With a Song in My Heart

I love music and it has always been a huge part of my life – from beginning piano lessons at age 11 to playing in worship for going on 54 years now. Other than some contemporary worship music, most of my favorites can be found in Southern gospel, folk music, pop, and traditional country from years past. Any other fans of these genres?

This blog has primarily been book reviews, but my original intention was to include music-related themes and Erma Bombeck’s poignant humor. Life’s “busyness” always seems to get in the way, but I’m going to do my best at sharing what I’ve loved through the years, what moves me most. It will be an eclectic assortment from the many styles that I mentioned above, from the mid-50s on. So welcome to With a Song in My Heart …

Farther Along

… A song which looks forward to that time and place

where there will be no more death, sorrow, and crying

(Revelation 21:4)

In thinking about where to begin, I came across a video of Joni Eareckson Tada’s testimony leading into Farther Along, and couldn’t think of a better starting place. Others that I love have recorded it (Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, etc.) and I’ll probably share their arrangements in the future –but Joni’s testimony is so moving that I had to begin with her. And she has a beautiful voice! May you be blessed by her words and music, and please share your thoughts. (Be sure to watch the whole video).

Tempted and tried, we’re oft made to wonder

Why it should be thus all the day long

While there are others living about us

Never molested, though in the wrong

Farther along we’ll know all about it

Farther along we’ll understand why

Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine

We’ll understand it all by and by

When we see Jesus coming in glory

When He comes from His home in the sky

Then we’ll join Him in that bright city

And we’ll understand it all by and by

Background:

        The text and the tune are both attributed to William B. Stevens (1862-1940), a Church of God preacher in Schuyler County, Missouri. If anyone had a motivation to write such a song, it was Stevens; he was a truly Job-like figure who outlived all six of his children, many of them dying in childhood.
        Farther Along is one of those songs in which words and music blend almost perfectly to present a wonderful message of faith. We should derive comfort from the chorus that what we now know only in part, we shall certainly understand Farther Along. Then we will not have to ask why, or to speculate. We may not always understand why things happen the way they do on earth, but we can eagerly anticipate being at home with Christ Farther Along.

Review: The Captain's Daughter

The Captain’s Daughter
By Jennifer Delamere
London Beginnings #1
Bethany House, 2017


Summary

Warm-hearted Victorian romance brings 1880s London to life.

When a series of circumstances beyond her control leave Rosalyn Bernay alone and penniless in London, she chances upon a job backstage at a theater that is presenting the most popular show in London. A talented musician and singer, she feels immediately at home and soon becomes enthralled with the idea of pursuing a career on the stage.

A hand injury during a skirmish in India has forced Nate Moran out of the army until he recovers. Filling his time at a stable of horses for hire in London, he has also spent the past two months working nights as a stagehand, filling in for his injured brother. Although he's glad he can help his family through a tough time, he is counting the days until he can rejoin his regiment. London holds bitter memories for him that he is anxious to escape. But then he meets the beautiful woman who has found a new lease on life in the very place Nate can't wait to leave behind.

Learn more and purchase a copy.


My thoughts

It’s always fun to try an author who is new to me when their book descriptions sounds like something I would enjoy – and enjoy I certainly did! The Captain’s Daughter is filled with well-rounded characters and vividly conveys the sights and sounds of Victorian London. I loved the historical detail, which included the theater world of Gilbert and Sullivan. I’ve long been addicted to British fiction and found this story very satisfying.

The prologue introduces us to Rosalyn and her two sisters, all raised in George Muller’s orphanage. I’ve read a good bit about Muller’s devout trust in God to provide, and think this is a great foundation for the girls’ stories. Rosalyn’s sisters have distinctive characteristics, making it fun to anticipate their future stories.

That faith in God’s provision is tested when Rosalyn finds herself penniless upon reaching London, and I liked the way God worked through the people who reached out to help her. It was easy to like Rosalyn and one thing that stood out to me was her simple kindness, even when things weren’t easy for her.

I connected with Nate immediately – honorable and hardworking, attempting to handle guilt in his own way … “Never once had Nate gone to God to ask for forgiveness. He’d been too intent on earning it.” He’s a great leading man and I enjoyed watching the relationship between Rosalyn and Nate grow from friendship into much more. The musician in me loved that he played the fiddle, and Ms. Delamere writes some beautiful scenes where I could almost hear his tunes echoing off the walls around me.

Although Rosalyn is truly a sea captain’s daughter, it was hard to connect with the title at first because her father wasn’t in the picture. However, there’s a scene toward the end that made me realize it was the perfect title.

The Captain’s Daughter was entertaining, a story that should appeal to fans of historical romance. I look forward to Julia’s story and its courtroom theme in The Heart’s Appeal, which releases March 2018.

I was provided a free copy of this book through Litfuse Publicity and Bethany House. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

_________________________

Jennifer Delamere's debut Victorian romance, "An Heiress at Heart," was a 2013 RITA award finalist in the inspirational category. Her follow-up novel, "A Lady Most Lovely," received a starred review from "Publishers Weekly" and the Maggie Award for Excellence from Georgia Romance Writers.

Jennifer earned a BA in English from McGill University in Montreal, where she became fluent in French and developed an abiding passion for winter sports. She's been an editor of nonfiction and educational materials for nearly two decades, and lives in North Carolina with her husband.

Website │ Facebook │ Twitter │ Pinterest

http://litfusegroup.com/author/jdelamere

Review: Naomi's Hope

Naomi’s Hope
By Jan Drexler
Journey to Pleasant Prairie #3
Revell, 2017


Summary

When the future is threatened by the past, can she trust herself to make the right choice?

Despite growing pains in her 1846 Amish community in Indiana, Naomi Schrock has settled into a comfortable life in her parents' home with her adopted son, Davey. Surrounded by family and friends, she tries not to think about the fact that she's not at the top of any man's list of potential wives. Yet when Cap Stoltzfus moves into the area and befriends Davey, Naomi finds herself caught between the plans she has made for her future and the tantalizing thought that Cap might be part of a life she never dared to hope for.

When a couple shows up claiming to be Davey's true family, Naomi and Cap must unite to make the decision that will determine the boy's future--as well as their own.


My thoughts

LaGrange County, Indiana
1846

Naomi’s Hope is a lovely reading experience in every way. This is the first of Jan Drexler’s books that I’ve read, and it’s just my luck for it to be the final book in her series. If you’ve read the previous two books, you’ll enjoy catching up with familiar friends, but enough background is given that this story can stand alone.

I hadn’t read very far before realizing that there was something different about this book. It turns out that Drexler’s ancestors were Amish/Mennonite immigrants, and I believe it’s the inspiration she draws from their stories that makes her writing special. Vivid historical detail is woven into the narrative, conveying not only a sense of place, but pulling you right into the era. It was interesting to notice similarities and differences between 19^th-century and contemporary Amish communities. I read a good bit of contemporary Amish fiction – because that’s mainly what’s available – so delving into their history adds a depth that I love.

Naomi and Cap are realistically flawed, but totally appealing characters, maybe because of those flaws and doubts. Naomi accepts that she will never wed and has given her heart to Davey, the young boy she adopted – who is precious, by the way. Cap, still grieving over the deaths of his wife and child, instantly connects with Davey in an endearing relationship that often brings tears to the eyes.

“The Ordnung is a kind of fence.

It tells us where the boundaries are

and helps us make the right decisions”

- Cap to Davey

Naomi’s Hope is filled with spiritual insight, gently woven into the story. I liked that Cap admitted to sometimes being puzzled by the Ordnung, how God’s grace meshed with it. If, like Naomi, you’ve often thought that God was too busy to be involved in the small, routine parts of your daily life, then this story will speak to you. And if you’ve ever questioned why God allows bad things to happen – which probably describes all of us, if we’re honest – then this story will minister to you.

Two secondary characters captured my emotions in completely opposite ways. Shem, who claimed to be an ordained minister, actually brought division by sowing seeds of disharmony, doubt and discord – reminding me of how Satan works. And then there was Christian, a humble man full of godly wisdom.

Sometimes a work of fiction will speak a word of truth that we need to hear, especially me, and Naomi’s Hope did exactly that by reminding how easy it is to allow someone to take God’s place in our hearts.

I greatly enjoyed Naomi’s Hope and look forward to whatever Jan Drexler writes next.

Highly recommended.

I was provided a free copy of this book from Revell. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

_________________________

Jan Drexler brings a unique understanding of Amish traditions and beliefs to her writing. Her ancestors were among the first Amish, Mennonite, and Brethren immigrants to Pennsylvania in the 1700s, and their experiences are the inspiration for her stories.

Jan lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her husband of thirty-five years. She is the author of The Prodigal Son Returns, A Mother for His Children (winner of the 2013 TARA award), and A Home for His Family (finalist for the 2016 Inspirational Reader's Choice Award), as well as Hannah's Choice and Mattie's Pledge.

Website │ Facebook │ Twitter

Review (+ Tour GIVEAWAY): A Crime of Passion Fruit

A Crime of Passion Fruit
By Ellie Alexander
A Bakeshop Mystery #6
St. Martin’s, 2017


Summary

Torte―everybody’s favorite small-town family bakeshop―is headed for the high seas, where murder is about to make a splash. . .

Jules Capshaw is trying to keep her cool as Torte gets set to make its transformation from quaint, local confectionary café to royal pastry palace. Meanwhile, Jules’s estranged husband Carlos is making a desperate plea for her to come aboard his cruise ship and dazzle everyone with her signature sweets. She may be skeptical about returning to her former nautical life with Carlos but Jules can’t resist an all-expense-paid trip, either. If only she knew that a dead body would find its way onto the itinerary.

Now, instead of enjoying tropical drinks on deck between whipping up batches of sea-salted chocolates and flambéing fresh pineapple slices in the kitchen, Jules is plunged into dangerous waters. Her investigation leaves her with more questions than answers: Why can’t anyone on board identify the young woman? And how can she help Carlos keep passengers at ease with a killer in their midst? Jules feels like she’s ready to jump ship. Can she solve this case without getting in too deep?


My thoughts

I wasn’t very far into A Crime of Passion Fruit before realizing that Ellie Alexander’s bakeshop series would become a favorite of mine. The story is well written, intelligent, creative, entertaining, and just plain fun. Rather than being suspenseful, the focus is on logical crime deduction, a style that I love. Although this is #6 in the series – and I’ve not read the previous stories – it easily stands alone. I could pretty much figure out what had gone on with recurring characters. And kudos to Ms. Alexander for giving us a clean story with no profanity or graphic scenes.

The series centers around Torte, a small-town bakeshop in Ashland, Oregon – famous for its Shakespeare theater. A Crime of Passion Fruit, however, takes place on a cruise ship where Jules, at the request of her estranged husband, temporarily fills in as pastry chef. The vivid descriptions pulled me right into the setting and I enjoyed seeing a lot of the action from the crew’s perspective. Shipboard activities and themes were fun and imaginative. I confess to skimming over some of the food prep descriptions, but cooking fans will find these very interesting and informative.

A series is only as strong as its lead character, and I was immediately drawn to Jules – a natural leader who enjoys working with her mom and cares about people. She loved being a chef … “The kitchen is the great equalizer. People of all walks of life connect over food.” Secondary characters add even more depth to the story.

I especially enjoyed the romantic themes. Apparently two men are interested in Jules – Thomas, an Ashland police deputy, and Carlos, the estranged husband – and I don’t know who to pull for at this point. Thomas isn’t personally featured in this story, so I don’t know anything about him. But Carlos … Wow! At first, I thought their relationship was mainly based on surface-level attraction, but we see much more depth as the story unfolds. Carlos and Jules love each other, but have different life goals. This story ends in a tantalizing way for them and I’m eager to see what develops.

A Crime of Passion Fruit concludes with the hint of much more to come in the bakeshop series – Torte’s basement renovation, expansion, and the wedding of Jules’s mom. I eagerly await the release of book #7, Another One Bites the Crust, on January 2, 2018.

Highly recommended.

I was provided a free copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

_________________________

Ellie Alexander is a Pacific Northwest native who spends ample time testing pastry recipes in her home kitchen or at one of the many famed coffeehouses nearby.

When she’s not coated in flour, you’ll find her outside exploring hiking trails and trying to burn off calories consumed in the name of research.

Website │ Facebook │ Twitter │ Instagram


Purchase Links:
Amazon  B&N  IndieBound

GIVEAWAY

Please click on this link and share my Facebook post as you enter the drawing below. And if you’ve read any of this series, I’d love to know your thoughts.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Summer Storms

Summer Storms
By Amy Clipston
Part of An Amish Summer collection
Thomas Nelson, 2017


Summary

Arianna is counting down the days until her wedding to Jesse. They have been friends longer than Arianna can remember, and that friendship turned into love over the past couple of years. But when Arianna s brother Tobias, who happens to be Jesse s best friend, gets them both into trouble, Arianna s father puts an end to her engagement to Jesse.

Some summer storms pass quickly, but Arianna is afraid the damage from this one may be too much to repair.


My thoughts

There’s something special about Amy Clipston’s writing and I’ve never been disappointed. Summer Storm, a novella in the 4-story collection An Amish Summer, might seem like a short, sweet Amish romance – but there’s much more to experience here. Summer Storms reflects real-life situations in this story of misunderstandings and broken relationships – not only between boy/girl, but father/son and two best friends.

The actions of Arianna’s brother, Tobias, created a conflict that put her love for Jesse and desire to obey her father at odds. Even in the shorter novella format, Clipston creates well-rounded characters, emotion, and spiritual depth. Character growth takes place along with sweet romance, and I especially connected with the secondary character of Tobias. I long for his story to be told in the future.

There’s much more to enjoy in this novella collection and I hope to share my thoughts soon. Recommended to all who enjoy quality Amish fiction.

I was provided a free copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

_________________________

Amy Clipston is the award-winning and bestselling author of the Kauffman Amish Bakery series. Her novels have hit multiple bestseller lists including CBD, CBA, and ECPA. 

Amy holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan College and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and three spoiled rotten cats.


Website │ Facebook │ Twitter │ Instagram

Review (+ Tour GIVEAWAY): None So Blind

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book

Book title: None So Blind  
Author: Chautona Havig  
Release date: September 29, 2013  
Genre: Contemporary  

Dani and Ella Weeks–two women who share one thing in common. The same life, the same family, and the same body.

When Dani wakes with no knowledge of who or where she is–no memories of her life at all–David and Dani Weeks discover that “til death do us part” takes on an entirely unexpected meaning. Practically speaking, Dani died. But she didn’t. What’s a gal to do? 

In a desperate attempt to separate the old life from the new, Dani insists on a new name, a twist of her old one–Ella. Ella’s doctors can’t explain what happened. Her children can’t understand why she doesn’t know them. David, her husband, finds himself torn between admiration for the “new” version of his wife and missing the woman he’s known for over fifteen years.

Will Ella ever regain her memory? Why does their pastor suspect it’s one great hoax?

My Thoughts

Sometimes it felt as though someone had stolen his wife’s mind, and he was left with the part of her that least mattered to him. He’d married Dani because of her personality. Now he lived with her opposite in almost every way.

This is the first full novel I’ve read by Chautona Havig and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There’s good character depth, the writing flows smoothly, nothing is predictable, and the unusual premise hooked me from the first paragraph. But what I loved most is how different None So Blind is from anything I’ve ever read.

It was easy to feel Dani’s confusion – and “confusion” might be too mild a term – as she wakes up one morning in an ugly bedroom with an unappealing stranger staring back at her in the mirror. I couldn’t help but put myself in Dani’s place as she struggled with a husband and children she didn’t recognize. My heart also went out to her husband, David, who had suddenly become “a stranger to the stranger in my wife’s body.”

Vince, David’s pastor, is a secondary character that I really liked – for it is through him that David finds friendship, godly counsel and accountability. The spiritual themes of this story are refreshing in a time when much of Christian fiction is “lite.” Contrasting advice is presented and Dani/Ella is tempted by the attentions of another man, but themes of commitment, faithfulness, grace, and obedience are shown in a way that speaks to the heart.

The story comes to a satisfying conclusion without everything being tied up neatly, and the way is paved for the next story in this series, which I anticipate eagerly. Recommended to all who enjoy relationship drama and/or women’s fiction.

I was provided a free copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and Chautona Havig. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

About the Author

Chautona Havig lives and writes in California’s Mojave Desert with her husbnd and five of her nine children. Through her novels, she hopes to encourage Christians in their walk with Jesus.

Guest post from Chautona Havig

“Who are you, again?”

“I’m Joe’s, daughter. Vyonie.” My sister pointed to me. “This is Chautona.” 

 For some odd reason, the niece she spent the least amount of time with, Aunt Doris remembered—somewhat. But she didn’t remember Vyonie from what I could tell. She smiled at me, that amazing, sweet smile I’d never forget. She asked how I was. I always thought that Mrs. Sanderson—mother of John, Alicia, and Carl on the TV show, Little House on the Prairie—looked and sounded like Aunt Doris. Of course, that memory of me didn’t last. A minute or two later, she gave me a big smile and asked if she knew me. 

It gave me a picture of what it must have been like for my character, Ella Weeks—to wake up every day with these children there—children who knew her, but she didn’t remember. The hurt she caused every time she had to struggle to admit she didn’t know something she probably should—again. So, I thought I’d ask her to tell us about it. 

Ella: People often assume that the worst part of losing my memory are the memories that disappeared, too. But it’s not. A much as I’d love to remember my wedding day, my daughter’s first steps, my son’s first words, or that moment I realized I was pregnant with my third, those are blessings that I don’t think about often. No, what hurts most is seeing the pain in my children’s eyes when they need me to remember something and I can’t. For me, not remembering their first day of kindergarten is an inconvenience. For them, it’s a further reminder that if they didn’t tell me, I wouldn’t know them. That without them pushing themselves into my life, I wouldn’t care about them any more than any other human in my path. I do now, of course, but not at first. I hate that they heard David say once, “…she doesn’t know me. She doesn’t trust me. She doesn’t know our children. She tries, but she could walk out of our lives tomorrow and never miss us.”

Living so close to it every day, I missed those little bits of pain that I inflicted without meaning to, but when I went with our Bible study to a nursing home and visited with the residents, then I saw it. Women with tears running down their cheeks as loved ones patted their hands and tried to comfort. I heard one man offer to find a woman’s father. She squeezed him close and whispered, “It’s okay, Daddy. I love you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

The man promised to try to find her father in the meantime.

Those people there—most of them didn’t realize they didn’t remember someone important. They didn’t struggle to remember this or that. Their dementia had gotten bad enough that their lives had gone from constant frustration to, by comparison, blissful oblivion.

And their families withered with each forgotten face, name, moment.

That’s what my “episode” did for my family. It caused them pain that just resurfaced every time something new happened. Pain that I didn’t know I inflicted. And since that visit, I have a greater compassion and awareness of just how amazing and powerful memories are.

I also have a greater appreciation for those beautiful words in Isaiah when the Lord promised… “I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins.”

You see, there’s a lifetime of the sins that Jesus died for buried somewhere in my brain—or, at least at one time there was. I know that those sins were in there, because the ones I committed yesterday are there today. The ones I’ve already confessed and been forgiven for—I beat myself up for the next morning. A week later. A month. But the Lord has wiped them clean. I just keep smearing them back out there again as if to say, “But You don’t get how BAD I was.” Yeah. The arrogance, right? Because an almighty, holy God can’t possibly understand how sinful a sinner that He had to DIE to save from those sins… is. The arrogance? That’s an understatement.

But all those years before that horrible morning… gone. Maybe I stole something. I don’t know. It was forgiven, wiped clean, and then wiped from my memory. I can’t rehash it with the Lord over and over. I can’t drag it back up like a wife who won’t let her husband forget the one time he forgot her birthday. I can’t use it as a whip to beat myself up with. And I think there’s something beautiful in that.

Do I wish I could stop hurting my family with my blank past? Of course. But am I also grateful for a living picture of the fresh start the Lord gives His people at salvation? Definitely. I hope I never take it for granted again.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away a grand prize that includes:

1 $25 Amazon Gift Card
1 Paperback Copy of None So Blind
1 Paperback Copy of Will Not See
1 Lampwork Necklace
1 Cool denim mini-backpack (to hold your stuff!)
1 Custom Travel Mug (with quote from book)
1 FREE eBook code to share with a friend!

Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

Review (+ Tour GIVEAWAY): The Secret Slipper

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book

Book title: The Secret Slipper  
Author: Amanda Tero  
Release date: May 25, 2017  
Genre: YA Historical Fiction

Being a cripple is only the beginning of Lia’s troubles. It seems as if Bioti’s goal in life is to make Lia as miserable as possible. If Lia’s purpose is to be a slave, then why did God make her a cripple? How can He make something beautiful out of her deformity? 

Raoul never questioned the death of his daughter until someone reports her whereabouts. If Ellia is still alive, how has she survived these ten years with her deformity? When Raoul doesn’t know who to trust, can he trust God to keep Ellia safe when evidence reveals Bioti’s dangerous character? 

As time brings more hindrances, will Raoul find Ellia, or will she forever be lost to the father she doesn’t even know is searching for her?

My Thoughts

Amanda Tero is a young writer with a very promising talent. I’m not fond of medieval settings, but the creative storytelling and spiritual themes made this novella an interesting read.

The Secret Slipper is inspired by Cinderella – but while there are certain similarities, it’s a father/daughter story rather than a romance. And the slipper itself is creative genius. You’ll find elements of adventure, revenge, and greed, but also a loving father’s determined quest to find the daughter he thought had died. Both Lia and her father grow spiritually in trust and surrender of personal will.

The Secret Slipper is a story that will entertain YA readers and leave them eager for more.

Recommended.

I was provided a free copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

About the Author

Amanda Tero is a homeschool graduate who desires to provide God-honoring, family-friendly reading material. She has enjoyed writing since before ten years old, but it has only been since 2013 that she began seriously pursuing writing again – starting with some short stories that she wrote for her sisters as a gift. 

Her mom encouraged her to try selling the stories she published, and since then, she has begun actively writing short stories, novellas, and novels. If something she has written draws an individual into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, it is worth it!

Guest post from Amanda Tero

Do you ever have plans that come up from almost nowhere? That is kind of how “The Secret Slipper” started. I had written a fun novella, “Befriending the Beast.” It was a stand-alone. Just for fun. My relief project during a longer project. Well, no sooner had “Befriending the Beast” released when a friend asked me, “Hey, have you considered a father/daughter Cinderella story?” That night I stayed up until after midnight, mulling over ideas and coming up with the title. Lord Kiralyn, who appeared in “Befriending the Beast” as Belle’s uncle now had a story—involving a daughter that I didn’t know existed, but whose existence created a whirlwind of adventure, heartache, and excitement. And now that I have two books in the series, my brain is already pulling at ideas for a book three. But that’s another story for another day.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Amanda is giving away a grand prize of paperback copies of her three novellas: Journey to Love, Befriending the Beast, and The Secret Slipper. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!