From the author's website... "Headstrong. Unconventional. Until life turns upside down… Julia Colter struggles to accept life under her controlling brother’s greed. The suitors he selects would benefit him, but are far from the ideal husband for her. When her rebellion against her brother puts her life at risk, she turns to her friend for help. Adam Larson longs to train horses and plans to head west to the Arizona Territory to see his dreams fulfilled. When his sister’s best friend shows up in the middle of the night, he agrees to help her flee. The decision changes his life, in more ways than he expected. Can Julia forget the pain from her past and open her heart to love?"
This is the second in The Prescott Pioneers series... and as much as I loved the first novel, A Dream Unfolding,(here's my review...http://bagsbooksandbonjovi.blogspot.com/2011/04/dream-unfolding-by-karen-baney.html), I think I liked A Heart Renewed even more!
I was really drawn to Julia in the first book and was excited to read her story. Even though it was sometimes difficult to read, it made her story real. Her strength of character was evident through the book and her actions were defined by that strength as well as her commitment to her faith.
Ms. Baney uses her research to create a story that moves along at its necessary pace. By that, I mean that it just "flow". The story is not bogged down in research yet the author gives enough detail to put me, the reader, in the scene. I love this time when our country was being settled by courageous and faithful people. Their desire, like Julia's, was to make a better life. It is that desire that creates such a wonderful novel.
I've said it before but the main reason I love series is to revisit favorite characters. It takes a talented writer, IMO, to take a main character from one book and continue to write him/her in such a way to further their story. Ms. Baney has written these characters so that we know how they are doing but she doesn't allow them to overshadow the (now) main characters.
I enjoyed reading Ms. Baney's author's note at the end of the book as these always provide such great insight into the writing process. I love the little "tidbits" that fill out the story that I just enjoyed. My favorite sentence..."Look for book 3 in the Prescott Pioneers series: A Life Restored coming in late 2011." One word...YAY!!!!
~~Thanks to the author, Karen Baney, for providing a copy of A Heart Renewed, in exchange for an honest and thoughtful review,~~
The trade paperback edition of THE CONFESSIONS OF CATHERINE DE MEDICI is in stores today, with a beautiful new cover and bonus reader material... which is one of my favorite things when reading historical fiction.
This is a re-post of my review. I originally posted this as Mr. Gortner's novel was first released. If you haven't yet read this novel and love strong female protagonists, you are in for a treat!
From C.W. Gortner's website... "At the age of fourteen, Catherine de Medici, last legitimate descendant of the Medici blood, finds herself betrothed to the King Francois I’s son, Henri. Sent from her native Florence to France, humiliated and overshadowed by her husband’s life-long devotion to his mistress, when tragedy strikes her family Catherine rises from obscurity to become one of 16th century Europe’s most powerful women. Patroness of Nostradamus and a seer in her own right, accused of witchcraft and murder by her foes, Catherine fights to save France and her children from savage religious conflict, unaware that her own fate looms before her—a fate that will demand the sacrifice of her ideals, reputation, and the passion of her own embattled heart. . . From the splendors of the Loire palaces to the blood-soaked battles of the Wars of Religion and haunted halls of the Louvre, this is the story of Catherine’s dramatic life, told by the queen herself."
C. W. Gortner, half-Spanish by birth, holds an M.F.A. in writing, with an emphasis on historical studies, from the New College of California and has taught university courses on women of power in the Renaissance. He was raised in Málaga, Spain, and now lives in California. Acclaimed for his insight into his characters, he travels extensively to research his books. He has slept in a medieval Spanish castle, danced in a Tudor great hall, and explored library archives all over Europe. His debut historical novel The Last Queen gained international praise and has been translated into eight languages to date. His new novel, The Confessions of Catherine de Medici, will be published on May 25, 2010. He is currently at work on The Princess Isabella, his third historical novel, and The Secret Lion, the first book in his Tudor thriller series,The Spymaster Chronicles. You can visit C. W. Gortner’s website at http://cwgortner.com/
My thoughts about The Confessions of Catherine deMedici... This novel was incredible from the first line (and you know how much I love first lines!)... "I was ten years old when I discovered I might be a witch." to the last sentence... you didn't really think I'd share that, did you?!?
I love historical fiction but have, until recently, read mostly about fictional characters. I really didn't know a lot about Catherine de Medici. I didn't "google" her until after I had finished this novel. I wanted to read this book without any preconceived ideas. Because I wasn't as familiar with Catherine's story as I should be (shhh... don't tell my history professors :D), I was very grateful for the map of France and the family tree of The Valois. I referred to both and didn't get lost with names and places. It's details like this that tell me that the author put thought into everything about his novel. If there are too many characters or places and I have to constantly go back and read a page or two to figure things out, I'm more likely to stop reading. A quick glance at the map and family tree assured that this novel read effortlessly. I appreciate things like that in my books.
Mr. Gortner chose to tell Catherine's story from her point of view. This, in my humble opinion as a reader, can make or break a story. He did it, flawlessly. There was never a point in the story when I "lost" Catherine's voice and "heard" the author's. Everything was as Catherine would interpret it... the dialogue flowed, the characters (both primary and secondary) were presented as she saw them and the settings described through her eyes. To take Catherine from a young girl through her tumultuous life and have me feel empathy for a Queen who, historically, is regarded as ruthless, domineering and, even murderous, takes great skill as a writer. To do it from her own point of view without losing historical facts and perceptions seems to very easy for Mr. Gortner.
I know not all authors choose the covers of their novels but I have to say that this cover is so striking. I hope Mr. Gortner had some say with this cover and is pleased with the results. I have seen The Confessions of Catherine deMedici at the bookstore and it is truly eye-catching. I know a huge trend in historical fiction cover art is women wearing beautiful period gowns. This cover takes it a step beyond. Yes, Catherine is wearing a beautiful period gown but she is standing in a hall that is dark, almost ominous... foreshadowing, maybe?
There is a afterword in which the author shares some of his thoughts about writing this novel as well as some other historical notes. I appreciate this because, after reading the book, I can tell he was thoughtful and careful he was to tell Catherine's story.
I read this novel with a more critical eye than I normally do as I knew I would be reviewing it. I came away thinking that it was so well-written and interesting that I would not have been disappointed if I had purchased it... which I will do for Mr. Gortner's other books. I'm now quite a fan of his work. Please check out his website for information about his other works.
***Thanks to Dorothy and Cheryl at http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/ and Random House for sending me The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C. W. Gortner to read and write an honest review on my blog.***
From the publicist... "A Heart that Yearns for More. Colleen Coble leads her readers on a search for significance. What do I have to offer this world? Can I really be loved for who I am on the outside and not for how others view me? Where does my true significance come from? In her third installment of the Mercy Falls series, The Lightkeeper’s Ball, award-winning author Colleen Coble will answer these questions while leading her readers down a path of betrayal, desire and ultimate fulfillment. The Mercy Falls series centers on a small town in California and its lighthouse. Coble uses the lighthouse as a reminder that Jesus is our lighthouse always leading us home. In her latest addition to the series, the main characters must wrestle with their desire to find fulfillment in more than their work and money while being hunted by those who are holding on to resentment and unforgiveness. Olivia Stewart’s family is one of the Four Hundred—the highest echelon of society in 1910. Living in New York with her mother, Olivia is twenty-five and unmarried, and her mother is threatening an arranged marriage if she does not pick a suitable match soon. But Olivia wants someone who will love her for more than her name. Her sister Eleanor has headed to the Wild West of California to meet and marry Harrison Bennett. Harrison is the son of her late father’s business partner, Claude. Olivia’s father had specified in his will that the Bennett and Stewart families be joined in order for his family to receive half of the rights to the Bennetts’ diamond mine. But when Claude Bennett arrives in New York to inform Mrs. Stewart and Olivia that Eleanor has drowned, everything changes. Now Olivia must marry Harrison, or her family will be left with no income. But Olivia is not convinced that her sister’s death was an accident. So she heads to Mercy Falls, California, under her formal title, Lady Devonworth, in order to seek the truth and to hide her identity from Harrison. But the truth she finds may not be what she expected. Harrison Bennett is full of dreams. His father insists he run their business, and his mother tells him that he should not waste the gift God has given him. But all Harrison really wants to do is build and fly aeroplanes. And it doesn’t help any that his fiancé drowned and now the nosy Lady Devonworth keeps asking him questions about something so private and hurtful. Yet there seems to be something more than skin deep with her, and he would like to discover what it is. Can Olivia and Harrison both find the meaning in life that they desire? In her last novel in the Mercy Falls series, Coble does not disappoint. With murder, suspense and desire, readers will enjoy peeling back the layers and discovering that this is more than your average romance novel. They will be perched on the edge of their seats trying to solve the mystery of Eleanor’s death while discovering that the true worth of an individual never comes from a name or accomplishments. True worth can only be found in Christ."
An interview with Colleen Coble, author of The Lightkeeper’s Ball Q: Did you always dream of becoming a writer? Why did you choose the romance genre? I wrote my first story in the first grade. It was about a horse that had twin colts. The teacher praised it and the writing seed was planted. I love illustrating God’s love through romance. I especially love the suspense I put into all my books as well. I have a strong streak of justice and it plays out in the suspense element.
Q: What inspired you to write a historical series based in the early 1900’s? What would you have enjoyed about living in that time period and what would you have found the most difficult? I happened to read an article about the Gilded Age and it mentioned how that era was so similar to today’s. I was intrigued with that, plus I wanted to choose a time period that wouldn’t be too much of a departure from my contemporary books. In that era, there were still cars and telephones! I would have loved the simpler lifestyle. However, I would miss my jeans! How vain.
Q: Society at the turn of the century was very preoccupied with appearances and impressing other people. How is that not so different than our society today and how can we keep from falling into that same trap? That’s exactly right! The parallels between the two eras are astounding. I’ve been at the cancer hospital this week with a dear friend, and it was a reminder of how fragile this life is. We seek THINGS when God wants us to seek Him. We need to keep our eyes set on eternity and remember that THIS life is the real dream. When we reach heaven, we will finally start to really live.
Q: Bitterness and unforgiveness led to the death of Olivia’s sister. Why is it so important to forgive those who have wronged us? An unforgiving spirit hurts us much more than the person we hate. It makes us ugly and crowds out the love we want to show other people. God is love, not hate. Bitterness is the very opposite of the attitude God wants us to have.
Q: This is the third book in your Mercy Falls series. Addie and Katie were the main characters in your first two books. Olivia was given a true gift in the friendship of Katie and Addie. What does it take to find trustworthy and loyal friends? Why do you think that we all desire to find friends like these? You have to first be a friend. You have to be open and giving of yourself to have those kinds of friends. A true friend tells you the truth in love, and that’s an important component of the give and take of real friendship.
Q: What do you hope that your readers will take away from reading The Lightkeeper’s Ball? I hope the readers who feel they have to earn love will take away the realization that their true worth is that Jesus loves them and died for them. They are valuable beyond comprehension. When we can step into the role of daughters and sons, we can realize our true potential.
My thoughts... I love series books but I don't love when series books end. Every page I turned brought me closer to the end of a series I really enjoyed. That said, though... The Lightkeeper's Ball is a satisfying conclusion to The Mercy Falls series.
As mentioned in previous reviews, I really love The Gilded Age in novels. Not only is this book set in the time period but it also takes readers to the rugged coast of California. It is also a mystery and that adds another aspect that I love in novels. It wasn't just "thrown" in. Ms. Coble wove it seamlessly into the story that is also about love, friendship, truth and faith.
I enjoy series novels because I can "catch up" with characters from previous novels. It was satisfying to see Addie and Katie again and see what their story has become.
The Mercy Falls series was my introduction to Ms. Coble's writing. I hope her other novels are as wonderful as this series.
~~Thanks to Audra Jennings, Senior Media Specialist at The B&B Media Group as well as the author and the publisher for sending me The Lightkeeper's Ball.~~
From Margaret George's website... "New York Times best-selling Margaret George captures history’s most enthralling queen—as she confronts rivals to her throne and to her heart. One of today’s premier historical novelists, Margaret George dazzles here as she tackles her most difficult subject yet: the legendary Elizabeth Tudor, queen of enigma—the Virgin Queen who had many suitors, the victor of the Armada who hated war; the gorgeously attired, jewel-bedecked woman who pinched pennies. England’s greatest monarch has baffled and intrigued the world for centuries. But what was she really like? In this novel, her flame-haired, look-alike cousin, Lettice Knollys, thinks she knows all too well. Elizabeth’s rival for the love of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and mother to the Earl of Essex, the mercurial nobleman who challenged Elizabeth’s throne, Lettice has been intertwined with Elizabeth since childhood. This is a story of two women of fierce intellect and desire, one trying to protect her country, and throne, the other trying to regain power and position for her family. Their rivalry, and its ensuing drama, soon involves everyone close to Elizabeth, from the famed courtiers who enriched the crown to the legendary poets and playwrights who paid homage to it with their works. Intimate portraits of the personalities who made the Elizabethan age great—Shakespeare, Marlowe, Dudley, Raleigh, Drake—fill these pages, giving us an unforgettable glimpse of a queen who ruled as much from the heart as from the head, and considered herself married to her people. This magnificent, stay-up-all-night page-turner is George’s finest and one that is sure to delight readers of Alison Weir, Philippa Gregory, and Hilary Mantel."
When I received this ARC, I was a little intimidated by its size. It's almost 700 pages! But I LOVE BFBs...big fat books! Honestly, though, it was quite a page turner. I think the reason I love historical novels so much is that I am really taken to another place. I love that I am learning history, as well. I like to think I am an educated person but I am always pleasantly surprised at how much I learn when I read novels like Margaret George's Elizabeth I.
This is my first Margaret George novel. Her writing style "clicked" with me. I think it was the first person narration that I enjoyed the most. There's no way I can remotely relate to being Queen of England in 16th century England. Reading her story through her eyes, as it were, made Elizabeth more of an empathetic character as opposed to just a historical figure. Her thoughts, action and reactions were made more real because, through her, I understood her motivations.
I think Ms. George made an interesting choice in telling Elizabeth's story as a ruling monarch in the "evening" of her life. We don't see her character being "set". We see the product of all that has gone before her and made her the Queen.
Here is an excerpt taken from the author's website... "Excerpt Chapter 1 The Vatican, March 1588 Felice Peretti, otherwise known as Pope Sixtus V, stood swaying before the stack of rolled Bulls. They were neatly arranged like a cord of wood, alternating short and long sides, their lead seals hanging down like a row of puppy tails. “Ah,” he said, eyeing them with great satisfaction. They seemed to radiate power. But one thing was lacking: his blessing. Raising his right hand, he spoke in sonorous Latin: “O sovereign God, hear the prayer of your servant Sixtus. Acting in accordance with my office as the vicar of Christ, his representative on earth, who has the power to bind and loose, to forgive sins or withhold forgiveness, I have pronounced judgment on that wicked woman of England, the pretender queen. She is hereby excommunicated from the body of Christendom until such time as she repents. In order that those living under her rule do not go down into damnation with her, we bless the Enterprise of England. Aboard the ships of the great Armada will go these Bulls of excommunication and sentence upon Elizabeth, the pretender queen of England, calling for her deposition, in order that her subjects may be rescued from her impiety and perverse government. They will see the happy light of day when Christ’s avengers set boots upon English soil. There they will be distributed to the faithful. Merciful God, we ask this in the savior’s name, and for his Holy Church.” The sixty-eight-year-old pope then slowly circled the pile, making the sign of the cross and sprinkling it with holy water. Then he nodded to the Spanish envoy standing quietly to one side. “You may transport them now,” he said. “The Armada leaves from Lisbon, does it not?” “Yes, Your Holiness. Next month.” Sixtus nodded. “They should arrive in plenty of time, then. You have waterproof canisters for them?” “I am sure they will be provided. King Philip thinks of everything.” * * * * * * * * Chapter 4 ELIZABETH May 1588 The whip cracked and snapped as it sought its victim. I could see the groom cowering in the bushes, then crawling away in the underbrush as the whip ripped leaves off a branch just over his head. A stream of Spanish followed him, words to the effect that he was a worthless wretch. Then the face of the persecutor turned toward me, shining with his effort. “Your Majesty,” he said, “why do you keep my whip?” It was a face I had thought never to see again—that of Don Bernardino de Mendoza, the Spanish ambassador I had evicted from England four years earlier for spying. Now he rounded on me and began fingering his whip as he walked toward me. I sat up in bed. I could still smell the leather of the whip, lingering in the air where it had cracked. And that smirk on the face of Mendoza, his teeth bared like yellowed carved ivory—I shuddered at its cold rictus. It was only a dream. I shook my head to clear it. The Spanish were much on my mind, that was all. But . . . didn’t Mendoza actually leave me a whip? Or did we just find one in his rooms after he hurriedly left? I had it somewhere. It was smaller than the one in the dream, useful only for urging horses, not punishing horse grooms. It had been black, and braided, and supple as a cat’s tail. Spain’s leather was renowned for its softness and strength. Perhaps that was why I had kept it. It was not light out yet. Too early to arise. I would keep my own counsel here in bed. Doubtless devout Catholics—secretly here in England, openly in Europe—were already at early Mass. Some Protestants were most likely up and studying Scripture. But I, their reluctant figurehead, would commune with the Lord by myself. I, Elizabeth Tudor, Queen of England for thirty years, had been cast by my birth into the role of defender of the Protestant faith. Spiteful people said, “Henry VIII broke with the pope and founded his own church only so he could get his way with Anne Boleyn.” My father had given them grounds with his flip quote “If the pope excommunicates me, I’ll declare him a heretic and do as I please.” Thus the King’s Conscience had become a joke. But out of it had come the necessity of embracing Protestantism, and from that had grown a national church that now had its own character, its own martyrs and theology. To the old Catholic Church, I was a bastard and usurper queen; thus I say that my birth imposed Protestantism upon me. Why must England, a poor country, be stuck with subsidizing three others—the French, the Dutch, the Scots—and facing Spain, the Goliath champion of Catholicism? God’s teeth, wasn’t it enough for me to defend and manage my own realm? The role was a sponge that soaked up our resources and was driving us slowly but inexorably toward bankruptcy. To be the soldier of God was an expense I could have done without. Soldier. God must be laughing, to have handed me his banner to carry, when all the world knew—or thought it did—that a woman could never lead troops into battle."
If my review, or better yet, Ms. George's writing has piqued your interest, you can buy the book here... http://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-I-Novel-Margaret-George/dp/0670022535/
~~Thanks to Cheryl at Pump Up You Book, Margaret George and the publisher for sending this copy in exchange for my honest and thoughtful review.~~
Nancy Moser is the award-winning author of over twenty inspirational novels. Her genres include contemporary stories including John 3:16 and Time Lottery a Christy Award winner, and historical novels of real women-of-history including Just Jane (Jane Austen) and Washington's Lady (Martha Washington). Her newest historical novels are Masquerade and An Unlikely Suitor. Nancy and her husband Mark live in the
Midwest. She’s earned a degree in architecture, traveled extensively in Europe, and has performed in numerous theaters, symphonies, and choirs. She gives Sister Circle Seminars around the country, helping women identify their gifts as they celebrate their sisterhood. She is a fan of anything antique—humans included. Find out more at www.nancymoser.com and www.sistercircles.com and her historical blog: http://footnotesfromhistory.blogspot.com/
ABOUT THE BOOK
New York dressmaker Lucy Scarpelli befriends socialite Rowena Langdon as she's designing her 1895 summer wardrobe. Grateful for Lucy's skill in creating fashions that hide her physical injury, Rowena invites Lucy to the family mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, encouraging the unusual friendship.
One day Lucy encounters an intriguing man on the Cliff Walk, and love begins to blossom. Yet Lucy resists, for what Newport man would want to marry an Italian dressmaker working to support her family?
Rowena faces an arranged marriage to a wealthy heir she doesn't love, but dare a crippled girl hope for anything better?
And Lucy's teenage sister, Sofia, falls for a man well above her social class--but is he willing to give up everything to marry a woman below his station?
As the lives of three young woman--and their unlikely suitors--become entangled in a web of secrets and sacrifice, will the season end with any of them finding true happiness?
I have definitely found an author to add to my list of favorites! Okay, so I didn't put two and two together and realize that Nancy Moser wrote Masquerade, too. I loved that novel. It was just a few days ago as I started to think about this review that I realized it. Yay!
Not only does Ms. Moser write about The Gilded Age in New York City... which I LOVE!!... but she writes about both the "upper" class and the "working" class. In both novels, women from both classes are the main characters. Of course, their stories parallel but how each reacts is very indicative of the class to which they were born. The common thread that holds the women together is their faith in God.
As perfect as this story was and it really was (it had The Gilded Age, NYC, a little bit of mystery and... FASHION!!), my favorite part was after the novel ended. No, I'm not spoiling the ending but there is a wealth of information that just enhances the book! I would encourage you to actually read it as you read the book. There is a section titled "Fact or Fiction" in which Ms. Moser explains things that you may or may not know about the era. Although, I know quite a bit about The Gilded Age, I did learn a few things that really enhanced the story. There are also illustrations that show what fashionable ladies wore. Yes, Ms. Moser describes the fashions perfectly but to have the illustrations just increased my enjoyment of the story.
I have become one of Ms. Moser's blog followers. You can find it here... http://footnotesfromhistory.blogspot.com/. She writes of historical topics that parallel her novels.
Karen Witemeyer is a deacon's wife and mother of three who believes the world needs more happily-ever-afters. To that end, she combines her love of bygone eras with her passion for helping women mature in Christ to craft historical romance novels that lift the spirit and nurture the soul.
After growing up in California, Karen moved to Texas to attend Abilene Christian University where she earned bachelor and master's degrees in Psychology. It was also there that she met and married her own Texas hero. He roped her in good, for she has lived in Texas ever since. In fact, she fell so in love with this rugged land of sweeping sunsets and enduring pioneer spirit, that she incorporates it into the pages of her novels, setting her stories in the small towns of a state that burgeoned into greatness in the mid- to late1800s.
Karen is living her dream by writing Christian historical romance novels for Bethany House. When she visited her publisher back in January of 2010, she was interviewed by the staff. If you'd like a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how she develops her story ideas and a description of her bumpy journey to publication, click here to listen to a podcast of that interview.
ABOUT THE BOOK
After completing his sentence for the unintentional crime that derailed his youthful plans for fame and fortune, Levi Grant looks to start over in the town of Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a blacksmith, a trade he learned at his father’s knee, and he needs a place where no one knows his past.
Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote her time to the lending library she runs in the town her father founded. When a mountain-sized stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she's reluctant to trust him. Yet as the mysteries of the town’s new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden depths in him that tempt her heart.
Eden believes she's finally found a man of honor and integrity. But when the truth about Levi's prodigal past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian’s affections?
It dawned on me while I was reading this novel that, of course, I knew how it would end. No spoilers but, honestly, we all know how these types of novels end. It's a romance, for goodness sakes!
So, I started thinking why do I love to read these books so much? The answer is the journey. How the characters fall in love and overcome obstacles to have their happy ending is what draws me in. Ms. Witemeyer creates huge obstacles in To Win Her Heart. The main characters, through their faith in God, overcome them. Their journey is hard fought. It was reading this journey that made me a fan of Ms. Witemeyer. She writes "big" scenes and "small" scenes so that each are as important to the plot as the other. She is truly a storyteller.
Get your button here Welcome to Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl Mother's Day blog series. The series is week long celebration of moms and mothering. Each day will feature a new post by some of today's best writer's (Tricia Goyer, Megan Alexander, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Beth Engelman, Holley Gerth, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, and more). I hope you'll join us each day for another unique perspective on Mother's Day.
AND ... do enter the contest for a chance to win a beautiful hand crafted pearl necklace. To enter, just {CLICK THIS LINK} and fill out the short form. Contest runs 5/1-5/8 and the winner will on 5/11. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents.
If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls™ products (all GREAT Mother's Day gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.
And to all you MOMS out there! Happy Mother's Day!
PEARL PINS by Margaret McSweeney
At age 49, I am a mom without a mom. This deep longing for my mother continues to surprise me. During milestone moments, I imagine phone conversations with her.
“Can you believe that Melissa is graduating from high school in June? I’m so glad you will be flying to Chicago to be here with us.”
“Wasn’t that a fun family dinner we all had last weekend to celebrate Katie’s ‘sweet sixteen?’ I am so glad you could join us.”
“Isn’t this exciting? I just got a new book contract. Will you please edit my manuscript before I send it in?”
Sadly, this will be my eighth Mother’s Day to spend without my mother. She has missed some poignant milestones in my life and in the lives of my daughters. Both Melissa and Katie were very young when she died so they don’t have a full reservoir of memories about Grandmommy Rhea. However, they do have the legacy of faith that she helped instill in them as toddlers. She loved to send Veggie Tales tapes, Children’s Bibles and devotional books.
Melissa and Katie were blessed to have Nana, (Dave’s mother) around for much longer. Nana passed away two years ago. A few years before Nana died, she gave me a beautiful necklace with a diamond pendant made from her wedding ring along with a pair of diamond earrings. She asked me to give these special gifts to Melissa and Katie for their sixteenth birthdays. Even though Nana wasn’t around to celebrate, my daughters were so happy to receive such special keepsakes from her. Hugs from heaven.
Last week on Katie’s 16th birthday, I discovered an unexpected blessing that had been tucked away in a cardboard container of my mother’s things. A jewelry box with three pearl pins! I gave one to Melissa as a belated 16th birthday gift, and I presented one to Katie for her 16th birthday. This Mother’s Day, I will wear my mother’s pearl pin as a tangible reminder that a mother’s love (and a grandmother’s love) is an everlasting gift from God.
Finding these gifts made me think about what I might leave for my own daughters someday. It isn’t the external value of the gift that matters, but rather the love that it represents.
Is there a special gift or letter that you would like to leave your children?
Margaret McSweeney lives with her husband, David and two teenage daughters in the Chicago suburbs. After earning a master’s degree in international business from the University of South Carolina, Margaret moved to New York City to work at a large bank where she met David. Margaret is the editor of Pearl Girls, author of A Mother’s Heart Knows and co-author of Go Back and Be Happy. Charity and community involvement are very important to Margaret. She has served on the board of directors for WINGS (Women in Need Growing Stronger) for over eight years. For more information, find Margaret at www.pearlgirls.info and www.kitchenchat.info.
From Karen Baney's website... "The promise of a new life and a chance to start over… Hannah Anderson had the life she always wanted, married to the man of her dreams. When her husband’s brother gets in trouble with the law, the town turns against them, shattering her perfect life. Now they are left with only one choice—to head west to the Arizona Territory in the hopes of creating a new life. Will the journey be worth the cost? Will Colter, after burying his father, is forced to leave the ranch he has called home for nearly thirty years. The journey is dangerous, challenging him and his men. Will he find the new life he was hoping for? Or, is there a new dream quietly unfolding before their eyes?"
I am so happy that I was given the opportunity to read and review this book. It is so good!
It was offered to me as a Christian historical romance and, while it is definitely that, I think it is much more than that. It is a story of all that made the journey West something that still intrigues us.
It is not always an easy read. There were some difficult scenes but that was how it was. I would have been disappointed if Ms. Baney "candy-coated" it. She writes characters who were put in situations, not always of their making, and making the best of it. She writes about their relationship with God as "ordinary". I mean that in the best possible way. It's not forced or "thrown in". It's a part of their character just as their ambition, their honor and their determination. That, to me, is the mark of a great writer.
A Dream Unfolding is the first in The Prescott Pioneers series. I am looking forward to reading the second... A Heart Renewed.
~~Thanks to Karen Baney, the author, for sending me a copy of A Dream Unfolding in exchange for an honest and thoughtful revirew.~~
Today is the 12th anniversary of the massacre at Columbine High School. Please pray for the victims and their families.
We live less than five miles from the school and knew people who were there that horrific day.
It has really been on my mind today as my son is now a Freshman in high school. I cannot begin to imagine how those parents felt nor can I imagine my son in that incomprehensibly tragic situation.
This is a great meme hosted by Tasha at trillianbooks.blogspot.com.
From her blog... "Read My Review is a chance for book bloggers to share new and old reviews, related to a theme. It is hosted here at A Trillian Books. I've decided to run this feature once a month from now on, partly due to me being really busy and partly to allow more chance for people to link their reviews. What to do: - Find one of your reviews that fits the current theme (you can be as creative as you like when choosing what fits). It can be a new or old review, good or bad. - Leave the link to your review with Mr. Linky at the bottom of this post."Blog Name (Book Title)" - Visit some of the other reviews and leave a 'quality' comment (a couple of sentences). - Let people know about Read My Review. Grab the button, tweet it, Facebook it ... shout about it in the street ... whatever lol.
Both St. George's Day and the Royal Wedding are coming up so, the new theme is:
BRITISH
It can be a British author, a story set in Britain or have a British character (or all three!). The theme stays for four weeks so you can leave your link any time and don't forget to pop back and check out some more fab reviews. You can also clink the link at the top to see the previous Read My Reviews. Also, if you have any ideas for future themes you'd like to see leave them in a comment..."
This is the perfect meme for me. I LOVE British mysteries! I have blogged about so many British books lately. The most recent review I've posted... A Graceful Death by Ann Summerville... is a British mystery. Just scroll down and you can read my review as well as an interview with the author.
There are several other reviews of books that definitely fit the "British" category. You can look around Bags, Books & Bon Jovi for more British themed reviews but here are just a few...
~ A Trail of Ink by Mel Starr... http://bagsbooksandbonjovi.blogspot.com/2011/03/trail-of-ink-third-chronicle-of-hugh-de.html ~ Outlander by Diana Gabaldon... http://bagsbooksandbonjovi.blogspot.com/2011/03/outlander-by-diana-gabaldon.html ~ The Tudor Secret by CW Gortner... http://bagsbooksandbonjovi.blogspot.com/2011/02/tudor-secret-by-cw-gortner-review.html ~ Guest post by CW Gortner... http://bagsbooksandbonjovi.blogspot.com/2011/02/tudor-secret-by-c-w-gortner.html ~ India Black, A Madam of Espionage Mystery by Carol Carr... http://bagsbooksandbonjovi.blogspot.com/2011/02/india-black-madam-of-espionage-mystery.html ~ Interview with Carol Carr... http://bagsbooksandbonjovi.blogspot.com/2011/02/interview-with-carol-k-carr-author-of.html ~ The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen... http://bagsbooksandbonjovi.blogspot.com/2011/01/girl-in-gatehouse.html
Wow! I guess I'm a Anglophile at heart! Maybe I should rename my blog... How does Bags, BRITISH Books & Bon Jovi sound?!?
I hope you enjoyed the interview with Ann Summerville. If you haven't read it, please do. I love author insights. I also hope you read my thoughts on the first line of A Graceful Death as I used it last week when I posted First Line Friday.
As faithful readers of Bags, Books & Bon Jovi know, I LOVE mysteries! They are, truly, my favorite genre. And a "cozy" mystery is right up there as my favorite sub-genre. A Graceful Death is a "cozy" through and through.
Ms. Summerville has created the perfect "cozy" world. The mystery, while intriguing and carefully plotted, is woven through a story that just begs to be read with a cat on my lap and a cup of hot tea by my side. Now, would someone please tell my cats that they not doing their job as I read A Graceful Death sans any lap cats. My tea was good, however :D
I never read a mystery with the intent of solving it. I want to enjoy the story as it unfolds. Ms. Summerville writes for readers like me. The journey to the solution is as important as the solution. The characters, setting and "clues" are written with the understanding that "cozy" readers need to enjoy it all.
I am so happy that this is the first in a series. There are characters that I am excited to meet again. Giovanna (I have always loved that name) is a real woman. She's not perfect and knows that. She becomes involved in something unexpected and deals with it in a realistic fashion. She is confronted with her beloved Aunt's passing and eventually discovers all is not what it seems. She is not Miss Marple or Jessica Fletcher... clues do not "fall into her lap". I enjoyed this about Giovanna. She is not even an "amateur" detective, she just does what she need to do. That made A Graceful Death more realistic. Had everything just "happened", it would not have been believable.
Lowenna is the perfect setting for a mystery series. It's a coastal English town and any mystery reader worth their salt... what a FANTASTIC expression, I just had to say it!... knows that the murderous possibilities are almost endless in such a town. Who knows... maybe Ms. Summerville could begin her next book with "It was a dark and stormy night..." We can only hope!
~~Thanks to Ms. Summerville for providing a copy of A Graceful Death in exchange for an honest and thoughtful review.~~
I would like to welcome Ann Summerville, author of A Graceful Death to Bags, Books & Bon Jovi. A Graceful Death is the first in her cozy mystery series set in the coastal town of Lowenna.
From Amazon... "Giovanna Matthews has an acceptable life in London with her own flat, a good job, and recent engagement to the son of a Scottish landowner. But not long after her engagement to Alan, news of Aunt Grace's death hits Giovanna like a red double decker bus. Ignoring Alan's pleas to stay, she bundles her dog and suitcase into a rusty Volkswagen and drives to Aunt Grace's cottage on the Cornish coast where Giovanna had spent childhood summers with her cousin. Putting her aunt's affairs in order is further complicated when Giovanna discovers the local constabulary has its own view on Aunt Grace's demise - A view that Giovanna vows to challenge. Unless she can discover how her aunt died and find her missing cousin quickly, she stands to lose both her inheritance and Alan. Ann Summerville wrote her first short story before her age reached double digits. She was born in England, and in search of a warmer climate, moved to California before settling in Texas. Her short stories and flash fiction have been published in Long Story Short, The Shine Journal, Doorknobs & Bodypaint Anthology, Associated Content, Trinity Writer's Workshop newsletters and also their collection of Christmas stories. A member of Cowtown Crimesolvers, the Fort Worth Chapter of Sisters in Crime, Ann is currently working on her latest cozy mystery set in a Texas town featuring an English protagonist. Ann resides in Fort Worth, near her daughter and son-in-law, with her son, two boisterous dogs and a somewhat elusive cat."
~What was it about Giovanna that made her your main character? Although Giovanna didn’t realize it, she was searching for a family and in the process was lured into a less than ideal relationship with Alan. I think we’ve all been in a place where we were searching for something and it resulted in a bad decision. For Giovanna, the “family” ended up being a village rather than a conventional family.
~What can you tell us about the future of the series? High Tide, the second book in the series was published recently. I’m hoping to have the third Lowenna cozy in print by next year.
~What do you read? Fiction, non-fiction, mysteries, romances? Authors and titles, please! I mostly read mysteries and in particular cozy mysteries. M.C. Beaton is one of my favorite authors. Another recent read that I would recommend is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Annie Barrows. I’m currently reading Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith. It is part of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency based in Botswana. The HBO series was delightful too.
~One of the latest "trends" in reading are eReaders. What are your thoughts on this new way to read? Does it bother you that, while someone might be reading and enjoying A Graceful Death on a eReader, it's kind of a private thing? By that I mean, the cover is "hidden". The reader is not "advertising" the book to other nosy (yes, that would be me!) readers who might start a conversation based on seeing the book being read. Interesting question, I hadn’t thought of that. I do notice what others are reading, but you are right, the book wouldn’t be obvious on an e-Reader. I’m finding that my e-reader sales are much higher at the moment, but that could be because I’ve reduced the price of all three of my books to $2.99 for the month of April. As a reader, I love sharing with others a good book that I’ve read or a new author I’ve “found” so I don’t think the e-Readers will make any difference. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising.
~What is it like to see to your books in print? Or to "google" the title and see it on an Amazon page? It’s exciting seeing the final cover. Such a lot of work goes into novel writing that it’s lovely to see all the work tied up neatly in a package.
~What do you think of the book blog "phenomenon" and book bloggers, in general? What I like about book blogs is that you get to know the reviewer and learn who has similar tastes. I’ve come across some wonderful books that I might not have otherwise read. Giveaways are great too. It’s a wonderful community.
~Because my blog is Bags, Books & Bon Jovi... I have to ask... what bag are you carrying today? What book are you reading today? And, last but, definitely, not least... are you a Bon Jovi fan? :D I have a hand made bag with a quilted leopard on it. The book I’m reading is Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith (I must have a safari thing going on) and I like Bon Jovi, not sure I would be called a fan.
Thank you for inviting me today and being part of the book blog tour for A Graceful Death. I’m giving away three books on my blog so make sure you leave a comment and become a follower. I’ll pick a winner on April 30.
Thanks again to Ms. Summerville for answering my questions. Make sure you head to her blog to enter her giveaway! And please stop back by here tomorrow as I will be posting my review.
DizzyC at DizzyC's LittleBook Blog...http://dizzycslittlebookblog.blogspot.com... is taking over for Jennifer today! Go to her blog and check out the Hop! "Jennifer says..... I had a really busy week last week and was unable to get the Book Blogger Hop post up in time over the weekend. So, I present you with the first ever NON-WEEKEND Book Blogger Hop! This Hop will run through Thursday! Have fun!!
This week's question comes from Aislynn who reviews at Knit, Purl, Stitch...Read and Cook! "Outside of books, what is your guilty pleasure?" Are you, at all, surprised? I think not! Look at the title of my blog. I LOVE purses!! Always have, always will! I love expensive bags as much as I love the cute ones I buy at Target. One of my very guilty pleasures is TJ Maxx. I love looking at their selection. There are very high-end designer bags as well as labels that are less expensive! If you've read my blog for any length of time, you know I change my bag every day... sometimes more! I think that is the epitome of a guilty pleasure!
This graphic was made for me by Karen. Please check out her blogs... Deep in the Heart (http://karenintx.blogspot.com/) and Grab It Graphics (http://grabitgraphics.blogspot.com/)
From Java's blog... Welcome to the 42nd edition of "Meet Me On Monday!" Blogging is a funny thing...we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, "who is this person!?" I know them...but yet I don't know them! I want to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great way for all of us to "meet" each other! Every Sunday Never Growing Old will post five get to know you questions that you can copy and paste into your own Monday post and we can all learn a little more about each and every one of us!! Java will add a linky so we can follow who participates and get to know them better!! Be sure to link the POST and not just your whole blog!! If you have a question suggestion please email me at: nevergrowingold@hotmail.com and if I use your question I will give you a shout out!
Questions: 1. Who would be your dream celebrity date? 2. Do you have any food restrictions? 3. How much time do you take to get ready in the morning? 4. Sausage or bacon? 5. Do you Google, Bing or Yahoo?
My Answers~~ 1. Please see the title of my blog! Jon Bon Jovi... of course!! I've posted this picture before but I just love it. He's a little scruffy and he's wearing his hat shows his love of football! But, my true celebrity dream date would be Cary Grant...swoon!
2. As much as I love onions, they just don't love me. I get really bad heartburn when I eat them. I have discovered if I take a couple of Pepcid tablets, it takes care of it and I'm free to eat onions...yay!
3. It, obviously, depends. If I'm working or meeting someone for coffee and want to look presentable, I usually take about 45 minutes to an hour... from shower to "out the door".
4.
5. Definitely Google. I like how they change their logo to coincide with certain events.
Thanks for stopping by by Bags, Books & Bon Jovi! Please leave a comment so I can Meet You on Monday, too!
If you are interested in...
~ an honest and thoughtful review of your novel... mysteries, historical and contemporary fiction and romance are my favorite genres
~ an interview
~ a guest post
~ a sponsored giveaway
... posted on Bags, Books & Bon Jovi, please email MyHandbagHabit@AOL.com
Who Are These Great People & Why Are They Following Me?
I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles. - Audrey Hepburn
As my blog title says, three of my very favorite things are Bags, Books and Bon Jovi. Of course, family and friends are high on that list, but, not every entry will include them. This is my place in cyberspace...
Posts
