Siri Mitchell - It Doesn't Get Much Better Than That! ~ The Messenger

Revolutionary War. Spies. Quakers. A rogue pub owner. And Siri Mitchell. Put those combinations together and you really can’t get much better than that.

            One of the things I value in a novel by Siri Mitchell is her extreme attention to detail. Her novels are a wonder and treasure trove, not only of the history of the era, but how much it becomes an intricate player in the book. Twining through a novel filled with 18^th century espionage, is a glimpse into a world too often darkened to today’s reader.

            Hannah and Jeremiah are complete opposites. Hannah with her strict adherence to never tell a lie and yet…she has become a colonial spy. And Jeremiah, who must again come into contact with the moral scruples he has lost track of.

            Both of these characters are so strong on the page. Rising from the refuse of their present circumstance, the difference they want to make pulled me into the story. I became a part of their lives, not just in the extreme storytelling, but as a partner in their endeavors.

            Written in first person, as a reader, I was given an intimate glimpse into both characters lives. Their turmoil and victories. And I will say, that was one ending that came right down to the wire, I wasn’t sure just how it would be cleared up peaceably.

            I’d have loved a teensy bit more romance, just because I’m that kinda reader, but overall, a wonderful addition to my SM collection!

            This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review through CFBA.

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More about the novel and author...

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Messenger Bethany House Publishers (March 1, 2012) by Siri Mitchell


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Siri Mitchell graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree and worked in various levels of government. As a military spouse, she has lived all over the world, including Paris and Tokyo. Siri enjoys observing and learning from different cultures. She is fluent in French and loves sushi.


But she is also a member of a strange breed of people called novelists. When they’re listening to a speaker and taking notes, chances are, they’ve just had a great idea for a plot or a dialogue. If they nod in response to a really profound statement, they’re probably thinking, “Yes. Right. That’s exactly what my character needs to hear.” When they edit their manuscripts, they laugh at the funny parts. And cry at the sad parts. Sometimes they even talk to their characters.


Siri wrote 4 books and accumulated 153 rejections before signing with a publisher. In the process, she saw the bottoms of more pints of Ben & Jerry’s than she cares to admit. At various times she has vowed never to write another word again. Ever. She has gone on writing strikes and even stooped to threatening her manuscripts with the shredder.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Hannah Sunderland felt content in her embrace of the Quaker faith


...until her twin brother ran off and joined the army and ended up captured and in jail. Suddenly Hannah's world turns on end. She longs to bring her brother some measure of comfort in the squalid, frigid prison where he remains. But the Quakers believe they are not to take sides, not to take up arms. Can she sit by and do nothing while he suffers?


Jeremiah Jones has an enormous task before him. Responsibility for a spy ring is now his, and he desperately needs access to the men in prison, whom they are seeking to free. A possible solution is to garner a pass for Hannah. But while she is fine to the eye, she holds only disdain for him--and agreeing would mean disobeying those she loves and abandoning a bedrock of her faith.


With skill and sensitivity, Mitchell tells a story of two unlikely heroes seeking God's voice, finding the courage to act, and discovering the powerful embrace of love.


If you would like to read the first chapter of The Messenger, go HERE.

SMASH!

I have a very limited knowledge of television. 


Mention The Bachelor Something-Or-Other. Or House Hunters (or is it titled something else???). Or Top Chef (I do think I got that title right...) and I get the glazed over look really fast. 


Mention The Biggest Loser, Chuck, The Voice or any other NBC show and most likely if I haven't watched it (and I don't watch a lot) I've at lease seen the ads. The beauty of being too cheap to pay for tons of TV. ;-) And I can keep up a rambling monologue with the best of 'em. 

I don't watch a TON of television, and since we lost our connection, I watch even less, only a few select shows on Hulu.

But I did take up watching SMASH! the new hit show on Monday nights (or whatever night I get to it). And because I watch so little TV, I really want to think about what I watch.


In case you haven't heard what the show is, it's about two woman vying for the part of Marilyn Monroe in a new hit Broadway production about the same. It's filled with drama, tension, some really great acting and an excellent setting. Every moment of the show pulses.


From a writer's perspective, I've tried to analyze why I like watching the show. What keeps me coming back week after week? Does it carry it enough of an "edge" that carries my interest deeper with each episode? 


The writer in me would say yes. 


However...(and you knew there was a however coming) the Christian in me continues to take a step back and look, look, look. 


The gay acting does bother me, I don't mean that as a slur, it's just how I feel. I don't like that Debra Messing's character is fighting the mistake she made years ago in the affair she had. This IS life, I just wish she would step away from temptation.


And I don't like the sexual content. 


Now many could argue, (and it's there in the front of my head) is that the content is minimal to a great many other shows. Should I let it bother me? Or turn my head and ignore those 30 second scenes?


But I don't want to become immune to immorality. Wrong is wrong, no matter how one looks at it. And thus I come to a fork in the road: do I ignore and watch the show, to cheer Kathryn on, push her higher up that Broadway ladder? Or do I shake my head at one more show who has to throw around the sex just to "spice things up"?


It's a conundrum that I think is decided in the heart and conscience of each individual viewer.


Discussion: what are your thoughts and stands on issues of immorality in television shows? Do you tend to see how it plays out, or immediately give up and pull the plug?

A Cop's Life in Novel Form ~ Accused by Janice Cantore ~ Review

“Accused” gives a glimpse into the life of a cop from the perspective of a cop author, which is what drew me to the novel.

          

  Carly is an extremely tormented character. A fresh divorce, a conspiracy theory that the agency she works for is corrupt and a cop-related shooting has taken her off the streets and put her behind a desk. Her bitterness drove me away from her a bit. For the first quarter or so of the book she is very much against a faith in Christ and makes that very clear to the reader and those in her life. I was searching for something that would make her more likeable and struggled until just about half way when she started to soften.

            

There was much going on, both on an emotional level for Carly and a greater story level for the suspense of the story. A part of the ending did surprise me (in that it actually happened), but there is certainly much to keep the book from being dull –I would have liked a faster pace through the middle of story, but that is my personal opinion in what I want in suspense.

           

“Accused” is a pretty quick read, I thought parts of the actual writing could be improved, but at the close of the novel, it makes me wonder how Carly will become a stronger character in later books.

            

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.

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More about the novel...

Detective Carly Edwards hates working in juvenile—where the brass put her after an officer-involved shooting—and longs to be back on patrol. So when a troubled youth, Londy Atkins, is arrested for the murder of the mayor and Carly is summoned to the crime scene, she's eager for some action. Carly presses Londy for a confession but he swears his innocence, and despite her better judgment, Carly is inclined to believe him. Yet homicide is convinced of his guilt and is determined to convict him.

Carly's ex-husband and fellow police officer, Nick, appears to be on her side. He's determined to show Carly that he's a changed man and win her back, but she isn't convinced he won't betray her again.

As the investigation progresses, Carly suspects a cover-up and strikes out on her own, uncertain whom she can trust. But when danger mounts, she begins to wonder if she made the right choice.

Special Giveaway ~ Not Your Usual Fare...

I love Julie Lessman. 


I'm not gonna lie.


But that's old news and you already know that.


But see the thing of it is, it's not just enough that I love her.


I want ALL readers to love her.


(we won't go into the logistics of that, because frankly not all readers will, but I digress)

I remember when I first saw her books. Passion? Sorry, not going to go there. It'll be too "steamy" for my tastes. (I'm very conservative)


See the thing of it is, I saw my fellow bloggers falling over this new author. Posting excerpts from her books and I caught the JL bug.


I did the UNTHINKABLE nowadays with options to win and books to request for review and bought A Passion Most Pure. I had been in contact a little bit with Julie and she wanted me to email her when I finished and let her know what I thought.


And I thought, great I'm not going to like it and feel obligated to to tell her, because now she expects an email when I'm done.


Oh I ATE those words.


Ate. Ate. ATE.


Because once I gobbled up APMP, I was dead gone (in the voice of Velvet from National Velvet).


Quickly ordered A Passion Redeemed and THEN went and bought (without a coupon mind you, and I hardly ever buy a book without a coupon) A Passion Denied.


Worth. Every. Single. Penny.


Baby, those books were (in JL's words: ) To die for!


And I would have too. Don't you dare TOUCH my JL collection. You might not come out alive.


With this love for both author AND her books, comes a desire to spread the news far and wide about how much I love her books.


So I give you the chance today. (Because I had a scheduling snafu, and you get to benefit, since I have no regular guest today).


How many of you have NEVER read a Julie Lessman book before?


Shame on you!


But I will forgive you this once and give you the chance to WIN a copy of her very first book, A Passion Most Pure.


Please don't enter if you have already read her fiction, this contest is for those fans, who haven't had the chance to become fans yet. Line up, because here is YOUR chance!


Standard rules apply (but I have an extra entry opportunity for you, so keep reading...)

Please leave an email adddress! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.

For extra entries:
~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber

Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.


Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on March 16th.

Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com 

Would you like ANOTHER chance to win Julie's amazing debut novel?? 

I thought you might, you wouldn't be here, unless you were a mass of people with eager fingers for her book.

Visit this link and rate my latest book review. It's painless, will take less than five minutes of your time and I will be eternally grateful.

Or pretty close to it, since I'm not sure how long "eternally grateful" would last. 

Just know I'll be giddy with gratitude.

Here is your chance! The dream moment you've been waiting for!

And it won't last forever, so don't wait around!

Cover to Ending: Lovely! ~ The Scent of Cherry Blossoms by Cindy Woodsmall ~ Review

A forbidden romance always makes for a great book. Instant tension, the reader wants to see this couple beat the odds and come together. Surely nothing can stop them, and yet something almost always does. It is what makes the book stronger and the reader more invested. Fall in love with the characters and you want to see their happily ever after.

         

   If you’re a long-time reader of Amish fiction, you know how important their faith is to them. To step out of the bounds of that faith leads to ultimate ex-communication and damaged relationships. And when an Old Order Mennonite woman and an Old Order Amish man fall in love…everything is going against them.

           

My only complaint about this novella? I wanted it to be longer. I wanted to spend an entire book watching the love story of Annie and Aden continue to grow and blossom (pun intended) and surmount the inconceivable.

           

Don’t take me wrong, the book was wonderful and complete unto itself, I just loved the plot so much and wanted to know more.

           

A completely charming read, one I read in one sitting with a sweet couple and a wonderful subplot addition with secondary characters. It’d be great if they got their own story too. Cover to ending: completely lovely!

            

This review is my honest opinion. I was not obligated to review this novella.

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More about the novel...

Annie Martin loves the Plain ways of her Old Order Mennonite people, like those revered by her beloved grandfather. Retreating from a contentious relationship with her mother, Annie goes to live with her Daadi Moses in Apple Ridge.  
 
But as spring moves into Pennsylvania and Annie spends time amongst the cherry trees with the handsome Aden Zook, she wishes she could forget how deeply the lines between the Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonite are drawn.
 
Can Annie and Aden find a place for their love to bloom in the midst of the brewing storm?

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Would you please consider rating my review? While your email is required, you will not be spammed and is only needed to ensure the same person doesn't rate more than once. I thank you!

A "Finally Friday!" Post (Complete with Vlog)

Ah! Imagine this being me letting out a deep breath of relief. But I'll let my new vlog post speak for that.

Upside! It's FRIDAY and I've got some new ideas for the blog. I'd love your input and also my HUGE THANK YOU for sticking around during so many book reviews last month. I'm still trying to figure out this thing called a "blogging schedule" where I make myself only post three times a week. 

Pfft. 

I'm trying again. Here's to sticking to it! :D

Looking forward to our conversations....

Friday's Note:

The winner of Mary Ellis' An Amish Family Reunion is...

Ariel!

Congrats, I hope you enjoy this new Amish addition. :-))

I. Loved. This. Book! ~ A Sweethaven Summer by Courtney Walsh ~ Review

I loved this book.

           

I loved the plot, the characters, the writing, the setting. In short…oh yeah, I already said that, but I’ll say it again. I loved this book.

           

There is a pure freshness about the story and the characters that fill the pages. It’s my favorite kind of novel to read. Filled with characters that struggle and yet push on, characters that fill my heart and a plot that grips with maybe a twist or two.

            

With four point of view characters, you’d think things might get a little squirrely, but it never once did. The story flows with incredible dexterity, these women twining around my heart and their struggles tugging at my emotions. Campbell searching for her father. Jane trying to forgive herself. Lila struggling to find who she is.

           

I could go on and on with all this book packs into 316 short pages. The story is perfect is so many ways. Dialogue, setting description, character depth, just a bit of romance to palpitate the pulse, a tinge of mystery and enough tension and love for these characters that kept me returning to the book over and over again.

           

I wasn’t ready for the story to end. But I’m so eager for the second novel in Sweethaven and find out what happens with Campbell and Luke. Lila and Tom. Adele and Meghan. You get my point. It’s a story I won’t be forgetting about anytime soon.

            

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through CFBA for my copy to review.

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More about the novel and author...

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Sweethaven Summer Guidepost Books (February 7, 2012) by Courtney Walsh


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Courtney Walsh is a published author, scrapbooker, theater director, and playwright. Her debut novel, A Sweethaven Summer, will be followed by two additional novels in the series. She’s also written two papercrafting books, Scrapbooking Your Faith and The Busy Scrapper. Courtney has been a contributing editor for Memory Makers Magazine and Children’s Ministry Magazine and is a frequent contributor to Group Publishing curriculum. She works as the PR Manager for Webster’s Pages from her home in Colorado, where she lives with her husband and three kids, who range in age from 4 to 10. Courtney drinks entirely too much coffee.






ABOUT THE BOOK

Suzanne's daughter, Campbell, journeys there in search of answers to her questions about her mother's history.Suzanne's three friends-Lila, Jane, and Meghan-were torn apart by long-buried secrets and heartbreak. Though they haven't spoken in years, each has pieces of a scrapbook they made together in Sweethaven. Suzanne's letters have lured them all back to the idyllic lakeside town, where they meet Campbell and begin to remember what was so special about their long Sweethaven summers. As the scrapbook reveals secrets one by one, old wounds are mended, lives are changed,
and friendships are restored-just as Suzanne intended.


If you would like to read the first chapter of A Sweethaven Summer, go HERE.