Rock Harbor Search and Rescue by Colleen Coble

Search and Rescue is an exciting, fast moving tale of dogs, suspense anticipation and mystery- a perfect combination for its middle school and young teen audience.

Emily lives with her Dad, Step Mum and siblings. She makes jewellery which she sells in order to finance the purchase of a Search and Rescue puppy. However, after a market sale she is unjustly accused of stealing a neighbour’s necklace worth 1000 dollars. The necklace is particularly rare as it has been blessed by a local chief to protect the wearer against the local legendary evil spirit called the Windigo.

Although this is a relatively easy, enjoyable read for its targeted audience the language is nevertheless challenging as are some of the adult concepts introduced; being unjustly accused of something, the need and desire to discover the truth, to need to prove someone’s innocence, feelings of revenge and forgiveness and differing spiritual beliefs.

These topics are those that concern young adult minds as they start to explore their own ideas and values. I felt the author explored them in an interesting, non-judgmental way with the Christian point of view being carefully introduced without being intrusive.

Although I have not yet read any of Colleen Coble’s adult novels I quickly warmed to her characters portrayed in this book as I followed them through their struggles, misunderstandings and resolutions.

I would recommend this book to all middle school and young teens.


Disclaimer: I received a free galley from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Fear not...

Five Minute Friday....Belong.

Belong

Some things just seem to belong together naturally like Fish and Chips,Adam and Eve and a pair of socks.
Can you associate with those feelings of frustration when you can't find that missing sock...and there is always one!

Another of the same colour, bought at the same time just won't do...it hasn't washed or worn the same. It doesn't belong.

I have always had the sense that I belonged to God. Even as a little girl I remember not being able to go out for Play times with my friends as I recovered from a kidney infection. For a while I was excluded, different.. I didn't belong. I remember so clearly sitting outside the Headmistresses room reading a bible.I knew it had the answers to my need to belong...but at that tender age I didn't really understand. But it comforted me,calmed me and guided me.


There have been other times I have experienced that not belonging, feeling, not part of the 'group.'
I used to isolate myself, lick unseen wounds and relive the not belonging.

Gradually my sense of not belonging has diminished as my sense of belonging to God has increased.

I belong to Him and we fit together perfectly...a pair of pretty pink socks with bling, well worn and washed clean.

Without my God I am never going to belong but with Him I am a perfect fit and belonging to Him means everything.







Hope you will join in the fun...for more details on Five Minute Friday click on this link




Have a wonderful week full of God's Blessings,

Sandra
xxx

Bread and Wine

I feel so excited to have received a sponsored copy of the (in)courage Book Club for the summer study.

It is called Bread and Wine and is by Shauna Niequist.



When I first looked at this book for the (In) Courage summer study...I thought a cook book...how disappointing. This book is so much more than I had first realized.

It is about community, it is about feeding friends souls with love.
I cried when I shared with Shauna as she relived the loss of her twins and her subsequent pregnancy...it was my story in written words....and it healed some more as I shared her pain a little.

I am a foodie....but I dislike cooking...I always feel as if my Home Economics teacher is peering over my shoulder...tutting...I think I may need to work on that insecurity some what!

But...and this is important...I have already experimented with one of the recipes...ok it is only the vinaigrette...but I wanted to start somewhere rather than not start at all...and I was really pleased with it and myself.



A lovely read...and quite a lot more.




Have a wonderful week,


Sandra


xxx

Five Minute Friday...

This week it's:



Rhythm


....in my life lately has been a little bumpy, jarring, out of tune with a few wrong notes flung in here and there.


I have been challenged - as always -when Father God has revealed a new direction- it has been releasing, exciting, time consuming and rewarding.

My heart has gradually come back into rhythm with His - often missing a beat with the grief and loss, stuttering with anxiety, pounding with scared anticipation - as all the time He has gently soothed me back into His all powerful beat.

Oh how the rhythm has changed for my new friend as she walks the lonely path of widowhood, her new name and identity.


For her there is barely any discernible rhythm at all - just pain.

Gratefully I know and trust - as will she - that the rhythm of life belongs to Him and that although she barely clings on, her rhythm will be restored as He nurtures a new song in her heart.







With love and Blessings,

Sandra
xxx

Listen....

Listen....


to the hustle and bustle as you try to settle your thoughts.


I listen to the cars,lorries, buses and that noisy screech of a motor bike as they pass by.

I hear the dog sharing his frustration with the world because his owner has left him alone.

The children screaming with anticipation as they launch themselves into the oh so cold water of the swimming pool.

I accept each sound as being part of the noise of my community.....but what emerges when I listen with greater detail,
with more concentration and focus,
caught up in the solitary, the unusual, the gentle murmurings that are so easily missed or discarded.



I sense my dear Lord and Saviour gently calling to me.
Hear my voice, dear daughter.
Recognize it, celebrate it, cherish it....take care not to miss it.






May you have a Blessed week,


Sandra
xxxxx

So True........

People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.

Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.

Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.

Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.

Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest people with the biggest ideas can be shot down

by the smallest people with the smallest minds.

Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.

Fight for the underdog anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.

Build anyway.

People really need help, but may attack you if you help them.

Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you've got and you'll get kicked in the teeth.

Give the world the best you've got anyway.


Author Unknown (similar version by Mother Teresa)





Have a wonderful week,

Sandra
xxxx