A Perfect Hand by Ayelet Waldman

     Take a cup of  the Bridgerton series, then stir in a half pound of Downton Abbey and sprinkle with a heavy hand of the Women's Suffragette movement as it began in the United Kingdom and you will have a nice  recipe for a charming book written                          by Ayelet  Waldman, titled A Perfect Hand.  

    The novel begins with our Heroine, Miss Alice Lockey, the daughter of a tenant farmer who has taken employment as an abigail, a fine lady's personal maid for Lady Jemima Alderwick.  We, as the readers, follow Miss Alice as she cunningly tends her lady's many needs, often with pluck and ingenuity.  Some tasks being more malodorous than others.  In her employ she meets a man servant from another noble's household who is visiting her lady's family estate.  She finds she has an interest in this gentleman. Intrigue and many exploits are hatched to help the two servants matchmake their employers so that the two of them might find a way to build a life together.  

While in London with their employers, Miss Alice is introduced to new thinking and various individuals within the Women's Suffrage Movement. She catches a desire to become involved, but must find a way to do so while dealing with her employer's marriage prospects and her own love.  

    I thoroughly enjoyed the way Waldman created her characters, wove an interesting plotline and used various asides of a narrator to cue the reader into the lives of the characters.  The asides reminded me of the Bridgerton series which I also have enjoyed. This tactic along with the victorian time period and the upstairs, downstairs relationships of lords and ladies being served by their staff created a fun, enjoyable read.  

    The twist at the end I did not see coming, but thoroughly enjoyed the emotions it evoked in me. Waldman is skilled at using humor as well as serious drama to keep her readers involved in the story as it develops throughout the book.  A Perfect Hand  is set to be published May 19, 2026.  If you are a fan of the worlds of lords and ladies of the late 1800's, early 1900's, I would recommend this story to you.  It definitely should be included in next spring's reading lists!

I received a uncorrected proof copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When a Friend is all you need...Thanks God!

     Life throws us constant curve balls, but how we swing at them is what determines our success.  I think hitting middle age years has solidified this concept for me.  It seems I am being pitched new challenges more frequently than in my younger years.  Perhaps I am just more contemplative now, more time to evaluate what is happening in my life than I did when I was young and raising my family while working full time. 

 A good friend can really help the mental process of aging and all the lifestyle changes that come with the journey.  Just this morning, after receiving some disheartening news last night in a meeting, a friend's voice and insight helped me embrace changes in my path.  Thanks God for kind friends! 

    Aging has the pitfalls of a body that has seen many years of use and now is worn out in various areas.  I think now that I am riding the 60's waves,  I am more aware and protective of my body.  I am also seeing more repairs.  I have a "tune up" for my rotator cuff in a few weeks. When I first found out I would have to do the procedure, it was my friends who helped me accept the news.  Knowing I would have several weeks of not using my dominant arm.  I heard comments like, "Will we need to be driving Miss Daisy?" Just the lighthearted response made me smile and know I wouldn't be doing this alone.  

    Last night I learned an activity that I truly love doing will change. I teach water exercise, but in our smaller group classes the facility I teach at has allowed teaching within the confines of the pool.  That will be changing as a new facility is being built. Due to size of classes expected, and company policy, all instructors will need to teach from the deck using microphones.  For most people this news would just be a small blip on their radars. But I received enjoyment in teaching from being in the pool with the recipients.  I also found my body can do all the exercises inside the pool that it would struggle to complete on the deck with the full force of gravity on me.  So, my life has changed as of last night. After healing from surgery, which I have been informed will take many months, I will need to return to being a participant in the water to enjoy the classes in lieu of leading them.  In the grand scheme of struggles this is minute. This I know. But I was saddened by the change.  Yet how I swing at that curve ball is what's important. Not that it was pitched at me.  I prayed for God's help in responding to the change in a way that He wants me to. 

    God responded to that prayer with a call from a friend. Visiting with her this morning helped me flesh out some ideas.  I can be with my friends in the water and help them understand the moves within the water if they don't understand from the demonstrations on the deck. I can invite friends to attend with me. I don't need to teach to love on my friends. I just need to do what is best for my body while respecting the needs of the organization. Thanks God for friends that help us navigate our life changes.  

    God truly sends us friends to be our angels here on this earthly plain.  Friends keep us accountable when we struggle with earthly behaviors. Friends praise and worship God's mercy, grace and goodness with us. Friends  pray with us when life's curve balls come across the plate.  Friends keep us humble when we might be getting too full of ourselves. 

I am so thankful for being at this stage of my life when I can see God's riches all around me.  Whether the changes are extreme or mundane. It's not what comes your way in life, it's how you adapt to the new reality.  Whether it is short in duration or life long.  

Don't do it alone, when a friend is all you need!   Thanks God!

Repetition by Vigdis Hjorth

  Aptly named, Repetition by Vigdis Hjorth is an endless repeat of events and emotions. The novel, set in Norway begins with the main character staying in the Norwegian forest in a cabin, before attending a symphony. She is seated next to a young girl and her parents.  The girl is visibly upset and the woman feels empathy for the young lady. Following the concert, our character  chooses to return to the cabin . At the cabin the main character (no name is ever given) takes the reader on a journey of her own teenage self set in 1975. The events in her past continue for about a hundred pages as a continued echo of her struggles with her suspicious  anxiety driven mother, workaholic father and younger siblings. 

Hjorth paints the character as a emotionally battered young woman, constantly berated and accused by her mother, and ignored for the most part by her father. She begins to explore some typical teenage experiences all  the while hiding this from her eccentric mother.  After a pivotal experience, the dynamics in the family become even more intense and strained. Our character knows something is wrong, niggling at her consciousness yet not discernible.  At the very end of the book, the reader learns what and why. (Not giving any spoilers)

For me, I felt like I was in an endless narrative loop.  I realize that is the writer's intention. Thus the title, Repetition. Yet, it felt often difficult to hold my attention and I found myself struggling not to skim and skip ahead due to the fact I had already read and reread segments as they were virtually repeated with minute changes to the situation as the writer builds the plot.  

When beginning the novel, I was a bit lost. Once I finished the story, and went back to reread the first few pages, those introductory pages made sense to me. I had an "aha" realization.  I think I felt most lost because of the nameless family characters. I never felt really invested in them because I didn't really get to know who they were.

Repetition is an interesting concept.  The ending was not surprising to me as I guessed what was happening to our character.  I am certain some who have endured various traumas would relate to the story. I wish I could be more succinct. I was left wanting more. Not really more of the story, but more depth throughout the story.

I received access to this novel through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Repetition is set to be released March 2, 2026. 

The Moonshine Women

     When you read a great many books it takes an incredible story to truly capture your attention.  I have found such a book! The Moonshine Women  by Michelle Collins Anderson hits all the categories of being a time honored best seller when it is published March 31, 2026.   I received a preview copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

    If I could rate a book more than 5 stars, I certainly would.  The author's voice as she tells the tale was so engaging that I completely lost myself in the lives of the Strong family women and their world as moonshiners during the prohibition era of Ozark mountain history.   Each woman is unique and so vivid that I was grieving with their losses and rooting for their accomplishments as if they were close personal friends.  Three sisters, Rebecca, Elsie, and "Shine" , with startlingly different personalities, exude resilience throughout the many trials of eking out a living in a poor Arkansas community.  

In addition to the Strong family, Anderson introduces some famous characters to add intrigue to the story and create a historical element to enhance the setting and timeframe.  My favorite one is Al Capone, the famous Chicago mob boss.  The youngest sister, "Shine" impresses Mr. Capone with her forthright personality and expertise in drinkology,, within the confines of Hot Springs Arkansas's teaming bars and bath houses. Such an interesting element to add to the plot. 

 The story is  absorbing.  It is as if I could see the story in its entirety within my mind.  The Moonshine Women would make an amazing major motion picture and I would be one of the first in line to purchase a ticket.  But in the meantime, book clubs should add it to their must read lists. It even includes a discussion guide in the back of the book. 

Needless to say, I strongly recommend setting an alert on your phone to go and buy this book next March.  I was enchanted by it and will tell everyone what a gem it is.

#TheMoonshineWomen #NetGalley.

How has God blessed you?

     "There is nothing that you have ever given to anyone that God did not give to you first."   I heard this statement years ago and it has always stayed with me. I think it is important for me to remember this.  It keeps one from feeling prideful in the quest to do good. 

    Over the years, my husband and I have had various people stay with us. Now, I know that's not an uncommon thing. We all take turns having family or friends stay for visits in our homes.  But I have had a habit of saying...okay...to longer terms of stay. Recently I pondered why we have done that and one answer came to me.  We've been blessed with enough and therefore need to care for others as well. 

    My first foray into opening our home came when my daughter was a junior in high school.  My daughter's good friend's parents were offered a job in another location and needed to relocate.  Her friend was thriving in high school and wanted to finish her junior and senior years here in the vocal music and band programs.  We made up a guest room and she lived with us for a year and a half.  It was a transition for everyone but we made it work and enjoyed getting to know each other as a family.  

    A couple years later, a foreign exchange student ( in the ESL program ) at the school I worked needed a new placement and host parents.  The family she began with ended up not working out.  I got a call from her coordinator late one night and asked if we would consider housing her for her remaining stay, approximately 6 months.  I asked my husband and we agreed.  Her home country was China. We got to know each other and became close. It is a relationship that has continued through the years.  

    Following that, there was a student in my classroom the last two years of my teaching career. He needed a home as his foster care placement was not working out for him or his foster parents.  Once again my very patient husband agreed and he came to live with us for about two years before he began independent living. During his time with us he became part of our family and we gave him care as such.

   The beginning is always a honeymoon period with the novelty of the change. But a couple months into the situation, the newness has worn off and true family living occurs. Still, I strongly believe that if one has been blessed, then they need to share those blessings with others.  I looked up various verses in the bible that reference this sentiment. The idea shows up in various ways. My favorite is in  1 Chronicles 29:14 King David is talking about the fact that all things are given to man from God. "...Everything we have has come from you, and we give only what you first gave us."  Amen King David.

     Now, I am not saying that God simply says, "Presto! You get a house! Shazam! Here's some cash!" No, hard work on the individual's part comes into play. But God provides those opportunities throughout our lifetimes and we must choose how we use the resources.   

I encourage everyone to think honestly about the blessings God has afforded them, as we enter into the holiday season this year.  How have you been loved and cared for by God and others through God's provisions?  How can you now bless others?  I pray this idea speaks to someone as we all begin the self examination of what we are thankful for this fall season. 

Christmas for the Heart: Cheryl Barker

Christmas is only 85 days away, and if you are looking forward to the holiday season as much as I am, then I strongly encourage you to order Cheryl Barker's new devotional book, Christmas for the Heart published September 30, 2025. 

I was given early access to this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, and I am so excited that I was.  It is simply delightful.  The book includes twenty-five days of Christmas devotions, which are beautifully encouraging, filled with biblical references and reminders of the true meaning of Christmas.  In addition to the devotions, Barker has inserted many of her own Christmas holiday poems. She also built in areas for self inflection to further explore the wonder of Christmastime.  Barker uses writing prompts to aid the reader in writing prayers, remembrances, and present Christmas plans. 

The holiday season is such a precious time of year, but it can become blurred by the busyness of the days.  Christmas for the Heart is a simple way to unplug and spend some time each day reveling in the true joy of the holidays, the birth of God's only son , Jesus. 

Book Review: Faith Over Fear : Harnessing Resilience in the Face of Uncertainty

     Faith Over Fear: Harnessing Resilience in the Face of Uncertainty by Micheal Leach was not what I expected. My disclaimer to this comment is that I am not saying that it is not a good book.  Just not what I thought I was going to get when I was approved to read it. ( I received a copy of the book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.) From the title, I was expecting to acquire a bible based book with references to scripture and how faith in God helps one overcome fear to build resilience.  However, what Leach's book does is take the reader on a personal journey through his professional life beginning in high school, then to college and career, illustrating how being fearless through his faith built his resilience to lead a successful life.  

    From this perspective, Micheal Leach has led a very successful life centered around hard work and the willingness to trust God's faithfulness to lead him to build a life that he would not have attained without taking chances and stepping out in faith; when perhaps playing it safe would have been an easier if less successful path.  Leach held jobs throughout his life in the NFL as an assistant to the head coach for the Chicago Bears, then moving forward later in his career to work in the white house as the first-ever Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. One quote from the book that I feel illustrates the overall theme of his story is, "I leaned into faith.  I trusted that even when the path seemed unclear, I was exactly where I was supposed to be. And that's the thing about faith--it doesn't guarantee that the journey will be easy, but it promises that every step forward is worth it."   

Towards the end of his book, Leach includes various "tools" to use to assess the reader's current spot in life and whether they are following potential or  are stagnant in fear of moving forward.  I was not expecting this either but feel it is an interesting addition to the book.

Overall, I feel that had I known that the story would be mostly a personal account of his life, I might not have picked it up.  From the title I would have preferred more direct references to his spiritual journey with God leading his path and helping him conquer his fears.  I did appreciate the segments that Leach does include a reference to God leading him forward.  And he certainly gives God recognition in the acknowledgements in the end.  I just felt it was more his initiative and less spiritually led, which is what the title suggests.  The one section that I can honestly say I related to most dealt with his trusting God was in Chapter 2, when he tells the account of sitting in church, putting the last $50 he had into the offering plate.  His example of surrender being the "nature of faith" was spot on. He wrote, "That's the nature of faith.  It asks you to release what is in your hand so that God can release what is in his. " I appreciated this reference, and wish Leach had put more of these direct instances in his story along with some biblical references to support his accounts.  I think this would have enhanced the faith portion of his work and encouraged readers even more in their own journey. 

    I am impressed with Micheal Leach's ambition and life accomplishments and am thankful he shared those experiences in his book,  Faith Over Fear: Harnessing Resilience in the Face of Uncertainty. 

Into The Mist: The Story of Thomas by L.K. Aldrich

     As a boy grows, so a man becomes, sometimes with the help of a loyal friend. L.K Aldrich takes the reader on such a journey in his newly published book,  Into The Mist,  published by Little Book Factory and available on Amazon.com.  (I was given access to this novel through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)

   Aldrich, a veteran of the armed services, weaves a story beginning with a young boy, Thomas, and his ever-present companion, his cat. The boy experiences adventures with "cat" as they play together, creating memories throughout his childhood. As Aldrich creates the child, so he also jumps forward and shows the reader the man that emerges from that child.  Thomas is now an army reservist serving alongside three other men during the post 9/11 Afghanistan War. Thomas serves in coordination with the Afghan National Police in the hot zone.   The main character, Thomas, shares glimpses of his other self in memories when he reminisces during his deployment maneuvers.  The reader gets to know the depth of Thomas as a man as they move throughout the book.

Thomas  is a relatable character because he experiences friendships, loves and losses yet with his family and ever faithful "cat"  he perseveres. 

    I have to confess, at first I was a bit frustrated with the flow of the story. Mainly because the sequences from boy to army veteran felt choppy. It may be because there is quite a bit of army jargon and abbreviations needed in the story, and as someone unfamiliar with the terminology, it was distracting to me.  Yet once I got to the half way point in the book, it all seemed to come together and flow well throughout the remaining of the book.  I am not certain whether I just got comfortable with the format or whether the author's style changed, but whichever  the case, I enjoyed the book from that point on so much that I mourned the ending of it on the final page. 

    I also had a personal stake in the story which made the book even more interesting for me.  I grew up in Manhattan, Kansas which is close to the army base Fort Riley. Having grown up nearby I have many memories of the soldiers that are trained at that location.  The references in the story to Fort Riley, though fleeting, brought the book even more alive to me.  

    At the end of the story and on the writer's website I found that he has two sequels to Into The Mist: The Story of Thomas. I am excited to read those as well.  Now that I have met the character "Thomas," I want to learn more about his life and what happens to him next.  One knows a book is a success if the reader is captivated enough to want more, and Aldrich has certainly done that for this reader.  

    To learn more about the author, visit his website: https://www.lkaldrichmist.com/

    

Every Bend in the River : Book Review

 As a book reviewer, I have been in hiatus for a while. However, a new book caught my attention and begged to be read and reviewed.  A Bend In The River, by Emerson Ford  soon to be available on September 29, 2005 through Storm Publishing was well worth my time.  I received access to this book through NetGalley in exchange for this review.

A Bend In The River is a historical fiction set in the late 1700's during the French and Indian War and subsequently entering the American revolutionary war.  It centers around the main characters, Rosanna Waters and Callum Stewart. Rosanna is a wild and impetuous  imp of a girl, wanting to follow her twin brother Philemon in all things fun, as she shuns her mother's desires to make a lady of her. Callum is an indentured servant as an orphaned child, sent to America after his prison release following the Scottish rebellion in 1745.  Both characters are followed throughout their growing into adulthood while  surviving the wilds of a young country facing hardships and war. 

As an avid reader of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, I appreciated the style of writing and historical details that went into this novel. It was well written with a strong voice and a knack for storytelling that captivated this reader. The dialogue used highlighted the character's personalities without becoming over done with the "brogue" of the Scottish language or colloquialism of a young girl like Rosanna. The dates included to set up the historical references were accurate and enhanced the story further. There were enough references to the past to peak my interest and encourage me to want to know more about the time period and setting.  Cameo appearances or mentions of actual historical figures such as  General Washington and Alexander Hamilton gave the book just the right amount of "spice" for any historical fiction buffs, without overpowering the story of the two main characters.  

I would highly recommend taking the time to read, A Bend In The River by Emerson Ford.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

This Was a Special Moment: Conscious Joy

     I have found that I really enjoy Instagram more and more.  I particularly love my quirky algorithm.  It seems to me that each person's algorithm on social media is actually a rather accurate definition of one's personality.   Mine is peppered with cute animal videos, particularly cats.  It also includes recipes,  adorable children, catchy ear worms (trending songs and tunes), and my favorite- spiritual posts.  The Christian messages and teachings generally make my day and give me focus. 

I recently found a video in my feed that featured an older woman discussing with her family the importance of recognizing special moments. 

I was impressed with the gentle reminder of what is important in life. Cherishing special moments.  Everyday activities that just happen and can so easily be missed without conscious attention being made.  Since watching this video, I have noticed many special moments.  

We, as a society, put so much effort into big events, and then share those with others in person and on social media.  Events like weddings, vacations, birthdays and anniversaries.  Yet what about the acts like sharing a funny event that happened during the course of a day.  Playing a board game together, reading a book to a young child, or sharing a bible study with a group of friends.  That's a special moment, and one to be noticed when it happens.  

In the video, the woman stated that when she experiences these moments, she calls attention to her family or friends with her and says, "This is a special moment." It highlights the delights being shared and brings it to everyone's attention.  I would like to embrace this practice.  I have been doing it myself, but perhaps I need to call it to attention of others when it happens.  

Just a few of my most recent special moments include, strolling through a field of sunflowers with my daughters as we discovered bees busily gathering pollen on their legs so thick they looked as though they were wearing pantaloons.  That's a special moment.

Holding a dear friend's three month old baby daughter and hearing the small nursing sounds as she drank a bottle. While also admiring her tiny painted toenails, courtesy of her big sister's request. That's a special moment.

Hugging a huge sequoia tree while on vacation in California, hugging it just because I could and  because it smelled so wonderful of fragrant bark and sunshine.  This is a special moment.

I encourage everyone to begin to look for and enjoy the special moments in our everyday lives.  It's more than smelling the roses, it's coating ourselves in the sweetness of even the most mundane happenings simply because we are a part of God's perfect creation and are blessed to be in this world together.  

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God Bless and Hugs for your day!