Book Review: Tugger's Down, by Tommie Lyn

When Tiffany and Olivia play with a Ouija board,

they have no idea what they're messing with.

But they soon find out, when Olivia is killed by the

demon that inhabits the board, who has been

waiting for victims. Olivia's unborn son, Tucker, is

attacked by the demon, and resists.

Now, three years later, Tucker is quickly becoming

too weak to fight the continual onslaughts of

the enemy. Especially in the emotionally starved environment he's been raised in. The only

person who loves little "Tugger" is Miss Lambert, his nanny. In an effort to save his life, he's

sent to Florida. The doctor hopes the change of weather will help his frail hold on life to gain

strength.

Lacey Cochran is a struggling college student. But her main irritation in the day-to-day is Porter

O'Brien. He not only is cocky and arrogant, but he also took the last seat in an important class,

and keeps causing accidents. But there is something about him that makes Lacey take a second

glance. And, obeying the Christian principles she has accepted for her own, she forgives him.

When Tucker meets Lacey he realizes that he's safe with her. Something about her keeps the

demon, who Tucker calls Nudger, away. And when he visits her church with her, he realizes that

he needs what she has.

But back home trouble is brewing as Tiffany and her sister, Heather look again at the cause of all

the pain. The Ouija board that belonged to their grandmother. Nudger takes over Heathers

body, killing Tiffany, and begins the quest to hunt Tugger down.

Can Lacey, Porter, and Miss Lambert keep Tugger safe? Or will he be taken by the spirit who

has been searching to take him since before he was born?

Tommie Lyn brings a small child to life in a way that will make you love him, and empathize

with his struggles. If you like supernatural thrillers, this is a book that will cause chills to race up your spine. And I have to say, it's another great book by Tommie Lyn.

Give the Lady a Ride. By Linda Yezak

When Patricia Talbert comes to Texas, she’s hoping to get in and get

out. Sell the ranch with little trouble and no strings attached.

Unfortunately for her plans, she becomes interested. Not only in the

beautiful country, but in the foreman of the ranch that used to belong

to her Uncle Jake.

Still, she’s not about to interrupt her prosperous city life where she is

the daughter of a senator, and also his social coordinator.

Besides, after finding out how many of her friends in New York are

only her friends in order to be close to her father, she’s not ready to take on any new

relationships. Especially risking her heart for the second time.

Talon Carlson was raised by Jake and thought of him as a father. His one hope now is that

Patricia might not sell the ranch.

Before long those hopes are dashed. Can he make it through the pain surrounding not only her

heart, but his?

Finally, Patricia issues a challenge to buy some time.

“Teach me how to ride bulls.”

Can they get beyond the hostility that marks the beginning of their relationship, and find trust

and love again?

Linda Yezak pulls you from your surroundings, and places you in the middle of a Texas cow

town. Where men still hold the doors open for ladies, and cowboys ride bulls. Not to test what

kind of men they are, but just for the ride.

This book kept me reading. The heroine has enough uncertainty to make you wonder if there’s

time in the book to make the decisions she’ll be forced to, and the hero has the good qualities

with the quick temper to match.

I look forward to reading more by this author from the state of Texas, who isn’t afraid to spin

new tales.

Lay It All Down: Hannah Michal

Alec Hayes thinks his life has ended since the death of the only woman he has ever loved. Finally, he has his life under control. But then he is shocked to find that his best friend, Jared Wright, has been brutally murdered.

With Jared's fiance coming in on the stage two days later, and a gang of desperate criminals on the loose, Alec is running out of time to bring the leader to the law.

Ariella, Jared's fiance, is crushed to find the man she was going to marry, is dead. Determined to find out what is going on, Ariella heads out to Jared's cabin. The scene of his horrific death.

Unconsciously following close on her heels, the leader of the gang is trying to discover how to deal with the situation he's found himself in.

Can Alec find a way to save Ariella before the trap closes on her? Does the US Marshall, Oscar Lewis have anything to do with Ariella's future happiness? And can Alec discover the Life and learn to love again?

Set in the mountains of Georgetown, Colorado, this book is a great children's book. Especially for anyone who loves the west, and the men and women who peopled it.

I look forward to seeing more books coming from this author.

Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates: Mary Mapes Dodge

This is a summary I did years ago. My best that I've found.

Set in Holland, this story has a lot of history. It is the story of two children, their mother, their father, their friends, and their self appointed enemies. It is the story of an idiot father, a watch, a missing thousand guilders, and...Some silver skates.

Hans asked the greatest doctor or meester in Holland to look at his father. Can he be cured? Can the watch be returned to it's missing owner? Will the thousand guilders ever be restored? and...Is there any chance to win the silver skates?

On Berryhill Road. By Tommie Lyn

When James McKniere, or "Handy" as he was called; is found dead with a gun in his hands on the property he was planning to buy for his family, and a suicide note on his typewriter, explaining that he stole from the Navy,
his wife, Rachel, is dishonorably discharged by the Navy, and her and her daughter, Fallon, are shunned by friends, and acquaintances alike.

Fallon grows up under the cloud of shame brought on by what is thought to have been her fathers actions.

Rachel retreats within herself in an effort to protect her sensitive spirit from the cruel remarks and uncaring attitudes. Finally, it gets to the point when she is no longer able to keep a job, and withdraws till she no longer leaves the trailer which has become their home.

When Fallon is able to get a job at a Gas and Grocery convenience store, she thinks she has the ability to better their circumstances. But she doesn't foresee the changes that inevitably occur when she meets Donovan Pfar, a Petty Officer in the Navy; who is stationed at Whiting Field.

Meanwhile, the two men responsible, not only for James death, but also for stealing the money that he was blamed for taking, are at odds. Joseph Lipstien, the man with the brains, is dying. In an effort to assuage his conscience for agreeing to take James life, he sets up a trust fund for Fallon. Thornton Cordell, is losing his touch as a fighter pilot, and is finally sent to shore, knowing he will never fly another fighter jet. But he knows that if Joseph accomplishes his plan, Thornton will be left to be caught and sentenced. Not only for stealing, but for murder.

Can Fallon and Rachel live past the regret and shame that Handy's death brought to them? Can Donovan persuade Fallon he cares, rather than just pities her position? And can Fallon escape the trap Thornton is closing around her to try to bring closure to his tortured conscience?

Tommie Lyn gives us the emotions of the characters in this book, showing the pain; and the joy of death, life, and love.

Miraculous happenings

So, I've been promising this one for a while. This last week was spent partly in Palisade picking, sorting, and packing peaches; and partly in Montrose haying and canning peaches. But while we were in Palisade, the most amazing thing happened.



I was standing at the back of the peach trailor, sorting peaches, and trying to survive the hot sun. If any of you are from the deep south you're probably laughing at me now. Yes, it was only about ninety five degrees with not too high humidity. But I'm used to the high mountain breezes, and the temperature being around eighty degrees.



Anyway, I was standing there, trying not to pass out when I heard a commotion behind me. My uncle Dan and my sister, Hannah, were picking peaches back there, and I turned around just as a dove flew out of the tree they were picking. Pretty soon Hannah called for me to come over. So I did, and saw a little nest with two tiny ugly little doves in it. That was a shocker! I've only seen killdeer nests up close.



So, we got back to work, and let the doves alone in peace. Hannah and Dan had moved further along the row, and maybe onto another one, when Hannah started hearing a tiny little humming noise every time she picked a peach. Finally she realized it was coming from the tree, so she started looking, and she found a tiny little hummingbird nest. It had one baby in it, and it kept humming in a high pitched tone for it's mother. It was hungry, and we left it alone after a couple minutes. But those sights stayed with me all day. How rare is it to see a hummingbird nest with a little baby in it? I had a wonderful trip, but I'm glad to be back home for a few days.

Stories of Mexico

In 2008 I went on a trip that changed my life. Deep into the heart of Chihuahua State, Mexico. After you get through the border, you have to travel around 4 hours to get to Chihuahua city. From there, you go to Cuatemoc, and from there further into the depths of the Copper Canyon, The largest canyon in Mexico. We finally got to Sante Isobel (the town after Cuatemoc) around 2:00 in the afternoon. We decided to stop for the ice cream bars we'd heard so much about. Having three vans filled mostly with teenagers, doesn't make things go very fast. It took us about fifteen or thirty minutes to get everyone back in the vans with ice cream bars. Going on our way, we made it to the next town in around an hour and a half, from what I remember. We had barely crossed into city limits, when we saw members of the police and Mexican army standing along the street. We wondered what was going on, especially since they all had bandanas across their faces, masking their identity. Driving slowly along, we passed a car with a dead man in it. A shot had ended his life quickly enough. then we passed three people trying to perform CPR on another man laying out on the road. A bit further there was a dog lying by the side of the road, all shot up. When we got to the next town, we found out there had been a fight between the two Mexican Drug Cartels. We had missed it. But by how much? And how did we ever even think to stop and have ice cream instead of going straight through? How close did we come to being in the middle of the whole battle? Having God on your side is worth it! Take my word for it!