Ramblings-n-Writings

Archive for January, 2011

ABOUT THE BOOK

Content in her comfortable marriage of twenty-two years, Jane Lindsay had never expected to watch her husband, Brad, pack his belongings and walk out the door of their Manhattan home. But when it happens, she feels powerless to stop him and the course of events that follow Brad’s departure.

Jane finds an old ring in a box of relics from a British jumble sale and discovers a Latin inscription in the band along with just one recognizable word: Jane. Feeling an instant connection to the mysterious ring bearing her namesake, Jane begins a journey to learn more about the ring—and perhaps about herself.

In the sixteenth-century, Lucy Day becomes the dressmaker to Lady Jane Grey, an innocent young woman whose fate seems to be controlled by a dangerous political and religious climate, one threatening to deny her true love and pursuit of her own interests.

As the stories of both Janes dovetail through the journey of one ring, it becomes clear that each woman has far more influence over her life than she once imagined. It all comes down to the choices each makes despite the realities they face.

MY THOUGHTS

Two Janes + Two stories + One ring = Fascinating book. There really is no better way to say it.

I loved everything about this book, but especially how author Susan Meissner wove in so much history. It’s never easy to write a story within a story but Susan does so masterfully. While most of Lady Jane’s story included in these pages can’t be documented by history, it is 100% believable if you’ve ever studied the lifestyle of royals and nobles from centuries ago.

As someone who went through a marriage break-up, the story of modern-day Jane resonated with me. Jane’s thoughts, questions and feelings about her husband leaving echoed some that had crossed my own mind years ago. And, in time, both Jane and I came to the same conclusion – Love (and happiness) is a choice to be made every day.

The book itself is not preachy from a religious standpoint. There are references to religion and God, but not in an overwhelming sense. The story of the modern-day Jane doesn’t focus so much on her spiritual journey but rather on her realization that she makes the choices in her life, not anyone else. Her happiness is dependent on her. Her story is contrasted with Lady Jane’s who had all of the choices in life made for her and how she came to accept her lifestyle. Other lessons focus on what marriage is really all about and what it is like to find true love.

Recommendation: If you know someone who is leery of reading Christian fiction or historical fiction, Lady in Waiting would make a great first-time book for her to read. The contents are acceptable for teenage readers with only a few references to the “marriage bed.” With the stark contrasts between the modern day and the 16th century, I think this story could help develop an appreciation in younger readers for how society and customs have changed over the centuries.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah as part of their Blogging for Books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

ABOUT THE BOOK

Widowed at 34, amateur harpist Marie “Angel” Buchan realizes at 40 that her life and dreams are slowly slipping away. A summer in Scotland turns out to offer far more than she ever imagined! Not only does the music of her harp capture the fancy of the small coastal village she visits, she is unexpectedly drawn into a love triangle involving the local curate and the local duke.

The boyhood friends have been estranged as adults because of their mutual love of another woman (now dead) some years before. History seems destined to repeat itself, with Marie in the thick of it. Her involvement in the lives of the two men, as well as in the community, leads to a range of exciting relationships and lands Marie in the center of the mystery of a long-unsolved local murder. Eventually she must make her decision: with whom will she cast the lot of her future?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Angel Harp, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS

Since I’m only about 1/4th of the way through Angel Harp, this won’t be a full review but rather first impressions.

Many years ago, I read quite a few of author Michael Phillips’ books and series, both those he wrote by himself and with others. His books are generally deep in character development, full of historical details, and also divulge into philosophical/religious issues. So far, Angel Harp seems to follow the same pattern.

Angel Harp is written in first person from the perspective of Marie Buchan, a Canadian traveling in Scotland. As the reader, we only know what Marie knows and only see what she sees – much like real life. This perspective is a great way to delve in to the deeper side of a character’s personality and life. However, to me, the beginning of the book was cumbersome as it read more like a personal diary and travelogue as we learned a lot of backstory about Marie. Once she arrived and settled in Scotland, the action and plot intrigue did start to pick up.

One point that I do want to mention is the ongoing religious dialog between Marie and the local minister. So often we put God in a box with a bunch of rules, and we fail to grasp the reality of what it means to have a personal relationship with Him. Their discussion explores the idea of what God really expects from us, and while the discussion and Marie’s conclusions may be offensive to some in strong fundamental religious circles, the explanation of what freedom in God really means is an eye-opener.

At this point, that’s all I can say because I haven’t learned much more. If you have enjoyed Michael Phillips’ books in the past, then you should enjoy Angel Harp.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Faith Words as part of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

As I’m sitting here at 34 weeks with a very large belly, I thought I’d share some of the things I’ve learned while doing double duty and carrying twins …

Heartburn … Ah, my favorite friend. It really doesn’t matter what goes in – spicy or bland – heartburn will come and go. So I eat what I want. The advice to avoid spicy foods and carbonated beverages may be helpful in singleton pregnancies, but honestly, with twins your stomach is practically shoved out your mouth anyway so the acid is inevitable. Instead of suffering with a diet of bread and water, I learned to control my heartburn. A glass of milk before bed neutralizes the acid and works as the best preventative for me. Yogurt, ice cream, and cheese also help (yes, ice cream was recommended by my doctor.) I also use two or three pillows at night to prop up my head and upper chest – harder for stomach acid to travel up than straight. A little bit of fresh lemon added to water is another preventative.

Eating … I consume tons of food. Like constantly. For the first two months or so, I had a lot of nausea (never did get morning sickness or vomiting), but I eventually figured out that the nausea was because I was hungry. Within a matter of a day or two all of the nausea went away when I increased my food intake. Eating snacks (fruit, cheese, peanut butter, granola, veggies or anything that is considered food when you are desperate) between meals helps tremendously. Weight gain – don’t be concerned. Feed your little ones. I’ve gained 40 lbs. so far and our girls consistently measure well above the 50th percentile for their gestational age and weight.

Water … Drink a lot – more than the recommended 6-8 glasses. I started drinking about 100 oz. of water a day around 12 weeks. I do not have dry skin, stretch marks, or swelling, and my girls have excellent levels of amniotic fluid. One word of caution – don’t drink a full glass of water within 20 minutes of eating a meal (either before or after) unless you want heartburn. Once I adjusted when I drank my water, I noticed a significant decrease in the amount of heartburn.

Maneuverability … Yeah, forget about being flexible, getting up off the couch gracefully, shaving your legs, or climbing out of bed without feeling like you just ran a marathon. This will strike near the end of the 2nd trimester. If you drop something on the floor, leave it there – someone else will eventually pick it up.

Breathing … Starting around 20 weeks or so, I noticed increased difficulty in breathing at times, which is apparently normal. This might sound strange, but the worst was when I would lay down at night or roll over. I think it has to do with the shifting of the uterus and its occupants, not to mention the occasional limb that got stuck where it didn’t belong. Nothing much can prevent this other than breathing as deep as possible until everyone gets settled and then resuming normal breathing. I know my girls started dropping around 32 weeks because I don’t feel as starved for oxygen now.

Sitting … Sitting on hard surfaces like a dining room chair also becomes more difficult with each passing week unless you want to sit with your legs sticking out to the sides. My girls hate when my belly rests on my lap and they give me all sorts of little punches to remind me to move. Cushioned chairs and recliners are wonderful inventions! Reclining keeps the pressure off of the pelvic area, however reclining does put pressure on the back and veins so sit with weight shifted slightly to a side. Using a pillow to prop up the ever-growing belly helps add support.

Sleeping … Enjoy sleeping comfortably early on. In my case, I wasn’t able to lay on my back from about 18 weeks and on for any longer than about 5 minutes without getting an extremely ill feeling. When you have only two choices – left or right side – you find yourself waking up to turn over quite a bit as the little ones squish this nerve or that bodily organ. And, about midway through the 2nd trimester it becomes physically impossible to roll over without waking up. Sometimes I feel like I deserve a gold medal for reaching the other side!

And, finally, Advice … People love to offer advice about pregnancy (you know, so-and-so heard from her fifth cousin’s neighbor who had twins …). Take it all with a grain of salt unless they are twin moms or a medical professional. Every pregnancy is different. Do a lot of research online to learn what to expect during pregnancy and read about twins, twin products, twin necessities, and anything else twin related. Everything I’ve written here is based on my personal experience, not scientific or medical research, so proceed with caution.

What have you experienced during your twin pregnancy that other moms would love to know?

ABOUT THE BOOK

Todd Valmer should have known better. A farmer who’s been through several disasters, he travels to Virginia to fetch his widowed mother to cook and help him around his Texas farm…or that was the plan until she keels over on the train and they get kicked off.

Maggie Rose barters for a living and also makes soaps, lotions, and perfumes with a special rose recipe passed down from mother to daughter for generations. She hasn’t wanted to marry…until that handsome Texan shows up.

Her heart skips a beat, and when he proposes, a hasty marriage follows. What ensues, however, is a clash of culture and a battle of wills–and it’s clear they both mistook instant attraction and infatuation for love. As their marriage loses its sparkle and fills with disillusionment, Todd and Maggie must determine what is worth fighting for. He dreams of a farm. Maggie wants to fulfill the family tradition with her rose perfumes.

Todd’s mother, however, has entirely different plans for her son that do not include Maggie. In light of their hasty marriage and mistaken dreams, is there any hope of recapturing their love and building a future together?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Serendipity, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS

If you are looking for a historical romance that breaks the mold, Serendipity is a treat! Author Cathy Marie Hake didn’t follow the typical historical romance plot line or even the typical historical character mold.

Maggie Rose, affectionately called “Magpie” by those who love her, is used to being the only woman for miles around. She has a tender heart and willing servant’s spirit as she cares for the men she calls her uncles. She prepares their meals, mends their clothing, doctors them when ill or injured, and simply brightens their days. However, Uncle Bo recognizes that Maggie’s life will never be complete without a husband. And, of course, at that point, Todd Valmer, a handsome bachelor, shows up in a snowstorm carrying his ill mother.

While biding his time until his mother is well enough to travel, Todd finds himself attracted to Maggie. He realizes he doesn’t necessarily love her as a husband should love a wife, but having her on his farm would be convenient. She could care for his Ma and also cook some amazing meals and maybe even love him. The remainder of the book is the story of how two total strangers manage their new life together despite the hurdles life throws at them.

I found the book delightful to read and actually got so caught up in reading that I almost missed starting dinner on time! One thing that’s missing from the plot line is the “middle of the book tragedy” – you know, that part that seems to be in every historical book that turns the characters’ world upside down. Instead there’s a whole series of personal conflicts, obstacles, and misunderstandings between Maggie, Todd, and his Ma pushing the story ahead. To me, it was refreshing and real to life.

The biggest part of the story can be summed up in some words from the author’s bio – “In her writing, Cathy attempts to capture a unique glimpse of life and how a man and woman can overcome obstacles when motivated by love. In her inspirational pieces she enjoys the freedom of showing how Christ can enrich a loving couple’s relationship.” The relationship between Maggie and Todd is what moves the story forward and keeps the reader turning the pages.

Even though the romantic overtures are strong in the book, all of the characters’ actions are tasteful and within reason of the story and clean enough for teenagers to read. This would be an excellent book for discussing with a daughter what real love is all about – both the romantic kind of love as well as nurturing, family love.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

ABOUT THE BOOK

Edythe Amsel is delighted with her first teaching assignment: a one-room schoolhouse in Walnut Hill, Nebraska. Independent, headstrong, and a strong believer in a well-rounded education, Edythe is ready to open the world to the students in this tiny community. But is Walnut Hill ready for her?

Joel Townsend is thrilled to learn the town council hired a female teacher to replace the ruthless man who terrorized his nephews for the past two years. Having raised the boys on his own since their parents’ untimely deaths, Joel believes they will benefit from a woman’s influence. But he sure didn’t bargain on a woman like Miss Amsel.

Within the first week, she has the entire town up in arms over her outlandish teaching methods, which include collecting leaves, catching bugs, making snow angels, and stringing ropes in strange patterns all over the schoolyard. Joel can’t help but notice that she’s also mighty pretty with her rosy lips, fashionable clothes, and fancy way of speaking.

When Edythe decides to take her pupils to hear Miss Susan Anthony speak on the women’s suffrage amendment, the town’s outcry reaches new heights. Even Joel isn’t sure he can support her newfangled ideas any longer. And if he can’t trust her to know how to teach the boys, how can he trust her with his heart?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Courting Miss Amsel, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS

One word comes to mind about Courting Miss Amsel – fun! This is one of those books that you just feel good about after you finish reading it. In a way the book is lighthearted even though many serious issues are encountered by the characters. I think the fun / lighthearted aspect comes from the story involving so many children and their antics as well as just being a “down home” story.

Besides reading about the fun, and not so fun, antics the school children get involved in, my favorite part of the story was the developing relationship between Edythe and her landlady, Luthenia. Luthenia offered a room in her home as board for the school teacher, but little did Edythe know how much influence and guidance Luthenia would give her through the various obstacles of her new life. The advice Luthenia gives is always right on and biblically based, and she leads by example and lets her actions back up her words – something that Edythe needs to see.

Of course, the love story between Joel and Edythe is also fun to watch develop. Edythe is focused on her work, and Joel is horribly self-conscious about expressing his interest. Again, another aspect of the story that makes the book fun to read.

Personally, I identified with Edythe as a teacher. She thought outside of the normal education box and made school interesting for her students. She challenged them so they could see that there was more beyond their world in Walnut Hill. They didn’t have to become their parents and be farmers – only if they wanted to. Education with Edythe included reading, writing, and arithmetic  but also touch on life skills that the students could use even if they did decide to stay on the family farm. I know I would’ve liked her as my teacher.

Having read some of author Kim Vogel Sawyer’s other books, Courting Miss Amsel seemed different to me. I couldn’t quite put my finger on the difference, but maybe it’s what I called lightheartedness. Her other books were steeped in detail and strong emotion, and while those are present in Courting Miss Amsel, the style of the book is different. So, I say all of that, if it made any sense, to say that if you have tried reading Kim’s books in the past and didn’t like them, try Courting Miss Amsel. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”