Book Review - The Curse of Misty Wayfair

BOOK REVIEW - THE CURSE OF MISTY WAYFAIR
BY: Jaime Jo Wright

The Curse of Misty Wayfair was an interesting read - it kept my attention throughout. I enjoy a good mystery and I was glad this book resolved in the way it did. There were twists and turns that kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed the dance between the past and present story - between Thea and Heidi and the way the author wove the stories of the two women together.

The curse that crossed a century was an interesting story line. The one hundred year old story of Misty Wayfair was carried on by individuals and seemed to never be resolved. The mental asylum that was still standing a century later provided a backdrop to the story both in the past and the present.

I am not a fan of ghost stories or scary stories as such but the resolution of this book had me relieved that the ghosts were actual individuals verses spirits or ghosts. Both Thea and Heidi's stories showed that knowing the truth will set you free!

Book Review - The Bride of Ivy Green

BOOK REVIEW - THE BRIDE OF IVY GREEN

By Julie Klassen

I have enjoyed every book I have read by Julie Klassen and the Tales from Ivy Hill series is no exception. The Bride of Ivy Green is the conclusion to this series. From the first book until the end of this one I was caught up with the characters and their life stories. In The Bride of Ivy Green I was not disappointed as Julie Klassen portrayed strong women characters who were independent and were making their way in life with or without a husband. Although I did love the conclusion that this third book in the series provided.

I appreciated the stories of second chances in The Bride of Ivy Green. Jane Bell's story of finding love again but particularly the story of her father returning with a little brother who needed someone to care for him. After so many losses, it brought this story to a lovely conclusion. I loved the story of Mr. Drake as well and the opportunity for a second chance he had with his daughter. These stories were a vivid portrayal of the fact that despite the consequences of our mistakes, good can come from bad, broken relationships can be restored and while things do not always work out the way we want them to - God has a much greater plan for us which happens in his time.

I thought the way the lives of the individuals stories were woven together made for a great book and series! 

Book Review - The First Love by Beverly Lewis

Book Review - The First Love by Beverly Lewis

This is a sweet and heartwarming story by Beverly Lewis. I enjoy this author because while the Amish are not immune to the struggles of life - it seems as if their life is simpler and I am always drawn in by the story.

Maggie is a young teenager who loses her Mom just at the time when she needs her. Not only that, her father very quickly remarries following her mother's death. Given the number of children he has to raise, Joseph did what he thought was best for the family by marrying Rachel. This story is of a tragic time in their family life and how trusting God is difficult but necessary.

Maggie also has a health condition that does not allow her to function as other teenage girls. She felt that finding someone to marry her would be difficult because of her condition. Maggie attends revival meetings with her cousins and meets people who encourage her in the faith and also testify to God's healing in their lives. So Maggie begins to pray for healing in her own life. As it often happens, healing is not always immediate and it does not always happen in the way we want it. For Maggie it was a lesson in trusting God and his ways. 

While the story does not center on Maggie's first love, I felt that her growing relationship with God was an important part of the story and was her first love as a teenager. She had a deep desire to know God better. In the end, she is able to deepen her relationship with a childhood friend and develops a relationship with him. 

I loved the way Lewis ended the book with an epilogue that resolves the story for us. While the family had many struggles, they didn't give up on one another or God and God saw them through. 

International Day of the Girl is October 11

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Book Review - The Best of Intentions

Book Review - The Best of Intentions - Susan Anne Mason

This is the first book I have read by Susan Anne Mason and was pleasantly surprised that she was Canadian. I also enjoyed the fact that the book was set in the Canadian city of Toronto. I was certainly drawn into the story and the characters quickly.

The plot of the story reminded me of the Bible Story where they floated Moses down the Nile to protect him. His sister Miriam kept watch over him and when Pharoah's daughter needed someone to care for him she went to get her mother unbeknownst to the daughter of Pharoah.

In this story, Grace arrives from England to help her sister with her newborn son whose father had been killed in the war. When Grace arrives she finds out that her sister had also passed away and her nephew had been placed in the care of his father's family. Wanting to ensure that her nephew was being cared for properly, she did some spying and was able to meet with her nephews aunt in a park. From this meeting, Grace ends up with a nanny position with a wealthy family caring for her nephew. The family was not aware that she was the child's aunt. The story evolves and eventually the truth comes out! Grace's intentions were sincere however for a time the Easton family was not happy with her deceitfulness. Would her best intentions cause her to lose a chance for love?

I enjoyed this book and if there was a book two with the same characters being developed I would certainly buy it.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. in exchange for honest and unbiased opinion.

Book Review: River to Redemption by Ann H. Gabhart

I really enjoyed this read by Ann Gabhart even though the beginning was somewhat sad with the cholera epidemic and the many people who died as a result. The book had a redeeming quality to it in that out of the bad came so much good. God is able to redeem the time and bring about the healing and help that was necessary.

Adria had a great loss as a young child but a slave and his sister cared for her and helped to place her with someone who would raise her - someone who had also experienced loss. Adria became an advocate for those in slavery and eventually helped the one who had helped her when she was in desperate need. She finds a way to buy the freedom of a slave named Louis who did so much for the people of the town during the cholera epidemic.

While a slave, Louis was a man of faith and was an example to all. He waited to God's plan to unfold and God's timing was perfect for him.

I really appreciated the language of this book in the way it seemed true to the dialects and culture of the early 1800's in Kentucky. It was a great read in spite of the challenging circumstances that were presented in the book.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

Movie Review - God's Not Dead - A Light in the Darkness

Movie Review - God's Not Dead - A Light in the Darkness



This movie takes place on a university campus where a century old church is the victim of an attack and someone loses their life as a result. One of the questions asked is does religion hold a place on a university campus? The university administration thinks not and wants the congregation to leave.


The actors vividly portrayed the message and meaning of the movie. There were some very real and poignant moments. Pastor Dave's passion for the church is evident but his grief over the loss of his friend and the anger at the university administration is also evident. Also seen is the strained family relationship with his brother and his challenge to forgive the one who caused the death and the fire of his beloved church.


The movie shows that in spite of challenging circumstances there is light in the darkness. Hope and healing is possible when we look to God and love each other.




DVD provided courtesy of Pure Flix and Graf-Martin Communications.