A Plain Leaving by Leslie Gould

 My latest post for Bethanny House Bloggers is A Plain Leaving.

    A Plain Leaving is the story of Jessica Bachmann who decided to leave her Amish faith for an Englischer life years ago and now must return home for her father's funeral. Her shunning split the loyalties of her family. Her sister Leisel and brother Amos are more sympathetic - Amos also left the Amish community for life on the outside and Leisel is contemplating the same - but sister Marie is still bitter about Jessica's decision, as is her brother Arden and her mother. Jessica carefully navigates the waters of family tensions as she returns to the homestead; being forced to sit at the shunned table in the corner for family dining and dealing with her sister's and brother's cold attitudes towards her.
  But Jessica has someone else in her corner - Silas, her old boyfriend, who is now involved with another girl from the Amish community. Jessica tries not to let his love for someone else bother her, and reminds herself that she was the one who decided to make her life elsewhere, and that she has a happy and fulfilling life in Harrisburg with her new Englischer boyfriend. But.....being home reminds her of the life that could have been.
  Jessica spends time with her peace-loving Aentie Suz who tells her a long ago tale of a girl who originally lived on their family homestead - Ruby Bachmann - and her troubles during the Revolutionary War. The stories intertwine and Jessica finds answers to her own problems in Ruby's story's ending.
  I loved that this book was not all pie baking and quilt making Amish perfection. It focused on some darker sides of being shunned and turned away by your own family. It presented a new angle to the typical Amish stories. I also loved the two overlapping stories of Jessica and Ruby, they were both equally enjoyable.
 I recommended this for anyone.

The MacGregor Brides by Nora Roberts

Here I go again, reading a romance I really don't care for.
The MacGregor brides concerns three women and one grandpa who desperately wants to marry them off. (This is set in the 1980's, not the 1880's) He finds three suitable bachelors and goes about manipulating these men into his granddaughters lives until they all fall in love and, naturally, make more MacGregor heirs.
 Blech.
 If you're a fan of cornball men enjoying seductive snowball fights and hair-sniffing-women-they-just-met then go for it. For me....
 Recycled. Next!

The Book of Joe by Jeff Wilser

My latest Blogging For Books offering is The Book of Joe. The life' wit' and (sometimes accidental) wisdom of Joe Biden

  If you're already a fan of Joe Biden (me!) you will find this little novelette a real treat. The book is filled with short Joe Biden stories, witticisms, and highlights of his political career.
 I loved the tone of this book. It flows along with the right amount of commentary without being blithe. It's also the perfect size for a weekend read. It explained the history behind the plagiarism scandal of the 80's- which I've heard about but did not know the details of- the scandal  ended up being a simple gaffe that got blown out of proportion - like Howard Dean's howl - during a brutal campaign season. There are also stories about the painful losses in his family and how he came through them, his bromance with Obama, and a glimpse at what he's really like when the microphones are off. (Not a spoiler alert: He's a great guy.)
  Inspiration can be gleaned by other politicians on how to handle public office with dignity. He's always stayed classy, even in the face of a gaffe controversy. He actually owns up to them - a rare commodity in a politician nowadays - and tries to learn from his mistakes.
  The stories of the loss of his son Beau are very touching, as is the sweet story about how he courted Jill. I also enjoyed the tales from his rebel rousing teenage years when sneaking off during spring break. With self-discipline he went on to accomplish great things when he just as easily could've took a path to self-destruction.
  Little book, Big read. I definitely recommend this for everyone.

Full Circle by Danielle Steele

I don't know why I keep reading romance novels because it's not my favorite genre...yet here I go again.
  Full Circle by Danielle Steele is the story that begins with a mother and her daughter-Jean and Tana- and follows them through the next 40 years.
  Jean is a single mother after her husband dies in World War II until she raises a rich, handsome man. The only problem is he is not interested in marrying her. As a teen, Tna grows disgusted with her mother for not telling Arthur to marry her once and for all even though her mom is perfectly happy with the arrangement.
 Tana goes to college and grows more radical. Suddenly she's the one who has no interest in marrying, yet she's still harping to her mom to tie the knot.
 Tana goes through man after man after man until finally chosing one, then she deecides...marriage is what she wants, and of course her life is nothing without a bunch of babies.
 Eh.
 I'm not crazy about this one. Jean is a harpy, then her daughter is one too, only less likeable and more bossy. Then Tana comes 'full circle'....I could've lived without reading this one.

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picault

I finished this book last week and what a gem it is. Books like this are what make Jodi Picoult one of my favorite fiction writers. The story is unique, gripping, and features emotionally charged scenes.

 The story is about thirteen year old Anna who was born for a specific reason-so she could be the medical match for her older sister who suffers from a rare form of cancer. Anna spends her childhood in and out of the hospital as she donates marrow and goes through painful medical procedures with the hope that her older sister will be cured. When Anna is finally asked by her parents if she'll donate a kidney, she decides she's had enough and tries to stop the surgery by contacting a lawyer.

 The book touches on controversial topics like: is it morally right for  Anna's parent to conceive her for the pure reason of using her to keep her sister alive? While they love Anna, how much of a sacrifice can they keep asking of her? At what age is Anna able to say no to her parents? How does she accept doing this to her dying sister?
  The only negative I had to the story was my usual complaint-I didn't see any reason to add the romance between Anna's temporary guardian and her lawyer. It's as if every book written needs to find a way to jam in a love story, even when it's not necessary. The love of the family and their complications carries the story without needing any romance.
  The second thing is the surprise ending which I'm still pondering on whether it was the right way to end the book or not. Without giving it away, you'll just have to read it for yourself.
  Definitely recommended-romance and all!

David Bowie, A Life / Dylan Jones

My latest review from Blogging For Books is here:

    David Bowie, A Life is an epic 510 page novel filled with personal stories and anecdotes from the late singer's family and friends. It covers the arc of his life from childhood to his Ziggy Stardust days to his final years.
  I loved the format of this book. His life is told to you by the people who knew him best, not just an author writing facts and figures about a career. You get a behind-the-scenes feel that leaves you more connected than a regular biography.
 Carve out large blocks of time to enjoy this novel,both  because it is long and because once you start reading you will find it hard to put down. Enjoyable and entertaining, I would definitely recommend picking up the novel.

The Proving / Beverly Lewis

My latest review for Blogging For Books is here!

  I was thrilled to get the new book by Beverly Lewis, The Proving. Beverly is one of my favorite authors of Amish fiction. I got right down to reading.
  The Proving starts with Mandy, a former member of the Amish, who has become estranged from her family and finds out that she must return to help run the family Bed and Breakfast after her mother dies. At the same time, a young 'Englisher' in Minneapolis, Trina, becomes dissatisfied with her life and decides to sign up for a mystery trip which places her at the Butterfly Meadows Inn - to her dismay.
  Mandy has a past with her twin sister involving a betrayal by a man-a man Arie Mae is now married to!- and Mandy fires her from the inn in spite. Now, Mandy finds herself running the inn without any help and it's more than she can handle, until Trina turns up on her doorstep. At first, she finds Trina too brash, but eventually they become friends.
  The plot has a fun twist by adding an outspoken Englisher into the mix because her ways are so different from Mandy's. I liked the contrast between the two personalities. The book was an enjoyable read through and through. Great for everybody who is a fan of the Amish, Beverly Lewis never fails in this genre.

My Top Book Recommendation of the Year

 I finished this book as an audiobook this week and was so impressed I wanted to pass it along. Whatever format you choose, seek out Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. A touching, sad little novelette. Simple, yet so beautifully written. I don't want to give away any details! You have to read it and see for yourself!!

A pair of Harlequins

  I wrapped up a pair of Harlequins from my piles this week, so here is my brief sum up of each one:
 
   Baby By The Book by Kara Lennox from 2001.  Your standard Harlequin theme - A desperate woman with a baby on the way needs a job so she gets one making shelves for the rich writer Rand Barclay. She goes into labor while working in his office, so he takes her to the hospital and the inevitable happens as he starts to care for her and her baby.
 I liked it. It stayed the course, the characters were pleasant, and the drama was suitable. I give it a thumbs up in the world of Harlequins. Good luck finding it anywhere, but if it's a part of your own collection you probably agree it's worth a read.

  Fire Signs by Jocelyn Griffin, 1986. I've got to be honest, Pre-90's Harlequins were pretty boring. Settings were usually in offices or dealing with world espionage, two snore inducers as far as I'm concerned. Fire Signs falls under the category of Business Takeovers. Sara is reluctant to give up her company, so Nick buys her out and becomes her boss, followed by some boring Daystar chitchat. Nick makes pottery at his aunt's studio (like Ghost) but it just doesn't give the story enough boost.

 

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

 I won a preview copy of The Wife Between Us (which doesn't go on sale until January of 2018), read it, and here's my review!
   I loved the first half of this book, I liked the second half of this book. Without giving away the plot twist, I'll just say the first half of the book is a woman obsessed with her ex-husband's new girlfriend. We see her unraveling as she starts drinking and stalking. Then-comes the twist and at first I was like 'What is going on?! I don't get it.' Then it fell in place. The story changes from a stalker story to one of  a woman's survival.
  Me personally? I preferred the stalker element. I liked seeing Vanessa coming undone and I wanted to see that play out. On the other hand, the second half has its dramatic moments. I wasn't quite sure about the ending and had to reread it-Emma is actually who?? Overall I'd give it a solid B to B-. I wanted more stalking less bored suburban housewife and her feelings of entrapment.

Deal or Duel!

My latest review for Blogging For Books is not a book but a new historical game called Deal or Duel!

   I wanted to play this game several times before I made my review so I could have a good grasp on how much fun it is and my conclusion is it's so-so.
    At first the game is pretty complicated and there are lots of things to remember on each turn-challenge cards, duel cards, moving duel cards back 5 paces, drawing a Hamilton card etc. My advice is not to tackle the rule book all at once, read the instructions only when you reach that point in game play, reading the rules of skirmishes when you haven't even played duel is not going to make the game any easier. After two or three games you start to get the hang of all the rules and how it works and I found it to be mildly fun. (don't forget how complicated Monopoly must have seemed the very first time you played it and how now you can play without any instruction.)
  There are some unanswered questions I have about the game play and here they are:
 1. How can a player win with $1000 when only $300 is allowed in the treasury per game and the treasury can't be refilled with money from the 'mint'? Even if you keep all of your original $150, gain all of your partner's $150, and empty the treasury that's still only $600.
2. It says any player picks a Hamilton Card at the start of each new round. How is it decided who picks? And is the rule on the card applied only to the reader or to every player in the game?
3. "There can be up to four simultaneous duels at one time" -against the same person if you're playing a two person game? Can one person have more than one duel going with one other player or is this rule only applied when four people are playing and you can challenge up to three of them at once?
  I changed some of the rules to fit my game and, as I said, it was fairly fun. I'd wait until this game hits the bargain bin before buying it though.
 

One Thousand White Women / Jim Fergus

The latest book I finished reading is One Thousand White Women which I received from Reading Group Gold.

   The word I would use to describe this book is Bold. It's written Journal-style by an imaginary woman in the 1800's named May Dodd who was institutionalized against her will by her ex-husband. Her only chance for a new life is to join a government program that grants 1000 white women to the Native Americans of the West. May befriends a variety of different women along the train ride and they all settle in the camp together with their new spouses. It's not all happy and it's not all easy, that's why I labeled this book as Bold, it explores the idea of these women becoming sight unseen brides and the new life they have to adjust to among people so different from them.
 It's incredible how the author was able to so vividly imagine this story and it is told with realistic first person accounts.It's not a short read (434 pages) and it can be racy for those who were expecting something more old fashioned because of the era it's set in.But it's worth the time to seek it out online or at the library.

Promise Me / Harlan Coben

   Mysteries are my favorite genre and Harlan Coben is one of my  favorite authors. In Promise Me a man promises his old friends teenage daughter that if she ever needs a ride home from anywhere that she should call him....then she does. He drives her to what he thinks is her friend's house, then she disappears.
 Great, original premise and writing. Myron gets a little snarky with tough guy Dominic, and I'm pretty "Eh" about snark, but I'll let it pass since the rest of Myron's character is so easy to read. Also the ending, it ended...and then it ended again...and then one more time. I would've stuck with just one ending instead of having to go through each one. Otherwise, solid all around. I'll be adding more Harlan Coben mysteries to my Goodreads shelves.

Where Secrets Sleep by Marta Perry

 I love it when I find a new series I want to get into and Where Secrets Sleep is the first book in a series of three: Where Secrets Sleep, When Secrets Strike, and Where Secrets Die. Yum! And by the way, Amazon has a limited number of these in stock, like 13 left and 19 left with more on the way, which means I am not the only one discovering these books!
  Where Secrets Sleep is a mystery/romance/fiction set in a picturesque little town called Laurel Ridge. Allison inherits a large house that houses several small businesses on Laurel Ridge's main street. Allison is forced to move in with the stipulation in her estranged grandmother's will that if she doesn't stay for a year she forfeits the place to her cousin, a stern faced character who wants Allison to give the place up. Allison becomes quick friends with Sarah the Amish quilt shop owner and Sarah's mother. And then there's nervous nellie Ralph who feels Allison's grandmother didn't  just have a stroke when she fell down the steps and died.
 Amish? Mysteries? Hunky carpenter? I loved Where Secrets Sleep. Count me in for books 2 and 3!

The Two of Us / Victoria Bylin

My latest review for Bethany House publishers is The Two of Us by Victoria Bylin which I received in exchange for my honest review.

  My favorite thing about this book is the realistic characters and situations. These people are not perfect. Lucy is set for a shot gun wedding because she's already pregnant, Jake's family struggles with his mom's Alzheimer's, they question their faith...They're situations that regular people face and the story is told in an honest way, not sugar coated with bible passages, but just questioning and seeing the answers to their faith-sometimes in a different way than they expected, which is just like real life.
  Mia meets Jake in an unsuspecting way when they both find out they're attending Mia's sister Lucy's wedding. Subplots involve Jake's plans to start a well-intentioned camp for struggling teens that meets furious opposition in town. Mia needs to find out where her life is going, so she applies for a medical mission to Africa. And Lucy and Sam struggle with being very young newlyweds while Sam is in ROTC and Lucy is pregnant.
  I had not read anything by Victoria Bylin before, but her work is fantastic and I will look for more. A great read for anyone who likes romances with good stories behind them.

Abigail and Mistletoe by Karen Rose Smith

 The latest book I'm blogging is not really the 'latest' book, it's Abigail and Mistlestoe, a Silhouette Special Edition from 1994. It's aged well over the years and reads like a contemporary romance. (On a side note, there's nothing like a book that's taken on that yellow-paged tinge.) Abigail and Mistletoe follows the romance novel formula: Gruff man who doesn't know love and has been hurt in his past, a vulnerable woman...the two meet and it's love. In this case, Abigail is a makeup artist stays at Brady's father's Colorado cabins to help a woman dealing with scars. Abigail has a birthmark on her face that she tries to hide from Brady, but he doesn't mind, of course, once he sees it.
  I really enjoyed this story. The Colorado setting is beautiful, the characters are friendly and likeable, and my favorite romances are the ones that take place at Christmastime.
 You'll have a hard time finding this book anywhere, but for what it's worth, if you can track it down, it's a good, classic 90's romance.

Beloved Hope / Tracie Peterson

My latest review for Bethany House Books is Beloved Hope by Tracie Peterson.

   Beloved Hope is second in a series called Heart of the Frontier that follows three orphaned sisters who make their way to to the Oregon Territory to set up their home. Hope is the middle sister and the book opens with her having to face the natives who assaulted her while she was held hostage. Hope's older sister is pregnant for the first time while her husband is sent away on army detail. And youngest sister Mercy has to consider whether or not she should accept a marriage proposal.  Mercy, as her name suggests, feels guilty about whether hanging the men who assaulted Hope will bring her sister peace and suggests Hope finds a way to forgive.
  I loved the story idea and the setting. Historical fiction is some of my favorites because it takes you to a different time and place and way of life. There was a lot of religious discussion in this book, which I think makes it a little more for more devout Christian book readers than secular, but either party will enjoy the series.

Map That Leads To You / J. P. Monniger

  I'm not a fan. Pretentiousness drips off the page. A snotty woman is rude to a man on a train in Amsterdam and, naturally, he falls in love her. These people rubbed me the wrong way from the very beginning, I couldn't take more than 5 chapters. My God, these philosophical, upper middle class, fancy college brats on the loose in Europe - Gag me with the biggest spoon you can find.

74 Seaside Avenue Cedar Cove / Debbie Macomber

 I'm a big fan of the Cedar Cove series and I've read several of them (I highly recommend them to anyone who loves a serial saga in a small town) Even though this book is from 2007, look for it online because you'll get addicted fast! I haven't been reading (and listening to the audiobooks) in order and that's no problem, you can join it in progress just like a soap and catch up with no problems following the characters.
  74 Seaside Avenue sees the beginning of a new relationship for widower Troy, whose daughter faces a possible health crisis and also isn't happy about him moving on to a new woman. Meanwhile, Teri's famous chess player husband Bobby is concerned for her safety after a Russian chess opponent threatens to pull out all the stops to win. Judge Olivia also faces a personal health crisis (Could it be cancer? Gasp!)
  Babies, Grandbabies, wedding receptions, kidnapping, health crises this book jams it all in without feeling jammed in at all. These characters, this town, and their lives are all a treat to follow. No wonder they made it into a TV show (I need those DVD's!)

With You Always by Jody Hedlund

My latest blog for Bethany House Bloggers is here! With You Always by Jody Hedlund.

  This book is number one in a new series called Orphan Train and judging by this book I can't wait to read more from this series.
 Book One is With You Always and intertwines two very different lives for a sweet romance. Thornton Quincy's father pits him against his twin brother Bradford for the family inheritance. Each son has to develop a successful town in the newly settled Illinois territory and the son with the most successful town wins. Bradford pulls out all the stops to make sure things hit a snag for Thornton. Thornton, meanwhile, is bringing in trains of new workers from New York. Aboard one train is Elise Neumann, an orphan who comes to the west in hopes of sending money home to her younger brother and sisters. The kids back in New York are also doing what they can to survive during a bout of terrible joblessness that hits New York City in the 1850's. Thornton and Elise met previously at the border house she was staying in when he saved her from rioters, so when he sees her again arrive on his train he is more than pleased.
  This book creates a good portrait of the era, and the romance between Thornton and Elise is chaste but still has more fire than I've read in other Christian themed novels. I liked the various plots switching back and forth between Quincy, Illinois and the kids in New York. I hope to read more about Frannie's tale because I think there is more story there (Does she overcome her rough past to make a name for herself in Quincy?) And what happened to young Sophie? -we're left hanging.
  A good weekend read for historical romance lovers.

Here and Gone by Haylen Beck

I've been in the middle of several books so I haven't posted a review in a while, but I just finished Here and Gone and I'm ready to rave!
  Here and Gone is one of the best crime drama I've read this year, the writing and suspense are both top notch. The story begins with a woman on the run from her ex-husband when she's pulled over by a cop on a lonely sretch of highway. She's already nervous, and then the cop starts treating her suspiciously. During a search he finds a bag of weed in her trunk - that she didn't put there - he says he has to take her in. 'Don't worry' another cop will take her kids to a 'safe place' until she's released. She's arrested, jailed, and then....when she asks to see her kids, the cop sneers, 'What kids??' You can feel her panic and desperation right through the paper.
  We, the readers, know what happens to her kids when female cop Mitchell. Then watching the story unfold...Why were they taken? What are cops Collins and Mitchell planning to do with these kids....And then the desperation switches onto the cops when suspicion grows.
  I loved he originality of this story, then intense telling went all the way trough from beginning to end. It was one of those novels I wanted to keep reading and not put down. Show stopper! I can't wait to read more from this author.

Threads of Suspicion by Dee Henderson

My latest review for Bethany House Books is Threads of Suspicion by Dee Henderson

  There was a lot of potential to this book being really great. It starts with a team of P.I.'s looking into cold cases, it then follows one pair as they solve the mystery of who killed a local college girl. The problem is the book gets so bogged down in the details of the murder and the questioning of the witnesses that it becomes tediously long. Chapters run from 15 to 20 minutes a piece and you have to plow through 25 chapters so it's a very time consuming read with not a lot of action. It would have been a great read if it had been pared down to about half the size. Also, the addition of her partner's case only comes in bits and spurts and only adds to the tedium. The dialogue between Evie and her partner David on his religious beliefs sounded strained, too. I can't imagine any guy talking so earnestly, it just didn't sound very realistic.
 Sorry, but I can only give this book about 2 and a half stars.

May 2017 Wrap-Up

I read several books in May and here are my capsulized reviews:

First up, The Executor by Jesse Kellerman. Well, out of 5 stars I would give this 2 and a half. At times it would get too pretentious. The lead character, Joseph Geist, is a struggling philosophy student at Harvard (the pretentious part) who reads an ad for someone seeking good conversation and he meets Alma, an elderly lady who was also a student of philosophy. They talk, Alma comes down with mysterious aches and pains, and a ne'er-do-well nephew shows up. My favorite part was watching Mr.Geist unravel and how at times he felt he was justified and at other times just felt guilty in his actions. Not bad, and I never skipped a chapter in impatience.

Next up, The Mother's Promise by Sally Hepworth. This book gets my rare 5 star review. Ms. Hepworth does an incredibly accurate portrayal of the burdens of social anxiety in teen Zoe. Zoe's mom is dying of cancer and Zoe must learn to reach out....it's just exceptional. Why is this not a #1 Best Seller on every book list available?? Writing, plot, characters, all are top of the line. Really, I can't rave enough.

Just wrapped up The Client by John Grisham. Gets my 4 out of 5 star review. I loved the point of view of the crime being burdened upon the 11 year old boy and the mature way he has to handle it. It's not new Grisham, it's from 1993, but it was new to me and I loved it. My favorite Grisham novel out of all I've read so far. Confession: I skipped just a few of the pages when it dealt with the mobsters. Never been a mafia fan. The rest? Riveting.

The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks

I am almost finished listening to this audiobook and-like Danielle Steel-the story runs in the usual familiar territory. Stud bull rider who's amazingly romantic, college girl looking for love after a bad breakup, and an old man trapped in his car talking to his wife's ghost. 

 Highlights: Luke's concussions and the tension there is in his decision to keep riding in spite of them because he needs the money. The old man trapped in his car, injured, and dying of thirst. Also, Old Man Ira's sweet history with his wife.

Lowlights: It's pretty maudlin like most Nicholas Sparks. The couple knows just what to say to each other when they flirt, they go on perfect dates, they bicker for a chapter-I know where this is going. The other thing I never like in books is talking to ghosts. Can't stand it. I'll give this old man a pass because he's in his car and he's dehydrated and (hopefully) hallucinating instead of talking to a real ghost (an oxymoron, I know). Yes,  he has to share his story about his romantic past with his wife, but please-no ghosts!!

Fine Things / Danielle Steel

  I just wrapped up Fine Things by Danielle Steel and, what can I say, it's typical Danielle Steel-not that that's a bad thing. People quickly fall in love, make millions, people die, and people fall in love again-it's pretty much what I would expect in a romance novel.
 The highlights of Fine Things are: The relationships of course, which Danielle Steel does so perfectly. It's the kind of world you want to get lost in-big money and picture perfect romance. Little Jane is cute to the point of almost being too perfect.(I could not stop picturing Bernie as Mr.Selfridge!)
 The only negatives: The ending seemed a little hasty. Things are always boom-boom-boom the end, I'd like for once for someone not to die so we could see them grow old together, but maybe I'm not reading the right book.
 Overall, a good read. I enjoyed it!

My Life To Live by Agnes Nixon

My latest review for Blogging For Books is My Life To Live by Agnes Nixon.

  It's hard to imagine a world without soaps, they've done some much over the years to bring entertainment to the airwaves and generations of women who grew up watching the stories unfold. Agnes Nixon was creator of One Life To Live and All My Children. I was not very familiar with her before reading the book, I rarely  think about the people behind the scenes of these shows. But Agnes Nixon brought issues to light in soaps at a time when people wouldn't otherwise be seeing or discussing these things.
  Agnes's early life had a little drama in it. The biography tries to show some stress between her and her father, but it doesn't sound like a terribly bad relationship, he was a bit controlling but he did support her at times. There was more drama involved with the loss of her college sweetheart, but beyond that her personal life sounded pretty good and not really soap opera-like.
 The book is at it's best when she's discussing her soaps and their plots and her relationships with the actors. I really loved her little vignette at the end of the book that she wrote in college called "No Flags Flying" . You don't want to skip it.

The Ebb Tide by Beverly Lewis

  I was so excited to get this new novel by Beverly Lewis from Bethany House Bloggers because she is one of my favorite authors, no one writes Amish stories the way she does.
  The Ebb Tide is centered around Sallie Riehl, the young Amish girl on the brink of joining the Amish church but she keeps putting off her confirmation and extending her Rumspringa. Sallie is full of daydreams and wonders what it would be like to travel the globe. She gets the opportunity to go to Australia, but passes it over to help a young, sick Amish boy in the community. And, when one door closes-another door opens. Sallie gets the chance to go to Cape May for the summer to be a nanny. She meets a 'Fancy' boy there who seems perfect for her, and......you'll see what happens.
  I loved the story, as usual. Sallie is kindhearted (wouldn't you love to have her for your nanny?) The little girl she baby-sits is positively scrumptious, and I can feel the glow Sallie gets every time she meets up with Mennonite Kevin. Just when I think Sallie's made the wrong decision-it gets straightened out in the end. I think it was the right ending, and I like that her Amish parents did not turn against her for her decision and were very supportive. Also-Loved the Cape May setting, I can imagine why Sallie would fall in love traveling after being there. Beautiful descriptions.
 Would I recommend The Ebb Tide? Jah!

The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck

   I was right on the edge of liking this book, I really wanted to, but I just wasn't swayed. Plain and simple-it bored me. I wasn't a fan of the flashing back and forth between their current time in the castle to their time during the war, I would rather it had followed the course starting at the beginning. And nothing ever seemed to really happen. I was waiting for that moment that really drew me in, but it just wasn't there.
 

Seaview Inn by Sherryl Woods

    Sherryl Woods is one of my favorite women's lit novelists and Seaview Inn is a prime example; it's a frothy, breezy, frozen custard fantasy where you go to escape and enjoy.
  I got this book from Amazon for Christmas a few years ago and I've been patiently waiting as my pile whittled down so I could pick this book up and start reviewing. Seaview Inn is a multi-generational story (one of my favorite platforms) with Grandma Jenny trying to restore her oceanside Florida Inn, her granddaughter Hannah who's hiding out after a cancer scare and trying to decide what to do with her life, and Hannah's daughter Kelsey who's also trying to decide what to do with her life now that she's a single, pregnant college student who is not ready for marriage. Toss in a hunky former friend of Hannah's from her childhood and you've got a plot.
 The story flows along and never once left me less than involved. Sure, if you're a romance/women's lit reader you know Kelsey's only going to refuse the marriage proposal for so long, Hannah's gonna trump up an excuse not to be with Hunk Luke until the last minute....of course, and then there's the happy ending. But that's what we want to happen because that's not how real life is. That's the beauty of a good book-the happy endings!
  Enjoy! Especially if you're a big fan of the Debbie Macomber books (Me!!) you'll love Sherryl Woods (also me!!) Scrub out your stress with some soapy fiction fun.

Long Time Gone by Mary Connealy

  I was excited to see this book come up on the list of books for review from Bethany House because I read the first book in the series -No Way Up - and I was eager to see what happened next in the Cimarron Legacy with the Boden Clan.
  We left off with the patriarch of the family, Chance, on his way to Denver after a dangerous broken leg, his son Cole had been ambushed and shot, and Heath had just married Sadie Boden. The whole family was being pursued by some Mexican rebels that were after their land. In Book Two, Long Time Gone, we pick up where we left off: Cole recuperates with the help of pious nurse Angie (Who brother Justin takes a shining to), the family tries to flush out the traitors on the ranch, and Chance and Ronnie try to stay safe up in Denver.
 (Spoiler alert) Angie gets more of the spotlight in this book for her valor when she's kidnapped. Justin's eyes are opened because of this and he realizes that she's the woman for him. There is also growth with the brothers' relationship, you can see their bond together and their love for Cimarron Ranch by keeping it protected. They're working together while trying not to knock each other out like rival brothers do.
  I look forward to a book three which sounds like it has the patriarch and matriarch  returning to their home and reuniting the family. The mystery continues with who is sending these killers to their ranch. And I have a feeling there will be more story with tough Mal (maybe a love interest for Cole??)
  Even if you haven't read Book One, Book Two explains a lot of the past plot so it's easy to dive in.

Super Genes by Deepak Chopra and Rudolph E. Tanzi

My latest Blogging for Books offering is Super Genes, by Deepak Chopra and Rudolph E. Tanzi

   The subtitle to this book is "Unlock the astonishing power of your DNA for optimum health and wellbeing". That line hooked me, because who wouldn't want to learn how to achieve optimum health and well-being? Let's dig in.
  The book examines a new scientific area called the Epigenome which the book describes as "The entire amount of epigenetic modification of the DNA in your body."  (The first chapters explain it better than I ever could and are a must read.) People have assumed that your DNA is fixed from birth and can't be altered, but epigenetics challenges that thought by claiming the things that happen in our body and mind can alter DNA. 'Leaky Gut Syndrome' is one example of the connection between your body DNA. It's one of the topics covered in the book that has become a very popular topic in the health world recently. Several studies can now prove 'you are what you eat', and if you eat junk-you'll feel like junk, and it could even have an effect on changes in our epigenome..
  Deepak Chopra has been an advocate for many years of healing your body and mind through meditation and that is also covered in the second half of the book.
  The evidence shown is persuasive, They feature many different cases and types of research to support their idea of the mind-body-genome connection. I am especially fascinated by this new area of science. I think there is a lot we still don't know about our genes that I hope they will continue to research at The Chopra Center.
  The book realizes you can't just change overnight, so they offer 3 Step Plans for eating better, sleeping better, and practicing meditation. You start with a few things you find achievable from step one and work them into your routine. There are a lot of tips we already have heard - like eating organic and getting a full night's sleep - The most helpful thing here is having a physical list you can check off to track your progress.
  Overall, a fascinating read. Some understanding of DNA and the genome (Telomeres, DNA sequencing) is needed to really understand the first few chapters about epigenetics, so take it slow if you're not familiar with the terminology and you'll learn quickly.

Beneath the Night Tree by Nicole Caart

  Beneath the Night Tree is an enthralling women's fiction read which takes place in a small town in Iowa. A multi-generational household including Julia, her son, her younger brother, and Julia's grandma all live together on a small farm. Julia is then torn between her current boyfriend-who is 6 hours away in med school- or her son's father, who reappears in their lives.
 Fantastic writing that really captures the spirit of Iowa living, ( The author is originally from Iowa, so that explains her on-point perspective.) The main thing you want in a book is to be able to relate to the characters and to place yourself in their shoes, both of which Beneath the Night Tree Does.
Recommend: Yes!

Still Life by Dani Pettrey

Here is my latest review for Bethany House Publishers:

Still Life / Dani Pettrey

  This book had a lot of potential, I wanted to love it, but the truth is it didn't enthrall me as much as I wanted. I think the problem was there were too many characters to keep track of -several sets of cops, several people involved in the crimes- I wasn't able to keep them all straight. Also,  none of the cops really stood out to me with a lot of personality.
  The plot about the refugees also bored me a bit, I didn't think it was necessary to focus on that. Honestly, I skipped over the pages when it came to that.
 On the plus side, the crime involving the missing girl from the photograph was pretty interesting. But on the negative side, it seemed to drag out a bit too long.
  So? My final grade is a C. I'm hoping the future books stick to one pair of cops to focus on, and one crime at a time.

Life After by Katie Ganshert

My latest book blog is for Life After by Katie Ganshert, I received this book from Blogging For Books.

   I did not realize this was a Christian Fiction book until I was several chapters in, then I noticed on the cover that the author is a Christy Award winner-a coveted award for Christian writers- and her work shines in this book.
  The book takes place in the aftermath of a train explosion in Chicago where everyone onboard dies except for one woman, Autumn. She's soon contacted by a little girl named Reese, who writes to her because Autumn is a survivor and Reese's mother died in the explosion. Reese wants to do a memorial and, at first, Autumn is reluctant because she doesn't like being in the spotlight as the lone survivor, but she goes ahead with the project as a form of therapy for herself and the survivors.
  Reese's dad is against the contact between the two from the start and I couldn't figure it out at first- why was he so upset about his daughter wanting to do a memorial?-  Paul (Reese's father) remains bitter for quite a while in the book until it's revealed why he isn't thrilled about the idea of the memorial for Reese's mother.
 Great writing throughout the book, the characters are complex and well drawn out. The Christian theme is strongest in the last chapter, but is subtly woven throughout.  It was also a unique storyline, and I'm glad the author made the story more about healing than about rushing Paul and Autumn into a romance. A great, riveting read that all types of readers will enjoy.

In The Shadow of Denali by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse.

Here is my latest review for Bethany House Publishing:

   In the Shadow of Denali features a story set in the 1920's at a burgeoning hotel in the shadow of  the Denali (Mt McKinley) in Alaska. The cover sets off the story with a great pic of the central character Cassidy, Denali mountain, and the train bustling into the small Alaskan town. I love the mix of sepia tones and shots of color. Judging just by the cover, I would pick up this book.
 Next: The Prologue. 1917 and three men are on a hiking expedition on the mountain...but somebody has a terrible accident. Who's to blame? That's what the character of Allan wants to know when he arrives in town and seeks answers. After sorting out all the new characters, the story picks up steam and you watch the relationships develop among the people at the hotel.
 I particularly liked Cassidy and her father John's relationship, and Cassidy and her feisty cook's relationship. Cassidy is an all-around good person, moral and genuine. There is a Christian theme woven throughout the story as Cassidy and her father try to convert some nonbelievers. For readers of Christian books, I believe they will really enjoy this new series.
  There's also an added element of real life history to the books as you read about President Harding's visit and watch the group of characters hear of his death on the radio several days later. While the characters are fictional, the setting of the hotel was an actual place in the 1920's, adding a realistic flavor to the story.
  A great book to curl up with in a chair on a wintry afternoon.

Mini-Reviews

I've been away from blogging for a while while I was busy with my online holiday shopping (for more books, of course. I was heavy into Books on CD this season.) I'm back with a bunch of mini-reviews, because when it comes to reading anything-shorter is always better.

  The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. I checked out this book from our local library's audiobook lending service and I recommend the audiobook-more entertaining and less dry than book form. The only thing is it's 32 chapters long, so you'll need to devote a checkout and re-checkout to get it finished. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Best characters: Boris and Hobie. Only minus: The last half chapter which sinks into a philosiphical soup.My cheap little MP3 player cut out after 30 minutes and for once I was thankful. I said, "The End." just as it should've been said after the boy returns to Hobie at the apartment.

  12-31-2016. I finished an old 1960's copy of a book called Uncle Tom's Children by Richard Wright. I liked these short stories, even though they're pretty depressing and tragic.  Please, seek out a copy of this book if you can find it, it's a good companion to Uncle Tom's Cabin. I'd get political, but this blog is just for fun.

12-22-2016. I finished a book from, I believe, the 1990's called The Murder She Wrote Mysteries: The Highland Fling Murders. OMG. Murder She Wrote is one of those 80's icons like Golden Girls that should never be allowed to be forgotten! I loved this mystery series, and I loved this book. Jessica and the Cabot Cove gang in Scotland for a murder mystery?? It's like grandma's apple sauce cake warm from the oven. PLEASE book publishers revive this mystery book line!! Little old ladies and little old ladies at heart thoroughly enjoy this elderly Nancy Drew! Charm, charm, charm!