This is a test to see if any of my book club ladies are reading our blog. This Monday, March 2nd is our meeting. If you have read this I want you to give me the password. The password is the answer to this question "Who is my favorite author that writes scary stories?" If you know me then you know that it is Frank Peretti. So when you come to the meeting ask me if I've read any Peretti books lately. A question I want to discuss with you all is what scares you in a book? Is it the unknown, the presence of evil, the demonic, death, being trapped, tortured, or confused? Do you find yourself talking to the characters, "Don't go in there alone! He's lying to you!"
In a movie is it the background music, a sudden bump or scream? Do you ever wonder how some of the authors can sleep at night? I'm looking forward to a great discussion because this book, "Dark Pursuit", was a good read!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Quote from our March author's website
I added the link to Susan Meissner's website. She's the author of "Blue Heart Blessed" I love this quote she has on her site....
We write not to be understood, but to understand.
Think on this when you consider what you may add to our story journal
MONTANA ROSE
We write not to be understood, but to understand.
Think on this when you consider what you may add to our story journal
MONTANA ROSE
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
March Book Club Meeting
It's time for another meeting and we will be discussing: “Dark Pursuit” by Brandilyn Collins.
The new choice for March, “Blue Heart Blessed” by Susan Meissner, will be available for purchase. This is a tender story about losing love and finding yourself. A much different tempo, we will definitely be changing gears from February to March.
Join us on March 2nd at 7:00 p.m.
Arrowhead Barnes and Noble Bookstore
7685 West Bell Road
Peoria, AZ
We always have a great time sharing our love for books and building friendships with some mighty fine ladies.
Please check out the websites I have listed and catch up on some of our favorite authors.
The new choice for March, “Blue Heart Blessed” by Susan Meissner, will be available for purchase. This is a tender story about losing love and finding yourself. A much different tempo, we will definitely be changing gears from February to March.
Join us on March 2nd at 7:00 p.m.
Arrowhead Barnes and Noble Bookstore
7685 West Bell Road
Peoria, AZ
We always have a great time sharing our love for books and building friendships with some mighty fine ladies.
Please check out the websites I have listed and catch up on some of our favorite authors.
Monday, February 9, 2009
February's Book
We are reading "Dark Pursuit" by Brandilyn Collins and I have to say this is intense. A different type of "scary" than the club has read before. There is not a monster in the woods but someone in this story is a monster. I'm loving that it is about an author or shall we say authors trying to write a story. I can identify with that. For the squeamish, maybe you better read this with all of the lights on and as the author says "Don't forget to breath..." Notice her website link is to the right of this blog. Oh and, Happy Valentines day....
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Montana Rose Chapter Three
Chapter Three
Psalm 30:5 “...weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. “
I, Abigail R. McAllister, do solemnly swear that I will leave Montana and never return.
Diary entry 12 December, 1889
Tonight was the most humiliating night of my life! I despise Alicia Conrad and will never speak of her again! She has had designs on Bradley Wellington since we were ten years old. Everyone knows that Bradley’s heart belongs to me. Didn’t he ask me to the church picnic last Easter, walk me home from the school house every day, and most important of all…invite me as his guest to the Wellington Christmas Social? Now everything is ruined, how can I ever show my face again? Thanks to Bradley’s older brother, Marcus, I was able to leave the Wellington ranch with some dignity in tack.
The night began so magically, I in my new organza dress. Papa had the fabric sent from New York City. He let Mama hire a seamstress from Kalispell to make the dress. The same seamstress that Alisha Conrad uses…Oh dear, I mentioned her name again. That will be the last time, from henceforth I will refer to that girl as the flirt. Bradley in his waistcoat. I thought I would dance the night away with my dear handsome Bradley, but soon he disappeared and I, Abbey McAllister, was left alone to stand with the other wallflowers. Marcus Wellington rescued me after awhile and danced a few with me. Poor fellow, not as dashing and exciting as Bradley. A handsome man but so predictable, reliable, quiet, shy. He certainly surprised me to be so bold as to ask me to dance and how could I turn him down? What could we talk about? Marcus and his books and figures, with managing his family’s ranch, me with my grand ideas of traveling the world. Someday I would dance in Queen Victoria’s palace and meet the crown Princes of Europe. We managed somehow, and just as I was beginning to enjoy the night, it happened. Marcus offered me some punch and we stepped outside to look at the stars. I heard the familiar laughter of my sweet Bradley mixed with a female voice. Marcus grabbed my elbow and told me not to look and then he whisked me back into the foyer. I had just enough time to look at the couple and right away I recognized “the flirt’s” dress. A pink frock that looked almost identical to mine.
Diary entry 5 January, 1890
Today I'm leaving for Anoka Springs, Minnesota to live with my Aunt Tessa. I can never come back to Helena. Papa says it's for the best but I can tell that Mama has been crying. Dear sweet Mama, she is so hurt that I'm leaving. She thinks I am selfish and leaving for childish reasons. She can never know the truth. Papa helped me find a school for teachers and we told Mama that this is best for me because I never will marry. Wish that was not true but in my heart I know it is. Bradley does not know, not that he would care anymore. I wish I could say goodbye to Marcus and thank him for his kindness but there is too great of a risk in seeing anyone in Helena.
Audrey finished up the last of the mornings dishes and began to set the table for her lunch guest. She was meeting with Alicia Wellington Jackson today and needed things to be perfect. Alicia was the last surviving relative of the Wellington family, the original owners of the property that she and Jamie had purchased in East Helena. At eight five she had a sharp mind and had been the town historian. Audrey wanted to interview her about the history of the house and the Wellington family. She knew that the house was built in 1890 by Alicia's great grandfather, Marcus Bradley Wellington.
The house was unusual for it's time, an octagon shape with a porch that wrapped around the entire house. You could drink your coffee in the morning and watch the sunrise on one side and then move to the swing on the other side to see the sun set. Audrey had remodeled the interior and took great care to keep with the Victorian era decorating. Many days she would find a tourist at her door asking if they could take a tour of the house. Word had spread through the town of the amazing job she had done in restoring the old house to it's original splendor. The second floor had been the ballroom and still had the original hardwood floors. It had been quite the place for social events and she heard that there were many parties and balls held by the family. Montana was home to a great deal of the wealthiest people of the 1890's. Their money came from silver mining and the railroad industry.
Two bedrooms were added in the 1940's which Jamie decided to keep so that Tyler would have a recreation area for his friends. The ceiling was high so a basketball hoop now was at the center the floor. Audrey had discovered a trunk in the attic that looked to have been long forgotten. The lock had rusted and Jamie had to use great force to open it. Inside she found a wedding dress, some faded pictures, a locket with a baby picture in it and a diary. The diary of Abigail McAllister.
Alicia Conrad arrived and Audrey welcomed her into the house. She marveled at the transformation of the old run down house.
“Bless your heart Audrey! My papa would have been so happy to see this home like this again.” Alicia exclaimed.
“I'm glad you approve. It's been a very satisfying project. I wanted to ask you some more questions about the history of the house.” Audrey said.
“Ask away, it's one of my favorite things to talk about. I wish my son had been interested but the small town life was not for him. He's been in Los Angeles for 60 years. Went into real estate selling homes to the Hollywood stars.” Alicia said proudly.
Audrey smiled. “What was your great grandfather's name?”
“Marcus Bradley Wellington and he had two sons, Marcus and Bradley.”
“I found a diary in the house that has me puzzled Alicia. The person writing it was named Abigail R. McAllister. Who was Abigail?” Audrey asked.
“Abigail was my grandmother, she went by Rose. My grandfather loved her more than anything.” Alicia explained.
“So she came back and married Bradley after all, right?”
“Oh dear no. Bradley Wellington disappeared in 1901 and he was never spoken of in our family again. There are some that say he ran off with a good deal of his father's silver, others think he was killed by Indians. I'm a romantic and I like to think he went off to California to be a part of the Gold Rush.” said Alicia. “Rose married my grandfather, Marcus Wellington Jr.”
“Aw, Marcus won her heart. They had children of course.”
“Two children, only my father survived. There was a baby girl who died in infancy. My father didn't know much about her. They named her Alicia Rose. I'm named after her.” Alicia said.
“Alicia was a common name for that time? She mentions an Alicia Conrad in the diary.” Audrey wondered.
“It would seem that way, I never made that connection before. The Conrad family has had close ties to the Wellington's. They settled in Montana the same time that my great grandfather did. There is a mansion in Kalispell that you can tour now. I believe my grandmother was friends with Alicia. I suppose that could be why she named her baby the same.”
Now that would be something, Audrey thought. What happened in between running off to Anoka Springs, never to return, and coming back to Marcus and staying in Montana for the rest of her life? What about this baby that died, is that the baby in the locket?
Psalm 30:5 “...weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. “
I, Abigail R. McAllister, do solemnly swear that I will leave Montana and never return.
Diary entry 12 December, 1889
Tonight was the most humiliating night of my life! I despise Alicia Conrad and will never speak of her again! She has had designs on Bradley Wellington since we were ten years old. Everyone knows that Bradley’s heart belongs to me. Didn’t he ask me to the church picnic last Easter, walk me home from the school house every day, and most important of all…invite me as his guest to the Wellington Christmas Social? Now everything is ruined, how can I ever show my face again? Thanks to Bradley’s older brother, Marcus, I was able to leave the Wellington ranch with some dignity in tack.
The night began so magically, I in my new organza dress. Papa had the fabric sent from New York City. He let Mama hire a seamstress from Kalispell to make the dress. The same seamstress that Alisha Conrad uses…Oh dear, I mentioned her name again. That will be the last time, from henceforth I will refer to that girl as the flirt. Bradley in his waistcoat. I thought I would dance the night away with my dear handsome Bradley, but soon he disappeared and I, Abbey McAllister, was left alone to stand with the other wallflowers. Marcus Wellington rescued me after awhile and danced a few with me. Poor fellow, not as dashing and exciting as Bradley. A handsome man but so predictable, reliable, quiet, shy. He certainly surprised me to be so bold as to ask me to dance and how could I turn him down? What could we talk about? Marcus and his books and figures, with managing his family’s ranch, me with my grand ideas of traveling the world. Someday I would dance in Queen Victoria’s palace and meet the crown Princes of Europe. We managed somehow, and just as I was beginning to enjoy the night, it happened. Marcus offered me some punch and we stepped outside to look at the stars. I heard the familiar laughter of my sweet Bradley mixed with a female voice. Marcus grabbed my elbow and told me not to look and then he whisked me back into the foyer. I had just enough time to look at the couple and right away I recognized “the flirt’s” dress. A pink frock that looked almost identical to mine.
Diary entry 5 January, 1890
Today I'm leaving for Anoka Springs, Minnesota to live with my Aunt Tessa. I can never come back to Helena. Papa says it's for the best but I can tell that Mama has been crying. Dear sweet Mama, she is so hurt that I'm leaving. She thinks I am selfish and leaving for childish reasons. She can never know the truth. Papa helped me find a school for teachers and we told Mama that this is best for me because I never will marry. Wish that was not true but in my heart I know it is. Bradley does not know, not that he would care anymore. I wish I could say goodbye to Marcus and thank him for his kindness but there is too great of a risk in seeing anyone in Helena.
Audrey finished up the last of the mornings dishes and began to set the table for her lunch guest. She was meeting with Alicia Wellington Jackson today and needed things to be perfect. Alicia was the last surviving relative of the Wellington family, the original owners of the property that she and Jamie had purchased in East Helena. At eight five she had a sharp mind and had been the town historian. Audrey wanted to interview her about the history of the house and the Wellington family. She knew that the house was built in 1890 by Alicia's great grandfather, Marcus Bradley Wellington.
The house was unusual for it's time, an octagon shape with a porch that wrapped around the entire house. You could drink your coffee in the morning and watch the sunrise on one side and then move to the swing on the other side to see the sun set. Audrey had remodeled the interior and took great care to keep with the Victorian era decorating. Many days she would find a tourist at her door asking if they could take a tour of the house. Word had spread through the town of the amazing job she had done in restoring the old house to it's original splendor. The second floor had been the ballroom and still had the original hardwood floors. It had been quite the place for social events and she heard that there were many parties and balls held by the family. Montana was home to a great deal of the wealthiest people of the 1890's. Their money came from silver mining and the railroad industry.
Two bedrooms were added in the 1940's which Jamie decided to keep so that Tyler would have a recreation area for his friends. The ceiling was high so a basketball hoop now was at the center the floor. Audrey had discovered a trunk in the attic that looked to have been long forgotten. The lock had rusted and Jamie had to use great force to open it. Inside she found a wedding dress, some faded pictures, a locket with a baby picture in it and a diary. The diary of Abigail McAllister.
Alicia Conrad arrived and Audrey welcomed her into the house. She marveled at the transformation of the old run down house.
“Bless your heart Audrey! My papa would have been so happy to see this home like this again.” Alicia exclaimed.
“I'm glad you approve. It's been a very satisfying project. I wanted to ask you some more questions about the history of the house.” Audrey said.
“Ask away, it's one of my favorite things to talk about. I wish my son had been interested but the small town life was not for him. He's been in Los Angeles for 60 years. Went into real estate selling homes to the Hollywood stars.” Alicia said proudly.
Audrey smiled. “What was your great grandfather's name?”
“Marcus Bradley Wellington and he had two sons, Marcus and Bradley.”
“I found a diary in the house that has me puzzled Alicia. The person writing it was named Abigail R. McAllister. Who was Abigail?” Audrey asked.
“Abigail was my grandmother, she went by Rose. My grandfather loved her more than anything.” Alicia explained.
“So she came back and married Bradley after all, right?”
“Oh dear no. Bradley Wellington disappeared in 1901 and he was never spoken of in our family again. There are some that say he ran off with a good deal of his father's silver, others think he was killed by Indians. I'm a romantic and I like to think he went off to California to be a part of the Gold Rush.” said Alicia. “Rose married my grandfather, Marcus Wellington Jr.”
“Aw, Marcus won her heart. They had children of course.”
“Two children, only my father survived. There was a baby girl who died in infancy. My father didn't know much about her. They named her Alicia Rose. I'm named after her.” Alicia said.
“Alicia was a common name for that time? She mentions an Alicia Conrad in the diary.” Audrey wondered.
“It would seem that way, I never made that connection before. The Conrad family has had close ties to the Wellington's. They settled in Montana the same time that my great grandfather did. There is a mansion in Kalispell that you can tour now. I believe my grandmother was friends with Alicia. I suppose that could be why she named her baby the same.”
Now that would be something, Audrey thought. What happened in between running off to Anoka Springs, never to return, and coming back to Marcus and staying in Montana for the rest of her life? What about this baby that died, is that the baby in the locket?
Montana Rose Chapter Two
Chapter Two
I Samuel 16:7 “For the Lord sees not as a man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
Audrey Rose Hamilton was a young widow with four children when she moved to the small town of Youngstown, Arizona. With her late husband's life insurance she was able to buy a simple house and a life that would protect her children from the dangers of Los Angeles. Her parents, Lois and Dan Miller, came also and helped her cope with single parenthood. As a grandfather Dan brought that much needed safety and security for the children. Lois was always there with a ready prayer and wise words when Audrey and the children needed guidance. They vowed to always be there as long the family needed them.
The Hamilton family quickly settled into the small community. They were active in church and the boys played baseball with the neighborhood little league team. To occupy her time Audrey made quilts and gift baskets to sell at rummage sales and gift shops. It was the Sinclair Farm Pumpkin Festival that would change her life forever.
She was invited to display her wares in the antique gift shop year round at the Sinclair farm and that was when she first heard mention of Jamie Sinclair. He was the owner's son and the ladies did swoon for him. Audrey didn't see what all the talk was about. He was a tall, strong man, with a nice smile and a pleasant face but desperately in need of a woman's guidance in the area of fashion. She smiled now to think of it, the plaid shirts with striped pants, sandals with dark socks. The uneven haircut and long sideburns dated him to the late seventies. One of their first dates was a shopping trip to choose some new items for Jamie's wardrobe so they could go out for a nice dinner together.
James Michael Sinclair Jr was a divorced father of three. His wife of ten years one day decided she could no longer live the farm life and left him high and dry with three young children to care for. She had always been a melancholy sort and he never knew from one day to the next what to expect when he came home each evening. Most often it was an untidy home, unkept children, and an unprepared dinner. Her leaving wasn't too much of a shock because she already left the family emotionally many years ago. He did the best he could and depended on his mother and sisters in the care of his young sons and daughter. When Audrey came into the picture their world changed drastically. There were hot showers every night and she made them use soap! Best of all were the good hot meals with grace said at the table as a family. A blended family. Audrey's three sons, Joe, Jacob, and Tommy, and her daughter Stacey. Jamie's two sons, Brad and Mark and his daughter Janie. After they were married the Lord blessed them with one more son, Tyler James Sinclair.
Their very first date began with an unexpected phone call from Jamie.
“Audrey? This is Jamie Sinclair from Sinclair Farms.”, said the voice on the phone.
Audrey smiled at the sound of his voice. It had been seven years since she had received any calls from a man, for business or pleasure. She assumed he was calling about her quilts.
“Hello Jamie. I'm sorry I haven't been in the store lately. It's just that the children haven't been well and,” she hesitated.
“Well now Audrey, I wasn't calling about the store. It's just that it's my birthday today and I thought you'd like to come out to the farm for some cake with my family.” he said.
Cake with his family? The Sinclair family? The wealthiest family in the county, THE Sinclairs?
“This is a surprise Jamie, are you sure you want to invite me?” Audrey asked.
“I'm very sure.” he said emphatically.
They made arrangements for Jamie to pick her up. Audrey hung up the phone and shook her head. She had never exchanged more than a few words with this man and out of the blue he was inviting her for cake. A date no less. He was so calm and assured of himself, never doubting that she would accept his invitation. This took her back some but something about him intrigued her, he was a man with a quiet confidence in himself.
“Well Lord,” she thought, “Maybe you're bringing that new chapter into my life that I’ve been hoping for.”
Jamie informed his mother and sisters that he was inviting a friend over for cake tonight.
“Could they please have cake and ice cream ready for his birthday?” Jamie had requested.
“A friend?” his mother said.
“Who might this friend be my son?”
“I've invited the girl who brings quilts to the store. Audrey Hamilton is her name.” Jamie said.
His mother and sisters exchanged looks of disbelief. What good could come of this? Audrey was a beautiful girl, too beautiful for Jamie. A city girl couldn’t adapt to a life on the farm. Sinclair women were tough, they had to be able to jump on a tractor to help out their men when needed. Jamie's first wife had already run from the pressures and struggles. This girl would never make it. What could be Audrey's interest in seeing Jamie anyway? Could it be his money? They had heard that she was a widow, trying to raise four children on her own. This Audrey Rose had another thing coming if she thought she had found a ticket to an easy ride.
When Audrey returned home late that evening she was surprised to find her parents waiting up for her in the kitchen, their faces strained with worry.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Was there a problem with the children?”
Her mother spoke first, “No, they were fine. Your father and I have been praying and we feel it’s time to have a talk with you.”
“Audrey Rose what are your plans with this man?” her father demanded.
“My plans? Dad, I just had cake at his parent’s house. It means nothing. What are you two so worried about?” she said.
“This Sinclair man has a wife doesn’t he?” he asked.
“He had a wife, they divorced five years ago,” Audrey explained.
“Audrey, you are playing with fire if you continue to see this man,” Dan Miller’s voice was shaking now.
“Times have changed Dad, we don’t live under the law now, this is New Testament times.” Audrey said with a shrug, “I’m turning in now, I love you both. Please don’t worry about me, I’m a big girl and can handle my own affairs.”
Her mother softly pleaded, “Please pray about this, you have your children to think about. The Lord won’t bless something that is not His will.”
The Lord won’t bless something that is not His will, those words still rang in her ears today. Sixteen years, a new child, seven teenagers and one thousand miles away and her mother’s voice still haunted Audrey. She and Jamie had fallen fast for each other and had truly felt that God had brought them together. Each had thought they would never love again and then suddenly they were in love and planning a life with each other. Surely their parents would come around and the children would adjust. They had even sought the counsel of their pastor before announcing their plans. He had warned them that it is not an easy road to blend two families together, but as long as God was the center of their lives He would see them through. Things had been difficult at times but the one constant was their love for each other and their faith in God. It seemed like God blessed and provided them everything but their relationship with each family was strained at best. Jamie and Audrey had finally decided to strike out on their own and leave the Sinclair family business. It meant being far away from their adult children and their growing families but the hope was to encourage them to visit often. As the grandchildren grew older they could spend summers on the ranch. Audrey and Jamie prayed that one day there would be a reconciliation with their parents. “Whatever it takes Lord” had been the cry of their hearts. Audrey wondered what it would take to move their hearts. She missed the close bond with her parents, the chats at the kitchen table with her mother. Sharing a scripture for the day..
“Whatever it takes Lord,” she whispered to herself.
I Samuel 16:7 “For the Lord sees not as a man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
Audrey Rose Hamilton was a young widow with four children when she moved to the small town of Youngstown, Arizona. With her late husband's life insurance she was able to buy a simple house and a life that would protect her children from the dangers of Los Angeles. Her parents, Lois and Dan Miller, came also and helped her cope with single parenthood. As a grandfather Dan brought that much needed safety and security for the children. Lois was always there with a ready prayer and wise words when Audrey and the children needed guidance. They vowed to always be there as long the family needed them.
The Hamilton family quickly settled into the small community. They were active in church and the boys played baseball with the neighborhood little league team. To occupy her time Audrey made quilts and gift baskets to sell at rummage sales and gift shops. It was the Sinclair Farm Pumpkin Festival that would change her life forever.
She was invited to display her wares in the antique gift shop year round at the Sinclair farm and that was when she first heard mention of Jamie Sinclair. He was the owner's son and the ladies did swoon for him. Audrey didn't see what all the talk was about. He was a tall, strong man, with a nice smile and a pleasant face but desperately in need of a woman's guidance in the area of fashion. She smiled now to think of it, the plaid shirts with striped pants, sandals with dark socks. The uneven haircut and long sideburns dated him to the late seventies. One of their first dates was a shopping trip to choose some new items for Jamie's wardrobe so they could go out for a nice dinner together.
James Michael Sinclair Jr was a divorced father of three. His wife of ten years one day decided she could no longer live the farm life and left him high and dry with three young children to care for. She had always been a melancholy sort and he never knew from one day to the next what to expect when he came home each evening. Most often it was an untidy home, unkept children, and an unprepared dinner. Her leaving wasn't too much of a shock because she already left the family emotionally many years ago. He did the best he could and depended on his mother and sisters in the care of his young sons and daughter. When Audrey came into the picture their world changed drastically. There were hot showers every night and she made them use soap! Best of all were the good hot meals with grace said at the table as a family. A blended family. Audrey's three sons, Joe, Jacob, and Tommy, and her daughter Stacey. Jamie's two sons, Brad and Mark and his daughter Janie. After they were married the Lord blessed them with one more son, Tyler James Sinclair.
Their very first date began with an unexpected phone call from Jamie.
“Audrey? This is Jamie Sinclair from Sinclair Farms.”, said the voice on the phone.
Audrey smiled at the sound of his voice. It had been seven years since she had received any calls from a man, for business or pleasure. She assumed he was calling about her quilts.
“Hello Jamie. I'm sorry I haven't been in the store lately. It's just that the children haven't been well and,” she hesitated.
“Well now Audrey, I wasn't calling about the store. It's just that it's my birthday today and I thought you'd like to come out to the farm for some cake with my family.” he said.
Cake with his family? The Sinclair family? The wealthiest family in the county, THE Sinclairs?
“This is a surprise Jamie, are you sure you want to invite me?” Audrey asked.
“I'm very sure.” he said emphatically.
They made arrangements for Jamie to pick her up. Audrey hung up the phone and shook her head. She had never exchanged more than a few words with this man and out of the blue he was inviting her for cake. A date no less. He was so calm and assured of himself, never doubting that she would accept his invitation. This took her back some but something about him intrigued her, he was a man with a quiet confidence in himself.
“Well Lord,” she thought, “Maybe you're bringing that new chapter into my life that I’ve been hoping for.”
Jamie informed his mother and sisters that he was inviting a friend over for cake tonight.
“Could they please have cake and ice cream ready for his birthday?” Jamie had requested.
“A friend?” his mother said.
“Who might this friend be my son?”
“I've invited the girl who brings quilts to the store. Audrey Hamilton is her name.” Jamie said.
His mother and sisters exchanged looks of disbelief. What good could come of this? Audrey was a beautiful girl, too beautiful for Jamie. A city girl couldn’t adapt to a life on the farm. Sinclair women were tough, they had to be able to jump on a tractor to help out their men when needed. Jamie's first wife had already run from the pressures and struggles. This girl would never make it. What could be Audrey's interest in seeing Jamie anyway? Could it be his money? They had heard that she was a widow, trying to raise four children on her own. This Audrey Rose had another thing coming if she thought she had found a ticket to an easy ride.
When Audrey returned home late that evening she was surprised to find her parents waiting up for her in the kitchen, their faces strained with worry.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Was there a problem with the children?”
Her mother spoke first, “No, they were fine. Your father and I have been praying and we feel it’s time to have a talk with you.”
“Audrey Rose what are your plans with this man?” her father demanded.
“My plans? Dad, I just had cake at his parent’s house. It means nothing. What are you two so worried about?” she said.
“This Sinclair man has a wife doesn’t he?” he asked.
“He had a wife, they divorced five years ago,” Audrey explained.
“Audrey, you are playing with fire if you continue to see this man,” Dan Miller’s voice was shaking now.
“Times have changed Dad, we don’t live under the law now, this is New Testament times.” Audrey said with a shrug, “I’m turning in now, I love you both. Please don’t worry about me, I’m a big girl and can handle my own affairs.”
Her mother softly pleaded, “Please pray about this, you have your children to think about. The Lord won’t bless something that is not His will.”
The Lord won’t bless something that is not His will, those words still rang in her ears today. Sixteen years, a new child, seven teenagers and one thousand miles away and her mother’s voice still haunted Audrey. She and Jamie had fallen fast for each other and had truly felt that God had brought them together. Each had thought they would never love again and then suddenly they were in love and planning a life with each other. Surely their parents would come around and the children would adjust. They had even sought the counsel of their pastor before announcing their plans. He had warned them that it is not an easy road to blend two families together, but as long as God was the center of their lives He would see them through. Things had been difficult at times but the one constant was their love for each other and their faith in God. It seemed like God blessed and provided them everything but their relationship with each family was strained at best. Jamie and Audrey had finally decided to strike out on their own and leave the Sinclair family business. It meant being far away from their adult children and their growing families but the hope was to encourage them to visit often. As the grandchildren grew older they could spend summers on the ranch. Audrey and Jamie prayed that one day there would be a reconciliation with their parents. “Whatever it takes Lord” had been the cry of their hearts. Audrey wondered what it would take to move their hearts. She missed the close bond with her parents, the chats at the kitchen table with her mother. Sharing a scripture for the day..
“Whatever it takes Lord,” she whispered to herself.
Montana Rose...Story Journal Chapter One
Chapter One
Jer 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
The sun was rising and she could already see the farm hand hard at work in the field. Creating neat rows of hay in the distance, the sound of his tractor, two dogs chasing behind, and the Montana mountains in the background. Audrey watched this from her porch every morning, cup of coffee in hand, the Helena News spread out before her. This was life in Montana. “The last best place” her husband had read from the travel brochure. “The last best place for what?” she had wondered. “The last best place for dreams and our future!” he had replied. Jamie was a dreamer, he saw the potential in this property...a bakery, gift shop, museum, a thriving tourist attraction in the oldest big barn west of the Mississippi. Or was that the biggest old barn? When his father came to look his purchase over, the elder Sinclair said his son was a fool to buy ten acres of broken down buildings and a big old barn. Four years later the buildings were still in need of repair but the barn had indeed began to attract tours and events. Jamie had worked hard at refurbishing it and drumming up interest. They had held county fairs and car shows and eventually created a chapel for weddings. The buildings would be repaired one at a time and he worked tirelessly towards that goal. It was indeed the last best place for Jamie and Audrey to grow old together.
What Audrey saw was a place to hide, to start over. Run away from the small town gossips, the disapproval of both of their families. “Gold digger” had been the Sinclair family's assessment of her. “Adulterer” had been Audrey's parents' judgment on Jamie. The first year in Helena had been hard for her and she often thought of running back to Arizona but she had made it through the dark days living on Jamie's dreams. Now she was his business partner and recently had taken over the duties as Wedding Planner. She called the venture
The Last Best Place For Your Wedding.
There's no place like Big Sky Country to get married. Montana's beautiful locations and romance of the Old West provide the perfect setting for weddings, vow renewals and honeymoons. After the ceremony send the in-laws whitewater rafting and honeymoon in the mountains at an elegant resort or a rustic cabin.
Little by little she had recruited friends and acquaintances to help her with the business. They met each month to discuss the upcoming events and to plan. Each meeting began with a salad potluck and ended with an update on their successes and prayer requests. Her best friend Jill was her “right hand man”. She was talented with a glue gun and had an eye for floral arrangements and decorating. Audrey relied on Jill to keep an eye out for the latest trends in wedding receptions and ceremonies. At the Tuesday morning women's bible study she had met Nina and discovered that she baked cakes at home for birthdays and special events. Audrey had placed so many orders for wedding cakes from Nina that she was able to open a little shop in downtown Helena. She named the company The Sweetest Things and began to bake cookies and danish each morning to serve friends and locals who needed a place to stop and have a cup of coffee. Audrey and Jill came often when they were in town and needing a place to discuss their plans for the next wedding. They still needed a photographer and a caterer that would be available solely for The Last Best Place's clients. A florist would be good too, for now silk arrangements were used for the receptions. The bride would have to order from a flower shop in near by Missoula, an hours drive away. Things were falling into place for Audrey's business and she was finally feeling connected to her community in Montana. It was indeed the best place for her.
Jer 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
The sun was rising and she could already see the farm hand hard at work in the field. Creating neat rows of hay in the distance, the sound of his tractor, two dogs chasing behind, and the Montana mountains in the background. Audrey watched this from her porch every morning, cup of coffee in hand, the Helena News spread out before her. This was life in Montana. “The last best place” her husband had read from the travel brochure. “The last best place for what?” she had wondered. “The last best place for dreams and our future!” he had replied. Jamie was a dreamer, he saw the potential in this property...a bakery, gift shop, museum, a thriving tourist attraction in the oldest big barn west of the Mississippi. Or was that the biggest old barn? When his father came to look his purchase over, the elder Sinclair said his son was a fool to buy ten acres of broken down buildings and a big old barn. Four years later the buildings were still in need of repair but the barn had indeed began to attract tours and events. Jamie had worked hard at refurbishing it and drumming up interest. They had held county fairs and car shows and eventually created a chapel for weddings. The buildings would be repaired one at a time and he worked tirelessly towards that goal. It was indeed the last best place for Jamie and Audrey to grow old together.
What Audrey saw was a place to hide, to start over. Run away from the small town gossips, the disapproval of both of their families. “Gold digger” had been the Sinclair family's assessment of her. “Adulterer” had been Audrey's parents' judgment on Jamie. The first year in Helena had been hard for her and she often thought of running back to Arizona but she had made it through the dark days living on Jamie's dreams. Now she was his business partner and recently had taken over the duties as Wedding Planner. She called the venture
The Last Best Place For Your Wedding.
There's no place like Big Sky Country to get married. Montana's beautiful locations and romance of the Old West provide the perfect setting for weddings, vow renewals and honeymoons. After the ceremony send the in-laws whitewater rafting and honeymoon in the mountains at an elegant resort or a rustic cabin.
Little by little she had recruited friends and acquaintances to help her with the business. They met each month to discuss the upcoming events and to plan. Each meeting began with a salad potluck and ended with an update on their successes and prayer requests. Her best friend Jill was her “right hand man”. She was talented with a glue gun and had an eye for floral arrangements and decorating. Audrey relied on Jill to keep an eye out for the latest trends in wedding receptions and ceremonies. At the Tuesday morning women's bible study she had met Nina and discovered that she baked cakes at home for birthdays and special events. Audrey had placed so many orders for wedding cakes from Nina that she was able to open a little shop in downtown Helena. She named the company The Sweetest Things and began to bake cookies and danish each morning to serve friends and locals who needed a place to stop and have a cup of coffee. Audrey and Jill came often when they were in town and needing a place to discuss their plans for the next wedding. They still needed a photographer and a caterer that would be available solely for The Last Best Place's clients. A florist would be good too, for now silk arrangements were used for the receptions. The bride would have to order from a flower shop in near by Missoula, an hours drive away. Things were falling into place for Audrey's business and she was finally feeling connected to her community in Montana. It was indeed the best place for her.
Hey, Welcome to our book club blog. I'm so excited about it. We'll be able to follow our story journal, find out what book the group is currently reading, and what we may read in future. You will be able to post comments to the blog. Here's to you all, the best little book club a leader could hope for!
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