Book Review // Stop the Rain by Kassie Angle

BACK-COVER SUMMARY:

He left his entire world in Iraq. So why did the war follow him home?

Harley Keane and his best friend Nigel were just kids when 9/11 rocked their world and changed their lives forever. When they’re finally old enough to join the Army, all their childhood dreams seem about to come true. But war wasn’t supposed to be like this. A kid’s dream isn’t supposed to become a living nightmare. Fellow soldiers aren’t supposed to bleed out in front of your eyes.

Back home, safe and unwounded, Harley feels anything but. Why would God spare him when so many others were taken? Why won’t the nightmares stop, even when he’s awake? And how long can he hide the truth that threatens everything he has left? When Harley’s invisible scars refuse to stay hidden, will he let anyone close enough to help? And how do you go on with life when “okay” isn’t okay at all?

MY REVIEW:

5+/5 stars

I read this book in two days and have been thinking about it longer than that. Even now, I'm still struggling to find the words that would adequately describe the impact Stop the Rain has made on my life. This book HURT like few other books I've read ever have (or probably ever will). At times I thought for sure I'd begin crying, which is something I don't usually experience in my reading journey. And now I've reached the end of the book, and my heart's still broken, seeing a trampoline reminds me only of Harley and Nigel, and I . . . won't be the same for a while. But that's okay; this novel was worth it. <33 Harley's story, although at first it started off slow and his own crying fits were constant and confusing, soon wrapped itself around my heart and didn't let go. Especially when I reminded myself partway through that he wasn't even twenty years old yet. The characters--each and every one of them--were a.m.a.z.i.n.g. Sgt. Rhys, Keith Hayes, Russell, Trey, Levi, Hawkins, Paul, Savannah, & Jakob Carter . . . each with their own story and the longing to reach through to Harley, no matter how rough he may have been with them. (and yes, there were moments when I wanted to shake Harley and say, "These people are looking out for you! why are you acting so ungrateful?" but it made their patience and care for him all the more evident. <3) So, yes, Stop the Rain has officially entered my very-most-favorites shelf. Excuse me while I go scream to the end of the earth how much I loved this novel by Kassie Angle. 6+ stars if I could. Due to some violence + scenes of death + the weighty topic of PTSD, however, I wouldn't recommend this to young or sensitive readers. I look forward to more by this author! =) PLACES TO FIND YOUR COPY OF STOP THE RAIN: Amazon (for ebook)|| Goodreads                   Have you read this one yet? Ever cried over a book before? Comment below! <3 Blessings, Ellen S.

Monday Musings // More Randomness

Aaaand, we've successfully made it through another week in 2021. Time for a brief recap.

I smiled over . . .

this song by Matthew West//Nerf gun battles with my siblings (two kids to each of the three teams)//another trip to the BAM bookstore with my mom and brother//texts from Grandma 💜//Ruby's scooting (er, crawling) techniques//games of Mario Kart Wii (whoosh, it sure brings back memories from the early stages of my childhood, when my older brother and I would play together all the time)//taking a walk with Ruby stuffed down inside my jacket ⬇⬇⬇

I read . . .

Stop the Rain by Kassie Angle (review for that coming Wednesday, Lord willing)

I prayed especially for . . .

my family//our nation//the new president and vice president elect//online relationships 

What about you? What have you smiled about? Read? Prayed for? Comment below! 

Also, due to the fact that the last weeks of January are gearing up to be crazy busy, I've changed my posting schedule and will probably be taking a break from doing Monday Musings until sometime next month. I still hope to blog occasionally in the meantime, though, so stay tuned!!

Blessings,

Ellen S.

Monday Musings // First Post of 2021!!

Happy New Year, everyone! How many of you stayed up till midnight to officially welcome 2021? My sibs and I attempted it after our parents and the four youngest kiddos went to bed. We popped popcorn and several of us curled up on the couch to watch an episode of I Love Lucy and another of Little House on the Prairie. It was fun, even though I knew ahead of time I wouldn't last until twelve o'clock. Only my two brothers made it that long. 😂 

Some other fun highlights from the week included Mom's and my trip to Books-a-Million, reaching The Newlywed Game episode in the Sue Thomas TV series (Jack and Sue were everything I had hoped for, BTW), and celebrating my sister, Sadie's, third birthday. (she wanted a princess party . . . talk about making me feel nostalgic.) 😄 Over the weekend, I watched God's Not Dead 3, but while Dave and Pearce made me laugh, I wasn't too impressed by the film overall. The second movie remains my favorite. 😃

I love this little girl so, so much!!! 😍

Ruby and me. (her mouth is covered in chocolate ice cream and vanilla birthday cake frosting. 😂)
She'll be a year old at the end of this month! (Crazy, I know.)

Can you believe we've entered 2021?! Do you have any New Year resolutions you'd care to share? Comment below!

Blessings,

Ellen S.

Writer/Reader's Dream Come True!

I have many happy places, some of which include being outside with a book, on my bed before a computer/journal, or in the van taking a road trip. But when I come across a place that holds sooooo many of my favorite things at once, my heart just seems to bubble over. 😍😍😍

Monday morning, my mom and I went antiquing. She loves anything pretty and vintage that could possibly be used in making a "junk journal", so antique stores are right up her alley. (if you'd like to check out some of her creations, visit her Instagram page.) On the way home, I told Mom, "I wish there was a writer's store that I could go to. You know, one that sells pens and paper and is full of inspirations specifically meant for published/budding authors . . ." 

The next day, Mom and I trekked out again, expecting to go to another antique shop. Their website had said they were open, but we realized too late that the information was false. Sitting in a parking lot forty-some minutes away from home, Mom and I debated what to do next.

"I think there's a Barnes & Noble around here somewhere," she said. "We can go there and then head back home."

We decided to give it a try. However, neither one of us had been in the area for a number of years, so we soon discovered that the Barnes & Noble had been replaced by a Books-a-Million (BAM!) store . . . which turned out to be THE BEST EVER. 🤩🤩🤩 It had lava/glitter lamps, books, stationery, notebooks, planners, fun trinkets, pens . . . yep, I was beyond excited. 😄 Truly, this was something only God could orchestrate!! He knew before I spoke a word just how much a place like this would mean to me . . . a place I wasn't even aware existed. 💜

All my goodies!! A copy of If I Run by Terri Blackstock (which had been highly recommended by a friend on Goodreads), a mug, three pens with useful grammar tips, and a world's smallest glitter lamp. 🥰😁

Do you have a BAM! store where you live? What's a way God has shown you recently that He's providing for you? Drop a comment and tell me!

Blessings,

Ellen S.

Monday Musings // Last Full Week of 2020!!

A belated Merry Christmas + early Happy New Year to you all! 😀 Hope you guys are having fun and staying safe this holiday season. 🥰

My sister, Marah, and I went jogging Christmas Day. I was under the impression that our weather would rise as high as sixty degrees (Fahrenheit), so I came outside in shorts and a light jacket. Huge mistake. No matter how much or how hard I jogged, my legs went numb and stayed numb--it was that cold. 🥶 But the biggest surprise was yet to come: it snowed!!! That hadn't happened on Christmas Day in, like, ever. It was amazing!! 😄

We didn't do presents or decorations this year, but we still had a big dinner as a family around the dining room table, so that was nice. We also saved the Silent Night Sue Thomas episode from season one of the series, which we watched on Christmas Eve. 🤗🤗🤗 And Mom made a pan of luscious cinnamon rolls and a couple trays of cookies. 😋

The following day (Saturday), I guest posted on Caleigh's blog. (go check it out, and be sure to enter the giveaway she's hosting right now!!)

Currently, I'm choosing a word for 2021. This past year I used both endurance and follow, and in previous years it's been possible (2019), serve (2018), and precious (2017). I'm trusting God to show me what He wants my next word to be. 😊

Some pictures from the week . . . 

Walk in the snow. 🙂

Mom and me. 💙

😍😍😍

How did your family celebrate Christmas? Do you have a word for 2021? Are you excited for the new year? Comment below!

Blessings,

Ellen S.

Monday Musings // Counting the Little Joys

Some things I'm thankful for from this past week . . . 

Squishy food keychains on sale at Michael's Craft store (of course, I couldn't resist getting a few 😄)

Brand-new lava/glitter lamps for my room 😁

Decorating dozens of sugar cookies

Enjoying a visit with friends from church for the first time in a long while

Homemade pizza (sorry, no pictures. we ate it up too fast.)

This song ⬇⬇⬇

Watching God's Not Dead (movies 1 and 2)

Walking in the rain

More Sue Thomas FBEye!! We had just finished the episode Prodigal Father from season two, and, not being able to take the suspense any longer, Mom and I both hopped online to search and see if Sue and Jack ever marry. Aaand the answer **HIGHLIGHT TO VIEW SPOILER**➡➡➡ they don't.

Do you like keychains (even if you don't have a key to put them on)? What's a song God has been using in your life recently? Let's talk in the comments below!

Blessings,

Ellen S.

December 15, 2020 // Giveaway Winner Announced!

Congratulations to Annalise O'Brien for winning the giveaway!! 🎉🎉🎉 And thanks to all who entered for helping make this two-year blogiversary an epic one. 😄 @Annalise, you'll find my contact information below. Please slip me an email ASAP with your mailing address and book of choice (either There Was Always Laughter In Our House or More Tales from Memory Creek Ranch), so I can get your prizes shipped out! 🤗

This day brings back soooo many special memories. Sitting at the dining room table, Sadie (then eleven months old) in her highchair, watching me as I typed up my first post. When that was done and the URL ready to be shared, I promptly (and virtually) squealed the news to some email buddies, who've stuck by me and cheered me on ever since. *beams* 

In two years' time, Ellen's Musings has exceeded a hundred followers total through Blogger and email. Three thousand comments have been submitted, accepted, and posted. Over two hundred posts published . . . two hundred more in drafts. 😂 It's been an amazing journey, one only God could orchestrate. I've met many, many wonderful people and have received so much encouragement and support from you all. Each new comment brings a warmth to my heart. 💗 You guys are truly the best! 

"May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the LORD." Psalm 104:34

Blessings,

Ellen S.