Hearts Awakening

Delia Parr’s novel, Hearts Awakening, is a wonderful story of convenience, faith, trust, and eventually love.  

Elvira “Ellie” Kilmer is a thrity-two year old, very plain, spinster living with her cousin and his wife.  She had spent her courtship years tending to her unhealthy mother.  After her mother’s death, she was broke, too old to marry, and had only a couple of cousins to turn to.  She was in desperate need of a job.

Jackson was a handsome widow and father of two young boys who lived on the beautiful Dillion’s Island.  To date, his life was filled with betrayal, death, and scandal.  He was in desperate needed of help. 

She wanted a home, he needed a housekeeper.  She wanted a family, he needed someone to care for his boys.  She wanted a husband, he needed a wife, but in name only, to help rid him of the scandal surrounding the death of his wife.  So when he came to her with his proposal of convenience, she put her heart on the line and accepted.   Unfortunately, their lives were filled with secrets that could destroy their commitment.

Amidst Jackson’s bouts of anger, Ellie turned to the Lord for patience and guidance.  In times of turmoil and danger, Ellie turned to the Lord for peace and safety.  He was unappreciative and hurtful but her love for two heartbroken boys was truly a turning point in all their lives.

This is a great book filled with love, family, friends, and faith in the Lord!!  I had a hard time putting it down.  I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading about  love and/or life in the past.  I love how the author had all the wonderful characters turning to the Lord in times of trouble and in times of JOY.  

I was blessed with a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Counting it all Joy!!

Angel

Somewhere to Belong

Daughters of Amana

Somewhere to Belong is a story of two young ladies who were raised in extremely different settings.  One,  Berta, the somewhat pampered, spoiled daughter of a Doctor living in Chicago.  The other, Johanna, lived a very plain life growing up in one of the seven villages of the Amana Colonies of Iowa.  

The two meet when Berta’s parents decide to leave their life in Chicago to live the simple life of Amana Colony.  Berta isn’t too happy with this decision and makes terrible choices.  She’s not willing to give up her old life and conform to the new life her parents want.  Johanna, on the other hand, has always wanted to see the finer things in life, but has always known, in the end, she belongs in the Amana Colonies, living the life she is used to.  Unfortunately, after secrets are revealed, both girls are wondering where they fit in, what they are to do with their lives, and in the end, both desire God’s direction.

I really enjoyed this book.  I don’t know much about the Amana Colony, but it seems similar to the Amish lifestyle without the Amish beliefs.  They turn to God for direction and live a life trying to please him.  The story of these two girls was full of twists and turns, and up and downs.  These girls learn to love each other and depend on each other even though they don’t always agree.  They learn to accept the other one flaws and all.  This was the first book I have read by Judith Miller, Somewhere to Belong was an easy read and I will look forward to reading a sequel.

I was blessed with a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Counting it all Joy!!

Angel

Friendship for Grown-Ups

What I Missed and Learned Along the Way

She grew up in Hollywood where there were few people to trust and even fewer to guide her.  By adulthood, she was strong, safe, and lonely.  Eventually, her desire to experience the connection of a true friend was stronger than the desire to be safe.  She quickly learned, she didn’t know how to be a friend or to have a friend. 

In this book, Friendship for Grown-Ups, Lisa Whelchel, from the hit sitcom, The Facts of Life, tells real stories of her path to friendship.  She tells of triumphs and of heartbreaks.  She tells of friends who betrayed and friends who loved.  She talks of her fragile heart and her fears.  She gives insight to finding a true friend, one who will love you, faults and all.

I loved this book.  I love how Lisa put it all out there for anyone to see.  Sometimes we put people like her on a pedestal and believe they have it all together.  I love how she shared how vulnerable she is, just like the rest of us.  Human, with human feelings, trials, and insecurities.  The stories are so real and heartfelt.  There were times when I could imagine myself sitting across the table from her just listening to her pour her heart out.

Her stories and insight really made me take a good look at myself and the kind of friend I am.  It helped me see that I haven’t always been the kind of friend I should have been and it deepened my desire to always be the kind of friend God wants me to be.  It also made me look at the kind of friends I have and the kind I desire.  

I would recommend this book to anyone involved in a friendship or desiring a true and Godly friendship.  

I was blessed with a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through the Booksneeze program in exchange for my honest review.

Counting it all Joy!!

Angel