A Stillness of Chimes

I just finished reading A Stillness of Chimes.  It is a Christian Fiction book.   Here is the description of the book by Amazon.com:


What if the pain of the past revealed an unknown sacrifice that changes everything?
When teacher Laura Gantt comes home to Prospect, Georgia to settle her recently-deceased mother’s household, the last thing she expects to encounter is a swirl of rumors about the father she lost to the lake twelve years ago—that he has reportedly been seen around town. Elliott Gantt’s body was never found and he was presumed dead.

Reeling from the sharp loss of a parent, Laura must now grapple with painful memories surrounding her father’s disappearance and the sense of abandonment she experienced after his death. Life-long friend and former beau Sean Halloran wants nothing more than to protect Laura from the far-fetched stories of Elliott’s resurrection and to care for her, but he has his own reasons, troubling echoes from his childhood, to put Elliott’s disappearance to rest.

Working together, Laura and Sean begin to uncover the truth, one mired in the wooded peaks and deep waters of the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding Prospect. Can they fathom how many secrets the steep hills hold? With surprising facts revealed, will Laura be able to understand the sacrificial choices made that forever changed her life? And can love and a peace with God be rekindled in her heart after so much time has passed?


Sounds good right?  Wrong.  Here is my review:


When I saw the book description for A Stillness of Chimes, it looked like a book I would read and enjoy.  However, this book was not enjoyable.  It was like trying to walk through mud.  I had a hard time getting into the book, but I persevered. 

The story is about Laura, a teacher, coming home to clear out her recently deceased mother's house.  She returns to hear rumors that her Father, who died twelve years previously, might still be alive.  There is also a best friend, best friend's little sister, and her ex-boyfriend (who wants to get rid of the ex part). If that is not enough, you have a violent man, a woman with OCD and theft issues, and an affair.  The story just does not come across as believable.  The transitions between characters and scenes are bumpy.  When I started the second chapter, I thought I had opened the wrong book.  

I really wanted to like the book, but instead it was a chore to read A stillness of Chimes.

Please note that I was provided a free copy of this book by Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.  Blogging for Books is a great site.  You get free books in exchange for your review.  If you love to read, please check them out. 


I also just finished Yarn over Murder by Maggie Sefton.  I will write a review of it soon.  Back to my chores.  Have a great weekend.


Kris

I'm Back

I am sorry that there have not been any posting for quite some time.  I have been ill and am just starting to feel more like myself.  I have Fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and a few other things.  Unfortunately for me, I am allergic to many narcotics.  I discovered this when Florida changed their narcotic laws.  I have, though, found a medication that helps, but you have to have a special doctor to prescribe it.  The medication is called Suboxone.  It is a wonderful medication.  It does not have the side-effects that you normally associate with narcotics.  Now that I can move about a little more, I am looking forward to getting back in my studio.

One thing has kept me sane during the last year and that it books!  I have got to read so many wonderful books.  I am currently reading:

Tempest in a Teapot (A Teapot Collector Mystery) by Amanda Cooper 

Here is the summary provided by Amazon.com:

Tucked away in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York is the charming town of Gracious Grove, where time moves slowly, gossip spreads quickly, and the scones are to die for…

When her fashionable Manhattan restaurant goes under, Sophie Taylor retreats to her grandmother’s cozy shop, Auntie Rose’s Victorian Teahouse, where serenity is steeped to perfection in one of her many antique teapots. The last thing Sophie expects is a bustling calendar of teahouse events, like her old friend Cissy Peterson’s upcoming bridal shower.

Not everyone is pleased with the bride-to-be’s choice of venue—like Cissy’s grandmother, who owns a competing establishment, La Belle Epoque, and has held a long-simmering grudge against Rose for stealing her beau sixty years ago. Tensions reach a boiling point when Cissy’s fiancé’s mother dies while sampling scones at La Belle Epoque. Now, to help her friend, Sophie will have to bag a killer before more of the guest list becomes a hit list…

I have just started reading the book today, but I am enjoying it.   I will let you know more when I am finished.

I just finished reading Ten Beach Road, Ocean Beach, and Christmas at the Beach by Wendy Wax.  I really enjoyed these stories.  They are about three women who lost all their money to a Ponzi scheme swindler, Malcom Dyer.  For partial restitution they received a mansion called Bella Flora in Passa-a-Grille, Florida (near St. Petersburg).  It is right on the beach, but in serious need of a renovation.  The story tell of how they get to know each other and remodel this beautiful home.  Madeline, Avery, and Nicole are the primary characters along with Kyra (Madeline's daughter) who gets pregnant by a married movie star.   The second book shows the ladies remodeling a home in Miami Beach and working on a remodeling show.  Ocean Beach was funny and delightful.  There is a very sad part at the end though.  Christmas at the Beach is a novella (meaning a very short story).  Short it is.  It is told through the viewpoint of Kyra.  Interesting viewpoint but way too short.  I am looking forward to the next book in this series, The House on Mermaid Point coming out on July 1.

I am going back to my cookie baking now and then off to read and relax.  I will be back again soon.

Happy Reading and Crafting,

Kris

Crafty Secrets August Linky Part

Hello again!  Sorry that I have not posted in quite a while, but it has been a very hectic.  I have not had a chance to work in my studio.  I hope things will start to settle down, so I can have more creative time. 

It is time for the Crafty Secrets August Linky Party!  I just love the stamps and digital products from Crafty Secrets.  They have that wonderful vintage feel.  I grew up surrounded by antiques, so it is no wonder that I love vintage!

I decided to create a tag!   I took a pretty springtime image from Crafty Secrets along with a purple sponged background paper (Hot Off The Press).  I distressed the image and then inked it with Tim Holtz Gathered Twig Distress Ink.

I took some tea-dyed twill tape and stamped "Bloom" from Paper Sweeties on it.  I then added a crocheted flower from Maya Road.  The tag was made used Tim Holtz Tag Die.

I added some pretty flower lace at the top along with a little flower.

That is my tag.  I am hoping to have more time in my studio over the next month.  Please visit Crafty Secrets. They  have a wonderful blog and store.  Have a wonderful Sunday evening and Happy Crafting!

Kris

Artistic Outpost Challenge

Artistic Outpost has a monthly referral program (challenge).  The theme is "anything goes" as long as you use stamps from Artistic Outpost. 

 

 



 I used Artistic Outpost stamp set "Keeper".  I like the fisher woman!  I love this paper that I stamped on.  It is from Recollection and reminds me of linen.

 

The ribbon is from The Pink Petal on Etsy.  She has beautiful ribbon and it smells wonderful.  Her ribbon is died to order. 

 The sentiment is from the same stamp set.  The patterned paper is from K&Company, blue cardstock from DCWV, and the dies are from Spellbinders.

 

Please take time to visit Artistic Outpost.  They have great stamp sets.  Thank you for visiting and have a wonderful Fourth of July!

 

 





Kris

Paper Sweeties Challenge #8 (Part II)

 

Paper Sweeties is having their monthly sketch challenge.  Paper Sweeties is a delightful stamp company.  It is like playing paper dolls with rubber stamps.  Cute little girls and one little boy plus lots of great clothes and accessories.  I have created two cards for this challenge.

 I turned the stripes sideways for this card.  I love these tickets.  They were the touch of whimsy that I wanted for this card.  I then added seam binding that I dyed myself.  I used different shades of silver, gray, and pewter.

 

I cut out the rectangle with a Spellbinders die and then stamped the cute Paper Sweeties sentiment.  I then added the two orange brads on the left and then took the silver metal flower (Tim Holtz) and added another brad to the center. 



If you get a chance, please go over to Paper Sweeties.  They have a new sketch challenge every month on their blog.

 

Thank you for joining me.  I hope that you have a wonderful weekend and a Happy Fourth of July!

Kris

Paper Sweeties Challenge! (Part I)

Paper Sweeties is a delightful stamp company.  They have three cute little ladies and one gent with lots of outfits.  Lots of fun to play paper dolls with rubber stamps.  This month's sketch challenge is:

I enjoyed this challenge and went outside my normal design style.  I have created two cards for this challenge (which will be in two posts to enter into the challenge).

 For the first card, I found this pretty striped paper from K&Company (Brenda Walton Mira).  I used it as the base. 

 I then added this pretty purple ribbon with the crystal drop.  This beautiful ribbon was purchased on Etsy from The Pink Petal.  All the ribbon is hand dyed for each customer and it smells wonderful.  I keep all the ribbon in a kitchen zipper bag.  When I open the bag, the wonderful smells of spices come out.







 

 I then picked two coordinating papers to layer and add the cute Paper Sweeties sentiment.  I cut out the papers with Spellbinders A2 Matting Basics B. 

Thank you for joining me for the Paper Sweeties Sketch Challenge.  Please watch for my second posting on this challenge.  Have a great weekend.

Kris



Crafty Secrets June Linky Party

It is time for the Crafty Secrets June Linky Party!  I have created a cute card using Crafty Secrets Digital Baby Girl Printable Sheet.  I thought this image was adorable and went well with the lovely pink parchment paper I had on hand. 

 I die cut the pink paper using my Spellbinders.  You definitely need to use wax paper between the die and paper when using this die.  Otherwise the paper gets stuck in the die and you end up tearing the delicate edges.

The seam binding I dyed myself with Glimmer Mist.  I then crinkled it just a little and let it dry in the sun.  I then attached this cute little crocheted flower and a pink crystal.

 Inside I used another image from the Crafty Secrets Digital Baby Girl Printable Sheet.  I used another Spellbinders die to cut out the green paper (K&Company).  The inside paper was part of the 12 x 12 sheet I used on the outside.  I liked them better separated.  I also added pink crystals to the die cut.

I like how this card turned out.  So cute!  Sorry it has been so long between posting, but I have just not been feeling well lately.  I suffer from Fibromyalgia and it has been worse lately.  I am, though, so thankful for some of the new medications on the market.  Without them, I would not even be able to create my cards.

 

I hope everyone checks out Crafty Secrets.  They have a great blog and a wonderful web site.  Lots of cute digital stamps, printables, stickers, CD's, and etc.  I just love their vintage images.  Crafty Secrets also has a contest the first week of every month with a great prize. 

 

Have a great evening and happy creating!

 

Kris