Powerful lessons for a such delightful book.

Ever since living near an Amish community, I have been intriuged with their lifestyle. I have often thought we could learn a great deal from their way of life - starting with hard work, strong family values, and deep faith in God. And so, obviously I have been drawn to Amish fiction to gain insight into the Amish life.

This book did not disappoint me and I was quickly and easily drawn into the story.  The lesson to be learned is forgiveness and when it seems that forgiveness is impossible, how we can trust in God to guide us through to complete forgiveness. Powerful lessons for such a delightful book.

This is the third book in a series, but it did not seem to matter that I had not read the first two. Although it did make me want to run out and get the other two books!

Find out more about the book and read an excerpt here.

Disclosure: WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group provided me with a complimentary copy of this book as part of their BloggingForBooks.org book review program.

A fantastic story, beautifully written

As I began this book I expected a typical Christian historical romance, but it is so much more.  It is a fantastic story, beautifully written, but most importantly an amazing lesson about trusting that God's timing is perfect and He is in control of the paths we are on.  Filled with heart break and drama, this book pulls you in deeper with every chapter.  The characters are charming and it is easy to get drawn into their emotions and situations. I often found myself wondering what could possibly happen next, and how is this going to end.  I love that the writer keeps you guessing and you don't know for sure how it will turn out until the very end.  My only complaint is that there was a last page and it did not continue. 


Disclosure: Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group provided me with a complimentary copy of this book as part of their book reviewers program.

About the Book:
While war rages in Europe, Rebekah Hendricks dreams of life far beyond the family farm in Oklahoma. And when a telegram arrives in October of 1918, she believes God has provided her way of escape. After all, caring for her estranged Aunt Adabelle means living closer to dashing aviator Arthur Samson in Dallas, well within reach of the exciting, modern life she desires. Rebekah travels to Texas, seeing the circumstances at God’s final kiss of approval to all her plans.


But she doesn’t anticipate the devastation of the Spanish Flu. Or four motherless children grabbing hold of her heart. When true love turns sour and a stranger causes her to long for the life she intends to leave behind, will Rebekah allow God to rearrange her dreams?

Heart pounding page turner!

The back of the book lists this book in the category of "Suspense" - they are not kidding...  Have you ever read a book that is so well written that at the height of the scene your heartrate actually speeds up?  This is one of those books...except better, because there are several of those twisting tension filled moments!!!

I literally could not read fast enough...and I could not put it down.   As you may know I am a sucker for books in a series and guess what...this is the first in a series!!!  I can't wait to read more Sue Duffy.


Disclosure: Litfuse Publicity Group provided me with a complimentary copy of this book as part of their blog tours program. See the blog tour schedule here


About the Book and the Author:
Caught in a deadly conflict between American and Russian undercover agents, this innocent young pianist is just trying to survive her own personal trauma. Through it all, Liesl must learn that no matter how dark her world grows or how fiercely her enemies pursue her, God is still in control--if only she can yield herself to His grace. Read an excerpt here

Sue Duffy is back with a brand new three book series, Red Returning. The first release, The Sound of Red Returning, is a breathless and unexpected tale. Romantic Times gives it 4 Stars: Book one in the Red Returning series starts out just right with political intrigue, suspense and just enough romance to keep readers guessing and interested. Well-defined secondary characters add that extra zing to the plot. To celebrate, Sue has teamed up with her publisher, Kregel Publications, for the "Red Returning" Giveaway! One winner will receive a brand new Kindle Fire!

GIVEAWAY
Win a Kindle Fire from @SueDuffy2 and @KregelBooks in the "Red Returning" Giveaway!

Sue Duffy and her publisher, Kregel Publications, are celebrating the release of The Sound of Red Returning by giving away a Kindle Fire prize package worth over $200 to one lucky winner!!!! (1/23-2/11)

Enter the Sue Duffy’s Giveaway today and you could win:



* A brand new Kindle Fire with Wi-Fi

* The Sound of Red Returning (Book One in the Red Returning series) by Sue Duffy



To enter click one of the icons below. But, hurry! The giveway ends on 2/11. Sue will be announcing the winner of the “Red Returning” Giveaway on February 13th on the Litfuse website!

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. 

Too funny - Go outside and play

This is what happens at my house when daddy is away, I get sick and stay in bed, and suggest to the kids that they go outside and play for awhile....

I could hear them playing and laughing.  No one fighting and no one was crying.  
After maybe 10 minutes I got up out of the bed and looked to see that I could see all three.  Apparently I should have checked on them sooner.

Good news is that the 101 fever I had at the time is gone.  
Bad news is that we threw away some clothes.

Christmas in Phoenix - Part 2

Everyone was so excited to get to Gramma SisSue and Grampa Mr.Bill's house.  But it was quite late when we arrived and of course dark.  But once we got up in the morning the first thing we did was go out in the back to meet some pretty special critters...

Meeting Sholley

Feeding Abby.  The joy on her face is priceless!

Ben feeding Crystal

And of course a little ride!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Making Mice with Grandma SisSue!

Introducing the Huge Ball to Fortune & Pirate

They didn't know what to think!

The trip home next....

Christmas in Phoenix...Part 1

It had been far too long since we had visited hubby's family in Phoenix, so this year we decided to go spend Christmas there.  As we discussed this we thought we should drive, a cross country trip would be a fun adventure. 

Then we wondered what to do about the dogs - well we would take them with us of course.

Then we wondered if it would be too cramped in the back with three kids, three dogs (including a large lab mix) and all our luggage. 

Then one day hubby said..."too bad we don't have a motorhome"  Well long story short - we rented an RV and away we went!

Hubby drove, I worked at the table and the kids played had a great time.  When we were hungry we stopped to eat and walked the dogs. When it was bedtime we put the kids in jammies and put them to bed, yep, while we continued down the highway.  When hubby got tired he stopped at a rest stop and slept as long as he needed to.  It worked quite well.

On our way we found out about a large storm that we were heading straight into, so we hanged direction and avoided the storm.    This change of plans took us right past Carlsbad Caverns.  We had to stop!

Our detour also took us through Tombstone.  Of course we had to stop!!  Not sure why I didn't take more pictures that day??  This is about it!

More posts from Christmas in Phoenix to come....

Mischievous Max

Our elf Max is very mischievous and does many silly things such as move ornaments, hide shoes, turn the milk green, have a snowball fight with marshmallows, leave trails in chocolate chips or M&Ms, write on the mirror in toothpaste, leave funny messages on the windows, make snow angels in flour on the counter and many other mischievous acts. He also has a different hiding spot each morning and it is fun to try to find him.

This year Rudolf sent Max to our house with a message and with one of the most mischievous acts of all.  Max painted their noses red while they slept!!!

Sam and Carlee were thrilled with the joke.  You can see the excitement in their faces.

Ben...not so much.  I think he was truly offended that Max had the nerve to do that while he was sleeping!