Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Book Review - Love's Sweet Beginning




Five stars for Ann Shorey's, Love Sweet Beginning!

It is the spring of 1868 when Cassie Haddon and her mother arrive in Noble Springs, Missouri. The war has stripped away their wealth and left them dependent on family. Cassie was raised with the help of servants and has never been denied anything. Now at twenty-five she's penniless and has no useful skills.

The situation turns dire and, with no one to rescue them, Cassie and her mother face homelessness, but Cassie finds inner strength she didn't know she possessed. She manages to convince restaurateur, Jacob West to give her a job, which launches Cassie on an adventure and a new life she'd never dreamed possible.

This sweet romance was a fun read. I loved the conflict between Cassie and Jacob West and Ann's exceptional writing drew me into the story. I relished watching Cassie use her wits and determination to carry her and her mother through difficult times.

Ann did an outstanding job of developing characters readers will love as well as characters they will love to hate. I cheered for Cassie and rejoiced over her transformation.

You don't want to miss this one.




http://www.amazon.com/Loves-Sweet-Beginning-Sisters-Heart-ebook/dp/B00DY9FO00/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400571756&sr=8-1&keywords=loves+sweet+beginnings

Friday, May 16, 2014

The Journey - The Next Step



The last several months have been jam-packed with struggles, some have been exciting and even fun but others have been the detestable type. Most recently, Greg and I moved and before our furniture had found its place in our new home we had to move my mother. I'm grateful my sister and brother were here to help. 

Mom is in her new digs and all of her things are either with her or packed away. I'm resting today and will do some writing. This quiet eddy feels really good.


All that has happened in recent months brings to mind a personality trait of mine that I'm not crazy about. It came up in a snippet of conversation I had with my sister yesterday. I've been a worrier most of my life. I'm a worse-case-scenario kind of gal, which is good when I plot stories, but not so good in real life. 


This morning, while reading a devotional, God shone a light on this weakness and He provided a solution. In "Jesus Calling" it said Trust Me to show you what to do when you have finished what you are doing now. I will guide you step by step, as you bend your will to Mine. Thus stay close to Me on the path of peace.


I went on to read the selected portion of scripture from Luke 1:79. "to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."


I felt the Lord nudging me and reminding me life doesn't have to be one big worry. All I need to do is bend my will to Him and then allow Him to show me the next step. I don't have to know everything. I don't have to figure out a plan. I just need to take the next step and trust God to guide me into His place of purpose and peace.


This worrier is going to do her best not to try to figure out all the possibilities, but rather ask the Lord what's next and then do what He suggests. It's time to leave my worries with God and let Him lead.


Grace and peace to you from God,


Bonnie



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