The Memory Weaver by Jane Kirkpatrick

Eliza Spalding Warren was just a child when she was taken hostage by the Cayuse Indians during a massacre in 1847. Now the young mother of two children, Eliza faces a different kind of dislocation; her impulsive husband wants them to make a new start in another territory, which will mean leaving her beloved home and her departed mother's grave--and returning to the land of her captivity. Eliza longs to know how her mother, an early missionary to the Nez Perce Indians, dealt with the challenges of life with a sometimes difficult husband and with her daughter's captivity.

When Eliza is finally given her mother's diary, she is stunned to find that her own memories are not necessarily the whole story of what happened. Can she lay the dark past to rest and move on? Or will her childhood memories always hold her hostage?


My Review
This author's prose dances along the page and transports the reader to Oregon Territory, pre-Civil War, where a coming-of-age Eliza Spalding is running her father's household and caring for her younger siblings in absence of their mother. She catches the eye of Andrew Warren, a young man working to build his own cattle spread. Tired of her smothering lifestyle, Eliza sneaks away with Andrew and elopes. But the marriage ahead is not exactly what Eliza had envisioned. 

I enjoyed seeing the budding romance blossom and fight for survival during times of hardship. This is real, and Eliza fought valiantly. I did find some parts of the mother's journal confusing and hard to follow, but the Cast of Characters and the Oregon map at the beginning were very helpful, as I don't often read historical fiction. 

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction that's real and gritty. I give this book 3.5 stars!

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Jane is inter-nationally recognized for her lively presentations and well-researched stories that encourage and inspire.  Her works have appeared in more than 50 publications including  Decision, Private Pilot and Daily Guideposts.  Jane is the author of over 25 books including historical novels. Many of her titles are based on the lives of real people or incidents set authentically in the American West.  Her first novel, A Sweetness to the Soul, won the coveted Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Center.  Her works have been finalists for the Christy, Spur, Oregon Book Award, WILLA Literary Award and Reader’s Choice awards.  Several of her titles have been Book of the Month and Literary Guild selections. For more about Jane, visit her website at www.jkbooks.com.

The Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz

The American Revolution is finally over, and Sophie Menzies is starved for good news. When her nearest neighbor, General Seamus Ogilvy, finally comes home to Tall Acre, she hopes it is a sign of better days to come. But the general is now a widower with a small daughter in desperate need of a mother. Nearly destitute, Sophie agrees to marry Seamus and become the mistress of Tall Acre in what seems a safe, sensible arrangement. But when a woman from the general's past returns without warning, the ties that bind this fledgling family together will be strained to the utmost. When all is said and done, who will be the rightful mistress of Tall Acre?

Triumph and tragedy, loyalty and betrayal--readers find it all in the rich pages of this newest historical novel from the talented pen of Laura Frantz. Her careful historical details immerse the reader in the story world, and her emotional writing and finely tuned characters never cease to enchant fans both old and new.




My Review
History comes alive in this engaging romance surrounding the American Revolution. These characters will emboss themselves on your heart and stick with you long after the last page.

Seamus Ogilvy has returned from war weary, widowed, and struggling to rebuild a relationship with the young daughter he barely knows. Sophie Menzies, mistress of neighboring Three Chimneys, quickly befriends Seamus's daughter and becomes the link that binds father and daughter together. When Sophie's ownership of Three Chimneys is threatened, Seamus offers a solution her heart can't deny. But when a woman from his past returns, Sophie's position at Tall Acre is jeopardized. Will Virginia's new government be able to sift through betrayal and lies to determine the rightful mistress of Tall Acre?

Another great read by Laura Frantz! I give this book 5 stars!

Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin

War is coming.

Can love carry them through the rough waters that lie ahead?

It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war. Outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USS Atwood. Back on shore, Boston Navy Yard secretary Mary Stirling does her work quietly and efficiently, happy to be out of the limelight. Yet, despite her reserved nature, she never could back down from a challenge. When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is found, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges--and dangers--await them.


Publisher: Revell, 2015
Author: Sarah Sundin
Cover Photography and Illustration: Brandon Hill

My Review
I was hooked from the first page. With a gripping plot set amidst the enchanting and war-torn era of the 1940's, Through Waters Deep will stick with you long after the first page. 

Boston Navy Yard secretary Mary Stirling reunites with high school acquaintance Ensign Jim Avery during the USS Atwood's sabotaged christening. Together they embark on a journey of clues to find the saboteur. As they narrow down suspects, their friendship blossoms into something more. Will their feelings for one another survive the start of war? Or will they drown in deep waters?

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries, romance stories, and/or historical fiction. 

I gave this book 5 stars! This is the first novel of Sarah's I've read, and I'll definitely be reading more!

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Sarah Sundin received the Writer of the Year at the Mount Hermon Christian Christian Writers 

Conference. A graduate of UC San Fransisco School of Pharmacy, she works on-call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children. To learn more, visit her website at www.sarahsundin.com.

In Good Company by Jen Turano

After growing up as an orphan, Millie Longfellow is determined to become the best nanny the East Coast has ever seen. Unfortunately, her playfulness and enthusiasm aren't always well received and she finds herself dismissed from yet another position.

Everett Mulberry has quite unexpectedly become guardian to three children that scare off every nanny he hires. About to depart for Newport, Rhode Island, for the summer, he’s desperate for competent childcare.

At wit’s end with both Millie and Everett, the employment agency gives them one last chance–with each other. As Millie falls in love with her mischievous charges, Everett focuses on achieving the coveted societal status of the upper echelons. But as he investigates the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the children’s parents, will it take the loss of those he loves to learn whose company he truly wants for the rest of his life?


Author: Jen Turano
Publisher: Bethany House, 2015
Cover Design: Paul Higdon
Cover Photography: Brandon Hill Photos


My Review
Jen's characters are always a load of fun. Witty and heart-warming, In Good Company is a pure delight. 

Millie Longfellow needs a nanny job after getting fired yet again. Socialite Everett Mulberry needs a nanny to care for the three mischievous children he's unexpectedly become guardian over. Neither adult believes they'll make a good match, but desperate times call for desperate measures. When the children gang up on Millie in attempt to get rid of her, as well as Everett's fiance, Caroline, they discover they can't outwit this nanny. As Millie's relationship with the children warms, Everett comes to realize Millie quite good at her job after all and enlists Millie's help investigating the mysterious deaths of the children's parents, which angers Caroline. These changes have Everett questioning his place in society, and wondering if he's in good company after all. 

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical romances and/or stories filled humor. I give this book 5 stars! 

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Jen Turano is the author of six books, including the Ladies of Distinction series. She makes her home in Denver, Colorado, with her husband and son. Visit her website at www.jenturano.com.

To Capture Her Heart by Rebecca DeMarino

In an uncertain time, she faces a choice that will change her life forever.

The Southold Chronicles

It is 1653 and Heather Flower, a princess of the Montauk tribe, is enjoying her wedding feast when her groom is killed and she is kidnapped by a rival tribe and held for ransom. Though her ransom is paid by an Englishman, she is nonetheless left to die in a Connecticut forest--until she finds herself rescued by handsome Dutch Lieutenant Dirk Van Buren. Torn between her affection for Dirk and her long friendship with family friend Benjamin Horton, Heather Flower must make a difficult choice--stay true to her friend or follow her heart.

Publisher: Revell, 2015

Cover Design and Photography: John Hamilton Design

Author is represented by WordServe Literary Group

My Review

Full of rich history and emotion, this story will surely capture your heart. 

Dutch Lieutenant Dirk Van Buren rescues Montaukett princess Heather Flower after being stolen from her tribe. Her best friend Benjamin Horton wants nothing more than protect Heather from future attacks, as well as from Lieutenant Van Buren. As the two men attempt to capture her affections, the reader will be eager to capture the unexpected twists. 

I did find this book a little hard to follow at the beginning because of the large cast of characters, but this story is well written, and I love how the author uses her own ancestry as inspiration for her novels. 

I give this book 3.5 stars!

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When Rebecca DeMarino traveled to Horton Point, Long Island, with her mother, Helen Jean Horton

Worley, in 1999, passions collided: her love of faith, family, travel, history, and writing. Rebecca's debut novel, A PLACE IN HIS HEART, is a historical romance based on Mary and Barnabas Horton, Rebecca’s ninth great-grandparents. Set in 1600’s Southold, Long Island, book one of The Southold Chronicles will be released by Revell in June, 2014. She lives in the Pacific Northwest and when not writing, she enjoys family and genealogy, travel, reading, running, baking and gardening. Rebecca is represented by Greg Johnson of WordServe Literary Agency.

Our Disney World Vacation 2015

We've had a VERY busy summer so far, which is why you haven't seen many posts from me other than book reviews. In between baseball games, VBS, and 4-H projects, we took a much needed vacation to Disney World. Here's a little scrapbook to show you what we've been up to.


EPCOT

Here we are in Canada, watching
the rain clouds approach. 

We visited Epcot the day of our 14th wedding anniversary. The weather was hot and muggy but most of our day was spent indoors enjoying the great attractions this place had to offer. After the rides, we toured the World Showcase.

In France, we devoured a Croque Glace` 
at L'Artisan des Glaces. This amazing dessert is 
a warm brioche filled with white chocolate coconut ice dream...I mean cream. 

And this is us, taking the world's worst selfie. Unfortunately, the rest of our evening got rained out and we weren't able to see the other countries, but we had a blast at Epcot all the same. 





DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Tow Mater

Here, we saw all the stars! The kids loved meeting their favorite characters and being part of the movies on The Great Movie Ride, Star Tours, and The Tower of Terror (though the little guy wasn't a fan of this last one). 

Phineas and Ferb

Me and the boys are Singing in the Rain. If only my voice and dance moves were as graceful as Debbie Reynolds's. But the "rain" sprinkling off the umbrella was a nice break from the hot sun. 

MAGIC KINGDOM

Cinderella's castle

We celebrated little guy's 5th birthday at the Magic Kingdom. It blessed my heart to see him enjoy his favorite characters' rides, like Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan's Flight, Dumbo, and Aladdin's Flying Carpets. The older boys loved Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, and exploring Tom Sawyer's Island. 

Happy Birthday!

Again, we enjoyed meeting our favorite characters!

Buzz Lightyear

Rapunzel's tower

And seeing where they live!

It was a fun-filled and long day with amazing fireworks to end the journey. Goodbye, Disney!

We ended our trip with a relaxing day on Siesta Key, Beach, Sarasota, before the long drive home. I can't wait to see where our next adventure awaits! 

Laugh Out Loud Pocket Doodles for Boys by Rob Elliott

Rob Elliott's Laugh-Out-Loud joke books have brought laughter to more than half a million households. His last book invited kids into the action as he teamed up with cartoonist Jonny Hawkins to create "Laugh-Out-Loud Doodles for Kids." Now the dynamic duo is back with two brand-new books for boys and girls who love to draw and love to laugh! Packed with jokes that will keep boys and girls giggling for hours, and unfinished doodles for them to complete any way they want, these books keep little hands and minds busy. Perfect for road trips, lazy summer days, or anytime the kids say, "I'm bored!"

Publisher: Revell, 2015
Author: Rob Elliott
Illustrator: Jonny Hawkins


This review was so much fun, as I was able to get the kids involved. Good, clean entertainment, perfect for a rainy day or long road trips. My boys did many of the pages in the car while traveling to Disney World. Others, they finished when we got back home. This book is perfect for ages 5-12. Have a sharpened pencil and crayons handy, and be prepared to laugh!

My boys give this book four thumbs up!

(Five stars in the book review world) 

"My favorite part of this book was the jokes. I can tell them to my friends." -- Silas, age 11

"I like to draw." -- Hudson, age 5


As a mother, my favorite sound in the world is my kids' laughter. If they're laughing that means they're happy, and happy kids make a happy mama. I highly recommend this book.