A Rush of Wings by Kristen Heitzmann



I loved this book.  I'm a big fan of Kristen Heitzmann's writing.  I hadn't read this book until now, even though it was originally written in 2003.  This is a repackaged version.

The book is centered around Noelle St. Claire, a young woman from an afflluent background who from the beginnng of the story is on the run.  She leaves her father, a prominent lawyer, and her fiance, Michael, her father's protoge.  Noelle is facing demons from her past--but she has no idea what they are or what they mean.  She arrives at a horse ranch owned by Rick Spencer.  At the ranch, Noelle finally feels safe.  Rick's roguish brother, Morgan, recognizes the fragile state Noelle is in and tries to help her open up.  But it's Rick's steadiness and strength that causes Noelle to finally begin confiding the nightmare she's been hiding.  Of course, this causes a conflict between the two brothers.  Noelle remains hidden from her father and former fiance for months, but soon her father's private investigator locates her--about the same time her former fiance finds her. 

The twists and turns in this book keep you guessing as to the outcome of the book.  And the tension in the story line is just enough--not so much that you have to lay the book down, but enough to keep you turning the pages to see the end.  In fact, I had an all-nighter just to finish the book.  I couldn't put it down.

I give this book a high 5 out of 5 stars.  I think it's one you're sure to enjoy!

Thank you to Bethany House Publishing Group for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

They're Coming!! They're Coming!!

The Florida family is on their way!  Yee-Haw!  And those children know they're coming to TEXAS!!  Amy just called and they've already watched one movie and the kids are settling down for the night.  They plan on driving to Baton Rouge.  YEE-HAW! 
ETA to Borger:  Monday evening  (They're going to Jay's parents in Amarillo first).

Stiff Neck

I discovered why I have a stiff neck....

It's called Bags of Blessings. 

Carrying a Bag of Blessings weighing 25#.

A bunch of them.

I discovered it this morning as I picked up my first one.

That was about 30 bags ago.

Don't get me wrong...

I'm grateful!

But I think I need to apologize to my pillow whom I've blamed.

A Full Day...

• 6:25 a..m.      Alarm goes off.  Woke up with a stiff neck.
• 7:15 a.m.       Prayer time with prayer partners.  (God usually gives us a focus.  This morning it was, "Bring everything into the light.")
• 8:45 a.m.      Went to work at Living Water.  Today was Clothing Day and people were bringing Bags of Blessings, so it was off to a fast start!
• 10:15 a.m.    Andy called to ask if I was playing the piano for Barbara DeMoss's  funeral.  I told him no one had called me.  He said I was playing.
• 10:20 a.m.    Rushed home to change and get my piano music.
• 10:25 a.m.    Arrived at the church and began playing by 10:30.
• 12:00 a.m.    Arrived back at work.
• 3:00 p.m.     Went to United Supermarket to get extra things for the Bags of Blessings.  Someone in the store handed me $100 to fill more bags.  Shopped some more then.
• 4:00 p.m.     Back to Living Water to unload everything.
• 4:15 p.m.     Arrived at home.
• 4:30 p.m.     Began cooking an amazing supper (tilapia).
• 5:30 p.m.     Ate supper with my amazing husband.
• 6:30 p.m.     Andy asked me to come help him lay the floor in the bathroom.
• 6:37 p.m.     Snuck upstairs and appealed for help on facebook to remove the toilet--I could see the handwriting on the wall!
• 8:38 p.m.     Robby Yarbrough called and offered to help with the toilet.
• 9:15 p.m.     Posted photo of all-around good guy Robby.
• 9:39 p.m.     Andy is busily cutting planks for the floor (up the stairs, out the door to the garage, cut, back in, down the stairs...over and over.)  I think he deserves a chocolate malt.  Andy is a missionary, singer, guitarist, and preacher first.  He is not a carpenter or handyman (hates it)...but gets big points for giving it his best!! 
• 9:43 p.m.     I'm ready for bed!!

Addendum:

• 9:47 p.m.    Went to Braum's for a large chocolate malt for #1 Husband of the Universe!  Also got self a sherbet freeze.
• 10:02 p.m.   Now I'm ready for bed.  Still have a stiff neck.

A chance for a free book!

I haven't read this book yet---but I want to!  And you can try to get a free copy of it yourself.  Just go to the author's website and leave a comment.  For every 20 comments, she will give away a free copy and an e-copy.  So mosey on over and take a look at her website and leave a comment! 

Here's a little about the book:

Trish James is tired of being rescued. When a spooked horse claims her husband's life, she’s determined to blaze a path for herself and her traumatized son without outside help. But will that mean leaving the place etched on her heart?

Andy Tyler has had to struggle for everything, and starting a new law practice in Miller's Creek, Texas is no different. Though prepared for business challenges, he's not prepared for falling in love--especially with yet another woman who will probably abandon him for her career.

Will Andy and Trish be able to see past their limited human understanding to take . . . A Path Less Traveled?


The trailer:

Illegals by Darrell Ankarlo

Talk-show host, Darrell Ankarlo gives an up-close and personal look at illegal immigration from Mexico to the United States.  He feels his voice is one small voice trying to sound the alarm for what is truly happening with the dilemma of immigrants coming across our borders.  And it's a much bigger problem than I ever imagined and the ramifications much more threatening than I had considered.  Darrell took an investigative team into Mexico to get the facts and to get a true picture of what was really happening.  What he found was drug lords, poverty, "mules" willing to lead people across the border, rape, but most frightening--a revolutionary group ready to take back "their land." 

Darrell interviewed border patrol and found a system sadly inadequate for the overwhelming invasion taking place at the borders.  Many people come across the borders only to be caught and sent back home--at our expense.  And as he interviewed these people coming illegally, he found that most of these illegal immigrants had tried many, many times to come--and intended to keep trying until they were successful.  Many of these people only wanted to come to a country full of opportunity.  Some had bought into the philosophy Darrell found prevalent among Mexican border occupants that "might makes right" and the strongest are entitled to take over what they want to possess.  And then there were those who wanted to take back what Texans had taken from them in the first place.  There are even Mexican-born professors in our country who teach and promote this philosophy.  Mr. Ankarlo is not a racist and has no problem with anyone coming to our country--legally.  In fact, from reading his book, you can easily see that he has great compassion for the people paying a high price to come to our country for greater opportunity.

You will find this book highly educational on the subject of illegal immigration.  You will also find it very disturbing.  But Mr. Ankarlo doesn't just provide us with the problem; he offers solutions.    Among these solutions is a moratorium on immigration, hefty fines for those hiring illegal immigrants, exclusive use of English in our nation, and governors of border states taking on the challenge of illegal immigration.

This book is not for the faint of heart.  But as you read this book, you'll realize how large this problem really is.  I highly recommend it.  I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson  for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Amy Inspired by Bethany Pierce

I don't know who to be most upset with--Bethany Pierce for pushing every limit in this "Christian fiction" book or Bethany House for publishing it as such.  I almost put the book down about 4 times but didn't since I'd promised to review the book.  The only credit I can give this book is that it is well-written technically.  It sadly portrays our world as it is and the fight between flesh and spirit--but with the flesh winning throughout most of the book.

The story line is about a young woman named Amy Gallagher who is an aspiring writer but ends up teaching at a college to pay the bills.  She meets a young woman named Zoe, another budding author,  while working at a soup kitchen.  They become housemates.  Zoe brings home a guy who is an artist and the boyfriend of a former roommate--and he moves in.  Eli says he needs a place to crash for a couple of weeks, but stays for months and until an attraction develops between him and Amy---and they end up in bed together (although nothing "happens") while Zoe is away.  Eli moves out and there begins the discovery and unearthing of all of Amy, Zoe & Eli's pent-up inner struggles.

I know we struggle as Christians.  And I appreciate anyone trying to write about those struggles honestly--which I credit Bethany Pierce as doing.  But the Bible clearly tells us to be different, to live above reproach and to be like Christ.  I can't imagine Jesus putting Himself in the same situations Bethany put her characters in--which became too many to count.  Our world needs difference--they need hope!

I think Bethany's position is summed up in Amy's words in the book:  "How many times when you are writing do you hold back for fear of what your mom would say if she read it?  Or for fear of what a professor will say about your style?  In today's reading, Lamott points out that you have to free your mind from the burden of that critical audience.  To write what it is you need to write."  I just think Bethany forgot to write to that audience of One.

I'm sadly disappointed in this book and give it only 1 star--which is for Bethany's writing skill alone.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishing Group for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review--obviously. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.