The second book in the "Price of Privilege" series by a favorite new author, our continuation of Julia's story was easily worth the wait.
We again enter the Victorian era and begin immediately where book 1, "Born of Persuasion" left off. (By the way, if you haven't yet read the first book in this series - please don't attempt this one. You'll be very confused. You'll also be quite happy you were able to read them both in succession, rather than having to wait ages for number 2 like the rest of us.) :)
Julia has "escaped" Mr. Macy and is now living under the protection of her father, Lord Pierson. She is immediately swept up into more intrigue and confusion, as she continues to learn the rules of London society and is forced to be presented as the Emerald Heiress. She finds an ally in Lord Dalry, her father's protégé who is coming into power himself, all as she is trying to discover what she really believes and again, who she can trust.
This beautifully written, suspenseful, interesting, and well-developed story is very worthy of your investment of time and money to have in your collection.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Review of "Life Support" by Candace Calvert
Another book in the author's Grace Medical series (these can be stand alone books, but as they include some of the same characters I believe you'll have a richer experience if you read in order).
Lauren Barclay is a nurse at Grace Medical in Houston, where she has recently returned to be closer to her family. Her younger sister Jessica has been having a tough time and Lauren is unsure of the true cause. Eli Landry is a PA at Grace who has some family struggles of his own, as he is in a long and difficult power struggle with his Father about his older brother, Drew, who suffered a traumatic brain injury years ago. Although Lauren and Eli have had their differences in the past, as they work together they begin to have a better understanding of their shared past and are able to explore the possibility of a new and different future.
This story shows how they navigate some very difficult situations - including illness, misunderstanding, an impending hurricane! - and still find some hope.
Lauren Barclay is a nurse at Grace Medical in Houston, where she has recently returned to be closer to her family. Her younger sister Jessica has been having a tough time and Lauren is unsure of the true cause. Eli Landry is a PA at Grace who has some family struggles of his own, as he is in a long and difficult power struggle with his Father about his older brother, Drew, who suffered a traumatic brain injury years ago. Although Lauren and Eli have had their differences in the past, as they work together they begin to have a better understanding of their shared past and are able to explore the possibility of a new and different future.
This story shows how they navigate some very difficult situations - including illness, misunderstanding, an impending hurricane! - and still find some hope.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Review of "The Auschwitz Escape" by Joel C. Rosenberg
Whew, this one was tough. The writing was excellent and the story compelling, but what a difficult subject. When dealing with historical fiction, I personally find it a wonderful way to get a feel for what the day/culture must have been like while enjoying a great story. This book was no exception on that note; but the topic, simply painful.
Jacob Wiesz is a young Jew growing up in his family's beloved Germany. As the Nazis begin to come into power, he finds it hard to believe that so much hate exists in the world. Through a series of horrifying events, Jacob eventually joins the rebels fighting the terrible tide of insane prejudice. Although he experiences some success, one operation goes terribly wrong and he finds himself being taken to Auschwitz. Navigating the unthinkable, he is determined to escape and tell the world what is actually happening there - these are not work camps, they are death camps; and the Nazis will give anything to keep that quiet. Jacob will do anything to get out.
And even though it is certainly a difficult subject to read about, much less comprehend, it is absolutely worthy of your investment of time and resources. This is truly an important book.
Jacob Wiesz is a young Jew growing up in his family's beloved Germany. As the Nazis begin to come into power, he finds it hard to believe that so much hate exists in the world. Through a series of horrifying events, Jacob eventually joins the rebels fighting the terrible tide of insane prejudice. Although he experiences some success, one operation goes terribly wrong and he finds himself being taken to Auschwitz. Navigating the unthinkable, he is determined to escape and tell the world what is actually happening there - these are not work camps, they are death camps; and the Nazis will give anything to keep that quiet. Jacob will do anything to get out.
And even though it is certainly a difficult subject to read about, much less comprehend, it is absolutely worthy of your investment of time and resources. This is truly an important book.
Review of "The Prayer Box" by Lisa Wingate
Author Lisa Wingate never fails to impress me. I think at this point I have read every book she's published, and although they are all very different in their concept and storyline; they are rich in meaning and texture. Not sure how else to explain it.
Out of all of her books, The Prayer Box easily stands out as one of my favorites. Single mom Tandi Reese has been renting a cottage from elderly Iola Anne Poole on Hatteras Island, and after discovering Iola Anne has passed away, she's terrified she will lose any of the precarious stability she's managed to find there. She's hired by the local church to help clean and prepare the "estate", and in doing so discovers 81 carefully preserved prayer boxes, one for each year of Iola Anne's life. Tandi soon finds that each box is a time capsule of sorts and begins to unravel not just Iola's story....but eventually her own, as along the way she is challenged to rediscover her faith and gain some trust in the God who loves her most.
Ms. Wingate weaves humor, heartache, faith, and transparency in a way that is both unique and touching. This book will not leave you unchanged.
Out of all of her books, The Prayer Box easily stands out as one of my favorites. Single mom Tandi Reese has been renting a cottage from elderly Iola Anne Poole on Hatteras Island, and after discovering Iola Anne has passed away, she's terrified she will lose any of the precarious stability she's managed to find there. She's hired by the local church to help clean and prepare the "estate", and in doing so discovers 81 carefully preserved prayer boxes, one for each year of Iola Anne's life. Tandi soon finds that each box is a time capsule of sorts and begins to unravel not just Iola's story....but eventually her own, as along the way she is challenged to rediscover her faith and gain some trust in the God who loves her most.
Ms. Wingate weaves humor, heartache, faith, and transparency in a way that is both unique and touching. This book will not leave you unchanged.
Review of "Tattler's Branch" by Jan Watson
We return to Skip Rock in the early 1900's, where we find Lily Corbett Still has grown up, married Tern, and is practicing medicine in her small town. Although she is brilliant, she sometimes possesses more passion and good intentions than sense! And so, she eventually finds herself entangled in a mystery that includes a bad guy, a baby, and mental illness. I especially enjoyed the strong characters and medical references of the time - thanks to the author for her research!
Jan Watson is a wonderful storyteller, and I am so glad she decided to continue Lily's story. I also appreciate that although she has numerous other books that include these characters, they all can essentially be stand alone titles. However, if you have yet to read any I would recommend starting at the beginning, because it will give you a greater perspective and depth! They are all still great on their own - you decide. Enjoy!
Jan Watson is a wonderful storyteller, and I am so glad she decided to continue Lily's story. I also appreciate that although she has numerous other books that include these characters, they all can essentially be stand alone titles. However, if you have yet to read any I would recommend starting at the beginning, because it will give you a greater perspective and depth! They are all still great on their own - you decide. Enjoy!
Review of "The Sentinels of Andersonville" by Tracy Groot
I am so glad I read this book. It took me quite a while to "settle in" and really enjoy it, but I am thankful I stuck it through! A story heavily based in the reality of Andersonville Prison in Georgia, which (especially towards the end of the Civil War), was literally hell on earth. Housing close to a total of 50,000 (in and out) prisoners, the number of men who died there are so high that they are almost unfathomable. Most died of starvation or exposure to the outside elements. Disease ran rampant and at Andersonville, the conditions are not something that anyone would describe as livable - war or no.
The author posts a "note to the reader" at the beginning of the book that is a warning of sorts - and truly, the descriptions of what happened there are hard to read. However, they happened. And may we all take a note to ourselves that this should not ever be repeated. For that reason alone I would suggest you read this book. However, her sense of humor is wickedly depicted, and her characters are real and interesting. Please read this book. You, as I, will be glad you did.
The author posts a "note to the reader" at the beginning of the book that is a warning of sorts - and truly, the descriptions of what happened there are hard to read. However, they happened. And may we all take a note to ourselves that this should not ever be repeated. For that reason alone I would suggest you read this book. However, her sense of humor is wickedly depicted, and her characters are real and interesting. Please read this book. You, as I, will be glad you did.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Review of "The Midwife" by Jolina Petersheim
Several time periods, lives, and mysteries are woven together masterfully in Jolina Petersheim's second novel, "The Midwife." This beautifully complex story bounces back and forth between 1996 and present day as we learn about Beth Winslow's deep heartache that stems from her mothers' abandonment. A graduate student hoping to pursue a PhD in bioethics, she agrees to be a surrogate for her professor-and so begins a long and winding path she never expected to take.
I could say so much more about the story and its characters but hesitate to even accidentally give anything away. Please, run to your bookstore or favorite ebook app and get this book (along with "The Outcast", please) right away!
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