Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano Book Review

As I type, I hear the sound of rain. I've got my heat turned up and the lights of the Christmas tree soft in the background. It was the perfect weekend to read this book!!

I love Jen Turano!!! Her books are light hearted, funny, and feel good stories with characters who would obviously be your best friends if you were written into the book. This book is not a literary masterpiece, and I caught a typo... however, sometimes you just need an easy read with a simple story line and happy ending.

Out of the Ordinary is about a special Miss Gertrude Cadwalader. Her heart is one of gold as she is the paid companion of an older woman who tends to have sticky fingers and other odd eccentricities. She has a very kind friend named Harrison who owns a shipping company. They've been friends for years, but could there be more? There are balls, men whisking women away on horses failures, and bird cage bustles. There are friends sticking up for friends, questions of faith, and messages of forgiveness and being merciful.

Definitely would recommend this book and love being able to enjoy multiple stories of the same characters in the series!!

Book Review: Behind the Scenes by Jen Turano

 

 

At one point in this book, the main character, Permilia is talking to a clergy man over the frustrations she feels in being a part of a society that doesn't accept her. To quote:

 

He nodded. "Indeed, but do you recall what advice I gave you when we spoke of your dissatisfaction?"

   Permilia titled her head. "You told me to give my concerns over to God, but then to not simply sit idly by and wait for Him to fix my life for me, but to look for opportunities that He might send my way if only I was observant enough to recognize those opportunities."

 

Jen Turano is an excellent author who has simple, happy, and clean stories. They are perfect for young women in my opinion!

 

Behind the Scenes is based on a brilliant wallflower who is full of life and ideas, but who doesn't quite blend in based on what society feels is appropriate for women. Of course there is a dashing gentleman, Mr. Rutherford, who questions maybe what society has in mind for females isn't all he has believed to be true.

 

It is a love story with touches of humor. I'm not saying the book is profound or deep! But there are parts, like the above mentioned quote, that will fill your spirit in a joyful way. I do think it could have been 50 pages shorter, but I'm not complaining. I'm glad to have it on my shelf for my daughters!

 

Definitely would recommend this book! If you've read it, I'd love to hear your thoughts too!

Book Review: Quick Tips for Busy Families

I love easy to read books. Books that make me smile, books that have good points. Jay Payleitner did an excellent job of giving me new ideas for parenting. A lot were common sense, but it was good to read nonetheless.

Should one simply pass by a tree stump on an afternoon walk with the children?? I loved his idea to make it into a temporary podium, a words of wisdom spot whatnot. Easy. Simple. Fun.

I laughed when one chapter suggested that young children will always choose scissors. I tried it out with my 5 year old, and sure enough- the first 4 times he chose scissors!! He was amazed that I was beating him!!!

There were some really inspiring Christian thoughts WITHOUT a holier-than-thou type of preaching. Amen. Thank you. Loved it.

A good reminder was his chapter on compliments. A business practice is to sandwich a negative between 2 compliments. But his idea was that the negative supersedes the positive and I tend to agree. Sometimes we need to just give compliments and leave it at that.

I would definitely recommend this book!

Book Review: The Mark of the King by Joceyln Green

I receive free books from Bethany House Publishing in turn for writing reviews.

All opinions are my own.

 

 

This book came at just the perfect time for me. We've been having snow storm after snow storm, and it was nice to cozy up under a blanket and fade away!

 

First off, I loved the cover. It was simple, elegant, and caught my attention.

 

The Mark of the King is a historical fiction novel that will grab you right off the bat. Julianne Chevalier is a midwife in France who is very good at what she does, yet she is young. She is confident and careful, but something happens one day that will alter her path dramatically.

 

She finds herself heading to New Orleans among supposed, less desirable company. It's nothing like she imagined once she arrives, and on her shoulder she carries something that sets her apart from the rest. Something that if other's know about could ruin her life, yet again.

 

Will she be able to survive this new place? Will she be able to keep to her values and do what she loves? Will she find someone to share in her hope?

 

The story was excellent. I thought the characters could have been more developed. I liked them, but I didn't love them. I learned a ton of new information and the book had me looking up more and more about New Orleans. I would definitely recommend reading this book because it's clean. There are a few moments where women are treated severely, but the author Jocelyn Green writes with a dignified voice. Nothing crude or explicit. And that, for me right there, is such a breath of fresh air!!

 

I'd also recommend reading the book if you like stories that promote faith. This is definitely a Christian book with scriptures quoted, singing the tune that even though we have trials, we can have help from above.

 

On a 5 star scale, I'd give it a 3.5.

An Elegant Facade by Kristi Ann Hunter Book Review

 

I love free things. And when I saw this in the mail I was pretty giddy because I knew I could relax poolside and soak in the sunshine while reading sunshine. Kristi's books are always clean, witty, funny, happy, light yet insightful and meaningful.

 

She brings religion into her books and it's nothing forceful or melodramatic. I feel like it's always just right to lighten the soul and make me reflect on my relationship with Heavenly Father.

 

This book is about a Lady Georgina Hawthorne who seems to be quite the snob. She is uppity and on the prowl for a husband, but not just any husband. Only the finest breeding and dollar of course. However, as we continue on, things aren't exactly as they seem. She has a secret and you can see the reasoning of why she is the way she is.

 

Colin McCrae, as the book says, "is the man who is invited everywhere but accepted nowhere." He is a very successful business man with no London family ties. Very crisp, smart, and down to earth.

 

Stop. I know you know where this is going. And that's the thing, there is enough of a surprise to make the book enjoyable, but it is pretty predictable. I enjoy that. I enjoy a nicely wrapped package, because we don't get that in real life.

 

So, pick it up at the library or buy it!! It is that good!!

Do you enjoy free things too but feel like couponing doesn't make sense? This is simple. I mean it. I had to drop out of Calculus at BYU, but this really is easy. See HERE for more information!!

Playing the Part- By Jen Turano- A Book Review

 

 



Jen Turano is a great author!! Playing the Part is the 3rd book in her series A Class of Their Own.

 

Having 3 daughters, I'm constantly on the look out for good literature with strong female characters. The women in Jen's books are always virtuous, brave, smart, charming, funny, down to earth, hard working, clever, and believe in God.

 

This book is clean!!! On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is a little violence and 10 is extreme, I'd give it a 2. There was a nasty little goat named Geoffrey that seemed to be intent on wreaking havoc. There were a couple chaste kisses.

 

The basis of the book- Lucetta Plum is a very successful actress in New York in the 1800's. She's had to work hard and has some amazing abilities. Unfortunately, as an actress she's had an admirer who has taken to extreme measures to secure her as a possession. Fortunately, she has a well abled and muscled body guard, and a benefactor in society named Abigail- the doting grandmother type who buys her all the latest fashions from Paris. Much to Lucetta's chagrin, Abigail is quite the matchmaker and sees a solution to the crazed admirer by taking Lucetta to meet her grandson. Enter violent goat.

 

Will they be a match? How will things end up with the obsessive stalker? Why is the grandson's castle haunted? Is he truly who he seems, or does he have a more sinister situation... seeing as there is a dungeon in the basement!!??!!

 

It's not an overly complicated book. But it's full of good humor, fun characters, and good moral lessons.

 

I definitely recommend this book! It's one that will leave you smiling and wishing for times that were less complicated and more proper.

Book Review & Give Away: Beyond the Silence

 

 

I was very ready for this to be a great book! But.... well... ugh.... 

 

The premise was a privileged girl going out west to be a nanny to a little boy who hasn't spoken in over a year. The setting is Angels Camp, California in a beautiful olive farm that is no longer safe. Can she help the little boy? Will she find love?

 

When I started doing these book reviews I was nervous, because I dreaded moments like these. Where I just can't recommend the book. I'd rather eat at Arby's (and I'm a vegetarian.... although I did have meat 2 times in the past year. Another post. Another time.) than have to read this book again.

 

I might be rambling, but I have to give a little background. One time when I was a teenager I went to a friend's new age Christian church with my best friend who was a Catholic and my other best friend who was Hindu. It was an interesting experience. I don't remember much of the preaching or message, but I do remember the electric guitar band and light show and Ashwini (the Hindu) just being really scared because people started throwing their hands in the air and swaying with their eyes closed, humming. It was just too much. Can there be such a thing? Too much noise, not enough God.

 

I felt like this book was too much noise, even though I believe the authors were very sincere. Am I making any sense? The main character has a grandfather who is angry and holds a grudge, there is a murderer who is evil, gossip is bad, you can forgive... the characters didn't seem very human or down to earth. They were able to bear everything with mildness and in the end, everything was happy happy happy. Key in the guitar solo and light a lighter. Yes, the religious messages were very good ones, but the depth wasn't there. It was a light touch on some very heavy things.

 

You guys, something is wrong with me. I also just couldn't take the main character's name very serious... Woody.

I don't, and just can't, swoon after a main literary male character who shares a name with a toy from Toy Story.

I. Just. Can't.

And honestly, I know that is shallow and wrong. So I admit my fault.

(Sidenote: It's kind of why I can't vote for Bernie Sanders. Bernie seems more friendly dinosaur than commander in chief. Sooooooo not trying to start a political rant!! Please, that's the purpose of facebook, right?)

 

The cover threw me off. "Lillian", who saves the day, is inquisitive, thoughtful, passionate, ready to defend, kind hearted, and oh so very loving- looks like she is ready to kill someone on the front cover. Or maybe that's the type of look she would give me for this book review. Or maybe she really just wants to go to Arby's with Woody. If anybody has any other thoughts on what she is thinking, please feel free to comment. I will make a meme of the most creative answer and send you this book for winning. I will pick a winner by February 1.

 

In conclusion. This book was just too much, not believable. And I could barely finish. On a more positive note, I did think the page margins were a good size.

 

Nope. I take that back. I feel like the page margins should have been bigger with less words.

 

Ok. Here we go.

 

In the book, I did like the shop keeper's name Mr. Stickle. It reminds me of my mother's cane we got from Tijuana. We never named my mom's cane, but if we did, that would have been a good one. I had wanted to get her a cane with a silver kraken on top, but alas, she is free and has no need of the cane anymore.

If this book review didn't depress you, perhaps my last paragraph will. True story, we used to have a book group in our ward... I joined and within 3 months we no longer had a book group. I don't know if it's a coincidence, but looking at my review... I'm starting to wonder.

At Love's Bidding Book Review

 

I sometimes review books on this site because I like to share clean literature! There was a period of time where it seemed like every book I picked up at the library had swearing or things that I just didn't want to read.

 

Thanks to Bethany House Publishing, I receive free books in exchange for my opinion. The program is open to anyone who has a blog or website! And let me tell you, receiving a book in the mail sure beats out bills. I don't do it every month, just when something catches my eye.

 

At Love's Bidding by Regina Jennings was a sweet, easy read!! It made me smile and had a happy ending, which I thoroughly enjoy. I read while it snowed outside and felt absolutely cozy and content.

 

What is the book about?
"She sells priceless antiques. He sells livestock by the pound. Is he really the man to make a bid for her heart?"

 

"After helping her grandfather at the Boston auction house, Miranda Wimplegate discovers she's accidentally sold a powerful family's prized portrait to an anonymous bidder. Desperate to appease the people who could ruin them forever, they track it to the Missouri Ozarks and make an outlandish offer to buy the local auction house and all its holdings before the painting can move again.

 

Upon crossing the country, however, Miranda and her grandfather discover their new auction house doesn't deal in fine antique, but in livestock. And its frustratingly handsome manager, Wyatt Ballentine, is annoyed to discover his fussy new bosses don't know a thing about the business he's single-handedly kept afloat. Faced with more heads of cattle than they can count - but no mysterious painting- Miranda and Wyatt form an unlikely but charged partnership to try and prevent a bad situation from getting worse."

 

The characters were faithful people who believed in God and were willing to work hard to find happiness in life. The descriptions were simple and to the point.

 

There were really funny parts that made me smile, for example when the grandfather who is slowly suffering from dementia finds an "interesting" piece of artwork to auction at the sale barn... let's just say it was a bust. Yes, pun intended.

 

I would definitely recommend this book. It had a slow start for me, but after a few chapters I was ready to see what would happen!

D&C 90: 15 "...Become acquainted with all good books..."

 

 

A while ago, I was having a hard time finding good books. It seemed like every book I picked up had foul language and it was disheartening to say the least. And zombies. Please. What is the fascination with something so sacrilege?

 

When I read a book, I want it to be something that I can share with my daughters. It doesn't have to be something right away, I'm fine with storing great books on the shelf for later.

 

I'm not an author. I'm not a great writer. So at first I was very hesitant to share my opinion after reading a book. However, I really like free things. And well, free books.... it's like justifiable hoarding. Because knowledge is power, right?

 

This is my first review, of hopefully many, due to a program by Bethany House. If you'd like more information click HERE. I don't get paid to write, but I do get a free copy of the book I review.

 

I realize this is a primary blog. I've never done any sort of advertising on my blog and I hope this isn't misconstrued as advertising. The way I see it, is that there are so many horrible books out there and if I can find a good book, why not share it? As the title of the post reads, "Become acquainted with all good books...." (D&C 90:15). This is just a little part of who I am. I love to read. I have "many" books that line the walls of my home (don't get me started on children's lit). So, without further ado....

 

A Noble Masquerade

by Kristi Ann Hunter

 

I do judge a book by it's cover. I'm a mother and time is precious! I knew at the first glance this historical fiction/romance novel would be up my alley. A classy, elegant woman with parasol in back... 1800's in England, I could get my Jane Austen/BBC type fix without bothering the hubby.

 

I also have to mention the dedication. I love that Kristi acknowledges God. There is a great religious tone to the book. A little bit of forgiveness, dealing with jealousy, dealing with feelings of inadequacy.

 

Lady Miranda Hawthorne is the main heroine of the story. And she is just that. She is brave in dealing with the period demands of being a lady, while yet being true to her feelings. Within the first few pages I was hooked and ready to see where this high spirited little girl would take me. She didn't disappoint!

 

I love a book that makes me laugh, and this book did indeed make me laugh out loud! (I got a few odd looks at the gym while on the exercise bike.. but totally worth it. 45 minutes never went so fast! I felt like Ironman.) Good humor one-liners were just right to balance the romance throughout. The descriptions from the perspective of Marsh (the lead male) were simple, yet touching. "She resembled a half-drowned sea urchin. And no woman had ever looked lovelier." His adorations for her made me smile over and over again!

 

Basic plot synopsis: Lady Miranda is a lady, but wants to be bold. She is in her 20's, almost a spinster and desires to be married. A younger sister seems to get all the attention instead. From her earlier years, she has developed a secret way to unleash her feelings in the form of letters to a brother's friend who (after stories were told) she feels to be just like her. She never planned on sending the letters to him, but one day... an accident happens! Many events unfold, and as the back cover states, "Miranda's heart is far from all that's at risk for the Hawthornes and those they love." Yes, Queen and country are involved!!

 

This book was an excellent, light hearted, very clean, fun read. I walked away from the book feeling happy and content!

 

It also made me think about what are some things in my life that I can do to be true to myself, and yet still be proper and respectful.