NEW READ-ALONG: HEIDI by Johanna Spyri

Amber at SEASONS OF HUMILITY is once again hosting a read-along. This time we will be reading HEIDI. I read this book when I was a child and loved it so I am looking forward to reading it again and seeing if I enjoy it as much as an adult. Here are all of the details from Amber's blog. Hop on over there and read all about it and feel free to participate!

• The read-along will start Wednesday, January 1, and end Friday, January 31.

• We'll read 1 chapter per weekday for a total of 23 chapters. (You can use the weekends to catch up or get ahead if you'd like!)  

• Discussions will take place here on Fridays (January 10, 17, 24, 31) for a total of 4 discussions.

• I'll(Amber) provide ideas and questions, and you can take part through commenting on the discussion posts here or creating your own blog posts!

I hope you will choose to join us. Read-Alongs are so fun and I love discussing books any time! 

The Christmas Book Shoppe by Miranda Atchley

Trudy gave up her job as a librarian to come home to Christmas, Arkansas and run her Aunt's book shoppe. Trudy loves her book shop, which also has her apartment above the shop. When her cousin who now owns the book shop decides to close the shop right before Christmas Trudy has no idea what she is going to do or where she is going to live.

The Christmas Book Shoppe is a sweet Christmas read. I enjoyed the town of Christmas, Arkansas and I also enjoyed the characters. Trudy's customers were quite entertaining and her friends were loyal. I thought the romance a bit forced and unlikely, but since it wasn't the central part of the story I can live with it. A sweet novella that is perfect for a quick Christmas read.

Seconds To Live by Susan Sleeman

Dustee and her twin sister are in the Witness Protection program. Dustee is a hacker who has worked with the person known as Phantom. The last known partner of Phantom was brutally murdered so it is imperative that Phantom is caught. Taylor is a WITSEC deputy in charge of keeping Dustee and Dianne safe. Now someone has hacked into the WITSEC computers and may be selling the names and locations of witnesses. FBI Agent Sean Nichols and his team are sent to work with the marshals to find Phantom and secure the leak. Sean and Taylor have had an online friendship for awhile now, but this is the first time they will be meeting and they

are both nervous about what it will mean to their relationship. With Phantom desperate to find Dustee and seek revenge all of their lives are in danger, will they find who they are dealing with before anyone else is murdered?

From the opening paragraphs to the very last paragraph, SECONDS TO LIVE was a roller coaster ride of excitement! There is so much suspense and danger, just like I like! We don't know who Phantom is until the end so that adds to the suspense of the story. Sean and Taylor's relationship is sweet, I like that they had an online relationship so that they at least sort of knew each other when they finally met in person. Both Sean and Taylor had trust issues from circumstances in their pasts and that added another dimension to what I like about author Susan Sleeman's books, there are always spiritual lessons to be learned from her characters. As they learn to trust and put their faith in God, the reader too can relate and hopefully do the same.

A FAVORITE QUOTE:

"One thing he'd forgotten, an important thing: God didn't betray. Didn't turn His back. He was always the same loving God. Always wanting the best for His children."

A great reminder both for the characters and for the reader.

This is book 1 in the Homeland Heroes series. I'm excited to read more!

**I received a copy of the book from Netgalley and also a paperback copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own**

Verse and Vengeance by Amanda Flower

Once again Violet Waverly is on the case! Along with the her bookstore Charming Books, a magical store that always seems to know what a person needs to read and always knows what books to throw into Violet's path in order to give her clue's as to who a bad guy is. This time around the store is set on Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass. Not only does the book keep flying off the shelf for Violet to read, but it is also found on the dead guy! A Private Investigator that has been spying on Violet. She is sure that he has heard some rumor about her shop being magical and is determined to expose her. When one of Violet's students disappears it looks suspicious and Violet is determined to find her and help her. Will she be able to help Jo before a killer gets to her?

I always enjoy Amanda Flowers cozy mysteries and the Magical Bookshop Mysteries happen to be one of my favorite series that she writes. I love the story behind the bookshop and how the bookshop helps point Violet in the right direction. As always Emerson the cat and Faulkner the crow crack me up and Emerson sure knows how to escape and show up in the strangest places. Rainwater and Violet have progressed along pretty quickly. I almost thought I had missed a book somewhere! I love how David knows that Violet is not just going to sit back and let him investigate, but at the same time I get frustrated with Violet for not listening to him and putting herself in danger! I have to admit I was a bit surprised at the who-done-it. When we were introduced to the character it ran through my head that maybe...just maybe, but then I changed my mind and didn't think of that person again. I enjoyed the story and definitely look forward to the next in the series!

Christy by Catherine Marshall: Read-Along Final Discussion

This is our final discussion on CHRISTY. Thanks so much to Amber at Seasons of Humility for hosting the read-along! I've enjoyed reading this story again and it remains as one of my all-time favorites.

QUOTES AND THOUGHTS:

"I've known a few girls in my life, Christy, but I don't believe I've ever met one as stubborn and as know-it-all as you are." Thank you. I was just thinking the same nice thoughts about you." I had to laugh at this! Both are very stubborn. ha!

"But relationships can be kept intact without compromising one's own beliefs." Oh so true! We can stand firm without losing love or respect for someone that doesn't agree with us. Love is going to win someone over long before hurtful words or actions ever will. 

"By then I was a bit wiser and had learned that there's only one way to give advice to the young: give it, and then be perfectly unconcerned as to whether they take it or not. God alone is capable of managing other people--even our own children." I don't know if I can agree with the "then be perfectly unconcerned" part of this quote, but I agree with the give advice and then let God handle it. Especially with adult children. They have to learn to make their faith their own. They have to make mistakes and grow just like we do. 

"Lord God, You are the Creator, I am the created. I am helpless, as helpless as all other men. As a doctor, I thought I knew something." I think that the doctor had a rebellious heart. He knew he was fighting the Lord, but he allowed bitterness and pride to get in his way. He was rebellious when he and Margaret got together, then resentful after Margaret died, then prideful thinking that he didn't need God and could do things on his own and then finally he was faced with not being able to help someone he loved get better. He had to turn to the Lord. I love how the Lord knows exactly what is going to bring us to Himself. 

Typhoid! Ack! These last chapters are dealing with all of the sickness in the Cove. What an exhausting disease to have to fight. I would have been so frustrated dealing with the people! They have all been affected in one way or another by this disease and yet they still would insist on drinking the same water and living in unsanitary conditions. Ignorance is not bliss in some cases!

I like Miss Alice's observation to David:

"But perhaps there was another reason, I wonder, David, if thee didn't see in the ministry the chance to tell others what to do--for a change, But it doesn't quite work out that way does it?"

At home David was always told what to do and he saw the ministry as his way to tell others what to do. A sad reason to be in ministry for sure. I really don't think David knew who he was as an individual. He was definitely searching. For a young man that has gone through seminary he had no clue who the Lord was. He had a lot of flowery speech and a certain moral code, but no clue about a relationship with the Lord. Sad...

I have always had a love hate relationship with the end of CHRISTY. I love that Christy and the doctor sort of found each other in the end, but I would have been more satisfied if we at least knew something of the "after" of that finding. Or maybe even a bit more wooing and cooing between them! I think that the book leaves out a lot of interaction between these two characters and we are only given highlights of their relationship so I definitely wouldn't have called this book a romance. I think my big take-away at the end was doctor MacNeill's yielding to the Lord. His salvation experience so to speak. That is what always touched my heart.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Which story of sickness, whether hopeful or heartbreaking, affected you the most?
Christy's because it resulted in Neill's finding faith. It made me sad to read about Lundy's murder of Tom...it showed what happens when hate is handed down from generation to generation. Bird's Eye blamed it on Lundy being stupid but Bird's Eye is the one who passed on that hate. I could PREACH a whole sermon here! Ack!

2. Were you satisfied with the conclusion of the story? If so, what did you like most about these last chapters? If not, what do you wish might have been different?
I kind of answered that in the last paragraph of my thoughts. I definitely was left with questions and a desire for more closure. 

3. What was your favorite part about Christy? Do you plan to read other books by Catherine Marshall, either fiction or nonfiction?
I love all of the character growth in Christy. I love the faith elements. Loved Miss Alice's wisdom. I even loved the characters struggle with faith issues and finding out who they are. I have read JULIE by Catherine Marshall many many years ago. I haven't read any of her nonfiction works and probably won't. If you ever want to read a story like Christy then I would suggest that you find a copy of MISS WILLIE by Janice Holt Giles. Another favorite!

I hope that you enjoyed reading about the read-along or if you participated then I hope you enjoyed my posts. Thanks again to Amber for hosting! Her read-along's always are fun!

Smoke Screen by Terri Blackstock

Brenna's husband has left her for a younger woman. Now he wants custody of their two children. Backed by his rich father, they look for anything to discount Brenna's ability to parent. Brenna is quickly spiraling downhill and it looks like her ex will get his way, but a man from her past steps in to help Brenna.

Nate is a smoke jumper and has put his life on the line more than once. When he rescues a family from a fire and is burned terribly he returns to his hometown to recuperate. Nate's father has just been pardoned by the governor after spending 14 years in prison for the death of Brenna's father. Whom he swears he didn't kill. Nate was also accused all of those years ago of setting fire to the church that Brenna's father was the pastor of. Now Nate must face the father he has always wanted to make proud and the town that has always accused him of the fire he didn't set.

I have likes and dislikes about this story. I liked Nate's character. I thought he was perfect hero material. I loved how humble he was and how he was willing to give his fellow jumpers credit for the daring rescue he performed. I loved how he stepped in to help Brenna through her problem. I loved that they had a past when they were younger and that they seem to pick up where they left off. Brenna on the other hand annoyed me. Thoroughly! I'm not a fan of hysterical/weak women and Brenna was both. Yes, it added to the drama of the story and some people really like that in a story, but for me I just wanted to slap her and tell her to buck up and fight back and quit sabotaging herself! I liked how everything was all wrapped up in the end and once again Nate was a hero.

Christy by Catherine Marshall: Read-Along Discussion 6

For information on the read-along head over to our host Amber's blog at Seasons of Humility This week we are discussing chapters 33-39.

QUOTES AND THOUGHTS:

"...I learned that true forgiveness includes total acceptance. And out of acceptance wounds are healed and happiness is possible again." Miss Alice's story was brutal. Such an awful thing for a young innocent girl. But I love how her community embraced her and loved her. And I especially love how her experience formed her faith. If the community had shunned her or condemned her I wonder if she would have had such a deep faith. Instead they showed her the love of God, forgiveness, cleansing, love. We all need that lesson of forgiving and loving our fellow Christ followers. 

"Such morbid introspection," Miss Alice added crisply, "was nonsense. Either God exists--or He does not. If He does, either an individual has a relationship with Him--or that relationship has been severed. Indigestion or arthritis can't change the bottom fact that God is or the unfailingness of a single one of his promises."I love this reminder that even when we cannot feel that God is with us we can know that He is. Our faith doesn't need to be based on an emotional experience or feeling. 

"Thee must know, Christy. My daughter Margaret Seebohn Henderson--became Dr. MacNeill's wife."This was no new revelation to me since I have read the book before. But the portrayal of Dr. MacNeill and his wife Margaret in the TV show and in the book are two very different scenario's. I prefer the book much better! She's dead before we even meet her! 

"Also, I saw for the first time that we have to accept people the way they are and not be shocked about anything." Easier said than done. People still manage to shock me!

"...I understood that the reason we have to accept other people is simply because God receives us just the way we are." And I'm forever grateful!

"I was wishing that I felt easier about Ruby Mae's decision, made while I was in Asheville to marry Will Beck. She was still not quite fifteen, Will only sixteen." Well yes, this did raise my eyebrows! How sad to be all worn out before you even reach 20! They are still children and being forced to act as adults! Ack! And the whole wedding scene was quite sad. 

"Once I had let David kiss me, a barrier had gone down; each kiss was easier and more natural than the last. So every time we were alone, David would reach out for me."

"What bothered me most was that though David acted as if he loved me, he never really used the words." Oh David! He is so lost. For a clergyman he has no concept of who God is and it shows in all of his actions and interactings. I think he has an affection for Christy, but I don't think he has a love for her. The condescending way he speaks to her when she is excited about a subject or when she comes to him with spiritual questions boggles my mind. I want to slap him silly and send him back to seminary! 

"Beyond that, however, my resentment was directed at God Almighty Himself. I wondered why Fairlight had been taken by typhoid rather than someone not quite bright or someone old and crippled, whose children were grown and whose life was almost over anyway? Why were the good and the beautiful so ruthlessly plucked?" Ahhhh, the question of the ages! Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? I think those of us who have been in church long enough have pat answers to this question, but that doesn't mean it still doesn't pop up in our heads when something happens that rocks our world a little bit. Christy's grief over Fairlight's dying was so heart-wrenching, but I loved how it sent her on a faith quest.

"Then, with an intuitive knowing, I had been sure that indeed it does matter how we live our lives, that there is One who cares. Thinking of that, I knew that it was wrong not to speak out my rebellion to the one at whom it was directed. I could at least give Him a chance to defend Himself." I love how she sought her answers from the Lord. 

"Christy, those who've never rebelled against God or at some point in their lives shaken their fists in the face of heaven, have never encountered God at all." God isn't going to get His feelings hurt. He can take our questioning, He can take our anger, He can take our sorrow. He can take all of that and give us a peaceful heart even when we don't understand why.

"I knew now: God is. I had found my center, my point of reference. Everything else I needed to know would follow." So true! On this journey of life if we keep our eyes focused on Him we will learn more about His character and our faith will deepen. Such a great reminder! 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Answer any or all three of these questions in the comments section or in your own blog post!

1. What do you think of the Folk School idea that Mrs. Browning shared with Christy? Do you feel like it would be beneficial to the people of the Cove? It sort of reminded me of a Montessori schooling. I think there are some communities that would definitely thrive in an education like that. I don't think it is for everyone though.

2. Do you find nighttime and darkness bothersome or appealing? Have your feelings changed since childhood?I really think that all children are afraid of the dark. Dark is associated with bad things happening. I prefer light, but when I sleep I want it totally dark. I get a bit disoriented in the dark and sometimes I wake at night and wonder what a noise I hear may be, but as an adult I think my perspective is a bit different than when I was a child. 

3. What are some of the things you hope will happen or be resolved in the last chapters? (Or, if you've already read the book, has anything stood out to you differently so far while reading the book this time around?)Since I have read the book before I do know what is going to happen. Ummm, I don't know that anything new has stood out in the book this time around. I do appreciate Miss Alice's steady faith and calmness. I appreciate her Quaker silences as well. I also appreciate how Christy has been able to work through her anger at God and her sorrow over losing Fairlight. Annndddd, it just occurred to me that I may want to give David a break...he too has questions, he just isn't vocal about them...

That wraps up this week's reading. Next week is our last week! We will be discussing Chapters 40-46. Hard to believe we are almost finished! 

Once Upon An...Alaska Summer by Lisa T. Bergren

Bryn goes to Alaska every 5 years with her father. But now she goes on her own. Bryn's dream has always been to become a doctor. Nothing is going to get in her way, even her attraction for Eli. Eli and his family have lived across the lake from Bryn's family cabin. Bryn and Eli are attracted to each other, but Bryn is going back to the lower 48 for medical school and Eli is staying in Alaska to open his own charter tour business. Both determined to live their dreams, yet they can't stop what the heart wants between them.

I really enjoyed this story. The setting was amazing. I've always had a fascination with Alaska so it was fun to be immersed in Alaska through the story. I enjoyed how years down the road Bryn and Eli's dreams kind of meshed through his charter business and her doctoring. The spiritual parts of the story were well-written and portrayed. I enjoyed how independent Bryn was. I like strong female characters. I especially like it when they aren't rash in their attempt to prove to a man that they can take care of themselves. As a doctor we got to see Bryn in action as she treated people all over the remote parts of Alaska. There was danger, there was excitement and there was romance all wrapped up perfectly in a lovely story that spans a 10 year time period.

A Gift Like No Other by Julie Lessman

It is always fun to check back in with the O'Conner family. If you haven't read The Daughters of Boston series you must check them out!

This Christmas novella features Faith and Collin. They've been married for 17 years now. Faith's dream has always been to be a writer but Collin has no desire for her to work outside of the home. What happens when communication in marriage is broken down and dreams are unfulfilled?

One of the things I love about Julie Lessman's books are the way that characters are portrayed honestly. From the ugly to the wonderful. Another thing I love is the spiritual aspect of each book. I love to see characters that deal with real-life situations be redeemed by a Savior who loves them and wants what is perfect for them. Something else the author brings out in me is an emotional connection to the characters. Whether I am caught up in their excitement or even angry at them because of their behavior. Collin made me mad because of his behavior. He put himself in a situation that he had been warned about and that made me mad. Plus he was dealing with issues from his childhood that he never really explained to Faith. Faith caused her own irritation in me for something she did but I have to say I thought she was the better person in that she was quick to ask forgiveness and willing to do whatever it took to make the situation right. Along the emotional roller-coaster ride of emotions that the author evokes is definitely the ramped-up sexual tension between the characters. She knows how to write a great love scene that gets the heart pumping. I'm not talking graphic sexual details here, but love and desire between a married couple...whew! The spiritual lesson of praying in all things is truly "A Gift Like No Other." Once again Julie Lessman has touched my heart and spirit through her characters.

A Gift Like No Other by Julie Lessman: Guest Post

JULIE AT MY FAVORITE PASTIME:

It's no secret that Author Julie Lessman can write some steamy scenes in her books! After all her tag-line states, "Passion With A Purpose." Her latest Christmas novella is no exception to keeping that tag-line alive. In fact Julie has put a warning label on this installment of the O'Conner family:

WARNING: Due to a subject matter that deals with marital problems, please be advised that this sweet inspirational novella contains a higher level of romantic passion.

After reading the novella I asked Julie why she chose to add this warning. I also asked her if she would be willing to write a guest post for my blog explaining her reason for writing more edgier Christian romance fiction. Julie agreed, so here you go!

JULIE LESSMAN:

WHY I WRITE THE WAY THAT I DO

Because my tagline is “Passion With a Purpose,” I often refer to myself as an “Edgy Inspirational”
author, which simply means my novels and novellas contain a higher level of passion—
both romantically and spiritually—than is normally found in Christian romance. You see,
I’m the type of woman who loves a heated romance, you know—the heart-fluttering,
pulse-pounding emotional tug-of-war between a man and a woman? It draws me,
always has, from the early days of Gone With the Wind. But for me, heated romance is not
enough. Without God and His precepts in the middle, it’s nothing but lust—heat that burns
but doesn’t keep you warm.

Let’s face it—passion is powerful. It can drive a woman into the arms of a man, or a person into
the arms of God. In truth, romantic passion gives us a glimpse into the very heart of God. After
studying the “Song of Solomon” in the Bible , I’m convinced that the God who created passion
and intimacy did so to mirror the intensity of His own love for mankind. It is my belief that
romance laced with God’s precepts is also powerful—it can draw, woo and win advocates to
its cause with the stroke of a keyboard. It has been my hope from my very first novel,
A Passion Most Pure, that my writing would strike the balance between romantic and
spiritual passion for the broad base of readers searching for its message, and by interweaving
the two, bring them into an intimate relationship with the true author of romance. And for those
who disagree with me, I hope you will consider reading the following blog I wrote as to exactly
WHY I write the way that I do. It’s called Life on the Edge, and it’s my true heart perspective on
romantic passion.

Life on the Edge

Okay, it’s true—I’m definitely what you’d call an “Edgy Inspirational” romance writer, teetering
on the edge of what is considered appropriate for the Christian market. But I have a confession
to make—yep, I’m afraid of heights. And let’s not sugarcoat this, I’m talking heights of any
kind … peering down from those tiny windows at the top of the St. Louis Arch (cold chill) or a
knee-knocking trek across a dry creek on a board three feet high. Whether it’s the physical
aspect of getting nauseous on the Six Flags ferris wheel or just sick to my stomach over a
1-star review, trust me, it’s not pretty … nor comfortable.

It takes me back to the summer my 12-year-old daughter talked me into an innocent chairlift
ride at the Lake of the Ozarks, billed as a relaxing scenic adventure over a pretty ravine of trees
and wildflowers. Yeah, right. Pretty? Maybe, if I had kept my eyes open. Relaxing? Not even
close for either my daughter or me, the poor, scarred child whose mother had a death grip on
her, forcing her to sing Amazing Grace while I hyperventilated and muttered “In Jesus’ name”
over and over under my breath. I wanted to throw up once my feet hit solid ground, and I vowed
I would NEVER go there again. 

So recently, when a reviewer told her blog audience that she stopped reading my newly
released book, A Passion Denied, halfway through because “In my opinion, smut is smut. Even
if you slap God's name in it on occasion, it's still smut,” I have to admit, it kinda feels like that
stupid aerial tram ride had given way, plummeting me into a ravine on a patch of thistle and
Missouri primrose. Ouch! 

Now before you go feeling sorry for me, please understand that as my Seeker bud, Ruthy, likes
to point out, I knew I was going to rock the boat when I hit the Christian market with my brand of
passion, so duh! And, yes, I really have developed thicker skin for things like 1-star reviews and
nasty comments, neither of which barb me quite as much as before. But I’d be less than truthful
if I didn’t tell you that I ache inside at the thought of offending people I love and respect
because some of the “passion” in my books made them uncomfortable. And more to the heart
of the matter, I bleed inside at the prospect that what I write would in any way offend God.

So if you would be kind enough to humor me today, I’d like to take this opportunity to
editorialize just a bit by explaining to both my critics and my supporters just WHY I write the
way that I do. It should be no surprise to anyone who knows me that I am a woman of
considerable passion—whether for God or romance or even just brushing my teeth, which I do,
by the way, ruthlessly, eyes closed and a pained expression on my face. So when God tapped
me on the shoulder in a beauty shop (figuratively, of course) while reading a 2001 Newsweek
cover article on how Christian movies, books and music were on the threshold of exploding, I
was nervous. Now is the time to finish your book, the thought came, and I knew that meant the
book I’d begun at the age of twelve after reading Gone With the Wind. But romance? The
"subgenre" that literary snobs (myself included) looked down upon? Yes, the thought came
again, write for Me. Mmm … passion for God, an interesting concept. Thus was born my
tagline—Passion With a Purpose. 

I then sent tons of query letters touting the statistic that “nine out of ten women nationwide
(90%) consider themselves to be Christian” -- American Religious Identification Survey
conducted by the Barna Group. Ironically, most of these women who do read romance wouldn’t
choose Inspirational romance to save their soul. Why, you may ask? Well, I can only speak for
myself and my friends who wanted more heart-pounding, 21st-century realistic romantic tension
interlaced with God’s precepts (i.e. on the "edge," like mine), which in years past, hasn't been
overly prevalent in the Christian market. As a result, most of my friends, Christian and non, read
secular romance, which, of course, generally promotes the world’s amoral lifestyle rather than
God’s. What’s wrong with this picture? I mean if the world can take something that God created
and use it to sell its amoral agenda, then why can’t Christians utilize this God-given passion to
promote Him and His precepts?

Look at the world today—it’s obsessed with illicit passion. Hollywood promotes adultery and
unmarried couples sleeping together as sexy, and I can count on one hand how many young,
unmarried women I know who are still virgins today, Christian or no. Why? Because passion is
important! Not just to romance readers, but to everyone on the planet. We were created that
way by a passionate God who analogizes His own depth of love for each of us in a very
passionate love letter called “Song of Solomon.” And what happens? The world uses this
beautiful, God-given gift to shove sin down peoples’ throats, and I, for one, am really sick of it. I
want to use passion the way it was intended—to teach people God’s precepts and therein, His
love. It’s the cry of my heart, and I hope and pray that for my readers, my stories of romantic
passion translate into passion for God.

But those who disagree with me do give me pause to think … and to pray … that I stay the
course with God’s plan and not my own. I thank them for their passion for purity, which I assure
them, is as fervent as mine and which inspires me to be even more vigilant and careful in future
stories I write. And, yes, I do understand the concern and “passion” of those who feel Christian
romance must remain chaste and pure. 

But on the other side of the spectrum, there are Christians like me, who worry that “chaste and
pure” will not reach the majority of Nora Roberts or the MTV crowd any more than old-time
Gospel music will reach those who listen to Christian rock such as Pillar or metalcore rock like
Underoath. The Body of Christ is just that—a body of human beings at varying levels of faith.
It’s not one size fits all in reaching people for Christ, but it’s the cry of St. Paul who said “I have
become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” Salt … in an unsavory
world.

But I’ll be honest—in the last few months, I have been going through a really discouraging time
regarding my writing, wondering if I was on track with God regarding the level of passion I
include in my books. Sure, I’ve received lots of positive feedback, like the 15-year-old who
couldn’t talk to her mom about anything, she said, until she and her mom found common
ground in their mutual love of A Passion Most Pure. Or the guy who contacted me to get a
signed copy for a friend he wanted as a girlfriend. When he told her he wanted a deeper
relationship with her, she actually made him read A Passion Most Pure because “that was the
kind of relationship she wanted, with God in the middle.” Or the woman who’d “fallen away”
from Christianity and wouldn’t read Inspirational books on a dare, but picked mine up not
realizing it was spiritual. She wrote that A Passion Most Pure rekindled her love for God and
gave her hope again. These are stories that I treasure in my heart.

But life up on the “edge” is still scary for me, nonetheless, because at the base core of who I
am as a woman and a writer, I have this deep, primal longing to please and honor my God. So I
was praying with my prayer partner about it (AGAIN!) when her 25-year-old daughter stopped
by, a girl I hadn’t seen in a long time but knew that she had strayed from her Christian roots—
living with her boyfriend before they got married, not going to church anymore, heavy drinking,
etc. This young women proceeded to tell me that when she read my books, she actually got
angry at me. Why? Because the spiritual parts convicted her so much that she wanted to throw
the books out. But she didn’t, she said, BECAUSE the sensuality and intense romance so
grabbed her by the throat, that she was compelled to finish the books. And when she turned the
last page of A Passion Redeemed, she told me it had brought her up to a whole other level with
God. I had tears in my eyes when I learned she is now back at church and trying to live for Him.
Call me “edgy” if you will, but for me, it just doesn’t get any better than that.

Writing on the “edge” in anything—romance, suspense, young adult, women’s fiction—is a dizzying prospect for any of us who attempt it, especially for those who don’t like heights … or the jolting effect when you crash to the ravine below. But it’s also exhilarating, standing on that cliff, eyes on God instead of the valley below, hoping and praying the wind of the Holy Spirit will help you to soar … for Him. And in that one breathless moment when something you wrote turns the heart of a person back to the Father … oh my … you feel like you can fly!

JULIE AT MY FAVORITE PASTIME:

Thanks so much Julie for sharing on my blog today! I love the picture of you standing on the edge, but have to say it gives me the willies even thinking about someone standing out on a ledge like that! Thank the Lord for Photoshop so I know you were safe and in your right mind(because only a crazy person would do that!). Thank you for sharing your passion for writing and your passion for the Savior and His passion for US!

Come back tomorrow to read my review of A GIFT LIKE NO OTHER.

Christy by Catherine Marshall: Read-Along Discussion

This week we read Chapters 26-32. Check out Amber's blog at Seasons Of Humility to find out all of the details about the read-along. 

Favorite Quotes and Thoughts:

Now THIS is David's problem:

"David looked reflective. "Well, I can tell you one thing, I'm no hell-and-damnation preacher. I believe the ways of God are written into the law of nature and therefore there's a scientific explanation for everything."

     "Are you talking about the Bible, David?"

     "Well, yes--and no.

     "I don't believe that every word in the Bible is true like some fundamentalists do," David continued. "At seminary most of us felt that the seemingly weird and mysterious happenings in the Bible have perfectly natural explanations--if we but knew."This is why David can't get a handle on salvation...he is treating the Word like it is just another good book instead of inspired by God. Here is another example:

"Christy, you're getting into deep theological water which, I'm afraid, will only confuse you more. Let me say this. I don't believe it matters so much what you believe as how you live. Jesus was concerned with ending injustices, with people's health, how they lived, whether they forgave one another--all that. Dogma isn't important. It's the results in the community that count. As for the Bible it's an amazing book, the greatest book of wisdom we have." Just an amazing book? Just a book of wisdom? Sorry, David sure missed the boat here. Basically he is saying that Jesus was a good man and taught us how to be good people. In that case there was no reason for him to die on a cross, if he was just a good man they wouldn't have wanted to kill him. Later on we learn that David's mom and sister wanted one of the boys to go into ministry and David was it. David has no faith, I don't know that he is even searching. He prefers to give Christy a pat on the head and tell her these things are too deep for her to be thinking about...poor little female that she is! But in reality he just can't answer these questions because he doesn't know the answers. He hasn't studied the Word. He has gone to seminary to learn how to be a good speaker, but again I say, he doesn't have a relationship with the author of that Word. 

"So many people never pause long enough to make up their minds about basic issues of life and death. It's quite possible to go through your whole life, making the mechanical motions of living, adopting as your own sets of ideas you've picked up some place or other, and die--never having come to any conclusions for yourself as to what life is all about. But you, Christy, are facing these issues early. That's good." I love Miss Alice's encouraging words to Christy. We all have to make our relationship with the Lord our own and not be riding on the coattails of what our parents or church has taught us. I love that Christy is forming her own personal faith despite David's discouragement. I love how Miss Alice quietly directs and encourages her. 

"The only time I ever find my dealings with God less than clear-cut is when I'm not being honest with Him. The fuzziness is always on my side, not His." Always, always, I am the one that neglects praying, or lets slide some sin that I need to deal with and confess...and that is when the Lord feels far away. Very wise words of Miss Alice's once again.

"By a thought that wouldn't leave, like an order on the inside. 'Go to Opal--Opal needs you--Now--' over and over."

     Slowly my eyes were adjusting to the shuttered gloom, and I could see that Opal's face registered in turn wonderment, then acceptance, then joy. "Then God knows about Tom and me and Bird's-Eye." A note of awe crept in. "He cares--about us." I love Opal's faith slowly but surely taking hold of her. I love that she is seeing that God cares for her. I also love how Opal's faith is helping Christy's faith. So neat to see people's eyes open to the Lord.

"The the tone changed. "Course you're sorry fellows and I don't confidence any last one of you. And if I wasn't a woman, I'd feather into you and knock-fight every last'un of you into the next district. But then on the other side, I never did like nobody t'have gnawin' stommicks--even torn-down scoundrels. So I could tote some of the vittles out to you. Or if you'd druther, you kin come inside." I love how Opal was able to separate Bird's-Eye from the others so she could feed him and talk to him without their influence. But she also made it clear she wasn't holding a candle for him still, she remembers them liking each other, but she is loyal to Tom still and that's that. 

"Go on, Christy," she had said to me, "ask questions, never be afraid of truth. Ask questions of yourself and of me. Go back to David and to Neil and ask them more questions. Yes, and your schoolchildren too. You'd be surprised how much children can teach us ossified adults, if we'd only stoop to listen. And ask God. Ask Him ultimate questions--about the why of things: about your place in the world, about life--and death. Ask, Christy, ask. Seek. You'll find. The promise is sure." I love that Miss Alice encourages Christy to seek answers instead of patting her on the head and saying that spiritual things are too deep for her to learn. The Bible does promise if we seek we will find. We aren't to have a blind faith. God gave us His Word for a reason. Study it, learn about Him, He has given us answers and He has given us the Holy Spirit to speak to our hearts. Ask the questions!

"So I want you to carry two thoughts away from this service: First, the Master cares. He suffers with us. He weeps when we weep. He aches when we ache. He cares.

    "Second, we can have His friendship only if we are willing to let go our resentments and our bitterness and our hating and our feuding and our name-calling and our shooting and love one another. Tom McHone will not have died in vain, if finally we can drop the quarrels based on false pride, the petty differences that bring us sorrow and are not worthy of our Master.

     "You see, my friends, bitterness is like a weed with a strong root growing in us, like the Spanish needles that harass us here. If we allow that root to get started, soon it will take over the heart and contaminate us, mind and spirit and body.

     "But that does not have to happen. We can trust our Friend. He will root out the bitterness and fill up the hole where the root came out with His love-if we will let Him. 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee,' He promised. It is a sure promise." I had to type up that whole speech that Miss Alice spoke at Tom's funeral. I hope it touched hearts. 

"Clean up a pigsty," she commented one evening, "and if the creatures in it still have pig-minds and pig-desires, soon it will be the same old pigsty again. Preach the gospel, David, teach it, preach to the hearts of men. That's your business. Then the fruits, including the reforms in other areas, will follow as fruits." I wish David would open his ears and listen to Miss Alice. He is young and thinks he knows everything, but Alice knows that unless hearts are changed then behavior will remain the same. 

"A watered-down message is as futile as applying rose water to a cancer." AMEN!!!

"Miz Christy, this school is a sight to behold," Lenore Beck enthused. "My eyes are just a-stickin' out for lookin'." Ahhh, the last day of school performances had me laughing at all of the antics. I loved this observation of Lenore Beck's. I loved Mountie's speech! Look how far the little girl has come once she was shown love and value! Love love love!!! Larmie Holt's "Ashes to ashes" cracked me up! I loved the parents enthusiasm over every little thing their children did. The two hound dogs coming in and interrupting Creeds talk about raccoons had me laughing as well! And I can't forget Festus Allen's begat memorization! Bwahahahaha! 

Wow! I had thought I hadn't gotten much out of this week's reading, but going back I see that I did! So much going on in the Cove. I was so sad about Tom being killed. I was horrified that the head of the family would have a child dig his own father's grave! What an awful thing to do which makes us see how hatred is handed down from generation to generation. Anyway, the rest of my thoughts are in response to the quotes I chose. Next week we will be reading and discussing chapters 33-39.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What turn of events shocked or surprised you most in this section?I think when Uncle Bogg made Tom's young son dig the grave for Tom. Fostering the hatred and bitterness that was raging in the Cove. I'm glad David came along to dig for him. Such an awful thing to do!

2. What do you think drove Christy to climb a mountain? Have you ever been driven to do something out of the ordinary or especially challenging for you? What was the experience like?For one, the beauty of that mountain would be hard to resist. But also stubbornness sets in. She wanted to climb to the top and once she started there was no stopping. I did that a couple of years ago when some friends of ours took us to Tinker AFB and we got to go up into an air traffic control tower. The elevator doors opened and I saw how small the elevator was and how rickety it looked and said nope! I am not doing that! But I wanted to go to the top floor. Eleven flights of stairs! So I started climbing! The last story wasn't stairs it was a ladder! I did it! I could hardly move, but I did it! The view was spectacular! My legs were on fire and I could hardly catch my breath, but I did it! ANNNDDDDD, I was just as stubborn about going down, I walked down those steps because there was no way I could get in that elevator. I hurt for days afterwards, but again...I DID IT!!!

3. What was your favorite part or performance from the school's last-day festivities?I mentioned my favorites in one of the quotes above so won't bore you with more. 

Head over to Amber's blog and check out her post and see what others are thinking about the book so far.