Butterfly Blessings

I've Moved - This Blog is Closed

2011-08-28T12:27:00.000-05:00

I have relocated and am not posting here anymore. My new blog is located at Through the Fog. I'm sorry for any confusion, but I hope to see you all there. Thanks!

The Lady of Bolton Hill

2011-05-31T06:38:00.000-05:00

I just know you want to read all about this book. I'm switching over to my new blog though (see the last post to see why if you missed it) so check it out here: Through the Fog. I hope you like the new blog and will decide to "follow" me over there. lol

New Blog

2011-05-30T19:56:00.000-05:00

I think most of you know that I've been toying with becoming a writer. Lots of "life" has happened and there has been a lot about the industry I needed and continue to learn. I have one manuscript I'm working on and two more I'm in currently planning and researching. I also will be attending my first writing conference this fall. One of the things I had to look at was name recognition. There is more than one author that shares my name - and I've already been confused more than once with one of the most popular ones.

I sought the advice of people much more experienced than I am and all of them thought that a pen name would be best. I looked at several variations and ended up with Margaret Metz. I've got a new facebook page under that name, changed my Goodreads account to that name, and I've established a new blog called Through the Fog where I'll be posting from now on. Please join me there. It's pretty empty right now, but I could use all the friends I could get. It's hard starting over.

Thanks and I hope you enjoyed your holiday weekend.

The Friday 56

2011-05-27T05:37:00.000-05:00

Freda @ Freda's Voice is hosting The Friday 56.

Here are the rules:

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.

Then you go to her blog and enter your blog URL in her linky area on her Friday 56 post. :o)

Here's mine:

"He's gentle with his children, well respected in the community, doesn't indulge in tobacco or alcohol."
"Guess he didn't tell you about my drinking habit."

That's from Spring for Susannah by Catherine Richmond.

Two Brides Too Many

2011-05-26T01:51:00.003-05:00

Summary:
Kat and Nell Sinclair are headed west—away from the manicured lawns of Maine to the boisterous, booming mining town of Cripple Creek, Colorado to start new lives for themselves as mail-order brides. Aboard the train, romantic dreamer Nell carries a photo of her intended close to her heart and imagines an exciting and love-filled future, while her pragmatic older sister Kat resigns herself to marriage as a duty, not a delight. But when the ladies disembark at the train depot, neither fiancé Patrick Maloney or Judson Archer awaits them with open arms. The well-bred Sinclair sisters find themselves unexpectedly alone in the wild, frontier town—a place where fire threatens to reduce the buildings to rubble, the working women strut the streets, rogues will gamble for the shoes on one’s feet, and God’s grace is found amongst the most unlikely of folks. Two sisters,Two missing misters,A shocking welcome to the wild west that leaves both Kat and Nell Sinclair questioning their dreams and the hope for true love.

My Take:

One of the things I liked about this book was the way the cover and the writing made me think of my own sister. I've got dark hair and my sister is a blond. She's the social butterfly and I tend to have just a few close friends. I could go on and on. Just like Kat & Nell, we would have fought anyone who tried to hurt the other.

These sisters are also very different from each other but they have their world turned upside down. Their tight-knit family is broken apart and they are forced to become mail order brides far from home and everything they know and dreamed of. When they arrive they find even those plans have gone awry.

I loved the characters the author created in this book. Hattie and Boney are especially memorable. This is a "sweet" romance and though it features romances for both sisters - one of them has to wait for so long that it feels almost like it was skipped over and then inserted.

I kind of wondered why some minor characters were given point of view in scenes. I can only guess that they will be featured in the rest of the series.

Those tiny negatives were not enough to take away from two very well written characters. Nell and Kat both stood out as individuals and as women who were taking risks to try and settle in a very turbulent area that wasn't safe for single women. Both showed courage and compassion as well as loyalty to each other and those they came to know and care for. Both were willing to sacrifice for strangers as well. It's just that kind of spirit that got our country started.

Monday Musings

2011-05-23T23:39:00.001-05:00

Right now my thoughts and prayers go out to those in Joplin that were devastated by the latest tornado. That's close to where I live and my husband often travels there for work. I can't even imagine what the people there are going through.

What is truly amazing is that in Joplin - and in so many other areas that have been hard hit lately - volunteers have stepped up and the community has rallied to help one another. They aren't waiting for a government hand out or even for FEMA to show up. These are ordinary citizens standing up and doing what needs to be done to help one another and rebuild.

That's the kind of character and spirit that made America strong. We don't need more government programs and interference. Americans have shown they have what it takes to do what has to be done on their own. They can stand on their own two feet and they like to do it. They want to help one another. Americans are a generous people. We have always been one of the most charitable people on the planet.

We showed unity and strength after 9-11 and we're showing it now. It's not about politics - it's about character. I'm proud to be an American.

Surrender the Night

2011-05-18T02:03:00.000-05:00

Summary: When British soldiers invade Baltimore amid the War of 1812, Rose McGuire, alone on her family farm, is easy prey for a brutal lieutenant. In the midst of the attack, she’s saved by British 2nd Lieutenant Alexander Reed. Will she now have to heal, as well as hide, this enemy soldier?

            Alex hadn’t meant to kill his superior or get shot in the process. Now badly wounded, he’s at the mercy of this tomboy who obviously hates him. Can he trust her, or will she turn him over to the Americans?

            Rose is having trouble keeping Alex hidden from her family, the townspeople, and the man intent on courting her. Will the discovery of Alex’s presence force her to accept an abhorrent proposal?

            As their love blooms, trouble looms, for the British are on the move again. This time, their target is the city of Washington. Will these young lovers at heart find themselves enemies at war?

My Take:

I love MaryLu Tyndall. She writes about real history and then adds in these fabulous characters that tear at your heart and make you feel as if you lived their story right alongside them. This is one of her best so far.

Rose has gone through some horrific experiences and has come through it with a strength that covers fear. She hides away on the farm and shuns the social life in town. She likes animals more than people and spends copious amounts of time in the barn instead of dressing up and tea parties. She certainly isn't interested in men, especially the one that comes calling most often - and wants her land more than her. She's fiercely patriotic and hates what the British have done -- especially to innocent women and civilians.

Alex is a man of integrity. He's a loyal subject in His Majesty's Navy who has an overwhelming desire to prove himself. He can't ignore what he sees around him though. When a particularly nasty man attempts to rape a young rebel girl he tries to talk him out of it and the encounter ends up with him killing him in self defense. He's badly wounded and though it's clear she hates him, he has to trust her to take care of him until he's well enough to get back to his ship. They know his being there is dangerous for them both.

Alex is protective, honorable and attractive. Rose is intelligent, caring, independent, and beautiful. The sparks fly between them for many reasons. I love how the relationship develops slowly and how they fight so realistically over things that would have truly divided them. It was also wonderful how the author used the different relationships between her Aunt and Uncle and their wishes for Rose. There were a lot of unexpected plot twists and turns. It was an exciting and satisfying book. This one goes on my favorites list for the year.

To Win Her Heart

2011-05-14T00:51:00.000-05:00

Summary: Having completed his sentence for the unintentional crime that derailed his youthful plans for fame and fortune, Levi Grant looks to start over in the town of Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a blacksmith, a trade he learned at his father's knee, and he needs a place where no one knows his past. But small towns leave little room for secrets...
Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote her time to the lending library she runs. When a mountain-sized stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she steels herself against the attraction he provokes. His halting speech and hesitant manner leave her doubting his intelligence. Yet as the mysteries of the town's new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden depths in him that tempt her heart.
Levi's renewed commitment to his faith leads Eden to believe she's finally found a man of honor and integrity, a man worthy of her love. But when the truth about his prodigal past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian's affections?

My Take: Karen Witemeyer creates some of the most appealing heroes in the business. This book is no exception. Levi is a complex man with a past he hasn't totally forgiven himself for - even if he has made peace with God. He settles in to the new town, determined to keep a low profile and somehow trouble just keeps finding him. A man picks a fight with him - bringing back old memories and guilt. Then he's brought work from the mine - and he'd sworn to stay as far away from that as possible. The worst thing is the librarian. She is as prickly as a hedgehog but he can't seem to stay away from her. The sparks fly between them like striking hot metal. Levi believes in his heart that his past makes him unworthy of her and he decides to stay away...

Eden is strong, driven and intelligent. She has been hurt badly before by a man who just wanted to use her for her father's money so she doesn't trust easy. Living out in these towns has also shown her too many men willing to resort to violence to get what they want. She doesn't want anything to do with criminals and fighters. She despises people who push her around and try to control her - like the Sheriff of their town who insists they are betrothed when she has no interest in him at all. She likes Levi but he seems to be keeping secrets from her and that's one thing she can't abide.

Both these people grow over the course of the book and learn from each other and from Chloe, a girl Eden takes in that Levi helped rescue. Faith is challenged and there are some who learn a valuable lesson about what it means to be "rock toters" instead of those who share grace. Having said all that, this is not one of those books that beats you over the head with preaching and the romance was realistic. I truly enjoyed it would suggest it to anyone who likes this genre.

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T14:59:00.001-05:00

Happy Mother's Day!

May we be thankful for the many wonderful mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and "substitute" mothers who stepped in and influenced us to be better people, to reach for the dreams we were afraid to hope for, who loved us despite our faults and taught us so many things.

Larkspur Cove

2011-05-06T00:35:00.000-05:00

Summary: Adventure is the last thing on Andrea Henderson's mind when she moves to Moses Lake. After surviving the worst year of her life, she's struggling to build a new life for herself and her son as a social worker. Perhaps in doing a job that makes a difference, she can find some sense of purpose and solace in her shattered faith.For new Moses Lake game warden Mart McClendon, finding a sense of purpose in life isn't an issue. He took the job to get out of southwest Texas and the constant reminders of a tragedy for which he can't forgive himself.
But when a little girl is seen with the town recluse, Mart and Andrea are drawn together in the search for her identity. The little girl offers them both a new chance at redemption and hope--and may bring them closer than either ever planned.

My Take: If you've never read a book by Lisa Wingate before, you are missing out. One of the things she is truly gifted at is making a setting come alive. Each book I've read has a place that becomes a character itself -- it has its own special feeling, rhythm, atmosphere... magic about it. I feel like I've been to Moses Lake and know the people there after reading this book. That's a special gift.

The story has powerful messages of forgiveness, acceptance and healing without being preachy. Andrea and Mart are both realistic and like able. Andrea's relationship with her son also feels real - as do his struggles. This book is not as funny as her Daily, Texas series, but it will tug at your heart and make you fall in love with the characters. When you close the back cover it's the very essence of bittersweet. You feel like everything is just as it should be, but you're sad to see it end.

I want to thank Bethany House for my copy though it did not influence my review.

Max on Life

2011-05-04T18:33:00.001-05:00

Summary: We have questions. Child-like inquiries. And deep, heavy ones.In more than twenty-five years of writing and ministry, Max Lucado has been the receiving line for thousands of such questions. The questions come in letters, e-mails, even on Dunkin Donuts napkins. In Max on Life he offers thoughtful answers to more than 150 of the most pressing questions on topics ranging from hope to hurt, from home to the hereafter.
Max writes about the role of prayer, the purpose of pain, and the reason for our ultimate hope. He responds to the day-to-day questions-parenting quandaries, financial challenges, difficult relationships-as well as to the profound: Is God really listening?
A special addendum includes Max's advice on writing and publishing.
Including topical and scriptural indexes and filled with classic Lucado encouragement and insight, Max on Life will quickly become a favorite resource for pastors and ministry leaders as well as new and mature believers.

My Take: I'm a huge fan of Max Lucado. I think he takes complicated issues and makes them simple. I think he manages to stay true to the gospel without being self-righteous or judgmental. I loved the format of the book because it fits who we are and seemed so honest. People ask these kinds of questions - these are the things that bother, hurt and trouble us. The answers were brief but honest and I thought they were handled very well. I think this is an excellent book to have on any church library bookshelf and for gifts to new believers or those wanting answers and not knowing who to trust. The topics range from everything to basic faith to parenting, marriage, friendships... anything and everything.

As a writer I wished that section was a little longer, but I wish I had the money to buy a thousand copies and pass them out to everyone I could think of.

I want to thank Thomas Nelson for my copy although their gift did not influence this review.

Update

2011-05-04T00:06:00.000-05:00

Everyone has troubles and mine are not any bigger than those faced by those you know and love. You may remember that we moved here about 9 months ago because my husband got a new job. That blessing hasn't worked out as well as we hoped.

His new boss doesn't care for him. My husband is doing very well. He's ranked 7th in the nation for his company. He's improved the numbers and quota for his area and now has 115%. When it came time to give raises a couple months ago, he was recommended for the highest level available. Now the boss has decided my husband doesn't know what he's doing and just doesn't "fit in" with this company and maybe his profession. He gave him a verbal warning - put it in his file and then suggested that he get his resume ready and look for other opportunities before it got to the point where a written warning was in his record. He's also going around to all the people my husband deals with and trying to get them to complain about my husband. It's a bad situation.

We went six months without a job before he got hired this time, so our financial situation isn't great. If we don't find something before his boss decides to fire him... I'm concerned how we'll manage.

The stress of that has been bad enough, but I also had to switch doctors and our insurance company is switching us over to a mail order program at the same time. That has caused a lot of confusion with prescriptions and I've been without some of my meds for a while and I still haven't gotten them all switched over in the system.

The good news is that I'm seeing a wonderful doctor, I took a trip and got to see my oldest son and visit with my old church members as well.... I'm also sure that God has a plan. I would appreciate your prayers and patience as we go through this stressful time.

Blessings to you all ~

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-13T03:55:00.000-05:00

Baby Hedgehog - aka adorable ;o)

Monday Musings

2011-04-11T00:28:00.000-05:00

This is my oldest cat. She's Siamese but she kind of breaks a lot of the expectations of a Siamese cat. She's very cuddly and loves to be around people like many Siamese - but she isn't picky about her human companions. It could be a perfect stranger that just walked in. We once had company that accidentally stepped on her and she jumped up on his lap as soon as he sat down. She also is much quieter than the typical Siamese. Since my mom bred them, I was very familiar with the.... shall we say persistent and sometimes very high pitched yowl they can produce? She frequently does something we call the "silent meow." She opens her mouth and looks at you - but no sound comes out. She can and does meow (though not usually loud -unless we're giving her the occasional tuna treat) but those silent meows got me thinking.

I notice and respond to her a lot when she does it. It makes me pay attention. That made me think of a commercial that ran a few years back where there was silence for a while. That got us all looking at the TV too - we had to see what was going on and make sure nothing was wrong with the cable. We've been taught that "the squeaky wheel gets the grease." We have to make a lot of noise to be heard and those making the most noise (and with all the best bells and whistles) must have the best message.

My old Siamese may be unusual but she's purebred. She's the real thing. Sometimes the real thing isn't loud and brash. I think of the story of Elijah. He wanted to hear from the real thing - God. We hear the results of his search in 1Kings chapter 19 verses 11-12:

And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.

I love that! There was a lot of exciting things happening on that mountain ~ huge winds (capable of tearing things apart), earthquakes, and fires... All that so surely you would expect God to come out with some fireworks or at least a voice that would make your ears bleed. What does He do instead? He whispers. I think that is part of who He is - never forcing Himself on anyone and part of this whole philosophy that if the whole world is screaming at you, maybe what you need is a still, small voice.

When I grow up I want to be just like him. :o) (My way of saying I know I don't do this perfectly right now.)

A Heart Most Worthy

2011-04-09T00:05:00.001-05:00

Summary:

The elegance of Madame Forza's gown shop is a far cry from the downtrodden North End of Boston. Yet each day Julietta, Annamaria, and Luciana enter the world of the upper class, working on finery for the elite in society. The three beauties each long to break free of their obligations and embrace the American dream--and their chance for love. But the ways of the heart are difficult to discern at times. Julietta is drawn to the swarthy, mysterious Angelo. Annamaria has a star-crossed encounter with the grocer's son, a man from the entirely wrong family. And through no intent of her own, Luciana catches the eye of Billy Quinn, the son of Madame Forza's most important client. Their destinies intertwined, each harboring a secret from their families and each other, will they be found worthy of the love they seek?

My Take:

Wow! This book is like a sweet Vidalia onion that's been caramelized - lots of layers and all full of yummy goodness. I could analyze this for pages and pages but I'll try and restrain myself. ;o) It starts with the cover. Isn't it drool-worthy? I'm in total envy over that dress.

The author tackles surface issues like the the problems the Italian immigrants faced both from outsiders and from their own prejudices against other Italians. Tradition and family was all many of them had. Sometimes the same stubborn pride that helped them survive in this new country insulated them and even caused them to refuse help they needed.

What makes a healthy relationship? What is most important in love? All the main characters struggle with these questions on some level or another. Whether it's 1918 or 2011, people still mistake lust for love, they still think they're unworthy for whatever reason, they still fear what will happen if they trust... and sometimes they think it's too late once they've made mistakes. Sometimes people try to manipulate people and call it love.

Then you have the political undertones. People who think violence is the way to bring about change and that the government should do whatever they want. People who don't mind stealing, killing or dying in order to make their plans come to fruition. It sounds eerily like what is going on here and around the world. Yet you meet them, sympathize and want to be able to help them see what they're doing is hurting themselves and others.

The three main characters couldn't be more different. Add in Madame Fortier and you have four women who will stay with me for some time. They loved deeply, made mistakes, kept secrets, and showed a tenacity of spirit that made me love them all. From the beginning to end you can see each of them grow and change in individual ways that reflected the personal journey each had to take.

There were also some yummy heroes that you won't want to miss. Each had his own strengths (and weaknesses) that perfectly matched the girl he was destined to be with. Some had unflappable faith and determination, some patience that would try a saint, some were self-sacrificing... and some were forgiving and generous. All were romantic because true romance is loving in a way that brings out the best in them and is concentrated on their needs instead of your own.

This is going on my list of best books of 2011. I want to thank Bethany House for providing me my copy in exchange for my honest review.

Desert Gift

2011-04-05T10:18:00.000-05:00

Summary:

What does a nationally known marriage expert do when her own marriage falls apart? Just as Jillian Galloway sets out for a publicity tour to promote her new book, her husband drops a bombshell: He wants a divorce. Jill flees to her parents’ home in the California desert, wondering whether everything she’s built her career on—indeed, everything she’s built her life around—is a sham. Navigating this “side road” of life is an uphill climb that leads to new understandings about herself, her marriage, and her relationship with the One who created marriage.

My Take:

A book about a marriage falling apart didn't appeal to me at the outset. I'm more about romance and happily every after. There is a part of me that also thinks being real is valuable and I wondered just how this author tackled this very important topic. Was it sugar coated? Was everything fixed with a fancy dinner and flowers? Did a prayer make everything all better?

The truth is this book was refreshingly real in many ways. Jillian has been telling everyone how to make sure their marriages are perfect but she hasn't been taking note of her own. Her husband isn't even sure why he wants out at first - just that he feels like he can't breathe and that she is the cause of his pain.

As time passes Jillian has to take a hard look at who she has become and whether she likes that person. Then she deals with her faith and how she feels about family as well. Only then is she truly ready to try and fix her marriage. Her husband deals with his own issues. Neither is perfect and on top of their marriage problems, their son comes back from a trip with a surprise fiance. They want to get married right away - so now the stunned couple have a wedding to plan while their marriage is disintegrating.

What I liked is that there were no easy answers given in the book. People judged, fought and struggled in a way that was both unique to her situation and that many people will be able to relate to. I thought the characters were well written. I got angry and felt bad for them at different times in the story. I don't know that enjoy is the right word for the book - but I took away a lot from it and I would suggest it to others.
Tyndale provided my copy in return for my honest review.

Monday Musings

2011-04-04T19:19:00.000-05:00

I need to apologize for not posting. Spring is my favorite season but it's also tough on my asthma because of my allergies. I've been sick with a particularly nasty cough. I had a fever for a few days but thankfully that's gone and I am on the mend.

If you didn't read the contest post, Courtney was the winner of The Convenient Groom. I'm preparing for another drawing soon so keep an eye out for it in the next week or so. :o)

Someone showed me this famous picture taken at the end of World War II and asked me if I recognized it. Of course I did. I've seen it many times. She pointed out that a statue had been made based on the photograph. I didn't know that. A life size one is in New York and a giant one is in San Diego.

The artist took a few liberties though. In the picture (and a different view shows it even more plainly) we can see the nurse is wearing white stockings. It's why her legs blend in with her shoes but her hand looks much darker. The description of the photo also says that she was clutching her skirt - pushing it down towards her body.

Look at the giant statue in San Diego ~

If you click on the picture and see it bigger, you can see that the face of the sailor is very poorly finished. Her legs look bare - but are visible for quite a distance. In order to view the statue you almost have to look up her skirt. I think it's in poor taste. If I took my kids on a trip to see the sights I would rather talk to them about the victory and the joy of that moment instead of talking to them about not looking up a statue's skirt. How silly. They could have blocked out the bottom of her skirt and made it solid or something.

What do you think - am I being an artistic prude and focusing too much on getting the historic details right?

Monday Musings

2011-03-28T06:35:00.001-05:00

"It's the little things that make up the richest part of the tapestry of our lives" -- Unknown

I read that quote and thought how true it is. We worry, fret and pray about the big things - but it is the little things in life that we miss and give life its joy and color. I think about seeing the Crocus bloom right on top of the snow - the first Robin of spring... Spotting a Cardinal that reminds me of my aunt or the Iris I had to leave behind when we moved.

Iris are especially meaningful to me because they were my grandmother's favorite flower. It was her life and death that convinced me to become a Christian. So I plant them in remembrance of her. This picture was the first year and the first bloom of my Iris patch at our old house. I don't have one here yet and I miss it. I see the shoots coming up and I know there will be no Iris here for me this year. No reminder - and it makes me sad.

I can fix it easily enough - and next year will be different. I know how much that means to me and then I think that maybe there are simple things I could do that would bring joy to someone else. Maybe it's someone who has a blog and needs followers, or their blog doesn't get comments very often. Maybe they need a friend to sit down and talk to or a ride somewhere... It doesn't have to be a grand gesture - sometimes it's the little things that stand out the most and make a huge difference in someone's life.

Have a great week. :o)

Summa Elvetica

2011-03-24T11:00:00.000-05:00

From Goodreads:
Do Elves Have Souls? In a medieval fantasy world in which the realm of man is dominated by a rich and powerful Church, the Most Sanctified Charity IV decides the time is ripe to make a conclusive inquiry into the matter. If, in his infallible wisdom, he determines that elves do have immortal souls, then the Church will be obliged to bring the Holy Word of the Immaculate to them. But if he decides they do not, there will be holy war. Powerful factions line up on both sides of the debate. War-hungry magnates cast greedy eyes at the ancient wealth of the elven kingdoms and pray for a declaration that elves are little more than animals. And there are men who are willing to do more than merely pray. The delegation sent to the High King of the Elves is led by two great theologians, brilliant philosophers who champion opposite sides of the great debate. And in the Sanctiff’s own stead, he sends the young nobleman, Marcus Valerius. Marcus Valerius is a rising scholar in the Church, talented, fearless, and devout. But he is inexperienced in the ways of the world. Nothing in his life has prepared him for the beauty of the elves—or the monumental betrayal into which he rides.

My Take:

When I picked up this book I hoped for adventure, thought provoking debate... and lots of elves. Maybe you'll laugh at that last part but I really thought if your aim is to decide about the state of their souls - they should play a fairly large role in the story. The real central conflict (and thus the story) is centered around the men here. Elves play a secondary role - almost as more of an excuse to examine the people than anything else.

This book was somewhat confusing to me. It's more like four things squished between one cover than a single novel. It sets up as this dramatic tale about what will happen when they meet the elves - but about 70% of the book is the journey there and back again plus the Summa Elvetica - which is short and really anti-climatic because the author already summarizes the important conclusions for us and what decision has been made. Then he shares his author's note and then goes back and shares two short stories that give background information for the main story. The two stories also don't connect to each other. It's almost as if the author had these great ideas but couldn't figure out how to make it into one smooth, connected novel so he just pieced it together into -- this.

Despite this drawbacks I loved the characters we meet early on in the book. They are well-written and have engaging personalities. I like action more than long descriptions but I still enjoyed the camaraderie shared between the characters and "listening in" on and comparing the soldiers war stories was interesting.

In the end, I wasn't the biggest fan of the format but there were lots on interesting surprises and great characters that made it a worthwhile read.

Monday Musings

2011-03-20T23:58:00.001-05:00

Another new week rolls in and I'm so happy the temperatures have warmed up and the flowers have started to bloom! I hope spring has visited wherever you live. :o) Today I want to talk about that old saying "never judge a book by its cover."

I'm sure you've heard it before. I know I have. I've even said it - multiple times - to my sons. Still I've been guilty of it myself. Haven't you? Either you don't even glance at the book with the plain cover (that may or may not have the masterpiece of the century inside) and we oooh and ah at the one with the gorgeous cover that may or may not be worthless even as a paperweight. Sometimes we even misjudge the content of the book because of the cover. This is unfortunate (and as an aspiring writer I can tell you that authors cringe at that thought because most of them have nearly nothing to do with their cover art).

I've told you before that I'm not the biggest fan of war books so when I picked up a bag of "classics" that included a dog-eared copy of North and South and saw this forlorn scene (knowing nothing about the book), I didn't even read the back cover, I just put it off to the side and never read it. I just knew I didn't want to read a sad story about the Civil war (you can laugh at me, it's okay).

You also know I'm a HUGE Jane Austen fan and one of my groups was doing a side read and they were comparing North and South to Pride and Prejudice. What? I was confused and intrigued. Not enough to read the book, yet - but it just so happened that the movie came on PBS and I was able to watch it. They were right! I was wrong... I suddenly went on a search for that book (it's still packed). I bought the DVD for that movie though. It's a totally different story than I thought. I shouldn't have judged it by the cover.

We do that with people too. Someone may have a weight problem and we think they just sit around and eat all day. Maybe we judge because they have money or they live in a nice neighborhood so we think they don't have any problems. Maybe they attend a different church so we think they don't love God as much as we do. People are different and have all kinds of situations that we may not understand. We have to look beneath the cover and get to know them and try to see them the way that God would want us to. If we were all the same the world would be a pretty boring place and it wouldn't work the way it does. We need the strength that comes from the differences.

From the time I was in elementary school until now I've had a problem being almost painfully shy - especially in crowds of new people. Many times it was misunderstood as being stuck up because I was always off by myself and very quiet. I wish people hadn't judged me by my cover - and they'd taken the time to get to know the real me. It wasn't until much later that I found out what the problem was. Someone took a chance and got to know me. Since then I've tried to not only be more aware of my own problem but that other people might have "false covers" too. I try to pass the grace more often than condemnation.

Have a great week ~ and if you get a chance to read or watch North and South you should definitely do so, it's a great story! :o)

Always the Baker, Never the Bride

2011-03-18T05:26:00.000-05:00

From Goodreads:

Thirty-six-year-old Emma Rae Travis has been baking specialty cakes and melt-in-your-mouth pastries at The Backstreet Bakery in historic Roswell, just outside of Atlanta, for the last six years. But here s the rub about her job as a baker ... Emma is diabetic. When she tastes her creations, it can only be in the most minute portions. Emma is considered an artisan for the stunning crÃ¨me brulee wedding cake that won her the Passionate Palette Award last year, but she s never even had one full slice of it.
When Jackson Drake hears about this local baker who has won a prestigious award for her wedding cake artistry, he tells his assistant to be sure and include her in the pastry tastings scheduled at his new wedding destination hotel the following week. And for Jackson, that particular day has started out badly with two workmen trapped in a broken elevator and a delivery of several dozen 300-thread-count bed linens in the wrong size abandoned in the lobby. But when the arrogant baker he met a week prior in Roswell stumbles into the dining room with a platter of pastries and a bucketful of orders, he knows for certain: It s going to be a really rotten day.
Can these two ill-suited players master the high-wire act and make a go of their new business venture? Or will they take each other crashing downward, without a net? And will the surprise wedding at The Tanglewood be theirs?

My Take:
This one had it all: romance, laughs, family drama - and food. ;o) Seriously, this book had me glued to my Kindle. Jackson Drake was the perfect hero in that he was a little bit flawed - still hanging on to the memories from the wife he'd lost years ago - and certainly not welcoming to any ideas about religion of any kind that would say that it was okay that she was gone and that God had a plan for his life without her. He's compassionate and understanding with Emma, handsome, more than a little over his head... and just all around wonderful.

Emma is talented, loaded with family issues, and has more than a little space between her and God as well. I loved seeing how much stronger she became over the course of the book. She didn't start off insecure but she ended in a position of strength and confidence that I think a person can have from knowing who God made them to be.

Together these two had a great romance. It had some wonderful kisses, some heated exchanges, those moments when you wonder will he/she? And I learned a whole new term/idea about what makes men do the things they do sometimes in dating/relationships. I'll leave you to discover that one for yourself when you read the book.

This is one of my favorite reads of the year. It is very well written and I loved all the inserted sections that had everything from mouthwatering recipes to tips on wedding favors. Add in the extended families and all their eccentricities... I wouldn't hesitate to suggest this book to any of my friends. :o)

The Convenient Groom

2011-03-16T06:22:00.000-05:00

From Goodreads:

She wrote the book--literally--on finding the right mate. But does she really understand what love's about? Five hours before her Nantucket beach wedding--and on the eve of her big book launch--celebrity marriage counselor Kate Lawrence has everything in place. Everything, that is, but the groom. She might not have a career, either, when her nationwide audience finds out their marriage guru has been left at the altar. Enter Lucas Wright, who offers to stand in for the missing husband-to-be and marry her. Kate's desperate enough to agree--although she's sure this Mr. Wright is completely wrong for her. Can they pull it off? And why would Lucas marry her in the first place? With her life spinning out of control, Kate wonders what good her carefully laid plans are if they only lead to chaos. Could it be that "Dr. Kate" doesn't know the first thing about love? When she seeks God's will instead of her won, Kate finally discovers true and lasting love.

My Take:

One of my very favorite verses is:

"The Lord your God is with you,

he is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

he will quiet you with his love,

he will rejoice over over you with singing."

Zephaniah 3:17

The author was inspired by it when she was writing this book. I would love to say that great minds think alike, but Denise Hunter is in a class all her own. This is not your ordinary Christian romance novel. It's not your ordinary romance novel either. She doesn't preach or even overtly talk about God most of the time. Still, the message is there if you look for it.

This is one of the most touching love stories I've read in a long time. It's a re-release with a beautiful new cover. It's a chance for those of you who haven't read it to get in on something special - and I'm going to be offering you an extra chance as well. :o) Before we get there, let's talk about the story a little more.

Marriages of convenience aren't commonplace today. A lot of couples choose not to marry so a contemporary romance with that theme is a little different right from the beginning. Then you start to notice the people involved and the roles they play. Kate is the relationship expert - but she's stood up on her wedding day because her groom claims to be in love with someone else. Lucas offers to help because he doesn't want Kate hurt and he hopes that he might be able to win her over in time.

As you watch their relationship, you see Kate accept help in the crisis and yet want to stubbornly cling to her independence - as if giving in to his love (let along returning it) would somehow make her weak. He persists - refusing to give up on her. Sometimes while reading I wanted to reach in and shake her. I couldn't believe she was missing how wonderful he was and all the good he was trying to do for her.

Then you take two giant steps back. Isn't that how we all are with God? We only call out or accept His help in crisis moments and then we want Him to back off and let us take charge again. In the meantime, he just keeps loving us and trying to help. Without the notes and the preface, this love story could be any romance. It certainly wouldn't offend anyone who doesn't believe in God. If you want to, you can find another layer though.

Now for the good stuff. :o) Thomas Nelson provided me with this copy for review and since I already had my own, I am passing along my good fortune to one of you. This is how you earn entries:

Be/become a follower
Announce the giveaway on your blog (share the link)
Friend me on goodreads (or share that you are my friend)
Announce the giveaway on goodreads (send/show me announcement)

Don't forget to leave your email address. The drawing will be held on 30 March 2011 - midnight CST. It is only for residents of the United States and is void where prohibited. Thanks and good luck!

Monday Musings

2011-03-15T00:46:00.000-05:00

What happened in Japan last week reinforced many of the lessons driven home by 9-11. Things I think we had started taking for granted a little bit. What matters most? What is vitally important to me?

It also reinforced how very interconnected we all are. What happened (and is happening) in Japan isn't isolated to just their country. Not only did huge waves literally hit the shores of the United States and other countries, but because of their role in the world economy, the shock waves from this event will be felt for quite some time.

I look around at the many wars and natural disasters in the world and it can be very scary. It is also wonderful to see how people stand back up, brush themselves off, gather their loved ones around them and work at rebuilding. Sometimes our greatest strength is only seen when we face adversity.

My nephew and his wife live in Japan. He used to be in the Army. They are alive and well. Other families weren't as lucky as mine. As they rebuild, I'm thankful for my family, friends, faith - and so many other blessings. May I never take them for granted.

Springtime of the Spirit

2011-03-07T05:31:00.002-06:00

Title: Springtime of the Spirit
Author: Maureen Lang

From Goodreads:

By the fall of 1918, the Great War has ended and the world is at peace, but there is little to celebrate in Germany. After four years of fighting for his homeland, Christophe Brecht returns to find there is little left of what he once called home. So when family friends ask him to travel to Munich to bring back their runaway daughter, Christophe agrees.
When he finally locates Annaliese Duray, he discovers she is far different from the girl he once knew. Headstrong, idealistic, and beautiful, she is on the front lines of the city’s political scene, fighting to give women and working-class citizens a voice in Germany’s new government.
As the political upheaval ignites in Munich, so does the attraction between Annaliese and Christophe. With an army from Berlin threatening to squash everything Annaliese has worked for, both she and Christophe are forced to choose between love and loyalty.

My Take:

This is one of those books that make me think of irony. I've avoided "war" books because I tend to read mostly for escape and entertainment and I don't enjoy stories about wars. I do love historical fiction and this was offered to me for my honest review so I thought I might as well take a chance on it. The first thing I learned was that this isn't really a book about war ~ it's a book about people.

The author has written some compelling characters that are exactly the kind I prefer. These aren't marshmallow fluff characters that leave you feeling as if you may need to visit the dentist because they are just a tad too sweet - too perfect to actually walk planet Earth. Annaliese is basically in rebellion against her parents, her government and her faith. Christophe is so angry at what has happened that one of the first things we see him do is try and destroy a poster of the Kaiser - his mind full of thoughts about how the army was lied to and betrayed by the people who led them into the war.

Another reason I don't much like "war" books is because I would like to keep all the horrible scenes and issues in the past - thinking it has no relevance on life today. I cringed more than once as I read the well-meaning Annaliese describe to Christophe why socialism was the right thing for Germany. Too often her speeches, along with those of her mentor, Jurgen, could have been ripped from today's headlines.

What surprised me the most was how much I liked this book. It put a human face on a difficult period in Germany's history. Christophe's love and dedication to Annaliese wasn't conditional. He didn't stop caring for her because her views were different, or when she did things he didn't approve of. In many ways I think his love was a great example of how God loves us - patiently, completely and for who we are.

This book featured wonderful characters that exhibited great strength as well as weaknesses. I think it was one of the best books I've read so far this year and I thank Tyndale House for providing it to me in exchange for my honest review.

The Promises She Keeps

2011-03-01T23:20:00.002-06:00

First I want to apologize for not posting for the last few days. I've been sick. I'm still not feeling very well, but hopefully I'm on on the mend. I think it's some kind of stomach bug. I guess it's just that time of year. Thanks for your patience. :o)

Title: The Promises She Keeps

Author: Erin Healy

Goodreads Blurb: It's her destiny to die young. The man who loves her can't live with that.
Promise, a talented young vocalist with a terminal illness, is counting on fame to keep her memory alive after she dies. Porta is an aging witch and art collector in search of the goddess who will grant her immortality.
When Promise inexplicably survives a series of freak accidents, Porta believes that Promise is the one she seeks. But Chase, an autistic artist who falls in love with Promise and opposes Porta, comes between the women with his mysterious visions and drawings, and plunges everyone into a flesh-and-blood confrontation over the true meaning of eternal life.

My take:

This was one of those books that was slow to make sense. It was hard to get into and then I wasn't quite sure I knew exactly where it was going - or agreed with it. There were some shining moments and well drawn characters... but I always feel the true test of a book is if I get so caught up in it that I believe in the characters and the story as if they were real people and events. I never got there with this one.

The first problem was the premise that Promise - who is sick with Cystic Fibrosis - suddenly gets better and survives all these near fatal accidents, but only until she is around Porta, a witch. The accidents make her feel better than ever before and they all occur around Porta's son (a drug addict that she is drawn to) and neither of them have any faith in God at all. In fact, I didn't notice any real redemptive message in the book at all. Sacrificial love, innocence, sharing... but no real redemption.

Only Chase (the autistic man) shows any signs of faith and his sister questions his understanding of it. Many times it appears he gets messages about what's going to happen from his father (who is dead). This may be the author's way of having God speak to Chase, but that isn't discussed or the way he seems to view it. More of a sci-fi/magical feel comes across as his drawing utensils rattle by themselves in their cans and "call to him" to tell him what to draw. Nevertheless, he does understand biblical principles and tries and share them with others through his drawings of trees.

The other problem is Chase's claim to love Promise, romantically. He first claims this when he hasn't even met her. He says that he loves everyone he gives his pictures to and I wish they would have left his feelings for Promise in this same category because it just doesn't make sense that he would have this romantic love for her (specially since it isn't returned - he makes her uncomfortable) with no real personal contact with her. It felt more like a stalker relationship after that instead of something good and with any promise for a future.

The ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. I felt like the story had potential, but took some wrong turns. It still is a very haunting and unique novel. I haven't read anything quite like it. I want to thank the people at Thomas Nelson for providing my copy in exchange for my honest review.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-02-23T17:34:00.000-06:00

Yawn....

Letting Go

2011-02-21T23:45:00.002-06:00

Title: Letting Go
Author: Michelle Sutton

Goodreads Blurb:

Sometimes for dreams to come true, you have to let go . . .

Outwardly Diane Simmons appears to have everything a woman could want. A successful attorney, she’s beautiful and talented, and yet she always seems to be attracted to the wrong men. Longing to be loved for who she is, not for what she looks like, she finally realizes the world’s view of love is totally unrealistic and distorted and gives up on romance. She wants to find a better way but has no clue where to look.

Dave Passel can never father a biological child. He loves his foster son deeply, but something goes terribly wrong before the adoption can be finalized. When the State tries to reunite the child with the birth mother he has never known and the new caseworker accuses Dave of sabotaging visits with her, he hires Diane to fight for him in court. He believes in God’s sovereignty, but bad experiences with his late wife make it hard for him to trust Diane as she advocates for his son. If only he didn’t struggle so much with letting go . . .

My Take:

Michelle Sutton has done it again. Every time I pick up a book of hers I know I will meet real people facing problems in ways that normal people would. This book tackled huge issues and didn't shy away from the very real consequences that come from them.

Diane is damaged from abuse as a child. She can't relate to men in a normal way. She doesn't feel loved. Once she realizes how much damage she's been doing to other people's relationships (because she's had affairs with married men without knowing it), part of her doesn't think she deserves happiness even if she could find it. She's isolated in life. She doesn't have friends because she treats women as competition. When her situation comes to a crisis, she has to pick a path and that's when everything starts to unravel.

Despite her problems, Diane has a strength about her that keeps her going. She also is compassionate and has a career dedicated to helping children. She gets a lot of satisfaction from that. I felt my heart break for her more than once. I identified with her yearning to be loved and accepted. I think that's a universal desire. It's a mistake to think that those with money and looks are automatically happy and loved. This book is a great example.

Dave is a great dad who is expecting to adopt the foster child he's been raising for nearly two years. Suddenly a wrench is thrown into the works and both father and son are devastated. Add in a new caseworker that doesn't like him... Things go terribly wrong. Dave is normally patient and relaxed but he reacts as I think anyone in this situation might. He's defensive, tense, suspicious... He doesn't lose control and do anything drastic, but it tears his heart out and ours right with it. I think the only thing that keeps him from falling off the edge is his faith.

In this middle of this, the two of them find each other. Neither wants it. Both fight it. Diane is seriously scared of it. The pain and heartache they both have gone through just make their relationship together that much sweeter when it comes.

A side character, Ken, was also well done. He showed all the same realistic elements I love to see in Michelle's characters - especially those that are believers. He was a friend of Diane's that she used to date. He was kind and compassionate, struggled with temptation, but in the end stood strong and was honest about it. The small group Diane visits is not that well developed (mostly because they only played a very small role in the book). Many of them mention pasts, but as for the present, they seemed very sweet and were willing to be a friend to Diane no matter what.

This is a fantastic book and I would suggest you not only to read for yourself, but to share others. :o)

Monday Musings

2011-02-20T23:23:00.001-06:00

Are you familiar with the term "Standing or Memorial Stones? "

⁴So Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the sons of Israel, one man from each tribe;
⁵and Joshua said to them, "Cross again to the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Israel.
⁶"Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, 'What do these stones mean to you?'
⁷then you shall say to them, 'Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off ' So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever." - Joshua 4: 4-7 NASB

Especially during hard times people often need reminding of the good things in their life, the blessings they do have, and what God has done for them. It isn't something new. In the passage I just shared God shows He understands that need by telling the people to set up these stones as reminders of how they just witnessed a miracle that showed God's power and provision for them. We know how many times the people would doubt Him in the Bible. We aren't any stronger than they were.

The picture I shared is of an Iris from the garden I had to leave behind when I moved. Every place I've lived since I became a Christian has had them. They are part of my "standing stones." You see, my grandmother was the one who influenced me her life and death to accept Christ. The Iris was her favorite flower. Every time I see one I think about her and how much her love and her powerful witness has impacted my life, my marriage, my children... and so many other choices I've made. It's a reminder to me of the kind of woman I want to be and the kind of love I want to share with other people. It's also a reminder of the grace and mercy God has for me - because he put her in my life.

For the times when they aren't in bloom, I have a picture on my bedroom wall with the sign "Believe" hanging on top of it. I think we need reminders of the times that are important in our spiritual walk to help us when times are rough and to pass down stories to our children to strengthen their faith and help them to know the stories of how God has worked in their family. It can be a shadowbox with momentos, a photo collage, a single item mounted... or a jar where you record moments on paper and then make a tradition of pulling out one a week and discussing it.

If you do this already I'd love to hear your stories. If not, let me know how you feel about it. Have you tried before? How much can the past offer us~ either in comfort or edification?

Quote It Saturday

2011-02-19T21:10:00.000-06:00

"In the end, what affects your life most deeply are things too simple to talk about." -- Nell Blaine

"The happiness of life is made up of little things--a smile, a hug, a moment of shared laughter." - Unknown

Quote It Sat is hosted by Freda @ Freda's Voice.

The Gunman's Bride

2011-02-17T09:21:00.000-06:00

Title: The Gunman's Bride
Author: Catherine Palmer

From Goodreads:

Bart Kingsley had followed her to New Mexico, ready to lay his love—and his life—on the line. But spirited Laura Rose had made a fresh start for herself. She hadn't left her controlling father in Kansas to let some gun-slinging outlaw ruin her hopes—no matter what scandalous past they shared six years ago. Or how his green eyes beckoned!

Rosie was his light in the darkness—Bart would do anything to win back her trust. But he was a wanted man. Would the past, with its dangerous demands and debts, conspire to destroy their new beginning? Or would his faith in God—and in Rosie—be rewarded?

My Take:

On many levels I could relate to Rosie because she often let her fears and worries get the best of her. I have one of those minds that can imagine a hundred different outcomes - vividly. It's one of the reasons I write. It's a mistake to oversimplify and think she's weak. She did leave her father for a fresh start on her own. She also was so determined to get the teaching job of her dreams that she made a plan and saw it through - step by step. She wasn't honest with her father or herself though.

When Bart shows up, everything gets complicated. Not just her life and plans - but her feelings as well. She wants her safe and secure plan and suddenly everything has gone off the rails.

Bart is... Bart. lol He struggles against his past - both what people did to him and what he has done himself. Part of the time he doesn't believe he deserves any better and part of the time he wants more so badly he would do nearly anything to get it. He only knew one good thing in his life - Rosie. He wants a chance to win her back, whatever that takes.

This couple have a true and passionate love. It was an interesting story to see how they found each other and overcame their obstacles. There were some tense and frustrating moments, but I enjoyed it very much. I also need to mention a lot of research went into this book and I enjoyed meeting the true-life characters that were introduced.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-02-16T05:47:00.000-06:00

Gift I made for a freelance editor who worked on my manuscript and helped me a lot.

Monday Musings

2011-02-14T02:07:00.001-06:00

I've decided to try a new feature on my blog. On Mondays I will have a post about something I have been thinking about, writing about, something that God has been teaching me... Those kinds of topics. I expect it will be something where there can be a lot of discussion from you as well. I hope you enjoy this new feature and I look forward to your feedback.

Today's topic came from a discussion I had with a military wife I know. She's upset about the number of commercials that feature soldiers. She complained about them because she believes they're using the military as a way to take advantage of the American public and their patriotic feelings as well as their desire to support the men and woman serving overseas.

It's true that many companies that have nothing to do with the military are using images of soldiers and their families to sell products.

There are other companies, like USAA, which caters only to military families (retired and veterans as well) and their dependents. They've also been running commercials lately with images of soldiers (I don't think I noticed many commercials by them before - I'll have to look it up). I'm guessing the greater frequency has to do with the economy and restrictions put on banks in general. Maybe there just is greater competition and they need to get their name out there more.

Is there a difference between the two companies? Do you think she's right to be offended at either? Should we be using images of our soldiers to sell products like this? I'd really like to hear your view, but whatever it is, I'm sad the military community would think all they're worth to a company is an advantage to gain profit. I stand behind them and pray for their safety. Thank you to all those who serve and their families for their sacrifice for freedom.

Quote It Saturday

2011-02-12T02:56:00.000-06:00

"A good goal is like a strenuous exercise -- it makes you stretch." -- Mary Kay Ash

Quote it Saturday is hosted by Freda @ Freda's Voice

Love on Assignment

2011-02-11T06:39:00.000-06:00

Title: Love on Assignment
Author: Cara Lynn James

Goodreads Blurb:

While Charlotte is focusing on uncovering sordid information on columnist Daniel Wilmot, her heart leads her into uncharted territory.During the summer of 1900 Charlotte Hale, a native Newporter and secretary for the Rhode Island Reporter, accepts an undercover assignment as temporary governess to Daniel Wilmont's children in order to secretly gather evidence against him. As he helps her rediscover God, Charlotte learns that Daniel is an honorable man.They unexpectedly fall in love despite their different backgrounds and social positions. Charlotte soon realizes she must defend Daniel against the forces set against him-a willful student with a romantic crush and the newspaper editor determined to destroy his reputation.

My Take:

This is the second book in the series and only the second book I've read by this author, but I know it won't be my last. I think I liked the first one a little bit more but they are both great stories and I can't wait to read the third in this series.

Charlotte is working as a secretary but wants to be a journalist. She supports her family and they can't earn enough for medical expenses or the damage to the roof. She feels enormous pressure to provide for them. So when her boss gives her the opportunity to go undercover as a chance to prove her worth as a journalist, more than just her ambition is on the line. I loved that she was a career woman with intelligence but also cared so much for family and had a strong sense of right and wrong.

The deeper she gets involved, the less comfortable she feels. Her boss seems willing to destroy Daniel by any means - even dishonest - and Daniel seems innocent of all the things she's supposed to find evidence of. If she doesn't comply she's afraid of losing her job. If she does...

Daniel asked Charlotte if she was a Christian and she told him she was but lots of little things are adding up to say she might not be. He promised himself not to get involved with anyone after what happened with his first wife but there is just something about Charlotte that draws him... He's the kind of strong, righteous, hero who is willing to stand up for what he believes in no matter what. He's also truly willing to believe the best in people. If anything, he's almost too perfect.

I thought perhaps a bit more time could have been spent in Daniel's perspective to answer some questions and give some more depth. There were some loose ends that never seemed explained - like what was so special about the things in the attic. There was a touching secondary romance for his mother as well.

I'm looking forward to book three, and if you like Christian Historical Fiction, I hope you'll consider this series. :o)

Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor

2011-02-10T03:03:00.000-06:00

Title: Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor
Author: Stephanie Barron

Goodreads Blurb:

For everyone who loves Jane Austen...a marvelously entertaining new series that turns the incomparable author into an extraordinary sleuth!
On a visit to the estate of her friend, the young and beautiful Isobel Payne, Countess of Scargrave, Jane bears witness to a tragedy. Isobel's husband—a gentleman of mature years—is felled by a mysterious and agonizing ailment. The Earl's death seems a cruel blow of fate for the newly married Isobel. Yet the bereaved widow soon finds that it's only the beginning of her misfortune...as she receives a sinister missive accusing her and the Earl's nephew of adultery—and murder. Desperately afraid that the letter will expose her to the worst sort of scandal, Isobel begs Jane for help. And Jane finds herself embroiled in a perilous investigation that will soon have her following a trail of clues that leads all the way to Newgate Prison and the House of Lords—a trail that may well place Jane's own person in the gravest jeopardy.

My Take:

I'd never heard of these books until I decided to try the challenge this year and I am so glad I did. The premise is that the author is acting as an editor of a journal which Jane Austen used to relate several times where her wit and connections allowed her to take part as a sort of amateur detective and help find out the truth in complicated and mysterious situations where crimes had been committed. I thought it sounded a little far-fetched considering the roles of women during the times, but the author pulls it off in a very believable fashion. Not only that, but the tone and writing have a rhythm and certain phrases that make you feel the similarity to Austen's writing.

The story itself is very interesting and the mystery is good enough that you begin to wonder whether Jane will succeed in solving it. It's fun to see her discover how many wrong conclusions people (including herself) have come to along the way by having only part of the information.

The only drawback was that Jane was certainly the star of the show and the other characters didn't seem as fully developed. They may have had some fun quirks or you may have disliked them, but in general they seemed more like a chorus line that stood in the background for Jane. Much of that may be because we really don't spend much time with them. The book is designed as her journal entry - so it is Jane's voice and her perspective we see events through.

I LOVED this book and can't wait to read the rest in the series. If you like Jane Austen and/or mysteries, this series would probably be a great one for you to try.

Beneath The Night Tree

2011-02-07T01:51:00.000-06:00

Title: Beneath the Night Tree
Author: Nicole Baart

Goodreads Blurb:

Do I have a child? Julia DeSmit knew she would face the question eventually, but she didn’t expect it now. At twenty-four, she is finally content with the way her life has unfolded. A single mother to her son and young brother, she works at the local grocery store while chipping away at a two-year degree. All her free time is spent with her unorthodox family—her boys, her grandmother, and her boyfriend of five years. It’s not perfect, but Julia is happier than ever.
So when she receives the cryptic e-mail from her son’s father, Julia’s world is turned upside down. She hasn’t heard from Parker since he left her in a college parking lot nearly six years ago. But one look at her son—the spitting image of his father—is enough to convince her that, for better or worse, Parker is a part of their story. Faced with this new reality and an unexpected tragedy, Julia begins a tightrope walk between what was and what is, what she hopes for and what will be.

My Take:

The first word that comes to mind when I think of this book is beautiful. The author's writing is almost poetic. She uses words in a unique way.

She also tells the story of a broken family - in more ways than one. She shows you all the little pieces and how sharp and painful the edges are - how they rub up against the characters and cut them just when all seemed to be peaceful and "safe" again. For a while they've been in the business of ignoring those broken pieces. Like a bunch of broken glass, whenever someone is cut, then all those pieces get swept under the rug with the hope they won't slip out and cut anyone again.

None of them truly believe that's the best way to deal with it, they just don't want the pain of trying to gather all of them up and face the probability of getting cut by more than one piece at a time. They are all just holding it together and fear that if anything changes - it won't work anymore. Change comes for them whether they like it or not.

This book had romance in it but it was more a powerful story about life and how the choices we make shape us and our families. It was about forgiveness, grace, choosing to live without fear and not settling for what is expected and safe because we think we aren't worth anything more. It's also about faith but in a subtle way and without being the least bit preachy.

I enjoyed it very much and need to thank Tyndale for providing my copy in return for my unbiased review.

Gauis Petreius Ruso 1 - 3

2011-02-04T05:36:00.001-06:00

Divorced and down on his luck, Gaius Petreius Ruso has made the rash decision to seek his fortune in an inclement outpost of the Roman Empire, namely Britannia. In a moment of weakness, after a straight thirtysix-hour shift at the army hospital, he succumbs to compassion and rescues an injured slave girl, Tilla, from the hands of her abusive owner. Now he has a new problem: a slave who won't talk and can't cook, and drags trouble in her wake. Before he knows it, Ruso is caught in the middle of an investigation into the deaths of prostitutes working out of the local bar. Now Ruso must summon all his forensic knowledge to find a killer who may be after him next. With a gift for comic timing and historical detail, Ruth Downie has conjured an ancient world as raucous and real as our own.

It is spring in the year of 118, and Hadrian has been Emperor of Rome for less than a year. After getting involved with the murders of local prostitutes in the town of Deva, Doctor Gaius Petreius Ruso needs to get out of town, so has volunteered for a posting with the Army on the volatile border where the Roman-controlled half of Britannia meets the independent tribes of the North. Not only is he going to the hinterlands of the hinterlands, but it his slave Tilla's homeland and she has some scores to settle there. Soon they find that Tilla's tribespeople are being encouraged to rebel against Roman control by a mysterious leader known as the Stag Man, and her former lover is implicated in the grisly murder of a soldier. Ruso, unwillingly involved in the investigation of the murder, is appalled to find that Tilla is still spending time with the lover. Worse, he is honour bound to try to prove the man innocent - and the Army wrong - by finding another suspect. Soon both Ruso's and Tilla's lives are in jeopardy, as is the future of their burgeoning romantic relationship.

At long last, Gaius Petreius Ruso and his companion, Tilla, are headed home-to Gaul. Having received a note consisting only of the words "COME HOME!" Ruso has (reluctantly, of course) pulled up stakes and brought Tilla to meet his family. But the reception there is not what Ruso has hoped for: no one will admit to sending for him, and his brother Lucius is hoping he'll leave. With Tilla getting icy greetings from his relatives, Lucius' brother-in-law mysteriously drowned at sea, and the whole Ruso family being sued for bankruptcy, it's hard to imagine an unhappier reunion. That is, until Severus, the plaintiff in the bankruptcy suit, winds up dead, and the real trouble begins...

My Take:

I'm combining these three because I'm horribly behind in reviews and because they're all part of a series so I thought perhaps I could cheat like that. :o)

I'm awaiting the fourth novel, which I won in a contest, and so I thought I would read the first one and see about "catching up" on the series before I read the one I'd won. I'm so glad I did. These are really well written historical novels that manage to capture the essence of the time period without sacrificing the character of any of the people involved.

These are secular novels, but they are fairly clean. I have to say fairly because that time period included things that many people would find objectionable. Gladiator fights, brothels, false gods... Still all these things are treated in a way that shows the negative aspects of the things that are truly evil and the humanity of the things and people who did things we would disagree with today.

The entire series centers around a Roman doctor (medicus) and the slave he rescues from death. She hates the Romans and wants to die. He is in dire financial straits and shouldn't have wasted the money on the girl. She is expressive and emotional, he is reserved. Together they form an unlikely bond of friendship and loyalty that helps carry them through many potentially dangerous situations.

These books were funny, challenging, engaging and even thought provoking. One of the things that made them stand out was the fact that they weren't over sanitized. It wasn't a case always of who the good guys were and who the bad guys were. You could see both sides and that there were good people on both sides of the argument. I can't wait for book four and if you haven't read these yet, you may want to consider adding them to your list.

Masquerade Marriage

2011-01-27T04:03:00.000-06:00

Title: Masquerade Marriage
Author: Anne Greene

A SECRET LIST

To protect his loved ones and escape the dark fate of his brothers, a noted warrior abandons his identity. Hiding from relentless soldiers who want him dead, Brody MacCaulay vows to protect the woman he loves more than life, more than freedom, more than Scotland. But his presence throws her into danger.

A VOW HONORED

To escape an arranged marriage to an abusive noble, a Lowland Lady weds a stranger to save his life. But vows spoken do not make a marriage, especially when Megan MacMurry holds a different love inside her heart.

A SACRIFICE MADE

Outlawed, and with a price on his head, Brody condemns himself to a life of heartbreak without Megan. Wanting her desperately, knowing he can't have her, he heads alone to certain death...

My Take:

I love books about historical Scotland. There is something about the people and that time that tugs at my heart and challenges me at the same time. These were people not afraid to die for what they believed in. They held concepts like loyalty, family, freedom, and faith sacred. I think there is a lot to learn from them. Sometimes they were a wee bit stubborn and prideful... but there was a lot of strength and courage in heroes of Scottish history.

This story is a great example of how that sense of honor and self-sacrifice was lived out among not just the giants of history, but so many of the families. It's also a story of how many of them tried to pick up the pieces after Culloden. They had dual desires. Part of them wanted to live to protect their families and fight another day. Another part felt like it was somehow dishonorable to hide and give in to what the English wanted.

Unlike many romance novels, there was no silent, aggressive hero and a damsel in distress. Megan also didn't fit the other extreme ~ She wasn't the kind of woman who had to be in charge all the time, wear the pants in the family and didn't like being a woman. She was just a strong woman who was intelligent, capable, practical and wanted to help the patriotic men who had fought and were in danger of losing their lives. She was willing to risk her own life and happiness to do just that.

Brody fought for a cause he believed in. War changes him inside though. Afterward he isn't sure what he believes and wishes his life hadn't been spared. When he finds out that Megan has chosen him as husband to spare his life, he hopes for happiness with his friend from childhood. He soon learns that she did it as a patriotic duty and was engaged to someone else who died on the battlefield. His presence puts her family at risk and he struggles with that nearly as much as his feelings for Megan.

I enjoyed this book a lot and suggest it to anyone who likes this time period.

In case you haven't read it yet, here is an excerpt:

Like a determined hero, the fugitive warrior strode through the door at the far end of the tiny stone kirk.

Megan’s eyes widened. Her clenched jaw relaxed. Some of her dread dissolved.

“Impressive.” Molly, Megan’s Irish maid, whispered from where they stood together in the vestibule.

He stopped in front of the hand-carved altar and half-turned toward her. Megan pulled in an uneven breath. This Highlander, wearing formal kilts, was no scrawny lad grown older, nor was he a big, hairy Scot with a bushy beard. The tall, strapping soldier stood with legs braced as if about to do battle.

Her heart skipped. Though she’d known Brody when she wore short skirts, this blond warrior was far more than she expected. Her pulse throbbed in her temples. Doubt niggled her brain. Brody was too tall, too obviously a Highlander. How could she hope to pass him off as a Lowland Laird? He appeared to have too big a chip on his shoulder to let her command him.

Brody’s thick sandy hair swept the collar of his linen shirt. Lace-trimmed cuffs matched the white jabot at his muscular throat. A silver broach clapsed his crimson and black tartan to his wide right shoulder. His Claymore, dirk, and thick sword belt startled her.

Megan suppressed a shudder. The English outlawed kilts. With his dress, Brody spat in the face of the English and further imperiled his life. Why?

His intense sapphire stare blazed a trail across the empty wooden pews toward her. His eyes made her feel dizzy as if she just danced a fast reel with a lively partner.

Molly grinned and handed Megan the bridal flowers.

What had she gotten herself into?

2011 Christian Historical Fiction Challenge

2011-01-27T01:39:00.004-06:00

This challenge is hosted by Margaret at Christian Historical Fiction. I'll keep track of the reviews for the books I read for the challenge in this post and the total number along the side of the blog. You can read the rules for the challenge or sign up by clicking the link above.

My reviews:

A Proper Pursuit by Lynn Austin
Valeria's Cross by Kathi Macias and Susan Wales
The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen
Masquerade Marriage by Anne Greene
Love on Assignment by Cara Lynn James
The Gunman's Bride by Catherine Palmer
A Heart Most Worthy by Siri Mitchell

Interview With Anne Greene from Masquerade Marriage

2011-01-24T23:49:00.001-06:00

A SECRET LIST

To protect his loved ones and escape the dark fate of his brothers, a noted warrior abandons his identity. Hiding from relentless soldiers who want him dead, Brody MacCaulay vows to protect the woman he loves more than life, more than freedom, more than Scotland. But his presence throws her into danger.

A VOW HONORED

To escape an arranged marriage to an abusive noble, a Lowland Lady weds a stranger to save his life. But vows spoken do not make a marriage, especially when Megan MacMurry holds a different love inside her heart.

A SACRIFICE MADE

Outlawed, and with a price on his head, Brody condemns himself to a life of heartbreak without Megan. Wanting her desperately, knowing he can't have her, he heads alone to certain death...

ANNE delights in writing about wounded heroes and gutsy heroines. She writes both historical and suspense novels. After falling in love with several countries and their people, Anne set a number of her books in exotic locations. She and her hero husband, Army Special Forces Colonel Larry Greene, have visited twenty-five countries, including three communist countries. A visit to

Scotland

resulted in her newest book release, Masquerade Marriage, published by White Rose Publishing. When she’s not deployed with her husband, Anne makes her home in McKinney, Texas. Two of her four children live nearby. Tim LaHaye led her to the Lord when she was twenty-one and Chuck Swindoll is her Pastor. In 1990, Anne graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Literary Studies from the University of Texas, Dallas. Her highest hope is that her stories transport the reader to an awesome new world and touch hearts to seek a deeper spiritual relationship with the Lord Jesus. To learn more of Anne and to view pictures from her extensive travel, visit her at AnneGreenAuthor.com.

Which authors have inspired you?

That’s a hard one to answer. When I read a really good book, I just want to sit down and write one as good—or better.

Masquerade Marriage is a book of my heart. My paternal ancestors are Scotch of Clan Gunn, which was located in the far north of Scotland in the Cathness area where Vikings intermarried with the Scots. I visited Scotland with the purpose of setting one or more historicals there, and fell in love with the country. The final battle between the English and the Scottish Highlanders changed the Highlands forever. A way of life ended. The drama in this story appealed to me, and so I wrote Masquerade Marriage. I love this time in history and so enjoyed living it as I wrote the book. I hope the reader finds a new world to love as he reads my book. I’m working on a sequel and a possible third book now.

What distracts you from writing the easiest?

At the moment, I’m doing a lot of publicity for my new book. But, when I’m writing, the only things I let distract me are family, friends, and errands. I’m very dedicated.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

My family thinks I’m pretty quirky. I’m often accused of living in my own world-whatever that means! I do sometimes get so involved in whatever story I’m writing that I forget appointments or show up at a social event on the wrong date or at the wrong address. I think I’m rather like the Absent-minded Professor.

What is your strangest habit?

Lots of writers like to work in their pjs. I like to be completely dressed, including make-up. Who knows when I’ll want to run out and see a friend for lunch or run an errand? I’m pretty spontaneous. I can only write for a period of time before I need some social interaction. But then it’s back to the grindstone.

Are there things you put off doing because you dread them?

Exercise! Going to the gym. So easy to pass that by. When my mind is occupied with a book, my body wants to sit in that chair and write. Time passes and before I realize it, the day is gone. I don’t dread any part of the writing process. And I love to rewrite and polish. I love working with words and images and bringing them to life.

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?

I love to write about redemption in every form. Second chances, forgiveness, grace, finding God’s will, and finding and walking with the Savior. I love the grace of God, and His unexpected ways of showing His love. The spiritual theme of my books come directly from the characters and whatever problems they struggle with.

I hope you enjoyed the interview with Anne today. Please take a moment and visit her website at Anne Greene's Website. You can get information about this book or any of her other projects. Plus -- if you can't wait until I share my review in my next post, she has an excerpt from Masquerade Marriage on her website as well. :o)

Thanks for your time, Anne. I wish you all the best with this and all your books.

Quote It Saturday

2011-01-22T14:23:00.001-06:00

"Where so many hours have been spent in convincing myself that I am right, is there not some reason to fear I may be wrong?" -- Jane Austen

Quote It Sat is hosted by Freda @ Freda's Voice.

An Amish Love

2011-01-22T00:28:00.000-06:00

Title: An Amish Love
Authors: Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, & Kelly Long

Two of today's most popular genres--Romance and Amish fiction--together in one volume.
"Healing Hearts" by Beth Wiseman: Levina Lapp and her husband Naaman are alone for the first time in 30 years. When Naaman left to visit cousins in Ohio, Levina wasn't expecting him to be gone a year. Now that he's back, will they be able to move beyond this estrangement and fall in love again?
"What the Heart Sees" by Kathleen Fuller: A tragic accident rocks a peaceful Amish community, leaving Ellie Chupp blinded and Christopher Bender's future shattered. But they find love and forgiveness in a place they least expect.
"A Marriage of the Heart" by Kelly Long: Rachel Yoder is tired of her Amish lifestyle and her domineering father's ways. When handsome Joseph Lambert comes back from the Englisch, she lies to force a marriage of convenience, providing the perfect means to escape her father's rule. But Rachel never imagined she'd fall in love with Joseph so quickly or irrevocably.

My Take:

I was confused at first by the summaries. Goodreads listed them in reverse order from what you read in the book and on the back cover it is actually last, first, and then second. I don't understand why they would do it that way - specially since the stories do relate to each other. Characters overlap from one story to another and the changes from the first story are referred to in the third.

As for the stories themselves, one of the things I liked about them was that there was the kind of ending you expect in a romance novel and none of them were cliff hangers - making you wait for another story to see what happened. Although I appreciate this genre, I've read some that were so sad it turned me off the series - or they didn't resolve the story for our main characters until the entire series was over. So you had to wait three or four years to find out if your leading lady found love. Realistic maybe, but I read romances for... romance. :o)

These keep that wonderful atmosphere and feeling you get from Amish fiction without cliff hangers or depressing endings. Having said that, my favorite story was the first one. I think it was the most romantic. Abby, her father, and Joseph start off in a relationship based mostly on manipulation, self-preservation and distrust. They don't realize how badly they all need each other - and how much better life will be when they stop acting like a family and truly become one.

The story of Ellie and Chris was my least favorite. I don't think I really bonded with the characters as well as I should have. There was a lot of character growth and change that had to happen in a short amount of time. Some of the change was so sudden and I don't think I totally believed it. It was still a nice story with good themes about forgiveness.

The last story also dealt with forgiveness. It was confusing to me for a while because Naaman never seemed to give any good motivation for leaving home. He never seemed to understand it himself. I could relate very well to his children who resented his coming back after so long with no explanation and just picking up where he left off. Regardless of that - his love story with his wife and how they worked to re-build their marriage was very touching. I also liked the bit of mystery that was worked into this story.

If you like Amish fiction, it's a good bet that you'll enjoy this anthology. It was provided to me by Thomas Nelson as part of the Book Sneeze program with the understanding that I would give an unbiased review. I thank them for my copy.

Wish I'd Read That Challenge 2011

2011-01-21T01:18:00.002-06:00

I totally forgot to make a post in order to keep track of my reviews for this challenge. For those of you interested in signing up, you can click on the picture on the side of my blog and it will link you to Hannah who is hosting the challenge this year @ Project Journal.

My reviews so far are:

The Justice Game

2011-01-21T00:35:00.000-06:00

Title: The Justice Game
Author: Randy Singer

Goodreads Blurb:

After the target of an investigative report storms a Virginia Beach television station, he kills one of the anchors before the SWAT team takes him down. Following the victim's funeral, her family files a lawsuit against the gun company who manufactured the killer's weapon of choice. The lawyers for the plaintiff and defendant-Kelly Starling and Jason Noble-are young, charismatic, and successful. They're also easy blackmail targets, both harboring a personal secret so devastating it could destroy their careers. Millions of dollars-and more than a few lives-are at stake. But as Kelly and Jason battle each other, they discover that the real fight is with unseen forces intent on controlling them both.

My Take:

I rarely read legal fiction. This one intrigued me because not only was it based on a real (and highly controversial) case, but the author was involved in that case. No matter how you feel about the issue, this book is riveting. The author manages to remain amazingly objective and you walk away from the book caring about the people on both sides. The real villain is the person who tried to manipulate the system - and was willing to kill to do so.

I think that is one of the reasons this kept me glued to my Kindle. The stakes couldn't be higher. Justice for the court case was hanging in the balance - that's true... Both lawyers had issues in their past and were struggling with how to and whether they could face them and make things right... On top of it all was the fact that somebody was manipulating the outcome and making more and more serious threats.

The pace of the book was just right and the plot kept me guessing right up until the end. Both Kelly and Jason are like-able, but not perfect. They are surrounded by a lot of interesting people. I would love to sit and have a purple milkshake with them anytime. {Read the book to know what that's all about.}

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-19T06:20:00.000-06:00

A Proper Pursuit

2011-01-17T05:06:00.000-06:00

Title: A Proper Pursuit
Author: Lynn Austin

Goodreads Blurb:

When Violet Hayes ventures to Chicago during the time of the World's Fair, her one goal is to find her mother, who has been missing from her life since she was nine. Naïve, impressionable, and highly imaginative (having secretly ingested a diet of romance novels and true crime stories at school), Violet stays in Chicago under the care of her grandmother and her three great aunts. It is here that her perspectives on life are opened as she is exposed to the world about her--from high society to the poor immigrant families; from the suffragette movement to the security of a suitable marriage match. As Violet contemplates what course her life will take, she will discover the missing parts of her family's past--and, ultimately, Violet will discover herself.

My Take:

I know it's cliche, but I tell you all the time that I have a HUGE wish list of books - and only so much time and money. This is one that had been on the list for a while and I'm a little ashamed to say that I didn't put as much emphasis on it because the cover just didn't grab me. Let me tell you something - what's inside is one of the most entertaining stories I've read in a long time. I instantly added Lynn Austin as a favorite author after finishing this book.

Violet is such an incredible character. She experiences so much through the course of this novel. She sees things she never dreamed of, meets interesting people, has to learn some harsh truths as well as some beautiful ones, solves some mysteries, gets several marriage proposals, sees life from varying perspectives, and has her very first kiss.

I laughed so hard while reading this book that I cried. I could picture everything in my mind so clearly - from the Liberty Bell made from oranges, to the frilly dresses at the parties and even the shocked looks on the faces of people when bloomers for women were suggested as an option. The descriptions made you feel like you were part of it. I can still remember exactly how Violet described Silas when she first saw him.

Speaking of Silas, that was another great thing about the book. Violet wasn't the only interesting character. Silas kept you guessing about what kind of person he really was and what he wanted, each of her aunts had their own strengths and personalities that made the book fun & interesting, her grandmother was yet another holder of mysteries and the one who led her to the "seedier" side of town to do charity work, Nelson is more than just another rich bachelor who "plays the game," and I could keep going.

The story was well-written, it had elements of mystery, a lot of wit and funny dialogue, romance... This was a great story. If you haven't had a chance to read it yet, I hope you add it to your list. :o)

Quote It Saturday

2011-01-15T00:06:00.000-06:00

"Every day in a life fills the whole life with expectation and memory." -- C. S. Lewis

"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid."
-- Jane Austen (Northanger Abbey)

Quote it Saturday is hosted by Freda @ Freda's Voice.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-12T01:36:00.000-06:00

Dragons of the Valley

2011-01-11T03:52:00.000-06:00

Title: Dragons of the Valley
Author: Donita K. Paul

Goodreads Blurb:

With an invasion of her country imminent, Tipper Schope is drawn into a mission to keep three important statues from falling into the enemy’s clutches. Her friend, the artist Bealomondore, helps her execute the plan, and along the way he learns to brandish a sword rather than a paintbrush.

As odd disappearances and a rash of volatile behavior sweep Chiril, no one is safe. A terrible danger has made his vicious presence known: The Grawl, a hunter unlike any creature encountered before.

To restore their country, Tipper, Bealomondore, and their party must hide the statues in the Valley of the Dragons and find a way to defeat the invading army. When it falls to the artistic Bealomondore to wield his sword as powerfully and naturally as a paintbrush, will he answer Wulder’s call for a champion?

My Take:

I'm a huge fan of this author. This book is the second in The Chiril Chronicles and is related to the DragonKeeper Chronicles. The story takes place in a different place and time, but some of the characters overlap. Now that the background information is out of the way...

This time the book opens with everyone thinking that peace has just been obtained, the bad guys defeated so everyone should be able to relax. Suddenly there are mysterious summons and told the statues must be removed for their own safety. No details, no reasons... no knowledge of who the enemy is or if they should even trust this summons. So the journey begins.

It is a journey in every sense of the word. They travel distances and meet new people, learn new skills and challenge many of the ideas they've accepted. The force they are up against can't be beat if they don't trust each other - and some have trouble trusting even themselves. As is so often the case, they are badly outnumbered and need the help of the only one who can help in such cases - God - or as He is called in this book, Wulder. Tipper and Bealomondore don't trust in Him though. They aren't even sure if He's real.

Then there is this new creature, a sort of mercenary called The Grawl. He is very formidable and not the kind of... person/thing you would ever want to meet in a dark forest. He's hunting them and wants the statues for himself - among other things.

Like all the books, there is plenty of action, well-drawn characters, a fantastic story world and the kind of dialogue and writing that you quote to people as you're reading. There are places you laugh out loud, some you may feel pity for a character, others that have you mad and wondering why that person was being so mean. You feel totally connected to what the characters are going through - like you are one of the people on the adventure with them. What could be better than that?

The only weakness I could possibly come up with is that I think it reads better as part of the whole series and not as a stand alone book. I just don't think you'd enjoy it as much or get as much out of it without the other books. Like all the books in this and her DragonKeeper series, I think it could be enjoyed by upper elementary all the way to old fogies like myself. :o)

Quote It Saturday

2011-01-08T23:31:00.000-06:00

"There is a latent desire in every human being to do something of worth that will have lasting significance. There is a longing in most people to do something that will make life better for others." --- Tony Campolo

"Personally, I am always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught." --- Winston Churchill

Quote it Saturday is a weekly meme hosted by Freda at Freda's Voice.

Valeria's Cross

2011-01-07T17:01:00.000-06:00

Title: Valeria's Cross
Authors: Kathi Macias & Susan Wales

Goodreads Blurb:

In the 3rd century, pampered Roman princess Valeria falls in love with Mauritius, captain of the Theban Legion. She sends him off to battle, where he suffers under the schemes of a notorious pagan general with an ambition for power and a lust for Valeria. In a scene based on true events, the evil Galerius kills Mauritius and his entire legion for their Christian faith. And in a shocking turn of events, the grieving Valeria is forced to become Galerius’ wife against her will. Never has a marriage been set up for such failure. Valeria loathes her new husband, but he seems to undergo a change of heart, adopting a child for her and giving her power and authority, and even love. She struggles with the commitment she knows she must keep, and the love she knows she will never find again.

My Take:

This book did a fantastic job setting the stage and making you believe you were there with Valeria - living what the early church went through. I felt her pain as she heard the news about Mauritius and his entire legion being killed for their faith. Even more telling, I felt the misgivings and pain of the soldier ordered to kill Mauritius.

Nothing is black or white in this story world. Valeria hates what her father has done, but worries about his health and cares about him and wants him to accept Christ. You see her have problems saying things from the old religion she grew up with just because it's habit and comfortable. She goes through a period where she isn't sure what she believes anymore. When she is forced to marry the man who is chiefly behind the persecution of the Christians, she rebels and is angry for quite a while. She has moments of jealousy - even towards her best friend. In short, Valeria reacted just like I think a real person in her position would have.

I don't like to read books that depress me. There were a lot of... negative things that happened in this book but because of the way the characters interact with each other, it never feels like you need to walk away. In fact you pull for them more and care about what will happen to them and wonder how they're going to handle the next obstacle that comes their way.

This is one of the best books I've ever read about this time period. It's a contender for my best books of the year as well. The plot moves along at a good pace, the authors did a fantastic job developing their characters and their is some nice romance - and true love - to sweeten it all up. I wouldn't hesitate to suggest this book to anyone. It's a great read.

Being a Jane Austen Mystery Reading Challenge 2011

2011-01-04T16:32:00.000-06:00

I thought I was done with challenges. Then I saw this one and you know how I love Jane Austen. I haven't read these books before so I don't know how good they are. For that reason I'm only signing up as a neophyte and promising to read 1 - 4 books. They have good ratings though and I may end up reading far more.

This challenge is hosted by Laurel Ann at AustenProse - A Jane Austen Blog. You can find out all the details by visiting her blog. I can't wait to discover this new series!

The Girl in The Gatehouse

2011-01-03T01:50:00.000-06:00

Title: The Girl in the Gatehouse
Author: Julie Klassen

Goodreads Blurb:

Miss Mariah Aubrey, banished after a scandal, hides herself away in a long-abandoned gatehouse on the far edge of a distant relative's estate. There, she supports herself and her loyal servant the only way she knows how--by writing novels in secret. Captain Matthew Bryant, returning to England successful and wealthy after the Napoleonic wars, leases an impressive estate from a cash-poor nobleman, determined to show the society beauty who once rejected him what a colossal mistake she made. When he discovers an old gatehouse on the property, he is immediately intrigued by its striking young inhabitant and sets out to uncover her identity, and her past. But the more he learns about her, the more he realizes he must distance himself. Falling in love with an outcast would ruin his well-laid plans. The old gatehouse holds secrets of its own. Can Mariah and Captain Bryant uncover them before the cunning heir to the estate buries them forever?

My take:

I don't know about you, but when I was a young girl I always dreamed of being a princess in a castle and that is just the feeling I get when I look at the gatehouse on the cover of this book. In the author's note she says the one pictured is exactly the building she had in mind when writing the book. It's an amazing cover and setting.

Those dreamy ideas I had aren't what sends Mariah to the gatehouse though. Her family has sent her away in disgrace. One of the many things that makes this novel so great is how she reacts to her situation. Mariah doesn't sulk and throw a pity party for herself. She doesn't just concentrate her efforts on self preservation. She maintains her dignity and looks to the needs of those around her. She doesn't want a hand out - just a chance to make it and looks for ways to help people she meets in the poorhouse nearby as well.

Captain Bryant is intrigued by Mariah. She has helped him and seems like an intelligent person. He knows she's hiding something though and he doesn't like the idea that she would be lying to him. He's confused also because as much as he's drawn to Mariah, he has been waiting and planning to woo another woman who had been out of his reach before because he had been deemed "unworthy" of her. Now that he has made his fortune at sea, he's certain she'll change her mind.

This novel is not only my first for the year, but it is also my first to hit the list of favorites. The cast of characters was superb. Each of them taught me something and made it seem like real life instead of a show with only two stars. The loyal but gruff Dixon - who stayed with Mariah even into her exile, the mysterious man running about the poorhouse roof. He had honor, self-sacrifice, generosity and humility. Then we have Martin - the epitome of a surprise character. He really brings home the point about not judging people too quickly or by their appearances. Mr. Hart who had such strength despite his injury and refused pity. I could go on and on - but you really should meet them yourself.

This isn't just a romance either. There are a few mysteries throughout the book that have to be solved. Also, just like in real life, more than one couple is romantically linked. I thought it was the kind of story that kept you hooked from beginning to end both because the story was so interesting and because the people she populated the story with were so genuine that you cared what happened to them.

I have to mention one other thing I loved about the book. There are quotes at the beginning of each chapter and they are wonderful. Many of them are by Jane Austen. I kept running in to share them with my family as they rolled their eyes at me (they're men). They usually ended up laughing with me at the funny ones though. If you are at all a fan of this era of historical fiction I think you have to add this to your wish list. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

2nds Challenge 2011

2011-01-02T19:52:00.003-06:00

Have you read a book by an author that you really enjoyed and felt moved to read another of the author's works? Or are you thinking to give an author another try even if you didn't like your first taste of their work? If yes, then this challenge is for you! You're going to go back for seconds of an author that you've only read once. The great thing about this challenge is that it's not just for your second in a series books, but the second time you've read an author as well.

This challenge is hosted by Katy at A Few More Pages.

Guidelines for the 2nds Challenge 2011

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. If you're not a blogger, leave your information in the comments.

2. There are four levels to choose from in this challenge:

Just a spoonful - Read 3 books that are 2nd in a series or the second time you've read the author.
A few more bites - Read 6 books that are 2nd in a series or the second time you've read the author.
A full plate - Read 12 books that are 2nd in a series or the second time you've read the author.
All you can eat - Read 20 books (or more) that are 2nd in a series or the second time you've read the author.

You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you. Any genre counts.

3. You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2011. Don't start reading until January.

4. If you're a blogger, write up a sign-up post that includes the URL to this post so that others can join in. Feel free to use the button above. When you sign up in the Linky, put the direct link to your 2nds Challenge sign-up post.

The reviews I've done so far for this challenge include:

1st in a Series Challenge

2011-01-01T16:38:00.004-06:00

This challenge is hosted by Katy at A Few More Pages. I LOVE to read books in a series so I think this challenge is fantastic. :o)

Guidelines for the 1st in a Series Challenge 2011

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. If you're not a blogger, leave your information in the comments.

2. There are four levels for this challenge:

Series Novice: Read 3 books that are the first in any series.
Series Lover: Read 6 books that are the first in any series.
Series Expert: Read 12 books that are the first in any series.
Series Fanatic: Read 20 books that are the first in any series.

You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you. Any genre counts.

3. The challenge runs from January 1 through December 31, 2011.

4. You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2011.

Here are my reviews for this challenge:

2011 E-Book Challenge

2011-01-01T16:19:00.007-06:00

This challenge is hosted by La Coccinelle at The Ladybug Reads. Since my hubby gifted me with a Kindle as an early Christmas, a lot more of my reading has been e-books. This challenge is a way for me to track just how many books are paper or electric these days. lol

Challenge Guidelines:
1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

--Non-bloggers: Include your information in the comment section. (of her blog)

2. There are four levels:

-- Curious – Read 3 e-books.

-- Fascinated – Read 6 e-books.

-- Addicted – Read 12 e-books.

-- Obsessed – Read 20 e-books.

3. Any genre counts.

4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

5. Challenge begins January 1, 2011 and lasts until December 31, 2011.

These are the links to the reviews of the books I have read so far for this challenge:

Quote It Saturday

2011-01-01T15:52:00.000-06:00

"Learn from the past, work for the present, and plan for the future." -- Janette Oke

"A new year can begin only because the old year ends." -- Madeleine L'Engle

Quote it Saturday is a weekly meme hosted by Freda at Freda's Voice.

Top 10 Books of the Year

2010-12-31T18:46:00.000-06:00

This year I read 119 books. They varied from classics to nonfiction and back to romances and everything in between. I have to say that I think it was one of the best years I've had so far with new books. There are a lot of very talented authors out there putting out great novels. I wanted to include more than I have on this list. In the end my list is more about what touched me personally - and how they did. So, without further ado, (and in no particular order) my list:

1. Jenna's Cowboy by Sharon Gillenwater

All you have to do is gaze at the cover. lol Seriously this was a touching romance all about second chances and acceptance of people for who they are. The romance was the kind that stays with you and felt "real" in a way some don't. I really appreciated the message and the characters.

2. Swinging on a Star by Janice Thompson

I really want to be adopted into this family. Part of me knows they don't really exist but in my heart of hearts they do. I laugh, cry and learn so much from them. When you want to become part of the book, it has to be part of your top ten.

3. She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell

I know, some of you might be wondering why this is on the list again. If you've read it, you'll understand. I see this as my "overall" list and had to include all the books that most touched me - and that meant some crossover. This book had such a compelling message, gorgeous cover, great writing and characters... I could read it over and over again.

4. Seaside Letters by Denise Hunter

This really should be for her entire Nantucket series. I didn't discover them until this year and absolutely fell in love with her writing style, the series, Nantucket, the characters... I couldn't decide whether the first one or this one was my favorite so I chose the most recent. They are all worthy reads.

5. Surrender the Heart by MaryLu Tyndall

One of the things I said about this book was that I felt like it could be the next big action movie. It made me have to turn the pages not just because of that sense of destiny and urgency about the action - but also about these people. They were fascinating - strong and yet vulnerable. They wanted to stay apart but they were meant to be together...

6. Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist

What can I say? You can't get a better setting for a book than Biltmore and then you add in a fabulous story with a great message and you have a top ten for sure. I loved learning more about the history and innovations of Biltmore but the love story added with the tale of the orphanage made this one of my very favorites.

7. A Case for Love by Kaye Dacus

I think when you've been reading a whole series you're more attached to the books and the characters. I know I was very anxiously awaiting this book because I was so curious about how his romance would end up. He was always so polished and in control - and so good looking. I was more than a little in love with him myself. By the end of the book I was all the way in love. lol

8. A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman

This is another one of those I waited on - for seemingly forever. This is also another family I would love to be adopted into. Julie writes the best heroes - and the best kisses. ;o) Keep a fan handy and don't worry, you won't need a bookmark. Just remember to breathe once in a while and have some snacks handy before you start.

9. Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes/ Rooms by James L. Rubart

I know what you're thinking - she cheated. You're right. I told you I chose this list by what books touched me. I looked at how they made me feel. These two left a similar impression on my heart even though they're very different books. Crossing Oceans taught me about how precious each day is. It also talked about sacrificial love and making hard decisions. Rooms talks about the choices placed before us - what we value and what voices we listen to. Both books talked about forgiveness and both were so important to me I couldn't leave them off the list.

10. The Raven Saint by M.L. Tyndall

This was another series ending book that was fabulous. I knew it was going to be something special when I started hearing about the hero and she described him as "Orlando Bloom in the Pirates movies." That was a picture for my imagination. ;o) Then I read the book and it was such a wonderful story with fabulous depth. I really wanted these two to have their happy ending. It was also exciting and filled with other interesting characters too. Another book I think could do well on the big screen.

Well that's it for 2010. Time to start a new year. I can't wait! What were your favorites? Did you like any of the same ones I did?

Top 10 Historical Fiction for the Year

2010-12-30T06:08:00.001-06:00

Top 10

Historical Fiction Reads for 2010

I had so many favorite books that I decided to break my list down into two this year. I'll share my overall favorites tomorrow but I read a lot of historical fiction, so this was the bulk of my favorites list. I read 46 Christian historical fiction novels and another 14 classics or "other" historical fiction novels. The top ten are all Christian but I listed a few honorable mentions as well (I just had to cheat). :o) Even with breaking it into two lists (and cheating a little) there still is not nearly enough room for all the wonderful books I read this year. So many touched my heart and were important to me. It's too hard to pick. I think we should be able to pick thirty or forty books. I didn't pick that number out of a hat either. I had 33 favorites listed at the end of the year.

In no particular order:

1. Maid to Match by Deanne Gist

2. She Walks in Beauty by Siri L. Mitchell

3. Highland Blessings by Jennifer Hudson

4. Love on a Dime by Cara Lynn James

5. The Falcon and the Sparrow by M.L. Tyndall

6. Surrender the Heart by M.L. Tyndall

7. The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen

8. The Raven Saint M.L.Tyndall

9. The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson

10. A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman

~Honorable Mentions~

I discovered a fabulous author this year. I read several of her books but my two favorites were:

Venetia and Frederica by Georgette Heyer

As I look at my list it seems like I may have been a bit biased towards a particular author. I didn't mean to be. In the long list there was a lot of variety - and it was hard to choose. There were special circumstances too. I didn't discover The Falcon and the Sparrow until this year and loved it so much I couldn't leave it off the list. I can't possibly be blamed for her putting out two such awesome books this year. ;o)

Wordless Wednesday

2010-12-29T03:34:00.000-06:00

A Man Called Outlaw

2010-12-27T18:24:00.000-06:00

Title: A Man Called Outlaw
Author: K.M.Weiland

Goodreads Blurb:

All his life Shane Lassiter revered the man who stood in place of the father he'd never known. Nathaniel Wilcock took Shane into his own home, loved him as a son, and placed within his grasp the largest ranch in the Wyoming Territory. But Shane had heard the stories. He knew the whispers about the fugitive gunman who stood against Wilcock during the land wars that rocked the valley thirty years ago. In Wilcock's eyes, the gunman was a vigilante and an outlaw and as such he had died. To the people of Hangtree, he was a hero-a martyr who stood against corruption and injustice. When Wilcock's greed endangers the only woman Shane has ever loved-a woman who holds the secret that could resurrect everything for which the outlaw fought-Shane finds himself a place not so very different from that of the outlaw. He must make a decision, the shadow of which will be cast over the lives of all those he loves. A decision between truth and power-between honor and life-between right and wrong.

My Take:

I loved this book. I waited a long time to get it and was really happy to finally get a chance to read it. Aren't book budgets a pain?

Initially I was a little disoriented by how the the story went back & forth in time, but that quickly went away. I couldn't seem to read fast enough to figure out what was going to happen next. That's one of the best parts of this book. Unlike some novels, you're never really sure if the bad guy, Judge Wilcock, is going to win or not. I wanted to reach in and shake Shane a couple times. If that isn't a sure sign of good writing, I don't know what is. I talked back to the characters (and the author a few times as well ~ but don't tell her I said so). ;o)

The only real drawback was that I wished the book had gone on for another couple chapters. This is one I can see myself re-reading. It had a lot to say on many levels beyond just enjoying the story.

***For the die-hard romance fanatics, this book does have love stories, but the real emphasis is on the battle between good and evil. Not that I think you won't enjoy it, but since I do so many romances I wanted to be clear.

Wordless Wednesday (almost)

2010-12-22T15:42:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas!

Rooms

2010-12-19T16:28:00.000-06:00

Title: Rooms
Author: James L. Rubart

Goodreads Blurb:

On a rainy spring day in Seattle, young software tycoon Micah Taylor receives a cryptic, twenty-five-year-old letter from a great uncle he never knew. It claims a home awaits him on the Oregon coast that will turn his world inside out. Suspecting a prank, Micah arrives at Cannon Beach to discover a stunning, brand new nine-thousand square foot house. And after meeting Sarah Sabin at a nearby ice cream shop, he has two reasons to visit the beach every weekend. When bizarre things start happening in the rooms of the home, Micah suspects they have some connection to his enigmatic new friend, Rick, the town mechanic. But Rick will only say the house is spiritual. This unnerves Micah because his faith slipped away like the tide years ago, and he wants to keep it that way. But as he slowly discovers, the home isn-t just spiritual, it-s a physical manifestation of his soul, which God uses to heal Micah-s darkest wounds and lead him into an astonishing new destiny.

My Take:

One word: Uh--Maze--Ing! Okay, I'm done.

Well, maybe not really. lol I read a lot of comments about how good this book was but nobody really said why, and since I was heavily into historical romances (and still am most of the time) I kind of gave it a pass. When I did get the opportunity to get it I remembered all the hype and picked it up - as a sort of "just in case I have time" kind of thing. I'm so glad I did.

This isn't light reading though. Rooms is the kind of book that makes you look deep inside yourself and ask questions. The author does a brilliant job portraying the realistic battles that a Christian faces. What do you believe? Whose voice do you listen to? What is truly important and gives you the most happiness and fulfillment? What are you willing to sacrifice?

Micah is not only three dimensional and believable as a character, but he could be any one of us. This story is full of mystery, hope, faith, tragedy, friendship, and - most of all - love. If you haven't had a chance to read it yet, then I hope you'll pick up a copy soon. Make it a Christmas present to yourself.

Guardian of the Flame

2010-12-17T04:10:00.000-06:00

Title: Guardian of the Flame
Author: T.L. Higley

Goodreads Blurb:

Guardian of the Flame is book three in the Seven Wonders series of novels transporting readers back to the Ancient World. Characters struggle to find meaning in a pagan society and are confronted by the one true God and His message of redemption. The year is 48 BC. Sophia, a woman hurt by past loss, guards the famous lighthouse of Alexandria, Egypt, in order to hide herself away from a world she deems cruel and unloving. But there is no escape. Political turmoil swells as Roman general Julius Caesar and his legion storm the city, and Cleopatra, Greek queen of Egypt , fights to retain her country against both Caesar and bloodthirsty rivals within her own household. Sophia is caught in the middle between a loyalty to Cleopatra and her maddening interest in Bellus, the Roman soldier whom Caesar has instructed to overtake the lighthouse.

My Take:

This is one of those stories that keeps you turning pages, biting your lip and holding your breath to find out what will happen next with the characters. It is by no means a simple romance. I love ancient history and all the intrigue, action, and details that make that time period fascinating were so well represented that Alexandria itself became almost another character in the story.

Sophia is a wonderful character. She's isolated, intelligent, self-sacrificing and has built more than a few walls to protect her heart. As you watch her interact with those around her, you can see the contrasts in what she feels and what she wants to project. She came across as a wonderfully three dimensional woman.

The romance between Sophia and Bellus is fantastic. They are like fire and ice. They butt heads and are on opposing sides on many occasions and yet they also have a lot in common. Neither one of them is as simple or as easily defined as their roles would have them be. Their romance isn't limited to physical attraction nor is it hindered only by misunderstandings. They have real obstacles to overcome if they are going to have a future.

The story of Cleopatra and Caesar was bonus and not nearly as developed. It was a fun addition though. Although there are a few mentions of the "One God," I thought it was mentioned less often than the other forms of worship and certainly wouldn't be offensive to a non-Christian friend that you wanted to share this with.

If you love fiction set in ancient history, this just might be a book to add to your pile.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-12-15T15:44:00.000-06:00

Eye of the God

2010-12-13T15:40:00.000-06:00

Title: Eye of the God
Author: Ariel Allison

Goodreads Blurb:

When jewel thieves attempt to steal the Hope Diamond, Dr Abigail Mitchell stands in their way. Abby's faith is put to the test as she confronts the father who abandoned her, the betrayal of the only man she has ever loved, and the possibility that she may lose her life because of the legendary gem.

My Take:

I really liked the suspense about the robberies and who was behind them. Abby was a very like-able character. She was intelligent, strong, resourceful and yet vulnerable ~ especially in relationships. She was also in the shadow of her father and felt the need to constantly prove herself.

I've always been more than a little fascinated by the Hope Diamond. It's gorgeous and it has a history. This book goes into that history and legend - perhaps in too much detail. Sometimes it feels as if we're reading a lecture on the diamond instead of a novel.

The pacing of the robberies and the surprises make up for it though. It also has a light romance. This is billed as Christian fiction but the message is very subtle. If you are interested in the Hope Diamond or like well-written stories about robberies, this would be a great one to add to your list.

In The Shadow of Lions

2010-12-10T02:26:00.000-06:00

Title: In the Shadow of Lions
Author: Ginger Garrett

Goodreads Blurb:

"I am the first writer, The Scribe. My books lie open before the Throne, and someday will be the only witness of your people and their time in this world. The stories are forgotten here, and the Day draws close. I will tell you one of my stories. You will record it."
So begins the narration of one such angel in this sweeping historical tale set during the reign of England's Henry VIII. It is the story of two women, their guardian angels, and a mysterious, subversive book . a book that outrages some, inspires others, and launches the Protestant Reformation.
The devout Anne Boleyn catches the eye of a powerful king and uses her influence to champion an English translation of the Bible—Scriptures the common people could read for themselves. Meanwhile, Rose, a broken, suicidal woman of the streets, is moved to seek God when she witnesses Thomas More's public displays of Christian charity, ignorant of his secret life spent eradicating the same book, persecuting anyone who dares read it.
Historic figures come alive in this thrilling story of heroes and villains, saints and sinners, angels and mortals ... and the sacred book that will inspire you anew.

My Take:

I read a lot of historical fiction and I think this is the first time I saw the perspective that Anne Boleyn might have been a strong believer and trying hard to please God. It was a really unique look at most of those central figures. I've read about some of them before but I found most of it really interesting - and sometimes heart breaking. I wish the book would have not wasted any time in the present because those scenes didn't connect with me nearly as much and sometimes just left me scratching my head.

I really enjoyed the historical sections though. It wasn't just the new take on Anne Boleyn either. There was something really touching about Rose. She felt so worthless and downtrodden in the beginning and to watch her transform first through the love of others and then to see her as she begins to discover the Bible for herself and then accept Christ... It was amazing to see how that changed her and the way she dealt with the circumstances around her.

I think this is a fascinating period of history and this book brings it out through focusing on how it played out in the lives of these people. You read about each of them and how they either manipulated people and events or truly thought they were doing the right thing according to God to protect their families, the community and the kingdom ~ and the consequences of those choices.

There are times it will make you smile, times it will give you goosebumps and times where you will not be able to read fast enough in order to find out what happens. I think it was a fascinating book and I will be adding the next one to my list.

Teaser Tuesdays

2010-12-07T05:24:00.002-06:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I have a few open reads at the moment so it's always hard to choose. Okay - here is one from page 155 of Guardian of the Flame by T. L. Higley:

Sophia raised her eyebrows. "First Socrates, now Aristotle. I may soon have to revise my opinion of Romans."
Bellus laughed. "I do not believe all the quotations at my disposal could accomplish that."

I know - I cheated a little on the number of sentences - but since it was dialogue I figured I could get away with it. :o)

Love on a Dime

2010-12-06T14:43:00.000-06:00

Title: Love on a Dime
Author: Cara Lynn James

Goodreads Blurb:

Newport, Rhode Island, 1899, is a place of shimmering waves, sleek yachts, and ladies of leisure. Of opulent mansions that serve as summer cottages for the rich and famous. Home of railroad magnates and banking tycoons--dashing young men and the women who aspire to marry them.
But it's not the place for lady novelists. Especially not those who pen disreputable dime novels. This poses a problem for Lilly Westbrook, because that's exactly what she does.
No one in Lilly's social set knows she pens fiction under the nom de plume Fannie Cole. Not her family or the wealthy young man about to propose to her. And especially not Jackson Grail, the long-lost beau who just bought her publishing company...and who stirs her heart more than she cares to admit.
But Lilly must put aside her feelings and follow the path that will maintain her family's social stature and provide the financial security that everyone is depending on.
Now Lilly faces a double dilemma. Can she continue to protect her secret identity? And will she have the courage to choose the man who will risk it all just to win her heart?

My Take:

This was such a wonderfully fun book for me to read. As I sat down to write the review and thought about trying to be objective and look at writing style and character development and all those lovely things I ought to measure ~ well I just kept going back to how good I felt as I was reading it and how much I personally related to the story. It's my favorite kind of book ~ historical romance. It's one of my favorite time periods, it has an awesome cover... Plus I write in secret as well. I know I tell all of you - but none of my neighbors or friends know. I guess I'm a little afraid of how they'd react as well. So I could really relate to ow Lilly was feeling in many ways.

The story was interesting as well. There is that touch of mystery that kept you turning the pages. Just who is the man who is threatening to unveil her real identity and where is he getting his information? Will she be able to keep her secret? There also was more real tension about who she was going to choose in this book than in many romances.

Lilly battles insecurity in one way - and Jackson another. His is a very typical male one too. He wants to be able to be the provider - and to be looked up to be those around him. Raised around wealthy people but never having anything himself, he feels like he needs that wealth in order to have worth. He runs away from Lilly thinking he doesn't deserve her and she thinks he doesn't want her. Now he's back and she's being courted by someone else...

This is a great book. I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of historical romances.

A Suitor For Jenny

2010-11-22T15:40:00.000-06:00

Title: A Suitor for Jenny
Author: Margaret Brownley

Goodreads Blurb:
After their parents died, Jenny felt responsible for seeing that her two younger sisters were well-taken care of. Tipped off by an article naming Rocky Creek the town with the highest number of eligible bachelors, Jenny rolled into this Texas town with a clear objective: find suitable husbands for her two sisters and then start fresh somewhere far, far away.

Jenny believes that women who fall in love at first sight often wish they'd taken a second look, so she diligently begins to follow all the rules set forth in her handy manual on how to land a husband.

But while Jenny is interviewing the less-than-promising candidates, her sisters are falling in love the old-fashioned way—with men of their choosing. And the longer Jenny stays, the more her sense of control slips away. The town isn't living up to her expectations, her sisters are rebelling against her practical choices, and soon her own heart starts to betray her, as US Marshall Rhett Armstrong stirs up emotions in her that weren't part of her plan.

To relinquish her control to God and calm her restless spirit, she'll need to give up her foregone conclusions about marriage, love, and faith.

My Take:

I won this book in the firstreads contest on Goodreads so I want to thank them and the publisher, Thomas Nelson for providing the book. I read it in one day. That says something all by itself. I'm a reader who loves books that have great characters and this one does. You don't often read about a barber who sings opera - just as one example. All the "people" that inhabited the pages of this book became three dimensional and I found them funny and my heart broke for them as well. It was very well written.

I can't imagine being so driven to find a husband that you would post a sign and advertise for one. People have always done (and still do) crazy things in order to find and keep a man/woman. Have you heard of any? Please share them.

In the meantime, I wouldn't hesitate to suggest you add this to your pile of books to read. I'm sure you'll love it.

Out Live Your Life

2010-11-20T01:38:00.000-06:00

Title: Out Live Your Life
Author: Max Lucado

Book Description:

These are difficult days in our world's history. 1.75 billion people are desperately poor, natural disasters are gouging entire nations, and economic uncertainty still reigns across the globe. But you and I have been given an opportunity to make a big difference. What if we did? What if we rocked the world with hope? Infiltrated all corners with God's love and life? We are created by a great God to do great works. He invites us to outlive our lives, not just in heaven, but here on earth. Let's live our lives in such a way that the world will be glad we did.

My Take:

Most of the books I review are fiction. I do read non-fiction though. One of my favorite writers of Christian non-fiction is Max Lucado because he manages to inspire and challenge without using ten dollar words and resorting to theological terms that most people can't relate to. His stories cut straight to the heart and stick with you long after you close the cover. This book is no exception. In fact, I think it's the best book of his that I've read.

The whole idea is that just like the humble motley crew of fisherman, tax collectors and the like from the early church - we can make a difference today. Too many people believe that they are just one person and can't do anything. Yet there are many examples when one person made a huge impact. We need to remember that God can and wants to use us to impact the world around us in big and small ways.

A lot of it is also about legacy. What do we want to leave behind? What we give and do for God can impact generations and last much longer than just our lifetime. What an exciting and challenging concept. I also think it's something that our world desperately needs right now. Many more people don't understand who God is at all. They need to know the truth about what the Bible says and they need people who will live out that truth for them - showing them they don't need to be perfect.

I can't say enough good things about this book. It was a great read and had wonderful ideas. Please consider reading it and passing it along to friends and family. My copy was provided by Thomas Nelson for review. I thank them for it, though it did not influence my review.

Winner!

2010-10-25T04:30:00.000-05:00

I just love doing giveaways and the latest winner is..... {insert drum roll sound.....}

Merry!!!!

I already sent Merry an email letting her know she won. I'm sure she'll really love this book. Please feel free to add your congratulations as well. I look forward to the next giveaway and I hope I'll find something you'll be interested in then as well.

Tandem

2010-10-21T00:39:00.000-05:00

Title: Tandem
Author: Tracey Bateman

Goodreads Blurb:

Six months ago, brutal murders shook the small Ozark town—murders that stopped after a house fire reportedly claimed the killer’s life. Lauryn McBride's family auction house has taken responsibility for the estate sale of one of the victims—the enigmatic Markus Chisom. Submerging herself in Chisom’s beautiful but strange world, Lauryn welcomes the reprieve from watching Alzheimer’s steal her father from her, piece by piece. She soon realizes that centuries-old secrets tie Abbey Hills to the Chisom estate and a mysterious evil will do anything to make sure those secrets stay hidden. Even the man who grew up loving her may not be able to protect Lauryn from the danger.

When Amede Dastillon receives an unexpected package from Abbey Hills, she hopes it might be the key in tracking down her beloved sister, long estranged from her family. Visiting Abbey Hills seems the logical next step in her search, but Amede is unusually affected by the town, and when mutilated carcasses begin turning up again in the small community, the local law enforcement isn’t sure if they are confronting a familiar evil or a new terror.

Two women brought together by questions that seem to have no answers. Can they overcome the loss and darkness threatening to devour them—or will their own demons condemn them to an emotional wasteland?

My Take:

I didn't get to read Thirsty, the book that precedes this one, but I was really excited when I found out that I had won this book through Goodreads. Thank you to the people at Goodeads and the publishers for my copy.

This novel is really unlike anything I'd read before. Instead of looking to traditional ideas on vampire, romance, crime, mystery, or even Christian novels, the author has made her own path. When you read this book you have to let go of what you may expect and just read it for what it is.

What I discovered was a fast-moving plot with surprises that kept me on my toes. I thought I had some things figured out, but I was wrong. She did an exceptional job crafting the storyline. It keeps you interested from beginning to end.

The characters are very real. You can relate to what they're feeling and going through. You want things to work out for them. You want them to reconcile. I read some reviews of the first book that criticized it for not being "Christian" enough. I think sometimes we can get the message across even more effectively without coming on so strong. Without giving away too much, characters in this story seek reconciliation and redemption. There are serious conversations about whether there is any hope for them, whether God cares about them, about their hardships... That's real life. I think those are the kind of faith struggles and the kind redemptive messages people can relate to.

I thought this was a fantastic book. If you like mystery, suspense, or vampires - this one may be one to add to your list.

Miracles in Chile

2010-10-13T00:05:00.000-05:00

Maybe you've been glued to the footage of the rescue of the miners in Chile like I have - maybe not. In any case, I was struck by so many things by this story. When I review books I learn to analyze them for the motivation of characters, the plot, and other factors. I tend to do it automatically now.

When I look at this situation I was amazed at the way 33 men survived those 17 days with that tiny amount of tuna fish and milk physically - but maybe even more importantly - how did they manage to hold out hope that anyone would even believe they were alive after that long when they had no way to contact anyone? How did they stop from fighting one another and band together for survival? How did they manage to escape serious physical harm in the cave in itself? One of them is diabetic; how did he manage so long without insulin and an obviously bad diet? I think these are all miracles.

Then there is the rescue itself. They expected to reach them at Christmas. Instead they are being rescued in the middle of October. Isn't that a miracle? There are a host of people who have come to the aid of Chile in this attempt and the Chilean government has been very gracious to the media in the coverage of the rescue. That isn't always the case - especially since there are already legal issues regarding the incident. So the spirit of cooperation and goodwill could be seen as a miracle as well. If not, at least it shows what can be accomplished when we all work together instead of bickering.

I hear about the organization the miners set up while they were underground and how they kept themselves healthy, busy, clean and feeling part of a community. They sent up letters that were shared and each one I've heard talks about how they believe God has used this to make them better and they want to change and spend more time with family or how they are thankful to God for taking care of them and their family and fellow miners. These are not bitter or resentful men. When I watched the first two men emerge I saw strong, healthy, joyful men. They loved their country, their rescuers and their family. They wanted to share that joy. I think that's a miracle as well. It easily could have made them angry, sick, crazy, weak, or a great many other things.

There is no doubt that this started off as a tragedy. These men have gone through a terrible experience. However I think God has used it for good in many ways. It has shown them and us many miracles and some lessons we can learn from their experience. May God bless these men, continue to heal and watch over them and their families, and help me to be as strong as they have been.

The Healer's Apprentice

2010-10-07T22:44:00.001-05:00

Title: The Healer's Apprentice
Author: Melanie Dickerson

Goodreads Blurb:

Two Hearts. One Hope.Rose has been appointed as a healer's apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter's daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her---a bloated, disgusting merchant who ma ...more Two Hearts. One Hope.Rose has been appointed as a healer's apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter's daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her---a bloated, disgusting merchant who makes Rose feel ill.When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she's never felt before and wonders if he feels the same. But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious young woman in hiding. As Rose's life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny.

My Take:

I have been so surprised by the talent in young adult novels I've read recently and this one is my favorite so far. It may even make my favorite books of the year list. I kept checking the back of the book and - yep - there is the label "teen fiction." The one drawback to young adult books (in my opinion) is actually common to most shorter novels. I find that a lot of times they have great stories and show incredible creativity, but often you don't always get as in depth characterization as you do with longer novels. That isn't true with this book. It feels longer than it is, the writing is rich and I felt like I was living the story right with Rose.

Your heart beat faster when the young men flirted with her, you could smell the herbs, the food, hear the music... I wanted to reach out and carefully pet Wolfie, her dog and guardian. The author made the whole world come alive. Whether Rose was working with her mentor trying to help the sick or confiding secrets to her best friend Hildy, everything felt real. The characters mattered to me and I found myself wanting to talk about them not just while I was reading, but long after I finished and shut the back cover.

Speaking of covers, isn't this one fantastic? I think it's beautiful. The back is nearly as interesting with a gorgeous carved cabinet. I can't leave without mentioning that this story was filled with romance. It was enough to make my heart go pitter patter without being anything you couldn't hand a teenager.

I purchased this book myself and I can already tell you it's one I'll be keeping and re-reading. I hope you'll consider it for your bookshelves.

Code Triage

2010-10-06T01:07:00.001-05:00

Title: Code Triage
Author: Candace Calvert

Goodreads Blurb:

Dr. Leigh Stathos likes her ER shifts fast, furious, and adrenaline-infused—“Treat ’em and street ’em”—with no emotional complications. Life’s taught her a soul-rending lesson: nothing lasts forever, including marriage. And the clock is ticking toward the end of hers. Then an unwelcome confrontation with “the other woman” begins a whole new set of lessons.
San Francisco police officer Nick Stathos never gives up, whether protecting his patrol neighborhood, holding fast to faith—or trying to save his marriage. Seven days is all he has to reach Leigh’s heart. But when a desperate act of violence slams Golden Gate Mercy Hospital into lockdown, it starts a chain of events that will change lives forever.

My Take:

I've heard such awesome things about this series that I was thrilled when Tyndale sent me this book to review.

This is a very realistically written hospital drama (some scenes had me on the edge of my chair wondering what would happen next while another section detailed a patient's allergy problems). It had these great characters that I truly was pulling for, realistic problems and struggles that they had been facing up to this point and even into their seven days and even some mystery.

I think I liked Nick best. Before you ask, no it didn't have a thing to do with the fact that he's a great cook, brave, good with kids, and have you looked at that cover? :op lol

If I was nit-picking, I would have to say I thought the time line wasn't realistic. A lot is packed into seven short days and without giving away the ending, that's about all I can say on that subject. The writing was first rate and even the secondary characters were outstanding.

This was a great book for people who love hospital dramas especially. If you would like to have this book for your very own, then please leave a comment with your email. In the same comment note if you are a follower for another chance, and if you posted about the giveaway on your blog for another chance. The drawing will end on the 22nd of Oct at midnight Central time. It is only open to those living in the US - sorry - and is void where prohibited. Good luck!

Awards

2010-10-05T23:31:00.000-05:00

Hannah from Project Journal gave me this award. The rules for accepting the award are:

1) Put the logo within my blog or on my post

2) Pass the award onto 12 fellow bloggers

3) Link the nominees within my post

4) Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog

5) Share the love and link to the person whom you received this award from.

So I have given out this award before, and I know they probably have it already but so do I and it never hurts to remind someone that they bring sunshine into your life.

1. Renee @ Black n' Gold Girl's Book Spot

2. Deborah @ Butterfly Journey

3. Lori @ Some of my Favorite Books

4. Susan @ Journeys of Love.... Inspired by Faith

5. Carrie @ In the Hammock

6. Angie @ Never a Dull Moment

7. Dineen @ Kitten Come From Eggs

8. Ashley @ After All, Tomorrow is Another Day

9. Katy @ A Few More Pages

10. Julane @ Inspiration From the Commonplace

11. Andrea @ Arise 2 Write

12. MaryLu @ The Cross and Cutlass

Lori @ Some of my Favorite Books gave me this award:

It is one of the cutest awards I've ever received. Everyone I've met on here has been so supportive and has really been kind through this move and the hard times my family has been through. Know that you are all special to me. In this case, I'd like to pass it on to:

1. Renee @ Black n' Gold Girl's Book Spot

2. Deborah @ Butterfly Journey

3. Susan @ Journeys of Love.... Inspired by Faith

4. Carrie @ In the Hammock

5. Angie @ Never a Dull Moment

6. Dineen @ Kitten Come From Eggs

7. Ashley @ After All, Tomorrow is Another Day

8. Katy @ A Few More Pages

9. Julane @ Inspiration From the Commonplace

10. Andrea @ Arise 2 Write

11. Hannah @ Project Journal

Thank you all and have a great day!

Head in the Clouds

2010-09-30T22:39:00.001-05:00

Title: Head in the Clouds
Author: Karen Witemeyer

Goodreads Blurb:

Instead of returning home after a humiliating breakup, Adelaide Proctor becomes the governess at a ranch where Gideon Westcott's promise to a dying woman obliges him to raise 5-year-old Isabella. But when the girl's evil uncle comes to claim her---and her inheritance---can Gideon and Adelaide put their growing attraction aside to protect her? 352 pages, softcover from Bethany.

My Take:

I was a huge fan of Karen's last book and couldn't pass up the chance when she asked for reviewers for this one. So I thank her and Bethany Books ahead of time for the opportunity to read the book. It didn't influence my review. I would have loved it just as much if I'd bought it. :o)

Adelaide Proctor was a really interesting heroine. She was shy, insecure in some ways but she also had a spine of steel - especially when it came down to someone she loved being in trouble. Watching her evolve into a woman who balances her strengths and is willing to trust God and others for the rest - well it was brilliant. She really was amazing and I grew to admire and love her.

Gideon. What can I say about Gideon? I have this... weakness for the British accent. Add in someone who isn't afraid to get dirty, treats his workers like family and yet still dresses up like English royalty having high tea every now and then. Who knocks your socks off with impeccable manners, charm and dimples no less? I was totally in love with him.

These two had to face adversity of all kinds and overcome their distrust of each other. It's a book packed with great romance and action. I think it's a real winner and one I wouldn't hesitate to suggest to any of my friends.

Return The Heart

2010-09-26T01:09:00.000-05:00

Title: Return the Heart
Author: T.K. Richardson

Goodreads blurb:

What if your gift was a curse?

To a casual passerby, Lilly Paige is anything but special. As a seventeen year old, she is faced with all the complications of a teenager, but deep down there is much more. Lilly has a gift, though sometimes it seems to be a curse.

Lilly can peer into the hearts of others - their deepest, darkest secrets are there for Lilly to see - but to what end? Raised by aloof parents, Lilly has been independent her whole life, but soon she will need to rely on her friends to evade an evil that has sold her gift to the highest bidder on the black market. Lilly and her four closest friends are immersed in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, that will not only reveal more about Lilly's gift, but also her link to an old Russian prophecy.

Can Lilly and her friends escape the danger that is so close they can practically feel it? Where will their perilous journey lead them - to darkness or light?

My Take:

I have been blown away by the number of really fascinating young adult novels coming out in the last few years. Whatever the cause, I have a number of young adult books on my "TBR" pile and most of them are books my teenage son wouldn't wouldn't look twice at. :o) I can't even use the excuse that I'm pre-reading anymore, I'm picking them because they interest me.

This book is targeted for young adults as well, but it had plenty to keep my interest. All of the characters are nearing the end of high school and gifted in more ways than one. Lilly is the central character, but the whole group has a lot of personality and depth. All of them feel at once like teenagers and more mature. They've had to go through a lot in the book and before it so it makes sense.

There is a lot to this book. It has interesting glimpses into all kinds of different people and their motives. It challenges stereotypes and you get to see Lilly move from being an individual who is very isolated and doesn't trust pretty much anyone - to being part of a team, more of an extended family, that she depends on for her life.

It has mystery, action, romance, folklore... something for everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I want to thank the author and Goodreads for providing the book (I won it in a drawing).

A Hope Undaunted

2010-09-22T01:14:00.000-05:00

Title: A Hope Undaunted

Author: Julie Lessman

Goodreads Blurb:

The 1920s are drawing to a close, and feisty Katie O'Connor is the epitome of the new woman--smart and sassy with goals for her future that include the perfect husband and a challenging career in law. Her boyfriend Jake fits all of her criteria for a husband--good-looking, well-connected, wealthy, and head-over-heels in love with her. But when she is forced to spend the summer of 1929 with Luke McGee, the bane of her childhood existence, Katie comes face to face with a choice. Will she follow her well-laid plans to marry Jake? Or will she fall for the man she swore to despise forever? A Hope Undaunted is the engrossing first book in the WINDS OF CHANGE series from popular author Julie Lessman. Readers will thrill at the highly charged romance in this passionate story.

My take:

Katie has a lot of admirable qualities. She might even be described as a woman slightly ahead of her time. Many woman of her era are embracing new ideas about what it means to be feminine and what kind of role they should play in society. One of the big differences in Katie's life is that she has grown up in a family that treasures faith and values morality.

Still, she chafes at the restrictions placed on her and believes she should be in control of her destiny. She doesn't need or want a man to do that. In fact, she has a master plan to get everything she wants. That plan includes a husband, but it's one on her terms - one she knows won't be controlling her every move the way she views her father doing.

Someone once told me that if you want to hear God laugh then show Him your plans. :o) It's a joke, but not only are our plans simple in comparison to His, but often they aren't really in our best interest. Katie has a lot to learn, but she has to decide whether or not she's willing to surrender control over to God. It's a question we all have to face.

She's a fabulous character. Julie always delivers with people you care about and can connect with. She also keeps you riveted to the page with a romance that is breathless and totally real. There were moments when I wasn't sure which choice Katie was going to make. Julie's writing is top-notch. I can't wait to read the next book and all her books are on my "re-read" list. If you haven't read this yet, you have to add it to your pile.

Seasons in the Mist

2010-09-10T15:23:00.001-05:00

Title: Seasons in the Mist
Author: Deborah Kinnard

Goodreads Blurb:

Stranded in 1353 Cornwall, American graduate student Bethany Lindstrom knows she must find a way back to her own time or face a life of falsehoods and peril. But with the stern overlord Sir Michael Veryan, she is swept into the intrigues of King Edward's court, which will test their mettle and their faith in God to the limits-and forever bind their lives together.

My Take:

I have been buried in cardboard boxes and have hardly come up for air. When I started reading this book, I didn't stop until nearly 300 pages were done (and that was an emergency). I promptly returned and finished the rest. Some would say I inhaled it. lol This has all the elements you want in a good romance.

The main character is wonderful. She has a spunk and a vulnerability at the same time. Her strength helps those around her and keep her sane and alive in a very alien environment. Let's face it, no amount of study could prepare you for finding yourself in a drastically different time and unfamiliar territory. She doesn't have a friend in sight and the only thing she can cling to is a faith she had abandoned.

Her hero is also a great blend. He's strong and yet been hurt so he's not very trusting. Unfortunately, trust is what Bethany needs the most. The closer they get, the more tension you feel between his desire to trust her and his very real reasons not to. Would you believe her? Yet not trusting her could cost her life - and maybe even more than that.

Add in a rich background of characters, setting, mystery, faith... and you have a story that kept me flipping pages well into the night. I hope you'll consider adding it to your pile of books to read. Oh - and isn't the cover awesome? I think it strikes just the right chord of her walking from the present and into the past. I can't wait to read more from this author.

The Butterfly Effect

2010-09-03T18:18:00.000-05:00

Title: The Butterfly Effect
Author: Andy Andrews

Blurb from Goodreads:

The decisions you make and the way you treat others have more impact than you may ever realize.
Speaker and New York Times best-selling author Andy Andrews shares a compelling and powerful story about a decision one man made over a hundred years ago, and the ripple effect it's had on us individually, and nationwide, today. It's a story that will inspire courage and wisdom in the decisions we make, as well as affect the way we treat others through our lifetime. Andrews speaks over 100 times a year, and The Butterfly Effect is his #1 most requested story.
Also included with the purchase of the book is a link to view a 9-minute message of Andrews telling The Butterfly Effect story to a live audience.

My take:

How could I not review this book? lol This is a very short book that will take only minutes to read, but will stay in your heart and mind for a while. The concept is simple and familiar, but it is one we too often ignore. We don't live in a bubble. Our actions spread out like ripples on a pond - touching people across great distances and time. Knowing that should give us a greater sense of purpose and inspire us to make our choices more carefully. The little stories amaze and inspire. This makes a great gift as well. I want to thank Thomas Nelson for providing my electronic review copy.

Never Without Hope

2010-08-30T23:04:00.000-05:00

Title: Never Without Hope
Author: Michelle Sutton

Blurb from Goodreads:
Hope believes she is above sexual temptation; that she would never break that commandment like her husband's previous wives had done. After all, she is a good Christian and a loving mother. She has no reason to stray . . . until her husband starts neglecting her needs and things begin to look hopeless. Though she clearly communicates her pain to her husband, he refuses to get help. She starts to wonder…Will she never have sex with her husband again? She soon learns that she, too, is capable of such betrayal when she succumbs to the unthinkable.But things that first seemed sweet and reasonable given her painful situation soon produce a bitter taste when combined with the overwhelming guilt. No substitute will ever replace her love and desire for her husband. If only he would touch her like he used to. If only they could make love again. She misses him so much and wants to tell him the truth hoping it will propel him to do something to fix their problem, but she fears his rejection. Yet, she can't continue living such a hypocritical life. She knows it's wrong even though she continues to crave physical intimacy. Steeped in the quagmire of adultery, Hope must find her way back to solid ground to save her marriage. But will she lose everyone she loves in the process?

My Take:

This is one of those books that some people in "religious" circles will either love or hate. That's one of the things I admire so much about the author. She isn't afraid to tackle the issues that would make most author's cower in a corner sweating. I want to tell you now that this doesn't pull any punches. Hope's feelings - whether they were passion, despair, anger, love or joy - they are all covered fully and without reserve. This is not a secular novel, though. This is not erotica. It doesn't glorify bad choices or wrap it all up neatly like in a "Leave It To Beaver" episode, everyone smiling and no problems while they nibble on a plate of cookies.

What the book does is present a realistic view of what really happens and how families honestly feel and deal with situations like these. That includes the pleasant draw of sin, the difficulty in getting out of it and how very much we all need God's grace and mercy. It also deals with how those consequences can be far reaching. This book was such a breath of fresh air for providing hope, and really offering something that can be shared with those who want to know that Christians aren't perfect either - and if they aren't they can still be accepted, forgiven and loved by God right now. Some people are so afraid of judgment by others in the church that they never share their struggles. I don't think that is what God wanted the church to be like. No we don't encourage the sin, but nobody is perfect but Jesus. We all have our struggles. This was an awesome read. I hope you'll not only read it yourself, but pass it along.

The Tender Vine

2010-08-25T23:51:00.000-05:00

Title: The Tender Vine
Author: Kristen Heitzmann
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0715-0

Blurb from Goodreads:

Book 3 of Diamond of the Rockies historical fiction series. The ache of her recent loss is a constant companion, and Carina longs to return to her family and her former home. With Quillan at her side, they make the journey to the California vineyards and to the closely-knit Italian American family Carina left when she moved to Crystal, Colorado. But Carina's parents are ignortant of their daughters marriage, and Quillan is far different from the husband they had in mind. With Quillan uncomfortable, her parents unhappy, and her former beau determined to have her back, where can she turn for help?

My Take:

I love a good series. It gives you time to really get to know characters. This one is different from many that I've read in that you follow the same main characters through all three books. Quillan and Carina give you plenty to fill those pages. There is mystery, romance, danger, explosions... Both of them learn so many things about themselves, one another, other people, and God.

Carina is a firecracker. She is small but sets the entire town upside down. She is determined to make changes and doesn't always look two steps ahead to see the consequences of her actions. I enjoyed the descriptions of her making food and how Quillan loved to watch her - becoming envious of anyone else she cooked for.

Quillan is a man who has been rejected and hurt so many times that he's built a barricade around himself that is nearly impossible to break through. A good man, he still looks out for his own interests - with a few exceptions. Carina is one of them. The more time he spends around her, the more he's seeing a need to change. Some things are so hard to let go of though - especially when he's rejected again.

I enjoyed all three books, but this one was really a wonderful ending for the series. Quillan and Carina have to face their toughest obstacles yet. This is an older book - but the message of what to look to in times of adversity is one that can speak to us right now. I think this book (and this whole series) is really wonderful. I hope you'll consider it if you haven't already read it.

Blessings!

Gina Holmes Crossing Oceans

2010-08-24T00:33:00.000-05:00

Title: Crossing Oceans
Author: Gina Holmes
ISBN: 978-1-4143-3305-2

Blurb from Goodreads:

Jenny Lucas swore she’d never go home again. But being told you’re dying has a way of changing things. Years after she left, she and her five-year-old daughter, Isabella, must return to her sleepy North Carolina town to face the ghosts she left behind. They welcome her in the form of her oxygen tank–toting grandmother, her stoic and distant father, and David, Isabella’s dad . . . who doesn’t yet know he has a daughter. As Jenny navigates the rough and unknown waters of her new reality, the unforgettable story that unfolds is a testament to the power of love and its ability to change everything—to heal old hurts, bring new beginnings . . . even overcome the impossible. A stunning debut about love and loss from a talented new voice.

My Take:

They say your goal as a writer is to have the reader not be able to put the book down - to be so caught up in the lives of your characters that they just can't wait to see what is going to happen on the next page. I normally read "happily ever after" books so I heard great things, but I wondered how absorbed I would get in this book. I couldn't have been more wrong. It certainly didn't read like a debut book either.

This book captured my heart. I laughed and cried with Jenny. Somewhere along the way, her desires and dreams became important enough to me that I finished this book in two days! I admired her strength and the love she had for her daughter. This was a powerful book that inspired, challenged and spoke to my heart. It's the kind of book you want to talk to your friends and family about.

This may be Gina's first published book, but you can tell she has put a lot of time and work into her writing. I also have no doubt there will be many more books in her future. I can't wait to read them. I found the book trailer and added it. I hope you all will consider the book - and come back and let me know what you think. I want to thank Dineen Miller @ Kitten Come From Eggs for the chance to read and review this book. She hosted a contest that I won. Thanks so much Dineen!

By the way, I did pass my physical therapy evaluation and they are asking for more sessions. Now we just have to pray the doctor and insurance company agree. :o)

Blessings!

Praise and Prayer

2010-08-19T00:19:00.000-05:00

Many of you know I've been moving. We had A LOT of stuff, the move was pushed up faster than we expected, my husband was gone for nearly a month before we left, I hurt my left arm right after he left to go to training and then the movers used some rather interesting techniques. All that added up to total disorganization and us way behind.

Just a couple examples: I opened a box labeled "papper" which contained pots, pans and some kitchen knives ~ loose except for one layer of packing paper. I (so lucky lately) grabbed them by the blades. I managed to get only a couple small cuts but I wasn't very happy. They packed loose saw blades in with foam and inflatable swimming gear from the garage - using no wrapping paper at all. We were under pressure to finish the move more quickly, but this kind of thing was just not very professional. They put my purses in with my son's lego kits... The filter for the fish tank was in three different boxes, and the box containing all the other aquarium supplies had a magazine rack, my beading tool kit and some games. Why couldn't they have left that stuff out and put the whole filter in one box with the rest of the supplies? Does that only make sense to me? It's making it really hard to find and unpack as so many boxes are mislabeled and the contents are mismatched.

You add in my injured arm and all the other things we need to do with a move to a new state with address changes, new licenses, new doctors, new vets, voter registration, getting ready for school, finding a new church...

I'm in Physical Therapy for my arm right now. The good news is that my pain has gone down so much! I still can't use it as much as I'd like, and certain positions/directions don't seem to work at all. That may mean that I just haven't worked them as much as I need to - or it may mean that the tear is worse there and not able to be fixed with therapy and working out. That will mean I will still have to have surgery. I'm praying to avoid that. Also - we still have not sold our old house and now have double payments. If you think of us please pray that we sell our house. We were told our house would sell quickly and it hasn't happened. Also pray that I can avoid surgery - which would be another large expense and recovery time.

I have my in-laws wanting to visit too. So a lot is happening. I hope to be more regular now though. It is just with everything going on I haven't had as much time for either the computer or reading. Thanks to all of you for hanging with me.

Surrender the Heart

2010-08-16T22:21:00.002-05:00

Title: Surrender the Heart
Author: MaryLu Tyndall
ISBN: 978-1-60260-165-9

Blurb from Goodreads:

On the brink of the War of 1812, Marianne Denton must marry to unlock her inheritance. Without the money, her mother can't receive medical care and her sister will be destitute. But Noah Brenin needs to sail his cargo to England before the war commences in order to prove his worth to his father and make enough money so he won't have to marry at all.

Defying his father's wishes, Noah loathes the idea of marrying a woman he finds plain and pompous. Marianne wants nothing to do with the rogue who taunted her as a child, yet she must convince him otherwise or her mother will die.

But when Noah walks out on their engagement party, Marianne chases him down and ends up on his merchantman out at sea. The situation worsens when Noah's ship encounters a British man-of-war and the couple are impressed into the British navy. While a young lad's prophecy of destiny looms over them both, Marianne and Noah are forced to face their darkest fears as they desperately try to find a way to escape and fulfill their destinies-destinies that could change the course of the war and history forever.

My Take:

There are some authors that you return to over and over again because they consistently deliver stories that capture your imagination and their characters win over your heart and continue to live in your thoughts long after you close the back cover. There are some books that you look forward to as soon as you hear about them. The more details you get, the more you can't wait for the book to be released. This was one of those books for me. It didn't let me down either. :o)

From the very first sentence: "I would rather boil in oil than marry Noah Brenin." I was totally hooked. These characters went through a lot and I literally skipped meals in order to find out what was going to happen next. One of the things this author does the best is marry action into her stories. I feel like I'm reading what could be the next big movie. The other thing she did so well is make her characters real people. These are not cleaned up, cardboard, perfect cut-outs. They rebel, get angry, don't do what they're supposed to do ... feel real feelings and act like real human beings.

This is going on my list of best books of the year. I hope you'll consider reading it.

Lost Mission

2010-07-28T01:25:00.002-05:00

Title: Lost Mission
Author: Athol Dickson

Blurb (from Amazon)

Among the dirt-poor barrios and ultra-wealthy enclaves lining the hills of southern California, a construction project unearths a long-lost Spanish mission. This discovery sets off a chain of events that presents four unrelated people—Reverend Tucker Lockwood, Concha Rivera, Delano Jones, and Detective Harmony Killeen—with difficult choices. In every case, a greater good could be served with a compromise of some basic moral value. Lockwood could steal to feed the poor. Delano Jones could lie—or at least bury the truth—to protect his monument to God's law. Concha Rivera, a Christian with a strong sense of mission, could trespass to preach the Gospel. Detective Killeen could betray her sense of legal responsibility to defend her family. It seems these devil's alternatives will inspire these modern people to perpetuate the very crime that left the mission buried and forgotten 250 years ago—a mystery that is gradually revealed through research into a mysterious triptych excavated at the mission site, as well as through historical flashbacks. At least two themes of magical realism appear repeatedly through the story. First is the appearances of Santos, a mysterious being characterized by a crooked nose, in both the contemporary and historical storylines. And second, the gradual appearance of faces on the triptych as the story's four protagonists—often with the help of a mysterious Hispanic man with the crooked nose—decide whether they will repeat the mistakes of the past.

My take:

This is a complex story that is well-written. However... it is not linear at all. The author jumps back in forth in time, from one character's point of view to a different one - all without any warning at all. This can be unsettling. As good as the story was, I never got used to it and it bothered me throughout the entire book.

There are a lot of different issues covered in this book. It would be a good one for a group discussion and I didn't find the plot boring in the least. The characters are realistic and I wanted to find out what happened to them. I can't say I agreed with all the theological stands taken in the book, but there were a lot of good points made.

I would suggest this book to anyone who enjoys a thoughtful book and doesn't mind it skipping around quite a bit.

We Made It!

2010-07-14T20:37:00.002-05:00

Just a quick post to let you all know that we finally made it to our new house and the internet is turned on (I thought I would go crazy without it lol). I'm buried in cardboard boxes right now, but life should settle down soon and things will get back to normal.

So be prepared ~ you'll have to put up with me around here again in no time at all. ;o)

Maid to Match

2010-06-26T05:12:00.003-05:00

Title: Maid to Match
Author: Deeanne Gist
ISBN: 9780764204081

Blurb (from Goodreads):

From the day she arrives at the Biltmore, Tillie Reese is dazzled--by the riches of the Vanderbilts and by Mack Danvers, a mountain man turned footman. When Tillie is enlisted to help tame Mack's rugged behavior by tutoring him in the ways of refined society, the resulting sparks threaten Tillie's efforts to be chosen as Edith Vanderbilt's lady's maid. But the stakes rise even higher when Mack and Tillie become entangled in a cover-up at the town orphanage. They could both lose their jobs...and their hearts.

My take:

This is on my list of favorites for the year! Deeanne Gist is always one of my go-to authors for romances that really deliver the goods. This book is no exception.

What made this story unique was the setting. Biltmore is an awe inspiring place even today. Back when Edith Vanderbilt actually lived there it was a miracle. I loved reading about the sound of the electric lights or the innovative heating system ... and all the other things that make Biltmore and the Vanderbilts so unique.

On top of one of the best settings ever, she created some truly powerful characters. Tillie is smart and ambitious. She has a plan for her future and that plan doesn't include falling for the new useful man ... Even if he is too handsome for words, thinks of what she needs before she asks, knows when to be silent and then talks to her like a real person. Nope, her plan includes waiting on rich ladies and being part of their life so she can travel. She'll do whatever they want, whenever they want... but she'll be able to wear fine clothes and go to balls ...

Mack wants freedom, space to roam (he hates city life) and to take care of his family. He's hot-headed and quick with his fists. His sister and younger brothers were sent out to other families and an orphanage and he finds out they're not really getting the care they need. In fact, his sister is being beaten. He needs to fix the situation - and fast. He detests money and those who have a lot of it, but working at Biltmore may be his only way to get his sister out. That's when he meets Tillie ...

This story has plenty to offer. It was so interesting. You not only have a great romance with a wonderful backdrop - but there was also the story of the orphanage and what was going to happen to the children there. The author did a great job of addressing the whole idea what our priorities should be while also showing that not all people who have money are greedy, selfish pigs. lol

This is a funny, warm, genuine, book. I pre-ordered it a long time ago and I can tell this is one I'll be re-reading. The author is also hosting a trip to Biltmore estate. You can find out more about that here: Getaway With Dee

Don't forget that I have the giveaway for A Love of Her Own. It ends midnight on the 27th. :o)

Seeds of Summer & Contest

2010-06-21T05:33:00.004-05:00

Title: Seeds of Summer
Author: Deborah Vogts
ISBN: 978-0-310-29276-0

Goodreads blurb:

A heart-warming contemporary romance set in the Flint Hills of Kansas where a former rodeo queen abandons her dreams in order to care for her deceased father’s ranch and her two half-siblings, only to realize with the help of a young new pastor that God can turn even the most dire circumstances into seeds of hope.
Spanning the Seasons of the Tallgrass, each story in this series reveals the struggle of the people who live there and the dreams they have for the land until they come full-circle in a never-ending cycle, just as man comes full-circle in his understanding of God.

My Take:

I hadn't read the first book in the series yet (Snow Melts in Spring) so I read that one just in case you needed to - you don't. Some of the characters carry over, but you can read this book on it's own. What I was blown away by was how very good she is at making a setting come alive - and writing characters that don't seem two dimensional. It is very hard to believe this is only her second book.

I'm was more than a little picky and sentimental when reading these books too. You see ~ they are written about the area I live in and will soon be moving away from. So I can tell you that she got it right. If you want to know what it's like in this area, just pick up the book and read. She does an excellent job making the countryside come alive for you.

Then there are the people. Sometimes in fiction we meet some cardboard cut-outs. You know the ones I mean ~ they have no real depth, and you can't really relate to them. You can kind of tell where the author was trying to go ... but they didn't quite make it because the characters fell flat. These people are genuine. You can imagine meeting them in the grocery store or at the next family reunion. Maybe they live next door and maybe they are just like you.

These were a great read. I was provided a copy for review and I'm very thankful for that. It didn't influence my review at all. (I bought Snow Melts in Spring myself and also think that is terrific and should be on everyone's TBR list).

Since I'm getting ready to move, I've decided to pass on another blessing to someone else. I have an extra copy of the brand new book A Love of Her Own by Maggie Brandon. Just agree to review it on your blog to pass the word around.

In one comment tell me whether you're a follower, became a follower, if you advertised this contest on your blog, and your email address (with spaces or spell out dot and that sort of thing).

The contest ends the 27th of June. It's a lovely book and I wish you all the best of luck. :o)

My movers will be here the first week of July and I still haven't sold my old house ... so things have been a bit crazy and stressful here. Thanks for being patient with me. I have a few reviews to catch up on and I am sorry for not being very good at keeping up lately. Life has been hectic.

Blessings~

Dad's Bible

2010-06-07T01:16:00.002-05:00

Looking for a Father's Day present for your Dad or husband? This might be just the thing. This Bible is full of features that make it very useful.

The Bible is hardcover and has a nice cover design. It's done in the New Century Version which is one of the easier translations to understand. That makes it really good if you want this to be a Bible that can be used not only for the Dad - but for him to use with his children as well. The pages also aren't so thin that that you have trouble turning them.

Then come the features. Like most Bibles, each book comes with a short introduction. Then they have all their special sections. Some are interspersed throughout the Bible (though there is an index in the back so you can find specific ones when/if you need them).

They are:

Walking in Authority ~ This is all about being the family leader & servant God intends. One of the ones I read talked about the monument built to remind the Israelites about what God had done for them and how everyone who saw that was pointed back to what God had done in their lives. Then it asked what people think when they see your house? Do they think of someone who is kind, generous, who loves God - or is it just a house with our name on the mailbox?

Godly Character ~ The one I read talked about the disciples walking on the road to Emmaus and how they were having trouble with their faith.

Passing It On ~ This section is all about advice on dealing with difficult situations with our children. One I read was about responding to people/situations that are overwhelmingly hostile. It related it back to David and Saul and how David trusted God to be his protection.

Dad's in the Bible ~ Profiles of Biblical dads with life lessons.

Building Your Children ~ These were much longer (whole page from what I saw) lesson on seven key areas of focus for building godly character traits in your children.

Insights ~ These were short, inspirational/motivational thoughts you can reflect and then act upon.

In the back of the Bible they also have a question and answer resource. They have pages of common questions children ask with Scripturally-based answers.

They have a section in the back where you can look up what the Bible has to say about peace or joy or grace and that kind of thing. It does not have a concordance though or study notes in the main body of the Bible. Still, I think this is a wonderful resource and I know just who I plan to gift mine to. :o)

I want to thank Thomas Nelson for providing my review copy. I appreciated it, but did not allow it to influence my review.

A Tailor-Made Bride

2010-05-18T16:49:00.002-05:00

Title: A Tailor-Made Bride
Author: Karen Witemeyer
ISBN: 978-0-7642-07556

From Goodreads:

A dressmaker who values beauty tangles with a liveryman who condemns vanity, yet when something deeper than vexation sparks between them, will it be enough to unknot their differences?

Jericho "J.T." Tucker wants nothing to do with Coventry's new dressmaker. He's all too familiar with her ilk – shallow women more devoted to the latest fashions than to the true beauty of godly service. Yet as his daily routine intertwines with hers, he discovers that except for her well-tailored clothes, this seamstress is not at all what he expected.

Hannah Richards is confounded by the man who runs the livery across the street. The unsmiling fellow riles her at every turn with his arrogant assumptions, but his acts of kindness contradict his cantankerous attitude. Which side of Jericho Tucker reflects the real man?

When Hannah spruces up Jericho's sister to help her catch a beau, will Jericho and Hannah find enough grace and understanding to bridge the gap between them, or will prejudice and stubborn pride keep them apart?

My Take:

This is one of those books I looked forward to ever since I saw the cover art last year. The more I read about it, the more I wanted to read it. It didn't disappoint.

I know you shouldn't judge a book by a cover ~ but how many of us do just that? We either are drawn to the gorgeous dress (like on this one) or repelled by what we don't like on another. It's like that in life too. Jericho Tucker has done just that in this book. He takes one look at Hannah Richards and sees all the things he hates and fears. He certainly doesn't want to get to get entangled with the seamstress himself - no matter how nice she seems.

The two of them are like watching an old fashioned bumper cars at night. They slam into each other and seem to be causing quite a fuss ~ but beneath all the noise and clamor you see the sparks flying.

Jericho is a wonderful hero. He is two parts stubborn and three parts generous. Add in a little bit wounded, handy with his tools, protective, and thoughtful. He looks out for his sister, the widow that works next door to Hannah, his assistant, Tom, and even Hannah. He may not want to get involved with her, but he doesn't want her to get hurt or not have what she needs.

Hannah can't understand why the livery owner is so grouchy and mad at her - and yet helps her so often. Even worse, she finds she likes him far more than she'd like to admit. When she finds out he objects to her job and thinks she is trying to lead women astray by appealing to their vanity, she knows there is no hope he'll ever like her.

Hannah is great. She's determined, independent, kind and trusting. She is a little insecure and fearful, but she is willing to work hard to overcome any difficulties that come her way. She was a really like-able person. I found myself wanting to have her for a friend. Maybe we could meet for hot cocoa in the morning after she went for her "constitutional." :o)

When you want to sit down with the characters in the book then you know the author has done an excellent job. This was one of my favorite books so far. I have to thank the author and the publisher for providing my copy of the book. I am very thankful, but it in no way influenced my review.

Lonestar Homecoming

2010-05-14T00:17:00.004-05:00

Title: Lonestar Homecoming
Author: Colleen Coble
ISBN: 978-1-59554-734-7

From Goodreads:

"Gracie has spent her life running from her problems. This time, it's a matter of life and death.

With nothing but five dollars, a train ticket, and the wedding dress she's wearing, Gracie Lister escapes with her daughter to the West Texas country where her family fell apart years ago. There, Lieutenant Michael Wayne-devoted single father, dedicated soldier-gives Gracie the hiding place she needs, and a job caring for his two children. Michael and Gracie aren't looking for love, but it finds them right away.

The couple doesn't exactly see eye-to-eye, though. A vengeful druglord has put a price on Michael's head, and he's determined to face the enemy head-on. When Gracie's ex-fiance catches up to her, her impulse is to flee the danger … and the father she lacks the courage to confront.

Will Michael and Gracie find the strength they need in each other to protect their family and the home they've created?"

My Take:

This was a truly wonderful book. It had an inventive and fast-paced plot and characters I cared about. Colleen Coble is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. :o)

You meet Gracie first and see her settling in order to provide for her daughter, Hope. She wants her to have everything. She's sure that she's doing the right thing by marrying Cid and providing a father for Hope. That's when everything starts going wrong. Men show up and tell her that he's suspected of being involved with smugglers and she may be in danger. They want her as a witness. She claims she doesn't know anything and decides to run in order to keep her and Hope safe. She decides to go to the last place she wants to and hopefully the last place anyone would look for her.

The bullets start flying before she can even pack. Gracie and Hope have to start over with nothing. That's when they meet Michael. He arranges to have Gracie work to take care of his children. He isn't sure what she's hiding from, but she proves to be telling the truth when he checks out her references so she gets to stay ... for now.

Michael has problems of his own. He's a soldier who came back from overseas because his ex-wife died. His brother was killed by the smugglers in the area and he's training to be a border control agent too.

This story packs a lot of action and tension in many ways. The characters are thrown together because they both have a need but neither trusts the other. They also are grateful for each other and can tell the other is a good person. They both have enemies and withhold information about those enemies from each other. The action and tension is good throughout the story.

One of the things that makes the book the most interesting is the characters themselves. Both of them are complex people with issues from their past and present they're dealing with. Michael has to deal with how to be a dad after being away from them for most of their lives. Gracie tells him that "they are not small soldiers." He has to try and keep his family safe from the threats of Vargas, the man responsible for his brother's death and deal with his own desire to exact revenge.

Gracie is not sure what to think about Cid. She ran away before she could find out what happened and now he keeps calling and wanting her to come back to him. She has a father she hasn't spoken to since she became pregnant with Hope and she has guilt about what happened to her mother that she has never come to grips with. One of the things that makes her most unusual to me is that she can see and taste sounds. It's called synesthesia.

What started out as convenience leads to something else and soon the two will stand together against whatever comes against their family. I really enjoyed this book and thank Thomas Nelson for sending me my copy to review.

Buy @ Thomas Nelson

Updates, Award & Contest

2010-04-24T22:40:00.004-05:00

First of all I need to thank Deborah over at Butterfly Journey. She has given me the Sunshine Award.

This award is traditionally passed on to those bloggers that inspire others and show positivity and creativity. So, in that spirit, I picked my nominees from blogs that I visit regularly and are very informative and inspiring to me.
The rules for accepting the award are:

1) Put the logo within my blog or on my post

2) Pass the award onto 10 fellow bloggers

3) Link the nominees within my post

4) Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog

5) Share the love and link to the person whom you received this award from.

Here are my nominees, please visit them and check out their blogs! As you know we all live for comments!

1. Renee @ Black 'n Gold Girl's Book Spot

2. Lori @ Some of my Favorite Books

3. MaryLu Tyndall @ The Cross and Cutlass

4. Angie @ Never a Dull Moment

5. Carrie @ In the Hammock

6. Christy @ Southern Sassy Things

7. Susan @ Journeys of Love ... Inspired by Faith

8. Ashley @ After All ...... Tomorrow is Another Day

9. Katy @ A Few More Pages

10. Alexandra @ Stories From My Bookshelf

Now, for the news I promised. I know many of you have been praying for us about the job situation. I posted in the comments section of my last blog that we have been offered a position and are in the final stages of the process. They are doing a background check right now and have not finished it - though we thought it was supposed to only take 24 hours. The only thing we're concerned about is that he's had some speeding tickets and they issue a company car (because the job involves travel) so that may red flag us. We had to turn down another job opportunity because we accepted their offer but they still haven't told us that everything is okay yet.

On Monday we are supposed to get a call from the company to find out the details about relocating and what all they will help us with. They do provide some help - if we do it their way. We will live somewhere in the state of Missouri, but we're not sure where yet. Also, we just refinanced this house (to try and save money) and it was purchased just four years ago (and property values have gone down the last two years) so we haven't made any progress on the loan. I'm afraid when I think of trying to sell the house. With no paycheck for so long - and no equity on the house, we have to sell it for what we owe and we have only a couple months before we have to be living in MO.

Plus I have my college student son living at home (to save money). He is close to school here, but can't move with us. His job barely pays for gas, books and his little incidentals and emergency expenses for the car. He can't afford an apartment. He is looking, but hasn't found a job - especially one that works around his school schedule. So we need prayer for him to find a place to live and a good job.

So, we are pretty sure and are happy, but it does create a few more things to lay before God. :o)

We have normal spring cleaning to do plus trying to get things organized to move and sell the house. I'm way behind in reviews ... I hope to try and do better at keeping up but I hope you'll be patient with me until life slows down a little bit.

In honor of being offered the job and wanting to praise God for that, I am doing a giveaway. Francine Rivers is one of the best writers of Christian fiction and I am offering 4 hardcovers by her ~ Books 1-4 of the Sons of Encouragement: The Priest, The Warrior, The Prince and The Prophet. These books have been sitting on my shelf for a while, but I haven't read them (too many books - not enough time). I did notice that one of them has a place where the inside flap of the dustcover is rubbed down towards the pages and the top part of a couple pages are bent and have small tears. :o( It must have happened in shipping. The rest of the book is pristine - as are the others - other than shelf wear. I thought about leaving it out, but I hope whoever wins will enjoy it despite the small bit of damage.

In your comment leave an email address, let me know if you are a follower, if you chose to become one, or if you chose to share about the giveaway on your own blog. That will earn you extra entries. This is only open to the US, and void where prohibited by law. I will announce a winner May 1st. So entries have to be by midnight central time on April 30th. Good luck.

She Walks In Beauty

2010-04-15T03:44:00.003-05:00

Title: She Walks In Beauty
Author: Siri Mitchell
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0433-3

From Goodreads:

For a young society woman seeking a favorable marriage in the late 1890s, so much depends on her social season debut. Clara Carter has been given one goal: secure the affections of the city's most eligible bachelor. Debuting means plenty of work--there are corsets to be fitted, dances to master, manners to perfect. Her training soon pays off, however, as celebrity's spotlight turns Clara into a society-page darling. Yet Clara wonders if this is the life she really wants, especially when she learns her best friend has also set her sights on Franklin De Vries. When a man appears who seems to love her simply for who she is, and gossip backlash turns ugly, Clara realizes it's not just her heart at stake--the future of her family depends on how she plays the game.

My Take:

This is one of those books I wanted as soon as I saw it listed. One of the reasons was because of the author. She always puts ... depth into her stories that make them even more beautiful than what they are if you don't notice that deeper message. Then there was that cover. I'm ashamed to admit it ~ but it has to be one of the most beautiful covers I've seen and I am guilty of being drawn to a beautifully decorated book.

Clara is a young woman who feels a little more like a beautifully dressed pawn being moved about in a game she isn't even sure she knows the purpose of. She knows she is supposed to catch the heir. Why ~ she isn't certain, the how she can't always abide and seems not to be in her best interest most of the time. Plus she is competing for him with her very best friend. She doesn't even like him.

When she does find someone who likes her for herself alone and doesn't make her uncomfortable, she is confused between what her head and heart tell her and what her family tell her is her duty to them. Add a mysterious newspaper column that seems to know her every move and makes accusations about her family and Clara is not sure what the right course of action is.

The author did a wonderful job of painting a picture of what these debutantes went through trying to achieve the fashionably beautiful look and how that could hurt their health. Clara not only was forced to endure these techniques, but she was used by those who should have loved her the most in order to achieve their own ends. This is wonderfully contrasted by finding someone who accepts her for who she is and tells her about God, who values and loves her just as she is because He created her.

Women today still struggle with whether or not they are beautiful. They have a hard time accepting it no matter what their loved ones say. Beauty is more than fashion ~ fashion changes. Beauty is knowing and understanding that you are loved by your creator - who makes no mistakes. Don 't accept anything less than that in your life.

This is a beautiful love story and one of my very favorites this year. I hope you enjoy it as well.

Thicker Than Blood

2010-04-13T03:16:00.004-05:00

Title: Thicker Than Blood
Author: C.J. Darlington
ISBN: 978-1-4143-3448-6

From Goodreads:

Christy Williams finally has her life on track. She’s putting her past behind her and working hard to build a career as an antiquarian book buyer. But things begin to unravel when a stolen Hemingway first edition is found in her possession, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. With no one to turn to, she yearns for her estranged younger sister, May, whom she abandoned after their parents’ untimely deaths. Soon, Christy’s fleeing from her shattered dreams, her ex-boyfriend, and God. Could May’s Triple Cross Ranch be the safe haven she’s searching for? Will the sisters realize that each possesses what the other desperately needs before it’s too late? A stunning debut from the latest Christian Writers Guild winner.

My Take:

I was looking forward to reading this book for a long time and I didn't feel let down a single bit by it. This doesn't read like a debut book ~ and certainly not by someone so young. There is real emotional depth to the characters and nothing formulaic about the plot.

I know my standard fare is romances, and this book has a twisted romance and one relationship that reads like it shows promise for a romance ~ but it is a book about relationships. One of the main ones focused on is between the two sisters, May and Christy, and how that is changed by the guilt that Christy has allowed to come between her and basically everything good in her life. She listened to the lie instead of the truth.

There is the relationship both sisters have with God and with their family, friends and co-workers and how what Christy, May and others do change those relationships for the better or worse.

What I think the author did best of all was not paint her characters in all black or white. Christy had many weaknesses and faults, but she also had strengths and good points. May was a strong Christian, but when Christy shows up unexpectedly and doesn't even apologize for walking away, she still feels hurt and angry.

This was a very well written book that deals with tough topics in a realistic way. I can't wait to read more from this author.

Abbie Ann

2010-03-27T00:55:00.004-05:00

Title: Abbie Ann
Author: Sharlene MacLaren
ISBN: 978-1-60374-076-0

From Goodreads:

Abbie Ann Kane, the youngest of Jacob Kane's three daughters, is a busy woman. Between running the Whatnot, the family's general store, being active in the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and assisting the elderly citizens of Sandy Shores, Michigan, she has little time for frivolous matters. And those include matters of the heart. When the recently divorced Noah Carson comes to town with son Toby in tow to pursue a shipbuilding business, Abbie Ann tries to keep her distance-especially when his flagrant ex-wife shows up. But God has other plans in mind

My take:

I have been not-so-patiently awaiting the arrival of this book ever since finishing book 2 in The Daughters of Jacob Kane Series. :o) Let me just get my praise for the cover out of the way. Isn't it gorgeous? All the covers in the series have been just phenomenal. The model really exemplifies the character and the boat and scenery are really beautiful.

Now for the book itself ~ I love how the author draws characters that live and breathe. I'm a character person. It doesn't matter how good your plot idea is, if the people in it aren't interesting and you don't care about them it just won't be a good story. You don't have to worry about that with this story. Jacob Kane's daughter's have all been strong, sassy and wonderfully three dimensional. Abbie Ann is no different.

She can't cook, doesn't think marriage is in her future and is bent on closing down all those dens of iniquity otherwise known as saloons. Since that pretty much makes her anti everything your normal woman is expected to be, she is sure to ruffle more than a few feathers. One of them is the man who she's been courting for nine months and the other is a mystery man who has threatened to harm her if she doesn't stop her "meddling."

Noah Carson comes into town hoping for a fresh start. He was a very successful ship builder until his wife and business partner cheated on him with each other and wanted the company instead of their child. So Noah lost everything but Toby and is working in the window business for his uncle. His wagon is run off the road and into Jacob's display window. Nobody is hurt, but Noah and Abbie Ann are drawn together in a way that neither welcome.

Noah doesn't trust women and wants to keep to himself. Abbie Ann is drawn in by both Noah and his son, but doesn't believe in divorce and knows Noah isn't a committed Christian. Throw in Abbie's beau who dislikes all her causes, refuses to help her and tries to force her to stop now ~ and an unexpected offer for Noah, a couple surprise visitors ... and there is plenty to keep this story hopping.

I liked the way both Noah and Abbie weren't perfect. Noah regretted not being a better dad and realized how carried away he got when building a ship and how that meant he wasn't giving his son his best. He even was willing to accept his part of the blame in his marital problems. He didn't suddenly become better either. It was realistic. I could see him as a real person.

Abbie was the same way. She felt more comfortable out doing her charity work than doing cooking and domestics. She worried that she wouldn't make a good wife because of it. She is stubborn but dedicated to the people and causes she feels are important. It can take quite a lot to change her mind once she's made it up, which can be unfortunate if she's come to a wrong conclusion.

The romance was bittersweet and filled with pitfalls they both had to navigate. I think the dedication they showed towards each other (in different ways and times) is part of why this was such a powerful love story. You watched as they grew individually over the course of the story - as people who were better able to understand and love each other. It was a masterful job by a terrific author.

This is one of those books I can see myself reading again. As the last daughter, I imagine it's the end of the series. I'm sad to see them go. This has been a wonderful family to read about and I thank Sharlene for sharing them with us.