Rainy Days and Mysteries...

We've had quite a few rainy days lately, although as I am writing this today the sun is shining for the first time in almost a week.  But yesterday this was my view from the sunporch...(or, rainporch?) 

 Looking out into the Secret Garden from the Sunporch...

It was the kind of afternoon to sit back with a cup of tea and read a good book...

 Here I am, deep in the throes of a good mystery...

Oh, hello!! You caught me!

I just discovered these great little books written by Laura Childs..."A Tea Shop Mystery" series...each one set in the old city of Charleston, South Carolina, filled with just the right blend of southern charm,  suspense, and delicious tea-time recipes and fun. 

These suspense-filled stories make for some thrilling summer/rainy day light reading...especially if you like tea and southern hospitality laced with a good murder mystery  (is there such a thing as a "good" murder? No, definitely not, but only if you enjoy reading books that keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what's going to happen next...)

This would not be what I would consider "inspirational fiction"....but they are interesting, clean mystery plots that will keep you guessing "who done-it" all the way through.  Each book also includes some delicious tea time recipes and ideas for special tea times.

So, if you are looking for something a little different to read this summer...check out these books from your local library (or order online).  There are several more books in the series, but these are the only ones I've read so far.

However, if you want some excellent Inspirational Historical Fiction to read this summer, I can heartily recommend any book written by Lynn Austin.  She has quite a long list of powerful Christian historical fiction, many focusing on the dynamic roles and lives of women across the century, starting in the Civil War, and continuing through both World War I and World War II...and how their lives were impacted by the times and seasons of very turbulent times. 

These  (below) are just three of the many books I've read written by Lynn Austin, but there are many, many more, including "Hidden Places", which received a Christy Award and was made into a Hallmark Channel Movie. (Although I watched the movie, and don't feel that it did justice to the real story behind the story...they just couldn't include everything in the movie, and it was sadly lacking the depth of the book). 

I found all of these books at my local public library.  As much as I'd love to purchase every book I've ever read, I can't do it...so I am very thankful that our public library does have an excellent selection of inspirational authors to choose from.  So, if you are looking for something good to read this summer, "check it out" at your local library!  If they don't have what you are looking for, perhaps you can make some suggestions to them!


Here's a couple of Proverbs for today:

"Do not let your heart envy sinners,

but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day;

For surely there is a hereafter,

and your hope will not be cut off."

Proverbs 23:17-18

"Do not be envious of evil men,

nor desire to be with them;

for their heart devises violence, 

and their lips talk of troublemaking.

Through wisdom a house is built,

and by understanding it is established;

By knowledge the rooms are filled 

with all precious and pleasant riches."

Proverbs 24:1-4

Have a blessed and beautiful summer!

If you have read some interesting books that you think we'd like,

please share them with us!!

Here's a link to some of the summer reading I did last summer...  You may want to check out these books, written by one of our own favorite blogging friends, Martha Jane Orlando. (Meditations of My Heart).

Final Summer Reading Book Review: REVELATION!

Hello dear friends...I know you've all been waiting for the final book review in the "Adventures in the Glade" series....REVELATION.

If you've been following along HERE, then you'll know that I've been reading through all six of Martha Jane Orlando's wonderful books in her two series:Which you can learn more about HERE on her website for The Glade Series and Adventures in the Glade Series.

So now we come to the final book...and I must say right up front, I hope and pray it is NOT the final book...because this book left me wanting more!  I am excited to say that Martha has just announced in her most recent blog post "Meditations of My Heart" (link to blog here) that she is going to be taking the next few weeks to pray about and seek God's direction for writing her next episode in this series...so I  ask you to pray along with me that the Lord will indeed give Martha the guidance she needs to embark on this next project...because once you read these books you will agree with me that there is still so much more to be written!!

Now back to REVELATION! Sorry I keep getting side-tracked!  First of all, I think I neglected to say in my last review on the preceding book, REDEMPTION, that I felt like in these last two books Martha had really stepped up the story a bit with the addition of new characters woven into the story...and a grander plot that would captivate adults as well as children and teens.  There is so much more intrigue and mystery being brought to the surface...and "revelations" being revealed that I never saw coming...which calls for deeper insight and speculation into how it will all finally come to a conclusion.

REVELATION intertwines romance, past secrets revealed, wild adventure...and that despicable Cousin Ronnie still out to wreak havoc on the magical, mysterious inhabitants of The Glade and their sacred land. Our hero Davy and his family have relationships restored and past hurts healed with happy endings and new beginnings.  Everyone seems to be seeing miracles in their lives...except for one...who still needs to get things right in his heart...

Let me leave you with some final words from one of  "The Old Ones, "Racer", Davy's best squirrel friend, when asked if he could give a "phrase or one word...that would inspire them to live the abundant life...", he declared:

"It's all about love and grace!"

Yes, that seems to be the answer to all of the questions....

So friends, until next time...and I pray there will be a next time...I leave you with these thoughts to ponder.

Galatians 1:12(NKJV)

 "For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ."


P.S.  I hope you enjoyed hearing about these wonderful books...one more thing I wanted to add...I shared my copies of The Glade Series/Adventures in the Glade books with a dear friend, who was reading them with her adult daughter who had spent most of the last year in a hospital recuperating from some very serious physical issues.  My friend said that reading these books together brought such joy and hope back into her daughter's life...it was the first thing that had perked her up and gotten her interest in a very long time. Why? Probably because these little books have such profound truth and hope intertwined within a captivating, fun and magical story that one can't help but be caught up and taken to a place where our imaginations can actually bring us to a better place in our hearts and minds.  So, for this reason and so much more, I do hope our friend Martha will be able to continue this wonderful saga!

Racer is waving "bye" for now!

New Summer Reading Book Review: "Redemption"

If you have followed along with my previous book reviews HERE on the Adventures in the Glade Series and the and the Glade Series HERE, then you have probably been anxiously awaiting my book review on the next book in the series, REDEMPTION.

My apologies to Martha Jane Orlando, the author of these wonderful books, for my taking so long to write this review (and the next one!).  I finished the books a little while ago, and then got sidetracked when things got busy and interesting here at our house (my son got engaged, stuff like that) and I put it off so long that now I probably need to re-read the book to be sure I don't confuse it with the others! But let me proceed...I believe it will all come back to me...

Just to refresh our memories, this series of adventure stories began back when ten year old Davy Murray absolutely hated the thoughts of having to spend the summer at his step-father's Grandpa's farm in the mountains.  The farm and surrounding mountain lands and forest were inherited by Davy's step-father when Grandpa Will passed away. Davy was seriously angry at  having to spend the summer where there was no computer, TV, or any of his friends.  Not only that, he really didn't like his step-father all that much either, and would not allow himself to show him any kind of love or respect. So the chances of Davy having a good time this summer were pretty low unless something changed drastically in his attitude.

Interestingly, Davy soon discovers that Great-Grandpa Will's farm is much more than just a place to spend the summer without modern conveniences or friends...he meets up with some very interesting "critters", better known as "The Old Ones"...ancient talking creatures who live in The Glade...and only Davy can see or hear them! 

The seeming "star" of the group is now known as "Racer"...previously known as Grey..."The True Squirrel of the Old Ones." (photos from my OWN "Old Ones" living here in my own part of the forest...and since reading these books I find that I look at these living creatures much differently than I used to...) 

And then there is "Reverend", the "True Owl of the Old Ones"...
(this giant Barred Owl showed up on our fence one morning recently...I wonder if he could be related?)

and there is also "Prancer", who came to carry Davy back to the Glade to rescue "Reverend" when he was in dire danger of dying at the end of the last book, (REVENGE!)

And we also meet "Sharp Eyes", the hawk...who has a very important role to play in keeping a "sharp eye" on the villainous Cousin Ronnie and his cohorts...

As REDEMPTION begins, Davy has collapsed and is having a beautiful dream or vision...very real to him...and he finds that he is safe in the arms of "The Good Shepherd".  As he is being bathed in the light of the truth of Who this Good Shepherd really is, Davy realizes that this One is the ONLY One who could save his friends and their beautiful glade from total destruction.  And as The Good Shepherd anoints Davy with a special oil to bless and protect him, He sends Davy, "The Chosen One", on a mission to bring healing to REVEREND and to restore peace and order back to the Glade once again. 

As in the previous stories, wicked cousin Ronnie continues to wreak havoc in the lives of the "Old Ones" and is trying to steal the property that belongs to Davy's step-father, which includes the magical, mystical land of The Glade.   If he is able to accomplish this, The Glade will disappear forever, along with the lives of all the marvelous ancient creatures known as "The Old Ones".  Davy realizes that he cannot save them in his own strength, but he learns to rely on the power and strength of The Good Shepherd to see him through.  And in this story, "The Old Ones" themselves come up with plans that hopefully will stop Cousin Ronnie from carrying out his underhanded schemes...but it could be at great risk of putting them all in serious peril.

Again,  Martha Jane Orlando magically weaves this story to make it seem so very real to life that I find myself listening more carefully to what God may be saying to me through His own creation all around us.  There is an underlying story here that draws us closer to "The Good Shepherd"...and helps us to realize that He is at work in so many areas of life that we may not have understood before. 

As we come to the end of REDEMPTION, we see Davy lying restlessly on his little cot at night, wondering about what was going to happen next.  To quote:

"Davy purposely turned his eyes toward the stars twinkling through the towering oaks. What is it, Lord? What will I find? What will I know? The stars winked their comforting acknowledgments, but offered no answers.  It's okay. I'll find out tomorrow. Racer will be with me then.  I'll find out tomorrow."

And with that, we must close this chapter and wait until next time, when I will pick up where we left off and tell you about the next book in the series, REVELATION.

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace..."  

Ephesians 1:7

Summer Reading Adventure: "Revenge!"

If you have been following along with my summer reading book reviews of the The Glade Series written by Martha Jane Orlando, you may recall that in the last book in the The Glade Trilogy, The Moment of Truth, we left off with the thought that "The Moment of Truth" had come, and when the truth finally came out, peace reigned once again in The Glade."   However, the story didn't stop there!

Not too long after finishing that book I received all three books in the next series, "Adventures In The Glade",  and I couldn't wait to sit right down and dig into them.

The first book in this series, Revenge!, picks up where The Moment of Truth left off.  I may have thought that "peace reigned once again in the Glade", but I have to tell you, that peace was very short-lived! 

While Davy "The Chosen One" and his family, along with all the "Old Ones" in the Glade were rejoicing that evil cousin Ronnie's plans to take over the land surrounding their Sanctuary had been thwarted by quick action, Ronnie is plotting to get his revenge. His greedy and vengeful actions end up causing much sorrow and distress to not only the inhabitants of the Glade, but also for himself. Swift action by the wise old owl,  better known as "Reverend", may have miraculous results for Ronnie, but has placed the sanctuary of the "Old Ones" as well as Reverend's very own life,  back in serious jeopardy.

Now it is left up to Davy, "The Chosen One" to try and save "Reverend"....but will he be able to do so in time to keep the Glade and "The Old Ones" from disappearing from the face of the earth?

Revenge! is definitely an action-packed adventure, which shows us up close the battle between good and evil...light and darkness.  And the development of trust, faith and forgiveness aren't just for young Davy...but also for his mother and step-father and the rest of the family.  Reminders from the past found in step-dad Jim's Bible give courage and comfort to them when they need it most:

Psalm 138:7

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve my life;

You stretch out Your arm against the anger of my foes, 

with Your right hand You save me."

Without knowing this truth from God's Word, Davy and his family and friends would be without much hope in the midst of all the tragedies around them.

I can only say that I was extremely grateful to already have in hand the next book in the series, Redemption, when I came to the end of this story. 

I hope you will tune in next time to hear more about the continuing saga of Davy and his friends.  I can tell you one thing, Martha Jane Orlando is a master of suspense and keeping the reader on the edge of her recliner! Or porch swing, or rocker, or wherever you happen to be reading this summer. For me, right now it's in the cool house in the recliner! Thank you, Martha, for providing such wonderful reading adventures for me this summer! It has been a delight to enter the world of Davy and "The Old Ones" in the Glade. 
Until next time, keep believing!!!

"The Moment of Truth" Has Come!

Well, for those of you who have been following along with me in this summer reading adventure in the "Glade Series", you will be pleased to know that The Moment of Truth , written by my friend Martha Jane Orlando,  has arrived, and I could not wait to sit right down and read it to find out what our friend Davy was going to discover with his visit to the Glade with the "Old Ones"... and I was held spellbound and in awe along with Davy when he looked around at all the special woodland creatures who were there to not only talk to him, but to bless him and honor him as "A Chosen One" ...and I thought along with Davy when he whispered,

"This is such a miracle."

And then the wise old owl, who was named "Reverend", responded to Davy:

"All of life is a miracle, Davy; All you have to do is look around you and truly open your eyes." 

And as Davy is taking in all of this magical, mystical adventure, the creatures of the Glade are suddenly struck with terror as the earth begins to shake beneath their feet and "a menacing sound like distant thunder rumbled through the Banquet Hall..."   Suddenly their time of celebration was cut short and the creatures scurried to find out what was happening to threaten their beautiful world in the Glade.

Now the real adventure and excitement begins, and Davy and the Old Ones must hurry to save their marvelous kingdom from destruction.  Through it all, Davy learns about faith and trust, and about how in reality God and His angels come to our rescue in the face of dangerous intruders into our peaceful existence...and he even learns how it might feel to "stand accused with no plausible alibi to defend him...", and to have others step forward and "willingly sacrifice" all that they knew to protect him... "The Moment of Truth" had come, and when the truth finally came out, peace reigned once again in The Glade.   

Oh, but maybe I shouldn't have told you all of that.  Well, you really ought to get the book and read the whole story for yourself so you will better understand what I am talking about.

I must tell you that when I finished this exciting conclusion to The Glade Trilogy, I could not shake the feeling that I was also "A Chosen One".  Much like Davy became in this story, I also look at all of God's Creation around me and feel like God communicates to me through it in a very unique and special way. 

This "Grey" Squirrel was definitely trying to tell me something as I invaded his territory on my walk this morning...

And this Mama Deer was truly giving me a "look" when I disrupted her morning peace and that of her little family while I was out walking yesterday morning...

And Off they Ran...

 Back into the safety of the woods...

 But back to the application of this story....

Yes, in the true spiritual sense I am a chosen child of God, which is the real story behind the story here that Davy discovers. What I found interesting was that Davy was actually a step-child, and yet, he was "chosen", grafted in, if you will, to the family tree, and given the rights and privileges of a true heir.  This little mystery story reminded me of a much bigger mystery spoken about in the Bible in the following passage...

 Ephesians 3:3-6

3. "How that by revelation He (Christ) 

made known to me the mystery, 

as I have briefly written already,

4.  by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ,

5.  which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit 

to His holy apostles and prophets;

6.  That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel." 

And also in Romans 8:16-17

16.  "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit 

that we are children of God,

17.  And if children, then heirs--

heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ,

if indeed we suffer with Him, 

that we may also be glorified together."

I believe Davy, although he was only a ten year old boy, was learning sage wisdom from "The Old Ones" that would continue to make a huge difference in his life for eternity! And isn't that where we should be?  Learning "sage wisdom" from "The Ancient of Days"...God Himself, that will not only help and bless us in this life, but carry us on into eternity?

Okay, folks!  I think that about sums it up. Thank you, Martha Jane Orlando, for writing such creative, fun, and yet powerful stories that may have been meant for children, but have had a lingering, positive, spiritual impact in this "Old - Chosen One!"  

By the way, I understand that this is really NOT the end of Davy's story.  Martha has written three more books in the Glade Series.  For more information about that you can check out her website here:http://gladetrilogy.wixsite.com/theglade

You can be assured I will be saving up and ordering these next three books as soon as I can!!

Click Here for the previous adventures..., and Also HERE, and HERE

Another Book Review! Children In The Garden - Great Story!!

Dear Friends in Blogland,  I promised you another book review HERE,  and I haven't forgotten! I just got a little side-tracked and didn't get around to it as  quickly as I had planned! I finished the wonderful little book Children In The Garden

this past week...and I must say, it was just as much fun as its predecessor, A Trip, A Tryst, and a Terror, 

written by my blogging friend Martha Jane Orlando.

In this fun and exciting sequel, young Davy is discovering more and more about the mysteries of life in "The Glade", where his new friend Grey, "True Squirrel of the Old Ones" leads Davy on new adventures that only Davy and Grey and the other members of the "Old Ones" can see and hear.  There is something for everyone here...danger, imagination, mystery, and action..but even more...we see Davy growing in faith and maturity and love for his family and friends...and most especially in his relationship with his step-father...which needed this supernatural intervention.

This little book would appeal to boys and girls as well as their parents and grandparents...it makes for great summer reading (or any time or season!)  It's been a long time since I was a kid...but not so long that I can't enjoy this enchanting journey along with the "Children in the Garden".  One quote that has remained with me from this story is this:

"I think it is this place that reawakens the child in all of us..."

And who couldn't enjoy being reawakened to the joy of being a child again?

And because  Children in the Garden also ended with some unanswered questions and wondering what on earth will happen next...I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of Book #3, The Moment of Truth, which hopefully will be arriving in the mail from Amazon.com soon!!!

Again, my thanks to Martha Jane Orlando, for sharing her delightful stories with me! I hope you all will enjoy these great adventures as well!!

Another Exciting Reading Adventure/Gift in the Mail!

Well Friends, The adventure continues!!!  If you read these prior posts...Click HERE for my review on "A Trip, A Tryst and a Terror" and Click HERE for "So Excited to Receive a Gift".... you will recall that my sweet friend Martha Jane Orlando sent me her first book, A Trip, A Tryst and a Terror,  to read and write a review...and if I did that, she would send me her second book in the series, Children in the Garden.

I have been "patiently" waiting for this book to arrive, as the ending of the first book left us hanging, wondering what on earth could have happened...and so now I will be able to finally find out!

Here's what the back cover tells us:

So, I hope you will bear with me until I have time to read this exciting little book...and I plan to write another review just as soon as I can!  Of course, you could  order your own copies of these books here: http://gladetrilogy.wixsite.com/theglade or here:  https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_14?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=martha+orlando&sprefix=martha+orlando%2Caps%2C200 

And you can find out what happens next for yourself!!!

Okay, Martha!  I'm ready to start reading!! Thank you for this wonderful gift/opportunity!

May the Adventures Continue!

What does this little squirrel have to do with this story?

I guess you'll have to read it and find out for yourself!!

Now I'm going to find a cozy spot in the garden and start reading!!

Great Summer Time Reading!

Well, as I promised in my recent post "So Excited To Receive A Gift" (Click HERE for that story),
I would be doing a review of the above book, A Trip, A Tryst and A Terror just as soon as I finished reading it.  I received this wonderful little book in the mail yesterday from my friend, Martha Jane Orlando, the author..., and I must tell you that once I picked it up and started reading I had a difficult time putting it back down!!

I set up a tray of tea and toast on the porch in the cool of the morning and sat and rocked and read until the sun moved around to this side of the house and I had to go back inside to cool off. I hated to stop reading long enough to fix lunch for myself and hubby...and then had to get right back to reading.

First, let me tell you that I thought this story was written just for children judging by the information on the back cover:

"Spending the summer at Grandpa Will's farm with his family is the last thing ten-year-old Davy Murray wants.  How will he survive without his friends, the pool and his computer?  There isn't even a television at Grandpa's house! Doesn't anyone see how miserable he will be?...But, then, Davy has a most surprising and unexpected encounter...one which will change his heart, and his world, forever..."

However, from the very first chapter I was captivated by this story and the interesting mysteries that and adventures that awaited Davy once he arrived at the old family homestead of his "step" great-grandfather, set in the midst of the mountains, woods and meadows of the Appalachian mountains. I found myself wishing I could go back there and spend the summer along with them...and recapture the memories of long-gone idyllic days spent on my grandfather's farm as a little girl...or perhaps even now as a grown woman still longing for such adventures.

There is something magical and mystical about this place, but all with a purpose to help young Davy come to a change of heart that is life-altering, perhaps even a "type" of salvation....but this particular story ends with a "bang"...and a scramble in my mind to hurry up and get the next book in the series to find out what happens next!!

I would highly recommend this book for children (ages 7-12)...great summer reading for kids, and also for Moms and Dads and Grandmas and Grandpas alike.  It would also be excellent reading for families who are struggling with "stepchild - stepparent" issues.   My only disappointment in the book is that it is just too short!!! (121 pages)  And I have to wait to get the next book in the series! Therefore, I would suggest you might want to order all three books in the series at once!  (More information about all of Martha Jane Orlando's books can be found HERE)

I thoroughly enjoyed this little book

and look forward to reading the sequel

Children in the Garden

(book 2)

and then of course the final episode

The Moment of Truth

(book 3)

Thank you, Martha Jane Orlando,

for giving me this opportunity to enjoy your most delightful stories!

So Excited to Receive a Gift!

I am so excited to tell you that today I received a special gift in the mail from my blogging friend, Martha Jane Orlando!  Here it is:

Click HERE to learn more about Martha Jane Orlando at her blogsite "Meditations of My Heart"

A couple of weeks ago Martha had posted on her blog, "Meditations of My Heart", that it is "More Blessed to Give"...and she offered a free gift  (to the first 25 to respond) of Book 1 of "The Glade Series", A Trip, A Tryst and A Terror.   Lo! And Behold!  I happened to be one of the first to respond to her offer...and she sent this lovely book to me. Of course, there is a condition...I need to read the book and comment on her Website Adventures in the Glade, as well as on Amazon...which I will be more than happy to do!

As a matter of fact, Martha,

I already started reading it as soon as it arrived!  After finding this in the mailbox, I headed straight for the rocker on the front porch and sat down and started reading!  This looks like an excellent summer reading adventure for young and old...(like me...young AND old! Ha Ha)....and I am excited to find out just what young Davy Murray gets into in this intriguing story.  I'll be sure to let you know when I'm finished!!

Thank you, Martha Jane, for sending this interesting little book  (& bookmarks to share!) my way!  This was was a wonderful way to brighten a rather cloudy, somewhat drizzly, sultry summer day! 

This is the Bible Verse Martha inscribed in the front of the book with her autograph, 

I assume as her life verse:

Micah 6:8(NKJV)

8 

"He has shown you, O man, what is good;

And what does the Lord require of you

But to do justly,

To love mercy,

And to walk humbly with your God?"

Wonderful verse for us all to remember today.

Thank you, Martha!

And now...I need to get back to

A Trip, A Tryst and A Terror

and find out what happens!!