Giving In - A Story of Growing Up

 

 The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck

By Kathleen Y'Barbo

I know, I gave this review a weird title... but that is the just of the book. I think. lol

Seems I am really good at choosing the last book in a series to review, as this is also the last book in a 3 book series. As a stand alone read, I don't think I needed the previous 2... they were stories about other characters in the tale - not related to the main character. 

Speaking of the characters... they are: Charlotte Beck - young, well off, American girl wishing she were older and looking for her father's approval. Alex Hambly - Viscount of Hambly in England, twin to Martin, youngest son and avid star gazer. Upon these do the whole book depend...

Ms Y'Barbo does a lovely job weaving the story between these two characters and their respective family members. The only big problem I have is that the books title does not quite match the book. The book is split in 2 halves - the first being the young miss meeting the Viscount and their ensuing tangle or story. The second being 4 years later - about the marriage and the confusing faith filled wrap up of the series. The idea of an inconvenient marriage does not really materialize... and actually falls apart at the end. 

My thoughts on this book are - as a light read, it is passable.

I give this book 2 stars out of 5.

A Story of Forgiveness

 

A review of "The Harvest of Grace" by Cindy Woodsmall.

I wish I had known before I requested this book that it was book 3 in a series. I found it hard to keep up with who was who... and found I kept having to make mental notes for myself on that score, there is a synopsis page to bring the reader up to speed and also a few pages at the back on who is whom - which helps. Other then that, this is a lovely read from Ms Woodsmall, I really enjoyed the aspects on forgiveness she wove in... and brought about some introspection on things I need to let go in myself - to forgive and let God.

The main characters in this book are Sylvia Fisher (a dairy farming amish woman) and Aaron Blank (a recovering alcoholic). The story seems to weave its way around these two and the families and friends that each belong to. Sylvia is running from bad choices and longs for peace and quietude of farming, manages to find such solace on the Blank farm managing their failing dairy. Aaron, freshly returned from rehab, is ready to reconcile with his family and to grasp a new dream that does not involve farming. There are sub-characters as well, as Ms Woodsmall ties up loose ends from the previous 2 books in the Ada's House Series, and to her credit Ms Woodsmall has a portion for each character to play in either accepting grace, being gracious or forgiving ones self. The theme was woven beautifully throughout the whole book.

Aaron's parents have to learn how to forgive and accept their son's decisions for himself. After years of mistrust and hurt on both sides of the parents and their drunken son - this love hard to come by - but with the heart of a changed, new man, Aaron hangs on to hope and the goal of having a family that can work together without blame.

Sylvia is taking a long journey to accept self forgiveness, and God's forgiveness. With the help of Aaron, his friends and family she tackles this daunting task - and finds herself and peace that she so longs for in the process.

As with other of Ms Woodsmall's books the glimpses into real Amish life are real and fresh - and there is something to be learned in each, an educational and insightful art. I really did not know that there are Rehab centers for Plain folk, but am glad to hear that there are many ways to reach out to all suffering with this form of escapism.

A book well worth your time, but would probably be best enjoyed as it was intended as Book 3 in a series.

Well done Ms Woodsmall!

4 of 5 stars

Vote for A friend of Mine...

So my friend has co-written a cook book and the recipes in it are so yummy... (there will be a review to follow). And she's been nomintated for an award from babble.com... Too cool!!

Click here and Look up "Something Better" and vote for them!

Thank you!

A Book by Any Other Name Would Smell as Sweet

Paper Roses by Amanda Cabot

What a lovely read... A cross between Cyrno de Bergiac and Mail Order Bride.

Sarah and her sister Thea, are left alone in the world when a tragedy happens in their family. Sarah opts to answer an ad for a mail order bride, and secure a new future for Thea and herself. Her faith in the Lord is almost destroyed in the memory of the tragedy, and is baggage she carries with her into her new future. With a determined spirit and hope in good she strives to create a new home and a new adopted family in Texas, only to find another twist in life she did not plan on.

Clay has lost so many people close to him that he does not feel worth any love or hope for the future. His wife and baby die, his father has had a stroke, and his brother is gone. Now he has the complication of his brothers intended bride and her little sister. Vowing to have vengeance on whomever took his brother's life, Clay battles anger and hopelessness.

Both characters are introduced to other characters in the story who point them back to the true source of love and hope... Jesus. And both characters learn to let go of the past and learn to love again.

This book was a delightful read with twists and turns, and true love from the real source... God. The way conflicts are dealt with and come up in the book are very believable and relatable to our modern age too. And brings one to question our true devotion, and if our Christianity shows from the inside out, and if we are letting go of our baggage at the foot of the cross.

This book is the beginning of a trilogy, which looks like the whole series will be a great easy fun read.



This book was a free Amazon.com download for the Kindle app. My review is my own views, I received no compensation for my review.

Falling down the stairs...

Has given me a lot of time to read... But not so much time to write reviews. I am hopelessly behind!

And my tailbone is officially dislocated... Ouch!

So, I am hoping to catch up this week with all my reviews.

Watch this space. ;)

Journey's Ending... with hope and reconciliation. A Review...

When the Soul Mends - Sisters of the Quilt, Book 3... by Cindy Woodsmall, as reviewed by Tami.

A book full of re-connections and rediscovery. Hannah Lapp has gone through a long journey in 2 other books to get to the point she is in book 3. From a tragic rape, rejection and fleeing to the unknown... to the strong confident nursing student we meet in "When the Soul Mends". I had not read the other 2 books of this series (and seem to be getting the end of alot of stories with my review books) but was able to get the idea of the story by reading this book, I do think that the book would have had more impact and made more sense if I had read the other 2 books.

A well written story of hope about Hannah Lapp as she journeys home to help her sister - and reconnects with family, friends and an order and pace of life that is a part of who she is. Being pulled between helping her sister and attending school and being engaged to an 'Englisher' with whom she is helping raise 2 children. The 2 worlds and pace of life are highlighted and compared neatly in this book... without blame or making the other better. And served to show how Hannah was part of both... yet like all of us a time of choosing comes around.

I really enjoyed Hannah's growth to discover that it's okay to want the things that bring joy to your soul. To listen to ones inner voice is what brings peace in the long term. 

Ms Woodsmall did a great job bringing the characters to life and making all the situations believable. I loved the reconciliation theme and the longing to have that peace in ones soul that passes all understanding.

I am sure this is a great series... enjoy it~

3 of 5 stars.


Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. The words and thoughts used to describe the book are strictly my own.

A Ball of a Story!

The Lightkeeper's Ball is the third installment for the Lightkeeper's trilogy (or The Mercy Falls Series). Ms Coble did a lovely job in making this a fine stand alone read. Having not read the other 2 previous books in the series, I was able to read and understand all that was going on without missing any vital information.

This story is an excellent mystery and romance rolled into one. With just the right amount of Christianity showing through, it warms the soul and dispels doubt with hope and freedom.

Our main character in this book is Olivia Stewart, who is being forced to marry a man she does not know - her sister's fiancé. With the death of her sister a mystery, Olivia sets out to find out more about the death of her sister and the man that she is going to be engaged to. Leaving the security of the New York social set for the relative wilderness of California - in the age of innovation and invention... The book weaves the tale of determination and courage when everything seems to be against you.

With the lighthouse destroyed by a sever storm, Olivia plans an elaborate ball to raise the funds to rebuild the needed lighthouse. So the story gets it's title.

This book highlights the trait of honor... And shows how worthy it can be for a person. And hints to the fact that God is a personal God who sees all, knows all and is involved in even the small things of your life. Which is the journey our main character takes.

One thing I would have liked to see in the book, but was not, was the small church mentioned in the book by some of the characters. Perhaps that is explored more in the other 2 books. The main character, Olivia, mentions that her church is a social event... Who's who, and who wore what... While in Mercy Falls the church is a different more real experience.

Unlike some other books I have read, I do not feel compelled to read the other books in the series. It would be nice... But I do not NEED to.

Our second main character is Harrison Bennett, who shows us the meaning of finding a balance between passion and gifts from God. We are all given these for reasons... If we use them to better others then they are a blessing, and will grow. This was a nice twist and a touch that was not needed but surely made one consider gifts and purpose.

A short, comfortable read, this book offers. But to the casual reader who is in search of a quick diversion from life's busy pace. With a murder/suicide to solve, an attraction to deal with and friends to support and guide - makes this book fun and a delight.