Showing posts with label The Moonlight School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Moonlight School. Show all posts

Sunday, March 7, 2021

February 2021 Reading Recap & March 2021 TBR

My February 2021 Reads:

February blessed me with more reading time than January did. As you can see below, I exclusively read books I had received for review. I would like to get into my TBR stack of books I received for Christmas, but that might be awhile away still. Not complaining though, I love receiving books for review. In February, I finished:
  1. The Hesitant Heiress by Dawn Crandall - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  2. Beauty Among Ruins by J'nell Ciesielski - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Review coming soon.

  3. The Dress Shop on King Street by Ashley Clark. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  4. Stay with Me by Becky Wade - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - This was a second reading. Read my original review.

  5. Suitors for the Proper Miss by Jen Geigle Johnson - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  6. His to Keep by Sherrinda Ketchersid - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  7. The Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fischer. - ⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  8. A Dance in Donegal by Jennifer Deibel. - ⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.
















Expected March 2021 Reads:

In March, I hope to read:
  1. A Dark Beauty by Clarissa Kae.

  2. Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green. - A reread in anticipation of the sequel! Read my original review here.

  3. Shadows of the White City by Jocelyn Green - sequel to Veiled in Smoke.

  4. Can't Buy Me Love by Andrea Christenson.

  5. What We Inherit by Jessica Pearce Rotondi - A step out of my normal genre, but it sounds so interesting!

  6. Under the Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee - My local book club's selection for March.

  7. The Piano Teacher by Kristie Self.

  8. Stronger Every Day by Janell Rardon. - Currently Reading!





What will you read this month?

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Book Review & Giveaway: The Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fisher



About the Book

Book:  The Moonlight School

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Historical Fiction

Release Date: February 2, 2021

Haunted by her sister’s mysterious disappearance, Lucy Wilson arrives in Rowan County, Kentucky, in the spring of 1911 to work for Cora Wilson Stewart, superintendent of education. When Cora sends Lucy into the hills to act as scribe for the mountain people, she is repelled by the primitive conditions and intellectual poverty she encounters. Few adults can read and write.

Born in those hills, Cora knows the plague of illiteracy. So does Brother Wyatt, a singing schoolmaster who travels through the hills. Involving Lucy and Wyatt, Cora hatches a plan to open the schoolhouses to adults on moonlit nights. The best way to combat poverty, she believes, is to eliminate illiteracy. But will the people come?

As Lucy emerges from a life in the shadows, she finds purpose; or maybe purpose finds her. With purpose comes answers to her questions, and something else she hadn’t expected: love.

Click here to get your copy!


My Thoughts

In The Moonlight School, Suzanne Woods Fisher wraps a fictional tale around the real-life story of Cora Wilson Stewart and her Moonlight School Initiative to end illiteracy in Rowan County, Kentucky. The moonlight school concept intrigued me, and I admired Cora’s passion to end illiteracy. Unfortunately, Cora was a secondary character with limited page time and the moonlight schools showed up late in the book. I struggled to progress in this book until about the 75% mark. After that I enjoyed the last fourth of the book, but I wish the story had captured my interest earlier.

Sadly, The Moonlight School was not my cup of tea, but Suzanne Woods Fisher is a well-known author in the Christian Fiction realm and her loyal readers will likely want to read The Moonlight School.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.


About the Author



Carol award winner Suzanne Woods Fisher writes stories that take you to places you’ve never visited—one with characters that seem like old friends. But most of all, her books give you something to think about long after you’ve finished reading it. With over one million copies of her books sold worldwide, Suzanne is the best-selling author of more than thirty books, ranging from non-fiction books, to children’s books, to novels. She lives with her very big family in northern California.


More from Suzanne

I’m Suzanne Woods Fisher, the author of The Moonlight School. This historical fiction will release on February 2, 2021, and is based on a true story featuring Cora Wilson Stewart, a Kentucky educator way ahead of her times. In 1911, Cora had a crazy idea—to open rural one-room schoolhouses in her county on moonlit nights to teach illiterate adults how to read and write.

So what happened next? Well, it’s so astonishing that you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Instead, I hope you’ll read the book and find out for yourself.

In the meantime, this infographic provides a fascinating look at illiteracy THEN…and NOW. Makes you want to thank your teachers, doesn’t it?

 



Blog Stops


Inklings and notions, January 30

Batya’s Bits, January 30

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 30

CarpeDiem, January 31

Sara Jane Jacobs, January 31

A Novel Pursuit, January 31

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, January 31

The Avid Reader, February 1

Bliss Books & Jewels, February 1

lakesidelivngsite, February 1

Connie’s History Classroom, February 1

She Lives To Read, February 2

For the Love of Literature, February 2

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 2

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 3

Through the Fire Blogs, February 3

Texas Book-aholic, February 3

Inspiration Clothesline, February 3

Fiction Book Lover, February 4 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 4

Blogging With Carol, February 4

Lis Loves Reading, February 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 5

Jeanette’s Thoughts, February 5

Simple Harvest Reads, February 5 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

HookMeInABook, February 5

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 6

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, February 6

Artistic Nobody, February 6 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

For Him and My Family, February 7

EmpowerMoms, February 7

The Write Escape , February 7

Mary Hake, February 7

Older & Smarter?, February 8

deb’s Book Review, February 8

Splashes of Joy, February 8

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 9

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, February 9

Beauty in the Binding, February 9

Blossoms and Blessings, February 9

Remembrancy, February 10

Bigreadersite, February 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 10

By The Book, February 11

Wishful Endings, February 11

Vicky Sluiter, February 11

Pause for Tales, February 11

Spoken from the Heart, February 12

Hallie Reads, February 12

To Everything There Is A Season, February 12

Southern Gal Loves to Read, February 12


Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1068a/maryann-s-hope-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

January 2021 Reads and February TBR

My January 2021 Reads:

Well... January did not go as planned. 🤣 In both my personal and reading life, my intentions went awry. However, I did finish:
  1. Occasional Moments of Happiness by Shana Donyaei - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  2. Of Sword and Shadow by A. L. Sowards - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  3. Still the One by Rachel D. Russell and Susan May Warren - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  4. Daily Bouquets by Helen Steiner Rice - ⭐⭐⭐





Expected February 2021 Reads:

In February, I hope to read:
  1. The Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fischer.

  2. Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green. - A reread in anticipation of the sequel! Read my original review here.

  3. Shadows of the White City by Jocelyn Green - sequel to Veiled in Smoke.

  4. The Hesitant Heiress by Dawn Crandall. - A new-to-me author.

  5. What We Inherit by Jessica Pearce Rotondi - A step out of my normal genres, but it sounds so interesting to me!

  6. Stay with Me by Becky Wade - My local book club's selection for February.

  7. Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery. - I'm slowing making my way through this classic series!

  8. The Dress Shop on King Street by Ashley Clark.

  9. Jane of Lantern Hill by L. M. Montgomery.




What will you read this month?

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

December Reading Recap & January TBR

My December 2020 Reads:

The first part of my December 2020 abounded with busyness. Then COVID hit our little family. 😷 My husband, myself, and our two daughters all came down with the illness. I spent many hours in bed and finished several books. 📚 Did I like having COVID? Absolutely not! 🙅 But I spent more time reading than I have in a long time.📖

In December, I finished:
  1. To Dwell Among Cedars by Connilyn Cossette - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  2. All That We Carried by Erin Bartels. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  3. A Portrait of Loyalty by Roseanna M. White - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  4. Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

  5. A Cowboy for Keeps by Jody Hedlund - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Review coming soon!

  6. Discipline Your Kids with Positive Parenting by Nicole Libin - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  7. Make Life Beautiful by Syd & Shea McGee. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  8. A Tale of Two Hearts by Michelle Griep - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

  9. Almost a Bride by Jody Hedlund - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 


Expected January 2021 Reads:

In January, I hope to read:
  1. The Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fischer.

  2. Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green. - This will be a reread for me. It's my local book club's January selection and we plan to tour Historic Spanish Point, Bertha Palmer's Florida residence. Read my original review here.

  3. Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery. - I'm slowing making my way through this classic series!

  4. The Hesitant Heiress by Dawn Crandall. - A new-to-me author.

  5. What We Inherit by Jessica Pearce Rotondi - A step out of my normal genres, but it sounds so interesting to me!

  6. Occasional Moments of Happiness by Shana Donyaei. - Currently reading!

  7. The Dress Shop on King Street by Ashley Clark.

  8. The Price of Valor by Susan May Warren. - This one has been on my TBR for a long time... I've enjoyed the other two in the series and hope I can get to this one in January.




What will you read this month?