Books & Writing -- The Colonel's Lady

I'm back and sorry to have been MIA here on my blog. With the launch of my new book Joy Takes Flight my schedule has been filled with online and radio interviews, giveaway contests and book signings. But I've returned and am so excited to share a great book with you. 

If you love historical romance The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz is a must read. It's 1779 when Roxanna Rowan and Colonel Cassius McLinn meet in the Kentucky frontier. However, conditions couldn't be worse. 

It is a tumultuous time in history where the wild Kentucky countryside is drawn into the midst of war. Anticipating a reunion with her father, who is serving under Colonel Cassius McLinn at an isolated Kentucky fort, Roxanna Rowan leaves her Virginia home. Her hopes of a loving reunion with her father are dashed when she receives news that he has been killed in battle. Penniless, she has no recourse but to remain at the fort where she serves under Colonel McLinn as a scrivener. 


He is a leader respected by his men and by the enemy. He has a reputation that inspires, but on a personal level he's complex and mysterious. He drinks too much, holds people at a distance and seems unfeeling. However,  Roxanna sees flashes of tenderness and compassion in the colonel, which only makes it more difficult for her to resist his dashing good looks.

Roxanna is drawn to Colonel McLinn but she's heard he's betrothed to a woman who lives in his homeland of Ireland so she keeps her distance. Holding him at arms length is not easy. There is a strong chemistry and passion smoldering between these two. I must admit that the emotional heat kept me turning pages as I hoped for a meeting of minds and hearts.  

Romance, history and story are perfectly blended in this story of an impossible love. Laura's writing is exquisite and she is a genius at creating tension. She plants readers into each and every scene. You will join the characters as they face the fears and sorrows of war, the challenges of living in the Kentucky wilderness and experience the longing for a better life.

I am now a Laura Frantz fan. Pick up a copy of this great book today!  


Grace and peace to you from God,


Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- The Word

 

I love God's Word. I cannot improve on it. Today I will simply post what I've read and let the Word stand on its own.  Bless the Word of the the Lord.

James 1:19-27

Understand this my dear brothers and sisters. You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancng at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you frree, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their disstress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- A WMD OR A WOG?

Have you ever noticed how God works scripture into our lives? Living the lessons helps them to stick and changes us from the inside out, with the help of the Holy Spirit of course.

Yesterday our Sunday sermon was about how our mouths can be WMD's (Weapons of Mass Destruction) or WOG's (Words of Grace). James 3 talks about our speech and how blessings and cursings can come out of the same mouth. In reference to this, James says, "Surely my brothers and sisters this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water?Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grape vine produce olives? No, and you can't draw fresh water from a salty spring."

We left church with this lesson firmly planted in our hearts. We talked about not allowing our tongues to be Weapons of Mass Destruction, newly reminded of the ugliness it can create. We also discussed how much better it would be if we offered Words of Grace to the people around us. Our pastor brought up a remarkable concept -- what if everyone in the church refused to use their mouths as WMD's. Church and our communities would look much different. We would actually live in the midst of love and peace.

Okay, so we felt we thoroughly understood the concept and then today -- Wham! A conflict between two people I care about broke out--both Christians. As I witnessed one of these people give the other a hateful tongue lashing the verses that say, "The tongue is restless and evil, full of deadly poison," came to my mind. Witnessing the wounds inflicted filled me with sorrow. As I think on it I wonder at the depth of sorrow felt by our Heavenly Father.

Why do we do this to one another? Do we take lightly the words that say, "People will know us by our love?" Sometimes I wonder what we've done with love. In 1 Corinthians 13 it is said to be more important than faith and hope. We are commanded to love one another. Yet it seems we easily fall into a seek and destroy mode whenever it suits us. I would venture a guess that we can all remember at least one occasion when we tore into someone we supposedly loved, leaving wounds behind.

God would not tell us to do something that is impossible. And yet,  it's clear WE can't control our tongues. However, God can if only we will offer our will up to Him. He makes all things possible.

Think about it -- A weapon of mass destruction means devastation. What if we pounce on someone and then wish we could take back the poisonous words we thrashed them with? Some words cannot be reclaimed. We need to think before we speak. Irreparable harm can result when tongues are allowed freedom to corrupt.

How much better it would be to tame the tongue instead . . . and love one another.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Books & Writing: Joy Takes Flight

JOY TAKES FLIGHT 

Genre: Inspirational, Historical Romance

RT Rating

I'm so excited about the 4 1/2 star rating from Romantic Times Reviews, especially since 4 1/2 stars is the most they give! I thought you might like to read the review. And I hope you'll buy a copy. 

Leon’s Alaskan Skies series comes to an end with a gripping plot, tying up all loose ends, and deeply emotional characters who will resonate with readers. Be prepared to empathize with, and live vicariously through, these lovable people who survive harsh weather and isolation to fulfill their dreams.

Bush pilot Kate Evans is now married to Dr. Paul Anderson, and she continues to fly medical missions to northern Alaskan territories. Then Paul is contacted by his family in San Francisco about his mother’s impending death and he rushes off. Kate believes nothing will overshadow their love and determination to serve the people of Alaska, but when Paul doesn’t return she wonders if she’s lost him for good. 

Reviewed By: Lindy J. Swanson


Happy Reading!