DIXFIELD – The Adult Reading Group of the Ludden Memorial Library met the first Tuesday of February in the downstairs community room. Tea and coffee were served.

The first book report was on “The Christmas Angel” by Thomas Kinkade. While a woman is jogging, she notices something different about the manger scene she is passing. As she stops and returns to the scene, she notices that there is a live baby in the manger.

No one is able to find out who the baby belongs to, so she and her husband keep the baby. Even though they are an older couple, they both find joy in the new addition to their family. As with most of Kinkade’s works, it is a warm story. It is a Cape Light story.

“A Covington Christmas” by Medlicott was discussed. A young Minnesota man comes to church to assist the older pastor. Things in the parish are rather run down, and he undertakes the task of putting things back in order. In the process, he and a female church parishioner decide to clean the attic.

Once there, they find five marriage licenses that have never been recorded. What to do? The young pastor feels that he has to notify these people. The responses are varied once the couples hear the information, but they do all end up getting remarried. It was said to be a delightful read.

“Maine” by Carol Mason Parker falls under the category of Christian inspirational romance. It is a book containing three separate stories. Although fiction, the main setting is Waterville.

The author suggests that some of the people are real and some of the background facts are true as well. It starts just after the War Between the States, which has changed the lives of the characters, and they find themselves in a warm and moving plot.

“The Dark Side of Camelot” by Hersh was reviewed. Hersh is an investigative reporter and wrote the nonfiction on the lives of the Kennedys. The reader said it is interesting and overwhelming. It was published in 1997.

“Ladder of Years” was next on the agenda. Written by Tyler, it is the story of a gal on vacation who vanishes into thin air. It is not a deliberate, premeditated act. On impulse, she walks down the beach of their vacation spot and leaves her family for what she thinks is possibly a better life.

“Say You Love Me” by Lindsey was presented as another interesting story. It is about a young girl who finds herself responsible for her sister after the death of her parents. In order to survive, she puts herself on the auction block to be sold off to anyone of wealth. It ends up being sort of a love story, and the girl is saved from what could have been a horrible fate.

“On Every Side” by Kingsbury was thought to be a warm and wonderful read. Kingsbury is a Christian fiction writer who is enjoyed by many library patrons. The story was described as a “tissue box read.” There is a political fight to remove a statue of Jesus from the center of town. It has been there for about 100 years. Kingsbury’s novels generally bring up some issue of the times.

“One Tuesday Morning,” also by Kingsbury, is a story based on the 9-1-1 experience.

“Found” by Kingsbury is the story of a young girl who becomes pregnant. Her family forces her to give the child away as she is too young to get married. Later, she marries the father of this child and they set out to look for the child that was given up. By this time, they have other children. The plot becomes interesting.

“Light from Heaven” is Karon’s newest and is part of the Mitford Series. Father Tim has retired. He and his wife are taking care of a friend’s farm when Father Tim gets a call to a little parish in the country.

What he finds, much to his surprise, is a wonderful little place that has been well taken care of. The caretaker is a mission worker who comes from Rangeley, Maine. As with all of Karon’s writings, it is warm and moving.

“Starting Over” was next to be discussed. It was written by Robin Pilcher, son of the famous author, Rosamunde Pilcher. It is a work of fiction with a background in Scotland where the author lives.

As the family splits due to trials and tribulations, the farms are struggling. Developers come into the area and want to purchase the land. All the lives of the families are brought into play as the plot continues.

“The Best Laid Plans” by Sheldon was discussed. Sheldon spins a tale of two equally determined people headed on a collision course. Oliver has a strategy to win the White House; Leslie has a scheme to make him wish he’d never been born. They both should have known that even the best-laid plans can go dangerously astray.

“The Europa Conspiracy,” written by Tim LaHaye and Bob Phillips, is book number three in the Babylon Rising Series. It was published in October of 2005. Dr. Michael Murphy,professor of biblical archaeology at a prestigious university, sets out on a quest. The closer he comes, the closer he comes to a shattering confrontation with the forces of darkness.

The Adult Reading Group meets at 11 a.m. the first Tuesday of each month, rain or shine. All adults are welcome. The next meeting will be March 7.

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