Reading, Writing & Pondering

  Greta Nilsson is struggling to help her little sister who is ill with consumption. She decides to become a mail-order bride to take her sister to the healing air of Colorado. However, when she gets to Colorado she finds out her betrothed has died and she is penniless after a stage coach robbery. Wyatt McQuaid is in town and just might be the answer to her problems if the mayor has any say in the matter. A Cowboy for Keeps by Jody Hedlund is a sweet, romantic slow burn story. I liked Wyatt and Greta as well as Greta's sister, Astrid. I enjoyed the description of the area and the way the plot progressed. There is some spiritual elements in the story but it isn't preachy and they seem to flow right along with the characters in the plot. I did get a little frustrated with Greta's communication towards the end but I understand it, in light of the story. All in all it was a quick and pleasant read for me with a satisfying ending. I received a copy of this book from the publish...

  Do you have favorite books in the Bible? Proverbs is one of mine. I like the practical day to day advice. Today, Joyce Meyer's new book about Proverbs releases: In Search of Wisdom .  In Search of Wisdom is a straight forward book with a chapter on each of the 31 chapters of Proverbs, an introduction and a conclusion. In the Introduction, Meyer encourages readers to read each book of Proverb before reading the corresponding chapter. In each chapter, Meyers then shares commentary on verses throughout the chapter. She also asks questions to inspire you to think about how you are living your life with respect to the wisdom of the verses in that chapter. Meyer emphasizes how important wisdom is to living a life for God throughout the book. In the conclusion, she once again illustrates just how important it is. I appreciate how practical and easy to read In Search of Wisdom is. Meyer always offers straightforward commentary and does  a great job of helping readers understa...

  Olivia and Melanie Greene are sisters with a few problems. In fact, they haven't seen each other since their parents died in a fatal car accident 10 years ago. Then they meet up to go hiking together for a week after Melanie talks Olivia into the trip. For several days the girls navigate both the wilderness of the Porcupine Mountains of Michigan's Upper Peninsula and their relationship with each other.  All That We Carried by Erin Bartels is a book about relationships. I don't have a sister but I found it interesting to see how both handled themselves with each other. I liked when Bartels let us read their thoughts. Both were introspective at times and reflected on their faith or lack of faith and spiritual lives. While they weren't Christians, they were both searching spiritually at times. The searching was further encouraged after meeting another hiker named Joshua who helped them out of a few scrapes. He also helped them gain some insights into each other and God. ...