A Chance At Forever Melissa Jagears Latest Teaville Success

....Publisher's Notes.....

"Determined to protect the children of Teaville, Kansas, from the bullying she experienced as a child, Mercy McClain finds fulfillment working at the local orphanage and serving on the school board. When Aaron Firebrook, the worst of her childhood bullies, petitions the board for a teaching position, she's dead set against his getting the job.

Aaron knows he deserves every bit of Mercy's mistrust, but he's returned to his hometown a changed man and is seeking the forgiveness of those he wronged. He doesn't expect Mercy to like him, but surely he can prove he now has the children's best interests at heart.

Will resentment and old wounds hold them back, or can Mercy and Aaron overcome the past in time to battle the threats against the future of the town's orphans?"

...My Thoughts....

I really looked forward to reading A Chance at Forever because for several years I have been a fan of Melissa Jagears writing.  So it was no surprise as I eagerly opened the book but she had me hooked right on the first page, at "...the thick scent of lemon cleaner overpowered the powdery smell of the chalk dust they disturbed as they walked through sunbeams."  I was immersed immediately into the story.

A Chance At Forever is such a powerful story of one man's quest to be truly forgiven for the hurt he inflicted on others as the class bully at school.  A reputation that made others cringe when they came to realize that Aaron Firebrook was actually George Firebrook.  Such treatment of others is sinful but who ever thinks that their bully would come back later not to taunt them but to ask forgiveness.  That is just what Aaron Firebrook set out to do and what Melissa Jagears masterfully writes about in this book.  Time after time the pain he caused in his youth reflects back to remind  him of just how much he hurt others.  His hopes of becoming a teacher to help right his wrongs may not come to fruition if the lone woman school board member has any influence on the matter.

It is much more than just a story of forgiveness though; it is a love story of the  highest order.  Where loving the unlovable seems far fetched.  A romance between a skeptic who never allowed herself to even dream of love because by accident of her birth she was given just one hand.  A beautiful woman in all regards with no shortage of love for the children in her care at the orphanage.  Mercy McClain would always remember George, however and now that he was back in Teaville seeking a job as a teacher, she wasn't able to escape when her employer hired him as gardener for the orphanage while he waited for answers on the teaching position.  A job she wanted the school board to give to anyone but him.

I was impressed by the whole story not just to see how Mercy and Aaron learn to work together under their trying circumstances, but also the children at the orphanage. Most especially Jimmy, whose bad behavior leaves one to doubt if he could ever be adopted, and timid little Owen, who hardly leaves Mercy's side.

There is a whole community tied together through this orphanage, founded by Nicholas and Lydia Lowe. Some of these characters, such as the Lowes continue throughout the series, although each book can stand alone.  The characters will touch your heart and the story is one that shows forgiveness can truly happen if we open our hearts to see and listen to each other.  I heartily recommend A Chance At Forever by Melissa Jagears.

Reviewing: The Ebb Tide by Beverly Lewis

The Ebb Tide by Beverly Lewis is one of those special books that will live on in your memory if only for the lessons learned. Sallie Riehl is a young Amish woman who has looked around the bend since childhood. She is determined to take just one trip before she settles down and joins the church.  Life circumstances alter her plans and she goes instead to Cape May, New Jersey for a summer job as a nanny.

This delightful story is not at all predictable.  The setting is rich with an historical beach that takes on its own life with its crashing waves, mysterious Cape May diamonds and sand castles. In the background is the Cape May lighthouse.  As Sallie and Autumn fill their days with summer activities they both come to terms with choices that will shape their lives.  Sometimes when life turns out a little differently than we plan, we can still find what we are looking for.

This is a standalone novel and a wonderful way to start reading one of Beverly Lewis' many books.  I highly recommend it for your reading list.

The Christmas Angel Project....An Inspiration for Your Christmas Season!

The Christmas Angel Project is just what I needed to read in the midst of the most difficult election cycles of my life. When you are surrounded by technology as we are today an inspirational spot of fiction offers relief and pleasure you just can't put a price tag on. That quiet corner where you comfortably sit and slow down to read is a haven from the outside world.

This review is late by my own admission but comes with my heartfelt recommendation. I didn't want this one to be buried with Halloween, Thanksgiving, or the latest trendy love story. This book is important. Melody Carlson once again delivers with this 2016 Christmas story that I believe will be worth reading again every holiday season.

Follow five very special women who share life through their book club. Abby, their unofficial leader has a special touch on every member's life. This year, she has made each member a special gift. As we open our story on  Thanksgiving evening she is finishing up her last special angel ornament for her beloved friends'. Each gift is intentional and speaks to each woman't special spiritual gift. Each woman has something to offer everyone yet has a need to develop that gift.

As fate would have it, Abby dies in her sleep that evening and her loving husband delivers her heartfelt gifts to the women of her club.  Stunned at Abby's sudden passing, the women try to determine the future of their unique group.  As they open their gifts they realize that their group is much more than just meeting every month to discuss the current book selection. They are so much  more than just what they see and Abby knew this.  This is a story about women we may have encountered in our lives with normal, every day problems and that is why it is so full of impact.

Please join me this season by reading this wonderful book about life and the simple things we do that have a large impact on the world we live in. Simple, complicated and guaranteed to make you cry and put you in the mood for an inspirational Christmas season.
Five stars for this wonderful, heartwarming book. I had a hard time putting it down and read late into the night.

The Wish, A Story of Friendship, Love and Coming Home

Renowned author of Amish
Fiction, Beverly Lewis has hit home once again with her latest book The Wish.  This time, her story centers on two  young ladies, Leona Spreicher and Gloria Gingerich.  Leona was a lonely girl, born late in life to parents who were quiet and reserved. She may as well  have been an only child with her much older married brother Mahlon.  She longed for a friendship. A friendship with someone her own age who she could confide in and have fun as only girls can have fun.  Her life seemed so quiet and ordinary. One day, a family from an Arkansas community became her neighbors. It was a lucky day for Leona when she met Gloria who was just the friend she longed for. She began spending time at the Gingerich home when her own mother was stricken with a debilitating case of pneumonia and couldn't care for Leona. Gloria's family was everything Leona's family was not with younger, fun loving parents and brothers to play games with.  This was the family she felt she should have been born into. Until one day, the family suddenly moved away from Colerain Township.  Gloria's father, Arkansas Joe had been expelled from the Old Order Amish church under mysterious circumstances.  The girls were both heartsick and Gloria vowed to stay in touch with Leona.

Leona still missed her dear friend after three years but her strong faith led her to become baptized. She had also become engaged and worked part-time in her sister-in-laws gift shop.  Her life was whole. One day, however, a letter came from Gloria that rocked her world. Her dear friend needed her and Leona was determined to go to Gloria and help in any way she could.  Gloria's new life leads Leona to take a leap of faith and with her fiancee's blessing becomes determined to bring Gloria back home.  She only hopes she is not too late.

This is an inspiring story of resilience where two young women never forgot their old childhood friendship.  It is also a story of true forgiveness and lessons learned when we forgive and move forward.  I enjoyed the book for the story but also the lessons. Sometimes when we think the grass must be greener in the neighbor's yard we need only to look at what we are growing at home and appreciate what we have.  I had a hard time putting this book down. As with every book I have read by Beverly Lewis, this story is well grounded, has well developed characters people can identify with, brings tears to my eyes and makes me happy I read it!

Nothing Is Certain In A Heart Most Certain

This book called me while I was reading another. It was hard to practice self control and finish the first one but you see I have truly enjoyed all of Melissa Jagears books and I knew I was in for a good read.  The problem was I still had that other book I needed to finish first. Does that happen to anyone else?  But as luck, or fate would have it, I was caught with time on my hands without a book so grabbed my phone. Every book lover has the Kindle App on their phone right?  

A Heart Most Certain begins with Lydia King, a lovely young woman of good character challenged with seeking a donation from Mr. Nicholas Lowe, the richest, stingiest man in Town.  She accepted the challenge from Mrs. Little, President of the Teaville Moral Society and mother of her almost betrothed, Sebastian Little. If she can procure the donation, it would be enough to cover the price of two sewing machines to make blankets for those in need. Getting the donation from Mr. Lowe seemed impossible but she was determined. She wanted to help the needy but Mrs. Little declared that she would be deemed worthy to join the Little Family if she succeeded.

   Although she was nervous to take on the challenge, she would do so because a marriage to Sebastian would secure her future and help her dying mother live more comfortably. Of course, her no account father could benefit, but he was the least of her worries. Mrs. Little was a powerful force to reckon with anyway.  She found herself before Mr. Lowe, made her request and was flatly refused.and the man of business left her abruptly with no indication of whether or not he would return. She found herself waiting in his office for him but he ducked out without a word. She decided then that she would get a donation from her and wouldn't rest until she did. It was his Christian duty to donate such a small amount when he had so much. After all, she never saw him tithing at church. He became many evil things in her eye based on rumor and conjecture. She made it  her business to greet him on the street and let him know she would pursue him until he agreed to buy the sewing machines. 

I love to be entertained when I read a book but it is another thing altogether when we are challenged or learn something in the process.  Good works are good in themselves but it is important that we don't get so caught up in the good works that we miss the reason behind the good works. Lydia loved being part of the Moral Society. Her family was not well connected. Her father drank and gambled most of  their money. Her mother was unwell. She wore hand me down clothes from a wealthy family in her congregation. Yet with all her trials she was a cheerful giving woman who had a pure  heart and steadfast convictions. 

Over the course of time, she encountered Mr. Lowe several times and as promised, each time she met him she asked him for the donation. Mr. Lowe agreed, eventually to help her but not in a way that she expected.  The lessons he taught her shook her faith in her church family, led her to places she should never have gone and brought her a richness she couldn't have found by simply being a dutiful member of the Teaville Moral Society under the guidance of Mrs. Little.

The book ventures into the red light district of the era and the difficulties many women had trying to leave that profession. Women and girls often were forced into that lifestyle and treated miserably by the very people who could have  helped them. Today we are still faced with this human trafficking and it is a big problem. I am glad Melissa chose to tackle this issue in her book.  

Throughout the story we see how Lydia influences Nicholas but it is surprising how he influences her. He gives her a voice that was silent for most of her life. He inspires her by showing her how other people live. She learns that you cannot judge others by what you see. While the story has many lessons, it is, first and foremost, a love story.  Love for others, respect for ourselves and love that is tough enough to give strength and build character.  

I heartily recommend this inspiring book worthy of 5 stars! Award wining author Melissa Jagears has a way of telling a story that keeps one turning pages looking for what happens next. Isn't that just what we want out of a book?