Former professional pianist Gillian Hodge comes to Dupree, Texas to get some R&R and to regroup after an accident rendered her right hand too injured for the concert stage. While en route to Rainbow's End resort, Gillian encounters a man and his motorcycle and the emotional wounds that had been healing were reopened.
TJ Benjamin is a man grieving his past and lost in hope for a future. A broken motorcycle land him at Rainbow's End, thanks to an insistent woman.
Gillian and TJ find that they both are searching to gain footing and direction in life and their future. With timing that can be none other than God-directed, Gillian and TJ find themselves in situations that leave them questioning and learning to trust themselves and God. But will a rival for Gillian's affection, unexpected career opportunities, and a wayward teen strengthen Gillian and TJ or weaken their fragile faith?
This is the final book in the Texas Crossroads trilogy by Amanda Cabot. I read the second installment of "In Firefly Valley" previously. "On Lone Star Trail" picks up where "In Firefly Valley" left off. The characters of Kate and Greg are wonderful secondary characters that were introduced previously, as well as The Matchers, Sally, Marisa, Eric, etc. However, more characters are added with the addition of a subplot with the RV residents in Firefly Valley.
The characters of Gillian and TJ are developed. Though different in there psychology, the underlying theme of uncertainty is a common thread for both. How they navigate through the uncertainty is unique and encouraging in both lights.
The subplot of the senior center and the nightly campfires are a good twist. Add to those some teenage angst, meddling friends, love interests and you get a sense of real life struggles--something we can all relate to.
The pace is a little slow and frustrating at times, but to speed Gillian and TJ's story line wouldn't have done them justice in the long run. So, the wait is worth it!
My only real complaint is the same with the last book, and its probably just a matter of writing style. But I don't like the use of the double helping verbs, like "had had". I see it several times throughout the book. Surely, there is a less redundant way to express the thought.
Overall, the book was enjoyable and well-thought out. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
(I was given this book for free by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Monday, February 29, 2016
"Roots & Sky" Book Review
Christie Purifoy takes you on a literary journey of deeply-rich images depicting a year in her life at her home at Maplehurst.
Not since reading "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp have I encountered literary depiction on the same scale by a contemporary author. Purifoy uses her skill of the written word to paint wonderful "word pictures" in your mind. Full of descriptions of emotions, sights, and smells she makes the ordinary rather extraordinary with well-chosen words and non-rambling sentences weaving biblical scripture in a long the way.
Being a farm wife, I could relate to a lot of her life. The wonder of almost spring, the hot summer days, winter that seems to never end...she captures the excitement of simple life!
My only complaint is that her chapters are broken down into small "thoughts". Which, isn't necessarily a bad thing. But I often felt like she was going to make a point, then didn't. Then in the next thought when you thought she was moving on to something else, she revisits the previous thought again. I got a little frustrated wanting her to hurry "the point" along. But in retrospect, I find that if you would try and do that, you would lose that sweetness of what she is trying to get across. In truth though, she does eventually reach her point.
You will probably find yourself dog-earring pages to remember the simple but well-said things that were touching. This is one of those books you need to re-read and you will no doubt find special gems each time. But, its not a book to be read in a hurry, I sort of had to to reach this review deadline, and by doing so I think I may have done myself and the book an injustice. Purifoy is what I consider to be a "word smith". Read this like you would admire a piece of art: thoroughly and thoughtfully.
4.5 out of 5 stars.
(I was given this book for free by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
Not since reading "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp have I encountered literary depiction on the same scale by a contemporary author. Purifoy uses her skill of the written word to paint wonderful "word pictures" in your mind. Full of descriptions of emotions, sights, and smells she makes the ordinary rather extraordinary with well-chosen words and non-rambling sentences weaving biblical scripture in a long the way.
Being a farm wife, I could relate to a lot of her life. The wonder of almost spring, the hot summer days, winter that seems to never end...she captures the excitement of simple life!
My only complaint is that her chapters are broken down into small "thoughts". Which, isn't necessarily a bad thing. But I often felt like she was going to make a point, then didn't. Then in the next thought when you thought she was moving on to something else, she revisits the previous thought again. I got a little frustrated wanting her to hurry "the point" along. But in retrospect, I find that if you would try and do that, you would lose that sweetness of what she is trying to get across. In truth though, she does eventually reach her point.
You will probably find yourself dog-earring pages to remember the simple but well-said things that were touching. This is one of those books you need to re-read and you will no doubt find special gems each time. But, its not a book to be read in a hurry, I sort of had to to reach this review deadline, and by doing so I think I may have done myself and the book an injustice. Purifoy is what I consider to be a "word smith". Read this like you would admire a piece of art: thoroughly and thoughtfully.
4.5 out of 5 stars.
(I was given this book for free by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
"The Prophetess" Book Review
"The Prophetess" is an in-depth fictional depiction of chapters 4 and 5 from the book of Judges in the Old Testament of the Bible.
Jill Eileen Smith had her work cut out for her to stretch these two chapters into a 300-plus page novel depicting the life and time of Deborah, a prophetess and judge of the Israelite people. There are characters that were actually real: Deborah, Lappidoth, Barak, Sisera, Jael. All mentioned in the story from Judges. However, Smith adds sons, daughters, daughter's in law, and friends to these real-life people to flesh them out even though they've been gone from us for centuries. True some "poetic license" occurs, but the main core to the biblical account is fairly solid.
The story line seemed a bit slow for me at first. But the middle half of the book moved well. I felt the ending was a bit slow as well.
Smith weaves suspense and some romance to the story line, which made me want to keep reading to see how things shook out between Talya and Barak. I already knew how the main story ended because of reading the biblical account. I guess part of me too wanted to see just how Smith was going to accomplish it all.
The names of some of the characters were a bit of a mouth full, but didn't detract from the overall story line.
I felt that Smith did her homework and definitely achieved making Deborah and her family and Israel's struggle real. If anything, I have a face in my mind's eye of who Deborah was. I don't think that what Smith accomplishes in this work was by any means easy. I applaud her efforts.
Overall, it wasn't my usual fare in books. Some of the wording felt a bit stilted and was sparse on description, but overall a good read. 4 out of 5 stars.
(I was given this book for free by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
Jill Eileen Smith had her work cut out for her to stretch these two chapters into a 300-plus page novel depicting the life and time of Deborah, a prophetess and judge of the Israelite people. There are characters that were actually real: Deborah, Lappidoth, Barak, Sisera, Jael. All mentioned in the story from Judges. However, Smith adds sons, daughters, daughter's in law, and friends to these real-life people to flesh them out even though they've been gone from us for centuries. True some "poetic license" occurs, but the main core to the biblical account is fairly solid.
The story line seemed a bit slow for me at first. But the middle half of the book moved well. I felt the ending was a bit slow as well.
Smith weaves suspense and some romance to the story line, which made me want to keep reading to see how things shook out between Talya and Barak. I already knew how the main story ended because of reading the biblical account. I guess part of me too wanted to see just how Smith was going to accomplish it all.
The names of some of the characters were a bit of a mouth full, but didn't detract from the overall story line.
I felt that Smith did her homework and definitely achieved making Deborah and her family and Israel's struggle real. If anything, I have a face in my mind's eye of who Deborah was. I don't think that what Smith accomplishes in this work was by any means easy. I applaud her efforts.
Overall, it wasn't my usual fare in books. Some of the wording felt a bit stilted and was sparse on description, but overall a good read. 4 out of 5 stars.
(I was given this book for free by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
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Roscoe
A good walking buddy and awesome frisbee catcher! Life cut short by a brain tumor.
Tuffy
If ever there was a candidate for Dog Heaven, it would be Tuff. Tuff was put to rest December 7, 2012. At almost 14 years old, he threw the longevity curve for dogs of his breed-makeup and size. He battled 2 types of cancer and Cushing's Disease as well as arthritis. Faithful to the end and never grumpy, depite the constant care and nagging from me. Always the protector, gentleman and companion--you will be sorely missed by all who had the opportunity to know you.
Cranky Thomas
Ever wonder why it's called "Life On CT Farm"? The horse you see in the pictures is Cranky Thomas, a registered quarter horse gelding. He was born May 5, 1980 in Galion, Alabama and passed away August 3, 2004 on CT Farm--his farm. He originally belonged to my husband, but I adopted him and I think he adopted me. We competed together in contest classes at local horse shows. But, an old injury finally slowed him down and I retired him in 2000. He was a loving and patient being that I completely trusted and admired. There will never be another like him, never. He meant so much to me that I named our farm after him as well as my company, Cranky T. LLC. He's gone now, but is still with me and now you.
