Book Review: Within My Heart

Within My Heart, a fiction book by Tamera Alexander, tells the story of Rachel Boyd, a young widow struggling to stay afloat as the now-sole owner of a ranch in the Colorado Rockies. On top of keeping the ranch afloat, Rachel is also struggling to raise her two boys. When circumstances lead her to the town physician, Rand Brookston, she is forced to trust that he won't be like her father (also a physician). All the while, Rand is trying to win Rachel's heart and help her with the ranch, all while trying to build a successful and prosperous practice. But in the process of building that practice he is forced to come to grips with the reason he was called into medicine. Was it for the rich who are now making their home in Timber Ridge, or was it for the poor ranchers and townspeople he encounters every day? As Rachel learns to trust Rand she is forced to reexamine some painful memories from her past.

All in all, the book was okay. I enjoyed it, but I didn't think it was very practical that Rand could have done all that he did in the book. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Note for Full Disclosure: While I do not receive any monetary compensation for my book reviews, I am provided with free complimentary copies of each book. That being said, this review is completely my own, and free from the influence of Bethany House Book Publishers.

Book Review: Love's First Bloom

Love's First Bloom, by Delia Parr is a wonderful and engaging book about Ruth Livingston, the daughter of a preacher known for his penchant for helping prostitutes to start new lives. Ruth's life is changed when her father asks her to take the daughter of a now-dead prostitute and raise her as her own. The catch is that in order to be a part of her father's intricate relocation program, she has to pose as a former prostitute trying to start a new life. Her father matches her up with a wonderful family who calls her the Widow Malloy and pledges to keep her secret about her past as a prostitute. Little do they know she knows nothing of that life!

When Ruth's father is accused of a terrible crime, Ruth has to feign ignorance of her close familial relationship in order to maintain her guise. As she seeks comfort by tending a garden, she meets a man names Jake Spencer who fails to mention that he is a reporter on the hunt for Livingston's mysteriously-missing daughter. As Ruth begins to fall for Spencer and Spencer for Ruth, secrets abound.

I enjoyed this book immensely. Intrigue, romance, redemption, what more can you want? I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. I highly recommend it. In fact, I may go read it again!

Note for Full Disclosure: While I do not receive any monetary compensation for my book reviews, I am provided with free complimentary copies of each book. That being said, this review is completely my own, and free from the influence of Bethany House Book Publishers.

Book Review: The Vigilante's Bride

The Vigilante's Bride, by Yvonne Harris tells the story of Emily McCarthy and her journey to the Montana Territory to marry a man she has never met. When her stagecoach is robbed and she is abducted, the last thing she expected was that her abductor would also save her from a loveless marriage. Luke Sullivan knew he had to reclaim his inheritance and robbing the coach seemed the only way to do it, he just hadn't expected to end up with a abductee in the process. But he couldn't just allow Emily to marry Bart Axel, a notorious rogue. So he did what he could, he kidnapped her and took her back to his home, New Hope, a home for orphans.

Emily merges easily into life at the orphanage, helping with the children. But when she starts to fall for Luke, she realizes just how dangerous it is making Bart Axel jealous. I don't want to give away the good parts!

I enjoyed this book but I didn't feel like it had much substance in regards to faith. That was disappointing to me. For this reason, I give it 3 out of 5 stars. Good book, but it could be better.

Note for Full Disclosure: While I do not receive any monetary compensation for my book reviews, I am provided with free complimentary copies of each book. That being said, this review is completely my own, and free from the influence of Bethany House Book Publishers.

Book Review: In Every Heartbeat

In Every Heartbeat, by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a fiction book about Libby Conley, a well-adjusted orphan heading off to her first semester of college with her two closest friends from the orphanage, Pete and Bennett. Libby is studying to be a journalist. Pete is studying to be a minister and Bennett wants to major in "fun" and pledge to a fraternity.

The world is an interesting place when you are an orphan, especially on the cusp of World War I. Tensions from the war and the love triangle between Libby, Pete and Bennett, make for a novel full of suspense.

When Pete uncovers information from his past, he requires the help of both Libby and Bennett to make things right. As the trio tries to solve the shocking mysteries surrounding Pete and his long-lost family, they get closer than they ever imagined, and Libby begins to see how God may be changing her heart and asking her to exchange her dreams for His.

This is an interesting novel with an intriguing theme of redemption. I enjoyed the relationships between the three main characters and the complexity of each character as they struggle to find themselves in the midst of a changing world, and without the benefit of family. All in all I would give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Note for Full Disclosure: While I do not receive any monetary compensation for my book reviews, I am provided with free complimentary copies of each book. That being said, this review is completely my own, and free from the influence of Bethany House Book Publishers.

Bleh...Starting Over

I'm just going to say it. I'm tired of starting over.

I know, I really haven't had to do it that much in my life, but I am still weary of it. I am tired of saying goodbye to wonderful friends and trying to make new ones. I am tired of silly change of address forms. I am tired of unpacking boxes, updating our information and finding new physicians. I am tired of figuring out room layouts, deciding what to put in the kitchen drawers and trying to remember where I decided to put things in the kitchen drawers.

I guess all this weariness has carried over to my blogging habits. I haven't been too good as of late, have I? Don't answer that. And before I start waxing philosophical about all the craziness in my life, I'll just go ahead and say it: I'm tired of apologizing too. The blog slipped. I hope you still love me.

We moved to a new house! It is a pretty little 2-bedroom, 1927, 1-story home. We love it. We don't love the 185 foot sewer line. Seriously. Who, even in 1927, thought that would be a good idea?

I am staying busy with Miss V and part-time work doing HR as a staffing specialist with an employment service. I work about 10-20 hours a week and usually only 1 day outside the home. Pretty good gig, and great pay for a part-time job!

In my spare time I've been trying to get V's nursery done before her 1st birthday. It is looking more and more possible, but I'm bummed my Mom is going back to work (as a teacher). I think my progress has had a lot to do with the many summer days she has spent here helping with my little sweetie.

Church is wonderful. We love our congregation. We love the Karen people. We love the combination of cultures and ages. It is a blessing to do ministry here.

Well, that is it for now. I'm sure I'll soon be boring you with a few catch-up book reviews. Please forgive those! :)

I'm Taking Orders!

I'm crafty once again! My crafting hiatus is over and Vera is finally independent enough for me to get a few things done here and there. Several individuals have contacted me recently to place orders. I am working to get pictures together, but some of my pictures are on our computer which is still packed away until we get our new house. The pictures may take a while, but here are some things that I make if anyone is interested in placing an order. If you want to see any of my items I will have a booth at the Huron Area MOPS Marketplace on March 22nd.

If you are interested in ordering something please contact me. My information is at the bottom of this post. Prices are listed. Pricing is subject to change. Discounts may be given for ordering multiples. Most items are able to be customized to your desired colors.

• Tutus (sizes infant through 4T, colors can be specified) $15-$20 depending on size
• Princess wands (can be matched to tutu color) $10
• Crocheted headbands (child through adult) $8
• Baby headbands $8
• Hair flowers (appropriate for all ages) $6
• Button earrings $5
• Nursing cover-ups $18
• Rice or Corn bags (great for warming up feet on cold nights, soothing aches and pains and warming up the crib before you put down baby) $8-$15 depending on size
• Canvas photo frames (4x6 size, specify portrait or landscape orientation) $15
• Wooden play sword (very blunt, colors can be specified) $15

Life Undivided Designs
Phone: 254-652-2577
E-mail: lifeundivideddesigns@gmail.com

Breaking the Ice

So, I've been meaning to blog. I swear. I just keep running through my head all the things I have to cover in posts and it is kind of overwhelming. Once I finally get through my huge list of things that I need to cover I am usually exhausted and just put off writing for another day. Oh, and also, we don't have Internet at home so that kind of limits my abilities to write the dazzling prose you have all come to know and love. Insert sarcasm.

Here is a quick rundown. When I get the time, I'll try to come back to this list and fill you in.

1. We had a baby. I sort of feel like this could be the only item on the list and you would all understand why I haven't blogged in about 3 1/2 months. Vera Elizabeth was born on the 12th of October at 3:02 pm after 7 hours of Pitocin induced labor. And I didn't use any pain meds. I don't say this as a judgment against those who do (trust me, I DEFINITELY understand the appeal). I was just happy we were able to stick with that part of our birth plan even though I had to go through an induction. Vera was 7 lbs. 5 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long. She was, and is, perfect in every way. Such a blessing. Thank you Lord!

2. We moved across the country. Once again, this could be the only item on the list and I think you'd understand.

3. Our original plan for the house we were supposed to buy fell through... AS we pulled up to unload our moving truck. We are now renting the house we were going to buy and we just put in an offer on another house. Our offer was accepted, but our loan will be though the USDA so we are waiting on the government to approve the 2011 budget before we can get the house. Please pray that our ever-efficient government would get this one very important thing done in an expedient way. Here is the house that we hope and pray will soon be ours. :)

4. Marc is the pastor of First Baptist Church of Huron. Wow. This is a huge blessing and a big learning curve (more for me than him). Huron is the most diverse city in South Dakota! We love it! Our church is made up of Anglos and Karen people. To read more about the Karen and Judson, the American Baptist missionary who pioneered the Gospel in Burma, click here.

Okay, that is it. But I should also mention that Vera is a joy. She is so sweet and good natured (even if she does require a lot of cuddling). We are blessed.

And... I broke the ice on my blog.