Book Review: "Miracle in a Dry Season"

I first read Sarah Loudin Thomas in “Appalachian Serenade” a novella.  I absolutely loved that story and thought to myself, “I have a new author to read”.  I loved that “Miracle in a Dry Season” was a continuation from “Appalachian Serenade”.  I loved revisiting those characters again. 

The author has a wonderful way of writing the characters personalities.  I felt like I really knew these people and could easily relate to them throughout the story.  I love a book that literally makes you feel like you are there.  Thomas has a way of describing things that makes it easy to escape, for example from page 88, “The beans, simple beans, melted in his mouth.  Perla must have used ham hock to give them their slightly smoky, savory flavor.  He could sense the shape of each individual bean in his mouth just before they dissolved into deliciously creamy mass.”  Doesn't that bring back memories of eating ham and beans?  I can almost taste them now.

“Miracle in a Dry Season” touches on several things that happen every day.  Judgment of someone’s character is so easy to do, yet we don’t think of the repercussions.   I think the author does a great job touching on this subject without it feeling too preachy.  I love getting a feel for how Casewell feels versus how Perla feels.  Honestly, I could relate to Perla, and the fact that she really didn’t feel like she deserved a good man.  Throughout the story Perla believes she has gone too far from God for him to hear her.  I really like how Thomas addresses this at the end, through Casewell. 

   

Overall, “Miracle in a Dry Season” has a great flow to it and really gets to the heart of the matter.  When you believe in the power of God’s forgiveness it can really change how you look at people.  I can’t wait to read what is next from Sarah Loudin Thomas. 

Characters with Spunk

"A Match of Wits"

Agatha and Zayne have a history that goes far back and when they run into each other again, they both decide the other one needs saving.  Agatha is in hiding and Zayne doesn't want to be found.  When the two collide again it makes for an interesting story.

First, I must start out by saying that I had no clue this was a book in a series and feel that it could stand alone.  There were characters that came in and out, but I didn't feel like any back story was really needed.
There are many reasons I really enjoyed this story.   One reason being that it had characters with spunk.  There was always playfulness and silliness going on.  I laughed aloud a few times.  Another reason was it was a quick read, I had this book done in just a couple of nights of reading.

Overall, "A Match of Wits" had playful banter, great descriptions, and great characters who were developed well.  I would recommend this book to anyone who would like a fun, light read.  Jen Turano is an author I will be reading again for sure.

Thank You for joining me for another book review,

Hollie

This book was given by Bethany House in exchange for an honest review

Congratulations

I recently got my hands on a Silhouette Portrait.  I was so excited to get to work with it, but when it finally came I was a little out of my element.  I am use to stamps and ink and I felt like an idiot trying to figure it all out.  After a week or so I finally got the hang of it and I'm in LOVE!  The possibilities are endless and you better believe I am going to make that machine work. :)  Anyway off to my first successful project.

I used the 3-D bow from Silhouette.

I kept the card pretty simple, so the bow would shine.  The stamp set is from the Camelot Card kit over at Studio Calico. I just love that banner and the font.  

Thanks for stopping by, 

Hollie

Book Review "Until I Found You"

Today I am sharing something a little different!  My very first book review! 

"Until I Found You" by Victoria Bylin

Kate Darby is taking a leave of absence to help take care of her Grandmother Leona.  After an accident she meets Nick, a new Christian, who has made a promise to God he intends on keeping. Leona, Kate's Grandmother is praying Kate will see God in every part of her life and all that he has planned for Kate.

 

Overall, "Until I Found You" is a very genuine story.  Throughout the whole story I found myself saying this is very realistic.  My favorite character from the very beginning was Leona.  From the start any part she had in the book felt real.  Her parts were so heartfelt and it almost felt like a different person wrote those parts.  Even though Leona was suffering, she still looked towards God for help and answers.  Leona wrote letters to Kate about her life to encourage and hopefully lead Kate to God.  The letters were truly my favorite part of the book.  She described hardships and how she came through them and was still able to have a relationship with God.

It was a little harder to relate to Kate, she was all business.  Kate has had a lot of hardships like Leona, but she doesn't have God to rely on.  This causes her to have trust issues and she seems a little dark at times.  In a weird way I liked this because, it seemed real to me. 

Nick was a guy you would want around.  He is real and honest throughout about his feelings.  He is an all-around good guy who knows that Kate needs a relationship with God before they can be more.

“Until I Found You” had some slow spots and it was hard for me to relate to the Condor parts of the book.  Overall, I really enjoyed it.  I felt like the characters came full circle and they were very realistic.

I was given a review copy of "Until I Found You" from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks so much for stopping by, 

Hollie

May 2014 PTI Blog Hop

Today's card is full of Melon and Aqua my two favorite colors!! 

I pulled out the Pretty Peonies and Polka Dots sets to help create my background.  I used my Melon Berry ink pad to watercolor on the butterfly.  While it was still wet I sprinkled it with some gold embossing powder and then used my heat tool to finish it off. 

Thanks for stopping in,

Hollie

#Happy Birthday with Lawn Fawn's NEW #Awesome Set

Happy Thursday,

Today, I am sharing some cards made with the new #Awesome Set by Lawn Fawn.  When I first saw this set I knew I had to have it! I loved all the social media icons (great for teens), and I just had to have that little camera.  

The camera speaks for itself, so I was able to keep the card pretty simple (my favorite CAS). To finish the card I just had to add the enamel dots. They fit so perfect in the lens.

My next card uses some of the icons.  

More enamel dots!

That's it! Thanks for stopping in,

Hollie

Avery Elle Challenge #4: Watercolor

I set a goal for myself to participate in a challenge a week. This week I choose the Avery Elle Challenge. I love using water color, so this was fun! 

So here we go, this is the card I put together.

I decided to do a little ombre action with some green water color pencils.  I really loved the lime green color so I decided to stick with the monochromatic look.  I stamped the sketchy dots on acrylic, then cut it out to add a border.  

My sewing machine is on the fritz, so I have been using a lot of staples.  I got to say I love it, so I used some staples to finish the card off. 

Thanks for stopping off, 

Hollie