Please join Kate and Sheila as they discuss parts 2 & 3 of Victor Hugo’s unforgettable tale of woe, Les Misérables. Today we meet the young girl, Cosette, who was left with the cruel innkeepers. The Thenardiers have taken money from Cosette’s young mother under false pretenses. They make Cosette work tirelessly, and use money sent from her mother for themselves. 

Jean Valjean is at last free to rescue Fantine’s daughter as he promised. Cosette was a “fly trembling in a spider’s web”. The Bible tells us in Exodus 22:23, “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do, they will cry out to Me, I will certainly hear their cry.” Cosette does just that, after her prayer the paths of Jean Valjean and Cosette meet and the poor waif is removed from the sinister selfish family at last!

“The bishop had taught him (Jean Valjean) the meaning of virtue; Cosette had now taught him the meaning of love.” Life was briefly sweet for the pair, as a devoted grandfather with his grateful granddaughter, until the detective, Javert, relentlessly tracked them down. Danger popped their new found joy like a pin in a balloon. How will they escape this unmerciful fame-seeking man? 

Next, we meet Marius, whose grandfather raised him until he disinherited him. “The rigors of his present life gratified and pleased him.” Time has passed and the despicable Thenardiers end up as Marius’ next door neighbors. The showdown between the grafters along with their thugs-for-hire, kind-hearted Jean Valjean, and the unstoppable detective is viewed by an anything but calm Marius through a peephole in the wall connecting the rooms! 

Hugo challenges his readers, of yesterday and today, by addressing topics that many would   rather sweep under the rug than be exposed for all to see. Are you ready to jump into the fray? 

Rock Paper Scissors is a mystery with a thriller twist by Alice Feeney, whose trademark as a writer might be having untrustworthy narrators tell the tale. Readers meet Adam Wright, a playwright who suffers from face blindness, and his wife, Amelia, who won a trip from work to a getaway in Scotland. The accommodations are far from five star! Creepy, dark, and cold describes the out of the way location. The Wrights would have left, but a snow storm hits and the couple is forced to stay.

Something is wrong with Mr. and Mrs. Wright’s marriage and Amelia had hoped this trip might put things on the right track. The novel has an Alfred Hitchcock vibe! Eerie things happen rather quickly. A face was seen in the window, the lights went out while Amelia was in the wine cellar causing her to have an asthma attack, the bedroom is decorated just like their bedroom at home, even their dog was acting strange!

Favorite quotes are more challenging with an audio, but here’s a few favorites:

“Believing in someone is one of the greatest gifts you can give them, it’s free and the results are priceless.”

“Patience is the answer to so many of life’s questions.”

”If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one.”

Do you like suspenseful books that tell the story from different points of view? Join Kate and Sheila as they discuss this great audio without giving anything away, which is tough to do!

Happy reading dear listeners!

Joyous Leadership is an authentic, memorable, life changing read. It is chalked full of nuggets, insight and wisdom that will help you live your best life. In this episode we were able to interview author John Mark Watson. He was as delightful and engaging to talk to as his book was to read.  

In this conversation, Mark Watson discusses his journey of writing 'Joyous Leadership,' inspired by the challenges of COVID. He emphasizes the importance of strategic planning, vulnerability, and finding joy in challenges. The discussion also highlights the significance of community, kindness, and the mindset needed to embrace growth opportunities. Mark shares personal anecdotes and insights that resonate with listeners, encouraging them to take steps towards their goals and to appreciate the process of growth.

Check out the links below to connect with Mark and order his book. 

https://johnmarkwatson.com/ 

Order the book

https://a.co/d/7NPnEvU

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/johnmarkwatson/?hl=en

Kate and Sheila introduce part 1 of  Les Misérables a.k.a. ‘The Brick’ by Victor Hugo.

These episodes are dedicated to our dear friend, Matt Green, who passed from this life in 2024. His love for this story inspired us to tackle the Brick, thank you Matt!

The Bishop is the first character we meet. He inspired us greatly with words such as…

“I was not put in this world to protect lives but to save souls.”

“We must never fear robbers and murderers. They are dangers from outside, small dangers. It is ourselves we have to fear. Prejudice is the real robber and vice the real murderer.”

His message to Jean Valjean touched his heart and changed the trajectory of his life!

“...my brother, you no longer belong to what is evil but to what is good. I have bought your soul to save it from black thoughts and the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God.”

Jean Valjean was imprisoned for breaking a shop window in his attempt to steal bread to feed his sister’s family. He was sentenced to serve 5 years, however after 4 escape attempts his sentence was increased by 14 years!

Are you ready to challenge yourself far beyond your life as a reader to the depth of your compassion as a  person? Published in 1862, this classic helps us to discover what is true! 

Please join us as we recap Joe Beam’s book, Seeing the Unseen (Preparing Yourself for Spiritual Warfare). The dedication reads, “For my wife, Alice, If it had not been for her unquenchable love, I surely would have lost my spiritual war.”

Satan’s strategies haven’t changed because they are still effective. First, he distorts the truth, next comes a hardening of the heart, then sensitivity is lost followed by an immersion in sensuality and finally spiritual destruction. His game plan worked with Adam and Eve and sadly it is still successful today.

Destruction comes to those who don’t love Truth. Christians aren’t immune, however, God hasn’t left us defenseless against evil. The vantage is ours but we must choose to use it:

Spiritual Vision = Discernment + Bible Knowledge

“Humans didn’t invent evil and we will never eradicate it. Knowing there is a devil deceiving people into sin arms me for a successful fight.”

Helpful questions to ask ourselves:

• Who benefits, God or satan?

• Who would be pleased, God or satan?

• Which people in my life encourage me spiritually or worldly?

Just as gold is refined, so is our faith. Through trials, pain, and loss we must learn to trust God on this journey and not give the devil a foothold. Remember what he used to get to Job, evil people, natural disasters, boils, and even good people. He uses the same on us. “We don’t have enough strength to face life when things get bad. Fortunately, God does. By His Spirit and by His power, He places His strength in our hearts.”

“We cannot live like the enemy and continue in the ranks of the righteous. It is a war of commitment. The one we surrender to becomes our master.” (2Pet. 2:19)

Connects with the Native American adage:“Two natures beat within my breast, one is cursed, one is blest, One I love, one I hate, The one I feed will dominate.”

Are you ready to see the unseen? As Kate says, “Let’s dive in!”

You can listen to Joe Beam and his daughter on the podcast Relationship Radio…Marriage Helper found on Apple podcast.

Please join Kate and Sheila as they recap the second book in their chronological reading of the Bible this year. Genesis is such an amazing book, keeping readers in awe of God from creation to Joseph in Egypt! 

God has a plan, yet when man loses focus and strays (as we tend to do) God is not derailed. He is patient, loving, just and forgiving throughout the valleys and mountaintops of faithlessness and faithfulness. From the Fall to the flood to famines God leads His people onward and upward. 

Stories stick and facts fade, these timeless treasures guide readers in discovering how  tumultuous times develop faith which leads to growth as God guides His people ever forward!

In our quest to read the best, the Bible is the pinnacle book! Grab a cup of coffee/tea and tune in as we discuss the wonders to be found in the book of Genesis!

Do you and your kids enjoy WW 2 books? If so, you are in luck! Join us as we discuss The Bicycle Spy by Yona Zekdus McDonough with our special guest! 

The opening line draws the reader in…“A gust of wind cut across Marcel’s face as he cycled furiously down the street.”

Twelve year old Marcel dreams of someday competing in the Tour de France as he races through the streets of France making bread deliveries for his parents’ bakery. Soldiers have been everywhere since Germany’s occupation of France two years ago. They interrupt Marcel's deliveries with checkpoints and questioning making for some tension that makes this book hard to put down!

Marcel discovers two secrets. His parents are part of the Resistance and his friend’s family is in grave danger! Marcel wants to help! A risky ride passing important information where the unexpected happens keeps our brave fast thinker pedaling quickly!

 “Escape? Where?” The hair on the back of Marcel’s neck began to prickle and he knew it wasn’t just from the crisp, cold air.” What a riveting read!

 Please join us as we recap this exciting and suspenseful book for middle grade readers! If you like gritty characters that keep going no matter what, this book’s for you!

“All of life is a battle against fear. We fight it on one front, and it sneaks around to our flank.”

S.D. Smith’s book, The Green Ember, wonderfully weaves a tale of adventure, family, friendship, betrayal and conquering fear. We meet Picket Longtreader and his sister, Heather, as they are forced to go on the run after they return home to find it on fire and their parents and baby brother missing.

A wolf attack forces Heather and Picket into a cave. Thankfully in the nick of time, they are rescued by their uncle and a rabbit named Smalls who take them to Cloud Mountain.

All the rabbits are working together to fight against evil forces that are trying to overtake them. Their beloved King Jupiter had been betrayed by someone in the Longtreader family so Heather and Picket do not have the red carpet rolled out for them if you know what I mean. Emma was not like the other rabbits, she was helpful and kind to the newcomers.

Helmer is a big brute of a rabbit who keeps to himself. Picket wants Helmer to train him to be a fighter. Helmer calls him Ladybug.  The training is tough when “Everything is a weapon.” 

Will the rabbit community be strong enough to get peace from their enemies? 

“You can choose what you believe, Shuffler (Picket’s other nickname), but you can’t choose what’s true.”

Yes, dear listeners, “Healing is on the horizon, but fire comes first. Bear the flame.” Are you ready to meet these endearing characters and join the journey?

In this episode of the Recap Book Chat, Kate and Sheila dive into Rachel Norman's book 'If Mama Ain't Happy,' discussing the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and the role of authenticity in relationships. They explore the difference between treating oneself and genuinely taking care of one's needs, emphasizing that self-care is essential for overall well-being. The conversation also touches on the significance of routine and planning in family life, and how clear communication can foster healthier relationships. The episode concludes with key takeaways and practical advice for listeners.

Kate recaps Rachel Norman’s book, If Mama Ain’t Happy which stresses the need we all have of setting healthy boundaries. Rachel’s wake up call came when her cancer doctor told her that she couldn’t keep doing what she was doing and survive.

“Simplifying makes life less stressful.” Join us as Kate highlights some of the high points of this remarkable book that will benefit anyone trying to ‘white knuckle it through life’. 

This quote resonated with me, “We can decide how far we want to push ourselves, but that doesn’t change when we’ll give out.”

Do you stuff things in your emotional basement? It is what we do when we shove our feelings and emotions down. Sooner or later (and usually at the most inopportune time) they erupt and come out like overfilling a gas tank.

This book will change the self-care mindset. Self-care actually needs to be done first. We can’t pour from an empty cup. Treating ourselves is not the equivalent of taking care of ourselves. Self-care is a way of preparing ourselves to be our best self. Have you ever thought about self-care as an act of worship? Would our abundant God want us running on empty?

“Being authentic attracts others.” Isn’t this quote so true! “It’s better to be honest about your capacity than to over promise and underdeliver.”

Why not pick up a copy of this little jewel to get some help with setting beneficial boundaries and keeping them? Let’s thrive in 2025!  Do you agree with the author about happiness being a natural byproduct of wise living? Dive into this recap as we continue our quest to read the best! Blessings to you dear listeners!