Reading this week

I read a total of 2,000 pages this week.

Finished

Act of Valor by Dana Mentink

Her Oklahoma Rancher by Brenda Minton

Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt De La Pena

The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen

Reading

My Dearest Dietrich by Amanda Barratt

Non-fiction reading

Classic

Audio on the Way to Work

Getting ready to read

Romanov by Nadine Brandies

Murder in the City of Liberty by Rachel McMillan

Book reading for bookclub at work

Reviewing

Devotional reading

Did not Finish

Reviews Posted this week

Review of The King's Mercy

Review of Forever and Ever Amen

Review of Murder on Trinity Place

Review of Murder on Trinity Place

Title:  Murder on Trinity Place

Author: Victoria Thompson

Series: Gaslight Mystery book 22

Pages: 336

Genre: Historical Mystery

Rating: 3 stars

     Murder on Trinity Place is the 22^nd book in the Gaslight mystery by Victoria Thompson.  Frank and Sarah have found themselves involved in yet another mystery. 

     Even though it’s the 22^nd book in the series this series still hasn’t gotten old. The mysteries continue to be different and unique to the time period. The Gaslight Mystery series is set during the late 18^th hundreds during the Gilded age period of the US. The series is set in New York.  This is one series that you do need to read in order. Otherwise you would be spoiled for things that happened in the series. 

     This series is great for readers who enjoy historical fiction as well as mysteries.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Review of Forever and Ever, Amen: A Memoir of Music, Faith and Braving the Storms of Life

Title:  Forever and Ever, Amen: A Memoir of Music, Faith, and Braving the Storms of Life

Author: Randy Travis

 

Pages: 304

Genre: Memoir

Rating: 4.5 stars

     I grew up listening to Randy Travis’s music my mom and papaw where huge fans.  So when I heard about his new memoir I knew that I had to read it. And I wasn’t disappointed.  It’s the story of his life in his own words. Unlike most celebrity memoirs he doesn’t sugar coat it.  He does hide anything. He puts ever thing to the page even the bad stuff. Starting with his childhood and continuing today.  

     Throughout the book you will laugh, you will cry but more importantly you will see Randy through his ups and downs and finding his faith again.   His life is indeed a country song.  If you are a country music fan, then this is book that you need to pick up. I recommend having tissues handy when you read this book.

                I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Review of The King's Mercy

Title:  The King’s Mercy          

Author: : Lori Benton

Chapters: 45 plus epilogue

Pages: 388

Genre: Historical fiction

Rating: 4 stars

The King's Mercy is the first book by Lori Benton that I've read. The description of a Scotsman exiled to the colony of North Carolina as an indentured after the battle of Culloden and the failed Jacobite rising drew me in for many reasons. I'm a sucker for books about 18th century highlands (thanks in part to Outlander and Laura Frantz' most recent book) and colonial America.  As well as going through Outlander withdraws and not ready to start book six yet because its massive. Plus, the story of exiled highlands parallels how part of my family made it to the new world.  I jumped at the chance to be part of the launch for this book.  And I was not disappointed. 

This is my first Lori Benton book and it won’t be my last. I’ve always be a sucker for historical fiction. What made me love this one even more was the strong faith of the heroine and a flaw hero who has to learn that there is mercy even greater than an earthly king’s mercy. But the fact that the author wrote the Cherokees in a fair light made me realize that she is an author who does her research beyond the “winning side’s” view of history.

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Reading this week

I read a total of 1,892 pages this week.

Finished

Appalachian Reckoning: A Region Responds to Hillbilly Elegy edited by Anthony Harkins and Meredith McCarroll

A Serial Killer’s Daughter by Kerri Rawson

Killer Exposure by Jessica R Patch

The King’s Mercy by Lori Benton

Sweet on you by Becky Wade

The Noble Guardian by Michelle Griep

Reading

Her Oklahoma Rancher by Brenda Minton

Act of Valor by Dana Mentink

Non-fiction reading

Classic

Audio on the Way to Work

Getting ready to read

Romanov by Nadine Brandies

Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt De La Pena

Murder in the City of Liberty by Rachel McMillan

Book reading for bookclub at work

Reviewing

Devotional reading

Did not Finish

Reviews Posted this week

Grateful American Review

Review of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

First Lines Friday

First line Friday's hosted by Hoarding Books

I've discovered a new favorite author with this first line.

"Alex MacKinnon roused to the press of wood beneath his cheek and an ominous churning in his gut"

 The Newest release by Lori Benton is perfect for fans of Laura Frantz, Scottish heroes,  and Colonial Fiction.  And those who are suffering from droughtlander waiting for Outlander to come back. 

The Book Woman of Trouble some Creek by Kim Michele Richardson book review

Title:  The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

Author: Kim Michele Richardson

Chapters: 47

Pages: 308

Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating: 4.5 stars

This book had me hooked as soon as I heard what it was about, librarians pack horse librarians at that, and the people of Eastern Kentucky. A group of people hit hard by the Great Depression.  Cussy Carter one of the pack horse librarians are different that the rest of the people in her community, she's one of the blue people of Kentucky.  But to the people on her route she is the one bright spot in their week, the book woman. 

I love just about any historical fiction novel set in Kentucky, I love reading about my home state in the pages of a book.  As well as learning about its history in any form.  The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson is full of rich detail both of setting and historical detail.  The characters are easy to relate to. Though some you just know from the beginning that you are going to hate.    Though other characters you’re going to laugh with, cry with and rejoice with. Have tissues handy.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction, Kentucky settings, and libraries and librarians.   There is some language in this book.  Though most seems to come from one character as well as some scenes of abuse and hate. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone

Grateful American By Gary Sinise review

Title:  Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service

Author: Gary Sinise, Marcus Brotherton

 

Chapters: 17

Pages: 280

Genre: Memoir

Rating: 5 Stars

If Gary Sinise wasn't one of my favorite actors before reading this book he is now.  Surprisingly however I have only seen one of his movies Forrest Grump and only one of his TV shows.   Reading his memoir is easy to see that he is a one of a kind actor who understands that the reason he can do the job he does is because of our Military men and women as well as our first responders. Who defender and protect us on a daily basis. 

That this man chose to give his character the background of a Marine who had survived Beirut in order to bring attention to a tragedy that affected many Marines, their family and friends. Because it is something that most people don't realize happened.  As the daughter of a Marine who lost brothers in arms there I am grateful that this actor chose to give them a voice. 

Unlike most celebrity memoirs Gary doesn't really boast about what he's done. Instead he shares about what his frame has allowed him to do for others.

This is one celebrity memoir that is worth the read. I do recommend having tissues when your read it.  

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Reading this week

I read a total of pages 1,261 this week.

Finished

Sherwood by Meagan Spooner

Anna of Kleve: The Princess in the Portrait by Aliso Weir

The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White

Reading

Sweet on you by Becky Wade

Her Oklahoma Rancher by Brenda Minton

Non-fiction reading

Appalachian Reckoning: A Region Responds to Hillbilly Elegy edited by Anthony Harkins and Meredith McCarroll

Classic

Audio on the Way to Work

Getting ready to read

Romanov by Nadine Brandies

Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt De La Pena

Murder in the City of Liberty by Rachel McMillan

Book reading for bookclub at work

Reviewing

The King’s Mercy by Lori Benton

Devotional reading

Did not Finish

Reviews Posted this week

The Number of LoveThe Number of Love by Roseanna M. White

The Blue Castle By L.M. Montgomery

First Lines Friday

I'm joining in on my first line Fridays hosted by Hoarding Books.

"The Numbers marched across the page in glory all their own" 

 If you enjoy Historical fiction especially set with the backdrop of WWI then Roseanna M White's newest  book is for you.

The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery book review

Title:  The Blue Castle

Author: L.M. Montgomery

Chapters: 45

Pages: 218

Genre: Classics

Rating: 5 stars

I can't believe I waited so long to read The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery.  It was my mom's favorite L.M. Montgomery book and she was the one that got me started reading the Anne books.  So it was kind of bitter sweet reading it now that she's gone.  But after reading it I realized that I read the book at the right time for me. Had I read it earlier I wouldn't have been able to appreciate what Valancy went through and what it took for her to grow.  Being just a few years older than Valancy is in the book and like her being consider and "old maid" by members of my extended family I could relate to how her family and so of the town treated her.  Had I read this book as a teenager I wouldn't have had the same respect and view of Valancy as I do as an adult. 

Like Valancy did, sometimes it takes shocking news for you to realize that it's your life. You've got to live it for yourself and stopped hiding your dreams because you’re afraid of what everyone might think.  Anne Shirley is a heroine for young girls, but Valancy Stirling is a heroine for women.   

Cover Revel for On The Wings of Devotion by Roseanna M White

#TheCodebreakers @roseannamwhite https://buff.ly/2WtC0qm

The Number of Love by Roseanna M White Review

Title:  The Number of Love        

Author: Roseanna M White

Series: Codebreakers book 1

 

Chapters: 33 plus epilogue

Pages: 370

Genre: Christian Historical fiction

Rating: 5 stars

The Number of Love is my 12th book by Roseanna M. White. I first discovered her books with Ring of Secrets the first book in the Culper Ring series when I was on a Revolutionary War fiction kick.  And since then I've been hooked on her books looking forward to each new book.  Roseanna's writing makes the settings and characters come alive.  I had never read an WWI historical book till her A Name Unknown.  I found things to relate in each of her characters to relate to. 

But I hadn't seen myself in a character till Margot De Wilde. Take away the mathematics and being able to quickly break code Margot could be me. The socially awkwardness feeling older than others your age.  Where Margot turned to math and codes I turned to books. 

The reason Margot is such an easy character for me to find myself in is because of something that happened to her in the book (I won't go into it because it will spoil the book) in Chapter Seven is because the same thing happened to me in almost the same way it happened to Margot. This was the chapter that had me crying while reading a book for the first time in a while. I thought reading about that in a book would bring up painful memories but instead it allowed me to finally process it as I read about Margot trying to process it. Though it hurt to see a beloved character in pain I am thankful that Roseanna included that event in the book.  Because sometimes it is easy to process things through a work of fiction than through the pages of real life.  I have to say that Drake has become by second favorite hero of Roseanna's nothing's going to knock Barclay out of favorite though. 

 The Number of Love gives a brief look behind the lines so to speak at the people who helped fight the war without setting foot on a battlefield the code-breakers.  That even those at home were helping to fight the war. 

Like all of Roseanna's previous books this one is well researched. Though with all the languages involved in this one I feel like even more research went into this one.   And as always I look forward to the next book in this series as well as catching up on reading the books of hers I have yet to read. 

I recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction, Christian historical fiction or books set during WWI. Though I don't think there's many historical fiction books set during WWI.  I also recommend reading her previous series first Ladies of the Manor and Shadows Over England as characters from those books make an appearance in this one. 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher . I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

The Toughest Puzzle She'll Have to Solve

Might Be the Wishes of Her Own Heart

Three years into the Great War, England's greatest asset is their intelligence network--field agents risking their lives to gather information, and codebreakers able to crack German telegrams for hints of the enemy's plans. Margot De Wilde thrives in the environment of the secretive Room 40, where she spends her days deciphering intercepted messages. But when her world is turned upside down by an unexpected loss, she discovers for the first time in her life that numbers aren't enough.

Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, followed by an enemy who just won't give up. He's smitten quickly by the quick and brainy Margot, but soon the dangers of the war draw ever closer. Margot and Drake will have to team up to save themselves from the very secrets that brought them together.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christian Book | More

About the Author 

 Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. She and her family make their home in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

Author Links:

Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter| Website

Other books I've Reviewed by  Roseanna M White

Shadows Over England Series 

A Name Unheard

A Song Unheard

An Hour Unspent

Reading this week

I read a total of 1,235 pages this week.

Finished

 The last Letter by Rebecca Yarros

What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon

The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon (audio and reading)

Mrs. Sherlock Holmes by Brad Ricca

Sconed to Death by Lynn Cahoon

Reading

Sweet on you by Becky Wade

Her Oklahoma Rancher by Brenda Minton

Anna of Kleve: The Princess in the Portrait by Aliso Weir

Non-fiction reading

Classic

Audio on the Way to Work

Sherwood by Meagan Spooner

Getting ready to read

Romanov by Nadine Brandies

Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt De La Pena

Murder in the City of Liberty by Rachel McMillan

Book reading for bookclub at work

Reviewing

The King’s Mercy by Lori Benton

The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White

Devotional reading

Did not Finish

Reviews Posted this week

Review of When Life Doesn't Match your Dreams

Title:  When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams: Hope for Today from 12 Women of the Bible

Author: Jill Eileen Smith

Pages: 224

Genre: Non fiction

Rating: 4 stars

    

When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams is the first non-fiction book by Jill Eileen Smith. In which she looks at 12 women from the Old Testament to give Biblical examples of what happens and what you can do when life doesn’t match your dreams. The Lessons that one can learn from each these twelve women, what to do and what not to do.

Whatever state of life you’re in as a woman, whatever age there is something in this book for you. There is some lesson that is just for you.  Each woman who reads I feel will take away something different from the book. 

I myself is looking at a life that didn’t got the way I dreamed or planned but after reading When Life Doesn’t Match your dreams, I trust even more that it went the way God planned it even there were a few detours and tears along the way. Everything we go through in life good or bad works out for our good.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Happy Release Day For the Code of Love by Roseanna M White

June TBR

Mostly focusing on finishing book I've been reading as well as review books. With a few TBR books 

To finish

The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon (audio and reading)

Sherwood by Meagan Spooner (audio on the way to work)

Sweet on you by Becky Wade

What the Winds Knows by Amy Harmon

TBR

TBR Jar pick from May didn’t finish: Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt De La Pena

Romanov by Nadine Brandies

Her Oklahoma Rancher by Brenda Minton

Murder in the City of Liberty by Rachel McMillian (Kindle)

Review books

The Number of Love by Roseanna M White

The King’s Mercy by Lori Benton

May Wrap Up

May Wrap

I started the month with (35) unread books. Got my owlcrate book and brought (1) Got 1 books for review which brought my total to (38). Read (5) owned book. So I am ending the month at  33 TBR books.

I read a total of 27 books but hardly anything from my TBR list

Booked: A Traveler’s Guide to Literary Locations around the world by Richard Kreitner

Joyful Surrender:7 Disciplines  for the Believer’s life by Elisabeth Elliot (owned)

The Refuge by Ann H Gabhart (owned)

Journey on a Runaway Train by Gertrude Chandler Warner (audio)

The Clue in the Papyrus by Gertrude Chandler Warner (audio)

The Detour of the Elephants by Dee Garretson (audio)

The Clue in the Papyrus by Gertrude Chandler Warner (audio)

The Shackleton Sabotage by Gertrude Chandler Warner (audio)

The Khipu and the Final Key by Gertrude Chandler Warner (audio)

Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett

Justice Mission by Lynette Eason

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson (owned)

The Next Right thing by Emily P. Freeman (owned)

The Monogram Murders by Sophie Hannah

Lost in the Library by Josh Funk

Prologue to Murder by Lauren Elliott

Murder in the Reading room by Ellery Adams

Distress Signal by Elizabeth Goddard

Taken in Texas by Susan Sleeman

Rumple Buttercup by Matthew Gray Gubler

The Big Kahuna by Janet Evanovich

Rescuing his Secret Child by Maggie K Black

Murder on Trinity Place by Victoria Thompson

A Trust Betrayed by Mike Magner

Amish Hideout by Maggie K Black

Forever and Ever Amen by Randy Travis

The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros (owned)

May TBR

To finish

The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

Finding Ever After: four fairy-tale novellas by Pepper D. Basham

TBR

TBR Jar pick: Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt De La Pena

A Stamp in Passport reading challenge: France: Spectacle by Jodie Lynn Zdrok DNF

Classic: The Three Musketeers by Alexndre Dumas

Library: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

Kindle Pick: The Reckless by Marylu Tyndall

Nonfiction: American Spirit by Taya Kyle (DNF’d for now)

Sherwood by Meagan Spooner

Sweet on you by Becky Wade

Romanov by Nadine Brandies

Between Two Shores by Jocelyn Green

Review books

Joyful Surrender:7 Disciplines  for the Believer’s life by Elisabeth Elliot (owned)

The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions by Emily P Freeman (owned)

The Refuge by Ann H Gabhart  (owned)