Friday, February 26, 2016

Review + DOUBLE GIVEAWAY: Room for Hope


Room for Hope
By Kim Vogel Sawyer
WaterBrook, 2016


Summary

In a desperate time, can Neva find forgiveness for a grievous wrong—and make room for hope?

Neva Shilling has a heavy load of responsibility while her husband travels to neighboring communities and sells items from his wagon. In his absence, she faithfully runs the Shilling Mercantile, working to keep their business strong as the Depression takes its toll, and caring for their twins.

When a wagon pulls up after supper, Neva and her children rush out—and into the presence of the deputy driving a wagon carrying three young children. The deputy shocks her with the news that Warren and his wife have died, insisting it was their last request that the three children go live with “Aunt Neva.”

Neva’s heart is shattered as she realizes that Warren’s month-long travels were excuses for visits with his secret family. She wants nothing more than to forget Warren, but can she abandon these innocent children to an orphanage? Yet if she takes them in, will she ever be able to see them as more than evidence of her husband’s betrayal and love them the way God does?


My thoughts

It’s hard to put my finger on what sets Kim’s stories apart, but they have an unusual quality that I thoroughly enjoy, and Room for Hope is another story that hooked me emotionally from the first page. All the things I enjoy most work together to create an unforgettable read - a combination of interesting historical era and setting, well-drawn characters, spiritual depth, and a story that tugs at the heartstrings.

Room for Hope takes place during the Great Depression era in the small Kansas town of Buffalo Creek, 1936, and Kim conveys a vivid feel for what the times were truly like – from the economic insecurity, to the hobos in need of food, to the prejudice that can still be found today. Love for family is at the heart of this story, showing how Neva’s love expands and grows stronger after being blindsided by an unimaginable betrayal. Neva is portrayed realistically, with the same human tendencies to reject emotionally that I would probably have, so to walk beside her becomes even more rewarding.

Imagine the confusion and grief of three children who lost both of their parents and found themselves on “Aunt” Neva’s doorstep, just as Neva discovers her husband’s infidelity. Neva and her children, Bud and Belle, were thrown into a turmoil that felt so very real. Belle’s instant rapport with the children was touching, yet I could understand Bud’s denial and rejection. Sometimes it’s hard for me to connect with children in a story, but Walter’s other children – Charley, Cassie and Adeline – captured my heart, as did Belle and Bud.

The story is told from several different perspectives, which made it all the richer to me. Romance takes second place to relationships, which is as it should be. The character of Neva’s deceased husband, Walter, casts a long shadow throughout the novel. While it was clear that his children loved him and the townspeople respected him, I wish Kim could have revealed more about him personally and as a husband, although that in no way detracted from this moving story.

There are two very appealing male leads – Sheriff Caudel and Arthur Randall, owner of the emporium next to Neva’s mercantile – and I wasn’t sure how things would work out for the longest time. Both of these men had turned away from God and their spiritual journeys speak to all of us. Sheriff Caudel’s personal story begs for further development, so I really hope we see more of him.

I appreciated the strong faith theme and that the Gospel message is clearly presented, allowing us to draw inspiration from seeing faith lived out in the character’s lives. And I love the cover art because it speaks to the heart of this story, reflected in the quote from Isaiah that “He giveth power to the faint.” I was also touched by how, in a worship scene toward the end, Kim draws from the beloved hymn, All the Way My Savior Leads Me . . .


All the way my Savior leads me
What have I to ask beside
Can I doubt His tender mercy
Who through life has been my Guide

Gushing from the Rock before me
Lo! a spring of joy I see
This my song through endless ages
Jesus led me all the way

Highly recommended.


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Kim Vogel Sawyer is a best-selling, award-winning author with more than one million copies of her books currently in print. Awards include the ACFW Carol Award, the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence.

Sawyer lives in central Kansas, where she and her retired military husband, Don, run a bed-and-breakfast inn with the help of their feline companions. She savors time with her daughters and grandchildren.

Connect with Kim . . .

WebsiteFacebookTwitter

Thank you to Jessica Lamb at WaterBrook Press for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review – and also for the generous two-book giveaway.


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GIVEAWAY

Two winners will be drawn in this double-book giveaway. To enter, please click on this link and share my Facebook post, then leave a comment here. Do you have a favorite story or series by Kim?

I try to promote on social media, but the best way to keep up with my reviews and occasional giveaways is to subscribe by e-mail in the top right corner (no pressure intended).

BE SURE to leave your name and your email address in a safe format - [at] and [dot] - for the drawing. E-mail required for entry. Contest ends at midnight PST on Tuesday, March 8. Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by e-mail.

Eligibility: US and CANADIAN residents

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Review + Blog Tour Giveaway: Like There's No Tomorrow




Like There’s No Tomorrow
By Camille Eide
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Christian
Ashberry Lane Publishing, 2014
Number of pages: 310


Summary

Like There’s No Tomorrow is an amusing yet tender love story about two kind caretakers, two quirky old Scottish sisters bent on reuniting, and too many agendas. It’s a tale of family, falling in love, faith, and the gift of each new day.

Scottish widower Ian MacLean is plagued by a mischievous grannie, bitter regrets, and an ache for something he’ll never have again. His only hope for freedom is to bring his grannie's sister home from America. But first, he'll have to convince her lovely companion, Emily, to let her go.

Emily Chapman devotes herself to foster youth and her beloved Aunt Grace. Caring for others quiets a secret fear she holds close to her heart. But when Ian appears, wanting to whisk Grace off to Scotland, everything Emily needs to protect—including her heart—is at risk.


My thoughts

Like There’s No Tomorrow is an incredibly moving story about relationships, love, and living every day to the fullest with Christ. Camille has a gift for telling stories with rich characterization, stories about real people dealing with real situations – and her stories never fail to touch my heart. You won’t find action and spellbinding suspense, only engaging characters and expressive storytelling. And you won’t have to wonder whether this is Christian fiction or not, for the spiritual element is strong and gives much to reflect upon. This is the second book that I’ve read by Camille and she is fast becoming one of my very favorite writers.

To put it in the simplest of terms, I did not want Like There’s No Tomorrow to end. I was totally wrapped up in the realistically-flawed characters of Ian and Emily, and the elderly sisters, Grace and Maggie, tugged at my heartstrings. Both settings – Oregon and Scotland – were so vividly described that I could see myself there.

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever been given is to judge a man by how he treats his mother – or in this case, his grandmother. While Ian was often frustrated and a little self-centered at first, he only showed kindness and caring toward Maggie. I’m not sure what it is about the Scottish, but there’s something very appealing about Ian. As we get to know him, we discover that he is consumed with a long buried, blinding hatred – but oh, what a beautiful spiritual and emotional journey he makes! And Emily…I could feel her fear and heartbreak over the genetic disease she carried and just wanted to reach out and hug her! The romance between Ian and Emily is so tender, sweet and emotional. I loved this expressive quote from Emily:  “All she knew was Ian loved her, and the thought of that felt like a drink of pure, cool water after a long, dusty drought.”

For me, the strength of Like There’s No Tomorrow is the way invaluable Christian gems are woven throughout this beautiful story, such as the true gift that family is, a belief in the goodness of God no matter what happens, and a surrender to God’s guidance instead of what seems best to us. But most touching is a child of God coming home . . . Ian “whispered an apology for his years of wayward indifference, and as he did, something snapped – something cold and heavy and binding – and a warm peace engulfed him.”

Like There’s No Tomorrow is an exceptional story. Highly recommended.

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Camille Eide writes romantic, inspirational dramas about love, faith, and family. She lives in Oregon with her husband and is a mom, grammy, bass guitarist, and a fan of muscle cars, tender romance, oldies Rock, and Peanut M&Ms.

Find Camille online at . . .



Thank you to Singing Librarian Tours for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


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HTML code: a Rafflecopter giveaway


Enter Dani Pettrey's COLD SHOT Sweepstakes



Enter the COLD SHOT Sweepstakes from Author Dani Pettrey


NOTE:  I may not read a lot of suspense, but Dani Pettrey is one author that I never want to miss. I look forward to reading Cold Shot soon and will post a review when finished.



ABOUT THE SWEEPSTAKES

In COLD SHOT, the first book of author Dani Pettrey’s brand new Chesapeake Valor series, park ranger Griffin McCray and forensic anthropologist Finley Scott uncover buried remains near the Civil War battleground of Little Round Top. There’s only one problem: the bones aren’t Civil War-era.

Griffin just wants the case to go away, but when Finley discovers evidence pointing to the work of an expert sniper, the case connects them with FBI agent Declan Grey, and crime scene investigator Parker Mitchell, friends from a past Griffin’s tried to leave behind.

Soon the reunited friends realize they’ll need to confront the darkest days in their shared history if they–and those they care about–are going to escape a downward spiral of crime, danger, and murder.

To celebrate the launch of this exciting new series, Dani and Bethany House Publishers are pleased to present the COLD SHOT SWEEPSTAKES, and your chance to win one of three marvelous prizes, all closely connected to the story.

This giveaway starts February 16, 2016 and ends March 7, 2016 @ 11:59 pm (PST).

Entry is open to US residents only, age 18 and over. Winners will be selected Tuesday, March 8, 2016, and announced at DaniPettrey.com.



ABOUT THE PRIZES


GRAND PRIZE:

ROAD TRIP REUNION GETAWAY

In COLD SHOT, Griffin reunites with friends after they’ve drifted apart over the years. Do you have a friend you want to reconnect with? Here’s your chance to hit the road with them for a friend getaway!

Our Grand Prize winner will receive:   $250 gift certificate to BedandBreakfast.com, good for reservations at lodges across the Continental US, plus a $50 Darden restaurants gift card, and a Chesapeake Bay tote bag, to pack your road trip essentials.



SECOND PRIZE:

FINLEY’S FAVORITES PACK

Finley has a lifelong love of travel and exploration, something captured in her cozy home decor, right down to her steamer trunk coffee table. This prize gives you a chance to have a steamer trunk just like Finley’s, and a coffee table book from the Chesapeake Bay to go with it.

Our Second Prize winner will receive: A $150 value cedar wood steamer trunk and vivid Maryland coffee table photo book.



THIRD PRIZE:

TASTE OF MARYLAND KIT

COLD SHOT is sure to leave you with a craving for the mouth-watering snacks Griffin, Finley, and the rest of the crew enjoy in the story. If you wish you could sample Chesapeake’s one-of-a-kind local fare too, this prize is for you.

Our Third Prize winner will receive: The beautifully lithographed, $50 value Taste of Maryland Tin, including the Chesapeake Bay Cookbook and famed local treats such as Old Bay Seasoning, Maple Syrup, Maryland crab soup mix, specialty dip, and Goetze’s Caramel Creams.



HOW TO ENTER:

Go to: http://www.danipettrey.com/cold-shot-sweepstakes/ and complete the entry box, anytime between February 16 – March 7, 2016.

Monday, February 22, 2016

Review: Kissed by a Cowboy + GIVEAWAY


Kissed by a Cowboy
By Debra Clopton
Four of Hearts Ranch, #3
Thomas Nelson, 2016


Summary

Having lived through her parents' divorces, Cassidy Starr knows when the stakes are not in her favor. Divorced herself and humiliated, her faith on rocky ground Cassidy is done with love. Finished. So over it.

Instead, she's returned to Wishing Springs Texas and the rundown farm she's inherited from her great aunt Roxie. She'll reopen the organic strawberry farm and a Bed & Breakfast --- follow in her aunt's footsteps and remain forever-independent, happy . . . and single.

Rancher Jarrod Monahan's hands are full running the ranch, helping to look after his ailing grandfather and track rustlers on the loose. He's pushed all longings for a family of his own right off of his list of priorities. Besides he was in love once and ran scared and lost his shot. But suddenly the regret of his life has moved in next door with a wounded heart determined to become a spinster . . . and that's not happening on his watch.

Suddenly sparks are flying as Jarod has one thing taking priority and that's breaking down the walls around Cassidy's stubborn heart. He's going to prove that being kissed by this cowboy comes with a lifetime commitment and the matrimonial bliss she's given up on.

And the good folks of Wishing Springs have decided that falling in love has never been so fun to watch.


My thoughts

Set in the small community of Wishing Springs, Texas, Kissed by a Cowboy is a fun and entertaining read, filled with comical moments as well as heart-melting moments. What can you expect to find in this story? Cowboys, spark-filled romance, a quirky and loveable supporting cast, cattle rustlers, cowboys, recovering alcoholic, a pet pig named Clover, Thanksgiving in July . . . and did I mention cowboys? I never fail to enjoy Debra’s humor and her writing style that flows so easily across the page.

Family is at the heart of this series, which is built around the love Bo, Tru and Jarrod Monahan have for their grandfather, Pops. Each brother has his own story, and while Kissed by a Cowboy can stand alone, reading all three books in order would give a more pleasurable reading experience. I really can’t pick a favorite book, as it might be a case of loving whichever story I’m reading at the moment – yet I have to admit that there was something especially touching about Jarrod and Cassidy.

I was drawn to this quiet, committed older brother in the first book and have been looking forward to his story ever since. While Tru and Bo contributed through their horse training and custom stirrup businesses, it was Jarrod who shouldered the responsibility of managing the family ranch, literally keeping it afloat, and he was fearful of letting his brothers down. And as a result, he had put his own life and dreams on hold.

For Cassidy, a marriage filled with betrayal behind her, the story has a sweet “coming home” feel. Cassidy has trouble letting go of the past and its guilt, a theme to which many of us can relate, and her steadfast refusal to open up her heart was often frustrating to me – yet had I lived through the rough times she experienced, I could see myself reacting similarly. I loved these words of wisdom from Reba, “One bad ride does not mean the rodeo is over.”

A Christian element is definitely present in this story, but I longed for more spiritual depth. The Monahan family attends church and we’re told that Cassidy drifted away from God during her divorce, but I missed seeing their personal belief and how it affected their lives. Yet on the other hand, Christian values are reflected in character actions. The theme of legacy runs throughout – not just a physical legacy, but that of a life well lived. Most touching to me is love for family, especially the wonderful example set by the Monahan brothers in caring for their grandfather who suffers from Alzheimer’s.

I look forward to more entertaining reads from Debra. Recommended.


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Debra Clopton is a multi-award winning novelist and has written more than 22 novels. Along with writing, Debra helps her husband teach the youth at their local Cowboy Church. Debra's goal is to shine a light toward God while she entertains readers with her words.

Find Debra online at debraclopton.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


Litfuse landing page:

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GIVEAWAY

Is spiritual depth important to you in a Christian fiction novel? Is Debra Clopton a new author to you, or have you enjoyed some of her previous books? To enter the drawing for Kissed by a Cowboy, please click on this link and share my Facebook post, then leave a comment here.

I try to promote on social media, but the best way to keep up with my reviews and occasional giveaways is to subscribe by e-mail in the top right corner (no pressure intended).

BE SURE to leave your name and your email address in a safe format - [at] and [dot] - for the drawing. E-mail required for entry. Contest ends at midnight PST on Sunday, February 28­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­. Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by e-mail.

Eligibility: US residents

Friday, February 19, 2016

Review: Blue Ribbon Trail Ride


Blue Ribbon Trail Ride
By Miralee Ferrell
Horses and Friends, #4
David C. Cook, 2016


Summary

Thirteen-year old Kate and her friends came up with the perfect way to raise money for her autistic younger brother and others to attend summer camp—a horse scavenger hunt! As local businesses donate money and prizes, Kate keeps the entry fees in her mom’s antique jewelry box.

But when the box and the money disappear, Kate and her friends must unravel the clues, hold on to hope, and solve the mystery along the Blue Ribbon Trail Ride.


My thoughts

I thoroughly enjoyed Blue Ribbon Trail Ride, fourth and final book in Miralee Ferrell’s Horses and Friends series. Children, preteen, and middle school young people will find much to enjoy in these engaging and often humorous stories, especially those who love horses.  Miralee is an excellent writer who also happens to have a love for horses, and she has given us a quality series that entertains and explores important life lessons at the same time. Although Blue Ribbon Trail Ride can stand alone, the qualities that make it a wonderful YA book apply to the whole series.


Just like the series title indicates, this is a story about horses and a group of friends living in the Upper Hood River Valley community of Odell, Oregon. Although I’ve never ridden a horse, I love to watch and read about these beautiful animals, and Miralee brings in some interesting details – such as one of the girls’ training sessions. And what could be more fun than planning a scavenger hunt on horseback to raise money for sending kids like Kate’s brother, Pete, to a summer camp for children with autism!


_________________________

“You couldn’t possibly know what made a person act
the way she did if you didn’t know anything about
her past or what her life was like at home.”
- Kate
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I think the strength of this story revolves around true friendship and all that it means. Throughout the series, spiritual values and character traits that we hope to instill in our children are woven in. As reflected in the quote above, Kate learned how easy (and human) it is to form an opinion about someone before learning more about them – and how mistaken those preconceived opinions can often be. Another important takeaway is that different doesn’t necessarily mean bad. After all, aren’t we all different in some way?

I hope Miralee continues this series because Kate is only thirteen and I’d love to see this group of friends grow into their teen years, especially with Kate and Melissa getting proficient in jumping. Jake, with all his movie references and eagerness, is quite a character; his addition to this fun group of friends makes things even more interesting.

Highly recommended for young readers.


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Miralee Ferrell is the award-winning author of more than a dozen novels.

She and her husband live along the Columbia River Gorge in southern Washington State, where she enjoys riding the wooded trails and spending time with her grown children. In addition to horses and dogs, Miralee once owned two cougars.


Connect with Miralee online . . .

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity and David C. Cook for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


Litfuse landing page:




Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Review: The Body under the Bridge


The Body under the Bridge
By Paul McCusker
Father Gilbert Mystery, #1
Kregel/Lion Hudson, 2015


Summary

A former Scotland Yard detective, Father Gilbert knows about death. But, now a priest of a modest Anglican church in the small town of Hailsham, he didn't expect it to show up like this--in the suicide of a man who threw himself off the church tower, and in the discovery of a two-hundred-year-old body beneath an ancient bridge.

The deaths are linked. The mummified corpse under the bridge, a murder victim, reignites a centuries-old battle between two local families--the Todds and the aristocratic Hayshams. Then both David Todd and Lord Haysham begin to act strangely, fearful for reasons they won’t explain.

When Lord Haysham is murdered, David Todd is the prime suspect. But Todd is maniacal, claiming great forces of evil are at work. An entire history of violence and depravity begins to emerge, interweaving the history of several local families with a secret occult society that engages in Black Masses. Has the Society emerged again?


My thoughts

I found The Body under the Bridge to be an intriguing read – pretty much out of my comfort zone, but really good. Paul McCusker’s writing is excellent, characters are very well developed, and the plot not only entertains, but gives readers much upon which to reflect from a spiritual standpoint.

I doubt anyone loves small-village English settings for cozy murder mysteries and police procedurals as much as I do – and with the “amateur” detective of Father Gilbert, that’s exactly what I was expecting. Indeed, Paul McCusker does the small-village setting extremely well. But while this story has the picturesque setting of Stonebridge in Sussex, England, there were a few surprises along the way. Foremost of these was the paranormal element – a secret Society, pentagram symbol, the unmistakable presence of evil, an ancient curse, and demon possession. Amidst all this, Paul injects a subtle humor that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I found Father Gilbert to be a very appealing character. At some point in the past, he resigned his position with Scotland Yard to become an Anglican priest, and as such, brings a unique combination of investigative skills and spiritual intuition. This book is preceded by nine Father Gilbert Mysteries produced as audio dramas by Focus on the Family, and I imagine more of his back story can be found in these programs.

Father Gilbert has fascinating visions that are unexplainable, vivid scenes that he perceives to be real, and are relevant to events that are about to unfold. I don’t presume to understand anything about spiritual warfare, yet I know that Satan is constantly at work, seeking to destroy, and that spiritual warfare is very real. Father Gilbert sees evil as a personal and supernatural force – and that the powerful motivators of greed, power, lust, and glory have always been and always will be in play.

I appreciated how strong the spiritual themes were throughout, one particular example being the struggle with temptation that we all face, reflected in Father Gilbert’s words:  “The line between temptation and action was razor thin and easily passed over without resistance, control, or reasoning. Deliver us from evil… that I so readily embrace.”

Paranormal is a genre I almost always avoid, yet I enjoyed this mystery and hope to read more of Father Gilbert’s stories. Highly recommended.


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Paul McCusker is the creative content director for Focus on the Family. He has been a writer of fiction, nonfiction, and drama since 1979. His work includes over forty published novels, full-length plays, dramatic sketch collections, and song lyrics. For the Adventures in Odyssey series alone, he has written over 200 half-hour radio episodes, eighteen novels, and two screenplays for the best-selling animated videos.

He has dramatized many classics for Focus on the Family Radio Theatre, including A Christmas Carol and Jan Karon's At Home in Mitford. He also wrote and directed the Peabody Award–winning Bonhoeffer: The Cost of Freedom and created the highly acclaimed Father Gilbert Mysteries series.

Paul lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two children. Find Paul online at www.paulmccusker.com, Facebook, and Goodreads.

Thank you to Kregel/Lion Hudson for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.



Top Ten Tuesday: Books and Music




Thank you to the folks at The Broke and the Bookish for hosting this fun Top Ten Tuesday meme each week! Many other bloggers’ picks on today’s theme can be seen here.


Lyrics that would make interesting books

Another fun theme from these imaginative folks! This week’s theme is about music . . . specifically, songs that I think would make interesting books. That topic makes me think of ballads. These songs were all popular in my teenage years and I still enjoy them today. (Click on titles for YouTube viewing.)


The MTA (The Kingston Trio)
Whether it was the Kingston Trio, Brothers Four, or New Christy Minstrels, folk music was and continues to be one of my favorite musical genres. The MTA tells of a man named Charlie trapped on Boston's subway system, then known as the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). The song was originally recorded as a mayoral campaign song for Progressive Party candidate, Walter A. O'Brien.

Well, let me tell you of the story of a man named Charlie
On a tragic and fateful day
He put ten cents in his pocket, kissed his wife and family
Went to ride on the MTA

Charlie handed in his dime at the Kendall Square station
And he changed for Jamaica Plain
When he got there the conductor told him, "One more nickel"
Charlie couldn't get off of that train

Now, ye citizens of Boston, don't you think it's a scandal
How the people have to pay and pay?
Fight the fare increase, vote for George O'Brian
Get poor Charlie off the MTA

Or else he'll never return
No he'll never return and his fate is still unlearned
He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston
He's the man who never returned


Reuben James (Kenny Rogers)
Reuben James, which tells the story of a share cropper and the white child he befriended, was the first song I ever heard by Kenny Rogers and is still my favorite of his.

Reuben James, in my song you’ll live again
And the phrases that I rhyme
Are just the footsteps out of time
From the time when I knew you Reuben James

The gossip of Madison County died with child
And although your skin was black
You were the one that didn’t turn your back
On a hungry white child with no name, Reuben James

With your mind on my soul and a Bible in your right hand
You said turn the other cheek
There’s a better world a waiting for the meek
In my head those words remain from Reuben James


The Long Black Train (Josh Turner)
Just watch this video and imagine what stories it could inspire!

There's a long black train comin' down the line
Feeding off the souls that are lost and cryin'
Rails of sin, only evil remains
Watch out, brother, for that long black train

'Cause there's victory in the Lord, I say
Victory in the Lord
Cling to the Father and his Holy name
And don't go ridin' on that long black train


Three Coins in the Fountain (Frank Sinatra)

Three coins in the fountain
Each one seeking happiness
Thrown by three hopeful lovers
Which one will the fountain bless?


Ballad of a Teenage Queen (Johnny Cash)
Girl in love with the boy next door…enticed by all that Hollywood offered…realizes her mistake…comes back to boy next door. Now isn’t that the perfect romance storyline?

There's a story in our town
Of the prettiest girl around
Golden hair and eyes of blue
How those eyes could flash at you
Boys hung 'round her by the score
But she loved the boy next door who worked at the candy store

He would marry her next spring
Saved his money, bought a ring
Then one day a movie scout
Came to town to take her out
Hollywood could offer more
So she left the boy next door working at the candy store

Then one day the teenage star
Sold her house and all her cars
Gave up all her wealth and fame
Left it all and caught a train
Do I have to tell you more
She came back to the boy next door who worked at the candy store

Now this story has some more, you'll hear it all at the candy store


Healing Rain (Michael W. Smith)
To be washed in Heaven’s rain...This video gives me chills. Watch it if you have time. Imagine a book filled with stories of grace, forgiveness and hope!

Healing rain is coming down
It's coming nearer to this old town
Rich and poor, weak and strong
It's bringing mercy, it won't be long

Healing rain is coming down
It's coming closer to the lost and found
Tears of joy, and tears of shame
Are washed forever in Jesus' name

And only You, the Son of man
Can take a leper and let him stand
So lift your hands, they can be held
By someone greater, the great I Am

Healing rain, I'm not afraid
To be washed in Heaven's rain


So many other songs came to mind after I finished this post – like Ode to Billie Joe by Bobbie Gentry, Strangers in the Night by Frank Sinatra. What are some of your ideas?