The Ebb Tide

I think at one time or another all of us have felt that pull, that deep desire to visit these far off places, to see something vast and so much bigger than ourselves. I think that's why its so easy to relate to and like Sallie, she is the type of character who almost makes us take a close look at ourselves, who reminds us of those past yearnings for something more, something different.

I love Amish stories, and Beverly Lewis is among the best of this genre's authors, her stories are always so well done, so easy to follow, and so easy to fall in love with!

As Sallie discovers life outside of her Amish colony, and sees all that there is in the world outside, its a struggle for the reader to know whether we should cheer for her inquisitiveness or hope she returns to the Amish setting that we all love! The descriptions of the scenery in this book were so well done, it was so easy to picture the beauty and uniqueness of the oceanside town. 

As always Beverly Lewis has written a fantastic story, the book was incredibly hard to put down, I think I had finished it withing a couple of days (and some late nights!!). As is true with all her books, the only thing disappointing about it, was that it had to end!

I highly recommend it!!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

To The Farthest Shores

I know when I have an craving to read a really good historical story, that Elizabeth Camden is one of the first authors I look up, as always her books are well thought out, well written with engaging characters, and hold the readers attention so well.

In Camden's book "To the farthest shores" we meet an army nurse named Jenny, shes a good solid character, very well written and easily likable. I appreciate when authors take the time to develop a good character, and to ensure that the strength of that character shines through in the writing/novel. Camden did a great job with this book, the main character Jenny is easy to like, she exudes strength and determination, and shows such integrity. I love when a female character is given the respect of being written as a strong character. I deeply appreciate that Elizabeth Camden writes a great deal of her characters in her novels this way.

Lt Ryan and Jenny's story is intertwined with past acquaintances and  heartbreaks, of secrets and lingering feelings. As we get to know the characters throughout the story we really get to feel like we know them, and have hope for their story to work out!!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

The Chapel Car Bride

I am a huge fan of historical novels, I love reading about times past, and the unique ways people lived and worked, and sought to serve the Lord. Plus I've read many of Judith Miller's books and knew I was in for a pretty good read once I saw "the Chapel Car Bride"!

True to form, Judith Miller provided a story that captured the readers interest right away, with a unique setting and intriguing characters the story pulls you in right from the beginning and doesn't let go until the end! This was one of those books where you love the story and want to read as much as you can as often as you can, but also hate that eventually you'll hit the end! I really enjoyed the two main characters in the book, Hope and Luke, both having come from such different backgrounds, but see the way that their story is woven so cleverly together, it was really a treat to read this book! It was easy to fall into the optimistic and hopeful outlook of Hope in this story, as we see her desire to help those she meets in her travels with her father. I especially enjoyed her character in this book! 

I would highly recommend this book, its witty and clever, and a joy to read!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

Hope TV

I've got the unique opportunity this month of reviewing a television station, and I am so excited to share it with all my readers!!
I know I've a few regular readers from the Ontario area, and I've also passed on my recommendations for it to others in the area as well, and I'm hoping you, reader, will if you're able, give this station your attention!
One of my very favorite things in this world is music, especially gospel music, so the minute I saw that the Gaither gospel hour was part of their programming, I had an inkling that I was really going to love Hopetv! The best part though, is that the programming doesn't stop there, there is a vast array of programming on HopeTV that will spiritually feed you regardless of your tastes or where you are in your Christian walk.

  

 From learning to walk in the fullness of God from Joyce Meyer, to following the timeline of Jesus' walk on earth in "The Chronological Gospel" (I have a strong new love for this show in particular, I absolutely love historical lessons about the Bible that give us deeper understanding of both The Word and Jesus) there is a full course meal found in this station!
As summer rolls around and our vacation times come up, I think I will begin to love it even more, while I'm a big advocate of attending a local congregation when you can, however HopeTV is a perfect way to still receive that spiritual feeding when a local church isn't a possibility. There is so much variety of programming that regardless of the "flavor" of your Christianity, there is still programming that will inspire and renew you!
I've found myself surprised with how much more I'm looking forward to our personal vacation time this year, now that I have this station to look to for my own growth, renewal, and inspiration. The biggest struggle of vacations, if there could be a struggle ;)  is that while I get that time of rest, more often than not, I'm in a place or area where that spiritual renewal, that gathering of believers, isn't a possibility. Now that I've been made aware of HopeTV and their programming, I know that my times of rest, will also have times of inspiration and refreshing, my church away from church.
I really encourage all of you to give HopeTV a chance, I have no doubt that, like me, you will be pleasantly surprised with the quality of programming and the variety of the teachings as well.

HopeTV is currently available on Bell 591, throughout Alberta & BC on Telus Optik 875 or Telus Satellite 591, in Manitoba on Shaw/MTS 11 and in Ontario and New Brunswick on Rogers 174.

I hope you all tune in and receive for yourselves the encouragement this station is dishing out!