Saturday, April 28, 2018

Review: The Mayflower Bride by Kim Woodhouse

I've been putting this one off for a while know, just because I don't think that I can do it the justice that it needs. I was so stoked for this book, and I was not disappointed. Kim is incredible, and I'm not just saying that. I finished this book months ago, and I still don't know if I'm ready for this review. But either way... I need to do it now because the Greenville weather is making it the perfect time for this very awful joke/pun thing... April showers bring May flowers... And Mayflowers bring Pilgrims! (Sorry, not sorry!)
I'm just going to give you the official, copy-paste synopsis, because I'm going to ramble enough without that help.


Mary Chapman boards the Speedwell in 1620 as a Separatist seeking a better life in the New World. William Lytton embarks on the Mayflower as a carpenter looking for opportunities to succeed—and he may have found one when a man from the Virginia Company offers William a hefty sum to keep a stealth eye on company interests in the new colony. The season is far too late for good sailing and storms rage, but reaching land is no better as food is scarce and the people are weak. Will Mary survive to face the spring planting and unknown natives? Will William be branded a traitor and expelled?


I lovedddd this book! I'm giving it five stars (in case you were doubting! Oh ye of little faith! But maybe I shouldn't pull Bible verses out of context like that, huh?) Anywho... it was great historically. This isn't a time that I'm overly familiar with. Late 1800s, early 1900s, sure I can hold my own, because basically all my reading is from that time. It was nice (and a little odd...) to switch it up. I just never get to see this time period, and it's neat, not only with different customs, but also different cultural norms, like dress and speech. Truth be told, I've learned a lot of things that have given me an advantage in history classes from all the historical reading. 😂 And the characters! Sometimes Mary Chapman just sort of echoed my sentiments exactly. And she and William were super adorable. It was really cool to see him go from Stranger to Pilgrim so quickly. And wowzers, those guys had some troubles with their ships, eh? Also, Mary's little brother just stole my heart right out from under me! That fellow! The bad thing was, I was reading this at carline at work, and so I couldn't cry all the tears that I wanted to cry because there were a ton of parents around and stuff and that's just plain unprofessional. But there were so many people that died! I know it really happened and all but it just made me so sad. I loved the different aspects of the boat and it was really cool when I would recognize an event because I had read parts of Bradford's "Of Plimoth Plantation." There was also the conflict in the story, which was resolved pretty well, although I really wanted to punch someone. Lucky for him, his fictitious status protected him from that. One of the coolest things was that a couple of my ancestors were minor characters in the book. I mean, only mentioned in passing, but still! And the very very very best thing!!! Kim wrote me a super sweet note in the front and this is one of my special-est books now! I can't wait to read more in this series, and especially the next one that Kim writes. (Dr. McNeely, please don't be reading this, and if you are... let's ignore the run-ons and made-up words and what-not going on in this paragraph, please
?) 

All-in-all.... not my best review, but definitely a wonderful book that I highly recommend to all you fiction lovers out there!


I'd love to here from you! Thanks for reading, and thank you, Kim, for the book! I'll cherish it always!





Thursday, April 26, 2018

Tour of Catherine Marshall's Julie with JustRead Publicity Tours





Review Coming Soon!




Welcome to this stop on the Julie by Catherine Marshall Reissue Celebration Blog Tour with JustRead Publicity Tours!


Title: Julie
Author: Catherine Marshall
Publisher: Gilead Publishing
ReIssue Date: April 17, 2018
Genre: Historical Romance Fiction
*A New York Times bestseller*
-------------------------------
Will the dam hold?

Julie Wallace has always wanted to write. Trying to 
escape the Great Depression, Julie’s father buys the
Alderton Sentinel, a small-town newspaper in flood-prone Alderton, Pennsylvania, and moves his family
there. As flash floods ominously increase, Julie’s investigative reporting uncovers secrets that could
endanger the entire community.

Julie, the newspaper, and her family are thrown into a perilous standoff with the owners of the steel mills
as they investigate the conditions of the immigrant laborers. As the Alderton Sentinel and Julie take on a more aggressive role to reform these conditions, seething tensions come to a head.

When a devastating tragedy follows a shocking revelation, Julie’s courage and strength are tested. 
Will truth and justice win, or will Julie lose everything she holds dear?

TO PURCHASE A COPY*

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Catherine Marshall (1914-1983), “The New York Times” best-selling author of 30 books, is best known for her novel “Christy.” Based on the life of her mother, “Christy” captured the hearts of millions and became a popular CBS television series. Around the kitchen table at Evergreen Farm, as her mother reminisced, Catherine probed for details and insights into the rugged lives of these Appalachian highlanders. Catherine shared the story of her husband, Dr. Peter Marshall, Chaplain of the United States Senate, in “A Man Called Peter.” A decade after Dr. Marshall’s untimely death, Catherine married Leonard LeSourd, Executive Editor of “Guideposts,” forging a dynamic writer-editor partnership. A beloved inspirational writer and speaker, Catherine’s enduring career spanned four decades and reached over 30 million readers.



GIVEAWAY


(1) Winner will win: 
  • $25 Amazon Gift Card
  • Bookmark Swag
  • Necklace (exact or similar & *subject to change)
  • Print Copy of Julie

(Only Gift Card open internationally. Others open to US Mailing Addresses)




*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Review: Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Billy has got hounds on the brain. Not just any ol' dog will do. He wants coon-hounds. Fine, beautiful, coon-hounds. And one won't do him. No sir. He's just got to have two. Two years of hard work later, and Billy has enough money to buy Old Dan and Little Ann. The three bond instantly and have many fine adventures in this classic set in the wonderful Ozarks.


I've got to give this book all 5 stars.

1: This is the kind of book (like My Side of the Mountain) that makes little boys (and a few little girls I'm sure) run away to live in the mountains and have larks of all kinds, not realizing that the thing they suddenly have a craving for isn't a place, it's a time. A time long ago that is almost assuredly lost to us forever, except where it lives on in the pages of wonderful classics like this.

2: You can tell You can feel the strength of Billy's love for his dogs. It's a love that reaches out and takes you captive too, partly due to the first person narration (Which only works in really good books!) Another way you can see who is important to Billy is the frequency of their mentions. Grandpa was his hero, his Papa and Mama were very much loved, and his sisters... well he loved them very much too, but they never even got names! I honestly didn't know his Grandma was even alive until 75% into the book. Yes, Dan and Ann are the center of Billy's universe.

3: Can we say classic coming of age story? Typical, and non-typical at the same time. I do believe its difficulty to classify is one of the things that makes this a classic. It's good for all ages. Can we also compare this book to The Yearling and Ol' Yeller?

4: Okay, so since I can see that I've been rambling without maybe reviewing, I should say something that sounds good..... The characters were believable and realistic (I had a hard time thinking of this book as fiction), the setting was perfect.... I used a Sharpie a little bit (since I was fixing it for our Junior Highers) but it wasn't really a lot, and half of them had two meanings (I just didn't trust the JH'ers to pick the right one!) There was a great amount of God answering Billy's prayers in so many miraculous ways.

5: Apparently I haven't seen the movie (I had thought I had but if I did it was ages ago) so I was pretty shocked near the end there. And at the same time not. It definitely had one of those nostalgic endings (Like I was saying in point 1)

To put it simply.... I picked it up and had to struggle with myself anytime life actually forced me to put it down. I'm so glad I read it. (People have been recommending it for years. I guess I just needed a copy shoved in my hands. Thanks Mrs. G!)


Thursday, April 12, 2018

Review: The Hope Within by Tracie Peterson

I'm using the book description from Amazon... because no way am I going to try this one on my own.

1886 Montana stands on the brink of statehood, and Dianne Selby finds her world turned upside down. Cole takes her and the children to Kansas to care for his dying father, but after the funeral, Cole's mother insists he stay and take over his inheritance. Unable to deal with her mother-in-law's cruel treatment, Dianne takes the children back to Montana alone. There, blizzards devastate the area, trapping a now pregnant Dianne at the ranch. Through the twists and turns of life and nature, Dianne comes to realize that the hope within--Jesus Christ--is the only hope that lasts. Book 4 of the bestselling Heirs of Montana.

Now I'm gonna use purple words... because I can.

This is book 4 in a series, and while I started book 1 once a very long time ago, I never finished it. So yeah.... this was a little confusing at first but I think Tracie does such a good job with giving you enough back story to just jump in anywhere and go with it. Although I'm sure I would have had more emotional connections to the characters if I'd done the sensible thing and read them in order. But as it is, I was already crying at the end of the book. This book is full of painful emotional moments that don't let up. And so many subplots at once that it threatens to make your head spin if you aren't careful. But since I was careful, (;P) I found it kept the pace going and the crazy thing is, I was ready for all of them. I wanted them all. The book wouldn't have been the same even if they had dropped just one little bitty subplot from the rest. And wow. What a bad guy. Tracie always gets my blood simply BOILING with her bad guys. And actually, there were multiple people in this story that deserve that label. So great job. And I love the Montana setting. I'm telling you the what, Tracie's books have inspired me to go so many places. Not the least of which is Alaska. And one day Lord willing I'll get there! But that is completely random and has nothing to do with this book. Which, by the way, has completely earned its 5 stars for its wonderful characters, beautiful setting, and deeply emotional writing. And because of the wonderful spiritual transformations of multiple characters which definitely made me want to cry. This book didn't drag, didn't falter. It's a keeper. For sure!



Wednesday, April 4, 2018

CelebrateLit Tour: Review: The Heart's Appeal by Jennifer Delamere

Strong-minded and independent, Julia Bernay has come to London to study medicine and become a doctor–a profession that has only just opened up to women. When she witnesses a serious accident, her quick action saves the life of an ambitious young barrister named Michael Stephenson. It’s only later that she learns he could be instrumental in destroying her dreams for the future.

Coming from a family that long ago lost its status, Michael Stephenson has achieved what many would have thought impossible. Hard work and an aptitude for the law have enabled him to regain the path to wealth and recognition. His latest case puts him in the middle of a debate over the future of a women’s medical school. He’s supposed to remain objective, but when the beguiling and determined Julia reappears with an unexpected entreaty, he begins to question what he’s made most important in his life. But Julia may be hiding her own motivations. As the two are tangled into spending more time together, will their own goals be too much to overcome?

I'm going with 4.5 stars. I loved this book. Of course! I expected nothing less after reading The Captain's Daughter last year and being completely in love! Julia's story was no less wonderful. There wasn't a lot about Rosalyn in this book, which means that if you haven't read the first book, you won't be super lost in this one. It's almost stand alone, but I'll tell you now, it'll be much better in order. It's a deeper love for all the characters and the setting. London was going through so much change at this time, and putting these strong women into this time is brilliant! I enjoy living through the changes vicariously, and did I mention how much I love Julia??? Oh goodness! I loved Michael and Julia's interactions. It was completely anti-stereotypical as Julia is the moving force in this relationship. Her strong determination, meshed with her even stronger faith in God, make her a stellar lead character. Add to that the character development, the sweetness of the romance, and the incredible plot with it's twists and turns... Ah! What a great way to spend Spring Break. Also, if you listen to the Gilbert and Sullivan soundtrack for Patience, well... it's just the only way to do it, that's all! The subplot with Edith and her father was really neat-o! And I'm not doing my best at describing how much I enjoyed this book. Oh bother! Also, one of my favorite books of all time is Bleak House by Charles Dickens, and I'd like to say that the legal matters were so much more enjoyable in this book 😂😂😂 That being said, You should absolutely go find a copy of this book and sit down with some tea and fuzzy socks and Gilbert and Sullivan and just enjoy it.  (P.S. Sorry for the weird font/put together-ness issues. Blogger is giving me fits today and I'm not sure why.)

I received this book from Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review.

About the Author


Delamere_JenniferJennifer Delamere’s debut Victorian romance, An Heiress at Heart, was a 2013 RITA Award finalist in the inspirational category. Her follow-up novel, A Lady Most Lovely, received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and the Maggie Award for Excellence from Georgia Romance Writers. Jennifer earned a BA in English from McGill University in Montreal, where she became fluent in French and developed an abiding passion for winter sports. She’s been an editor of nonfiction and educational materials for nearly two decades, and lives in North Carolina with her husband.





Guest Post from Jennifer Delamere


Power couples?

Perhaps that’s not a concept that initially comes to mind when one thinks of Victorian England! And yet, they did exist. I love to include real people from history in my books, and in The Heart’s Appeal, Julia Bernayts two inspiring real-life couples who will make a positive impact in her life.

In 1865, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson became the first woman to qualify as a physician in Britain. She did this through a legal loophole, but soon the laws were changed to open the medical field to all women. In 1874, Dr. Anderson co-founded the London School of Medicine for Women. She remained involved in the school in various capacities for the rest of her life, even as she continued to run her own busy practice. In The Heart’s Appeal, she becomes a mentor for Julia, opening doors for her education and introducing Julia to people who can help her succeed in medical school.

Dr. Anderson’s husband, James Anderson (Jamie), was the joint-owner of a successful shipping line and also served on the boards of several organizations (including a children’s hospital). He was a handsome man, very much in love with his wife, and fervent in supporting her choice of a career.

In a letter he wrote to her while they were engaged, Jamie explained his vision for their future—how they could keep their professional and private lives separate, yet still give each other plenty of love and support:

“I think we had better lay it down once for all as a rule that I am under no circumstances to bring people ‘favorably under your notice’ or ‘exert any influence’ or anything of the sort. It will give people a wrong idea of you unless I take a decided line in this matter — and as I mean to be if I can a successful man of business, neither interfering with your pursuits nor being interfered with by you (but having our confidences on all feasible subjects at off times of the day and week and mutually advising and fortifying one another), I must let people know unmistakably not to come bothering me about your public affairs. Will you think about this, dearest?”

Who couldn’t love a man like that?

 Jamie Anderson’s outlook on life comes into play later on in The Heart’s Appeal, when he provides advice and aid to Michael Stephenson, the book’s hero, at a critical time.

Julia also has an inspiring encounter with Dr. Anderson’s sister, Millicent Fawcett. Millicent was married to a Member of Parliament and actively supported her husband’s career in many ways, including acting as a scribe for him since he was blind. She is most remembered for her role in the women’s suffrage movement. In fact, a statue of her will be placed in Parliament Square in London this summer. She was not a militant suffragette, but rather campaigned for suffrage under the banner “Law-Abiding Suffragists.”

Both couples raised families, too, and their children’s successes in life show they were raised to have the same energetic and “can-do” attitudes that their parents had.

Julia initially believes she must remain single to achieve her life’s goals. But soon she finds her heart drawn to successful barrister Michael Stephenson, who admires Julia’s intelligence and ambition. She learns that love and the freedom to pursue her dreams do not have to be mutually exclusive. A meeting of minds to spark a true romance? Yes, please! I hope readers will agree this can be the most satisfying of all.



Giveaway

f96b1329-c5fb-44e3-87bb-44e4dd5ea128
To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away a grand prize package of that includes All four March Bethany House historical releases (The Heart’s Appeal, plus A Most Noble Heir by Susan Anne Mason, A Chance at Forever by Melissa Jagears, In Places Hidden by Tracie Peterson) and a $20 Starbucks gift card!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/cacd

Blog Stops

A Greater Yes, March 23
Among the Reads, March 23
Splashes of Joy, March 23
Mary Hake, March 25
Remembrancy, March 25
Genesis 5020, March 26
Carpe Diem, March 27
Baker Kella, March 29
Simple Harvest Reads, March 29 (Guest post from Mindy)
Pause for Tales, March 30
Cafinated Reads, March 30
Pursuing Stacie, March 30
Book by Book, March 31
Bigreadersite, March 31
Vicky Sluiter, April 2
(You are here! ->) Live Love Read, April 4