Tag: Historical

My Dearest Dietrich

by Amanda Barratt

MY REVIEW

I think every reader starts a book with certain expectations. I expected this book to be good because I knew about Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Haven’t most? This book wasn’t just good, it was unforgettable.

I found it amazing how enthralled I was with the story, knowing the outcome. It takes a special kind of writing to want to enjoy and savor a book where there really aren’t any spoilers. I knew the ending ; yet I so enjoyed the journey, the blessed journey of this couple..so beautifully written.

The scenes are painted with intricate detail…as they tried to visit in prison with others looking on, the reader can feel the tension and the hesitancy of the actors, the characters. They are alive…so real and vibrant. I knew the happily ever after would never come, that darkness was abundant. However, it doesn’t overtake the beautiful love story, and the love God gave these two for each other. This book makes Mr. Bonhoeffer more a man than a minister…more human, and more relatable.

The book has prose as beautiful as poetry, and tells of a beautiful love story…but in a way that I’ve never quite read before.

This book finds its place on my forever shelves, and I definitely plan on visiting Maria and Dietrich again!

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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All Manner of Things

by Susie Finkbeiner

MY REVIEW

A well written story with incredibly well developed characters. The timeline being that of Vietnam made it fascinating as that’s not a common backdrop for a fiction novel. For me, this story was definitely driven by its characters…by the end of the novel, you feel a part of the family…the depth of the characters so real, genuine, and engaging.

First of all, I know people who read my reviews will want to know that words such as “Golly,” “Gosh,” and similar words are used frequently throughout the story. I’m guessing these words were common during this time, but they aren’t words I use. I know some readers of my reviews don’t use them either so I wanted to make sure I mentioned that. No, there are no swear words or bad scenes…other than what is mentioned. It’s a completely clean novel with a minor faith thread that starts about half way through the story. It’s a natural progression of the story and done quite well.

The first words that comes to mind in regards to this story is it’s Americana. It’s the story of an American family and community. Their tragedies and triumphs, the difficulties of coming of age, the  burdensome problems of aging, the troubling ebb and flow of relationships…a well written drama full of life..real life. It reminds me much of Chris Fabry’s stories. Taking a piece of time, placing in it characters to love, and giving a tale of how lives are intertwined and how the dynamics of family play out. It’s a bittersweet story that could be similar to your neighbors. Nothing flashy, nothing suspenseful..life in all its beauty and heartbreak. 

It’s a winsome story that will touch your heart because of its veracity and endearing characters. 

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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The Noble Guardian

by Michelle Griep

BOOK SUMMARY

 Life couldn’t be better for Abigail Gilbert—but it’s been a long time coming. Having lived with a family who hated her, love is finally within reach. Abby sets off on a journey across England to marry one of the most prestigious gentleman bachelors in the land—until highwaymen upset her plans and threaten her life.

Horse patrol captain Samuel Thatcher arrives just in time to save Abby. But to him she’s simply another victim in a job he’s come to despise. Tired of the dark side of humanity, he intends to buy land and retire.

Abby pleads with him to escort her on the rest of her journey. He refuses until she offers him the thing he desperately needs to achieve his goal: money. Delivering her safely will earn him more than enough to settle into a quiet life.

So begins an impossible trek for the cynical lawman and the proper lady. Each will be indelibly changed by the time they reach her betrothed, if they don’t kill one another first—or fall in love.

MY REVIEW

“ I respect your caution in sparing my sensibilities, sir, but I believe God provides us with fellow sojourners to help lighten our heavy loads through prayer and encouragement.”

I have so enjoyed this series by Michelle Griep! Lots of action, adventure, and love written on a page and woven into intriguing tales. The Noble Guardian for me was all about the characters .

Abigail is an endearing character full of spunk. She actually reminds me of a dear highschool friend so I really felt as if I knew her. She always makes the most of situations. Her character is so well done that the readers emotions are definitely highly invested in her outcome.

Samuel can be a bit of an enigma, unless you know a man with a harsh exterior and a heart as soft as a pillow. So he’s not so different from many men. His character is well done, and he brings a lot of mood and tension to the read.

With a brooding man who exudes a harsh exterior, a woman who needs his protection to get to her fiancé , and a little one who needs them to survive, all of this wrapped up in a story of magistrates, highway men, and a man wanting to kill for revenge…you don’t want to miss book number three of the Bow Street Runners.

“…ye can safely leave them in God’s hands. Not that He can’t use yer gun, though, mind he. There’s no sin in wanting to protect them. The fault lies when he think ye’re their sole protector. Aye?

“It’s more noble to love, even if it’s not returned, than to live without it.”

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Having some fun with photography!
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Between Two Shores

by Jocelyn Green

I read this book back when it released earlier this year, but it was such an amazing read that I wanted to spotlight it on my blog which is fairly new.

A book with wonderful depth, terrific characters, amazingly accurate historical detail- these all combine to make a read that kept me awake till 2AM to get to the conclusion. One thing that I really loved about this book was that everything doesn’t necessarily turn out the way one might think, but that is life. God’s ways aren’t always ours, and sometimes he has a different path for us than what we wish. His way will be better.

I enjoyed the characters in this story, and one feels pulled into the time and place by the terrific historical detail. With all the treasures this book holds, I had to give it my rare five stars. You should get your hands on this read! It’s a beautifully written historical novel that just is meant to be read and savored!

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge:Laurel’s Dream

by Pepper Basham


Pepper has written a beautiful novel…just as beautifully written as the picture she describes of her precious mountains. The main characters are sweet and take your heart. It has the good of people and the evil, the sweetness and the temper. The writing evokes so many emotions as the reader gets to know the beautiful Appalachian mountains and it’s people.

If you have followed this author for any length of time you know she has a special love for Appalachia. Her passion for the place, people, and her roots really comes through in this read. I have followed this author from her first book, and I think this may be her best yet.

It’s so incredibly done, and it has a special place in this readers heart!

I received this book from the author. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

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<i>Daughters of Northern Shores</i> <br> <h4>by Joanne Bischof</h4>

Daughters of Northern Shores

by Joanne Bischof

I was so eager to get this book, and it did not at all disappoint. Beautifully written story with characters that become family. I just love Aven and Thor, especially. The writing itself takes you away to a different time and place, the characters jump off the page, and the entire book evokes so much emotion. Another book by this author that is incredibly well done! Highly recommend this read.. delightful, alluring,and so much more!

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Governess of Penwythe Hall

by Sarah Ladd

I don’t know why God chose to give me this illness. How I wish it could have been otherwise, but if I had spent my life questioning His reasons…I would have wasted the days I’d been given.”

I thoroughly enjoyed this Regency read by one of my favorite authors of this genre. Her writing is much more like classical writers so you feel a part of the story. This author gives the reader the feeling of true authenticity of the time and place.

The characters are wonderfully done in this read. The faith theme is present, though not a strong one in this read. Once again, I find children really pulled me into this storytelling. Each child is so well done, and I fell in love with all of them. As usual, there are somethings I as a reader knew would happen after the first chapter, but Sarah Ladd makes the journey getting there very enjoyable. The storyline and plot is well done as always, but this book ( to me) was really driven by the characters themselves.

If you enjoy historical fiction or the Regency age, you must try Sarah Ladd. This is one of my favorites of hers, I think. However, they are all worth the read. I really felt like I wanted a sequel with this one, but I doubt that’s a possibility so I shall write my own in my imagination. Enjoy a lovely book by a terrific writer and go grab a copy….you might find yourself smelling the blossoming of apple trees!

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