The Wonderful World of Books...

I am always startled to see the closing of a book shoppe. I realize worldwide economic difficulties have brought such hardships but it is still hard to phantom the reasoning behind. Books bring such happiness at the best of time and trust me, when there is no power it is also an heavenly source of entertainment! 

I often lament Internet, I pads, Smartphones and the advent of  E books cannot possibly compare to the joy of holding a hardback in your hands. All sensory comes charging when you turn a new page, never mind uncovering a whole new story, as it envelops your whole being when reading, perhaps tucked in a corner on a dismal Autumn eve. 
Even a Classic read many, many times over brings such satisfaction, don't you think so?

A book shoppe's closed doors throws some of us in a dispirited mood and I will admit to be such a person!  It's like telling someone they can no longer have sweets!
Yes, there are other venues each available online and like everyone else, I defer to this easy way to purchase a title I covet. But it will never replace the joy of stepping in a shoppe and browse through shelves of written gems!

If this was not enough, our local library is closing its doors for remodeling. ETA for this spanking new building...4 months! And all this throughout the Winter months...If I knew how to draw a cartoon, this one would bear a balloon saying 'I am so disgruntled!'

I have the pleasure to review a handful of hardbacks in the upcoming Christmas Season and I can only say each and every one brought a big smile and not a little sigh of happiness on my part! What a good feeling to hold these little treasures!

A bit of Autumn beauties at the center of the dinner table...

And whilst I continue to grumble upon this sorry taste of affairs, let me share a great post from 'A Cottage in Totteridge, describing a fellow avid reader's sentiments! 

And at the risk of contradicting myself, I also see her point in preferring a tablet to lug around versus a large tome - then again, perhaps it is because I go in panic mood when ANY hardback is taken out of the house...Paperback allowed only!

http://cottage-in-totteridge.blogspot.com/2012/11/bookish.html?showComment=1352145077500#c2626061911827532886

The Memory Jar by Tricia Goyer, Book review & Giveaway

Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN-13: 978-0310335108

Synopsis:

Every year, 30--40 young Amish men descend on the cozy little town of West Kootenai, Montana, arriving in the spring to live there for six months and receive 'resident' status for the hunting season in the fall. They arrive as bachelors, but go home with brides!

Sarah Shelter has lived in West Kootenai for the last ten years and wonders if she will ever fall in love. Since the tragic death of her best friend, she carries her memories in a jar along with the small items connected to them. For just as long, she's also been carrying around her emotions instead of allowing them to penetrate deep into her heart.

Now she's met a kind and gentle man who may be able to break down the wall. But can Sarah risk her heart to finally achieve her dreams?

My thoughts:

'God has made you a unique design. Never forget that! Also know that God's made someone else to be your fit.'

I think I have just read my favourite book from all of Tricia Goyer's novels and that is not an easy admission as she writes always with her heart! 

'The Memory Jar'  is part of a series called 'Seven Brides For Seven Bachelors, and make no mistake, this is not 'one of those Amish stories yet again'! One distinction of Tricia Goyer's work is that everything she writes brings you something new to discover! The essence of a good writer?

Sarah lives in Montana and works amongst Englishers as well as Amish in the West Kootenai Kraft & Grocery. Due to a tragic accident she carries a heavy burden on her shoulders and her memories are safely tucked in a little jar...Her memory jar. 
An eventful mountain hiking trip reveals that shy Amish bachelor Jathan Scrock, is a friend she can trust and confided into. Both have unusual aspirations for their conservative community but their
dreams unites them in more ways than either ever hoped for.

When Jathan is called back to the family farm in Ohio he finds his responsibilities overwhelming and fears their goal an impossible dream. 

God however has many plans for each of them and trusting Him leads to marvelous surprises!

A beautiful story to remind you of childlike dreams and that when trusting your happiness in God's hands, the best is yet to come!

Amish Proverb:

'The grand essentials of happiness in this life is something to do, something to love and something to hope for.'

5 Stars! A book you will enjoy sharing with others! Christmas is not far...

For more reviews on this title visit LITFUSE website for schedule (see link below)

http://litfusegroup.com/author/TGoyer 

 
About the Author:

Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty-six books including Beside Still Waters, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough.
She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003.
Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family.
Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions.

For more on this author including signing for her newsletter and MAKING YOUR OWN MEMORY JAR...
visit her website (here)

Celebrate with Tricia by entering her Amish Kindle Gift Pack Giveaway and RSVPing to her Facebook party on November 7th. (And be sure to catch the fun video trailer or try your hand at one of the simple, keepsake crafts Tricia has put together on her website.)

One fortunate winners will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire
• Custom-made Memory Jar Kindle Cover
• Amish-made decorative items {Wall hanging, horse/buggy and Amish houses}
• The Memory Jar {Be swept away by this captivating series.}

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 6th. Winner will be announced at the "Memory Jar Author Chat Party on 11/7. Connect with Tricia for an evening of book chat, Amish trivia, and a live video chat! There will also be a chance to win gift certificates, books, and other fun prizes!

So grab your copy of The Memory Jar and join Tricia on the evening of the November 7th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 7th!

I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

LIEBSTER Award...A Lovely Way To Connect With Others...

A lovely young lady in Russia gave me this award! As I understand it I am now to pass it to eleven (11) bloggers to continue with the goodwill.
I am too happy to oblige, Maria Glazacheva and thank you for the kindness! God bless!

Each blogger puts his/her heart into their posts and we each have different reasons for following a blog or another.
Being the dreamer that I am, I lean to follow pet friendly blogs first and foremost, followed closely by those who post the sort of photos I will probably never be able to shoot (my thumb is usually in the way!).

I love to see all the goodies found in Charity shoppes or at the 'Marche aux Puces'...and often sigh at those little treasures featured in the most amazing ways...Colours...Blues mostly...Anything that evoke the ocean, a shell or a starfish...the sound of the waves crashing on the shore...I cannot forget flowers of course...A fresh cut flower means everything to me and like my Granny before me, I cannot come home without a bloom or two...

Globe trotters that we are, there are also the blogs that speak of lovely memories, special places we have seen at one time or another (some countries have actually changed their names since!) and then of course the ones that reminds us of Home...For Home is where the heart is, is it not?...

So choosing 11 blogs to help connect with others was not easy Maria! A challenge but one I will gladly take just for you! 
Note to readers: there is no order in this selection! No one is # 1! and I quickly realized I needed more than 11 spots!

Here it goes:

Posie Gets Cozy

Alicia shares her many talents with us as well as her lovely Corgi (!) and her beautiful little baby girl Amelia (I should not forget to mention Andy, her husband! Together they are a very special family!)
http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/

Slow Lane

Rachel moved in a beautiful little cottage in Somerset together with her black Lab Flossie, lots of kitties and has a marvelous eye for photography!
 http://attica-slowlife.blogspot.com/

Brookwood Letters

Each post is a postcard from Scotland! I am still speechless at Annie and hubby Niels' sighting of a dolphin pod of over 100 and in a loch no less!
http://brookwoodletters.blogspot.com/

The House in the Roses

All I can say is I positively drool when I see this lovely lady's posts! Cielo's stunning photos are so much better than perusing Victoria's magazine!
http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/

2911 Jeremiah Avenue

Holly is fun, embraces life with both hands and reminds us there are many blessings to be thankful for! It is not so much for what she says but what I feel betwixt the lines that I read her blog! A real treasure!
http://thetreasurewithin.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Miniver's Daughter

Mary lives in the city and brings me a little culture along with witty comments! I like to follow her book list as well!
http://mrsminiversdaughter.blogspot.com/

Happy Homemaker UK

Laura is an American living in the UK and sharing all sorts of tidbits from abroad! Her photos are often stunning for their colour!
http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/


Marmelade Rose

Fiona lives in the Dales and is an amazing artist! Her felt creations are stunning in their originality! These lady's fingers seem to be blessed by faeries...
http://marmaladerose.blogspot.com/

Nostalgia at the Stone House

Niki has a shoppe in Bath I must visit when next home. There seems to be endless little nooks and crannies to discover in it! She also creates one of a kind piece (and I would like one of each).
http://nostalgiaatthestonehouse.blogspot.com/

Little Birdie Blessings

Abby shares her faith and creative talent with anyone! This lovely lady has brought me peace and contentment more than once with her verses!
http://littlebirdieblessings.blogspot.com/


The Shop Around the Corner

Marcia's blog brings happy feelings and you cannot have too many of these! Her craft has made many of us feeling just a little bit more special (listening to her choice of music will keep you dancing!)
http://alittleshoparoundthecorner.blogspot.com/

As I stated, I needed more than 11 spots! (Go ahead and check the list of blogs I follow...Everyone of them is amazing!)
Browsing the Net has helped this islander from feeling 'adrift'.

There you go Maria! I hope this fulfills the requirements for passing on this lovely LIEBSTER Award!

благодарю Masha!

A Flight Of Fancy by Laurie Alice Eakes, Book review

Publisher: Revell
ISBN-13: 978-0800734671

Synopsis:

Cassandra Bainbridge may be a bit of a bluestocking, but when Geoffrey Giles is near, love seems a fine alternative to passion for Greek and the physics of flight. With his dashing good looks and undying devotion to her, the earl of Whittaker sets Cassandra's heart racing with his very presence. It seems his only flaw is his distaste for ballooning, the obsession that consumes so much of her thoughts.

When a terrible accident compels her to end her betrothal, Cassandra heads for the country to recover from both her injuries and her broken heart. With time on her hands and good friends to help her, she pursues her love for ballooning and envisions a future for herself as a daring aeronaut. But when Lord Whittaker slips back into her life, will she have to choose between him and her dream?

My thoughts:

I will admit the mention of a woman ballooning in the early 1800's was the sole attraction to this title. Or perhaps 'Her head is in the clouds, his feet are planted firmly on the ground. Can love cover the distance?'
Many marriages have been built on such relationships and I will vouch at least for one of these...

Seriously, Laurie Alice Eakes never disappoints in her careful choice of subjects that attracts attention if only for their very outlandishness. Ballooning in 1812 was hardly the accepted entertainment for any female, particularly a young Society woman or even a lady of the Ton. Under Laurie Alice Eakes' penmanship we see however Cassandra reaching her dream just like Madeleine Sophie Blanchard!

Following Book # 1 of 'The Daughters of Bainbridge House', 'A Necessary Deception' (see review here) Laurie brings us 'A Flight of Fancy', yet another light romantic tale of English Regency period. Sprinkled with a few French expressions and interesting chemistry ( i.e. the use of birdlime) and set against the backdrop of ballooning pioneers and the Luddite rebellion , it made the story (almost) intriguing!
Together these facts makes 'A Flight of Fancy', in itself lukewarm and on the insipid side, palatable.

Neither Cassandra or Geoffrey Giles gives any performance I would deed entertaining. There is something lacking in their constant 'Yes, No' attitude which couched in much guilt - the less said about that, the better - leaves me no option but to say I had a hard time to concentrate on the plot. Not even the sub protagonists help in the matter!

Is it or is it not? Will they or will they  not?

Sigh...Perhaps you should give it a try though...(Just be sure to have an extra large box of sweets!).

3 Stars!


About the Author:

Laurie Alice Eakes is the author of Lady in the Mist, A Necessary Deception, Heart's Safe Passage, and several other novels. She won a National Readers Choice Award for Best Regency in 2007 for Family Guardian. Laurie Alice writes full-time from her home in Texas, where she lives with her husband and sundry dogs and cats. 

I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Amongst The Destruction...

Ruthless Hurricane Sandy has left many victims and much damage in her wake. Rescuers continue their relentless work as we keep everyone in our prayers!

Amongst the destruction, an iconic loss...

Tall ships have allowed us to dream of past daring feats...

 We will miss the HMS Bounty!

'After spending more than 90 hours and covering approximately 12,000 overlapping square nautical miles in the Atlantic Ocean the US Coast Guard have suspended S & R for the 1789 Tall Ship replica HMS Bounty's Captain Robin Walbridge.'

Broadcast news confirmed 14 crew members rescued despite the cruel sea, one death and one lost at sea...

Prayers and thoughts goes with the families of both crew members!
May they rest in Peace...

From a Sailor's prayer...

"The Lord is my pilot, I shall not go adrift; 

He lighteth my passage across dark channels; 

He steereth me through the deep waters, He keepeth my log. 

He guideth me by the evening star for my safety's sake. 

Yea, though I sail mid the thunders and tempest of life, 

I shall fear no peril for Thou art with me. 

The vastness of thy sea upholds me. 

Surely fair winds and safe harbors shall be found all the days of my life; 

And I shall moor, fast, and secure, forever.

Amen."

And Now For A Merry Little Christmas Magic...

If you enjoyed the review of 'A Merry Little Christmas' you will be happy to hear Anita Higman is sharing a little magic with her readers!

Author Anita Higman invites readers to kick off the season with a spirited holiday tale with 

this GIVEAWAY...

 

 FIFTEEN COPIES (15) of her new book

' A Merry Little Christmas'!

 To enter go to Anita's website and complete this entry (here)!
Winners will be announced on 9 Novembre 2012 on LITFUSE (and by email!)

Best wishes to all! 

 

A Merry Little Christmas by Anita Higman, Book review

Publisher: Summerside
ISBN-13: 978-1609366889

Synopsis:

Fall in love with this cozy story about two people from different worlds. Franny Martin is an Oklahoma farm girl who’s preparing to spend the holidays alone…again. Then Charlie Landau shows up one day, all wealth and polish, and offers to buy Franny’s farm. Franny has no money to speak of, but she is clever and spirited, and she’s more than happy to sell the farm and move to the city.

As Sinatra croons from the radio and Christmas descends upon her charming farm, Franny teaches Charlie the curious and sometimes comical ways of country life. In the process, they unearth some discoveries of the heart—that sometimes love comes when you’re least ready for it.

Will the holidays bring their most impossible dreams within reach?

My thoughts:

'Sometimes love comes when you least expect it,' 'A Merry Little Christmas' written by Anita Higman is the perfect read to start the Holiday Season! 
There is such a great feeling in holding this little hardback with its raised lettering! Too many publishers use the standard paperback approach and I must admit to enjoy the book even more for its presentation! 

Set in Oklahoma 1961, A Merry Little Christmas will put you in the mood for the many blessings this special upcoming Season is sure to bring. 
Franny is nothing but charming with her simple country approach to life as she opens her heart to all. She believes in her fellowmen and is not afraid to take a stand! Life has not always been easy for her and she has one dream...Move to the city and work in music perhaps at a radio station.

When city raised Charlie offers to buy her farm on condition she helps him to settle in and learn farming, Franny agrees and finds out all she wished for is nothing compared to what she already has...
Can you feel the magic of Christmas?...

Anita Higman writes with her heart and soul in this lovely story ready for you to discover! I found the simple storyline and its kind heart protagonists just the right touch to put me in the mood of the Season as I am sure you will too. 

There is a little of U.S. history in this novel, a reminder of things often forgotten and a few lessons as well. 
There is also much love and hope betwixt these pages and a touch of Heavenly promises as well. 

'A Merry Little Christmas' is a story to enjoy on a long winter night when all is quiet, with the children tucked in bed, and you are curled up in your favourite chair by the fire, a cuppa nearby as you will not want to put it down!

Finally, if you are looking for a good story to share with anyone, this is the perfect gift! There is nothing like God's blessings to remind us we are in His hands and Anita Higman is a delightful storyteller!

5 stars!
 
As part of a Blog tour for this novel, be sure to check other reviews (link below)

http://litfusegroup.com/author/AHigman

About the Author:

Anita Higman is the award-winning author of more than thirty books, including fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and plays. Her previous Christmas book, Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe, hit both the Nielsen and CBA bestseller lists.

For more on this author, visit her website (here).

I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.