West Hope Trilogy

Synopsis: Look to the Hills is the first book of The West Hope Trilogy, which takes place in the beautiful green hills of Pennsylvania where "life hasn't changed much and there is little desire to see any change come." These folks have found a satisfactory contentment in lifelong friendships, except most of those loved ones are "passing on," leaving a group of elderly ladies quite lonely as they look up for the help that comes from the Lord. City girl, Janine Stephens, has always looked to the hills surrounding the quaint town of West Hope and wished she could learn more about the neighborhood and prayed that some day she would. Well, her prayer is about to be answered as she struggles with many changes occurring in her life. Her "perfect" world is being stirred, but she knows that the wind of the Spirit guides her way, and she is thrilled and amazed-yet troubled with unanswered questions. If you didn't find the little borough of West Hope on a map, search in your heart and join Janine on a spirit-filled journey to peace and happiness in the hills. Autobiography: Mary Jean Bonar has always been immersed in the field of music. She taught piano lessons for many years, directed church choirs, and had the amazing opportunity to train and direct (in Minneapolis) an International vocal choir of perhaps ninety members. Her expertise in handbell ringing was in demand and this led her to train others within her tri-state area; and of course she was the Handbell Director for her church. She has demonstrated her love and interest in her community by freely serving on the Board of Directors for the United Way, the Local Cemetery, and the Washington, PA Symphony Orchestra. Mary Jean is the mother of four, grandmother of seven, and great-grandmother of five. "The Beat Goes On" could be said as members of the family, near and far, continue participating in church music to this day. Mary Jean responded to words spoken by the Holy Spirit to begin writing her book. Having such a close relationship with the Lord, she recognized His call, and the story that is in your hand represents the beginning of an exciting experience for her. She says that the characters became her best friends, and the time spent with them will be cherished forever. Looking back, Mary Jean remembers she always enjoyed writing. Lately she wrote a "personal blog" nearly every day of the Christian Lenten Season to her family and friends, and when Lent came around again she sent forth a study of some of the most beloved Psalms of the Bible.

Synopsis: In "Blessed Abundantly" we find Janine and John on a road to discovery as they choose to move from the fast lanes of the city to a slower and more peaceful lane in and around the Pennsylvania hills. As the Stephens settle in, the readers enjoy meeting their incredible neighbors, many of whom are farmers, living by the rules of God and Nature. We also find that the Church on the Hill is the heart of the community and Janine quickly becomes involved with the music and with the Sunday School Class of knowledgeable and down-to-earth elderly women with spirits lifted as they join Janine in a new phase of life that changes everything. Author, Mary Jean, invites her readers to come along and share the "blessing" given to her by Janine and her beloved Ladies of West Hope. Autobiography: Mary Jean (always "Jeannie" or "Jean" to family and friends) was gifted with leadership ability; therefore, she could not avoid being chosen to do so. Her life became filled with teaching music, leading community projects, and directing women's organisations, at both local and state levels. She considered it her calling and at difficult times her "curse." However, she accepted this and became acquainted with many wonderful persons and life's situations. She enjoyed writing from day one and satisfied that desire by sending out notes and studies to family and friends and sometimes just "writing" because she had to. Always busy, she enjoyed greatly sharing with her husband their good life together and the activities of their four children and their interests most of all. After her children moved from home to lives of their own, she was spoken to by the Holy Spirit to go write her book. This shocking moment was the joy of her life and one that she willingly and gratefully accepted; thus her busy life doing for others changed into following the desire of her heart and the will of the Lord's calling (finally)! The West Hope Trilogy became the center of her life as she was filled with the Holy Spirit and His loving touch for the days, months, and years of completion. Her prayer has always been that many others may gain from this work, but even so, she has found all she could ever dream of or hope for through this blessed experience.

Synopsis: Go Forth! Is the third book in the West Hope trilogy. This completed a work that Mary Jean began seven years ago. This individual book is also the extension and climax of an original novel, Overflowing with Hope, which had been promised her readers for several years. All of these books demonstrate clearly that God has a plan for the lives of Christians. Sometimes we stop long enough to listen and learn of those plans, put them to work in His Name, and find overflowing rewards. The individuals in these novels have done just that, and their lives are changed dramatically for the good. Come along and follow the steps of the characters, who are not bigger than life but live lives with great rewards. wordsnmusicmjb@gmail.com www.maryjeanbonar.com