Book Review: His Steadfast Love by Golden Keyes Parsons

His Steadfast Love by Golden Keyes Parsons
4 of 5 stars

I was drawn to this book first of all for the setting. It takes place in the south during the Civil War. I also was intrigued by the plot. Amanda Belle, a young southern woman, is caught between her love and loyalty to her brother, a Confederate soldier, and a developing interest in Captain Littlefield, a Union officer.

As both men go off to war, Amanda struggles at home with her father and young sisters, waiting for the day this bloody war will be over and their brother returns to them. Her father is a pastor, and although she has been a woman of faith, she's uncertain that God is hearing her prayers anymore as the Civil War rages on.

I loved the characters in the story, the plot, and the interaction between the Belle family and their slaves. I could feel for Amanda's plight as her heart was torn between honoring her father and brother and following her desire to remain in communication with Captain Littlefield.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories set in the Civil War period. This is my first reading of anything by Golden Keyes Parsons, but I plan to read more of her books in the future.

I received a review copy in e-book form from Booksneeze.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Buckle Up!

So yesterday I was driving to work. I was listening to my new favorite song and singing along. All of a sudden I felt a THUD, as if I had run over something. I was sure I hadn't seen anything in the road, so I couldn't understand why it sounded as if I had run over something.

I slowed down and looked in my rear view mirror, and much to my horror, I saw a cat darting across the street. It didn't look injured, but I must have hit it. There was nothing else in the road behind me, except the cat.

It made me gasp and clasp my hand over my mouth in unbelief. Where did the kitty come from?!? I love cats. I've owned five. I cannot believe I hit one, but I never saw it. He must've been a fast runner to get under my van and back out without major harm. As I said, it ran off and didn't appear injured. I'm hoping it simply got off with a scrape.

It's an obstacle course out there on the roads these days. Between the few dreaded intersections near my home and cats running out from nowhere, it's a wonder I can venture out there.

Buckle up, people. It's dicey out there.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Have you ever been 'asked' to report for jury duty? Were you chosen to serve? If not, were you happy or disappointed?

Yes, I have had to report for jury duty several times. Only once did I get called to the jury box and was questioned. They didn't like my answers, so they let me go home. I was relieved.
 

2. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being very), how mechanically inclined are you? Give an example to back up your answer.

I'm about a 3, I suppose. I become very familiar with my office equipment, particularly. Up until a couple weeks ago we had this very large digital duplicator for about 10 years. I knew by the sounds it made if it was malfunctioning. I knew what to do if the masters wouldn't spit out of the machine. On more than one occasion I had a pair of tweezers in there trying to get the bands positioned back on the rollers. Of course, my hands were always covered with ink when I was finished.

That's about the extent of my mechanical abilities, though.
 

3. Beets-cabbage-cauliflower-butternut squash....of the four, which is your favorite fall vegetable?

I can happily say that I eat all of those vegetables, but as for a favorite... I suppose I'd choose butternut squash, simply because I eat all the others year-round. I eat butternut squash a couple times in the fall. It's very good with butter and brown sugar.
 

4. What do you recommend to overcome self-pity?

Reading the Bible helps, and meditating on what Christ did for us on the cross and His great love and mercy lavished on us.

5. Do you enjoy classical music?

I will listen to it, but I have to work to enjoy it. 
 

6. October is National Book Month...what's on your reading list this month?

Okay... how did I miss that this is National Book Month? I'm hopelessly in love with books. I am currently reading His Steadfast Love by Golden Keyes Parsons and The Essentials of Prayer by E.M. Bounds. I'm expecting several other books in the mail for me to review in a few weeks, like The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund, House of Secrets by Tracie Peterson, and Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin. I can't wait!
 

7. What is your idea of 'cute'?

 My little Dixie girl, my Sheltie

 8. Insert your own random thought here. 
 My favorite season is summer, but I do enjoy the fall colors. We've been enjoying temperatures in the 70's and 80's through the last week, so I've got to enjoy a little mix of summer and fall. I like it!

If you're interested in seeing how other bloggers answered these questions, pay From This Side of the Pond a visit.

It Always Takes Me By Surprise

Yesterday while I was on my walk, I had to stop and gaze. Then I had to get a picture of these beautiful trees on the hill.

Every year the fall colors surprise me. I know that sounds crazy because seasons change like clockwork. It may be that I'm not expecting them in early October, but all of a sudden I look around and there's yellows, oranges and reds everywhere.

Are you enjoying the changing of the season and all the fall colors?

Musings Monday: Non-Fiction

The Musings Monday question for today is...What types of nonfiction do you read? Can do multiple choices.

 CHOICES:

 - e-books

- Mythology/Folklore
- Travel/Locations
- Humor
- History
- Art, including art history
- Science including forensics
- Gardening/Nature
- Political
- Financial/Economical
- Religious
- Self-help
- How-to books
- Books on writing
- Audio books
- Biography
- Autobiography
- Sports
- Architecture
- Fitness/Exercise/Nutrition/Beauty
- Other
- None of the Above

I read Religious and Biography.  Specifically, I read books on Bible doctrine and Christian living. I try to be in a biblical book all the time in addition to my fiction selections. I've never really been a fan of biographies, but after being required last spring to read Shadow of the Almighty (about the life of missionary Jim Elliot),  I realized how beneficial Christian biographies are. 

What kind of non-fiction do you read?

Sunday Scripture

"For who has known the mind of the Lord, 

Or who has been his counselor?"  

"Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?"  

For from him and through him and to him are all things.  

To him be glory forever. Amen. 

Romans 11:34-36 ESV

So This is What 39 Looks Like

Well... my birthday was on Thursday. I'm now the big 3-9! Thirty nine years old. How did that happen? I really don't feel 39, although, I'm not sure exactly how 39 is supposed to feel.

I remember being in my 6th grade classroom and daydreaming about getting older... like being 30. Honestly, I never thought I'd see 30. I have been expecting the imminent return of Christ. I truly thought that He would rapture me out of here before I ever experienced age 30.

Yet here I am at 39.

So as I was saying, it was my birthday. The funny thing about it was I woke up at 5:30 AM. I had the opportunity to sleep in, but my body seemed to think I had sufficient sleep.

I walked into the bathroom, turned on the dimmer of the two lights, and looked in the mirror. I never look in the mirror the minute I get up. I was shocked at what I saw. Right between my eyebrows were two crease lines. They're the ones that crease whenever I scrunch up my forehead when I'm worried or upset. And there they were, as if I had been scrunching my forehead ALL NIGHT.

Seriously? This is how I look first thing in the morning? I had no idea! And if I look like this at 39, what will I look like in 10 years?

So... this is 39. It looks to be an "interesting" year.