With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander

Utterly Captivating!

Tamera Alexander's retelling of the events of the Battle of Franklin and its effects on the residents of Carnton had me completely immersed and rooting for these characters based upon the actual residents and soldiers who participated in the unfolding of Franklin and the final days of the war.

Now, as a Canadian, I only have a basic knowledge of the U.S. civil war which is why I was thrilled to find Alexander has done her research, even using actual correspondence from those in and around Carnton. Her attention to detail, even in regards to battle, surgery, and recovery helped me as a reader with no connection to the events catch glimpses of the turmoil of the time (although fair warning readers who enjoy happy endings don't go researching the characters after Alexander pens the end).

Obviously using actual places, events, and correspondence from the primary characters adds a  level of depth that is natural but I also appreciate how Alexander respects the people while fleshing out the story of Lizzie, Roland, and even Tempy. She respects their flaws, pain, and their quirks which may have been easier to smooth out, instead allowing them to further richen the narrative. The debates between Lizzie and Roland regarding slavery, the questions of moral men, the trauma of the children and helpers all gave further insight into the era.

With This Pledge  was my first foray into Alexander's work but I shall definitely be checking her out again. I highly recommend this book for any fans of historical fiction, romance, civil war era novels.

5 out of 5 stars.

losure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers 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.

Mark of the Raven by Morgan L.Busse

Based on Mark of the Raven, The Ravenwood Saga has the potential to be my favourite Christian fantasy series in years.

Right from the start, Busse is invested in taking  the time to world build. As a result, the book is filled with rich family and world history, interesting geography, and, of course, the division of the great houses gifts. Busse obviously has put a lot of thought and heart to the creation of her characters home and it brings the story a depth and immersion I've found lacking in other reads in this genre of late.

The concept of the gifts is what lands this novel firmly in its fantasy genre. I really enjoyed the slow reveal of the gifts as well as the way readers are introduced to the concept of a gift that has been twisted or warped from it's original purpose. Between the contrast of the houses of the Light and the houses of the Dark Lady, Busse has set up the possibility of introducing themes of faith and redemption without being overly cliche or preachy. I really appreciate how naturally she works her elements into her plots allowing them to feel natural to the characters, especially with Lady Selene and Lord Damien.

These two really caught my attention (aside from Renata and little Opheliana who I sincerely hope make reappearances in the future).  Both characters were strong enough to hold their own plotlines with notable weakness that made them more interesting as they seek to best  lead their people and honour the gifts they've inherited. While I guessed the eventual outcome of these two meeting, Busse definitely throws a twist into the plot in the  last 75 pages and I was on the edge of my seat for how the ceremony would unfold. 

I'm always leery of reviewing the first in a Christian fantasy as so often a fantasy series needs to viewed as a whole to see how an author will use the history and plots established. However, Mark of the Raven is well worth the risk. Also is it April yet? I need to know what happens next!

4 out of 5 stars.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

NIRV Seek and Explore Bible

With a bright, colourful cover, and colour-coded margins the NIRV Seek and Explore Bible is designed to capture the eye and create interest (not to mention help parents find it again once the bible enters into the  black hole of a child's bedroom).

The entire bible is colour coded making referencing much easier and gives indecisive kids some help deciding where to look (for instance my son's in a blue phase guess where we're reading). I particularly like the study notes with the wayee characters which are informative and age appropriate with great conversation starters and cool facts (I honestly had no idea a sling and stone could move so fast!). As always the maps were a big hit and I was impressed with the balance between fun,child-friendly pictures and accuracy of the map.

I do question the durability of a paperback vs a hardcover for energetic kids. However, paperback does make the pages easier to manipulate and less of a projectile weapon for those loving brotherly moments. I also miss having a topical index because, let's face it, kids are the champs when it comes to asking questions and the list of key stories just wasn't robust enough for what my 5 year old is asking.  In the end, it feels like a good trade off for this age and stage. I'm also pleased with the readability of this translation. The NIRV definitely feels accessible to younger kids who are still struggling to grasp the nuances of English because, let's face it, there's enough in here to wrestle through without language complicating matters.

With all the fun artwork and readability this edition is a great option for pre-readers through to junior high students.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers 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.

Everything She Didn't Say by Jane Kirkpatrick

Jane Kirkpatrick has a notable skill when it comes to weaving together fact and fiction. Carrie "Dell" Strahorn calls out through Kirkpatrick's words inviting readers into the ups and downs of life in the old west.

In all honesty, Kirkpatrick's skill made this book a hard read for me. Carrie's wrestling to balance her life, manage her grief at lost dreams, and find a sense of home in a changing world are as real today as they were in Carrie's day. While maintaining close ties to her source material, Kirkpatrick allows Carrie's  story to show how much the heart remains the same through the years. She wasn't a cookie cutter heroine or an overly cleaned up ideal. While Carrie preferred to convey an optimistic outlook, fleshing out her marriage, financial, and social challenges made her present in the pages through celebration and heartbreak. Kirkpatrick's ability to meld research  and storytelling allows Carrie's voice to shine through the years.

I also enjoyed the chance to have real-life female inspiration for the protagonist. While historical fiction is, by far, my go-to genre, I can remember books referencing Robert Strahorn, never Carrie. I love seeing these stories come back into public awareness and the encouragement women can take, even from an inspired fiction.  

It is worth noting some readers may find Everything She Didn't Say a challenge to read compared to others in the genre. Carrie's existence as a real person means the outcomes of her experiences are not always as rosy or polished as Christian fiction and historical fiction tends to present. There are no quick fixes or nicely wrapped up stories.  Additionally, the chapters are shorter and often framed  around excerpts from Carrie's actual book Fifteen Thousand Miles by Stage this leaves the book feeling choppy at times with more jarring transitions. 

4 out of 5 stars.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

Parenting With Heart by Stephen James and Chip Dodd

My husband and  I recently attending a parenting seminar by Brett Ullman. During his talk he informed us that most parents read more books to plan a trip to Disney than they do about parenting. In a way I understand this. There  are so many parenting books on the market today and most parents do not have an overabundance of spare time.

That's why I feel that Parenting with Heart could be an excellent starting point for many parents. One of the points I found most interesting with this book was the parent-focused instruction. So often parenting books seek to change the child's behaviour when, really, changing our own approach is often more effective. While some of the terminology was different, many of the principles James and Dodd described were quite similar to those discussed when I took some counselling classes in college. 

I also appreciated the  time James  and Dodd took to explain their approach the concept of "parenting with heart" of parenting for control, shame, guilt, etc . .  . There  is so much pressure on having the right type of kid  rather than  helping your kid mature and grow into the person they are gifted to be. Additionally, their "parenting with heart" style is also centered in relationship which is something, I think, a lot of families struggle to do well in our isolated society. The way they show how that relationship allows love, instruction, discipline, and  growth to naturally flow between both parties rather than an power focused struggle or an unbalanced best buds approach also makes a lot of sense without feeling any more overwhelming then parenting can often feel.

There were times when the chapters  felt, perhaps, too academic for a tired parent to want to wade through while their kids are sleeping but over all the information felt solid and I loved the parent centered focus as, in the end, our own behaviour is what we have the most influence over.

4.5 out of 5 stars

I received this book as part of the Revell Reads Tour.

The Ministry of Ordinary Places Waking Up to God's Goodness Around You By Shannan Martin

Sometimes the challenge in life isn't looking for  a way to break out of the mundane but to break in, dig deep, and see the meaning and opportunities that stare at us from within our everyday routines. In The Ministry of Ordinary Places Martin challenges readers to see the world of opportunity staring back at us in our neighbours, our communities, and the realness of the places in which we live. Martin urges reflection on the reality of a life of service that finds it's traction in coffee shared over dishes, watching out for our neighbours, and loving those who cross our path where they are not where we think we need to be. 

I appreciated the gentle firmness with which Martin shares her message, the way she gently points out the availability of people to love, connect, and work alongside when we're willing to listen to God's call and set aside our own expectations and aspirations for society's standards.

Martin brings a warmth to her writing and accessibility to her message that makes her instruction seem reachable. She doesn't just speak community she invites readers into her community letting their journey light up each page with their triumphs and sorrows.

So many of these life growth books preach community over and over again and why not it's an obvious lesson in our tech laden, isolated society. Martin shares the same message but weaves it into her own past showing that sometimes the most natural things can be the hardest, demanding both  the biggest sacrifices, fiercest tears, and best rewards. I love that Martin is simply unable to speak about community without bearing her heart for her own, the authenticity and earnestness shining through her vulnerability.

4.5/5 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers 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.

A Sparkle of Silver by Liz Johnson

I first discovered Liz Johnson through her Red Door Inn series and fell in love with the charm and characters she brought to life in P.E.I.

A Sparkle of Silver has a very different feel than Johnson's earlier series, here characters are plunged into a double mystery of a decades old lost treasure and the true identity of main character Millie's great-grandfather following a summer marked by a romantic triangle.

Honestly, after having loved Red Door Inn so much, I struggled, at first, to engage with A Sparkle of Silver.  The mystery and intrigue were well  written but not the charm I originally hoped for and possibly expected thanks to some preconceived hopes. 

Then came George. George softened the characters around him, even those reading a journal decades later, and brought the charm and context that hooked me emotionally. Every story needs one of those characters.

Of course, Grandma Joy and Millie's relationship was also  brilliant. As someone who grew up with lots of grandparents and adopted grandparents, the way Johnson portrays the relationship complete with ups and downs of dementia from Millie's perspective was touching. Her worries over caring for the woman who raised her, her concerns over increased needs, and wondering which "version" of grandma she would encounter felt so real. Now, Grandma Joy did seem to have quite a few lucid days during this story for a dementia patient but the extent of her condition wasn't overly explained so I'll give a little artistic and medical license for how beautifully Johnson crafted their relationship and the messages she imparted through it. I loved how in a lucid moment Grandma Joy lays out her continued worth despite no longer having constant, ready access to her memories. So touching when the elderly and those who are loosing their memories are often undervalued.

The Chateau  was  definitely the star as far as setting  goes. I didn't get the same "locked in" feeling when it came to geography as I have with other books. While The Chateau was alluring enough to make me want to go on a few old house tours myself, the rest of the story felt as though it could be happening in any small town across North America in the summer. Not a bad thing but hard to place within the "Georgia Coast"  as the series title implies.

As far as  the plot itself, Johnson has woven sweet romance into a backdrop of gentle mystery (for instance one death feels very glanced over)  providing a easy and entertaining read.

4 out of 5 stars.

I received this book as part of the Revell Reads tour in exchange for my honest opinion.