Wednesday, April 30, 2014

The Pelican Bride

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I enjoyed this book, it was well written, and I think gave a pretty good insite to what life was like for these ladies.
Genevieve and her sister travel from France to the U.S. in order to become brides to the officers and settlers in new forts in remote areas. For the girls, it was a way to escape persecution back in France and to start a new life. But as they arrive they begin to experience hardships and trials that they were never warned about.
given only a few weeks to select a groom, the girls find themselves pulled in separate directions and further apart from each other.
I did really enjoy this book, I do wish we had been able to read more about Genevieve and her sister before they boarded the ship, I think their story before we met them in the book would have been a very interesting read too! (Unless I'm missing a previous book in this series, then by all means, I'll be hunting it out, lol)

All in all, I highly recommend it!!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group"

What follows After

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I absolutely adore Dan Walsh's books, I have yet to read one that isn't absolutely amazing and heart warming. So I was thrilled to see that we had a chance to review another of his!
Honestly, I loved this book! I loved the writing, and the book in general had my attention captured till the very last page. But I hated the topic, and how horrifying it would be for a family to go through a child being kidnapped, an a child to be held in fear by someone he doesn't know.  This was a flat out an amazing read, and since I've come to expect unexpected things from Dan Walsh's books, I wasn't sure how the ending would turn out, and it had me anxious throughout the story!
This is near the top of my favorites of Dan Walsh's books, (its so hard to pick favorites of his, they're all so good) and its one that I'll be recommending very highly!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group"

Hope runs

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This is one of those books I'll be recommending for our church library to purchase, it has such a great message and is so heartwarming that I think it will benefit all who read it.
I love stories like these where a simple meeting can suddenly change the lives of all involved, where other people would see a coincidence, we can see that Clair and Samuel's meeting together was ordained by God.
Its hard not to be moved when you read the book "Hope runs" and hear Samuel's story, and know that its such a common history for so many children. But to see the love and hope enter into this story is inspiring, to know that a few simple actions can have such a profound effect on the life of a child is extraordinary.
I highly recommend this book, I know that anyone who reads it will be inspired, its one of those books that you don't remain the same after reading.
One of my favorite verses in the Bible speaks of "spurring one another on towards love", that is what this book does, it encourages you to take the chance on showing love and acting out on that love.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group". 

A Sensible Arrangement

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I very much enjoy reading books by Tracie Peterson, in my personal library, I probably have more of her books than any other author. They're always so well written and entertaining!
I did enjoy this book immensely,  as always Peterson's characters were well written, and deep. (Which is something of a trend in Peterson's books, she consistently writes her characters with a depth that we don't often see in women's historical romance novels)
In "A sensible arrangement" we meet Marty, who's trying to run away from the pain caused by her first marriage and subsequent widowhood, by answering a mail order bride ad in a paper from the city, Marty hopes to find peace away from the memories of her late husband.
Jake was spurned by his first marriage and has no desire to wed again and take a chance with his heart, but when his employers at the bank pressure him to take a wife, he come to a companionship agreement with Marty. Both are determined to have a marriage in friendship only, but as hearts begin to open, faith and hope arise and begin to open the way to love.
This was a fantastic book, the only complaint I have about it, was that I feel it ended too early! The story seemed to suddenly drop off without closure, so I'll be looking forward (and hoping) to see more developments with these characters!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group". 

For such a Time

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I love reading stories that are based in the 1930/40's, and especially books with characters who are strong and courageous in the face of opposition. So when I noticed that the book "For such a time" was based within that era, I was very excited to read it.
I have to say, it was not disappointing, this is one of the best books I've read lately. It was thought provoking, you have a S.S. Kommandant who you would automatically assume to be the enemy within the novel, but through the book you come to see and know his brokenness. And I love the main character Hadassah, she was a strong woman, I love reading books where the female characters are not simply some simpering lovesick joke, but have a strength of character and integrity.
This modern (ish) day take on the story of Esther was fantastic, I absolutely loved this book.
I highly recommend this book, to Christian and non-Christian alike, it's so through provoking and opens you up seeing so many different points of views.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favourite bookseller from BakerBooks, a division of Baker Publishing Group".