Say What You Need to Say

"It is folly of our species that we reserve the greatest bouquets for our dead."
Richard Paul Evans

My thoughts:
* Make the most of every day with those we love.
* Don't ever put off showing family and friends how we feel about them.
* Forgive as often as we need to (which will be always.)
* Say what you need to say. Don't wait to say "I love you," because we never know when it might be the last time we will have the chance.

Suggested Reading

Book: The Key of Kilenya
Author: Andrea Pearson

The Book:
When two vicious wolves chase fourteen-year-old Jacob Clark down a path from our world into another, his life is forever changed. He has no idea they have been sent by the Lorkon—evil, immortal beings who are jealous of powers he doesn’t know he possesses—powers they desire to control. The inhabitants of the new world desperately need Jacob's help in recovering a magical key that was stolen by the Lorkon and is somehow linked to him. If he helps them, his life will be at risk. But if he chooses not to help them, both our world and theirs will be in danger. The Lorkon will stop at nothing to unleash the power of the key—and Jacob's special abilities.

This was a very fun read with plenty of action to keep the story moving. I love the world the author created and the storyline never gets dull. This is the beginning a series that is sure to be great:-) Both youths and adults will enjoy The Key of Kilenya.
To learn more about Andrea and her books, stop by her blog at kilenyaseries@blogspot.com

My Best Friend - I Think I'll Keep Him

"If the heavens were to open and a host of Angels descend, they could not have produced such an effect on my soul as MaryAnn descending the chapel staircase for our wedding." Richard Paul Evans - Timepiece

I really have no reason for choosing this quote other than I just love it, because I love romance!
Last week my husband and I celebrated our twenty-second wedding anniversary. While many women have to light a fire under their husband when it comes to anniversary plans, I've been privileged to be married to a man that plans every detail of ours. He never tells me what we are doing until the week of our anniversary, and I am pleasantly surprised every time. I've never known a more romantic guy. A lot of people ask me why I write romance novels. Well . . . there you have it! I'm a romantic because of him, and when I write romance novels, the hero always has his attributes- they are just younger, a bit more muscular, and have a lot more hair:-)

There are so many people in the world who search for that perfect soul-mate, when in fact, there is no such thing, and if that is what we look for when seeking a mate, we will be disappointed every time. But when a heart is open enough for fate to do its job, we are be blessed with something even better.

I am not perfect and neither is my husband, but he is perfect for me in every way. There were no shooting stars or fireworks the first time my husband kissed me, but there was a warm, familiar feeling that felt like home. Our life together has not been smooth sailing with no trials, but there isn't another person I would rather face those trials with. Our relationship isn't accented by chocolate and roses everyday, but it has been strengthened by children and the joys and sorrows that come with them. Our days are not completely carefree and unhindered by worries, but each obstacle overcome together and each stone requiring stepping over have brought with them lessons so great, they have made us scholars in a college course of love and relationship that was tailor-made just for us. And I could not imagine sharing the laughter and tears those lessons produce with anyone but him, because he truly is my best friend. When a person makes you a better just by connecting their life to yours, there is truly no greater title.

Suggested Reading

Book: The Companion of Lady Holmeshire
Author: Debra Brown
About the book
A baby girl was found in a basket on Squire Carrington's doorstep. She was raised and sent to work as a servant girl for The Countess of Holmeshire. The widowed and unconventional Countess chose Miss Emma Carrington as a companion and sent her off for finishing with the goal of dragging her along into genteel Victorian society. What sort of reception would she have at tea and dinners?
The young Earl of Holmeshire was engaged by arrangement to a lovely London lady, but their relationship was difficult. Could they work it out? Even the tribulations and banned romances of the servants downstairs play into the story as we follow Emma from a stone fortress to a Victorian village and then into fabulous London mansions. Great surprises unfold at a Midsummer Night's Dream Ball which help to solve mysteries that have gradually developed. You are invited to predict the great revelation of the last few pages!

I don't read a lot of historical romance, but I have enjoyed the few I've read. There is something educational about the period language and I feel a little smarter reading it:-) I can now add The Companion of Lady Holmeshire to the list of good historical reads. The author's description of the Victorian era is wonderful and makes you feel like you are there as you get involved in the story. I loved the characters, and I felt the emotion of Emma throughout her journey and was a cheerleader for her to the very end.
Ahhh, I love novels that leave you with warm fuzzies:-)
Get your copy of The Companion of Lady Holmeshire by logging onto Amazon.com. To learn more about Debra Brown, log onto Worldcastlepublishing.com

Looking Inside Ourselves

"There are those who, in the same breath, pray for the poor and for the blessing of never encountering them." Richard Paul Evans

How many times have we heard someone say, "If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know," only to find that when we actually need the help, the offer wasn't a sincere one? How many times have we said to someone, "If I can help, let me know," only to renege on the offer when it is actually needed?
One of my favorite songs is Find Out Who Your Friends Are by Tracy Lawrence. Because the words of the song are so true. Only when we are in need do we truly find out whose offers are sincere and whose aren't. And only when we recognize the need of someone else do we find out what we are really made of. Will we sincerely offer of ourselves or will we turn a blind eye and wish the dilemma away, hoping it will fix itself without our help? And I don't mean financial (all though if that is your way of helping someone, then that is your choice) I mean being there emotionally, lending a listening ear, being a support, lightening someone's burden.

Man is that he might have joy. What could bring us greater joy than helping others along the way? It's all part of the experience. It's how we learn and grow. None of us can make it through this life alone, and each of us will be touched by the deeds of others along the journey. Why not do what we can to make the path smoother for one another? If we will only do this, it will make reaching our intended destination that much more sublime. With a goal like that in our sights, how could we not have joy? Think about it:-)

Suggested Reading

Book: Matched
Author: Ally Condie

About the Book
Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.