Waiting for Summer's Return

Kim Vogel Sawyer's debut novel is a beautiful story of faith, hope, trust, and love. Summer Steadman resolves to stay in the town near where her husband and children are taken away from her in a cholera epidemic. Her problem of how to support herself is solved when Peter Ollenberger, a gentle giant of a man, hires her to tutor his young son. She goes to the farm where Peter provides a shelter away from the house where he lives with his son and grandmother, but will it satisfy the standards of the Mennonite community in which they live? As she tutors the boy, she learns more about the Mennonites and their beliefs. As she grows closer to the family, she is slowly accepted by the people. When Summer returns to her mother-in-law's home in Boston, Peter and his son are left to wonder if Summer will return or stay away. When Summer returns to the Ollenberger farm, the beautiful ending will satisfy the heart of everyone who loves romance. This is another great read for the summer.

Interesting Trip

We've finally returned home after a 10 day trip through Oklahoma and Arkansas. We drove from Houston up through Texas and Oklahoma to Tulsa for a visit with our youngest son and his family. From there we traveled to Springdale, Arkansas to visit my husband's brother. Then we left there and traveled down through central Arkansas and Little Rock to a little town called Warren.

In Warren we attended the class reunion of the classes of 1953 and 1954 for Banks, Arkansas High School which is no longer in operation. Each class had less than 12 graduates, so we didn't have a big crowd, around 43 I think. I really learned a lot about small town life by listening to them talk. The majority of them still live around the area.

Not only did we have a good time visiting family and friends, but I also enjoyed the scenery. We stayed on the Interstates most of the time, but in Arkansas we traveled a lot of back roads and coming home through northern Louisiana and then East Texas on the back roads, so we saw many interesting towns. I must say the land of northwest Arkansas is really beautiful as is most of northern Arkansas. Read three great books while traveling. But being home again is the best.

Coldwater Revival

Nancy Jenkins' debut novel is a book that will draw you in from the very beginning. It grips your heart and won't let go even when you read the last word. The language is beautiful and haunting with descriptions that sing. It is a love story not only of a man and woman but also of one of God's love and how He will never let us go no matter how far we try to run or get away from Him. Don't let this one go by, you won't be sorry.

May 14, 2006
Had a great Mother's Day with our youngest son and his family. Our two other sons called to wish me a happy Mother's Day. We're enjoying this time with our three youngest grandchildren too.

We'll be in Okalahoma until tomorrow. From here we'll drive over to Springdale, Arkansas and visit with my husband's brother and his wife. After a few days there, we'll head for southeast Arkansas and a visit with his sister. We'll be attending a class reunion of the '54, '55 and '56 classes of Banks High School in Banks, Arkansas. Each class had 10 or less graduates so it won't be a huge group.

Plans are underway for our annual "Cousins Camp." Each summer my cousins from my dad's side of the family try to get together and visit for three or four days at one of our homes. This summer we plan to be in Georgetown at one cousin's home. They just retired after many years of being a Methodist pastor and wife.

I'm busy planning for our annual Texas Christian writers conference. We hope to have a large attendance this year. If you're in Texas, we'd love to have you come. You can email me at marthalrogers@sbcglobal.net for a brochure.

Book Review

If you haven't read Leather and Lace by DiAnn Mills, you have missed a great book. I had the privilege of critiquing this book as DiAnn wrote it, and I loved the story. I kept asking her about it and when it would be contracted. The day finally came and the book is even better with the edits and revisions. Casey O'Hare is one of my favorite heroines. She has so much courage, grit, and gall. From the first moment when she finds herself "looking into the steel barrel of a Winshester .44" until her redemption, Casey takes you on the ride of a lifetime. You want her to succeed, but her past won't let her go entirely. Morgan, the hero has a dark past and uses Casey as a pawn to accomplish his mission. Casey escapes and starts a new life, but always aware she is in danger of being found. How these two unlikely people end up with each other makes for a fascinating, nail-biting journey across Texas. I give it five stars for sure.