The Secret of Pembrooke Park

Abigail's family is facing ruin and it's all her fault.

With the Foster's in need of a dramatic life change following a bad investment it almost seems too good to be true when a distant relation offers them the use of an estate for 12 months at an affordable price. Until Abigail arrives and truths and rumours involving vanishing relatives, unsolved murders, and hidden treasure begin to swirl despite the best efforts of someone to keep Abigail in the dark.



The Secret of Pembrooke Park falls into one of my favourite genres thanks to its older British setting, however, to my surprise, it was the mystery that made this book a winner in my eyes. It takes a rare plot to keep me guessing these days and Klassen skillfully allows plot twists that surprised even me to appear throughout the book at, in retrospect, were the most interesting of points.

With the story's themes of romance and mystery dominating the pages I was hopeful for some strong characters to keep me interested, especially after only Abigail managed to catch my eye from the Foster family. Thankfully, a full cast of character at the estate including staff, the Chapman's, and neighbours down the road provide a colourful enough town to believe a mystery of this scale could actually occur in it's given setting. That said, it was truly Abigail that kept me turning the pages. Her intelligence and her character made her such an easy character to journey with through the story that it was easy to enter the world through her efforts and take part in Pembrooke.

I was also happy that the mystery never took second stage to the romances which came and went throughout the book. Although Abigail had two suitors by the end,  they relationships actually naturally evolved through the mystery and the events which were taking place. I won't give away which suitor Abigail chooses but I was definitely satisfied with the end result.

The Secret of Pembrooke Park  is a well crafted mystery that should appeal to a variety of readers thanks to it's involvement of different literary genres.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars

I received this book from Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review the opinions are my own

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Time Traveller by Joanne Harris

As a loyal Whovian I was excited for the chance to review a story based in Classic Who (doctors before Eccleston's 9th).

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Time Traveller takes place as the 3rd doctor is counting down until his next regeneration having been fatally poisoned. Recognizing his time is almost ended he attempts to find companion Sarah Jane when the TARDIS reroutes him to an idyllic town with a terrible secret driving it's everyday life.

The premise itself is quite Whovian in nature and it's always interesting to explore the mind of the doctor as he proceeds towards regeneration. However, given the twist ending, this book was simply too dark for me given where I am in life at the moment.

I enjoyed the build and pacing of the story, watching this doctor reason out what was happening in the little town. I also found it interesting as one more familiar with modern Who to see personality traits which have followed the Doctor throughout his regeneration.

Given the book's sensitive ending (and the inability to warn readers as it spoils the story) I would hesitantly recommend this story as it's ending may be more than some Whovian's were expecting.

I received this book in exchange for my honest open through NetGallery.

The Princess Spy by Melanie Dickerson

As a noble daughter and elder sister, it is Margaretha’s duty to marry well.
Surely it isn’t her fault that none of her suitors came close to being the husband she desires. Lord Claybrook seems her best option despite his high tastes and cold eyes, so why is her attention held fast by an injured, nameless boy who claims destruction for her family should she marry the foreign Lord?

I thoroughly loved The Princess Spy! It has adventure, plot twists, romance all wrapped up with an almost fairy tale vibe, providing an intriguing journey that I wish could have continued. Dickerson helps readers connect with her characters by providing them depth and life. Margaretha continually grows into her role as a young noble from the insecure and overtalkitive girl she was before the story’s events came to pass, growing through love as well as her faith both key elements within the story’s composition.

I was also surprised how unobtrusive the faith elements were woven into the story’s overall narrative. With Margaretha as well as Colin, the inclusion of their faith and reliance seemed believable and realistic for two young adults learning to stand outside their parents’ households.

I would highly recommend this book.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion through BookLook Bloggers. The opinions are my own.

The Brickmaker's Bride

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest opinion, the opinions in this review are uninfluenced and my own.


Every once in awhile you get asked to read a book and, after a double check, you get excited because you recognize the author! Most of the books I review on here are complete surprises, unheard of authors, possibly different genres, and usually I'm pretty excited by the results.

Judith Miller, on the other hand, author of The Brickmaker's Bride has seen my bedside table since high school, and, although I've never found her books overly challenging, it's always like coming back and catching up with an old friend.

Brickmaker's Bride lands on some of Miller's strong point. It's set in West Virgina just after the civil war (historical fiction being, in my opinion, Miller's best). Laura, is a strong, likable female character learning to navigate a very male dominated society following the loss of her father and provider.
Ewan on the other hand is a recent immigrant easy to connect with as he struggles to bring one side of his family together while remaining above the ploys and ethics of the others.

I enjoyed the pacing of this book, Miller has always provided a good pacing and with Brickmaker's Bride it didn't just suit the story but helped give a feel to the setting of the story and the lives of the characters.

The tension within the plot was believable and most readers, myself included, could easily find people they have met who embody the different qualities, displayed by the main cast (although I could certainly do with some more of the liveliness found in the twins. Two of my favourite characters by far and perhaps a smidge underused)

Some readers may find the end wraps up rather neatly, as does much Christian fiction, however, I found Miller's  work refreshing in that not every character had their story-lines neatly wrapped up. There were still quirks, prejudices, and pain that was left unresolved while making sure the story had a complete ending.

All in all I felt this was one of the better reads I've had with Miller in recent years and recommend it to fans of this genre

4 out of 5 stars.

The Thirteenth Tower

Oh fantasy.

Somehow, after a long week and a run of more serious reading material, there is something about fantasy that  feels like coming home. Seeing as I realize that fantasy and sci-fi often talk about serious issues as well I can understand the awkwardness of that mentality and yet I feel this ever time.


This week I had the opportunity to delve into Sara C.Snider's new book The Thirteenth Tower.

As an orphaned servant girl Emelyn has few prospects in life and hasn't planned much beyond the chores that would allow her to attend this year's festival in the village. However, when strangers overpower her village, leaving herself, a stranger apprentice, and two magisters unaffected Emelyn finds herself caught up in a delicate journey between forces that could lead to her destiny or her unraveling.


 I enjoyed Snider's offering. Emelyn was a character I could easily identify with and support in her journey to unravel the truth that was hidden all around her. Cobbe and her pig, though not as relatable were a great addition and showed the contrast in character styles that Snyder is able to infuse with life throughout her pages.

I also enjoyed Snider's use of the world's mythology in order to drive the story along. Although this, along with certain storytelling techniques, did allow for major plot points to be guessed fairly early in the story the character and charm won me over and continued to hold my interest.

I also enjoyed the villains in this story, the back story, the emotions and reasoning given to major decisions. However, I cannot think of a single way to explain more without giving away to much of the story so I'll content myself to leave it there ;)

My biggest disappointment was that the book feels like a solid set up for a series or, at the very least, opens it up for a good sequel to explore the events that followed the climax of this book. No sign of any second offering could I find online though. Hopefully this is something that can be rectified in the future though.

For fans of fantasy and classic fairy tales, Snider offers a wonderful new offering to this genre.

4 out of 5 stars.

I received this book from NetGallery in exchange for my honest opinion.

Update: For those who, like me, felt this story ended too quickly be sure to drop in at Snider's website  for some exciting news!

Answering your kids toughest questions.

I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

After some wild and wonderful mail adventures, I finally had the chance to sit down and read Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jessica Thompson recent offering Answering your kids' toughest questions. As a mom, I am acutely aware of the fact that, although I currently spend my days encouraging my son in basic life skills like talking, there will come a day in the near future where his questions may lead us into interesting spaces.


The greatest strength of Thompson and Fitzpatrick's work is that it challenges readers to think and question how they would approach certain topics with their children when approached. I'm a huge fan of materials that seek to engage parents and foster an atmosphere of learning and openness after seeing far too many situations where adults try to "fake-it-til-we make-it" or flat out avoid the questions being asked, regardless of their severity or importance.

My issue was that much of the book felt as though the reader was being pulled into extremes. Some of the examples, including what seems to be a fairly infamous one in reviews regarding snapping one's fingers and sin, border or march into extremes and could easily be seen as justification for legalism and Pharisaical teachings.
On the other hand, many of their explanations regarding at the end of each chapter regarding the separate age ranges (dividing into really nice categories)  felt very pat and simplistic. In all fairness this may be my own education influencing my perceptions. I love being challenged in my thinking and spent most of my college and seminary years discussing ideas and concepts including ones covered in this book at great length. However, I felt that the answers outlined were more likely to result in rolled eyes or misunderstanding than the open communication the authors desired, perhaps due to the lack of focus concerning living out and modelling the gospel and creating an atmosphere of learning and growth from childhood?

Overall, I think the authors did try and provide what they set out to do within a very specific and controlled audience. The effect just fell flat for me personally.

Mama Koko and the Hundred Gunmen

Sometimes all it takes is a person, a story, a word to make a difference. With one connection a story goes from being facts to becoming personal, touching those who hear it and generally it takes a powerful story or a gifted storyteller for that connection to come through. In Mama Koko and the Hundred Gunmen by Lisa Shannon readers are gifted with both.

Lisa Shannon has long been known for her activism and her work among the Congolese people. Before the frenzy and fallout of Kony 2012 and afterwards when interest faded Shannon has continued to hold a place in her heart for the people who live the reality of a life unfathomable to many in North America. In Mama Koko Shannon takes the easiest and yet most painful route to further this need - she shares stories.

Mama Koko is not a book for the feint of heart and, in fact, it's a story that will probably pain your heart or at least open it to the realities of life in an often overlooked part of the world. Shannon starts with stories of friendship, memories of a time in Africa most stereotypes don't often unearth due to convenience before delving into stories of loss, pain, and sadness that are often overlooked for the same reason.

Shannon doesn't hold back as she recounts the stories of Heritier, Roger, Antoinette, and so many more tied together through Francisca and Koko. Young, old, living, dead, and those caught in between each are represented in these pages, each are given a chance to be heard.

This is not a feel good book but it is a book worth reading if you are willing to learn and take this book beyond it's pages: grow in awareness, find an appropriate and certified venue through which to offer the recommended aid.

I received this book through NetGallery as an advanced copy (release date is February 3, 2015) and the opinions are my own.

Mama Koko is a book that will stay with me for a long time and occasionally brought me to tears as I was able to see a glimpse into this conflict with new eyes.

5 out of 5 stars