Symphony of Secrets

Amy Johnson’s life feels like it is about to tumble out of control. A worshiper of music she doesn’t understand why her teen aged daughter who could be a wonderful musician suddenly wants to be a cheerleader of all things! Her daughter is growing up, asking questions that scare Amy right out of her wits she has no where to turn but to her precious flute.

Conflicted by a sense of purpose and the thrill of solving mysteries Amy strives to figure every little thing out. Her blundering attempts leave her red faced and questioning her sleuthing skills. Ever the meddler, when Amy lands the chance of a life time to play in the Symphony, she is compelled to figure out who is sabotaging the concertmaster, dooming the Symphony, which is near to loosing its funding.

In the middle of risking her dream job, Amy is near obsessed with finding out what is going on in the Symphony, while ducking questions from her daughter about her father, and trying to suppress the old ghosts from her past that threaten to steal every thing that matters to her. In the middle of trying to blend in the Symphony, she’s also trying to understand the ‘Cheerleader mom’ thing, who gets those always happy, and bubbly people any way? Add on top of that her daughter finds an interest in God, an interest that makes Amy run the other direction, why would God want someone like her?

Can she balance her life and figure out who is hurting the Symphony? Will the Still Small Voice leave her in peace? Will the darkness of her own heart consume every thing that matters to her?

When I finished reading Symphony of Secrets I emailed the author with one question… “Whens the next one?”

Lady of Milkweed Manor

Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen

Not every one is perfect, even those whom society thinks should be. A minister’s daughter by the name of Charlotte Lamb makes a mistake and is cast out of her home. Thanks to a most distant family member who cares about Charlotte, she is provided shelter as she lives, waiting for the day she will hold her own little child.

Charlotte is taken from her status in life to the lowest ends she could imagine. Raised to be a sweet lady she is an outcast even among the outcasts. She has a heart of gold and longs to love, and be loved. She is forced to make difficult choices, ones any mother would hardly be able to bear, but for the good of her child, she must make the most difficult choice she could imagine. It a broken heart, she gives her new born babe to a rich man who’s wife lost their son that very night, the mans wife was not to know that her child died, and another was brought in his place.

Though her heart is broken, she is thrust in to a desperate situation, trying to help a babe who’s mother is effected by a mental illness caused by her pregnancy. She knows the day will come when she will have to say goodbye to the second child of her heart, but she hangs on as long as she can, and prays that God will guide her, and restore her.

I very much enjoyed this story, set around the 1800’s, in England. It was one of those heart warming stories, which showed the journey of a young woman trying to find her place in the world. When every thing crumbled around her, she made the choices she needed to and faced her life not knowing where the next step would take her.

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The Bride

The Bride by Rhonda Calhoun.

Set with the poetic language of Song of Solomon, this story book recreates Song of Solomon to make it more easily understandable. You follow the 12 year old shepherdess through her teenaged years as she learns to grow and mature in love for the Bridegroom king. She is followed by her friends, Comforter, Goodness and Mercy, as they guide her, and help her understand just how much the King loves her. She endures a fall to Compromise, rejection of her family, she is taunted and misunderstood. Her heart is to please the King, and nothing else.

This recreation opens your heart to the Bridegroom, reminding you just how much Jesus loves you. He is always there, and his closest friend Comforter is always with you. It is a beautiful way to explain just how relevant the book Song of Solomon is to Christians. There were many details that I enjoyed about this book, but one of the picture I loved the most was how the bride was amazed how the Comforter did all he could to glorify Jesus, and Jesus in turn glorified the Ancient of Days. The other part that still stands out in my mind is a conversation Jesus and the Father have several times. Jesus is gushing about how lovely the bride is, and how excited he is about their marriage.

If any one ever asked me what Song of Solomon was all about, I would refer them to this book. Because of the poetic language, I would recommend taking time to read it. In the back of the book are scripture references for nearly every line in the book. It is a great way to refer from this story to things said and done in the word of God.

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