Tag: For Mom

Through the Shadows: A Net Galley Review

Grace-Filled Writer
 
Through the Shadows is a tale which takes place at the beginning of the 20th century. The King family is highlighted once again in this third book of The Golden Gate Chronicles. Karen Barnett is a new author for me and I have not yet read the two previous books in this series. This book focuses on the corruption and intrigue which followed in the aftermath of the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906. 
Elizabeth King, the heroine of the novel, is seeking redemption for a sinful past. She is moved by the accounts of Donaldina Cameron who runs the Presbyterian Mission and saves young girls from the orient who are brought here to live a deplorable life. Elizabeth participates in several rescues and teaches at the mission in the hopes of erasing her guilt ridden heart. The longer she is at the mission, the more she realizes she must confront her guilty heart and allow the grace of Jesus Christ to make her clean once again. 
Circumstances surrounding the King family investments bring a young man into Elizabeth’s path. As she is trying to navigate her own remorse as well as question the truth behind claims of her father’s investments, she is drawn into a friendship with Charles McKinley. Charles must decide whether to follow his dream of litigating those who need help the most or making a name for himself in his uncle’s law firm and as a politician.
I personally find this time period intriguing as my own great-grandmother was born in 1903. I was very close to her and loved hearing stories of her childhood and early years which were rather difficult. Because of my own personal interest I very much enjoyed the historical references within the book although I think many of them would have made more sense if I had read the first two titles in this series. 
This novel is well written and interesting, but did not grab my attention quite as others have. I didn’t feel the same connection to the characters as I often do. I did enjoy it enough that I intend to read the first two books in the series when I am able.  
Disclaimer: I received this title from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way. I was not required to write a positive review.

From This Moment: A Net Galley Review

Grace-Filled Writer
Elizabeth Camden is one of my new favorite authors! I recently finished her novel Against The Tide and instantly fell in love with her writing. I was very excited to have the chance to read another novel. 
From This Moment is set at the same time as the construction of the America’s first Subway in Boston. The heroine, Stella Westergaard,  is seeking answers about her sister’s death. She is convinced that her death was more than what is being reported. In order to investigate she leaves her world of artists in London in order to investigate in the same building as her sister worked when she died. 
Our hero, Romulus White, is the head of a scientific magazine along with his sister. He is fascinated by all things scientific and has built what was once a fledgling publication into a well respected serial. For years he had been contacting Stella West, her artist name, in order to commission her to create illustrations using the latest artistic technology. 
This novel had a number of unexpected twists and turns. I rather enjoyed the unpredictable twists and turns in the plot. There were unexpected relationships and turns in the story line that left me up waaay past my bedtime so I could see what happened next. This lengthy novel kept my interest. It was quite light hearted in many regards, but not in a flippant way as many modern authors tend to be. The banter between the characters was fun and enjoyable. 
I look forward to reading more novels from Elizabeth Camden soon!
Disclaimer: I received this title from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way. I was not required to write a positive review.

Behold the Man: A BookLook Blogger Review

Grace-Filled Writer
The most recent book I have been reading to review is from Bodie and Brock Thoene. Although they are a well-known writing team among Christian fiction circles this is the first book I’ve read by them. Behold the Man is the third in the Jerusalem Chronicles series which recounts the tumultuous time in Israel’s history during Jesus’ ministry. I have not read the previous two books, but this one covers the end of Jesus’ ministry here on earth.
The Roman occupation is central to understanding much of what Scripture tells us about Jesus’ ministry and this is an excellent book to help get a grasp of what was happening and what it meant for both the Jews and the Romans. There is a great amount of historical detail included. It is evident that the Thoenes spent extensive amounts of time researching in order to make sure this story aligned with biblical accounts and non-biblical historical sources.
I had a very hard time getting into the story. It felt a bit slow at the beginning and was filled with so much historical reference I felt I needed to spend some time looking up the names and references in order to really understand it. I love historical fiction, but it is hard for me to enjoy it if limited knowledge of a certain period prevents me from fully understanding it. This one thing frustrated me. I enjoyed the portrayal of actual historical characters. 
If you like historical fiction that delves very deeply into the historical period in which it is set both culturally, politically, and socially, you will most surely enjoy this book. It is well written and accurately presented even though it is fictional. Personally I was not a huge fan of the weightier material.

Disclaimer: I received this title from BookLook Bloggers in return for an honest review. I was not compensated in any other way. I was not required to write a positive review.

Pressing Pause: A BookLook Blogger Review

Grace-Filled Writer
 
Moms who are also Christ-followers know we need time alone with God, but between all of the pressures of the mundane and the day-to-day needs we meet on a minute-by-minute basis, taking that time isn’t always at the top of our list. I can’t even count the times that all my good intentions have been thwarted by bickering littles, monstrous messes, or even simply sleeping through my alarm because of exhaustion. Add to that the seasons we face where weeks go by when sickness seems to be a constant family member. 
The younger our babes, the harder it is to not only find the time to read Scripture, but also keep our minds focused enough to hear from God as we are reading. This wonderful new devotional from Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk aims to helps moms reverse this. Pressing Pause: 100 Quiet Moments for Moms to Meet Jesus is ideal for the mom who is trying to regain her footing in spending time alone with God. The short passages are expounded upon alternating between the authors. Real-life examples from each woman’s life. At the end of each devotion is a sample prayer and questions to ponder. Finally, there is space to journal your own thoughts after reading.
This is intended to be a way for mom to press pause on their day for just a moment. I think this would have been especially helpful when I was first starting on my mothering journey. Moments with God were hard to create even though it was what my heart desired. I talk to a lot of new moms and I’ve heard this same thing over and over. 
The title for this devotional is so perfect. My girls are apt to say, “Pause the game!” when they are playing pretend and need to do something in real life for a second. The same idea is here. We need to press pause from the tyranny of the ordinary. If it has been a while since you took some time alone with God this is a great place to start.
Disclaimer: I received this title from BookLook Bloggers in return for an honest review. I was not compensated in any other way. I was not required to write a positive review.

Faith: A Tyndale Blog Network Review

Grace-Filled Writer
Packaging 
The Quaker Brides series is new to me as is the author, Lyn Cote. I’m now a devoted fan!
I was already somewhat familiar with some of the history surrounding the Quakers and the Civil War, but after reading Faith, the third book in the Quaker Brides series,  I better understand it all a little more. Not only did I enjoy the historical aspects, I was thoroughly enthralled with each page!
I love historical Christian fiction and have pretty high standards for what I read. As with all my favorite stories Faith has thoughtful characters who grow deeply throughout the novel. I love how seamlessly the historical references to places and people were woven. I have studied the Civil War a great deal and Lyn Cote did an incredible amount of research for this novel. Most of all, the best stories leave me wanting more. Now that I have read the third book I’m anxious to go back and read the first two in the series which tell us more about Faith’s heritage.
The characters were very believable. I could envision both Faith, the heroine, and her hero, Devlin, experience realistic trials and internal strife. Their engaging conversations and struggles to reconcile their deep beliefs alongside their unlikely friendship create tension and conflict that kept me reading. I very much appreciated the portrayed struggle Devlin faced concerning slavery, even though he fought for the Union. The issues which brought about the Civil War were much more complicated than merely the Slavery vs. Anti-Slavery platforms we attribute to it today. This story showed a compelling side which many in the Union felt. They weren’t against slavery completely, but they would fight to preserve the United States. 
If you enjoy the historical fiction genre you will absolutely not be able to put this book down!
Disclaimer: I received this title from Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way. I was not required to write a positive review.

The Lifegiving Home: A Tyndale Blog Network Review

Grace-Filled Writer
 
 
What does it mean to create a welcoming home? I asked myself that question as I was first starting out as a wife and then again a few years later as a mother. I wish I’d had this book when I was just beginning this journey 14 years ago! 
Sally Clarkson is one of my go-to author’s for encouragement in my walk as a Christian wife and mommy. I was already excited to review her newest book, co-written with her daughter, but when I saw the cover I sighed a little with joy. Just seeing the cover of The Lifegiving Home from Tyndale House Publishers brought me a sense of welcoming. Just like the cover, each page brought refreshment and joy. Much of what I have tried to put into practice in our home over the years was included which was very affirming. 
I enjoyed reading from the perspective of both mother and daughter throughout the book. While there are many practical ideas and takeaways in each chapter there is always the sense of pointing the reader back to Scripture, back to the Savior. I love this! It is such a good reminder that the one way to have a life-giving home is to be centered on Christ in all that is done and said. 
The first few chapters consist of helping the reader focus in on thinking about their home, the rhythms and functions of every day life and how to make them more than mundane. I really enjoyed the second part which focuses on each month and ways to breathe new life into the walls of your house throughout the year. Answering the question What makes a home? is central in this book. I found the Clarksons ideas unique and fun, and also inspiring. They didn’t inspire me to copy them as much as create my own ways of bringing life into our home. 
This is a book which I will recommend to anyone looking for ways to create a welcoming home that exudes the love of Christ. I also plan to have my own girls read this when they are older and beginning to think about their own ways of creating a home for their futures. 
Disclaimer: I received this title from Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way. I was not required to write a positive review.

The Golden Braid: A Booklook Blogger Review

Grace-Filled Writer

I discovered Melanie Dickerson’s novels about a year ago. Her creative take on the classic fairy tale has captured my imagination. This series of books are definitely one of my all-time favorite series. I’m always excited to see what is coming next and The Golden Braid did not disappoint!

 

This retelling of Rapunzel was very interesting as it is taking place at the same time as another of Dickerson’s novels in the series, The Princess Spy. I really liked the take on this classic story. I love how the author takes the magical out of these fairy tales and places them in reality of the time period. It feels as if the story could really have taken place.

After reading this novel I would like to go back an read The Princess Spy again with new and fresh insight. I thought the intertwining plot line was a really creative way to create the setting. I have never read another story which paralleled a second novel and I think the creativity of this was so beautiful. Even though many of the events overlapped I was never bored or left feeling like I had already read this before.

Dickerson does an excellent job of developing her characters emotionally and spiritually from start to finish. I also love that these novels follow the world of one main family throughout several generations and various relatives. The connections really bring forth the truth of God’s ultimate plan and design in all of our lives, no matter our station in life.

I very much look forward to her next novel in this series!

Disclaimer: I received The Golden Braid as part of the BookLook Bloggers review team. I was not required to write a positive review. I was not compensated in any other way.                                                                                             

Whipsers in the Reading Room: A BookLook Blogger Review

Grace-Filled Writer
I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Shelley Gray as an author. She is not new to the Christian fiction scene, but she is new to me. I am not typically a mystery fan unless it involves a historical Christian novel. I was very excited to have the opportunity to read and review the entire Chicago World’s Fair Mystery series through BookLook Bloggers. 
 
This entire series has been engaging from start to finish. I have very little time to read for pleasure even though it is something I love to do, so when I do read I like quality stories that leave me feeling as if I know the characters personally. Overall this series has provided that satisfaction. 
This particular novel involves an unlikely pairing between a wealthy nare-do-well and a young woman who had fallen from society’s graces due to her father’s lack of provision after his death. Lydia is the female protagonist who appears rather naive despite her high intelligence. Her mother’s indifference to her in general and her own seclusion in the library where she works creates a hopelessly romantic personality that is equally separated from reality. Her station in society has spared her from some of the harshest realities of life, but through her own misguided curiosity she finds herself embroiled in a murder investigation as a potential suspect. 
The male protagonist, Sebastian, was not a very likeable character for me at the beginning, but he did grow on me as the story progressed.  His arrogant nature and demanding ways do not present him as a hero. However, his growing desire to become an honorable man does redeem him in the end. 
The fast pace nature of the story kept me on the edge of my seat, more so than the other novels in the series. While a sign of a good book is always wanting to read more, this was probably my least favorite for a few reasons. I do like a good redemption story, but in some ways that portion fell flat. The only reason Sebastian seems to want to change is because of Lydia and not a convincingly true change of heart. I also felt Lydia’s naivety made her less likable and her growth during the story felt less than sincere or realistic. 
The other area I felt was slightly lacking was spiritual growth of the characters. Now, I am not one who likes a preachy novel. Some very successful Christian authors sometimes fill their pages with full sermons and I have never been a fan of this. At the same time I like a story with true redemption reflective of a heart changed for Christ and this never entered the picture, which is why I think I did not feel the character’s changes were completely sincere. 
I would still recommend this novel and the entire series but I personally think the first two books are more enjoyable than the third. 
Disclaimer: I received Whispers in the Reading Room as part of the BookLook Bloggers review team. I was not required to write a positive review. I was not compensated in any other way.                                                                                             

Curiosity Keeper: A Booklook Blogger Review

Grace-Filled Writer
Sarah E. Ladd is a new author for me and I’m always on the lookout for new authors. I’m also pretty picky about what I like when it comes to a novel. Characters should be well developed, realistic, and likable. The plot should grip me within the first few chapters. The setting is preferably historical, but not so overrun with history that factual information overwhelms the heart of the story. Ladd did an excellent job of combining all of these into a beautifully written novel. I was captivated from the start!
I have to admit that while I abide by the age-old adage to not judge a book by its cover, the cover of this particular novel drew me. I’ve read several books lately where the covers did not do justice to their written words, but this captivating painting perfectly captures the heroine, the setting, and the mood of the book. 
The Curiosity Keeper is set in Regency England, a perfect spot for both mystery and romance alike to unfold! Two worlds collide when the son of a wealthy collector is compelled to rescue the daughter of a shopkeeper. Their fathers were essentially enemies and the search for a stolen gem cements the intertwining of their lives. As the story unfolds it becomes very clear that all is not as it seems.
Something else I appreciated as that I was genuinely surprised at many of the plot twists. All the while the storytelling was believable and enjoyable. Ladd is one of my favorite new authors I will continue to follow!
Disclosure:  I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook.com® <http://BookLook.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Berenstain Bears Harvest Festival: A BookLook Blogger Review

Grace-Filled Writer

My favorite season is autumn! I cannot wait for the cooler temperatures and changing color each year. September 1 brings out the fall decor in our home and I always feel the coziness or this time keenly. Anticipation of the winter and brisk fall days delight my senses. We have lots of books about winter and Christmas, but I believe my latest review is our very first book about fall!

This sweet little story about the Berenstain Bears enjoying the Harvest Festival delighted my little Grace to pieces. She is a big fan of this Bear family and especially loves Honey Bear.

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All the things I love about fall are included in this sweet book…leaves changing, enjoying the harvest of fall vegetables, observing the animals, and feasting with friends. Grace really liked the pumpkin Honey Bear picks out!

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Grace said her favorite picture was the one of Honey Bear and the pumpkin pies. The illustrations in the Berenstain Bear books are always beautifully illustrated and this one is no exception. I love the nostalgia of simpler days represented in these stories! 

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Grace has begun to really appreciate the humor in various stories. She loves to talk about what she is reading while she reads it as well! Discussing books with her is such a joy! One discussion we had was about Mother Nature. We are used to this phrase and my girls know that we see Mother Nature as a pretend person that is okay to read about, but we need to acknowledge that God is the Creator and giver of all the beauty on the earth. It was a pleasant surprise to find this book affirm this belief. The Berenstain Bears are a great way to help point your little ones back to God.

Disclosure:  I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook.com® <http://BookLook.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.