Stray Affections (Center Point Christian Fiction (Large Print)) [Large Print] [Library Binding]

Charlene Ann Baumbich (Author)

Book Description

Series: Center Point Christian Fiction (Large Print) | Publication Date: January 1, 2010

The last thing that Cassandra Higgins expects out of her Sunday is to be mesmerized at a collectors convention by a snowglobe. She s enjoying some mommy time, with husband Ken at home tending their brood of four young boys, when she s utterly charmed by the one-of-a kind globe containing figures of three dogs and a little girl with hair the color of her own. She can t resist taking the unique globe home even if means wrestling another shopper for it!

The beautiful snowglobe sparks long-dormant memories for Cassie, of her beloved Grandpa Wonky, the stray she rescued as a child, and the painful roots of her combative relationship with her mother, Bad Betty Kamrowski. Life in Wanonishaw, Minnesota is never dull, though, and Cassie keeps the recollections at bay, busy balancing her boys, her home daycare operation, and being a good friend to best pal Margret. But after a strange flurrious, as Cassie deems it moment happens with the remarkable snowglobe, Cassie and the people she loves are swirled into a tumultuous, yet grace-filled, and life-changing journey.

With the quirky, close-knit Midwestern small-town feel that made Charlene Ann Baumbich s acclaimed Dearest Dorothy novels so popular, Stray Affections invites you to experience the laughter and the healing of second chances.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Inspirational novelist Baumbich (Dearest Dorothy series) presents readers with a lovely story of forgiveness, restoration and a dash of hopeful whimsy thrown in for pure pleasure. Baumbich, whose nonfiction is frequently self-deprecating and thoroughly comedic, offers her fiction fans a tale that is flurrious with the unexpected and unimagined as Cassandra Higgins, mom to four young boys and day-care provider, sets upon a course of self-discovery after purchasing a snow globe. Cassandra, whose father committed suicide and whose mother barely, and bitterly so, continues to face life one day at a time, revisits her childhood pain as she gazes into this glass globe containing three dogs and a girl resembling herself. This young mother realizes that even with a loving husband, children and a life absent of any major catastrophe, the past continues to wield a mighty force that shapes present-day attitudes and lingering emotional afflictions. Baumbich reaches deep into the heart's recesses, but does so with the precision of the most skilled emotional physician. For that, her readers will feel nothing but gratitude. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Praise for
Stray Affections

-Stray Affections is a story so joyous and so magical that it should come with a warning label: Do not pick up this book unless you, like Cassie and the unforgettable characters who are part of her world, are prepared for a journey that will change your life!-
-Cassandra King, author of The Sunday Wife

-Charlene Ann Baumbich takes us to a town populated with characters-so delightfully quirky they must be real-and illustrates the power of love and forgiveness. Even the tiniest miracle is still a gift from God.-
-Joan Medlicott, author of nine Ladies of Covington novels

-Do you believe in mystery? After reading Stray Affections, you will understand that the Almighty works in mysterious ways! Charlene Ann Baumbich creates mystical meaning from a snow globe, canine friends, and an intriguing cast of characters. A real treat.-
-Angela Hunt, author of Doesn-t She Look Natural

-A tender story by a writer who understands the magic of second chances and the redeeming power of unconditional love.-
-Lisa Wingate, author of Tending Roses and Word Gets Around

-Through a handful of wonderfully imperfect characters, some unforgettable four-legged companions, and one extraordinary treasure-a simple snowglobe-Charlene Ann Baumbich unfolds a story showing the strength of hope and faith, of forgiveness and acceptance, and above all else, the resilience of the human spirit. Stray Affections is a heart-warming, delightful read --.-
-Gail Fraser, author of The Lumby Lines, Stealing Lumby, and Lumby-s Bounty


From the Trade Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Library Binding: 357 pages
• Publisher: Center Point Pub; Lrg edition (January 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1602856281
• ISBN-13: 978-1602856288
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,234,854 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One Magical Story, October 15, 2009

By 

Nora A. Stlaurent "TBCN Founder" (Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stray Affections (A Snowglobe Connections Novel) (Paperback)

"Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness. Let the bones which Thou hast broken rejoice," Charlene starts her book out quoting Psalm 51:6-8 and begins to bring some of that scripture to life inside the pages of this book.

This story is nestled in the middle of a quaint town where you discover friends and their families you'll just adore. I loved how Carlene shows the funny, honest and serious side of family relationships and how they can work together. I believe it's only by the grace of God that we can bloom and grow where we are planted. It takes courage to face your fears and let God have his way in your life, and in the lives of the people you are in relationship with.

The main character Cassandra heads out to a Collectors' Convention alone. Her best friend Margaret cancels at the last minute. Her husband Ken encourages her to go anyway. He's got the kids, she needs take a break from lifes routine; go out and have fun. Little did she know how that little trip would change her life? Are we ever ready for when God intercedes on our behalf to put us on the path He would have us be on? Letting go and letting God be in control is not something any of us feel comfortable doing. Cassandra soon learns this on her trip.

Will Ken and Cassandra trust God to work all things out for His glory and their good? You'll want to read this story and join in the mystery and fun as the author weaves a tale of healing, unconditional love, and second chances. You'll want to read Charlene Ann Baumbich's Dearest Dorothy series, with quirky, close-knot Midwestern small-town feel characters you'll grow fond of just like the ones in this book. Thanks to publisher for a review copy of this book.

Finding Hope Through Fiction

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An upbeat, uplifting read, September 29, 2009

By 

Holly Kincaid "Book addict" (Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stray Affections (A Snowglobe Connections Novel) (Paperback)

I am a big fan of the "Dearest Dorothy" series and have read all of them. When I found out Ms. Baumbich was writing a new book (series?) I was quite relieved since apparently the publishing house decided to end the "Dearest Dorothy" series - boo, hiss.

This book centers around a stay-at-home (Cassandra Higgins) mom of four small boys who runs a home child-care business. As with all mothers of small children, she is a bit overwhelmed by all the demands placed upon her and is looking forward to her annual day trip to a collectible convention with her best friend, Margret. When Margret has to cancel their outing, Cassie decides to go alone and take the opportunity to recharge her batteries a bit. Cassie comes across a snow globe containing the figures of a young girl and three dogs which she falls in love with and decides to purchase even though the price is higher than what she would normally pay. The contents of the snow globe sets off a series of events which propel the story along and stir up memories and unresolved dreams for Cassie and her close friends and family.

The novel is definitely a feel-good book with a lot of spirituality and heart. While a very positive and upbeat book, there are lessons within its pages that make it thought provoking as well. Cassie's strained relationship with her mother is a central theme and the reader is allowed to go back and see glimpses of how it got that way. We are also privy to how it evolves and changes with both sides better understanding the other by the time the book concludes. Margret also has her own story interwoven with the struggles of infertility she and her husband face.

While I didn't care for this as much as the "Dearest Dorothy" books, it really is too soon to tell. It's definitely off to a good start and I will be reading the next book Ms. Baumbich writes!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars intriguing whimsical family drama, September 19, 2009

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stray Affections (A Snowglobe Connections Novel) (Paperback)

Cassandra Higgins needs some mental time away from her spouse and their four sons. She looks at a snow globe and muses about her childhood while staring at the three dogs and the little girl inside. Cassandra thinks back to beloved Grandpa Wonky and her dysfunctional relationship with her mother Bad Betty Kamrowski; she also recalls her love of helping injured animals that drove her closer to her Grandpa and away from her mom.

Her husband assumes Cassandra is going through some sort of inexplicable female nonsense while her sons wonder what is going on with their mom; her best friends are worried that she is heading into a deep depression. However, none of those concerned about Cassandra's mental health understand the magic of this snow globe. Soon she and her loved ones will learn of dreams as they take a "flurrious" journey accompanied by a remarkable snow globe.

This is an intriguing family drama with a strong cast including the snow globe in which the mom seems to be losing it starting with broiling cookies. As she regains her lost dreams and ergo her equilibrium, her husband, kids, and neighbors become concerned with her mental state; that is until the trek. Whimsical in a sort of Brigadoon way, STRAY AFFECTIONS makes a strong case that no matter how old you are follow your dreams instead of discarding them with regret.

Harriet Klausner