Review of Judith Miller's The Brickmaker's Bride

The Brickmaker's Bride by Judith Miller tells the story of Laura Woodfield and Ewan McKay. Laura's father was killed in the War between the States, leaving his daughter and wife the responsibility for his brickyard. Laura and her mother are trying to sell the brickyard and Ewan and his uncle inquire about purchasing the brickyard from them. 

The Brickmaker's Bride was the first book by Judith Miller that I had read. It started kind of slowly and it took me a little while to get into it. After the first few chapters, the storyline picked up and it was easier to read. I thought the storyline was easy to follow and that the story was well-written. The story ended a little abruptly, but I think that this might because there are more books to follow.  The main characters are believable and the secondary characters add a lot to the storyline.   

This book would be a good read for anyone who likes historical fiction with a little romance thrown in.  

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. 

Playing by Heart left a melody in mine...

Playing by Heart is the latest release by Anne Mateer.  Lula Bowman has finally achieved her dream of teaching mathematics on the university level, a high achievement for a woman in the early 1900s.  She makes the difficult decision to put her dreams on hold when a phone call from home makes her realize that she is needed by her family for a time.  She goes home to help her sister, and winds up teaching music at a high school.  Along with the music classes, Lula signs on to coach basketball.  She knows nothing about the sport and must rely on the boys' basketball coach, Chet Vaughn, to learn about the game.

Chet is drawn to Lula from the start.  Lula is a little more reticent about looking for love.  For starters, as a teacher, there are certain conduct rules she has to follow, especially where men are concerned.  Secondly, she plans to return to university once her family no longer needs her.  As Lula becomes better acquainted with Chet, her feelings toward him start to change.  Once the melodies of their love start to harmonize, there will be no stopping until the whole love song is played.  However, Chet and Lula both face opposition from their family members, those who think their opinion about how Chet and Lula should proceed with their lives is more important. 

Anne Mateer has set high standards with every book she has written.  I only had one expectation when I was reading this book, and that was that this would be a good book.  Playing by Heart more than exceeded this expectation.  It is evident that the book was well-researched, and this comes through in the writing.  There are some plot twists in the book that I did not expect, but in my opinion that made the book even better.  This book broaches the subject of a woman succeeding in an academic and career world dominated by men, in a time where women were expected to stay home, but also in which many women had to step forward to fill the shoes of men who were off fighting in the war.  It brings to light many of the difficulties that these women faced, and the struggles and strength it took for them to survive during these times. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I recommend it for anyone who enjoys Christian historical romance.  I look forward to reading more by Ms. Mateer in the future. 

The real thing...

I like Richard Armitage as an actor. I enjoyed him as John Thornton in the BBC version of North and South and I've enjoyed him as Thoren Oakenshield in the Hobbit movies. The next step? To "like" what I thought was his Facebook page. I discovered that his Page is actually a fan page, and not the real thing. 

It's kind of the same way with Dr. Pepper. I like Dr. Pepper. Occasionally, I buy the cheap version: Dr. (Fill in the blank with imitation of your choice). This is one time I know I have the imitation, and I don't enjoy it as much as the real thing, but I suffer through it, usually because I buy the cheaper drink. 

I think it can be the same way with God. Sometimes what we think may be God turns out to be an imitation. The Bible says satan poses as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14-15) and we know his primary goal is to afflict us and keep us from doing God's work through whatever he thinks will stop us. He may use things we think are from God to stop us.  We may not realize that it is not God at first, but it shouldn't take long to figure out.  We might have to do some praying and searching to make sure what we are hearing is from God. 

I think it can also work like the Dr. Pepper.  We know we have the imitation and not the real thing, but we are not willing to do the work to get the real thing. We are content to sit by, and miss out on he bigger blessings that God has for us.  God is SO much more than Dr. Pepper though. Maybe it's time to give Him a taste and see what the real thing tastes like. He promises that when we search for Him with all our heart we will find him (Jeremiah 29:13).

Taste and see that The Lord is good, blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him! Psalm 34:8

With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden - a review

Elizabeth Camden is an author that has really grown on me.  Each book I have read by her has been better than the last.  This book was no exception.  I started it late one evening, and could not put it down until I had finished it.  I will be recommending this book to every one I know. 

Kate Norton Livingston is a working woman in a time when most women stayed at home to take care of family and children.  She longs to do more with herself as a career.  She has always strived to do her best, throughout school and in her career.  She finds the opportunity to move up the career ladder with the help of a man she never expected to see again.  Trevor McDonough was Kate's strongest competition in school, and she never expected that he would be the one to offer her the chance to move ahead in a working world dominated by men.  Kate agrees to go to work for Trevor as he tries to find a cure for tuberculosis.  As they try to guard themselves from whoever is trying to stop their work and from the secrets from the past that cannot remain hidden, Kate finds herself drawn to Trevor in a way she never expected.

I loved absolutely every minute of this story.  Elizabeth Camden creates a depth within her characters that draws the reader into the story, almost as if the reader is there in the same room.  I found it virtually impossible not to fall in love with the characters, and to feel their sadness and triumphs.  The historical aspect of the story shows the time and research that went into writing the story.  I loved this book and will be waiting with anticipation for Ms. Camden's next story.

*I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for a honest and unbiased review.

 

The wait is over - A Match of Wits review

A Match of Wits by Jen Turano tells the story of Zayne Beckett and Agatha Watson.  Readers were introduced to Zayne and Agatha in the first book, and if they were like me, were ready and waiting to read this story.  Zayne and Agatha have had a chemistry from the first, and it is still very strong in this story.  Agatha is working as a journalist for the New York Tribune and is traveling the country in search of stories.  It is during one of her journeys, that she runs into Zayne after a separation of two years.  What ensues is a fascinating tale of wits and mutual attraction between these two characters, with peeps from former characters in between. 

Ms. Turano weaves this tale with a quirky blend of humor, romance, and adventure.  She may have me close to tears when relating to a character in one point, and then rolling in laughter a couple of pages over.  Her way of writing keeps the reader interested and makes the book move quickly.  It is apparent to everyone but Zayne and Agatha that they would be a good match.  Zayne is trying to find someone for Agatha to marry and protect her from the enemies she has made in her quest for stories.  Agatha is trying to protect Zayne from past hurts and bring him back to his family. 

Anytime Agatha and Zayne are involved, an adventure is waiting to unfold.  This book was no different.  While I did not enjoy this book as much as I had enjoyed her prior novels, I was happy with the way the story turned out.  Agatha and Zayne were great characters and it was great to see them fall in love (or renew a love that they had in the past but never acknowledged).  Their antics through out the book make for a great read.  This book would be a good read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with romance, humor, and adventure thrown in. 

*I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. 

 



Undetected by Dee Henderson

Unusual.  Unexpected.  Unpredictable. Unlikely to be put down anytime soon. That’s how I describe Undetected, the latest novel by Dee Henderson. Undetected is the story of Mark Bishop, Commander of the submarine USS Nevada, and Gina Gray, a genius in the scientific world.  Gina has made several breakthroughs in naval warfare for the Navy that has put the USA leagues ahead of other countries.  Once her brain gets going, it can’t stop.  She had made another major breakthrough and shares it with Mark, whose high rank can get it into the hands of the people that most need to know about it.  These breakthroughs, while extremely helpful, can put both their lives in danger, should the information slip into the wrong hands.

 

I absolutely love how I cannot anticipate anything in Dee Henderson’s books. She really knows how to keep the reader guessing, and Undetected was no different.  Ms. Henderson is very thorough in her research, and this is very evident in her writing.  Her descriptions of the different areas and the activities of the submarine were very enlightening, and helpful in understanding the entire story line.  The reader has to be careful not to get bogged down by the technical descriptions, but perseverance is rewarded by the end of the book.  It seemed a little slow starting off, but it does not take long to be entranced by the story.  There are several on-the-edge-of-your-seat moments (more in this book than in the last couple of books).  This book is a good book for anyone who enjoys books with a lot of action, and anyone who has enjoyed Ms. Henderson’s other books.  I definitely look forward to her future releases. 

          

                 

Review of Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer

Karen Witemeyer’s books have been on the top of my must-have list since the first one I read.  So, if you can imagine, I was “Full Steam Ahead” to read this latest book, and I did not let up on the steam until I had finished.  Nicole Renard is on the search for a husband to fulfill her father’s requirements for an heir (all the while trying to keep the family’s greatest treasure safe) when her journey brings her to Darius Thornton. Darius is searching for a way to make steam travel safer for people and has a hard time finding someone who can help him with his research.  He finds the perfect research partner in Nicole.  As they come to know more about each other, the steam is not the only thing heating up between these two. Throughout the boiling and the cooling phases of their relationship, Nicole and Darius find more than they ever dreamed in each other. 

 

Karen Witemeyer’s astounding attention to the details of the process and the history of steam ships was very evident in the book.  I could tell that she had really completed the necessary research to be so very thorough in explaining the processes of steam ships.  It greatly added to the story line.  Understanding the working of a steam ship was paramount to understanding Darius.  Nicole seems like she might be a bit shallow at first, but she has a maturity and depth that soon becomes apparent.  Readers will quickly fall in love with these two great characters, and the sub characters that fill in the rest of the story.  Well, there were a couple I didn't like, but I'll let you figure that out on your own.  All in all, this was a great book and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical romance.  There’s adventure, romance, and everything else needed to make for a very enjoyable read. 

               

Telling Yourself the Truth book review

The Bible says in the book of John that you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. The goal of Telling Yourself the Truth by Marie Chapian and William Backus was to help people identify misbeliefs that they tell themselves and use truth to combat depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders. Chapian and Backus surmise that most of our anxiety and depression and other mental issues evolve from the negative self-talk and misbeliefs that we tell ourselves in areas such as fear of change, not taking chances, depression, anger, and self-control. They give real life examples, and counter those examples with ways to change the misbeliefs into truth. 

 

The authors cover many areas in the book where negative self-talk and misbeliefs might come into play. The real life examples really help in understanding oneself and identifying misbeliefs in the different areas.  They also bring the Christian life and Scripture into the picture, how our real meaning in life is found in Christ. Other areas covered in the book are self-hate, anxiety, being indispensable, and relationships with others. There are questions and examples in the back to further help the reader identify and tackle misbeliefs and get them on the path to happiness.

 

I would suggest this book for anyone who works in the field of mental health, and anyone wanting to start themselves down the path to happiness, away from depression, and anxiety, and misbeliefs. It's not a book that I think would be effective for myself, but I believe that it could be a great help for others.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. My opinions are my own. 

Just where did you get that lovely dress, Eleanor? (A Beauty So Rare post)

Here is another post from Tamera Alexander about her book A Beauty So Rare. This post is about the beautiful dress shown on the front cover of the book. I finished the book last week and enjoyed it very much! I've also enjoyed learning background facts about the book.  It makes the book much more interesting (not that it needed help)!  I hope you have too!

Meet the Woman Behind the Cover Dress

by Tamera Alexander

 

Dear friends,

 

Have you ever wanted to meet the woman who sewed the dress on a novel cover? Then please allow me to introduce you to Beth Schoenherr, the ever-so-talented seamstress who sewed Eleanor Braddock’s dress for the cover of A Beauty So Rare.

 

I’m thrilled that Beth was willing to share about her experience in making the dress, and I love the behind-the-scenes glimpses she shares. I hope you will, too!

 

Tamera: Where did inspiration for the dress for A Beauty So Rare come from (both the style and color)?

 

Beth: The style, of course, was determined by the post–Civil War timing of the story.

 

I believe the cover designer and editors talked about a garden setting and felt pink would look lovely against the backdrop of the green foliage and other flowers, which it does! I then had the fun of finding the right shade of pink to keep it a believable color for the time. Hot pink or neon pink, of course, would never do!

 

Tamera: Um, no. LOL! Not even Adelicia Acklen could have coerced Eleanor into neon pink! ; )

 

Tamera: Have you made dresses for photo shoots before?

Beth: I started doing period costumes for men, women, and children in amateur theater in 1999 and then had opportunities in the following years to progress to working in the costume shop of a professional theater. This is my first costume for a photo shoot, however.

 

Tamera: How cool, Beth. I’m so grateful for your work on this dress. Well done!

 

Tamera: Do you have an appreciation for period clothing? And if yes, what’s your favorite style of women’s dresses from history?

 

Beth: I do enjoy period clothing. I don’t think I can pick one favorite style though. I just enjoy the various and changing silhouettes and fabrics throughout the history of fashion.

 

Tamera: Understandable. I have many "favorites," too!

 

Tamera: What’s the most challenging dress you’ve created for a cover (and what was most challenging about it)? Also, what has been your most challenging sewing project in general?

 

Beth: As I mentioned, this is the first dress I have made for a cover. It has been really fun and exciting to create this dress from scratch and then see it on the cover of this book. A new experience I had when making this dress was the cartridge pleats at the back of the skirt. The pattern called for the front and side pieces of the skirt to be pleated to fit into the waistband and left only a five-inch opening in the back of the waistband. Then I had to fit the 50-inch-wide piece of fabric for the back part of the skirt into that five-inch opening. I thought, “There is no way I’m going to get that much fabric into that little space.” But the cartridge pleats worked fabulously at neatly pleating 50” down to 5”.

The most challenging costume I worked on was a waistcoat designed and then cut out by someone else and given to me to sew. Not a single piece matched up in size to its coordinating piece. There was no extra fabric to work with so I had to just rework the pieces I had while making sure the finished garment would still fit the actor it was designed for. Definitely a “make it work” project!

Finally, probably the most thrilling dress I got to make was the first complete dress for a play at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. Many of my costumes prior to that had to be remakes of existing dresses or costumes due to tight budgets. But I was graciously given the opportunity to sew, from start to finish, the schoolteacher dress in Little House on the Prairie: The Musical, which premiered at the Guthrie and then went on to tour nationally. It was so exciting to see the professionally-designed dress come together step-by-step and then to see it on stage.

 

Tamera: Wow, Beth, I bet that was a rewarding experience with Little House on the Prairie: the Musical. Congratulations! I’ve always admired people who know how to sew, and sew well!

 

Thank you for sharing your talent and time with us––and with the cover of my latest novel.

 

~Tamera

www.TameraAlexander.com

 

 

For more "behind the scenes" glimpses from the photo shoot for A Beauty So Rare, visit Tamera's blog.

The Doubter's Prayer by Anne Brontë

My heart echoes the very same cry at times.  What faith Anne must have had, as short as her life was. 

ETERNAL Power, of earth and air!
Unseen, yet seen in all around,
Remote, but dwelling everywhere,
Though silent, heard in every sound.

If e'er thine ear in mercy bent,
When wretched mortals cried to Thee,
And if, indeed, Thy Son was sent,
To save lost sinners such as me:

Then hear me now, while, kneeling here,
I lift to thee my heart and eye,
And all my soul ascends in prayer,
Oh, give me–give me Faith! I cry.

Without some glimmering in my heart,
I could not raise this fervent prayer;
But, oh! a stronger light impart,
And in Thy mercy fix it there.

While Faith is with me, I am blest;
It turns my darkest night to day;
But while I clasp it to my breast,
I often feel it slide away.

Then, cold and dark, my spirit sinks,
To see my light of life depart;
And every fiend of Hell, methinks,
Enjoys the anguish of my heart.

What shall I do, if all my love,
My hopes, my toil, are cast away,
And if there be no God above,
To hear and bless me when I pray?

If this be vain delusion all,
If death be an eternal sleep,
And none can hear my secret call,
Or see the silent tears I weep.

Oh, help me, God! For thou alone
Canst my distracted soul relieve;
Forsake it not: it is thine own,
Though weak, yet longing to believe.

Oh, drive these cruel doubts away;
And make me know, that Thou art God!
A faith, that shines by night and day,
Will lighten every earthly load.

If I believe that Jesus died,
And, waking, rose to reign above;
Then surely Sorrow, Sin, and Pride,
Must yield to Peace, and Hope, and Love.

And all the blessed words He said
Will strength and holy joy impart:
A shield of safety o'er my head,
A spring of comfort in my heart.

Truly Beautiful Book: A Beauty So Rare

A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander is the second book in the Belmont Mansion Series.  It is a stand-alone novel and can be read without reading the first book (once you read this one, you'll want to read the first one).  It is set in post-Civil War Nashville.  Eleanor Braddock has come to Nashville to seek care for her father and pursue her passion for cooking.  Marcus Geoffrey arrived in Nashville from Austria, pursuing his passion for horticulture while trying to escape his obligations in his homeland (if only for a short time).

 

It didn’t take me long to really connect with Eleanor’s character, especially being an older, single female considered by most to be plain-looking in an era (or area) where marital status was considered very important by most.  Eleanor has been thrust into the role of caretaker and provider when she should have had someone to provide and care for her.  Eleanor is reliant upon the generosity of her aunt, who is trying to pressure her into joining a society in which she doesn’t feel she belongs. 

 

Upon her arrival in Nashville, Eleanor meets Marcus.  Marcus works on her aunt’s estate with the plants.  He is also an architect. Marcus strives for advancements is several areas of horticulture, something which he could not have accomplished in his homeland.  As Marcus and Eleanor’s lives become entwined, it doesn’t take long for the reader to feel as if she (or he) is one with the story, a silent character witnessing the scenes of the book firsthand. 

 

Mrs. Alexander is a master at weaving the story line, main characters, and sub-characters into altogether to create a novel a person will not soon forget.  Her acute attention to the historical details only increases the charm of the story.  I fell in love with the characters, and found it extremely hard to put the book down even for a second.  If you love romance, and enjoy history, then this book is a must read for you!

 

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.  My words and opinions are my own.

 

            

A review of The Deeper Life by Daniel Henderson

 

Everyone has unmet and unfulfilled longings in their life.  The goal of The Deeper Life – Satisfying the 8 Vital Longings of Your Soul by Daniel Henderson is to show Christians how to fulfill these longings, using stories and activities to help the reader throughout the book.  This book discusses God, human identity, purpose, things of importance, reasons for our actions, and knowing the truth verses actually living 

Christians how to show what their principles and priorities really are through the way they are living.  The book works as an aid to show how to set goals and make a plan on how those goals are going to be achieved.  The end result is that the reader will have learned how to satisfy the longings through these steps.  The last part of the book includes an appendix with activities to aid the reader in accomplishing all the steps.  These are vital exercises to help the reader put the principles from the book into practice.   

 

I had a hard time getting into this book.  I think the principles and the subjects discussed in the book are very important, but I do not feel that this was the right book for me to get these principles.  It may have been because I was reading the book on my own, and not in a group.  I feel that this would be a very good book to read in a group setting, to give the reader an opportunity to discuss the subjects and principles mentioned with other people.  Reading in a group setting is mentioned in the introduction and may be the way the author intended for the book to be used. 

 

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.  My words and opinions are my own. 

Recipes from the author!

So in A Beauty So Rare, Eleanor likes to cook and dreams of opening a restaurant. The following exclusive recipes are from the author of the book, Tamara Alexander. I cannot wait to try them and please let me know of you try them!  Enjoy!

Eleanor Braddock’s Savory Custard

(or Ham and Cheddar Quiche)

From the novel A Beauty So Rare

by Tamera Alexander

Most people think quiche originated in France. Not so. It’s originally a German dish and people referred to them as "savory custards" in the 19th century. Which is accurate since the egg-based mixture forms a luscious-like custard as it bakes.

In my novel, A Beauty So Rare, the second standalone novel in the Belmont Mansion series, the heroine, Eleanor Braddock, is "a cook with a dream." But her dreams don’t quite turn out like she thinks they will. However, her savories always do!

I hope you enjoy this recipe (or "receipt" as recipes were called in the 1800s) from A Beauty So Rare. For more about A Beauty So Rare and for recipes from all my novels, visit www.TameraAlexander.com

Ingredients

1 old-fashioned unbaked pie crust (recipe below)

1 large onion, diced (or sliced if you like larger pieces of onion in your savory)

2 tablespoons butter

1 pound cooked ham diced into cubes (if using bacon, use 8 slices, fried chewy, not too crisp)

8 large eggs

1-1/2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half

1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper, or to taste (I always go heavier on the pepper, personal preference)

1 3/4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Instructions

Sauté onion in the butter in a skillet over medium-low heat for about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is golden brown. Set aside to cool.

Chop the ham into bite-sized pieces (or fry your bacon until chewy, then chop). Set aside to cool. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Roll out pie crust and press into a deep dish pie plate. A medium-sized iron skillet works wonderfully for making a savory custard (and is what Eleanor used). The crust comes out divine. I just happened to use a pie plate this time.

Whip the eggs, cream, salt and pepper in a large bowl, then mix in the onions, ham (or bacon), and cheese. Pour the mixture into the pie crust. Cover the pie plate (or skillet) lightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 10 to 15 minutes,or until the quiche is set and the crust is golden brown.QUICK BAKING TIPS: The quiche may still seem a littleloose when you first remove it from the oven, but it will firm up nicely once removed from the heat. Also, watchthat lovely crust so the edges don’t get overly brown. I use a silicone pie crust shield if that starts to happen. Those are a fabulous invention (but foil crimped around the edges works just as well).

Remove from the oven and allow the savory custard to restfor 10 to 15 minutes before diving in. It’s so good, and just like Eleanor Braddock would make. It’s also delicious left over and warmed up the next day.

Eleanor Braddock’s Old-Fashioned Pie Crust

(makes two large crusts)

From the novel A Beauty So Rare

by Tamera Alexander

www.TameraAlexander.com

This is a wonderful crust that I’ve been using for years. Eleanor would likely have used lard in place of Crisco (since lard was cheaper than butter in her day), and you may too, if you prefer. Yes, lard is still available on most grocery shelves, although I’m pretty sure I just felt you shudder!

This pie crust "freezes beautifully " as they say in Steel Magnolias (instructions on freezing below), so even though I may need only one pie crust at the moment, I always use this recipe and make a second, and freeze it for later. Makes that next pie (or savory custard) go twice as fast!

1 ½ cups Crisco (or lard)

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 egg

5 tablespoons ice water

1 tablespoon white vinegar

1 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl, using a pastry cutter (or two knives will do the job), gradually work the Crisco into the flour for 3 to 4 minutes until it resembles coarse meal. In a smaller bowl,whip the egg and then pour it into the flour/shortening mixture. Add 5 tablespoons of ice-cold water, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir gently until allingredients are blended well.

Halve the dough. Form the 2 evenly-sized balls of dough and place each into large sealable plastic bags. Using a rolling pin, slightly flatten each to about 1/2 inch thickness to make rolling easier later. Seal the bags and place themin the freezer until you need them. (If you’re using the crusts immediately, it’s still a good idea to let them chill in the freezer for about 15- 20 minutes. They’ll be much easier to work with.)

When you’re ready to roll the dough for your crust, remove from the freezer and allow to thaw for 15 minutes (if it’s frozen). On a well-floured surface, roll the dough, starting at the center and working your way out. Sprinkle flour overthe top of the dough if it’s too moist. If the dough starts to stick to the countertop, use a metal spatula and gentlyscrape it up and flip it over and continue rolling until it’s about ½ inch larger in diameter than your pie plate (or iron skillet).

Using a spatula, carefully lift the dough from the surface of the counter into the pie pan. (I sometimes fold my well-floured dough in half and then "unfold" it onto iron skillet. Or you can lop it over your rolling pin. That works well, too.) Gently press the dough against the sides of the pan or skillet, getting it all tucked in. Then crimp the edges in whatever way you prefer. And now, you’re ready for that yummy savory custard filling above, or maybe for a fruit pie.

If you make this recipe (or if you’ve read A Beauty So Rare), I’d love to hear from you. You can write me through my website at http://www.tameraalexander.com/contact.html.

Inspiration for A Beauty So Rare

Here is the fascinating story about the inspiration for this book! 

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=rVV1ESQ9Cb8

This is now...over and over again

🎵🎶  I absolutely love music. 🎶🎵 I always have music going in my car. It doesn't matter what CD is in the player or what song is playing on my phone. I tend to listen to the same song over and over, for a while at least. 

I recently bought the new Casting Crowns CD THRIVE.  As with all of their albums, this one is AWESOME. I love all the songs, but there is a particular one I'm stuck on at the moment. This is Now. This song talks about being with Jesus as a disciple, and watching the miracles He did, and then almost going back to the life before Jesus. I wonder how anyone can see things like that and then turn back to the old life. Like the Israelites after crossing the Red Sea. After all the wonders they had seen from the hand of God, it didn't take them long to begin complaining and wanting to go back to bondage in Egypt. That was then. This is now.  

Aren't we the same way though? We see God through the wondrous but fail to look for Him in the every day things. Or we let the worries of the world and the attacks from the enemy keep us from seeking God. What are we missing by turning away? We may have to trudge through the every day to get to the wondrous again. One foot after the other. Come on. Let's walk it together. God is waiting for us on the other side. This is now. Let's get back to where we were when we first trusted. 

I got "Caught in the Middle" real quick!

Nicholas Lovelace and Anne Tillerton. I don't think I could have been more excited knowing that this book was about these two characters. Granted, I did wonder how their story would turn out given the difference in their backgrounds. Well, I wonder no more! Caught in the Middle was my favorite of the three Ladies of Caldwell County books. Anne was introduced in the first book, but I never guessed what depth there would be to her character!  Nicholas was introduced as well, but Anne was the more intriguing character I have to admit. 

Regina Jennings far surpassed my expectations with this book, and my expectations were pretty high given the quality of her first two books (as well as her novella in A Match Made in Texas - check out this book as well)!  The story is like a roller coaster, opening with excitement and the reader is taken up and down and around with exciting, romantic, funny, and sentimental moments all along the track. I had a very hard time putting this book down.  Nicholas' and Anne's lives blend together in a perfect tale that will leave your heart warmed by a blanket of smiles. With a baby thrown in, you don't know what to expect past each page in this book!

If you like historical fiction at all, then you will want to read this book and the other books in the series: Sixty Acres and a Bride and Love in the Balance.  Each book shows that everyone has a chance at love, no matter what is in the past. "Love keeps no record of wrongs..."

Give this book a chance. You'll be glad you did!

            

Book trailer for A Beauty So Rare

So watching this book trailer, I know I'll probably cry through this book. But that's ok. That's my favorite kind of book. You can watch it here:

http://youtu.be/TGpDawUqbhk

Here is the link to an excerpt:

http://www.tameraalexander.com/cmsdocuments/ABeautySoRareExcerpt.pdf

"The Dancing Master" made my heart dance...

              

The Dancing Master, Alec Valcourt, arrives in town with his mother and sister and takes up residence with his uncle.  Little does he know, that the way he makes is living is not allowed in Beaworthy.  Soon after he arrives in town, he meets Julia Midwinter.  Julia is the daughter of the most prominent lady in the town.  She is a lively and carefree girl, and longs for more freedom and adventure than she can find around her. Alec is trying his best to support his mother and sister in the only way he knows.  After Julia and Alec meet, they become entwined in an adventure that neither one of them expected, filled with mystery and maybe more adventure than Julia was looking for.  Alec is trying to keep the secrets of his past hidden, and Julia is trying to find out the secrets have been hidden from her all of her life. 

 

I have read most of Julie Klassen’s books and I have to say that this was one of my favorites.  It ranks very high on my list of her books.  I am a Jane Austen fan, and I loved catching the nods she makes to Austen’s works in this novel.  Ms. Klassen’s weaving of mystery and romance engage the reader from the start and keep them guessing until the end.  There are enough clues revealed throughout the story to keep the reader enthralled.  At the first, Julia seems like a shallow character, but her personality soon comes out in full force and I could not help but love her.  And what's not to love about Alec?  If you enjoy Jane Austen and like historical romance set in England, then this would be a great book for you to read.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. My opinions are my own.  

 

A review of Tide and Tempest by Elizabeth Ludwig

Tide and Tempest is the third book in Elizabeth Ludwig’s Edge Of Freedom series.  I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books and I patiently waited for this book to come out.  Well, my patience paid off!  Tillie McGrath was introduced in the previous books.  A little bit of her history was revealed in the prior two books.  She arrived in New York from Ireland, having traveled on Captain Keondric Morgan’s ship.  The book starts with Captain Morgan checking in on Tillie, having not seen her since he dropped her off two years before.  He has discovered some information that may affect her life, and in his quest to see her remain safe himself becomes endangered. 

 

I have to say that I loved this book and had a very hard time putting it down. Keondric is a very well rounded character and I fell in love with him from the first.  Tillie is also a great character and very easy to love.  Cass Morgan, the captain’s brother, is an excellent secondary character and really helps tie the story together.  I really love how Ms. Ludwig continued with the mystery from the first book, and keeps the reader guessing all of the way through.  Each book in the series reveals a little more until you get a full picture of what was going on.  What is great about this book is that the author also retells what is going on and gives enough details about the story, so the reader still knows what is going on even if she hasn’t read the first two books.  If reading this book first, you will definitely want to go back and read the first two. 

 

If you love history and romance and mystery, then this book is an excellent recommendation for you as all three genres are covered.  I highly recommend this book.

*I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an unbiased review. My opinions are my own. *

Learning to persevere

Recently, I watched man rake his yard. The yard wasn't huge but it took him a couple of hours because he had to use a walker to help him stand. He didn't stop until he had all of the leaves in bags. Something that would keep some (moi) from completing a job, didn't stop this man. If only I had that tenacity...

Usually, I let something small keep me from completing a project. I can be doing well, everything going fine, and something small will make me stop completely.  I'm sure the man above could have had several things go wrong. But he did not stop until his job was complete. The lessons we can learn from the people around us...might teach us a lot.