Heart Warming Christmas Read

Author Cindy Woodsmall has again penned a beautiful Amish Romance.  This time the setting is split between both Ohio and Pennsylvania Amish communities.  The Christmas Singing explores the consequences of heartache and the hope of restoration.  I was immediately captivated by the characters, especially Mattie Eash.  The character is so well developed I find myself believing "Mattie Cakes" is a real place from where I wish I could order my next cake.

My favorite quote from the book encapsulates the heart of her character: "Look at who I am.  I spend months planning and preparing cakes that are marred with the first slice and devoured in minutes...But having something that I've worked on taken apart doesn't make me give up.  It's the thrill of creating it and the joy it brings to others and the memories it gives that matter.  That's who I am."

As we approach the Christmas season, I think this is a great story to help you recenter your focus on things that truly matter:  Jesus Christ and interpersonal relationships.  Don't allow the frenzy of Christmas (shopping, baking, etc) distract you from taking the time to treasure the precious moments with your loved ones.  We never know how long any of us have.  Make every moment count. 



I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. Any opinions expressed are my own.

Fascinating Historical Fiction

Jane Kirkpatrick spins a fascinating story that weaves together facts with educated-speculation about the life and times of Helga Estby and her daughter Clara in her novel The Daughter's Walk.  This amazing semi-suffragette duo made an unprecedented 3,500-mile WALK across America in 1896 in an effort to win a $10,000 prize.  The journey was not well received by their family and this book is a fictional take on what might have resulted once they returned home. 

To be perfectly honest, had I not been reading this book for the purpose of writing a review, I'm not sure I would have finished it.  There were parts of the book that seemed to drag on at a sluggish pace.  In hindsight I wish I had read the "Authors Notes and Acknowledgements" first.  (Seeing as how reading the end of the book first goes against my better judgement, it hadn't occurred to me to do so.)  However, after reading about Kirkpatrick's thorough research and gathering of factual accounts of Clara and Helga, it was made clear that some of the slower parts of the story were actually recitation of the factual accounts and documented history of the real events.  It was in truth quite fascinating and I'm glad I read the story to it's entirety.

The story of Helga and Clara is a thought-provoking conundrum.  Kirkpatrick's fictionalization allows us to learn more about this nugget of history while exploring the intricacies of family dynamics and the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation.  Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and to anyone who has ever had a period of family separation or exile.

***I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. Any opinions expressed are my own.***  

 

 

Book Review Time again! The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck

This lovely novel is book three in the Women of the West series by Author Kathleen Y'Barbo.  (You can read the first two in the series: The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper and Anna Finch and the Hired Gun )  I was pleasantly surprised at how well The Inconvenient Marriage was penned.  The characters are vivid and colorful.  I found this book to be an entertaining "coming of age story" as we watch the main character Charlotte Beck bumble her way through trying to find her place in the world while striving to attain her father's respect and approval.  I was immediately sucked in to the Romeo and Juliet drama between the Beck and Hambly families.  I found myself "rooting" for Alex Hambly (the Viscount and heart-throb of the story).  Unfortunately, if you have not previously read the first two in the series you will be left with gaping holes in the story and character development.  The author definitely assumes you'll remember the first two stories and does not offer much in the way of "recap" for details that might have slipped your mind.  If you enjoy period pieces this is definitely a must read series for you!  I look forward to reading more from Y'Barbo.

***I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. Any opinions expressed are my own.***