For sixty years, the wedding chapel sat silent, waiting for love. But times have changed and the hour has come when it just might be too late.
About The Wedding Chapel
Retired hall-of-fame football coach Jimmy “Coach” Westbrook never imagined anything would come of his labor of love–the wedding chapel he built for Collette Greer, the woman he fell for back in ’49. But now an offer has come to turn the chapel into what it was meant to be–a place for love–and Jimmy sees no reason to hang onto his dream any longer.
Photographer Taylor Branson is trying to make a life for herself in New York. Leaving her hometown of Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, she put a lot of things behind her, including her family’s abysmal marriage rate. But love surprises her when she falls head-over-heels for Jack Forester, a top ad man. Their whirlwind romance results in an elopement, and a mountain of doubt. Jack, while genuine in his love for Taylor, can never seem to overcome his own demons to find the words of his heart.
When Taylor takes an assignment in Heart’s Bend, the job does more than send her back to her hometown, but into a world of family secrets buried beneath the sands of time.
When Taylor’s journey intersects with Coach’s, they rediscover the heartbeat of their dreams and that the love they long to hold is right in front of them. And worth every waiting moment.
My Thoughts
A powerful story of love, betrayal and forgiveness. Two sisters who are tied together by World War II and the death of their parents, seek a new life in America. It is there that they find they have fallen in love with the same man. Instead of allowing fate to choose who he should love, it is one-act of cruelty that leads to years of unhappiness and loneliness.
The book is written both in the present and past tense, which gives us an interesting picture into the main characters lives. Each character is given a chance to tell their part of the story and we don’t truly appreciate the depth of the secrets that were held on to until closer to the end of the novel. These even caught me off guard! The end was sweet and left me in tears hoping for a better tomorrow for all of the characters in the novel.
The Wedding Chapel is a well written and unique story that you will not want to put down! You can find more reviews on the Litfuse blog tour page or you can purchase a copy of the book here.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Rachel Hauck is an award-winning, best-selling author of critically acclaimed novels such as The Wedding Dress, Love Starts with Elle, and Once Upon A Prince. She also penned the Songbird Novels with multi-platinum recording artist, Sara Evans. Booklist named their novel, Softly and Tenderly, one of 2011 Top Ten Inspirationals. She serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers and is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy, and conference speaker. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pets.
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
La traduction en français de cet article est ci-dessous
I love working in Family Medicine because every day is different and unpredictable. I am able to share in the special moments in some patients’ lives and watch them grow as a family. I can lend a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold on to and share some personal advice from my own struggles as a parent (not to mention that I also get to receive advice from patients!).
Family Medicine also has its down side as I am constantly exposed to viruses throughout the year, especially during flu season. With the upcoming flu season, I will be taking temperatures from many patients; I will also be taking oxygen stats, and weights of infants and young children. All of this exposes me to potentially serious viral illnesses, including the flu, which I can in turn bring home to my own two children. One of my kids suffers from asthma and has been in the hospital many times over the last ten years due to his asthma being exacerbated by the flu.
Your annual flu shotis your families’ best defence against the flu virus. The flu is a very serious illness that can present in different ways in different people; some may get a fever and chills, while in others the flu can lead to pneumonia and possible hospitalization. Childrencan be vulnerable and they are also the ones who may be overlooked when it comes to vaccinations due to fear of needles.
This was true at one time in our home. Our son hated needles and vaccines, it became such an ordeal that we decided five years ago against taking him for his annual flu shot because of his fear. We felt that if we protected ourselves and kept up with hand washing at home and encouraging him to do so at school, that he would be safe. Unfortunately for us, we were very wrong. That year he developed Influenza B that required him to stay in the hospital.
Ontario has new options for our kids to make sure they receive a flu vaccine. This year, Ontario children and youth aged two to 17 can receive the flu vaccine in a nasal spray FREE. This nasal spray offers protection against FOUR strains of influenza (versus the three strains that the regular vaccine protects you from). The best part for many other parents in the same boat as us, is that it eliminates the fears that your child may have about receiving an injection. For parents, this is a win-win situation.
You can receive the flu vaccine or nasal spray from your health care provide or local public health unit. It is also available at participating pharmacies for anyone five years of age and older. Getting the flu shot is your best defence against getting the flu. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your health care provider for more information or visit ontario.ca/flu to find a location near you.
There are many ways to stay healthy and reduce the spread of the flu virus and many of us need to remind young children about the importance of following these simple tips during the fall and winter months.
These tips include:
Receive your annual flu shot.
Washing our hands with soap and water after touching tables, chairs, shared items and before we eat.
Not sharing food and drinks at school. Kids love to share and this is great but it can also expose them to lots of germs. We can encourage them to show sharing and caring in different ways.
Taking a multivitamin and following the Canada Food Guide. Proper nutrition goes a long way for optimal health so make sure to fit in lots of fresh fruits and vegetables for not only your child but you too!
Teaching your child (and other adults too) that sneezing or coughing into the crook of your elbow rather than sneezing or coughing into your hand helps prevent the spread of germs. Especially since most people don’t properly sanitize their hands afterwards.
Receiving a flu vaccine is one part of many small steps in order to remain healthy this flu season. How do you prepare and stay healthy through flu season?
This post was developed in association with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. The opinions of the author are my own. For additional information on the flu or to find out where to get a flu shot, click here.
If you’re still on the fence about getting the flu shot for your kids, there’s a great new alternative you’re going to want to know about. Want to learn more?
J’adore travailler en médecine familiale. Pourquoi? Parce que chaque journée est différente et imprévisible! Je partage des moments extraordinaires dans la vie de certains patients, et je les regarde grandir au sein de leur famille. Je suis l’épaule sur laquelle on pleure et la main qu’on saisit. Je m’inspire de mes propres difficultés dans mon rôle de parent pour donner des conseils (et j’en reçois aussi de mes patients).
La médecine familiale a aussi son côté négatif, car je suis constamment exposée à des virus tout au long de l’année, surtout pendant la saison de la grippe. À l’approche de la nouvelle saison de la grippe, je m’attends à prendre la température de nombreux patients, à compiler des statistiques d’oxygène et à vérifier le poids de nourrissons et de tout-petits. Tout cela m’expose à des maladies virales potentiellement dangereuses, y compris la grippe, que je risque de transmettre à mes deux enfants à la maison. L’un d’eux souffre d’asthme et on a dû l’amener à l’hôpital plusieurs fois ces dix dernières années à cause de crises d’asthme exacerbées par la grippe.
Votre vaccin annuel contre la grippe constitue le meilleur moyen de protéger votre famille contre le virus de la grippe. La grippe est une maladie très grave qui peut présenter différents symptômes. Certains malades ont juste de la fièvre et des frissons, alors que d’autres attrapent une pneumonie et doivent être hospitalisés. Les enfants sont notre population la plus vulnérable, celle qui risque aussi de ne pas être vaccinée à cause de la phobie des seringues.
C’est du moins le problème que nous avions à la maison. Notre fils détestait les seringues et les vaccins. C’est devenu une épreuve si dure qu’il y a cinq ans, nous avions renoncé à lui administrer le vaccin antigrippal annuel. Nous pensions qu’en prenant des mesures de protection, en nous lavant régulièrement les mains à la maison et en l’encourageant à faire de même à l’école, il serait protégé. Grave erreur! Cette année-là, il a contracté une grippe B qui a nécessité un séjour à l’hôpital.
L’Ontario offre de nouvelles options pour veiller à ce que les enfants soient vaccinés contre la grippe. Cette année, les enfants et les jeunes de l’Ontario âgés de 2 à 17 ans peuvent recevoir GRATUITEMENT un vaccin antigrippal en vaporisateur nasal. Celui-ci les protège contre QUATRE souches de la grippe (au lieu de trois avec le vaccin ordinaire). Le plus beau, pour les parents comme nous, c’est que les enfants n’ont plus peur de recevoir une injection. Une situation gagnante sur tous les plans!
Pour recevoir le vaccin antigrippal sous forme d’injection ou de vaporisateur nasal, adressez-vous à votre fournisseur de soins ou bureau de santé publique. Les pharmacies participantes peuvent également vacciner toute personne âgée de cinq ans ou plus. Se faire vacciner est la meilleure protection contre la grippe. N’hésitez surtout pas à demander des renseignements à votre fournisseur de soins, ou visitez ontario.ca/grippe pour savoir où vous faire vacciner.
Il existe une multitude de façons de protéger sa santé et de réduire la propagation du virus de la grippe. Nous avons tous besoin de rappeler aux jeunes enfants l’importance de suivre quelques conseils faciles pendant l’automne et l’hiver.
Les voici :
Se faire vacciner tous les ans contre la grippe.
Se laver les mains avec de l’eau et du savon après avoir touché une table, une chaise ou un objet partagé avec quelqu’un d’autre, ou avant de manger.
Ne pas partager d’aliments ou de boissons à l’école. Les enfants aiment beaucoup partager, ce qui est excellent, mais cela les expose à toutes sortes de microbes. On peut les encourager se montrer généreux d’une autre façon.
Prendre des multivitamines et suivre le Guide alimentaire canadien. Une bonne nutrition aide beaucoup à protéger la santé. Donnez des fruits et légumes frais à votre enfant, et mangez-en aussi!
Montrer à votre enfant (et à des adultes aussi) comment éternuer ou tousser dans le pli du coude plutôt que dans la main pour aider à éviter la propagation de microbes. En plus, la majorité des gens ne se désinfectent pas correctement les mains.
La vaccination contre la grippe constitue l’une de nombreuses mesures faciles à prendre pour protéger sa santé pendant la saison de la grippe. Et vous, que faites-vous pour rester en forme pendant la saison de la grippe?
PJ Mouse, an adorable little stuffed animal, was lost and alone until young Emily heard his cries for help. Now, along with his new family, PJ gets to travel the world-discovering exciting new places and people along the way in PJ Mouse’s two books set in Canada and Queensland.
About the Travel Adventures of PJ Mouse in Canada
Come join PJ on his first adventure across Canada as he hikes on a glacier in the Rockies, finds a salt lake in the prairies, and walks on the ocean floor in Nova Scotia.
My Thoughts
In this first story, we meet the adorable PJ mouse and how he came about meeting his special human friend, Emily. They instantly form a special bond that is full of love, kindness and great humour! PJ joins Emily and her family as they travel across Canada, learning all about great sites including glaciers and a salt water lake. Poor little PJ always somehow happens to get into trouble! Canadians will love either reading this to their child or having their older child read it, not only is the story funny but they will learn a lot about Canada too! The illustrations are also the perfect touch to this story, sweet and simple!
Rating: 5/5
About The Travel Adventures of PJ Mouse in Queensland
Come join PJ on this, his second adventure, along the coast of Queensland, as he snorkels at the Great Barrier Reef, chats with a Loggerhead turtle in the midst of a great undertaking, and explores the tropical rainforest until he has to be rescued by one of the local friendly wildlife.
My Thoughts
In the second followup story, PJ finds himself with his family heading to Australia! He learns all about travel, airplanes and passport. I love the special friendship he has with Emily. She always takes such good care out of him as she straightens his stuffing, calms his fears and encourages him. I loved how PJ thought he would have to walk upside down since he was heading to the land down under! In this story, we not only have a good laugh but we also learn a lot about Australia. A win win for all parents alike!
Gwyneth Jane Page (Jane), who holds an MBA from Simon Fraser University, has called many countries home. She grew up in such places as England, Peru, the USA, and the Caribbean, and has also lived in Australia and Canada. She now resides in Victoria, BC with her husband and four children. The PJ Mouse books are based on Jane’s family trips with the real stuffed animal, PJ, who was found by Emily, Jane’s youngest daughter.
Megan Elizabeth, Jane’s second oldest daughter, has lived in Canada and Australia and travelled extensively with her family and PJ. Having been artistic since she was a little girl, illustrating the PJ Mouse books has enabled her to combine her love of travel with her love of art. Megan completed her studies at VanArts and is now building her career as a professional photographer as well as an illustrator. She currently resides in Victoria, BC with her family.
The Giveaway!
Enter to win Book One set in Canada, PJ mouse stuffed toy and sticker passport! Open to residents of Canada and the US. Good luck!
In the Golden Braid, the one who needs rescuing isn’t always the one in the tower.
About The Golden Braid
Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man. She paints beautiful flowering vines on the walls of her plaster houses. She sings so sweetly she can coax even a beast to sleep. But there are two things she is afraid her mother might never allow her to do: learn to read and marry.
Fiercely devoted to Rapunzel, her mother is suspicious of every man who so much as looks at her daughter and warns her that no man can be trusted. After a young village farmer asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides to move them once again–this time, to the large city of Hagenheim.
The journey proves treacherous, and after being rescued by a knight–Sir Gerek–Rapunzel, in turn, rescues him farther down the road. As a result, Sir Gerek agrees to repay his debt to Rapunzel by teaching her to read. Could there be more to him than his arrogance and desire to marry for riches and position?
As Rapunzel acclimates to life in a new city, she uncovers a mystery that will forever change her life. In this Rapunzel story unlike any other, a world of secrets and treachery are about to be revealed after seventeen years. How will Rapunzel finally take control of her own destiny? And who will prove faithful to a lowly peasant girl with no one to turn to?
My Thoughts
A modern, mature twist on a childhood fairy tale that both young adults and adults alike will enjoy.
The beginning of the novel was slower but as we get about a third of the way through the novel, I could not put the book down! It was such an interesting perspective of the Rapunzel fairy tale. We have this strong, fierce young lady who can paint, sing and throw a knife as well as any other boy in her village. But she also defers to her mother’s demands and restrictions, which include never showing her hair (which we find out the reasoning behind this near the end of the story) and to never trust a man.
It was beautiful to watch Rapunzel’s story unfold in such a unique manner and to watch her grow into an independent young lady who embraces the unknown. Thrown in the romance with a knight who tries so hard to deny his feelings and you have a story you will not want to put down! I definitely know I couldn’t.
You can find more reviews on the Litfuse Blog Tour page. You can purchase a copy here.
Rating: 4.5/5
About the Author
Melanie Dickerson is the author of The Healer’s Apprentice, a Christy Award finalist and winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award for Best First Book. Melanie earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Alabama and has been a teacher and a missionary. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Huntsville, Alabama.
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Children by nature are expressive and imaginative. They come up with the best stories and leave you craving for more. It is when we encourage our youth to keep up with their creativity, to continue to explore the world of reading and writing that this passion grows. We need to ignite the love of reading and writing at a young age so that they do not become discouraged later on in life.
This is the reason why the Ripple Foundation launched the Kids Write 4 Kids Creative challenge for children in grades four to eight, to inspire, encourage and foster a love of reading and writing. This will be the fourth year of the creative writing challenge and they are looking for Canadian youth to share their stories. The bonus: The winning story (or stories) will be published in digital and print! How exciting would that be? Who wouldn’t want to see their work in print!
Canadian youth in grades four to eight, enrolled in a school in Canada.
Story must be original and written by the author submitting the story.
One entry per an author.
Stories must be written in English.
Stories can be fact, fiction, poetry – the choice is yours!
Stories will be printed as they are submitted (so double-check that spelling and grammar)
Some of the past winning titles include; Escape from the Taco Shop, A Truly Gross Adventure and The Wish. You can see the complete list of winners here.
Head over to the Kids Write 4 Kids Creative challenge place to find more information on how to enter your little author’s story. Be sure to check out this interview to meet the authors.
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