The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel

-
The Secrets Of Paper And Ink by Lindsay Harrel

Sophia, still reeling from the death of her fiancee, not so much because he died, but because he had strangled a part of her and she kept hearing his voice in her head, she kept beating herself up for the decisions she had made. Ginny, also stuck in a rut when her husband takes off to go find himself and she stays home to try to survive and make his dream continue to thrive. Emily, from the 1800s, forced to become a governess after her father dies, forced to give up her only true love, yet she chooses to surrender to God and let Him work in her life. What do these three ladies have in common?

They "meet" in England when Sophia discovers a notebook journal and goes on a quest to find out more and that is where I need to stop because I don't want to give away spoilers, but Sophia and Ginny become good friends, each battling their own wars, each trying to do it on their own. Of course, William, Ginny's brother-in-law is happy to help Sophia, you knew there was gonna be romance right? I could appreciate that one, not so much the hinted at romance that was going to happen to Ginny.

Anyway, the thing that really caught me in this book was the victim mentality and how these ladies rose above it. It wasn't easy, but once they were willing to recognize their part in their own story, it made so much difference in their quality of life. They were no longer surviving, they were thriving. There were actually a few quotes from this book that stuck out to me, but I want to share just one or two.

"Perhaps you're focused on the wrong thing. Life is more than a beginning, a middle, and an end. It's about the countless moments woven in between the lines, the growth, the pruning. Take these flowers, for example, I can't just sit around waiting for them to decide if they want to bloom or die. Growth won't happen without a little intervention. They were designed to bloom, yes, but circumstances and a harsh environment sometimes make it impossible for them to flower on their own. They can't prune themselves. And you can't prune yourself, dear."

"We must embrace that story and remember that who we are is not defined by the ups and downs of our lives - the failure OR the successes. Nay, we are instead defined by Whose we are."

These two quotes are so applicable to each of our lives. Sitting around waiting to change, waiting to bloom isn't going to have any effect. There must be pruning, there must be an intervention. We must recognize Whose we are and until we do that, life will not be able to be lived to the fullest.

I really enjoyed this book, it was my first book by Lindsay Harrel and she definitely makes it onto the list of authors I would read more of.

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers and was not required to write a positive review.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fragrant Whiffs of Joy by Dorcas Smucker (It's Giveaway time)

-
Image
Ah yes, this was just what the doctor ordered. I've wanted to review Dorcas' last book or two and was always too chicken to ask, but this time I threw caution to the wind and said, "Yes, I want to review your book." And I'm so glad I did. It was the perfect book for this stage in my life. Short, easy to read chapters that can be picked up and read whenever and wherever. They are guaranteed to either make you laugh, smile, cry, or or just give you that ah-ha feeling that someone else experiences life like that too.  I could quote from pretty much every chapter something that struck me in one of those ways, but I really want you to go buy the book so I won't do that many spoilers. I only want to give you a hint of what is to come in the book. First off, isn't the cover beautiful? I can dream of a kitchen table like that with the apple pie still steaming and the tea pot, or coffee pot more likely, full to the brim and a beautiful arrangement of flowers
Read more

The Swindler's Daughter by Stephania H. McGee

-
Image
  Lillian is raised by her "widowed" mother who wants Lillian to marry slightly above her station so as to secure a good future for both Lillian and her mother.  But then the unexpected happens and Lillian is left the inheritance of her father who has only just now died. She travels to Dawsonville where she is confronted with secrets and a whole new life. She is given community, family, friendships and acceptance, something she has never had before.  It was a fun light read, but I can't say I gained any huge inspiration from it. It was pretty fluffy. Of course, there was Jonah battling his own things and struggling to come to terms with the way his own life was turning out. So you know the end of all that, but on the way there there was some danger and some twists and turns in the plot which added to the story.  I received this book from Revell and was not required to write a positive review.  All opinions expressed are my own. 
Read more

PRECIOUS CHILD

-
In my dreams, you are alive and well Precious child, precious child In my mind, I see you clear as a bell Precious child, precious child In my soul, there is a hole That can never be filled But in my heart, there is hope 'Cause you are with me still In my heart, you live on Always there never gone Precious child, you left too soon Tho' it may be true that we're apart You will live forever... in my heart In my plans, I was the first to leave Precious child, precious child But in this world, I was left here to grieve Precious child, my precious child In my soul, there is a hole That can never be  filled But in my heart there is hope And you are with me still In my heart you live on Always there, never gone Precious child, you left too soon,  Tho' it may be true that we're apart You will live forever... in my heart God knows I want to hold you,  See you, touch you And maybe there's a heaven And someday I will again Please know yo
Read more