I am a Christian, a retired teacher, a mother and a grandmother. I love to read and I love the Lord Jesus Christ! Unless otherwise specified ,all visual illustrations are from the YOU VERSION APP of the Bible.
This is such a gut-wrenching, emotional book that I could read for a while and then had to sit and relive what I had read, pondering the truth within its pages. This is a thought-provoking look at two characters whose lives intersect and change forever because of their interaction. Nova Huston is an end-of-life doula, using her empathy and heart to help her to guide others when they are facing their own deaths. When Mason Shaylor, a former rock star whom Nova doesn’t recognize at all, becomes her newest client, Nova is drawn to his kindness and humility and sincerely wants to help him face his death with courage and all loose ends tied up. What she didn’t count on is that her feelings would surpass anything she has ever felt for a client before. The conflict was a surprise, so I won’t go into that part, but suffice it to say that this book was a multi-layered character study with a lot to say about accepting death and forgiving others. Nova and Mason were both complex and fully fleshed out with lots of secrets that were slowly revealed. I loved this book and hated for it end. But the entire book was so good, including the ending and especially the reveal about the reason for the title. A dramatic and suspenseful book with complicated relationships and heartwarming themes. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
The content may be disturbing to some, so I would rate this a book for adults or older, mature teens. Bio and photo from the author’s website at http://www.jessicastrawser.com
This heart-touching novel is available now as it just released yesterday! Purchase Links:
Many, many thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the ARC to read and review. This novel is amazing and can be life-changing if you will allow the message it holds to speak to you.
Have you ever wondered who you really are, beneath the makeup, clothes and all the external trappings? There was a time in my life, two actually, that stand out in my memory as periods of time when I wondered who I really was. One was when all of my children had left the nest and I wondered if I was still a mother, just without children to care for, guide and admonish. Of course, I was and I am still a mom but my loneliness without my children there was tangible. I had to convince myself that I would always be a mom, just from a distance. The second time was when I retired from teaching. My identity was wrapped around my ability to teach, a career that I pursued for almost four decades before retiring. Then, it was time to retire and I questioned myself about what I am without teaching. This question, God has answered lovingly over the last six years since retirement. I am His child and I still have the gift of teaching, but I use it in different ways now.
This morning in my devotional, I read this Scripture about Jesus.
Jesus was in the temple and reading from the book of Isaiah. It boggles my mind that Jesus was born knowing exactly who He was and the destiny that He would fulfill. He accepted Himself just as He was and went about doing what He was called to do. Wouldn’t our lives be simpler if we did likewise? Just ask God what He wants us to do with our lives that He has gifted us and then fulfill His will for us here on earth? Jesus knew His Father intimately and knew exactly what He was going to do to complete His work on earth. He had no identity crisis and no one, not even the scoffers, could move Him from His path or convince Him that He wasn’t exactly who He said He was.
Jesus’s confidence in God inspires me to seek God more and to find out the next step for my life. My identity has not changed but my role that I play in life has, due to circumstances like aging. But that does not limit God from using me, so my new identity may be as a grandmother who lovingly tells her grandchildren about the Lord and all of His marvelous works. It may also be as a Sunday school helper, again working with children. My identity, and yours, is only limited by our own vision of how we see ourselves fulfilling God’s purpose. I’m still the same person I was fifty years ago when I started teaching. I’m also the same person I was forty plus years ago when I gave birth for the first time. There is no book I can pick up and read what the next step in my life is, but all of the wisdom of God is available to me through His word and through my prayer life, talking to God and waiting for Him to tell me the next step.
God wants to take us from where we are to where He wants us to be, no matter what stage of life we are in. There is no such thing as an identity crisis for those who are children of the living God. He has a plan and He will carry it out. We just have to listen instead of being captured by the latest psychobabble of the current generation.
May each of you have a blessed and wonderful day, filled with the knowledge that your identity is in the Father and He loves you with an everlasting love.
I recommend that you read the entire chapter in order to get the background for this verse, but I will briefly summarize it for you. The Israelites were in the wilderness moaning about the fact that all they had to eat was manna and they wanted some meat. So, God told Moses He would provide meat for everyone to have daily. Moses pointed out to God that he had over 600,000 people there in the wilderness for him and even if they killed off all the livestock and caught all the fish available, there would not be enough to satisfy the people. The verse above is God’s reply.
Moses seemed to expect less of God because humanly what God had said would take place is impossible. After all, they were in a wilderness, far from civilization. With this one verse, God shows His power once again. To me, it sounds like he is schooling a child who just refuses to learn. But Moses has walked with God for decades by this time. He met with Him in the burning bush, went before Pharoah on God’s behalf and saw all of the miraculous signs God performed and even saw God roll back the Red Sea so they could cross over safely. So, why would he doubt God’s abilities?
I think it’s a little thing called giving human attributes to God. Many men say many things and they cannot actually fulfill what they are saying. We want to believe them, and we may even do so for a while, but then reality hits us. We hear lies every day from politicians, on both sides of the aisle. They promise to represent the people and then get to D.C. and only have their own interests at heart. Our parents promise us a vacation that never happens because money troubles come along. Our friend promises to call, but forgets once she is home again. You get the idea, right? We have been jaded by the people that we are around not to believe what we are told.
However, when God says He can do it, He really can and He really will. He fulfills all of His promises. I think sometimes we put God in a little box on the shelf, take Him down when we need something, tell Him our expectations and then when they don’t occur just as we hoped, we say to ourselves, “Well, of course, He didn’t answer.” That is what’s wrong with our faith. We aren’t letting God be God because we are busy trying to make Him into a man who will disappoint us. But when I let God be God and the prayer is not answered according to my own expectations, I know that God has a better plan for me and trust Him to roll it out for me in His timing.
My prayer for each of you today is that you will let God be God, not giving the Almighty the characteristics of fallen man but realizing that He is a perfect and loving God who desires to bless and have a relationship with us.
Have a blessed and wonderful day, remembering that each day is a gift from your Father in Heaven who wants what is best for you.
In my devotional this morning, there were two scripture verses that spoke to me clearly.
When the Israelites were in the wilderness, they obviously did not have GPS or even a map. They depended completely on God to lead them to where He wanted them to settle. His presence was in the form of a cloud that settled over the newly constructed tabernacle. When the cloud moved, the people got up and followed. Would that I could be so patient and not try to get ahead of God but wait for Him to tell me it’s time to move. I don’t mean physically moving, although that might be part of His instructions to me, but I mean to be so in tune with God that when He tells me to do something, I sense His presence moving before me to help me accomplish His will. I’m not there yet, but it is a goal that I strive for.
It got very warm outside the last couple of days and our home is not well insulated, so it got rather warm inside, too. Thus I found myself complaining about the condition of our house: cold in the winter and hot when it warms up, blazing hot in the summer months. Oops! Last night as I was preparing for bed, God chastised me for not being grateful for having a shelter, no matter its condition. Then this morning this was a Scripture verse in my devotional. God definitely takes complaining seriously, so I need to be careful about complaining. When I think that I am vocalizing my complaints to my husband about the state of our finances and our living conditions, I am really complaining about God’s provision. I ask for forgiveness from my Heavenly Father who knows what He is doing and has provided for me all of these years. Bless His Name for His provision! I may not have all I want, but I have always had all that I needed.
May God bless and keep you on this day, helping you to move when He moves and to remember to bless His name and not complain. Have a great Sunday! I hope you are getting ready for church so you can worship with like-minded believers.
Since I start every day with devotionals and Bible reading, praise and prayer, I generally have God speak to me through His word. But I know for a fact that His word doesn’t only speak to my heart. It is for all of his children. So, I pray that these verses will speak to you as well.
No matter what I go through, God is always my refuge and strength. Sometimes I selfishly believe that I’m the only one going through such hard times, but God reassures me that everyone passes through the waters and he is with all of us. My current battle is with macular degeneration, the dry kind. I have a referral for a retina eye specialist in May, so I will know more then. For now, I’m content that my regular ophthalmologist says my numbers are “very good” and to continue to use eye drops regularly. What he doesn’t know is that I also pray regularly and know that will benefit me more than the eye drops.
God keeps telling me that the way of life is to give up this life and all its pleasures and to just focus on Him. I’m trying and some days are better than others. I desire to go to be with the Lord, but I also don’t want to leave loved ones behind. Nevertheless, God has clearly spoken to me that one day I will leave the earth behind and I will have no regrets when that time comes. I don’t want to be double-minded, so I’m praying to be more focused on Him and less on myself and my own selfish desires. When I woke up yesterday, one of my first thoughts was how grateful I am to have seen all of my grandchildren born and some of them becoming adults now. God is good, all the time!
May you be blessed as you read His Word today and focus on Him and His love for you. Have a great day with the Lord as your focus!
I confess that this morning my faith is being tested. You see, our daughter, our little girl who is no longer little or a girl, has a surgical biopsy this morning and I’m not with her. She says it’s no big deal, that the surgeon is removing the entire growth and then they will biopsy it. It may be skin cancer, maybe not. But this mama’s heart is beating fast in spite of the fact that I awakened with a prayer on my lips and praise playing now in the background. So, I am asking for all of you believers out there to join me in prayer for Hope (her name), that the surgeon can remove the tissue he needs to remove and that healing will be complete in Jesus’s Name.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. The surgery starts at 10:30 this morning (DST).
My verse to encourage me for the day. It’s hard to put into practice, but God calls us to practice what we tell others that they should be doing.
Will you join me in prayer today, specifically at the time of her surgery? Thank you in advance and God bless you for your faithful friendship.
What a perfect book to read to escape the doldrums of everyday life and all of its challenges! Robyn is a divorced mom, a woman who has never really found her niche in life but who desperately wants to. She is dealing with her spoiled daughter Harlow who wants her to keep the expensive home she can no longer afford just so Harlow can get married there. She is also dealing with a selfish ex-spouse who flaunts his affairs and who insists that his way is always best. When Robyn has finally had enough of the drama at home in Naples, Florida, she takes a flight to visit her great-aunt Lillian, a wonderful elderly woman who dispenses wisdom and encouragement as if it’s her second nature. There, Robyn meets Mason, a retired army drill sergeant who will inherit Lillian’s house when she dies. Mason and Robyn have interesting conversations as they realize how much they have in common and how attracted they are to each other. What started out as a getaway from everything for Robyn turns quickly humorous and chaotic as all the people she thought she left behind follow her to California. The plot is multi-layered and character-driven, written with an eye for detail that I greatly appreciated. There is romance, drama, wise advice and unforgettable characters who made an indelible mark on my heart and mind. Of course, not all of the characters are likable, nor are they meant to be, but they are all portrayed realistically, complete with flaws, doubts and hard decisions to make. This is a book that is well-paced, with just enough conflict to keep me guessing about the outcome and enough romance to keep me enticed. With a mansion filled with antiques that also interested me as well as the Pacific Ocean in the backyard, the setting was perfection! All in all, this is one of the best standalone books for beach reading that I have ever read and I highly recommend it. It’s cleverly plotted, intricately woven and so filled with emotional highs and lows that this book is a getaway for anyone who reads it. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin Trade Publishing via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Rated a hard PG because of content. Extramarital sex is an accepted part of the plot of this book and may not be appropriate for all readers.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
SUSAN MALLERY is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels about the relationships that define women’s lives—family, friendship and romance. Library Journal says, “Mallery is the master of blending emotionally believable characters in realistic situations,” and readers seem to agree—forty million copies of her books have been sold worldwide. Her warm, humorous stories make the world a happier place to live.
Susan grew up in California and now lives in Seattle with her husband. She’s passionate about animal welfare, especially that of the two Ragdoll cats and adorable poodle who think of her as Mom.
Robyn Caldwell picked up her glass of white wine and briefly thought about swallowing the entire contents in one gulp. Mindy’s statement was certainly gulp-worthy. But she knew pacing herself through lunch was the responsible thing to do. A lesson her friend had yet to learn.
“You are not,” Robyn murmured, because shrieking wasn’t attractive. Especially at “the club,” where their friends and frenemies were also enjoying Thursday’s lobster salad. The dining room was filled with forty or so women, all dressed in Florida chic—diamonds sparkling, gold or platinum charm bracelets clinking, necklaces resting on tanned and toned skin.
“I might,” Mindy Krause said, picking up her champagne. “He’s gorgeous.”
“Of course. He’s a thirty-year-old tennis pro. What else would he be?”
Mindy, a petite brunette who was six months from turning forty, sighed. “I need a Dimitri in my life.”
“You have a great husband. Payne loves you and the kids, and never has eyes for another woman. Why would you screw that up?”
“Payne would never know.”
“There aren’t any secrets in this town. Not in our social circle.”
Something Robyn had learned the hard way herself. She’d been blissfully unaware of her ex-husband’s affairs until a “friend” had oh-so-sweetly informed her.
“Maybe just some kissing,” Mindy mused. “I want a little Dimitri action. The fantasies make me happy, so imagine what the real thing would do.”
“The fantasies are safe. The real thing could destroy everything you have. Knowing you’ve cheated would devastate Payne.”
Mindy’s mouth formed a pout. “I never see him anymore. All he does is work.”
Robyn stared at her friend-slash-boss. “You two talked about how that promotion would be more work for him but that it would be worth it. You wanted this for him.”
“I didn’t know how much he’d be gone.”
The unreasonable statement grated nearly as much as Mindy’s whine. “This isn’t a good look for you,” Robyn murmured. “You’re changing the rules without telling your husband. That never ends well.”
Mindy dismissed the warning with a quick shake of her head. “I’m not worried. Besides, if he does find out, I can just move in with you.” She laughed. “You’ll soon have that big house all to yourself.”
“You have four kids,” Robyn pointed out. “If things go south in your marriage, I’d rather have Payne move in.”
“Well, that would get people talking.” Mindy held up her empty glass to the server. “More, please.”
The server obliged.
Mindy took another sip. “My sister called, swears she found a Thomas Pister chest in a tiny shop in Wales. It’s dirt cheap, so I’m afraid it’s a fake. She’s looking for someone to prove authenticity. Wouldn’t that be a find?”
“It would. I’d love to see it.”
Thomas Pister had built beautiful chests and cabinets in the late 1600s and early 1700s. His intricate designs with stunning inlays sold quickly and for huge amounts. Depending on the condition and the materials, a good-sized chest of drawers could go for sixty or eighty thousand dollars.
No matter what has happened in my life, I have counted on God to be there for me and He has never failed me. He is my refuge and fortress, and I hope that he is yours, too.
May you be blessed as you go through your daily routine, always mindful that God is only a prayer away.
Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner 