This is a fascinating story about a family that encounters a homeless man on their family trip across the country for Christmas and they offer him a ride.
I really don't want to say anything more to summarize this book, because I just don't want to give anything away. I think everyone should read it for themselves. This book made me think. I love books that make me think! I have seen two down-on-their-luck people begging at freeway exits since I have finished this book, and I have ceased my thinking that they are con artists, looking for an easy handout. I have had to totally reevaluate my thinking on being a Good Samaritan based on what I have read and now I have a few more ideas of things that I can do for others. This book is a little slow at the beginning, but once you are hooked, (around chapter 2 or 3) then away you go! I do have to say, that you couldn't possibly predict the end! It will take you completely by surprise. I hope you enjoy it too.
This is the 2nd book in a series about Ezekial Johnson and his family, important people in early church history. The authors have taken journals, letters and histories to tell the stories of the Johnson family. In this continuation of Volume 1, we follow Ezekial and his plan to separate his family physically from the church by moving them Fort Dearborn. But Julia Johnson feels her testimony is more important. They suffer tragedy and a loss that is hard to bear. Through it all Julia tries to hold her family together.
This really is a remarkable story. There are so many people in early church history that we know so little about. This is a great opportunity to learn about the Johnsons and their contributions to the church. How amazing it must have been to associate with Joseph Smith and his family! But how hard differing faiths must have been on their family. I look forward to the next installment about the Johnson family and am grateful for the research and effort that has been made to bring forth these books.
"Curiosity can be a curse, and just like the proverbial cat, feisty Shandra Covington could soon end up dead.
As a newspaper reporter, Shandra meets unusual people every day. But Pinky Templeton is the first one who has claimed, quite vocally, to be dead! She would just ignore him as another nut case, except life-threatening events are happening to those close to her. And Pinky seems to be involved--although the official records show he did die in 1957. Now that he's gone and died again, Shandra feels she must find out the truth--even if her friend, police officer Bobby Richter, doesn't want to help. After all, how many times can one man die? With Pinky, it's hard to tell."
This is a Shandra Covington mystery and it's quite entertaining. Shandra is a odd heroine. But she's quite endearing. You will find yourself captivated by the interesting mix of characters that are presented. This book is kind of a continuation of the last Shandra Covington mystery "House of Secrets," but you really don't have to read that one first. In fact, even if you have read it, you don't need to remember it at all to enjoy this one. I really could not predict this book at all, and it has a nice twist at the end. I should warn you; you will be left hanging at the end. There will definitely be a sequel because it's just too cruel to leave us with no resolution!
This is a truly remarkable book. I was deeply touched when I read it and I haven't stopped thinking about it since. "Mary and Joseph" is a novel. It is historical fiction like "The Work and the Glory" series or many other examples. But yet, for me, when the Christmas story was put into a real life setting, where I could really envision what Mary must have felt and experienced, it came alive. I found myself crying as I thought about all of Mary's fears and feelings as a new mother and especially as the mother of THIS child. I marvelled at the timing of Jesus's birth. It had never occurred to me before that if Mary and Joseph had not gone to Bethlehem - her friends and family might have realized that this baby was earlier then he should have been and their lives could have been very different. I highly recommend this book as a wonderful addition to your Christmas book collection. I loved it.
What if? What if Mary and Joseph weren't alone in that stable? What if there was someone else there to help Mary that wondrous night when the Savior was born? Lynda M. Wilson explores the possibility of a midwife sent to help Mary and Joseph in "The Innkeeper's Wife".
The story is fairly short and it can easily be read in one sitting, but I'm sure it will be a favorite to retell each Christmas for many. Each chapter begins with the words of a Christmas carol. It would be fun to sing each Christmas carol if you read it with a larger group of people. It is interesting to hear the story of the birth through a very different viewpoint. Although the story is fictional, it really leaves you with something to think about, a possibility maybe you never considered before.
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