grew up in the rural south aka the buckle on the bible belt. In the county I grew up in their were 18,000 people and 126 churches all of which were conservative and evangelical in nature and because of this I have tended not to read christian fiction but this book was very different and so applicable to my walk of faith and where I am right now.It makes you take a look at yourself and your walk of faith without being preachy . I loved this book and give it 5***** stars. It will make you cry.

This is the books description from Amazon.{A man with a painful past. A child with a doubtful future. And a shared journey toward healing for both their hearts.It begins on the shaded town square in a sleepy Southern town. A spirited seven-year-old has a brisk business at her lemonade stand. Her latest customer, a bearded stranger, drains his cup and heads to his car, his mind on a boat he's restoring at a nearby lake. But the little girl's pretty yellow dress can't quite hide the ugly scar on her chest. The stranger understands more about it than he wants to admit. And the beat-up bread truck careening around the corner with its radio blaring is about to change the trajectory of both their lives.}Before it's over, they'll both know there are painful reasons why crickets cry...and that miracles lurk around unexpected corners.
The story is about a little girl who needs a heart transplant and the man who can save her who is emotionally wounded from his own losses in life. Reese the main character is who I see myself as because for the past several years I just can't seem to find my way back to the deep faith I had before I lost both my parents and the only hope I had of being a mom. I think the baby that I lost was what made me drift further away from my faith than anything because throughout my life I had always wanted to be a mom. I still am Seeking and Searching the corners of my heart to see if I can find my way back to the hope and faith I once I had.I hope that I can find a new heart during my search.
It seems for the past several months I have been in the valley but now I seem to be climbing my way out. I know that it is in the muck and mire of my life so far where I have learned the life lessons I needed to learn so it isn't all bad there.
I encourage you to read this book When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin.

"The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself."— Henry Miller

Southern Reading Challenge

I have decided to join Maggie at Maggie Reads for the above reading challenge.This challenge appeals to me because I am most definitely southern. I lived there for 42 of my 44 years and it is part and parcel of who Iam and always will be so the southern novels transport me to my other home.
I love Oregon and do not regret moving here but the south will always be a part of me and who I am it formed my character and soul and will always be in the way I speak.I am asked a lot at work what I miss the most about the south and my answer is this I miss the food and thunderstorms and lightning bugs . I most definitely don't miss the heat and humidity though.

Here is my list of books:

Between Georgia-Joshilyn Jackson

To Kill A Mockingbird-Harper Lee

Garden Spells-Sarah Addison Allen

The Mercy of Thin Air-Ronlyn Domingue

Delta Wedding-Eudora Welty

Maggie is also having a contest to name the place where you live at.I would call here in Oregon's Wilhamette Valley where I live Mossbound.The trees,houses and anything that is stationary for any link of time grows moss so much so that ferns will grow out of tree limbs when the moss is on the limb.

I am going to participate in this challenge and here are the books I have decided to read.

1.Three Cups of Tea-Greg Mortenson-It is about an American who starts schools for girls in Pakistan and Afganistan.

2.The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson-A true crime drama that happened in the early part of the 20th century at the Chicago Worlds Fair.

3. The Worst Hard Time-I don't know the author but it is about the Great Depression specifically the Dust Bowl Years.

4.Carol Burnett's Autobiography

5.Death in a Prairie House-The Murder of Mamah Chaney at Frank Lloyd Wright's House.

Loving Frank

I just finished this book Loving Frank. I liked it in the first and got sort of bogged down in the middle but kept on reading and the end for me was unexpected as I didn't know the history behind this man and the tragedy that occurred.
I truly loved this book and would give it **** 4 of 5 stars. I highly recommend it to anyone.
I learned a lot about the history of Frank Lloyd Wright and his views toward architecture and the views toward women at the early part of the 20th century.
I found Mamah to be an intriguing and complex character that I alternately liked and disliked at times in this book.
I recommend if you chose to read this book to go to the author Nancy Horan's web site Loving Frank.She has pictures of the area and the characters in this book.

Reading Now

I haven't posted here in awhile but books are never far from my mind or my heart. It anyone wants to discuss either Promise Not to Tell or The Vanishing Acts of Esme Lennox or Mermaids in the Basement let me know. I would love to discuss them if anyone wishes to.

I will be the first one to admitt that I am a bookie in that I love all type of books but I am not a Book Snob. I know there are some book bloggers who would dare not stoop to read any of the above titles but that's not me . I am an avid reader of Cozy Mysteries and Beware of False Profits delivered. It takes you to a small Ohio town and you come to like the characters and the town.I think you would enjoy any books by this author. The second book is by Phillip Gully and is A Change of Heart it is a series much like Jan Karon's books where you come to love the community and its quirks and want to revisit often and wish you lived there.The last book is Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson it is a true southern read about the characters that populate my homeland and it is just a fun easy read. I think you would enjoy any of these.

What are your reading now? I would love some or your suggestions on books to read.

Mermaids in the Basement

I really liked this book. It is a fast, fun southern read that just makes you feel good when you are done.
It made me think of grits, sweet tea and warm Gulf Coast breezes. She captures the feel of the Gulf Coast so well.
It is just a light enjoyable read.

Promise Not To Tell

On my Rating Scale this was a ***** 5 Star book. I didn't know it I would like it or not but I really enjoyed it a lot.

The author takes a situation which we have all experienced unless we were the popular kid at school and crafted a fast paced, keep you guessing till the end novel.It depicts life in small towns very accurately showing that even if you grow up and leave people still see you as they see your family in the context of that community.

It is also a ghost story of sorts.I really liked this quirky little novel and would recommend it to anyone.