Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes

In the wake of WWII, a grieving fisherman submits a poem to a local newspaper asking readers to send rocks in honor of loved ones to create something life-giving but the building halts when tragedy strikes. Decades later, Annie returns to the coastal Maine town where stone ruins spark her curiosity and her search for answers faces a battle against time.

Publisher: Bethany House, 2019

Genre: historical fiction, time slip novel

My Review

First of all, this cover is stunning. The color tones and title were the first to catch my attention. Then, I read the blurb and discovered it was set in Maine, and I was all in. With a unique premise and the time-hopping plot, I was excited to get my hands on this book. 

And it did not disappoint. 

This author’s prose is poetic and graceful and unlike any voice I’ve ever read. She wrote a perfect balance of setting details (so I felt I was really in Maine), character authenticities, and plot pacing. At times I wondered how the two stories would connect and then they did, and it was magical. 

I enjoyed finding little nuggets of similarity between her Maine story and my Cadence of Acadia series, also set in Maine. Like the fact they’re set in a small town in basically the same area, near Machias. The town meetings, the broken heroine who returns to Maine for healing without realizing that’s what she’s really there for, etc. It’s clear we both have a love and passion for the area, and it feels as though I’ve found a kindred spirit in the writing world. 

I have definitely found a new favorite author in Amanda Dykes and will be suggesting this book to others for months to come. I look forward to reading what she brings readers next. 

*I recommend this book to anyone looking for deep, soul-stirring read. For those who don’t like heavy romance, this story is light in those regards. For those who enjoy heavy romance, there’s enough love stories of substance throughout the book to make it completely satisfying. 

We Hope For Better Things by Erin Bartels

When Detroit Free Press reporter Elizabeth Balsam meets James Rich, his strange request--that she look up a relative she didn't know she had in order to deliver an old camera and a box of photos--seems like it isn't worth her time. But when she loses her job after a botched investigation, she suddenly finds herself with nothing but time.

At her great-aunt's 150-year-old farmhouse, Elizabeth uncovers a series of mysterious items, locked doors, and hidden graves. As she searches for answers to the riddles around her, the remarkable stories of two women who lived in this very house emerge as testaments to love, resilience, and courage in the face of war, racism, and misunderstanding. And as Elizabeth soon discovers, the past is never as past as we might like to think.

Debut novelist Erin Bartels takes readers on an emotional journey through time--from the volatile streets of 1960s Detroit to the Underground Railroad during the Civil War--to uncover the past, confront the seeds of hatred, and discover where love goes to hide.

My Review

This book intrigued me from the lovely front cover to the back cover description. The story is set in Michigan during three time periods, two of which are turbulent times in America. The main character, an investigative journalist, is offered an opportunity to return items to distant family member that could hold the key to her next breaking story. Thus, the time-hopping chapters. The author did a wonderful job pacing each era. This story challenges readers to see history through the eyes of both abolitionist and slave, through various scenarios during the Civil Rights movement, and to question their own personal beliefs and prejudices. This book is a deep, complex read, but a good one. I will definitely be reading more from Ms. Bartels.

A Tapestry of Secrets by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Appalachian Blessings book #3

This Decade-Spanning Novel of Family and Faith Will Delight 

Now in her eighties, Perla Phillips has carried a secret since she was eighteen years old. When she sees her granddaughter, Ella, struggling for perfection, she decides to share her secret to show that God can use even the biggest mistakes for good. But before she can reveal what happened during that summer sixty years ago, she has a debilitating stroke. 
Carrying a secret of her own, Ella arrives back in Wise, West Virgina, to help her aunt Sadie care for Perla. Both know the woman wanted to tell them something, but she's now locked in silence. Together they begin looking into the past, but they may learn more than they expected. 

Will they have the courage to share their hearts? Or will the truth remain buried forever?


Publisher: Bethany House, 2016
Genre: Contemporary Fiction


My Review
Ella Phillips needs a change. Unfortunately, she isn't sure what that change is, until her grandmother, Perla Phillips, has a stroke and Ella returns to the family farm in Wise, WV. The solitude of country living, the support of family, and the connection to her grandmother--and Perla's past--are exactly what Ella was missing. Then an entrepreneur threatens a piece of their heritage, exposing secrets, and testing Ella's relationships and her faith.

This novel was a fantastic conclusion to the Appalachian Blessings series, however, this is a standalone novel that doesn't require the reader to have read the first two books in order to understand this one. Though, I do recommend doing so, as it's so much fun to watch the entire family evolve throughout the generations.

I can't wait to read Ms. Loudin's next series. I give this book 4 stars!

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For more about Sarah and her books, visit her website at www.sarahloudinthomas.com and follow her on social media. 

My Year in Review

2015 brought unexpected events. Some good, some bad. 

The farm aspect of our "hobby farm" went from growing to non-existent. Spring brought a tough trial, which prevented us from having the time to plant our yearly vegetable garden. Our chicken flock became dinner for hungry foxes. Our peach trees weren't as productive as usual, and our plan of getting sheep didn't pan out. 

But the year also brought wonderful blessings. So as I set new goals for 2016 and plan events, I've decided to share the highlights of the past year. 

My debut novel was contracted by Pelican Book Group for release in late 2016!

We had milestone birthdays!
5, 11, and 13

We went to Disney World!

We got to take part in director Scott Paul's documentary on "The Home."

The kids had a successful year in 4-H!

Hubby and I toured Louisville, Kentucky in a bi-plane.

I participated in some wonderful and uplifting writer's meetings. 

We carried on our family traditions.

Our family is growing! The head above mine is to be my new sister-in-law!

I signed a contract for a new contemporary romance titled Preserving Liberty, 

for release in 2017!

I can't wait to see what this year brings!

A Child's Perception

This picture was drawn by my four year old son in his Sunday school class. The lesson was about John the Baptist, baptizing Jesus. Afterward, he was asked to draw the scene. Apparently, he thinks John baptized using a dunk tank. 

I chuckled about this all afternoon. I love how his little mind works. When something isn't clear or he doesn't understand, he computes it into something he's familiar with.

This drawing is one of many in my keeper pile.

Scared Stiff

Back in March, the little guy decided he wanted to play T-ball. We signed him up, paid the dues, and practiced with him. Whenever anyone asked him what position he wanted to play, he’d say, “I’m gonna be the coach!” We all laughed at this utter cuteness, but come to find out, he was serious. VERY serious.

Team practices started, and it was a constant struggle to get him to participate. Either I or my husband had to be on the field with him every second, and even then, he wouldn’t make it easy. Now don’t get me wrong, we realize he’s young, and we certainly don’t make our kids play sports. However, we do teach our children to not be quitters. There are too many quitters in society already.

Games begin. Three into the season and little guy refuses to play. He watches his teammates have a great time, but he won’t join in. Why? He wanted to be the coach!

Finally, by a miracle from the good Lord above, he decided to play last week. No fussing, scowling, or shyness. Just a lift of his little chin, and he walked out there, determined, and played. He did great. Hit every time he was up to bat, ran the bases in order, and played in the dirt in between. After the game, proud mama gave him a big squeeze, bought him a Slushie, and had a heart-to-heart.

“Did you enjoy your game,” I asked.

“Yeah, I did. I knew I’d be good at it.”

“You are. But if you knew that, why wouldn’t you play before?”

“I was scared.”

“Of what?”

“I was scared I might fall down. Scared I’d get hurt. Scared people would laugh at me.”

I was stunned. This whole time I’d thought it was because he couldn’t be the coach. It was in part, but I had no idea an underlying fear kept him from playing.

This hit me square in the face. How many of Christians are being called to make some kind of change in their lives but are sitting on the bench instead, missing out because they didn’t get the “position” they wanted. Or scared they might fall down. Scared they might get hurt.

I know because I’m dealing with this myself right now. Sometimes we’re so scared of failing, we do absolutely nothing at all. I’m grateful God is a patient God. A merciful God. A God full of grace and love.

Lord, help me to overcome my fear, step away from the bench, and help my team achieve victory.

*This post was originally posted by me on May 23, 2014 with the Quid Pro Quills. For more posts like this visit www.quidproquills.wordpress.com