August 9th

Hey, everyone,

What a busy summer! It seems as if we're all being pulled in a zillion directions.

Since things are so crazy, we've reset our schedule for this next month and are trying to figure out a more workable schedule before school starts again. Our next meeting will be on Monday, August 9th at 8 PM at Isabelle's house. If you have any questions or need directions, let me know!

I'll post the dates for the next few weeks soon - my notebook isn't handy at the moment.

Have a fabulous week!

Like Dandelion Dust

Have any of you read this book by Karen Kingsbury? I have it if you want to borrow it ... it's really good. It's been made into a movie and is releasing this September. Girly movie night, anyone?

Go here to watch the trailer and to sign up for updates!

'A Patch of Heaven' by Kelly Long

Sarah is a quiet, shy Amish girl who has spent years caring for the family's garden when she's suddenly given a new responsibility: managing and manning the family's roadside produce stand. Thrust into contact with the unfamiliar English world, Sarah meets her new neighbor, Grant Williams, a handsome veterinarian who wants to pursue a romantic relationship. Will Sarah venture further into the English world with Grant or will she remain alone in her familiar Amish one?

Long has created wonderful characters. Lifelike and honest, they are not perfect but reflect the situations in which they find themselves. Her writing is compelling and made it impossible for me to put this book down. I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next, and that the characters did not always do the predictable thing made it even better.

With that said, though, for as interesting as the story is, I felt that it was not especially realistic. I grew up in an Amish community, and the biggest decision made by the main characters was one which I've never heard of happening, and despite Long's great writing, there were several gaps not filled in by the end of the book. Yet the strengths of this book far outweighed the weaknesses, and I can't wait to read the next in the series.

Thomas Nelson provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Book Club Schedule Update

Hey, everyone,

Here's an update of our book club schedule for the next few months:

June 22 - 'A Penny for Your Thoughts' by Mindy Starns Clark
July 20 - 'A Time to Mend' by Sally John and Gary Smalley
August 31 - 'A Shred of Evidence' by Kathy Herman
September 28 - 'The Princess' by Lori Wick
October 26 - 'The Island of Heavenly Daze' by Lori Copeland and Angela Hunt

Some of us have some of these, so you may be able to borrow a copy! Happy reading!

The Old Testament Kings

Today in her vlog Wendy recommended that we begin diagramming or charting the various kinds so that we can keep track of who's who. That's a great idea, but it's already been done for you! Some nice person included a link to an awesome chart in her comments this evening. I thought I'd pass it along! It's definitely worth the ink to print it out and save. :-)

"Love on a Dime" by Cara Lynn James

Lilly Westbrook leads a seemingly charmed life. Part of the social elite, she spends her 22nd summer vacationing on the beach in Rhode Island, where the rich go to play. Lilly doesn't let her social position define her life, however, and covertly does the mission work she feels called to do. Her biggest secret of all? Using her writing gift to pen dime novels under the name 'Fannie Cole;' but will her new publisher and former fiance keep her secret, especially when a scandalous reporter tries to blackmail her and publish her secret?

I admired Lilly for her faith, her determination to do the right thing in face of adversity, and her talent; however, sometimes she seemed unnecessarily scared of trusting those who loved her the most with her true self. To stand so strongly for keeping her work a secret and yet not also stand up for her faith to her parents and fiance irritated me. I found myself alternately annoyed with and admiring Lilly. Despite her quirks, something intrigued me and I couldn't wait to read the end.

This book was well written and I will definitely look for James' next novel!

Thomas Nelson has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review. My opinions are my own.

Applying the Heart

Today Wendy used the very first verse of our reading as her focus. Her lesson today was very good and every second of the vlog was directed towards it. It will both encourage and perhaps convict you. If you haven't checked it out, please do so!