Book Review #4 - The Harvest of Grace

Book Review #4 - The Harvest of Grace

Can I say super fast shipping? Received my 4th book to review from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing group - and loved it.

The Harvest of Grace by Cindy Woodsmall

Stars: 5 stars

I loved this book.


Cara continues to have her story also played in this 3rd book of the Ava House series - this time as her father steps forward in hopes of their own reconciliation.

The main character Sylvia is heartbroken and torn by her feelings of betrayal in her own home. In desperation to escape the feelings she has she leaves her families farm to work for another dear family on their dairy to be able to do the one thing she loves - work with dairy cattle.
Aaron Blunk returns home after his own "escape" and time spent in rehab as he comes home with his own goals and plans for his family's farm.None of them could imagine that their lives were going to be taken for a spin or that they would be left knowing without a shadow of a doubt that the choices they have to make may be totally opposite of anything and everything they had planned for their own lives. But the twists and power of forgiveness ultimately brings joy that neither could have imagined not just for themselves but for others around them as well.A lovely and well written book of forgiveness, thanksgiving, love, and grace as Cindy Woodsmall has woven the tales of this Amish community and its families together. It was just one of those books that once I picked it up I couldn't put it down until it was finished. It left me with tears in my eyes in sadness at parts, tears of joy and thoughts of thankfulness for the grace that has been shown in my own life in the end. The end thoughts for me in this story - the Harvest of Grace really is the gift of love.

** I recieved this book for free from Waterbook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.


Originally Posted by Mardi Gras Time Stable at 10:34 PM on 14 December 2011

Book Review #3 - When Sparrows Fall

(Bringing this over from my other blog)

When Sparrows Fall
Stars: 3 stars

Review: Well written, and leaves you guessing Miranda's secret that she is hiding until the end of the book.
I think for me it just hit too close to home and was so well written in describing people and situations where I could relate to that it took me several tries to actually finish the book.

The widowed mother of six children, who jumps at the opportunity to remove herself from the cult / church group that she found herself involved in during her marriage. But the pastor / leader of the group threatens to reveal her secret if she doesn't follow with the group. She feels trapped and unable to move.An accident brings around a 3rd party outsider who is finally after much struggle he is able to help Miranda find the strenght in herself to stand forth and find herself out of the darkness she has found herself in and face the truth and discover that the consequences that she thought she had to fear were nothing but fear themselves. And through being willing to lose everything she finds the strenght to set herself and her children free from the shadow that has hung over them for years.

* I recieved this book for free from Waterbook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.


Originally: Posted by Mardi Gras Time Stable at 10:29 AM on 11 December 2011

Christmas Book Review

(disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.)

I recieved a new book to read & review. Brief glance shows what looks to be a good sit down to read with my daughter Christmas story.

Sure enough that is exactly what it was. A well written book on the story about the little Christmas star. Well timed to be read with her over the holiday season as she immediately was able to associate with the star on the top of the tree with the story. Graphics were well down for her level - simple and not overly busy. Wording was simple and clear. Since reading it for the first time it is one of her favorite books to bring over, not just to read to her, but to let her flip through the pages. The Christmas Spirit - the caring for others - the giving of one's self for another. The true spirit we wish to instill in our daughter over the years - not just at Christmas time, but all year round. The star at the top of the tree this year in our home was made from the tail hair of a dear horse who passed away a few years ago, it is our reminder of the good memories she left us with. The Star at the top of the tree being referred to as a memory reminder and what the memory was of - is the same concept of what the star on our tree reminds us of. A point to look at the star and stop and reflect. Christmas for us is that, a moment to stop and reflect.

Wacky Wednesday

Yeah it's about as wacky as it can get.
Sunshine woke up Monday night running a fever of 103. So downstairs she came - and Daddy brought her to sleep in our bed. I swear that child is NEVER still when she sleep - at 1am he woke me up to give her some more medicine and she had just about managed to shove him out of the bed kicking into his back. After she went back to sleep about 130 I got woken up again to her flipped over pushing against me so that I was on the edge of the bed! She finally was content to just flop on top of me to sleep.
Yesterday kept her with me - brought her to work for a little bit and she got attention from the nurses here. Then took her home and she was asleep before we got in the driveway. Took a 3 hour nap, still running a fever bouncing between 101 & 103. Spiked back to 103 around 3pm.
Today she's home with a friend watching her - haven't had a call saying she's screaming at him so guess she's playing and driving him nuts. Very grateful he showed up to watch her this morning - I could not afford another day off work.

Hoping to finish the little touches on the house this week - would LOVE to see it go on the market with a for sale in the front yard for Christmas.

Its fun to get things done with her trying to help - whatever we are doing she wants to help us with. Sweeping, cleaning the bathroom, putting clothes in the wash, folding clothes (or rather I fold & she UNfolds *lol*). But you know what - I wouldn't trade these days for anything. She makes us smile and keeps us laughing all day long.

I promise I am going to get a couple of photo posts going here!

Today ....

So today I decided that I will start to keep a journal blog of what's going on in our lives - especially as Sunshine is growing up a little too quickly for my liking.

January 2011 I am going to do 3.6.5. - a picture for everyday.

And so today it is cold & my brain is working overtime so I'll pause and continue at a later time.