Bøker av Mary Antcliff

'Mama's Diner in the Village of NewTown' is its name, but no one calls it by its name. It will be either referred to as 'Mama's Diner' or just 'Mama's'. Mama says her days are as predictable as the sun and the moon, following the same pattern day after day; however she is not actually tied to the diner. She created a twice weekly event for twelve abused kids so they can participate in fun and games, running and fresh air, and FOOD! Fed meagerly at best in their foster homes, withholding food is often the foster mom's punishment of choice, so these kids are always hungry! Mama also leads a weekly cooking class, although she has someone capable of taking over the leadership, and might bow out. Soon. The characters who visit the diner often become fodder for the stories in this book, many varied lives and scenarios, perhaps one could even fall in love. Mama's heart was drawn to one of the abused children in particular, becoming Bella's guardian. Bella is one of those 'Ain't Life Grand' kids, bringing much energy, animation, and delight into Mama's life. You will love Bella. Everyone does. You will also love Mama's biscuits. Everyone does.

Travis spent much of his life waiting for something. Waiting to get away from his fighting parents, waiting to finish college with a degree he didn't want, waiting to start his own business, waiting to be in control of his own life, waiting to buy his fixer-upper, waiting for his business to grow, waiting to get away from an aggressive older woman, waiting for Joy to come home from her tour, waiting for Ben to come out of his coma, waiting to get married, waiting to become a daddy. How could the name of this book be anything other than "While I Waited" Read about Joy, Ben, Kathy, Patti, Becca, and Ed. Get lost in the wonder of Honeymoon Island with it's spectacular views and the best Chef ever, Micah. Woven around his personal life, Travis has also given us many great remodling ideas.

By turning left instead of going straight, Emmy's life changed. Following an uncharted path, Emmy turns into a drive facing a magnificent wreck of a huge stone house. Dilapidated as it is, covered with overgrowth, and falling apart, she determines it will be restored; whether for herself as her new home, or simply to save it from further disrepair. As Emmy, a widow, navigates her new life in a very small village, she is determined to use the spaciousness of the property to the benefit and enjoyment of the close-knit community. She is happy alone, but is being drawn to a closer relationship with two different men.

From the beginning, the reader is pulled into 'remembering'. The author reflects on the beautiful happenings and the goals attained in her life, on lessons learned through trials, but always through insight, until you begin to realize that at her core is a firm reliance on Jesus Christ. Her openness and honesty allows for the reader's learning and perspective. The author herself says, "It is generally my aim to break things down in the simplest way (it is possible to do that and ramble at the same time!) There is no continuity except for particular categories, as each chapter stands alone. This may not all 'fit' you, so I'm giving it to you like hand lotion. Take it and rub it in until it fits. There is no hidden agenda or message here. No 'this is what I mean when I say that'. I write what I mean to say. Please take joy from it as you read it exactly as written.