Let's slow down

Dear June,

Where did you go? Seriously. One minute you were all fresh and spiffy. Now, you're old and tired. All in the span of thirty days. You may want to consider taking vitamins. It, also, seems to me, you just don't care to listen to the voice of the masses (or reason) when the world yells, "Slow down!"

You've been full of ups and downs. Frustration and discontent. Hot and cold. Beautiful days when I was stuck in an office (please work on your timing!). You even threw in one of the most disgusting smells known to man-kind. Skunk....for three nights in.a.row. Thanks, June. Just thanks.

God did throw in some beautiful sunsets, June. I'm not really into looking in the East upon awakening so I really can't honestly say anything about sunrises. But, June, if you tell me God did that then I'll have to chose to believe you. 

June, did you ever notice how we, humans, like to complain? It's hot. It's cold. It's too dry. It rained too much. Yeah, I noticed that, too. Maybe some of that is causing my discontent at the moment. 

Most of all, I'm tired, too. So, I guess I understand your rush in handing over the baton to July. I mean after all, May has a holiday. July has a holiday. What do you, dear June, have? Well, you do have Summer Solstice. And, although it is widely recognized, it isn't a national holiday. And, to be honest, national holidays, for most, equal a non-work day. And, we I love non-work days. 

Next year, let's both work on slowing down. Enjoying each day we are given. Find and remember what is most important. I haven't had success in that lately. Time is ticking faster and faster. Promise me you'll try to slow down. 

For now, let's welcome July joyfully as you hand over the reigns. And, June, would you please tell July to not be in such a hurry and just enjoy. Oh, and tell July to pass that along to the other months as well. 

As my lovable, bouncy friend Tigger says, "Ta-ta for now!"

Ties that Bind

You have that old hymn stuck in your head right now, don't you. Me too. Let's get that elephant out of the room. All together now....

♫♪ Blest be the tie that binds out hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of Christian minds is like to that above. Aaaaaaaameeeennnnnnnn ♪♫ [and, you're welcome]

I recently read Ties that Bind by author C.J. Darlington. The more I think of it, the more I believe the song we all have stuck in our minds right now is a good way to describe Tires that Bind.

Read excerpt

Ties that Bind is a story of a young woman, Brynn, and her quest to find her father. A father who she has never known. A man who abandoned Brynn and her mother. Brynn once believed in a loving Heavenly Father but heartache has left her abandoning her faith and relying on herself.

How many times have we questioned God's trustworthiness in our own lives? Major life events happen and we wonder 'where is God in all of this'.

On the way to find her father, she realizes she has two sisters both of whom have no idea another sister exists. And, wouldn't you know, Brynn finds herself living with and working for one sister and meeting the other all in the same day. But, Brynn just can't find it in herself to tell the sisters she exists because of the pain it will cause.

Brynn and her sisters are in a community of people helping people. Neighbors and friends prove they are trustworthy and care for Brynn. But, Brynn feels unworthy as she has skeletons in her closet.

And, isn't that how it truly is at times in our own lives? People try to show us love and care but we find ourselves needing to prove our worthiness of that love and care.

Ties that Bind is a story that will grab the reader from the beginning. It's a story of real life issues--good and bad.

If you like horses, it's in there. If you like old books, it's in there. If you like a story that isn't filled with 'fluff', you will enjoy this novel.

The downside of Ties that Bind? Besides the story ending, there were a few scenes I felt held a little too much "preaching". Do not get me wrong, that is very important. Very. But, I, personally, tend to skim over it when it gets a little "too much". To the author's defense, it did go along with the story and it was needed. Just a personal taste thing. Without giving the ending away, there was an issue I felt might have been resolved a little too quickly. But, novels need to end at some point and the story wrap up was handled nicely.

I found myself thinking about the real-life issues in this novel for days. It's one of those books you'll continue to think about long after you've finished reading.

Should you, the reader, purchase this book? You betcha!!

I would recommend reading Thicker than Blood and Bound by Guilt to get more familiar with some of the characters. Ties that Bind can be read as a stand alone novel and the author does an excellent job of giving the back story without confusing anyone. But, if you are like me, you'll get more out of it if you read the first two books.

Note: Bound by Guilt is free for your e-reader for a very limited time. In fact, today (Saturday) is the last day so hurry!!

Make sure you read the Q & A section after the book ends. There may be a couple questions C.J. answers from yours truly.