Accidental Fiancee by Mary Moore

Lady Grace Endicott has an independent streak and is of a practical bent.  She has no desire to marry and is quite content to run her father’s estate.  Her only thought is to attend her sister’s come-out, see her safely married and return home.  But her attempt to rescue an unknown man from the heartless plot to compromise him, leaves her in a compromising position of her own.

Brandon Roth, Lord Weston is used to the machinations of husband hunting women.  That one would try to warn him about a plot to put him in a compromising situation was unusual, to say the least.  Are was it?  Since the Lady had so brazenly approached him in a public setting, she had done the very thing she had set out to warn him about.

So starts the journey of Grace and Brandon.  Of course, they must announce a betrothal even though it is a sham.  In acting out the part of a couple, they learn things about each other that they don’t show to the world. A true friendship grows.

Her practicality and his penchant for teasing just to get a rise out of her definitely move the story forward.

Ms. Moore did an excellent job of bringing the story to life.  It is well written and always moving forward.  You are there in Regency times walking the journey with them.

Accidental Fiancée is a good read.

Review: Would-Be Wilderness Wife by Regina Scott

With the promise of an honest review, Regina Scott sent me Would-Be Wilderness Wife; the second book in the Frontier Bachelors series.  I do like Ms. Scott’s writing and was eagerly looking forward to reading this book.  Then, I realized this was the second book in the series and the first book was not yet available in stores.L  Now, I’m looking forward to the first and third books.

Ms. Scott’s heroines tend to be a bit on the independent side with a healthy dose of common sense.  Just like I like them.  Miss Catherine Stanway is no exception.  She lost her physician father and brother in the Civil War and has traveled to Seattle to start fresh.  Her wish to never again experience the depth of pain that comes from losing someone she loves leads her to dedicating her life to helping others as a nurse.  That leads to her being kidnapped.  And the journey begins.

Drew Willins has his hands full with a sick mother, siblings to keep whole and healthy and his father’s dream to carve out of the wilderness.  He doesn't need anything else to take care of.  His need for a doctor leads him to Catherine but he’s not sure she’s what his mother needs.  Then his youngest brother, Levi, kidnaps Catherine and…

You can see where this is leading.  I’m smiling as I write this.  The journey is fun, poignant and inspirational.  We walk with Catherine (who never wants to hurt again) and Drew (who is unwilling to take on any more responsibility) as the everyday trials of life bring them to the decision to let go and trust God.

Now, to go research more about these Mercer Belles.

Drama Queenism

My drama queen tendencies have been well documented in my blogs.  I have always endeavored to have melts downs in the privacy of my home and not subject anyone else to the ensuing messiness.  But recently, it was brought to my attention (by the Holy Spirit) that even that is not healthy for my body and soul.

I’ve been vocal about the triple threat that Brian Rayburn, Keith Moore and Zach Neese have been against some of the issues God has been dealing with me about.  I’ve also said that when you are studying a particular subject, you get plenty of opportunity to practice what you are studying.  I’m here to testify to the truth of that.

I have been listening to Keith Moore’s Thanksgiving Victory series and it has been a kick bootie experience.  He hits self-pity hard and explains how damaging it is; not only to oneself but also to the people around you.  I’ve had how true this is thrown in my face, almost literally. 

Although I would melt down at home, I was still letting self-pity rule my everyday actions.  I, of course, didn’t think I was operating in self-pity but I was.  As a result, I damaged two relationships that were very dear to me.  I’ve repented and apologized where necessary but God will have to bring restoration.

Now, day by day…event by event…sometimes moment by moment I thank God that He has delivered me from self-pity (listen to the series). This is one of those baby step things but I’m going to keep at it until I’m running free.

Change 2

In my blog Change, I stated ‘I would venture to say nighty-five percent of the humans on earth have something in their lives they wish they could change.  So why is it when change happens, we don’t like it?’  Very applicable question.

I've had three significant changes occur in the last month and a half.  Normally, I have some inkling changes are about to take place.  These blindsided me.  I have been dealing with the fallout and life has been hectic, emotional and totally draining.  But at the same time, I have learned so much about myself…about my God.  I’m more sure of myself and who I am in Christ than I have ever been. 

Of course, I would like to say this has been as amazingly smooth transition and I’ve just floated along on a misty white cloud of faith and serenity.  But since my penchant for drama queenness and beating myself up have been well documented, can’t say that. 

Change 1 went relatively smoothly after I moved past being irritated that I wasn’t included in the dynamics and plans for said change.  I am really enjoying the freedom it has given me.

Change 2…  Let’s just say that it’s been a month and I'm still am not quite there yet.  There was a lot of drama queenness associated with this one. 

Change 3, I’m just beginning to walk into.  Still navigating the newness of it.  More like change 1, I had to get past my initial irritation.  Now I’m good with it and actually looking forward to the freedom it will give me.

In Hiatus, I talked about the triple threat; KeithMoore’s teachings, Zach Neese’s How to Worship a King and Pastor Brian Rayburn’s awesome messages.  They have only gotten better and I can really tell the difference.

Maybe, my receiving has gotten better.      

Reunion

The McClendon family reunion was last Saturday.  The weather cooperated big time.  We gathered at Patsy and Gary Wayne’s house this year.  They had an in ground pool, plenty of concrete for the kids to draw on, ride on and generally play on and a zip line.  They also had shuffleboard and billiards for the grownups.  How cool is that?  

The last two years have been at Don and Dana’s place.  I did miss the river and being able to walk to the pond.  If we could somehow mash them up together, we would have the perfect spot. 

Of course, the food was great as always.  We did well this time.  There was plenty of meat left but the side dishes were pretty much gone by the time everyone headed out.  Usually, we have a lot left over.  Brenda made a coconut pie because she and I both like it so if she had to bring it home, it wouldn’t go to waste.  Right.  It was gone shortly after she set it out.  People were eating it before they ate supper.  She probably should have made two.

It was good to hear the children; a little sobering to realize we are our parents now.  Still, these are the times that stay with you.  

Good looking bunch

Bucket List 2

I had this ready and forgot to post:  please excuse my crazy weekend.

In Flightsof Fancy, I talked about flying through the stars like Superman, swimming with the sharks and walking the Marianas Trench.  I have often talked about the things I wanted to do after I have an immortal body.  Carole pointed out that technically, that’s not really a bucket list since these are not things I want to do before I die.  Couldn't argue with that. 

It started me thinking about things I used to want to do but had slowly let go of because they seemed impossible.  Things like; hang-gliding, getting a pilot’s license and walking (at least part) of the Appalachian Trail.

I can now say that I've marked an item off that old list.  I spent this Tuesday afternoon in Studio 333 at K.E. Bushman’sCelebration Center laying piano and organ tracks for Cody’s new song ‘Train Wreck’ (to be released Sept. 30).  It was (roughly) exactly what I expected.  Hurry up and wait.  I took a book to read for the waiting part and my serenity (uh, who? Me?) for the ‘do it again’ part.  Michael Hersh (engineer) was very patient with me.  He called me Auntie Barbara and said “no, really, you’re doing great”.  He’s good…  I didn't detect one note of sarcasm in his voice. 

Besides, the experience of recording, I got to spend some time with my nephew.  With his schedule, I rarely see him.  I know that’s a good thing because he’s busy making his dream come true.  I asked a gazillion (slight exaggeration) questions about the band and how things were going.  Told him he needed to work on his diction.  You know, the Aunt thing. 

I got there about 2:40 pm and left about 8:00 p.m.  They were happy with the results.  I’am happy with the experience.  That’s what matters.

Regret 2

Last December I blogged about how living in regret had colored my whole life.  I decided it was time for an update. 

I can say that I have come a long way in the last nine months.  I can sing the old songs now without going into a blue funk over my past.  In last week’s blog, I said the Holy Spirit has been repeatedly tapping me on the shoulder lately.  There is a difference this time and I know it’s because my attitude (there’s that word) is different.  I don’t automatically start beating myself up because I've failed yet again. 

Beating myself up put me in a place where the Spirit couldn't help me because I would make it all about me.  You know; I’m not good enough, I don’t do enough, I don’t know enough, I’m such a sorry human being . 

The litany could go on but I don’t live there anymore.  How do I know?  Last Monday I took myself to see a movie.  I briefly looked it up online but about half-way in, I realized I should have dug a little deeper.  Sigh…  Not because I am beating myself up over the mistake, I repented.  I was forgiven.  No, the sigh was because I could have used my money to see something else.  It was only last night as I was reading in Psalms that it came back into my mind.  Total surprise.  I had actually let it go; put it behind me and moved forward.  I hadn't let it become a constant reminder of my failure like I would have in the past.

I call that progress.  I call that freedom.