Merry Christmas and What I've Been Up To!

Hello there! It's been awhile since I just sat down and wrote to you all about what I've been up to and how life has been. It's crazy to think that another year has come and is almost at its end. This year has been a busy one for me, though not in anything too remarkable by most people's standards.

I've been working full-time for the city in public health, the dental department more specifically as a dental assistant, which I do very much enjoy and find rewarding in its own ways. I also have kept up my part-time job at the local Cracker Barrel, working in the retail department, and this year marked my 5th year there in October. I still make time to be a leader with our church's AWANA program, and my Wednesdays are spent with the SPARKS, and after running the numbers found that this is my 11th year helping out. Next year I will be able to say that I have been a SPARKS leader for about half of my life. I still find time to spend with friends and loved ones, though scheduling things is difficult due to many busy schedules. I have been blessed to be a part of serving with a small group with various community projects this year. It shocks me that I still have time to read books!

My brother got a promotion to Assistant Manager at his job of 5 years. He has been working hard to build up his body and get into the "best shape of his life." He enjoys going to the gym in his spare time and also helping to motivate others to be active.

My mother is staying busy as ever with AWANA, Operation Christmas Child, and the Church Library.

My father is still working, part-time though,and marked his 5th year of retirement this year.

Thank you so much for stopping in to see me here every now and again, and here's wishing many blessings for the new year!

The Christmas List by Dixie Jo Jarchow ~ Review

Lucie's Review:

Mandy is a super organized accountant, who makes lists for everything, and even for what she wants in a husband: Tall, professional, and makes a good living. But when she meets artist, Max, at the Paint N Go, she begins to wonder if God has something different in mind?

Max is smitten with Mandy, spontaneous and artistic, he isn't exactly the man that Mandy has outlined in her list, and he's never filed a tax return in his life! Max grew up in an affluent family, but he is taking a leap of faith by pursuing his dreams, and trust Got to provide.

Will these two opposites find a happy medium together this Christmas?

I like that Max is a man of faith, and while for many what he is doing might seem unwise, for him growing up the way that he did, he feels that living the way he is, is something that he has to do. Max is a sincere man, who makes friends easily and is genuine in his actions. I like how he helps Mandy to get out of her comfort zone, and she in turn helps him turn his talent into a business. I like that Mandy teaches Max to be more responsible, and give him a chance even though she's pretty sure that he's not what she has in mind.

This was a sweet short story, perfect for fans of the Hallmark Christmas movies, but this story has more faith. A romantic, yet humorous Christmas read that I thoroughly enjoyed.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Single, Dating, Engaged, Married: Navigating Life and Love in the Modern Age by Ben Stuart ~ Review

My Review:

Mr. Stuart goes through these four stages, sharing from his own experiences with his wife, as well as from friends that he has mentored, grounding advice to help millennials navigate the muddy waters of modern romance.

Engaging from the start, this book strikes a great tone from the beginning. I loved reading about Mr. Stuart and the stories from his childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, and about him and his wife. I really liked his style, and how passionate he is about being wise in relationships and trusting them to God. I also found this as an audiobook at my local library, so I both read and listened to this book, and enjoyed it both ways.

I thought that it was interesting how this book was written for people in any of the four stages, and while I do think that there are great things in this book for everyone to hear, but I felt while reading/listening to this book that I'm not really sure how many married or engaged people would really pick up this book. If anything I think that this book fits best with people who are in the "Dating" category, and here's why. People who are actively dating, be it monogamously moving towards a serious commitment, or simply putting themselves out there in hopes of finding love are most likely to benefit from this book in all of the stages, they may become engaged or married, or they may become single again. But while this book has terrific stuff in the sections about engagement and marriage, I think that someone within those areas of life is likely find another resource, while someone looking to move towards these things will most appreciate the wisdom, and advice Mr. Stuart has to offer as he talks about what it means to make such commitments.

I read this book as a single person, and I guess I found the "Single" chapters to be more looking towards a future in one of the other stages, and not as much as I would have liked about enjoying this stage, and the possibility of it being permanent. Though I will say that this section fit well into the format of this book.

I really appreciated that this book has a firm biblical grounding into relationships, and I often found myself agreeing enthusiastically to its advice, as it matched many of my own conclusions along those lines. Mr. Stuart does a great job of showing examples of what a God-honoring marriage/relationship should and should not be. And he is firm on topics that many people these days are trying to blur.

Overall, a well written read, entertaining and engaging, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I would happily recommend this book, because of how Mr. Stuart skillfully uses his own experience and those of his friends, to share biblical wisdom on the many stages and relationships in our lives. An excellent resource!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

His Frontier Christmas Family by Regina Scott ~ Review

 Review:
Lucie's Review:
Levi Wallin left the gold fields, and comes home to Wallin's Landing a preacher. When a friend from his time in the gold fields, Adam Murphy, asks him to care for his family after his death, so Levi goes in search of them determined to do what he can to help.

Callie Murphy grew up in the gold fields making do the best that she could with what she had. She's raising her brothers, and young niece, who she has been entrusted with since Adam's wife died. Levi offers her a partnership, where they can move to Wallin's Landing with him so that her brothers can go to school and he can help watch over them all, and raise them like his brother asked them to do.

Callie feels out of place in Wallin's Landing, overwhelmed by the town's people and their friendliness. She's especially intimidated by Beth, Levi's sister, she wears pretty dresses and talks about the latest fashions. Callie has never had a female friend her age before, so she doesn't quite know how to handle it, but Beth keeps trying to be her friend.

Levi is great with Callie's brothers, he gives them work and responsibilities. He offers to help Callie learn to read ad encourages her to sing more, he wants to help her grow, but doesn't want to force her to change.

I loved revisiting Wallin's Landing, and the antics of Callie's twin brothers, which add humor to the story. Calie really blossoms in Wallin's Landing and I love how Levi and Callie bring out the best in each other. A fantastic book from beginning to end!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Christmas Ranch Rescue by Lynette Eason & Lauryn Eason ~ Review

Lucie's Review:

When Sheriff Clay Starke asks Nathan Williams to help him out on a case, he agrees. Nathan is a DEA Agent and he's been out on leave after being shot, Starke asks him to run surveillance on Becca Price, because they suspect that she may be involved with a drug smuggling ring.

Becca runs a riding stable, and is recovering from a back injury she received when a horse threw her. She is surprised to hear from Nathan whom she hasn't heard from since she was 17, but when he offers to help out, she is happy to give him a job at the stable. Becca loves horses and wants to share her joy with others especially with children with special needs. Running the stables has been her dream, she left her job as a doctor to run the stables, but now the rumors of involvement with a drug ring has hurt her business and she is barely making ends meet. Lately she's been dealing a series of attacks targeting her, and she can't think of who would be after her, or why.

I really liked Brody Mac, he works for Becca, and is very gifted with the horses. He has some developmental delays, and her stays at Becca's bunkhouse when his father is in town because his father is cruel to him. He's a dear and vulnerable man, not everyone can see what Becca sees in him, a very sweet man.

As Nathan get's closer to Becca, he doesn't want to believe that she is involved with the drug ring, and he wants more than anything to help protect her from the attacks as they escalate. Nathan doesn't like that he hasn't been fully honest with her about why he's there, and he wants to be the kind of person that she can depend on.

I love how Becca holds to her faith, follows her dream and reaches out to others. She is great at keeping her head in the midst of danger. I loved the fast pace of the book, packed with action, and a mystery to solve. Nathan is a great hero, he stands by Becca, and offers support throughout. A fantastic read from beginning to end!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

You're Gonna Love Me by Robin Lee Hatcher ~ Review

Lucie's Review:
When Samantha Winters gets a call from her cousin that their grandmother, Ruth, fell from a horse and broke her leg, she decides to take time off from work and head for Thunder Creek, Idaho, to care for her Gran.

Nick Chastain was there with Ruth when she fell, so he comes to visit her in the hospital to see how she's doing. Nick and Samantha are shocked to see each other again, when the meet in Ruth's hospital room. Nick and Samantha dated back in Oregon when Nick used to be a professor at the university, but they had a fight and then Nick had an accident, and he still suffers from memory loss.

While Samantha is wondering if she wants to go back to the job waiting for her, she and Nick reconnect, and she wonders if they can make it work this time.

Nick loves being outdoors and he is working installing a irrigation system into Derek's organic farm, her and Derek becomes fast friends and Derek invites him to join their Men's Church Group. Nick has changed alot and he regrets his reckless mistakes in the past, he remembers some things about Samantha and he wants to apologize and be friends, but he is afraid to hope for more than that.

Ruth is happy to have Samantha visiting her, and she decides that she needs to get to know Nick better so that she can decides if he is good enough for Samantha.

Samantha has always made the safe choice since her father died in a skiing accident, and she didn't like Nick's recklessness, but she can see that he's changed especially when he talks about his faith. She is afraid to take a chance, and I like how she comes to terms with her fears. And I love how Nick has changed his outlook on life and overcome so many challenges since his accident. A fantastic read from beginning to end!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Mail-Order Christmas Baby by Sherri Shackleford ~ Review

Lucie's Review:

When 2 year old Gracie is sent through the mail, with a letter naming Sterling Blackwell and Heather O'Connor her parents, it send the whole town into a tizzy. They are both shocked, and it throws them into a lot of speculations, even Sterling thinks that the child must be Heather's because they share the same color of red hair, but he thinks that the father is his brother Dillon who went out with Heather a few times before he left for the Calvary.

Sterling and Heather agree to marry for Gracie's sake, and to quiet the talk in the town, but will they find real love together?

Heather doesn't want Gracie to feel unwanted, like she did when she was little, her mother died and her father dumped her with some relatives. She puts Gracie's needs before her own comfort, and cares for her and comes to love her, despite the town's talking.

Sterling feels guilty for Dillon leaving for the Calvary, and feels that Dillon and Heather might have married if not for Sterling's interference. Sterling stays busy with his property, but he makes sure that Heather and Gracie are well cared for, even though he doesn't see them often. But when Heather get's sick he has to care for Gracie and finds that he really likes her. He realizes that he doesn't want things the way they were and makes an effort to get to know Gracie and Heather better. When Sterling and Heather find missing money in the bookkeeping, they work together to find out what happened when Sterling's father was alive, and where the money went.

As they get to know and care for each other Sterling worries about what will happen when Dillon returns, and Heather worries that Sterling feels trapped in their marriage. I like the way that the hard times bring Sterling and Heather together, they are both people of strong faith, strengths, as well as faults and fears. Fantastic read from beginning to end with everything from romance, a marriage of convenience and mystery! Highly recommend!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

An Amish Christmas Love by Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Kelly Irvin, and Ruth Reid ~ Review

Lucie's Review:

Winter Kisses -- Naomi, her mother, and her grandmother all live together, Naomi's mother, Barbara, and her grandmother, Ruth, are widowed, and Naomi has never married. They decide to rent out their daadi haus to some men who have moved to the area for construction jobs, Wayne and Jethro are widowed, and Eli is the youngest.

Ruth is quite the character, opinionated and unstoppable in her search for a husband. Wayne and Barbara are surprised by their attraction to each other, and Barbara is hesitant at first, but Wayne's constance and patience win her over. While Eli and Naomi find love too.

I loved the humor in this book, that made it a very quick and enjoyable read!

The Christmas Cat--Emma and her husband, Henry, spend their first Christmas together with some unexpected visitors. A cat shows up and makes himself right at home, and a group of young people get snowed in with Emma. The cook, eat, and recount stories. I loved how considerate and kind the young people were to Emma, while they were snowed in with her.

Snow Angels--Molly and david have been courting for over a year now, and she's been dropping hints, but he hasn't seemed to notice. But when a girl from David's past shows up and and he can't seem to keep his eyes off of her, Molly wonders if this is the end for her and David.

Bobby is English and her father owns a ranch, she's home from college because her father had a heart attack.

Will David be able to make a decision or lose them both?

Home for Christmas--Ellie's father was Amish, but when she was young, her mother took her away and they lived in the English world, but when she inherits her aunt's farm in Michigan she gets a chance to go home for the first time. She doesn't know where she's going so when her GPS directs her to the wrong house, she meets Allison and her father, Ezra who live there. Allison bonds with Lulu, Ellie's dog, and even seems to be able to sense oncoming seizures. But Ezra thinks that Lulu causes the seizures. As Ellie get's used to her new home and reads her aunt's journal, she comes to understand some things that she has been looking for all along.

I loved how different all the stories were and how they all came together. I loved Grandma Ruth, Emma's visitors, how Ellie finds a home, and Snow Angels was my favorite with how it all came together in the end! Fantastic Christmas read for fans of romance and Amish fiction!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

The Rancher's Christmas Bride by Brenda Minton ~ Review

Lucie's Review:

When fleeing from being left at the alter, Marissa Walker's limo breaks down alongside a country road, on her way to Bluebonnet Springs to meet the grandfather that she has never met. Local rancher Alex Palmero stops to help her out, and he takes her to see her grandfather.

Marissa wants to stay in Bluebonnet to figure out her life after everything went wrong at what was supposed to her wedding, but will Alex be able to convince her to stay forever?

Alex is good friends with Dan Wilson, who is Marissa's grandfather, Alex has been helping him out, and stopping in now and then to make sure that he has what he needs. Dan has been ill lately, so Marissa's visit comes at a good time, Alex shows Marissa around the ranch, and how to do the chores. Alex is a good man who cares about the community and has come a long way himself, in dealing with his family's rough past. I love how despite his own troubles with trying to save his ranch, he still wants to go all out and help others.

Marissa is enjoying getting to know her grandfather, as they get to know each other and Dan opens up to Marissa. Marissa is torn between what she's found and the home that she left behind, as well as the teaching job.

Overall this was a great read, I loved the characters and how everyone got to know each other better and become more of a family. I think my favorite thing was the friendship between Marissa and her grandfather.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Too Far Down by Mary Connealy ~ Review

Lucie's Review:

Cole Boden's quick thinking saves his family's mine, and the lives of many miners. But what happened at the mine was no accident.

Mel Blake has known the Bodens her whole life, she works alongside her father on their ranch. She knows her way around guns, horses, and hard work, so when Cole calls for trustworthy men to rent the mines of the dead miners, Mel steps forward.

Can Cole and Mel unravel the mystery of who is out to get the Boden Clan?

I like that Mel's parents allow her to follow through with her plan on the condition that she work alongside her Uncle Walt, who has a lot of mining knowledge, even though it's not his favorite thing to do. Mel has a strong faith, and a determined spirit. She's straight shooting, capable and intelligent, she cares deeply for her friends and family.

Chance is a good man, he cares about doing right by the miners, and takes care of his people. I love the way that he admires Mel just the way that she is, and doesn't wish that she was any different. He is torn between the opportunities in New Mexico or back home in Boston, and he is unsure of starting something if he won't be around for long.

I loved catching up with the other members of the Boden family too. As it also follows Veronica and Chance to Denver, as they lay low waiting for Chance's leg to heal and befriend a young boy named Finn.

A fast paced read, hard to put down, with many twists along the way. A fantastic conclusion to the Cimarron Legacy!



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."