THE DIVINE PROVERB OF STREUSEL by Sara Brunsvold, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"Of all the things our immigrant mothers carried with them to the rollicking hills of middle America, three things withstood the pressures of time and assimilation: faith in One True God, hope for better things, and love of butter . . . May God be your Rock the rest of your days, and butter be your joy."

Having little knowledge about her family roots, Nikki Werner drives miles to discover them after concluding that her faith, her hope, and her love are essentially decimated. Landing on the front stoop of her Uncle Wes' Missouri farmhouse, she seeks refuge within a place that she barely recalls from her childhood, but the memories that she does have are saturated with fondness. A short term escape becomes a summer of restoration, both for an old home place and a young woman's relationships with the people who mean (and could mean) the most . . . for Nikki Werner begins to cook, using time tested techniques from "the divine proverb of streusel".

"You can either look at what you don't have and yearn, or you can look at what you do have and give thanks . . . 'Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith. Proverbs 15:16'"

This entire story is snugly wrapped in the wisdom of a life well lived, penned by Nikki's grandmother as she passes along her love of cooking and philosophy of life in the form of her recipes. It's one of the most unique books that you will ever read, and possibly one of the most convicting . . . because someone in your life may need help "doing the next thing"; perhaps it's you. And maybe, just maybe we can each accept the challenge "to be the image of God" for someone else. Starting with the stories.

"Stories are the universal heart language. They bring together what is scattered."
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
Shaken by her parents' divorce and discouraged by the growing chasm between herself and her serious boyfriend, Nikki Werner seeks solace at her uncle's farm in a small Missouri hamlet. She'll spend the summer there, picking up the pieces of her shattered present so she can plan a better future. But what awaits her at the ancestral farm is a past she barely knows.

Among her late grandmother's belongings, Nikki finds an old notebook filled with handwritten German recipes and wise sayings pulled from the book of Proverbs. With each recipe she makes, she invites locals to the family table to hear their stories about the town's history, her ancestors--and her estranged father.

What started as a cathartic way to connect to her heritage soon becomes the means through which she learns how the women before her endured--with the help of their cooking prowess. Nikki realizes how delicious streusel with a healthy dollop of faith can serve as a guide to heal wounds of the past.

Revell Publishing, January 16, 2023

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy THE DIVINE PROVERB OF STREUSEL at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

THE LAST EXCHANGE by Charles Martin, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"How far would you go for someone you love? . . . How far?"

"The last exchange . . .It's when you cross paths with someone who's broken, just a mess of pieces, unable to fix anything about anything, and yet for some inexplicable reason, you stoop down, reach out and say . . . 'Me for you'."

"A life laid down is better than a life picked up."

Imagine reading a story that transforms all of these convictions into reality . . . loving so, so far . . . transferring the pain of another onto yourself, exchanging life for life rather than sweeping up the innumerable shattered pieces of an expiration. It's here. Between the pages. Of this book.

Utilizing extraordinary plotting expertise to full advantage, the author slowly and meticulously weaves his story, merging "before" and "after" scene changes in such a way that the true story organically emerges at just the right times in all the right places. Readers will question who Kelly MacThomas Pockets really is (and rightfully so), what Maybe Jo Sue has to gain by having him to secure the boundaries of her lavish lifestyle, and ultimately what their relationship will cost each of them in the end. However . . .

"I've been in some places where there is no hope, and yet somehow it swims through the cracks. Rises to the surface. . . No matter what you do - ignore it, shove it in a closet, drown it with drink and pill, or stab it with science, experts, and talking heads - you can't kill hope. Not in all of human history has hope ever been laid to rest."

A story that goes deeper and deeper with the turning of every page; fascinating, heart-breaking, hope-building. Salvation always beckons an exchange.

 

SEE KIM'S REVIEW

 

BackCover Blurb:

“Here’s the catch—even if I make it out of here alive, I need a reason to breathe again.”

When MacThomas Pockets finished his last tour as part of the Scottish Special Forces, he was hired to consult for a film director to finesse some scenes that weren’t working. In a twist he never saw coming, he ended up moving to L.A. to work as the bodyguard for movie star Maybe Joe Sue.

It didn’t take long for Pockets to realize there were two Joe Sues: The Joe Sue the public saw with her perfect life and her Hollywood husband. And the private Joe Sue: the one with the traumatic youth that no amount of pills could cover up, who desperately wanted a child of her own.

Even after their paths diverged, he continued to track Joe Sue’s life. Only a few would notice when the bottom fell out. But he did. And that’s when he stepped in.

One man seeks to answer the question: How far would you go—really— to save someone you love? And in the masterful hands of New York Times bestselling author Charles Martin, finding the answer will take readers on an intense and heart-wrenching journey to the very end.

Suspenseful, emotion-filled contemporary fiction
Stand-alone novel
Includes discussion questions for book clubs
Also by Charles Martin: The Water Keeper, The Mountains Between Us, and Chasing Fireflies

Thomas Nelson Publishing, October, 2023

Available in digital ebook, hardcover, and audiobook.

Buy THE LAST EXCHANGE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

 

THE FORGOTTEN LIFE OF EVA GORDON by Linda MacKillop, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"On the morning of Eva Gordon's escape, the sun sat crisply in the New England spring sky like a promising sign."

Sometimes the first lines are the best lines. Case in point, as this particular first-liner introduces Eva Gordon as a determined escapee conjured from a place in her mind that remains confused about so many things, and yet crystal clear about many of the things that she suspects she ought to regret. Eyeballing a suitcase packed with all the essentials, Eva Gordon just wants to go home. (If she could remember how to get to the bus station or the fact that she no longer owns a home.)

Cleverly using many of Eva's confused missteps to give her readers a glimpse into the muddled mindset of someone who knows their cognitive abilities are becoming hazy at best and disastrous at worst, the author utilizes extended family and friends to bravely salve Eva's many missteps and cantankerous escapades with words of unconditional encouragement. Just about the time Eva decides that staying could be better than leaving . . . her jewel of a granddaughter, Breezy, announces her engagement and in the blink of an eye, Eva's life is destined to change . . . once more.

" . . . this was a memory morning. Some mornings were empty mornings, offering only a blank mind with familiar words vanquished, memories scattered . . . sometimes she found herself thinking about nothing at all. She'd simply settle into an awareness that her mind was blank. . . "

A thought provoking, timeless, and inspiring nod to sunset years . . . including the fact that it's never too late to forgive and to be forgiven, even if you forget. 

*I received a copy of this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

BackCover Blurb:
Eva wants to run away from her life--if only she could remember how

Failing memory has forced Eva Gordon to move in with her granddaughter, Breezy. But Eva hates the bustle of Boston. All she wants to do is move back to her quiet, cozy Cape Cod home and be left alone.

Then Breezy announces she's getting married, and they'll be moving to her new husband's rundown family farm, where he lives with an elderly uncle. They'll be one big family--but only Breezy and Brent think it'll be a happy one.

It's all too much for Eva. Too much change, too much togetherness, too much of an over-crowded life she never wanted. But as her desire for privacy collides with her worsening memory, Eva may find herself in a pickle she can't get out of. 

Kregel Publications, May, 2022

Available in digital ebook and paperback:

Buy THE FORGOTTEN LIFE OF EVA GORDON at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

THE WIND BLOWS IN SLEEPING GRASS by Katie Powner, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"Good night, Pete. See you when the morning wind blows."

The morning wind had predictably blown the next morning, but Pete Ryman never saw his mother nor heard her voice again. Thus began the beginning of the rest of his fifty years-to-date life, he and his young sister had been separated from each other, leaving behind all that they knew about family in Sleeping Grass, Montana. Now Pete was back, collecting and dumping trash every single day that his truck would start during the cold, harsh, unforgiving winter. With only a sweet, sneaky, cantankerous pig riding along for companionship.

As luck would have it, or as his one and only best friend Windy Ray would say, as the "Creator" would have it, everything changed, and nearly all at once. One of his customers became a friend, his sister and young nephew just showed up seemingly out of nowhere, and a local woman in desperate straits began to trust him. Maybe Pete could become a new man after all. People need him now . . . if only life were that simple.

"You don't become worthless just because you mess up."

An ingenious inter-generational novel spun with layers upon layers of realism, sown with wit, wisdom and believe it or not . . . sprinkled with poetry. All creatures great and small add comic relief to their corresponding characters whose life issues are undoubtedly as common as the whole of humanity, whether residing in the smallest rural town or living within the confines of a mammoth city. A wonderful story sure to be enjoyed by a wide variety of readership!

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Interviews and Reviews. I also purchased a copy. The opinions stated above are entirely my own. 

 

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
For the first time in his life, Pete has everything to lose.

After years of drifting, fifty-year-old Pete Ryman has settled down with his potbellied pig, Pearl, in the small Montana town of Sleeping Grass--a place he never expected to see again. It's not the life he dreamed of, but there aren't many prospects for a high-school dropout like him.

Elderly widow Wilma Jacobsen carries a burden of guilt over her part in events that led to Pete leaving Sleeping Grass decades ago. Now that he's back, she's been praying for the chance to make things right, but she never expected God's answer to leave her flat on her face--literally--and up to her ears in meddling.

When the younger sister Pete was separated from as a child shows up in Sleeping Grass with her eleven-year-old son, Pete is forced to face a past he buried long ago, and Wilma discovers her long-awaited chance at redemption may come at a higher cost than she's willing to pay. 

Bethany House Publishers, September 2023

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.

Buy THE WIND BLOWS IN SLEEPING GRASS at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

 

 

 

 

 

THE LAST EXCHANGE by Charles Martin, Reviewed by Kim #ReleaseDay

WOW!!! Wow, wow, wow! I literally loved everything about this story - everything! I never thought Charles Martin could outdo the Murphy Shepherd series, ever, but that was before I met MacThomas Pockets and Maybe Joe Sue- yes, I typed that correctly.

I really don’t want to give away any spoilers, even a hint of one, so I’ll just say this- I LOVED Pockets. I loved Joe Sue and I loved their story! Pockets is definitely on my list of all time favorite male characters. He’s beyond loyal and will do what needs to be done. Joe Sue is down to earth and so likable even with all of her struggles. When these two were on the page together, I could’ve kept reading forever. These characters and their story will stay with me for a long, long time and I will recommend it to everyone!

At the end of the story blurb, there’s this question - How far would you go - really - to save someone you love? This story gives a very thought provoking, deep, multi layered answer.

I both read and listened to this story. Once I started the audio, I could not stop listening! When I wasn’t reading or listening, that’s what I was thinking about. That Scottish accent was everything! Charles Martin is an incredible storyteller! He’s definitely one of my very few auto buy authors. The Last Exchange will surely be a top read of 2023- if not the top read!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book and audiobook. I also purchased a copy. All. The. Stars.

BackCover Blurb:

“Here’s the catch—even if I make it out of here alive, I need a reason to breathe again.”

When MacThomas Pockets finished his last tour as part of the Scottish Special Forces, he was hired to consult for a film director to finesse some scenes that weren’t working. In a twist he never saw coming, he ended up moving to L.A. to work as the bodyguard for movie star Maybe Joe Sue.

It didn’t take long for Pockets to realize there were two Joe Sues: The Joe Sue the public saw with her perfect life and her Hollywood husband. And the private Joe Sue: the one with the traumatic youth that no amount of pills could cover up, who desperately wanted a child of her own.

Even after their paths diverged, he continued to track Joe Sue’s life. Only a few would notice when the bottom fell out. But he did. And that’s when he stepped in.

One man seeks to answer the question: How far would you go—really— to save someone you love? And in the masterful hands of New York Times bestselling author Charles Martin, finding the answer will take readers on an intense and heart-wrenching journey to the very end.

Suspenseful, emotion-filled contemporary fiction
Stand-alone novel
Includes discussion questions for book clubs
Also by Charles Martin: The Water Keeper, The Mountains Between Us, and Chasing Fireflies

Thomas Nelson Publishing, October, 2023

Available in digital ebook, hardcover, and audiobook.

Buy THE LAST EXCHANGE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

LADIES OF THE LAKE by Cathy Gohlke, Reviewed by Winnie Thomas

I’m a great fan of Cathy Gohlke’s writing. I enjoy the way she combines a compelling inspirational story with a background of interesting slices of history. Ladies of the Lake is a fantastic example of this. Set mainly in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Connecticut in dual timelines of the early 1900s and 1935, this book follows the lives of four friends from the Lakeside Ladies Academy as they transition to adulthood and life takes them in different directions. Amid heartache, WWI, the Halifax explosion of 1917, and secrets kept, can their friendship mend and endure?

“And how can I hope to be forgiven if I don’t forgive?”

With themes of friendship, forgiveness, love, and family, this riveting tale kept me intrigued and turning pages to find out what was going to happen. I was impressed with the way the author seamlessly pulled the dual timelines together so it wasn’t jarring to switch back and forth. The historical and faith elements were organically and skillfully woven in. Beautifully written and poignant, this story illustrated again why Cathy Gohlke is one of my favorite authors of historical fiction. I would recommend this to those who enjoy exceptional inspirational historical fiction.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Tyndale Publishing through NetGalley. I also won a copy in a contest. All opinions are my own.

BackCover Blurb:
After two young women’s deep bond is torn apart, what will it take to bring them together again? In The Ladies of the Lake, the beloved author of Saving Amelie and Night Bird Calling returns with a transformative new historical novel about the wonder and complexities of friendship, love, and belonging.

When she is forced to leave her beloved Prince Edward Island to attend Lakeside Ladies Academy after the death of her parents, the last thing Adelaide Rose MacNeill expects to find is three kindred spirits. The “Ladies of the Lake,” as the four girls call themselves, quickly bond like sisters, vowing that wherever life takes them, they will always be there for each other. But that is before: Before love and jealousy come between Adelaide and Dorothy, the closest of the friends. Before the dawn of World War I upends their world and casts baseless suspicion onto the German American man they both love. Before a terrible explosion in Halifax Harbor rips the sisterhood irrevocably apart.

Seventeen years later, Rosaline Murray receives an unsuspecting telephone call from Dorothy, now headmistress of Lakeside, inviting her to attend the graduation of a new generation of girls, including Rosaline’s beloved daughter. With that call, Rosaline is drawn into a past she’d determined to put behind her. To memories of a man she once loved . . . of a sisterhood she abandoned . . . and of the day she stopped being Adelaide MacNeill.

Written by a four-time Christy award–winning author!
Ideal for book clubs—contains helpful discussion questions at the end!
Perfect for fans of L. M. Montgomery, Louisa May Alcott, and Lauren Willig’s Band of Sisters.

Tyndale House Publishing, July, 2023

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy LADIES OF THE LAKE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

 

THE ALL AMERICAN by Susie Finkbeiner, Reviewed by Rebecca and Winnie

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"And no matter how many times they mowed those daisies down, they always came back, star-shine in a sea of green. "

"When I was seven years old, I told my parents that what I wanted to do when I grew up was to play baseball for the Workington Sweet Peas. Dad - one prone to audacious dreams - had been thrilled. Mom had been less excited."

Two sisters; growing up in what they imagined to be the all-American family. Flossie and Bertha were as different as night and day; Flossie loved books, Bertha loved baseball. When unfortunate rumors accusing their father, a highly prominent author, of misguided political leanings, their lives were forced to pivot in a totally different direction. While their story ended up including a number of unexpected chapters, the outcome also held many unexpected blessings . . . except for one. It seems that the best stories don't always end with "happily-ever-after", if they end at all.

Told in a captivating scene-change style, the two sisters' perspectives flow seamlessly throughout this coming of age narrative, managing to simultaneously delight and distress its readers. While I originally supposed this story was primarily about one sister, it may have been about the other . . . which did not dawn on me until the very end.

*I received a copy of this book from Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews. The opinions stated above are entirely my own. 3.5 stars

WINNIE'S REVIEW
I love how Susie Finkbeiner can take a little slice of history and totally immerse the reader in that time period so they feel they’re living in it. I know Finkbeiner isn’t old enough to have been alive in the 1950s, but she captures the feeling of it perfectly. I grew up in the 1950s and 1960s, so it was a little nostalgic for me.

The characters are perfect—well-written, engaging, and endearing. I immediately felt drawn to them, although, unlike Bertha, I don’t have an athletic bone in my body. My favorite character was Flossie. I loved her sass and humor and her outlook on life. She fit the “youngest child” depiction perfectly.

I enjoyed Finkbeiner’s fun sense of humor, which lightened up some of the rather serious subject matter. I recommend this book to those who enjoy fantastic historical fiction.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Revell through LibraryThing. All opinions are my own. 

 

BackCover Blurb:
Two sisters discover how much good there is in the world--even in the hardest of circumstances

It is 1952, and nearly all the girls 16-year-old Bertha Harding knows dream of getting married, keeping house, and raising children in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. Bertha dreams of baseball. She reads every story in the sports section, she plays ball with the neighborhood boys--she even writes letters to the pitcher for the Workington Sweet Peas, part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.

When Bertha's father is accused of being part of the Communist Party by the House Un-American Activities Committee, life comes crashing down on them. Disgraced and shunned, the Hardings move to a small town to start over where the only one who knows them is shy Uncle Matthew. But dreams are hard to kill, and when Bertha gets a chance to try out for the Workington Sweet Peas, she packs her bags for an adventure she'll never forget.

Join award-winning author Susie Finkbeiner for a summer of chasing down your dreams and discovering the place you truly belong. 

 

Revell Publishing, July, 2023

Available in digital ebook, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy THE ALL AMERICAN at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

THEY TURNED THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN, by Charles Martin, Reviewed and Hosted by Rebecca Maney #JustRead Tour

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for They Turned the World Upside Down by Charles Martin, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: They Turned the World Upside Down
Author: Charles Martin
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: January 5, 2021
Genre: Christian Life/Spiritual Growth

In the aftermath of Jesus’ resurrection, the testimonies of those who had followed him were so bold and so powerful that they turned the world upside down. What would happen if we lived with that same kind of faith today? 

Walk in the shoes of the disciples, as New York Times bestselling author Charles Martin brings their stories to life with his storyteller’s perspective. 

In the first century, believer didn’t just mean someone who heard and agreed with Jesus; it meant someone who acted on that belief. And when the outside world saw the faith of these new believers, they declared “they turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). 

That’s the kind of believer Charles Martin wants us to be. The kind who understands that the truth of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is so powerful, it reshaped history. The kind of believer who lives with that same world-changing faith today. 

In his second non-fiction work, he uses his talents as a novelist to walk you through the lives of the disciples in the aftermath of the Resurrection and as they spread the message of the Gospel and “turn the world upside down”, leading up to Paul’s ministry in Thessonalica. In his beloved lyrical style, Martin illuminates key moments from Scripture and shares stories from his own life as a disciple. 

With the same depth, sensitivity, and emotion that have made his novels beloved to millions, Martin will helps you engage with your faith in a new and inspiring way.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | Christianbook | BookBub

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Charles Martin is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of fifteen novels and two nonfiction books. He and his wife, Christy, live in Jacksonville, Florida.

CONNECT WITH CHARLES: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of They Turned the World Upside Down and What If It's True?!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight February 16, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 23, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

REBECCA'S REVIEW: 

They Turned the World Upside Down:A Storyteller's Journey with Those Who Dared to Follow Jesus
"They saw a dead man walk. And they believed. And they did."

Sound sincerely simplified? Maybe. Sound genuinely profound? Absolutely.

If you choose to read this book out of curiosity, you probably won't make it past the prologue, for "They Turned the World Upside Down" is a gut-wrenching, life-changing tutorial- turned- testimony of what it means to "believe in", not "about" the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And if you do, what does it mean?

For, "Unbelief turned over nothing. Unbelief healed no one. Unbelief delivered no one." It begs the question; "what exactly do you believe"? Would you have built an ark? (Noah) Or would you have been willing to sacrifice your one and only son? (Abraham) Or, bringing it closer to home . . . . would you forgive the undeserving, pray for the healing of another up until the point of death, believe in the power of the Holy Spirit to work miracles, cast out demons, overcome strongholds? The twelve disciples did.

Filled with page after page of supporting Scripture, alongside beautiful examples of prayers to offer as supplications before the throne of grace, this book is a reality check, for what would our world look like if believers truly lived their lives, as the disciples did, with an unwavering confidence in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, because they "saw a dead man walk, and they believed". Faith changes everything, if you are "willing to be willing".

"The age of passive, wimpy Christianity needs to close. The Father is raising a priesthood, a kingdom of priests who walk in belief and faith, and who do what he says. Who choose to be strong and courageous. . . . . " 

It was amazing
“I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.”

STORIES THAT BIND US by Susie Finkbeiner, Reviewed by Winnie Thomas

Susie Finkbeiner is a master storyteller who never hesitates to tackle hard subjects with sensitivity. Stories That Bind Us is a snapshot of life in the middle 1900s—the ups and downs, the everyday struggles, and the events that defined and shaped the people who lived through them. It’s about the stories that surround us in our lives, how they make us who we are and form our memories, and how they can comfort and help heal.

This tale is full of realistic, ordinary, broken characters trying to navigate through the messiness of life. The author seamlessly pieces together snippets from the past with ones from the present to form a beautiful tapestry of life. Having lived through much of the same era, it was interesting to read some of the slices of history that she wrote into the story.

Powerful themes of compassion, healing, and love of family combine to make this a heartwarming and memorable read. I’m looking forward to more stories from this fantastic author. *4.5 stars I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany Publishing/ NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

BackCover Blurb:
Betty Sweet never expected to be a widow at 40. With so much life still in front of her, she tries to figure out what's next. She couldn't have imagined what God had in mind. When her estranged sister is committed to a sanitarium, Betty finds herself taking on the care of a 5-year-old nephew she never knew she had.

In 1960s LaFontaine, Michigan, they make an odd pair. Betty with her pink button nose and bouffant hair. Hugo with his light brown skin and large brown eyes. But more powerful than what makes them different is what they share: the heartache of an empty space in their lives. Slowly, they will learn to trust one another as they discover common ground and healing through the magic of storytelling.

Award-winning author Susie Finkbeiner offers fans a novel that invites us to rediscover the power of story to open the doors of our hearts.
Bethany/Revell Publishing, June 2020
Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover and audiobook:
Buy Stories That Bind Us at Amazon
Buy Stories That Bind Us at Christianbook.com

THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY by Natalie M. Jenner. #BlogTour and Review

Deb here, and I'm participating in this virtual online book tour of THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY, Natalie Jenner’s highly acclaimed debut novel May 25 through June 30, 2020. Seventy-five popular blogs and websites specializing in historical fiction, historical romance, women’s fiction, and Austenesque fiction will feature interviews and reviews of this post-WWII novel set in Chawton, England.

BOOK DESCRIPTION: Just after the Second World War, in the small English village of Chawton, an unusual but like-minded group of people band together to attempt something remarkable.

One hundred and fifty years ago, Chawton was the final home of Jane Austen, one of England's finest novelists. Now it's home to a few distant relatives and their diminishing estate. With the last bit of Austen's legacy threatened, a group of disparate individuals come together to preserve both Jane Austen's home and her legacy. These people—a laborer, a young widow, the local doctor, and a movie star, among others—could not be more different and yet they are united in their love for the works and words of Austen. As each of them endures their own quiet struggle with loss and trauma, some from the recent war, others from more distant tragedies, they rally together to create the Jane Austen Society.

I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook as provided by the publisher! And what an audiobook!

NARRATED BY ACTOR RICHARD ARMITAGE:
The full unabridged text of THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY was read by the distinguished English film, television, theatre and voice actor Richard Armitage for the audiobook recording. Best known by many period drama fans for his outstanding performance as John Thornton in the BBC television adaptation of North and South (2004), Armitage also portrayed Thorin Oakenshield in Peter Jackson's film trilogy adaptation of The Hobbit (2012 – 2014).
Link to YouTube audiobook excerpt: https://youtu.be/OJ1ACJluRi8

Here's my review:
I think the cover of The Jane Austen Society is a perfect preface for what to expect from this gentle story. Perhaps it’s the rapid loss of The Greatest Generation, but stories set during the period between WW1 and the 1950s draw a lot of interest. While certainly full of issues, maybe we think there was a bit more to admire about an era where ‘ladies’ and ‘gentlemen’ wore hats and gloves for a trip into town.

As you’d expect, Natalie Jenner’s debut novel immerses the reader in an England after the war, as we meet the cast of characters perfectly drawn as a fictional ‘team’ determined to celebrate and save a hint of Chawton village Jane Austen would have recognized, and to promote what she brought to the literary world.

The story takes time. Don’t expect to rush through it. Expect instead to be reminded of how pain and loss can be overcome with time, and how the support of good people helps. Along the way, you’ll enjoy how devotees of Austen’s stories found relevance in their own lives. You don’t have to be familiar with the novels, but it certainly enhances the enjoyment.

If there wasn’t change or conflict, we wouldn’t have much of a story, so you won’t like all the characters. One pair in particular are a little rough (language alert), and one heartbreaking event occurs. But doesn’t that make it all the better as the story ends in a very satisfying manner? People grow and mature, heal and find their way with proper nurturing. A good lesson right now.

I received the audiobook from the publisher, so, while I might not read the physical book a second time, I know I’ll listen to it again. And maybe again over the years. Even if I didn’t know who Richard Armitage is, I’d give his narration a full thumbs up.

Overall, consider The Jane Austen Society as the perfect rainy weekend read. 

Note: Book is for the general market and is not Christian Fiction.
PURCHASE LINKS:
AMAZON | BARNES and NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | INDIEBOUND | AUDIBLE | GOODREADS | BOOKBUB

ADVANCE PRAISE:
“Just like a story written by Austen herself, Jenner’s first novel is brimming with charming moments, endearing characters, and nuanced relationships…Readers won’t need previous knowledge of Austen and her novels to enjoy this tale’s slow revealing of secrets that build to a satisfying and dramatic ending.” ―Booklist (starred review)

“Few things draw disparate people together so quickly as discovering they love the same writers. Few writers cement such friendships as deeply as Austen does. I believe that the readers of Jenner’s book will fall in love with the readers inside Jenner’s book, all of us thinking and dreaming of Austen the whole while. What could be better? Nothing, that’s what! A wonderful book, a wonderful read.” ―Karen Joy Fowler, New York Times bestselling author of The Jane Austen Book Club

“Fans of The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society will adore The Jane Austen Society… A charming and memorable debut, which reminds us of the universal language of literature and the power of books to unite and heal.” —Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Girls of Paris

SPOTIFY PLAYLIST:
Spotify users can access a playlist for THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/y9r2rdms The playlist includes music from various film adaptions of Jane Austen’s books, as well as film scores by such incomparable artists as Hans Zimmer, Ennio Morricone, Rachel Portman, and Michael Nyman.

AUTHOR BIO:
Natalie Jenner is the debut author of THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY, a fictional telling of the start of the society in the 1940s in the village of Chawton, where Austen wrote or revised her major works. Born in England and raised in Canada, Natalie graduated from the University of Toronto with degrees in English Literature and Law and has worked for decades in the legal industry. She recently founded the independent bookstore Archetype Books in Oakville, Ontario, where she lives with her family and two rescue dogs.
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE:
May 25 Jane Austen's World
May 25 Austenprose—A Jane Austen Blog
May 26 Frolic Media
May 26 A Bookish Affair
May 26 Courtney Reads Romance
May 26 Margie's Must Reads
May 26 The Reading Frenzy
May 27 Book Confessions of an Ex-Ballerina
May 27 Gwendalyn's Books
May 27 Romantically Inclined Reviews
May 28 Getting Your Read On
May 28 Living Read Girl
May 28 The Lit Bitch
May 29 History Lizzie
May 29 Silver Petticoat Reviews

May 30 Cup of Tea with that Book, Please
May 30 Historical Fiction Reader
May 31 Jane Austen in Vermont
June 01 From Pemberley to Milton
June 01 My Jane Austen Book Club
June 01 AustenBlog
June 02 Lu's Reviews
June 02 The Green Mockingbird
June 03 The Interests of a Jane Austen Girl
June 03 Relz Reviews
June 03 Impressions in Ink
June 04 The Caffeinated Bibliophile
June 04 Life of Literature
June 04 Laura's Reviews
June 05 Reading Ladies Book Club
June 05 Bookish Rantings
June 06 From the TBR Pile
June 07 Rachel Dodge
June 07 An Historian About Town
June 08 Bringing up Books
June 08 Austenesque Review
June 09 Captivated Readin
June 09 Savvy Verse and Witt
June 10 Lady with a Quill
June 10 Drunk Austen
June 11 Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell
June 11 Inkwell Inspirations
June 12 Nurse Bookie
June 12 A Bookish Way of Life
June 13 Calico Critic
June 14 Jane Austen's World
June 15 Stuck in a Book
June 15 Storybook Reviews
June 15 Confessions of a Book Addict
June 16 Literary Quicksand
June 16 Becky on Books
June 17 The Reading Frenzy
June 17 Anita Loves Books
June 18 Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals
June 18 The Write Review
June 19 Diary of Eccentric
June 20 Cracking the Cover
June 21 Short Books & Scribes
June 22 Reading the Past
June 22 Babblings of a Bookworm
June 23 My Vices and Weaknesses
June 23 The Book Diva Reads
June 24 Books, Teacups & Reviews
June 24 Wishful Endings
June 25 Robin Loves Reading
June 25 Bookfoolery
June 26 Lit and Life
June 26 Vesper's Place
June 27 Foxes and Fairy Tales
June 28 Probably at the Library
June 28 Scuffed Slippers Wormy Books
June 29 The Anglophile Channel
June 29 So Little Time…
June 30 BookNAround

ACCOLADES:
· An Amazon Best Book of May 2020
· One of Goodreads Big Books of Spring & Hot Books of Summer
· One of Audible’s Top 50 Most Anticipated Spring Audiobooks
· June 2020 Indie Next Pick
· May 2020 Library Reads Pick
· Starred Review - Library Journal
· Starred Review - Booklist

**and kudos to Laurel Ann Nattress of Austenprose Blog for organizing this amazing blog tour!

STORIES THAT BIND US by Susie Finkbeiner, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

Near Detroit, Michigan summer 1963...
Stories That Bind Us is a journey of healing for the characters Betty Sweet and her five year old nephew, Hugo. But for me it was a trip down memory lane. I was 14 in 1963 and lived a bit south of Detroit in a Northwest suburb of Chicago. I remember visiting my preacher uncle in Grosse Pointe and making a trip to Greenfield Village, as the characters did.

This novel was not just about stories that bind us but about shared memories of growing up that bind us together in unity. These were my memories!

The historical events depicted in this book were disruptions in a time of social unrest. In spite of that, the book came across in a comforting way. Betty’s life seemed normal. She was so fortunate to have a loving in-law family who gathered around her when tragedy struck. The author has written Betty as a strong, loyal and gentle person, whose idyllic life is torn apart. She takes on the task of keeping her nephew. She might not have been able to birth a child but her mother’s heart blooms when Hugo comes to stay with her. A quote as Betty is musing: “ Just along the horizon I saw the birth of the morning. This was the gift God had for me right that moment. I saw hope.” I love that Betty can use stories that tug at your heart and teach lessons at the same time. I would love to see a volume of her stories— hint to Ms. Finkbeiner.

This book reminded me of all the things this country has gone through in my lifetime. It caused me to be thankful for growing up in the era that I did, with parents who taught me so much of my values.

After reading two Susie Finkbeiner books, she has become a favorite author.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell through Interviews And Reviews and Revell Reads program. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own. I give this book 5 stars. *

BackCover Blurb:
Betty Sweet never expected to be a widow at 40. With so much life still in front of her, she tries to figure out what's next. She couldn't have imagined what God had in mind. When her estranged sister is committed to a sanitarium, Betty finds herself taking on the care of a 5-year-old nephew she never knew she had.

In 1960s LaFontaine, Michigan, they make an odd pair. Betty with her pink button nose and bouffant hair. Hugo with his light brown skin and large brown eyes. But more powerful than what makes them different is what they share: the heartache of an empty space in their lives. Slowly, they will learn to trust one another as they discover common ground and healing through the magic of storytelling.

Award-winning author Susie Finkbeiner offers fans a novel that invites us to rediscover the power of story to open the doors of our hearts.

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover and audiobook:
Buy Stories that Bind Us at Amazon
Buy Stories that Bind Us at Christianbook.com
 

SEND DOWN THE RAIN by Charles Martin, Review by Rebecca Maney

It was amazing

" . . . . .I built myself a cabin . . . . on a property that shouldered Mount Mitchell. And there I have spent my days quietly, trying not to think about the life I left behind."

Decorated Vietnam War veteran Joseph Brooks planned to live out the remainder of his days deeply secluded within the mountains of North Carolina, until the primal scream of a young child awakens his senses. After rescuing a mother and her two children from a ruthless drug lord, Joseph returns to the place where memories of long walks on the beach, and the love of his life, slithered away with the ravages of war.

Allie Gibson has just lost her second husband in an horrific highway accident just miles from their home on Florida's Gulf Coast. Her entire life has literally gone up in smoke; she has no money, no family, and very few friends. When Joseph finds her, she has collapsed on the beach, looking nothing like the girl he left behind.

Charles Martin has the uncanny ability to paint his stories with the swath of a very wide brush, bringing characters to life who manage to outlive themselves. This beautifully written book has enough strategically thrown curve balls to fill nine innings of baseball, but oddly enough they are quite comforting, rather then confounding, because of the messages they carry .. . . "evil won't kill evil . . . . not ever" . . . and "love rushes in where others won't" . . . . and "thank you . . .for giving me what I needed. . . . And not what I deserved."

Yes Lord, "please send down the rain". 

BACK COVER BLURB:
Allie is still recovering from the loss of her family’s beloved waterfront restaurant on Florida’s Gulf Coast when she loses her second husband to a terrifying highway accident. Devastated and losing hope, she shudders to contemplate the future—until a cherished person from her past returns.

Joseph has been adrift for many years, wounded in both body and spirit and unable to come to terms with the trauma of his Vietnam War experiences. Just as he resolves to abandon his search for peace and live alone at a remote cabin in the Carolina mountains, he discovers a mother and her two small children lost in the forest. A man of character and strength, he instinctively steps in to help them get back to their home in Florida. There he will return to his own hometown—and witness the accident that launches a bittersweet reunion with his childhood sweetheart, Allie.

When Joseph offers to help Allie rebuild her restaurant, it seems the flame may reignite—until a 45-year-old secret from the past begins to emerge, threatening to destroy all hope for their second chance at love.

In Send Down the Rain, Charles Martin proves himself to be a storyteller of great wisdom and compassion who bears witness to the dreams we cherish, the struggles we face, and the courage we must summon when life seems to threaten what we hold most dear.

*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to review it.

Available in paperback, digital ebook, hardcover
BUY Send Down the Rain on Amazon 
BUY Send Down the Rain on Christianbook.com