A Dance in Donegal by Jennifer Deibel

A Dance in Donegal may be Deibel's debut novel but she has already proven to be a master at pulling her readers alongside for a journey.

Honestly, I was surprised when I scanned the covers to discover that Deibel was new to the world of historical novels. The life and character she pulls into her stories was enchanting. I love how you could feel her time in Ireland helping with the immersion as she crafted her landscapes and villagers. Also, while some may find the way the villagers' accents harder to read I almost squealed with excitement as I spotted the Gaelic popping up throughout the book (it's one of my life goals to learn Gaelic and the glossary made my nerdy heart so happy). It shows Deibel's attention to detail and the effort she spent building an environment for her characters.

Oh the characters, what a ride this story turned out to be.

Moira really is the perfect lead for this narrative bringing readers in as she, herself, discovers her mother's home village for the first time. Her newness in the town really mirrors the readers as both discover the people, traditions, and history of Ballymann. Deibel wrote Moira with some believable flaws that definitely help move the story along yet still feel natural to the character not merely plot device.

Sean feels like a typical male lead but I think part of that is how overshadowed he ends up by Peg and Colm. These two friends/mentors of Sean and Moira were easily the highlight of the book for me with their patient wisdom, deep love, and gentle ways. Honestly, even with how the book ended I would read a book centered on them.

The plot itself was engaging following Moira's move from Boston to her mother's hometown of Ballymann to become the new teacher. The mystery of her mother's past, the arc between Aedach and the town, and obviously Moira's love life keep the story moving at a decent pace. 

For those who have issues with stronger subjects there is a scene depicting an assault on a female character that is interrupted and a well developed character in the plot is murdered. Both events are carefully and well written but the plot would be confusing if you tried skipping them.

I really was impressed with this one and would definitely recommend keeping your eyes open for Deibel in the future. 

4.5 stars out of 5

This book was provided as part of the #RevellReadsBookTour, all thoughts are my own.

Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz

Laura Frantz is probably my favourite author in the genre. I've loved her work since page 1 and once again she has delivered masterful story filled with romance and loss against the backdrop of the Virginia Colony.

I'm always amazed at the ability of Frantz to craft her world and Tidewater Bride  is no exception. Frantz skill at painting a picture with her words is impeccable and it's easy to let yourself get lost in the heat of summer within the colony. I love how Frantz takes the time to highlight the little things. Frantz paints pictures with every paragraph and is easily one of the most immersive writers I've encountered these last few years.

The story itself centered on Selah and Xander giving the plot much to chew on. I enjoyed Selah as a protagonist, her matters of the heart and interactions were relatable and believable (who doesn't like a good romance these days). That said, Watseka stole the book for me. What a sweet character.

While Frantz doesn't get as dark as other books I've read this year she also doesn't shy away from serious topics. Over the course of the novel Frantz touches upon topics such as kidnapping, rape, arson, and slavery. With so much packed into it's pages I wasn't exactly surprised the ending felt very quick, almost to the point of rushed, and yet, I believe, readers will still appreciated the ability of Frantz to weave her loose ends to completion.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

 I received a copy of this book as part of the #revellreadsbooktour in exchange for my honest opinion. 

A Haven for Her Heart by Susan Anne Mason

 

While this was not the easiest read I've shared with Mason, the amount of research, heart, and honesty make A Haven for Her Heart the most impactful and memorable.

Inspired by the story of a survivor of Ontario's former pregnancy laws and the Mercer Reformatory, Mason brings readers Olivia Rosetti, a young woman trying to find her way after being incarcerated, forced to give up her child, and the loss of those she loved due to becoming pregnant while unmarried in 1939 Canada.

Olivia is such an honest protagonist, Mason gives space for the character to fell her losses and her trauma in a way that felt true to what she had gone through. I know some who have unfortunately also been unable to raise their children in light of a broken system that still exists and Mason's capturing of Olivia's pain, grief, and helplessness is so present I would hesitate to recommend this book to some lest it bring back those feelings, much like Olivia faced with Abigail and Mrs. Linder. 

On the other side, I was thrilled Mason wasn't content with a story of pain but gave Olivia a balance of qualities that endear her to readers as she seeks healing. Her passion and heart may have cemented her as one of my favourite characters of the year (yes, I know it's ridiculously early for such a statement but we'll see come December).

The plot itself around Olivia's story is one that drew me in instantly. Honestly, though Mason is conscientious with her words, this is still easily the darkest novel in her writings to date but only due to her honesty to the material and the horrors women suffered in the real Mercer Reformatory not that long ago.  Living in Ontario and recognizing all the landmarks Olivia travelled, recognizing that Olivia's details actually happened to survivors within a generation instantly made the plot hit harder. It's Mason skill with giving her characters like Olivia, Ruth, and Darius flaws and heart, faith and pain that makes the story so engaging. Mason takes her research and breathes life, emotion, and relatability into it through the characters that build her story. Honestly, I know when Mason puts something out I'm going to get sucked into her characters but perhaps because of Mason's ability to delve into deeper topics the characters of A Haven for Her Heart feels like her strongest offering yet.

While not a light read, A Haven for Her Heart is definitely a worthwhile one.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

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

Things We Didn't Say by Amy Lynn Green

 

Even though Things We Didn't Say may be Green's debut novel, she writes with the skill of a season veteran. I honestly didn't know what to expect coming into this novel, a debut story conveyed through fictional letters, notes, and general correspondence. After a few late nights, I can definitely say that Green is an author I'll be watching for in the future.

First, I loved the style of storytelling Green chose to use. Readers start the book off knowing our main character Jo has been accused of treason before plunging back into a timeline of written correspondence that chronical her journey to those accusations.  I was a little concerned for chapter 1 but won over by chapter 3. The letter format really added to the atmosphere of the story, it doesn't read like just another WWII story, the characters feel so much more personal and real with the appearance of reading their letters and watching the story unfold without the aid of an omniscient narrator.

This storytelling style also gave so much more connection with the main character Jo. Jo is such a fun character, she's whip smart and ambitious with a heart that tries it's best while lacking social niceties. In most setting that type of character can feel rough around the edges, just because that's often how that personality comes across. Giving Jo access to her written words, her rough drafts, and the protection of a typewriter allowed Green to highlight Jo as she envisioned while still highlighting all of her best bits that are often overlooked with those characters.

The style also allowed for some greatly realistic musing and moral questions. One of my biggest frustrations with Christian fiction is the obligatory moral sermon that many books seem to plop down somewhere due to genre constraints. Letters seem to allow for more musings and natural conversations about deeper things (or that could be my letters I'm a notorious rabbit trailer). The deeper questions between Jo and Peter and Jo and Pastor Sorenson felt so natural and true to character especially amid the backdrop of what was happening in their lives.

Green picked some interesting areas to highlight in her story. While I was familiar with the internment camps in North America after Pearl Harbour, I was not familiar with the fact that P.O.W camps existed in the midwest. Green's ability to take these events, research the history, and create characters who explore humanity completely won me over.

Honestly, if you are a fan of WWII novels but want a fresh approach to the genre I would highly recommend giving Things We Didn't Say a chance.

4.5 stars out of 5.

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

The Powerful Purpose of Introverts by Holley Gerth

 

Honestly, if I can only recommend one book this year it would be The Powerful Purpose of Introverts. 

Throughout these pages, Gerth takes readers step by step through the strengths and weaknesses within an introverted person, with an emphasis on the strengths and how to live a healthy life in balance with the weakness. It was eye-opening.

The first two chapters Gerth devotes to actually examining the differences in how an introverted brain operates and leading readers through some tools to better understand how their personality functions within those differences. I love personality research and still found some great new material in here and personal insights.

The next ten chapters identified ten spectrums from struggle to strength for introverts. I loved how hopeful and proactive these chapters were. Growing up a known introvert, I was made well aware of the struggles introverts face. It was refreshing to see Gerth pair these with strengths for introverts as well as steps and understandings on how to move along the spectrum towards strengths like resilience, solitude, and confidence. 

This isn't a quick fix book or even a ten steps despite the break down of chapters. Instead, Gerth has provided a toolkit full of possibilities and affirmation that fills a long needed space on the shelves. 

While each page clearly shows Gerth's research into personality and processes of the brain, it's her passion for people and her hard won experience in this field that shines through each page and makes the information so relatable. 

5 out of 5 stars.

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

Home Made Lovely by Shannon Acheson

 Home Made Lovely by Shannon Acheson is a step by step introduction on how to curate your home into the space you desire. Tackling everything from personal style to how to be a good host, Acheson breaks down the basics in all areas of making a home into a thorough introduction to the art of hospitality.

Overall, there were some great points to this book. I really appreciated Acheson multiple idea lists throughout the chapters as they gave great jumping off points for inspiration on things like curb appeal and preparing for overnight guests. I also appreciate how many chapters conclude with worksheet pages allowing readers a chance to respond to the material they just consumed.

One of my favourite parts of the book were the sections on personal styles and colour. Honestly both are sections I've heard a lot about (thank you HGTV) but never really had explained in a coherent manner. The styles pages  with their pictures and key features were fun and informative and gave some great clarity and inspiration. While the colour wheel pages really helped give a wider colour theory and cleared up the difference between hue, shade, tint, and tone, so helpful for this whimsically eclectic Mama.

Now, there were two points that didn't sit as comfortably with this book and I feel they're worth mentioning as well.

First, chapter 3. Chapter 3 is centered on making your home "spiritually ready". Honestly, while some of this was interesting, the author and I come from very theologically different background and some of this chapter just didn't sit with me.

Second, there were definitely sections of the book where I felt either a generational or privilege dichotomy. There were points where she talks about saving coffee money or spending hundreds where designer versions would be thousands. In the communities I know that mentality could be very frustrating as so many don't have the wiggle room to "just skip something" as they live paycheck to paycheck.

I think there's still useful information and inspiration to be taken from the book for a wide audience but felt the need to point out this lifestyle difference as it caught me off guard.

4 out of 5 stars.

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

A Castaway in Cornwall by Julie Klassen

 

I've been a fan of Klassen for years, but I've never had one of her stories capture my interest and heart as quickly as A Castaway in Cornwall. I feel like Klassen took many lessons from her recent foray into series writing with The Inn on Ivy Hill to provide readers one of her richest stories yet.

First, I couldn't help but fall in love with her world. A Castaway in Cornwall uses the rugged shores of 1813 Cornwall filled to the brim with interesting characters for it's home. I felt like this book definitely makes great use of its setting and cast of characters as there are so many with moments to shine. From Eseld to Jago and Miss Chegwin (who honestly could handle a prequel of their own) the characters draw you in through their well written personalities and story. Klassen also used the characters to explore the interactions between poverty, smuggling, and wreck picking which happened on the coast in a way that highlights the ups and downs of that trade. I've always loved how Klassen uses history to build a solid, inviting world and this effort is no different.

Klassen also stays true to her routes by giving readers some solid leads to fall in love with thanks to the characters of Laura and Alexander. Laura's got the sweet, searching stubbornness that seems quite common to a lead in this genre yet at the same time Klassen brings a different twist. Laura's theme of rescue and redeeming the flotsam adds an interesting dynamic to her character, her struggles for home, and her relationship with Alexander. Alexander's story was delightful in that I honestly had no idea which way the twists and turns were going to land which made for a delightful page turner (until 3 am, oops, don't regret it). 

Again, I'm not terribly surprised as Klassen's research and characters have always been solidly drawing me in novel after novel and have only strengthened with experience. The big surprise, for me, in this book was the plot itself.

Klassen manages to keep a quick pace weaving in shipwrecks and war, romance and grief, old rivals and new beginnings. I loved the faster pace and the depth of her plot. 

On one side the historical aspect was exciting. Alexander's connection to the war and unrest kept me guessing throughout. The inclusion of the smuggling was an aspect I had read some on before but through her characters Klassen added a human element. I was also intrigued by the island of Jersey of which I was unfamiliar. It's Klassen's ability to take that historical framework and breathe story into through the emotion, dreams, and sorrows of her characters that makes her work so memorable. Themes of loss and regret were very present within her characters yet not heavy handed and the way that Klassen constantly wove in hope and restoration makes for a very satisfying read at the end of a very long year. 

Honestly, if you only read one of Klassen's books make it this one.

5 out of 5 stars

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