Coming Home by Stacy Hawkins Adams

This is the first book that I have read by this author. I liked the writing style and the character development. Traveling along on the journey with Dayna was interesting to say the least. Even though I kind of sensed where the story would wind up I enjoyed the journey.

Dayna is single and dating a wonderful man when out of the blue her past shows up at her door. This past arrived in the form of her ex-husband with a bouquet of roses. Brent had been trying to reach her for a couple of months now via letter, but Dayna didn't want to have anything to do with him since during their marriage he cheated on her with a friend. He eventually married the woman he cheated with. Brent wanted to apologize for the way he had treated her and to share some news. I kind of new what that news would be, but it didn't take anything away from the story.

Following Dayna on this journey of forgiveness and discovering the lessons that God wanted to teach her was touching and encouraging to say the least. I know this is fiction, but I can't help but be amazed at how God can use stories and real life situations to enlighten our hearts and minds and to show us things we might need to hear, even if the particular area doesn't pertain to what we are dealing with

She Did What She Could by Elisa Morgan

She Did What She Could. Five very powerful words. Elisa Morgan uses these five little words to show all of us that it doesn't take grand gestures to accomplish what God wants us to do. First we need to give ourselves a break. Lay off of the self criticism. We are adequate enough to accomplish what God wants us to do. It doesn't have to be a big thing. Maybe just getting a meal for a homeless person. Giving a little extra tip for a waiter or waitress. Offering to do some simple task for someone in need. It doesn't take alot to make a difference.

If I do what I can; if you do what you can; if we do what we can, imagine what changes could be made in this world. A couple cans of food for a food pantry is something pretty easy to do and is a tremendous help. This book and the examples amongst it pages, challenged me to do more. It is so easy for me to tell myself that I couldn't possibly make a difference, or that I can't do certain things. But I can. I just can't imagine how this world could change if we thought outside of ourselves more and reached out in simple ways to show God's love for others.

It won't take long to read, and it isn't a very expensive book. It does have a very powerful message to everyone. I plan on do my best to do what I can!!

The Daddy Surprise by Ginny Aiken

I loved this book. I enjoy the author's mystery series as well.

Lucie and her daughter Chloe have just moved to Lyndon Point. Lucie has been searching for Chloe's father ever since their summer fling. Chloe is a result of that fling. Lucie tried to find him after she realized she was pregnant, but since Ryder didn't use his proper name when he was with her she had no idea how to find him. Lucie used a shorter version of her name too, so when Ryder tried to find her, he came to a dead end.

Ryder is the mayor of Lyndon Point and is just a little overwhelmed with the news that he has a daughter. Not only does he now have a daughter, but Lucie is trying to buy a house that Ryder won't let go of because of a mistaken notion of loyalty to a sister that he can't even find. Will Ryder be able to set aside his control tendencies in order to open up his heart to the possibility of a future with this beautiful little girl and her mom.

Ginny Aiken has the ability to wrap you up in her stories. The characters jump off the page and endear themselves to you. I couldn't help but cheer for Lucie in her attempts to help Ryder see clear to leave his past behind and move on to a wonderful future with the women he loves.

A very good read!!

Like Dandelion Dust by Karen Kingsbury

I loved this book, even if it made me cry. I haven't read very much by Karen Kingsbury, but I intend to read several if not all sometime in the future.

Molly and Jack seem to have the ideal life. They have a beautiful son named Joey who is the light of their life. Joey is almost five and although he isn't theirs by blood, they couldn't love him anymore than if he were. Molly is especially happy because her sister Beth and her family have just moved to the area so they can be close again. Beth and Bill are Christians and try to encourage Molly and Jack that God is important, but until Molly and Jack realize that the life they have is falling down around them in pieces, God just doesn't seem that important to them.

This is a story of what a childlike faith can do. Praying for things to be according to the will of God isn't the easiest thing in the world to pray for, especially when it could meant that someone you love might be taken away from you. Through Molly and Jack you will see what a simple seed of faith can do. This obviously doesn't mean that everything will always go the way we want, but it does help to understand being in the right attitude with Him.

Very touching story. Characters seemed so real. Loved it!!!

The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

I picked up this book with great anticipation looking forward to turning each page. When I started reading I was frustrated with the style the author chose. I liked his other fiction stories and was expecting to find the same style amongst the pages. When I found a totally different style and was disappointed. But I decided to keep going and this story is so worth the effort.

The story follows Dor, Victor and Sarah. Dor lived during the early Bible times during the time of the tower of Babel being built. Dor has an obsessive desire to figure out how long it takes for things to happen and invents ways to count and determine time. He winds up in a cave as Father Time where he spends eternity having to listen to people pray for more time. Victor is a wealthy man who is dying from cancer. He faces it the way he does everything else; he wants to find a way to beat death. He doesn't care what his wife thinks and is determined to find a way to live longer. Sarah is a teenager experiencing love for the first time. Her love interest doesn't seem to be as interested in her and makes her live so intolerable that she wants to end it.

Dor arrives on the scene and shows them what comes after they have left this world. He shows them that there is reason God limits our days. To make each one precious. What a wonderful lesson to learn. It is amazing how much time we can waste wishing for more time. Time is precious and we need to take advantage of what we are given.

Death of a Red Heroine by Qui Xiaolong

I wasn't sure if I was going to like this, but I did. There are a few things that seem somewhat awkward, but over all very good.

A young woman is found wrapped in plastic and discarded in a channel. It was determined that the identity of the dead woman was the National Model Worker Guan Hongying. Parts of her name means red and hero which is where the title of the book cam from. Chief Inspector Chen is assigned the case. He is the head of the special case squad, and the political implications of this murder put this case on his desk. The thinking was that because of his status in the Party he would not examine the evidence to closely or not stir up the higher ups.

Chen discovers that the lead suspect is the son of one of the High Cadre. This is definitely not going to be an easy case to prove. His future and the future of Inspector Yu are on the line in this mystery set in China during the time right after Tienanmen Square. Trying to do their jobs both men wind up stepping on toes and get assigned to different special assignments until the higher ups decide whether to go after the main suspect or not. Chen won't give up and secretly sets about to find the evidence to prove his case.

It was well written and the political aspects where interesting.

Hello!?!

Many times during the past week or so I have wondered about many things.  I know that God has a purpose for me.  I just wish that sometimes that purpose was somewhat clearer to me.  I know that part of what is bothering me is my shoulder.  I don't understand many things, but pain and illness seem to boggle my mind the most.  I know when you can get past certain trials in life that things become clearer as to why they were put in our lives to begin with.  What bothers me the most is that the places that I like to serve at church are being affected.  I love taking care of the babies and little kids at church.  Working in the nursery has been apart of my life as long as I can remember.  The pain in my shoulder flares up at unexpected times and there have been several times that I have almost dropped things because of it.  Didn't think it would be a good idea to take a chance with a child.  Hurts my heart to step back from those ministries.  Hoping that I can return to them soon.  But then I see that God has brought other things into my life that are just as fulfilling and can be a ministry also.  It is hard to see a change in the path of your life but knowing that God's hand is in it makes it easier.  Help me to be patient Lord.  Help me to see what you want for me.  Use my gifts to serve you.

The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini

I loved this story. I almost decided not to read it. Why? I have no idea. It was a beautifully put together story of love, family and healing.

Sarah is happily married still in that wonderful newlywed stage of life. Matt works at the college helping to maintain the campus. Sarah is working in an accounting firm where she feels stuck. Matt loses his job at the college and is struggling to find a permanent full time job. He does find a job opportunity, but it means pulling up stakes and moving. The work Matt is doing is for a landscaping company. Sarah struggles to find another job in her field, even though she is not even sure she wants another accounting job.

Then Sarah meets Mrs. Compson, the owner of Elk Creek Manor. Matt is hired to spruce up the grounds so they can be ready for the new owner. Mrs. Compson hires Sarah to help her clean up the Manor and sort through the items that have begun to clutter in the many rooms. Sarah decides to take the job with one condition. Sarah wants Mrs. Compson to teach her how to quilt. She has always wanted to learn how and Mrs. Compson agrees.

What follows is shared memories from a painful past that lead to healing. While cleaning and stitching both women find the balance they are looking for. This story is beautifully woven together as carefully as you would piece together a beautiful quilt. You will grow to love the characters and will have a hard time waiting for the conclusion. Highly recommended.

Murder, She Wrote: Panning for Murder by Jessica Fletcher, Donald Bain

Jessica was just about to set off on a cruise to Alaska. She wanted to spend some time by herself enjoying nature and the wildlife of the area. Those plans for solitude quickly get pushed aside when long time friend Kathy Copeland asks to go along with her. Weeks before Kathy's sister went missing on the same cruise that Jessica was about to embark on. Kathy hopes that if she travels with Jessica that she would be able to enlist her help with the search for what happened to her sister.

Jessica and Kathy are on their way to the wilds of Alaska. Enjoying some sightseeing along with following in the footsteps of Wilimena "Willie" Copeland's journey. A suspicious looking man seems to be keeping a close eye on their movements and when he winds up overboard, Jessica becomes highly suspicious.

I love the Murder, She Wrote series on TV. In fact I am currently watching them on NetFlix. This series of stories are quick read and very entertaining. They included suspense, humor and of course intrigue and murder. They are light mysteries just like the TV show and are fun to pick up when you want a quick and easy read.

The Xibalba Murders by Lyn Hamilton

Lara receives a cryptic phone call from Dr. Hernan Castillo. Dr. Castillo is an expert in Mayan history. He requests Lara come visit to help him with something. So Lara heads to Merida, Mexico. When she arrives he doesn't show up for their meeting. Not unusual for the Dr. Castillo to disappear for a few days, but when no one hears from him, his friends become worried. What was he looking for? When the good doctor shows up dead, Lara is on the hunt for what he was searching for and for who killed him.

When I started reading this story I was skeptical as to whether I was going to like it. But I found myself engrossed in the story and waiting to turn every page. The characters were engaging and likeable. There was some history interspersed within the story, but it was done it a way that helped the story and didn't detract from it.