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    Stray Affections
    Stray Affections
    Stray Affections
    Audiobook9 hours

    Stray Affections

    Written by Charlene Baumbich

    Narrated by Melissa Hurst

    3.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Charlene Ann Baumbich-award-winning journalist and best-selling author of the Dearest Dorothy novels-launches a series of heartwarming stories linked by the swirling flakes of one special snowglobe. In this charming tale of second chances, renewed faith, and forgiveness, a captivating heirloom triggers inexplicable changes. "A lovely story of forgiveness, restoration and . whimsy."-Publishers Weekly
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateApr 23, 2010
    ISBN9781440790492
    Stray Affections

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    Reviews for Stray Affections

    3.5/5

    25 ratings10 reviews

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    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed this book even though I guessed how it would probably end. Nowhere did it bill itself as a mystery or a suspense novel so a little predictability is not necessarily a bad thing. It could just mean it's realistic. The story pulled at my heartstrings as the tears ran down my face while I read the final chapters of the book. It's a very different novel from the author's previous Dearest Dorothy books, which I would also highly recommend. I look forward to additional entries in this series. I intend to give at least one copy as a Christmas present since Christmas figures heavily into the story. It would make a great gift for any dog-lovers in your life.
    • 4/5
      Cassandra Higgins, a young Minnesota mom of four sons under the age of seven, collects knick-knacks with an animal theme. A snow globe she purchases sets off a series of events that cause her to rethink her life in general and, in particular, her thorny relationship with her mother, Betty Kamrowski. “Bad Betty” has had a tough life, typified by a constant financial struggle after her husband committed suicide. It is obvious Betty is not a happy camper. And, despite her incredibly loving and supportive husband, four great kids, and an in-home day-care business Cassandra seems to be adrift, too.Charlene Ann Baumbich exhibits the same storytelling ability and sense of humor she brought to her popular “Dearest Dorothy” books – favorites of mine. Now that that series has ended, Ms. Baumbich brings her readers Stray Affections, a perfectly lovely book with small, but rich cast of characters and a bit of otherworldly charm. Stray Affections reminds readers that it’s never too late to change -- and that a changed life can be sweeter and more meaningful.I particularly liked the character of Burt Burt (great name!), a butcher who plays a small but pivotal role in the story. But all Charlene Ann Baumbich’s characters are great – salt-of-the-earth types who approach life with common sense and heart. Her books exemplify gentle fiction at its best.The publisher of Stray Affections is WaterBrook Press, a Random House imprint that features evangelical Christian fiction. I am not typically a reader of that genre, but I found the religious aspects to be a small part of the overall story. I’m guessing regular readers of Christian fiction will enjoy Stray Affections even more than I did. And I liked it a lot.By Diana. First published in the Cozy Library August 25, 2009.Review based on publisher- or author-provided review copy.
    • 4/5
      Perhaps it's because I could relate to this book so much in so many ways....but I truly loved it! Yes, it was a bit disjointed but considering I was also told by a guidance counselor that I should choose a new occupation (which I did--only to end up in the one I wanted later in life) and the fact that my own mother and I are both like "Bad Betty" at times, this one spoke to me in many ways.
    • 3/5
      An interesting read from a genre I don't generally frequent, Stray Affections offers readers a little bit of everything. Family drama, a love of creatures great and small, heartache, happiness, and everything in between. Though the book is a part of the Snowglobe Series, there really wasn't much of the actual snowglobe in the book, but when it's presence was made known it gave the reader something else to contemplate altogether. The characters have a journey to travel within this book and though at times it's end is not quite clear, the personal revelations made and obstacles conquered make for a read to remember.
    • 3/5
      Stray Affections is set in a small Midwestern town. The protagonist of this story is named Cassandra. She is the mother of four little boys and she has struggled all her life with self-doubt. While she is at a collector's convention she purchases a snow globe that has a little girl with the same hair color as her own, surrounded by three dogs. The snow globe sets in motion thoughts of her long buried dream of becoming a veterinarian as well as many other childhood memories and troubles that have contributed to her present life choices. Charlene Ann Baumbich's story explores Cassandra's coming to terms with herself, her difficult relationship with her negative mother, and her faith in her innate ability to care for animals.Charlene Ann Baumbich is an experienced writer who tells her story in a very straight forward style which made it very easy to read. In Stray Affections she explores many deep issues, involving human relationships to themselves, others, and their dreams but I felt that the themes were too obvious. They were simply told to the reader rather than subtley suggested through the gradual unfolding of the story. This story also shows how change is sometimes important in human relationships because without change people cannot progress and find peace. It is quite an emotional novel. Though it was not really my type of book, it may be enjoyable to dog lovers or anyone looking for an encouraging book that might make you think about your own emotional issues and how to make progress with them.
    • 4/5
      This was such a sweet story! The characters brought out such emotions and so did the storyline. Cassie is a wonderful wife and mother who is trying to make up for the heartbreaks of her childhood. Betty is her mother and was forced to make difficult choices while she was raising her family alone. They've had a very strained relationship and the first impression is that the reasons for the problems are obvious. But there is so much more to this story! The layers are gradual peeled back until you get to know the real Cassie and Betty.The cast of characters are so entertaining. Cassie's four little boys provide comic relief and remind me of earlier days with my three little boys. We sure had a lot in common! They may live in a house of chaos but it is filled with love. Cassie's friends and extended family are all supportive and equally as entertaining. I don't want to give away too much of the story but I really enjoyed it. If you like small town charm, family life and animals (especially dogs) than this might be a book for you.
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed this book even though I guessed how it would probably end. Nowhere did it bill itself as a mystery or a suspense novel so a little predictability is not necessarily a bad thing. It could just mean it's realistic. The story pulled at my heartstrings as the tears ran down my face while I read the final chapters of the book. It's a very different novel from the author's previous Dearest Dorothy books, which I would also highly recommend. I look forward to additional entries in this series. I intend to give at least one copy as a Christmas present since Christmas figures heavily into the story. It would make a great gift for any dog-lovers in your life.
    • 3/5
      I really liked this book. As I learned about Cassandra's past I felt sorry for her. I don't think pity is the emotion this book was trying to elicit but for some reason that was all I could feel. I think some of it was because I related to a few of the things she went through. The guilt she went through with her dog Toby was touching to me because I am a dog lover. The warnings from her cautious and seemingly "cold" mother were similar to those I've gotten (not from my mother) from people in my life. So maybe pity isn't even the right emotion, maybe it was more an understanding of why she felt the way she did. Either way this was a pretty good book. Cassandra was a very well develop character, I really connected with her. I got a good sense of Cassandra's husband Ken, her best friend Margret, and her mother Betty, but I didn't feel that they were as developed as they could have been.I did enjoy the book. Trying to figure out the "story" behind the snow globe was intriguing. It was easy for me to just escape into this book, I didn't feel like I was there, but I was pretty engrossed with what was going on. Overall I'd say this was a good read
    • 3/5
      Cassie Higgins has a busy life – she’s married, has four young boys (all under the age of 7) and runs an in-home daycare. She and her best friend, Margret, go to The Collectors Convention together every year. Margret can’t go this year, so Cassie ends up going alone. She spots a beautiful, old snowglobe that contains a young girl with three dogs. The girl resembles her as a child and one of the dogs looks like her childhood pet. The snowglobe is expensive, but she feels like she has to have it. A few days later, as she inspects the snowglobe at home, she has a “flurrious” moment that causes her to reflect on her life.Through flashbacks, we learn that Cassie had a difficult childhood. Her father committed suicide and her mother, “Bad Betty,” became bitter after years of working long hours and struggling to make ends meet while raising three children. Cassie’s Grandpa Wonky was her saving grace, but then he passed away. There was a sad moment in Cassie’s childhood that has caused her relationship with her mother to be strained ever since.Stray Affections by Charlene Ann Baumbich is a story of forgiveness, grace and acceptance. It’s sweet, pleasant and light, but it was a little slow for me, because I found it pretty predictable. That’s not to say it’s not good – the story and message are uplifting and the characters in the small town are quirky and charming. There is a spiritual undertone, but it’s not preachy – it’s more about grace and love.
    • 4/5
      In the beginning I moved slowly through Stray Affections, but by the third chapter, I was in deep! This is not to say that the book moved slowly, it was just how it began to build for me. I thoroughly enjoyed Stray Affections. Cassie seemed like wonder woman to me. I couldn't quite understand why she didn't give herself the credit that she deserved, but then I realized it is the power of the way you are raised. The words of the mouth have a strong impact on a child. Well actually they have a strong impact on an adult as well. :)The story flowed well with me enjoying each character as I got to know them through the story. It was a mildly funny and touching story that was seriously charming. The author has a way of bringing up difficult issues but doing so with care, grace and softness. Each item was handled appropriately but truthfully which is not easy to do.