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Children’s Corner — Two Board Books for Christmas

3 Dec

I have two wonderful board books to share with you today. Each will be a joy to share with your little ones as you anticipate Christmas!

Christmas Cookie Day! by Tara Knudson

Christmas Cookie Day! celebrates the beloved tradition of making Christmas treats and even features a special Christmas cookie recipe for you and your child to create. The bright illustrations by Pauline Siewert and sweet, rhyming text by Tara Knudson are sure to capture the wonder of young readers and parents alike. Perfect for building new memories, this board book has a beautiful, glittery cover.

Excerpt from Christmas Cookie Day!:

Cookie day,

Time to bake,

Aprons on,

Lots to make!

My Impressions: 

Simple rhymes and bright, colorful illustrations will engage the youngest reader with the cookie making activities of the bear family. This one will get your mouth watering, so an added Christmas Cookie Day Recipe is a sweet bonus! A fun read and a fun activity for the whole family adds special fun!

Recommended.

Audience: preschool aged children.

(Thanks to Zonderkidz for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

My Christmas Story Tree by Dr. Mary Manz Simon

Come help me make a story tree with decorations bright. We’ll tell what happened long ago on that first Christmas night.

My Christmas Story Tree, written by bestselling author Mary Manz Simon and illustrated by Gavin Scott, is a board book that sparkles with glitter and foil and leads little ones through the tradition of decorating the Christmas tree. Follow along to add the angel, ornaments, candy canes, lights, and finally place the star on the top of the tree while learning the story of the very first Christmas.

 

My Impressions:

I loved this sturdy board book full of colorful illustrations of Christmas tree decorating in the making. Each two page spread shares the reasons behind traditional Christmas ornaments — angels, candy canes, stars — in a way that children will understand. God’s Christmas story comes through loud and clear. My Christmas Story is a good choice for the holiday season this year and for years to come.

Recommended.

Audience: preschool aged children.

(Thanks to Zonderkidz for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

 

 

 

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Book Review (+Giveaway): When The Heart Sings

29 Nov

Banner_WhenHeartSings_Blog

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for When the Heart Sings by Liz Tolsma, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

When the Heart Sings-FINAL-front_cover_020518a-HRTitle: When the Heart Sings
Series: Music of Hope #2
Author: Liz Tolsma
Publisher: Gilead Publishing
Release Date: October 9, 2018
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance

Natia has a secret, and she’s hiding him right beneath her captor’s nose…

The Nazis have forced Natia and Teodor from their Polish farm to a labor camp. When the couple is separated, Natia is chosen to be the housekeeper for the camp’s overseer, and Teodor is sent to work in the factory. Despite the strict camp rules—and the consequences for disobeying them—Natia finds a way to communicate with Teodor by sending messages through song as she passes Teodor’s dormitory.

The stakes get higher when Natia finds a Jewish orphan on the overseer’s doorstep. She is determined to protect the boy and raise him as the child she and her husband were unable to bear— but if her German captors discover how much she’s hiding, both she and Teodor may pay the ultimate price.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Christian Book | Book Depository

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

liz tolsma

Passionate might best describe Liz Tolsma. She loves writing, research, and editing. Her passion shone through in her first novel which was a double award finalist. On any given day, you might find her pulling weeds in her perennial garden, walking her hyperactive dog, or curled up with a good book. Nothing means more to her than her family. She’s married her high-school sweetheart twenty-eight years ago. Get her talking about international adoption, and you might never get her to stop. She and her husband adopted three children, including a son who is a U.S. Marine, and two daughters.

CONNECT WITH LIZ: website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

 

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MY IMPRESSIONS:

One of the highlights of this year was my trip to Poland in April. The experience was wonderful as we encountered beautiful cities, countryside and people. When The Heart Sings by Liz Tolsma brought all of that back to me, but through a different perspective. The novel set during WWII captures the beauty of the human spirit and its resilience in the face of extreme persecution. Just as my trip introduced me to a country with a strong cultural heritage in spite of the many hardships the people faced over the centuries, this book brought to life the ordinary people of Poland that survived the invasion of Nazi Germany. Powerful in its message and beautifully written, When The Heart Sings is a very highly recommended read.

When The Heart Sings is a small story — small in that it is set in a small town, with a small forced-labor factory, with a small cast of characters. But it certainly is not small in message. Everything about it seeks to put a face on what the people of Poland endured during the dark days of occupation. The characters could be you or me. A young couple displaced from their farm and forced to work under unimaginable circumstances, really slaves to the Nazis. A doctor who against all odds is left to live and practice medicine and do what he can to undermine the efforts of the regime. A young, naive German woman who despite indoctrination and abuse, knows deep down the right thing to do. And the cruel face of evil in the very real form of a Nazi officer. The book also examines the small actions that we can take that have big results.  And under, around, and through all of the drama of the novel, God is not only present, but in control. As one of the character states: “We look at our circumstances and see things as not good. But we don’t see the picture clearly, as the Lord does. He knows what is going on.. Things happen just the way he has planned they will.” (p. 258) A hard truth to accept sometimes, but truth nonetheless. Where is God? is a question asked repeatedly, and in the end the characters and the readers know.

As you can probably guess from the title, song has a large part in the narrative. The music and words of lullabies, love songs, classical works, and hymns encourage, comfort, and help to keep sane those who find themselves in impossible situations. There is an especially moving scene in which song softens the heart of a brutal captor. Even if you have a tin ear (like me 😉 ), you will love the way Tolsma incorporates music.

I absolutely loved When The Heart Sings. It is part of a series, but the books are only connected through theme and setting and can be read as standalones. It is definitely a book you are going to talk about — great for book clubs or friends/family who love to read together.

Very Highly Recommended.

Great for Book Clubs.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Gilead Publishing for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

when the heart sings blog giveaway

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive (US only)

  • a print copy of When the Heart Sings
  • ‘Just One More Chapter’ throw pillow seen HERE

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight November 26, 2018 and last through 11:59pm December 3, 2018. US only. Winners will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

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Book Review: My Hands Came Away Red

28 Nov

Right up until the day they burned the church, I thought I understood things. You know… God, people, myself. Life. Then, suddenly, I understood nothing except that we had to run. And that we might never make it home.

When eighteen-year-old Cori signed up for a mission trip to Indonesia she was mostly thinking about escaping her complicated love life, making new friends, and having fun on the beach.

She never expected a civil war to flare up on the nearby island of Ambon.

She never expected violence to find them.

And she never expected that seven teenagers would be forced to flee into the hazardous refuge of the mountains on their own.

Now, haunted by blood and fire, Cori and her teammates must rely on each other to survive.

Lisa McKay is an author and psychologist specializing in stress, trauma, and resilience. She is currently living in Laos. You can connect with Lisa at LisaMcKayWriting, FB, Twitter, and Goodreads.

 

My Impressions:

Lisa McKay’s debut novel (re-released in 2018) My Hands Came Away Red, takes the reader from the highs of a mission trip to a beautiful and exotic locale to horror, fear, and anger at God. This powerful YA suspense novel is achingly beautiful in its depiction of 6 young westerners forced to rely on each other to survive a nightmare in Indonesia. The author describes her book as a work of passion, and that comes through loud and clear in the first person narrative that takes the reader on an emotional journey along with the characters. And even though I am far away from my YA years, I loved this book. It is a very highly recommended read.

Cori is confused about her life — relationships, college choices — when she embarks on a grueling mission trip to build a church in a remote part of the world. Boot camp bonds the team and prepares them for their challenging task — or so they thought. Following the victory of finishing the small village church comes the devastation of death and destruction the team could never imagine. Cori’s narrative describes the highs and lows the team faces, along with the changes in their own understanding of life and God. The characters are all well-developed and become so very real to the reader. Of course Cori is the main focus, but McKay does a great job of bringing all the characters to life. There is plenty of drama, suspense, danger, and life-and-death moments to keep the pages turning. But it is the faith journey that the characters are forced to take that spoke to my heart. As the team’s situation deteriorates through illness, fatigue, dehydration, etc., their faith in God suffers as well. It is hard to maintain thankfulness and forgiveness when faced with extreme privation. And even the return to the safety of home does not bring the healing they expect.

There is a lot to discuss in My Hands Came Away Red, making this novel a great choice for a youth group or book club. It is a great springboard for conversations about the plight of believers around the world, the real meaning of a missional life, and the faithfulness of God even when we can’t or won’t see it. And don’t let the YA label fool you, adults are going to love this one too.

Very Highly Recommended.

Audience: older teens and adults.

To purchase, click HERE. (It is currently FREE for Kindle Unlimited!)

(I purchased a copy of this book from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

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Book Review (+Giveaway): Shelter of The Most High

26 Nov

About the Book

Book: Shelter of the Most High

Author: Connilyn Cossette

Genre: Christian Biblical Fiction

Release Date: October, 2018

The daughter of a pagan high priest, Sofea finds solace from her troubles in the freedom of the ocean. But when marauders attack her village on the island of Sicily, she and her cousin are taken across the sea to the shores of Canaan.

Eitan has lived in Kedesh, a city of refuge, for the last eleven years, haunted by a tragedy in his childhood, yet chafing at the boundaries placed on him. He is immediately captivated by Sofea, but revealing his most guarded secret could mean drawing her into the danger of his past.

As threats from outside the walls loom and traitors are uncovered within, Sofea and Eitan are plunged into the midst of a murder plot. Can they uncover the betrayal in time to save their lives and the lives of those they love?

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Connilyn Cossette is the CBA bestselling author of the Out From Egypt series. Her debut novel, Counted with the Stars, was a finalist for the Christy Award, the INSPY Award, and the Christian Retailing’s Best Award. She lives in North Carolina with her husband of twenty years and a son and a daughter who fill her days with joy, inspiration, and laughter. Connect with her at www.ConnilynCossette.com.

Guest Post from Connilyn

Shelter of the Most High, the second book in my Cities of Refuge Series, will be the first I’ve written to have been influenced by my trip to Israel last year. When I started writing Biblical fiction almost nine years ago, I was limited to exploring the Land of Promise via Google Earth, books, and through a plethora of photos on the good ol’ world wide web, but of course nothing can compare to actually experiencing the atmosphere and scenery for yourself.

So although I’d already written Shelter of the Most High by the time I hopped on a plane to join fellow author Cliff Graham’s GoodBattle Tour, once I returned my editing was filtered through the sights and sounds I’d witnessed for myself. It had been a life-long dream to go to Israel and it did not disappoint, in fact it just went way too fast!

One of my greatest fears was that I would see the places I’d written about in my books and realize I totally messed up my descriptions, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that for the most part I’d been fairly accurate (although I did tweak a few things here and there).

Standing on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee I was able to envision Eitan, our hero in Shelter of the Most High, sitting on one of the black boulders there, defeated and weary as he searched for his love. I was able to look toward the snowy peaks of Mount Hermon in the north and over the fertile Hula Valley just below the ancient ruins of Kedesh, the city of refuge, and consider how Sofea must have felt as she experienced the landscape of her new home for the first time, both the fear and the awe.

One of my favorite sites was Tel Dan and although it does not feature in Shelter of the Most High it’s lush greenness and dense forest gave me a better sense of what Israel must have been in the past before deforestation, war, and shifts in climate have done to the fertile land God himself called a land of milk and honey. Since I was so affected by Tel Dan (or Laish in ancient times) that city will be one of the settings in my upcoming third installment of the Cities of Refuge Series, Until the Mountains Fall.

Being a super visual person who is highly sensitive to sensory input, I took great pleasure in absorbing with all my senses as we walked paths, climbed mountains (yes, mountains), slogged through a long, cold, and wet tunnel deep beneath Jerusalem, hiked up to the secret oasis of Ein Gedi where David hid from Saul, and rocked along on a boat over the glassy surface of the Galilee. I felt like a sponge just soaking up every little detail and every grand vista.

Smelling the salty breeze off the Mediterranean and hearing the waves crash against the sandy beach in Tel Aviv and Caesarea Phillipi made me imagine our heroine Sofea looking over that enormous, blue expanse and wondering what sort of god had control of such a powerful thing.

Feeling the timeworn cobblestones beneath my feet gave me a sense of what it must have been like for Eitan and Sofea to walk through the streets of Kedesh, their own sandals scuffing against the rough-hewn stone as they went about their daily activities.

Running my fingers along the pitted surfaces of ancient buildings and tracing the chisel marks from craftsmen of the Bronze Age wrapped me in a whirl of imagination about who the people were that hefted those same rocks into place and the ingenuity it took to create structures that have lasted so long.

Tasting the unique spices and flavors of the Middle East gave me a sense of the passion Moryiah (our hero’s mother) has for creating delicious new dishes to feed her growing family and the guests at her inn.

Although I write fiction, my stories are woven into Biblical accounts so going to Israel was a perfect reminder for me that the people that lived between the pages of Genesis to Revelations were real. They breathed, they cried, they loved, they mourned, they suffered, and they celebrated with their families. I am so grateful to have gleaned some great new insight into the Land and its resilient, vibrant people and hope that through Shelter of the Most High readers get a small sense of the beauty and wonder I experienced there. I cannot wait to go back!

 

My Impressions:

What do I look for in a good Biblical novel? Evidence of in-depth research, characters and setting that match scripture and the culture of the time, a plot that is not only plausible, but points me to further study, and finally, a message that speaks of God’s truth applicable to my life. All of that is exactly what I got from Shelter of The Most High by Connilyn Cossette. This intriguing novel opened up a time in Israel’s history that is often neglected — the era between the conquest of the promised land and the time of the Judges. Based upon the law passed down by Moses and the purpose of the cities of refuge, Shelter of The Most High depicts a time and place I knew little about and made me want to dive into what Scripture has to say about it. The story revolves around Sofea, a girl stolen from her home and lost in a new land, and her interactions with the people of Kedesh, primarily the family of Eitan, a man brought to the city of refuge as a young boy. I found Sofea’s perceptions of those who followed Yahweh fascinating. Her point of view is informed by the pagan worship she grew up with, including human sacrifices and depraved acts. Her knowledge of Yahweh grows as she interacts with His followers. At first she is skeptical and scared — What sort of bizarre religion did these people hold to? (p. 105). But she is drawn to a God who inspires devotion through His kept promises and provision. That message spoke volumes to me. In our modern world, believers are often the first, if not the only, view of Jesus for non-believers. There is romance, intrigue, and danger in the pages of Shelter of The Most High too, making this a page-turner. It should be noted that this book is the second in the Cities of Refuge series and contains spoilers for book 1, A Light on The Hill. I recommend you begin at the beginning and enjoy two wonderfully written novels. Fans of Lynn Austin will especially enjoy these books.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Bethany House for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Blog Stops

A Baker’s Perspective, November 20

The Power of Words, November 20

Among the Reads, November 21

Gensis 5020, November 21

God’s Little Bookworm, November 22

Book by Book, November 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 22

Remembrancy, November 23

Real World Bible Study, November 23

Inklings and notions, November 23

The Becca Files, November 24

Baker Kella, November 24

Bibliophile Reviews, November 25

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, November 25

By The Book, November 26

Reading Is My SuperPower, November 26

Aryn The Libraryan, November 27

All-of-a-kind Mom, November 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 27

Abbas Prayer Warrior Princess, November 28

Christian Author, J.E. Grace, November 28

Simple Harvest Reads, November 29 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)

For the Love of Literature, November 29

Janices book reviews, November 29

The Lit Addict, November 30

Texas Book-aholic, November 30

Just the Write Escape, December 1

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, December 1

Connect in Fiction, December 2

The Christian Fiction Girl, December 2

Bigreadersite, December 2

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, December 3

Purposeful Learning, December 3

Carpe Diem, December 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Connilyn is giving away:

Grand Prize: All five of Conni’s novels, including Shelter of the Most High, plus AHAVA Dead Sea Bath Salts

Three other winners will receive a copy of Shelter of the Most High!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/d66d/shelter-of-the-most-high-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Book Review (+Giveaway): Stratagem

19 Nov

About the Book

Book: Stratagem

Author: Robin Caroll

Genre: Christian Suspense

Release Date: November, 2018

A High-Stakes Simulation Adventure Leaves Grayson Thibodeaux the Prime Suspect. . .for Murder

Deep in the gritty underbelly of New Orleans, psychologist Grayson Thibodeaux loses everything when his wife leaves him to climb her company’s corporate ladder. He buries himself in his job of creating mind-bending adventure games for businesses as team-building explorations. When his ex-wife’s company hires Grayson’s to create an elaborate game, he doesn’t see how things can get worse. Until she dies during the course of the game he created…making him the prime suspect for murder.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

“I love boxing. I love Hallmark movies. I love fishing. I love scrapbooking. Nope, I’ve never fit into the boxes people have wanted to put me in.” Robin Caroll is definitely a contradiction, but one that beckons you to get to know her better. Robin’s passion has always been to tell stories to entertain others and come alongside them on their faith journey—aspects Robin weaves into each of her twenty-five-plus published novels. When she isn’t writing, Robin spends quality time with her husband of nearly three decades, her three beautiful daughters and two handsome grandsons, and their character-filled pets at home. Robin gives back to the writing community by serving as executive director/conference director for ACFW. Her books have been recognized in such contests as the Carol Award, Holt Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, RT Reviewer’s Choice Award, Bookseller’s Best, and Book of the Year.

You can find out more about Robin by visiting www.robincaroll.com.

Guest post from Robin

Behind the Scenes: Robin Caroll Shares Her Inspiration for Writing Stratagem

Dear Reader,

Thank you for journeying to New Orleans in a web of deceit and confusion with me. Sharing a place that has such connection for me was a pure joy. South Louisiana offers such a laid-back attitude that I often miss “home.” I hope you’ll enjoy sampling a taste of the flavor of Louisiana.

Years ago I watched the movie The Game with Michael Douglas and Sean Penn and was enthralled. There’s just something grabbing about messing with a person’s mind and life by using their own feelings and instincts against them. When this story of Stratagem first began forming, I wanted to use all that intrigue to mess up the game master’s life. The end result is quite the ride!

As the characters came alive to me, I found the theme of forgiveness and acceptance coming out in the story. Some of the emotions within this story are very personal to me, and I’m honored I was able to share them with you. It is my wish that you may be touched by Grayson’s faith journey as well.

Until next time. . .

-Robin

 

My Impressions:

Stratagem, the newest suspense novel by Robin Caroll, has been described as mind-bending. I’m here to tell you it is! I loved this book with its interesting premise, complex plotting, and a puzzling whodunit that keeps the reader guessing to the end. This one is recommended for readers who want a fully-engaged reading ride.

The main character of Stratagem, Grayson Thibodeaux, is a New Orleans-bassed psychologist who designs team-building, interactive games for companies and organizations. Designed to push buttons and reveal both strengths and weaknesses, his games appear mean on the surface, but he asserts that they help the participants improve their lives and relationships. That is, until a game he designed turns bad and very personal when his ex-wife Anna Belle is murdered. Suddenly, Grayson is the prime suspect. I really liked Grayson’s character. He is a committed Christian and truly concerned for his clients and friends. His knowledge of what makes people tick helps him to analyze the crime and stay out of jail. Detectives on the case are also interesting characters — personal feelings and the evidence often clash as they seek the truth. There are plenty of suspects as corporate politics and personal animosity are revealed. And the victim, Anna Belle, well, the reader gets insight into her actions and motives through the other character’s assessments and the flashbacks from her point of view. The use of these beyond the grave scenes is an effective and clever device. Forgiveness as a theme gets the reader thinking — it is both very hard and very necessary.

Stratagem is sure to appeal to all fans of suspense. Engaging, entertaining, and fast-paced, this novel is a fun read!

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Shiloh Run Press for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 17

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 17

Midnight Bookaholic, November 17

Back Porch Reads, November 18

Rebekah’s Quill, November 18

Real World Bible Study, November 18

By The Book, November 19

Reading Is My SuperPower, November 19

Genesis 5020, November 19

All-of-a-kind Mom, November 19

Lighthouse Academy, November 20

Inklings and notions, November 20

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, November 21

Splashes of Joy, November 21

Moments, November 21

Just the Write Escape, November 22

Mary Hake, November 22

Simple Harvest Reads, November 22 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)

Bigreadersite, November 22

Aryn The Libraryan , November 23

Multifarious, November 23

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 23

Bibliophile Reviews, November 24

Remembrancy, November 24

amandainpa, November 24

Margaret Kazmierczak, November 25

Pause for Tales, November 25

Book by Book, November 25

Livin Lit, November 26

Ashley’s Bookshelf, November 26

Baker kella, November 26

Daysong Reflections, November 27

Texas Book-aholic, November 27

Painting with Words, November 28

Maureen’s Musings, November 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 28

Janices book reviews, November 29

Carpe Diem, November 29

A Baker’s Perspective, November 29

Godly Book Reviews, November 30

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 30

Reader’s Cozy Corner, November 30

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Robin is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of Stratagem!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d629/stratagem-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Book Review (+ Giveaway): The Light Before Day

15 Nov

The Light Before Day FB Banner_edited-1

About the Book

Book: The Light Before Day

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Historical Fiction

Release Date: October 2, 2018

The Light Before Day-Book Cover“Henry, this . . . fortune, this sudden wealth . . . I fear it will change our lives. And I don’t want my life to change.”

After three years on a whaling voyage, Henry Macy returns to Nantucket to news that his grandmother has passed, bequeathing her vast fortune to him and his sister, Hitty. And it was truly vast. But Lillian Coffin was no fool. The inheritance comes with a steep cost, including when each should marry and whom — a Quaker in good standing, of course. But if they relinquish the inheritance, it all goes to Tristram Macy, their father’s thieving business partner.

As Hitty and Henry seek a way to satisfy the will’s conditions, they’ll be faced with obstacles on every side—and it may be that Lillian Coffin will have the last word after all.

 



 


The light of day buy 1 get 1


Find out more about this amazing deal at http://www.suzannewoodsfisher.com/thelightbeforeday


About the Author


suzanne woods fisherSuzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including Phoebe’s Light and Minding the Light, as well as the Amish Beginnings, The Bishop’s Family, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series. She has also written several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. Fisher lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow her on Twitter @suzannewfisher and Facebook @SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor.


 


Guest Post from Suzanne


The Mortgage Button


In each story of the ‘Nantucket Legacy’ series, there’s a reference to a mortgage button in the newel post of a stairway. Phoebe Starbuck, the main character in Phoebe’s Light, made a point to notice it in the captain’s house on Orange Street, the famous residences of sea captains. In Minding the Light, Daphne Coffin touched the mortgage button on the newel post of her horrible mother’s grand house each and every morning. Hitty and Henry Macy were well aware of the absence of their childhood home’s mortgage button—and all that its absence symbolized—in The Light Before Day.


Mortgage buttons meant something to each of those characters. It made a statement to anyone who walked into a house.


Have you ever seen a mortgage button? It’s a very Nantucket-y tradition. In fact, some say the mortgage button originated on Nantucket Island, thirty miles out to sea.


Supposedly, when a house’s mortgage was fully paid and there were no liens against the property, the homeowner drilled a hole in the newel post of the main staircase, rolled up the mortgage document, put it inside, and capped the hole with a decorative plug of scrimshaw.


Scrimshaw is a term for an American folk art developed during the 18th and 19th centuries. Whaling in New England was an industry that lifted Nantucket Island to become the world’s wealthiest port. After a whale’s oil was rendered, the ship’s captain would give his crew the sperm whale’s teeth or bones to carve during long tedious hours at sea. Whaling had its exciting moments, but they were far and few between. As a pastime, sailors carved all kinds of useful gifts to bring home to their loved ones: needles, combs, games, clothespins, busks…and mortgage buttons.


But let’s jump back to the mortgage button. Some legends say that the actual mortgage papers were ceremoniously burned and the ashes stashed inside the drilled hole before sealed with the button. However, as appealing a thought as that might be, it is most likely a myth. There’s never been any evidence of ashes or even hidden mortgages found in salvaged newel posts. Still, mortgage buttons are common among Nantucket homes, and the tradition has spread to other parts of the country. In southern states, for example, they’re called brag buttons. Whether myth or truth, today it’s more a matter of a charming nostalgic custom than a nod to your healthy (or…not so healthy) net worth.


 


My Impressions:


Change is inevitable, though not always welcome. It’s our attitude that counts. While The Light Before Day may be an historical novel dating hundreds of years in the past, Suzanne Woods Fisher has made this message relevant for modern day. That is one of the strengths of her writing, whether historical or Amish fiction — making the unfamiliar feel real to her audience. In the third book of the Nantucket Legacy series Great Mary’s journal continues to provide insight into the founding of Nantucket Island and wisdom for her descendants (and the reader 🙂 ). In the 1840s, change is coming to Nantucket and the country as a whole. Society’s view on the rights of man are developing as the whaling industry suffers from over-fishing. Against this backdrop comes the stories of Henry and Hitty Macy, twins who have inherited an overwhelming and unwanted inheritance from their domineering grandmother. The two struggle with controlling the terms of the will while maintaining their own conscience and desires. I found both Henry and Hitty to be engaging characters. Secondary characters such as their grandfather Jeremiah, young but wise secretary Marie-Claire, and 5-year old Bitsy added depth and a bit of fun to the novel. As always the journal of Great Mary was a joy to read as she offers her views on her neighbors, family, and her growing faith in God. There’s a bit of lurking danger and two sweet, sweet romances in The Light Before Day that kept this reader turning the pages. There are also beginnings and endings in the two storylines that compliment each other. And the message of relationship with Jesus and being a light for others is inspiring. I don’t agree with all the tenets of the Quaker faith, but The Light Before Day gave me greater understanding of the Society of Friends.


The Light Before Day can be read as a standalone. I had read book 1, but missed book 2 and had no trouble jumping into the lives of the characters. But I do feel like I have missed a treat and am determined to read Minding The Light. So my recommendation is to begin at the beginning of this series for lots of wonderful reading.


Recommended.


Audience: adults.


(Thanks to Revell for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)


 


Blog Stops


The Avid Reader, November 4


Just the Write Escape, November 4


Texas Book-aholic, November 5


Godly Book Reviews, November 5


Southern Gal Loves to Read, November 6


Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 6


Jeanette’s Thoughts, November 7


Locks, Hooks and Books, November 7


Among the Reads, November 8


Blossoms and Blessings, November 8


Blogging With Carol, November 9


A Baker’s Perspective, November 9


Mary Hake, November 10


Connies history classroom, November 10


Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 11


Carpe Diem, November 11


Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 12


Simple Harvest Reads, November 12


Inspiration Clothesline, November 13


Janices book reviews, November 13


Captive Dreams, November 14


Bigreadersite, November 14


Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 15


By The Book, November 15


Pause for Tales, November 16


Book by Book, November 16


Have A Wonderful Day, November 17


Bibliophile Reviews, November 17


Giveaway


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To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!


Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.


 https://promosimple.com/ps/d773/the-light-before-day-celebration-tour-giveaway

				
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Mini-Review: Hidden Currents

	
		14
		Nov
	

	

	

		
You can take the detective out of the investigation, but you can’t take the investigator out of the detective. A notorious gang puts a bounty on Detective Cady Matthews’s head after she takes down their leader, leaving her no choice but to hide until she can testify at trial. But her temporary home across the country on a remote North Carolina island isn’t as peaceful as she initially thinks. Living under the new identity of Cassidy Livingston, she struggles to keep her investigative skills tucked away, especially after a body washes ashore. When local police bungle the murder investigation, she can’t resist stepping in. But Cassidy is supposed to be keeping a low profile. One wrong move could lead to both her discovery and her demise. Can she bring justice to the island . . . or will the hidden currents surrounding her pull her under for good?


To purchase, click HERE. It’s available in paperback, audio, or ebook. If you have Kindle Unlimited, it’s FREE!


 


USA Today has called Christy Barritt‘s books “scary, funny, passionate, and quirky.”


A Publishers Weekly best-seller, Christy writes both mystery and romantic suspense novels that are clean with underlying messages of faith. Her books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery, have been twice nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, and have finaled for both a Carol Award and Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year.


She’s married to her prince charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious — but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado.


Christy currently splits her time between the Virginia suburbs and Hatteras Island, North Carolina. She has more than fifty books published with over one million copies sold.


For more information, visit her website: http://www.christybarritt.com.


My Impressions:


Because we don’t often read straight mysteries (we do read LOTS of romantic suspense), my book club selected Hidden Currents, the first book in Christy Barritt’s Lantern Beach series. Although we generally liked it, we had some complaints. But after our discussion, I think the positives outweighed the negatives, and some of our members will continue with the series. What we liked: a quick read, likable characters, fun beach setting, interesting backstory of main character Cassidy, subtle faith message. Not so much: convenient and abrupt ending, predictable coincidences, big cliffhanger. Will I continue reading the series? Probably. I like quick and light mysteries when I need a break from heavier subjects or complex stories. Hidden Currents is a good choice for pure entertainment.


Audience: adults.


(I purchased this book from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

				
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Book Review (+ Giveaway): Chosen People

	
		12
		Nov
	

	

	

		


About the Book


Book: Chosen People


Author: Robert Whitlow


Genre: Legal Drama




Release Date: November 6, 2018


Publisher: HarperCollins


Bestselling author Robert Whitlow dives deep into the legal ramifications of a tragic event half a world away and how it affects two lawyers in Atlanta from vastly different backgrounds.


When Hana Abboud walked into the conference room, she was unprepared for the images of a horrific terrorist attack near the Western Wall in Jerusalem. But after watching a courageous mother sacrifice her life to save her four-year-old daughter, Hana knew she needed to help attorney Jakob Brodsky represent the family’s pursuit of justice against those who perpetrate acts of violent jihad. As an Arab Israeli lawyer trained at Hebrew University, Hana is uniquely qualified to step into the gap.

But they need a third partner, an investigator on the ground to help them unravel the snake pit of connections between the terrorists and an organization or company that can be sued in the American courts. Hana returns home to Israel and meets with investigator Hamid Hasan who quickly becomes more than a crucial part of the litigation team.


As Jakob and Hana investigate the case in the US, he is stalked on the streets of Atlanta by affiliates of a terrorist organization. Their pursuit of truth can only be resolved where it began: the streets of Jerusalem. But who can they trust? How deep does deceit go? Can two lawyers and a shadowy investigator impact the kind of violence and terror that has become common in our broken world?


Click here to purchase your copy!


About the Author


Robert Whitlow is the bestselling author of legal novels set in the South and winner of the Christy Award for Contemporary Fiction. He received his J.D. with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law where he served on the staff of the Georgia Law Review. Website: robertwhitlow.com, Twitter: @whitlowwriter, Facebook: robertwhitlowbooks


Guest Post from Robert


Inside the Story


Chosen People — a title that reflects both the Biblical designation for the Jewish nation as well as converted Christians—opens during a terrorist attack near the Western Wall in Jerusalem. A courageous mother sacrifices her life to save her young daughter, leaving behind a grieving husband and a motherless child.


Whitlow’s many trips to Israel and his in-depth research into the culture and laws of the Holy City are evident throughout the story. Furthermore, his experience as a lawyer gives him keen insight into the mind of his main character Hanna Abboud, an Arab Christian Israeli lawyer working in Atlanta.


“This book provides a unique perspective to this region and its peoples through the eyes of an Arab Christian who believes that the faithfulness of God and truths of the Bible are unshakable realities,” says Whitlow. “This viewpoint is rarely expressed, yet it is one that needs and deserves to be heard so that it can become part of our framework for understanding this vital part of the world and the people who live there.”


 


My Impressions:


Robert Whitlow is one of my favorite authors. In fact, he is also one of my husband’s favorites and one of my book club’s favorites. We are all very excited when a new novel is released. So it was with the great anticipation of a good read that I opened the cover of Chosen People. Oh, my goodness! Chosen People moves up to the top of the list for best book by Whitlow. This book has it all! It gets a highly recommended rating from me.


Chosen People is legal drama at its best — an intriguing case, determined attorneys seeking justice, and clients that deserve the best of outcomes. Add to this a timely backdrop of international terrorism, a mix of cultures and beliefs, and the setting of Israel, and you get a book that is sure to please the most discerning of readers. Whitlow has succeeded in bringing to life the vibrant world of modern Israel from the perspectives of Israeli Jew and Arab, and those who visit from other parts of the world. The lawsuit that main characters Hana, Jakob, and Daud pursue is a complex mix of American anti-terrorism laws, financial investigations, and dark underworld connections. It kept this reader engaged throughout. The early parts of the book deal heavily with the case, but it soon becomes apparent that there is danger for all who are connected to the case. And while I loved the intricacies of the law, the characters were the real star. I had several favorites, but it is Hana Abboud, an Israeli Arab Christian working as a lawyer in Atlanta, that captured my imagination. She is obviously skilled in her work, but her faith is real and alive and was inspiring on many levels. She cares for all people regardless of their ethnicity or religion. Hana indeed is a woman who lives out her faith in tangible ways. She describes it to her co-counsel in this way: . . . my relationship with God through Jesus is my core. I know that’s a religious statement, but it’s not just a belief or an idea; it transforms everything about who I am and how I relate to all people, regardless of who they are and where they come from.” (p.354). What a great statement! There are many powerful, faith-filled moments in this book that add a depth to an already excellent legal suspense novel.


My book club will be reading Chosen People in the coming months. I cannot wait to hear where our discussion will take us. Grab this book and some friends — you will want to talk about it when you are finished.


Highly Recommended.


Great for Book Clubs.


Audience: Adults.


(Thanks to Thomas Nelson for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)


Blog Stops


Just the Write Escape, November 8


Genesis 5020, November 8


Multifarious, November 9


Real World Bible Study, November 9


The Power of Words, November 9


The Becca Files, November 10


Bibliophile Reviews, November 10


C Jane Read, November 11


Caffeinated Christian Raves – N – Reviews, November 11


Book by Book, November 11


Margaret Kazmierczak, November 12


By The Book, November 12


All-of-a-kind Mom, November 13


Painting with Words, November 13


A Good Book and Cup of Tea, November 13


Simple Harvest Reads, November 14 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)


Robin is Bookish, November 14


Texas Book-aholic, November 15


Moments, November 15


Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 16


Mary Hake, November 16


Janices book reviews, November 17


Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 17


Little Homeschool on the Prairie, November 18


Christian Bookaholic, November 18


Carpe Diem, November 19


Stephanie’s Life of Perseverance, November 19


A Baker’s Perspective, November 20


Inklings and notions, November 20


Bigreadersite, November 21


For The Love of Books, November 21


Giveaway




To celebrate his tour, HarperCollins is giving away a grand prize of three finished Robert Whitlow books (to be chosen by the publisher)!!


Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d73a/chosen-people-celebration-tour-giveaway

				
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Book Review: Reign

	
		7
		Nov
	

	

	

		
From the moment her marriage to prince Ahab thrusts her into the intrigues of palace life, Jezebel’s exotic beauty opens doors and her will breaks down walls. Torn from her homeland and wed to power in a strange country, Jezebel vows to create a legacy and power all her own. Some might call her a manipulative schemer, bent on having her way. But they don’t know the whole story, and she was much, much worse.


As she moves through the halls of power, her heart struggles between devotion to the gods she worships, the prince who loves her, and her thirst for revenge. She sparks a battle between her strangely powerless gods and the God of palace administrator Obadiah — a God who confronts her with surprising might. She will fight, though victory may cost her everything.


Ginger Garrett graduated from SMU in Dallas, Texas, with a degree in theatre arts and a focus on playwriting. Although she applied to the CIA to become an international master of espionage, she had to settle for selling pharmaceuticals for a large corporation. She eventually travelled the world on her own dime and without a disguise.


Ginger now lives in Atlanta with her husband, three children, and two rescue dogs. She spends her time baking gluten free goodness for her friends and family, and mentors middle school students who want to become working writers. Passionate about science, history, and women’s studies, Ginger loves exploring new ideas and old secrets. She especially loves good books read late at night.


Ginger is a popular speaker and a frequent radio and television guest. She has been featured by media across the country including Fox News, USA Today, Library Journal, 104.7 The Fish Atlanta, FamilyNet Television, National Public Radio, Harvest Television, and more.


My Impressions:


I lead a Bible study at my church that combines exploring scripture with a supplementary novel inspired by what we are studying. We call it The Faith And Fiction Bible Study, and it has been a great way to dive into the truth of God’s word in a unique way. I chose Reign by Ginger Garret to accompany our look into the life of Ahab and Jezebel. The study has been eye-opening for me, and Reign made real the cultural influences of the era. While many in my group described it as a hard or unpleasant read because of it’s depiction of the depravity of pagan worship, I appreciate the research that Garrett used to bring one of the most vilified characters in the Bible to life.


Reign depicts the life of Jezebel — her early life in Sidon and subsequent marriage to Ahab. A princess of the Phoenicians, Jezebel and Ahab’s marriage cemented the trade and political fortune of Israel with the seafaring nation. Unfortunately, with the increased economic prospects, Jezebel brought pagan worship to the northern kingdom and made it state-recognized and approved. This was the crux of God’s anger and judgment towards Ahab’s reign. While the framework of the novel rests on facts, the fictional life of Jezebel, the what-ifs, were fascinating. Garrett develops a character who is very much influenced by her past experiences. Pagan worship, though horrific in its implications, was a normal part of Jezebel’s upbringing. That point leads to all kinds of questions of how our own beliefs and experiences impact our actions, even if in opposition to God’s word. There’s not much to like about Jezebel and Ahab — really nothing at all. But the secondary character of Obadiah, mentioned as Ahab’s steward in the Biblical record, provides good insight into how godly people may react when faced with direct opposition to the God they believe in. God’s truth is a big part of Reign and is presented by Elijah, Obadiah and other named and unnamed prophets. Could life for Jezebel been different? I loved the very subtle wooing by God (and the depiction of the counter-action of evil) that she ultimately rejects.


Reign, as I stated above, was not an easy read. But it did provide good insight into a very dark time in Israel’s history. If you like Biblical fiction, give this one a try.


Audience: adults.


To purchase, click HERE.


(I purchased this book from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

				
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Book Review: The Christmas Remedy

	
		5
		Nov
	

	

	

		
When an Old Order Amish woman takes a job at a small-town pharmacy struggling to survive in a world of “big box” stores, her motive is to help her Plain community. But the advent of the holiday season brings an unusual mystery to the surface–and possibly love.


Twenty-four-year-old Holly Zook lives a unique life for a young Amish woman. Years ago, her bishop allowed her to continue her education and become the lead technician for Greene’s Pharmacy, an old-timey drugstore that looks out for the Amish community–a group largely without secure healthcare plans. She knows she can’t marry and hold onto her professional job. She’s Amish, and she can only have one or the other, so she spurns love and works toward addressing treatable diseases–like the one that claimed her father’s life.


As long as Holly continues to avoid Joshua Smucker, the one man who draws her like a warm hearth in winter, she should be fine. When something unexpected threatens Greene’s Pharmacy, Holly and Joshua must work together to unravel what’s happened and find the “missing” patient before the Board of Pharmacy shuts them down. As the snows of December arrive, with Christmas in the air, will Holly succumb to the generous spirit of the season?


To purchase, click HERE. (available in hardcover, Kindle, and audiobook editions)


Cindy Woodsmall is the “New York Times” and CBA best-selling author of eighteen works of fiction. She’s been featured in national media outlets such as ABC’s “Nightline” and the “Wall Street Journal”. Cindy has won numerous awards and has been finalist for the prestigious Christy, Rita, and Carol Awards. Cindy and her husband reside near the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains in Flowery Branch, GA.


Erin Woodsmall is a writer, musician, wife, and mom of three. She has edited, brainstormed, and researched books with Cindy for almost a decade. She is very excited about their first coauthored book.


Find out more about Cindy and Erin at http://www.cindywoodsmall.com.


 


My Impressions:


Heartwarming might be an overused word in describing books, but it is spot on in its description of The Christmas Remedy by the writing duo of Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall. I’ve already read a number of Christmas-themed novellas this year, but I have to say this one is my favorite so far. Filled with lovable characters and set in a charming town, The Christmas Remedy shares a message of community and family that is just right for holiday reading. Recommended.


Holly Noelle is an unusual Amish woman. Determined to make a difference in her community, she pushes what is expected for women. But Holly is never rebellious or disrespectful in bringing some modern ways into her Plain community. As a pharmacy tech she is in the unique position to make healthcare a top priority for her friends and family. Joining in her plans is her boss Lyle Greene, pharmacist and owner of the local drugstore. A crisis occurs, though, to derail and perhaps undo all of Holly’s work.


The characters are front and center in The Christmas Remedy. I loved that both Amish and English rang true. The setting of the little town of Raysburg, Pennsylvania and the surrounding countryside is far from the bustle and busyness of the big city, but is perfect for a story that centers on the importance of relationship. Romance is part of several characters’ stories and develops naturally and sweetly. And there’s a bit of a mystery for the characters and the reader to unravel. Characters also discover God’s plans for their lives, even as it leads in surprising directions.


All in all I loved The Christmas Remedy. A quick read, it was perfect for snuggling up with in front of the fireplace.


Recommended.


Audience: adults.


(Thanks to the authors for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)


 

				
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