What Once Was Lost review

Hello everyone! here is another review of another wonderful book. This time it's What once was Lost by Kim Vogel Sawyer. Enjoy

“Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop your anger! Turn from your rage! Do not envy others -- it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land.” Psalm 37: 7-9

What once was lost was my first novel by Kim Vogel Sawyer, though her name had popped out on Amazon.com quite a few times, I never found her novels caught my attention very much until I saw the description for this one. I was honestly surprised to find myself hooked by the second page. The characters are so realistic I found myself wishing throughout every page that they were real, that I could hold and comfort them when they needed it. Christina had a rough time after the poorhouse kitchen was burned down, the men and women who became her family were scattered across the town, and no one wanted a blind boy in their house. Christina was forced to beg/force the Miller owner Levi to take him in.

This book faces many issues, but a large part of it is gossip and self worth. Cora made the mistake of being with a man before marriage, and she became pregnant. Self worth is so important to us, when we strip a person of their worth they are left with nothing, they feel they are nothing, and they believe every harsh word against them is true. The young blind boy Tommy faced this. It was heartbreaking to hear Cora’s and Tommy’s past, but it is something that still happens often today. The weight of the world is pressed on our shoulders, the people we love hurt us, and to protect our hearts we become cold and distant, and hurting the people we are suppose to love. And we hurt God as well because he weeps with us, yet we continue to push Him away.
How many times have we forgotten that we are meant to do God’s will, not ours? How many times have you thought something is okay because others are doing it? I know I have a lot. The book faces the problems of people thinking what is right and wrong. Timmy was moved from Levi’s home to the bank owner’s house, for they had brought it to Christina’s attention that Levi wasn’t a Christian man because he didn’t attend church. They treated Tommy differently, making him eat in the kitchen by himself, sleeping on the floor, while the other two kids from the poorhouse slept in beds and ate in the dining room with everyone else. They claimed it was their Christian duty to take him in and that he was blind and couldn’t tell the difference. When Cora let the owners of the store she was working for know she was pregnant she expected to be tossed out into the street again, but they welcomed her with God’s love, and helped the soon-to-be mother find her way to God again

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2

The book was just so wonderful, I would read it again, and probably will soon! Even Christina had some stuff to work out, for she forgot we do not things for ourselves, but for Him, and the glory shall be His. So when you’re feeling unloved, under appreciated, or completely left out remember that God loves you very much, He is happy to see you doing His work and will bless you, and he shall never leave you.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.


To Purchase click the link below
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=221537

We don't have to be Strangers

"Wonderland has grown stranger. I'm stranger, you're stranger, together we are strangers" Cheshire cat from once upon a time in Wonderland

These were words from this wickedly grinning cat  were to tell a young woman who, as a child, had been friends with the grinning cat. But with years between them both changed, some for the worse. Such was the case with the Cheshire cat.

While watching this episode I began to think just how much the Cheshire's words rang true. When we let too much time grow between us and our friends, our family, even our spouses, we become strangers to each one another. We are meant to show love to one another, not with just our words but with our actions. So this thanksgiving give a call to a friend you haven't talked to in a long time, listen out for those who silently pleading out for taste of love, release any former arguments that are stuck in your head and in turn show love. Sometimes this can be hard, trust me I know. 
There have been so many arguments with my sisters and my parents that I can't keep count, and for a very long time I harbored those hateful words in my heart for a very long time. But I released those hurt feelings and angry words, and He threw them far away, where they'll never be found. I think we all sometimes hold onto hurt, I know when I get into an argument memories will come up and I want to say something about it, but then I feel God's hand touch my heart and suddenly those nasty words are gone, and I feel a great peace. My friends have even noticed the changes in me since I came to Christ, and I have to say it feels great! I've still got a long way to go, but if it's enough for other's to notice then God is really working some miracles in me!

"Dear children, let us not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions" 1 John 3:18

I wish you all a happy thanksgiving and I hope this will encourage not only to give a little love to someone who needs it, but to turn them to the ultimate source of love; our savior Jesus Christ.

Fun Figgy Friday: Historical week

Hello everyone and welcome to another week of Fun Figgy Fridays! This week will be one of my favorite genres Historical. Let's see what stories are written down from our ancestors!

First up is The Musician's Maid by Brittany Law


                                         

In this historical romance a Musician turns the tables on an opera house full of traditions, such as not hiring a scullery maid as the lead singer in his latest master pieces. Emily posses the voice of an angel, but since she came to the opera strange things have been happening, and everything seems against her playing out this play. Will the Musician and the maid survive?

Next up is Chase or be Chased by Camzie


                                        

The story has just began, there isn't much to it yet, but the one chapter was enough to capture my attention. A princess running for her life from unknown enemies, a knight adding in her escape. Please read and encourage the author to write more!

Last of all is Resolved by Noelle Alabasteter, and author from our last figgy friday


                                        

You'll taking on water the roaring English seas in Resolved, headed for the dreaded pirate lair of Tortuga, why might you ask? Hawke Cutter must save his brother from the accusation of treason, he believes only one man can help him, but what happens when he arrives at Tortuga? read to find out!

I'd like to thank all the authors of these amazing stories, and urge them to continue their writing, for without these stories I wouldn't have a reason to be speaking to you all today! God bless you and have a wonderful day!

Eyes Wide Open

"As reason clouds my eyes, splendors fading. Illusions of the sunlight. And the reflection of a lie will keep me waiting." Shattered by trading yesterday.

Just last night I finished Duchess and the Dragon by Jamie Carie, it took me less the twenty-four hours to finish this 300 plus paged book, and it was an eye opener, all of her books are honestly eye openers. The book was about what our choices will do, how they ripple out and effect the people we love most, and about walking into the unknown and putting our trust in God to lead us through the darkest of times.

For a long time I didn't understand what it meant to lose innocence, the story of Adam and Eve eating the fruit didn't click. I understood they disobeyed God's command, but what had the knowledge done to them? Why did it change them so much? Duchess and the Dragon shows that with it heroine, how knowledge and stripe away the innocence in one's heart, and how it can change you. By putting her faith in God she became stronger because of it.

"And I've lost who I am, and I can't understand why my heart is so broken, rejecting your love. Without love gone wrong, lifeless words carry on. But I know, all I know, is that the end's beginning. Who I am from the start, take me home to my heart, let me go and I will run, I will not be silenced. All this time spend in vein, wasted years, wasted gain. All is lost, hope remains, and this war's not over. There's a light, there's a sun, taking all shattered ones to the place we belong and His love will conquer all" Shattered by Trading yesterday

After that book I began looking back at my own life, had I let God make me stronger with this new knowledge? Or had I piled it all on my back, or stuffed it in a bottle? Unfortunately I did that ladder.

"For the word of the LORD holds true, and everything He does is worthy of our trust" Psalm 33:4

It seems so hard sometimes to trust something you cannot see, but I've learned in recent months that God can be heard, He can be felt, He is in all of us and in everything we do. My best friend's mother gave me a book, Jesus Today by Sarah Young, not only was the gesture heart warming but as I read the pages of the inspiring devotional I felt my connection to God growing stronger, I felt my heart melt, my eyes open a little more to the wonder of our glorious God and how he worked through this woman to help spread His word. I am so grateful she shared this book with me, and I am grateful to God for how much he has blessed me by letting me get to know this wonderful and amazing family whom I have no idea how I could have gotten on without. They helped me come back to Him. He worked through them, giving their hearts the right things to say and the right actions to take so that I might come back to Him. This year at thanksgiving I will be with the Lord for the first time in a long time, my heart will be so full I won't know what to do with myself!

I hope everyone can feel this way and that I will continue to have this in my heart for the rest of my life

Happy holidays and TTFN (ta ta for now)

Governess of Highland Hall review

Here's another review for another awesome book!

“Let this encourage God’s holy people to endure persecution patiently and remain firm to the end, obeying his commands and trusting in Jesus” Revelations 12:12

This first book of the Edwardian brides series was a great read, the England setting only made it even more interesting. The book starts of with Julia Foster returning to her homeland after living in India as a missionary with her parents for twelve years. She’s come to feel of India as her home and is sad to leave it, but with her father in poor health and only getting worse she must go and secure a job to help her family. With times getting harder we come more to rely on our families and working together with them as we use to, and as I see it helps bring us closer together. Julia’s faith in God is aspiring and helps remind me to be strong in my faith, and that God is with us every step of our lives. Though it is not to say Julia, and many other characters in this story, didn’t have their wavering moments when they began to lose their faith in Him, as we all do at some point in our lives.
Once Julia arrives at highland she meets a very irritable man fixing a motor car, little did Julia know this man was her employer, and she did not learn this until after completing the first part of the interview with Mrs. Emmitt. She felt bad for not holding her tongue, though the man had been as Julia herself put it “entirely too familiar and too rude with your words.” And in that time period in England it was a tad un-proper for him to address her in that way. Now when she learned this man’s true identity she expected to not get the job, but Sir William liked her honesty, so she received the position of Governess.

“If you keep your mouth shut you will stay out of trouble. Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance.” Proverbs 21:23-24

Sir William’s cousins Katharine and Penelope lost their father not even a year ago, and it turns that Sir William would inherit the estate of Highland and become their guardian, neither knew how to react, but Katharine soon learned. The two young women began challenging him at every turn, faking illness to not come downstairs when called for scripture reading, yet going out horse back riding a few hours later, visiting their friends, whatever caught their fancy. When Sir William they will now have a governess Katharine is not pleased, and the sister’s fight her authority every step of the way. One day while working on their entrance, for this will be Katharine’s first season in London, Sarah, Sir William’s sister, and Julia playfully and innocently jest about their awkward first attempts, Katharine overhears and does not take kindly to it. She lashes out at Sarah the most, aiming horrible words at her heart about her crippled arm. Words can take the form of a sword, and cut deeply, this book shows how words can be used in such a way, and the damage they can so easily cause. But God has his ways, and even though Sarah was hurt and believed every cruel Katharine said God proved that He was there, and they she is loved.


“But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” Habakkuk 2:3

This verse applies greatly to the book, sometimes we don’t know what God’s plans are for us, and waiting patiently is a great struggle we all must face. Waiting for the right person to come into your life or waiting for the world to crash under your feet God always has a plan for us, and he will not let us fall. He will work His way into your heart, even with your faith is being greatly tested trust in Him, and He will get you through it. Please read this wonderful book that I recommend to everyone.

Music Monday's Fall music

Hello everyone, and welcome to the third week of Music Monday's. This week I am going to showcase some cover's of my favorite songs that just make me think of Fall. These folks did an amazing job with their covers and I couldn't wait to show them to all of you. Hope you enjoy!

Fun Figgy Friday; Romance

Welcome to Fun Figgy Fridays, this weeks theme will be Romance. With fall here it's the perfect to curl up on the couch with a good love story, and a bit of adventure added into the mix!


First off is; The story of Lady by Amantha Annabeth James

                                                   

Based on the story of Disney's Lady and the Tramp this sweet story brings us into the world of Lady, a beautiful young woman in the 1920's who's life is about to be turned upside down, all by a boy and a pair of evil twins.

Next is Changing like the Autumn breeze by Kaitlyn Watson, AKA me!

                                                   

A single wish can hold the most strongest of magic. When a pumpkin wishes to become a human to find someone special a fairy is more then happy to help it come true. But she only has one month to find him, and it's in the dead of winter, how will she find the one she loves? and even if she does will it be too late?

Last of all is The Drifter by Noelle Alabaster

                                                   

Western romance has always been my weakness, and when I started reading this book I fell head over heals for it! the adventure, the excitement and romance!!!!! Read this story and fall for it as I have.