The Dawn of a Dream

The Dawn of a Dream by Ann Shorey

This book was given to me by Baker Publishing Group, as part of their Book Blogging Tour.

You can find more information about this book HERE!

Luellen O'Connell is stunned when her husband of just one month tells her he is leaving--and his reason devastates her. Deeply wounded by his betrayal, Luellen decides to follow her dream to become a teacher, a desire she had set aside when she married. But can she truly hide her past? Or will it destroy her ambitions forever?


This book is an easy read.  I enjoyed reading every word of it.  Luellen was a young lady with  a dream.... to become a teacher.  I loved how the author, Ann showed how a young lady during that era of time, would have to struggle to accomplish what she wanted.  Being just a woman was struggle enough during those times, but to have to deal with what Luellen had to and still come out the victor makes my heart feel blessed. 

Ann Shorey wrote a masterpiece (in my opinion) on the struggles and victories one can accomplish if you set your mind to it.

I can say again how much I enjoyed reading this book.   The one thing I loved most about this book is that I can let my teenager read it. I am very careful of what I allow my girls to read, even if it is a "Christian Published" book,  It's a rated G book!!!  There is nothing that I would deem inappropriate for a teenager. Who knows, this book just might encourage  her to follow her dreams!

By the way you can  find an excerpt here.  You can also click here for a study guide.

Take time to read!
Happy Reading everyone,
Shelby

Tomorrow's Garden

I recieved a copy of the book by Baker Publishing as a part of their bloggers book tour. 


Harriet Kirk is certain that becoming the new schoolteacher in Ladreville, Texas, is just what she needs--a chance to put the past behind her and give her younger siblings a brighter tomorrow. What she didn't count on was the presence of handsome former Texas Ranger Lawrence Wood--or the way he affects her fragile heart. But can Harriet and Lawrence ever truly conquer the past in order to find happiness?



Book 3 in the Texas Dreams series, Tomorrow's Garden is a powerful story of overcoming the odds and grabbing hold of happiness.
(taken from Baker publishing website)

Click Here!  for more info... on this book.

I have read the First two books in the Texas Dreams series. I was excited when I was able to read Tomorrow's Garden.  I liked the story line.. A young lady in charge of raising her brothers and sisters.  The struggles she faces with just the day to day choices she has to make for her family.  She has given up so much of her own life just to be able to keep her family together. 

While reading this book, I oftened wondered about all the people that have had to put their family first.  What a great Sacrifice!  What was funny to me is that Harriet is so busy keeping her family out of trouble and taken up with trying to raise them up right... that she has no idea that a man has taken interest in her. 

I always try to take something away from a book that I read fiction or non fiction.  ( and I may not say it every time I write a review)  Even though this is a work of fiction, the author Amanda  Cabot, brought this to my mind.  That  even though we may be going on in the life just doing what we feel we need to do, God is always looking out for us, bringing into our lives the people we need just when we need them.   He is always taking care of us.

I enjoyed reading this book, and look forward to reading more from Amanda Cabot.
Take time and read a book!
until next time,
Shelby

A week full of sickness........

We have  had a week of sickness in our home.

I babysit, and well, unknowing to me.... the little boy was sick.  His sister was sick, and the only reason I found out is because she had to leave early from school.

So the germs spread.

My youngest was sick earlier this week, had this virus of throwing up, the runs(if you know what I mean), aches and pain... for just one day.

Well, I get it this weekend!  Yeah Me...NOT!

I woke up at 2am Saturday morning... running to the bathroom... not fun!

I was up and down all night long, I could hardly lay down before I had to get back up.... running to the make sure I could get to it.... if you know what I mean.

It has been the longest last few days.... I don't wish this on anything!

I am so glad that I am finally over it!!!!!
A week full of sickness is more than I could take....
so glad its over with!

When Sparrows Fall by Meg Moseley

My disclaimer:  I recieved an advance copy of this book to read and review.  I do not get any money for what I write. 

Purchase your book here!

About This Book:


Freedom. Safety. Love. Miranda vows to reclaim them--for herself, and for her children.
A widow and mother of six, Miranda Hanford leads a quiet, private life. When the pastor of her close-knit church announces his plans to move the entire congregation to another state, Miranda jumps at the opportunity to dissolve ties with Mason Chandler and his controlling method of ruling his flock. But then Mason threatens to unearth secrets from her past, and Miranda feels trapped, terrified she’ll be unable to protect her children.

College professor Jack Hanford is more than surprised when he gets a call from his estranged sister-in-law’s oldest son, Timothy, informing him that Miranda has taken a serious fall and he has been named legal guardian of her children while she recovers. Quickly charmed by Miranda’s children, Jack brings some much-needed life into the sheltered household. But his constant challenging of the family’s conservative lifestyle makes the recovering mother uneasy and defensive—despite Jack’s unnerving appeal.

As Jack tries to make sense of the mysterious Miranda and the secrets she holds so tightly, Mason’s pressure on her increases. With her emotions stirring and freedom calling, can Miranda find a way to unshackle her family without losing everything ? 
(taken from Multnomah Books website)

Now for my thoughts:click here to read an expcert of the book!


I received an advanced copy of this book a few weeks ago. I was very interested in the story line. A woman with six children, trying to escape from a man who is not her husband but a control freak none the less.

Miranda is a homeschool mother. Since I also homeschool me children, I wondered how the author Meg Moseley would portray their homeschool day. Meg Moseley did an admiral job of showing a life of a homeschool family. She did mention some of the more radical homeschoolers that did not "know" about the outside world, but because of the story line I found it appropriate and not degrading to the homeschool families.

There was only a few things that I wish would be changed in the book; one is that she used the other word for donkey... I find it a cruse word.... and yes I know the Bible uses it but still. I wished that it was not in there. The other thing is at the end of the story, Jack gives Miranda something but I never read where he gave it to her at... BUT KEEP IN MIND THAT MY COPY IS AN UNCORRECTED COPY.... so they may have made these corrections and I not know about it.

Over all it was a good book, with a great story line!



Grab a book and take time to read!
Shelby

The Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh

The Deepest Waters was given to me to read and review by Revell.  The following is my own opinion.  I have not been paid for my review.

For John and Laura Foster, what began as a fairytale honeymoon in 1857 aboard the steamship SS Vandervere soon becomes a nightmare. A terrible hurricane strikes and the grand ship is lost in the murky depths of the Atlantic. Laura finds herself rescued with the other women and children, but how can she feel anything but despondent without her groom? Suspecting her John is gone but still daring to hope for a miracle, Laura must face the possibility of life alone.



Talented author Dan Walsh skillfully tells an epic story of hope, faith, and love through an intimate lens. Inspired by real events, this emotional and honest story will capture your heart as you sail through its pages.  (From Revell's website)

click here to purchase

Expert from The Deepest Waters:

Thirty minutes later, the Vanderver lurched violently, tossing men every which way.  Dozens went over the rail.  The rest slid down the desk toward the base of the ship, colliding so bard that some were knocked unconscious.  Shouts and fearful cries to the Almighty rang through the air.  John was still conscious but felt blows from the several elbows and feet about his head and sides.
He wondered.... was this it?  Was it too late now to escape?

I became fully captivated with this story.  I can say that this book started with bang!  Dan Walsh intertwined the lives of the ladies and the lives of the men very well....( the ladies were rescued by another ship, leaving the men to fight it out.)  I found myself worrying what was going to happen, if John was going to make it, will Laura ever find her husband?   
The Deepest Waters is filled with hero's and heroins.  The need for survival out shines the  preconceived notions about the fellow men and ladies.  I love how Dan showed that the Lord does indeed provide for his Children.  It was encouraging to me, to see an author write about God's Keeping Power! 

This book is not just a love story, it is a story about how in the deepest darkest spot we may find ourselves in, God is there Watching out for Us, Providing for us and keeping a hand of safety on us.

To read a full excerpt click here!

Take time to grab a book and read!
Happy Reading everyone
Shelby

Warning.......

My title should tell you to be ware, this post may get ugly! LOL....
Yesterday, I was on my husbands desktop computer doing my daily typing for him... I finished printing the His paper and  then decided that since my girls were quietly working on their school work, I would just go and lay down and rest my eyes.
When I got up, I found out that the computer monitor was not on, so I tryed to get it on.... to no avail... it would flicker than turn black again.

A friend  was here and she gave me the suggestion to go on my laptop, and see if I can get a number to call for support.  Great Idea, why didn't I think of it!  
I log on to the website to find out that I can only chat with the support person, I can't call... no phone number listed.

I get on with a person, I am not even sure if it was a him or she, tell them my problem.  They proceed to agree with me that it is my monitor.  I do what they tell me and yeah... it is working.... so i disconnect with them.
NOT TEN MINUTES LATER...it is black again.
so i get on chat again.... this time I get a total different person and they tell me it is my system! 
WHAT!!
It takes me forever ( am I mean forever typing with them) to convince them that it is my monitor...which they don't get it....
So I decide to get the monitor off my girls computer and put it on my hubby's computer....
I tell them that the computer is working fine  and it is just the monitor....

Let me back up a minute... the first person I spoke to told me that my monitor was under warranty... so I am thinking great.... I just need them to get someone to fix it...

This 2nd person just tells me that it is the driver,and  install this up date and everything will be fine... she disconnects with me.....k

well, I can't get the thing to down load and  I KNOW THAT IT IS MY MONITOR....NOT MY SYSTEM!
I get back on chat for the 3rd time.... this person proceeds to tell me that my system is out of warranty so my monitor is out of warranty... I tell her no, that the first person I chatted with told me other wise...
She then proceeds to tell me that if it was under warranty that she would schedule someone to fix it...
she disconnects with me!

I am so frustrated with support services that don't give you someone to talk to.... just have to chat with people!
I like talking to people one on one....

All I wanted to know in the first place is if my monitor was under warranty still..... I think they should know that we as consumers do know what is going on.... hey, I have had a monitor go out on me before so I knew what was going on...

What I don't like is been given the run around, wasting my precious time.... for nothing!

Just tell me if I am under warranty, if I am ... help me solve the problem, If I am not... ok then....

So now, we have to buy another monitor... no biggy really.... at least I don't have to purchase a new system.

I just wish that you could call people for support and not have to deal with online chat!

Beware of your Tongue

I wrote this post for my other BLOG but I think it bears repeating.

Beware of your tongue...or should I say the words that come off the tip of your tongue.


The words that we use can be a blessing to someone or it can hurt someone.
Our Bible study group has been studying the book of James. Last week we studied chapter three that deals with our tongues.

For the rest of the story CLICK HERE!