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.
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!
I have listened to this song repeatedly, letting the lyrics minister to my heart and soul as I cling to the hope and truth that it offers. We saw Isaac yesterday, but he wasn’t feeling too well so we didn’t get to talk to him much. He was silent, saying he was tired and just wanted to go back to sleep. I also talked to our son, his dad, while Isaac and my husband went to a nearby bookstore. Scott told me that Isaac got another blood test back without any malignant markers on it. So, praise God! He also told me that Isaac already has an oncology appointment scheduled for this Wednesday. Scott is hopeful that the news they receive from the scan tomorrow will allow them to cancel the oncology appointment. I am joining him in faith and hope. Finally, he told me that Isaac has to have a scan every three months for the next five years. I am approaching the whole thing with cautious optimism, knowing that this is not my battle, but God’s, and He loves Isaac more than I could ever conceive.
The last news Scott gave me is that Isaac has reservations to go to Austin, Texas, for a gaming conference on May 7th. I asked what if the doctor advise that he not go because he needs to be here. Scott said, with a stern face of a daddy-warrior, that Isaac deserves some fun and should be allowed to take a few days off to attend something he has looked forward to all year, especially since he doesn’t get to see the eclipse as he had planned. Isaac is excited about the prospect of traveling to a new place, meeting new people who share his interest in video games and getting away from the medical reality of his life for four days. And I am content, knowing that God will go with him.
I am the person who gets overwhelmed easily when there is no way that I can make a plan to get out of a situation or solve a problem. I want a solution to present itself readily, a problem that I can attack and then work it out to a satisfying conclusion. Unfortunately, Isaac’s cancer is not such a situation or a problem. I don’t see what the end may be and I have nothing to do with the solution. However, I can “fight on my knees” and let God know how I am feeling about this whole “Big C” thing. I want to be a source of strength and encouragement for my son and his family, especially our grandson. We are going to make the trip tomorrow to see Isaac and take him to lunch. We have tried to see him before but he has been busy with his college classes, medical appointments and just life and dealing with it. When my husband finally got in touch with him last night, he said he is free tomorrow, so we made a plan to take him out and spend some time with him. I want to be a good listener, a heart that reaches out in love with the same unconditional love that God shows me. May this be the first of many times that we get to spend with Isaac, sharing and caring and listening to his heart’s cry. If all I can do in this battle is be there to listen, may I be the best listener that God could ever use! Let us be a support system for him when his world and the plans he made for this future seem to be cracking apart. God is still right there, and we want Isaac to know His presence and His love without a shadow of a doubt!
Vienna Price never intended to return for more than a passing visit to Oregon and all the bad memories she’d left behind. But when your career tanks, home is where you go to nurse your wounds and chart a new course. Only temporarily, of course—because as much as she loves her quirky mom, anything more than a short stay would drive them both crazy.
A trip to Oregon isn’t in Matt Quinn’s plans, either, until a perfectly timed appeal for help arrives from his sister. What better place to decompress after a shattering loss than a quiet, seaside town named Hope Harbor? But R&R isn’t on the agenda when he arrives to find his sister’s new enterprise on life support.
Vienna, however, may have just the skills needed to resuscitate the foundering B&B—if Matt can convince her to hang around long enough to mend an inn…and his heart.
My Thoughts
Irene Hannon’s latest book in her Hope Harbor series is a well-crafted and charming story of people who need each other, but they just don’t know it yet. The characters are believable and delightful to get to know, especially Paige and Andrew, a couple down on their luck after a business failure. They are secondary characters but they were my favorites because of Paige’s optimism and her belief that Andrew can still succeed if he is willing to try. Of course, I was immediately drawn into the story of Matt and Vienna, the protagonists. Matt has suffered a devastating loss in his life and is not looking for love while Vienna has just lost her career and is looking for a place to land. All of these exceptional characters end up in Hope Harbor, the little town where dreams become reality and anything can happen. This is a sweet portrayal of family, drama, and developing love, all presented with a depth of emotion and realism that made it a warmhearted and satisfying addition to the series. The characters were easy to cheer for and the scenic setting of a little town with all of its charm and a few quirky characters made the story dance into my heart as it unfolded. There are a few conflicts in this carefully plotted story, but the characters all worked well together towards the happy ending that I so enjoy. I cannot review a Hope Harbor book without mentioning Charlie and his taco stand. Charlie is back again, offering wisdom and even a timely book for Matt to read. The characters, the plot and the setting all combine to make a delightfully satisfying romance with a foundation of faith, hope and family at its core. This book can be read and enjoyed as a standalone, but I would not miss a single visit to the little town of Hope Harbor and all of the emotional depth that the author so realistically and expertly portrays. 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 and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Christian Fiction, Rated PG Irene Hannon is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than sixty-five contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. She is also a three-time winner of the RITA award—the “Oscar” of romance fiction—from Romance Writers of America and is a member of that organization’s elite Hall of Fame. Her many other awards include National Readers’ Choice, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers Choice, Booksellers’ Best, Carol, HOLT Medallion, and Reviewers’ Choice from RT Book Reviews magazine, which also honored her with a Career Achievement award for her entire body of work. In addition, she is a two-time Christy award finalist. Millions of her books have been sold worldwide, and her novels have been translated into multiple languages. Irene, who holds a BA in psychology and an MA in journalism, juggled two careers for many years until she gave up her executive corporate communications position with a Fortune 500 company to write full-time. When not writing, she loves to sing, travel, hike, garden, cook, spend time with family, and go on impromptu dates with her own romantic hero. She and her husband make their home in Missouri.
My son got Isaac’s blood tests back yesterday, or I should say, he got a printed report that a common layman without a medical degree cannot fully understand. He sent me a photo of the report and I agreed with him. At least there is nothing marked with red, which according to the legend means a critical alert. However, the results are marked in yellow (notice this?) and I read the report carefully. One sentence stood out: “Results cannot be interpreted as evidence of the absolute presence or absence of malignant disease.” So, I am not sure what that means…nothing definitive, that’s for sure. I will take it to mean that God is still working on the healing. And the doctor will interpret things fully next week when Isaac sees him again for a referral to an oncologist. Meanwhile, keep praying, please.
Sometimes love gives you a second chance. Sometimes it doesn’t. And sometimes it returns in a way you could never imagine.
Tyrus Cal, TC to his friends, had no plans to leave his party boy life, but when he met Ginny at an outdoor music festival, he fell. Hard. He brought out his best stories to charm her, and she returned the sentiment with long-buried secrets about her traumatic past.
When their budding relationship ends abruptly, TC moves on, assuming he won’t get a second chance with the captivating Ginny. But then he does. Just not in the way he expected.
Now he’s on an otherworldly mission to see her again. But that means overcoming his doubts, his fears, and stopping Ginny from doing the unthinkable.
Always Think of Me is an uncommon love story about friendship and do-overs and features a perspective on life that can set us free.
My Thoughts
This is a refreshingly original second chance at romance book with a few surprise twists. TC and Ginny’s meeting at a music festival was humorous at times and also poignant as they both get to know each other well from spending most of the day together. TC is attracted to Ginny, Ginny has to take care of another relationship before she can even think about TC and time passes before they see each other again. I really thoroughly enjoyed the story and the relatable and lovable characters. I especially enjoyed getting to know TC with his joking around and also his vulnerability and compassion for others. He is not your typical swoonworthy hero, but he is worthy of admiration for his heart qualities. Ginny, who had let her past control her present and determine her future, seemed to be a weak character, but she got it together when she needed to. The plot was fast-paced and the entire book was unputdownable and totally engaging. I really wanted to know what would happen to TC and Ginny and the twist kept me glued to the pages as I rushed to finish what is arguably one of the best second chance romance books ever. With a firm foundation in faith, even if the faith originates from a shaky background, this book is uplifting, encouraging and gut-wrenching, all at the same time. The author managed to captivate me with her originality and kept me reading with her sparkle of wit and realism. Don’t miss out on the afterword by the author because it was eye opening and revelatory about the purpose and origins of the book. This is one book that I am more than delighted to have read and would love to give as gifts to friends because everyone needs to read this lovely story of young love and caring for others. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lori Keesey considers herself among the lucky. Recently retired, Lori enjoyed a 40-plus-year career as a writer and now has time to pursue her childhood dream of writing fictional characters who make a difference. She’s written for daily newspapers and trade publications and her freelance work has appeared in regional and trade magazines, specifically those specializing in space exploration. Yes, Lori was a space junkie, and worked for NASA in public outreach for nearly 20 years. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a B.S. in journalism. There she met Kevin Berry, whom she married in 1980. She is the mother of three boys and one dog. A devout porch sitter, nothing makes her happier than looking at her view of the Chilhowee Mountains and Smoky Mountain National Park. Born in Washington, D.C., Lori now calls Walland, Tennessee, home.
Sometimes love gives you a second chance. Sometimes it doesn’t. And sometimes it returns in a way you could never imagine.
Tyrus Cal, TC to his friends, had no plans to leave his party boy life, but when he met Ginny at an outdoor music festival, he fell. Hard. He brought out his best stories to charm her, and she returned the sentiment with long-buried secrets about her traumatic past.
When their budding relationship ends abruptly, TC moves on, assuming he won’t get a second chance with the captivating Ginny. But then he does. Just not in the way he expected.
Now he’s on an otherworldly mission to see her again. But that means overcoming his doubts, his fears, and stopping Ginny from doing the unthinkable.
Always Think of Me is an uncommon love story about friendship and do-overs and features a perspective on life that can set us free.
My Thoughts
This is a refreshingly original second chance at romance book with a few surprise twists. TC and Ginny’s meeting at a music festival was humorous at times and also poignant as they both get to know each other well from spending most of the day together. TC is attracted to Ginny, Ginny has to take care of another relationship before she can even think about TC and time passes before they see each other again. I really thoroughly enjoyed the story and the relatable and lovable characters. I especially enjoyed getting to know TC with his joking around and also his vulnerability and compassion for others. He is not your typical swoonworthy hero, but he is worthy of admiration for his heart qualities. Ginny, who had let her past control her present and determine her future, seemed to be a weak character, but she got it together when she needed to. The plot was fast-paced and the entire book was unputdownable and totally engaging. I really wanted to know what would happen to TC and Ginny and the twist kept me glued to the pages as I rushed to finish what is arguably one of the best second chance romance books ever. With a firm foundation in faith, even if the faith originates from a shaky background, this book is uplifting, encouraging and gut-wrenching, all at the same time. The author managed to captivate me with her originality and kept me reading with her sparkle of wit and realism. Don’t miss out on the afterword by the author because it was eye opening and revelatory about the purpose and origins of the book. This is one book that I am more than delighted to have read and would love to give as gifts to friends because everyone needs to read this lovely story of young love and caring for others. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Christian Fiction, Rated G
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lori Keesey considers herself among the lucky. Recently retired, Lori enjoyed a 40-plus-year career as a writer and now has time to pursue her childhood dream of writing fictional characters who make a difference. She’s written for daily newspapers and trade publications and her freelance work has appeared in regional and trade magazines, specifically those specializing in space exploration. Yes, Lori was a space junkie, and worked for NASA in public outreach for nearly 20 years. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a B.S. in journalism. There she met Kevin Berry, whom she married in 1980. She is the mother of three boys and one dog. A devout porch sitter, nothing makes her happier than looking at her view of the Chilhowee Mountains and Smoky Mountain National Park. Born in Washington, D.C., Lori now calls Walland, Tennessee, home.
When I look at all that is happening in my family right now, I have to right-size God to get the correct perspective on things. Yes, cancer is a terrible diagnosis. But it is a hynena or a bear in the face of an awesome and omnipotent God. Isaac is at the hospital now having his bloodwork and CT scan done. We don’t know what the results will be, but God does. I am praying for God to be close to Isaac and to reassure him of his love. You know, I have said before on this page, when things go wrong, it’s difficult to see God’s hand in it. But God never moves, never stops loving, never stops reaching out. So, I am believing that even in this, God is right there, right beside Isaac and his dad, giving them the comfort of His presence that they need.
I do appreciate all of your prayers and hope that I am not wearying you with this topic. I cannot focus on anything else these days, and I ask that you bear with me as I process this new bump in my road. Thank you for your patience and lovingkindness. I do appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers even when I don’t reply to each of them.
Happy Resurrection Day! God does not fear honest investigations and questions. He welcomes them, for in our curiosity, we approach an empty tomb and find that Jesus is indeed alive. His Spirit lives inside us while He is preparing a place for us in Heaven. Rejoice! He is alive, just as He said!
www.bible.com/reading-plans/26710/day/3
www.bible.com/reading-plans/26710/day/1
www.bible.com/reading-plans/13952/day/16
www.bible.com/reading-plans/13952/day/15
Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner 