I have loved John Bytheway's talks for years. He just has a way of connecting with people, especially youth. He's self-effacing, but still solid and just makes you laugh while you learn. I love his easy way that isn't over-preaching, if that makes sense. His new talk on tape is about embarking and what that really means.
In pure John Bytheway style, he includes funny stories like a conversation with Siri and her brother Siril about his last name, Halfway Harv and how he does everything halfway. But intermixed with the laughter are true life lessons that can help us want to be better. One idea that particularly touched me was how he pointed out in our prayers, we often ask God to bless the sick and needy and those who are suffering, when perhaps we really should be praying to God to help US to bless the sick and needy and find and help those who are suffering. I love how John Bytheway presents such different perspectives in a charming way that makes me think.
This is definitely a CD that I'll keep in my car to listen to when I have my family with me. I think it had a lot of great ideas for every age group, really, but mostly for teens and adults. You can click here
to buy your copy for $13.38Here's the back copy:
An ideal talk that supports the new 2015 Mutual theme!
In this motivating talk related to the 2015 youth theme, John Bytheway explains what it means to truly embark—to get fully on board in the service of God with all your heart, might, mind, and strength. Using scriptures, powerful stories, and his characteristic humor, John explains that with the Savior’s help, we can remain on board and eventually stand blameless before God at the last day
The second review I have for you today is the Timeless Romance Anthology All Regency Collection.
I have to say, I think this is my favorite of all the collections. If I had to pick a favorite story from this one, I don't think I could. They were really all outstanding this time and I stayed up late to finish them. (And with small children, you know how valuable sleep is, so that says a lot!)
The first one is by Anna Elliot and it's a journal time entry story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. I wasn't sure if I would like this one because I've read so many bad stories that continue Jane Austen's masterpiece, but I thought this author did a great job. I haven't read anything by her before and will definitely look for her other titles now.
Sarah Eden's contribution was so heartfelt and I loved Julian. As always, I wish her novellas were full-length novels. I just fall in love with her characters and want to read more about them, especially a girl like Elizabeth who deserved more, but is being denied because of family issues. So emotional and so good.
Carla Kelly is another favorite author of mine and her story was so heart-rending. She just has such intense emotional scenes in her books that make it impossible to put down. Thankful Winnings is a Friend and wants an adventure before she settles down to a marriage that she's not excited about. She gets her adventure and more when her ship comes across the aftermath of a battle and all the wounded that need care. Thankful is put to the test when she agrees to help treat the wounded and comes across more than she bargained for with a wounded doctor who is dealing with much more than just war-weary and wounded men. So good.
In Josi Kilpack's story, Regina Weathers is shocked when her beau, Ross, from fifteen years before suddenly shows up at her family's ball. I admit, I laughed a lot at their "reunion" scene. The dialogue between Regina and Ross was witty and fun, and I couldn't wait to see how their love story worked out. Really well done.
Annette Lyon took a different take on the regency theme and her story was about a couple who had been married for years and had grown apart. Can they find their way back to each other or is it too late? A charming story that included some fun secondary characters (the daughters and the old flame) that I wouldn't mind seeing again in another story. Quite memorable.
Heather Moore's heroine Mabel kept me laughing. She collects insects and watches snails and bowls over the duke's brother when he comes to visit. She was quite a woman! Seeing her love story unfold with Gregory was enchanting and I closed that book with a smile.
I loved them all and know this will be one of my favorites to come back to on a rainy afternoon. You can download your copy here
for $4.99Here's the back copy:
Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: All Regency Collection. Readers will love this collection of six regency romance novellas.
In THE WEDDING GIFT: A PRIDE AND PREJUDICE STORY, an enchanting novella by Anna Elliott, the story opens two weeks before Elizabeth Bennet’s wedding to Mr. Darcy. He has given her the perfect wedding gift, and now she must come up with one for him. But what do you give a man who has everything? Elizabeth soon discovers that the gift of love is more important than any one thing.
DREAM OF A GLORIOUS SEASON, a sweet novella by Sarah M. Eden, we meet Elizabeth Gillerford who envies her sister only one thing—that she’s been intended for Julian Broadwood since they were children. The trouble is that Elizabeth is hopelessly in love with Julian too. When Julian discovers that Elizabeth has been denied a Season because her older sister is yet unwed, he undertakes his own stealthy measures to introduce her to society, only to find himself falling in love with her himself.
In THE MENDER, a captivating story by Carla Kelly, Thankful Winnings takes a sea voyage with her cousin on the Ann Alexander, in a last adventure before she settles down to marry one of her beaus. Unexpectedly they come upon the aftermath of a fierce ship battle, and Thankful is commissioned to help in the place of an injured surgeon on one of the Royal Navy ships. Adam Farnsworth, surgeon, has been at sea for years. Tired of war, but devoted to his post, it takes a resourceful lady such as Thankful to give him the hope of love and help heal his own wounds, the ones that show and the ones that don’t.
In BEGIN AGAIN, a charming novella by Josi S. Kilpack, Regina Weathers gives up on marrying for love the day that Ross Martin walks out of her life. Now, fifteen years later, Ross shows up at a ball and thinks he can woo Regina. But she is set on her lonely path and stitched-up heart, no matter the excuse Ross gives for his years of silence and neglect. When Ross insists he wrote many letters during his military years, Regina discovers a secret long-since buried by her father, and the revelation might be enough to thaw the coldness of her heart.
In Annette Lyon’s endearing story, THE AFFAIR AT WILDEMOORE, Mrs. Ellen Stanhope escorts her three daughters to a ball. As her oldest flirts with a beau, Ellen is reminded of her courtship and early years of marriage with Anthony, before tragedy struck with the death of their infant son. The marriage has faded and dulled. Not until she sees Anthony dancing with a woman he courted years before does Ellen realize how much she misses him, still loves him, and yearns for him to yet feel the same way for her.
In the delightful novella, THE DUKE’S BROTHER, by Heather B. Moore, Mr. Gregory Clark is having an awful day, and it only gets worse when he’s ran over by … a woman. Mabel Russell reluctantly visits her sister in London for the Season, even though she’d rather stay in the country cataloging insects and aphids. When she runs into Gregory Clark, quite literally, she’s afraid to show any interest, especially since he’s a member of the dreaded ton. But getting to know Gregory becomes an unexpected delight.
2 comments:
Thanks for the review, Julie!
Finally! A Timeless Romance anthology I didn't have! Yay! I bought it. Now if I just had time to read. . .
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