West Point historical fiction

Lucinda Pennyworth is alone.  Her mother died years ago and her father has died unexpectedly.  The only family she has to turn to is her mothers, people she has never met.  While she hopes they will take her in, she find her parents didn't leave home under the best of circumstances nor was her father quite the man she thought and relatives aren't as willing to welcome her in initially as she once hoped. Lucinda wants nothing more than to turn over a new leaf and find a cadet to marry but circumstances present themselves that make that more difficult than it should be in a new place.

Seth Westcott is a cadet at West Point and one of the first people Lucinda meets when trying to she arrived to attempt to build a life there.  Seth's mother has just passed away as well and his need to go out west to take care of his sister and their land weighs heavily on his mind but the army won't allow him to go as a man in the top of his class but his determination leads him on a path I would call deceitful with his unlikely schemes.

If I have read anything else by Siri Mitchell, I don't remember it.  Flirtation Walk  was an easy read with characters who were well developed and interesting.  I love historical fiction so that is what initially drew me to this pre-Civil War romance. Written in first person, Flirtation Walk  alternated between Lucinda's point of view and Seth's.   While it won't be listed in my list of top favorite historical fiction, I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style and reading about the time period and places steeped in history.  I found it interesting that while others may not have gone to the extreme measures Seth did to get what they wanted, there were men such as J.E.B. Stuart who altered their behavior to get an assignment that was more desirable to them.

Bottom line--enjoyable, covers a time period and place not often addressed, and I am glad I received the book from the publisher for an honest review.  I am in no way obligated to write a positive one.

Dealing with clutter

I don't know about you but there are times where I just look in portions of my house and wonder how in the world I ever thought I needed so much "stuff".  Is it the pleasure of shopping and buying? Is it not remembering what I even have and think I need another ______?  Am I trying in vain to fill a hole God put in every human being that only He can fill?  It probably is all those things.  But you know what, all that "stuff" may bring a brief moment of what might be termed as happiness but is it really?  It truly only results in the need to reorganize, needing a bigger house or storage, or the desire for even more "stuff".  The organizer industry must rake in millions a year but does organization really solve the problem?  No!

Joshua Becker addresses my pitfalls and gives ever reader practical tips and stories on how to overcome our bad habit of accumulation, even encouraging us to live a more minimalized life without all the piles upon piles of books, paper, keepsakes, and other possessions in order to enjoy life more fully by choosing adventures and experiences and chasing your dreams.  You won't find any magic recipe that immediately wipe away years of acquiring but perhaps you will find a way to begin to change your thinking to a more minimalistic mindset and away from the me-centeredness of ownership.  Easy to read and practical.  I must admit that this may be a book I need to mark up and revisit again and again since 50 year habits are hard to break.  It would seem that the younger generation does this much better than I.

For me--a must read.  If you find yourself dealing with some of the same, pick up this practical guide.  I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to write a positive one.  Off now to make a step by step plan for minimalizing my own stuff filled life. 

Outdoor wedding ideas

Today's society just doesn't do things like when I was married.  Everyone I knew was pretty much married in the church they grew up in but I can't remember when I was invited to a wedding in the bride's home church and, more often than not, the ceremony hasn't take place in a church at all.  The "venue" seems to be one of the most important decisions the bride makes for her special day.  What was once a given decision has become one more thing to check off the list.

Whether you are interested in a garden wedding, seaside, your favorite city, or even a church, The Knot Outdoor Weddings will give you a plethora of ideas and advice ranging from seating to cakes to flowers to color recommendations and more. Each of the weddings featured falls under one of six venues:  estate, waterside, garden, ranch, cityscape, or vineyard.  Also included in the back of the volume is a 12 month checklist that will help you have everything ready for your wedding day. 

While not quite at the point that my family is planning a wedding, that isn't too far in the future so I can see plenty of ideas my daughter will glean from The Knot.  It is heavy on the photos, which are beautifully done, but may or may not be what a bride is looking for.  In today's electronic world, you may be able to find as many ideas on-line.  I know we will use it but this might be a better choice for a library or wedding planner than every bride at the $40 price tag.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to write a positive one.

Priceless memories on a budget

While the day is not yet upon us, I know it won't be long before my daughter will be planning the day of her dreams.  While I want her to have a day that she will remember forever because of how special it made her feel, we will definitely be on a budget and can in no way complete with all the wedding shows she faithfully watches when she has school breaks on TV!  Nor do I want to feel pressured to "keep up with the Joneses".  But is it possible to have the "day of your dreams" for under $5000?  I am still going to have to wait to see if my daughter jumps on board with the idea but Priceless Weddings for Under $5000 by Kathleen Kennedy has given me the tools to at least consider options rather than my daughter having to work for years to pay off her wedding just like many work to pay off school loans.  Perhaps she will be able to work within the budget we allow her?

I loved the testimonials in the beginning of the book.  So many "how to" books are theory so it is wonderful to know that someone has actually made this work.  You may not be able to have a wedding that will be written up in the Post or featured on Four Weddings but I think if you follow the guidelines and prioritize what you really do want, a budget of $5,000 could be enough.  The key, as usual, is who you know.  Do you know someone who can make your wedding cake?  Take photos?  Alter your dress?  Is spending thousands on a dress a priority for you or is something more affordable an option? 

I guess some of the suggestions just won't work for many people but weddings used to be a time when friends and family all worked together to make it happen and be such a special day.  If that time has passed, perhaps you won't find much use for several of the ideas. However, personally, I would like to see those days return.  Even if you don't have family and friends ready to roll up their sleeves and help with your day, I think reading through the book offers a bride and her family much to consider and covers all the areas of planning the day of your dreams.  You won't discover any magical formula but you will find wise options in one place with advice and thoughts given by someone who has more experience that I or anyone else I have access to.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and am in no way obligated to write a positive one.

Perfect for Easter baskets

Ri












Written by Dr. Rick Warren's (The Purpose Driven Life and pastor of Saddleback Church in CA) daughter, Amy, Little One, God Loves You is a reminder to the smallest of children that God loves them, that you were created for HIS family, helps you grow, and then encourages your child to be helpful and show love wherever they go, not forgetting to thank God for His love and care.

The book is a sturdy board book format with sweet watercolor illustrations by Polona Lovsin.  The illustrations remind me of ones in my own children's book when I was a child.  The baby bunny has the sweetest of faces.  I think this book will be a wonderful addition to first Easter baskets this spring.  I will forever be a fan of board books that make it easy to for a child to grasp and "help" with the reading by turning the pages.  No need to concern your self with torn pages either.  Published by Zonderkidz.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and am in no way obligated to write a positive one. 

8 precious Bible stories for your little one

From Adam and Eve to Noah, David, Jesus' birth and parables, My Bedtime Story Bible allows parents to introduce their children to God's love and provision no matter how small.  The volume contains 8 Bible stories in a sturdy board book format with two bright, colorful watercolor illustrations for each story by Daniel Howarth.  Meant to be used as you tuck your little one in, each story ends with a special Good night and a suggestion as to what to thank God for in your prayers.

I love the smaller size of the book, making it perfect for little hands. Board books were always a hit with my children when they were small because I didn't have to worry about clumsy little hands tearing pages.   This book will make a wonderful addition to any children's library or a special add-in to a baby gift. 

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to write a positive one.

Risen--movie to novel

Clavius, a Roman soldier, was present when thief and murderer Barabbas was captured and taken prisoner after being part of the death of many Roman citizens. After the people choose to release Barabbas and encourage the crucifixion of Jesus, Pilate instructs Clavius to be the one to make certain the deaths of the two thieves and King are complete before darkness.  Arriving at Golgotha, something seems different from the other crucifixions.  Even the centurion on guard doesn't appear quite himself.  Once it is finished, Pilate fears the Followers of Yeshua my attempt to steal the body.  When the body does disappear, Clavius begins a quest that at first appears one just to find the body but instead he is led on a journey for Truth.

Widowed Rachel is on the streets when the two thieves and Yeshua are led through the city, bearing their own cross.  Yeshua's flesh has been torn and ripped away, not from the typical whipping but something more severe than is common.  When he falls at Rachel's feet from the loss of blood and weight of the cross, she looks into his eyes full of more pain than she had ever seen. 

The skies grow dark.  The earth trembles.  Could this Yeshua be more than the Judean he appears to be?

Angela Hunt has given us yet again a compelling and heart wrenching novel but this one is different from any of the other works of hers I have read.   I have read a couple of her Biblical women accounts but this work puts you right in the thick of the crucifixion and resurrection.  The novel is told from the perspective of both Clavius and Rachel with chapters alternating between the two.  The often overlap when Clavius and Rachel become lovers. (Probably not for teens even though nothing happens that is blatant.) While not word for word Biblical truth, the novel takes the reader into the days following the Resurrection and gives you a glimpse what it MAY have been like should you have lived through those days. 

When I first started reading the novel, I stumbled over some of the account from Clavius' perspective.  A little technical regarding armour and the people in command but either I got used to it or that challenge only occurred in the first chapter or so because it was much easier reading from that point forward.  Rachel's language and actions were a bit more contemporary than I expected for Biblical times but then, with new translations, perhaps that won't stand out to others.  Her refusal to remarry and live on her own don't seem that typical for the time period. That isn't completely a criticism because those characteristics made her easy to relate to.

Overall, I really liked the book and would recommend to adults only.  Since the book followed the film, I am certain Ms. Hunt was obligated to follow the story line but was excellent in allowing the reader to use their imagination.  I do wish Clavius and Rachel could have married rather than being lovers but again, book followed script writers Kevin Reynolds and Paul Aiello.  Timely in its release, I only hope the book and film cause each viewer and reader to examine the scriptures.  I particularly enjoyed the account of the crucifixion as odd as that might seem.  Ms. Hunt portrayed the event well and brought to light the thoughts of the centurion on hand.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive one..