"Too Rich......for a Bride" by Mona Hodgson

In Book 2 of the Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek, Ida Sinclair joins her sisters in Colorado.  However, unlike her two sisters, Kat and Nell, she is not on a mission of love but on a mission of business.  Ms. Ida Sinclair has her eyes and heart set on being a successful business woman.  Nothing is inherently wrong with this goal except....well.... it is 1896!

"Too Rich for a Bride" entertains through the twists and turns that life takes Ms. Sinclair as she embarks on her journey to become a career woman.  As fate would have it, she is gainfully employed by the only woman in town, Mollie O'Bryan, and becomes determined to learn everything she can from Cripple Creek's most infamous successful businesswoman.  However, it isn't too long after arriving that a few of the men in town notice Ms. Sinclair.  Not too easily swayed, she stays the course until circumstances beyond her control force her to assess her priorities.  What will win her affections?  her career?  a dashing city attorney?  the traveling preacher?

Here is the first Chapter.....

Too Rich for a Bride by Mona Hodgson (Chapter 1 Excerpt)

This is a quick, easy read and  I would have loved to have had it poolside or at the beach! Mona Hodgson tells the story in such a way that you did not have to have read Book 1 to understand this book.  However, I would like to read Book I now.  Additionally,  I would recommend this read to anyone who is looking for an enjoyable historical fiction book.

4 stars

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review.  As always, my opinions are my own. 

When God Writes Your Love Story....

My daughter took me to a conference in Colorado in January this year.  She didn't have to drag me or anything....I mean it was Colorado...in the winter...snow!  And it was just going to be she and I going!  To a girls conference.  No boys allowed.  Girl things - like chocolate, laughter, shopping, etc.

It was the Set-Apart Girl conference by Eric & Leslie Ludy, set in the beautiful town of Windsor, on the campus of Ellerslie.  Snow-capped mountains, a frozen pond, quiet gentle breezes, little bunnies that scampered across the landscape....yes it was picturesque.

But more than the outward beauty that surrounded the campus was the inward beauty that emmanated from the staff and the attendees.  We had the pleasure of meeting young girls and young ladies from all over the country who had been impacted by the writings and teachings of the Ludys.  We heard story after story of how God was using these young ladies to change the world.  Some were changing careers, some going on the mission field, one was working on a Ph.D. and doing her dissertation on courtship!  Fascinating how God gathered about 100 women and young ladies together and focused them in His Word to show them His truths.

To say it was a great time would be an understatement.

Here is a link to the next Set-Apart Girl Conference:
Set-Apart Girl May Conference

But I digress....

This post is about the Ludy's book, When God Writes your Love Story.  This book is not what you think it is about - I promise.  If you think you are going to read a book about courtship or how not to date, you are mistaken.

Eric and Leslie write like they are having coffee with you at the corner coffee shop.  This book is their testimony about their own story.  It is about what God did with them and through them as they entered dating life.  It is a book full of hope and promise - not a book full of "thou shalt nots".

And it has become one of the top-selling relationship books of all time!

After having sat in a conference with them for 2.5 days and having dined with them, I can tell you these people are the REAL deal.  No wonder my daugher was drawn to Leslie's writings a few years ago.

I wish I could insert a chapter here for you to preview but it isn't available in that format (I checked - sorry.)

However...here is a link to the new Set-Apart Girl Magazine Online:
Magazine .

Oh...one more thing...the book - it is for both BOYS and GIRLS.....

Suffering WITH Meaning?

“Something can be tragic without being meaningless.  Despair is suffering without meaning.” (53).  

Think about that.  Suffering IS easier when we wrestle and come to understand the “why” of our suffering.  Is it as a direct result of our own behavior?  Is it the consequence of our own sin?  or the effects of someone else’s choices?  

or

Are we suffering due to natural disasters?  a hurricane, flood, earthquake?  

or maybe it is due to the evils of the world?  

Whatever the cause of our current (or future) sufferings, it is our human nature to  want to know WHY.  We believe that if we know why then we will be  better able to cope.  This understanding...this explanation of the “why” is what Randy Alcorn is attempting to explain in his book The Goodness of God..Assurance of Purpose in the Midst of Suffering. 

But Alcorn doesn't start with the simple questions.  He goes to the hard ones and he goes to the ones that you have to think about and wrestle with.   Questions like "Is suffering ever in vain?  pointless?"  

Was Christ’s suffering on the cross pointless?  

Did the five missionaries who died that day in Ecuador die in vain?  

More questions he makes you ponder..."Is God Sovereign over ALL things, including evil and suffering?"  and "What is the origin of evil?"  To give you a sample of the way Alcorn handles these questions, here is Chapter 1.  

The Goodness of God by Randy Alcorn (Chapter 1)

Alcorn addresses these questions and more.  He makes you wrestle with the issue of heaven and hell and the concept of justice.  He even goes a step deeper and probes you to consider what do you really believe about yourself.  Do you see who you are in Christ?  really?  If so, then this book isn’t for you.  If not and you wrestle with the whys or the purpose of suffering in this world, then this book is for you.  


Listen to what Alcorn says about his experience as he was writing the book....

Before you are finished reading it,  you will hopefully have a new perspective on pain, heartache, and trials.  Alcorn doesn't leave you hanging either...he gives you reasons for suffering.  He also helps you find perspective in your suffering so you know what you can do...and how you can find meaning/purpose in the midst of your trials.

Definitely a must-read for all!

5 Stars



I received a free copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah throught their Blogging for Books program. As always, all opinions are my own.  

Book Review: The Charlatan's Boy

The Charlatan’s Boy

by Jonathan Rogers

More colorful than the book cover is the life of huckster Floyd and orphan Grady on the island of Corenwald.  Rogers is an amazing storyteller as he weaves the adventures of these two and tells the story from the viewpoint of Grady, a young boy.   “Perfessor” Floyd has convinced Grady he is a “feechie” and hails from the “Feechiefen Swamp” .  When this scheme plays out, what will Floyd and Grady do next to “make a coin?”  

Rogers is so good at the art of writing that he is able to successfully weave two story lines together with such skill that you are not aware what is happening as you read.  First, the active story of Floyd and Grady’s life as huckster and helper.  But secondly, and much more importantly, the underlying story of the yearning of this young orphan boy to know just who he is and where does he hail from.  And don’t we all want to belong?  You will find yourself wanting to know the answer, too and not wanting to put the book down until you do.  Will Grady ever know from whence he came?  "I don't remember one thing about the day I was born. It hasn't been for lack of trying either...I only know one man who might be able to tell me where I come from, and that man is a liar and a fraud." 

This is an excellent book....a rare treasure in the tween and teen literature age group.  For parents looking for good reads and wanting to find books with good content, this is a keeper!  It is humorous, yet sad; fantasy-filled yet realistic; entertaining yet truth prevails.  What more would you want in a good fiction read?  

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.  I was not required to give a positive review and my opinions are my own.