The Sheepish Scribe

Patchwork Dreams by Laura V. Hilton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


An Amish book with a serious subject matter. Becky Troyer has a child as the result of a date rape. She blames herself and hides the truth of the situation from her parents and her church. She plans to spend the rest of her life unwed, and a single mom, in the Amish church. Then handsome Jacob Miller arrives and her carefully laid plans to protect her heart crumble around her feet. Can she hope to have a normal life? Can Jacob learn the truth and not reject her? A touching look at the healing needed for the victim of such a crime.

I Shall Not Want by Debbie Viguié

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A rollicking good mystery that kept me guessing to the very end! The second in a series, I nevertheless had no problem picking up the clues from the past and enjoying the present. Oh! And the clues for book three are clearly in place.

Mystery is one genre I rarely seek out, but I enjoyed this story throughout. The characters are fresh and engaging, a little surprising, a little mysterious (would you expect any less in a good mystery?) and easy to identify with. No spoilers here - you have to read to book to find out what's inside!

My third year at Maranatha is the first year I've been able to relax. My book is written. My job is done. Whether or not it sees publication, I've done what I felt called to do. What a liberating feeling! This year I gave myself permission to *gasp!* skip a few sessions, to slow down, to enjoy the moment and the people. I've volunteered to go in front of the group - twice - and survived both times.

I wish I could describe the worship here. David Teems employs his God-given talents in this area. Words fail me (pitiful lack of expression for a writer) but my spirit soars. Debbie Taylor Williams pumps life into the morning devotional time. Her gift of encouragement to others is inspiring. Her knowledge of the Person of God dwarfs my meager understanding.

Those behind the scenes, working the bookstore, putting out snacks, running the sound equipment, and performing the many other unseen chores are the unsung heroes of the conference. A hearty thank you to each of them. That they can put up with a wallowing hoard of self-absorbed writers and do so with a smile on their faces gives a new level to the word "gracious".

Next year's dates are September 24 - 28. If you're looking for a Christian writers' conference with a heart, look no more. Mark the date and start plopping your pennies in the conference fund jar today. You won't regret it. Oh - and if you see me muttering to myself and frantically cramming in every session I can find next year - you'll know I'm somewhere in the middle of my next novel.

Trail To Justice by Susan Page Davis

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A nice, easy read. No surprises here, a gentle love story suitable for any age. Loved the setting of Wyoming and the people surrounded by horses... that's always good stuff!

Larkspur Cove by Lisa Wingate

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A gritty look at what divorce does to a family. Andrea Henderson's marriage is shattered by her husband's behavior. She and her son move into her parent's lake home and try to put their lives back together. Raising a teenager by herself, getting a job, taking control of her life are all overwhelming things. Author Lisa Wingate does a nice job of portraying the turmoil of a woman whose life has been altered by things outside of her control. Handsome Mart McClendon adds another layer of tension and uncertainty to Andrea's life. Both learn to recognize a Power greater than themselves as they wade through the murky waters of Larkspur Cove.

Where Hearts Are Free by Golden Keyes Parsons

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is a good book set in Colonial America. It is build around the historical practices of indentured servants and arranged marriages. It also encompasses the desire and ability of immigrants who came to this country in that time period to blend into the new culture emerging here. The characters are believable and appropriate for the time period. I recommend the book to people who enjoy fiction of this time period.

This is the third in a series and I have not read the first two. The amount of backstory at times was distracting for me. If I had read the books in order, it probably wouldn't have been.

Bridget is the dutiful daughter who desires to please her parents. She agrees to marry an older man she doesn't like because it is the desire of her parents. Her real love, Philippe, is released from his indentured servitude early when her father learns of her attachment. Philippe goes back to work on the family farm and stays there until he learns that Bridget's future husband is selling guns to the Indians. He mounts a rescue attempt to save the woman he belatedly realizes is the love of his life.

The Covering by Dana Pratola

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A sizzling attraction, a touch of spiritual warfare, and characters who intrigue from the first page. What more can you ask for? How about the gospel message and redemption? Yeah, it's got all that. Buy this book. Read this book. Pass it on.

Gunnar is the bad boy, Tessa is the naive girl, the powers of good and evil are tugging at both of them. The instant attraction is compelling and a bit dangerous. Tessa walks a perilous line between her Christian beliefs and her love for a rough but gorgeous biker. Gunnar struggles with demons and his past. Neither wants the relationship they find themselves in. You have to read the book to learn how it all works out. No spoiler here!

This book is Dana Pratola's first novel. I'll be watching for her next one!

It's true. My parents did irreparable damage to me in my formative years. They didn't mean to. They were acting in what they thought was my best interest. I will spend the rest of my life, however, dealing with the consequences.

This morning I'm canning another nine jars of string beans. I have enough string beans canned this year to see us through the next two winters. And yet our bean plants are still producing. If I was smart, I'd pull the bean plants and stop this wearying cycle. But I can't. Why? Here's where my parents come into the equation. There are starving children in China.

Many of you are nodding your heads now. You know what I mean. As children, we were guilted into not wasting what others were dying for the lack of. And now here I am in my hot and humid kitchen, standing over hot water and scalding steam, preserving string beans no Chinese child will ever see.

But life is good and God is great and soon the snow will fly.