Book Review - Courting Miss Amsel

I usually enjoy historical fiction, and this book is no exception. Courting Miss Amsel by Kim Vogel Sawyer deals with the topic of women's suffrage in addition to the requisite romance.

Edythe Amsel is the new teacher in Walnut Hill, Nebraska. Her teaching methods are at first considered outlandish and inappropriate by many of the town's citizens, but as the school year progresses and the children are excited about going to school at least a few of the parents are beginning to reconsider their initial opinions. This changes when Miss Amsel wants to take her older students to hear Miss Susan Anthony speak about women's suffrage.

Kim Vogel Sawyer's writing style is engaging and this story draws the reader in to the town of Walnut Hill. However, I wasn't as caught up in this story as in her last story, In Every Heartbeat. The only real antagonist in this book is public opinion against changing techniques in teaching and women's suffrage, although one of Miss Amsel's students does provide a challenge as well. This does provide enough motivation to move the story along, but just barely. Overall, the story is interesting but is not a nail-biter by any stretch. Just a good summer read.

I received a copy of this book to review from the publisher, however the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Book Review - Larkspur Cove

This is the second book I've read by author Lisa Wingate, and I have thoroughly enjoyed both of them. My only regret is that I didn't save this book to read on vacation, because it is a perfect book to enjoy while relaxing at the beach or in the mountains! The setting of this book is Moses Lake, a lake community where everything moves at a slower pace. Maybe that's why I wanted to read this book on vacation - because every time I picked it up I could feel myself relaxing as I returned to this wonderful little community.

I enjoyed following Andrea and Mart as they learned more about each other and as they became more involved in the life of a little girl who suddenly appeared at Moses Lake. The book held my attention all the way through and the ending was especially exciting. I hope Lisa Wingate plans to write more books about the people of Moses Lake. It is definitely a community worth visiting again!

Although I received a complimentary copy of this book to review from the publisher, the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Book Review - On This Day In Christian History

The book On This Day In Christian History is a fascinating compilation of stories of Christ followers through the centuries. Each story is a short, one-page synopsis of a well-known or not-so-well-known person from Christian history. In general the stories are fascinating. I've learned a bit about several names from Christian history and many of the stories are intriguing enough to follow up and learn more about. The stories are short enough to read quickly each day and are very interesting. At the bottom of each page is a short scripture which applies directly to the story that day. I like this feature since it allows you to use this book as a devotional with a scripture to meditate on throughout the day. Because each day's reading only takes one page the stories are by necessity abbreviated. Many of the people highlighted in this book lived fascinating lives and this book can easily serve as a catalyst to cause readers to learn more about those people. I also like the topical index located in the back of the book. If you want to find a story on a particular topic (for example pride or perseverance) the index is very useful.

Although I received a copy of this book from the publisher, the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Book Review - Masquerade

What an intriguing story! The plot of this book centers around two young women from England - Charlotte Gleason and her maid Dora. Charlotte's parents are in financial straits and decide to marry their daughter to a rich young American who is more interested in their family name than anything else. Charlotte detests this idea, so on the voyage from England to America she decides to switch identities with her maid Dora. What follows is the "tangled web" that deceit always brings.

This was an exceptionally well-written story with interesting twists and turns. I was especially interested to see how Charlotte and Dora would manage to extract themselves from the mess they created. In the end each of the main characters learned that relying on God is much preferable to attempting to manipulate a situation by altering the truth.

Although I received a complimentary copy of this book to review, the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Book Review - Within My Heart

I enjoyed reading this latest book by Tamera Alexander. The plot centers around a widow, Rachel Boyd, who is trying to keep her husband's dream of running a ranch alive, all while raising two young boys. After losing her husband, Rachel is hesitant to marry a second time even though she has been encouraged to marry just to keep her ranch afloat.

Dr. Rand Brookston, the town physician, wants to help Rachel out, but she does her best to avoid him since he reminds her of her father, also a physician. As the plot unfolds both Rachel and Rand are forced to face their fears and learn to trust more fully in God's plan for each of their lives.

This book is very well written and held my attention from beginning to end. I hope a sequel is planned so we can learn more about some of the other characters in the book.

Although I received a complimentary copy of this book to review, the opinions expresed are entirely my own.

Book Review - The American Patriot's Almanac

The American Patriot's Almanac is an excellent collection of interesting excerpts from American history. The book is meant to be read one page a day, with each day's reading outlining an important event from that day in American history. In addition to focusing on one main event each day, at the bottom of each page is a brief synopsis of as many as half a dozen other important events that occurred on that day. At the beginning of each month - or chapter - various interesting topics from American history are covered. One month outlines 50 All-American movies, another month covers 50 American quotes. Each month is a different topic.

This book is excellent for students or anyone who wants to learn more about American history. It covers topics that range from defining moments in American history to more obscure but interesting facts. I can see where it will be a catalyst to encourage my children to learn more about the history of America as they read each day's story.

One other thing about this book that especially appeals to me is its appearance. The cover is attractive and "historic" looking - it reminds me of the look of parchment. The pages are thick with a torn, rough edge, making them look old - a perfect look for a book on history.

Although I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher as part of their book review program, the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Book Review - In Every Heartbeat

This latest book by Kim Vogel Sawyer is an inspiring and entertaining read. It follows the journey of three young adults who grew up together in an orphanage as they journey to college. The book is set just after the turn of the century. Each of the three main characters struggles with a slightly different issue from their past as they attempt to come to terms with the fact that each of them was abandoned in some way by their birth parents.

As a prospective adoptive parent I found this book interesting just from the standpoint of looking at an orphaned child's perspective of relating to birth family and the myriad emotions they must deal with. Of course, the lives of two of the main characters end up satisfyingly complete without any ugly loose ends while I suspect in real life that would not necessarily be the case - even when an orphaned child has a personal walk with Christ. Still, this book is well written and does take at least a bit of a journey into a type of life that many of us have not given more than superficial thought to.

This book is very well written with life lessons the reader can take from the book in addition to being entertained.

As part of their book reviewer program I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.