Christmas at Harrington's

I was drawn to this book by its cover. It shows a woman looking into a store window at a Christmas tree and toys. It is snowing and the woman has a smile on her face. Yet when I began to read the book I found this was not your normal Christmas fare.

Lena has just been released from prison where she had been incarcerated for eight years. She had gone from an over bearing father who Lena learned at an early age to do whatever he wanted, and to not question anything or else she was spanked with a wooden spoon. Into a marriage with a man who turns out to be just like her father. Only Lena’s husband posed as a minister and it was because of him that she was convicted of a crime she did not commit.

While on a bus ride to what would become her new home, Lena is befriended by an elderly lady who believes that Lena is a good person, no matter what has happened in her past.

Can Lena really begin again? Or will her past catch up to her? There is only one way to know and that is to buy this book.

Rated G

Finding Father Christmas

This is a beautifully written book. Miranda’s mother died when she was young and she has no relatives that she knows of, except a father that her mother never told her about. Whenever she questioned her about her dad, her mom always found a way to distract her attention.

Finding her father has turned into a quest for the truth. Armed with only three clues a birth certificate, a theatrical playbill and a wallet size picture of a man with a little boy. She discovers that on the back of the picture a town is listed where the photographer’s studio is, in England.

On an impulse she takes a flight to see what information she can find out about the picture, and the people in it. But what she didn't bargain for is more than she could have ever imagined.

Rated G

SPIRITUAL ENGINEERING

I was not prepared to like this book. I thought to myself, “Oh, great, another self help book.” Yet the more I read the book I came to realize it really can help people. This book begins with the author at the lowest point of his life. He searched for various ways to help himself, but could not pull himself out of the emotion wreck he was in. He even thought of suicide.

Then one day he started to think like an engineer. He came up with a plan to use his knowledge of engineering and spirituality to use. It was not an easy process but after much work he had found answers to help himself.

This book is filled with tools to help people no matter what their problems may be. Tools to help us all lived a better life. I really like the exercises that can be found at the end of the book. The author has told us about starting your day exercises, during the day exercises, and then nightly review exercises.

I especially liked page 230 and the attitude adjustment cards. You will just have to read this book to understand what they are. But they can be used to help everyone.

Excellent Read
Rated G

Spoken from the Heart

This book is so moving in many ways. I have laughed and cried while reading it. Laura Bush has gone from the small oil town of Midland, TX, to the Governor’s Mansion in TX, to the “White House,” as our First Lady. I want to emphasize Lady as she is gracious, charming, elegant, smart and beautiful. She did not use her book as a platform to knock all of those who have said such terrible things about President Bush or herself.

I had no idea how much was expected from a First Lady until I read this book. Nor did I realize how little private time they have for their family and friends. Laura Bush has worked hard to make people aware of the basic needs that everyone should have around the world. Women’s rights in Afghanistan, to literacy, both here and abroad. These are just a few of the many things she has done. To list them all would take up several pages. But she points them out in her book in hopes that others will still get on board and help.

Laura has really opened up and shared a large part of her personal life with us in this book. While there were others who wanted her to be something different than what she was; Laura Bush stayed true to who she is. She is still the girl next door and a loyal friend.

I feel honored to have had her as our First Lady, and all that she has done. Laura Bush has “true grit” and it doesn’t come any better than that.

Rated G

Oregon Trail

Oregon Trail
Rick Steber
Bonanza Publishing
Box 204
Pineville, OR 97754
1-800-399-3115
www.ricksteber.com
ISBN: 0-945134-01-0
$1.99 at B&N
58 pages


This book is an excellent book for teachers to use as a tool, for teaching young minds about our country and its beginnings. The “Oregon Trail,” tells how hard it was for early pioneers to travel to the N.W. Each little story is only a page long, which will hold the attention of younger school age children.

Even adults can enjoy some of these stories. I found it funny that ox's went crazy when they smelled or saw buffalos.

Sandra Heptinstall

The Dying Times: Nadene's Story

This book is a genuine masterpiece of this type of genre. Actually, it could fit into a number of different categories and styles of writing. I read a couple of chapters and then put the book down. I kept thinking about the story and decided to just read a little more. Well, I wound up reading the whole book. I found out that once you start reading this book you can not stop.

It starts in the year 2013 where we find the eastern portion of the United States is being attacked. Missiles carrying biological agents are falling and killing thousands of people. But then a strange thing happens. Some of the dead come back to life and begin to attack and kill people who were not effected by the bombs.

I found this story to be interesting,and it may hold a whisper of what may happen if some things do not change in our world. Everyone will have their own perceptions of the story and characters. I firmly believe that this book will be enjoyed by all who read it.

I loved the way the characters were developed and how they teamed up to go west, away from the horrific things that were happening to save their own lives.

This book was so good I found it hard to believe it was from a first time author. Do yourself a favor and buy the book. You won't be disappointed.

Rated PG 13 for violence
(post in Nov.)

A Sister's Hope

A Sister’s Hope
Wanda E Brunstetter
Barbour Publishing, Inc
P.O. Box 719, Uhrichsville, OH 44683
www.barbourbooks.com
$7.89
297 pages

This is the last book of the “Sister’s of Holmes County” series. It is just as compeling as the first two books were. The attacks on the Hostettler family never seem to stop. The family never knows when the attacker will strike again. Roman's wife can no longer live in fear of what may happen. She withdrawls to some where in her mind where she finds peace. So it is decided the best thing for her is to be taken to another relative until the mystery can be solved.

Martha is the youngest of Roman and Judith Hostettler daughter's. She has feelings for a young man named Luke. Luke has feeling for her. The problem is Roman fired Luke for being late to often, and for wanting to try new things. Roman is suspicious that Luke may be the person who is doing the terrible things that are happening to his family.

Luke and Martha join forces to figure out who is responsible for all the attacks on the Hostettler family. Not only for Martha's family's sake. But also so Luke can clear his name and be allowed to court Martha.

The end of this book is as visceral as riding on a roller coaster.

Rated G