Waiting for news of her missing Union-soldier husband, Carlyn Kearney is managing to eek out a life--undefined as married or a widow. Two years have passed since the Civil War's end and still, no word on the status of her husband. Without means to keep her home, Carlyn relents and takes refuge in the nearby Shaker village of Harmony Hill for shelter, food and comfort--and protection.
However, Carlyn's past and need for protection follow her to the peacefulness of Harmony Hill. Intrigued by Carlyn's move to the Shaker village, sheriff Mitchell Brodie investigates some shady dealings in his town that begin to involve him and Carlyn in ways he--or she--hadn't planned...
Very intriguing! That is the bust summation I can put to Ann Gabhart's latest work, "The Innocent". I was completely hooked from the beginning. This is the first novel I've read that adds the society of the Shakers as an element in a novel. I've seen the Amish in several, but not Shakers. Very refreshing!
What I related to most was the similarities to the Shaker faith and my own Apostolic faith. There are glaring differences as well, don't get me wrong. But, I could very much relate to Carlyn's upbringing in the Christian faith and then being thrust into the Shaker faith and questioning practices that she was unfamiliar with. I had/have some of the same struggles myself.
Ms. Gabhart seems to really know her scripture as well. The book wasn't "preachy", but you can definitely tell that Carlyn's life was Christ-centered even if she didn't always realize it. This comes through in Carlyn's inner dialogue, memories and questioning of the Shaker faith.
Overall, I felt the book was very thought provoking. It also had some twists and turns that made for some late nights as well. The writing style reminded me of Laura Frantz's works. So, if there are any Laura Frantz fans out there, give this a try! I am definitely looking forward to getting more books from Ms. Gabhart.
Despite how much I enjoyed this book, I had two complaints...First, "Carlyn" at first glance, I kept wanting to read as "Carolyn". Then, I would also think of the comedian George Carlin--not a good mental image to have when trying to picture a young woman in Shaker attire...Second, the ending, which was OK, just seemed too abrupt. I can't really expound more on that because I may give some goodies away. I just wish the ending was more soft after coming of a climactic build. Long enough for me to get my breath back.
(I was given this book for free by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Saturday, June 6, 2015
"Love's Rescue" Book Review
Can a young southern woman of a higher class have a future with a man who is a step above a pirate?
Christine Johnson tells the captivating tale of Elizabeth Benjamin, a young southern woman raised in Key West, who returns home to take her station in her childhood home. Accompanied by her Aunt, Elizabeth struggles to find her place in the household among a brother, a father and servant--all of whom have a past. All the while, she pines for the man she had left behind four years earlier. Rourke O'Malley, the object of Elizabeth's affection, searches to find his place as well--in society and on the water--and struggles to make sense of the feelings he has for Elizabeth.
As I said, there are characters with a past and Ms. Johnson does an excellent job of weaving the characters and their histories all together. There is some mystery as well and I was even guessing and wondering how all the pieces fit in the puzzle.
The backdrop of Key West is a refreshing twist. It seems there are lots of historical fiction novels that are set in New England, out West, the wilderness...but this is the first I've read in Key West. As refreshing as that is, it had its drawbacks. I didn't really know about the setting and had trouble picturing it. For instance, I don't' really know what a mangrove tree looks like. Also, in the beginning of the book there is a heavy emphasis on the nautical setting of the book as well. With nautical there is usually boats and I don't know aft from starboard to bulwark to spar. I don't know if it would have been considered tacky or not, but some books print maps of the town or diagrams at the front of the book. For those of us who haven't been to Key West or know our boats, maybe a diagram or map could have been helpful??? It would have helped me anyway. I guess I could have Googled it...
Character development was good overall. At times, Elizabeth seemed a little on the simpering side. I wish she would have just taken her Aunt to task a few times. But, it gets better--and that's all I can say. Rourke...who wouldn't love a male lead like Rourke? (insert sigh and eyeflutter here)... I actually felt Charlie and John were secondary characters that "spoke" volumes with little dialog.
The book moved well and had some mystery and twists that kept you engaged till the end. Overall, a promising start to the Keys of Promise series. I say, 4 stars out of 5!
(I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
Christine Johnson tells the captivating tale of Elizabeth Benjamin, a young southern woman raised in Key West, who returns home to take her station in her childhood home. Accompanied by her Aunt, Elizabeth struggles to find her place in the household among a brother, a father and servant--all of whom have a past. All the while, she pines for the man she had left behind four years earlier. Rourke O'Malley, the object of Elizabeth's affection, searches to find his place as well--in society and on the water--and struggles to make sense of the feelings he has for Elizabeth.
As I said, there are characters with a past and Ms. Johnson does an excellent job of weaving the characters and their histories all together. There is some mystery as well and I was even guessing and wondering how all the pieces fit in the puzzle.
The backdrop of Key West is a refreshing twist. It seems there are lots of historical fiction novels that are set in New England, out West, the wilderness...but this is the first I've read in Key West. As refreshing as that is, it had its drawbacks. I didn't really know about the setting and had trouble picturing it. For instance, I don't' really know what a mangrove tree looks like. Also, in the beginning of the book there is a heavy emphasis on the nautical setting of the book as well. With nautical there is usually boats and I don't know aft from starboard to bulwark to spar. I don't know if it would have been considered tacky or not, but some books print maps of the town or diagrams at the front of the book. For those of us who haven't been to Key West or know our boats, maybe a diagram or map could have been helpful??? It would have helped me anyway. I guess I could have Googled it...
Character development was good overall. At times, Elizabeth seemed a little on the simpering side. I wish she would have just taken her Aunt to task a few times. But, it gets better--and that's all I can say. Rourke...who wouldn't love a male lead like Rourke? (insert sigh and eyeflutter here)... I actually felt Charlie and John were secondary characters that "spoke" volumes with little dialog.
The book moved well and had some mystery and twists that kept you engaged till the end. Overall, a promising start to the Keys of Promise series. I say, 4 stars out of 5!
(I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
"Untangled" Book Review
I don't normally read the "self-help" sort of books out there. I view reading as more of a brain candy or lose-myself venture. So, when I signed up to review this book, I knew I was taking a chance. But, God must've known that I was going to need to read it!
I must say that I'm cutting the wire close on this review because the past week has been daunting--to say the least. So what better book, aptly entitled "Untangled", should go with my stress-ball of a week? Divine intervention at its greatest!!!
Carey Scott provides a short length (approx. 200 pages) book that focuses untangling the mess we make of things in our life from marriage and kids to friendship and social media. She tackles serious issues with frequent doses of humor that left me literally chuckling out loud--because real life is funny stuff.
I am hesitant to expound too much in fear I may spoil some topics or explain too much. Most of the book is very enlightening and broken down into useful advice and anecdotes. However, some issues she tackles don't really pertain to my life right now (like raising kids). And in other places, I felt she had made her point and I was ready to move on, but she wasn't. Those parts I got a little drowsy on, but overall the book was very informative and there are several dog-eared pages that I want to go back and highlight sections, points or quotes. Overall rating is 4.5 stars out of 5.
(I was given this book free by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
I must say that I'm cutting the wire close on this review because the past week has been daunting--to say the least. So what better book, aptly entitled "Untangled", should go with my stress-ball of a week? Divine intervention at its greatest!!!
Carey Scott provides a short length (approx. 200 pages) book that focuses untangling the mess we make of things in our life from marriage and kids to friendship and social media. She tackles serious issues with frequent doses of humor that left me literally chuckling out loud--because real life is funny stuff.
I am hesitant to expound too much in fear I may spoil some topics or explain too much. Most of the book is very enlightening and broken down into useful advice and anecdotes. However, some issues she tackles don't really pertain to my life right now (like raising kids). And in other places, I felt she had made her point and I was ready to move on, but she wasn't. Those parts I got a little drowsy on, but overall the book was very informative and there are several dog-eared pages that I want to go back and highlight sections, points or quotes. Overall rating is 4.5 stars out of 5.
(I was given this book free by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Roscoe
A good walking buddy and awesome frisbee catcher! Life cut short by a brain tumor.
Tuffy
If ever there was a candidate for Dog Heaven, it would be Tuff. Tuff was put to rest December 7, 2012. At almost 14 years old, he threw the longevity curve for dogs of his breed-makeup and size. He battled 2 types of cancer and Cushing's Disease as well as arthritis. Faithful to the end and never grumpy, depite the constant care and nagging from me. Always the protector, gentleman and companion--you will be sorely missed by all who had the opportunity to know you.
Cranky Thomas
Ever wonder why it's called "Life On CT Farm"? The horse you see in the pictures is Cranky Thomas, a registered quarter horse gelding. He was born May 5, 1980 in Galion, Alabama and passed away August 3, 2004 on CT Farm--his farm. He originally belonged to my husband, but I adopted him and I think he adopted me. We competed together in contest classes at local horse shows. But, an old injury finally slowed him down and I retired him in 2000. He was a loving and patient being that I completely trusted and admired. There will never be another like him, never. He meant so much to me that I named our farm after him as well as my company, Cranky T. LLC. He's gone now, but is still with me and now you.
