Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Review: A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander
Synopsis from goodreads.com
Eleanor Braddock, a spinster--plain, practical, no stunning Southern beauty--has long since dismissed any hope of marriage. But when a dying soldier whispers his final words, she believes her life can still have meaning and determines to find his widow. But this compassionate deed takes a harsh turn, and Eleanor finds herself dependent upon the richest woman in America and the most despised woman in Nashville--her aunt, Adelicia Acklen, mistress of Belmont Mansion. A clandestine act of kindness leads Eleanor to an unlikely path for her life--building a home for destitute widows and children from the Civil War. And while Eleanor knows her own heart, she also knows her aunt will never approve.
Gerhard Marcus Gottfried, Archduke of the House of Habsburg and fourth in line to the Austrian throne, arrives in Nashville in search of a life he determines, instead of one determined for him. Collaborating with botanist Luther Burbank, Marcus seeks to combine his own passion for nature with his expertise in architecture. But his plans to incorporate natural beauty into the design of the widow's and children's home run contrary to the wishes of practical, frugal Eleanor, who sees his ideas as costly nonsense.
Yet as the construction project continues, Marcus and Eleanor find common ground--and a love neither of them expected. But Marcus is not the man Adelicia has chosen for Eleanor to marry, and even if he were, someone who knows Marcus's secrets is about to reveal them all.
My Review
I adore this heroine! Eleanor has such compassion for others, and it is shown in several ways throughout the book. I really felt for her when she struggled with making difficult decisions and dealing with difficult people. Even while enduring trials she is a pleasure to read since she adapts well, has a sense of humor, and is just an all-around friendly person... unless annoyed by a certain under-gardener :)
Marcus is described as an Adonis, but that's not what endears his character- it's his integrity, passion for his work, and his ability to see the beauty in Eleanor. I love that their relationship has a foundation in friendship. They have wonderful rapport together as well as romantic chemistry.
Another vibrant element to the book is the setting. We meet Eleanor as she is serving as a volunteer in a surgical tent for the South during the Civil War. It gives us an instant understanding of her strength and compassion. The majority of the novel takes place after the war has ended, and the relationships Eleanor builds with the widows and children show a side to Reconstruction that is more personal. I've never read a book set in Nashville, but the author succeeded in sharing the historic feel and atmosphere of the Belmont mansion, its conservatory and grounds, as well as the less affluent parts of the city. Initially the meticulous descriptions slowed the pace of the novel, but with the environment well-established the world the characters interacted in was easier to imagine.
There are several different facets to the plot which weave together seamlessly as the story progresses and wrap together nicely in the end. I don't want to give anything away, but the story became so compelling in the second half of the book that I stayed up until 2 am to finish it! A very satisfying read.
(ARC provided via Netgalley for unbiased review)
Extras- Enter the giveaway for A Beauty So Rare!
- Check out the website for author Tamera Alexander
- The author's Pinterest board for A Beauty So Rare
- View the book trailer
- Read an excerpt from the book
- View the lovely interview with the author about the inspiration for the book
- The first book in the series is A Lasting Impression, and the characters make a few cameos in A Beauty So Rare :)
Free e-book! Courting Cate by Leslie Gould
Get this e-book free today on Amazon!
Synopsis from goodreads.com
When This Couple Gets to Courting, Sparks Will Fly!
In Paradise, Pennsylvania, Cate Miller is known more for her sharp tongue and fiery temper than her striking appearance. Her sweet and flirty sister, Betsy, on the other hand, seems to have attracted most of the bachelors in Lancaster County!
But the sisters' wealthy father has made one hard-and-fast rule: older Cate must marry first, before younger Betsy can even start courting. Unfortunately, untamable Cate has driven away every suitor--until Pete Treger comes to town, that is.
Prodded by the men of the area, Pete turns his attention to winning Cate's hand. But is his interest true or is there a scheme at play?
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Top Ten Tuesday: 'Gateway' books/authors in my reading journey
Here are ten genres that I enjoy reading and the first book of each I can remember that led me to fall in love with reading!
Regency
I picked up Dolly Blanchard's Fortune in the high school library. It's somewhat predictable, but the hero and heroine are so likeable, and the Regency details were wonderful to dream about.
Historical
Little House in the Big Woods is one of the first chapter books I remember reading. The characters and descriptions are so vivid and endearing. I always wanted to name one of my daughters Laura...
Christian/Clean Romance
During my teenage years my mom started buying my sisters and me novels with clean romance themes. A Bride for Donnigan is the first mail-order bride book I read, and it is a piece of history that has fascinated me.
Fairy Tale Retellings
I just fell in love with Ella Enchanted, and for several months I devoured fairy tale adaptations!
Western
My dad had quite the collection of Louis L'Amour paperbacks, and one bored afternoon I started Where the Long Grass Blows and was introduced to the cowboy adventure! I still love historical and contemporary books with a cowboy theme.
Love Inspired line
At our local library's used book sale I picked up Everyday Blessings since I figured it had to be a clean romance (unlike much of what was there among the paperbacks...) Little did I know it would start an addiction to these sweet quick reads.
Young Adult
What an adorable book! Fifteen is the sweetest story of young and awkward love.
LDS Fiction
As a teenager and young adult I spent much of my reading time with novels whose main characters are members of the church I belong to. Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites is an amazing and imaginative adventure of three modern-day teenagers time-traveling to the ancient lands of The Book of Mormon during one of the most volatile times in its history.
Classics
As the second of four girls in my family, I always related to Jo in Little Women, even though I was an artist like Amy. I read a few others by Alcott, but went on to enjoy L.M. Montgomery, Jane Austen, and Gene Stratton-Porter.
Fantasy
I don't read this genre much anymore, but there are a handful of books that I really connected with, mostly by Juliet Marillier. Wildwood Dancing was my first and still my favorite!
Review: Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom by Tricia Goyer
My rating: 5 stars
Synopsis
How can a work-at-home mom raise kids, juggle a career and take care of family responsibilities with only 24-hour days? Working at home while raising kids and juggling a career and family responsibilities is no easy feat. Author and homeschooling mom Tricia Goyer shares her tips for finding balance among all your many hats as a mom. Balancing is a process and a journey, one that Tricia herself has yet to perfect. But between writing more than forty books, raising and homeschooling six kids, being a wife, and being active in her community, she has amassed valuable tips she shares in “Balanced.”
The book includes tips on:
—how to create focus themes for your family
—how to prioritize your schedule
—how to utilize your job so it also benefits your kids
—how to keep yourself out of the comparison game
—how to make working at home work for you
—and much more!
My Review
This was a book I really needed to read! I've been feeling frustrated that even though I work at home, I never seem to be able to stay on top of things. I participated in the eleven-day Balanced Challenge the author led on her blog, and it helped me implement the advice I read in her book (instead of just reading it and thinking, "hey, that's a good idea," but then forgetting to actually try it out). The perspective, advice, and spiritual guidance she shares is invaluable, and can apply to women and mothers working in most any industry from their homes that find themselves in need of becoming a little (or a lot) more balanced.
(ARC provided via Litfuse Publicity for unbiased review)
Monday, March 31, 2014
The Inspiration Behind A Beauty So Rare
Here's another fun behind the scenes look at the book I'm currently reading, A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander. I'm enjoying the story so far, and I'm about 1/3 of the way through!
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Review: A Marriage in Middlebury by Anita Higman
My rating: 3 stars (I liked it)
Synopsis from goodreads.com
What happens when the matchmaker finds a match for herself? Charlotte Rose Hill has been serving up country delicacies, uniquely blended teas, and matchmaking advice for her quirky but beloved customers for more than 10 years. But for her, marriage seems like an elusive butterfly, always out of reach. At 18, Charlotte fell in love with a young man, Sam Wilder, but his family convinced her to walk away from their relationship. Now, more than a decade later, Charlotte finds that she still has feelings for her first love. Initially thrilled to learn that Sam has come home to Middlebury, Texas, Charlotte is devastated to learn that he’s brought someone with him: his fiancée. But all is not lost when the townsfolk decide to get involved. Will Charlotte and Sam find their way back to each other?
My Review
I would describe this book as pleasant. There is an ensemble of quirky townspeople, and the author occasionally switches to their points-of view to further the storytelling. At first I thought this would be a love triangle story, but once the character of Justin is introduced and makes a connection with Audrey, the fiancée, you can see who everyone is supposed to end up with. Then it was just a matter of waiting for everyone to decide to communicate. I became somewhat impatient for the characters to get on with it, and there are several sub-plots that slow things down, but eventually it all ties together and everyone gets their happy ending.
(ARC provided via Netgalley for unbiased review)
Friday, March 28, 2014
Weekend Wrap-Up
This week I read...
Severed Trust by Margaret Daley: 4 stars!
A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund: 5 stars!
The New England Romance Collection by Susan Page Davis, Darlene Franklin, Pamela Griffin, Lisa Harris, Lynette Sowell: 4 stars!
This weekend I'm reading...
What are you reading???
(Weekend Wrap-Up inspired by Melanie of Christian Bookshelf Reviews)
$1.99 e-book sale on two of my favorites!
I adore these books by Karen Witemeyer! They are the first two books in the Archer brothers series (the third is a novella in A Match Made in Texas). Both are 5 star reads for me, especially Short-Straw Bride! The $1.99 sale is only for a couple days so get them at this steal of a price quickly!
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