The Waiting by Cathy LaGrow

Minka DeYoung grew up in circumstances that were simultaneously difficult and safe. Working alongside her parents and being unable to attend high school, Minka is innocent and shy. On a picnic one summer day in 1928, Minka slips away for a walk in the woods with another girl, only to be sexually assaulted by a stranger. Understandably confused and hurt, she later realizes that she is also pregnant. Sent away to hide the pregnancy and give the baby up for adoption, Minka falls in love with her beautiful baby girl, Betty Jane. Realizing that giving her to another family is for the best, Minka sacrifices her own desires and leaves the child for its adoptive parents. Almost eighty years later, she utters a prayer asking to see her daughter, but never expects that it will happen. Such a prayer seems impossible, but Minka's story exemplifies the truth that with God, nothing is impossible. Read more in The Waiting by Cathy LaGrow.

At times, The Waiting was difficult to read and I found myself on the verge of tears. It's not light, fluffy entertainment, but a remarkable true story that has the potential to change hearts with its themes of perseverance, faith and love.

The author expertly brings the reader into Minka's experience with vivid narration, intriguing historical detail and a heart-wrenching plot. Some details of the rape are given, but only the necessities that help the reader to understand the story. While it is unpleasant to read about and probably not appropriate for younger readers, it is not overly graphic. I enjoyed how much history was integrated within the story. Not just big events like wars and economic upheaval, but lesser known things like the doctor following the standard procedure of the day in dosing Minka with ether when she came to the pushing stage of childbirth.

The cover of The Waiting is stunning and the photos inside contribute positively to the reader's experience. To see Minka and Ruth (Betty Jane) together after reading their story is such a poignant image.

Readers who are looking for an inspirational, true story of perseverance and faith will enjoy The Waiting. This book is a keeper for me. It's not something I'll want to read again in three months, but I'm sure I'll read it again in the future.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. 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."

The Creole Princess by Beth White

Lyse Lanier spends much of her time between the company of her best friend, the daughter of a loyal British commander, and working with her brother to provide income for their family. Spanish merchant, Rafael Gonzalez, notices Lyse when she fends off an unruly sailor. As their paths cross, his theatrics hide deeper intelligence and feelings that Lyse slowly recognizes and comes to admire. However, Rafael's true motives remain a mystery to Lyse and leads her to question his intentions. Spain is still neutral in the American-British conflict – at least formally – but Lyse's connection to a British commander could be easily exploited. Will the budding love between Lyse and Rafael survive the perils that abound? Read more in The Creole Princess by Beth White.

The Creole Princess is the second novel of the Gulf Coast Chronicles series by Beth White. I have not read the first and the second worked fine as a stand-alone. Being set mostly in Mobile, Alabama, – an area somewhat apart from the original thirteen colonies – at the brink of the American Revolutionary War created an intriguing and original backdrop for story. The cultural fusion represented in Lyse was offset by the well-known racism and slavery of the “South” during earlier centuries. Though the latter elements were present in the story and presented in a negative light, the themes did not overpower the story.

I enjoyed the humor and mystery that Rafael brought to the story. The Creole Princess is far from the mystery genre, but the espionage element helped keep the story moving. I think the story could have benefited from a little different pacing. As it was, the romantic relationship between Rafael and Lyse developed quickly and then stagnated as Lyse spent much of the story ruminating on if Rafael was truly in love with her and the future of their relationship. While this is a natural reaction in light of the circumstances of their relationship, I found it a bit repetitive at times.

That being said, the setting, humor and well-rounded characters of The Creole Princess make it worth reading, especially for fans of early American romances.

Read an excerpt from The Creole Princess by Beth White on Revell Publishers' website.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. 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."

Thirty Days in the Land with Jesus by Charles H. Dyer

[My note: As I looked through potential books to review one night, my husband browsed with me and said that he'd like to read this book. I told him that he'd have to review it. So, without further ado, here is his review:]

Thirty Days in the Land with Jesus by Charles H. Dyer is a devotional that is also a historical and geographical lesson about Israel. I have heard Dr. Dyer on the radio and was interested in this book. It covers thirty days going through different sites each day as if the author was guiding you on an actual tour. It takes the reader through very familiar biblical names, and some not so familiar, and attempts to put you into the stories by describing the scenes.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book At the end of each chapter (or day) it challenges the believer and asks the non-believer to make a choice about accepting Christ.

One of the things that stood out to me were the photos. Most of the images I had formed about those places were way off from how they actually appear. After reading and viewing this book, I now have a different approach to the Bible.

Therein lies the double-edged sword for me. In my mind, I made many of these places larger or more grand than they actually are. So, in some ways it was disappointing to see how small they actually are. But it also is an encouragement to see that God would use small things in the world's eyes to do mighty things.

So, back to the photos: I'm not sure if the author intentionally used only a few, in many cases only one for each site or not. In any case, they left me wanting to see more, and hungering to go set foot on these monuments of my faith. And, who knows, maybe when I get there, these places will be as large as I imagined them.

So, kudos to the author for whetting my appetite for the Holy Land, and I would recommend this book for those who want to experience Israel without the means to make a physical visit. And also to those who are looking for a good devotional to draw closer to God.
 

Reviewed by Andrew Arrant for Beauty in the Binding Blog.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. 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."

What's in a Name... or Book Title?

Every week Coffee Addicted Writer hosts the Book Blogger Hop. Participants answer a question and then visit other blogs of fellow participants to chime in on the discussion. This week's question is:

“Do you think a book's title is important?”

My answer: A book's title is definitely important for me. An interesting title will lead me to read the synopsis. Fairly often, I pass over books with corny titles. I think the best combination is a catchy title with an eye-catching cover.

Dauntless by Dina L. Sleiman is an example of a book that I almost passed over because the author wasn't familiar to me. However, the cover and title wouldn't let me go and I was glad that I read it as it turned out to be really good.

What about you?

Mothering From Scratch by Melinda Means & Kathy Helgemo

Probably every mother has at times wished that her child came with an instruction manual. Wouldn't it be nice if there was an outline to follow, complete with a guarantee that the child would grow up to be perfect? There are no perfect children or perfect moms, but there are good moms. Despite what someone else may tell you, their way is not necessarily the best way for you and your child.

In Mothering From Scratch, Melinda Means and Kathy Helgemo show how to develop your own mothering style that will allow you to be the best mom for your kids. The book aims to help mothers examine their strengths and weaknesses in order to find what works best, find mentoring and support from other moms, and push past the fear of doing it wrong to allow grace for both mother and child.

For me, reading Mothering From Scratch was like receiving permission to breathe a little easier. I've had people in my life who tell me all about how they raised their children, with the unspoken (but sometimes spoken) message that their way is better than mine and I need to do it their way. I know I'm not alone in receiving this kind of “help.” So to hear that it's okay to be different is a wonderful reassurance. In a sense, I'd known this deep down and had continued to do what I believed was best for my child and I, but to be reaffirmed by someone further down the parenting road gives me more confidence. I especially liked the emphasis on playing to your strengths while working on your weaknesses.

Mothering From Scratch is a great tool for struggling moms and I recommend it to all moms. I fully expect to read it again in another year as I expect it's the kind of book that can speak differently to me at different points in the mothering journey.

Read an excerpt from Mothering From Scratch by Melinda Means and Kathy Helgemo on the publisher's website.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. 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."

Dauntless by Dina L. Sleiman

Merry Ellison once was a baron's daughter, esteemed a lady, and betrothed to her childhood friend. Following her father's assassination attempt on the king, she becomes an enemy of the throne with a death sentence should she ever be found. Her place in life is now to lead “The Ghosts of Farthingale Forest,” who happened to be the orphaned children of the city her family was affiliated with. Stealing necessities becomes part of the way they survive. However, when a chest of gold is taken, their notoriety requires them to move their camp elsewhere. Merry is unaware that her former intended, Timothy Grey, serves as assistant to the local earl of Wyndeshire and that he's out to prove himself capable. Capturing a band of notorious thieves would certainly advance his goal of earning a title of his own. But when he finds Merry to be the leader of the thieves, his plans and beliefs are suddenly challenged. Read more in Dauntless by Dina L. Sleiman.

Dauntless is the first novel in Dina L. Sleiman's Valiant Hearts series as well as the first novel I've read by her. The novel's eye-catching cover portrays Merry's intensity and convinced me to give the story a try. I read this book in two sittings. The medieval setting intrigued me, the story held my interest, the clean, sweet romance between Merry and Timothy flowed beautifully, and the final twist provided for a lovely ending. It's a keeper for my bookshelf and I plan to read it again in the future. I'm already looking forward to the sequel.

Read an excerpt from Dauntless on the publisher's website!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. 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."