COME, SWEET DAY by Julianne Donaldson

 

COME, SWEET DAY by Julianne Donaldson. This is a beautiful compilation of poems that bring light to the dar corners of life. It shows that we are not alone and gives one an upward push when needed. For me, this book would be most enjoyable as a hard copy versus an electronic copy. If you're needing a "pick me up" kind of book, this one's for you. 

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Compiled from years of inspirational words of encouragement to herself on social media—and even bits and pieces of random musings written on scrap paper, this is a unique writer’s journey through a life passage marked by cancer, a bitter divorce, legal battles with her ex-husband, mental illness, and persistent feelings of rejection and abandonment which also rendered her unable to pick up her career as a writer to support herself and her family. Overwhelmed by sadness and almost paralyzed into inaction by despair, she slowly finds her way back to her writer’s toolbox, unpacking the pain and sharing her innermost feelings as if revealing a character’s thoughts in a novel. In her writing she begins to find rays of understanding and acceptance and eventually finds strength from knowing that God’s love and His grace and guidance give greater meaning to our suffering and light the way to hope.

STELLA by McCall Hoyle

STELLA by McCall Hoyle. What a brillantly done book. From the viewpoint of a traumatized dog who is given one last chance. The relationship between Stella and Cloe is beautiful and so incredible. I know a family who is currently hoping to get a dog like Stella, which has made this story mean so much more. What a life-saving service these dogs provide. This is another must read this year.

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Even dogs deserve a second chance.

Ever since she was a puppy, Stella was trained to use her powerful beagle nose to sniff out dangerous chemicals and help her handler keep people safe. But during a routine security inspection, Stella misses the scent of an explosive. The sound of the blast is loud and scary. Unable to go back to work because of her anxiety, Stella is retired as a working dog.

When a young girl named Cloe wants to adopt Stella, the beagle knows this is her last chance to prove her worth. But how? When Stella smells a strange chemical inside Cloe’s body, a scent that surges just before the girl has a seizure, Stella’s nose makes the connection. But how can Stella warn her new family without them thinking she’s having an anxiety attack? How can she convince others that she can be a new kind of service dog and hopefully save Cloe’s life?

Told from Stella’s perspective, this story is about a special dog who must find the courage to overcome her fears in order to help save a young girl with epilepsy.

A CAPTAIN FOR CAROLINE GRAY by Julie Wright

 A CAPTAIN FOR CAROLINE GRAY by Julie Wright. I just love Julie's books. Her characters are so strong and sure on the outside, but inside there is a vulnerability about them. Caroline and Captain Thomas are no different. How they learn to grow and trust each other inspite of each other is wonderful to see. I love seeing a different aspect of this era that is not as often shown. It is a wonderful read that I would recommend to everyone.

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Caroline Gray would rather be daring and intelligent than demure and insipid, which is why she is still unmatched after her third season in London. Her family’s threadbare finances leave Caroline with only one choice to secure her future: sail with the Fishing Fleet to India, where the son of a family friend is willing to consider an engagement to her.

Captain Thomas Scott loves the open sea as much as he despises the three-month, twice-yearly trip his ship makes as he ferries young English girls across the ocean. He can’t imagine what family would allow an innocent young woman to be matched up with the Englishmen  of questionable reputation who work and live in India.

But when Miss Gray boards the HMS Persistence, all of Captain Scott’s plans are upended. Miss Gray’s fiery spirit can’t be contained, and he is shocked and secretly delighted at her boldness—and her beauty. But the rest of his passengers aren’t so kind.

Caroline finds herself an outcast among her peers, but Captain Scott becomes an unlikely ally. They share the same passions and interests, creating an undeniable attraction. But they both know any relationship between them is impossible. After all, Caroline has obligations to fulfill in India.

Caroline has until the end of the voyage to decide if she is going to marry a man she has never met or be brave enough to love a sea captain who just might break her heart.