My Bible reading for this morning, Psalm 143, begins with the psalmist’s plea for mercy. 


Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one is righteous before you.

It ends this way: for I am your servant.

Guess which word jumped out at me? You're right. SERVANT.

You know, it’s pretty easy to say that Jesus Christ is my Lord, that I am his servant.. But this morning I wonder: What kind of servant am I?

When I consider servanthood, submission and obedience are the logical expectations. But that contrasts sharply with my usual communication with God. “Dear Lord, do this for me, do that for someone else.” 

Not very servant-like.

I’ll be pondering this today.

What do you think? What does servanthood look like to you? 

TITLE:  Deadly Intent

AUTHOR:  Lillian Duncan

DATE:  August 2015

PUBLISHER:  Pelican Book Group

STARS:  *****

Everyone belongs somewhere. The key to happiness is recognizing that place when you get there. 

Maven Morris has lost her way. A childless widow, she has no immediate family. Forced into a medical leave, she has no career. At loose ends, she hasn’t a clue what’s next for her. 

Her neighbor, Paul Jordan knows what he wants—to move their friendship to a new level. Maven may not know what’s next, but she knows she has no interest in romance with anyone—not even her handsome neighbor. 

When a young boy is abandoned in the city park, he touches Maven's heart. In spite of his obvious special needs, she agrees to provide a foster home. She has no idea the impact he will have on her—or the danger he brings to her doorstep. 

 Lillian Duncan’s Deadly Intent is a quick read, and that’s a good thing, because I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down. When speech therapist Maven meets the abandoned, silent little boy, her reluctance to help dissipates.

But as she, her friend Lizzie, and Paul search for the boy’s family, they are plunged into a horror no one would suspect. I appreciated the way Ms. Duncan pulled me into the terror without using graphic language. The story’s tension kept my nerves taut, and while I wish the plot impossible, news stories prove that monsters do exist.

Faith in God plays an important role, another aspect I really appreciated. Maven Morris is a likeable heroine, and her friends realistic and admirable.

If Ms. Duncan writes a sequel to this story, I’ll have to read it. The publisher offered me an e-copy of this books in exchange for my hones opinion, which I have given.

Deadly Intent is a high-tension suspense, and it earns five stars. Highly recommended.

 TITLE:  Mars…with Venus Rising

AUTHOR:  Hope Toler Dougherty

PUBLISHER:  Pelican Book Group

DATE: August 2015

STARS:  *****

A meddling horse, paper bag floors and a flying saucer on the town square. The little town of Mars has it all--including a brand new resident who might spell heartache for one of its own. 

Twenty-something Penn Davenport yearns for an exciting life in the big city and wants to shed the label of orphan that she's worn for years. To achieve that dream, she must pass the CPA exam then move away from the two aunts who reared her after her parents died in a plane crash. 

When John Townsend-full of life and the joy of living-moves to town, he rattles Penn's view of herself, her life, and her dreams...which isn't such a bad thing until she falls for him... and discovers he's a pilot. 

I have to admit, I wasn’t sure at first about this book. The title didn’t appeal, as it made me think of astrological readings. But the publisher is one I trust, so I thought, “Why not?”

And I loved this story. Quirky and fun, offset by realistic troubles and even heartbreak, Mars…with Venus Rising kept me chuckling and sighing throughout.

Mars, Pennsylvania is a real place complete with “flying saucers,” the perfect locale for this delightful story. And paper bag floors? I’d never heard of them, but sure enough, YouTube has videos showing how it’s done. (I had to check!)

Anyway, long-time resident Penn Davenport and newcomer John Townsend seem like a perfect match. Their contrasting insecurities make them real, and I found myself cheering for their hesitant relationship. Except that his career absolutely terrifies her, with good reason. Their journey to trust in God and one another captivated and encouraged me.

I will definitely look for more from Hope Toler Dougherty. Mars…with Venus Rising earns five stars. Highly recommended.

The publisher offered me an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion, which I have given.

Forest fires—whirling, howling, consuming flames rage in our region. So far, they’re not within sight, but they spew their smoke and ash from miles away.

Last night the winds changed, and a terrible fire in Washington State sent its haze into our lovely valley. Heavy, choking smoke that's bringing air quality warnings to the whole valley. Those who, like me, have respiratory issues are cautioned to stay indoors if at all possible. There go our plans for a beach picnic! 

Ugh. Where we usually see mountains, forests, trees, farms, and family homes, today we see gray. Dull, depressing gray. The view is obliterated, and my spirits sag as I struggle to breathe, even indoors.

But a few hours ago, as I looked yet again out the window, hoping for a change, I realized something. This obscured panorama could be an object lesson for my life, my own atmosphere.

Because, as you know, bad things happen. Sickness hits. Depression slinks in and wants to stay. Loss occurs, and grief consumes. At those times, what usually fills my vision is dull gray, just like the haze outside.

But here’s the Spirit’s sweet promise: The beauty of the life God gave me remains, even when it’s hidden by trials. And He is there in the darkest, smokiest environment. He patiently and lovingly leads me through until I can once again see the beauty that’s been waiting.

The LORD will… bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:3)

TITLE:  A Million Little Ways

AUTHOR:  Emily P. Freeman

DATE:  2013

PUBLISHER:  Revell

STARS:  *****

The majority of us would not necessarily define ourselves as artists. We're parents, students, businesspeople, friends. We're working hard, trying to make ends meet, and often longing for a little more--more time, more love, more security, more of a sense that there is more out there. The truth? We need not look around so much. God is within us and He wants to shine through us in a million little ways.

A Million Little Ways uncovers the creative, personal imprint of God on every individual. It invites the discouraged parent, the bored Christian, the exhausted executive to look at their lives differently by approaching their critics, their jobs, and the kids around their table the same way an artist approaches the canvas--with wonder, bravery, and hope. In her gentle, compelling style, Emily Freeman encourages readers to turn down the volume on their inner critic and move into the world with the courage to be who they most deeply are. She invites regular people to see the artistic potential in words, gestures, attitudes, and relationships.

Readers will discover the art in a quiet word, a hot dinner, a made bed, a grace-filled glance, and a million other ways of showing God to the world through the simple human acts of listening, waiting, creating, and showing up. 

After nearly a year, I finished reading this book. A year! The reason? This is a book to savour, to taste a little at a time, and let it roll around on your tongue and in your mind, to draw out every bit of deliciousness.

A Million Little Ways spoke truth to my soul in a way few books have. This birthday gift from my sister is a treasure I will read again and again. Highly recommended, A Million Little Ways earns five stars. 

TITLE:  When Love Triumphs

AUTHOR:  Dora Hiers

DATE:  2014

PUBLISHER:  Pure Amore (a division of Pelican Ventures, LLC)

STARS:  ****

Police Officer Winter Evan and Navy SEAL Tanner Random are wrong for each other. Winter fears the water. Tanner skims through seas for a living. So four years ago, Winter convinced herself she’d be better off not worrying about his months at sea and his increased cajoling for physical intimacy.

But when she walked away, she lost a giant chunk of her heart.

Now Tanner’s back in town to care for his abandoned niece. No longer a SEAL, he’s sticking to the safety of the North Carolina mountains as a paramedic. Should Winter risk losing her heart all over again? Will God help them build what started years ago into something solid and secure? 

Tanner’s niece, Chaney, tugged at my heart from the start of this story. Winter is shocked—even appalled—when she discovers the man who’d broken her heart four years earlier is now her next-door neighbor. But the needs of Chaney break through her barriers, in spite of her best efforts.

Tanner’s relationship with his father adds a special dimension to this story, especially when Winter becomes involved. The multi-layered and realistic personalities make When Love Triumphs a sweet and satisfying story of love that overcomes, and it earns four stars.

TITLE:  Jen’s Keeper

AUTHOR:  Cynthia Bruner

DATE:  March 2015

PUBLISHER:  Montana Inspired Arts

STARS:  *****

Being a fishing guide on Montana's Bighorn River is a dream job, but peace isn't flowing like a river in Jen Olson's life. Working for her parents has taken over her own plans and dreams. To make matters worse, Jen has to guide a reporter for the weekend, and she suspects Zeke Smith has come to smear, not cheer. It isn't long before things come crashing down in the most unflattering way for her, and her parents' business. But even trips to familiar places can be life-changing if you can see those places with new eyes. Jen's about to see the river in a whole new way—and maybe even snag herself a keeper.

This book’s subtitle is A Montana Weekend Novella, and it certainly made me want to spend a weekend in Montana’s Bighorn River area. Author Cynthia Bruner paints a finely detailed picture of this area, and her characters are delightfully realistic. Not perfect, but real and charming.

Heroine Jen and I have little in common, and yet within the first paragraph of this story, I felt we were long-lost friends. Her life should be fantastic, but she’s struggling with insecurities and restlessness. Enter Zeke Smith, a man who is entirely too intriguing, given his power to crush her family’s business.

I loved this story, its gentle faith message, and the descriptions of fly fishing that made me want to try it at least once. Beautifully written, Jen’s Keeper easily earns five stars. Highly recommended.

 

TITLE:  Promised to Another (The Amish of Seymour, Book 3)

AUTHOR:  Laura V. Hilton

DATE:  2012

PUBLISHER:  Whitaker House

STARS:  ****1/2

Annie Beiler is a spunky, spirited schoolteacher, but she's struggled ever since the man she was promised to "jumped the fence" and left the Amish of Seymour. To make matters worse, she’s in danger of losing her job because she took her students on an unauthorized field trip.

Soon after Joshua Esh moved from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to Seymour, Annie Beiler caught his attention. He’s disheartened to discover that she is promised to another man—Luke, who left the Amish but vowed to return one day and claim “his” Annie.

Before long, Luke and Joshua are fighting over Annie, and God alone knows what will become of this triangle of tension.

I enjoyed reading this third book in Ms. Hilton’s Amish of Seymour series. In Book 2, Annie was a rather unsympathetic character, so I appreciated getting to know her and understand her insecurities. She doesn’t know that Luke has claimed her as his own, so when Joshua seems to be attracted but then pulls away, Annie assumes he really is a “player,” as she’s heard.

The relationship between these two is full of stops and starts as neither wants to admit the attraction that flares every time they get near one another.

I admired Annie’s spunk and struggles, and Joshua appealed in spite of secrets. Promised to Another is a well-written, sweet tale of romance in an Amish setting, and it earns four and a half stars.

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

TITLE:  Finding Mia

AUTHOR:  Dianne J. Wilson

DATE:  June 2015

PUBLISHER:  Harbourlight

STARS:  ****

Isobel is on the hunt for her missing muse. What she finds instead is an abandoned toddler who is sunburned and close to death. Dr Liam Brigham keeps little Mia alive, but needs Isobel to save the girl from a far greater danger--a killer with an agenda for kidnapping. With Mia's life next in line, Isobel and Liam have to put aside their differences, face their past and throw their trust at the only One able to save.

A seaside town, an abandoned toddler, and an artist running from her past: This story had been on my to-be-read list from the first time I heard of it. Author Dianne J. Wilson did not let me down, as the lead characters, especially tiny Mia, entwined themselves in my heartstrings.

Dr. Liam remained a bit of a mystery through much of the story, but his actions showed his character. Isobel’s secrets colored her reactions, sometimes with scary consequences, and that kept me reading through all the twists and turns.

I was given a pdf copy of Finding Mia by the author in exchange for my honest opinion, which is that Finding Mia is an entertaining story and earns four stars.

TITLE:  A Harvest of Hearts (The Amish of Seymour, Book 2)

AUTHOR:  Laura V. Hilton

DATE:  2011

PUBLISHER:  Whitaker House

STARS:  *****

A participant in a swap of Amish men, independent yet kindhearted Matthew Yoder can't wait to leave the vast farmland of Lancaster County and make a fresh start in Missouri, where he'll move in with the Stoltzfus family until he finds a place of his own. 

Strong–minded yet filled with compassion, Shanna Stoltzfus always dreamed of becoming a nurse, despite her father's threats to shun her. Determined to follow her heart, Shanna ran away and enrolled in college. But when her classmates embark on a medical mission trip that Shanna can't afford, she must turn to the last place she wants to go for help: home.

Even though Shanna still flirts with the people and practices of her Englisch life, Matthew is fascinated by the Stoltzfuses' prodigal daughter, and a close friendship soon blossoms between them. When the tension escalates between Shanna and her father to the point where his health is in jeopardy, Shanna is forced to face some tough issues, including the question of where her true home is.

Shanna is not your typical Amish heroine, and I applaud author Laura V. Hilton for featuring such a strong character in this story. Shanna ran away from home in order to fulfill her dream of a nursing degree. She has almost fully embraced the Englisch life, and that creates plenty of tension – especially in her relationship with her father.

Matthew cannot ignore Shanna’s beauty and her sometimes shocking ways, and I enjoyed watching their two-steps-forward-one-step-back relationship evolve. His self-control (most of the time!) is a perfect foil to her impulsiveness. Even though I knew they had to eventually overcome their obstacles, their journey toward love and redemption kept me turning the pages to the story’s sweet ending.

If you enjoy Amish fiction, or even if it’s a genre you haven’t tried, I recommend A Harvest of Hearts. This book earns five stars.

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of A Harvest of Hearts by the author in exchange for my honest opinion.