Book Review: The Hidden Thread

Anna Butterfield is living with her uncle since the passing of her mother. Her uncle, a silk merchant, lives in London. While there her uncle is supposed to find a match for her. Someone who can support her father and sister, also. Henri is a French immigrant. Working as an apprentice weaver, he dreams of one day being a master weaver. When the weavers protest for a better wage, Henri becomes involved.

First, I was given this book my NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark in exchange for an honest review.

I found this book very interesting. I thought I knew a lot about English history but I had never heard of the silk riots. Set in the 1700s, I found the author's description of silk weaving interesting. I believe her research into this time and the silk business to be extensive.

This historical fiction includes areas that fascinate me, including silk, honor, hope, love, vision, and so much more. I highly recommend this book.

This book can be found at Amazon HERE or at Barnes and Noble HERE!

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Book Review: Two Nights by Kathy Reichs

If a book is written by Kathy Reichs, it will be good and it will be a thriller. This is no exception.

Sunday Night, Sunnie, has demons she needs to conquer. Physical and Psychological ones. She has a very independent, perhaps reclusive live, however, when there is a bomb explosion, followed by a little girl who is missing, she cannot turn down the family's request for aid. While helping, Sunnie realizes facing her own  secrets may help her to figure out many puzzles.

This was such a thrilling book, but it is not for the faint-of-heart. There is violence. As I was reading it the writing was so vivid and the plot was so clever. It is not a book that I could put down easily.

I received this book from NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine in exchange for my honest review.

• • This book may be found at Amazon HERE or at Barnes and Noble HERE

Book Review: Reading With Patrick: A Teacher, a Student, and a Life-changing Friendship

After she graduated from Harvard, Michelle Kuo decided to join Teach for America. this sent her to Helena, Arkansas. This part of the country is poor and still feels the effects of slavery. She finds one student, Patrick Browning, who she decides to mentor, in addition to her teaching. She discovers that this broken school has a truancy and gun violence history.

Patrick is in the 8th grade at the age of 15, however, he is doing so well under Michelle tutelage. After two years, Michelle decides it is time to go to law school. After this grueling schedule, just as she is about to graduate, she finds that Patrick has been accused of murder. She feel responsible so she goes back to finish Patrick's schooling, while he is in prison. She can see his education is making a difference in this young man's life. What she wasn't expecting was the change it would make inn her life.

As an educator, I knew exactly what Michelle was talking about. I often was amazed at how much one-on-one teaching could change the student and myself. I felt she was able to relate this so well, with such a beautiful writing style. Others who read this book could also see that this does not only speak to teachers but each one of us and the impact we can have on  others.  What an inspiration.

I recommend this book highly.

I am so glad that I was given this book by NetGalley and Random House in exchange for my honest review.

This book can be found at Amazon HERE!
This book can be found at Barnes and Noble HERE!

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Book Review: Gathering the Threads

This is the third book in The Amish of Summer Grove series. This book finds Ariana back in the world she loves. The world of the Old Order Amish. She spent month in the English world but finds she this world feels like a better fit. Now she has to take what was learned in both worlds and see if she can mesh them. She is not my herself in figuring this all out, Quill Schlaback, a long-time friend who is an ex-Amish, wants to help her. This is difficult when changes in Ariana are plain.

Skylar Nash is also hoping that the appearance of Ariana will not threaten the place she has found here.

This story is so filled with God's love as these two try to find who they are through His love.

I had not read the previous books but I was able to feel like I fit into this world almost from the beginning. I found the world Cindy Woodsmall made to be just like the communities I knew when I was growing up. The characters were rich and made you feel you had an investment made in them and when finished, they become a part of the reader's life.

I was given this book by Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

This book may be found at Amazon HERE!
or at Barnes and Noble HERE!

 

Just Sayin'

Jennifer and Trent were going to be married making a combined family with Jennifer's daughter, Cassie and Trent's children Nick and Julie. Now that they are broken up, the kids decide to do something. Nick and Cassie, through letters, are trying to figure out what happened to their parents' relationship and how they can change things.

They also try to figure out how to get on The Last Insult Standing, their favorite game show. Through all of these letters, the children learn the importance of the words they use.

I loved the way the three children love each other, even though they may make fun of each other in every letter. This is a touching, silly book that will make the reader realize the importance of watching the tongue.

I was given this book by Tyndale House Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

This book can be found HERE at Amazon,
or HERE at Barnes and Noble

Book Review: They say we are infidels

As a Christian, I believe in intercessory prayer. However, with this book it opened my eyes to places I could be aiming my prayers besides my standard places. Mind Belz was able to tell the story of the Middle East as if an objective reporter. She talks about the plight of the Iraqi Christians from the time immediately before Hussein fell through 2015. These Christians face torture that we do not know, whether here or in their homeland. In Iraq they could be killed, raped, kidnapped and more.  This book also tells how being on the run from ISIS is in the Middle East. At the very least Christians should be called to prayer for these fellow Christians or even more. We could become involved politically or at a local level.

I found this book very moving.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

This book may be found at Amazon through HERE!
Or Barnes and Noble through HERE!

Water My Soul Ninety Meditations from an Old Order Mennonite by Darla Weaver

I love this Christian Devotional. I grew up in a town with Old Orders around us and I love the lifestyle and the faith of these people. Each of these entries show Darla Weavers love for the Lord and all of his creations. There are also entries about her life in general including her children, friends and family. Each devotions has a reading, prayer and journal prompts. There are even ways to actively respond do the devotions.

I will keep this devotion and look upon it time and again.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Herald Press in exchange for my honest review.

This book may be purchased from Amazon HERE!
or from Barnes and Nobel HERE!