Playing By Heart By: Anne Mateer

I loved this book by Anne Mateer. Set during the turn-of-the-century, Lula Bowman has continued on with her education, working toward her master’s degree in Mathematics. Everyone calls her Fruity Lu, except for her father who understands her. But when her brother-in-law dies, can Lula give all this up and come home to care for her sister and her children?

Lula comes home to care for her sister, Jewel. But she decides to only return long enough to help her back on her feet and then return to her graduate studies and teaching position. While she is helping her sister, Lula teaches music at the local school and takes on the coaching duties for the girls’ basketball team. She’s never played before, but how hard could it be? As Lula plays the piano for Sunday services, can she let the music calm her heart?

Chet Vaughn teaches math and coaches the boys’ basketball team. Every time a single lady comes to teach, she leaves married. He really hopes the next music teacher is an old lady and one that hasn’t set her cap for him. But he can’t refuse Lula’s request for help learning basketball, especially since she has offered to tutor his geometry students who are having a hard time grasping the concepts. How many different ways can you teach one subject?

Lula and Chet are searching for peace and love but they don’t know where to look for it. Principal Gray says God must have sent Lula to fill the teaching spot. How can that be when all she can do is count down the days till she returns to her studies? Chet’s brother went to fight in the war to take the place of their father who deserted. Chet’s mother thinks he is the coward for staying at home and not going to fight. He’s there to take care of her but she doesn’t see it. How can he have peace knowing what his mother thinks of him? Is this where God would have him be, helping the boys in town having a hard time?

Fighting against the stigma of the times, each fighting for what they believed in, can Lula and Chet see God working in their lives? Once you are where He has placed you, your heart is filled with peace and love. Will Lula and Chet find that for themselves, or will they continue on their own paths, forgoing what God has in mind for them? Pick up this great book today and read their stories. You will be encouraged and lifted up.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

A Home for My Heart By Anne Mateer

I loved this book by Anne Mateer! If you like a book that will tug at your heartstring this book is for you. Sadie Sillsby is a wonderful character. She’s assistant to the matron at the Raystown Home for Orphan & Friendless Children. She loves these children as her own. She understands them as no one else could; she grew up there as well. All she remembers as a child is being brought there when she was four years old from her mother’s jail cell. Blaine Wellsmith and his younger brother Carter came to the home as well. He has since moved out, but he and Sadie are going to get married as soon as he buys land. Carter keeps getting into trouble, one little girl needs glasses, the Home is struggling financially, and the matron has decided to marry and turn over the position to Sadie. That should be a happy time, right? Unfortunately, the matron cannot be married. Sadie can’t turn her back on these kids. Who will take care of them? But Blaine doesn’t want to wait. He now has the farm and it’s time to get married. Can Sadie overcome her past to be the matron she needs to be? Can she turn the Home around so it doesn’t have to shut its door? Will Blaine wait for her? Pick up this book today to find out! The plot keeps twisting and the characters will touch your heart. You’ll wish you could take a boy or girl home with you by the time you finish this book! I look forward to reading more by this author.