I am not the author of this prayer, but Paul is and he expresses how I feel about all of you.
As a pastor in South Carolina said at the end of his sermon each Sunday, “May God Bless Ya’ll Real Good!”
Author: vicklea
I love to read! I’m a retired teacher with a spouse of 45 years, three amazing children and nine wonderful grandchildren. I am blessed!
13 Compelling Bible Passages Proving Jesus is God
13 Powerful Scriptural Supports Showing Jesus is God Are you struggling with understanding Jesus’ identity? Are you interested in Christianity but …
13 Compelling Bible Passages Proving Jesus is God
Review of WORD OF HONOR by Hallee Bridgeman
This book tugged at my heart immediately because from the first scene Lynda is in danger although she doesn’t really know it. She is an FBI agent in Alaska and she and her partner Jack Haynes are taken hostage by a radical environmental group that has been suspected of destroying pipelines. Throughout the book, Lynda goes from one dangerous situation to another and along the way encounters her former boyfriend from college, Bill. Bill left college suddenly and broke Lynda’s heart. Now he is part of an Alpha team with whom she is working in order to track down forces working internationally to set off bombs and destroy more oil pipelines. Lynda is an analyst while Bill is a warrior as well as an intuitive interrogator. Together, they make an formidable team, but their attraction to each other is undeniable. I enjoyed the chemistry between these two who had difficulty facing the past and looking forward to a new future together. The dialogue between the two was witty, especially Bill’s southern colloquialisms that had me laughing aloud at times. The action was tense as the two of them immersed themselves in the case, dedicated to the task at hand regardless of the threat to their lives. There were a lot of unexpected twists in the book which I thoroughly enjoyed since I did not see them coming. I liked the fast pace and the genuine emotion that was displayed both on and off the job. This is a dynamic page turner that kept me on the edge of my seat, with my pulse racing and sparking the need in me to see the romance between the two protagonists actually work. Brilliantly written with credible characters and intriguing action, this is a book that was both entertaining as well as believable and captivating. Faith plays an active part in Lynda and Bill’s lives and their heartfelt prayers together and separately were profoundly insightful into revealing more about their characters. The research was remarkable and led to a very satisfying and compelling suspense-filled book.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell 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, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
An Army brat turned Floridian, Hallee and her husband finally settled with their three children in central Kentucky so they could enjoy the beautiful changing of the seasons. When she’s not penning novels, you will find her in the kitchen, which she considers the ‘heart of the home’. Her passion for cooking spurred her to launch a whole food, real food “Parody” cookbook series. In addition to nutritious, Biblically grounded recipes, readers will find that each cookbook also confronts some controversial aspect of secular pop culture.
Hallee has served as the Director of the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, President of the Faith-Hope-Love chapter of the Romance Writers of America, Secretary and Assistant Programming Chair of Novelists, Inc. (NINC), is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and the American Christian Writers (ACW). An accomplished speaker, Hallee has taught and inspired writers around the globe, from Sydney, Australia, to Dallas, Texas, to Portland, Oregon, to Washington, D.C., and all places in between.
Hallee loves coffee, campy action movies, and regular date nights with her husband. Above all else, she loves God with all of her heart, soul, mind, and strength; has been redeemed by the blood of Christ; and relies on the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide her. She prays her work here on earth is a blessing to you and would love to hear from you. You can reach Hallee at hallee@halleebridgeman.com
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This series is one of the most amazing military romantic suspense series that I have ever read and I cannot recommend it highly enough! Check out the entire series, all releasing this fall. HONOR BOUND and WORD OF HONOR are out now and HONOR’S REFUGE releases in November.
Boasting
The opposite of being humble is being boastful. I know you have met this kind of person, the one who walks around like “they are all that and then some.” This is the person who takes all of the praise that others offer but when someone has constructive criticism, it bounces right off of them. After all, they usually consider themselves perfection walking. I never wanted to be that person but when I was younger, I wore pride like a badge. I was proud of my grades in college, proud of my personal achievements, proud of what I had accomplished without a lot of parental support or encouragement. I can’t remember boasting outright, but if someone asked me how I did in college, I answered with my GPA and the fact that I was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. So, yes, it was boasting. It wasn’t long after my graduation from college that I was introduced to the Lord, so my foray into being a braggart was short, thank goodness! Nevertheless, it was something that was in my past that Jesus forgave me for, among many other things, of course. Since I wrote about humility earlier this week, I decided I should cover the topic of boasting, too. What does God say about boasting?
If you are going to boast, there is only one thing that is worthy to boast about and that is that you have the understanding to know the Lord. And, honestly, I don’t think you can really boast about that either unless you are using it as a testimony to the power of the Lord because even the understanding you have about Him as your Lord and Savior comes from Him. You haven’t done anything, you can’t do anything, and you don’t deserve anything…yet God in His great love and mercy reached out, opened your mind to understand Who He is and what He has done for you and even allows you to boast about having the understanding that He gave you. So, you have done a lot in your life to be proud of? Those crowns will one day be laid at the feet of Jesus, so you may as well begin practicing now by giving Him all of the glory for all that HE has done through you. It is freeing to be released from the burden of boasting, knowing that all comes from God and whatever you think you have done is a result of His power in your life. I could do nothing without Him and neither can you.
May you have a blessed day as you talk about Jesus!
Review of CRIME FOR THE BOOKS by Kate Young
I really enjoy all of the Jane Doe mysteries, but this is my favorite because it gave me such insight into the characters and their interactions with each other. The plot includes several murders as well as one of the Jane Doe club members being a suspect. The plot is intricately woven with several nicely added twists to keep it engaging. I enjoyed Lyla’s role as a leader in the club and in pursuing the killer relentlessly and I especially enjoyed her Gran who is a humorous hoot, full of vim, vigor and mischief. This is a fun cozy mystery with no vivid descriptions that would make me ill but enough details to let me imagine the scenes. The characters are credible and fully invested in the carrying out their roles in the plot. This is a great story with a fast pace that kept me reading to find out whodunit. I guessed incorrectly several times, but that was part of the fun. Although this book is part of a series, it can definitely be read as a standalone and thoroughly enjoyed.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Available for preorder NOW. Releases on October 11, 2022! Purchase Links:
CRIME FOR THE BOOKS is a “cozy mystery” with a lovable protagonist, set in a small town and made for readers who want to follow clues and find out whodunit. For more information about cozy mysteries, go to https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/tip-sheet/article/76834-the-enduring-appeal-of-the-cozy-mystery.html and read the article by Amanda Flower entitled, “What Exactly Is a Cozy Mystery?”
Review of HOME SWEET CHRISTMAS by Susan Mallery
Told with the author’s signature wit, this story about two couples who need to find love and a place to belong is one that is heartwarming and laugh out loud funny at times. Camryn is in Wishing Tree because of her mother’s death the previous year and she has sacrificed her life in Chicago to come home to take care of her younger twin sisters. She is also running the family business, “Wrap Around the Clock,” a clever concept to provide wrapping services with personalized and unique gift wrap. River Best is an introvert who is in Wishing Tree because her sister moved there with her niece and as an internet genius, she can work anywhere. Both Camryn and River are thrown out of their comfort zones and into the world of finding true love. The atmosphere of the town is magical, especially the names of the businesses that just sing out with the love of all things about the holiday. There are many characters in this story that just make the entire story come together seamlessly, but my absolute favorite was Helen Crane, the matriarch who sets out to find a bride for her son Jake because she wants to have grandchildren before she dies. What a lovable hoot she is! Of course, one of her candidates for Jake is Camryn and although he admonishes her to back off and allow him to run his own love life, Helen is not so easily maneuvered. I also liked River, the introvert who is encouraged by her new friends to enter her name in the hat for the Snow Queen so that she will get to know the town and its people better. Her Snow King is Dylan, a young man with a big secret that almost destroys the budding relationship that he is developing with River. The twists and humor in the book are numerous and so delightful that this book had me rushing to the end to find out what would happen with the couples, the twins, and Helen. I thoroughly enjoyed the realistic details and the banter between the couples that made the book more like a play that I was watching than a book that I was reading. The plot moves along swiftly to a satisfying conclusion that was not unexpected, but it was so much fun getting there. Pure pleasure from beginning to end, this book is one that touched my heart and definitely prepares me for the season of love, laughter and giving.
This is the second book in the series, but it can definitely be read as a standalone.
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, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
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Excerpt:
one
“Your teeth are lovely, Camryn. Did you wear braces as a child?”
Camryn Neff reminded herself that not only was the woman sitting across from her a very wealthy potential client, but also that her mother had raised her to be polite to her elders. Still, it took serious effort to keep from falling out of her chair at the weirdness of the question.
“No. This is how they grew.”
Hmm, that didn’t sound right, although to be honest, she didn’t have a lot of experience when a conversation turned dental.
She refocused her mind to the meeting at hand. Not that she knew for sure why Helen Crane, leader of Wishing Tree society, such as it was, and sole owner of the very impressive Crane hotel empire, wanted to meet with her. The summons had come in the form of a handwritten note, inviting her to the large, sprawling estate on Grey Wolf Lake. Today at two.
So here Camryn was, wearing a business suit that had been hanging in her closet for over a year. The dress code for Wishing Tree retail and the dress code for the job in finance she’d left back in Chicago were very different. While it had been fun to dust off her gorgeous boots and a silk blouse, and discover her skirts still fit, she was ready to get to the point of the invitation.
“How can I help you, Mrs. Crane?” she asked.
“Helen, please.”
Camryn smiled. “Helen. I’m happy to host a wrapping party, either here or at the store. Or if you’d prefer, I can simply collect all your holiday gifts and wrap them for you.”
She casually glanced around at the high ceilings of the sitting room. There was a massive fireplace, intricate molding and a view of the lake that, even with two feet of snow on the ground, was spectacular. And while there were lovely fall floral displays on several surfaces, there wasn’t a hint of Christmas to be found. Not in Wishing Tree, eight days before Thanksgiving. Those decorations didn’t appear until the Friday after.
“I have some samples for custom wrapping paper,” she said, pulling out several sheets of paper from her leather briefcase. “The designs can be adjusted and the colors coordinated with what you have planned for this holiday season. Wrapped presents under a tree are such an elegant touch.”
“You’re very thorough,” Helen murmured. “Impressive.” She made a note on a pad. “Are you married, dear?”
“What?” Camryn clutched the wrapping paper samples. “No.”
Helen nodded. “Your mother passed away last year, didn’t she?”
A fist wrapped around Camryn’s heart. “Yes. In late October.”
“I remember her. She was a lovely woman. You and your sisters must have been devastated.”
That was one word for it, Camryn thought grimly, remembering how her life had been shattered by the loss. In the space of a few weeks, she’d gone from being a relatively carefree, engaged, happy junior executive in Chicago to the sole guardian for her twin sisters, all the while dealing with trying to keep Wrap Around the Clock, the family business, afloat. The first few months after her mother’s death were still a blur. She barely remembered anything about the holidays last year, save an unrelenting sadness.
“This year the season will be so much happier,” Helen said firmly. “Victoria and Lily are thriving at school. Of course they still miss their mother, but they’re happy, healthy young adults.” The older woman smiled. “I know the teen years can be trying but I confess I quite enjoyed them with Jake.”
Camryn frowned slightly. “How do you know about the twins?” she asked.
Helen’s smile never faded. “It’s Wishing Tree, my dear. Everyone knows more than everyone else thinks. Now, you’re probably wondering why I invited you over today.”
“To discuss wrapping paper?” Although even as Camryn voiced the question, she knew instinctively that was not the real reason.
Helen Crane was close to sixty, with perfect posture and short, dark hair. Her gaze was direct, her clothes stylish. She looked as if she’d never wanted for anything and was very used to getting her way.
“Of course you’ll take care of all my wrapping needs,” Helen said easily. “And I do like your idea of custom paper for faux presents under the tree. I’ll have my holiday decorator get in touch with you so you two can coordinate the design. But the real reason I asked you here is to talk about Jake.”
Camryn was having a little trouble keeping up. The order for wrapping and the custom paper was great news, but why would Helen want to discuss her son?
She knew who Jake was—everyone in town did. He was the handsome, successful heir to the Crane hotel fortune. He’d been the football captain in high school, had gone to Stanford. After learning the hotel business at the smaller Crane hotels, he was back in Wishing Tree, promoted to general manager of the largest, most luxurious of the properties.
They’d never run in the same circles back when they’d been kids, in part because she was a few years younger. She’d been a lowly freshman while he’d been a popular senior. Her only real connection with Jake was the fact that he’d once been engaged to her friend Reggie.
Helen sighed. “I’ve come to the conclusion that left to his own devices, Jake is never going to give me grandchildren. I lost my husband eighteen months ago, which has been very hard for me. It’s time for my son to get on with finding someone, getting married and having the grandchildren I deserve.”
Well, that put the whole “did you wear braces” conversational gambit in perspective, Camryn thought, not sure if she should laugh or just plain feel sorry for Jake. His mother was a powerful woman. Camryn sure wouldn’t want to cross her.
“I’m not sure what that has to do with me,” she admitted.
Helen tapped her pad of paper. “I’ve come up with a plan. I’m calling it Project: Jake’s Bride. I’m going to find my son a wife and you’re a potential candidate.”
Camryn heard all the words. Taken individually, she knew what Helen was saying. But when put together, in that exact way, the meaning completely escaped her.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“You’re pretty, you’re smart. You’ve done well at Wrap Around the Clock. You’re nurturing—look how you’ve cared for your baby sisters.” Helen smiled again. “I confess I do like the idea of instant grandchildren, so that’s a plus for you. There are other candidates, of course, but you’re definitely near the top of the list. All I need is confirmation from your gynecologist that you’re likely to be fertile and then we can get on with the business of you and Jake falling in love.”
“You want to know if I’m fertile?”
Camryn shoved the samples back in her briefcase and stood. “Mrs. Crane, I don’t know what century you think we’re living in, but this isn’t a conversation I’m going to have with you. My fertility is none of your business. Nor is my love life. If your plan is genuine, you need to rethink it. And while you’re doing that, you might want to make an appointment with your own doctor, because there’s absolutely something wrong with you.”
Helen looked surprisingly unconcerned. “You’re right, Camryn. I apologize. Mentioning fertility was going a bit too far. You’re the first candidate I’ve spoken to, so I’m still finding my way through all this.” She wrote on her pad. “I won’t bring that up again. But as to the rest of it, seriously, what are your thoughts?”
Camryn sank back on her chair. “Don’t do it. Meddling is one thing, but you’re talking about an actual campaign to find your son a bride. No. Just no. It’s likely to annoy him, and any woman who would participate in something like this isn’t anyone you want in your family.”
Helen nodded slowly. “An interesting point. It’s just they make it look so easy on those reality shows.”
“Nothing is real on those shows. The relationships don’t last. Jake’s going to find someone. Give him time.”
“I’ve given him two years. I’m not getting younger, you know.” Her expression turned wistful. “And I do want grandchildren.”
“Ask me on the right day and you can have the twins.”
Helen laughed. “I wish that were true.” Her humor faded. “Do you know my son?”
“Not really.”
“We could start with a coffee date.”
Camryn sighed. “Helen, seriously. This isn’t going to work. Let him get his own girl.”
“He’s not. That’s the problem. All right, I can see I’m not going to convince you to be a willing participant. I appreciate your time.” She rose. “I meant what I said about the wrapping. I’ll arrange to have all my gifts taken to your store. And my holiday decorator will be in touch about the custom paper.”
“Is the holiday decorator different from the regular decorator?” Camryn asked before she could stop herself.
Helen chuckled. “Yes, she is. My regular decorator is temperamental and shudders at the thought of all that cheer and tradition. He came over close to Christmas a few years ago and nearly fainted when he saw the tree in the family room.”
She leaned close and her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “It’s devoted to all the ornaments Jake made for me when he was little. There are plaster handprints and little stars made out of Popsicle sticks. My favorite is a tuna can with a tiny baby Jesus in the manger tucked inside. There’s bits of straw and a star.” She pressed both hands to her heart. “I tear up thinking about it.”
Baby Jesus in a tuna can? Helen was one strange woman.
Camryn collected her briefcase and followed Helen to the front door. Helen opened it, then looked at her.
“You’re sure about not being a part of Project: Jake’s Bride?”
“Yes. Very.” Camryn kept her tone firm, so there would be no misunderstanding.
“A pity, but I respect your honesty.”
Camryn walked to her SUV and put her briefcase in the backseat. Once she was behind the wheel, she glanced at the three-story house rising tall and proud against the snow and gray sky.
The rich really were different, she told herself as she circled the driveway and headed for the main road. Different in a cray-cray kind of way.
She turned left on North Ribbon Road. When she reached Cypress Highway, she started to turn right—the shortest way back to town. At the last minute, she went straight. Even as she drove north, she told herself it wasn’t her business. Maybe Jake knew about his mother’s plans. Maybe he supported them.
Okay, not that, she thought, passing the outlet mall, then turning on Red Cedar Highway and heading up the mountain. She might not know Jake very well, but Reggie had dated him for months. Reggie was a sweetie who would never go out with a jerk. So Jake had to be a regular kind of guy, and regular guys didn’t approve of their mothers finding them wives.
Besides, she doubted Jake needed any help in that department. He was tall, good-looking and really fit. She’d caught sight of him jogging past her store more than once and was willing to admit she’d stopped what she was doing to admire the view. He was also wealthy. Men like that didn’t need help getting dates.
The sign for the resort came into view. She slowed for a second, then groaned as she drove up to the valet. Maybe she was making a mistake, but there was no way she couldn’t tell Jake what had just happened. It felt too much like not mentioning toilet paper stuck to someone’s shoe.
If he already knew, then it would be a short conversation. If he didn’t care, then she would quietly think less of him and leave. If he was as horrified as she thought he might be, then she’d done her good deed for the week and yay her. Whatever the outcome, she would have done the right thing, which meant she would be able to sleep that night. Some days that was as good as it was going to get.
Excerpted from Home Sweet Christmas by Susan Mallery. Copyright © 2022 by Susan Mallery. Published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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Spotlight on THE GATEKEEPERS by Hope Bolinger, Linda Fulkerson, Rowena Kuo and Carrie Schmidt
Getting Past the Publishing Gatekeepers is a must-have resource for all aspiring authors, and it offers insights to help multi-published authors as well.
Releases on October 11, 2022. Available for preorder now. Purchase Links:
Excerpt:
from the section on Agents, written by Hope Bolinger
You’ve decided to play a game of tennis with a doubles partner. Never mind that you’ve never stepped onto a court before, you want to give the game a try. And you’ve seen it on TV plenty of times. How hard can it be?
Although the scoring makes no sense, you and your partner appear to be failing. You realize, several minutes into a set, why. Instead of getting all the volleys at the net, your partner has chosen to swat her racquet at a swarm of bees.
“What’s the matter with you?” You ask through gritted teeth when another ball claps against her feet. One more point for the other team. “You have to get all the net shots. That’s how doubles works.”
At least, you think so, based on what you’ve seen.
She tightens her grip on her racquet and shoots you a frustrated glance. “You didn’t even bring a racquet.” She gestures at your arms. “How are you supposed to play tennis with that thing?”
You glance down at the baseball bat you’ve brought to the match. That would explain the lack of groundstrokes you’ve been able to get to during the games.
No wonder you and your partner are losing. You’re not working together for success.
An agenting-author relationship works a lot like a tennis doubles match.
You must compete against two very good players—publishers and readers. And sometimes it seems as though the odds are stacked against you.
For those of you who never had the misfortune of spending three hours a day playing tennis outside in the heat of summer—trying to make the high school Varsity team (definitely not speaking from personal experience) doubles in tennis relies on collaboration.
Even if you have all the skills in the world, a bad partner can sink a match faster than water in a garbage disposal.
How do we, then, create the perfect partnership, so we have any fighting chance of winning the “match”?
Expectations exist for both the author and the agent. We’ll discuss what you can expect your agent to do, and what they expect from you. Neither of you can win the match without the dedicated effort of both players.
Humility
This is a word that is hard to define or even describe. It’s much easier to think about its antonyms than its synonyms. When I looked up the word in an online dictionary, I found that it is defined as lowliness, with an antonym being pride. Well, that wasn’t much help. Jesus was humble and I want to grow in that trait, but I don’t know how if I can’t understand the definition. In my struggle, I finally came to terms with the fact that if I am thinking of myself first, I am not showing humility. If I consider myself “more than” others, whether it is more intelligent, more talented, prettier, etc. I am not being humble. Our yardstick of measurement is always the Lord and I am always less than in His presence. So, what is the purpose of humility?
It is when we are humble that we are teachable. That is when the Lord can guide us, when we get off our throne of knowledge and self-sufficiency and admit that we are nothing without the Lord. There is nothing I am and nothing that I can do without His guiding hand and help. He teaches me daily the way I should go, the things I should say (or in my case, it is mostly the things I should not say) and the people that I should approach and offer encouragement. But God can only do that if I am willing to put myself out there before Him and listen to what He is telling me to do and say and be. That means starting off with being humble before the King of the Universe.
When we humble ourselves before God, we don’t stay in that position forever. God lifts us up if we will allow Him to do so. It is when we are “tooting our own horns” that we cannot hear God’s instructions and the encouragement that only He can give. The promise is that He WILL lift you up, but this is like a conditional promise. First you humble yourself and then He does the “good job” part. I have found that sometimes I get ahead of God and I’m patting myself on the back before He can even tell me what else I need to do or what I should have done instead. That is not humility in action but pride and God has had to show me numerous times that I need to take a step back and see things the way He sees them, including taking a good look at myself and my efforts. I may have the best intentions but if what I am doing is to glorify myself, I am destined to failure. Sometimes, it will look like success, but it will never be what God intended for it to be unless I learn His ways and practice the humility that will give Him all the glory, recognizing that I am a tool in the hands of the Almighty.
May you be blessed today as you go out and come in, as you meet others and as you are seen by God and by those you meet. May they see Christ in you, the humble servant of His Father.
Crossroads
God is calling us all to a relationship with Him but in our busy lives, we have turned aside and followed other paths. I believe with all of my heart that have passed the crossroads, much like the ancient civilizations of Israel and Judah. We have wandered down the wrong path, away from our roots of faith and God’s blessings. I don’t know if it’s too late to return to the original path, but I know that we, as Christians, need to be sounding the alarm that the path we are taking as a nation is the wrong one. We stood at a crossroads and went the wrong way. I don’t know when it happened. I just see all of the evidence that it did, and I fear for the future of our nation. God’s chosen people was Israel and yet, they ceased to exist for hundreds of years because of their stubborn refusal to repent and acknowledge God as Lord. Israel had the wrong leaders and their priests were not doing their job to keep the people focused on God. Is the U.S.A. on the same pathway to destruction? I fear that it is, but my hope lies in the Lord who will be with His people regardless of the judgment that is to come. We have passed the crossroads and are wandering in the wilderness of sin. All I can say is that we need to turn back, return to God and ask Him for mercy for our ungodly nation.
Review of A MATCH MADE AT CHRISTMAS by Patricia Davids
The story of breast cancer survivor Sophie Eicher and widower Karl Graber just reached out and touched my heart in so many ways. Sophie is a school teacher, looking for a new start in a new town, one in which her medical issues are not known by everyone. Karl is a shopkeeper who is quickly attracted to Sophie but he is quick to sense that she is keeping a secret. The townspeople are endearing, if a little meddlesome, especially Rose who is determined to be a matchmaker. I really enjoyed the scenes in the one-room schoolhouse and how organized Sophie was as well as her realistic dedication to instilling a love of learning in each of her pupils. The talents and personalities of each character were well portrayed and very realistic. My favorite character was Karl’s younger daughter Rachel who reminded me of Mary with the lambs since Rachel’s lambs seem to be in and out of mischief. I also liked the character of Joanna, Sophie’s sister who has come along with her for a new start. Joanna is a fun-loving but also compassionate about her sister and wants what is best for her. The romance was there but it took second place to the characters discovering each other’s vulnerabilities and strengths and finding out how their lives could fit together in spite of the past and hardships that they had faced. This is a book that is gut-wrenching at times, humorous at others and an all-around quick and engaging book. With a lot of details about Amish life, the story moved me right into the setting along with the characters and made me feel their anxiety and their desire to move on to a better future. With themes of overcoming life’s battles and helping others when they need it even when they don’t ask, this book is one with lessons to learn and a good story to enjoy.
I am already looking forward to the second book in the series as this first one was so relatable and entertaining.
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, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Social Media:
Author Website: https://patriciadavids.com/index.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PatriciaDavidsAuthor
Twitter: n/a
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/175873.Patricia_Davids?from_search=true&from_srp=true
Author’s Q & A:
· Can you describe your hero and heroine in 3 words each?
Karl – devastated by loss. Sophie – convinced she’s dying.
· Are any of the holiday scenes in this book inspired by your own holiday traditions?
Funny you should ask. My brother puts on a living nativity for his church with sometimes hilarious results. I’ve added a few of them to my story.
· What are the key elements of a holiday romance?
I think the holiday must have some special significance to the character. For teacher Sophie, she is forced to come up with a school Christmas program on short notice at a new school. The event is the highlight of the Amish community and much anticipated. Is she up to the task? As things go wrong, can Karl help save the day?
· Is it difficult to come up with a specific Holiday themed novel every year?
Oh my goodness yes. Amish Christmas themed stories are hugely popular, but the Amish don’t celebrate the way we do. No trees or lights, only small gift exchanges. Portraying the Christmas spirit really comes from inside the characters.
· Do you decorate your writing room when you are writing a holiday book?
No, the Christmas story I’m working on is usually due 6 to 8 months before the holiday. My office is where I work but I do bling out the rest of home for the holidays.
· What is the best gift you’ve ever given? Recipient’s reaction?
I hid clues around my home and let my daughter and my grandchildren search for them in a scavenger hunt. When all the clues were gathered, they assembled them into a picture of a fishing lodge in Montana. Then I sent them on an all-expense paid road trip the following summer. They were thrilled and talked about making the trip for weeks.
· What is the best gift you’ve ever received?
The year I moved back to the farm to take care of my elderly dad after my mom passed away, I got to spend many hours with my youngest brother who managed the farm for our dad. Being eight years older, I had moved away before he left grade school. It was wonderful getting to know him. That Christmas he gave me a gold and silver heart-shaped necklace to thank me for taking care of our father. I was overwhelmed. He’s not a hugger but he got hugged that night.
· What’s next for you?
Amazingly, another Amish Christmas story. Christmas on His Doorstep releases on November 29th from Harlequin’s Love Inspired line.
Excerpt:
One
“Oh, Karl. Yoo-hoo!”
Karl Graber cringed at the sound of Rose Yoder calling his name. He was in no mood to deal with her this morning.
After burning the oatmeal at breakfast, he discovered his renter had moved out in the night without giving notice or paying his back rent. Now Karl was going to be late getting to the store because his buggy horse was limping.
He pretended he hadn’t heard Rose. Maybe the elderly Amish woman who claimed to be the most successful matchmaker in Harts Haven would go pester some other poor fellow.
Bent over Checker’s front foot, Karl noticed that a stone lodged between the horse’s steel shoe and his hoof was the gelding’s problem.
“Hallo, Karl! I must speak with you.”
The tenacity of the eighty-four-year-old romance peddler was another difficulty Karl had to face this morning.
“I’m not interested in meeting your latest hopeful,” he muttered under his breath.
If the stubborn stone would come out, he could be on his way before the elderly woman reached the end of the block and crossed the wide street.
“Daed, Granny Rose is calling you.” His six-year-old daughter, Rachel, stood up and waved. Rose wasn’t related to Karl, but due to her advanced age most of the children in Harts Haven called her Granny.
“She’s coming this way,” Clara informed him from the front seat of the open buggy. His ten-year-old daughter wasn’t any more excited to see Rose than Karl was. She suspected the same thing he did. Rose was on a matchmaking mission.
“Hallo, Granny Rose,” Rachel shouted happily. “We’re taking our puppies to the store so someone can buy them. Would you like to see them?”
The offending stone popped loose. Karl dropped Checker’s hoof. “Got to get the store open, Rose. Can’t take time to visit.”
When he spun around, it was already too late. She had reached the buggy ahead of him. How did someone her age move so fast? She didn’t even look winded.
“Guder mariye, Karl. I’m so glad I caught you. There is a chill in the air this morning, isn’t there?”
It was the second week of November. Of course the air was cool. Rose hadn’t intercepted him for idle chitchat. He moved to step around her since she was blocking the buggy door. “Customers will be waiting for me.”
Rose didn’t budge. Other than picking her up and setting her aside, he had no hope of leaving until she finished having her say. He resigned himself to hearing who she thought would be perfect for him this time. As if any woman could take the place of his Nora.
“Did you find us a new mother?” Rachel’s hopeful tone stabbed his heart. Rachel was too young to remember much about the mother who died when she was three. She only knew other children had both mothers and fathers, and she wanted the same thing.
Clara scowled at her sister. “We don’t need a new mother. Ours is in Heaven. No one can replace her.”
Clara understood. She was old enough to remember what Nora had been like. A sweet, gentle, bright and loving woman. The world was a darker place without her.
Rose’s cheerful expression softened with sympathy. “I’m still looking for someone special to join your family. Clara is right. She won’t be your mother. Instead, she will be your stepmother, but she will love you and take care of you as if you were her own.”
Rachel sighed. “I hope you find her soon.”
“That’s enough, Rachel,” Karl said. “What do you want, Rose?”
“I’m here to tell you about the new teacher. She arrived yesterday. She and her sister are staying at the inn for the time being. They are Grace Sutter’s nieces from the Amish side of her family.”
Grace was another elderly widow, Old Order Mennonite, and co-owner of the Harts Haven Inn along with Rose and Rose’s widowed daughter, Susanna King. The trio were all fond of meddling. A single man stood little chance of remaining unattached in this Amish community unless he avoided the widows. Rose’s knowing smile put Karl on his guard.
Rachel clapped her hands. “Yay, the new teacher is here. Now I can go back to school and be in the Christmas program. I hope I get to be an angel like Thea and Miriam Bachman last year. Their mother made the most beautiful wings for them.”
Rose grinned. “Your teacher’s name is Sophie Eicher. Her sister is Joanna. They are lovely young women.”
“Also single and hoping to find husbands in Harts Haven. I know what you’re doing, Rose. Not interested!” If his cutting tone didn’t drive his point home, maybe his scowl would.
Rose puffed up like an angry little hen. “Don’t take that tone with me, Karl Graber. For shame.”
He was thirty-two years old, but she made him feel like an errant toddler. “I’m sorry.”
She inclined her head. “You are forgiven. I stopped to tell you we are hosting a welcome party at the inn on Saturday so folks can meet Sophie and her sister. Would you kindly spread the word?”
He eyed her suspiciously. Where was the catch? “Sure. What time?”
“We’ll start at noon, but folks can come and go as they please.” She turned to his daughters. “I know you girls must be excited to go back to school.”
“Teacher Becky had to leave to take care of her mother because she got sick,” Rachel said. “I only went to school for one week. I don’t think I learned much.”
“I taught you letters and numbers,” Karl said.
Rachel’s lower lip jutted out. “Only so I could help at the store. Not to read a book.”
There weren’t enough hours in the day to run the hardware store, manage the farm work, cook, keep house and still find time to instruct his daughters. Most days, he struggled just to get out of bed. He was doing the best he could.
“How soon will school resume?” he asked Rose.
“The bishop and the school board haven’t decided.” She leveled her gaze at him. “I know you’ll be at the welcome party.”
That was the catch. Grimacing, he shook his head. “Social gatherings aren’t something I enjoy.”
Her eyes narrowed. “It is common courtesy to introduce yourself and your kinder to the new teacher. You remember what courtesy is, don’t you, Karl?” Rose turned on her heels and strode away.
His conscience smote him. It wasn’t right to be rude to anyone, yet alone an elder. He caught up with her in a few steps. “Rose, wait. I’m sorry.”
Glancing over his shoulder to make sure the girls couldn’t overhear; he lowered his voice. “It hasn’t been easy for me. Nora was the one who loved company. It doesn’t feel right to do things without her. It just makes me miss her more.”
Instantly, he was sorry he had shared that much.
Rose’s expression softened. “You have your daughters to consider. Nora wouldn’t want them shut up in the store all day. Nor would she approve of you taking them home straight after church services instead of letting them play with their friends so you can avoid talking to people. I understand grief, Karl. I buried my husband and a son-in-law who was dear to me. We all cope with loss differently, but don’t let your grief rob your kinder of their childhood.”
He focused on his feet. Maybe Rose was right. In his struggle to get through each day, he hadn’t always put his children’s welfare first. “I reckon I could close early for once. I’ll bring the girls to meet their new teacher.”
He looked up with a hard stare. “But don’t get the idea that I’ll go along with any of your matchmaking schemes.”
She shook her head. “Sophie needs someone special. You are completely wrong for her. I’m afraid the two of you would be at each other’s throats within a week.”
He drew back. “If she’s hard to get along with, should she be teaching?”
Rose poked her finger into his chest. “You are the problem, not Sophie.”
“Me? What’s wrong with me?”
“Plenty. You figure it out. Relax. You aren’t on my list of potential suitors.”
That made him smile. “You have a list already? I thought she only arrived yesterday.”
Rose grinned and winked. “There aren’t that many single Amish fellows in this area.”
Karl watched her walk away with a sense of relief that was quickly followed by an unsettling question. What did Rose think was wrong with him?
He kept to himself, but who could blame him? Losing his wife, his childhood sweetheart, had nearly broken him. Standing by helplessly as cancer sucked the life from her despite everything the doctors tried had devastated him.
His beautiful Nora had endured terrible pain. In her last days, he had stopped praying for her to be healed and only asked that God end her suffering and take her home. The guilt from those anguished thoughts never left him. He couldn’t love another woman. He was better off alone. He had his daughters. That was enough.
“Daed, we’re going to be late,” Clara called out.
Clara was trying hard to be his helper at home and in the business the way her mother had been. She worked hard. Perhaps too hard for a child her age. He returned to the buggy and got in. At least he didn’t have to worry about Rose trying to set him up with the new teacher. He wasn’t on her list.
Excerpted from A Match Made at Christmas by Patricia Davids. Copyright © 2022 by Patricia Davids. Published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This heartwarming holiday book releases tomorrow, but it is available for preorder now. Purchase Links:
BookShop: https://bookshop.org/books/a-match-made-at-christmas-9781335453471/9781335453471
Harlequin: https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335453471_a-match-made-at-christmas.html
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-match-made-at-christmas-patricia-davids/1140810564?ean=9781335453471
Books-A-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Match-Made-Christmas/Patricia-Davids/9781335453471?id=8292090795540
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