Another Great Read

Happy Thursday to you. Our spring weather has left for a couple of days; I'm thankful because the last two days were filled with activities and I was beat by last night. In fact, I'm looking forward to a low key kind of day. Yesterday afternoon we had our two oldest grandsons over and ended up playing a game of Golf Monopoly. It's been years since I played and the boys are at the age of being sharp competitors; let's just say I took all three guys to the cleaners and gave them a whooping. I had three properties with four houses on it, they had to pay the rent in real estate. They finally gave up, despite the fact that I wasn't charging them the full amount. Of course, this is a once in a lifetime event.
When our family went up to Estes several weekends ago, I found this book at my favorite quilt &gift store. Being that the story took place in Sisters, Oregon I knew I had to get it. It wasn't a quilt story, but one that held my interest and made me want to return there. I wasn't disappointed.

From the author:

LOVE FINDS YOU IN SISTERS, OREGON "Hope Bartolli has avoided Sisters for years—both her hometown of Sisters, Oregon, and her two sisters who live there. But when the thirty-two-year-old corporate lawyer returns home to attend her beloved grandmother’s funeral, she’s surprised to learn that she has inherited Nona’s old house, her little dog, Andy, and an unexpected friendship with Nona’s handsome attorney. If she had any hopes of burying the hatchet with her sisters, these “gifts” from Nona aren’t going to help. Hope wants more out of life—but is she willing to take the risks to get it? And can she trust her family to stand by her side?"

I have to say I would have given it away, but instead I put it in the mail to my BFF in Ca. We hope to get up to Sisters in the next year, for their outdoor Quilt show. It is hard to get lodging, even when we have a timeshare up there. I thought this book might wet her appetite.
I hope you have a great day and find something today that will put on a smile on your lips and a song in your heart.
Joy to you!
Noreen

A Matter of Heart by Tracie Peterson

I wanted to share this book with you; it has been a long time since I read anything by Tracie Peterson.  I have always enjoyed Tracie's writing and her stories, but somehow just got stuck on other genres.  This was a wonderful story to get reintroduced to an excellent author. 
The story is set in Texas and revolves around a young woman name Jessica Atherton; born to a life of privilege.  Jessica had planned to marry a man she had known all her life, but when he married another, she thought she'd never find love again.  Two men enter Jessica's life, one is Harrison Gable who is a lawyer and rich.  Being the beautiful woman she is, he instantly begins to woe her; another man also is drawn to Jessica for her spunk and forthright personality. Austin Todd is a Texas Ranger who has lost everything he held dear and plans to never become involved with a woman.  Jessica is drawn to both men, for opposite reasons.  The characters are rich and developed; you can imagine yourself living in this area. 
I loved this story and will read more of Tracie's books in the future.  I would give it ten stars.
I was provided this book by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing for my honest review. I have not received any compensation. 

I would also like to offer this book to one of my followers; just leave me a comment letting me know you are interested and on Thursday, I'll draw a name. 
Noreen

The Pleasure Of His Company book review

Dutch Sheets has been a favorite author of mine since we lived in northern California. I have read many of his books on prayer and over the years found him to be authentic and accurate in his perspective. I have kept several of his books in my library, even as I weeded books out to give away. The subtitle of this book is A Journey To Intimate Friendship With God. This book is excellent; can be read as a devotional or just a reference. No matter where you are in your spiritual walk, this book would be an excellent read.  Dutch Sheets has a wonderful ability to weave scripture and everyday experiences from his life into practical applications. The chapters cover The Person, The Seeker, Discovery, Dance, Search, Priority, Decision, Distractions, Choice, Union, Spoiler,Place, Walk, Offering, Friendship, Stretch, Un-distracted, Courtship, Listener, Lingerers, Visit, Prodigal, Return, Return, Revelation, Look, Altar, Advantage, Face, Connection, Price. Although there are 30 chapters, there are only 265 pages.  Dutch shares how much the Father loves to spend time with us and wants us to come to Him. This is a wonderful book and I would give it 5 stars. I was provided this book free by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing, for my honest review; I was not compensated in any way.

Noreen

All Things Hidden By Tracie Peterson & Kimberly Woodhouse Review

I was so glad I was asked to review this book, due to the fact that I was in Alaska and this particular area last summer.  The story is a historical fiction, with some suspense, set in Matanuska Valley in 1935 during President Roosevelt's Alaska Rural Rehabilitation, when 200 families are given land to settle this rural area. Dr. Hillerman and his daughter Gwyn are the areas only medical personal and Gwyn loves the quiet and simplicity of their lives.  Big changes are coming with the influx of people, including a young doctor from Chicago who knows Dr. Hillerman.  Dr. Jeremiah Vaughan has lost all that he built his life around, including his medical license.   Gwyn is anxious and worried about the changes ahead.  A new hospital and more medical staff, will it be a good thing for their area?
I loved that this story showed the difficulties of homesteading and the prejudice against the native Alaskans.  There are twists and turns in the plot, including murder.  It was a quick read and held my attention.
I would rate this book 5 Stars. 
I would like to thank Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing, for their book review program. I received this book for my honest review and did not receive compensation. 
This would be a great book for your homeschool library as well.

Have a great day and weekend!
Noreen

Judith Miller Book Review

I have read many of Judith Miller books as well as many books on Amish Life; I was surprised at the twist in this story. Set in the late 1880's, the story is of a family who belong to a group of separatists called Amanians. Often mistaken for Amish, Amanians have similar ideologies and beliefs; living in communal villages, keeping separate and believed in being self-sustaining. The story begins in Kansas City where the Rhoder family lives a very affluent but humble life. Jancey Rhoder, the daughter of a well known business man, has a comfortable life-volunteering at the local orphanage but her mother and father choose to move back to a simpler lifestyle in the Amana village that they were married in and started their family. Jancey doesn't know whether she should remain in Kansas City and continue teaching in the orphanage or move with her parents in order to care for her ailing mother. It doesn't help that a suitor of Jancey's is pressuring her to remain; are his reason purely selfish or do they have a future? Jancey chooses to stay with her parents and wonders if she will find happiness in this new life. Time proves that a simpler life can be better and a certain friend in the community makes that choice easier. There are twists and turns to this story that make it intriguing. I found many similarities between the Amish and these colonists. Judith has done another great job keeping us spellbound until the end. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing, provided this book to me for my honest review; I did not receive any compensation.

A Must Read

This is the true story about a young married couple, Dann and Tracey Stadler, with a wonderful future ahead of them; suddenly their lives are dramatically altered by a drunk driver. The drunk driver hits them head on and is instantly killed but miraculously the couple are saved. Dann and Tracey's car catches fire; people help get Dann out, but it is impossible to get Tracey out. Witnesses see a man come out of the forest, remove Tracey from the car and touch her face. He instructs the crowd to take care of her. The both survive the horrific accident but suffer physical ramifications that will last the rest of their lives.  Can their marriage and faith survive? Their lives are impacted and all that they've known is changed.  This is one of the best testimonies of the Lord rescuing His children from a tragedy. It is a powerful story of miracles that continually happened to the couple throughout the years. 
If you read 90 Minutes in Heaven and Heaven Is For Real and were encouraged by these stories, Angels in the Fire is a book you must read! It will encourage you, touch you and challenge you.

I received this book from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing, for my honest review. 

From My Bookshelf

Well, old man Winter has returned for a visit. Last evening it started to rain; the timing was perfect because right before it started to come down, hubby has fertilized the lawn. In lieu of Hunter getting sick in the morning, he was not allowed outside by himself at all. In fact, he was not happy that I wasn't letting him run free, through the dirt etc. He was back to normal completely, after he got sick. He has also been digging, something that is new to him-guess he is fully mature now.  I just wish I could figure out what the little turkey, boy, got into too. All I know is that we are going to be ordering yards, many yards, of shredded bark to cover all the beds. I am also going to be filling up the holes that allow the bunny to get under the fence.

 Many of you readers will remember the Frank Peretti trilogy from the early 90's. This book deals with the same topic-spiritual warfare, battles between demons and angles and their attack on humans. It was recommended to me; I had never read any of Shannon Dittemore's books and it was captivating. If you read Peretti's books and enjoyed them,you'll enjoy this book too.

From the author's website:
"Once you’ve seen, you can’t unsee. Everything changes when you’ve looked at the world through . . . ANGEL EYES Brielle went to the city to chase her dreams and found tragedy instead. She’s come home to shabby little Stratus, Oregon, to live with her grief and her guilt . . . and the incredible, numbing cold she can’t seem to shake. Jake’s the new guy at school. The boy next door with burning hands and an unbelievable gift that targets him for corruption. Something more than fate has brought them together. An evil bigger than both of them lurks in the shadows nearby, hiding in plain sight. Two angels stand guard, unsure what’s going to happen. And a beauty brighter than Jake or Brielle has ever seen is calling them to join the battle in a realm where all human choices start. A realm that only angels and demons—and Brielle—can perceive."
It was a book I couldn't put down.  I'm so thankful that Kat recommended it.  I've just started book 2 in the series and book 3 doesn't come out until this summer.  
I'm not sure what hubby and I will be doing today-due to the really wet snow piling up.  I think it is supposed to come down all day. 
xxxoooo Noreen & Hunter