King's Blood: A Book Review

Hello friends of the internet. I have just finished up my first semester at an official university and I am aching to write lots of blog posts this summer. So here is my first. A review of King's Blood by Jill Williamson. This book was complimentary and I am giving my honest review. King's Blood is the second book in the Kinsman Chronicles series, so be sure to check out King's Folly first! Welcome back to Book Thursdays!



Back cover: The Five Realms have been destroyed. The remnants of the population who escaped now find themselves confined only to several hundred ships adrift at sea. Guided by hope, rumor, and a promise, they sail north into the unknown, desperate to find land that might become their new home.

As the king's illness worsens, Sâr Wilek takes authority over the expedition and struggles to rule the disjointed people, while assassination attempts, vicious serpents, dangerous storms, and dark magic endanger his life and the survival of his people.

One prophecy has come to pass, but another looms dauntingly in the future. Who is the promised Deliverer? And if the Magonians have him, what might that mean for the realm of Armania?



One thing Jill Williamson always does well in / her books is world building. World building is the time an author takes to develop their world, all the intricacies of each culture and the expanse of each world they portray. Each of Williamson's novels has a great level of world building that helps make the story more real for the reader. It is an important skill and one she excels in.

One thing every good story need is a good character (or several). Williamson always crafts remarkable characters. Two of my favorites in this series are Sâr Trevn and Hinkdan Faluk, two young men in some perilous situations. I've so enjoyed reading Hinkdan's character development over the first book and this one. He has become so courageous and I like him very much. Other characters are also lovely, though I disliked Charlon (another main character) more this time around. Other characters were written perfectly to disgust the average reader with a conscious, including Sâr Janek and Sir Kamran DanSâr.

The plot of this novel was quite expansive. The novel is nearly six-hundred pages and covers many characters in a detailed and exciting story. A helpful character appendix at the front of the book will help forgetful readers keep characters and relations straight. The story does not feel rushed. I think the pacing was handled well so that everything moved at a good speed. This is that rare type of book with light moments and parts that will make you sob... at least for me. I finished this book in tears, but still excited for the next installment. So if you prefer stories that only include happiness, then this book is not for you. But if you enjoy the realism of pain, the joy of life, and exciting fantasy, you may just in enjoy this story. It is well worth the time it takes to read (and really, it's so interesting that six-hundred pages aren't anything.)

I recommend this book and if you are interested in reading it, you can find it here or wherever it may be sold.

~ Bethany

The Lost Girl of Astor Street Clue Hunt: Clue #19

Hello, lovely friends and welcome to the Lost Girl of Astor Street Clue Hunt! The fabulous Stephanie Morrill's latest book has just released and here is a bit more about it:

Lydia has vanished.

Lydia, who’s never broken any rules, except falling in love with the wrong boy. Lydia, who’s been Piper’s best friend since they were children. Lydia, who never even said good-bye.

Convinced the police are looking in all the wrong places, eighteen-year-old Piper Sail begins her own investigation in an attempt to solve the mystery of Lydia’s disappearance. With the reluctant help of a handsome young detective, Piper goes searching for answers in the dark underbelly of 1924 Chicago, determined to find Lydia at any cost.

When Piper discovers those answers might stem from the corruption strangling the city—and quite possibly lead back to the doors of her affluent neighborhood—she must decide how deep she’s willing to dig, how much she should reveal, and if she’s willing to risk her life of privilege for the sake of the truth.

From the glitzy homes of the elite to the mob-run streets of 1920s Chicago, Stephanie Morrill’s jazz-age mystery shows just how far a girl will go to save her friend.

Now, I know you're really here for the clue, but first, Stephanie has some awesome content to share with you, including this snazzy list,

                                                                  10 Things to Love About the 1920s.

10. Men wearing fedoras and other kinds of hats. A pretty dapper time in men's fashion.

9. The general glitz of fashionable evening wear. Beaded dresses and sparkly diadems and fringe hems.

8. The cheesy slang. The bee's knees, the cat's pajamas, the elephant's instep. It's hard to pick

7. Handkerchiefs: I was so excited to finally write a book where a guy could offer a girl his handkerchief when she was feeling distressed.

6. The Fitzgeralds. The way that F. Scott and Zelda came to embody the 1920s just fascinates me.

5. The Charleston: I'm not a dancer, but that song lifts my spirits. I would have enjoyed learning that.

4. The simplicity of women's dresses. No corsets, no complicated buttons up the back of a dress. Lots of simple lines and comfort.

3. Bobbed hair. I currently choose to wear my hair long, but I love that this decade made it acceptable for women to wear their hair short if they wanted.

2. Improved health care for women. Now that women could vote, politicians started caring a lot more about things that women cared about. Birthing centers at hospitals improved greatly during this decade.

1. Cloche hats, those bell shaped hats you see flappers wearing. I seriously adjusted the year my story was set in when I discovered cloche hats were not popular until 1924.




Stephanie Morrill is the creator of GoTeenWriters.com and the author of several young adult novels, including the historical mystery, The Lost Girl of Astor Street. Despite loving cloche hats and drop-waist dresses, Stephanie would have been a terrible flapper because she can’t do the Charleston and looks awful with bobbed hair. She and her near-constant ponytail live in Kansas City with her husband and three kids.





Being a part of this hunt has been great fun. Write down the hint and head to the next stop. (Pst... if you can't find it, here's a hint--the text is a different color.) Onward and good luck!

Clue 1: Stephanie Morrill
Clue 2: Some Books Are
Clue 3: Gabriella Slade
Clue 4: Page by Page, Book by Book
Clue 5: Pens and Scrolls
Clue 6: Singing Librarian Books
Clue 7: Heather Manning
Clue 8: Annie Louise Twitchell
Clue 9: Noveling Novelties
Clue 10: Kaitee Hart
Clue 11: Classics and Craziness
Clue 12: Zerina Blossom
Clue 13: Rebecca Morgan
Clue 14: Keturah's Korner
Clue 15: That Book Gal
Clue 16: Anna Schaeffer
Clue 17: Hadley Grace
Clue 18: Lydia Howe
Clue 19: Ramblings by Bethany
Clue 20: Matilda Sjöholm
Clue 21: Lydia Carns
Clue 22: Broken Birdsong
Clue 23 & Clue 24: The Ink Loft
Clue 25: Roseanna M. White

Paper Crowns: Book Spotlight

 My friend Mirriam Neal has a new book out, Paper Crowns. Here is some more information on this fascinating sounding story.

Synopsis:

 Ginger has lived in seclusion, with only her aunt Malgarel and her blue cat, Halcyon, to keep her company. Her sheltered, idyllic life is turned upside-down when her home is attacked by messengers from the world of fae. Accompanied by Halcyon (who may or may not be more than just a cat), an irascible wysling named Azrael, and a loyal fire elemental named Salazar, Ginger ventures into the world of fae to bring a ruthless Queen to justice.

Sounds compelling, right? If you'd like to check it further, take a look at some of these links. Maybe you'll find your new favorite author.

Goodreads

Publisher's page

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

And to finish off, here is a bit about the amazing Mirriam herself. 

                                                                             

  Mirriam Neal is a twenty-two-year-old Northwestern hipster living in Atlanta. She writes hard-to-describe books in hard-to-describe genres, and illustrates things whenever she finds the time.  She aspires to live as faithfully and creatively as she can and she hopes you do, too.

Blog: https://mirriamneal.com/

Email: the-shieldmaiden@hotmail.com

I hope you enjoyed this book spotlight and will take a look into the further career of this talented author. 

The New Colored Pencil: A Book Review

 Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I have so many things to be thankful for. I'm thankful to have my family that I love so much, my friends, and my writing and theater. God has blessed me innumerably. This Thanksgiving is a bit stranger because my beautiful Mammaw just passed away, but we are also thankful that she is in Heaven rejoicing with the Savior that she loved so much. 

 I have so many books to review, so I hope you guys are interested in learning about some neat books. Today's book is The New Colored Pencil by Kristy Ann Kutch. I received this book in exchange for my honest review. This book is a bit different than the ones I have reviewed so far, a fact that will soon be apparent. 

Description: 
Start coloring, relieve stress, and learn to create radiant, original works of art using colored pencils, wax pastels, and watercolor pencils.

Add vibrancy to your coloring creations with instruction from best-selling author and teacher Kristy Kutch as she guides you through recommendations for the newest colored pencil brands, best drawing surfaces, and groundbreaking techniques.

Including easy step-by-step demonstrations and inspiring art from today’s best colored pencil artists,The New Colored Pencil shows you how to use color theory to your advantage, combine color media, create and enhance textures, and experiment with surfaces to create phenomenal effects. Whether you use traditional wax-based, or watercolor colored pencils, The New Colored Pencil will take your creative art pieces to a whole new level.

 First off, let me note that this book is beautiful. As you can see from the cover, it makes for a perfect review to post on Thanksgiving. Inside the book are lots and lots of gorgeous illustrations, most of them created by talented author, Kristy Ann Kutch. You could just have the book to look at the many lovely pictures inside.

 This book is very detailed. The author lists many different sources for artistic materials, their quality, and about how expensive they usually are. In some cases too much detail can be an annoyance, but for a book like this, I think it fits very well. While the description lead me to think it was a tutorial book, I found it more to be a guide and advice book. There aren't a lot of step-to-step instructions throughout (I didn't quite finish the book before this review, but I have read and looked enough for this review), but there are some that seem like step-to-step and you could follow along with. I think this is more of a detailed resource that you can use for advice about supplies, technique, and many other aspects of colored pencil drawing. 

I'm really happy to have this book as part of my growing creative books collection. Learning more about the art of coloring with pencils is something I am sure I will be able to put to good use. If you're an art enthusiast and want to learn more about colored pencils, whether you are experienced or a newbie, I'm sure you can use this book. I certainly have enjoyed having it. 

~ a rambling author

The Sound of Emeralds: Cover Reveal!

 Hey guys! I have a special treat for you today. The cover reveal of The Sound of Emerald by Rachelle Rea. *Insert trumpeting.* Before I share the cover, here is the series description.

The Steadfast Love Series is set in 16th-century Europe, where the Reformation rages between Protestants and Catholics. Gwyneth, a half-Dutch Catholic, flees from England to Holland to escape the man who murdered her parents. When he follows her there and insists he has come to rescue her, will she trust him? Or would she rather succumb to the violence surrounding the Dutch Revolution?


 Now that you obviously want to read this book, part of a series, here is the goodreads link to learn more about it.

 And now... The reveal!

Tada! Isn't it lovely? You can order it here on Amazon.


About the author:  Rachelle Rea plots her novels while driving around the little town she’s lived in all her life in her dream car, a pick-up truck. As a freelance editor, she enjoys mentoring fellow authors in the craft. A homeschool graduate and retired gymnast, she wrote the Sound of Silver the summer after her junior year of college.

Patriots, Redcoats, & Spies: A Book Review

Hi guys! It's Thursday and I actually have a book post for you. So Book Thursdays are back! (Today at least.) I have another middle grade book review for you guys today! Whoot whoot. The book is Patriots, Redcoats, & Spies by Robert J Skead with Robert A Skead. (A father and son team.) I received this book free through BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

Back cover:

When Revolutionary War Patriot Lamberton Clark is shot by British soldiers while on a mission for the Continental Army, he has only two hopes of getting the secret message he’s carrying to General George Washington: his 14-year-old twin boys John and Ambrose. Upon discovering that their father is a spy in the Culper Spy Ring, the boys accept their mission without a clue about what they may be up against. They set off from Connecticut to New Jersey to find General Washington, but the road to the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army is full of obstacles; including the man who shot their father who is hot on their trail.

 My thoughts: Wow. This book had every good quality a middle grade book should have. It was fast paced, intriguing, heart pumping at times, and I enjoyed all the characters.

 I liked both of the twins. Quiet, responsible John, and unruly, playful Ambrose were both interesting to read about. I rooted for them both in a way and wanted them to bond as friends as well as brothers. The villains were well written and just slimy enough for a middle grade book. Actually, they were pretty downright creepy. There were several other great characters, and I loved the inclusion on important historical characters from the Revolutionary War like George Washington and some other fellows.

 The plot was quite good. I think I read this in about a day. It is middle grade so it's shorter (one of the reasons I enjoy middle grade when I haven't much time for younger books) but it was still an intriguing story that kept me turning the pages. There were many pitfalls and struggles to overcome. I really liked this book and all the history it incorporated. I hope I get to read the next books in the series as well.

 With it's fast paced, arresting plot, this book is great for boys to read, especially those a little curious about history. I think it's good for girls too, of course, but it might appeal especially to the younger guy crowd. Some older ones might find it interesting as well. Overall it is a solid middle grade addition and I'm sure many will enjoy it. You can buy it here.

~ a rambling author

Rain in December

 Hi everyone! I'm very excited to share about my friend Emily Rachelle Russel's new poetry book titled Rain in December!

 Emily has given me the honor of being among a group of bloggers revealing the cover and some tidbits about the book. So without further ado, here is the cover!

Ahhh! Isn't it just lovely! I love the simple and elegant look of the flowers and I think the font is perfect.

Here's a sample poem. 

Star-crossed lovers

I'll reach to the stars 

I'll reach to the moon

 I'll reach through the galaxy far

 To find you, my dearest,

 My darling, my love, 

And be in the place where you are.

Rain in December releases on March 31 and will be available on Kindle and paperback. If you would like to pre-order, you can find it here. 

 While waiting for it to release, why not check out Emily's website?

 Thanks for reading!

~ a rambling author

Locum Tenens: A Book Review

 Hey guys. It's December now, school is finishing up, so that means a lot of reviews will be coming soon, as well as some other things I hope! Keep posted on that. I'm going to try to schedule out my next semester better so I can get everything I need done, including blog posts. Today I have a review for you! The first two volumes of Locum Tenens, a young adult sci fi story.

 I was unable to find an image of the story for some reason, so I'll just link you to the Amazon page here.

Info:  Mike wasn't meant for military training. He studied hard to get the scores needed for advanced schooling, only to be coerced by his community to take his brother's place, where military Inductees face life and death in the Agoga. Will he survive?

Okay, so I usually review only for Christian publishers, and after reading this story I'll probably be going back to that. But here is my full review to explain myself. This is difficult to write.

 The characters... I liked the characters pretty well. Mike was an adorable, nerdy character. Those are my favorite kind. If a story has a nerd in it, I'm hooked. I just love them to death. There were also some likable recruits and less likable ones. There were many military heads in the story, some I liked more than others. There wasn't a whole lot of character development in the first two installments, but more on that later. But I did like Mike's narration.

The story... The story was intriguing. The idea of some horrible accident happening that required a less than physically fit boy to take his brother's place at an intense and deadly military school was pretty riveting. I wanted to find out what was going to happen to Mike. The fact that all of the technology used actually exists in mind blowing. Like... that is so cool! I really liked the plot and wanted to read more when I finished.

The grammar was pretty good, but there were a couple places that words were omitted, and perhaps some typos placed. That's not a big deal to me. What a reader should know before purchasing is that Locum Tenems is in a serialized sort of format. The book is being released in volumes, and only two are currently out. They're extremely short books. If I focused I could probably read them from half an hour to an hour. That being said, if you're really busy, they're great for just a quick read. It was unfortunate that the stories had to end at climactic times, especially the second volume, but I think that must be the author's intention to keep people reading.

 What I disliked the most about this series are the moral issues. Many might think that sounds so stiff or whatever, but I am a Christian, and this is a Christian blog. Most of my readers are probably Christians, and since I review many YA Christian books, I have to be honest with my reviewers so that they don't read something they wouldn't want to. Once I started seeing some of the content of these books I didn't really want to review them, but I need to post it. There was too much implied sexual content for a book of this age range. It wasn't as if anything happened, but there was crude sexual humor implied. I don't want to go into details on it because it makes me uncomfortable. I suppose the author was making an attempt to show what young boys are like, but I think he could have chosen a better method. There were also a few cuss words scattered throughout, something else I'm not much of a fan of. The point is I can't recommend this to my readers. Because I rate my books half on quality and half on morals, I'll give this story two and a half stars. It would have been three or four without the extra that I had to take it a notch down on.

 Thanks for reading!

~ a rambling author

 I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Summer Reading List

 I have a bunch of books I want to read over the Summer... and though it's halfway through now, I still want to read these, even if I can't finish all of them. I just did not anticipate my Summer being this busy! So here are some of my "Summer Reading List" that will transition into the Fall.

 I wanted to read some classics, as well as some books I have on my shelf yet to be read.

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo is one. A friend was sweet enough to give me this and I've been wanting to read it.

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maude Montgomery I kind of want to re-read this if I have a chance.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott I need to actually read this.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Same with this one.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgston Burnett Need to read this.

The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers I want to re-read this. One of my favorite books.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis I want to re-read the entire series.

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien I've already started 'Fellowship' but it somehow got sent back to the library so I shall be purchasing it.

The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict by Trenton Lee Stewart A prequel to one of my favorite series.

Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury Another gift that I need to (and have been wanting to) read.

Prelude for a Lord by Camille Elliot A review book

The Merchant's Apprentice by C.F. Barrows Written by one of my friends, it needs reading.

Cascade by Lisa Tawn Bergren What I'm reading right now. 

And there are several others I may fill you in on later. But these are plenty I think to focus on right now.

 What are you reading? Any classics you recommend?

~ a rambling author

Echoes of Mercy: A Book Review

 So, I have gotten a lot of review books lately, and in my rush to review them all, I just realized there are a couple I've read that I haven't reviewed yet. Wow! So tonight I'm going to review Echoes of Mercy by Kim Vogel Sawyer.

Back cover: Sometimes a secret must be kept for the truth to be revealed.

When a suspicious accident occurs at the famous Dinsmore Chocolate Factory in Sinclair, Kansas, Caroline Lang goes undercover as a factory worker to investigate the circumstances surrounding the event and how the factory treats its youngest employees—the child workers. Caroline’s fervent faith, her difficult childhood, and compassionate heart drove her to her job as an investigator for the Labor Commission and she is compelled to see children freed from such heavy adult responsibilities, to allow them to pursue an education.  

Oliver Dinsmore, heir to the Dinsmore candy dynasty, has his own investigation to conduct. Posing as a common worker known as “Ollie Moore,” he aims to find out all he can about the family business before he takes over for his father. Caroline and Oliver become fast friends, but tension mounts when the two find themselves at odds about the roles of child workers. Hiding their identities becomes even more difficult when fate brings them together over three children in desperate need. When all is revealed, will the truth destroy the love starting to grow between them?

 

 

 

  First of all, I love the title. Second of all... I love chocolate. Third... I really like Kim Vogel Sawyer.

 I volunteered to read this book because of all of these reasons. I've been in two different shows of Willy Wonka the musical, so chocolate kind of has a special place in my heart. Also, mysteries, and children in trouble made me intrigued.

 The characters were awesome! I found something to love about all of them. Spunky Carrie was so cool, and Ollie so sweet, even if they disagreed. Then there were slightly smaller characters like Kesia that really livened up the cast. I loved each character, and the book would lack something without each of them.

 I enjoyed the plot. A possible murder always shakes things up and makes you wonder if the same is going to happen again. I enjoyed reading about the hiring methods, and how a factory works, and the subplot about the three children Carrie is trying to help out.

 This book is a fine excursion into pre child labor law history. Sawyer did not disappoint, and I really enjoyed reading this, and look forward to more books by this author.

~ a rambling author

The Heart's Pursuit: A Book Review (And Tarzan.)

  Hey ya’ll! I guess it’s obvious that I haven’t been posting this week. Know why? It’s tech week for Tarzan! In this show I get to walk around on my knuckles and make ape noises. It’s very physically challenging but super fun and I’m having a fantastic time. We open tomorrow night! WHOO! 

 So I’m going to review The Heart’s Pursuit by Robin Lee Hatcher. I received this book through BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

 

A jilted bride desperate to save her family from ruin.
A bounty hunter seeking vengeance for a ravaged past.
An arduous trek toward justice--or redemption.

Silver Matlock and Jared Newman know traveling together is a bad idea. Bad for Silver's already tarnished reputation in her small Colorado town. Bad for bounty hunter Jared's secret, single-minded mission for revenge. But Silver is determined to track down the rogue who left her at the altar and stole the last remnant of her father's fortune. And Jared's in a hurry to hunt down the murderer who destroyed his family--even if Silver is too distractingly beautiful for comfort.

The pair takes off over mountain and desert, past bleak homesteads and raw mining towns, hot on the trail of the two villains who took what wasn't theirs to take. Soon supplies dwindle, secrets emerge, and suspicion leave Silver and Jared at odds when they need each other most. To confront an enemy deadlier than desert rattlesnakes and rocky cliffs, Silver and Jared must learn to forgive and trust and face the question they haven't dared voice: What happens next?

I liked this book. It was a Western, which I’ve only read a few of, and it was pretty good. The characters were cool. I love the name Silver. Silver herself was an opinionated woman with a strong desire to help her family not go into poverty. She had some admirable qualities even if she could be stubborn at times. Jared was also interesting. Imagine hunting for someone for years, and only having that on your mind… With a mission for revenge he soon finds that some other things might be more important. There was a good supporting cast as well, some appearing for a chapter, others many more.They all played their part well, and some I may have liked to see more of. 

 The plot was pretty good. There were times I wish more would have happened concerning certain situations, but over all it turned out pretty good. There were some things involving saloons I wasn't a big fan of, but such is a novel. Overall it was pretty good. I wish there were a little more to the plot and characters, but it was satisfactory. 

Mrs. Hatcher managed to write an intriguing Western that caused me to stay up a bit too late a couple of times. You can purchase the book on Amazon or many other places.

~ a rambling author

While Love Stirs: A Book Review

 Hello all! Today (or tonight, I should say) I will be reviewing While Love Stirs by Lorna Seilstad. I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
 
From the back cover: After graduating from Fannie Farmer's School of Cookery in 1910, Charlotte Gregory is ready to stir things up. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to travel, lecture, and give cooking demonstrations on the very latest kitchen revolution--the gas stove--and certainly doesn't mind that the gas company has hired the handsome Lewis Mathis to perform at her lectures. Lewis encourages her work, especially her crusade to introduce fresh, appetizing, nutritious food to those convalescing in hospitals. But young hospital superintendent Dr. Joel Brooks is not convinced any changes should be made--especially by this outspoken young woman.

When Charlotte and Joel are coerced into planning a fund-raising gala for the hospital, will this combustible pair explode?




 Where to start with this book? Well, from the beginning I wasn't entirely certain. I'm not the most romantic of readers, so I wasn't sure what to think of this book when I requested it, but it intrigued me enough that I did. Boy was I in for a pleasant surprise! This wasn't your average historical romance, that's for sure. There were nights when I had decided to read one chapter before going to sleep, and instead I found myself reading 'just one more' for several chapters more. If a book can keep me up late, it's a keeper.

 First there's the plot. I love food. I mean, if you don't then I don't see how you're living right now. The main character is an accomplished cook, and the book showcases her abilities... describing delightful foods that are liable to make your mouth water. Mmm. But in 1910 it's hard for a woman to find a professional cooking position--especially as a chef. She runs into Doctor Joel Brooks and immediately the fire starts popping. Those two just don't mesh well at all! Exciting things start to happen. She gets a traveling job and meets a sweet young man with a beautiful voice, but she can't seem to avoid the man she can't speak to without getting into an argument. And THEN she has to plan a charity ball with him? Uh oh! Besides the main plot, there is also an interesting subplot regarding to Charlotte's younger sister, Tessa, and the shenanigans she gets herself into at the local theater. I found this subplot just are riveting as the main plot, and I admit, that may be because of my love of the arts (and Peter Pan!!!! which is featured in the story.)

 The characters were equally enjoyable. I found myself feeling for them in their moments of disappointment, heart ache, and joy. Charlotte was a fun character. While she was feisty, she also had a heart for service that isn't always shown in a novel. Joel was also interesting. Sometimes I wanted to shake him, but he had many admirable qualities himself. Tessa was my favorite, I think. Maybe because she's similar to me in some ways. I can't wait to see her story.

 I liked how the book wasn't just fluff as you so often see. There's was a deeper message, including how some of the characters had a need to control their situations, and what comes of that, and how God always knows how to fill our vessels when we need them. I enjoyed seeing how little strings were dropped in the beginning or middle of the book that you wouldn't really think about, but at the end everything found itself tied up and making sense. I find that an admirable quality. I also liked all the history incorporated into the story. I didn't know when I requested this book that it was a sequel, and now I know I need to get the first one. Though this one was stand alone, I enjoyed it so much, I want to read the first.

 So yes, I enjoyed this book! And I will be passing it on to my mother to see if she agrees with my hypothesis.

 Buy it here.

~ a rambling author

Dear Mr. Knightley: A Book Review

 Hey everyone! Yeesh. Can you believe I haven't blogged all month? I guess that happens when your internet dies for long periods of time. The good news is, it's back up! Yay! So I'm back. And I have a ton of book reviews due! One thing about lack of internet... You have more time for reading. Later this coming week I'll be reviewing When Love Stirs but for now I'm reviewing Dear Mr. Knightly by Katherine Reay. I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

 Back cover: Samantha Moore has always hidden behind the words of others—namely, her favorite characters in literature. Now, she will learn to write her own story—by giving that story to a complete stranger.

Sam is, to say the least, bookish. An English major of the highest order, her diet has always been Austen, Dickens, and Shakespeare. The problem is, both her prose and conversation tend to be more Elizabeth Bennet than Samantha Moore.

But life for the twenty-three-year-old orphan is about to get stranger than fiction. An anonymous, Dickensian benefactor (calling himself Mr. Knightley) offers to put Sam through Northwestern University’s prestigious Medill School of Journalism. There is only one catch: Sam must write frequent letters to the mysterious donor, detailing her progress.

As Sam’s dark memory mingles with that of eligible novelist Alex Powell, her letters to Mr. Knightley become increasingly confessional. While Alex draws Sam into a world of warmth and literature that feels like it’s straight out of a book, old secrets are drawn to light. And as Sam learns to love and trust Alex and herself, she learns once again how quickly trust can be broken.

This story is reminiscent of books like Daddy Long Legs. It tells the tale of an orphan who has been selected as part of a scholarship program to go to a school for journalism. This girl with trust issues has one requirement to fill: pen letters to her mysterious benefactor who dubs himself "Mr. Knightley" - a character from the Jane Austen novel Emma. Now, I'm a big fan of Daddy Long Legs, and though I have yet to complete a Jane Austen novel (I know... shame on me... but they're on my reading list!) I enjoy the films based on them, and plan on reading the books soon. Aside from these sources, I found quotes and references to many other famous works of fiction--my favorite being a scene taken from The Voyage of The Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis.This just made the book even more awesome.

 One thing that really added to the experience was that I read this with my mom. Reading a book out loud can be a hilarious occupation, adding to the humor. I found myself laughing out loud as I read to mom while she drove or made dinner. It became our special time, and that made me like the story even more somehow.

 I love the characters. Alex is awesome. I was jealous of Sam because of her friendship with an actual novelist. Okay, maybe not jealous, but you get the idea. And I felt for Sam. As her past was revealed, and she worked with other kids who had suffered similar things, it just made my heart ache.

 I loved this book. It had all the things I love, and this writer has a wonderful talent! With every reference and awkward situation I found myself more and more won over. This was a pleasure to read and review, and I can't wait for her next book. I can't believe this is her first published story. But congratulations to her for being nominated for a Christy award! She deserves it.

Buy it here.

I hope you enjoyed!

~ a rambling author

Oh, and by the way... I have another blog I'm apart of.... this one crazier than all the rest! See it here.

Birthday Books

 Alrighty, so I already talked about having my birthday this past Saturday. Well, I received three books from friends, and I've decided to showcase them today.

 The first book I received just after midnight, from one of my close friends. It was... Les Miserables! I've listened to the audio drama, been in the musical, seen the musical, etc... but I've never actually read the full out giant book for myself before. I'm so excited to add this classic to my read list! Yay! Have you read Les Mis, or a book of equal length? What's your favorite classic?


 The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers. Seriously, I LOVE this book. It's been a couple of years since I've read it, and I'm thrilled to read it once again. It's a beautiful story and highly recommended. Have you read any Francine Rivers books? Have a favorite?
A few hours later, during lunch, another friend surprised me with a present. One was a Doctor Who mug, (YES!) and the other a book. And not just any book. My favorite book.




 Lastly, not long after my second surprise, a wonderful mother gave me a fantastic gift, and one ofUnlocked by Karen Kingsbury. This is actually a story I've been wanting to read. I was interested in reading about a boy with autism and how a local girl wants to 'unlock' him. I'm really excited to read this.
things inside was...



 So thank you to the three people who were so kind to get me these lovely books. I'm can't wait to read them! (Note: Also, I received a Barnes and Noble gift card, so more books! Yay!)

~ a rambling author

Top Ten Most Influential Books {Blog Tag}

  Hey everyone! It's reading time! And since I'm still reading One Realm Beyond, I've decided to do a blog tag I saw on Inklined. See original post here. I wasn't actually tagged in this, but I thought it would be fun to try. You're supposed to list ten books that have influenced you greatly. So here's ten books that influenced me. I'm sure there are more, but here are a few, in no particular order. (Also, I would like to mention that the Bible has influenced me more than any other book out there, but that's a given, so these are just other books.)

 

1. American Girl Books -- I'm talking most of the classics here. Samantha, Kirsten, and Addy were among my favorites. These were some of my favorite books I read when I was little, and I loved them. I really do think they helped start my love for story telling. 

 

2. Captive Treasure by Milly Howard -- This was arguably my favorite book when I was younger. I was fascinated by Carrie's story, and in my earlier writing days, many of my stories were inspired by this book... let's just say I tried to re-create it in my own way before I realized that wasn't such a good idea. Since reading this book, I've also tried to find other books like it, but I don't think I've found it's equal yet. At least a similar storyline that holds such a special place in my heart. 

 

3. Raiders From the Sea (and the rest of the Viking Quest Series) by Lois Walfrid Johnson -- Yet another book series that inspired me in my writing. I loved the writing style and characters of these middle grade books about Vikings and the people they capture, and read them, and loved them. 

 

4. The Door Within Series by Wayne Thomas Batson -- This was probably the first book I read that really made me want to write fantasy, this was a turning point since I'd mostly been writing present day, and inaccurate historical before this point.       

 

5. Narnia series by C.S. Lewis -- Before I really was into writing fantasy, this classic series introduced me to the genre. I reveled in the story, loving every aspect. I went through a point of having a fansite, and I even now occasionally write fanfiction. But I'm a diehard bookie, so I always stick to the book version of the story. 

 

6. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale -- Besides Narnia, this may have been the first fantasy I really read. This book sucked me in from the start, and cemented me as a Shannon Hale fan, even though it was the first book I'd read by her. I now own almost every book by her. (Same with Wayne Thomas Batson.)

 

7. The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers (and everything else she's written.) -- I didn't know anything about Francine Rivers until I saw the movie based on this book when I was younger. After that, I just had to read every book I could get a hold of by her, including this one. It was Sin Eater and Redeeming Love that stood out to me the most though. Francine Rivers just has a beautiful writing style, and her work always holds depth to it. She doesn't just write "fluff" but her stories hold something deep and true. She is my inspiration that makes me want to write something of worth, something that isn't just your everyday story, but something that holds deep nuggets of truth entwined in the pages... something that has meaning. She is arguably the writer who has had the most impact on my life. And Last Sin Eater really stood out to me. 

8. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart -- I didn't discover this clever middle grade series until my early teens, but I was immediately engrossed by this story filled with puzzles, quirky characters, and exciting situations. I'm a huge fan, and wish the writer would pen some more, should the inspiration strike. Very inspiring. This story has some amazing and unique characterization. 

9. Replication by Jill Williamson -- This was the first book I read by this author, and I was blown away this book that introduced me to the world of "spec fic." Apparently, fantasy doesn't just have to be a Twillight model (ick), or take place in another world. Spec fic can be fantasy, dystopian, sci fi, etc. I loved Replication... the writing style, the characters... everything! So, of course, I now own almost every Jill Williamson book, and she is one of my biggest inspirations. I want to write my stories in the vein that she does... fantastic stories with truth. 

10. Band of Sisters by Cathy Gohlke -- This is a book to make you think, to make you evaluate. There are so many things going on under our noses, and this one focuses on the horrors of "white slavery," and setting a story that still applies now in the early 1900's. Seriously. Read this book. You'll find yourself wanting to do your part to help free children and women everywhere. 

 So there's my ten! There are so many that I could list like Chasing Jupiter, or Burning Sky, but there's only ten spots. But rest assured, there are many books that have touched me, and many more that I'm sure will. 

 Want to take part in this tag? Go ahead! For now, I'll tag 10 bloggers, but you can do it even if you aren't tagged!

Katelyn

Leah

Heather

Mirriam

Elizabeth

Lily

Brian

Rosie

Victoria

Aidyl 

 

~ a rambling author

   

What I'm Reading....

  So, I don't have a book review today, but I'll share with you what I'm reading, and it's a plus that it has a beautiful cover.

One of the things I'm trying to do with my new Book Thursdays is to share covers that are beautiful, or that appeal to me. This one definitely fits into that category. I love the color choice, and the mysteriousness of the figure on the front. It's just all so great.

 I'm reading this book to review, actually, but I must say I'm enjoying it so far. I'll finish... it's quite a chunky book. It may be next week, or two weeks from now, or... who knows? But since I'm having a good time reading it, it shouldn't take too terribly long.


What are you guys reading?

 Don't forget to ask Elric questions!

 ~ a rambling author

The Governess of Highland Hall: A Book Review

  Hello everyone! Today I will be reviewing The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky! I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Back Cover: Worlds lie between the marketplaces of India and the halls of a magnificent country estate like Highland Hall. Will Julia be able to find her place when a governess is neither upstairs family nor downstairs help?

Missionary Julia Foster loves working alongside her parents, ministering and caring for young girls in India. But when the family must return to England due to illness, she readily accepts the burden for her parents’ financial support. Taking on a job at Highland Hall as governess, she quickly finds that teaching her four privileged, ill-mannered charges at a grand estate is more challenging than expected, and she isn’t sure what to make of the estate’s preoccupied master, Sir William Ramsey.

Widowed and left to care for his two young children and his deceased cousin Randolph’s two teenage girls, William is consumed with saving the estate from the financial ruin. The last thing he needs is any distraction coming from the kindhearted-yet-determined governess who seems to be quietly transforming his household with her persuasive personality, vibrant prayer life, and strong faith.

While both are tending past wounds and guarding fragile secrets, Julia and William are determined to do what it takes to save their families—common ground that proves fertile for unexpected feelings. But will William choose Julia’s steadfast heart and faith over the wealth and power he needs to secure Highland Hall’s future?

~

 Right then. I may be a fantasy lover, but give me a chance at a good historical fiction and I'm apt to love it just as much. I enjoyed this book. It isn't my favorite historical read of recent memory, but I really did like it. So that I don't ramble on too much, let's look at a few key elements. 

 The plot. The plot was good. I liked the idea of a missionary returning after years of being gone having to adjust back to life as well as getting a job to support her family. It was interesting to watch her work with her charges in a way that would glorify God. There was lots of tension in this book. There was the knowledge of past hurts, and plenty of characters to provide people to dislike. :P 

 This leads me to... the characters. Everyone had a purpose, and everyone accomplished their purpose well. There was Julia, who was wonderful as a sensible missionary/governess trying to get by and changing everyone around her in the process. Then there was William, a multi-faceted man with many deep hurts that Julia found herself being used by the Lord to try to heal. The children were adorable, and unlike the cover leads you to believe, were not that unruly. Millie was a sweet little girl, and Andrew was merely what you'd expect from a nine-year-old boy, full of energy and longing for his father's approval. The two cousins, though, were a bit tough to handle, especially Katherine. Anywho, there were a lot of great characters in the book, and there were a few I really, really, really didn't like, such as the house keeper and William's brother, David. But they were all,  necessary to the plot of the story, and I suppose it wouldn't have been as good without them. 

 Content was what you would expect from a Christian historical romance. No foul language, or anything of the sort. As far as other content goes, there is some kissing, and a guy tries to force himself on a girl, kissing her, but it is quickly put to a stop. 

 At the end of the book I felt like they could have shown the results of different things in the story more. I felt the ending was a bit abrupt, though not enough that I didn't enjoy it. I wanted to see more about the family after certain circumstances, and more of the staff reactions, and... Well, spoilers.

Overall, this was a fun read, and I would love to read the next book in the series. 

 ~ a rambling author

                                            

                                                   

Book Thursdays

 Hello everyone! This is the third post this week. So far so good! Today is the day to celebrate books! It might have to do with any facet of books, like reviews, or covers, or just about anything! Today, I'm just going to share a few books that are coming up in my review schedule.

  First off will be The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky which I should be finished with and ready to review by next Thursday! I'm enjoying it so far. It's about a young woman who was a missionary with her family for many years until her father's sickness force them to come back to England where she applies for the job of a governess. You'll find out more next Thursday if you come, or you can just look it up for yourself on Amazon, or goodreads, or CBD.

 Next up... Undaunted by Christine Caine. This is the student edition of the book, and challenges young people to dare to do what God calls them to do. I've only read a short amount of it, but it seems very good and thought provoking. It also deals with an issue close to my heart... that of the trafficking of young women. I'm thinking it will be a good devotional companion.

 This one I don't know /too/ much about as it's the first in a series, and I have yet to read it. But it sounds pretty interesting as a fantasy novel... involving jumping between worlds and dragons. I guess I'll see what I think.

 This book just arrived in the mail today. And I'm itching to read it. From what I've gathered, it looks to be a mixture of Daddy Long Legs and a Jane Austen book. But in present day. Being a fan of both Daddy Long Legs (squee!) and Jane Austen type stuff, this book may be the perfect thing for me. It's even written in letter form like DLL and she's writing to a guy using the name of a Jane Austen character. An orphan girl's education is paid for by a secret benefactor who requires she write him letters about her progresss.

Lastly, (I believe...) is Outcasts by Jill Williamson. This one should need no explanation if you've read many of my blog posts. I LOVE Jill Williamson writing. In fact, I own both the ARC and published version of the prequel to the first book in this series, Captives. This has yet to arrive, but I expect it's in the mail. In the future most of civilization lives in a walled city known as the Safe Lands... but the Safe Lands aren't as safe as promised. When they don't have much hope of a future of having healthy children, they kidnap many of a small village outside the city... and the story continues in this book. I'm excited to read it!

 I believe those are the books in my review queue. I have a lot more books that are just for reading for fun... Perhaps I'll share some of them at a later time... but for now...

 What are you reading? Any review books? Or just reading for pleasure?

~ a rambling author