Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Book Review & Some Pics

A few weeks ago I was contacted via email regarding a Christian book series from Guideposts. Before that time I knew about Guideposts and have subscribed to it at different times over the years, but I never knew they published Christian novels.

"Home To Heather Creek" is the name of the series of books, and a different author is writing each book in the series, with the same characters continuing throughout the series.

Here's what the publisher had to say about the series of books:


"Home To Heather Creek" is an exciting, heartfelt new fiction series just launched by Guideposts. It follows the story of the Stevenson family as they discover the joys and challenges of this new second chance.

Charlotte Stevenson's world is turned upside down by the death of her daughter Denise. Denise ran away from home when she was a teenager, and Charlotte has never forgiven herself. Now, Denise's three children are coming to live on Heather Creek Farm:

Sam, fiercely protective of his younger siblings;
Emily, desperately missing her friends;
And young Christopher, a sweet soul who only wants to fit in.

Is this Charlotte's chance to make things right?


I agreed to read "Sweet September" by Tricia Goyer, the second book in the series and do a review here on my blog. So that I'd be able to start the series from the first, they also sent me the first book in the "Home To Heather Creek" series, "Before The Dawn" by Carolyne Aarsen.

I have to say that I enjoyed both books. Either stand alone as you don't have to read them as a series, but I do think the story is stronger and richer if you start with the first book and then read the second book in the series.

I'm a very fast reader so they're short enough for me to read in one sitting, but for most people who read more leisurely they could probably be read over several days' time. They're in depth enough to get involved with the characters' lives but not so deep that you get cumbered down with the story.

Overall they give insight into the Christian life and how we need God in our lives every day, but they're not preachy at all.

The books themselves are hardback with attractive matte bindings and artwork. The books are very well made.

If you're looking for Christian novels to read, I recommend "The Heather Creek Series" from Guideposts. And there are more books coming in the series! For more information on the series, click HERE.
***CLICK ON THE PICS TO ENLARGE***

As I visited some of your blogs today I noted that a lot of you across the South are experiencing everything from light showers to beneficial rain to flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Fay.

The rains came very close to us. So close, in fact, that I was able to take these pictures of the approaching clouds to my Southeast. But just before the clouds and rain reached us here in Northeast Arkansas the remnants of Fay slipped back to the East, sparing us the flooding rains.

Memphis, parts of South Arkansas and most of Mississippi weren't so fortunate though.

As you can tell from the pictures, the skies were blue right up to the defining line of clouds. The clouds looked like a solid mass until they got close enough to see the fluffy cumulus clouds boiling up, ever changing.

The clouds are beautiful until you look below the surface beauty and realize how destructive they can be. I'm in awe of God's nature and how something can be so beautiful and yet, potentially, so deadly.

And now that TS Fay is moving away from us, TS Gustav is gathering strength in the Caribbean. While some of you in the South are still dealing with the remnants of TS Fay another storm is churning toward Cuba, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. Almost every forecast has it coming ashore somewhere in our coastal States.

And this time Gustav is forecast to be a major hurricane. This storm already looks to be a much stronger, more destructive, deadlier storm than Fay ever thought about being.

My prayer is that all my blogging friends in reach of Gustav would be proactive in making yourself as safe as possible in expectation of this storm. Prepare, be watchful and be safe, my friends. You all know who you are.

I wonder if this is a foretaste of the rest of this hurricane season? TS Fay has already been affecting the US mainland for over a week, and now Gustav is almost certainly going to make landfall somewhere on the US coastline...My supper is warming on the stove, almost ready to eat. I took some homemade vegetable deer soup out of the freezer to reheat for tonight's supper. The rich aroma of soup is drifting through the house from the kitchen to my spare room, calling me to set the table for supper. As soon as I get this proofread and published I'll answer that call.Y'all have a great Tuesday evening and rest of your week.

30 comments:

Susie said...

Love that little "home sweet home graphic" You always have the cutest ones!
I hadn't yet heard of Gustav. Sounds like it's going to be a long stormy season doesn't it.
This was our last full day of grandchild care. Feels like the new year has begun!!
xo

Lucy Stern said...

Diane, The Heather Creek series sounds like something I would like to read, I'll have to check it out.

We have a very watchful eye open for Hurricane Gustov....It looks like it will be in the Gulf of Mexico by mid day Sunday. I hope (fingers crossed) that it doesn't come our way....I went out today and bought more bottled water. I have my flashlights, batteries, portable TV, candles and my ham radio. We are as ready as we will ever be.....Have a good week.

Carole Burant said...

Dearest Diane,

I so enjoyed reading your review of the "Home to Heather Creek" series and it makes me wish I could get back into reading. I used to read one or two books a day but in the last few years I just can't seem to concentrate on books! They do sound like wonderful books to read, though!

Glad to hear that the storms didn't reach you. I've been hearing on our news about the various hurricanes and storms going on in the States. Prayers that you all stay safe!!

I've also read your last couple of posts I had missed so I'm now all caught up and hopefully will stay caught up!! lol xoxo

Jess said...

Can't wait to check out those books....I might need them this weekend...working so much!

Love you and I will call you tomorrow to talk out our babysitting plans for the weekend.

Dawn said...

Those do sound like good books. How do you get asked to do a book review? Sounds like fun!

The clouds are fascinating - I missed some great shots the other night when I didn't have my camera with me. I was not happy with myself!

Lib said...

Hi Diane,
I didn't know Guidepost had these books. They sound like a good read!
Hope ya'll get some much needed rain. We're still getting rain. Sounds so relaxing hitting the roof.
I wanted veggie soup ,Dh wanted pintos, cornbread, and kraut & weiners, so I fixed his choice so tomorow maybe veggie soup and cornbread.
Hope you're having a great wk.
Love,Hugs,Blessins',Lib

Betty said...

Hi Diane,

I wish I enjoyed reading books, but I don't. I think it's because I read so slow. I don't enjoy doing anything that I can't finish in a short time.

I'm glad you didn't get much rain from Fay. We got some rain from it but no flooding. I think you and I usually have the same when it comes to weather.

Take care and have a good rest of the week.

Hugs,
Betty

Karen H. said...

Good Morning Diane,
Just thought I would drop by and visit ya. I see you have taken me off your blogroll. I can't blame ya tho. I didn't know either till I read your post about Guidepost having those books. I used to susbscribe to Guidepost's years ago myself. I may have to check into reading those books this winter. That is usually when a reading spell hits me. The pictures of the clouds are just beautiful. When I am out on the road and see clouds like that, I try to put them with an image of some kind. We were coming back from Jonesboro Monday evening and it was really dark in the South. It looked like it was really raining here in Caraway, but when we got here, it wasn't. It did sprinkle a bit tho, but nothing major. I have been keeping up with Gustov thru Ryan's blog. I hope it doesn't get bad for our Southern Friends. I did put up a new post this morning and gave an update on hubby. I am going to try to get back in the swing of things since he is going back to work today. It make take a week or 2 but I know it will happen eventually. Take care my friend and have a great day. May GOD Bless You and Yours.

Love & Hugs,
Karen H.

MightyMom said...

well I don't know what it is as it's still in the 90's...but I've been craving soups big time! that veni/veggi soups sounds scrumption!!

Hey, you never said...did you ever eat that squirrel in your freezer??

Aunt Jenny said...

I will have to look for those books..they sure sound good!!
Have a great week!!! It is hot here..ugh.

kkryno said...

Gosh; venison and vegetable soup sounds so good! It's getting cooler at night here and I'll have to agree with MightyMom about craving soups. I've caught a cold from K. that he brought home from work and it's in my chest now, so a nice steaming bowl of soup would be wonderful. I'll have to use chicken as that's what I defrosted.
That'll be good, too. Have a great week, and you be safe too.
Love, V.

Judith said...

Stopping by to say hello, and thank you for sharing about this series of books. It's encouraging to see family oriented stories. Will be watching for your future book reviews.

Cheryl said...

Howdy...long time being off of blogging...glad to get back. Nice review...blessings

Dick said...

As I understand it, hurricanes are common this time of the year on the east coast. The question is how many and how large. The weather seems to be strange all over the country. August is normally one of our two driest months. The TV news last night said that the official rain gauge at the airport shows that we have had over three times as much rain as normal and that was before last night when quite a bit more fell. Makes me wonder what our winter will be like?

Barb said...

Gustav is scary, Diane. I've been watching Fox News all day long and they're showing that it could head directly for New Orleans. I can't imagine another hurricane of that magnitude hitting them when they're still trying to recover from Katrina.

I love book series like this where the characters continue through all the books. This just went onto my wish list.

Kelli said...

Hi, Diane!

I read the first book a while ago and just got the second one a few days ago and sped through it. I'm a pretty voracious reader and I really loved them too!

It's good to see someone writing Christian fiction, it's nice and refreshing to not have to worry about the language and sex that might be in the books, rarely does it make them better books!

Great review, I wholeheartedly agree! Take care and talk to you soon!

Mary said...

Diane,

The Heather Creek series sounds interesting. I enjoy this type of book and have had stories published in some of the Guidepost anthologies. Their publications are never preachy, but let us know that God works miracles.

I hope that all of your friends and mine, who are in the path of Gustav will be vigilant and safe.

Come on over to my Writing Nook and enter your name in my Harvest Giveaway.

Blessings,
Mary

Anonymous said...

What's a vegetable deer?

Paulette said...

I hope the storms disipitate before October 1st when I head back to the ocean in Tampa and clearwater!! I sure don't want to be in the middle of a hurricane,
Pretty Pics Diane!!

BigDadGib said...

I hope I can stay out of the south for a few weeks... looks like it is going to get nasty down there.

Gib

Linda said...

Hey Diane,
I'm trying hard to get all caught up with everyone. The books sound really good. I've been doing so much quilting this year that I haven't read as much as I usually do.
We have had thuderstorms all around us for days and somehow the rain never quite gets to us. Perhaps tomorrow....we can always use rain. However - I don't think we want as much as this hurricane is liable to bring. I pray that somehow it would just miss all of us, but we are watching closely to see where is will make land-fall.
How are things going with your diabetes? Have they started you on medication yet? I pray you'll be feeling better very soon.
Blessings to you dear one.

Sam said...

Wow, those clouds looks so interesting! I've certainly been reading about the major storms that so many people are experiencing right now, but up here we've really been spared. But my brother-in-law lives in Florida and we've been getting reports from him.

Can you believe I've never had deer meat? Vegetable deer meat soup sounds good, but I can't really imagine what deer tastes like. I do know that it's very lean though, and very healthy. I hope you enjoyed your soup!

Have a great weekend, Diane!

Sammy

Sue Seibert said...

Thanks for the book recommendations! Love the photos!

Unknown said...

Hi Diane! Hate to be so late, but I'm using a friend's computer while mine is in the shop. I am famliar with Guideposts. How cool! Believe it or not, we are receiving a severe downpour in Arizona as I write this! How weird. We receive less than a foot of rain per year! Lookinbg forward to your reviews! lol!!!!!!:)

kansasrose said...

Hi hon,

Enjoyed your book reviews. You have a flair for this...I'll look for these series to read when winter sets in and I have more time to read. ( grapes are ready to harvest!) I'm just starting to feel human again after being down for 3 days with some kinda bad bug head cold. More than a head cold..fever, chills, chest cough. Yikes...too early for this. Your cloud pics are really interesting! You caught the remnants of Fay in your lens! Very cool. That Gustav looks and sounds fearsome..my prayers are with the gulf coast states and all people in harms way. We don't need another Katrina!!! God bless. Have a peaceful holiday. Jen

Anonymous said...

Lovely graphic Diane and the book sounds great too.

The weather in south east Norway has been very wet the last weeks, but the forecast this weekend is great: it might be the last taste of summer this year, so we'll enjoy every minute.

Have a great weekend - hugs from us :-)

Rachel said...

Well it's Friday now and I haven't even watched any news to see where the Hurricane is. This nasty cold has had me down this week. I have been miserable.

The books from Guideposts sound great. You do such a good job at book reviews!

I know you said you had a cold too, and I hope you are better by now. It's no fun having the drips! Been there. Done that. This week!

auntpearl said...

Hello
I am trying so hard to get back to blogging. It has just been a very difficult summer for me.
I really miss talking with you and checking in on your Sunday dinners.

Hope you and your family are doing well.
Sending you love and hugs,

nancy said...

Those are some incredible cloud photos. It does look like it's boiling up. I'm trying to make up for lost time, reading posts I've missed. God bless you dear friend.
Nancy

Putz said...

do not read the shack by young. why oh why i started this and paid good money( it was 1 on the best paper bak best seller list} i'll never KNOW, but it portrays god as a black lady muslim and jesus as a sawed off punk and i did not appreciate it....diane sounds like the cook and jess like the gospel thumper...love ya both