Book Review: Light Shines on Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard

I never tire of reading Charlotte Hubbard's books because she consistently delivers a phenomenal reading experience. Light Shines on Promise Lodge continues her ability to weave heartwarming stories filled with community, love, and faith.

Abandoned by her husband, Annabelle Beachey sought refuge at Promise Lodge. She learned confidence and self-sufficiency with her new friends, but that is soon threatened when Bishop Clayton King arrives and sets out to change the ways of this progressive community. When her husband, Phineas, arrives and announces he expects her to give up her faith, Annabelle can't imagine how things can get much worse.

Although uncomfortable at first, Phineas can't deny he sees his determined and newly forthright wife in a new way. He also spies how the new bishop seems to have taken a keen interest in Annabelle. As Bishop Clayton attempts to control the residents of Promise Lodge, Phineas and Annabelle must work together to save their new home--and their opportunity for forever happiness.

I loved Light Shines on Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard from beginning to end. I never wanted to put it down. First, you have the return of Phineas and all the emotions this churns up for Annabelle, who has nicely settled into Promise Lodge and accepted her husband left her and his faith. She is slowly carving out a new life on her own. Then, Phineas waltzes in and claims her to be his and wants her to pick up and leave. What would you do in that situation?

You also have two other storylines running throughout the book: the maturing of Gloria Lehman and the unexpected arrival of Bishop Clayton King. Throughout the series, the reader watches as Gloria evolves from chasing after boys into a mature woman who develops her God-given gifts. The arrival of the new bishop threatens everything the Kuhn sisters and Amos Troyer have built since they bought Promise Lodge. Though they have faced difficulties before, this might be the hardest challenge to overcome. With the help of some new friends, they will work together to make sure they follow God's will.

Though you can read this as a stand alone novel, you'll want to meet the residents of Promise Lodge from the beginning. Hubbard is a masterful storyteller who never disappoints. She creates great characters and writes fabulous stories that will inspire and uplift you. I am always eager for Hubbard's next release.


Series: Promise Lodge (Book 5)
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Zebra (March 31, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420145118
ISBN-13: 978-1420145113

I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

An Imperfect Christian Mom's COVID-19 Diary #6

 

Yesterday, we drove in a parade in support of one of our neighbors who has Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. This is her second battle with the disease, and we know she is in for a tough fight. Most of the neighbors gathered on the street, but since we were are still isolating ourselves we felt it best to drive in our car. What a wonderful outpouring of support for this woman. She is so loved by our community. I hope all the well-wishers lifted her spirits as she travels to Boston to start an aggressive treatment plan for the next month. 

Our lives are returning to some semblance of normal--the new normal anyway. Governor Baker extended the closure of non-essential businesses yesterday from May 4 until May 18. Not unexpected, but another reminder that the world as we know it has been changed by a foe that has already taken too many lives.

The Baker Administration has also put together a group responsible for formulating a plan to get the state economy going again. I am on the fence about this. Part of me realizes that there are families suffering because breadwinners are out of work and they need relief. There is also the tiny part of me who feels like the government's interference in private businesses is wrong and sets a dangerous precedent we might never come back from ever again. Those parts are overridden by having seen how devastating this virus can be. 

Now, one could argue: your father-in-law was old and had preexisting conditions. While that is true, those who cared for him always said he was one of their healthiest residents. I've also had friends who have had the virus. I've seen what this thing does. It's scary. 

We will get through this. We will, hopefully, learn from it. Hopefully, we will be better people after all this is over because this dreadful virus doesn't care what your social class is, what race you are, or how you identify yourself. It doesn't discriminate. We are all susceptible to it. 

God, please wipe out this horrible virus and heal our world. 

Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed;
save me and I will be saved,
for you are the one I praise.

~ Jeremiah 17:14

Task it Tuesday - Apr 28

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Yesterday was a productive day. Despite two online meetings and an unexpected trip to pick up a kit to help me get these half-falling-off genre nails fully removed, I posted to three blogs and cleaned up my lead generation software program a bit.

I'm really liking online grocery shopping. Yes, it costs me $3.99 per delivery and a tip for the driver, but no more dealing with crowds is great. Amazon pantry is a bit slower getting things to me, but if I plan right it doesn't matter when I order those supplemental items. I scored some toilet paper yesterday, but still no flour. We are being careful with how much we use.

Here is what is on tap for the rest of the week:

1. Update my planner
2. Bible reading
3. Meetings (ugh)
4. Book review
5. Stamp postcards for newest mailing
6. Start digging into closing out my father-in-law's affairs (this might take a while)
7. Cooking (good thing I love it)
8. Maybe, a bit of writing

What does your to-do list look like this week? Anything I can do to help support you?

Mailbox Monday - Apr 27

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Oh, my, what a week!  I'm finally crawling out of the dark hole of loss and grief to get back into my regular routine. Well, the new regular routine anyway. I could actually get used to ordering my groceries online and having them delivered.

I enjoyed a nice, long bath yesterday and some reading. This review will appear at The Book Connection on Thursday.

My physical and digital mailboxes held gifts for me this past week.

Ketty Lester's autobiography arrived, and I am so excited. I knew she sang, but I first saw her as Hester-Sue Terhune on Little House on the Prairie.

I bought these for my Kindle.

What was in your mailbox? Has your reading increased since the pandemic, decreased, or stayed about the same? What are you most looking forward to once life resumes to some semblance of normal? For me, it's got to be going out to a family dinner again with everyone.

Take care. Praying you stay safe and healthy.

An Imperfect Christian Mom's COVID-19 Diary #5

 

This has been a trying week. Last Thursday (April 16), when we FaceTimed my father-in-law, I noticed a change in him. He wasn't talking much and appeared confused. Since he mentioned to me the previous week he always seemed hungry, I thought he might be hypoglycemic. So, I contacted the Soldiers' Home.

The next day, my brother-in-law FaceTimed him and told me he seemed the same--said a word or two, but not communicating (out of it). I called the Soldiers' Home again. On Saturday, I had a long conversation with the person covering for the doctor. All his vitals were good and he was eating breakfast, but they would test him again for COVID-19 as a precaution. I felt a glimmer of hope that he just experienced a bad day or two.

As we sat down to Easter dinner Sunday afternoon (we celebrate Orthodox Easter too), we received the dreaded phone call no family wants--he is in distress. They could keep him comfortable at the Soldiers' Home or send him to the hospital. We opted for the hospital.

After not much sleep Sunday night, the phone rang Monday morning. The message held more bad news. If we wanted to see Harry, we better come now.

The man I have always joked has nine lives, left us Monday night. Having now seen how dreadful this virus is and how it ravages the body in ways I couldn't imagine, it reinforces my decision to isolate ourselves as much as possible.

We are devastated at the unexpected loss of a man who meant the world to us. To add to our grief, we couldn't invite family or friends to share in today's funeral service. A man who was so well-loved deserved better. That room would have been filled with people under normal circumstances.

I'm tired of navigating this new normal. I couldn't even hug my mother-in-law today, because now that it has been confirmed Harry died of COVID-19, my husband and I have been exposed. Though totally suited up in all kinds of PPE when we visited him in the hospital, we must protect our loved ones. I wouldn't give up that short time we had with Harry before he passed, but I don't even want to go out to the grocery store or pick up take out for the next 14 days.

When we picked up Harry's belongings from the Soldiers' Home yesterday, we got a bunch of boxes of stuff packed up by the National Guard. We had to sift through those belongings and sign some form stating we had everything. Do we really? I don't know. It seems ridiculous they wanted me to riffle through the belongings of a man who had the virus. But, it's nice of them to give you some silly piece of paper telling you how to handle that possibly contaminated stuff once you get it home (don't think they need more liability right now).

My father-in-law was the 63rd resident of the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke to die of COVID-19. As of today, that number is up to 73. When will it end?

The only way in which I can process this loss of life is to know that these veterans are no longer held hostage by the confines of an earthly body. There is no more sorrow and no more pain for them. The Parkinson's disease that left Harry unable to walk or write and impacted his ability to speak no longer plagues him. He is free from the pain of arthritis. He celebrates now with his father and mother and other friends and family who have gone before him. And, I am confident we will meet again one day.


“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” - John 14:1-3

Task it Tuesday - Apr 20

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

The last Task It Tuesday I posted appeared on March 4. Part of me feels guilty. But, after the day I had, I honestly don't care.

How does one say goodbye to a man who has been more like a father than your biological one? How does one wait at home for the bad news while your father-in-law struggles to breathe simply because COVID-19 protocols say you only have one 30-minute visit before you have to leave your loved one behind to suffer alone? How do you keep the sadness and anger at bay so you can better support your husband and children in their time of need?

This is a strange and cruel world we live in right now. It takes all my faith and a mountain of prayer for me to go on about my day without throwing something at the wall. I never know when I will start crying.

So, for Task it Tuesday, I am giving myself only two tasks this week:

1. Spend more time in the Word.
2. Write my father-in-law's obituary.

Please hold your loved ones close. Don't miss a chance to tell them you love them. 

Mailbox Monday - Apr 20

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

How is it Monday again? For any of my Orthodox friends: Christos Anesti! For anyone who is unaware, this means "Christ is Risen!"

Our Orthodox Easter celebration was slim this year--just us and the kids. We are practicing social distancing for the sake of my mother-in-law. We had a nice time with the kids, but we did receive word that my father-in-law is not doing well. He has been transferred to the hospital. Please keep him up in prayer.

My mailbox was empty this week, which is okay. I am catching up on overdue reviews. I did, however, pick up a box of old magazines from a tag sale that I am flipping through.

These magazines include stories, photographs and other tidbits from days gone by. Every once in a while I run across a picture from Massachusetts that is of special interest.

That's it from me this week. I hope you received some great books in your mailbox.

An Imperfect Christian Mom's COVID-19 Diary #4

 

It has been a month of closed schools and businesses. Over the last week, grocery stores in the area have taken even greater precautions to keep consumers and employees safe, like one way arrows in all the aisles to control the flow of traffic.

My new normal is working mostly from home, Zoom for all work or volunteer group meetings, and the entire family home for who knows how long. For Easter, I tried to keep things as normal as possible. Easter egg hunt for the girls in the morning and turkey and ham for dinner. Even though we had a much smaller group than usual, we had a nice time.

More deaths from the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke hit the news (52 so far). Our hearts go out to all those affected. I am grateful that my father-in-law is holding his own so far.

My family is finally getting to see my neat freak side. I think I have washed the kitchen floor three times this week. It helps with my allergies, and now that the living areas have had a good cleaning, I want to keep them that way.

I've read a mix of fiction and non-fiction lately. Before I became a blogger, I had read only non-fiction for two years. I'm grateful blogging turned me back on to the great fiction out there. My main blog, The Book Connection, has been around for more than a decade. Some blogs have come and gone, but I'm thrilled that the loyal readers keep tuning in. More time to blog is a blessing of the current situation. I'm also using my extra time to reach out to folks to see how they are doing. We need to support each other.



When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 43:2

PBS KIDS for Parents Helps Families Make New Routines

When states across the nation closed schools in response to the coronavirus pandemic, all the school year routines families cherished and used to help them schedule their daily lives changed. Suddenly, all families with school-aged children became homeschooling families. Sports and extra-curricular activities that brought friends together were postponed. Even the simple joy of going out to eat, to the movies, or to church have been impacted.

As they always have, PBS KIDS for Parents offers support to parents and caregivers so their families can stick to some playtime and schooltime schedules. Here are techniques PBS KIDS for Parents shares for creating and maintaining routines while children are learning and playing at home:

• Break up Learning Subjects – During the school hours, build specific time for special subjects like reading, art, and music. You can bring music to life with Pinkalicious’ special dance, The Jonah Jump.
• Make a Schedule – Engage your child when making their schedule. You can use this Weekly Planner Chart so every family member can pitch in.
• Come Together – Seize the opportunity to do new things. Whether it be a family lunch or a nightly walk around the block, try new activities at times when school and work traditionally keep you apart.
• Wind down – Use this Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood bedtime game to help remind little ones of the importance of winding down at the end of the day.

For additional ideas and resources, please visit at PBS KIDS for Parents.

Mailbox Monday - Apr 13

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Happy Easter Monday! One of the local grocery store chains decided to close Easter Sunday and Monday to give its workers some much needed rest. Since this pandemic hit Massachusetts, grocery stores have shortened their hours, but that is because they needed time to restock. Every time I go into the store it is busy. God bless these people for being there in a time of need. They deserve more than two days.

Our Easter was nice, but much smaller than usual. My father-in-law is stuck at the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke. It has been a month since we saw him. We sent my mother-in-law to live with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law when things started getting crazy around here since I still go out in public and work. We haven't seen her in a month either. At least we can still talk on the phone.

I spent the days leading up to Easter cleaning the house. I actually got down on my hands and knees and used a brush to get dirt out around baseboards. Don't think I've done that in at least a decade. Who had time? Though the house isn't perfect yet, I hope we can get closer to that by the end of the week.

My physical mailbox was empty again this week. I'm trying not to order to many things. It's a pain to leave boxes out on the porch and then disinfect everything that comes in. I did, however, order this book as a Kindle freebie Sunday.

Hope you will share your mailbox finds. Have a blessed week.

Free E-Book Download: Anxiety Attack by Kevin Weeks

There is an epidemic plaguing our culture. Sadly, Christians are not immune to it. In fact, as followers of Christ, we may be more susceptible to the outbreak than we realize. And if we're not careful, it can incapacitate us before we even understand what's happening. But, there's One answer to every anxiety for every person. Anxiety Attack explores how we get ourselves into patterns of sinful anxiety and how God, in His grace, leads us back out.

Kevin Weeks serves as the founding and Senior Pastor of Mission City Bible Church in Brantford, Ontario. His passion is to shepherd God's people with God's word toward God's mission so that God's name would be known among all the nations. After 15 years in ministry, God called Kevin and his family, along with many other families, to plant a church in Brantford in 2014. Since then, they have seen God's grace and power in countless ways. "Break Forth Radio," (a ministry of Mission City Bible Church that airs one-minute clips from Kevin's sermons) broadcasts daily on Christian radio across the Brant region. Kevin earned his Bachelor's degree from Heritage College, his Master's degree from Briercrest Seminary, and is currently working on a Doctor of Ministry degree in Missions and Evangelism from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Kevin and his wife, Stacey, have three children and live in Brantford.

Download here!

Mailbox Monday - Apr 6

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Well, this month certainly has come roaring in with tons of uncertainty. Hard to believe we are coming upon Easter. I hope you're all hanging in there. Here are a few photos from this week.

Picked up a new rain coat from Amazon

Travis & Autumn looking cute

In the woods behind our house

As far as new books, my physical mailbox was empty, but I picked up this Kindle freebie.

Hope you'll share what was in your mailbox. Enjoy your week.

An Imperfect Christian Mom's COVID-19 Diary #3

 

Looking for blessings through this COIVD-19 mess. Here are a few:

• Father-in-law tested negative at this time
• 159 others at the Soldiers' Home also tested negative
• I FaceTimed my father-in-law on Thursday and saw he looked good 
• The sun was shining when I awoke this morning
• Palm Sunday blessings came to me through Facebook
• The Queen of England's speech buoyed my spirits (wish we had some politicians like her on this side of the pond)
• It was so good to hear the voices of some of my clients when I called them this week

The models indicate the next two weeks will be the toughest here in the United States. There are days a person might wonder how much more they can bear. I keep praying we all give one another a healthy dose of grace as we move about our daily lives.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:12-14

An Imperfect Christian Mom's COVID-19 Diary #2

 

This has been a tough week. We learned about the COVID-19 outbreak at the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke after the first resident tested positive. Within a week's time, 11 veterans had passed away with 5 of them testing positive for COVID-19, 5 pending results, and 1 unknown. Suddenly, the place my father-in-law has called home for more than a year is under intense scrutiny by local, state and federal officials, and the lives of the residents and staff are in jeopardy. As of Thursday, 18 veterans had died, and 12 of them tested positive for COVID-19. Staff has also been affected and some have tested positive.

As we sit here awaiting the results of my father-in-law's test, we are thankful the nurses have been able to help us communicate with him via phone and over FaceTime. It has been three weeks since we've been able to visit him or take him out for dinner. I'm sure he is lonely. But, the nurses tell me he is still smiling. We can see the crinkling of his cheeks under the mask.

In the days ahead, there will be investigations. This situation has now become politicized. The mayor of Holyoke is saying the administration of the Soldiers' Home did not inform him in a timely fashion. Governor Baker's office is saying he didn't know about it until Mayor Morse told him. The superintendent for the Home has been placed on paid administrative leave and the National Guard has been brought in. The latest news is that an employee was reprimanded for wearing PPE the day before the first resident tested positive. No matter what the investigation uncovers, the Soldier's Home in Holyoke is going to have a lot of damage control to do to fix their tarnished reputation.

And, then, there are the families. Eighteen families have lost loved ones so far. How many more veterans' lives will be claimed as a result of this virus is unknown. Since we can't visit, we can only hope they are following all the protocols and doing their best to keep our loved ones safe. We have been fortunate to see how wonderful my father-in-law was treated on 3 North before he was moved to 4 West as a result of staff shortages when people fell ill (not necessarily of the virus, but they have been screening employees for weeks).

Let's talk about the staff for a moment. Every day they are going back into that building and caring for our loved ones despite the outbreak. God bless each and every one of them.

I pray you and your family are safe and healthy. Let's do our best to support each other in this time of need.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6