The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen

I was pleasantly surprised by this book.

Carl wasn't the kind of police officer that you would think of when you think of exemplary. He had his troubles. Most recent was the loss of one partner and the incapacitation of another.

The government decided to make a special division for cases that haven't been solved and in need of some special attention. Carl's boss figures that he is the perfect person for the job. It will keep him out of the way, and the money budgeted can be spread out and used elsewhere in other departments.

So Carl and his assistant Assad pick the case of Merete Lynggaard, who disappeared 5 years ago. After just a few inquiries, Carl realizes that everything that could have been done on the case wasn't. She went missing from the ferry, but her body was never found.

What happened to her and will he be able to solve his first case?

It took me a little while to get into, but I am glad I persevered. Reminded of the CBS show "Cold Case". I hope more of the series gets translated. Very good read!

Lonely In A Crowd

Feeling kind of Blah and tired.  That is so strange to me that you can feel lonely when you are with other people.  Had the family here for Thanksgiving (first time in 6 years).  Then my step-son was here yesterday evening, and of course my husband has been off for the holiday weekend.  But there is still that sense of loneliness that is invading my spirit.  I guess because the one person I really wished could have been there wasn't.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the time I spent with family.  My sister's absence was felt.  While the hubbub was going on it was easier to push that empty feeling aside, but now with the quite creeping back in, it is harder to push that emptiness away.  I loved my sister so much.  I wonder how many holidays will pass before her loss will not be felt.

Anyway I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving!  There are so many things to be thankful for.  Why is it we only seem to celebrate that once a year.  It should be an everyday occurrence.

One Imperfect Christmas by Myra Johnson

What a beautiful story of faith, love and the power of forgiveness.

Natalie Pearce is pretty content with her life. She and Daniel are happily married and have a wonderful daughter, Lissa.  One morning her mom calls to ask for help taking down the Christmas decorations.  Natalie is expecting Daniel's parents later that day and just doesn't feel like helping her mom.  Using her impending company as an excuse she tells her mom she can't possibly help her, and after getting her mom to promise she wouldn't over do it, she goes on about her day.

Then comes the phone call that would change her life forever.  That phone call will affect every aspect of her life.  Will her family survive?  Only time will tell.

One Imperfect Christmas is a beautiful woven story.  It will grab your heart and take you along for a bumpy ride that is worth hanging in there for.

The Snow Angel by Glenn Beck

Rachel Price doesn't have many happy memories from her childhood.  Her mother drank, and her father worked a lot to provide for his family.  Her mother called her names which made her feel small and unloved.  Max and Elena, neighbors, offer young Rachel a job help them in the taylor shop they set up in their home.  She spends many happy hours help them, escaping from the pain her mother inflicts with her words.

With her past history is it any wonder that Rachel meets and falls in love with a man that turns out to be as cruel and heartless as her mom.  But now she has her daughter Lilly to think about.  She tries so hard to make sure that Lilly is sheltered from the way her father truly is.  Then a phone call from Max, whom Rachel hasn't seen since she married Cyrus, starts a chain of events that could change Rachel and Lilly's life forever.

Glenn Beck weaves a very good tale.  Much different than The Christmas Sweater, but just as masterful told.  Excellent holiday book!

Dear God,

Are you there?  Because I can't feel you right now.  Sometimes I wish I was one of those lucky people who has the ability to feel your presence more.  I know in my head that Your here, but sometimes I wish I could feel your arms holding me tight.  I loved it when my dad would give me a hug.  He didn't do it often, but when he did I felt so loved.  He never spoke of how much he loved me, and back then it really hurt.  Now that I am older I know that in so many little ways - without words - he showed me he loved me, that I mattered. 

Sometimes I don't feel like I matter.  Does my life have a purpose?  I feel like I am drowning in loneliness and I can't hold on much longer.  I know that I am feeling sorry for myself and that it will pass.  I know I am feeling this way because Bible Study will be over next week and Grow Group won't be meeting.  The thought of not having that lifeline on Tuesday mornings makes me feel empty.

God please help me to sense Your presence and to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are here.  I know this feeling will pass, just as surely as it will probably come back.  Life rolls on and I need to go with the flow.  Thanks for understanding where my heart is.

Love Lori

Reading Challenge

Last year I read a total of 63 books.  I challenged my self to read 70 for this year.  I am happy to report that I have reached that goad and then some.  I have to admit that a few of them were short stories, but even so by the end of the year I might be close to a total of 90.  I love goodreads.com, because of the way you can keep track of the books you read, rate books and write reviews.  There are also many different groups you can join.  I just joined a group a couple of days ago that has some neat reading challenges for the coming year.  The library system in our area is very good, and between that and free kindle books from amazon.com I have plenty of things to choose from and plenty of items to use for the reading challenges for next year.  If you love to read please check out GoodReads it is alot of fun.

Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews

Ellis, Julia and Dorie have been best friends since Catholic grace school.  Ellis, recently fired from job she devoted her life to, has put together a plan for the three of them to stay at a rented beach house in Nags Head, North Carolina.  Upon arrival Ellis finds that the house isn't all it was advertised to be, and the illusive owner/manager is hard to pin down, and the tenant over the garage is suspicious. 

So starts a month at the beach.  Each women arrives with secrets and a heart in turmoil.  Dorie has a chance meeting with a women, Maryn, who is looking for a place to stay.  Dorie is feeling guilty about money because her sister was supposed to come along on this trip and backed out at the last minute, which means that there will be more money owed by each of the three women.  Money that Dorie doesn't have to spend.  She asks Maryn if she is interested in renting the top floor of the house without discussing it with the others, and Maryn accepts.  Maryn is hiding out and decides that this is as good a place as any to get herself together and decide what to do next.

The girls are in for an adventure none of them good have expected.

I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did.  A very pleasant surprise!

Rain Song by Alice Wisler

Nicole Michelin dislikes airplanes, motorcycles, and Japan. Her parents were missionaries in Japan and she was born there. Nicole and her father came back from Japan without her mother, and Nicole knows only bits and pieces of what happened. Her father refuses to talk about it.

Nicole is pretty happy in Mount Olive, North Carolina, with her family and her fish. Through her column for the Pretty Fish web site, she meets Harrison and later discovers that his family knew her family when they were in Japan. As much as Nicole wants to avoid it she is drawn to discover the truth about what happened in the past.

She starts reluctantly on a journey to discover her past. To find out something about her mother. It will be a journey that will take her back to the land of her birth. A faith like a mustard seed will guide her to the truth.

A heart warming tale of self discovery and faith. I loved this story!

The Very Thought Of You by Rosie Alison

London 1939: War is on the horizon and the children are being evacuated to the countryside for their safety. Anna Sands mother Roberta is trying to make their last day together special, Anna is excited for the coming adventure, not understanding what being away from home will mean.

She arrives at Ashton Park. Ashton Park is a large country estate that has been opened to accept the evacuated children. Mr. Ashton and his wife Elizabeth, a childless couple, have opened up their home to the children. Mr. Ashton hopes that having the children around will help ease his wife's pain.

Anna settles into her new life and the story unfolds as she becomes apart of this new life. The characters are well developed. I found myself wanting to hug Anna as she struggles with her emotions. The Gothic feel of the house is captured perfectly and the poignant description of Mr. Ashton is excellent.

Highly recommend!

Love Me If You Must (Patricia Amble Mystery #1) by Nicole Young

Patricia (Tish) Amble is moving in to her new renovation project in Rawlings, MI.  She never stays in once place to long, doesn't let herself get to close to anyone.  She has a past she wants to keep secret so she moves around alot and keeps her distance. 

She is pretty excited about getting started on her new project until she hears the rumors that the house is haunted.  She starts to believe that someone is buried in her basement in the cistern.  Is she paranoid or was there truth behind her paranoia. 

The minor theme of this story is a reminder to not turn away from God when you feel you have done something so unforgivable.  God will welcome us with open arms.

I enjoyed the mystery and Tish is the kind of person you can't help but like.  Her antics make you laugh and cry.  There are a couple more in this series and I am looking forward to reading them.

Time

In the silent times : seek God
In the painful times : praise God
In the harried times : hallow God
and in the terrible times : trust God.
And at all times — at all times – Thank God.
~Ann Voscamp