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Friday 30 April 2010

Christian Historical Fiction Challenge 2010 - April Update

As you would know from last month, I actually finished this challenge and decided to see just how many Christian Historical Fiction books I read this year.

For April I read 10 books. They are:

  • Woven Hearts by Cathy Marie Hake, Kelly Eileen Hake, Kathleen Paul & Susan Downs
  • The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter by Coleen Coble
  • Florida Brides by Muncy G. Chapman
  • Louisiana Brides by Kathleen Y'Barbo
  • Veiled Joy by Colleen L. Reece
  • In Tune With Wedding Bells by Grace Livingston Hill
  • Where Two Ways Met by Grace Livingston Hill
  • The Centurion's Wife by Davis Bunn & Janette Oke
  • The Puritans by Jack Cavanaugh
  • The Colonists by Jack Cavanaugh

So that takes me to 34 books for the year.

2010 Reading Challenge - week 17

Only 3 books for me this week, but I have to say that 2 of them were really, really long.

Of course it didn't help that I was out every day this week.

Ok, so the books I finished were:

  • The Witness by Dee Henderson
  • The Puritans by Jack Cavanaugh (American Family Portrait series #1)
  • The Colonists by Jack Cavanaugh (American Family Portrait series #2)

I'm currently reading:

  • More Precious Than Silver by Joni Eareckson Tada
  • Get Married by Candice Watters
  • The Patriots by Jack Cavanaugh (American Family Portrait series #3)

Friday Fill-In #174



And...here we go!

1. I was watching an episode of 'Murder, She Wrote' and realised that a location had also been used in an episode of 'Remigton Steele'.
2. Mum called and I left my book with only a page to go (she has a habit of doing that, or in the last 5 minutes of a movie).
3. Why have I never had a boyfriend?
4. Jenny was in my thoughts today.
5. One of my father's favorite sayings was hmmm ... actually I don't recall him having one.
6. Dread--I know that feeling!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a quiet night at home, tomorrow my plans include going to my cousin's engagement party and Sunday, I want to have a great GNG planning breakfast, fellowship at church and a quiet afternoon - I think all need it after being out every day this week!

Tuesday 27 April 2010

Teaser Tuesdays - April 28


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser this week is from a book that has been on my TBR list for a while. I'm finally reading it.

'The Colonists' by Jack Cavanaugh (book 2 in the 'An American Family Portrait' series)

'Desperately, he kicked at the wolf with his left foot, once, twice. The dark wolf released his grip and fell to the ground. Jared pulled himself up into the tree, out of reach of the wolves.
"Jared! Are you all right?" It was Chuckers yelling from the other tree.
"I've been bit on the ankle, but I'm all right!" he yelled back.
"What do we do now?" Will cried.
"Wait for them to go away!"
"Oh"
What had begun as a glorious, late-night test of courage and manhood ended as the three adventurers sat in their trees and watched the sun come up.'

Friday 23 April 2010

Friday Fill-Ins #173


And...here we go!

1. Where are my red shoes? Oh, that's right, I haven't bought them yet!
2. If wishes were horses I wouldn't wish because I'm not that keen on horses.
3. I'd like to see a good movie without any swearing.
4. When I was a teen, I thought there would be nothing after the year 2000.
5. One of my mother's favorite sayings was ... actually I don't think she has one.
6. I'd have a hard time doing without my laptop.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a quiet night in, tomorrow my plans include something, but I'm not quite sure what and Sunday, I want to enjoy the fellowship at church in the morning!

2010 Reading Challenge - week 16

4 books finished this week.

They are:

  • Where Two Ways Met by Grace Livingston Hill
  • Only Nuns Change Habit Overnight by Karen Scalf Linamen
  • The Centurion's Wife by Davis Bunn & Janette Oke
  • In All These Things by Marjorie Buckingham

I'm currently reading:

  • More Precious Than Silver by Joni Eareckson Tada
  • Get Married by Candice Watters
  • The Witness by Dee Henderson (by the way, when are you having another book published Dee? I want to know what happens to the people in 'Before I Wake'. They haven't caught the bad guy yet.)

Tuesday 20 April 2010

Teaser Tuesdays - April 20


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

'The Ceturion's Wife' by Davis Bunn & Janette Oke

'Never had Leah's bed seemed such an enemy as that night. Never had the dark held so many conflicting voices. Every time she began to drift off, she was startled back to wakefulness by the memory of two unblinking eyes the colour of copper at sunrise. Alban had seemed immensely still, a man so secure in his abilities that he needed no adornment or even motion to establish who he was. He did not merely sit in a room, he took charge of the space around him.'

Monday 19 April 2010

Movie Musings

Are there movies you like, but you're not quite sure why?

'Last Chance Harvey' is one of those for me.























It is a bittersweet film about ... well, life I guess.

It's not a comedy or a romance, although it has elements of both in it. It's not action or drama, although I guess most people would probably classify it as a drama.

Maybe there needs to be a new genre - Life films.

Many people would find this film rather boring.

It's set in London, but you don't see much of the city or the usual landmarks.

I just don't know ... It's just one of those stories that you can't get out of your head.

(Oh, and just a small piece of totally unrelated trivia - there is a location used in the TV show 'Remington Steele' that is also used in the TV show 'Murder, She Wrote'.)

And just for the record, I love Dustin Hoffman's goofy smile.

Friday 16 April 2010

2010 Reading Challenge - week 15

Only 3 books this week, although I actually read 4, but one can't be included in the challenge.

They are:

  • Veiled Joy by Colleen L. Reece
  • Midnight Sea by Colleen Coble
  • In Tune With Wedding Bells by Grace Livingston Hill

I'm currently reading:

  • More Precious Than Silver by Joni Eareckson Tada
  • Only Nuns Change Habit Overnight by Karen Scalf Linamen (1 chapter to go)
  • Get Married by Candice Watters
  • Where Two Ways Met by Grace Livingston Hill

Friday Fill-Ins #172



And...here we go!

1. I'd like to find the man God has for me and raise a family with him.
2. One of my most favorite romantic memories is out of a book.
3. Last night, I had lamb chops for dinner.
4. Sorry for the inconvenience, but I will be busy that night.
5. Can we go now?
6. One of my worst temptations is chocolate; buying scrapbooking products is hard to resist!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a quiet night at home and a new installment of Numb3rs, tomorrow my plans include doing something, but I'm not sure what yet and Sunday, I want to have a GNG breakfast meeting, fellowship at church and a quiet afternoon!

Tuesday 13 April 2010

Teaser Tuesdays - April 13


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Most of the time I read books by authors from the USA, but that's just because most Christian fiction is coming from there. So today I decided you give you a teaser from an Australian author that I am currently reading.

Golden Fiddles by Mary Grant Bruce

'They had left Tupurra in a state of wild excitement, and the journey, while the daylight lasted, had been all wonder and delight. Then had come some hours of darkness, which had taken some of the edge off their spirits, since even the marvel of being in a train for the first time may pall when it is impossible to look out tof the window. But Melbourne's first glimpse had revived the children. They thrilled at the gleaming electric signs as the train neared Prince's Bridge; the roar of the station renewed the thrill.'

This is historical fiction, but for me, it is set in an area that is very familiar to me, and that makes it really interesting. It's not the first time I've read this book, but since the last time I read it I've learned more about the history of Melbourne and some of the things in it.

Saturday 10 April 2010

2010 Reading Challenge - week 14

5 again this week.

They were:

  • Crime Scene Jerusalem by Alton Gansky
  • Swinging on a Star by Janice Thompson
  • Louisiana Brides by Kathleen Y'Barbo (3 in 1)
  • Rhode Island Weddings by Joyce Livingston (3 in 1)
  • A Place To Call Home by Eileen M. Berger

In progress:

  • More Precious Than Silver by Joni Eareckson Tada
  • Only Nuns Change Habit Overnight by Karen Scalf Linamen
  • Get Married by Candice Watters
  • Veiled Joy by Colleen L. Reece

Wednesday 7 April 2010

Faith Challenges Through Fiction

I once had someone tell me that you get no spiritual teaching from fiction, even Christian fiction. Well, that is completely untrue. I can't count the number of times when I've been reading a work of Christian fiction and something that was writted popped out at me because of a place where I was at in my life.

Today, while reading a book by Kathleen Y'Barbo, was one of those times.
The quote below comes from 'Bayou Beginnings', the first book in her Louisiana Brides collection.

"I'm confused, I suppose, and that does trouble me."
"How so, if you don't mind my asking, that is?"
"Oh, I don't mind. I just don't know if I can explain it." She leaned back and listened to the chains clank against one another. "It is all so complicated. I don't know where to begin."
"I suppose this sounds like a cliche, but I always recommend a body begin at the beginning." He patted her shoulder. "Or you don't have to tell me anything. We could merely pray if that iwll help."
She thought a moment before shaking her head. "Actually, I think it would do me good to talk to someone who could keep my confidence."
He smiled. "Well then, you have the right man for the job. Keeping confidences is what I do best."
Cleo let out another long breath and plunged into her story. "Going to college is exciting. It's amazing to think that an orphan girl from Latagnier could end up going off to college and being a teacher." She turned her gaze to the pastor. "It's what I've always wanted."
"Well then, why the confusion? Are you afraid, or is something else bothering you?"
"Afraid? No, I don't think so. I think I'm more worried that I've been dreaming the wrong dreams."
"What an interesting way of putting things." He seemed to consider her statement. "I take it you thought you wanted to be a teacher, but now yoiu think you're being called to some other occupation. Is that corrrect?"
Was it? No, not exactly, but how to explain to the reverend without embarrassing herself?
"Occupation isn't quite the word I was thinking of, Reverend Broussard. I guess I'm trying to say I'm not sure if I am being called to an occupation at all."
He looked perplexed. "Then what are you being called to do, child? What is there to do if not work?" Pausing, a smile grew. "Ah, I think I see the dilemma."
"You do?"
The reverend nodded. "Indeed. You thought you were to teach children. Now - and perhaps I'm setting off in a direction you didn't mean to send me - you feel as though the Lord intends you to raise children instead?"
Stunned, she diverted her gaze. She hadn't thought of things quite that way. A houseful of children to raise - and to teach.

Ok, so I guess you're wondering how this applies to me. Well, I haven't had a job for several months, but even before that, I was feeling that the occupation I had trained for and was working in was not where I wanted to continue. My greatest joy came from the time I spent with children in the kids club that I am involved in as a leader every week during the school term.

But not just that, my dream has always been to marry and have children of my own. Everything I think about, I still come back to thinking that they would just fill a gap before it was my time to marry and start a family.

People ask me what I want to do now - now that I'm not working - but I'm not sure if they want the real answer, or they just ask to be polite, but really don't care whether I'm doing something I love, or just earning money to pay the bills.

In the very next chapter of this book, they mention the hymn 'What A Friend We Have In Jesus'. The main point of the hymn is to take things to God through prayer. So often I fall short, or forget completely to do that. So this book was a great reminder.

A wise friend of mine said to me today, that if we are in the place where we are constantly in the presence of God, then we are in the very centre of His Will, regardless of the activity we are engaged in (unless we are actively sinning).

Even after all that, it still leaves questions in my mind, "What now, Lord?", "When will I find the man that you have chosen for me?"

The difference between me an Cleo (the girl in this book) is that she had found someone that she loved, I am still waiting, and waiting, and waiting ...

Tuesday 6 April 2010

2010 Reading Challenge - week 13

I forgot to post this on Friday, but thought 2 weeks of books would be too confusing, so hopefully I can remember which books I finished before today.

Ok, I finished 5 books for week 13 of the challenge. That takes me to 61 out of 160. 99 to go and 8 months to do it! 38%!

And for the record they were:

  • Colorado Weddings by Joyce Livingston (3 in 1)
  • The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter by Colleen Coble
  • Race to the Altar by Ron Benrey, Gloria Clover, Becky Melby & Cathy Wienke, and Gail Sattler (4 in 1)
  • Florida Brides by Muncy G. Chapman (3 in 1)
  • Perfect Piece by Rebeca Seitz

I was still reading:

  • More Precious Than Silver by Joni Eareckson Tada
  • Only Nuns Change Habits Overnight by Karen Scalf Linamen
  • Crime Scene Jerusalem by Alton Gansky (a great Easter book)

Teaser Tuesdays - April 6


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Wow! I can't believe it's April already. This year just seems to be flying by.

This week I thought I'd share with you a teaser from a book that I've been reading for the 2010 Reading Challenge that I have been doing. A book that I will be reading all year because it is a year-long devotional.

'More Precious Than Silver' by Joni Eareckson Tada

'People are watching you. If they know you're a Christian, they are really watching. And sometimes they are watching when you least expect it.'

Friday 2 April 2010

Friday Fill-Ins #170



1. All you need is love, a few hugs and some chocolate.
2. Many things fill me with laughter.
3. Each generation, as it grows up, does things a little differently (or a lot).
4. The over abundance of mobility aids in our house is something I have a hard time dealing with.
A trip to anywhere is what I need.
6. Give and you get back.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a quiet night in, tomorrow my plans include going to a friend's wedding and Sunday, I want to have a quiet day, other than going to church, after the wedding on Saturday!