Book Review** Bittersweet Surrender

Bittersweet Surrender by Diann Hunt, is the story of Carly Westlake, owner of the Mocha Day Spa. Carly’s husband ran out on her when she needed him most, going through treatment for breast cancer. Now several years have passed and she is trying to get her life back together and scrape enough money together to get reconstructive surgery done on her breast, but all kinds of complications arise. Carly’s brother, CJ, and his wife, Rita, are having marital issues; Jake, her brother’s best friend has been emailing her and decides to move back to town; her best friend and assistant, Ivy, has recently died; and her step mother, Magnolia, moves in with her. Ivy’s husband, Scott, shares an office with Carly and does accounting for Carly’s spa. Will Scott realize that he cares for Carly before Jake makes his claim on her? Can Scott and Rita survive the emotional bombs that CJ will drop on them? What will happen when Scott discovers the secrets that Ivy kept from him?

I didn’t care for this book, basically because of the issues of divorce. I believe that marriage is for life and prefer not to knowingly purchase books where the characters are involved in divorce.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson through the BookSneeze® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Thanksgiving 2011

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Book Review** Smitten

What is the small town of Smitten, Vermont to do when its biggest employer, the saw mill, has just closed its doors? What else but do something to put itself on the map as a destination for honeymooners with the help of rising country music star Sawyer Smitten when he decides to hold his Hollywood wedding there.

Smitten by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt and Denise Hunter is a collection of four novellas that tells the stories of four friends who dream up the idea for putting Smitten, Vermont back in business. Can Natalie and Carson Smitten overcome their differences and work things out for the good of the town? Can Natalie, who is raising her niece, Mia, overcome her sister’s lies about Carson being Mia’s father? Can Julia get past her feelings and realize that Zak feels more for her than just a little sister? Can Shelby overcome her differences with her father and find her place in Nick and Willow’s lives? Can Nick get past Shelby’s past mistakes and grant forgiveness? Will Reese and Griffen realize they are more than just buddies or will Sawyer Smitten win back Reese’s heart ?

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson through the BookSneeze® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Book Review** Heroes & Villains of the Bible

Are you looking for a child friendly Bible story book? Heroes and Villains of the Bible has actual Bible text from the International Children’s Bible. Pictures are interspersed throughout the book and a number of character’s stories are told from the Old and New Testaments. Some of the heroes covered are Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Miriam, Moses, Rahab, Joshua, Gideon, Ruth, Samuel, Mordecai, Esther, Daniel, Jonah, Mary & Joseph, John the Baptist, the Good Samaritan, Nicodemas, Peter, Joseph of Arimithea, Stephen, Philip and Saul. Each hero’s story is noted by a lion. Each villain’s story is noted by a serpent. Some of the villains covered are Cain, Joseph’s Brothers, Potiphar’s wife, Pharaoh, Delilah, Goliath, Jezebel & Ahab, Haman, Herod, Herodias, Judas, and Pilate. At the end of the book is a section for Notes for Heroes.

My preference for a Bible story book using actual Bible text would be to use King James Bible text, but that is not the case for this book. The text is very readable and understandable, just not my preference.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson through the BookSneeze® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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Lonestar Angel ** Book Review

Do you enjoy reading Inspirational fiction with some mystery? If you do, then you’ll enjoy reading Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble. It is a thrilling read that is hard to put down.

Clay and Eden Larsen met in Hawaii on vacation, had a whirlwind fling and ended up married a few short months later. When their six week old daughter, Brianna, is kidnapped, their marriage of less than a year falls apart. Clay and Eden go their separate ways and Eden is on the brink of a new relationship. Now five years later, Clay shows up and informs Eden that they are still married and has proof that Brianna is still alive and staying at Bluebird Ranch in Texas with four other girls the same age. What’s more, there is a position open for counselors for the girls’ cabin. Will Clay and Eden be able to survive the feelings they still have for each other? Will they figure out which child is their daughter? Will the ghosts of their pasts be able to be overcome? Read the book to find out.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson through the BookSneeze® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

It Couldn’t Just Happen by Lawrence O. Richards

I enjoyed reading It Couldn’t Just Happen: Knowing the Truth About God’s Awesome Creation by Lawrence O. Richard.

This is an interesting book that gives proof that the world was created by God and did not just evolve. It is divided into 5 parts. Part 1 covers the Earth in our Universe. It talks about the origin of the universe and how Earth is the only planet that can sustain life. Part 2 covers how life began and that no matter how many times that a scientist has tried to create life as the Evolutionist say it happened, they have never once been able to make it happen. Part 3 talks about the evidence from living things. Part 4 covers humanity in God’s nature and how we were created in his likeness. Part 5 talks about the Book that just didn’t happen: The Bible. This book is written for a child’s perspective and there are activities at the end of each chapter for children to do. An activity from chapter one is:

“Sit outside one night for five minutes, just looking at the stars. Then read Psalm 8. Can you understand how the psalmist felt? How did you feel?” Lawrence O. Richards. It Couldn’t Just Happen: Knowing the Truth about God’s Awesome Creation (Kindle Locations 328-329). Thomas Nelson.

Another activity example taken from chapter 17 is:

Find out how an archaeologist works. What would be most interesting about being an archaeologist in Bible lands? What would be hardest? Lawrence O. Richards. It Couldn’t Just Happen: Knowing the Truth about God’s Awesome Creation (Kindle Locations 3294-3295). Thomas Nelson.

Pick this book up for some interesting reading.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson through the BookSneeze® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Mr. & Mrs. David Heintzelman 8-27-2011

Mr. & Mrs. David Heintzelman

Chastity checks to make sure she is holidng the basket correctly

These two stole the show! Caleb was pushing Chastity away from Jenny and Chastity finally put her arm around him and made him stand still beside her.

Photo session after the ceremony

Groom's family

The next few pictures were taken at the Savannah Center

Bride's family

The Happy Couple

David & Elisabet's Wedding - Decorations

Hannah, Lavonda, Sandra & Elisabet did an awesome job with the church decorations

Front of the church

closeup of the lattice with the wreath

Ivy and candle on the pillar

Wreath holder with the cone of flowers hanging on it

David & Elisabet's Wedding Reception

David & Elisabet's Wedding Reception was held at the Savannah Center in the Villages

Gift table at the Reception Wedding cake/Cupcakes - Yummy!!!

Collage that Elisabet's mom put together

Each table centerpiece was a basket containing a cup and saucer with an arrangement of moss and flower blossoms and David & Elisabet's picture on one side and scripture verse on the other. Also in the basket were bubbles, a spray of flowers, 3 different packets to write messages on for the newlyweds and pens.

David & Elisabet feed each other a piece of cupcake

Spring For Susannah

I enjoyed reading Spring for Susannah by Catherine Richmond. Susannah Underhill is an only child from Detroit Michigan. When her father, a veterinarian and Sargent Major in the army, and her mother die, Susannah is left alone. With no suitors calling, she goes as a mail-order bride to her pastor’s brother, Jesse Mason, in the Dakota Territory. Married by proxy and then taking the train to Fifth Siding, Dakota Territory, Susannah begins her adventure as a mail-order bride. Susannah has been traumatized by an incident that occurred shortly before leaving Detroit and feels undeserving of her husband’s love and patience and her faith is put to the test. When Susannah miscarries during the harsh Dakota winter, she almost loses her life as well. During the following year, Jesse and Susannah’s faith is tried when they lose their crops to grasshoppers for the second year in a row. Jesse goes to find work and Susannah is left to keep the claim. Through the winter that follows, Susannah teaches the children from the nearby town, while wondering if Jesse will ever return. Then spring begins to arrive and Susannah sees more than changes in the landscape. I received this book free from Thomas Nelson through the BookSneeze® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Fairer Than Morning by Rosslynn Elliott

Do you enjoy reading historical fiction set in Early 19^th Century America? If you do, you’ll enjoy reading Fairer Than Morning by Rosslynn Elliott.

Ann Miller, of Rushville, Ohio, is the daughter of a circuit riding preacher who is also a saddler. She loves poetry and beautiful things and thinks she is in love with Eli Bowen. Eli loves poetry and beautiful things, too and has plans to leave for the city soon to become a doctor.

Will Hanby is a saddle-makers apprentice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Working under a cruel master has the tendency to make one bitter but God has different plans in Will’s life.

One day, Ann’s father got some leather from Will’s master, and Ann finds letters from Will’s mother to Will in the bottom of the barrel the leather was packed in. When Ann’s father is commissioned to make a saddle for a prominent family in Pittsburgh, Ann convinces her father to allow her and her sisters to accompany him to Pennsylvania so that she can possibly return Will’s letters to him. While in Pittsburgh Ann’s father is working closely with Will and sets an example for him of a good master. When circumstances change for Will, what will happen?

There really was a Will Hanby and an Ann Miller and Fairer Than Morning is the first book in the Saddler’s Legacy Series telling about their lives.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson through the BookSneeze® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

A Cowboy's Touch by Denise Hunter

Do you like inspirational romances with a touch of intrigue? Do you like stories about cowboys? If you do, then you’ll enjoy reading A Cowboy’s Touch by Denise Hunter like I did.

Abigail Jones is an investigative reporter from Chicago known as “The Truth-seeker” for her mother’s magazine, Viewpoint. Abigail’s sister, who is a doctor, and her mother convince her to take some time off for her health and check on her Aunt Lucy who lives on a ranch in Montana. While visiting Aunt Lucy, Abigail finds out that Viewpoint is in trouble.

Wade Ryan is a widowed rodeo cowboy from Texas who has gone into obscurity with his young daughter after the mysterious death of his wife. Wade owns the ranch where Aunt Lucy lives. Wade finds himself in need of a new nanny when the nanny that he hired to care for his daughter for summer has other plans. So he hires Abigail and sparks of love start to blossom.

When Abigail finds out that Wade is a famous rodeo cowboy, she begins investigating his wife’s death. Abigail can’t believe that Wade purposely had anything to do with his wife’s death, but feels that an article on him will save Viewpoint. When Wade finds out about the article, can their relationship be saved? Will Abigail allow the article to be published? Will Wade allow his new life to be revealed to the rest of the world? Read the book to find out.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson through the BookSneeze® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Congratulations

Congratulations to David and Elisabet on their engagement!

We're so happy for you! Welcome to the family Elisabet!

**Photo taken from David's facebook photos

Mystically Wired by Ken Wilson

Mystically Wired by Ken Wilson, explores the fact that our brains have been “wired”, so to speak, with a desire to connect with God. God created man in his image to fellowship with Him, so it makes sense that He would “wire” our brains for prayer. Ken Wilson discusses various ways that we can connect with God in prayer. Although I don’t agree with all of Wilson’s theology, he has many good ideas and tips that would help a person develop an effective prayer life. Wilson writes in depth about meditating on the scriptures, finding or creating a prayer “place”, and developing an intimacy with God through prayer. Mystically Wired is ten chapters long and is divided into two parts. Part one encompasses chapters one through 4 and deals with understanding the fact that we are mystically wired. Part two encompasses chapters five through ten and talks about “exploring new realms in prayer”. In part two, one of the chapters talks about praying at intervals. We hear about spending time in prayer and people who spend an hour at a time in prayer. Wilson suggests that a person start with five to ten minutes at different intervals throughout the day and build upon that to reach the thirty minute or one hour mark. I found that Mystically Wired is easy to read, but I had a hard time focusing my attention on reading it. I would pick it up and read it for a while and then not pick it up for weeks or months at a time. I received this book free from Thomas Nelson through the BookSneeze® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Recent Pictures

November 5, 2010, some of us attended the wedding of Lydiana Acevedo to Isaac Nolden at her home. It was unseasonably cold for early November in FL (40s or low 50s) and outside with very few trees to block the wind. Here are a few pics that I took.

Chastity's outfit (It was a cowboy wedding)

Chastity's first braids

Andy and Caleb

Chastity

The Wedding "Cake"

Chastity's hat and the bridesmaid's bouquet