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Monday, February 27, 2017

Take Ten: books I liked more than I thought I would



1. The Chronicles of Narnia

Yes, it's weird to admit this now, but this series had quite a few strikes against it. Part of that had to do with being traumatized by watching a cartoon version of this one (my mom had heard it was a good story. This is why, as a parent, you should always screen movies first. lol) at a young age. I was also pretty young when I first started the series. I'm glad I stuck with it! So, moral of the story: stick with something until you have given it a fair chance since it just might surprise you.;)

2. Harry Potter

There was some pretty mixed reviews about this series when I was growing up, so I didn't read it until I was an adult. It surprised me just how well written the books are and they are now a favorite!

3. Lord of the Rings

Apparently, I had a thing against fantasy style series when I was young.;) This was one I had to grow up a bit before fully appreciating. I had such a hard time keeping everyone straight until I watched the first movie...;)

4. Emma

A lot of critics and people I know don't care for the story of Emma, but I've always loved how she grows up over the course of the story. Not to mention, it's already been established that I like the girl next door stories, and this one is kind of a classics version.;)

5. King's Folly

My sister warned me that this series is a bit dark, but it is a fantasy style series based on history, which really sucked me in from the get go! I'm looking forward to starting King's Blood.

6. Valiant Hearts

While this series looked interesting to me when I first started it, I didn't realize just how much I would enjoy it!

7. The Hearts We Mend

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and didn't think there was any way that the second book would measure up. I was thrilled to be wrong in this case.;)

8. When Love Arrives

This was another one where I loved the first book in the series. I also didn't think I would like a book with Brett as the hero, but it worked well!

9. The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill

To a certain extent, Klassen's books are hit and miss with me, some of them I really enjoy and some I have not been as crazy about. This one was SO good though! I look forward to the next book in the series.

10. An Elegant Facade

This is another one where I read the first book and wasn't sure I would like the main character in this one. I loved getting to know Georgina though!

Bonus:
Waves of Freedom

I hadn't read anything by Sarah before picking up this series. I need to go back and read the rest of her books now, since this series has been a fun look at women working during WWII.
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Door to Freedom


"It's rough and it's smooth. It's dark and it's light. It's a masterpiece. It's us. Here in Sudan. We are scared of it and drawn to it. There is an open door, and there is much opposition."

In the dusty, Islamic country of Sudan, Mia, who is raising her family in a Muslim country, has learned to boldly share her faith. Rania, the daughter of a wealthy Sudanese Arab, seeks to find the reason for her sister's sudden disappearance. Mia holds some of the answers, but both women quickly discover they must each walk through their own doors to freedomthe freedom that only comes when you trust God's sovereignty more than manmade security.

Part of New Hope Publishers' line of contemporary missional fiction, Door to Freedom, the sequel to Side by Side, opens the reader's eyes to modern-day persecution and the life of Muslims in Sudan. Based on real-life events, Door to Freedom also reveals some of the struggles that Christians face when living under Islamic law. The reader will be inspired to pray for those who are persecuted for their faith as well as for the salvation of the persecutors.

My thoughts: While this book is exceptional, I think I liked the first one the best, since it really showed the sacrifice that Muslims have to make when they accept Jesus as their Savior. That said, this one was wonderful and I did appreciate the message of serving God even when persecuted. Jana does a fantastic job of bringing her characters to life, their struggles and joys. I enjoyed the taste of what it would be like to live in modern Sudan and what an adjustment it is to be in a different culture. I highly recommend this series!
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.
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Shine Like the Dawn review and giveaway




 


Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book




 



Book: Shine Like the Dawn

 



Author: Carrie Turansky

 



Genre: Historical



In a quiet corner of northern Edwardian England, Margaret Lounsbury diligently works in her grandmother’s millinery shop, making hats and caring for her young sister. Several years earlier, a terrible tragedy reshaped their family, shattering an idyllic life and their future prospects. But Maggie is resilient and will do what she must to protect her sister Violet. Still, the loss of her parents weighs heavily on her heart and she begins to wonder if what happened that day on the lake…might not have been an accident.

When wealthy inventor and industrialist William Harcourt dies, his son Nathaniel, who is Maggie’s estranged childhood friend, returns from his time in the Royal Navy and inherits his father’s vast estate, Morningside Manor. He also assumes partial control of his father’s engineering company and the duty of repaying an old debt to the Lounsbury family. But years of separation between Nate and Maggie have taken a toll and Maggie struggles to trust her old friend.

Can Maggie let go of the resentment that keeps her from forgiving Nate—and reconciling with God? Will their search for the truth about her parents’ death draw them closer or will it leave them both with broken hearts?


My thoughts: This one is a delightful, Edwardian style story. I've enjoyed Carrie's previous series, so I was thrilled to have a chance to read this one! I liked that this novel wound up having so mystery in it, though it was so sad. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and enjoyed that there is a lot of historical detail to this story, like what it was like to own a small shop in the early 1900's and dealing with owning a factory. If you enjoy historical stories, I highly recommend this one!
I received this book from Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review.
About the Author





CARRIE TURANSKY is an award-winning author of more than a dozen novels and novellas. She has been the winner of the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award, and the International Digital Award, and a finalist for the Inspirational Readers Choice Award and the Maggie Award of Excellence. A prolific writer of contemporary and historical romance, women’s fiction, short stories, articles, and devotionals, Carrie lives in central New Jersey with her husband Scott. They have five adult children and four grandchildren.



Guest Post from Carrie Turansky


Hats, Glorious Hats!

 

By Carrie Turansky

 

One fun part of my research for Shine Like the Dawn was learning about hat making in the early 1900s. My heroine, Maggie Lounsbury is a milliner who designs women’s hats. She learned this skill from her grandmother who owns a small shop in the village of Heatherton. Maggie has an artistic eye and she enjoys making stylish hats, but she doesn’t like the overdone designs some of their customers request, so that creates some humorous conflict in the story.



Hats in the Edwardian era were large and often covered with feathers, flowers, lace, netting, berries and bows. The “bird nests,” as Coco Chanel called them, were held on with large hat pins stuck through piles of hair on the crown. These hats were called Gainsborough or Picture hats because of the way they framed a lady’s face. They often featured huge dried flower arrangements and sometimes included real leaves and twigs! No doubt the Garden hat was a fitting name.
1907 The Merry Window hat became very popular after the leading lady in the play by that same name wore a hat that was even taller and wider than usual. Some people complained these hats were too big and obtrusive in public places like the theater or picture shows. But English women loved them and wore them to all kinds of events.



The popularity of using large feathers and stuffed birds on hats caused concern for the welfare of birds. Many protective laws took effect and milliners had to use more ribbon and tulle and only large ostrich feathers to decorate hats. Those ostrich feathers came from birds that were raised on farms and their feathers were collected as they fell out naturally.
The movement toward smaller hats began around 1913 when hats still had high crowns but smaller brims. Straw boaters, small top hats, and mini versions of picture hats were very common.



Motion pictures had the greatest influence on Edwardian hat fashion. After the release of The Three Musketeers many ladies wanted to wear tricorne and bicorne shaped hats. They were still very large but now had shapes other than just round. Hat brims were folded up on the side, at an angle, or all around to create drama. Veils disappeared in the early 1900s only to come back again as a long scarf that wrapped over the hat and under the chin for the new sport called motoring.



I’ve had fun dressing Edwardian style for book launch tea parties and other book events. It made me feel very special to wear these lovely hats. What do you think of Edwardian Hats? Would you like to wear one?



Thanks to friends at the Vintage Dancer website for some of this information.




Stop by Carrie’s Facebook author page and view her live videos February 21 – 25, 3:00 pm Eastern. She’ll be talking about the story behind Shine Like the Dawn and giving away a fun prize each day to one person who leaves a comment. Even if you can’t catch the live video you can still enter for 24 hours after it’s posted. She is also hosting a book launch celebration and giveaway on her blog February 25 – March 6.


Like to my Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/authorcarrieturansky/
Link to my Book Launch Blog Post: http://carrieturansky.com/index.php/blog/

Blog Stops


February 21: New Horizon Reviews
February 21: Bookworm Mama
February 22: Book by Book
February 23: Bibliophile Reviews
February 23: A Readers Brain
February 23: Faithfully Bookish
February 23: Lane Hill House
February 24: Back Porch Reads
February 24: The Scribbler
February 24: I Hope You Dance
February 25: Stuff & Nonsense
February 25: The Power of Words
February 25: A Greater Yes
February 26: cherylbbookblog
February 26: Splashes of Joy
February 27: Genesis 5020
February 28: Karen Sue Hadley
February 28: Neverending Stories
March 3: Mary Hake
March 4: Radiant Light
March 6: Baker Kella

Giveaway


[Insert Giveaway Picture Here]

To celebrate her tour, Carrie is giving away all 4 books: Shine Like the Dawn, The Governess of Highland Hall, The Daughter of Highland Hall, and A Refuge at Highland Hall.! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
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Sunday, February 26, 2017

The Inkblots

The captivating, untold story of Hermann Rorschach and his famous inkblot test

In 1917, working alone in a remote Swiss asylum, psychiatrist Hermann Rorschach devised an experiment to probe the human mind: a set of ten carefully designed inkblots. For years he had grappled with the theories of Freud and Jung while also absorbing the aesthetic movements of the day, from Futurism to Dadaism. A visual artist himself, Rorschach had come to believe that who we are is less a matter of what we say, as Freud thought, than what we see.

After Rorschach’s early death, his test quickly made its way to America, where it took on a life of its own. Co-opted by the military after Pearl Harbor, it was a fixture at the Nuremberg trials and in the jungles of Vietnam. It became an advertising staple, a cliché in Hollywood and journalism, and an inspiration to everyone from Andy Warhol to Jay Z. The test was also given to millions of defendants, job applicants, parents in custody battles, and people suffering from mental illness or simply trying to understand themselves better. And it is still used today.

In this first-ever biography of Rorschach, Damion Searls draws on unpublished letters and diaries and a cache of previously unknown interviews with Rorschach’s family, friends, and colleagues to tell the unlikely story of the test’s creation, its controversial reinvention, and its remarkable endurance—and what it all reveals about the power of perception. Elegant and original, The Inkblots shines a light on the twentieth century’s most visionary synthesis of art and science.

My thoughts: The Inkblot test has played an interesting part in history, showing up during a lot of historical events after being developed. This is an interesting biography to read, whether you are into psychology or not. Engaging and interesting, this book is well written!
I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.
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Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Be Bold


Be Bold offers an outlet to simultaneously focus on God’s Word and express creativity. Using scripture as the foundation for her designs, Ellen Elliot takes readers through a series of inspiring verses reinforced with short devotional writings. Topics include joy, hope, self-image, peace, and more. Each coloring page and corresponding devotional will help the reader develop a closer relationship with the Heavenly Father.

My thoughts: I remember when I first saw adult coloring books. I kind of laughed at the idea, since I've never outgrown coloring (I've used having children as an excuse to color.;)) and should of thought to start the trend (except wait, I'm not an artist...).
I love that this coloring book is a devotional as well, so you can read the devotional and think on it as you design the coloring page. I love the reminders to be grateful, to wait on God,to be thankful, and to place our trust in the Lord. The coloring pages are intricate and a lot of fun to fill in!
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.
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Monday, February 13, 2017

Amish Wanderer





 


Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book




 



Book: Amish Wanderer

 



Author: Laura V. Hilton

 



Genre: Amish Romance

 



Release Date: February 14



Bethany Weiss is ready to leave town. Tongues haven’t stopped clacking in Jamesport, MO, since her daed, the bishop, was admitted to a mental hospital after hurting their small Amish community. But her sharpest wounds Bethany hides from prying eyes, quietly biding her time until she can take a chance at a new life—away from Jamesport and away from God.



Silas Beiler was kicked out of his own home. Dogged by a rough childhood and a family who blames him for each new disaster, he begins hitchhiking across the country, sleeping in barns where he can, working for food when possible—headed for Pennsylvania in the hope of some stability.



When Bethany spies a man asleep in the hayloft, she first fears the return of an unwelcome suitor. But when it is Silas who turns and speaks, the memories flood back: a happy summer six years ago full of lemonade, long walks, and budding courtship. Now, however, those months of bliss seem naïve and idyllic. Was their old love strong enough to overcome new pain? Or will hurt and rejection continue to haunt their path?



My thoughts: This book is fascinating! Quite different from the normal Amish fiction, since it is partially based on real events. I appreciate that Laura tackles difficult subjects in this story, and does so with grace. I look forward to reading more of her stories!
I received this book from Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review.

About the Author




 



Laura V. Hilton



Amish fiction lovers responded positively and immediately to Laura V. Hilton’s debut novel, Patchwork Dreams, when she burst on the scene in 2009 with her unique series, The Amish of Seymour, set in the tiny town of Seymour, in Webster County, Missouri. Fans of the genre immediately recognized Hilton’s insider knowledge, not only of the Webster County community, but Amish culture in general. Her natural speech and writing patterns, she says, are uniquely “Amish,” acquired from her Amish maternal grandparents. The Amish of Seymour, includes Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts, and Promised to Another. Her second series, The Amish of Webster County, is comprised of Healing Love, Surrendered Love, and Awakened Love. A stand-alone title, A White Christmas in Webster County, was released in September 2014. The Amish of Jamesport includes The Snow Globe, The Postcard and The Birdhouse. In spring 2016 she released The Amish Firefighter with the setting in Jamesport, MO, the same as for The Amish Wanderer.



Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer. Laura and her husband, Steve, have five children, whom Laura homeschools. The family makes their home in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas.



Guest Post from Laura Hilton


I didn’t intentionally set out to write an Amish story loosely based on a true story. If fact, when people asked me if I would write my maternal grandparents’ story, I told them no.



But when time came to write Bethany’s story, all I knew was a short paragraph blurb about it. Bethany and her once-upon-a-time boyfriend Silas who left that particular Amish district and her before their relationship became serious. I didn’t know their backstories, really, and had no idea how the story would proceed. And since I don’t plot, I spend a lot of time praying about the story, because really, I want to write what He says to write. He knows who He wants it to reach.



So I sat down to pray about it. And God gave me a verse. Which is unusual at the beginning of the story. Usually, for me, it’s at the middle when God reveals His theme for the book. But this time, it was at the beginning. The verse is:



For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)



And the verses caused more prayer. What am I supposed to do with it?



I was driving to Melbourne (Arkansas, not Australia) to pay property taxes and get my vehicle tags renewed, listening to the radio as we (my three daughters and I) drove down Larkin Road (that’s not the real name, just what everyone calls it—we have a lot of those around here: Day Road, Moko Road, etc—because there are ghost towns on these roads so they are called by the name of the ghost town). A song came on the radio and I don’t remember the name of it, or even who the singer was, but when I arrived in Melbourne, I had the opening line to my story.



The sky is falling and I’m searching for somewhere to hide.



I’m sure the people at the county clerk’s office might have been a little concerned about the state of my mental health when they saw the words scribbled at the top of my bill. I did get a strange look. I didn’t offer an explanation. And they didn’t ask.



When I got home, I started writing and paying close attention to Bethany’s mental clues (and Silas’s) to figure out what their stories were. And how they tied into the verse God had given me.



And then, without even realizing it until it hit, I knew who’s story I was writing.



My grandmother’s. My grandfather’s.



Except they are different. My grandmother wasn’t date raped. It was a member of her own family. And she wasn’t in love with my grandfather. She just discovered he was leaving the Amish and she wanted—needed—to escape.



Neither were Christians at the time. My grandfather was saved on his death bed. My grandmother’s youngest child was a teenager when she was saved. My mother, her sister, and all their girlfriends went to a tent meeting for a United Brethren Church and my grandmother attended one of the meetings with her daughters and was saved as a result. And their testimonies ultimately led to the salvation of my uncle and my grandfather.



Both of my grandparents had a lot of issues to work through as to why God allowed the bad things in their lives to happen. That they eventually came to Christ is a miracle but I’m glad they did, as I was raised in a Christian home.



Why does God allow bad things to happen to people? The short, pat answer is: because sin entered the world. Yes, God could stop them. But what if He uses the bad thing to refine a person’s faith, to draw them closer to Him as a result?



How a person reacts to the bad things directly ties in to how they affect them. In my story, Silas chose to trust God even though he feared for his life. No, he didn’t like what had happened, but even though he didn’t see how, he trusted God was working behind the scenes to bring Silas to where he needed to be, spiritually and physically. On the other hand, Bethany believed God had rejected her. Pushed her away and didn’t care about her. If He didn’t care for her, why should she care about Him? So she went into a stand-off with God.



The lessons ultimately learned, for both my grandparents and my characters, brought them to their knees before the living and holy God who was, and is, and is to come. And I trust God will use this story to help a reader out there who might be questioning something terrible that happened in their life.



You might not see how now and may not know why until eternity, but God has this. Keep praying. Keep trusting. Keep believing.



For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)



Blog Stops

February 15: A Rup Life
February 15: Lane Hill House
February 16: Daysong Reflections
February 16: Blogging With Carol
February 17: Bigreadersite
February 18: Rhonda’s Doings
February 19: A Greater Yes
February 19: A Holland Reads
February 21: Mom Is Forever
February 22: Splashes of Joy
February 23: Carpe Diem
February 24: Pause for Tales
February 24: Quiet Quilter
February 25: Donna’s BookShelf
February 27: Giveaway Lady
February 27: Autism Mom

Giveaway

[Insert Giveaway Picture Here]

To celebrate her tour, Laura is giving away Amish Wanderer, Patchwork Dreams (Amish of Seymour #1), Snow Globe (Amish of Jamesport #1),
a 10 x 17” canvas banner: “Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly” (Micah 6:8), and
Abba Scripture Candle (3” natural, clean-burning wax, scented) – “With God All Things Are Possible”! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
at 2 comments:

Top Ten: favorite boy next door/letter writing romances


My favorite type of romance is the one where the boy next door or good friend suddenly sweeps a girl off her feet. It's only fitting, I suppose, that I wound up with my own story of a guy I viewed as a friend sweeping me off my feet.;) But, I digress. Here are some of my favorites!

1. Emma and Mr. Knightley

One of my all time favorite love stories, since I love how Emma and Mr. Knightley go from friends to sweethearts.

2. Katniss and Peeta

I was always team Peeta.;)

3. Ron and Hermoine



4. Rose and Mac


5. Jake and Lyndie



Favorite letter exchanging romances (since there is just something romantic about writing letters to one another! And yes, I did make my husband write me letters when we were dating.;))

6. Dear Mr. Knightley


7. It Started With Goodbye


8. Shop Around the Corner


9. Daddy Long Legs


10. Dear Enemy
at 13 comments:

Long Days of Small Things


Rich, soul-inspiring practices for moms who have neither quiet nor time.
Dirty laundry, crayon-smeared bills, and smashed crackers . . . And there’s your Bible—buried under a pile of diapers. Bleary-eyed from lack of sleep, without a moment of peace and quiet, you wonder if the spiritual life you crave is even possible. But God sees you. He designed this parenting journey, after all. He understands the chaos of motherhood. And he joins you in everything—whether you’re scrubbing the floor, nursing a fussy newborn, or driving to soccer practice. Catherine McNiel invites you to connect with God right here, in the sacred mundane of every mothering moment.

My thoughts: This book is just what I needed! Within the last year, we made the switch to my staying home full time with our two little ones, and it was a harder transition then I thought it would be! While there is always a lot to be done, sometimes I feel like I'm not making much headway. This book was an excellent reminder of how important those little things are when raising children. I loved how open Catherine is, since I think most of us have imperfect moments during our journey of motherhood.;) This is a must read for mothers, especially those who have small children or are just starting out on their journey as a mother, though this book is not limited to those two groups. This book is a beautiful reminder of how motherhood can refine us and teach us important things, like implementing the fruits of the spirit.
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.
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Full


Can the Bible help me with my food struggles?

Have you ever felt stuck in a seemingly endless cycle of overeating, yo-yo dieting, and obsessive thoughts about food?

Whether you feel defeated by your lack of self-control or overwhelmed by thoughts and longings for food, the answer to our food fixation does not lie in the $500 billion global diet industry.

This is not a diet book and it’s not a healthy eating plan. Because at the core, our problem is not really what we eat. It’s why we seek fullness in something that will never satisfy.

Join Asheritah Ciuciu as she shares honestly about her own battles with food and reveals the path to freedom. You’ll discover the joy of living free from food fixation so you can experience deeper satisfaction in Christ, gain a renewed sense of purpose, and yes, even enjoy good food (without regret).

A healthier relationship with food through a stronger relationship with Christ—that’s the goal of Full.

Includes a quiz to help you find out if you have food fixation, plus practical strategies for overcoming it.

My thoughts: This book was the perfect choice to read at the beginning of a new year, with wanting to stick to my new years resolutions of eating healthier and being better about exercising. I appreciated how thorough this book is and how many different personal stories are shared throughout the book. If you battle food fixations or think you have an unhealthy view of food, then I highly recommend this book!
I received this book from Moody publisher in exchange for my honest review.
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Thursday, February 9, 2017

The Dog Who Was There


No one expected Barley to have an encounter with the Messiah.

He was homeless, hungry, and struggling to survive in first century Jerusalem. Most surprisingly, he was a dog. But through Barley’s eyes, the story of a teacher from Galilee comes alive in a way we’ve never experienced before.

Barley’s story begins in the home of a compassionate woodcarver and his wife who find Barley as an abandoned, nearly-drowned pup. Tales of a special teacher from Galilee are reaching their tiny village, but when life suddenly changes again for Barley, he carries the lessons of forgiveness and love out of the woodcarver’s home and through the dangerous roads of Roman-occupied Judea.

On the outskirts of Jerusalem, Barley meets a homeless man and petty criminal named Samid. Together, Barley and his unlikely new master experience fresh struggles and new revelations. Soon Barley is swept up into the current of history, culminating in an unforgettable encounter with the truest master of all as he bears witness to the greatest story ever told.

My thoughts: This was such a fun read, since it was a totally different perspective of Christ's life and the times He lived in! I enjoyed how different this story is from most out there.
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Two Suitors for Anna review and giveaway


 


Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book





Book: Two Suitors for Anna

 



Author: Molly Jebber

 



Genre: Amish Historical Romance

 



Release Date: January 31, 2017

 



In 1903 Ohio, a young Amish woman must choose between the life she has long planned for and a new, very different future…



Since Anna Plank moved to Berlin, Ohio, with her widowed mamm and two schweschders, she’s found a real sense of belonging. As soon as her beloved Noah Schwartz proposes, they’ll begin a new chapter here together. But Noah has a surprise for Anna: once they’re married, he wants them to travel and live in other communities. Anna, who loves her home and her job at the quilt shop, is distraught when he takes her hesitation as rejection—and leaves.



Daniel Bontrager’s arrival adds to Anna’s confusion. Since taking over his late brother’s farm, the handsome roofer has offered friendship and gentle attentions. Yet the pull of first love is strong and deep, especially when Noah returns. Through each revelation, Anna must search her faith for guidance, knowing she is choosing not just a husband, but a life to nurture and to share…

 

My thoughts: This story was a delightful, charming tale of a young woman trying to figure out who to spend the rest of her life with. I enjoyed getting to know the main characters, as well as some of the secondary characters, since Molly does a wonderful job of bringing them all to life. This is a sweet tale!
I received this book from Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review.



Praise for Molly Jebber’s Change of Heart



“Endearing characters and a delightful story make this a keeper for fans of Amish romance.” –Emma Miller



“This is a wonderfully written historical romance with Amish and Englisch characters who are loveable and considerate of others. The storyline is believable and heartwarming. Jebber is a talented author.” –RT Book Reviews

 


About the Author





Molly Jebber’s books have been featured in Publisher’s Weekly, USA Today’s HEA, and Romantic Times has given them a near excellent rating. She’s on RWA’s Honor Roll. She’s a speaker for Women’s Christian Connection, and she offers presentations on writing, publishing, Amish lifestyle and traditions. She has received widespread media coverage, including live interviews, across the United States for her books and speaking engagements.



She’s just signed a new contract for four more Amish books! She loves interacting with her readers. She loves God, her husband, family and friends. She has a hard time saying no to cupcakes, swimming, nine holes of golf, and walks on the beach. Coconut, oatmeal, and onions, on the other hand, are not hard to say no to!



Guest Post from Molly Jebber


What prompted Two Suitors for Anna?

Have you had to choose between two men you love? Or maybe a friend? I gave Anna this dilemma and added to her turmoil by throwing in a bundle of twists and turns to the story.


Noah proposes to Anna, and he takes her rejection as hesitation and leaves town. Daniel moves to Berlin and offers her friendship which is blossoming into something more, when Noah returns and asks her forgiveness and another chance. I hope you enjoy it!

Blog Stops


January 31: cherylbbookblog
January 31: Giveaway Lady
February 1: A Greater Yes
February 2: Lane Hill House
February 3: Just Commonly
February 4: Bigreadersite
February 5: Quiet Quilter
February 7: Pause for Tales
February 8: Splashes of Joy
February 11: Carpe Diem
February 12: Donna’s BookShelf
February 13: autism mom
February 14: A Holland Reads

Giveaway


at No comments:

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

The Chilbury Ladies Choir


Through letters and journals, The Chilbury Ladies' Choir unfolds the struggles, affairs, deceptions, and triumphs of a village choir during World War II

As England becomes enmeshed in the early days of World War II and the men are away fighting, the women of Chilbury village forge an uncommon bond. They defy the Vicar’s stuffy edict to close the choir and instead “carry on singing,” resurrecting themselves as the Chilbury Ladies’ Choir. We come to know the home-front struggles of five unforgettable choir members: a timid widow devastated when her only son goes to fight; the older daughter of a local scion drawn to a mysterious artist; her younger sister pining over an impossible crush; a Jewish refugee from Czechoslovakia hiding a family secret; and a conniving midwife plotting to outrun her seedy past.

An enchanting ensemble story that shuttles from village intrigue to romance to the heartbreaking matters of life and death, Jennifer Ryan’s debut novel thrillingly illuminates the true strength of the women on the home front in a village of indomitable spirit.

My thoughts: I was really looking forward to this book, since I was hopeful that it would be along the lines of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It's not. I was shocked at how crass this book is and that there wasn't much redeeming about it, when it could of been a really wonderful story. I would of loved to read A good, wholesome story about the war, but this was not what I was expecting. I only give it one star out of five.
I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.
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Tuesday, February 7, 2017

The Newcomer


Book: The Newcomer

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Historical; Amish

Release Date: January 31

In 1737, Anna Konig and her fellow church members stagger off a small wooden ship after ten weeks at sea, eager to start a new life in the vibrant but raw Pennsylvania frontier. On the docks of Port Philadelphia waits bishop Jacob Bauer, founder of the settlement and father to ship carpenter Bairn. It’s a time of new beginnings for the reunited Bauer family, and for Anna and Bairn’s shipboard romance to blossom.

But this perfect moment cannot last. As Bairn grasps the reality of what it means to be Amish in the New World–isolated, rigid with expectations, under the thumb of his domineering father–his enthusiasm evaporates. When a sea captain offers the chance to cross the ocean one more time, Bairn grabs it. Just one more crossing, he promises Anna. But will she wait for him?

When Henrik Newman joins the church just as it makes its way to the frontier, Anna is torn. He seems to be everything Bairn is not–bold, devoted, and delighted to vie for her heart. And the most dramatic difference? He is here; Bairn is not.

Far from the frontier, an unexpected turn of events weaves together the lives of Bairn, Anna, and Henrik. When a secret is revealed, which true love will emerge?

My thoughts: I read the first book about the start of Anna's journey in "Anna's Crossing", which was an interesting historical read. I was thrilled to pick this one up and continue the story of Anna, Bairn, and the rest of the group who has now found themselves in the new world. This is a fascinating book about the Amish settling in the New World. I can imagine that it was a hard life, though it was nice to have religious freedom. I highly recommend this one, especially if you enjoy Amish fiction, though it has a lot of interesting history details in it!
I received this book through Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review.


About the Author
Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than a dozen novels, including Anna’s Crossing, The Bishop’s Family series, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.
Guest Post from Suzanne Woods Fisher

Pennsylvania of 1737, the setting for The Newcomer, is like a foreign country. Parts of it might seem familiar—the same hills and creeks and blue sky, but we’d hardly recognize the settlers. People like Anna, or Bairn, or the mysterious Newcomer. We wouldn’t be able to understand their language, their customs and traditions. Their world was that different from our modern one.

The first group of Amish immigrants (first written about in Anna’s Crossing and followed up in The Newcomer) settled northwest of Philadelphia, then a vast wilderness, and relied on each other for safety, security, building projects, and church. In nearby Germantown, settlers were tradesmen, so they clustered houses together in small knots. The Amish farmers took out land warrants for sizeable properties and lived considerable distances from each other.

In The Newcomer, Anna cooked food in a cauldron over a large hearth. One-pot meals can trace their beginnings to open-hearth cooking when ingredients for a meal went into a large kettle suspended over the fire. Traditional dishes—ham and beans, pork and sauerkraut—used sturdy, available, and simple ingredients that improved with long, slow cooking. The dishes could be easily expanded when the need arose to set a few more places at the table. And it did, often. Large families and unannounced company inspired Amish cooks to find ways to “stretch the stew.”

Noodles (including dumplings and rivvels) could be tossed into a simmering broth to make a meal stretch. Most farms had a flock of chickens, so eggs were easily at hand. Today, homemade noodles are still a favorite dish.

Another “stew stretcher” was cornmeal mush, originally eaten as a bread substitute. Early German settlers who made their home in eastern Pennsylvania roasted the yellow field corn in a bake oven before it was shelled and ground at the mill. The roasting process gave a nutty rich flavor to the cornmeal. Mush is still part of the diet the Old Order Amish—cooked and fried, baked, added into scrapple, smothered in ketchup. Dress it up and you’ve got polenta.

Now here’s one thing we do have in common with 1737 Pennsylvania immigrants…a love of good food and a shortage of time! Here’s one of my favorite one-pot recipes—probably not the kind of stew Anna might have made for ship carpenter Bairn or the mysterious Newcomer (ah, which man one stole her heart?)…but definitely delicious. Enjoy!

Lentil Chili

Here’s one of my favorite “stew stretchers.” You can expand it even more by serving over rice.

Ingredients:

1 onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced
10 c. water
1 lb. dry lentils
1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. salt (season to your taste)

½ tsp. pepper
2 c. salsa (your favorite variety)
29 oz. canned tomatoes, crushed

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Giveaway


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To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away a Kindle! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
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Monday, February 6, 2017

Take ten: books I wish had more world building


While these books are all excellent, they were so good that I wanted more about the world around the characters.;)
1. Unblemished by Sara Ella

I have the hope that I will get my wish on this one, since there will be a sequel.;)

2. One Realm Beyond by Donita K. Paul

In all fairness, I do need to read the third book.;)

3. The Safe Lands Series by Jill Williamson


4. The Giftsnatcher by Charity Bishop

Okay, so more about the world comes out with each book, but I want more, since I keep feeling like I am missing something about it.;)

5. Aspen Everlasting by Kathryn Cooper

I would love more stories about the Evermortals!

6. Prophet By R. J. Larson

This series was excellent, and I see that I need to read Realm of the Infinite now...

7. A Cast of Stones by Patrick Carr

I was quite sad when this series ended!

8. Tales of Goldstone Wood

This series is excellent!

9. The Princesses of Westfalin



10. The Princess in the Opal Mask

I would love to have more from this author, set in the world of this set.
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