Happy day after.

This is the day after my birthday. Growing up birthdays were fun but having kids of my own has made them even better. The twins start a count down weeks ahead of time. I think they are as excited about my birthday as their own. Well maybe not, but close.

They inform everyone we come in contact with that the big day is approaching and just how old I will be. They got a little miffed with me the other day in the KFC drive thru when I refused to let the lady at the window know my birthday was in two days.

We had a great day. Ate too much sugar and took it easy. School starts on Monday. I'm looking forward to it.

I've read dozens (not kidding) of books this summer and will be reviewing and giving some away. Stay tuned.

Digital books seem to be taking over the publishing industry. As more and more authors choose to offer electronic books, readers have discovered a new and easy way to purchase reading material online. This new marketing format has proven to be well accepted by those of us that like to read wherever and whenever time allows.

I just finished reading Debra Ullrick’s digital version of her outstanding book, Deja Vu Bride. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. But beware, once you start you will not want to put it down. Debra Ullrick's writing is so compelling it keeps the reader wanting to turn the page. This is the first book of hers that I have read and I look forward to reading more from this talented writer’s work.

While taking us on a journey filled with pain, grief and hope Debra shows us how much our heavenly father loves us. You'll want a box of Kleenex nearby but you'll shed happy tears before it's over and done. Examples of God's love and grace are threaded throughout this Cinderella type story. Thanks to a quiet weekend at home I was able to read right through and enjoyed every word.

A more detailed description of the story:

Furious with God, Olivia Roseman vows to never trust Him again. Why should she? Once again her prayers have gone unanswered, and once again another loved one has been ripped from her. With no job and only a few dollars, Olivia makes a choice to start over again. Without God and without love. However, her handsome new boss isn't going to make forgetting God or keeping her vow to never love again very easy. Erik Cole questions the sanity of his moving from Swamper City, Alabama to Charity, West Virginia. That is, until he hires airbrush designer Olivia Roseman to paint his monster truck. When he senses that she's a gal who is down on her luck, he vows to do whatever he can to help her. Only problem is, the little beauty creates more challenges than one. As his feelings toward her deepen, all Erik can do is hope and pray that one day Olivia will open up

Learning to Lean

One of my favorite inspirational writers has written a new book, Learning to Lean. Mildred Colvin is the author of several books both historical and contemporary fiction.

A multi-published writer, Mildred is very talented. Her books draw the reader in and inspires as she deals with very real issues that we all face at some time in our lives.

Learning to Lean has the distinction of being her first self-published book. Learning to Lean is available on kindle and can be found at Amazon.com. If you don’t have a kindle you can download the Kindle for PC app onto your computer and read it there.

In the book, Learning to Lean we meet Heather Conway a daycare owner and widowed mother of three who has no extra money and very little faith. Where was God when her husband died, leaving her with no insurance, no income, and forcing her to take bankruptcy? Her fourteen-year-old son is getting out of control, she needs something better than their two-bedroom rental to live in.She bumps into a poor father of three kids who has her heart beating overtime, but the way she sees it, she’d better latch onto a childless, wealthy man who can give her the security she craves.

Matt Sanders has just moved to town with his three kids and placed them into Heather’s daycare while he gets his Jack-of-all-trades construction/repair business off the ground. He may appear to be poor, but he’s got so much going for him that doesn’t meet the eye. His admiration for Heather soon turns to love as their families intertwine through church activities and his work on her daycare.

But six kids? Maybe Matt and Heather would be better off as friends. Sometimes it’s hard to let go of the security we can see and blindly trust God to take care of our tomorrows. Learning to lean on God can take a lifetime or maybe only a lesson in trust.

You can find our more about Mildred and her books at her web page http://www.mildredcolvin.blogspot.com/

Laurie Kingery's newest book is a must read!

If you enjoy reading historical romances set in the late 1800's than you will love this book. The third book in the Brides of Simpson Creek series, The Sheriff's Sweetheart is now available!

Running form his past, Sam Bishop ends up in Simpson Creek. In the small Texas town he find the ladies of the society for the promotion of marriage looking for "marriage-minded bachelors." Set to give up the dangerous life of a gambler he hopes to find himself a wealthy wife in Simpson Creek.

The mayor's daughter, Prissy Gilmore catches his attention and heart. She is indeed wealthy but Sam is determined to become worthy of her. As the towns new sheriff he swears to protect her and the town. When his past catches up to him, his dreams are put to the test.

This is a book you will not want to put down until you reach the last page.

What are you reading?

My girls and I love to visit the library. What a joy it is as a mother to pass on the love of reading to my children. The twins are happy whenever they discover a new Angelina Ballerina book on the shelf. I'm looking forward to the day they are ready to the Little House series.

As for me I love to find a good historical romance that I can lose myself in. I've just finished Stephen Bly's The Belles of Lordburg series. His stories are full of inspiration and extremely hard to put down.

We live in a small town so reading material is limited. I won't let that slow me down, it's my new mission to read and review books that I enjoy. (oh did I tell you that I am writing a book... a historical romance even)

I've heard that you should read books that are like the one you plan to write. This piece of advice has renewed my love for reading. If you are interested in Historical fiction books but not sure which to read next, come back by and I'll share with you what I've been reading.

Coming together

It's amazing how even the smallest crisis can bring feuding family members together. My nine year old twins were both having a bad day. Arguing and bickering; I think they wanted to see how long it takes to get mommy to the point where she pulls her hair out.

After a long day of school and work I put them in front of the TV to watch their favorite cartoon. Finally peace and quite....NOPE. A McDonald's commercial comes on with breaking news. It might as well have been breaking news because the girls were immediately thrown into a tizzy.

I should have mentioned that this took place on Thursday evening. The news from Ronald: Friday they would be starting with a series of Barbie toys in their kids meals. That may not sound like much but as every parent knows they have been having My Little Pony's in the kids meals for some time.

This is a My Little Pony house. Barbie is welcome here but she sleeps in the toy box, the ponies get the camper. The girls collection of 44 plus has taken over. It may be hard to believe but we do not eat at McD's very often. I have been telling them for weeks that we would make a special trip while they offered My Little Pony.

It was now or never. So we climbed into the van to make it a burger night. All the fighting from earlier was now replaced with excitement and joyful plans for how to introduce the new ponies into the family.

Just one little piece of information and the day goes from dark to light.

Never quit!

Here's an amazing thought: God's timing is always right and God is never late. How many times have we looked for the hand of God, really wanted to see the hand of God only to quit and walk away right when our answer was coming. Never quit and always wait on God!


My friend make this post on facebook today. I wanted to share it because it is so true. I sometimes wonder where I would be today if I had only waited. In this fast paced world we expect things to come to us quickly. The hamburger, the pizza, the movie... all just a second away. We have forgotten the practice of waiting.

Psalms 37:34
Psalms 27:14

The psalmist knew the value of waiting. Good things come to those who wait.