Elizabeth Goddard’s Cold Light of Day is an action-packed discovery of who done-it. Her Christian character Autumn Long, a police chief in a small, uneventful Alaskan town, enjoys the calm life, until strangers appear. 

While I am personally more a fan of character-development novels, Goddard’s snapshot during these few weeks in Autumn’s  life, is a good read. Autumn and her family’s pasts hold secrets that kept me turning the  pages of her novel. 

Grier, who has recently found his way into the small town, continues to show up when a crime has occurred. As an attractive and seemingly helpful man, Autumn has to wonder about his objectives and his past as well, which also compels the reader to keep flipping forward. 

Goddard does an impressive job of creating intrigue with her end-of-the-chapter cliffhangers, leaving me wanting to read just one more chapter. 

Enjoy this read into the intense season of Autumn Long’s life. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing through the Revell Read blogger program. The opinions expressed are my own.

     Her Heart’s Desire by Shelley Shepard Gray follows four Amish girls, Mary Margaret, Lilly, Betsy and Esther on a Florida vacation; one that will change their lives.

    The main character Mary Margaret is a wallflower, who has been bullied all her life. She is delighted when she quickly makes two friends on the trip. But the arrival of a fourth girl will require Mary Margaret to look at her past with eyes of forgiveness, which she must rely on God to help her with. In the midst of all the girl fun, charming Jayson makes his way into her life. She falls quickly in love, but discovers Jayson has a secret that could keep them apart. 

     This was the first Amish romance I have read. It was a sweet story. I loved how the sheltered girls were in awe of everything they weren’t accustomed to. As potential suitors entered the scene, their innocence was delightful. The author did a great job ending each chapter with a little something to make you want to read on.

    However, I felt several aspects of the story were not deep. Mary Margaret’s past experiences had clearly affected her in a huge way, but we only saw a small glimpse of the details of her past. Also, the love story moved at an unrealistic pace. Each problem that arose seemed to be solved too quickly.

While I prefer a book with more adventure and struggles, if you are looking for a sweet, light, quick read, this book is for you. I would highly recommend this book to a young adult audience, rather than an adult audience.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing through the Revell Read blogger program. The opinions expressed are my own.

A few Saturdays ago, six cousins loaded a boat on Lake Blue Ridge. Five of us were over fifty, and one was from the generation below. We also had in tow two children under the age of 8. It was a gorgeous sunny day. We started off just relaxing, snacking, chatting, and enjoying the view. But suddenly a song that we all knew came on and the singing began. It just happened. No one planned it; no one said, “Let’s sing.”

When our hearts are happy, singing just transpires. It comes flowing out. Belle, from the younger generation, at our request, became our photographer and DJ. As our requests were made, she often commented, “I don’t know this”. It was a schizophrenic range of music — but we all knew them.

We began requesting music from our childhood, such as Grandma’s Feather Bed, and John’s Been Shucking My Corn, (yep, that is a real song). I am sure fellow boaters on the lake were surprised as they passed by and heard us yelling, “Don’t look, Ethel” as we sang, The Streak with Ray Stevens.

Dance Party

When disco was requested, we could sit no more. Dancing began. Some danced to the Hustle or the Electric Slide; other sisters twirled until they were dizzy and fell. Of course, songs from Grease were a must as we hand-jived. We all danced to We are Family and YMCA. Laughter rang from the deck.

Belle was teaching line dancing to the tune of Boot Scootin Boogie. At times, there were air guitars and air fiddles. Karla and I even attempted a little flossing (not with dental floss).

Eventually the music came to what brings us joy, God. Yes, we were cruising along, standing on the deck together singing and clapping to “ I Saw the Light”. I am sure people sailing by were amused at what looked like a hoe down, but our actions were not surprising from our family.

Joy

When dusk was near, our captain, the matriarch of our generation, brought the ship to a stop. We faced the mountains and the setting sun. We all watched in awe as the sun slowly disappeared behind the hills while I’ll Fly Away played. It was magical.

We sang because we were full of joy and love. I love music; I love to sing to it, dance to it, and listen to it. 

Zephaniah 3:17 reads, “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” It is not a verse I have been familiar with in the past. But one day when I read it, it was mind blowing to me. I never really thought about God singing. But not only does he sing, but he sings over us. The word sing in Hebrew means “a ringing cry with a sense of joy”. 

Our God loves us that much!

(We do not own the rights to this music.)

Growing up I adored cats. My room was full of cat statues and posters. At one point I even had a cat bedspread with matching curtains, lamp and alarm clock.

From 1990-2017, I lived on 40 acres. We had several cats, but they were mostly outdoors. When I moved into my current home, I quickly discovered a stray cat. Well, actually it discovered me. It gladly accepted the food I placed outside, but would never let me get close. After about six months, I heard a faint meowing under my porch. I discovered she had given birth to a little white kitten. It was the most beautiful kitty I had ever seen. It was white and brown with blue eyes, and it had a bobbed tail. My daughter called it the Gerber cat, because it was so precious. Of course like its mom, it would come eat but never let me get close.

Determination

But I was determined to win her over. I sat outside while it ate, carefully watching me out of the corner of its eye. I was trying to build trust. One day, I just decided to take my chances and grab it. To my surprise, it only took a few times, and it became tame. It loved attention. Every time I walked the dog, if I didn’t pick it up and carry it around, it would climb up my leg. I began to let it come inside, and it quickly made itself at home.

One day while it lay upside down on arm, I looked down at it and thought, I forgot how much I love having a cat. I thanked God for giving me such a sweet blessing.

Nine months later, she vanished. I was afraid someone had gotten her because she was so beautiful. But after three days, I went a different way to work, hoping to see her in someone’s yard. Instead I saw her lifeless body in a ditch. I was so sad. I had enjoyed her so much. It was like so many things in life…here today, gone tomorrow.

Letting Go

After living on the same land for twenty-seven years and having built our dream house, I had to leave my home. Due to downsizing I had to let a lot of things go along with the house. I had my kids’ varying heights marked on the door frame as they grew. Walking away was difficult.

Within two years, I found myself helping empty out my childhood home to be sold. So many memories; so many things. At the estate sale, I had to watch a young man carry out the gun cabinet my mama bought my daddy for their first Christmas together. It was like watching people buy your memories. I had to remind myself, they are only objects. No one can take memories.

Just like with the Gerber cat, we can adore and get so much joy from something only to have it leave our grasp forever. We have to deal with the loss of these prized possessions and be thankful for the time we had with them. But it’s important to move forward knowing God has future treasures in store for you.

Matthew 6: 19-21
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.