Book Review

A Refuge Assured by Jocelyn Green.



This story is based during the French Revolution.  I'll be honest, I really didn't know much about the French Revolution.  This book gives many details of what happened during that time. 

The story is about a lacemaker.  She finds out that her craft will also threaten her life.  The revolutionaries want to stamp out anything that links to the aristocracy, including lacemakers. 

Jocelyn Green's characters are well developed.  She bases her story on truth, and adds fictional characters to the historical facts.  We follow her heroine from the shops in Paris, to Pennsylvania.  Not only does Ms Green detail the French Revolution, but, she also includes the Whisky Rebellion, that was happening in the United States, at that time. 

Her characters are people with flaws, but, also people that you care about.  The characters interact well with each other. 

I really enjoyed this book.  Each time I picked it up, I didn't want to put it down again.  I highly recommend reading this book.

I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Book Review

Holding the Fort, by Regina Jennings.

This was a fun book to read.  Set in 1885, a saloon singer heads out West, to find her brother.  Due to some comedy of errors, she winds up as the governess to the commander of the Fort, where her brother is stationed. Trying to hide her past, leads to even more comedy of errors, until, finally, the truth comes out. 

This book gives a great look at frontier life at a Fort, back in the wild west, including Indians, settlers and cowboys.  I grew up only a few miles from Ft. Concho, which reminds me of this forts setting.

The story is set at a real fort, Ft. Reno, in Oklahoma.  The Indians, and several other character's are real.  Regina Jennings did a great job of weaving fictional and real characters and events together. 

This was a fun book to read.  It even has a treadle sewing machine mentioned.  This is the first book in a new series.  I'm looking forward to the next book. 

I highly recommend this book. 

*I was given this book, in exchange for an honest review.  

Book Review

Thru Bethany House publishing, I received this book in exchange for a review of it. 

Death at Thorburn Hall, by Julianna Deering, is the latest book that I have received.  This is the 2nd book in this series that I have read.  Here is the link to the review of the earlier book.  This book is the 6th in the series. 




The main character is Drew Farthering.  Drew has a way of coming upon mysteries that need solving.  In this book, there are 3+ different mysteries that get solved, one way or another.  It is set in the British Isles, in the 1930's,  before WWII.  The book is full of twists and turns, and you don't know everything until the very end of the book.  I can't really tell you much more, without giving out spoilers.  I enjoyed this book, as I did the last one that I read in this series.  I want to read the future books in this series, so that I can see if one certain character that is introduced in this book, comes back. 

I enjoyed this book, and I hope that you do, too.

Book Review

The Proving, by Beverly Lewis

I've read very few of Beverly Lewis' books, but, after this book I think that will change.  Each time I picked this book up, I didn't want to put it down.  I'd read much longer than I'd planned.  I was immersed in the characters and the story.  

Mrs. Lewis kept you  in suspense about what would happen, till the very end.  Details aren't revealed quickly, but, slowly, and in the proper places.  Life is like that.  We need time to learn the truth and time to deal with it.  

I don't want to give any plot lines out, since it would reveal too much, and spoil the book for you.  I do suggest that you get a hold of a copy, and read it.  

*I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion. 

Book Review

The Legacy, by Michael Phillips.

This is the third, and last, in the Secrets of the Shetlands Series.

I didn't read the first in this series, but, I did read the 2nd book in this series.  I thought the 2nd book was really good, but, this book is even better!  We find out more about the characters that started this journey, Brogan and Emily.  Not only do we get to see their personal stories, but, we also get to see their spiritual journeys.  We see how their beliefs can change lives, including, but, not limited to their own lives. 

This story would still be good as a stand alone book.  There are many mentions of things that happened in the first 2 books, but, they come with some back story, too. 

Decades ago, I read a book that was set in the Shetland Islands, and, I've been fascinated with that area ever since.  This book (and series) gives lots more insight into the Shetland Islands and it's people.  This book also includes Shetland history during WWII, when the Shetland people helped in so many ways, to aid the war effort. 

I recommend reading this book.  I still want to read the first book.  I'll re-read these books again.

*I was given a copy of this book for my honest review.

Book Review

This is my book review for 'High as the Heavens' by Kate Breslin. 

This book is set in WWI.  One of my grandfathers served in WWI (he also served during WWII), so, I'm always interested in the human side of these wars.  There are lots of details in this book, and, the author makes her heroine, Kate,  a composite of several real life WWI heroines. 

The novel is set in war torn Belgium.  It weaves Kate's current life, with her past life.  It shows how one person can make a difference, be it a tiny difference, or a large difference, in many lives.  Past actions affect current outcomes. 

I enjoyed this book.  I was given this book, in exchange for my honest review. 

Book Review

I was sent this book, to review, from Bethany House publications. 

This is the 5th in a series of mysteries.  The Drew Fathering Mysteries, by Julianna Deering.  The author is a 5th generation Texan (I'm a 4th generation Texan, I'm just misplaced at the moment).

I love books set in another time.  Her books are all set in the 1930's.  This book is set in England, on the Yorkshire moors.  I've always loved reading about different places in England (what a romantic country). 

The book is full of twists and turns.  You won't guess 'who dun-it' until the end.  The characters are interesting, and, we keep getting introduced to new characters till almost the end of the book.  There is murder, romance, and tragedy. 

This was a well written book, even the 'language' fit the 'era' and 'location'.  Now I want to get the first 4 books in the series. 

Book Review

The Cottage, by Michall Phillips, book 2 in The Secrets of the Shetlands series.

I just finished this book.  

This book is set (mostly) in the Shetland Islands, off the coast of Scotland.  I like how the author wrote the 'local's speech into the book.  As I read the words, I could 'hear' the brogue coming out. 

Loni, the main character, inherits an island, and lots to go with it.  There is a lot of responsibility along with the inheritance.  Loni has lots of questions, like, will the islanders accept her, and, can she figure out who she is, and if she even wants this inheritance.

All of the characters are well written.  Watching Loni grow throughout the book, is good to see.  How she deals with some 'not so nice' characters is interesting to see.  It takes the whole book for Loni to 'find' herself, and make her decisions.  If there is a 3rd book in this series, then I want to read it. 

Knowing that there is a book 1 in the series, makes me want to read it.  This book is a stand alone book, so, I don't think I missed a thing by reading it without reading the first book. 


*I received a free copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review, from Bethany House.

Book Review

This is my book review for 'A Tapestry of Secrets' by Sarah Loudin Thomas

I received this book a day before I left for Alaska, so, I didn't get a chance to start reading it until after I got back home.  I've been so busy in my sewing room, that I really haven't had much time for reading lately :(

I enjoyed this book.  It is about 2 ladies, a grandmother and her granddaughter.  One has a secret, and wants to tell it, but, can't, and the other needs to figure out what she really wants for her life.  The book is full of family and faith.  It also covers almost a whole year of the family's life. 

Sarah Loudin Thomas has also written 2 other books about this family, and has a downloadable book about a 3rd member.  I think I'll check out her other books.


*I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review.