Book Review: Christmas with Miss Austen

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Once I saw the name Austen in the title I was sold. I had a feeling I would like this book.
Julia Allen is a busy lady. She is a waitress, a painter and an 1800s authoress. She attends a historical open house as Jane Austen and she loves it. Then she gets locked inside after falling asleep. When she heads home she runs into a stranger, Eliot Weston. Weston thinks he must have imagined that historical figure. In her rush to go home, Julia loses a friends rare copy of Northanger Abbey. Weston finds it but cannot find any identification in it as to who the owner is.
This is a short book, 59 pages, and is a sweet Christian romance. I love the way there are little references to Jane Austen through the book. This is a nice, easy, fun read.

Book Review: The House by the Lake

This book was given to me by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
The House by the Lake takes the reader from the 1930s to today as the main character, Anna has her world disrupted. Her grandfather, Max, shares a secret with Anna. She is a member of an aristocratic family. During World War II they lost everything and Max left behind something that was very precious to him. Now he tasks Anna with finding it.
Anna is filled with questions. What could be so important and why was it hidden. As she is on her quest she finds Wil. Wil is someone that may be able to help her solve this mystery. Together they discover that the secrets are more than they thought.
I found myself torn throughout this book. At times I wondered, along with Anna, why her grandfather would give this mission to her. Then I would turn around and praise Anna bravery and tenacity.
This is a fascinating book and shows a side of the war that it helps to read about.
I highly recommend this book.

Book Review: The Rejected Writers' Book Club Suzanne Kelman

 I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Janet Johnson is a librarian who, reluctantly, went to a meeting of the Rejected Writers' Book Club. This group of women love looking at each others manuscripts while having tea and lemon cake. None of them actually seem truly interested in publishing their books. This group gave Janet just what she needed after moving to Southlea Bay, Washington, a nice group of friends. At one of the meetings, the ladies were preparing to celebrate the five hundredth rejection letter in the group, when they received bad news. They all decide to travel to San Francisco to look for a secret. They come across many different dangers along the way.
If you have been reading this blog for a while you know that if a book mentions books, libraries or other such deliciousness I will request to review it.
I found this charming book to be so much fun to read. It was a little slow to start but soon the craziness comes along. I know that I will pick up this book again and again when I need some zaniness in my life.


situational-humor, verbal-humor, bad-puns, family-dynamics, friendship, women-s-fiction, whispersync
This is the very book you need on a bad day or after a really lousy shift! The characters certainly are and the interactions will have you laughing in spite of yourself. The publisher's blurb gives hints but doesn't begin to prepare you for all of the fun!
situational-humor, verbal-humor, bad-puns, family-dynamics, friendship, women-s-fiction, whispersync
This is the very book you need on a bad day or after a really lousy shift! The characters certainly are and the interactions will have you laughing in spite of yourself. The publisher's blurb gives hints but doesn't begin to prepare you for all of the fun!

Book Review: The Made-from-Scratch Life

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book, The Made From Scratch Life, takes the reader to their roots to help create new traditions. Inspired by her life with her family and their cattle and other activities. She teaches how to take a garden from planning to preserving and eating, how to use natural solutions for common garden problems and she teaches how to use natural cooking and cleaning to improve the health of your family.
This book is less than 200 pages in length but it is filled with pioneer goodness, filled with faith throughout the book. I felt like she was sharing her wisdom with me in person.
This book would be great for anyone that would like to learn how to cook from scratch, garden, raise animals, preserve food, clean naturally and more.

Book Review: Stories for the 12 Days of Christmas

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This is such a nice way to read Christmas stories. Linda Mansfield introduces the book by letting the reader know there isn't a wrong way to read this book. You could read one a day, or the whole book at once. Each story is separate from the others, they are all short, and realistic.
I could see myself taking this book when I am going to have to wait for something. I could easily read one of the stories in that time. I caught myself smiling at some of them, plus they helped to remind me what Christmas is truly about.
It would be a great gift for anyone, or purchase one for yourself.

Book Review: The Christmas Town

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This is a joyful story. It is filled with love, and family, each which were found expectantly.

Lauren Gabriel spent most of her life wishing for her mother to come and get her from each of the foster homes she lived in.  She is now 20 years old and still looking for the ever elusive home. She is a cashier and feels like another Christmas is not what she needs. Trying to avoid her lonely apartment one night, she drives around, until she sees a car accident. This brings her to a small town called Grandon as a witness. Soon she finds herself volunteering for Glory's Place. This is a place which provides assistance to single mothers and families. This feels just right for Lauren. Could it possibly be that she has now discovered home?

The author, Donna Van Liere wrote a story which is engaging and thoughtful. It is filled with hope and I found myself thinking about the rich characters which she made complex and real. I believe I will keep this on my shelf to pull out every Christmas.

Book Review: Renovating the Richardsons

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Set in Goose Creek, Kentucky, Millie Richardson is renovating a Victorian house in a B and B. Al, her husband, spends his time writing the checks for this project. Susan, the new veterinarian has settled in and found a new boyfriend, Justin.
Things go along as usual for a little while, but never for long. There is an inner-county softball game approaching. Millie is going to be the manager for Al's not so great team. There was hope that Justin could play but he doesn't live in town, so he is not eligible.
This, along with other happenings, seem to require Al and Millie to come to the rescue.
This book is part of a series, but it was so much fun on its own that I didn't mind that at all. I will go and check out the Richardsons whenever I can. I loved this book.

Book Review: The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I first chose this book because I enjoy books like "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry".
This is equally as charming.
Arthur Pepper is 69 years old and he has his routine. The time he does things and the clothes he wears all are the same as they were when his wife Miriam was alive.
After she had been gone for a year, Arthur found a gold charm bracelet amount Miriam's things. He had never seen this bracelet before. This set him on a trek to discover the truth of his wife's life before they met. through this journey he finds self-discovery and healing in very unusual places.
This is a charming book. It is interesting to watch Arthur change as he makes discoveries.
It made me feel good.

Book Review: Waterloo, Waterloo

I was given this book by Endeavor Press and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I loved this book. The characters were so realistic, crazy and outrageous. The story is tragic, funny and filled with pathos. The satirical humor can be found throughout and will have the reader laughing as they read.
The story is told from each person's inner voice. The story looks at ordinary life with a family that is anything but perfect. If looking close, the readers may find themselves or those of others in the characters.
This is a great read and I highly recommend it.

Book Review: Knitlandia

All those who know me know this book was made for me. I love the adventures that the author Clara Parkes goes on to explore the world of knitting.
Filled with her essays I was able to take part in each of her 17 journeys she went on in this book with her.
As an avid knitter I felt like I could see the rich colors, feel each fiber as she shared them with us. She let me go to Taos, Tacoma, Washington; the Hudson: The New York Sheep and Wool Festival and to Edinburgh. Some of these I will never see with my own eyes but I was able to see them with her.
If you like adventures, knitting or yarn I most highly recommend this book for you.

Book Review: Our Own Country

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This book is the second in the series The Midwife Book.
Eliza Boylston, a merchant's daughter was forced to leave her home in the 1770s when war came near. This war, the Revolutionary War, divided her family in many ways. Eliza finds herself attracted to John Watkins, her uncle's slave. This led her to Braintree, Massachusetts where radicals such as John and Abigail Adams lived.The life she is forced into leaves many questions and uncertainties about her and John's lives.
I am a history buff, so I was naturally drawn to this book. It was a good book which included historically correct details. I like it when authors take the time to research the time period and setting of a book. I had not read the first book but I was able to immerse into the book with little difficulty. It was a well-written book that I recommend for other history buffs.

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Book Review: Running With Rhinos

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"Running With Rhinos" was written by Ed Warner. He is, in his own words, "Radical Conservationist."
Warner has combined many stories from veterinarians and biologist who give care to the endangered rhinos of Africa.
I applaud this work he is doing to help this animal. You can tell there is a connection between himself, the animals and the people who he assists. Each of these people place their lives in danger while aiding these rhinos. They come across highly potent sedatives that could kill a person if one drop lands on their skin, goring, linguistic issues and more.
I was so glad that I came across this book and I hope more people read it so they may be inspired to help in any way they can.

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Book Review: 223 Orchard Street

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Katie and Shannon O'Connor traveled from Ireland to America at the beginning of the twentieth century. Each of them face a world that is different from the world they were expecting. One discovers a calling through serving those that are ill in the slums while the other goes down a path that may cost her her life.
Whereby, the story line was a little predictable, I still felt my heart tug for the lives of these two girls. I realized that many immigrants went through these same struggles when trying to find a new home in a strange country, including going through Ellis Island. It is a romance but I didn't think it sappy or explicit. It fit just right in the world of Christian books.
I enjoyed this book because it was an easy read.

Book Review: Gracie Meets A Ghost

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In this cute picture book, Gracie is a bunny who has new glasses. She loses them on the mountain one day so she decides to go there to get them back. Without her glasses, she doesn't see well, at all. So when a ghost appears it doesn't scare her at all, because she cannot see it.
I love this book and I believe that my grandchildren will also. 

Book Review: It Is Well

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This book is set before and during WWII. Jonathan Beecher lives in a small town. He is a widower and a store owner. When Pearl Harbor is attacked, his family is divided. His older son is trapped in the Pacific, on a Japanese occupied island. His younger son joins the army, against Jonathan's wishes and his daughter married an abusive man.
Soon his life intersects with Sarah, a widow. He wishes to remain true to his late wife but yet he seems to be drawn to Sarah.
This book is so well written. I would catch my heart tear and swell throughout the story. This can be a difficult time to write about, but the author uses Jonathan's voice to tell the story well. Quite a reminder of this time in history. It will be a book I will turn to repeatedly.

Book Review: Head Over Heels

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Jessie Roscoe is an interior designer with a secret. This is about to change when the unidentified father of her son moves into the house next to hers. A father and son meeting can't be too far behind. The father, Toby Gillespie, is married to a very understanding woman, Deborah. How will this all play out?
I enjoy reading Jill Mansell books. This book was so entertaining and easy to read. I was able to read this very quickly.
The recommendation is very high for this book.