at the Tree House)

By definition a family reunion is an occasion when many members of an extended family congregate. Sometimes reunions are held regularly, for example on the same date of every year.
A typical family reunion will assemble grandparents, great-grandparents and up for a meal, some recreation, sharing of stories, sharing pictures,  and discussion(mine usually centers around geneology information). The older attendees are generally grandparents, parents, siblings or first cousins while the youngest could be second, third or fourth cousins. It is also not uncommon for regular family reunions to be sponsored by family organizations or some kind of family association centered around a more distant common ancestor (often referred to as "ancestral family organizations") or a commonly shared surname ("single surname family organizations"). 

(Mom's 80th Birthday - July reunion)

 

 (Prophitt family reunion at 55 Iris Avenue in Alex City.)

 

(Prophitt Christmas reunion)

I have to admit....for the most part...I love them.  As a writer they offer a plethera of information to draw on.  As an apprentice in the geneology world....why waste your time on something someone else has already discovered.  That would kind of like rediscovering America....come on...Columbus already did it.  The Prophitt family(my mom's side) always holds their reunion on the Saturday of Father's Day weekend.  They do this because it was near or on the weekend of my grandfather's birthday.  This reunion involves geneology sharing, music (many of us play and sing), photo sharing, and stories.....oh there are many stories.  This is one of my most favorite gatherings of the year.  I have a great aunt who was 108 in May.....and the youngest one there was not quite a year....talk about multi-generational!  The Wilson family(my dad's side) always holds there reunion on the second Sunday in August.  Since we have moved to Rock Mills we don't attend.  They eat at 12:30 and our church service is not over until 12.  We live 2 hours from where it is held....so it is not happening.  I love this side of the family but it has begun to dwindle more and more every year.  This family is very scattered....and to be honest....there is no music... and very little .photo sharing....or geneology.  It is just a catch up with each other kind of reunion.  The Sasser/Matthews family (my dad's side too) is held towards the end of July.  It is a full weekend event and loads of fun.  They love music....and do performaces/karaoke one night, they love dominoes, they love outdoors, they love geneology and photo sharing.  The stories here are wonderful.  They usually rent a camp....and everyone comes...brings food....and they party for two days.  It is an amazing time with a lot of characters. 

(L.T. and Emma's 50th Anniversary reunion)

 

(Wilson Reunion at the Sportsplex - before it moved to Equality, AL)

 

Now...for the really odd part.  I don't just love MY reunions....I love reunions period.  This past weekend I attended the Burgess family reunion at Cheaha.  Several of our church members are from the Burgess family and we were invited to attend.  I love Cheaha...and these church family members...so I did not think twice before agreeing to go.  There is a strange part of this connection.....one of Marcie and Sherry's cousins attended school from the 6th grade til graduation in West Palm Beach, Florida with me.  I did not know this until this past year....when Gina and I were making plans to attend our 40 year class reunion....and friended each other on Facebook.  Gina's dad was one of the managers of the Publix near my childhood home.  I have not seen her folks in 40 years and they were all going to be at the Burgess reunion.  I was so excited.  Not only would I get to spend time with Marcie and her family at Cheaha....but also with Gina and hers.  I could hardly contain myself as we headed up there.  You know what I discovered????  Their family is no different than mine....they told wonderful stories about the past....they shared photos (some where on the cake we ate)....fondant photos.....and they enjoyed each others company.  Even though it was cold as rip....it was a wonderful day to fellowship with each other....new friends and old ones.  I hope we get to go back next year.  By the way, they moved their date to the first Saturday in August....the kids will be able to swim....and it will be warm.  Thank you Marcie and Sherry for inviting me....well us....I had a blast.  Porch People definitely know how to reune!  I posted some pictures of this reunion on Sunday with my Project 365.  Want to see them...click here....

(Cool photo cake from the Burgess reunion - the photos were edible!)

(Cecil's family - Sasser reunion - Hawkinsville, GA)

 

(L.T, sister, Uncle Gary, and sister) - Prophitt reunion - Opelika 1969)

I don't know about you all out there...do you have reunions?  Is it mostly a Southern thing?  Do you host them?  Do you go to them?  I wish you would leave me a comment and tell me about your family's gatherings.  I know one of my bloggy buddies family writes letters to each other at Christmas....I think this is the neatest idea ever.  So, let me hear from you.