Alena
Summer at Thousand Island House is a quick read rich in details about the 1000 Islands in New York. Addi makes a fun heroine with her boundless energy and the joy she finds in all situations.
From a tour of the entertainment pavilion on Staple's Island to a trip by boat to a lighthouse, Susan provides a taste of life on the 1000 Islands. I cheered for Liam to win Addi's heart and shook my finger at Lt. Worthington by turn.
Summer at Thousand Island House wasn't exactly a put-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of story. It had some conflict, but for the most part, just went along at a leisurely pace. So that being said, you have to be in the right mood to read it.
Quote from the book: Addi squeezed his arm, imagining him twirling her about ‘till she was dizzy. She'd never danced a reel, but with him, it would be a pleasure. And to hear live music in person, here? In the open air? With him? Well, this was magical.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book, but my thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Pursuit of Miss Parish is perfect for anyone who loves a historical novel filled with adventure, fun characters, and a swoon-worthy romance.
I was swept off my feet with this book. Grace surely must have had me on her mind when she wrote this because she blended together all my favorite elements of a story: riveting plot, lovable characters, a unique setting, and a sweet romance.
I loved the real-life setting of the Harvey House and the picture Grace provided of how the establishment was run. What a cast of characters! I kept turning pages just to see what they were going to do next.
And the romance deserves special mention. I like my romances super sweet, and this book fit the bill perfectly. I can rarely say that about any book, so extra points to Grace Hitchcock!
My Favorite Quote: “What are we going to do when this is all over, Colt?”
He tucked his hands behind his head and closed his eyes. “I suppose we'll just have to wait and see how everything ends up. I may not be alive for you to worry about anyway.”
“Colt Lawson.” She sat up, her feet swinging to the floor. “Don't ever say such things.”
He met her gaze. “Sounds like you almost care.”
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book, but my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
Rebecca–the story of the founding of one of America's first settlements, the incredible struggles faced in establishing it, and the heavy cost exacted from that colonizing.
For me, a three star indicates that I thought the book was just “all right.” That's how I felt about the beginning of Rebecca. With so many character names (and complicated ones!) I struggled to wade through the first part of the book.
The second half read a lot faster, and I finally mastered all the important names, so I'd rate that a four stars. Thus, the book averages out to 3.5 stars.
Rebecca is based off the true history of the Jamestown colony and the woman that most of us now know as Pocahontas. In her book, Shannon McNear delves into the “what if” questions and brings the real-life characters to life, speculating on the motives and feelings that drove their actions.
Ironically, my dad is currently reading a non-fiction book about the New World during this time period, so I enjoyed comparing the notes that he shared with Shannon's fictional story. She did an excellent job of drawing out obscure historical facts and also of sharing the not-so-flattering parts of history (such as the Englishmen's aversion to bathing).
Sometimes, history can be exceedingly violent, so on a note of warning, this book does contain some hard subjects, including rape. I was a little taken aback at parts because I thought I knew the story well (Pocahontas was a special interest of mine when I was younger). However, considering the story with a little more age on me, I believe that Shannon's interpretation of history is probably correct. Abortion also poses a content issue.
Overall, this is a book that is perfect for anyone up for a challenge and interested in prodding back the veil of history to live out the settlement of Jamestown.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book, but my thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was the first book I read by Karen Witemeyer, and I can't recommend it enough! I was hooked on the very first page (literally), and could not put it down. With every spare moment I dashed to my room, grabbed the book, and madly began to read. I walked around in a daze, unable to stop thinking about it while I worked, and when my sister insisted on turning out the lights at night, I agonized over what was going to happen next as I lay in the dark. It was one of my all time favorite books.
Travis Archer was a perfect hero, coming to the rescue in perfect timing, but also showing plenty of flaws that made him human. Meredith was a woman of action who kept the reader cheering as she ran to the aid of the man she loved, regardless of the consequences. The romance was absolutely perfect, holding the right balance of longing and hesitancy as Travis and Meredith explored their deepening relationship.
Short-Straw Bride made me laugh, it made me cry, and it left my heart singing with a happily ever after. This is definitely a must read for anyone who loves historical Christian romance.
Eloise Davidson is young and widowed—and lonely. Zeke James is always trying to see beyond the next horizon, always eager to see new things—and he has no intentions of staying in Ockelbo, Nebraska.
Despite a rocky first encounter, Zeke and Eloise begin a tentative friendship that opens their eyes to truths they've never known about life, themselves, and love. A horse that refuses to mind, a salty soup, and a little boy bound to get into trouble forge them closer together, but a wedding ring and a misplaced letter lead to wrong assumptions that could drive them apart forever.
Can the past truly be set aside to make way for the future? And what if that future turns out to be entirely different than anything they had planned?
In Bluebird on the Prairie, Tasha Hackett weaves together a story of hope in the midst of grief, friendship grown out of loneliness, and humor mixed throughout. Each of her characters comes to life on the pages of her book, and as a warning, there is no such thing as a good stopping place in this book. Each section links right to the next one and made it a struggle for me to put down.
Ockelbo is a place you won't want to leave, and the people who populate it made me laugh many times. A Swedish background adds to the town's distinction, and I enjoyed the accents and Swedish sayings.
My only complaint with the book was that if Zeke truly believed Eloise was married, then he should have been more careful in his thoughts and how he dealt with her. What goes on in the mind is important to me as I believe that thoughts drive actions and that you can't hold fire to your clothes and expect not to be burned.
Bluebird on the Prairie points to a message of redemption even in the midst of difficult situations, and to the fact that a man may make plans, but whether they come to pass or not depends on God. Tasha neatly ties off all the ends of the story as she brings the book to a satisfying close. And everyone loves a happily ever after, right?