Faith Creativity Life

Book Review: His Princess--Love Letters from Your King

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:06:00 PST

Do you need a reminder of who you are in God’s eyes? Each page of His Princess: Love Letters from Your King, contains a scripture verse with a promise on each page. Then author Sheri Rose Shepherd takes the concept from that verse and writes it in a letter format as if God had written a love letter to the reader.

Here is an example:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled.” John 14:27

“I know how hard it is for you to feel content in your home when you’re always wanting one more thing to make it the perfect place. I long to give you beautiful things that turn a house into the haven of a home; but My princess, you must first learn to let Me build in you a place of peace and contentment. Do your best to rest in Me and wait for Me, and then I will give you what I know will benefit you the most. I want you to make your home a place that builds relationships and reflects who you are in Me. Remember that your loved ones need you more than any material thing. So decorate your home with joy, fill it with timeless memories, and create a safe place to grow up in Me. Love, Your King and your Resting Place” p. 57

The book gives beautiful reminders to the reader. It has beautiful soft floral pictures on the pages and a padded hard cover. It’s a little pocket-sized book.

My one concern about the book is that whenever we attempt to take scripture and expand it into a letter from God, we add the author’s own voice. Although there’s nothing wrong in the example I shared above, it’s risky to write what we believe God would say. We already have his Word, so readers must remember that while the letters in the book contain scriptural principles, they are not scripture.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Book Review: His Grace is Sufficient...Decaf is Not

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 11:02:00 PST

I'm so happy to be able to tell you about this book. One of my dear friends, Cynthia Ruchti, is one of the four authors, and it's such a well-done book.

Book Review of His Grace is Sufficient…Decaf is Not

His Grace is Sufficient...Decaf is Not, contains 100 uplifting stories with lessons straight from real life. It’s funny, it’s heartwarming, and full of inspiration. This is a devotional book in that it has a scripture at the top of each chapter, a biblical application/ lesson, and a prayer at the end. But it’s also an inspiring little gift book. It’s sweet for a gift for a friend who needs uplifting or a gift for a mom or sister. The great thing is that the stories cross generational boundaries and have broad appeal.

The book is hardcover and just a little bigger than pocket size. I love that it fits right in my purse. It also comes in a Kindle version.

I had the privilege of writing an endorsement for the front of this book. Here’s what I wrote:

This collection of daily readings packs a jolt of grace that reminds the reader that God doesn’t skimp when he fills our cups to running over. The authors are transparent about their own need for God’s abundant, never-decaffeinated grace, and their stories invite others to sip the same full loaded delight.

The other thing I love about this book is that the publisher gives a portion of the proceeds from the book to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, and my mom is an ovarian cancer survivor.

Book Review - The Consummate Traitor

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:36:00 PST

Book Review The Consummate Traitor

Author: Bonnie Toews

WWII meets action thriller, meets historical fiction, meets spy mystery in The Consummate Traitor by Bonnie Toews. Hitler, the Americans, and all of Europe raced to develop the first atomic bomb, while WWII raged on. In the midst of that conflict, a talented young pianist of British nobility finds herself involved in the war in a most unusual way. When Lady Grace’s parents die in a London bombing, she joins journalist Lee Talbot as a spy. Using Lady Grace’s piano music to transmit coded messages to British covert missions in Nazi-held territory, both women soon wind up in grave danger. Together, they experience the horrors of war, the dreadful reality of what Hitler did to the Jews, and the nightmare of betrayal.

Print version

In the same way The Help portrayed history of the civil rights movement through a fictional story, this book portrays the history of WWII through fiction. Although it’s fiction, it’s well researched and inspired by real stories. This fast-paced story draws the reader in and it held my interest well. There were a few unexpected twists and turns and true to reality, everything didn’t wrap up in neat little packages.

This is a gritty story. Toews doesn’t tiptoe around and make war seem pretty. This is a clean book from a moral standpoint in how the author handled certain situations. I wouldn’t label this as a Christian book, as there are no overt faith lessons in it, but there are life lessons to be learned from the characters.

This book actually surprised me because it’s published by the author, not a royalty publisher, and it’s done better than most self-published books. I found some instances of “head hopping” which is where the perspective shifts from one character’s point of view to another’s from one paragraph to the next. This can be confusing for the reader because we’re able to see inside the head of too many characters at one time. I asked the author about this and she was so gracious about my critique. This is her first work of fiction and she’s already working on improving some of these issues in the next book.

The great news is that the story is compelling enough that most readers can get past the point of view problems and really enjoy the book. That says a lot about the story.

There were a few places in the story where something happens abruptly, and from a reader’s perspective, it needed more development. In one case, characters fell in love and progressed to talking about marriage within several paragraphs. The relationship hadn’t really developed at all prior to that. And I won’t give a spoiler, but there is one revelation at the end that seemed abrupt and completely unnecessary for the story.

I say this all because a few changes would easily take this book from good to great. I’d love to see more books by this author done with a royalty publisher with the type of editing such a publisher would offer. I think this author has great potential, and I’m a tough critic. She knows how to write good dialogue and how to take the reader along rather than telling the reader about a scene.

Bonnie Toews approached me about reviewing the book and provided me with a free Kindle copy of the book. I was not obligated to give a favorable review.

Free Kindle and Nook Book: Chasing Mona Lisa

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:52:00 PST

Free Kindle Book:

Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey (Revell)

Nook Version:

Chasing Mona Lisa

Valentine's Day is More a State of Mind Than a Holiday

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:18:00 PST

Phil and I have been married for 22 years and it took us a few years to figure out that certain holidays were more stressful than they were enjoyable. Valentine's Day used to be one of those. We learned that expectations could cause a lot of conflict, thus overruling the whole point of the holiday. It became nothing more than him trying to figure out what I wanted, and me expecting him to just know what I wanted.

What we learned from too many years of expectations and let-downs is that gift-giving out of obligation dictated by the calendar isn't what has kept us together. What has held us together is that my husband treats me with the same genuine love every day of the year. Receiving his kindness and thoughtfulness 364 days of the year is far more valuable than a bouquet or a box of chocolates. Once in a while, we exchange cards, but if we don't, we're both okay with that.

In the end, the checkbook comes out a lot healthier too.

Free Kindle & Nook Books: Have a New Husband by Friday and more

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:55:00 PST


Free Kindle Books: Have a New Husband by Friday: How to Change His Attitude, Behavior & Communication in 5 Days by Kevin Leman (Revell) Into the Free: A Novel by Julie Cantree (David C. Cook) The Transforming Power of the Gospel by Jerry bridges (NavPress) The Pastor's Wife by Jennifer Allee (Abingdon Press) From Ashes to Honor by Loree Lough (Abingdon Press)

Nook Version:

Have New Husband by Friday

Into the Free

The Pastor's Wife

From Ashes to Honor

Book Review: The Shadow of Your Smile

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:36:00 PST

I just saw the interview with Kim and Krickitt Carpenter, the couple whose real life story is portrayed in the number one movie of this past weekend, The Vow. Krickitt lost her memory of her marriage to Kim in a car accident, but he started the relationship from scratch, dating her and patiently waiting while she fell in love with him all over again. Krickitt never regained her memory of their early years together, but they've built a solid marriage since the accident and even had a second wedding to renew the vows she didn't remember. The story they told in their book, The Vow, is now made into a movie.

Recently, I read a copy of Susan Warren's The Shadow of Your Smile, a fictional tale of another couple who experienced the devastation of amnesia. Here's my review:

Book Review: The Shadow of Your Smile

What would it be like if you couldn’t remember 25 years of your life? Would you consider it a fresh start, or would you fight to get your memory back? When Noelle gets a nasty knock on the head, she and her husband Eli face these questions. She can’t remember the horrible tragedy their family went through, but she also can’t remember the good times. When she’s released from the hospital to the care of her husband, Noelle feels like she’s entrusted in the care of a stranger.

In The Shadow of Your Smile, Susan May Warren has crafted an intricate tale of edge of your seat danger, gut wrenching conflict, and heartwarming relationships. I enjoyed the way she crafts her plot and characters and draws the reader into the story. Plot details will keep the reader engaged right to the end of the book. The story takes place in mostly fictional towns along the north shore of Lake Superior, one of my favorite places in the world!

I put myself in the shoes of Noelle wondering how I would react if I couldn’t remember my husband or children. Although it’s a terrifying thought, Noelle felt a sense of the familiar, even in the events she couldn’t remember.

This is the story of a couple who has drifted apart, long before the incident that took her memory. And it’s a story with many interwoven details. Eli and Noelle aren’t the only ones with a broken relationship. Eli’s emotional connection to Lee, the widow of his best friend (who happens to be Noelle’s best girlfriend), and the time he spends with her threatens to split this couple and destroy their children and their friends in the process.

The themes running through this novel align with real people and real relationships. The situations are emotionally charged, and the responses of the characters are raw and not sugar-coated with neatly wrapped outcomes. Warren does a great job of tying up loose ends of the story without making the package too perfect. I smell a sequel.

About the Author

Susan May Warren is the award-winning author of seventeen novels and novellas with Tyndale, Steeple Hill and Barbour Publishing. Her first book, Happily Ever After won the American Fiction Christian Writers Book of the Year in 2003, and was a 2003 Christy Award finalist. In Sheep’s Clothing, a thriller set in Russia, was a 2006 Christy Award finalist and won the 2006 Inspirational Reader’s Choice award. A former missionary to Russia, Susan May Warren now writes Suspense/Romance and Chick Lit full time from her home in northern Minnesota.

Photo of the Week- White as Snow

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:00:00 PST

"Come now, let us settle the matter,”
   says the LORD. Though your sins are like scarlet,
   they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
   they shall be like wool."

Isaiah 1:18

Free Kindle and Nook Books- Amish Fiction

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:00:00 PST

The Keeper (Stoney Ridge Seasons) by Suzanne Woods Fisher (Revell)

The Road Trip: Sidecar Adventures with Go d by Jo Lynn Crozier (Emmanuel House Publishing)

The Keeper - Nook Version

The Road Trip: Sidecar Adventures with God - Nook Version

40 Unforgettagle Dates with Your Mate, and other Free e-Books

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:02:00 PST

Kindle Version:

40 Unforgettable Dates with Your Mate by Gary and Barbara Rosburg (Tyndale House)

Amish Prayers by Beverly Lewis (Bethany House)

Rhythms of Grace by Marylinn Griffith (Revell)

Nook Version:

40 Unforgettable Dates with Your Mate

Amish Prayers

Rhythms of Grace

Free Kindle and Nook Books - February 2

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:46:00 PST

Kindle Version:

The Someday List (Jubilant Soul Series #1) by Stacy Hawkins Adams (Revell)

Contingency (Covenant of Trust) by Paula Wiseman (published independently by a company called Mindstir Media)

The Good Life by Charles Colson and Harold Fickett (Barna Books)

NOOK Version:

The Good Life

The Someday List

Books are free at the time of the blog post. They may be regular price when you view this message, so check the price before checkout.

Muted Monday - Photo of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:06:00 PST

Isaiah 51:11-13(NLT)
"Those who have been ransomed by the LORD will return.

They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy.

Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.

'I, yes I, am the one who comforts you.

So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear?

Yet you have forgotten the LORD, your Creator,

the one who stretched out the sky like a canopy

and laid the foundations of the earth.'"

Free Kindle and Nook Books - January 27

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:12:00 PST

If you are an e-mail subscriber, lately, there has been a delay with my posts getting to your inbox. It's an automated system where Feedburner generates an e-mail every time I post something. However, it seems that those sometimes go to your right away and other times a day later. I'm not sure why.

Anyway, by the time the e-mail gets to you, many of the links are already back to full price. You may want to check directly at the blog at www.faithcreativitylife.com for updates, or follow me on my Writer Speaker Facebook page where I manually post links to this blog.

Kindle Version:

Always the Baker, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker (Abingdon Press)

Highland Sanctuary by Jennifer Hudson Taylor (Abingdon Press)

A Time for Peace (Quilts of Lancaster County) by Barbara Cameron (Abingdon Press)

To Love Anew by Bonnie Leon (Revell)

Daughter of Joy by Kathleen Morgan ( Revell)

A Hearth in Candlewood (The Candlewood Trilogy, Book 1) by Delia Parr (Bethany House)

A Texan's Promise (Heart of Hero) by Shelley Gray (Abingdon Press)

Nook Version:

A Texan's Promise by Shelley Gray
Always the Baker Never the Bride
A Time for Peace
Highland Sanctuary
Daughter of Joy
To Love Anew

Book Review - I Love to Tell the Story by Susan Braun

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:54:00 PST

Sometimes, I receive e-mails from authors requesting a review of their books. The following is my review of I Love to Tell the Story, by Susan Barnett Braun.

I Love the Tell the Story: Growing Up Blessed and Baptist in Small Town Indiana is Susan Barnett Braun’s memoir. It’s written for an audience who grew up similar to the author in a conservative Christian environment. I’m near the age of Susan Braun, so I could relate to many of her stories. Like her, I grew up in a conservative Christian home. We sung the same songs she quotes at the beginning of every chapter, and her stories of Sunday School brought back memories. It stirred memories of getting a baton for Christmas, fainting in biology class, playing with Little People, Scholastic book orders, and so much more. In many ways, her story is my story.

From a writing standpoint, the author has a conversational style in her storytelling, and includes dialogue that’s natural. She’s warm and not condescending. As a tough critic, I noticed the author uses a peppering of clichés such as “been around the block” or “go the whole nine yards” throughout the book, but most readers won’t likely notice these, and they aren’t excessive. Each chapter in the book begins with an excerpt of lyrics from a traditional song or hymn, and each is titled from that song.

Readers will likely see that this book has a very narrow audience. Those who didn’t grow up in a Christian environment might read the book to get a perspective on someone who did, but they’ll likely not see some of Braun’s experiences as positive as she does. They will likely not understand. And those who grew up in Christian homes probably won’t stumble over a few creative similes, but those unfamiliar with the Bible won’t understand “she signed us up quicker than Saul lost his vision on the road to Damascus.” Or the phrase, “feeling about as happy as John on the island of Patmos when God gave him the revelation.”

My biggest critique of the book is that it’s missing a real takeaway for the reader. There are a few lines at the end that sum up the author’s thoughts, but they don’t contain something to prompt any response from the reader. I’d like to have seen something here and there about how these experiences made the author who she is today. Or something about the experience that changed or didn’t change her church experience now. In the end, I was left with a feeling of, nice story, sweet girl, but how does this affect the reader?

In places, I responded with my own reminiscing, but I had mixed feelings about some of what the author might see as positive. In many cases, similar experiences in my upbringing made me think of the church as a place for legalism and artificiality. When I got older, I realized that so much of the legalistic environment of my childhood stifled the gospel rather than spread it. All in all, I think the responses to this book are going to be very subjective, and my response may not be exactly what the author may have hoped for when she requested that I read and review her book.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book from the author for review purposes.

Free Kindle and Nook Books - January 24

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:56:00 PST

Freebies from Christian publisher Abingdon. Several of these titles have been on the free list before and they are back again. The Abingdon Press ones go back to full price quickly, so get them while they are free.

Kindle:

The Narrow Path by Gail Sattler (Abingdon Press)

Diagnosis Death by Richard Mabry (Abingdon Press)

Wildflowers of Terezin by Robert Elmer (Abingdon Press)

The Dead Saint by Marylin Brown Oden (Abingdon Press)

Nook Version

The Narrow Path by Gail Sattler (Abingdon Press)

Diagnosis Death by Richard Mabry (Abingdon Press)

Wildflowers of Terezin by Robert Elmer (Abingdon Press)

The Dead Saint by Marylin Brown Oden (Abingdon Press)

Free Book for Kindle and Nook - January 23

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:16:00 PST

Free Kindle Book (limited time promotion):

Finders Keepers by Catherine Palmer (Tyndale House)

Nook Version: Finders Keepers

New Pinterest Interest

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 04:35:00 PST

This weekend, I explored Pinterest and it's addicting. For those who haven't heard of it, it's a newer social networking site where people can share media such as photos and videos. It's different from Facebook in that there is no status to update. However, people can comment on pictures you post and those you share through a process called "pinning" and "re-pinning".

I added a little tool to my web browser and any time I see something I like on the web, I can "pin" the photo to my Pinterest boards. And while browsing on Pinterest, I can always reshare or "repin" what someone else has shared.

The unique thing about the site is that it works best with websites that have a lot of photos because there's lots to share. I'm still exploring, but check out these things I found:

Sometimes it's a clever homemaking idea.

Other times, it's a clever decorating idea.

I've found phrases to inspire.

And I've collected recipes and fun ideas.

Pinterest is a way of collecting ideas and coming back to them later. Once you find a picture that interests you, you can click on it to see the original website or blog post where the idea and often the instructions or tutorial are located.

I've found hairstyle ideas, decorating and craft ideas, craft patterns, fun photography, places I dream of visiting, and so much more.

A New Clothes Dryer With an Amish Influence

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 18:36:00 PST

This morning, my dryer gave out. The motor has been overheating and squawking for the past few days and I chalked it up to the frigid air shooting down the vent and frosting up the insides of the mechanism. However, it shuts off frequently and won't restart until the motor cools down. Denial over. It's broken.

Since it would be cheaper to purchase a decent used dryer than to buy parts for this one, I'm shopping on Craigslist, which is an experience in itself. It's a little bit like standing in line in Phy-Ed class in elementary school waiting to be chosen. I send e-mails and make phone calls and each time, I'm either ignored, or I get, "Sorry, someone else took it." So, I start the process all over again. I AM going to find a dryer. And fortunately, I just found a buyer for our old portable dishwasher and that will likely fund the "new" dryer purchase...that and the price my husband will get at the metal recycling place for the demolished pieces of the old dryer.

In the meantime, my husband came up with a new clothes dryer. It involves a wood stove and a box fan.

We've heated the family room (which used to the the sanctuary of our church house) to 80-something degrees, strung up a bunch of lines, and plugged in a box fan to move the air around. Voila! An Amish inspired clothes dryer...except they wouldn't have the box fan. And their clothes would probably smell like kerosene from the lamps.

Kind of reminds me of the way the house looked in the Hee-Haw segment I used to watch when I was a kid. The wife was missing teeth and had rollers in her hair. Whew! At least we haven't gone that far down hill. Yet.

The sheets actually billowed in the breeze...as the deer looked on. Sounds a lot more quaint than it was, as you can see.

Hmm...maybe we should make this a permanent thing and skip shopping on Craigslist. Or not.

Book Review - Heart Echoes by Sally John

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:59:00 PST

I'd like to introduce you to a brand new book, Heart Echoes, by Sally John. It isn't out yet, but it's available for pre-order, and I'm so glad I got to read a preview copy.

From the Back of the Book:

In the aftermath of a massive Los Angeles earthquake, the perfect existence Teal Morgan-Adams has built begins to crumble. Teal’s daughter, Maiya, is determined to learn the identity of her biological father, despite the loving devotion of her stepdad, River Adams. But that’s a secret Teal hoped would remain buried forever. She has never shared the truth with anyone . . . not her family, not River, not even Maiya’s father.

As Maiya’s rebellion escalates, Teal receives tragic news from her sister and decides to take Maiya home to Cedar Pointe, Oregon, a place she’s avoided most of her adult life. But will her already-strained marriage survive the distance and the secrets she’ll be forced to face there? And can Teal erase the lies that echo in her heart?

My Review:

Sally John creates characters who are multi-layered and believable. In Heart Echoes, I felt an instant connection with both Teal and her daughter Maiya and their desire for a bond with a biological father. Although, I never experienced the absence of a father, I understood the longing because I have a great father and I can’t imagine life without that security. That’s what’s great about Sally’s books. The reader doesn’t have to have experienced what her characters experience to feel a connection. She creates a story that draws the reader in. I was in Teal’s shoes, watching a highway crumble in an earthquake, feeling the panic of wondering if my daughter and husband were okay somewhere. I felt Teal’s anxiety over revealing the biological father of her daughter and her own pain over the rejection of both a step-father and a biological father. I saw myself in the family relationships and marital interaction.

A highly successful attorney, Teal has buried her pain in her work. But as she begins to heal, a new and beautiful future unfolds. The story line has multiple layers as we watch Teal go back to her hometown for the first time in many years and as she reconnects with a half sister whose love she hasn’t realized until now. Her husband, River has his own pain from the tragedy of losing his first wife in a terrible accident.

This is a story about reconciliation. It’s about healing the pain of the past in order to move forward. And it’s about the ups and downs in a relationship during the reconciliation process. Readers will see themes of insecurity, parent/child relationships, teen rebellion, the devastation of verbal abuse, the beauty of redemption, and much more.

I highly recommend Heart Echoes. Sally John is a talented writer and I loved it. That’s pretty high praise from a self-proclaimed tough book critic!

(I received a complimentary advance reader copy of this book from the author for review purposes).

About the Author:

Author Sally John’s passion is writing stories about relationships. Her seventeen novels explore marriage, family, and friendship in today’s world. Initially inspired to write after penning a computer software manual, Sally has also published nonfiction articles in a variety of magazines and speaks at workshops and conferences about writing and family issues.

Three-time finalist for the Christian Bookseller Association’s Christy Award, she has two married children and two granddaughters. Illinois natives, Sally and her husband Tim live in Southern California.

Free Kindle and Nook Books - January 19

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:34:00 PST

Free Kindle Book:

Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker (Abingdon Press)

Nook Version: Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride

Books are free at the time of posting, but may return to full price at any time.

Free Kindle and Nook Books - January 16

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:28:00 PST

Get your copy before these e-books return to full price:

For Kindle:

Directed Verdict by Randy Singer (Tyndale House)
More Glimpses of Heaven: Inspiring True Stories of Hope and Peace at the End of Life's Journey by Trudy Harris (Revell)
Delivered With Love by Sherry Kyle (Abingdon)

Nook Versions:

Directed Verdict

More Glimpses of Heaven

Delivered with Love

Duluth, MN - A Photo Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:41:00 PST

Last weekend, we went to Duluth, Minnesota for our anniversary getaway. We love Canal Park and are here a few photos from our trip.

I like taking panoramic views

Free Kindle and Nook Books - January 9

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:00:00 PST

Amazon has a long list of free Kindle books from Christian publishers this week!
Free Kindle Books (temporarily free):

Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth Camden (Bethany House)

Lion of Babylon by Davis Bunn (Bethany House)

They Almost Always Come Home by Cynthia Ruchti (Abingdon Press)

Transforming Prayer by Daniel Henderson (Bethany House)

Charlotte Figg Takes Over Paradise by Joyce Magnin (Abingdon Press)

The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow by Joyce Magnin (Abingdon Press)

Commentary on Ephesians by Robert Gundry (Baker Academic)

Highland Blessings by Jennifer Hudson Taylor (Abingdon Press)

Awakening Mercy by Angela Benson

Nook Versions:

Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth Camden (Bethany House)

Lion of Babylon by Davis Bunn (Bethany House)

Transforming Prayer by Daniel Henderson (Bethany House)

Commentary on Ephesians by Robert Gundry (Baker Academic)

Awakening Mercy by Angela Benson

23rd Honeymoon

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:27:00 PST

Phil and I have been married for 22 years and we're taking our 23rd honeymoon this week. We try to get away with the two of us at least once a year just because the pace of life doesn't allow us much time together without distractions. Now that I think of it, we might have missed a few honeymoons in there when we just got too busy. But this year, we're spending 3 days together, away from home, away from the phone. We don't usually go all that far from home, just an hour or two, but we need the time together more than we need a huge bill for plane tickets and tourist attractions.

Our getaways weren't always without incident. There was the time when we got a fantastic deal at a hotel with their "Lucky in Love" package. We got the second night free, breakfast at Denny's each morning, a free dinner at the nearby casino each night, and $20 in quarters to spend in the slot machines. Neither of us had ever been in a casino, and neither has since then, but we got our free dinner, asked the nice man working there how to operate a slot machine (he looked at us like we'd just flown in from outer space, but complied with our request), spent the roll of quarters and left.

When we returned to our hotel room, the red light was blinking on the phone. Since we'd left our 2 1/2 year old and 6 month old at home with grandparents, we figured that blinking red light wasn't likely good news. I called the front desk and retrieved the message to call home.

No parent likes to hear, "Now, don't come home, but..." on the other end of the line. My brother explained that Mom and Dad were at the emergency room with Dallas who had broken his arm in ~~a leap from the top of the steps~~ ~~a tricycle accident~~ ~~a fall from the swing~~ a tiny little jump from the footrest of the La-Z-Boy chair. Since my mom is a nurse and perfectly capable of caring for a child in a cast, we did stay on our getaway both nights. Please don't think I'm a terrible mom. This is why parents write medical permission slips when they leave their children with relatives, isn't it?

On the time we left our teenagers alone for the first time to attend a conference, it snowed 10 inches and they had the whole next day home alone on a snow day. Of course, my mind conjured images of all of the things they might be doing and I called home often. By that time, we'd installed padding around all of the La-Z-Boy chairs and put 911 on speed dial.

Before we leave tomorrow, I'll stock the freezer with pizza and the fridge with Mountain Dew. I'll make sure my cell phone is on and our teenagers can reach me, but it's sure a lot easier to get away than it was back in the days when I had to pack up diaper bags, formula, feeding instructions, emergency numbers and special blankies.

More Free E-Books

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Rayburn) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:43:00 PST

In case you missed several of the links to free Kindle books I've posted over the past few weeks, some of them are still available at ChristianBook.com. Check out the list: Free E-Books at Christian Book

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_content?page=928515&sp=110934&fb_source=message