books galore . . .

I know, I know . . . three posts in three days: what in the world is going on with me?? But I felt so compelled to share those beautiful sunset photos yesterday and then Sarah reminded me that today was Bibliophile File day (and I did just get a new book in the mail), so again, I felt compelled to share! (Don't worry ... I won't make daily posting a habit!)

I've actually picked up three new-to-me hardcover tea books over the past week . . . 

They just looked like fun.  The tea with friends book by Elizabeth Knight is especially darling with a different themed tea idea for each month, including stories, menus, and tea/favor ideas. I can see that one getting a lot of use!

Over the past two months I've done a LOT of kindle reading.  I thought I'd share a couple of new-to-me authors that I've really enjoyed.  The first would have to be Dan Walsh.  Dan is quite the prolific writer and his books span a very diverse range of genres.  I've not read one yet that didn't draw me into the story quite succinctly. His work is well written and very well researched. These two were part of a suspense series . . .

Action-packed and quite thrilling!  Remembering Dresden was historically fascinating, too.  But now I'm reading a more romantic story, which was co-written by Gary Smalley, and is every bit as good . . .

Walsh has also written several books based around war heroes (both WW2 and Vietnam) which were very good. A few of his books are free through Kindle Unlimited right now, too, if you're a member.

The India Tea Series by Janet MacLeod Trotter was also very well written and a good series of stories.

They're not available on Kindle Unlimited, but I think they're all just $1.99 as ebooks.  Worth it! I was not familiar with England's colonization of India and the history of that, so I've really enjoyed this series.  Plus there's a lot about the growing of tea and the history of the tea plantations. Good stuff.

Another series I read through was the The Hidden Springs Mysteries books by A. H. Gabhart.  Funny story.  When I first read one of Dan Walsh stories, it was a "woman's" story (Keeping Christmas) and I was surprised at how well I resonated with the primary character, an empty nesting mom, since it was a male author. The primary character in the Hidden Springs books is a young man, and I was *sure* that A. H. Gabhart was a man, but I was wrong!

These are terrific mystery/whodunnits and I believe Book 1 is available on Kindle Unlimited.

The last piece of fiction I want to share was The Pelican Brides by Beth White.  This was a fantastic piece of historical fiction, recounting some of the very early settling and history of the state of Louisiana. There really was a ship called The Pelican that brought 'brides' over from France, to help *settle* the French-occupied territory. As are all of the above works of fiction, this was a faith-based book and a very enjoyable read.  Oh! And before I forget -- it's a kindle FREEBIE right now; grab it while you can!

Finally, I decided to walk through the season of Lent with this beautifully written devotional by Alicia Britt Chole, 40 Days of Decrease: A Different Kind of Hunger. A Different Kind of Fast.  I've really enjoyed these daily devotionals, the insight into the actual church history of the season of Lent, and the opportunities to fast from 'traditions" or "pre-conceived religious notions" that don't exactly fit into the theology of Christ; man-made junk.  Good, good stuff!

So, there you have it!  I'll settle down for the remainder of the week -- but if you're in the market for a good read, here are lots of choices!  Check out what others are reading over at sarah did it!

:)

that tuesday . . .

I can hardly believe it's February already . . . and the first *Tuesday* in February to boot, which means it's Bibliophile Files day!! That means it's the day that I share with you what I've got on my bookshelf for the coming month, yay!

Along with the devotional reading I talked about last month, which I'll be reading through all year long, I've got a good mix of fiction and non-fiction that I'm going to enjoy this month, three of which I'll also be reading to review.  The first up is The Friendships of Women by Dee Brestin.  I snapped this up from Amazon yesterday as a kindle freebie!  It's still showing as a freebie for now, so if it sounds interesting, you might want to scoot on over there by clicking HERE! As a woman who not only enjoys her friendships with other women, but is also called to women's ministry, I thought this was a no-brainer for me!

Next up is Patsy Clairmont's You Are More Than You Know.  I first learned of Patsy Clairmont at a Women of Faith conference in 1998.  She was funny and witty and spot-on in her observations, and I'm not only looking forward to reading You Are More Than You Know, but reviewing it and participating in the book's blog tour in March! (And ... hint, hint ... a giveaway!)

And now on to the fiction.  You may or may not have picked up on the fact that I adore, in particular, Amish fiction. Well, if you hadn't picked up on it, this month it's rather 'plain' (pun intended)!  These three selections are all reviewable (so look for more on each title later this month):

An Amish Cradle, a collection of four stories by Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, and Vannetta Chapman, respectively.  

Then on to The Amish Clockmaker, by Mindy Starns Clark and Susan Meissner.

And finally, The Beekeeper's Son, by Kelly Irvin, which I'm purposefully saving until last because it sounds *so* interesting!

So, my proverbial shelf is full . . . looking forward to reading (and sharing reviews, too) through February! Hop on over to sarah did it! to see what she's reading and to check out the Bibliophile Files linky party!

Happy reading and remember . . . “Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” ― Charles William Eliot

:)

t'was the month before Christmas . . .

You know what??  It's the *first* Tuesday of the month!!  That means it's Bibliophile Files day! This month my reading is mostly completely centered around the season . . .

 

Ummmm, yes.  You'll notice that they're all by Melody Carlson. She writes the most darling, sweet stories, and I've been a fan of her work for a long time. These are all simple reads, but fun . . . with food for thought, Christmas, and a little romance (generally speaking) thrown in for good measure. Fluff, yes, but happy fluff for a busy time of year! And even though there are seven pictured, I'll have no trouble at all getting through them!  One of them fills my library quota and one of them fills my review quota, and the rest fill my need for fluffiness.  :)

That leaves my 'recommended' and my 'spiritual food' books, which is also easy enough:

I mentioned on Sunday that I was preparing to celebrate the season of Advent. I'm using these three devotionals.  One (The Christ of Christmas) was recommended . . . and the other two just looked good to me! Two of the three have short daily readings, which I ponder in my morning quiet time. The third is broken up into weekly sections that I'll probably digest and study on weekends! I started all of them yesterday and I'm so excited about what I've read so far! I want to spend the next month appreciating what Christmas means.

So, that's what's on my Kindle book shelf for the month!  Head on over to sarah did it! for the book linky party and to see what others have on their reading plates!

:)

march's bibliophile files . . .

I think I've finally settled into a nice routine for posting . . . one I can live with and have some breathing room. I like to post on Mondays ... get my week geared up, show off my design wall (or not, as the case may be). Come back again on Wednesdays with a mid-week update (and share my grandchildren antics) and close out Friday with fluff, fur and felines.  I'm trying to schedule a book review every Saturday (I have some catching up to do) and I actually do double-duty on Saturdays by pre-writing/scheduling my Stash Report/15 Minutes Report/Slow Sunday Stitching post.

That being said, it *is* the first Tuesday of the month and that means it's time for the Bibliophiles Files Challenge that is being hosted by sarah did it!

I aced last month's challenge like a champ and even had time to do some extraneous reading -- and not just magazines.  LOL!  This month's lineup is another good one and I'm already well on my way towards busting my challenge. 

For my review book, I'm challenging myself to two (though I hope to actually review four).  One is a hard copy I just received from Moody Publishers, The Art of Story Telling: Easy Steps to Presenting An Unforgettable Story by John Walsh. Doesn't that sound interesting? 

The second review book is one from Spiegel & Grau publishers, due for release April, 2014. It's called

The Frangipani Hotel by Violet Kupersmith and is a compilation of stories that grapple with the legacy of the Vietnam War. It's not my usual fare, but something about this one struck me. Perhaps I've seen Miss Saigon too many times.  Or I liked the way Frangipani sounds in my head.  ;)

My recommended book this month comes (again) by way of one of my favorite tea bloggers, Angela McRae, who recommended Serendiptea: A Guide To The Varieties, Origins, And Rituals Of Tea by Tomislav Podreka, in a blog post a couple of years ago. I was stalking scrolling through her blog last month and stumbled upon her review.  I then quickly found a used copy for pennies on Amazon and scooped it up.

I also have two library books this month, but mostly because I got them both on March 1 and finished the first and am halfway through the second.  Yes.  Both are that good!  The first was The Dressmaker by Kate Albott.  A great historical fiction read based on the congressional inquiry that followed the sinking of the Titanic.  Albott is a terrific storyteller and masterfully handled weaving truth with fiction.  I highly recommend it.

My second library book is another one compliments of Davis Bunn, My Soul To Keep. Unlike his last three, which were filled with intrigue, action and thrills, this one is based on the resurgence of an actor who demolished his career (and another's) after too many drinks and a horrific car accident.  I'll finish this one lickety-split!

The last part of my monthly challenge is a book that speaks to strengthening my faith/walk.  I chose The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living As If He Doesn't Exist by Craig Groeschel.  We're walking through this series in my Sunday School class and I wanted to read his book.  (Yes, I'm *that* student.)

So, there's my "March Madness" lineup . . . what are you reading this month? Head on over and share your tall tales with the March Bibliophiles Files linky party!

:)

a review: shades of mercy

I just finished up Shades of Mercy by Anita Lustrea and Caryn Rivadeneira as my January "book review" read (part of my Bibliophile Files challenge). I wasn't sure what to expect, because I'd never read anything by either of the two authors, but when Moody Publishers contacted me and offered me the opportunity to read and review the book, I eagerly responded, "Yes!"

A quick review of the authors on their Amazon listings let me know that they were both women after my own heart, particularly Lustrea, who's quoted as being a "self identified hot tea snob". Good enough for me! :)

This was a wonderful, coming-of-age read.  In addition, it was historical fiction, which is one of my favorite genres.  The story covers a period of time in Maine's history when native Maliseets (among other Indian tribes) had been pushed out of their homes and land and into terrible living conditions, and then the push to restoration. It's not a part of American history I was familiar with, and so I found the story all the more fascinating.

The main characters are Mercy Millar, the young daughter of a well-established (and well-respected) farming family, and Mick--a Maliseet boy--who is a farmhand that works for the Millars.  Mercy and Mick practically grow up together on the farm until the day that their friendship blossoms into young love.  Not an acceptable pairing in the eyes of the community.

The story takes us through the paranoia, strife and anger that are typical when racial tensions escalate.  But throughout it all, the Millar family clings close to a Christian belief that all are created equal in the sight of God, and all are deserving of His mercy and grace.  And then the Millars take it to that next step and actually do something about it.  

The book trailer does a great job of giving a teasing overview of the story:

Not your typical boy-meets-girl romance fluff -- Shades of Mercy was a wonderful, thoughtful read and left me wanting more.  Based on the prologue and the epilogue (the epilogue completely took me by surprise -- by that time I'd forgotten the three page prologue that started the story off), and the "A Maine Chronicle" subtitle, perhaps I'll be in luck and a follow-up story will ensue!

I highly recommend Shades of Mercy *and* if you're interested, I have FOUR copies to give away!  Leave me a comment letting me know you're interested. Hey, and for my fabulous followers, established or new, let me know in a second comment how you follow and you get *two* chances to win!  I'll wrap this up next Thursday, February 13.

:)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from River North Fiction, 

a division of  Moody Publishers, as part of their Blogger Review 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 Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: 

"Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

a review -- harvest of rubies -- and a giveaway . . .

As a lover of historical fiction, when I read the book description of Harvest of Rubies, I knew it had potential:

The prophet Nehemiah's cousin can speak numerous languages, keep complex accounts, write on rolls of parchment and tablets of clay, and solve great mysteries. There is only one problem: she is a woman.

In her early childhood years, Sarah experienced the death of her mother and her father's subsequent emotional distance and she came to two conclusions: that God does not care about her, and that her accomplishments are the measure of her worth - the measure of her self. 

Sarah, the talented scribe and cousin to Nehemiah, is catapulted into the center of the Persian court, working too many hours, rubbing elbows with royalty, and solving intrigues for the Queen. Ironically, it isn't failure but success that causes Sarah to lose her only source of external validation. 

Sarah soon learns that she has something of worth to offer beyond her ability with languages and sums - her very being proves to be a blessing to others. 

Earlier this year I'd read Pearls in the Sand, also by Tessa Afshar, so I had confidence in the author and her ability to tell a great story.  I was not disappointed.  Set in the Nehemiah's Persia, Harvest of Rubies follows a young, motherless girl as she struggles to come of age, make her mark and find her destiny.  Because of her own feelings of inadequacy, she makes decisions which have far-reaching consequences . . . not just for herself, but for those she loves, as well.  

Afshar incorporates Old Testament history flawlessly into her setting.  Her insight into the culture of the time period is marvelous and adds luster to the story.  She also weaves a wonderful tale of intrigue definitely leaving the reader wanting more.

I admit that at first I was taken aback by what I felt was an abrupt ending ... until after a little research I realized that there is meant to be a sequel.  Good thing!

This is definitely a 4-star read and one I recommend highly!  For more information on the author (and the opportunity to read Chapters 1 & 2 of Harvest of Rubies online, check out her bio page HERE.  Her story is really quite fascinating in and of itself.

So, do you find yourself interested?  Leave me a comment (make sure I have a way to contact you) and I'll choose a winner on Monday.  Happy reading!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from River North Fiction by Moody

Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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 Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and

 Testimonials in Advertising.