2014 Book Review #21: All the Summer Girls

What a fun, easy-to-read book!

If you're looking for a great little beach read, this is it!  It does have some depth to it as well....it's not just fluff. It's less than 300 pages so is a quick read that moves along in the plot line....every chapter is a different girl's voice. The author was one I recognized from book reviews and library shelves but I had never read her novels until this one.  I liked it!

STORY SUMMARY

Kate is a "good girl" who is a young lawyer living in Philadelphia where she grew up.  She has just been informed by her fiance, Peter, that he wants to call off the wedding.  This happens on the day she finds out she is pregnant with his child.  She doesn't tell him.

Dani, who lives in San Francisco with several roommates, aspires to be a writer.  But, she is hooked on alcohol and pills and just can't seem to open her laptop to get her novel started.  She has also been fired many times in the last 8 years...this recent one means she might have to move back to Avalon, NJ and live with her father who raised her after her mother left them when she was a young child.

Vanessa, living in NYC and married to the son of a famous television newsman, is a beautiful young mother of a 2 year old daughter Lucy. She no longer works in the art gallery, a career she loved, in order to be a full time stay at home mom.  Vanessa is obsessed with browsing the internet looking for a boyfriend from her college days.  Her husband, Drew, has recently confessed to kissing a co-worker.  Vanessa is unsure of where her marriage, and her life, is going.

Kate, Vanessa, and Dani decide to regroup and spend a long weekend at Dani's father's beach house in Avalon.  This is where they spent much of their growing up days during the summer. The last time they were all together was 8 years ago, when they were college seniors.  It is also the summer that Kate's twin brother, Colin, died.

Each girl feels guilty in their part of Colin's death.  Yet each girl is unaware of the other girls' feelings or thoughts regarding his death.

As they begin to relax on the ocean and open up to each other about the turn their lives have taken, they realize that their lives and their friendships have been shaped by the choices they have made...choices from that fateful summer 8 years ago......

some of those are secrets that now threaten to come to the surface.....

Will they explore these secrets and go beneath the surface to face their fears, guilt, and angst??

Will Kate inform Peter of the pregnancy?

Will Vanessa decide to stay in her marriage....and if so, what does she learn from this time away?

And Dani.......what will she decide to do with her life??

MY THOUGHTS

I enjoyed this book purely for it's simplicity in style and development of each character.  The plot was rather similar to other "beach reads" I've read over the years but the writing style was one I liked...I liked that the author took each chapter to be a different voice and that she wove in the back story of each character without the present plot getting  bogged down.

This book reminded me that our friendships are often much deeper than we realize.  It reminded me that life is short and that we need to be real with each other and not be afraid to start over.

It's an excellent story about the bonds of female friendships.

It reminds me that sometimes secrets need to be revealed in order for true healing (emotionally and spiritually) to occur.

In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 17 and older.(due to some content)

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 9.

Busy Week Faves

Wow! After our 3 day weekend (due to Memorial Day), our week took off at a fast pace!

I had obligations every.single.evening.  But it was all good and I can find some faves....more than five but I will just share 5.  

How about joining in with your own list of blessings from the week...you can find out how by heading over here.

Dave on the trail up Red Hill Mt

Red Hill Firetower
Southeastern Catskills

3rd Catskill firetower checked off the challenge!
Only 2 left in the Catskills!!

• WEEKEND GETAWAY!  Dave and I left last Friday after work for a weekend away in the Catskills.  We were only about 70 minutes away but it felt great to be in the mountains....er....technically, geologically, the Catskills are not mountains, but I can't remember why. My smart and "pays attention during science" daughters could tell you why.  Dave and I checked into this place, and then had a simple dinner out at this place.  On Saturday we were supposed to hike the 2nd highest peak in the Catskills to check off yet another fire-tower from the Challenge I am doing.  Well, it was RAINING and NOT good weather for climbing a mountain.  So we explored the villages around the area and did a flat hike in the afternoon as the sun came out in the valley area.  We never did get to hike Hunter mountain as we had to be back on the road for home by 3 pm on Sunday. And it's a 4 mile mountain one way.  BUT...Sunday after breakfast, we did hike Red Hill to that fire tower as the day was perfect and the hike was much shorter....only a little over 2 miles.  It only took about 45 minutes to get to the top.   Saturday evening we went to a wonderful little concert with a violinist, cellist and pianist. Before the concert, we ate a wonderful dinner at this place.  I had the salmon salad and a very nice Reisling...YUMMY!  What a blessing to get away and be refreshed with my best friend/love of my life.

photo courtesy of the NYS music association

• EXCELLENT!  Claire came home from school with her NYSSMA score for her violin solo competition (from 2 weeks ago) at the state's regional level. She performed Level 4 music (Level 6 being the highest) and earned an "excellent" (Outstanding is the top win).  We are proud of her even though she wasn't thrilled with her score of 23/28.  It's a blessing to have a good strings program in our district and for our  children to have these kinds of music opportunities.

• DONE!  Courtney had quite a few things to accomplish this first full week home from college.  Two things were getting her car's oil changed and the car inspected.  We told her she was on her own for these chores this year.  We do still pay for her insurance as she doesn't make enough money at her 2 part time jobs on campus to pay it herself.  But she is now in charge of filling her own gas tank and paying for the upkeep.  I was happy to come home from work and find that she had taken care of both of these issues and that the car passed inspection!  What a blessing this used car (a gift from my dad) had been for her this past year.  It really helps her to get to her summer job and to do things off campus.  God is good and we thank Him for His provision.

photo courtesy of the coupon challenge

• SAFE TRAVELS!  From Thursday May 22 until Sunday evening May 25, our youngest daughter Claire, was on the Orchestra trip to Williamsburg, VA.  Our high school has one of the best rated music departments in the state of NY...we are truly blessed and the Orchestra teacher happens to be a Christian from our church!!  In fact, his wife used to be a part of the small group I lead.  Well, this year the Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Senior Choir traveled down to perform in a competition held at Busch Gardens.  The orchestra earned 2 trophies for excellence in performing and for best orchestra overall!!  The wind ensemble and choir also won trophies.  Claire had a blast with her group of string player friends and we are thanking God for the blessing of safe travels to and from Virginia.

photo courtesy of the Shaker Music Dept

• SPRING CONCERT!  Last evening was the final spring concert of the school year (they also played at Xmas, and in early spring (March).).  The award-winning Orchestra played 2 very difficult pieces and we are so thankful Claire has decided to stick with violin.  It was astounding.  The added bonus is that our oldest daughter got off work at 5 pm so she was able to attend the concert this year!!  She was also a member of the orchestra all through high school and still will pick up her violin from time to time.  I love having a musical family :)...now I gotta make time to get back to my piano playing!!

That wraps up my week......we are now facing the Dance Show coming up next weekend which means this last week of ballet classes will also include rehearsals.....and trying to find last minute items for the costumes.

Tonight, Claire and I are off to see Phantom of the Opera which is appearing in a city near us............we can't wait!!!

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy this beautiful spring weather!

2014 Book Review #20: The Cottage at Glass Beach

Do you like a fast paced book and an easy one to read?

This is it!

This is a perfect "beach read". I started it last week and finished it on our little weekend  retreat that my husband and I took.  We got home earlier this evening and I'm just sitting down now to write the review after a fun and refreshing weekend away.  

STORY SUMMARY

Nora Cunningham is married to the youngest attorney general in MA.  They have 2 daughters, Ella (age 12) and Annie (age 7).  She has made a picture perfect life for her self, the children and her political husband.  They have a beautiful home in a wealthy section of Boston.

And then one day he confesses to an affair and suddenly their family life is in the spotlight even more......the press is too much to bear so Nora takes the girls up to her birthplace in Maine.  It is Burke's Island, settled by Irish immigrants and it's known as a place of magic and superstition, where wishes and dreams sometimes come true.

Nora has not been back to this island community since she was 5 years old.  That was the year her mother disappeared.  At sea.  Her father took her to the city of Boston and raised her.  Her aunt Maira has recently written to her to come for a visit so Nora feels that this is the perfect time to head north with her 2 daughters.

One night, while sitting alone on the beach, her tears begin to flow.  Days later she meets a fisherman named Owen Kavanaugh who was shipwrecked and washed up on shore.  Her aunt's friend, Polly, thinks he is a selkie---a mythical being from island legends---who has been summoned by Nora's grief.

Nora begins to enjoy her time on the island and getting to know Aunt Maire, Polly, and Owen as well as other island folk.  Most people on the island remember the tragedy from when Maeve (Nora's mother) disappeared.  Nora only recalls certain events.....will she learn the truth about her mother?

MY THOUGHTS

This was a remarkable, moving book about courage, and the special bond between mothers and daughters.  It speaks about the sea and all its mysteries.  I loved all the descriptive scenes and could almost smell the tang of the salt air and the pungent scent of seaweed.

I loved the characters Nora and Maire.  Mauve, when the author went back a little bit in time, drove me crazy.  I didn't like her.  Ella is portrayed as a sullen tween who really tries to get her mom and dad back together, not understanding that isn't really what Nora desires.  Annie is a delightful and very wise little girl.  Both characters are endearing but I did prefer Annie to Ella.

The ending was poignant if a bit odd......was Maeve really alive when the girls had their boating accident or was it her "spirit?"

Read the book and decide for your self!

In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 17 and older.

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 10.

Small Moments Faves

This has been the kind of week where I had to look back and just find small moments.....little things....

it wasn't a great week. Once again, on Tuesday,  I came home from work to discover that a very dear friend is now in heaven.  It wasn't as shocking as the suicide we dealt with last week, but it was still sad and more sudden than we expected.  She was my "spiritual mentor" during my high school years and I used to babysit for the 2 children she and her husband had.  She was one of my favorite Sunday School teachers in Junior High school and was only 10 years older than me so as a teen I thought she was really "cool".  She and her husband were/are talented musicians and used to help me out with some of my piano and vocal studies. She played the organ in my wedding and made my wedding gown as well as several items of clothing when I had my oldest daughter. She died of stage 4 ovarian cancer after dealing with it for a little over a year. She will be missed. 

However, there ARE some wonderful small faves from the week that I can share with you....how about joining in by linking up over at Susanne's?

POTTED DECK FLOWERS
Pretty in pink

FRESH CUT LILACS 
from my lilac bush in the backyard
fragrant, delicate, beautiful

WILDFLOWERS BEGINNING!
A raised bed, dark sod, bright green poking through...
by mid-summer, many blooms

safely home from college in Boston
our Courtney is back..........
relaxing in the late afternoon sun
little sister studying.......
mama and dad happy to have both chicks back in the nest

BABY ROBINS IN THE NEST
chirping morning and evening
mama bringing worms, darting and swooping into the juniper bush
reminding me that there isnew life in a week of death.............

photo courtesy of 50 birds website

Those are small blessings....but special to me.........

I am off for a few days.......my husband and I have a 3 day weekend...here in the States it is Memorial Day weekend where we pause to remember the fallen soldiers and other armed forces protecting our great nation...........the ones who've gone before us, and the ones currently serving........

Dave and I are away for a much needed rest at a little resort in the Catskill Mountains.......and yes I will be doing 2 mountain hikes, Lord willing........

Whatever you have planned, do enjoy it and spend some time in nature....your soul will be uplifted and your body will be refreshed!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

A More Natural Approach

I'm trying to lower my bad cholesterol and raise my good cholesterol with natural methods.

It isn't all that high....just a little over 200 overall. BUT..this is up from 174 in one year.  Part of that is due to my inactivity all of last autumn and winter (2012/2013) due to the bulging disk in my back that took many weeks to heal.  And I also added calcium to my diet in the way of more dairy products that year as my vitamin D levels were low.  (calcium adds vitamin D).  So....starting last September, when I had my results from the blood work and found out my overall cholesterol was 208, I decided to try natural methods to lower it this year.  I am due to have it checked again this summer...and I'm hoping these new things I've tried have worked.  The research says it should.  We'll see!! 

Here are the things I have added to my diet/life style:

•  Plant sterol-fortified orange juice.

•  Almonds and walnuts.  I add them to oatmeal, quinoa, and salads. Make sure they are not coated with sugar or salt.  Just all natural nuts.

•  Fresh fruits and veggies....eaten raw.  I've added apple slices to lean deli ham or turkey with a smear of honey mustard, fresh spinach leaves or romaine lettuce, fresh tomato, fresh cucumber slices.  When I don't have apples in the house, I add sliced avocado.  I bring blackberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, and blueberries to work for a mid-morning snack or late afternoon snack.  Fresh is best and raw is even better!  You can also add fresh fruit to cereals and serve in place of baked goods for dessert.

• Flaxseed Oil with Omega 3-6-9:  I take a capsule of Flaxseed Oil each day with dinner. It is the 1800 mg one.  It helps to lower cholesterol AND wards off hot flashes. It works. I've been taking it all this past year while going through menopause and I've had no hot flashes! I was getting "night sweats" but they have really disappeared with these capsules.

• CHOLESTOFF is also something I take every other day, twice a day.  The directions say to take 2 caplets with food, twice a day. I take them after breakfast and after dinner. I just started this regimen last month.  We will see what happens!

 

• Cardio workouts.  This is VITAL!  In order to lower your cholesterol, you MUST do some cardio at least 4 times a week (always check with your doctor first).  I do power walking with bursts of running, biking, hiking, and jump rope.  It's so important.  Not only will it improve your cholesterol numbers but it will help you sleep better, help you lose weight if you need to get some weight off, and help with your mood/emotions.  I love my work out times, especially now that we are past the winter season!

• Calcium plus Vitamin D:  this builds up your vitamin D and calcium levels which can raise your good cholesterol by 7%. I take 1200 mg per day and the recommended dosage is 1000.  (my doctor wants me taking 1200).  Check with your own doctor first!

• UNSWEETENED ALMOND MILK  I have switched from skim milk on cereals to unsweetened almond milk.  It is best for me to avoid most dairy products.  I don't want the added hormones or antibiotics that often come with cow's milk.  I don't care for goat's milk and it's difficult to buy it around here. So I started using almond milk on my cereal last autumn. Now, I can't even fathom putting regular cow's milk on anything.  I do use skim in my coffee but just a tiny bit.  Almond milk is much easier to digest and won't raise your cholesterol!  

• NO MORE BUTTER!  I no longer put butter on toast or rolls, etc.  I still buy it as my husband and daughters use it.  But last summer I switched to Smart Balance.  I will never go back to butter.  This has plant sterols.  It's wonderful. And yes, it tastes like real butter.  I use it on my flaxseed bread that I toast for breakfast.

those are just some things I've added to my diet and life.

I've also added things like cranberry juice (more on how that helps lower cholesterol in another post), bison rather than ground beef and IF I buy ground beef I am buying "grass fed" only, more fish like salmon and tuna, flaxseed meal to replace flour or eggs.  I also only buy DHA eggs now...more on that later..I eat a half grapefruit each day in the winter months...more on why later...and I've added small amounts of red wine and concord grapes.....also I've switched to very dark chocolate, and am a part time vegetarian.....2 times a week is my goal but right now I'm only eating vegetarian 6 times a week for lunch, and one time a week for dinner. I"m also cutting way back on sweets/baked goods, and I no longer eat ice cream in its pure form.

What about you?  do you need to lower your overall cholesterol and raise your good cholesterol?  What steps are you taking?? please share....

Mid-May Faves

What a week.

Had some faves until Wednesday........when we received some very devastating news....but even with the horrible news of suicide by a well loved extended family member from my husband's side of the family, I still need to rejoice...because God is good.........and that never changes. We will never understand His ways while with our human minds..........but we can cling to the promise of Comfort and Peace He so freely gives.

I'm linking up with other bloggers to share my five faves from the past week......do you have some?  You can link up with Susanne over here.

Claire and I on Mother's Day 2014
at church

My new toy (the kayak, not the Honda)

• SPECIAL DAY!  Sunday was Mother's Day and yes I was feeling a little sad last Saturday evening thinking about my mom, now with the Lord....but my family gave me such a special day on Sunday.  We went out for breakfast to one of my fave places.....I had the Swedish Crepes (made with fresh lingonberries).  It was awesome!  Courtney is still at college in Boston so she sent me a lovely message via Facebook which made my day.  And after breakfast, we went to church, then home for a quick snack and out to get what I thought was just a replacement kayak rack. Turns out my 15 year old and Dave had concocted a plan for me to choose a new upgrade in kayak form.  I was THRILLED!!  I've had my eye on the Calypso kayak from LLBean for about a year now but didn't think it would fit our financial state.  Dave said it did and because we bought the kayak, we received a discount on the new racks!  Now I just need time to actually get it into the water!!  For the rest of the day I did things I enjoy:  read a book, listened to music, did some power walking, worked with my flowers, and cooked a BBQ dinner.  It was a beautiful day. God is good.

Cherry tree in front yard

• CHERRY BLOSSOMS!  Our two cherry trees in the front yard have blossomed this week.  They are  gorgeous, especially in the afternoon sunshine. This photo  didn't come out too well and I didn't have time to "edit" it. It is so pretty even though the falling blossoms make a mess of the driveway.  I think it is a blessing to live where we experience all 4 seasons, and enjoy different plants and flowers throughout the year.  I love what God created...He is good.

• MESSAGES!  I'm not on  this social media site as often as I used to be, but it was such a comfort to our hearts, to read all the messages of support and prayers going out on behalf of my husband's family when our friends found out about the tragedy.  Even people we rarely see in person anymore due to distance sent us messages of condolences and prayers, love, and virtual "hugs".  It's a blessing to have the prayer support of other family and friends. I love all our friends and family....God is good.

• SAFE TRAVELS!  My husband left early Wednesday morning for Boston because he wanted to bring back the bulk of Courtney's dorm stuff.  He arrived at Gordon College safely and made it back home safely.  He was stuck in very heavy traffic on Route 128 (for those of you who know the Boston area, we refer to that highway as the highway from hell) but he took a break once he got on the Pike, and arrived home about 8 pm that night.  This was after finding out about his cousin's tragic death.  I prayed for him the entire day I think!!  I was anxious but God replaced that anxiety with peace after I prayed.  God is good.

• SCRIPTURE!  This Bible verse brings a lot of comfort to people when in the grieving stages.  I am hoping and trusting that this Scripture will find its way into M-----'s heart as she prepares to bury her husband. We can trust in the peace of God that our human brain just can't comprehend....when things happen that our human brain just can't comprehend.  God is good. All the time.  And all the time, God is good.

 

That wraps it up for me.  If you think of my husband's family over the next few days, please do lift up M and her family. M is the wife of the cousin who hung himself Tuesday night.  They are very beloved of my own family....my 2 daughters had so much fun with "uncle" R and he spoiled them with candy kisses when we did part of our spring break with them a few years ago in Hershey, PA which is near where they live.  Our hearts are breaking for M as this was so unexpected and sudden.  Yes, he was a Believer and no he did not leave a note or any indicating factors that he was contemplating taking his own life.  Please do pray for us as we attempt to say "good bye".  They are the only Christians, that we know of, on my husband's side of the family.  We love them dearly. It is so difficult being so far in distance from M this weekend......please pray God's comfort and peace will surround her heart, soul, and mind.  Thank you.

2014 Book Review #19: the girl who stopped swimming

This book was.......odd.

A little disturbing.

I didn't really care for it, although I did like it in places.  I ended up skimming the last part of the book, just to finish it. 

STORY SUMMARY

Laurel is a mom of one daughter (Shelby) and is married to David.  They live in a wealthy neighborhood in Florida. It is a gated community.

   

Laurel hasn't "seen a ghost" in over 13 years. She has made a good life for herself, David and Shelby.  She makes art quilts and they are known around the nation. One hot evening, she wakes up to see a dead girl....a ghost....standing by her bedside.  It is Shelby's best friend Molly.  Molly leads Laurel to herself floating in the backyard pool.  Soon her home is swarmed by police and neighbors.  Laurel's carefully constructed existence begins to crack and she has to face her past.

Laurel and her older sister Thalia grew up in a blue-collar town and the family has been hiding a skeleton in their closet for years.  Thalia became an actress and is very unconventional.  Her life is always a mess and definitely doesn't go along well with Laurel's careful life.  But...Molly won't rest until someone learns the secrets.....and she has opened a door that Laurel won't be able to close by herself.  So she turns to Thalia for help.

Together they set out on the journey of dealing with their family's buried past, the real state of Laurel's seemingly perfect marriage, and what really happened to the girl who stopped swimming.

MY THOUGHTS

I'm not a fan of "ghost" stories but my sister had said this was a good book. It WAS well written but just isn't my style.  

The past and the present were interwoven with no breaks in the actual structure of the paragraphs/chapters, so I was always confused about where in Laurel's life I was.  That annoyed me.

The character development though is superb.  The author does a great job with describing each character...including dead Uncle Marty.

This book deals with drug addiction, poverty, and pedophilia.  It isn't one of my faves for sure but message about dealing with the past is evident.  The author also makes it a point to display, through the characters of Laurel and her daughter Shelby, that telling the truth is very important. Laurel was so busy shielding her daughter from the "bad things" in life that this lesson was learned a little late.  The book does have some good humorous parts which I did enjoy. 

In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 17 and older. (due to theme/content).

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 7.

2014 Book Review #18: Adirondack Reflections

I've been enjoying this little non-fiction book for the last couple of weeks.

It is written by several people who live and/or work in my beloved mountains.

For those of you who don't know the Adirondack Park, it is the largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi River.  It is made up of 6 million acres  of public and private land and is larger  than the state of Vermont. It was deemed "Forever wild" by the state of New York in 1894. The Adirondack Forest Preserve which is owned by New York State is 2.6 million of those 6 million acres.  

There are over 2,000 mountains and 46 of them are high peaks, meaning they are over 4,000 feet in elevation.  There are about 2,000 miles of foot trails to hike.

There are 2,300 lakes and ponds and 200 of those are at least one square mile in area.  There are 1500 miles of rivers in the Adirondacks and 30,000 miles of brooks and streams.  That is a LOT of water!!  Many of those brooks and streams are only visible if you do deep woods hikes like I enjoy throughout the summer and autumn.  They are spectacular, quiet, surrounded by God's handiwork.

There are 240 public lean-tos in the park available on a first come-first serve basis for overnight hikers and backpackers.  I have only stayed in one back in the 1980s. 

There are 50 species of animals, over 220 birds, over 30 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 66 species of fish.

The native species include:  bald eagles, black bears, moose, white tail deer, and brook trout.

I have heard the cry of a whippoorwill at night when I was a child at our camp. I haven't heard one since the 1970s.  I would like my children to hear one. It requires being away from public campgrounds, in the deep woods, with silence all around.

I have hiked many mountains in the Adirondacks including 1 high peak and 4 mountains in the high peaks area.  I have hiked almost every trail in the southern adirondacks including one bushwhack.  I have hiked in every single region of the Adirondacks except the far northern region but that is on my list for this summer.

I grew up in the Adirondack foothills and our summer camp was in the southern region.  I am most at home in the Adirondacks and wish I could live there all the time.  Maybe someday I will............

But...these facts were not talked about in the book.  I just wanted my readers to know about my beloved mountains.  Actually, one cannot get a good sense of them unless one spends time at one of the mountain summits, or on a sandy, isolated lake, or paddling in a kayak on the calm, still waters with the cry of the loon in the distance.

The book was made up of stories/essays by various authors and talked about their love and impressions of the mountains.  One of my favorites in the book was the one written by a man who, with his wife, settled in the Saranac Lake area after being nature and hiking guides for years in places like Acadia National Park and the Great Smokey Mountains National Park (which is still on my bucket list of places to visit and hike in!).  Of course my attention was captured by this book because he was describing a place that is one of my favorites in the Adirondacks. 

The book is mainly a reflection of the life...and living...in the Adirondack mountains and valleys. All of the writers in this book are lifelong residents not just visitors to the area like most books about the mountains.  It is a celebration of life. 

The book also mentioned the hard life that Adirondack folk face.  Cold, harsh and long winters.  The cold, wet, muddy and buggy season of Spring.  Fabulous flora and fauna in the fall and summer.  Amazing people who persevere.  There is a lot of poverty in the Adirondacks and a lot of wealth.  Sadly, it is the wealthy who have sometimes spoiled our beloved wilderness by building cookie cutter type homes, eroding our trails by hiking off the trail itself, like in mud season, or who allow their dogs to just wreak havoc on the summits. 

But most people who come to our mountains are respectful.  Most campers and hikers are there because they love nature and want to get back to a simpler life style. Many of them come from the cities and want their children to experience the fresh mountain air and life without cells, computers and ipods.

Many of us just love the sports of hiking, paddling, fishing, hunting, swimming, skiing, snowshoeing and the art of photography.

Many of us love the call of the wild.....and the mountains that beckon to us.

In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 12 and older.

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 10.

2014 Book Review #17: The Right Call

I just finished this book earlier today.........it's the 3rd novel in a trilogy that is centered around a small town in Tennessee.  I've read the other 2 books as well and really enjoyed the series, although Book One was my favorite. The genre is Christian fiction with a bit of mystery, romance, and suspense.

STORY SUMMARY

It is summer time in the small town of Sophie Trace.  Ethan Langley is home from college and plans on living with his aunt and uncle, Ralph and Gwen Langley, because he will be working for Uncle Ralph's construction company.  His parents live in a town not far from Sophie Trace.  He is excited about spending time in Sophie Trace, not just because of his summer job and the chance to hang out with his cousin Drew whose parents are Uncle Richard and Aunt Becca but also because his girlfriend, Vanessa Jessup and her toddler son, Carter, live with her parents, police chief Brill Jessup and her husband Kurt.  Vanessa and Ethan have been dating since the previous summer.  Ethan loves Vanessa but hasn't told her yet and he absolutely adores her baby boy.

Meanwhile, his cousin Drew comes home to his college apartment and finds his roommate, Tal Davison, dead. He has been murdered by a gunman.

Soon, Drew is shot right in front of Vanessa  and the baby as well as 2 other young people.  One is a college girl from the same campus as Drew and Tal and the other victim is a middle school girl!

It is Brill's job, as police chief, to solve these murders.....are they connected and if so, WHY??  Tal and Drew were well-liked students with no history of violence.  Tal did have a drinking problem of which his very wealthy father was aware of......but Drew, a Christian, was squeaky clean.  Who would want to kill them?? and WHY?

Ethan begins to learn some very surprising details that could solve the case....but....if he reports these details to the police, Vanessa and those he loves will be at risk of dying.  If he says something, their lives are in peril...but if he doesn't say anything, a murderer will go free and an innocent man will be accused.  Will Ethan make the right call??

MY THOUGHTS

The story was a bit predictable in regards to the relationship between Ethan and Vanessa.  I found that even though they are supposed to be only 21 years old, that the characters "acted" more like people in their 30's. I just didn't like the way Vanessa would talk with her parents....she was a very young single mom yet seemed more like someone in her 30's. It was just too unrealistic for me.

However, the actual plot line was great!   The story developed quickly which I like and you don't really need to read the first 2 books to know what is going on with the characters as the author does a great job in summarizing the "back story" of the main characters.  This seems to be a strength with this author.

It is also not a typical sappy Christian fiction book...there is enough mystery and suspense to keep it moving. I especially liked how the author chooses a Scripture verse at the beginning of the book....this one (2 Peter 2:19) particularly summed up the plot nicely as addiction is a main theme running throughout the story.

The story shows just how horrible the addiction of gambling is....the repercussions that can happen when a person is addicted to winning more and more.

What it does NOT show is the very real struggle of young, single mothers. I feel like this author does NOT know the realities that today's young, single mothers face. Vanessa is a Christian who gets pregnant in book 2.  In this book, she has continued to work on her college degree, lives with her parents, has a younger sister who loves to babysit Carter and change his diapers, etc., and parents who don't charge her rent, etc.  She basically lives at home and has all the support of her family. VERY unrealistic as MOST single mothers at that young age, do NOT get to finish college and have the loving support of their parents.  It totally bugged me!!

It does show grace and mercy but.....it just doesn't show reality in my opinion.  

There are also some very good thought-provoking questions at the back of the book that the author asks.....they make for a good reading club discussion.

In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 14 and older.

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this an 8.

Spring is Really Here Faves

It's really spring here in the capital region of New York State!  FINALLY!

I realize that according to the calendar, it has been spring for almost 2 months now, but we are finally experiencing the warmer days into evenings, windows open, and flowers in bloom.  It's currently 74 degrees(F) as I type this on Thursday early evening....perfect in my opinion!

How about celebrating spring with me by looking back at the week and finding at least five faves.....blessings God gave you.  It's what several of us do by linking up with Susanne at her site.

PEAR TREE BLOSSOMS!
This was a Mother's Day gift from
Claire, my youngest daughter, 2 years ago.
I dislike the strong, unpleasant scent of the flower
but it sure does look beautiful in our backyard.

TULIPS!
I'm happy my red and yellow tulips have opened.
They are late this year but so pretty.
We have them in the front yard flower bed
and around one cherry tree.
Tulips are a fave!

LILAC LEAVES!

Lilacs are a fave of mine even more than tulips!

They are late this year due to the long, cold winter

 and the very wet, cold spring.

But I spied the leaves on our backyard bush and it made my day!

I can't wait to sit near the bush with that gorgeous scent!

photo courtesy of $tarbucks

COFFEE DATE!
Tuesday evening a friend of mine from my small group
met me for coffee after dinner and we had a good time chatting
and catching up on news, etc. We've known each other for many years
but we are really getting to know each other now that we are in the same church and since she's joined my small group.  She is a blessing to me.
I love spontaneous coffee dates!

clipart courtesy of the health coach 1 website

POWER WALKING

I had 2 evenings this week with a good power walking workout!

So thankful to be working out in the fresh air again!!

Those are just some little things...it was a crazy, busy week of housework, errands, ballet classes for my youngest, emails back and forth from my oldest, prepping for small group, a lunch date with my 3 younger sisters early in the week,   and of course the teaching work.  I had to look for special moments and special faves because I felt like my week was just so mundane with life happening.............I think it's great though when we can find some faves among the ordinary days.

What are some of yours??