Robin E. Mason's Blog: Robin's Book Shelf, page 104

BLOGWORDS – Monday 27 May 2019 – NEW WEEK NO FACE – NO GUEST POST

BLOGWORDS – Monday 27 May 2019 – NEW WEEK NEW NO FACE – NO GUEST POST
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NEW WEEK NEW NO FACE – NO GUEST POST

 “There is freedom waiting for you on the breezes of the sky. And you ask, What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?” —Erin Hanson

 

With two cancellations this month, and only one last minute replacement, there is no post today.

So Happy Memorial Day! Enjoy your day, and remember our soldiers, past and present.

 

 

“Maybe you have to know the darkness to truly appreciate the light.”—Madeline L’Engle

 

 

 

#Blogwords, New Week New No Face, #NWNF, No Guest Feature Post

BLOGWORDS – Monday 27 May 2019 – NEW WEEK NO FACE – GUEST POST

BLOGWORDS – Monday 27 May 2019 – NEW WEEK NEW NO FACE – GUEST POST
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NEW WEEK NEW NO FACE – GUEST POST

 “There is freedom waiting for you on the breezes of the sky. And you ask, What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?” —Erin Hanson

 

With two cancellations this month, and only one last minute replacement, there is no post today.

So Happy Memorial Day! Enjoy your day, and remember our soldiers, past and present.

 

 

“Maybe you have to know the darkness to truly appreciate the light.”—Madeline L’Engle

 

 

 

#Blogwords, New Week New No Face, #NWNF, Guest Feature Post

BLOGWORDS – Sunday 26 May 2019 – FRONT PORCH FELLOWSHIP – ALL CREATION WORSHIPS

BLOGWORDS – Sunday 26 May 2019 – FRONT PORCH FELLOWSHIP – ALL CREATION WORSHIPS
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FRONT PORCH FELLOWSHIP – ALL CREATION WORSHIPS

            * REPOST—AUTHOR DOWN

 

Several years ago I was walking around a small lake. It’s a favorite spot, and I take the walk whenever I visit there.

This particular time I had been listening to a certain praise and worship CD, and one of the songs was playing in my head.

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As those words sang in my mind, my eyes looked up at the trees—and I wondered (as all good authors do) “How does a tree worship God.”

I had thought it an idle thought. Until He answered me.

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So simple and yet so profound.

And as all good writers also do, my mind took it another step.

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Of course I knew the answer, even then.

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And with an algebraic turn, or perhaps putting the pieces in a puzzle, that meant that I worship Father by writing.

So … as I was sitting outside, basking in a miracle moment today, and praising Father for this long awaited thing, I glanced at the trees.

And I was reminded of what He told me those years ago—to worship Him, I be what He created me to be.

*note the use of “be” vs “do.”

So, and pardon the license with grammar, but I be writing. I be working—and I be worshiping Him—as I write.

And that brings me even greater joy.

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#Blogwords, Front Porch Fellowship, #FPF, Sunday Devotion, All Creation Worships

BLOGWORDS – Saturday 25 May 2019 – WHAT’S COOKIN’ IN YOUR KITCHEN – RANDOM RECIPES – SEAFOOD LASAGNA

BLOGWORDS – Saturday 25 May 2019 – WHAT’S COOKIN’ IN YOUR KITCHEN – RANDOM RECIPES – SEAFOOD LASAGNA
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WHAT’S COOKIN’ IN YOUR KITCHEN – RANDOM RECIPES – SEAFOOD LASAGNA

 

I like to cook. And I like to invent my own recipes. And I like to try other people’s recipes. And now I’m going to share them with you.

 

SEAFOOD LASAGNA

Because I love just about anything seafood, and because I had seafood pasta *two weeks ago when my son surprised me with dinner for early Mother’s Day!

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INGREDIENTS

1 pound bay scallops
1 pound uncooked small shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 ounces imitation crabmeat

 

½ cup butter
1 8-oz can chicken broth
1 lb mozzarella cheese, grated
8 oz Ricotta cheese
1 8-oz bottle clam juice

 

½ cup all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups whole milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
½ cup Parmesan cheese

 

1 box lasagna noodles, cooked and drained.

 

SEASONINGS

Salt and pepper, to taste

2 teaspoons     garlic powder  *I use powder not salt.

1 teaspoon       oregano

1 teaspoon       basil

 

DIRECTIONS

Bring broth and clam juice to a low boil.
Add scallops, shrimp, and crab meat; return to a boil.
Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 4-5 minutes or until shrimp turn pink and scallops are firm and opaque, stirring gently.
Drain, reserving cooking liquid; set seafood mixture aside.

 

In a large saucepan, melt the butter.
Whisk in flour until smooth; add seasonings.
Combine milk and reserved cooking liquid; gradually add to the saucepan.
Let simmer, stirring with whisk until thickened; remove from heat.
Blend in cream and cheeses.
Stir 3/4 cup white sauce into the seafood mixture.

 

Preheat oven to 350°.
Spread ½ cup white sauce in a greased 13 x 9 inch. baking dish.
Top with three noodles
Spread with half of the seafood mixture and half of the remaining sauce.
Repeat layers.
Top with remaining noodles, sauce and cheese.

 

Place in oven and bake uncovered for 30 – 40 minutes.
Let stand for 15 minutes before cutting.

 

 

SERVING SUGGESTION

Serve with warm garlic bread or breadsticks.

 

 

If you’ve a recipe you’d like to share leave a comment below or email me at robinemason212@gmail.com

 

NOTE: All recipes must be original or used with permission.

 

#Blogwords, What’s Cookin’ in Your Kitchen, Seafood Lasagna, #RandomRecipes, #AuthorsEat #AuthorsCook

BLOGWORDS – Friday 24 May 2019 – FIRST LINE FRIDAY – MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS by AGATHA CHRISTIE

BLOGWORDS – Friday 24 May 2019 – FIRST LINE FRIDAY – MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS by AGATHA CHRISTIE
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FIRST LINE FRIDAY – MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS by AGATHA CHRISTIE

 

Welcome to First Line Fridays, hosted by Hoarding Books!!!

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Tell us your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!

 

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THE BLURB

“The murderer is with us—on the train now . . .”

Just after midnight, the famous Orient Express is stopped in its tracks by a snowdrift. By morning, the millionaire Samuel Edward Ratchett lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. Without a shred of doubt, one of his fellow passengers is the murderer.

Isolated by the storm, detective Hercule Poirot must find the killer among a dozen of the dead man’s enemies, before the murderer decides to strike again.

 

THE AUTHOR

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Dame Agatha Christie was born in 1890 and created the detective Hercule Poirot in her debut novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920). She achieved wide popularity with The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926) and produced a total of eighty novels and short-story collections over six decades.

 

 

 

 

 

THE FIRST LINE

It was five o’clock on a winter’s morning in Syria.

 

MY THOUGHTS

Like most of Dame Christie’s stories that I’ve read, it was so long ago I don’t remember much about it—except how much I liked it!

 

 

#Blogwords, First Line Friday, #FLF, Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie

BLOGWORDS – Thursday 23 May 2019 – CHAT THURSDAY – AUTHOR INTERVIEW SEEKERVILLE BLITZ – ERICA VETCH – GIVEAWAY WINNER

BLOGWORDS – Thursday 23 May 2019 – CHAT THURSDAY – AUTHOR INTERVIEW SEEKERVILLE BLITZ  – ERICA VETCH – GIVEAWAY WINNER
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CHAT THURSDAY – AUTHOR INTERVIEW SEEKERVILLE BLITZ – ERICA VETCH – GIVEAWAY WINNER

“Faith, love, and history ever after.”

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“I love a good Christmas story. There’s so much heart, and family, and love in the Christmas season…”

 

WINNER! WINNER!

 

Congratulations to

MARILYN COLLINS

Erica will be in touch with you to send your gift!

Thanks to everyone who entered!

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Best-selling, award-winning author Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. She’s a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota, and she married her total opposite and soul mate! When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks. You can connect with her at her website, http://www.ericavetsch.com where you can read about her books and sign up for her newsletter, and you can find her online at https://www.facebook.com/EricaVetschAuthor/ where she spends way too much time!

 

https://www.facebook.com/EricaVetschAuthor/

https://twitter.com/EricaVetsch

https://www.ericavetsch.com/

http://seekerville.blogspot.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Erica-Vetsch/e/B004062CP6

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3490829.Erica_Vetsch

https://www.pinterest.com/ericavetsch/

 

 

“When I’m not writing fiction, I’m planning my next trip to a history museum and cheering on my Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks.”

GIVEAWAY

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Erica is offering a copy of her new release, Mail-Order Mishaps, print or ebook. Sorry, print is US only.

 

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#Blogwords, Chat Thursday, Author Interview – Seekerville Blitz, Erica Vetch, Giveaway Winner, #WINNER

BLOGWORDS – Thursday 23 May 2019 – SPECIAL EDITION – REMMAYWRIMO 2019

BLOGWORDS – Thursday 23 May 2019 – SPECIAL EDITION – REMMAYWRIMO 2019

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SPECIAL EDITION – REMMAYWRIMO 2019

“I’ve always had voices—er, stories in my head. I once said I should write them all down so someone could write them someday. I had no idea at the time that someone was me!”

 

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I have designated May as my personal writing challenge to get this new series off and running. After months of malaise and brain fog, I’m ready to tackle this and share my newest set of stories with you!

 

HOLY OY, ya’ll!! There must be something in this story that the darkness doesn’t want me to write!! I keep getting hit and delayed. But guess what? I’m not a quitter. This story—all four in the series—is in me and I will get it done!

 

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“What.Did.You.Do?” Mere jabbed her own finger in Bethy’s chest.

“Nothing you didn’t do first.” Bethy smiled sweetly and shrugged… summarily dismissing her sister.

My new series, FourSquare, is a change-up for me—RomCom. The first story, One for the Price of Two, has been tumbling around in my mind for several years, and I can’t wait to move the story forward, and get to know Elizabeth and Meredith—and share their story with you.

 

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BLURB

Twin sisters Elizabeth and Meredith Elliott are so identical their own parents can’t even tell them apart. Two halves of a whole.

Elizabeth, the more cautious of the two, reining in her sister’s impetuous side. Meredith, the more daring, urging Elizabeth to step beyond her comfort zone.

They lived and breathed on pranking their family and friends. All in good fun, of course.

Until love waltzed in and turned their game on end. And Bethy and Mere—masters of the prank—get pranked.

 

 

“the battle for identity, one story at a time”

 

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#Blogwords, Special Edition, #RemMayWriMo, One for the Price of Two, FourSquare

BLOGWORDS – Thursday 23 May 2019 – CHAT THURSDAY SEEKERVILLE BLOG BLITZ– AUTHOR INTERVIEW – WINNIE GRIGGS

BLOGWORDS – Thursday 23 May 2019 – CHAT THURSDAY SEEKERVILLE BLOG BLITZ– AUTHOR INTERVIEW and GIVEAWAY – WINNIE GRIGGS
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CHAT THURSDAY – AUTHOR INTERVIEW and GIVEAWAY – WINNIE GRIGGS

“Small towns, big hearts, amazing grace.”

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““Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no help at all.”  ~Dale Carnegie

Please give a warm feathered welcome to Winnie Griggs.

FAST FAVES

Cake or Cookies – cookies, preferably warm-from-the-oven chocolate chip rem: oh, yes!

Facebook or Twitter – Definitely Facebook, I never got into twitter rem: me too!

Yoga Pants or Jeans – Yoga pants, love me some stretch! rem: yup, yup!!

 

rem:  Hullo Winnie, and welcome to my little nest! Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?

WINNIE:  I was raised in SE Louisiana, just across the river from New Orleans – my Cajun roots go deep! rem: I am fascinated with all things Cajun, and the bayous of Louisiana!

I met the man I was to eventually marry while I was in college and his roots were set in the opposite end of the state, NW Louisiana and that is where we eventually settled, in a small rural community called Plain Dealing.

rem:  Do you have a favorite Bible verse? And why is it a favorite?

WINNIE: James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

This is a favorite of mine because it reminds us that as Christians we are not to be passive but active in the word.

rem:  Oh yes! And it goes hand in hand with my signature verse, Romans 12:2, Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, which is renewed by the Word of God. 

What is your favourite quotation and why?

WINNIE: May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy

It reminds me that there is a time and a place for everything and that not every moment will be sparkling with happiness, but that’s ok

rem:  Winnie, that’s lovely! I’d not heard that one before. What’s the most random thing in your bag or on your desk?

WINNIE:  a cough drop

rem:  Well, now, that could come in handy! If you could go back in time, what era would you choose and why?

WINNIE:  I wouldn’t go back, I like the present day just fine

rem:  Hmmm… Wasn’t there something about that (being happy in the moment) up in your quote up there?  #winkwink  What would you do if you weren’t writing?

WINNIE:  I love to visit estate sale and thrift shops. I also like to travel. So I guess I’d be doing more of those things if I didn’t write

rem:  So fun! Can I tag along with you? What are you reading right now?

WINNIE:  Right now I’m participating as a judge for a writing contest so I am reading the entries assigned to me.

rem:  That’s exciting! Perhaps you’ll discover a jewel of a new author! What do you munch on while you write?

WINNIE:  My favorite munchie is peanut M&Ms, but BBQ potato chips are my fall back

 

rem:  BBQ potato chips are so yummy! (not a fan of peanut M&M’s though… ) How did you become a Seekervillian, and what do you like best about it?

WINNIE:  I was an occasional guest on Seekerville for a number of years, then late in 2017 I was invited by the members to become a regular and jumped at the chance!  I love being part of this warm, giving, Christian group of writers and also the community of folks who stop by on a regular basis.

rem:  Ya’ll are a most delightful bunch of bloggers, and I’m pleased as punch to get to chat with each one of you!  What was your first Seekerville post?

WINNIE:  As a guest, my first post was, I believe, a 2009 post on Scene Transitions. As a regular, it was a Jan 2018 post on Delivering Emotion

rem:  Both sound like excellent posts, but “Scene Transition” caught my attention. What is your Writing Routine? Where do you write: In a cave, a coffeehouse, or a cozy nook?

WINNIE:  I don’t have a routine per se, but I do try to write something every day. (rem: hat’s off to you… )  I find when I’m at home my most productive writing time is between 9:00 pm and 2:00 am.  However, I have a local writing buddy and we try to get together to write at Starbucks and on those days I get my best output.

rem:  YESSS!!! Another night owl! What do you enjoy most about being a writer?

WINNIE:  Sharing the stories that live in my head with others who find enjoyment in them

rem:  Right! Love doing that! I am fascinated with New Orleans, the bayous, and Cajun culture. What is one of your favorite memories or adventures in the bayou?

WINNIE:  When I was a kid, me, my siblings and the three other kids who lived there used to spend hours exploring the overgrown areas around our homes, including the bayou. We sailed many an imaginary pirate ship in those days

BLOGWORDS – Wednesday 22 May 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on WEDNESDAY BOOK REVIEW and GIVEAWAY – THE HEART CHANGER by JARM DEL BOCCIO

BLOGWORDS – Wednesday 22 May 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on WEDNESDAY BOOK REVIEW and GIVEAWAY – THE HEART CHANGER  by JARM DEL BOCCIO
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TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on WEDNESDAY – BOOK REVIEW and GIVEAWAY – THE HEART CHANGER  by JARM DEL BOCCIO

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Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Heart Changer by Jarm Del Boccio with JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

[image error]Title: The Heart Changer

Author: Jarm Del Boccio

Publisher: Ambassador International

Release Date: April 26, 2019

Genre: Middle Grade Biblical Fiction

 

THE BLURB

Can an Israelite captive, wrenched from all she loves, serve the very man who destroyed her village?

Miriam is asked to do the impossible: serve the wife of Naaman, commander of the Syrian army. Clinging to treasured memories of home and faith, Miriam faces captivity with worry and bitterness. Little does she know the Heart Changer is wooing and preparing her for a greater mission far beyond what she could imagine.

This middle-grade historical novel reflects the heartache and angst of a young refugee in a foreign land where all hope seems lost.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Christian Book

 

THE AUTHOR

[image error]Jarm  Del Boccio (‘J’ pronounced as a ‘Y’) finds her inspiration in everyday life, but in particular, when she travels the globe, observing the quirky things that happen along the way. Focusing on lives of characters from the past, Jarm is devoted to breathing new life into the pages of history.

Jarm has a background in elementary and high school education, and served for seven years as a school librarian. Grateful for the opportunity, she taught three missionary kids in an isolated area of Papua New Guinea. She is part of SCBWI and American Christian Fiction Writers, and has published articles in “The Old Schoolhouse” magazine.

“The Heart Changer,” her debut MG historical/biblical fiction, released with Ambassador International April 26th 2019. Jarm is content with the journey God has placed her on, and lives with her husband and adult son and daughter (when they are not away) in a tree-lined suburb of Chicago.

CONNECT WITH JARM: Website | Facebook | Twitter

 

 

EXCERPT

            The next afternoon, all seemed bright again. Miriam attended to her mistress as Adara sat at her loom. Brilliant red, purple, and blue threads intermingled with bronze graced the tapestry, now a hand span in length. Miriam’s eyes were fixed on the shuttle as she cooled her mistress with a palm leaf. The day was especially hot. They could all feel the oppressive heat, which put the entire household out of sorts.

            “Miriam, tell me more stories of your people. A people with a nation, and —so I’ve heard — a strong faith. I have need for a diversion to keep my mind off this hot spell.”

            “Yes, Mistress,” she said, her eyes widening. Does my mistress truly desire to know about our faith?

            Miriam crinkled her forehead, pondering the possibilities. There was so much she could say. So many people she could speak about. Then finally, it came to her.

            “Joseph was a Hebrew who was despised by his brothers. They were jealous because his father, Jacob, seemed to love him best. He had a coat of many colors, much like your cloth here on the loom, that he made especially for his son. Joseph was the beloved of Jacob’s favorite wife, Rachel. But she died laboring at the birth of his brother a few years later. The father was bereaved, so he placed his love on the shoulders of Joseph, making his ten older brothers angry. So angry, in fact, that they sold him as a slave one day to a caravan passing through their town.”

            “How that father must have grieved,” said Adara, shaking her head, her fingers deftly working the loom.

            “Yes, but it was much worse. The brothers lied and said he was killed by a wild beast to cover up their sin. They even smeared animal blood on Joseph’s beautiful coat and brought it to their father to prove he had met his fate on the road.” Miriam stopped fanning, so intent was she on telling her story. The mistress barely noticed.

            “Oh, my! How could he bear it?”

            “For years Jacob assumed his son was dead. He grieved for him every day.”

            “And then? What happened to this treasured son— this Joseph?”

            “He was sold as a slave to Potiphar in Egypt. Potiphar was a very influential man. Joseph was such a good worker that his master’s house was blessed because of him. But, one day, Potiphar’s wife accused Joseph of attacking her, which was false. But, he was put in jail nonetheless.”

“How unfair!” The mistress cried, raising her hands in alarm. Turning to Miriam, she motioned for her to resume fanning. Then, she continued her story, deep in thought.

            “True. Nevertheless, our Almighty Yahweh gave Joseph a gift. He could interpret dreams. One day, Jehovah sent a disturbing dream to Pharaoh. And the only one able to interpret it was Joseph. The ruler’s dream was about the years of abundance followed by years of famine that were coming to Egypt.”

            “So? And then?” The Mistress sat up, hanging on Miriam’s every word.

            “Miraculously, Pharaoh, seeing his gift, put Joseph in charge of gathering grain during the seven abundant years, so they could sell it to the people of the land in the seven lean years. Joseph saved not only the Egyptians, but his own family as well. But, that’s another story.”

            “Your God brought Joseph to Egypt at just the right time it seems,” Adara said with a sideways glance and with it came a sweet smile.

            “Yes, He did. For such a time as this. Joseph had to be taken from his family and endure many hardships to do Jehovah’s will and save many.”

            “Hmmmm.” The mistress seemed deep in thought as she stared at her weaving. “So, if I could hold this cloth above my head, these tangled threads on the underside are like the trials in our lives. They make no sense — all is confusion. But your God above sees a beautiful pattern on the topside. He sees how everything that happens in your lives comes together in a wonderful and meaningful way. Although you were snatched from your home in what seems to be a senseless act, maybe you were brought to our home, Miriam, for a special purpose.”

            “Maybe.” Miriam grinned. She was beginning to like her mistress. To like her very well.

 

MY REVIEW

Historical fiction is my most favorite genre, and Biblical Fiction especially. Fiction, well written, brings to life otherwise dry facts of history. And Ms. Del Boccio has done an exceptional job of it with the story of Naaman. Even better, she has written it geared for children.

The story leapt off the pages, vibrant and colorful, and true to historical evidence and Biblical accounts.

Miriam is a delightful young girl, her emotions so real, her faith honorable, her doubts and questions understandable. Ms. Del Boccio expresses beautifully how Father God is with us, even when we feel abandoned. And how He can and will and does use us for His glory. Even a child.

I appreciated how as Miriam struggled to believe God’s promises, she still shared her faith. And in doing so, her own faith grew stronger.

The story is vivid, filled with details of life in Syria. The Hebrew faith, the household of a commander in the king’s army. I would easily recommend this book for middle grade students, and look forward to more from this author.

 

ROBIN’S FEATHERS

[image error]ALL | THE | FEATHERS!

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

 

TOUR GIVEAWAY

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(1) winner will receive 1 print (US only)

AND

(1) winner will receive 1 ebook (open internationally except where prohibited by law)

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight May 20, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm May 27, 2019. US only. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

 

 

#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day-on-Wednesday and Giveaway, #TRD, Book Review, The Heart Changer, Jarm Del Boccio, JustReads Tours

BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 21 May 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – JUST LOOK UP by COURTNEY WALSH

BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 21 May 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – JUST LOOK UP by COURTNEY WALSH
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TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – JUST LOOK UP by COURTNEY WALSH
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THE BLURB

After tirelessly climbing the ranks of her Chicago-based interior design firm, Lane Kelley is about to land her dream promotion when devastating news about her brother draws her back home—a quaint tourist town full of memories she’d just as soon forget. With her cell phone and laptop always within reach, Lane aims to check on her brother while staying focused on work—something her eclectic family doesn’t understand.

Ryan Brooks never expected to settle down in Harbor Pointe, Michigan, but after his final tour of duty, it was the only place that felt like home. Now knee-deep in a renovation project that could boost tourism for the struggling town, he is thrilled to see Lane, the girl he secretly once loved, even if the circumstances of her homecoming aren’t ideal.

Their reunion gets off to a rocky start, however, when Ryan can’t find a trace of the girl he once knew in the woman she is today. As he slowly chips away at the walls Lane has built, secrets from his past collide with a terrible truth even he is reluctant to believe. Facing a crossroads that could define his future with Lane and jeopardize his relationship with the surrogate family he’s found in the Kelleys, Ryan hopes Lane can see that maybe what really matters has been right in front of her all along—if only she’d just look up.

 

THE AUTHOR

[image error]Courtney Walsh is an author, artist, theatre director, and playwright. Just Let Go will be her eighth inspirational romance novel. Her debut, A Sweethaven Summer, hit the New York Times and USA Today e-book bestseller lists and was a Carol Award finalist in the debut author category. A creative at heart, Courtney has also written two craft books and several full-length musicals. She lives in Illinois where she and her husband own a performing arts studio and youth theatre. They have three children.

http://courtneywalshwrites.com/

https://www.facebook.com/courtneywalshwrites/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/280382.Courtney_Walsh

https://twitter.com/courtney_walsh

https://www.instagram.com/courtneywalsh/

https://www.pinterest.com/courtney_walsh/

 

MY REVIEW

New-to-me author, Ms. Walsh instantly endeared me to her characters. As an interior designer, I was drawn to Lane’s character and profession. And the story wrapped itself around my heart.

Living a life trying to prove something—to herself as it turns out—is all too familiar to this reviewer. The damage of hiding behind a façade, a veneer of pretending to be okay and thriving—eventually erodes and crumbles. And Ms. Walsh has expertly conveyed that in Lane Kelley’s struggles. And though not as blatant or extreme, this reader is well familiar with the disdaining jabs and comments that pummeled Lane.

Just breathe…

Ryan Brooks has his own share of struggles—and a dark secret—but lives above the deep dark of his past, spreading hope and joy everywhere he goes.

I felt the chemistry between them from their first tenuous encounter in her brother’s hospital room, even as she struggled to remember their earlier friendship. The pull for Lane to return to her job, her career—her life—in Chicago was loud and urgent; the tug at her heart to let her guard down and allow herself to be loved was bittersweet, the pain of a past heartache smothering.

Just breathe…

The story builds, page after page, layer after layer of Lane’s past remembered, exposed, while Ryan fought to keep his past hidden. The conflict between past and present, and for Lane, between Harbor Pointe and Chicago kept this story charged, and this reader turning pages.

Just breathe….

 

ROBIN’S FEATHERS

[image error]ALL | THE | FEATHERS!

 

 

I purchased this book on Amazon. I offer my review of my own free will, and the opinions expressed in my review are my own honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

 

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#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, Just Look Up, Courtney Walsh