Love on the Line

Rural switchboard operator Georgie is proud of her independence in a man's world, which makes it difficult when the telephone company sends a man to look over her shoulder and become her supervisor.  Luke is more than he appears, however.  A Texas Ranger working undercover, he's after a gang of train robbers, and dealing with telephone wires and the difficult switchboard operator is not something he wants to be bothered with.  But when his work as a Ranger puts Georgie in danger, he must choose between his job and much more.

I usually enjoy Bethany House publications, and Love on the Line was a fun read; I learned a great deal about switchboard operations, no doubt!  One thing I really enjoy about historical fiction is the amount of research an author typically puts into their story.  As a preface to the book, author Deanne Gist thanks all the individuals at various museums and societies who helped her prepare for the book.  I had no idea there was a museum for things concerning switchboard operations.  Another fun bit about this book was that the setting was a town in rural Texas with German heritage.  Gist also explains some German traditions and even allows the characters to speak some German words and phrases.  Don't worry- if you don't speak any German, you'll still be able to figure out the meaning of the words through context.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

A Wedding Invitation

I'm back with some more book reviews!  I'm not normally a fan of modern fiction because I generally prefer historical fiction or classic literature.  However, I choose to review A Wedding Invitation by Alice J. Wisler since the main characters either worked in refugees in the Philippines in the 1980s or were refugees themselves.

Samanthan Bravencourt enjoys her quiet life in in Washington, D.C. after returning home from teaching English to refugees in the Philippines.  She receives an invitation to her college friend's wedding, she heads to North Carolina to celebrate and reconnect with old friends.  When the wedding turns out differently than she expects, a chance encounter leads her to Carson, a former fellow teacher in the Philippines who broke her heart.  Sam is soon forced to choose between her comfortable life and helping Lien, a young refugee girl who needs her help.  But helping the refugee girl will require working with Carson again, and Sam isn't sure if her heart could handle it.

What I liked about this book is that many people who read it may never have understood what a refugee is; after reading this story, perhaps they will be encouraged to learn more about refugees and their plights.  To me, the story was secondary to the issues highlighted about refugees.  The author apparently taught in the refugee processing center in the Philippines in the 80s; after learning that, I had a great deal of respect for her.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Forsaking All Others

Camilla Fox is rescued from a near-fatal snowstorm by Colonel Charles Brandon of the United States Army after she fled her home in an effort to escape from a faith she no longer called her own.  Eager to reunite with her daughters, Camilla tries to determine how she assure her children will not grow up with Mormon teachings.  Colonel Brandon offers his assistance, but as he begins to develop feelings for Camilla, she determines to return home to her mother's home and to continue her efforts to be reunited with her children.

I'll be honest, this book was uncomfortable and a little weird to read.  I don't think I've ever come across any type of historical fiction which addresses Mormonism and specifically, the issue of polygamy.  In the book, Camilla flees because she refuses to share her husband with a second wife.   I honestly am not that familiar with all the teachings of Mormonism and I don't think the author did a very good job explaining the basics of it.  She did, however, do an excellent job providing some interesting historical facts and Brigham Young and the building of the temple in Utah, but I still felt a bit lost and confused and not sure what bits of Mormon faith she includes to trust as accurate or dramatized.  I also was concerned that she develops this budding romance between Camilla and the Colonel when Camilla is still married; it was just a little uncomfortable at times. 

Apparently, this book is in a series called 'The Sister Wife Series'... honestly, I think the show about sister wives on cable is more than enough more me.  I don't plan on reading the other books. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Out of Control

I just love when the mailman brings me a book from Bethany House Publishers to review.  They are the perfect Saturday afternoon read.  Recently, I received Out of Control by Mary Connealy; I don't think I've ever read anything by this author before, but I did enjoy reading this fun little book.

The story is that of Julia, a young woman who loves studying geology and other natural sciences.  Her home life isn't exactly the most comforting or consistent of places, so she finds her peace in long walks and studying the fossils and rock formations in the cave near her father's house.  But when someone steals the rope she uses to climb out of the cave, her world will be changed forever.

The man who owns the land where the cave is located returns to the cave one last evening to try to make his peace with the place which tore his family apart when he was just a boy.  As Rafe approaches the cave, he hears a woman crying for help and is forced to enter the cave where so many memories haunt him.  As Rafe and Julia try to track down the man who is lurking about Rafe's land, they eventually must choose between each other and their families.

It was an intriguing story, full of danger, humour, and even a little bit of history.  While at certain spots the writing style didn't seem consistent with the rest of the book, it flowed easily and the plot unfolded nicely.  It was definitely a good Saturday afternoon read!

I think this book is going to be the first in a series of stories about the women who marry the Kincaid men.  There are three brothers in the family, so I'm guessing the next story will be about the middle brother Ethan and then finally the youngest brother Seth.  You will probably be able to read the other two stories without reading this book first, but I'm guessing that it will help you understand the back story better if you start with Out of Control.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Louisville's Refugee Elder Program

Not a big post...just one to encourage you to check out the (relatively) new blog for Louisville's Refugee Elder Program!  We launched it in June, and we've already gotten hits from most of the US states and fourteen different countries!

Click on the picture to be taken to the blog:

To Win Her Heart

So you may have noticed I haven't posted in quite some time...I've been a bit distracted with life lately.  But autumn is fast-approaching, and I always feel a bit better when the rest of the world seems to return to a normal schedule.

I finished To Win Her Heart a long time ago, but then I lent it to a friend before I wrote the review.  Levi Grant, after serving a sentence for the unintentional crime he committed in his youth looks to begin again in the small town of Spencer, Texas.  The town needs a blacksmith, and Levi needs a place where no one knows his past.  Eden Spencer is the town's all-but-confirmed spinster; she chooses instead to devote her time to the library she runs in the town her father founded.  When the larger-than-life new blacksmith arrives, Eden begins to reconsider her decision in swearing off all men.  But as the truth about Levi's past is slowly revealed, he must find a way to win back the librarian's affections.

This is a super sweet story that will keep you engaged for beginning to end.  I'd never read anything by Karen Witemeyer, and it's definitely not a new style by any means.  But the book provides a nice escape from the pressures of today's world and beckons you back to a seemingly simpler time.  With just the right amount of snarky villanous characters, you'll be rooting for the hero the whole time.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Galileo

This must be my third or fourth book I've reviewed from the Christian Encounters series.  It really is one of my favourite series I've received from Thomas Nelson, and I hope the publishers continue to provide us with some more excellent biographies.

I think biographies generally get a bad rap for being rather boring, but the Christian Encounters series definitely gets it right.  I recently got to take a look at Galileo by Mitch Stokes.  Admittedly, I'm not a big science enthusiast, and I tend to get Galileo and Copernicus confused...but that's exactly why I should be reading books about science and scientists- to stretch my mind as much as possible.  Galileo's life was really more fascinating than I ever realised, and while I knew he faced difficulties with the church because of his theories (specifically, his stance on heliocentricity), I didn't understand the full extent of this controversy.  One of the coolest things I learned from this book: Galileo invented the pendulum clock!  I had no idea...but you can be sure the next time I visit the Smithsonian and watch the large pendulum clock swing back and forth, back and forth, back and forth...I'll be thinking of Galileo.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”