Robin E. Mason's Blog: Robin's Book Shelf, page 110

I remember these recipe cards!

INGREDIENTS

¾ cup              coconut oil (warm it to above 76° so it’s liquid before you measure)

1 cup               sugar

¼ cup              molasses

1                      egg

2 cups              flour

2 teaspoons     baking soda

SPICES

½ teaspoon      cloves

½ teaspoon      ginger

1 teaspoon       cinnamon

½ teaspoon      salt

DIRECTIONS

Mix the dry ingredients together in a medium bowl.

In a large bowl, lightly beat the egg, then add oil, sugar and molasses and stir until mostly blended. Add the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Form into balls – about the size of an English walnut – and roll in sugar. Put them on a cookie sheet. I line mine with parchment paper.

Ignore that “ball” on the lower right. I don’t know what happened!

Flatten each ball slightly with the back of a spoon.

Bake the cookies at 375° for 8-12 minutes. At my higher altitude, I need to bake them closer to 14 minutes.

The key thing is that you don’t want to over bake them – you don’t want them hard and crispy.

(Unless you like gingersnaps! I learned that if you forget to take them out of the oven soon enough, you have the perfect hard, crunchy gingersnap texture!)

But you don’t want to under bake them, either!

Follow your gut instinct. Channel your inner Gibbs.

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Published on April 19, 2019 23:00

BLOGWORDS – Friday 19 April 2019 – FIRST LINE FRIDAY – NORTHANGER ABBEY by JANE AUSTEN

BLOGWORDS – Friday 19 April 2019 – FIRST LINE FRIDAY – NORTHANGER ABBEY by JANE AUSTEN
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FIRST LINE FRIDAY – NORTHANGER ABBEY by JANE AUSTEN

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

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

THE BLURB:

Northanger Abbey was the first of Jane Austen’s novels to be completed for publication, in 1803. However, it was not until after her death in 1817 that it was published, along with her other novel, Persuasion. The novel is a satire of Gothic novels, which were quite popular at the time in 1798–99. This “coming of age,” story revolves around the main character, Catherine, a young and naive “heroine,” who entertains her reader on her journey of self-knowledge, as she gains a better understanding of the world and those around her. Because of her experiences, reality sets in and she discovers that she is not like other women who crave for wealth or social acceptance, but instead she is a true heroine in that she is an ordinary young woman who wishes to have nothing but happiness and a genuine sense of morality.

THE AUTHOR:

Jane Austen was an English novelist known primarily for her six major novels, which interpret, critique and comment upon the British landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. Austen’s plots often explore the dependence of women on marriage in the pursuit of favourable social standing and economic security.

THE FIRST LINE :

No one who had ever seen Catherine Morland in her infancy would have supposed her to be born an heroine.

MY THOUGHTS:

This is one of Jane Austen’s books I actually have read, though it’s been far too long. As with all her stories, I was immersed in her story world and caught up in Catherine’s journey of discovery.

#Blogwords, First Line Friday, #FLF, Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen

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Published on April 18, 2019 23:00

BLOGWORDS – Thursday 18 April 2019 – CHAT THURSDAY – AUTHOR INTERVIEW – MINDY OBENHAUS – GIVEAWAY WINNER

BLOGWORDS – Thursday 18 April 2019 – CHAT THURSDAY – AUTHOR INTERVIEW – MINDY OBENHAUS – GIVEAWAY WINNER
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CHAT THURSDAY – AUTHOR INTERVIEW – MINDY OBENHAUS – GIVEAWAY WINNER

“Did you know God is the author of romance? He’s been wooing mankind for thousands of years. And while He doesn’t promise us a life without tears and trials, He does promise a happily ever after to those who know His son, Jesus.”

http://mindyobenhaus.com/

“Don’t you just love a happy ending?”

WINNER! WINNER!

Congratulations to

TRACY URSCHLER

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

Thanks to everyone who entered!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Three-time Carol Award finalist, Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, the youngest of her five children and two dogs. She’s passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren.

https://www.amazon.com/Mindy-Obenhaus/e/B00EF48LV2

https://www.facebook.com/authorMindyObenhaus

https://twitter.com/MindyObenhaus

https://www.pinterest.com/mindyobenhaus/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6984427.Mindy_Obenhaus

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/mindy-obenhaus

GIVEAWAY

Mindy is offering a copy of Her Colorado Cowboy.

“Standing at the kitchen sink today, up to my elbows in soapy dishwater, I stared out at the rain, suddenly and overwhelmingly struck by His graciousness. It was a humbling moment because, so often, I fail to consider all that God has done for me.”

#Blogwords, Chat Thursday, Author Interview, Mindy Obenhaus, Giveaway Winner, #WINNER

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Published on April 18, 2019 11:50

BLOGWORDS – Thursday 18 April 2019 – CHAT THURSDAY SEEKERVILLE BLOG BLITZ– AUTHOR INTERVIEW and GIVEAWAY – JAN DREXLER

BLOGWORDS – Thursday 18 April 2019 – CHAT THURSDAY SEEKERVILLE BLOG BLITZ– AUTHOR INTERVIEW and GIVEAWAY – JAN DREXLER
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CHAT THURSDAY – AUTHOR INTERVIEW and GIVEWAY – JAN DREXLER

“The promises we keep are important – promises to God, our husbands, our children, and ourselves. But the greatest promise of all is the promise God gives us in Jesus Christ.”

“Bringing you home…

…to a world of Plain living, simple values, and strong families. Stop by often as I share about my upcoming books!”

Please give a feathered welcome to Jan Drexler.

FAST FAVES

Call or Text – Text

Dogs or Cats – Dogs

Paperback or Kindle – Paperback

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

JAN: I was raised in south-west Michigan, and still love the Great Lakes. After I got married, we moved all around the mid-west with my husband’s job and have finally settled in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

rem: Must be something magical about those Black Hills! Tell us three random things about yourself no one knows.

JAN: 1) I would have had a dozen children if it had been possible. (rem: ME TOO!!!)

2) I traveled around Europe after college. Just me, my backpack, and my Eurail card. (rem: HOW FUN IS THAT!)

3) I have read through the Bible seventeen times and have a good start on my eighteenth. (rem: color me impressed! I bow to you.)

rem: What is your favourite quotation and why?

JAN: From C.S. Lewis. “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” This quote reminds me that as much as I love the things of this world, God has more, better, higher, and everlasting joys awaiting us.

rem: So much truth in Mr. Lewis’ words!! What’s the most random thing in your bag or on your desk?

JAN: You should see my desk. It’s full of random things! But the most random is probably my stuffed hedgehog. He’s there only because he’s cute.

rem: D’awww, how adorable is that. What’s your all-time favorite movie? Favorite TV show?

JAN: Favorite movie is probably Mary Poppins. My favorite TV show…that’s harder. Probably NCIS.

rem: I do love Julie Andrews (she’s one of my most favorite actresses) and I do love me some Mark Harmon… #swoons If you could go back in time, what era would you choose and why?

JAN: I’ve always like the 1910’s – the years just before World War 1. That era had its own unique innocence.

rem: Oh yes! That was actually the setting of my last series—1912 and 1913. Do you have a favorite Bible verse? And why is it a favorite?

JAN: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9. I am not a brave person, but this verse reminds me that I don’t have to be brave when I go where God is leading me.

rem: I was thinking about that just a little bit ago! No matter what comes our way, if our focus is on Him, we have nothing to fear! (and yet, so hard to do… ) If you could spend an evening with a fictional character, who would it be and why?

JAN: Samwise Gamgee from Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. He was content to have a simple supper by the fire and a quiet chat. Wouldn’t you love to hear Sam tell the story of his adventures?

rem: I’m sure he’s quite a few stories to tell. What do you think is significant about Christian fiction? How has being a novelist impacted your relationship with Christ?

JAN: Christian fiction provides stories of hope in a devastated world. Being a novelist has forced me to clarify the details of my faith. Just like teaching any subject makes you a better student of that subject, writing about the Christian faith has made me a better student of that faith.

rem: I love how you say that, Jan. So simple and so elegant. When reading, what makes or breaks a story for you? Your fiction pet peeve?

JAN: My fiction pet peeve is a character I can’t like. I keep hoping they’ll change by the end of the book, but sometimes they don’t. If I can’t find a character to root for in a book, I won’t be reading that author again.

rem: Can’t imagine a story without at least one likeable redeeming character!!! What would you do if you weren’t writing?

JAN: Even if I wasn’t a published author, I’d still be writing. I might be teaching, or working in a retail store, or in an office. But I’d still be writing.

rem: When the stories be there, they come out one way or another! What are you reading right now?

JAN: I just started Pepper Basham’s book, My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge: Laurel’s Dream.

rem: Oh! What a lovely, exquisite book! I love Pepper’s stories! What do you munch on while you write?

JAN: I used to enjoy Ghiradelli Chocolate Chips. I’d eat one for every 100 words I wrote. But…well…it’s sad to say, but that wasn’t helping my waistline. So now I keep a box of sugar-free mints on my desk and have one of those when I get a craving.

rem: You had me at Ghiradelli… How did you become a Seekervillian, and what do you like best about it?

JAN: When Seekerville was rebooted at the end of 2017, I was invited to become part of the second generation of Seekers. The thing I love is helping new writers navigate the steep learning curve ahead of them, and the friends I’ve made through the blog.

rem: So.Many.Friends in this industry! (wish I’d had someone to help me navigate when I was thrown in the deep end… of a deep ocean… in a tsunami… LOL ) What was your first Seekerville post?

JAN: It was back on October 19, 2013, titled “Keeping Calm and Carrying On.” It was my first guest post, and I can’t describe how nervous I was!

rem: Me too, when I’m writing a guest post. Love the title! Which of the recipes on the Yankee Belle Café is your favorite?

JAN: Wow! Do you know how many recipes we have on that blog??? (rem: bwahahahah) But I think my favorite is one Ruthy shared years ago for New England Scalloped Potatoes. That is a perfect comfort-food dish!

rem: Mmmmmm!!! I love scalloped potatoes = comfort food. You have a rich heritage of “Amish, Mennonite, and Brethren immigrants” from which to draw upon for your stories. True confession: have you ever used a true story in one of your novels? How much did you have to adapt it to “protect the innocent?” #winkwink

JAN: I’m not shy to say yes! I’ve gleaned most of my story ideas from dinner table conversations and genealogy details. I usually change the names, and I’m always quick to say that the stories are only based on a single detail and a lot of “what ifs!”

rem: That’s some wisdom there. I mean, don’t most of our stories germinate from something or someone in our real lives? You’ve lived in several states before you landed in South Dakota. Moving ranges from traumatic to comical. Share with us an anecdote from one of your moves.

JAN: Let me just say up front: I hate moving. (rem: ME TOO!!!) One of the most memorable moving stories, though, has to do with my little oak table. I love my little oak table. It was the first piece of furniture I bought for my first apartment, purchased at a garage sale for ten dollars. I still use it as my desk.

During one move (from Texas to Indiana,) one of the movers decided to remove the legs when he packed the table in the moving van. You guessed it – when they unloaded our furniture at the other end, one leg was missing. (I still don’t know how one table leg can go missing from a locked truck…or why.)

A couple years after the move, we found a woodworker who was willing to try to replicate the missing leg. He did a perfect job, and now I can’t tell which leg the replacement is!

rem: Oh my!!! Glad you found someone to replace the “runaway!” How are you surviving this season’s Arctic-opalypse?

JAN: I love snow! I love cold weather! Surviving isn’t a problem for me.

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Published on April 17, 2019 23:00

BLOGWORDS – Wednesday 17 April 2019 – WREEL-to-WREEL WEDNESDAY – FEATURED MOVIE – THE HELP

BLOGWORDS – Wednesday 17 April 2019 – WREEL-to-WREEL WEDNESDAY – FEATURED MOVIE – THE HELP
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WREEL-to-WREEL WEDNESDAY – FEATURED MOVIE – THE HELP

BLURB

In 1960s Mississippi, Southern society girl Skeeter returns from college with dreams of being a writer. She turns her small town on its ear by choosing to interview the black women who have spent their lives taking care of prominent white families. Only Aibileen, the housekeeper of Skeeter’s best friend, will talk at first. But as the pair continue the collaboration, more women decide to come forward, and as it turns out, they have quite a lot to say.

STARRING

Emma Stone

Viola Davis

Octavia Spencer

Jessica Chastain

Bryce Dallas Howard

Allison Janney

RELEASE DATE

11 August 2011

WRITTEN BY

Tate Taylor

BASED ON

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

DIRECTED BY

Tate Taylor

PRODUCTION COMPANIES

DreamWorks Pictures

Reliance Entertainment

Participant Media

Image Nation

1492 Pictures

Harbinger Pictures

PRODUCED BY

Chris Columbus

Michael Barnathan

Brunson Green

Sonya Lunsford

MUSIC BY

Thomas Newman

CINEMATOGRAPHY

Stephen Goldblatt

EDITED BY

Hughes Winborne

AWARDS

Paul Selvin Award

RATING

PG-13

ROBIN’S FEATHERS

What movie(s) would you like to see featured?

#Blogwords, Wreel-to-Wreel Wednesday, Featured Movie, The Help

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Published on April 16, 2019 23:00

BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 16 April 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – THE MEMORY HOUSE by RACHEL HAUCK

BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 16 April 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – THE MEMORY HOUSE by RACHEL HAUCK
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TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – THE MEMORY HOUSE by RACHEL HAUCK

THE BLURB

Embracing the future means remembering the past . . .

When Beck Holiday lost her father in the North Tower on 9/11, she also lost her memories of him. Eighteen years later, she’s a tough New York City cop burdened with a damaging secret, suspended for misconduct, and struggling to get her life in order. Meanwhile a mysterious letter arrives informing her she’s inherited a house along Florida’s northern coast, and what she discovers there will change her life forever. Matters of the heart only become more complicated when she runs into handsome Bruno Endicott, a driven sports agent who fondly recalls the connection they shared as teenagers. But Beck doesn’t remember that either.

Decades earlier, widow Everleigh Applegate lives a steady, uneventful life with her widowed mother after a tornado ripped through Waco, Texas, and destroyed her new, young married life. When she runs into old high school friend Don Callahan, she begins to yearn for change. Yet no matter how much she longs to love again, she is hindered by a secret she can never share.

Fifty years separate the women but through the power of love and miracle of faith, they each find healing in a beautiful Victorian known affectionately as The Memory House.

THE AUTHOR

Rachel Hauck is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author.

She is a Christy Award Winner and a double RITA finalist. Her book The Wedding Dress was named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times Book Club. She is also the recipient of RT’s Career Achievement Award.

A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism, and a former sorority girl, Rachel and her husband live in central Florida. She is a huge Buckeyes football fan.

Visit her at http://www.rachelhauck.com or http://www.facebook.com/rachelhauck

MY REVIEW

The best stories will get under your skin, and The Memory House surely got under mine.

I have come to adore stories with dual timelines, and Ms. Hauck has crafted one of the best I’ve read, weaving four main characters in two different eras into one single, page-turning story.

How often do we let our fear or our past hold us from our future?

How many times do we let criticism and harsh words—our own or those spoken to us and at us—cripple us?

How many times do we let our goals and plans—no matter how well-intended and altruistic—hinder us from being present in the now?

Each of the characters in this story, Everleigh and Don, Beck and Bruno, succumbed to criticisms and fears. Tragedy and disaster linked Everleigh and Beck across five decades. Determined to succeed, Don and Bruno both rose about their barriers, holding out a life line of love and holding fast till Everleigh and Beck are on solid ground.

The heartache in this story, the struggle to survive—and the will to thrive.

And the Memory House itself. Aside from this reviewer’s love of design and all things Victorian, the place was, in fact, magical, anointed even. A place of healing, for both Everleigh and Beck. A house of memories preserved, and memories restored.

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.

#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, The Memory House, Rachel Hauck

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Published on April 15, 2019 23:00

BLOGWORDS – Monday 15 April 2019 – NEW WEEK NEW FACE – GUEST POST – DORI HARRELL – GIVEAWAY WINNER

BLOGWORDS – Monday 15 April 2019 – NEW WEEK NEW FACE – GUEST POST – DORI HARRELL – GIVEAWAY WINNER
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NEW WEEK NEW FACE – GUEST POST – DORI HARRELL – GIVEAWAY WINNER

WINNER! WINNER!

Congratulations to

LUCY REYNOLDS

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

Thanks to everyone who entered!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

https://www.amazon.com/Dori-Harrell/e/B07694DXK3

Dori is an award-winning writer, editor, author coach, and speaker. When not eating licorice and fantasizing about living in Hawaii, Dori writes and edits books full time. She owns Breakout Editing and edits for mainstream publishers as well as indie authors, and she serves as managing editor of Redemption Press. When not writing and overusing exclamation points, she speaks at writers’ and editors’ events, and she’s on a mission to prove that commas do make a difference—she could spend hours chatting about commas. From big-picture content edits to—yes—ensuring that necessary commas are properly placed, it’s her goal to help authors fulfill their writing and publishing dreams.

https://doriharrell.com/

https://www.facebook.com/doriauthor/

https://twitter.com/Dori_Harrell

https://www.pinterest.com/doriraeharrell/

https://www.instagram.com/doriharrell/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/doriharrell/

GIVEAWAY

Dori is offering a copy of her novel, A Christmas Hallelujah.

#Blogwords, New Week New Face, Guest Post, Dori Harrell, Giveaway Winner, #WINNER

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Published on April 15, 2019 10:52

BLOGWORDS – Monday 15 April 2019 – NEW WEEK NEW FACE – GUEST POST – SALLY BRADLEY

BLOGWORDS – Monday 15 April 2019 – NEW WEEK NEW FACE – GUEST POST – SALLY BRADLEY
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NEW WEEK NEW FACE – GUEST POST – SALLY BRADLEY

Just One More Round of Edits

I have a teenage daughter who is sweet enough to listen to updates on my current book’s progress. “I’m starting edits” eventually becomes “I’m halfway through this edit” which then becomes “I’m almost done with this edit!”

“Great!” she says. “Then you release it, right?”

Oh, I wish. Because the edits I’m on are just the story edits. After I make sure the story itself is solid, then it’s on to heavy copy edits, making sure the wording is good, that it’s clear and makes sense, that details don’t change, that no plotlines are left unfinished, that wordiness is eliminated—all that fun stuff.

And then it’s done—

Nope. Then it’s time to reread it and make sure I’m happy with the changes and see what other wordiness I can eliminate. I try to make it a game. Can I get this chapter from ten pages to nine? Can I cut eight lines from this chapter by tightening up paragraphs? All kinds of mental challenges like that just to make the book lean and read faster.

And then it’s do—

No, then it’s my own proofread, going through it one more time to make sure it’s super clean because… the outside editor gets it next.

I’ve been a freelance editor for a number of years, and even though I’m an editor now in my day job, my book still needs fresh eyes. So once it comes back from her—oh, and from my beta readers too—and once all the changes are made…

It’s d—

It’s time for proofreading. Again.

Even then it’ll probably take a few reads to get to the point where I feel like it’s as mistake free as I can make it and where it’s time to format it. Which means a few more read-throughs of the formatted version to make sure everything’s good there.

Phew!

That’s exhausting, just thinking about all the rounds of editing and about rereading my own work. I read Kept, my first book, at least thirty times before it was released, sometimes doing a full read just for one character’s voice. There came a point where I was so done with that story! I didn’t want to read it ever again.

That was long before that thirtieth read.

But this is the reality of book publishing. Writing isn’t a rough draft, one friend’s thoughts, a round or two of proofreading, and then voila—instant sales! It’s round after round after round after round of chipping away at what needs to go, only to reveal a deeper layer of things that can be fixed and addressed.

But you know what? It’s beyond fun to see this gem you’ve had in your mind turn out to be just that—a book that sparkles and shines and hooks your readers. One that has them leaving reviews that said they stayed up until early the next morning, just because they had to find out what happened.

Just because you took time to edit.

And edit.

And then edit some more.

Is there a time to stop editing? Oh, yes. There definitely is. Sometimes I catch myself rewording the same phrase or clause over and over, and that’s when it dawns on me that I need to move on. Get to the next scene. The next chapter. The next round of edits.

Because then it’s…

Done!

Sally Bradley writes big-city fiction with real issues and real hope. A Chicagoan since age five, Sally has been fascinated by all things Chicago (except for the crime, politics, and traffic) for almost as long. She now lives in South Carolina with her family, but they get back to Chicago from time to time for important things, like good pizza and a White Sox game.

A USA Today bestselling author, Sally has won a handful of awards for Homestands, Kept, and another work-in-progress. Visit her online at sallybradley.com, at Instagram @sallybradleywrites, and at Sally Bradley, Writer on Facebook.

#Blogwords, New Week New Face, #NWNF, Guest Post, Sally Bradley

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Published on April 14, 2019 23:00

BLOGWORDS – Sunday 14 April 2019 – FRONT PORCH FELLOWSHIP – FORGIVING

BLOGWORDS – Sunday 14 April 2019 – FRONT PORCH FELLOWSHIP – FORGIVING

FRONT PORCH FELLOWSHIP – FORGIVING

Forgive and forget. We’ve all heard it countless times. And it sounds oh-so-holy, doesn’t it?

But the human heart doesn’t let go so easily. And I’m not sure Father God actually intends us to. He forgets, yes. Casts our sin as far as the east is from the west, and remembers them not.

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12

For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” Hebrews 8:12

As the once-trending movie and song says, “Let it go.”

“But you don’t know what they did to me.”

“They don’t deserve my forgiveness.”

“I tried. I just can’t.”

Oh, but you can.

Like love, forgiveness is a choice. Too often in this life, we let emotions rule us. We wait for that “certain” feeling, and go with it.

Father God created those emotions and instilled them in us. But He did not intend them as our GPS for life. Only His Word can guide us; our feeling are to follow our spirit as we walk in His Truth.

Several years ago, I was in a Ladies Study group and we were discussing the topic of forgiveness. The points I’ve just made were brought up and discussed, when I piped up with the thought of forgiving… God!

Excuse me? Forgive God? You’ve got to be kidding me, right? He’s God, He does no wrong.

Ah. But here’s the beauty of forgiveness—it’s not for the one who wronged us; it’s for the one who forgives—us. While forgiveness releases the trespasser into Father’s hands, it also releases the one who was wronged.

Chew on that for a minute.

I’ve seen a meme floating around social media that likens unforgiveness to poison, drinking it and waiting for the other person to die.

But it whittles away at our soul and hardens our heart. It destroys from the inside out.

To the natural mind, forgiving someone who has done us wrong goes against the very fiber of our being. It rankles. We fight it and resist.

But it we abide in Him as He bids us, when we “let it go,” and forgive, ah! such sweetness, such release, such peace.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55: 8-9

Father can do more when we take our meddling hands off than we ever could. And He does.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who arethe called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

When we get out of the way and let Him be, well, God.

More than forgive—what? There’s more?

Yes.

Bless them.

Wait, what?

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you… Matthew 5:44

Isn’t that the definition of forgiveness? The very epitome of letting go?

He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 4:45

Besides all that, all the logical explanation and reasoning, Jesus gave us the ultimate example.

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Luke 23:34

From the cross. He said this about the people who had just driven spikes into his feet and hands.

Forgive them.

How can we do any less?

Blogwords, Front Porch Fellowship, #FPF, Sunday Devotion, Forgiving, Psalm 103:12, Hebrews 11:12, Isaiah 55: 8-9, Romans 8:28, Matthew 5:44, Matthew 5:45, Luke 23:34

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Published on April 14, 2019 11:02

BLOGWORDS – Saturday 13 April 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-SATURDAY – BOOK REVIEW – MATCH ME IF YOU CAN by KRISTA PHILLIPS

BLOGWORDS – Saturday 13 April 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-SATURDAY – BOOK REVIEW – MATCH ME IF YOU CAN by KRISTA PHILLIPS
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TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-SATURDAY – BOOK REVIEW – MATCH ME IF YOU CAN by KRISTA PHILLIPS

THE BLURB

There is no way this matchmaking thing is going to work…

Ava Raleigh is going to strangle her best friend. Conned into going on a trip to the Bahamas for “Matchmaking” Week, Ava determines to do everything she can to not be matched.

Former NFL football player Sean Jackson is only on this trip because he loves his mother–nothing more. Sure, he feels guilty that some woman is paired with him and will be disappointed that he isn’t interested–but that’s bound to happen to most of the couples anyway, right?

Will this unwilling match end up finding love after all, or will the past come back to haunt them both?

RESORT TO ROMANCE SERIES

It’s Matchmaking Week at an all-inclusive resort on a private island in the Bahamas. Each guest has been expertly paired and is here to enjoy one full week with their match. While there’s no money-back guarantee on the paid trip, the participants are guaranteed to find love!

A Meddled Match by Jill Kemerer

A Messed-Up Match by Jessica R. Patch

Met Her Match by Susan L. Tuttle

Moonlight Match by Kristina Knight

Unexpected Match by Constance Phillips

Match Me If You Can by Krista Phillips

Mismatched Melody by Jodie Bailey

A Match for Mr. Write by Jennifer Shirk

Rematched by Julie Jarnagin

Match You Like Crazy by Johnnie Alexander

THE AUTHOR

Krista Phillips writes inspirational romantic comedy. She believes a sprinkle of laughter (and a wee bit of chocolate) makes everything a little better! She blogs regularly about life as a wife, mother, follower of Jesus, and mother of a child with a rare congenital heart defect at http://www.kristaphillips.com.

MY REVIEW

Just the cutest story ever! In her signature style, Ms. Phillips takes the cutest meet-cute and blends it with brushes of hesitation and skeletons in the closets, giving the reader a delightful tale of love, and faith that conquers all.

Talk about jealous! An all-expense paid trip to the Bahamas! This reviewer could use a little sun-n-sand time! But when Ava discovers what her bestie has done, not only is she steaming mad, but she grouses her way through the resort meet-n-greet. And smack into—literally—her “match” for the week.

Sean is no happier being wrangled into his week on the island, and has every intention to make the most of his time flying solo.

Begrudgingly, and with gritted teeth, Ava and Sean take on the resort requirements to spend time together. Ms. Phillips whittles down their resistance piece by piece, reeling them both in from wallowing in resistance.

I loved how Ms. Phillips ignited little sparks with each activity Ava and Sean attended, how he encouraged her to try new things without pushing. I especially loved how Ava emerged from her self-imposed shell, and allowed herself to enjoy her island vacation—and entertain the idea of romance.

Short and sweet, this is a quirky and enjoyable story.

ROBIN’S FEATHERS

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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.

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