Saturday, August 30, 2014

Honor Review





“Who will you be, if not the lady of High Oaks?”
When unexpected circumstances leave Honor Penworthy destitute, she is forced from her Maryland plantation—and the slaves she hoped to free. With no marketable skills, her survival hinges on a marriage arranged through the Quaker community to artisan Samuel Cathwell. Samuel is drawn to Honor, but he has been unwilling to open his heart to anyone since losing his hearing as a child.

A move west brings the promise of a fresh start, but nothing in Honor’s genteel upbringing has prepared her for the rigors of frontier life with Samuel. Nevertheless, her tenacity and passion sweep her into important winds of change, and she secretly becomes involved in the Underground Railroad. Samuel suspects Honor is hiding something, but will uncovering the truth confirm his worst fears or truly bring them together?

Strong women. Brave stories.
Set against the backdrop of dramatic and pivotal moments in American history, the Quaker Brides series chronicles the lives of brave heroines fighting to uphold their principles of freedom while navigating the terrain of faith, family, and the heart.



Honor by Lyn Cote was really good. I finished the book the same day I got it (yes that means I had a late night. I lost sleep for this book!).  I really enjoyed the story line as a whole but I had trouble with both the beginning and the end. They both seemed to move a little too quickly for me. Honor seemed to be able to communicate pretty well with Samuel very quickly. The ending might have just seemed like it ended to quickly because I was enjoying Honor's story so much. But despite the slightly rushed feeling I got I really liked the book and I can't wait to read the second in this series. 

4 out of 5. A delightful Afternoon Snack.

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale House in exchange for an honest review.

Monday, August 25, 2014

Thief of Glory Review





A boy coming of age in a time of war…
the love that inspires him to survive.
 
For ten year-old Jeremiah Prins, the life of privilege as the son of a school headmaster in the Dutch East Indies comes crashing to a halt in 1942 after the Japanese Imperialist invasion of the Southeast Pacific. Jeremiah takes on the responsibility of caring for his younger siblings when his father and older stepbrothers are separated from the rest of the family, and he is surprised by what life in the camp reveals about a woman he barely knows—his frail, troubled mother. 

Amidst starvation, brutality, sacrifice and generosity, Jeremiah draws on all of his courage and cunning to fill in the gap for his mother. Life in the camps is made more tolerable as Jeremiah’s boyhood infatuation with his close friend Laura deepens into a friendship from which they both draw strength. 

When the darkest sides of humanity threaten to overwhelm Jeremiah and Laura, they reach for God’s light and grace, shining through his people. Time and war will test their fortitude and the only thing that will bring them safely to the other side is the most enduring bond of all.


Thief of Glory by Sigmund Brouwer is one of the most haunting story's I have read in a long long time.The characters, Jeremiah, Rachel, Pietje, Elsbeth, Laura, and everyone else throughout the book all took a piece of my heart, each in a different way. 
I finished this book almost a week ago and even now I'm not sure about how to write this review.

 Did I like it? Yes and no. Yes, because its so real and beautifully written. No, because it was its so... real. So really the only reason I could give for not liking this book is because of the realness of this book. Which is what most people like about books. Who wants to read a book that's fake, right? That's why my no is also in my yes column. 
But this book broke my heart! And then it kinda mended it by sticking it back together with gum, which we all know doesn't last very long which is why I'm having a hard time getting over this book. And why this review sounds really confusing...  Sorry. Maybe I should just end by saying I'm still deciding if I love it or not but I do know that I like it. A lot. So read Thief of Glory and if you can sum up your feelings better I can (which right now is probably everyone in the world) come write a better review than me. So to sum it up. 
  • Haunting
  • Real
  • Heartbreaking
  • Beautifully written
  • Like it a lot
  • 3.5... 4... I don't know.... out of 5.
An Afternoon Snack that I am still thinking about.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Monday, August 4, 2014

Through the Deep Waters Giveaway!


A past filled with shame can be washed away with a love that conquers all
Born to an unloving prostitute in a popular Chicago brothel, timid seventeen-year-old Dinah Hubley was raised amidst the secrets held in every dark, grimy room of her home. Anxious to escape, Dinah pursues her dream of becoming a Harvey Girl, waiting tables along the railroad in an upscale hotel. But when she finds out she isn’t old enough, her only option is to accept a job as a chambermaid at the Clifton Hotel in Florence, Kansas. Eager to put everything behind her, Dinah feels more worthless than ever, based on a single horrible decision she made to survive.

The Clifton offers a life Dinah has never known, but blinded to the love around her, Dinah remains buried in the shame of her past. When a handsome chicken farmer named Amos Ackerman starts to show interest, Dinah withdraws further, convinced no one could want a sullied woman like her.  Despite his self-consciousness about his handicapped leg and her strange behavior, Amos resolves to show Dinah Christ’s love. But can she ever accept a gift she so desperately needs?

A few months ago I reviewed Through the Deep Waters (read my review here). I absolutely loved it! Now the publisher is letting me have a giveaway for you! Fun, right!?!

The contest starts on July 31, 2014 at 6:00am EST and ends on August 20th, 2014 at 11:59pm. One winner will be chosen at random on August 21st, 2014 and will be alerted by email. Enter by clicking here. And, if you're inclined to do so, please follow my by blog for more reviews and hopefully more giveaways! Good Luck!