Archive for May, 2009
Review: Beyond This Moment by Tamera Alexandar
May 29th, 2009 | 
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Beyond This Moment by Tamera Alexander is the 2nd book in her Timber Ridge series.
ABOUT THE BOOK
When Dr. Molly Whitcomb, Professor of Romance Languages, steps off the train in Colorado Territory, she makes a choice–one that goes against everything she stands for. Yet it’s the only choice that offers her a chance to regain a fraction of all she’s lost.
Sheriff James McPherson’s instincts about people rarely miss the mark. He knows Professor Whitcomb is hiding something. He just doesn’t know what. When James learns Molly’s secret, his own reputation is undermined. But when Molly Whitcomb’s reinvented life begins to unravel, it threatens his job, the stability of Timber Ridge, and what he always knew to be true about himself.
MY THOUGHTS
A complicated and socially disgraceful situation brings Molly to Timber Ridge, Colorado, where she makes a rash decision. She never imagines the consequences of her split second choice and what just one little white lie can do.
Beyond This Moment explores the difficulties arising from that little white lie and the choices that landed her in Timber Ridge. Can love overcome the seemingly insurmountable consequences of Molly’s actions?
Tamera Alexander writes in a way that puts the reader in the heart of the character. She is one of the finest historical fiction writers and develops not only the setting but also the characters. She reveals the emotions, the fears, the challenges of their lives.
As I read her books, I often pinch myself to remind me that these weren’t real people … at least not that I know of. Tamera’s attention to detail is enough to make me think I’m watching a movie, not reading a book, as the vivid imagery dances through my head.
And finally, I loved not only the story but how the title fits the story – how often do we fail to think “beyond the moment” when making decisions in our own lives? Molly’s story emphasizes what happens when we think irrationally and without consulting God.
If you enjoy historical fiction, definitely consider reading From a Distance (book #1, read my review here), Beyond This Moment (book #2), and Within My Heart (book #3 releasing Oct. 09). Tamera also has another series called Fountain Creek Chronicles, an equally pleasing read.
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Review: Rose House by Tina Ann Forkner
A vivid story of a private grief, a secret painting, and one woman’s search for hope
Still mourning the loss of her family in a tragic accident, Lillian Diamon finds herself drawn back to the Rose House, a quiet cottage where four years earlier she had poured out her anguish among its fragrant blossoms.
She returns to the rolling hills and lush vineyards of the Sonoma Valley in search of something she can’t quite name. But then Lillian stumbles onto an unexpected discovery: displayed in the La Rosaleda Gallery is a painting that captures every detail of her most private moment of misery, from the sorrow etched across her face to the sandals on her feet.
What kind of artist would dare to intrude on such a personal scene, and how did he happen to witness Lillian’s pain? As the mystery surrounding the portrait becomes entangled with the accident that claimed the lives of her husband and children, Lillian is forced to rethink her assumptions about what really happened that day.
A captivating novel rich with detail, Rose House explores how the brushstrokes of pain can illuminate the true beauty of life.
If you would like to read an excerpt from Rose House, go HERE
MY THOUGHTS
I can’t think of any other word to describe Rose House other than “beautiful.” From the characters to the setting, this book is as beautiful as its cover.
Author Tina Ann Forkner intimately potrays Lillian’s journey through grief to forgiveness and feeling whole again. While I didn’t feel the burden of Lillian’s grief, I wanted to reach through the pages and comfort her. It was like I was watching a close friend go through the grieving process.
Now, before you think Rose House is all about grief, it’s also a love story and mystery with a little suspense thrown in.
Rose House is definitely contemporary Christian women’s fiction at its finest.
(After finishing this book, I discovered that Tina wrote a previous book called Ruby Among Us. Rose House stands perfectly fine on its own without the need for reading Ruby Among Us first. However, I imagine that reading Ruby before Rose will enhance the story of Lillian’s visit to the Rose House.)
A Modern Day Jane Eyre
Jillian Dare: A Novel by Melanie M. Jeschke takes the story of Jane Eyre and drops it in to our world complete with cell phones, laptops, and luxury cars.
Jillian, the main character, grew up in foster homes and is determined to make a difference in the life of a child. Much to her delight, she lands a job as a nanny for little Cadence Remington.
Cadence is the only daughter of Ethan Remington, a technology tycoon and film producer, who divides his time between his Virginia estate and his castle in England. Ethan is smitten with Jillian, but she can’t figure out why he would be interested in her.
As the story progresses, strange things happen – threatening e-mail messages, a “ghost”, secrets from a previous life…
Will Jillian learn the truth about the Remington family before she makes a wrong choice?
Overall, I enjoyed Jillian Dare: A Novel. To me, the similarities to Jane Eyre weren’t obvious until I neared the end. Then it seemed like the story wrapped up too quickly and too Jane Eyre-ish (I could guess what was happening next).
With that being said, author Melanie Jeschke did a marvelous job creating a modern day love story. She uses a world that many of us aren’t familiar with – full-time security guards, cooks, paparazzi – to make the story believable and come alive.
Many times I don’t make a recommendation on a book, but I feel that this one is worth mentioning for teenage girls. The story does contain romance and some physical affection. However, Jillian takes a stand for purity before marriage and also exercises wisdom in making decisions – she seeks God first and recognizes what happens when she doesn’t. If you’re looking for a summer reading book for your teenager, definitely check out Jillian Dare: A Novel.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Jillian Dare: A Novel, go HERE.
The Library Beckons
We’re heading to the “big city” library today. While I love our local, small town library in Spencer, I get really excited about going to the “big city” library in Charleston.
Guess what? The big city library has 3 floors of books! Three floors!!! Three biiiig floors – like one floor is twice the size of the small town library. (The small town library could probably fit inside my house. Things might be a little tight, but it would fit.)
The only gripe I have about the big city library is the layout is confusing. Couldn’t they start the Dewey Decimal system at the front door with the 000′s, then 100′s, then 200′s? Nope, that would be too easy! They have special sections that repeat poor Mr. Dewey – oversized books, reference books (can’t check out), reference books (can check out), W.Va. stuff, new releases, not-so-new releases-but-still-new etc. Does your library do that?
Over the years I’ve learned to pay close attention to the card catalog. Besides having a call number, each book also has a location stating the floor and section. Now when I plan my library list … wait, what?! You don’t plan your library list? I sure do!
Since the big city library has limited parking (Who wants to pay for a meter when there’s free 15 minute parking? Oh, and there’s that whole parallel parking thing. I live in the country and don’t intend to parallel park my car again. Ever.) As I was saying, since the parking is limited, I always go online the day before and use the library’s online catalog to plan my list.
I search for books by author, title, keyword, or subject. (The online catalog is identical to the catalog system in the library.) Sometimes I hop over to Amazon to read more about a book that sounds interesting.
If I find a book I want, I write down the call number and location (the most important part LOL). And if I plan enough in advance, I place a hold on the books I want and have the books waiting at the circulation desk when I walk in.
I like to think I’m being frugal – by planning in advance, I save time in the library plus money in the meter (25 cents for 30 minutes. No thanks.). And by checking the catalog ahead of time, I save needless driving to and from the library (small town is 25 miles one way, big city is 60 miles one way) if books aren’t available.
And, don’t worry, I still like to browse around the library stacks and pick up random books. Browsing the big city library is cool because they have books on just about every topic. Plus browsing means I don’t have to think like Sherlock Holmes to find Dewey #737.4 oversized book.
Do you access your local library’s online catalog at home?
P.S. – The teacher in me says that showing your kids how to browse the online catalog at home might alleviate some of the nightmares caused by Junior needing a real book, not the Internet, as a research source for an English paper. Imagine a teacher actually expecting a high school freshman to get a book from the library. *gasp* What a mean teacher!
Review: Deceptive Promises by Amber Miller
ABOUT THE BOOK
MARGRET WANTS TO BELIEVE SAMUEL’S PROMISES.
Is deception fair in wartime Margret Scott must deal with this question as she finds herself attracte to the enigmatic Samuel Lowe. As the tensions grow between the colonists and the British soldiers and loyalists, Margret cannot always tell where Samuel’s loyalties lie.
“If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; Let me be weighed in an even balance that God may know mine integrity.” -Job 31:5-6
Samuel’s duties have him working for both sides of this war, and he often finds himself torn between what is right and what is wrong. He promises Margret she can trust him, and Margret promises him she does. But can promises born in deception be trusted? Can a relationship built in uncertainty survive?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Deceptive Promises, go HERE.
MY REVIEW
Deceptive Promises is the 3rd book in author Amber Miller’s Delaware Bride series. However, don’t let that deter you from reading this historical novel. Each book can stand alone since the storylines deal with successive generations in the same family. In fact, I read the 2nd book, Unspoken Promises, back in December, never realizing there was a book prior to that one. Deceptive Promises could easily stand on its own too.
One of the things I enjoy about Amber Miller’s historical stories is that she doesn’t overwhelm the reader with historical stuff. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of history is shared in the stories, but not in a way that you know you are reading history. To me, that’s the best kind of historical writing. Here’s an example – Do you know where the name “Delaware” originated? According to Amber’s story, it’s a derivation of the name De La Warr. It’s little bits of history like that scattered around the story that make Amber’s books exciting to read.
Like I mentioned in my review of Unspoken Promises, this series is a “clean” series that I can definitely recommend for your teenage daughters. The love story is honorable and full of integrity.