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37th out of 51 books
—
28 voters
Stray Affections (Snowglobe Connections #1)
by
Charlene Ann Baumbich (Goodreads Author)
The last thing that Cassandra Higgins expects out of her Sunday is to be mesmerized at a collectors’ convention by a snowglobe. She’s enjoying some mommy time, with husband Ken at home tending their brood of four young boys, when she’s utterly charmed by the one-of-a kind globe containing figures of three dogs and a little girl with hair the color of her own. She can’t res...more
Paperback, 320 pages
Published
September 15th 2009
by WaterBrook Press
(first published August 26th 2009)
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My Thoughts:
It’s truly hard to decide what I like most about Stray Affections by Charlene Ann Baumbich. Her writing style is so easy and well paced that it requires no effort to get caught up into her wonderful story.
Stray Affections is the first story in the new Snowglobe Connections series by Charlene Ann Baumbich.
The story centers on Cassandra Higgins who is doing life, but not really living it. She sacrificed her dreams a long time ago. She felt that she didn’t deserve them anymore.
She’s giv...more
It’s truly hard to decide what I like most about Stray Affections by Charlene Ann Baumbich. Her writing style is so easy and well paced that it requires no effort to get caught up into her wonderful story.
Stray Affections is the first story in the new Snowglobe Connections series by Charlene Ann Baumbich.
The story centers on Cassandra Higgins who is doing life, but not really living it. She sacrificed her dreams a long time ago. She felt that she didn’t deserve them anymore.
She’s giv...more
”Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness. Let the bones which Thou hast broken rejoice,” Charlene starts her book out quoting Psalm 51:6-8 and begins to bring some of that scripture to life inside the pages of this book.
This story is nestled in the middle of a quaint town where you discover friends and their families you’ll just adore. I loved how Carlene shows the funny, honest and serious side of family relationships and how they can work together. I believe...more
This story is nestled in the middle of a quaint town where you discover friends and their families you’ll just adore. I loved how Carlene shows the funny, honest and serious side of family relationships and how they can work together. I believe...more
Cassandra Higgins has decided to go to the Collectors’ Convention on her own this year since her best friend Margaret can't make. There she finds a snowglobe containing the figures of three dogs and a little girl. Although it is a bit on the expensive side, she decides that she must have it since it reminds her of when she was a young girl and one of the dogs resembles her own pet when she was young. She can’t resist purchasing this unique globe - even if means wrestling another shopper for it!
B...more
B...more
Though her life is overflowing with blessings, Cassandra Higgins still struggles with the bleak feelings of guilt, failure and inadequacy left behind by a childhood beset by poverty and the overhanging shadow of her father's suicide. Raised by a stern mother who showed her little understanding and no affection, Cassandra has struggled to create a nurturing home for her own husband and four sons. Memories of a lost childhood pet and failed dreams linger in the recesses of her mind, however, and c...more
In the beginning I moved slowly through Stray Affections, but by the third chapter, I was in deep! This is not to say that the book moved slowly, it was just how it began to build for me. I thoroughly enjoyed Stray Affections. Cassie seemed like wonder woman to me. I couldn't quite understand why she didn't give herself the credit that she deserved, but then I realized it is the power of the way you are raised. The words of the mouth have a strong impact on a child. Well actually they have a str...more
Stray Affections by Charlene Ann Baumbich is a Snowglobe Connections novel, the first in a series. Cassandra Higgins has lived her entire life with a huge hole in her heart. Told by her grandfather that she would be the best veterinarian in Minnesota, she counted on that dream to make up for the way she felt she betrayed her childhood dog, Toby. But when she couldn't pass the classes, Cassie felt as though she failed Toby and God, so she settled for a life as a day care provider and mother of fo...more
A very quick read. Interesting plot. Fairly well developed characters. Saw the ending coming from a mile away.
The cover endorsement says: "so joyous... so magical." The "magical" felt a bit more creepy than magical until the halfway point. And the book was far from "joyous" until after page 200. The story spent so long setting up WHY the characters were struggling with their past that I felt weighted down with emotions. Usually this is a good thing as it shows the author has engaged the reader....more
The cover endorsement says: "so joyous... so magical." The "magical" felt a bit more creepy than magical until the halfway point. And the book was far from "joyous" until after page 200. The story spent so long setting up WHY the characters were struggling with their past that I felt weighted down with emotions. Usually this is a good thing as it shows the author has engaged the reader....more
Cassie Higgins has a busy life – she’s married, has four young boys (all under the age of 7) and runs an in-home daycare. She and her best friend, Margret, go to The Collectors Convention together every year. Margret can’t go this year, so Cassie ends up going alone. She spots a beautiful, old snowglobe that contains a young girl with three dogs. The girl resembles her as a child and one of the dogs looks like her childhood pet. The snowglobe is expensive, but she feels like she has to have it....more
I really liked this book. As I learned about Cassandra's past I felt sorry for her. I don't think pity is the emotion this book was trying to elicit but for some reason that was all I could feel. I think some of it was because I related to a few of the things she went through. The guilt she went through with her dog Toby was touching to me because I am a dog lover. The warnings from her cautious and seemingly "cold" mother were similar to those I've gotten (not from my mother) from people in my...more
Snowglobe Connections Novel # 1 in the series I really enjoyed the book. What happened to the Snowglobe that Cassandra bought at a Collectors' Convention? Had she lost her mind or was God trying to help her move on to a happier time and new relationships? I am so happy this is suppose to be a series as it ended with me wanting to know more about the characters in the book.
I have read Charlene Baumbich's other series, 'Dearest Dorothy'. It was so good. Should be read in order. I wish there were e...more
I have read Charlene Baumbich's other series, 'Dearest Dorothy'. It was so good. Should be read in order. I wish there were e...more
Animal lovers - get ready to cuddle up with a cozy, heart warming story!
Dog-loving author, Charlene Ann Baumbich, celebrates man's best friend in this fast moving, easy read which combines small town charm and a bit of holiday magic.
Hardworking stay at home mom and daycare owner, Cassandra Higgins, finds herself on an emotional journey which forces her to face some of the deep hurts of her past.
Read my complete review here:
http://redlilycafe.blogspot.com/2009/...
I have to admit it was the cover that attracted me to this one. While it is not fine literature and is somewhat predictable, this is a quirky but pleasant story. The action is fueled by an odd encounter with a snow globe and weaves Christian faith throughout. While each character suffers their own personal tragedies they all seemed a little too polite to be real but are likable nonetheless. It reminded me of those holiday movies on Lifetime, the Hallmark Channel and ABC Family that flood the air...more
The last thing that Cassandra Higgins expects out of her Sunday is to be mesmerized at a collectors’ convention by a snowglobe. She’s enjoying some mommy time, with husband Ken at home tending their brood of four young boys, when she’s utterly charmed by the one-of-a kind globe containing figures of three dogs and a little girl with hair the color of her own. She can’t resist taking the unique globe home– even if means wrestling another shopper for it!
The beautiful snowglobe sparks long-dormant...more
The beautiful snowglobe sparks long-dormant...more
audiobook was read at a dreadfully slow pace without much expression.
bogged down toward the end. I didn't see much of a change in Betty so I am surprised that anyone would want to marry her.
Good to see the couple with the problem stick together, work out the problem, express feelings and make future plans. Just read two secular books based on the same problem. In those books, the husband ran out on the wife to another woman so he could have sex without all the pressure. No talking or working it...more
bogged down toward the end. I didn't see much of a change in Betty so I am surprised that anyone would want to marry her.
Good to see the couple with the problem stick together, work out the problem, express feelings and make future plans. Just read two secular books based on the same problem. In those books, the husband ran out on the wife to another woman so he could have sex without all the pressure. No talking or working it...more
I was hesitant to read this book as I'm not much of a dog person but I'm glad I took the chance. Stray Affections is about much more than dogs; it's about family relationships, healing and even a bit of fantasy. While not realistic fiction (don't want to spoil it but the snow globe is unique), it was a very enjoyable story of Cassandra coming to terms with her past and mending relationships in the present. There is also a side plot of Cassandra's friends trying to become parents and that is nice...more
A heartwarming book. To me this book was about second chances and the belief that if we hold out our hearts and hands to God another chance can/will come our way. Similar to the Father Tim series, this is a small town into which you will want to move and live for the rest of your days.
Thank you, Lin, for gifting this inspirational, heartwarming book to me. I look forward to another Snowglobe Collection book from this author.
Thank you, Lin, for gifting this inspirational, heartwarming book to me. I look forward to another Snowglobe Collection book from this author.
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Cassandra Higgins is a young mom of four boys. She still struggles with the suicide of her father when she was a young girl. Her mom, "Bad Betty" and her do not get a long. Not only does she have all of this on her plate but she discovers a snow globe at her annual shopping trip at a collector's convention, that sparks her interest. Does this snow globe hold the answers to all of her problems? But how can it? It is just a snow globe isn't it? Cassandra not only finds answers she did not know she...more
What a beautiful and uplifting novel. The relationships between characters and the plot reveals warm the heart. My life, personally, has been in pain and I neared a moment of continuing down the same path of Bet -- day in and day out the same. Reading about these second chances brought tears to my eyes and I rejoiced with these characters. I will keep this book on my shelf forever.
Just came in the mail today. Won through the firstreads program.
Sweet, uplifting. I really enjoyed reading it. The storyline was quite creative. This book explores a complicated relationship between a mother and daughter. The main character is the daughter who struggles to resolve the past. Good story about not only forgiving others, but yourself. Liked all the characters. Especially Burt Burt.(not a typo, his name is really Burt Burt.)
I believe this is the first in a series about mysterious...more
Sweet, uplifting. I really enjoyed reading it. The storyline was quite creative. This book explores a complicated relationship between a mother and daughter. The main character is the daughter who struggles to resolve the past. Good story about not only forgiving others, but yourself. Liked all the characters. Especially Burt Burt.(not a typo, his name is really Burt Burt.)
I believe this is the first in a series about mysterious...more
I picked this book up because I enjoyed the author's Dear Dorothy series. It is a easy to read, heartwarming holiday story about family, forgiveness, friendship and pets and everyday miracles. If you like the Mitford Series by Karon ,you would probably like it. It is not meaty or deep,just a holiday story.
I don't what it is lately about all this books having weak main characters! It must be like the summer movie season. This was hard to get through because the main character was whiney and weak spined so you didn't like her, thus not enjoying the book because you didn't like who you were reading about.
I had the opportunity to meet Charlene and hear about the writing of this book before I purchased it. I think I enjoyed the story even more having had the chance to know her and the process that she used in it's creation.
This was a sweet story about how animals can bring healing to emotional needs. There is a mystery; what happened to the animals in the snow globe? The characters were a bit quirky which added appeal to the story.
This was a great book! I was hooked from the start. Great characters. I especially liked Cassandra and Bad Betty and their realizations about each other. Even close to the end when I knew where the book was headed it was fun to read. A definate great read
I enjoyed this book that dealt with forgiveness which can really be a hard thing especially when dealing with deep family hurts. Using a snow globe to illustrate God working miracles in Cassie's life was unique and interesting. I will definitely read more of this author's work.
This gentle story of how the past can influence the future, and of complicated family relationships, might appeal to you. This title is also available in large print.
An interesting read from a genre I don't generally frequent, Stray Affections offers readers a little bit of everything. Family drama, a love of creatures great and small, heartache, happiness, and everything in between. Though the book is a part of the Snowglobe Series, there really wasn't much of the actual snowglobe in the book, but when it's presence was made known it gave the reader something else to contemplate altogether. The characters have a journey to travel within this book and though...more
This is a heartwarming story about a family torn apart my sadness and misunderstandings and learning to love again. I really enjoyed every aspect about this novel, I had a hard time putting this one down
To be fair, I only read the first 3 chapters of this book. The style just wasn't for me so I couldn't get into it.
I really enjoyed this book. I laughed out loud and also got teary eyed while reading this book. I LOVE dogs and have two of my own,one of which was a stray that I found, so I could really relate to that aspect of the book. I look forward to reading more books by this author and am thankful that I was chosen as a first-reads winner.:)
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Author, Speaker, Humorist. Sixteen books under her belt (including the Dearest Dorothy series and the Snowglobe Connections series), Charlene is still going strong, finding writing more enjoyable than ever. Visit her website at www.charleneannbaumbich.com for more information."
What she is most excited about for 2012 is the release of FINDING OUR WAY HOME. She says she learned more from her charact...more
More about Charlene Ann Baumbich...
What she is most excited about for 2012 is the release of FINDING OUR WAY HOME. She says she learned more from her charact...more
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