The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay is a cozy, sit by the fire drinking hot chocolate, kind of book that will have you pining for the idyllic charm and nostalgia of the quaint town of Winsome. Winsome is home to the lovely bookshop, The Printed Letter Bookshop and holds the hopes and legacy of its former owner, Maddie. When Maddie leaves the bookshop to her adored niece, Madeline, only time will tell how the magic and power of friendship, love, and books will transform her wounded heart, bringing out her strengths and gifts. Maddie’s joyful approach to life is felt in the shop and it is up to Madeline to keep the shop afloat. Along the way she becomes friends with her two employees, Claire and Janet, and helps them to embrace their independence and strength. The stories of the three friends are central to the book and I found myself cheering them on in all their endeavors and set-backs. Together they overcome a lot of odds and find that friendship is to be cherished and can elevate one from even the darkest of times. Themes of love, forgiveness, friendship, familial bonds, and a love of the power of the written word in books, make for a novel of lovely storytelling. I felt a closeness to the characters and could easily relate to their personalities and challenges. They became like friends to me and I felt sad when I had to say goodbye to them and the sweet town of Winsome. When you pick up this book be prepared to not want to put it down.

Karen Kingsbury’s “A Distant Shore” is a powerful, breathtaking, and moving book. I have put off writing a review of “A Distant Shore” for a long time now, as I felt my words may not do the book justice or convey the depth of care, research, and love that the author used to tackle the huge and incomprehensible subject of human trafficking. I read it, knowing that I could trust Karen to deliver a story that not only portrayed characters of strength, integrity, and courage, but that she would gently lead them to places of renewal, forgiveness, and redemption through love, faith and the belief in the strength of the human spirit as they navigated their way through tragedy, desolation, upheaval and unspeakable trials. Karen’s characters, Lizzie, and Jack are flawed, tragic, and complicated. They must learn to trust and to love if they are to move into a future that heals their pasts. Together they find the strength to start anew, as they learn that their lives have only just begun – with faith in God, each other, and themselves. Karen Kingsbury has long been one of my favorite authors and she does not disappoint with this book. I will continue to always place my trust as a reader in her expert and knowledgeable writing as an author.

Piglet, The Unexpected Story of a Deaf Blind Pink Puppy and His Family is an uplifting, inspirational and wonderful book! Written by Melissa Shapiro, DVM, a veterinarian, lifelong animal welfare advocate and mom to three children and many rescued dogs and birds, the story of the little pink puppy will draw you in and keep you yearning for the next chapter. Piglet, captured my heart the moment Melissa and her family bring him home as a rescue from a hoarding situation. I immediately fell in love the little pink, one pound baby who was about to turn the Shapiro’s lives upside down. Maybe even “right-side” up, so-to-speak, as Piglet brought the family unmeasurable amounts of joy, unconditional love, endless snuggles, and countless days of wonder. Piglet is a little “wonder dog!” He had a purpose and a calling for his small, sweet puppy life. Melissa introduced him to the world of education, social media, and advocacy groups to inspire others to reach for the stars and overcome odds. Piglet teaches people valuable lessons in acceptance and inclusion, and the all-important power of love, empathy and kindness. Piglet will inspire you to adopt a “Piglet Mindset,” inspiring you to take action and get involved to better your community and the world. Melissa uses Piglet’s platform to educate and inspire others to adopt pets with special needs and raises awareness for special needs rescue groups and other animal welfare groups. I loved this book. It is special in every way and will grace my favorites shelf for years to come.

Do Not Be Anxious

This beautiful image captures the Scripture verse from Matthew 6:34, which is a great reminder that God will take care of our day.  He will take care of our night. And He will take care of all the in-betweens! Why does God tell us to not be anxious for tomorrow, that tomorrow will be anxious for itself?  It is so that we rely on Him to guide and direct our steps throughout each moment of our lives - each moment of our day, each moment of our night, and each moment in-between! If we do that, then how can we be anxious?  How can I be anxious?

I wrestle with this question on a daily basis!  Giving my anxiety and worry to God seems somehow irreverent, like, God is way to busy with "Bigger" things than to take on my seemingly insignificant worries and anxieties. At least that is what I tell myself fairly consistently.  "This is silly," I say to myself.  "I should be able to just get over these crazy, non-consequential, inane thoughts..." But this is wrong, friends.  God does want to hear it all!  He wants us to bring it all to Him - "the good, the bad, and the ugly," as the saying goes. God can handle my worst thoughts and He can handle when I am sad, when I am angry, when I am disillusioned, when I am defeated, and when I want to give up.  He can handle your thoughts, too.  

I am a woman of strong faith.  I love the Lord and I believe that Jesus Christ is my Rock, my Shelter, my Fortress, my Shield, and my Protector.  He is "The Way, the Truth, and the Life!" I believe these things, yet in my weaknesses, I am overcome with doubts and I forget to truly trust that this is the core of my faith.  Trusting in HIM, knowing that He is the Messiah, the King, the Son of God trumps my unbelief! There is a Scripture verse that says, "God help my unbelief.." I sure do need God's help in this department! But I have to remember that  there is nothing this side of Heaven that can stand between me and my God through the love of Jesus Christ that was poured out on the cross.  Jesus died for me and He died for you! John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, will not perish, but have everlasting life." This is the greatest gift we could ever have been given.  

So when life threatens to engulf me with the "what-ifs and "what-nows" I can confidently look to my Lord and Savior and trust in Him and His love for me.  You can trust in His love for you, too!  He died on the cross for you and me, so that this world does not have the last say.  We are not held captive to the brokenness of this world and the sin that rages all around us.  No!  Jesus died so that we may live!  Hold on to that hope, my friends!  Give it ALL to Him - to your loving Savior. Anxiety and worry have no victory in the arms of Jesus!!

Jesus loves you!  Keep looking up!

Phil. 4:6-7

 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

We (Jeff and I) are finding this book to be amazing!!! Caring for your soul is so important — now maybe more so than any other time. John Eldridge talks about restoration vs. relief and relishing in Beauty - the beauty that is found all around us in order to find restoration. He says, and I quote, “That’s it — beauty reaches. It rescues because it is merciful, comforting. It heals, restores, revives, renews. ...beauty reassures. Beauty reassures us that goodness is still real in the world, more real than harm or scarcity or evil. Beauty reassures us of abundance, especially that God is absolutely abundant in goodness and in life....it begins to minister to us — a good, deep soul-sigh. “
~ John Eldridge

“Get Your Life Back” is a wonderful, eye-opening book. I have been tempted to take my highlighter pen and highlight just about every word John has written. I feel myself letting go of the things that have been weighing me down and practicing the life-affirming tenants shared in his writing. I LOVE IT!!!
You will learn about the “One Minute Pause” and how to truly give “everything and everyone to God.” That’s the icing on the cake. Everything in between goes deep down to your heart, giving you a chance to revive your soul.

 

I have completely fallen in love with “Flash” the little donkey in this amazing book. Each chapter touches on some funny, warm, poignant little tidbit of wonderful, uplifting advice. It shows us how to live this crazy thing we call life to its fullest despite the hectic and sometimes crazy times we experience. Rachel Anne’s journey with her rescued Donkey, Flash, is funny, uplifting, real and honest. Her writing style is a delight. I just want to keep turning the page to see what happens next. Rachel intertwines how God shows up and reveals Himself in the most unexpected and amazing ways. I love this book! It’s a wonderful read and so worth adding to your collection of favorite books. It is definitely one of mine.

Cindy Owen of Given Entertainment Group wrote, “Bravo to Rachel Ridge for this beautifully written book that so eloquently reminds us that our everyday happenings in life can be great lessons and blessings in disguise from our Maker —even in the form of a donkey! Two things you will want when you turn the last page are a donkey in your yard and Rachel as one of your besties!”

 

 

This book was an absolute delight! Written by Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish, with a foreword written by the incomparable Diana Gabaldon, this book takes you on an unforgettable journey through the Highlands of Scotland. It is told with humor and passion and I was literally laughing out loud at some of the passages. Sam and Graham have forged an amazing bond of friendship through their shared experiences on the set of the hit TV show, Outlander (my all time favorite series ever, I might add) and the incredible journey they shared traversing the Scottish Highlands. They met quite a cast of real life Clan Chiefs, historians and real life Scots who shared the history and stories of Scotland with them. I felt as if I, too, were in Scotland, bumping along in their camper van awaiting the next stop on the journey. The historical information supplied by Sam and Graham was enlightening and was told in such a way as to draw you in with interjections of humor and modern day perspectives. Oh how I wish I had them to teach me history as a kid. I would have been so engaged.
I thought it appropriate to take the photo of this amazing book on a scarf that is the ‘Lindsay’ plaid, as my husband’s family heritage is Scottish. After watching Outlander, and having read this book, I have a deep desire to see Scotland myself. I recently found out that I have Irish and Welsh in my family heritage and find it interesting, after reading this book, that thousands of Scots emigrated to Ireland, England, and the Americas. My newly found Irish heritage may just have Scottish blood due to emigration back in the 1700 and 1800s. I’m interested in finding out more.
If you enjoy reading about history, you will love this book. If you dream of visiting Scotland, you will love this book. If you enjoy a good book full of friendship, adventures and misadventures, humor and passion, you will love this book.
Thanks to Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish for bringing the history of the Highland people alive for me.