I read A Necessary Deception yesterday afternoon. I enjoyed the book, of course, as I enjoy MOST books. I did find it a little hard to follow. This is the first book I have read by Laurie Alice Eakes and I have to say that I would definitely read more of her work.
A brief synopsis: The book started with a widow woman helping a fellow out of jail. Little does she know that he is a spy; or is he? He suddenly shows up at her home, looking to be introduced to the upper echelon of society. Begrudgingly she helps him and begins to fall for his handsome ways. And he is totally smitten with her. Danger is all around them and then upon them. Will the two ever be free to express their feelings? Will a man be named traitor? Will they even survive to tell the tale? The intrigue builds.
I felt maybe I didn't give this book enough of my brain space. I was looking for a quick easy read but this, for me, required me to take things a bit slower. Would I recommend it? Yes, actually, I would. It had a plotline that kept me guessing and I really liked that aspect of it and I found the writing to be very well done. The descriptions were good without being too flowery. I found the one sister's role almost unnecessary except for the redeeming part where she dispenses some good advice. Overall, I enjoyed it even though I think she could have cut out a character or two. Since this is the beginning of a series, though, I'm guessing we'll be seeing
more of these 'side characters' at a later date. I would definitely continue the
series.
Thursday 17 May 2012
Wednesday 16 May 2012
The Messenger, Siri Mitchell
I just finished The Messenger by Siri Mitchell.
This one tugged at the heart-strings.
The Messenger is a story of one Quaker woman's quest to free her brother from prison. The life of a Quaker would dictate that she not get involved. After all, they abhor violence. But this woman understands why her brother joined the fight and when he is captured, she feels she has no choice; she must help him. Little does she know that she will be called upon to begin sending private messages thus making her a spy. A spy who won't lie.
The writing of this novel was well done. I enjoy Siri Mitchell's work. The author paints a vivid picture of the squalor of prisons. You can almost feel the despair some of the prisoners feel. You can get a very real sense of the Quaker's angst as she goes against her people, knowing that at some point, she'll likely be un-friended. I love that the spy Hannah was passing notes to was handicapped. All too often, the male character is a perfect specimen and you can't help but fall in love with him. Jeremiah was almost abrasive because he felt shorted by the unfairness shown him. He lost a hand to an arrow and was left for dead. It made him somewhat bitter. His character felt very real to me. I think I would feel just as justifiably angry....and yet, he is an overcomer.
What hurt my heart the most about this book was reading about the conditions of the prison. Knowing this is a true reflection of things that can happen during war time is most unsettling. And I'm thanking God once again, that I have not been in a similar situation. I am so thankful I live in Canada. Where to date we have been safe from war on our soil (at least during my lifetime). And I pray it stays that way. I don't know if I would have the strength and fortitude needed to endure such a terrible thing.
Until next time!
This one tugged at the heart-strings.
The Messenger is a story of one Quaker woman's quest to free her brother from prison. The life of a Quaker would dictate that she not get involved. After all, they abhor violence. But this woman understands why her brother joined the fight and when he is captured, she feels she has no choice; she must help him. Little does she know that she will be called upon to begin sending private messages thus making her a spy. A spy who won't lie.
The writing of this novel was well done. I enjoy Siri Mitchell's work. The author paints a vivid picture of the squalor of prisons. You can almost feel the despair some of the prisoners feel. You can get a very real sense of the Quaker's angst as she goes against her people, knowing that at some point, she'll likely be un-friended. I love that the spy Hannah was passing notes to was handicapped. All too often, the male character is a perfect specimen and you can't help but fall in love with him. Jeremiah was almost abrasive because he felt shorted by the unfairness shown him. He lost a hand to an arrow and was left for dead. It made him somewhat bitter. His character felt very real to me. I think I would feel just as justifiably angry....and yet, he is an overcomer.
What hurt my heart the most about this book was reading about the conditions of the prison. Knowing this is a true reflection of things that can happen during war time is most unsettling. And I'm thanking God once again, that I have not been in a similar situation. I am so thankful I live in Canada. Where to date we have been safe from war on our soil (at least during my lifetime). And I pray it stays that way. I don't know if I would have the strength and fortitude needed to endure such a terrible thing.
Until next time!
Tuesday 15 May 2012
The Prize of My Heart by Lisa Norato
So, why did you start a blog?
Let me tell you why I started mine. To get free e-books. Really. I LOVE reading. I figured I might as well put my fiction reading to good use. I thought I would start publishing reviews of the books I read. And to do that, I either needed a rather large budget, or I needed free access to these books. I read fiction. I tried to join a site and guess what? They came to look at my newly formed blog and noticed I just created it. So, in a most humiliating, yet kind fashion, I was declined. How truly embarrassing.
The good news is, I get free ebooks from Amazon quite often so will maybe review those instead. I read one today.
Here's the deal: Prize of My Heart, by Lisa Norato, was a good piece of fluff to read on a gorgeous spring day. The characters were well developed and I enjoyed the pace of the novel. I did think she got a bit wordy in her description of places and people but overall, I enjoyed it. (Obviously, I read it in two days and would have likely read it all at once (as is my M.O.) but alas, other things also required my attention.)
Normally, I can pretty much catch the drift of how a book will go, what events will transpire and what the end will be. Now, since I read happy fiction, it, of course, had a great ending. But there was one event in this novel that I didn't anticipate. And I don't dare mention it for fear of spoiling it for you.
A brief synopsis:
Lorena, a young girl of suitable marrying age (although some would say she was old enough to be approaching spinsterhood) is caught between two men. One a long time friend, and the other, a man she doesn't know much about. She senses he is hiding something, something that makes him seem almost burdened but yet she loves the heart he shows in relation to her young charge, Drew, and she is drawn to that gentle way he has of truly loving her little man. Trouble is afoot and there is no happy sailing.....until, that is, they could almost sail into the sunset.
Would I read more of her work? Absolutely. Is she my favourite author? No, but she is new to me and I do enjoy her writing. Would I recommend her to others? You bet. I'm recommending her to you!
Here is my endorsement: If you enjoy period pieces, happy ending romances with a little suspense, and a heart-tugging moment or two about orphans being mistreated back in the day, then this just might be the book for you.
Happy Reading.
Let me tell you why I started mine. To get free e-books. Really. I LOVE reading. I figured I might as well put my fiction reading to good use. I thought I would start publishing reviews of the books I read. And to do that, I either needed a rather large budget, or I needed free access to these books. I read fiction. I tried to join a site and guess what? They came to look at my newly formed blog and noticed I just created it. So, in a most humiliating, yet kind fashion, I was declined. How truly embarrassing.
The good news is, I get free ebooks from Amazon quite often so will maybe review those instead. I read one today.
Here's the deal: Prize of My Heart, by Lisa Norato, was a good piece of fluff to read on a gorgeous spring day. The characters were well developed and I enjoyed the pace of the novel. I did think she got a bit wordy in her description of places and people but overall, I enjoyed it. (Obviously, I read it in two days and would have likely read it all at once (as is my M.O.) but alas, other things also required my attention.)
Normally, I can pretty much catch the drift of how a book will go, what events will transpire and what the end will be. Now, since I read happy fiction, it, of course, had a great ending. But there was one event in this novel that I didn't anticipate. And I don't dare mention it for fear of spoiling it for you.
A brief synopsis:
Lorena, a young girl of suitable marrying age (although some would say she was old enough to be approaching spinsterhood) is caught between two men. One a long time friend, and the other, a man she doesn't know much about. She senses he is hiding something, something that makes him seem almost burdened but yet she loves the heart he shows in relation to her young charge, Drew, and she is drawn to that gentle way he has of truly loving her little man. Trouble is afoot and there is no happy sailing.....until, that is, they could almost sail into the sunset.
Would I read more of her work? Absolutely. Is she my favourite author? No, but she is new to me and I do enjoy her writing. Would I recommend her to others? You bet. I'm recommending her to you!
Here is my endorsement: If you enjoy period pieces, happy ending romances with a little suspense, and a heart-tugging moment or two about orphans being mistreated back in the day, then this just might be the book for you.
Happy Reading.
Sunday 6 May 2012
Sun Exposure
Twas able to get out in the garden today for a couple hours. Strangely I am hyper-sensitive to the sun right now and have seriously itchy arms. Rather than scratch my arms raw, I have found that slapping myself silly seems to help....temporarily. But now - my arms are red not from scratching but from slapping.
Imagine the conversation:
Friend: What happened to you?
Me: Slapped myself.
Friend: Why, what did you do that was so bad you had to beat yourself?
Me: I was outside unattended for a little too long.
I don't know if you know what a Dutch Cheese Slicer looks like, but I toyed with the idea of using one on my arm. I'm kidding....but if y'all have any tips, I'd be forever grateful.
Imagine the conversation:
Friend: What happened to you?
Me: Slapped myself.
Friend: Why, what did you do that was so bad you had to beat yourself?
Me: I was outside unattended for a little too long.
I don't know if you know what a Dutch Cheese Slicer looks like, but I toyed with the idea of using one on my arm. I'm kidding....but if y'all have any tips, I'd be forever grateful.
Friday 4 May 2012
So ya, here's some news. DO NOT step on your weigh scale daily. It's not as fun as it sounds, especially since a body can fluctuate a couple pounds throughout the day. And if you weigh yourself at breakfast one day and dinner the next (or after you've finished the required 8 glasses of water) well, you might have gone up a bit. Note to self: Stop obsessing. Step on that thing....weekly, maybe monthly but not daily. Never daily. Not cool, not cool at all.
It's me!
Hey it's me! Starting a new blog today! I plan to review books and such. Maybe blog a wee bit about my life and my family. Just wanted to say hello!
And to leave off with a cheesy saying that fits for today: May the fourth be with you!
And to leave off with a cheesy saying that fits for today: May the fourth be with you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)