End of the Trail by Vickie McDonough

End of the Trail is the sixth book in the Texas Trails series. Vickie McDonough weaves the tale of Brooks Morgan and Keri Langston. Brooks has been drifting in life for the past ten years, with no real ambition until he stumbles upon the small town of Shoofly, Texas. Brooks comes to the aid of an old man, and wins the deed to a ranch in a high-stakes poker game. Before the old man dies, he quips to Brooks to "take care of Keri." No problem, he grew up on a ranch and knows how to handle critters.

Except Keri isn't the animal he was anticipating, but a beautiful young woman instead. Brooks doesn't know the first thing about what to do with her, and isn't about to give up his opportunity of a home of his own. Will they be able to solve their differences or will one of them need to go packing? I'm sure you'll enjoy this delightful tale set in 1896.

This book was provided free for review by Moody Publishers and the author.

Cowgirl Trail by Susan Page Davis

Cowgirl Trail by Susan Page Davis is a delightful tale in the Texas Trails series. This fifth book in the series shares the wonderful story of Maggie Porter. This young woman returns home after a couple years away to discover her childhood home, the Rocking P Ranch is in failing conditions and the cowboys are threatening to strike. Her father is in desperate financial straits and failing health. It's up to Maggie to round up the cattle and prepare them for the cattle drive. She enlists the helps of her friends to have the first all female cowgirl drive.

Alex Bright, her former foreman, is caught between honoring the family he has served for many years or sticking with the men striking for better working conditions. His heart is caught in the middle. Will he choose to follow it, or choose to lose his only chance to attain Maggie's favor?

This book was provided free for review by River North Fiction from Moody Publishers.

Take My Burden

 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
    who daily bears our burdens.

Psalm 68:19
 
I was talking to a dear friend of mine on the phone today. Our time was limited since she needed to hurry off to an appointment, and I had writing deadlines I needed to be working on. In the few moments that we spoke, I poured out my heart to her, sharing several things that have been burdening my soul. She asked if there is anything she can do, and I replied flippantly about taking my burdens for a while.

It was in that moment that I realized that I have someone who daily does this for me, when I allow Him to do so. But I have to make an active choice to place my burdens on God's shoulders, and allow Him to carry them for me. Which means not taking them back again, but trusting that somehow He is going to work in them. So today, I choose to lay my burdens at His feet, knowing He will take care of them for me. I don't need to worry. Instead I choose to worship Him.

Hear my prayer, O Lord;
    listen to my cry for mercy.
In the day of my trouble I will call to you,
    for you will answer me.

Psalm 86:6-7

Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

I found Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer to be one of the best books I've read so far this year. Karen's tale delighted me as both a reader and a writer. She weaves words and uses verbs in a way I never imagined, and the product is incredible.

I fell in love with young Meredith Hayes from the first few sentences of Karen's book. Meredith is a sweet, young woman with longings for a marriage of love, not convenience. When she overhears a plot to burn their property, she feels duty-bound to warn the Archer brothers, even at the risk of her own life.

Travis Archer, is Meredith's childhood hero and rescuer, but twelve years of living in seclusion has hardened the man. When circumstances demand a marriage of convenience, will they ever be able to experience true love?

I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

This book was provided free for review by Bethany House Publishers.

A Texan's Promise by Shelley Gray

A Texan's Promise by Shelley Gray is a delightful tale set in Texas in 1873. Shelley weaves a story about Vanessa Grant, a young woman who has suffered tremendously, after undergoing advances from her stepfather. Clayton Proffitt, foreman of the ranch, comes to her rescue.

Clayton chooses the honorable thing in taking care of Vanessa, and getting her away from her stepfather's evil clutches. But will he ever choose to love her or will he always just be honor bound?

I found A Texan's Promise to be a wonderfully written novel and highly recommend it.

* This book was provided free for review by Abingdon Press.

Trust

I will be glad and rejoice in your love,
    for you saw my affliction
    and knew the anguish of my soul.

But I trust in you, O Lord;
    I say, “You are my God.”
Psalm 31:7 & 14

I praise God for His word, His promises, and His encouragement when He knows we need it the most. My heart was in utter anguish earlier this morning, as I faced yet again a situation that is heavy and hurtful in my life. I cried out to the Lord, not only because of the heartache and turmoil, but also the desire not to be embittered by the circumstance.

As I cried out to the Lord, I happened to hear a short blip on the radio, and one word stood out - Trust. Through my prayers and tears, I opened up a book I'm reading by Debbie Macomber called One Perfect Word and read the title of the next chapter - Trust. Coincidence? No, I'm sure it was part of God's ultimate timing, knowing what I needed to hear today.

I call to you, O Lord, every day;
    I spread out my hands to you. 

Psalm 88:9

I praise God for His encouragement when we need it the most.

Calling

I came across this quote this morning while working through my devotions. It's taken from Listening to God Day by Day by Sharon Jaynes.

      "The Hebrew word for "Bible" actually means, "The calling out of God." He's calling
        out to us from the pages of our Bibles."

When's the last time you sat down to listen to His calling to you? Open the pages of your Bible and see what He has to say each day.

A Full Dance Card

With the end of May soon approaching, I find my 'dance card filling' as a dear friend said recently. Today I finished my Apprentice writing course with Christian Writers Guild after two years and 50 lessons. I'm so thankful and excited that I was accepted into the Craftsman Advanced fiction writing course, starting in November. Lots of fun, excitement, and learning ahead of me.

I still continue to write for Home School Enrichment magazine. I've been writing a unit study column for them for three and a half years. Even though I have resigned from homeschooling, for now I will continue to write for them.

Last week I started writing a new Christian historical romance novel set in Kansas in 1875. This is a fun mail-order-bride book with lots of action, fun, and excitement. I think a novel is a continual process. I will soon start work on some more editing of my other novel. The key is learning how to balance everything as my dance card fills. I praise God for the opportunity to finally be writing full time. It's always been my desire and dream.

Passing the Mantle

"And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over. And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him." 2 Kings 2:9-15

This story of Elijah passing his mantle on to Elisha has been on my mind the past week or so. You may be wondering, "What exactly is a mantle?" According to the online dictionary it refers to 'a garment regarded as a symbol of someone's power or authority.' The theme for my youngest son's homeschool graduation on May 11th was taken from Acts 13:47, "For so the Lord has commanded us saying, 'I have made you a light for the gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" The program cover said, "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!"

At the beginning of the ceremony, each graduate filed into the auditorium followed by their parents. One parent held a lit candle. As each family approached the stage, we stopped, and passed the lit candle off to our child, symbolizing this passing the mantle on to the next generation. I've been ruminating on this ever since - the significance of passing on to our children the importance of letting our lights shine in the world around us. I pray that my light will continue to shine for Christ as I follow His call on my life, but I also pray that my children and their children will also shine their light to the future generation, so that others will see Jesus in our lives.

May your light shine for Him! 

Brief Hiatus

I've decided to take a brief hiatus from blogging. Things have been really busy with the final days of homeschooling, and preparing for my son's final evaluation, and graduation in less than three weeks. I look forward to getting back to writing once we've accomplished this mile stone in our lives - completing 16 years of homeschooling. Whew! I hope to return in mid May. :)