What I'm Reading.....

Sister Roar

By

Kay Robertson & Lisa Robertson

The story of their lives is not much different than so many other women’s lives, mine included. The difference in theirs compared to others, mine included, they had each other. They loved each other despite everything that sought to tear them apart. As women, they were united, as a family they fought for each other in prayer, with love.

They share the story of their lives in hopes of helping others realize that they are not alone. That they need the support of family and community to get through their hard times.

Yet the main point they always come back to is that we all need the Love of God in our lives and Jesus guiding our hearts every moment of every day. They know that without Jesus their families would never have survived. 

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West with Giraffes 

by Lynda Rutledge

One of the best reads I’ve experienced in a long time, and you definitely experience this book.

Ms. Rutledge did an excellent job of working a fictional story into the real-life events of the great Giraffe road trip of 1938.

You feel every emotion, delight, joy, determination, anger, rage, fear, relief, and love over the darlings of Eden, Boy, and Girl.

You can read more here: https://zoohistories.com/2021/02/11/west-with-giraffes/

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The Lost Apothecary

By

Sarah Penner

A tale of betrayal and heartache told across the ages by women of different ages. I loved that the story unfolded through the voices of 3 different women from 2 very different time periods and the grand surprise at the end. An excellent read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

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The Patchwork Bride

By

Sandra Dallas 

          A quaintly pieced-together story of one woman’s adventures in her search for, and fear of, the love of her life.

          You feel like you are right there on the front porch with the characters, and everyone else reading the book, listening to the wild journey of Grandma’s best friend, Nell.

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DIRT

“Growing Strong Roots in What Makes the Broken Beautiful!”

By Mary Marantz

A wonderful biography of a woman’s journey from ‘girl in the trailer’ in rural West Virginia to ‘girl after the trailer’ on the shores of Connecticut. Through the relationships in her life, she tells the story of growing up in a mining/logging community, she talks about her relationship with each of her parents, especially her dad, and her grandmother; her one good friend, and her faith in God.  She explains how the events of her life drove her to reach beyond herself and strive to accomplish something better.

Yet in the end, she realizes how the ‘girl in the trailer’ and the ‘girl after the trailer’ have become one person, her life in the trailer helped her to reach her life after the trailer and live a life of meaning beyond herself.

Her next book, “Slow Growth Equals Strong Roots” will be released April 5, 2022, and I can’t wait to read it.

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Waiting For God

By Xochitl Dixon

      

         I follow Xochitl on Instagram and Facebook, and at a time when I was feeling discouraged and ready to give up on finding purpose in my life, she sent me this book. When I first got it I thumbed through it but didn't really study it. Back in November, she issued a challenge to her followers to join her in reading it for the 31 days of December. I took up her challenge and I am so glad I did. The stories she shares are inspiring to a weary soul and motivating to a worn spirit. The study gave me the courage to continue in my quest to seek God with all my being. Thank you, Xochitl for sharing your story and encouraging others to share theirs.

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The Mitford Series

By Jan Karon

            I first met Father Tim in her book “Bathed in Prayer”, which is exactly what it sounds like; a collection of his prayers from the many books in the series. His passion for his calling, his love for Mitford, and the many characters that inhabit this Blue Ridge Mountain town inspired me to read the books. I had to get to know these people.

            Now, when I say ‘many’ books, I am not joking; there are 14 books in the series, and I just finished #2. The first book is titled “At Home in Mitford”, the second is “A Light in the Window”.

            At Home in Mitford is a great introduction to the many characters that live in this small mountain town. Her descriptions of the people paint a vivid picture of life in the North Carolina mountains.

            Father Timothy Kavanaugh is an Episcopal Rector at The Lord’s Chapel. He’s 63, single, and feeling his age. He finds himself thrust into the job of foster parent to a young boy who is wild as a boy can get, the owner of a large black rambunctious dog who remarkably calms down when you quote scripture to him and smitten by the woman who moves into the little house behind his parish home.

            Along the way, you’ll meet Miss Sadie, the wealthiest woman in town; J.C. Hogan, the newspaper editor who can’t spell; Percy, who runs the oldest diner in town; Father Tim’s doctor, Hoppy; the lady Mayor whose husband is an excellent cook and a host of other wonderful characters who grace the streets of Mitford.

            The third book is titled “These High, Green Hills”. I’ll fill you in on some of the action after I read it. In the meantime; pick up the first one, and happy reading. 

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The Royals of Dharia

By Susan Kaye Quinn

 

            The Royals of Dharia is one story in three books: Third Daughter, Second Daughter, and First Daughter. They take place in a fictional world that is primarily governed by Queens and has two moons. The setting is East Indian meets steampunk. It’s a story filled with mystery, intrigue, betrayal, war, and victory with a love story woven throughout.

            Third Daughter is Aniri and being third daughter means she’s not that important in the family line. She would never be Queen. She would be able to choose her own destiny on her eighteenth birthday, which is just weeks away. However, her Mother, The Queen, has other plans for her that challenge her sense of freedom and her sense of duty to the Queendom.

            Second Daughter is Seledri. She is married to the First Son of the Nation of Samir. It was an arranged marriage for the purpose of keeping peace between the two countries. However, it is soon discovered that the Second Son of Samir has his eyes on taking the crown from his older brother and begins his quest by trying to assassinate Seledri, who is with child.

            First Daughter is Nahali and she will be the next ruling Queen when her mother either passes the crown or passes away. She is married to a Dharian Diplomat, and also with child. She has been trained and groomed to become Queen her whole life. Now, with her mother gravely injured in an attack right before Aniri’s wedding, she finds herself thrust into the role without notice. She steps up stoically but finds her sister resistant to her leadership.

            I thoroughly enjoyed these books and read them back-to-back. You can find them on Amazon in Kindle and paperback versions. Enjoy!