16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber – Book #1 – Cedar Cove Series

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16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber

Do you/have you had a loved one in the military? How has the military affected your life?

16 Lighthouse Road is book #1 in the famous Cedar Cove series. Cedar Cove series is a secular series, and I chose to read these books because so many people have been gushing about how wonderful the Cedar Cove series is on the Hallmark Channel. I have not seen the TV series, though.

Cecilia and Ian Randall have not even been married for a year. During that time, they’ve been mostly separated because of Ian’s Navy duties. Cecilia gave birth their baby daughter, who died, and Ian was not there to help her through her grief. Due to no fault of his own, Ian didn’t know about the premature birth and death of their baby, but Cecilia blames him for not supporting her. Now, Cecilia wants to divorce him.

Judge Olivia Lockhart has been divorced for fifteen years, and she’s falling for Jack, the new newspaper editor. He’s funny and thoughtful, but, she finds that Jack is somewhat secretive. Olivia has a son who drowned several years ago and she still thinks about his all the time. She’s also worried about her 28-year-old daughter, Justine, who is dating a rich man who is ten years her senior.

There’s also Charlotte, Olivia’s mother. Charlotte is active in the senior citizen’s group and she befriends a kind, mysterious man named Tom. Tom has some shocking secrets about his past.

There’s Grace, Olivia’s best friend. Grace and her husband, Dan, are having marital problems. Why is Dan so distant? Does he no longer love her?

This was an interesting book with a large cast of characters. I noticed the military played a big role in the story. Military duties greatly affected Cecilia and Ian’s lives, making you wonder if the commanders in the military are fit to make familial decisions for their subordinates.

I enjoyed reading about all of the characters and I can understand why this was made into a series. The story was told by at least six points of view, which made it interesting. The few times I’ve read novels with this many POVs, I usually had a hard time keeping the people straight. But, I didn’t have that problem with this novel.

I enjoyed the Cedar Cove setting because it was refreshing. Cedar Cove is a small waterfront town and many of the inhabitants know one another. I enjoy reading small town stories where people care about one another.

Do you/have you had a loved one in the military? How has the military affected your life?

Like Cedar Cove? Read The Candy Beach Series! Fresh, chaste, emotional romance novels that you will always remember. On Kindle & KU!

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

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All I Want For Christmas Is You – A Secular Romance

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***Free secular Kindle book!

All I Want For Christmas by Lisa Mondello

Have you ever been abandoned by your family?

Lauren’s six-year-old daughter (Kristen) asks Santa for a Christmas present – a daddy. When the millionaire/mall-owner, Kyle – dressed as Santa, spots Lauren for the first time – he’s smitten. He attempts to assist stubborn, proud, Lauren when her car breaks down – but she refuses his help. After all, she’s been alone since her parents tossed her out of their home when she got pregnant in high school. Alone since then, she’s learned to make it on her own, and she doesn’t have the time or desire to get involved with Kyle. It doesn’t matter that Kyle is good-looking, thoughtful, and gets along great with her daughter.

Although Lauren resists his attention, Kyle doesn’t give up. Realizing that Lauren was abandoned as a teen, Kyle can relate to that feeling because he’s been abandoned too.

This book was heartwarming, and shows how two broken people attempt to overcome obstacles before they’re free to love one another.

Have you ever felt abandoned by your family? What happened? Did you ever resolve your differences?

 

 

 

Breaking All The Rules by Rhonda McKnight!

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Breaking All The Rules by Rhonda McKnight – Book 1 in the Second Chances Series

Wow! I loved this book! It was so sweet and delicious that I didn’t want it to end! I can honestly say that this is one of the best romances I’ve read in 2013! 

Could you plan the wedding for your sibling – if your sibling was marrying your ex?

Wedding planner Deniece Malcolm returns to her hometown to plan her baby sister’s (Janette’s) wedding. This is a hard wedding for Deniece to plan because Janette is marrying Deniece’s ex-boyfriend (Terrance Wright), plus, Janette is pregnant with Terrance’s baby. Years ago, Deniece thought she’d marry Terrance, but, their wedding was not meant to be. Stunned and emotionally upset, Deniece tries to deal with her feelings as she plans the nuptials. Handsome international former soccer player, Ethan Wright (Terrance’s cousin) helps Deniece to deal with her feelings, and against her better judgement, Deniece finds herself drawn to Ethan. Ethan claims he’s always had a crush on Deniece.

But, Ethan is younger than Deniece, and she doesn’t want to break her rule of not dating a younger man. But, how can she resist, Deniece is hurting and Ethan is sexy and lovable. Both Deniece and Ethan have dealt with a lot of emotional pain in their past. This is a book of how they deal with their issues while they face their mutual attraction.

I was really drawn to both characters – I was especially drawn to Ethan. You really feel an emotional bond with these two people as they deal with their past issues. I also loved that this was a sweet, endearing romance. It was sweet but it was so good too!

You need to download this book and read it today! I guarantee you won’t be disappointed! I also love the cover to this book! Isn’t it awesome?

So, could you plan the wedding for your sibling – if your sibling was marrying your ex?

Leave a comment!

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My romance collection is on sale for 99 cents each.

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

 

 

 

 

Three Of My Novels – Only 99 cents each! :-)

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My novels, John’s Quest, Milk Money, and Bittersweet Memories are on sale for only 99 cents each!

John’s Quest:

John French, a science professor, is an agnostic–he’s unsure if God exists. When he’s hired to tutor a blind seven-year-old child, Scotty, he finds himself falling for the child’s beautiful aunt/guardian, Monica Crawford. Monica’s life changes drastically when her irresponsible younger sister abandons her handicapped son on her doorstep. As John helps Monica to educate her nephew, he falls in love with her. However, problems arise when Monica, a devout Christian, finds herself drawn to Scotty’s handsome and intelligent tutor. Monica finds herself in a bind because she knows it’s a sin to be unequally yoked with a non-believer. How in the world can these two lovebirds overcome the huge problems that stand in the way of their relationship?

Milk Money:

Franklin Reese is appalled at the lack of interest the Cooper women have in the financial end of their livelihood, but he dives in, determined to help them learn. The further he looks into Mr. Cooper’s dealings, however, the more uncomfortable he becomes.
Can he uncover the truth of the situation and still earn the love of the amazing Emily Cooper? Will Franklin’s addiction to alcohol keep them apart, even after the farm is taken care of? Only God can heal hurting hearts and repair broken lives. Will these two let Him in?
Bittersweet Memories:
Karen Brown is angry at God, and at herself, for falling in love with Lionel Adams, her ex-fiancé. When her beloved suddenly disappears, along with thousands of dollars stolen from their mega-church, she re-locates back to her hometown in Annapolis Maryland to live with her mother. She’s stunned to discover handsome plumber Keith Baxter living next door.  Keith is smitten with Karen, but wonders if she’s still in love with Lionel. He wants Karen to accept him into her life, but he doesn’t know if he’d be a good match for her due to his troubled past. Can Karen forgive Lionel, and let the Lord back into her heart?

 

Christmas At Harmony Hill

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Christmas At Harmony Hill by Ann H. Gabhart

Have you ever gone through a pregnancy alone, without your spouse?

Heather is a washer woman for the Union. She took this job so that she could remain with her husband, Gideon, during the war. Heather is pregnant, and as she advances in her pregnancy, Gideon feels it’s no longer safe for her to remain with the troops. So he sends her father’s house – when she arrives, all sorts of calamaties await her arrival. As a result, she finds herself at the Shaker Village. Heather’s Aunt Sophronia is a Shaker, and she hopes the Shaker people will provide shelter for her while she awaits the birth of her baby.

Sophronia struggles with the feelings she has toward her niece. Shakers are not to have special feelings for worldly family. The Shakers are all brothers and sisters – living together – sadly trying to create heaven on earth as they shun marriage, pregnancy, sex, attraction – these things are sinful, and they can’t allow such worldly ways in their village. However, 50-year old Sophronia has romantic feelings toward the Shaker doctor. What can she do about her budding feelings toward the doctor, and the familial affection she has for her niece, such feelings are worldly and wrong.

This book was a good little Christmas story that shows you how life was for the Shakers. Like I’ve mentioned in other blog posts, the Shakers leave me feeling a bit unsettled, but overall, the story was enjoyable. Gives a great message about forgiveness.

So, have you ever gone through a pregnancy alone, without your spouse? Have you had to birth your child without your husband because he was away in the military? Tell me about it – leave a comment.

Sunday Brunch – Noah’s Ark And The Book Of Jashar/Jasher/Yashar

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Can you tell me the story about Noah’s Ark in Genesis? What happened when God commanded Noah to build the ark?

When I found out about the Noah movie being released in March 2014, I pulled out my Bible to read the account of Noah and the building of the ark – Genesis 6-9. When I read those chapters, I was confused. Why? Because, for some reason, I remembered when Noah was building the ark, people were laughing at him, making fun of him. They mocked Noah because it had never rained before on the earth, and they didn’t believe that God would cause a flood to destroy all of the creatures on the earth? The people seemed to think Noah was a lunatic. I also recall that after God shut the ark’s door, the people outside the ark banged on the door, begging Noah to let them in.

Although the Nephilim, sons of God, and daughters of men, are mentioned in the beginning of the sixth chapter, the rest of the Flood passage doesn’t mention other people besides Noah and his family. I’m not sure why I vividly recall learning the account differently?

Curious, I did a Google search, just to see if others recalled the same details as I. Surprisingly, I found other people had questions about the Noah Biblical Flood text – I found references that people recalled similar details as I did.

I then found some state that the book of Jashar, referenced in 2 Samuel 1:18 and Joshua 10:13, may contain some of the details that I recall from the Noah story I’d heard as a child. But, from my internet research, there is little known about the Book of Jashar/Jasher/Yashar – there was a book published by the same name, in 1625 – but, it’s not the same book referenced in the Bible – the 1625 book is just using the same name as the book mentioned in the Biblical text. The 1625 version appears to have the details that I was looking for in the the Genesis account. Confusing? Right?

What’s the point of this blog post? I’m not really sure! I’m just wondering if other blog readers recall learning the details about other people, besides Noah’s family, in the Flood reference in Genesis.

What do you recall about the Biblical account of the flood? Read Genesis 6-9! Compare Genesis 6-9 with what you recall learning about the Flood.

 

The Christmas Basket by Debbie Macomber

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The Christmas Basket by Debbie Macomber

Have you ever had a long-term feud with your best friend?

If so, how long were you mad at each other? What was the feud about? Did the two of you ever make up?

When Sarah McDowell visits the exclusive women’s country club in town, she has a mission. She must reserve the club for her daughter, Kristin’s, wedding. She’s hoping she doesn’t run into her worst enemy for the last 20 years, Mary Sutton. Long ago, Sarah was a real estate agent. She borrowed her best friend’s, Mary’s, family heirloom tea set to supposedly display at a house she was showing. However, Sarah lies to Mary, the silver tea set was not used for Sarah’s showing, but, for a showing for one of Sarah’s co-workers. The tea set is stolen, and Mary has never forgiven Sarah for lying to her and mishandling her tea set.

Sarah has high hopes for her daughter’s wedding, but, when she’s told that she can’t use the country club, unless she does community service with Mary, making Christmas baskets for the needy, she gets highly upset!!

Sarah’s daughter, Noelle, was Mary’s son (Thom’s) high school sweetheart. Part of the reason Thom and Noelle broke up was because of the family feud between their mothers. Now, about ten years after that nasty breakup, Noelle is back in Rose (her hometown). It was too painful for her to return to Rose after Thom stood her up the night they were supposed to elope.

It’s Christmas, and Noelle is finally going to be spending the holiday with her family…the only problem is, the first person she runs into is Thom. Can they work through the past and heal from their pain? Thom was hurt, too, that awful night and he finds it hard to forgive Noelle for all that’s happened.

This story was extremely light Christmas reading. It was sort of pleasant, but, very predictable. I found it hard to read about the hostile animosity between Mary and Sarah. The two women were so immature that they acted like children. Acting like that for twenty years would wear me down…I’d think I’d get tired of it after awhile. I’d probably end up moving away (to avoid my enemy), or, risk having a heart attack!

I enjoyed reading the story, and I also loved the nice, whimsical Christmas atmosphere.

Many thanks to Harlequin MIRA for providing me a free review copy through Net Galley.

So, have you ever had a long-term feud with your best friend?

If so, how long were you mad at each other? What was the feud about? Did the two of you ever make up?

I feel that lots of relationships – friendships and family relationships – are ruined because of money.

What kinds of things do you think ruins friendships and relationships?

Noah – Starring Russell Crowe and Anthony Hopkins

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You have GOT to look at the NOAH movie trailer! This movie looks awesome! I can’t wait for to be released!

NOAH Synopsis:  After visions of an apocalyptic deluge, Noah, the world’s only righteous man, is chosen to undertake a divine mission to build a massive ark to save his family and all of creation before the impending rains fall and the flood waters rise. Cast: Russell Crowe, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Jennifer Connelly and Emma Watson

Director: Darren Aronofsky