My latest blog for Bethany House Books blogger program is A Chance At Forever by Melissa Jagears.
A Chance At Forever explores the topics of bullying and forgiveness. Mercy finds herself face to face with the bully who teased her about her deformed arm many years ago in their childhood. Aaron is back in town hoping for a fresh start and a second chance. It's in Mercy's hands whether bor not Aaron is accepted for a teaching position, can she put aside her past feelings and forgive him?
I loved the honest way the book dealt with putting old resentments behind you. In this case, Mercy looked for answers from God, but she also had to make the decision herself that she had to let go and try to see Aaron for who he is today.
Aaron is a great character who is repentant for his past bullying and doesn't make excuses. He finds himself in a new position to help out boys at an orphanage who are experiencing the same anger he used to feel. Now that he is a changed man, he goes to work trying to show others that they can change for the better too, and I think that is a really good message. The relationship between Aaron and Jimmy is particularly poignant because Aaron sees in Jimmy the troubled boy he used to be, so Aaron takes him under his wing to try to get the boy from going down the same path he did.
Even Jimmy, the teenage rascal, has qualities about him that don't make him an unlikeable character. You feel there is something under the surface that is causing him to act out. It's revealed later in the book that Jimmy is acting out for a good reason and it makes you sympathize with him and his life.
The relationships between all these characters are wonderfully drawn out with layers and complications, just like in real life.
I really enjoyed this novel and I think others will feel the same. It has great storylines, great characters, and a moral about forgiveness and moving on from a troubled past.
Sunday, April 1, 2018
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Keturah by Lisa T Bergen
My latest blog for Bethany House is Keturah by Lisa T Bergren
I've got to be honest, my first thought when I read the description for this book was ' Three sister's running a sugar plantation in Nevis?? In 1773?? Am I going to find this interesting? ' But by the end of the first chapter I was hooked.
Keturah Tomlinson, her older sister Verity, and her younger sister Selah receive devastating news of their father's passing at his sugar plantation in tropical Nevis. After years of poor planting conditions and bad management, the business is in a sad state. Because the plantation provides the income for their home in England, Keturah finds herself in the position of becoming the new overseer of this disatrous plantation. She makes the decision to go to Nevis to see if anything can be done to turn the plantation around. Selah and Verity do not like the thought of being separated from their sister, so they decide to make the journey with her.
Traveling on the boat with them to Nevis is Keturah's childhood friend Gray. Naturally, there are some feelings between them, but Keturah has just come out of a brutal former marriage and is not ready to fall in love again.
The novel deals with the themes of slave trading and abuse, and delivers a message of hope without being trite. Keturah's relationship with her slaves grows throughout the story- and with slave Mitilda for a particular reason - as she encounters the racism and cruelty of other plantation neighbors on the island.
With Gray's help she starts to get the plantation going again, but not before scares of sickness and a mudslide that almost takes her life.
I loved all the action, and the characters were strong and open minded. The setting of Nevis is lush and exotic and a great backdrop for a romance story. There feels like more story to be told here, with more plantation struggles, the relationship between Katurah and Mitilda, and sister Verity and the captain, so I checked the front cover and was happy to note the book is The Sugar Baron's Daughter's -ONE which means we can expect more of this saga in the future. I will be looking forward to it to the next escape to this tropical paradise with Keturah and Gray.
I've got to be honest, my first thought when I read the description for this book was ' Three sister's running a sugar plantation in Nevis?? In 1773?? Am I going to find this interesting? ' But by the end of the first chapter I was hooked.
Keturah Tomlinson, her older sister Verity, and her younger sister Selah receive devastating news of their father's passing at his sugar plantation in tropical Nevis. After years of poor planting conditions and bad management, the business is in a sad state. Because the plantation provides the income for their home in England, Keturah finds herself in the position of becoming the new overseer of this disatrous plantation. She makes the decision to go to Nevis to see if anything can be done to turn the plantation around. Selah and Verity do not like the thought of being separated from their sister, so they decide to make the journey with her.
Traveling on the boat with them to Nevis is Keturah's childhood friend Gray. Naturally, there are some feelings between them, but Keturah has just come out of a brutal former marriage and is not ready to fall in love again.
The novel deals with the themes of slave trading and abuse, and delivers a message of hope without being trite. Keturah's relationship with her slaves grows throughout the story- and with slave Mitilda for a particular reason - as she encounters the racism and cruelty of other plantation neighbors on the island.
With Gray's help she starts to get the plantation going again, but not before scares of sickness and a mudslide that almost takes her life.
I loved all the action, and the characters were strong and open minded. The setting of Nevis is lush and exotic and a great backdrop for a romance story. There feels like more story to be told here, with more plantation struggles, the relationship between Katurah and Mitilda, and sister Verity and the captain, so I checked the front cover and was happy to note the book is The Sugar Baron's Daughter's -ONE which means we can expect more of this saga in the future. I will be looking forward to it to the next escape to this tropical paradise with Keturah and Gray.
Friday, March 9, 2018
Gardener's Log Book A Five Year Planner
My latest blog for Blogging For Books is for the Gardeners Log Book a 5 Year Planner.
I've been gardening for about ten years but I have never kept a detailed log about my planting season but I am going to this year with the help of this little journal.
The book opens with a map of the united states and the planting zones. My only complaint here is that all of the zones are featured in shades of green, so it's not that easy to differentiate the heartland region.
The next section is many pages with a gridlike pattern that you fill in with your planting and harvesting dates. I think. It's pretty freeform with no explanation of what you are supposed to fill in on the squares - which are quite small- but I assume this is what it's for.
The next section is a series of blank pages for journaling. I would use these to record details like weather patterns.
I can see where a journal like this can be benefial to a gardener. Tracking trends can bring your gardening down to a science.
I loved the cover design of this little book and the elastic cover holder. It should stand up to several years of use.
I've been gardening for about ten years but I have never kept a detailed log about my planting season but I am going to this year with the help of this little journal.
The book opens with a map of the united states and the planting zones. My only complaint here is that all of the zones are featured in shades of green, so it's not that easy to differentiate the heartland region.
The next section is many pages with a gridlike pattern that you fill in with your planting and harvesting dates. I think. It's pretty freeform with no explanation of what you are supposed to fill in on the squares - which are quite small- but I assume this is what it's for.
The next section is a series of blank pages for journaling. I would use these to record details like weather patterns.
I can see where a journal like this can be benefial to a gardener. Tracking trends can bring your gardening down to a science.
I loved the cover design of this little book and the elastic cover holder. It should stand up to several years of use.
Friday, February 16, 2018
Last Stop in Brooklyn by Lawrence H. Levy
My latest blog for Blogging For Books is here, and this month's special is Last Stop in Brooklyn, A Mary Handley Mystery.
While I mostly enjoyed this book, I wouldn't say it's been my favorite of he Mary Handley series. It lacked a bit of the charm and was a bit on the boring side, but that's mostly me because I've never found police corruption stories too intriguing,
The parts I enjoyed were Mary's interactions with Teddy Roosevelt, the small history facts and stories that are mixed into the telling of the story, and the relationship between Mary and the book store owner - she shows a gentler side when she is with him that I would like to see more of.
The parts I didn't enjoy: The mystery itself was a little confusing with too many characters, I just wasn't into it. I also wish Mary would show her friendly, fun loving side more often because at times she seems a little bitter and crude. And then there was her relationship with Harper which didn't get the build up it deserved. An independent woman like Mary should have had more books to develop her relationship before immediately sending her down the aisle.
Overall, the book was fair. I certainly haven't given up on the series and I hope there is more to come.
Overall, the book was fair. I certainly haven't given up on the series and I hope there is more to come.
Thursday, February 8, 2018
A Song Unheard by Roseanna M. White
Here is my latest blog for Bethany House Publishers.
The first words I thought of when I finished A Song Unheard were smart, lavish, and beautiful. Unlike some other romances, it is layered with intrigue and historical context. It doesn't skimp on storyline and draws out characters that are both strong and likeable.
The story centers around Willa and Lukas. Willa is an orphan from London who grew up with a ragtag family of pickpocketers. She meets with a mysterious Mr V who assigns her to find a key from famous violinist Lukas de Wilde. Lukas is staying with two sisters who have organized an orchestra in Wales when Willa shows up to stay with her "old high school friends".
Lukas has his own story. After escaping from Belgium and the invading German soldiers, he stays with the sisters in Wales until he can earn enough money to help his sister and mother also escape Belgium.
The story also shows Lukas's family back in Brussels as they hideout during the German invasion. One of the German soldiers, Gottlieb, becomes friendly with the mother and daughter and plays a crucial role in the end of the story.
Villains, heroes, spies, espionage, and a daring escape...there is a lot to this story. 403 pages long but it didn't feel long. Very enjoyable!
The first words I thought of when I finished A Song Unheard were smart, lavish, and beautiful. Unlike some other romances, it is layered with intrigue and historical context. It doesn't skimp on storyline and draws out characters that are both strong and likeable.
The story centers around Willa and Lukas. Willa is an orphan from London who grew up with a ragtag family of pickpocketers. She meets with a mysterious Mr V who assigns her to find a key from famous violinist Lukas de Wilde. Lukas is staying with two sisters who have organized an orchestra in Wales when Willa shows up to stay with her "old high school friends".
Lukas has his own story. After escaping from Belgium and the invading German soldiers, he stays with the sisters in Wales until he can earn enough money to help his sister and mother also escape Belgium.
The story also shows Lukas's family back in Brussels as they hideout during the German invasion. One of the German soldiers, Gottlieb, becomes friendly with the mother and daughter and plays a crucial role in the end of the story.
Villains, heroes, spies, espionage, and a daring escape...there is a lot to this story. 403 pages long but it didn't feel long. Very enjoyable!
Monday, February 5, 2018
Lone Wolf Lawman by Delores Fossen
Lone Wolf Lawman has a boom!boom!boom! style of action, where every chapter seems to end with a new twist to the plot. A serial killer father, shoot outs, several stalkers, a twin (!)
Does it get a little too convoluted? Yeah, a little. But at least it didn't put me to sleep.
Does it get a little too convoluted? Yeah, a little. But at least it didn't put me to sleep.
The Manning Sisters by Debbie Macomber
It looks like I picked up this book way back in October of 2014. Yes, my to-be-read piles are that deep!
The Manning Sisters was written in 1990 and you can feel it, romance novels of that decade were at their peak of hokum. (Think: Woman Falls in a mud pit, Cowboy slings her over his shoulder, and eloping after 2 weeks and maybe, three dates)
The Manning Sisters is a two-parter featuring Taylor, the transplanted school teacher who falls in love with a Montana male chauvinist, and her sister Christy, who visits after the inevitable baby is born. Christy meets the local cop during her stay, and it's love at first sight. Next thing you know, she's also thinking about marriage after a two week courtship! Those Seattle sisters move fast!
Is it cheesey? Yes. But in an Eating-Potato-Chips-During-A-Soap-Opera-Watching-Marathon sort of way. It's good, empty calorie entertainment, and Debbie Macomber never fails to give a fun read.
The Manning Sisters was written in 1990 and you can feel it, romance novels of that decade were at their peak of hokum. (Think: Woman Falls in a mud pit, Cowboy slings her over his shoulder, and eloping after 2 weeks and maybe, three dates)
The Manning Sisters is a two-parter featuring Taylor, the transplanted school teacher who falls in love with a Montana male chauvinist, and her sister Christy, who visits after the inevitable baby is born. Christy meets the local cop during her stay, and it's love at first sight. Next thing you know, she's also thinking about marriage after a two week courtship! Those Seattle sisters move fast!
Is it cheesey? Yes. But in an Eating-Potato-Chips-During-A-Soap-Opera-Watching-Marathon sort of way. It's good, empty calorie entertainment, and Debbie Macomber never fails to give a fun read.
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