Thursday, January 26, 2017

BLOG TOUR w/ GIVEAWAY: Petticoat Spy by Carol Warburton


ABOUT THE BOOK

Colonial Massachusetts, 1775

Abigail Stowell is a rarity for her time. The comely young woman is educated, outspoken, and attuned to the charged political climate around her. She is a staunch Patriot. In short, she is a rebel. So when Gideon Whitlock, and avowed Tory, rides into her village, Abby is not only put off by his politics and arrogance but is also annoyed by her undeniable attraction to him.

When she observes a clandestine meeting between her Patriot father and Gideon, Abby soon realizes that in a world divided by loyalties, not everything is as it seems. Soon she is drawn deeper into political intrigue than she ever dreamed possible. And just as feelings begin to heat up between Abby and Gideon, the shot heard round the world ignites the beginning of war between the colonists and the British redcoats. There is no time for hesitation, and Abby finds herself thrust into a world of intrigue, treachery, and terror. Lives hang in the balance, and Abby will stop at nothing to support the Patriot movement—but will her allegiance to the cause mean losing the man she loves?

REVIEW

Carol Warburton has written an engrossing tale of betrayal and romance.  Abby is a spirited young woman who believes fervently in the Patriot cause.  When she meets Gideon she's attracted to him but he seems to be a Tory, which she can't abide.  As things between the colonists and the British heat up, Abby can't abide not being involved.  But spying is hard work, especially pretending to feel things that she doesn't.  On top of that, Abby learns that a dear family friend is under threat in her own home and Abby is determined to rescue her.  Clearly, Abby has her hands full, but she still has time to fall in love once she discovers Gideon's true loyalties.  But with war on the horizon, the risks she's taking could have explosive consequences.  I liked Abby right from the start, she's a feisty young lady who isn't afraid to fight for what she believes in, and Gideon is a great match for her as well.  This is a great historical romance.

GIVEAWAY

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Wednesday, January 25, 2017

HISTORICAL NONFICTION: Under a Flaming Sky by Daniel James Brown


ABOUT THE BOOK

On September 1, 1894 two forest fires converged on the town of Hinckley, Minnesota, trapping over 2,000 people. Daniel J. Brown recounts the events surrounding the fire in the first and only book on to chronicle the dramatic story that unfolded. Whereas Oregon's famous "Biscuit" fire in 2002 burned 350,000 acres in one week, the Hinckley fire did the same damage in five hours. The fire created its own weather, including hurricane-strength winds, bubbles of plasma-like glowing gas, and 200-foot-tall flames. In some instances, "fire whirls," or tornadoes of fire, danced out from the main body of the fire to knock down buildings and carry flaming debris into the sky. Temperatures reached 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit--the melting point of steel. As the fire surrounded the town, two railroads became the only means of escape. Two trains ran the gauntlet of fire. One train caught on fire from one end to the other. The heroic young African-American porter ran up and down the length of the train, reassuring the passengers even as the flames tore at their clothes. On the other train, the engineer refused to back his locomotive out of town until the last possible minute of escape. In all, more than 400 people died, leading to a revolution in forestry management practices and federal agencies that monitor and fight wildfires today.Author Daniel Brown has woven together numerous survivors' stories, historical sources, and interviews with forest fire experts in a gripping narrative that tells the fascinating story of one of North America's most devastating fires and how it changed the nation.

REVIEW

I have this strange fascination for disaster survival stories.  I think what draws me to them the most is discovering the way people respond when such awful things occur.  This book I've read before interestingly enough, but it felt like a first read.  Brown has done a phenomenal job of putting the reader in the story.  Not only does he tell the story of a horrible wildfire that wreaked havoc, but he also delves into some of the things society has learned about fire over the last hundred years.  He talks about several different kinds of fires and what made this one so dangerous.  He compares the Hinckley fire to several other deadly fires that have occurred over the years, which made it easier to understand just how big this fire got.  Admittedly, it was hard to read about the people dying, fire is a horrible way to die after all.  But the part that made me the sickest and yet impressed me the most were the descriptions of what the rescuers and clean-up crews found when they came to help.  I was really impressed by how many people jumped in to provide help and how fast they did it.  How the rescuers managed to face the horribly burned bodies of men, women, and children, I really don't know, but I admire them for doing so.  Like most such survival stories, there were those who behaved heroically and those who focused solely on their own survival.  There were even looters and tourists who came to gawk.  But I think, underneath it all, this is a story about families, some who survived, and many who died, together.

Thursday, January 19, 2017

ADULT NONFICTION REVIEW: The White Cascade by Gary Krist


ABOUT THE BOOK

In February 1910, a monstrous, record-breaking blizzard hit the Northwest. Nowhere was the danger more terrifying than near a tiny town called Wellington, perched high in the Cascade Mountains, where a desperate situation evolved: two trainloads of cold, hungry passengers and their crews found themselves marooned. For days, an army of the Great Northern Railroad's most dedicated men worked to rescue the trains, but just when escape seemed possible, the unthinkable occurred—a colossal avalanche tumbled down, sweeping the trains over the steep slope and down the mountainside. Centered on the astonishing spectacle of our nation's deadliest avalanche, The White Cascade is the masterfully told story of a never-before-documented tragedy.

REVIEW

I have this strange attraction to books about natural disasters.  I think this is for a couple of reasons.  First, I'm always in awe of Mother Nature's power and second, I'm always interested in the ways people respond.  Almost always there are courageous people who help others unselfishly, and usually there are others who are pretty self-centered, but most people fall somewhere in between.  Krist does a fantastic job of setting the scene for the disaster by describing some of the people involved as well as giving background on the railroad and how they managed to build a line through the Cascades in the first place.  As one might expect, there was plenty of blame to go around, but nobody could have predicted the severity of the storms that moved through leading the the numerous avalanches that stranded the trains in the first place.  Despite the best efforts of the area train superintendent and his crews, they just could not keep up with the amount of snow that accumulated and then slid blocking the tracks in both directions several times.  Experiences like this one almost always lead to changes in policies and procedures and this disaster was no different.  And of course lawsuits and other things happened afterward as well.  Krist is careful to cover the aftermath as well as the disaster itself, giving the reader a chance to see the changes that disasters bring about.  Krist has written a very engaging book about a horrible event.

Cover reveal for Sarah M. Eden's newest novella!

From the USA Today Bestselling author of the Longing for Home series, a new romance set in the beloved world of Hope Springs: MY DEAREST LOVE, coming July 2017!
Add to your Goodreads list

MY DEAREST LOVE
by Sarah M. Eden
Mirror Press
July 11, 2017

From the USA Today Bestselling author of the Longing for Home series, MY DEAREST LOVE is a new romance novella set in the beloved world of Hope Springs.

Alone in the world and far from home, Biddy holds out little hope of lasting happiness. Ian, loving her silently from afar, dreams of one day capturing her heart.


I love Sarah Eden's books and I'm excited to be returning to the world of Hope Springs!

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

BLOG TOUR w/ GIVEAWAY: The Decision that Changed My Life by Ganel-Lyn Condie

The decision that changed my life

ABOUT THE BOOK

Whether making life-changing choices or considering seemingly small day-to-day decisions, to choose oftentimes means to take a step into the unknown.

In The Decision That Changed My Life, author Ganel-Lyn Condie explores some of the life-altering choices made by sixteen notable and everyday Latter-day Saints and the chain of events that followed those decisions that affected other people's lives. From the broad impact of Janice Kapp Perry's course-changing decision to pursue music to the significance of Chris Carter's converting to the gospel as a young boy, each story demonstrates the potential ripple effects of our decisions. While following the promptings of the Spirit without a full understanding of the outcome requires great faith, sometimes making that one decision has the power to change our lives—and the world.

REVIEW

We all have times in our lives when we are required to make decisions that will we know will have a significant impact on our lives.  Often these are decisions that we really struggle with for whatever reason.  Do we take that promotion, what do we major in, do we date that person or this person?  All of these questions and the decisions we make in relation to those questions leave a mark on our lives.  This book takes a look at the experiences of people relating to those types of decisions and the consequences that came from those decisions.  And the book goes beyond the effects in our own lives to the effects in the lives of others around us.  The book focuses on the good and right decisions people made with the Lord's help that changed their lives as well as the lives of others.  I enjoyed reading these stories, both because the stories are inspiring and because it made me feel not so alone to read of other people's struggles and questions.  If you need a book that is both informative and inspiring and encouraging I can highly recommend this one.

GIVEAWAY

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TOUR SCHEDULE

*Jan. 20thhttp://www.blogginboutbooks.com/


 

Thursday, January 12, 2017

BLOG TOUR w/GIVEAWAY: Color of Love by Anita Stansfield


ABOUT THE BOOK

England, 1857

The British aristocracy is an inflexible judge. And for Amala, a lovely young Indian woman, that judgment is most keenly felt. Raised from a child by the wealthy Hepworth family following the murder of her parents, Amala grew up alongside the Hepworth's own daughter, Katarina, and was loved as both sister and daughter. The family is part of the charmed circle of the upper class, but Amala's place in society is tenuous. As an Indian woman, her life is marked by a sense of otherness and voices of prejudice. So when she embarks upon a sweet acquaintance with Henry Breckenridge, a white Englishman, Amala is both elated and terrified. She knows first-hand the opposition that an interracial couple would face, and courtship with Henry could destroy his standing in society.

Determined to spare the reputations of both Henry and her sister Katarina, Amala flees England with the hope that an extended trip will allow her time to heal her broken heart. But she never imagined the repercussions of that decision, and the heartbreak awaiting her. For when she returns to England, she finds those she holds dear facing unparalleled devastation. And now it is her love that holds the key to healing a broken family ...

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Anita Stansfield began writing at the age of sixteen, and her first novel was published sixteen years later. Her novels range from historical to contemporary and cover a wide gamut of social and emotional issues that explore the human experience through memorable characters and unpredictable plots. She has received many awards, including a special award for pioneering new ground in LDS fiction, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Whitney Academy for LDS Literature. Anita is the mother of five, and has two adorable grandsons. Her husband, Vince, is her greatest hero.

REVIEW

I've read a lot of Regency & Victorian era romances, but somehow Anita Stansfield has found an aspect of the time and place that I haven't read about before.  As with all her other works, Stansfield presents the reader with lovable characters facing really difficult situations with grace and heart. 

Amala has spent much of her life in England with her adoptive family, but English society never lets her forget that she doesn't really belong.  Amala is a native Indian (India) and as such is seen as inferior by almost everyone around her, except her family.  So she is shocked when she meets Henry Beckenridge, an Englishman, who promptly falls in love with her.  Having accustomed herself to the idea of never marrying, Amala can't quite accept her good fortune, and when her fears get the better of her she rejects Henry and leaves England all together.  But family difficulties bring her home again where she discovers that one can't really run from life's challenges. 

I found myself immediately captivated by Henry and Amala, as well as Amala's adopted family.  As with many of the books that Stansfield has written, I was unable to predict the way the story worked out, but found myself empathizing with the characters, even when I didn't like the choices they made.  This is not only a charming romance, but also a hard look at the repercussions of interracial romance and the challenges it brings, especially at this time and place.

GIVEAWAY

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TOUR SCHEDULE

*Jan. 9th: 
*Jan. 10th:  
*Jan. 11th:  
*Jan. 12th:  
*Jan. 13th:
http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/
http://sweetlymadejustforyou.com/,
http://brooklynberrydesigns.com/


 

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

LDS BOOK REVIEW: Saints at Devil's Gate: Landscapes Along the Mormon Trail


ABOUT THE BOOK

A beautiful art book from the Church Historian's Press, publisher of The Joseph Smith Papers.

From 1846 to 1869, some 70,000 Mormon pioneers traveled the Mormon Trail, the 1,300-mile route from Illinois and Iowa to Salt Lake City. In 2011, three award-winning Mormon painters decided to visit sites all along the historic route and capture the landscapes in oil. This full-color art book, featuring 52 landscape paintings, presents the fruit of their five-year project. Each painting is paired with journal entries or reminiscences from pioneers who made the journey. Essays by the authors and an artist interview illuminate both the art and the history of the trail.

The book gives written and visual context to the pioneers’ experience of the trail, bears witness to the land as it exists today, and links the experience of pioneers to the challenges of today.

Note: This book was published to accompany an exhibition of the same name at the Church History Museum in Salt Lake City. Therefore, distribution of the book has been limited. Copies are available at the museum gift store, at store.lds.org, and at some independent bookstores in Utah.


REVIEW

The journey of the Mormon pioneers across the plains of the United States has been well-documented.  But I haven't seen a book quite like this one.  This book is a compilation of paintings that show some of the locations that the Mormon pioneers saw as they traveled cross country to the Salt Lake valley.  The work of three artists is included along with brief quotes from the journals and memoirs of a variety of pioneers.  This book is intended to highlight the gorgeous paintings that John Burton, Josh Clare, and Bryan Mark Taylor have completed.  There is an accompanying exhibit at the Church History Museum in Salt Lake City.  I loved looking at the amazing artwork as well as reading the quotes that helped me imagine what it might have been like to witness these settings with the pioneers.  As I imagined what it might have been like to travel through what was then mostly wilderness, I got a feeling of profound loneliness.  These people sacrificed a great deal to be there and then struggled through sickness, accidents, exhausting walking, and cleaning and cooking.  When problems arose there was no 911 to call or cell phone to pull out, they only had themselves and the Lord to rely on.  I found it rather inspiring to read and look at this book and think about the challenges the pioneers experienced.  But it also inspired me with the wild beauty of some of these places.  And some of the quotes make it clear that the pioneers weren't blind to the beauty they saw around them.  Saints at Devil's Gate is a beautiful book that I can highly recommend to anyone interested in the landscapes that the pioneers found themselves passing through on their journey to Utah.

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

BOOK REVIEW: The Lady of the Lake by Josi S. Kilpack


ABOUT THE BOOK

Walter Scott has three passions: Scotland, poetry, and Mina Stuart. Though she is young and they are from different stations in society, Walter is certain their love is meant to be. For years, he has courted her through love letters. She is the sunshine of his soul.

Though Mina shares Walter’s love of literature and passionate temperament, it’s hard for her to know if she truly loves him or if she has only been dazzled by his flattery. When she meets the handsome and charming William Forbes, her heart is challenged. Who will she choose?

But as every poet knows, “The course of true love never did run smooth,” and on a windy morning in the lake country, Walter meets Charlotte.

At twenty-six, Charlotte Carpenter believes she will never find love. After all, she is a Catholic-born Frenchwoman living in London with a family history shadowed by scandal. Though quiet, practical, and determined to live a life of independence, her heart longs for someone to love her and a place to call home.

Passion and promises collide as Walter, Mina, and Charlotte must each decide the course for their futures. What are they each willing to risk to find love and be loved in return?

REVIEW

Josi Kilpack does such a great job writing historical romances.  Her Sadie Miller culinary mysteries are great as well, but this historical romance based on the life of Sir Walter Scott comes together so beautifully.  The prologue, told from Walter's point of view, introduces the reader to his first reaction to the young Williamina Belshes, later Stuart.  He is smitten from the very first time he lays eyes on her.  Walter is determined to win Mina for his wife, but of course has to wait for her to reach the appropriate age as well as develop a strong enough income to buy a house.  During those intervening years, Walter and Mina write to each other, expressing their feelings as well as their interests.  But when they meet up again, Mina isn't as sure as Walter of the future of their relationship.  Especially after her father pressures her to marry someone who can boost the family's prospects (his prospects really).  Mina isn't sure she really knows what he wants.  And when Walter meets and befriends Charlotte, a young Frenchwoman who as just become independent from her British Guardian, his feelings also become conflicted. 

I think one of the things that I enjoyed most about this book is the realistic nature of the relationships, how they develop and fluctuate as the characters struggle to understand what they are feeling and what they really want.  I also couldn't help falling in love with the Scotland that Kilpack (and Scott himself) portrays so clearly.  While there is romance here, there is also the realities of messy relationships and the challenges that come when fantasies turn out not to work in reality.  Kilpack has created a wonder novel exploring the nature and difficulties of love.  The notes at the end make it clear what parts of the story are known or inferred to be true, and where the author took some literary license in order to create a story that flowed.