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Mysteries, polka dots, California Rolls, TJ Maxx, cozy blankets, rainy days and getting the first spoonful of peanut butter out of the jar make me smile. Spiders, rude people, cold fingers and toes, baby leashes, people that don't wrap their packages before going to the Post Office, poison ivy and Math (pretty much all of it) make me want to scream. My perfect day would be spent with my wonderful husband and sweet girls- watching movies in our jammies! Of course, having the movie theater to ourselves would be great, too. Please pass the popcorn and M&M's.:) I am saved by the grace of God. He is my constant companion and hears my every prayer. What a blessing! I'd love to hear from you! Lori at toosillysisters@cox.net

Saturday, August 27, 2016

The Things We Knew by Catherine West


My Thoughts:

The Things We Knew, by Catherine West, is a compelling family drama/mystery with intriguing flashbacks from the past scattered throughout. The Carlisle siblings- Lynette, Gray, Liz, David and Ryan grew up on the island of Nantucket in rambling Wyldewood Manor. Summers were filled with sailing, beach time and family until the night that their mother died. Questions remain unanswered as to the events of that evening. The tragedy spurred the scattering of the siblings and all but Lynette and her father, Drake, leave Nantucket in search of a new path. As the book beings we discover that Lynette is desperately trying to keep Wyldewood and is financially struggling while at the same time her father is losing his health. She demands a family gathering of all her siblings and upon there reunion finds that she's not the only one with problems. 

I really enjoyed the setting of this book- charming Nantucket and the glorious old Wyldewood mansion. It's badly in need of repair, but I'd love to be able to have a look inside this fictional home! The characters were richly described and I particularly liked the relationship between Lynette and the handsome next door neighbor, Nick. The mystery added the perfect amount of suspense while the flashbacks drew me deeper into the story. Very enjoyable!

About the book: 

The Things We Knew (Thomas Nelson, July 2016)

A tragedy from the past resurfaces in this tale of family secrets and reignited love.

After her mother's death twelve years ago, Lynette Carlisle watched her close-knit family unravel. One by one, her four older siblings left their Nantucket home and never returned. All seem to harbor animosity toward their father, silently blaming him for their mother's death. Nobody will talk about that dreadful day, and Lynette can't remember a bit of it.

But when next-door neighbor Nicholas Cooper returns to Nantucket, he brings the past with him. Once her brother's best friend and Lynette's first crush, Nick seems to hiding things from her. Lynette wonders what he knows about the day her mother died and hopes he might help her remember the things she can't.

But Nick has no intention of telling Lynette the truth. Besides the damage it might cause his own family, he doesn't want to risk harming the fragile friendship between him and the woman he once thought of as a kid sister.

As their father's failing health and financial concerns bring the Carlisle siblings home, secrets begin to surface---secrets that will either restore their shattered relationships or separate the siblings forever. But pulling up anchor on the past propels them into the perfect storm, powerful enough to make them question all they ever believed in.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/29vkFGh
About the author:



Catherine West writes stories of hope and healing from her island home in Bermuda. When she's not at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border collie for long walks on the beach or tending to her roses and orchids. She and her husband have two grown children.

*I was given a copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion. No other compensation was received.*

Monday, August 1, 2016

If My Husband Would Change, I'd Be Happy (& Other Myths Wives Believe)


My Thoughts:

This book is a life changer. The author, Rhonda Stoppe, addresses topics that every married, engaged, and yes, single woman should ponder. It's an easy to read, heartfelt, and entertaining "instruction book" for how to treat your husband, deal with hard times, think about sex, and basically how to be happy when marriage gets difficult- aka "when the honeymoon is over." ;) As I read her words I could feel God changing my heart and it was a beautiful, long overdue transition! (Her husband also writes his viewpoint at the end of each chapter which added an eye opening perspective.) Perhaps your marriage could use some fine tuning, too? :) I really enjoyed how the author told her personally humbling and "aha" moments. She's been there as a wife/mother/lover and understands how women think. I believe most of us are wired to think that our husbands are here to bring us happiness but truly we must find our joy in the Lord. "The key to...experiencing fulfillment in your marriage does not lie in how well your husband measures up to your expectations, but in how well you love God." Wow.  If My Husband Would Change, I'd Be Happy is just what you need to fall in love with your husband all over again. <3 amp="" and="" begin="" blessed="" book="" can="" family.="" has="" how="" i="" it="" me="" much="" my="" needed="" p="" read="" rhonda="" stoppe="" t="" tell="" thank="" this="" to="" very="" whole="" you="">

About the book: 

If My Husband Would Change, I'd Be Happy: And Other Myths Wives Believe (Harvest House, August 2015)

Like most brides on their wedding day, you no doubt were filled with love for your husband and the hope of a happy life together.

But perhaps today, as the realities of life together have settled in, those happy expectations are going unfulfilled. And it's tempting to think, "If only my husband would change, I'd be happy."

That myth is but one of many that Rhonda Stoppe dispels in her easy-to-read exploration of what it takes to experience a truly happy marriage. In the process, she addresses such important topics as

-understanding your husband's need for your unconditional respect
-rekindling the love that drew you to your husband in the first place
-refusing to believe the lie that you'd be happier married to someone else
-learning to be content in the midst of financial struggles
-thinking about sex from a biblical worldview
If you desire to rekindle the love and hope you felt on your wedding day, this book will go a long way toward making that dream come true.
Contains discussion questions and personal reflections at the end of each chapter.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2a9Izc6
About the author:


Rhonda Stoppe is the No Regrets Woman. She is an author and speaker dedicated to helping women live life with no regrets. With more than 20 years' experience as a mom, mentor, and pastor's wife, Rhonda's wisdom and experience helps women discover significance in God and His specific purpose for their lives, connect biblical principles to everyday decisions, develop a loving marriage that others dream about, and influence the next generation by raising children with integrity.


*I was given this  amazing book by Lituse in exchange for my honest opinion. No other compensation was received.*