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First Line Friday - January 22nd, 2021

1/22/2021

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Buy

E-BOOK

Includes affiliate links.

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Throwback Thursday - January 14th, 2021 (slightly late)

1/16/2021

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Dynah Carey's perfect life is shattered by rape, her future irrevocably altered by an unwanted pregnancy, and her doting family torn apart. Her seemingly rock-solid faith is pushed to the limits as she faces the most momentous choice of her life--to embrace or to end the untimely life within her.

ISBN-13: 9781868524242

My Thoughts

It's been at least 15 years since I read The Atonement Child but I remember as a teenager realizing just how powerful and thought provoking it was. Francine Rivers had taken on one of the most difficult and polarizing topics then as it is now, but she had done so with a rare sensitivity and with an open heart.

I was raised, and still believe, that abortion is wrong, however I was also taught, and still firmly believe, that no one touched by abortion comes away unscathed and that Christians should be extending grace and compassion to all of the victims of abortion just as Jesus would.

There were two things in The Atonement Child that have stuck with me all of these years. One is that pain and mistakes can be generational, frequently unwittingly. And the other is that we as Christians can so easily become caught up in our own perfection that we lose sight of what the Bible really says and become even more unforgiving and unkind than the world is.

The Atonement Child is an emotional story, it isn't always easy to read, you may feel convicted by your own judgementalism, but you will also come away with a better understanding and you will be uplifted and inspired by this story of forgiveness and hope...

If you have had an abortion please consider talking to someone such as an abortion recovery support group.
You are not alone and they will have someone who can help you find healing.

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Prism Book Tour - Acres Of Promise by Lisa Renee (Excerpt & Giveaway)

1/15/2021

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On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Join the journey with Chantelle Anderson as she actions all in her power, to prevent her teenage son falling into a life of crime and drugs.

Along the way, in her vulnerable state, she struggles to find a suitable life partner. With the trials she's experiencing with her son, who'd want to take on the whole package? Unless, God intervenes and shows He hasn't forgotten Chantelle's desperate situation.

Acres of Promise is a beautiful story of how God restores what was lost and stolen, replacing it with more than we can ask or imagine.

Christian Women's Fiction,
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 208 Pages
January 1, 2020 by The Collaborative Press

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | Book Depository

(Affiliate links included.)

Read the first six chapters free HERE.

Other Books in the Series

Excerpt from Acres Of Promise

“That’s it, Noah. Pull the wire across one more inch. Yep. Good. Now hook it onto the support.” Andrew stood five yards from Noah. He hammered the stump he held deeper into the ground.
“Hold your end firm.” He strode over to his little apprentice, as he liked to call him, and checked Noah’s work.
Andrew adjusted the wires onto some of the hooks that Noah had missed. “Give it a tug and test if you think it’ll hold.”
Noah pulled on the fencing wire from the wooden stump. The mesh sagged slightly. “It needs to be tighter, am I right?”
“Correctamundo. You’re learning fast. We need to build those muscles of yours.” Andrew unlatched the wire from the hooks and pulled it across more and reattached the fencing to the post. “Now, try its resilience.”
Noah tugged, and it didn’t move.
Andrew pointed to the fence. “This is how you need to be in school. When kids are tugging on your nerves, calling you names, trying to get you to react, you need to stay firm. Have some resilience.”
Noah looked up to Andrew, squinting his eyes from the sun. “Like letting the words bounce off me?”
Andrew ruffled Noah’s hair. “You got it, son. You’re learning fast. Now, you just need to apply it to real-life situations. And I want to hear all about it.”
Noah nodded and looked like he would try his best.
The Rhode Island hens clucked a few feet away, begging for scraps. The rooster made the most racket of all of them.
Andrew pushed some dirt with his boot around the base of the post. Dust tickled his nose and eyes. He rubbed his sleeve over them before he sneezed.
“Four more to go, and we’ll finish this section. Then we can have a break, and try those cookies your mom baked.”
“I baked. Mom doesn’t make sweet stuff. If I want cakes and cookies, I’ve gotta make them myself.” Noah swooshed a fly from his face.
“Right. I guess she’s too busy with the hobby farm and pets.”
He shrugged. “Mom’s just lazy.”
“Noah. That’s not a nice thing to say. I’m sure as a single mother, she’d work very hard to do most of the house jobs by herself. What do you do to help?”
Noah’s face reddened. “Take out the trash. Clean my room . . . sometimes.”
“Let’s do an experiment. Tonight, I want you to do extra chores your mom usually doesn’t ask of you. Then, report back to me what her reaction was. Don’t tell her I’m in on this.” He winked. “So, what should you say if she asks why you’re so helpful?”
Noah’s eyes lit up, and he laughed. “Because I love you, Mom. She’d fall over if I said that.”
This kid. How to get through to his teenage brain? Andrew rubbed the back of his sweaty neck.
“But you do love her.” He patted Noah’s chest. “Deep down, you love her a lot. She’s your mom, and no one will ever replace her in your heart. So, when you say it, be sincere. If you help more around the house for a week, you watch how things turn around for you two. It wouldn’t surprise me if she started making cookies.”
Noah became somber and seemed to consider the words. “I like this experiment idea. I’ll start as soon as I get home.”

Lisa Renée

Lisa Renée is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Omega Writers, Australia.
Lisa adores babies enough to have seven of her own. Recently, Lisa has taken up breeding Ragdoll cats instead of breeding humans.
The tribe lives in Australia, where Lisa and her husband enjoy their writing projects and publishing ventures.

Website | Goodreads | Amazon
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

It's Time For A Giveaway!

One winner will receive an ebook of the first book in the Single Again series, More Than a Second Chance and a $10 Amazon gift card
(open internationally to those who can use one of Amazon's branches)

Ends January 20, 2021

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Sing Until You Die by Carole Brown (Interview, Guest Post, Giveaway)

1/13/2021

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From childhood up, Claire Anne Rayner has despised the man who’s like a brother and son to the rest of the Rayner House residents. But when she puts her musical training on hold and begins singing to the troops as a means of helping support and encourage them, she is pulled into a mysterious spy’s efforts to destroy a certain high-ranking man.

Wills Mason is loved by everyone but Claire who cannot forgive him for his and her sister’s unmerciful, youthful teasing. But now, grown up and serving as a civilian spy, Wills must prove that Claire is not willingly relaying messages to the enemy, as his colonel believes, even when all evidence points that way. And can he prove he’s changed and can be trusted to cherish her heart as she deserves to be loved?

Genre: Historical romantic suspense
Release Date: October 15, 2020

Click here to get your copy!

Interview with Carole

#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
An older man we knew years ago who was thought to be a secret, U.S. civilian spy during WWII gave me the idea. That man never confessed whether he indeed was a spy, but the idea bloomed and became a three book series: The Spies of WWII.

Book One (With Music in Their Hearts) introduced the first spy and oldest red-haired daughter.
Book Two (A Flute in the Willows) introduces red-headed sister two and her husband spy who serves both in Germany and then at home. Last...
Book Three (Sing Until You Die) concludes this series with the youngest red-headed sister and the spy she both despises and loves.

#2. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
I've loved mysteries and suspenseful books since a child. I grew up reading so many of the popular mystery books and bought them for my boys (who read before they went to school). As I grew older, I figured I'd be a detective, but I soon learned writing the mysteries and suspense was even better. Throwing in touches of romance sealed the deal.
I'd found my true calling: writing.

#3. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
Forgiveness. The female protagonist, Claire Anne Rayner, just can not forgive the man who was like a brother and son to everyone in her family...except her. His teasing, along with her middle sister's, was the bane of her life. It was only when they were entangled in the spy search that things change, and Claire realizes that people aren't always who we thought they were. Hearts change. And forgiveness is the only way for self happiness.

#4. How did you name your characters?
Lol. You'll be the first to read this confession. I've always loved England's Prince William's nickname that his mother called him: Wills. That was a given for my male protagonist, and I knew it from the first book on. Claire Anne's name just seemed to click. I loved the name Claire, and Anne spelled with an E fit the first name just fine. I imagined a young girl who was spoiled, talented and who knew her own mind. One who had something to learn, who yearned to matter and make a difference.

#5. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
Psalm 91 is one of my favorites. I love how God will shelter us and protect us from the fiery darts of our enemy. I love that he is our protection, that he guides us and will always show us the way to go, the path to choose, and has the answers to our problems and questions.
He is our best friend, one who understands far better than anyone when we our troubled, concerned or anxious. He corrects us when we need it (because we are his children!) and lovingly forgives when we err. We can trust him because he does what he says, we can lean on Him because no one is mightier than he, we can believe Him because his word is true and he never lies.

More from Carole

A Grip on the Story by Carole Brown

Unlike books one and two of The Spies of WWII series (With Music in Their Hearts and A Flute in the Willows), I couldn’t get a handle on where to go with Claire Anne Rayner and Wills Mason’s story in Sing Until You Die. I knew their names, knew their careers, but the plot evaded me until it was time to write the novel. And then…

Slowly the plot opened up:

How Claire was using her career
What was being asked of Wills by his colonel
The conflict between the two main protagonists
The protagonists’ personalities
Who the spy was
Why revenge was being sought by the foreign spy

The more I wrote, the more I loved these two faulty, but loveable characters. Were they perfect? No. Were they determined to do what they felt was their duty, what they knew was their calling? Yes and yes.

Claire, as a child and teenager, faced thoughtless and sometimes cruel teasings because of over zealousness from certain family and friends. In her youthful mind, she felt loathing for those hurting her and knew she’d never forgive those involved.

Wills, on the other hand, as a youth, was bound to prove he was one better than his best friend. Nothing was too dangerous or too extreme for him to try. No matter how others might feel…

Yet, through loving family and friends, these two grew into adulthood as caring, serious, and individuals determined to succeed in their separate pursuits. The only thing they needed to do was ask for forgiveness and forgive. Could they lay aside their accusations for each other and do it? Would they realize that past feelings and thoughts about the other might just be wrong?

I worked hard at showing the slow and sometimes painful process of their achieving that. But tying in the insidious spy, thrust these two adorable, but different, characters into each others’ lives. That brings about the question:

Will the web of deceit the mysterious German spy is weaving destroy their one chance of happiness
with each other, or can they both let go of the past and work together to bring the spy to justice?

Carole Brown

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Carole is giving away the grand prize package of
a music-themed tote bag a 4-piece set of bird/flower coasters,
a $25 Amazon gift card, and a signed copy of Sing Until You Die!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://promosimple.com/ps/1052f/sing-until-you-die-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 4
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, January 5 (Author Interview)
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 5
deb’s Book Review, January 6
Inklings and notions, January 7
Betti Mace, January 8
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 9
Texas Book-aholic, January 10
For Him and My Family, January 11
Connie’s History Classroom, January 12
Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 13 (Author Interview)
Sara Jane Jacobs, January 13
Artistic Nobody, January 14 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 15
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 16
Pause for Tales, January 17

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - In His Presence by Dr. E.W. Kenyon (Giveaway)

1/10/2021

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Here, at last, is a real solution to the prayer problem!

In His Presence by E. W. Kenyon is not about who others were and what they did in prayer, but about who we are and what we can do in prayer. It lifts the curtain to the Holy of Holies and reveals our ability to enter in and stand before the presence of God.

In this book, you will discover that God’s ability is available to every one of His children. You will be challenged to climb the heights and sound the depths of tremendous spiritual realities, including the authority of the name of Jesus and how to use it.

In His Presence has been a challenge and blessing to countless multitudes all over the world. It removes the mist surrounding the prayer life, leading us out of spiritual mysticism into the true light of life.

This is your invitation to open the door…enter…and stand in the Father’s presence!

Genre: RELIGION / Christian Living/Prayer
Release Date: December 11, 2020

Click here to get your copy!

More from Whitaker House

In His Presence by EW Kenyon is not written about what others were and did, but about what we are and can do! It is a lifting of the curtain and a revealing of the holy of holies and our ability to enter it and stand in the presence of the Father. In His Presence is a discovery of the fact that God’s ability is available to every child of God. This is your invitation to open the door…enter…and stand in His presence, in the presence of the Father!

Dr. E. W. Kenyon

Dr. E. W. Kenyon (1867–1948) was born in Saratoga County, New York. At age nineteen, he preached his first sermon. He pastored several churches in New England and founded the Bethel Bible Institute in Spencer, Massachusetts. (The school later became the Providence Bible Institute when it was relocated to Providence, Rhode Island.) Kenyon served as an evangelist for over twenty years. In 1931, he became a pioneer in Christian radio on the Pacific Coast with his show Kenyon’s Church of the Air, where he earned the moniker “The Faith Builder.” He also began the New Covenant Baptist Church in Seattle. In addition to his pastoral and radio ministries, Kenyon wrote extensively. Among his books are The Blood Covenant, In His Presence, Jesus the Healer, New Creation Realities, and Two Kinds of Righteousness.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate their tour, Whitaker House is giving away the grand prize package of
a $20 Starbucks gift card and a copy of the book!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://promosimple.com/ps/10533/in-his-presence-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 7
Texas Book-aholic, January 8
Inklings and notions, January 9
Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 10
deb’s Book Review, January 10
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 11
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 12
Artistic Nobody, January 13
For the Love of Literature, January 14
Ashley’s Bookshelf, January 15
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 16
Sara Jane Jacobs, January 17
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 18
Vicky Sluiter, January 19
Mary Hake, January 19
For Him and My Family, January 20

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Just Read Tours - Texas Witness Threat by Cate Nolan (Review & Giveaway)

1/6/2021

4 Comments

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Texas Witness Threat by Cate Nolan,
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

She saw something she shouldn’t have...

Assistant US Attorney Christine Davis is positive she witnessed a murder, but with no body, the police aren’t convinced. Now someone wants her dead, and Texas Ranger Blake Larsen is the only one who believes her. For Blake, protecting Christine must stay more important than their growing feelings for each other. But can he keep her safe from an unknown enemy who wants her silenced?

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: January 1, 2021
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

My Review

Only one man believes her story...

What would you do if no one believed you, even those closest to you? That's a really good question, one I found myself pondering as I read Texas Witness Threat. Somehow I doubt I would be half as generous as Christine is in the book! At any rate, I found that plot decision made by author Cate Nolan to be different and quite interesting. I'm so used to Assistant US Attorneys being believed in fiction...

Texas Witness Threat was another edge-of-your-seat Love Inspired Suspense and I quite enjoyed it. Not a bad choice for my first read of 2021! The settings were great, starting in a creepy empty building during a thunderstorm and winding up on a Texas ranch, with some pretty interesting stops along the way. And I'll give you a hint, the cover really matches part of the story!

If you are looking for a fairly short, easy, but romantic and suspenseful read, you won't go wrong in choosing Cate Nolan's latest from Love Inspired Suspense. It's a pretty good one!

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Texas Witness Threat by Cate Nolan a 4 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Cate Nolan

Cate Nolan lives in New York City, but she escapes to the ocean any chance she gets. Cate loves to leave her real-life behind and play with the characters in her imagination. She's got that suspense writer gene that sees danger and a story in everyday occurrences. She particularly loves to write stories of faith enabling ordinary people to overcome extraordinary danger.

CONNECT WITH CATE:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

It's Time For A Giveaway!

(1) winner will receive a Texas Witness Threat and
Christmas in Hiding (print or ebooks, winner's choice)!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight January 5, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 12, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
 Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

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WORD Wednesday - January 6th, 2021

1/6/2021

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2020 Favorite Books (Giveaway)

1/4/2021

17 Comments

Please note: If you are using a mobile device this post will appear quite long and you will need to scroll down.

Favorite Books From 2020

Here is a list of Tell Tale Book Reviews' favorite books read and reviewed in 2020.
You can find all of these reviews and many more by visiting our Book Review List page

2020 Reviews

Top 20 Print Christian Fiction Books

Honorable Mention
The Raven by Mike Nappa
The Major's Daughter by Regina Jennings
One Final Breath by Lynn H. Blackburn

Secular Fiction

May contain elements of faith but are not strictly 'Christian' fiction

Top 10 Love Inspired Books

Honorable Mention
Her Cowboy Till Christmas by Jill Kemerer
Amish Country Kidnapping by Mary Alford
Wilderness Sabotage by Heather Woodhaven

Top 10 E-Books

Dangerous Deceptions

Honorable Mention
Reviving The Commander by Nadine C. Keels

Top 10 Fiction Audiobooks

Christian & Clean Reads

Top Dramatized Audiobooks

Honorable Mention
The Sacrifice by Karin Kaufman
A Glazed Finish by Eryn Scott
Love In Lead by Kari Trumbo

Top 10 YA Books

Christian & Clean Reads

Honorable Mention
Fated by Kaylin Lee
The Secret Of The Wooden Lady by Carolyn Keene
A Curse Of Gems by Brittany Fichter

Top 5 Non-Fiction Books

Christian and Secular

It's Time For A Giveaway!

Historical Duo

Contemporary Duo

I'm giving away winner's choice of the Historical Duo or the Contemporary Duo
Both sets contain Print copies.
USA ONLY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We are excited to start reading and reviewing in the
new year and hope you will be joining us for...

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2020 Reading Year In Review

1/2/2021

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Reading Year In Review

Goodreads Reading Challenge
Goal: 75 books
Started: January 1st
Completed: April 24th

« First Book Completed

Last Book Completed »

Fiction: 285* Non-Fiction: 8 Other: 0
Print Books: 109 E-Books: 74* Audiobooks: 110

25 pages

« Shortest Book

Longest Book »

494 pages

Total Number of Books Read: 293*
Total Pages Read: 63,039**
Percentage Of Challenge Completed: 391%

* Read a boxed set that contained 8 individual e-books.
** Number of pages read is according to Goodreads. Audiobooks etc. do not appear in the final page count.

Review Stats

Total Number of Reviews: 225

Fiction: 223 Non-Fiction: 2
Print Books: 85 E-Books: 52*+ Audiobooks: 88
CDs: 0 Movies: 0 Other: 0

* Indicates there may have been more than one book in a single review.
+Read a boxed set that contained 8 individual (e-)books.

« First Review

Last Review »

for sticking with us in 2020!

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Happy New Year!

1/1/2021

0 Comments

We just want to take the time to say Thank You for your love and support in 2020.
We sincerely hope you will join us for more reviews, interviews, and giveaways in the coming year.

May there always be work, for your hands to do,
may your purse always hold a coin or two,
may the sun always shine on your windowpane,
may a rainbow be certain to follow each rain,
may the hand of a friend always be near you,
may God fill your heart with gladness, to cheer you.

from

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First Line Friday - January 22nd, 2021

Buy

Throwback Thursday - January 14th, 2021 (slightly late)

My Thoughts

Prism Book Tour - Acres Of Promise by Lisa Renee (Excerpt & Giveaway)

Excerpt from Acres Of Promise

It's Time For A Giveaway!

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Sing Until You Die by Carole Brown (Interview, Guest Post, Giveaway)

Interview with Carole

More from Carole

It's Time For A Giveaway!

Blog Stops

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - In His Presence by Dr. E.W. Kenyon (Giveaway)

More from Whitaker House

It's Time For A Giveaway!

Blog Stops

Just Read Tours - Texas Witness Threat by Cate Nolan (Review & Giveaway)

It's Time For A Giveaway!

WORD Wednesday - January 6th, 2021

2020 Favorite Books (Giveaway)

Favorite Books From 2020

Top 20 Print Christian Fiction Books

Secular Fiction

Top 10 Love Inspired Books

Top 10 E-Books

Top 10 Fiction Audiobooks

Top Dramatized Audiobooks

Top 10 YA Books

Top 5 Non-Fiction Books

It's Time For A Giveaway!

2020 Reading Year In Review

Reading Year In Review

Happy New Year!

May there always be work, for your hands to do,
may your purse always hold a coin or two,
may the sun always shine on your windowpane,
may a rainbow be certain to follow each rain,
may the hand of a friend always be near you,
may God fill your heart with gladness, to cheer you.

Author

Follow Us

Jasmine's bookshelf: Currently Reading

2021 Reading Challenge

Archives

Categories

Buy

​​My Thoughts

Excerpt from Acres Of Promise

It's Time For A Giveaway!

Interview with Carole

More from Carole

It's Time For A Giveaway!

Blog Stops

More from Whitaker House

It's Time For A Giveaway!

Blog Stops

It's Time For A Giveaway!

Favorite Books From 2020

Top 20 Print Christian Fiction Books

​Secular Fiction

Top 10 Love Inspired Books

Top 10 E-Books

Top 10 Fiction Audiobooks

Top Dramatized Audiobooks

Top 10 YA Books

Top 5 Non-Fiction Books

It's Time For A Giveaway!

Reading Year In Review

May there always be work, for your hands to do,may your purse always hold a coin or two,may the sun always shine on your windowpane,may a rainbow be certain to follow each rain,may the hand of a friend always be near you,may God fill your heart with gladness, to cheer you.

Author

Follow Us

Archives

Categories

My Thoughts

Secular Fiction

May there always be work, for your hands to do,
may your purse always hold a coin or two,
may the sun always shine on your windowpane,
may a rainbow be certain to follow each rain,
may the hand of a friend always be near you,
may God fill your heart with gladness, to cheer you.