Sentimental Journey by Holly Schindler

About the Author:

Holly Schindler is a critically acclaimed and award-winning author. She is also a dog lover, book nut, classic movie fanatic, music junkie, and admirer of Missouri skies. She is currently consuming large quantities of caffeine while working on her next novel. She can also be found at HollySchindler.com

About Sentimental Journey:

A few years ago—about the time my hometown of Springfield, Missouri decided to ban cigarette smoking in all public places—the local news ran a story of a small downtown bar and the woman who owned it. She was pretty upset about the new ordinance; her clientele came for affordable drinks and a smoke (and a bit of camaraderie and good conversation) at the end of a long day. She was older, and had been running this bar for I forget how many decades, and she insisted she knew how to do one thing really well—run that bar.

For some reason, the image that ran in the story—a closeup of her face peering from the front plate-glass window—really stuck with me. I kept coming back to that image, playing with possible scenarios for a story.

In 2017, I drafted a novella titled Christmas at Ruby’s, about a woman who had also been good at running a small-town Missouri bar…so good, in fact, that she was still running it, years after her own death.

My fictional Ruby’s Place is a bar populated by the ghosts of Christmases past. A nightspot where the term “spirits” refers to far more than just the top-shelf liquors…and it’s also a place where, on Christmas Eve, the living can enjoy one more evening with a long-lost loved one. Where it’s possible to connect with the dearly departed—to finally express what you never got to say. Perhaps to show gratitude. Express love. Explain a wrong. Even tell them you’re sorry.

After all, I thought—what would be a better Christmas gift that one more night with a loved one you had assumed you would never see again?

Readers connected with the Christmas at Ruby’s novella—so much so, I wrote and published another installment in 2018 (I Remember You). And now, this year, I’m releasing yet another Ruby’s Place novel, Sentimental Journey. The stakes are higher than ever in Sentimental Journey—the bar is in danger. A face from the past has returned to the small town of Sullivan, Missouri. And he’s determined to get his revenge...

My Review:

I am finding that I enjoy stories that take us into the past and then bring us into the present. I enjoy flashbacks. Sentimental Journey takes us back to before Ruby's Place was Ruby's. I love seeing the history of Ruby's Place and meeting up with past characters from Sullivan(Geena and Rob, Angela). I love that there is danger lurking for this year's Christmas Eve gathering. And I love all of the "spirits" that have a story of their own to share. I enjoy the magic of Ruby's Place and look forward to next Christmas season for another peek into what happens next at Ruby's. 

Some Favorite Quotes in the Book:

"At Ruby's Place, during the after-closing happy hour, the term "spirits" refers to far more than just the bottles of top-shelf liquor behind the antique oak bar." I love how this helps remind the reader that Ruby's is a special place where past and present collide. I know this is used in the "about Sentimental Journey" intro, but it was something that stuck out to me as I started reading.

"The spirit of Maxwell Ross had been resurrected with the opening of that bottle. And Maxwell Ross had a score to settle with Sullivan." Bum, bum bummmmmmmmm....Ack! This tells us that something sinister is in the works. It had me worked up throughout the whole story. What was coming and was it going to mess up the whole Ruby's place vibe?

"You've noticed it, haven't you? That the secrets of Sullivan are layered?" There is so much more to this whole section, but I didn't want to spoil anything for you. But it explains so much of what is happening and what is going to happen. It helped put more of the story in perspective. And I just loved the explanation of the layers of the story.

"He chuckled to himself. Doris Day? The old Metallica-blaring seventeen-year-old would have grimaced at the sight of what he'd turned into. But he couldn't help it. He liked the idea of a journey being nothing more than going back in your mind. Reliving old memories. That's what that old song was about." I loved this reference to the song "Sentimental Journey" sung by Doris Day and the way it fit into the whole story. 

"Cardinals appear when angels are near." Pay attention to the cardinal throughout the story! 

"Dorothy was rotten. Soured. Used-up. And she was nineteen years old." Wow! Just wow! Nineteen and to be described as rotten, soured and used-up. Poor Dorothy. Waiting for her husband who has never once kept his promise. Her story is tragic, yet she never lost her hope in him...

"That's what times of trials and tribulations do. They open our eyes." From being someone I did not like when we first meet her in the story I loved how Mrs. Latchy turns out to be such a help to Dorothy. Very wise words Mrs. Latchy! Very wise!

"All I can tell you for sure is that last year, it was the living who were desperate to make a connection on Christmas Eve with someone they'd lost. This year, it's the no-longer living who are trying--with everything they have--to reconnect with each other." I love the magic of Ruby's Place, but it seems the whole town has a bit of magic going for it.

"What's that? You love the smell of this place? So do I. Toasted marshmallows. Pine. Smells like all your own favorite Christmas memories. And now, you also know why. Because they really are here. Your own memories. Your own story. Your own loved ones. That's the true magic of Ruby's Place. Love it!

"Maybe, in a way, that's the root of all gossip. Maybe we become obsessed with others' stories during moments when there is not much happening with out own. Maybe gossip is fueled by nothing more than our need for attention--something we never really do outgrow." I love this little tidbit about Maddie. A little girl who just wants attention, who grows up just a bit during the story.

"See you next year."

"At Ruby's Place."

I can't wait!!!!!

Check out my reviews of the Christmas at Ruby's series:

Christmas at Ruby's

I Remember You

Christy by Catherine Marshall: Read-Along Discussion 4

Today we are discussing chapters 19-25. For more details about the read-along check out Amber's blog Seasons of Humility

FAVORITE QUOTES AND THOUGHTS:

"David, no Christian ever has a right to sever any relationship with anybody out of anger or pique, or even injustice, no matter how much he disapproves of someone's actions. It's our place to demonstrate reconciliation--not judgment or revenge or retaliation. That's God's business not ours."Ack! If this advice were only easy to follow! And remember! 

"David, when the lines of communication are cut so that two people can't even talk, what have you gained then? All you've done is sever what may have been God's only route into a man's heart."If only David had taken Miss Alice's advice. He could definitely have been more tactful and mended that fence with Ozias. No matter what you think of a person, calling them out in front of others is never the best route to take. 

"I mean I haven't done a thing about following Miss Alice's advice on contacting Ozias."David could have taken the opportunity to mend that relationship, but he was still nursing an indignant attitude towards Ozias. As the supposed Christian and the pastor of these people David should have been slow to judge and quick to forgive and mend relationships. Instead he sparked the flame that rubbed the people wrong. Ack! He may have been right in feeling that Ozias was a lazy man, but he shouldn't have called him out in front of the other workers. It only cause bitterness and anger in Ozias rather than changing the behavior or his heart. 

"When I walked through the door, as always it was my nose that registered the first impressions. By now I could even sort out some of the specific odors--cornpone and bacon grease, half-cured animal pelts, wood smoke, snuff--and always, somewhere in the background, the smells of chickens and pigs and unwashed clothes and perspiration and urine." Oh goodness! I can so relate with Christy in this area. My nose is pretty good at picking out odors and it can be a trial to be around situations where the smells are overwhelming. 

"Miss Alice had laughed at him. "David, dear boy, haven't you watched the people's faces while they're singing? Their foot-tapping hymns are one of the few joys of their lives. Why tamper with that? They're praising God in their own way. Well---let them!"Poor David, I honestly think he loved the tradition of the church more than he loved the people he was supposed to be ministering to. And how much are we like that? We go to a church with expectations of how it should go and if it doesn't meet our expectations then we either grump about it or we move on to the next place of worship. In a way we are spoiled because there are so many choices of where we can worship. We can find the style that we like. 

"In fact, the first few times I had heard David preach, I had realized that in the pulpit he did not yet know how to speak the language of the Cove people. Since he was fresh from classes in theology, he was overly fond of words like "polemic," "exegesis," "syntax," "Christological," "Apocrypha" and that one that capped them all--"anthropomorphism." Obviously, his congregations understood little of this." Whew! Those are some words aren't they? I have to admit, in the years that I have been a Christ follower I have heard those batted around. And honestly it was usually when someone was trying to show of their knowledge of "Christian-speak" and didn't impress me. So you have a lot of book learning, how's your heart? So for David I would ask him, "How's your heart David?" Are you loving and serving the Lord for His purpose or for your own? Do you have a relationship with the Lord or do you just have a lot of fancy talk and education? 

"The doctor rose to his feet and stretched his big frame. "Christy," his voice was gently, "I did not ask you what Alice Henderson believes or for a resume of her latest talk to her Bible class. I wanted to know why Christianity is important to you, what you believe--" He went to the stove, opened the door, and tamped out his pipe. "What's your working philosophy of life?" Oh my goodness! I can so relate with Christy on this! I met my husband at 19 just the same age as Christy in the story. I was always spouting someone else's opinion or quoting some great speaker or Bible scholar I had heard. My husband always would say something to the affect of how doctor McNeill responded to Christy, "What is YOUR opinion?" I don't care about anyone else, I want to know what YOU think. So this quote touched my heart because I remember being in the exact same position. I mean after all, what does a 19-year-old sheltered girl know about life yet? 

I think in these chapters we saw even more the poverty of the Cove people and what the Mission is up against in trying to bring a better life to them. Being isolated there were few opportunities to earn money for their families. I may seem a bit harsh about David, I have to keep reminding myself that he is young too. But I honestly think that he is operating on head knowledge and tradition rather than a relationship with the Lord. I get frustrated with him for not taking Alice's advice. Here he has such a great example both in years and in experience and he thinks he has the best way. See? I'm too hard on him I know! I agreed with everything he said in his sermon on the evils of bootlegging, but tact is always the best way to handle situations like that. Nobody likes to be lambasted or hit over the head with their sins...

QUESTIONS:

1. Did this section make you want to read faster (because of the suspense) or slow down (because of the heavy topics)?I found it very hard not to continue reading beyond the chapter for the day. Even though I have read this book several times I still get wrapped up in it and can't wait to find out what happens next. 

2. Imagine yourself in one of these tense situations: hearing Uncle Bogg's story at the working, listening to David's sermon, or coming upon Prince in his sad condition. How would you respond?At Uncle Bogg's I would have been uncomfortable. I don't like confrontation no matter if it is actual face to face or couched in a story or whatever. David's sermon I would have agreed with him except if he had started yelling. I tune out when a preacher starts yelling. Poor Prince! I would have been like the kids and wanted to fan all of the flies off of him until his mane and tail grew back. Taking out our anger on an animal is cruel...they don't understand what is going on in the human world. Poor Prince!

3. If you could help the McHones in even a small way, what would you do?I honestly think that if you overdo in helping them that their pride would rear up and reject it. I think Christy teaching Opal to read and providing a place that the Cove women can see a difference in like Miss Alice's place and giving purpose to their lives outside of the squalor they live in will do more for them than just handing them stuff or going in and saying this is a better way of doing something. Loving them, gaining their trust and showing them by example are the best ways. And TIME...becoming a part of the community, investing in their lives...

Next week we will be reading Chapters 26-32. Looking forward to reading what your thoughts are!

Christy by Catherine Marshall: Read-Along Discussion 3

This is our 3rd discussion. Head over to Amber's blog at Seasons Of Humility and check out all of the details for the read-along and her post with discussion questions for this 3rd week. This week we are discussing chapters 12-18.

Discussion format: your favorite quotes, general impressions, and three questions to answer for each week's reading

FAVORITE QUOTES AND THOUGHTS:

I suppose the principle was that the higher affection will always expel the lower whenever we give the higher affection sway. Amber our host also had this as a favorite quote of hers. Don't you find this true in your life? If I know someone loves me, I know they have my best interests at heart and they value me so of course I'm going to do whatever I can to please that person or live up to their expectations. I find that Christy in all of her naivity can still be pretty wise for one so young.

Case in point: "With every bit of encouragement Mountie received, each time I could tell her that she was doing better, she would try even harder.Teacher cared about her. Teacher loved her. Did she not have the buttons and the scarf to prove it?" I just love this whole part of the story about Mountie. The poor child was wallowing in poverty and despair but Christy gave her value and love and oh my, watch that child blossom!

The adults, hanging onto hatred in the name of virtue, were reaping a bitter harvest in their children. There is no doubt that the adults loved their children, but they passed on their bitterness and feuds. Not only that, they never tried to show their children a better way to live. It was sad. 

It was Little Burl, of all people, who helped me to understand that rather it was my privilege to try to like everyone, at least to make an effort to see the good in each individual. 

Teacher, Teacher, hain't it true, Teacher, that if God loves ever'body, then we'uns got to love ever'body too? I looked at the six-year-old in astonishment. Yes, Little Burl, it is true. Forever and forever and forever.

So once I shut down my privilege of disliking anyone I chose and holding myself aloof if I could manage it, greater understanding, growing compassion came to me, more love for the children and as time passed, for the older people too. Ah, if only we could all look past the faults and flaws of others and see them as individuals that God loves and that we are called to love, wouldn't the world be a whole lot better off?

She was--that was all. And her stance toward life seemed to say: God is--and that is enough. I loved this whole observation Christy had of Miss Alice. Miss Alice accepted people the way they came. Not that she compromised on the wrong, just accepted people where they were. She also accepted herself the way she was and it gave her a contentment that Christy had yet to find in her young life. 

Was the young'un a gal-baby? Aunt Polly asked. Yes, it was a gal. The girl paused a moment, her face immobile. And it's a gal yit. I choked back a laugh. I still could not tell when these people were joking. Did Lizette mean to be funny? I cracked up too! ha! 

She placed a blue-veined hand with its swollen knuckles over his hand and spoke as if to one of her grandchildren. Poor man-person! You've most fractured yer head tryin' to be wise-witted, ain't ye? 

The minute I take my leave of this wore-out flesh, that second He'll be a-waitin for me. Rest yer soul on that, son, like this old lady does. 

I loved Aunt Polly setting David straight on what happens to a person who has given their life to God goes when they die. David was making a mess of the whole thing and I loved the fact that she was secure in knowing where she would be when she took her final breath. Poor David, he is a preacher and yet has no relationship with God it appears. He hasn't studied the Bible so what is he preaching about? Morality. And who's morality? His own...

The house, it's already been a-settin' here for a hundred years. It'll be right here tomorrow. It's today I must be livin'. I loved this! Sometimes it's okay to let the housework go and to let the cares of this world drop from our shoulders in order to enjoy God's creation, spend time with family and friends and to just "be"I loved the times that Christy and Fairlight spent together. Whether they were on their own or had all of the children plus students with them they enjoyed each others company and they learned from each other. What Christy learns from Fairlight is invaluable and also special since the mountain people don't let outsiders in very easily. 

Yet which is right? Human life is short. Each of us has a limited number of years. So are we going to go through those so-few years with little time for our family and friends, and unseeing eyes for the beauties around us, concentrating on accumulating money and things when we have to leave them all behind anyway? I loved this observation of Christy's. This isn't an endorsement of being lazy and shiftless like some of the mountain people were, it is just showing that they also knew that there are more important things in life than chasing the almighty dollar. I liked this!

Books are like friends. We must treat them like friends. Oh my goodness! I so know how Christy felt as she was giving that speech! We all know that people are more important than things, but we also know that we are entrusted with things and we need to take care of the things that we have. It broke my heart to read about someone coming into the school-house and tearing all of those new books and maps up. I too could feel Christy's rage and disappointment. 

So--thee fell into a temper! So thee is human. Thank God for thy humanness.Oh my did she fall into a temper! I could just see her screeching like a banshee at Lundy and grabbing him by the hair! Tee hee! He's trouble, and more is coming! Ack!

So there are my favorite quotes, and honestly that wasn't all of them, but I decided to not use all of them. I just love all of the gems I find as I'm reading along. 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Of Christy's students, which one has left the biggest impression on you so far, whether positive or negative?

I think Mountie and Little Burl. I loved how Mountie opened up and blossomed after Christy showed her love and affection. I think Little Burl is a cutie and shows so much affection naturally. 
2. What are your thoughts on the Sewing Circle? If you were in attendance, how might you contribute to the gathering (hosting, providing snacks, reading Scripture, sharing ideas)? How might you interact with the women of the Cove?

I love the idea of the sewing circle. It gives the women an example for their own homes in a non-threatening manner. I'd contribute in all of those ways. I like to host a group of women. I have my Bible study women here for a Christmas party every year. I enjoy spoiling them. I love to bake so snacks would be right up my ally. I love to read out loud, I read to my girls well into their teens. And I'm sure I could share a few ideas with them ;)

3. Which character's attitude and perspective has inspired you the most so far in the book?

I love Fairlight's attitude and perspective on life being short we need to take time out to enjoy it now and then. I love Miss Alice's ability to accept people where they are at. I love Christy's fire and love for the children. I loved Aunt Polly with her faith and her ability to set David straight. 

There you go everyone. Have you read CHRISTY? Has anything piqued your interest in reading these posts that may get you to read this book? Join us next week as we discuss Chapters 19-25.

Matchmaking Can Be Murder by Amanda Flower

Matchmaker Millie Fisher has just returned to Harvest, Ohio after spending 10 years taking care of her ailing sister. Millie is a widow who lives on her own with an assortment of animals. Two of which are goats with big personalities! Millie is concerned for her niece Edith who is engaged to a man who Millie knows is not a perfect match for Edith. Edith owns and runs a garden nursery, but once she marries, in the Amish culture, her nursery will become her husbands. In fact Edith has already allowed Zeke to start running her business and he has managed to chase off all of her customers and run the business into the ground. Much to Millie's delight Edith has decided to break her engagement with Zeke. When Edith doesn't show for church services one morning Millie has a bad feeling about it and goes to see her niece. What she finds is her niece standing over a very dead Zeke inside one of her greenhouses. From that point on Millie is determined to help clear her niece of murder, and so begins her investigation...and she is not on her own. Millie gets help and advice in her investigating from a very dear and old friend, but first her friend insists that they have code names for each other. Millie soon becomes "Amish Marple". As their investigation progresses the name grows on Millie!

MATCHMAKING CAN BE MURDER is a spin off of the Amish Candy Shop series written by author Amanda Flower. So we see some of our favorite characters such as Sheriff  Deputy Aiden Brody, his fiancee' Bailey and of course all of our favorite animals including Jethro the pig and Millie's two very rambunctious goats Phillip and Peter. We are introduced to Millie's childhood friend Lois Henry who happens to be an absolute hoot! Lois is as Englisch as they come, and even though they haven't seen each other in 20 years their friendship is solid. Lois is the perfect partner in solving crime with Millie. Lois's asides totally had me cracking up! She's as wildly attired as Millie is plain and yet they understand each other and have a fond affection for each other. Lois provides the wheels so Millie can get around the district to question suspects. As the plot unfolds and the mystery twists and turns the reader is entertained by both women's antics. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries I definitely recommend reading Amanda Flower's books!

**Thanks to the author for my copy of the book for review purposes. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.**

Christy by Catherine Marshall: Read-Along Discussion 2

This week we are discussing Chapters 5-11. Head over to Amber's blog at Seasons Of Humility to get all of the details and see her post about the read-along and thoughts for this week.


Discussion format: your favorite quotes, general impressions, and three questions to answer for each week's reading

FAVORITE QUOTES:

But meanwhile in the face of tragedy and almost because of it, these mountains were whispering to me a different message. I did not realize it then, but from that moment this became my view, a source of peace and strength, a stabilizing energy that entered into me to quiet the mind and satisfy the heart. I love that she has a place to go and be contemplative and restful. I think we all need a place like that. I think the ocean does that for me when I am able to go there ;)

One of our tasks here is to show folks a God who wants to give them joy. I love Miss Alice's wisdom. The Cutter Gap people are so stern and have such a hard time eeking out a living that they have no time for joy. They hold on so tight to their grudges and bitternesses that they miss out on the joy that being free in the Lord brings. 

Christy Huddleston, I think thee will do. I loved this proclamation of Miss Alice's. I enjoy when she slips into her "Quaker speech". And I'm glad that she approves of Christy.

When I had confided to Miss Henderson that I was not sure I could pray before a roomful of children, she had replied crisply, "You'll need all the prayers you can get." bwahahaha! I love that!

No'm, I can't sit by no boy. This ain't a courtin' school. My Paw'll take me out if'n ye make it a courtin' school. Again, this made me laugh. I love the hillbilly talk. It is also mind-boggling how far behind the times the Cutter Gap community was. 

When you decided to leave home and take this teaching job, you were venturing out of your particular ivory tower. I know. I was  reared in an ivory tower too. Then we get our first good look at the way life really is, and a lot of us want to run back to shelter in a hurry. Ack! This was kind of close to home! I too was raised in an ivory tower and still like to keep myself sheltered from the ugliness of this world. 

You see, Christy, evil is real-and powerful. It has to be fought, not explained away, not fled. And God is against evil all the way. So each of us has to decide where we stand, how we're going to live our lives. We can try to persuade ourselves that evil doesn't exist; live for ourselves and wink at evil. We can say that it isn't so bad after all, maybe even try to call it fun by clothing it in silks and velvets. We can compromise with it, keep quiet about it and say it's none of our business. Or we can work on God's side, listen for His orders on strategy against the evil, no matter how horrible it is, and know that He can transform it. Such a sad story was shared by Miss Alice before this speech. Kind of like asking "why does God allow bad things to happen to good people" 

Christy, you surprise me. Really you do. His voice was gentle. Do you honestly think this Mrs.--whatever her name is--Furnam sent this check as the direct result of your thoughts or 'suggestions' or prayers one night in your bedroom? Probably she would have sent the check anyway. A coincidence. Perfectly natural thing for her to do. Nice though. Hope we can use it for a horse. Ack! I think David has some serious faith issues for being a preacher. 

Just for example, there's a couple other side Raven Mountain who haven't spoken to one another in twenty-six years. You mean, they're divorced? No! That's my point. They've lived together in the same cabin all that time. Lived together as man and wife and have had seven children. The mother will say to one of the children, "Liz, tell yer Paw for me...Then the father will send his reply back by Liz. They think it's a virtue, a mark of strong character, to carry a grudge to the grave. Oh my word! Could you imagine?! Heaven forbid either one would break the silence or apologize, but they will stay together, have sex and have children...it's crazy!

When you have something important to say to a man, my mother had always advised, " never say it to a hungry one. Wait until he's had a good meal." Well then, now should be the moment. bwahahaha! Poor David had no clue what he was getting into!

GENERAL IMPRESSIONS:

I love Miss Alice. I was shocked by the O'Teale home and property. Ruby Mae cracks me up! The boy with the twitchy ear at school made me laugh! Why is David a preacher when he doesn't even know if he believes in God? Christy's bounty once her letters went out was hysterical. And I can't decide if I like Dr. MacNeill or not. I think he is too old for Christy though!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Despite all the sad revelations in this section, what moment or scene stood out to you as either really funny or really uplifting? Any time that Christy talked to Miss Alice. I love the wisdom and calm and peace she displays. 
2. Now that we've gotten to know David and Dr. MacNeill a bit better, what are your impressions of them? How do you feel about their characters, their attitudes, and their interactions with others?I never cared for David in my readings of CHRISTY. I think that he is almost just as young as Christy in trying to find himself. For being a preacher he is very lacking in his faith. I like that Dr. MacNeill came back to the hills to practice medicine and help the people he grew up around. 

3. What are your thoughts about Christy's requests for donations from friends and various companies? Do you think she was foisting a cause upon others inappropriately? (To reference a conversation in chapter 11.) Or do you think such letters could be a blessing to both giver and receiver? Would you have approached things differently?Christy had good intentions. I doubt that I would have done it because I would be too scared to request anything from someone I don't know. I think that being young she had no idea how the requests could backfire for her. Plus I don't think she had any idea of how much response she would get. Being part of an organization she should have talked to at least Miss Alice about the idea instead of going off on her own. 

Have you read CHRISTY before? What are your thoughts about these chapters. Are you enjoying the read-along, or if you have read it before did you enjoy the book? Join us next week for discussion on Chapters 12-18.

Christy by Catherine Marshall: Read-Along Discussion #1

Amber over at SEASONS OF HUMILITY is hosting a read-along of CHRISTY. Check out her blog for time-line and details about the read-along. This is one of my favorite books so I am definitely looking forward to re-reading it. And I'm even looking more forward to being able to discuss it with fellow readers. It's not too late to join the discussion so grab a copy and join us!

I love Amber's simple format for discussing the book:

Discussion format: your favorite quotes, general impressions, and three questions to answer for each week's reading

FAVORITE QUOTES:

Therefore, though so much of the story really happened, I would set it down in the form of fiction. I don't know that this ever stood out to me before, because the book reads like it is "real" I never thought of it as fiction, yet fiction fits it so well too. 

And so past all those true experiences that mother would relate to me, I would walk softly into the realm of what might have been. The rest would be my imagined story...for more information and background on the author and the character the book is based on check out Amber's post on her blog for links to the "real" Christy. 

But there was something different about this wind. It was not a single note, but many notes playing up and down the scale, harmonizing at one moment, discordant the next, retreating, advancing. It caught at my nerves. And through it all, that sobbing sound. I wanted to shut it out, to flee.I loved this description of the wind!

He had the look I would have expected to find in an English yeoman of Robin Hood's time: a long slim face creased by wind and weather, a patrician nose, thin firm lips, eyes deep-set in their sockets with glints and lights in them, bushy arching eyebrows.

There was a natural dignity and an innate courtesy about this man that I instinctively liked. His speech was peppered with expressions so quaint that it was like another language: the sunball...afeard...mought. Twilight, he called "the aidge of dark," and I smiled, remembering his "blatherskite wimmin" for Mrs. Tatum and me.-I loved this description of Ben Pentland the postman. His devotion to carrying the mail was comical, yet admirable as well. And his speeches were amusing yet dignified.

Twenty minutes later a still incredulous Mrs. Tatum was telling me good-bye on her front porch. Impulsively the big woman took my face between her hands, kissed first one cheek, then the other. That's for your mother. And you let her know that I did my level best to send you home to her. Don't forget though, that I've got good broad shoulders. Just dandy cryin' posts they are, if ever ye need cryin' posts.

You're a sight on the eyes, Mrs. Tatum said approvingly. I'll bet my last sixpence they don't know what they're getting out at that mission. They've never seen the likes of you before.I love all of the characters in the story! They each have such great personalities. Mrs. Tatum runs a boarding house and took it upon herself to warn Christy of the primitive-ness of the Cove. I love her offer of her shoulders as crying posts!

My eyes kept going back to the barefooted woman who moved so quietly and with such grace to and from the kitchen bringing the family hot corn pone and coffee. her features were delicate: nose turned  up at the end ever so slightly, which gave her a piquant look. Delicately shaped lips. Hair parted in the middle, drawn back into a bun, much like that woman in the rococo frame. But the eyes of the living woman...what was it about her eyes? Wistful, that was it. I love this description of Fairlight Spencer. She is such a dignified woman and this first impression that Christy gets of her is just the beginning of their friendship. 

Sitting there, I had a strange otherworldly feeling. It was as if, in corssing the mountains with Mr. Pentland, I had crossed into another time, another century, back to the days of the American frontier. Was I still Christy Rudd Huddleston from Asheville, North Carolina-or was this somebody else? It was as if the pages of my history book had opened and by some magic, Daniel Boone might walk into this cabin any moment-or Davy Crockett-of John Sevier. But this was no storybook, this was real. My mind kept trying to grasp it. I can't even imagine how this sheltered young woman felt as she traveled outside of her parents protection into a world that was thrown back in history. Being on her own for the first time coming into the unfamiliar world of the Cove. Ack!

In a deadnin', a big tulip-poplar tree got wind-throwed. Fumped him right on the head.I love these speeches! 

GENERAL IMPRESSIONS:

I kind of gave my general impressions with my quotes. I admire Christy for wanting to go help the people in the Cove. Being a young 19 year old girl I can just imagine her ready to take on life and be away from her family for the first time. I can imagine her believing that she could take on the world and change the world. But I can also imagine how overwhelming her first impressions of the Cove were. Having to hike to the Mission, meeting the Spencer family and having her lunch with a pig at the table! Then when they bring in Mr. Allen and Dr. McNeil performs surgery on that same table! With the dirty conditions and all of the people standing so close watching! I love the descriptions of the scenery and of the people throughout the book. They definitely make both come alive. Looking forward to continuing on! It's so hard for me to not comment on things to come since I have already read the book! 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What do you think of the narrator/perspective for the prologue? Would you prefer to jump right into the story, or do you think the prologue is effective in piquing your interest?

I love the prologue, I think it gives background plus perspective on what is happening or going to happen. 
2. What are your first impressions of Christy and her goals?

I think she is young, naive, idealistic, sincere, and has a heart to serve and better people and situations.

3. If you were in the cabin when Bob Allen is brought in, how would you react? Would you lend the doctor a hand? Watch the surgery in fascination? Step out the door as fast as you could?

I'd be out of there in a hot minute!!!!

There you have it! The first discussion of this fantastic book! Have you read Christy before? How about have you seen any of the TV series? I thought it was okay, but as always, I still prefer the book and find myself saying as I watch the series, "That wasn't in the book!" Anyway, it isn't too late to catch up on the read-along and join us in discussing this book:

Join us next Friday for our second discussion! 

(Chapters 5-11)

Dark Ambitions by Irene Hannon

On a cold winter day Rick Jordan finds blood on the ground outside of his cabin. Soon he finds evidence that someone who rescued him in the past must be trying to cash in on Rick's promise to help him if he was ever in need. Rick goes to Phoenix Inc. hoping to enlist the help of an investigator to find his fellow Night Stalker.

Heather Shields is the newest member of the Phoenix team. A former detective for the police department, Heather is used to men thinking because she is a woman she isn't capable of doing her job. After a bit of a rocky start Heather and Rick come to an agreement that the Phoenix group will take Rick's case. Can both of them shelve their mutual attraction to get the job done?

DARK AMBITIONS had so many layers to it and so many characters. I really enjoyed trying to figure it all out. There was a lot of suspense because the stakes were pretty high for some of the players in the story. I also enjoyed Rick and Heather's relationship. They trusted each other and they worked well as a team. Rick was the last of the Treehouse Group with his best friends both married it was now his turn to find a Happily Ever After. It almost didn't happen with the danger both he and Heather were in at the end of the book. Exciting and fast-paced, DARK AMBITIONS was what I have come to expect from author Irene Hannon and I highly recommend it to fans of romantic suspense.