Friday, December 27, 2019

New Year, New Read-Along: Let's Read and Discuss Heidi Together!



Just a few more days until the start of 2020! Happy (almost) New Year, everyone!

If you're looking for a classic to read/re-read to kick off the new year, or if you simply want to discuss an old favorite with friends, I'd love to have you join the Heidi read-along. :)

Here are the details...
  • The read-along will start Wednesday, January 1, and end Friday, January 31.
  • We'll read 1 chapter per weekday for a total of 23 chapters. (You can use the weekends to catch up or get ahead if you'd like!)  
  • Discussions will take place here on Fridays (January 10, 17, 24, 31) for a total of 4 discussions.
  • I'll provide ideas and questions, and you can take part through commenting on the discussion posts here or creating your own blog posts!
Here are some examples of past read-alongs I've hosted: Persuasion, Northanger Abbey, Emma, Pride & Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Sense & Sensibility, The Silver Chair, Emily of New Moon, Christy.

I want to say this will be my first time reading Heidi by Johanna Spyri...and I'm looking forward to finally enjoying the beautiful copy featured in the read-along button above. It was a Christmas gift given to me in 1998 by a very sweet lady from my grandparents' church, and she wrote a kind note inside letting me know that the book was once a prize from a spelling contest in 1955, and she hoped I would enjoy the story like she did. ♥

Do you have a long-cherished copy of the book or special memories from reading it as a child? Please do share in the comments section—and let me know if you'll be participating in the read-along too! (Feel free to use the image in this post and share it on your blog or social media if you'd like to announce your participation!)

Thursday, December 26, 2019

The Gift of Books: Ordered, In the Stocking, and Under the Tree

Hello again, friends! It is probably no surprise that I get excited about books. ;) So, like an eager little child, I just wanted to share about these ones I got for Christmas this year!


My aunt and uncle kindly sent Josh and me a gift card, and we really enjoyed picking out books to buy—one for him, one for me, and a children's book to add to our collection for our little girl on the way. :) Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes was my pick! I've posted about one of her novellas before. She's a great author, and I've heard wonderful things about this book. Between the author and the reviews and the Maine setting and the gorgeous cover, this one seemed like the right choice!


Josh and I have fun stuffing stockings for each other, picking out little gifts and treats—and you can see my sweet stash from Josh in the picture! I confess I "helped" him pick out the book. ;) And after seeing Rissi's review, I was especially excited to receive My New Crush Gave to Me by Shani Petroff. Should be fun! (And I also can't wait to enjoy those candies!)


The Language of Souls by Lena Goldfinch was a gift from my parents, one that I had on my list. Not that I haven't read it before...it was actually the book that introduced me to Lena's delightful work! But I had first read it as an ebook, and now that Lena has updated the cover (so beautiful, right??) and added an epilogue (so sweet!), I loved the thought of finally adding it to my shelf. Yay!


Another gift from my parents! Entertaining with Disney by Amy Croushorn caught my eye online, and I had so much fun looking through it yesterday. While I'm not sure when or if I'd be able to actually host a party like the kind this book presents, I'd love to try some of the recipes (cupcakes, cookies, gumbo...lots of neat options)—and the pages are really beautiful for viewing and dreaming!

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What about you? I'd love to hear about any new books you got for Christmas or ones you're excited to borrow/buy/read in 2020! 

Literary Christmas: More Festive Reads


A Literary Christmas: Reading Challenge // inthebookcase.blogspot.com

Hope you all had a wonderful and merry Christmas yesterday! Today I wanted to catch up on posting for the Literary Christmas challenge (hosted by In the Bookcase). This month I re-read a couple books, which were both on my list for the challenge, and I also read a book that—while not specifically Christmas-y—takes place mostly in December and the holiday season. :)

A Cliché Christmas by Nicole Deese

Learn more about the book on Amazon.

I believe the first time I read this was in Kindle ebook format, so it was neat to be able to read and enjoy the print copy from my shelf this time around! This is a great romance with plenty of bantering, misunderstanding, engaging scenes, and a sweet amount of depth. It's a case of the heroine falling in love once again with an old flame and her old hometown, but with new hopes and an expanded heart. I'm glad to have this on my shelf and think I'd like to revisit it again some future holiday season. 

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The Case of the Crafty Christmas Crooks by Cindy Vincent

Learn more about the book on the author's website.

It was great fun to revisit this story simply as a reader (whereas the first time around I was viewing it as an editor)! The characters are so cute, and the book is full of Christmas heart and cheer. One of the cats learns all about Christmas for the first time, and it's so sweet to see the season afresh through his eyes. I finished re-reading this the night of Christmas Eve, which was a great way to end the day, as the book's conclusion is full of love and generosity. :)

* * * * *

Tending Roses by Lisa Wingate

Learn more about the book on the author's website.

This book has been on my shelf for a bit, and this month I picked it up to give it a try. It's definitely fitting to read in December, as most of the book takes place in the weeks leading up to Christmas (although it continues on into spring). It's not a fast or terribly exciting read, but I'm heading into a similar season of life as the one the heroine experiences (with her first child), and I found the characters' dilemmas and life lessons and interactions compelling. The Christmas elements add a sweet touch, from community events to the family's preparations and celebration. I don't necessarily feel a huge urge to read the rest of the series, but overall I enjoyed this one, and perhaps I'll want to read it again sometime.

(You can see the series order HERE. Tending Roses is book 1.)

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Return to the White Island: Firetrap Cover Reveal!



It's two weeks till Christmas, and here's an early gift for fans of young-adult fantasy and the awesome Phantom Island series by Krissi Dallas: a cover reveal for the much-anticipated fifth installment!!

Every now and then you might see me gush about these books on this blog, but you can find my full reviews on The Borrowed Book blog:
After years of suspense, it's thrilling to share the title, cover, and description for book 5...


My Thoughts

Okay, the cover designer (Kristen McGregor of Astrea Creative) did a fantastic job of continuing the look of this series in an epic way! This cover definitely shouts, "The Phantom Island series is back and bigger than ever! Boom!" The rich colors and active symbolism hold lots of promise, and I love how the text and main illustration go from silver to gold (which suggests that this book won't be broken up into two, I believe, as the first two elements were? But I'm not 100% certain about that. Either way, it's very clever and looks great!). I just love the design of this whole series. ♥

About the Book

A year has passed, but the Island hasn't forgotten...

As Whitnee Terradora stands on the cusp of her eighteenth birthday, all she can think about is getting through graduation without tripping, boarding that cruise ship, and finally, for crying out loud, snagging her first real kiss with Caleb. Forget that she still hasn't decided where to go to college and that the future intimidates her more than she will admit.

It's the eve of the Guardianship Festival, and all Gabriel can focus on is getting through the next five days of tribal blessing rituals across the Island, making an historically powerful speech at the opening ceremony, and successfully avoiding any more assassination threats. His determination remains intact even when he is unexpectedly separated from Eden, his personal advisor and confidante. Surely he can handle leadership of the festivities without her.

But the Island has a different plan. And neither Whitnee nor Gabriel is prepared for—or happy about—the moment their two worlds collide again. Prophecies unravel, friendships are challenged, and attraction ignites as the dark underbelly of the Island reveals itself in this long-awaited fifth installment of the Phantom Island series. For more updates, visit www.KrissiDallas.com.

About the Author

Krissi Dallas loves pop music, mismatched socks, and fried chicken. She lives in Texas with her husband, two strong-willed boys, and two grumpy old Yorkies. She enjoys hanging out with her family and friends, educating her junior high prep school students, and serving in her church and community. The rest of her time is given to daydreams and writing.

Connect with Krissi: 

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Note from the Author

The Phantom Island series includes Windchaser, Windfall, Watercrossing, and Watermark—all of which are available and would make fun Christmas gifts! [Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Author's Shoppe] The fifth book, Firetrap, releases in 2020. Stay tuned at www.KrissiDallas.com for updates.

You can read the first chapter of Firetrap HERE

WARNING: The first chapter contains spoilers for the first four books in the series!

Monday, December 9, 2019

A Fast Read Full of Warmth and Charm | Dear Author (Nonfiction) Blog Tour

 

About the Book


Think your words might not matter? Think again. Words have the power to change lives, especially when they are used to create meaningful stories. In this collection of letters, bookish fangirl Laura A. Grace addresses topics related to every writer’s journey. From “character conversations,” to embracing one’s unique writing style, to celebrating a release day—there is a letter for every author no matter where they may be in sharing their story with others. 

Dear Author includes six illustrations by Hannah S.J. Williams.

   

My Review


Specifically encouraging to fantasy fiction authors but surely able to bring a smile to all authors and readers alike, Dear Author is a sweet little read that celebrates the writing and publication journey. I love the format of this book, the quick letters that are full of enthusiasm and gratitude. Authors can read them all together for a big morale boost or go straight to the letter that speaks to their current joy or struggle—like a book birthday or a delayed publication date or the bittersweet conclusion to their series. And fellow avid readers/fangirls will find a kindred spirit in Laura and plenty to relate to in these thoughts!

Basically, this book is full of warmth and charm, written with a voice that speaks to its author's unique personality and interests while still capturing general reader feelings. And the handful of illustrations are so adorable, with a little unicorn "Easter egg" in each one. Dear Author is a fast, happy read and a delightful "ode" to the work of novelists.

*With thanks to the author for providing me with a complimentary e-ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.*

About the Author


Laura A. Grace had a lifelong dream of getting to know authors behind the covers of her favorite reads. Little did she know that one day she would become an author too! Now an avid book blogger at Unicorn Quester and writer of clean, Christian manga, Laura creatively balances her passions of supporting indie authors and feeding her readers new stories. In between, she wields plastic lightsabers with her children and binge-watches anime with her husband. Join her quest to find wandering unicorns for your favorite authors at unicornquester.com!

   

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, December 2nd
Tuesday, December 3rd
Wednesday, December 4th
Thursday, December 5th
Friday, December 6th
Saturday, December 7th
Monday, December 9th
Tuesday, December 10th
Wednesday, December 11th
  • Video Book Review: Janeen Ippolito
  • Book Review & Guest Post “Embrace Your Inner Fangirl: Three Easy Ways to Support Authors (That Don’t Require Reviewing or Purchasing Books)”: Wounded but Hopeful
Thursday, December 12th
Friday, December 13th
Saturday, December 14th

Monday, December 2, 2019

Literary Christmas: Clara's Soldier and One Enchanted Eve (Christmas Novellas)


A Literary Christmas: Reading Challenge // inthebookcase.blogspot.com

Yay for the start of December! Last night I finished reading Clara's Soldier, and even though this novella and One Enchanted Eve weren't on my original list for the Literary Christmas challenge (hosted by In the Bookcase), I thought I'd still share some quick thoughts. :) 

I picked up these Kindle ebooks while they were free on Amazon recently, and I enjoyed both! It was fun to try out some additional Christmas reading material, and these are well-written stories.

Clara's Soldier by Brittany Fichter
(currently $2.99 for Kindle)

Learn more about the book on the author's website. 

My knowledge of The Nutcracker is rather limited, but even the little elements I'm familiar with made this a neat retelling. Clara's Soldier is a bittersweet post-war story, a historical that takes an interesting turn late at night on Christmas Eve. When I started the story, I found the writing style engaging and the main characters endearing. But then when the story took that interesting turn, I found the plot rather strange and confusing, making me wonder if I wanted to "soldier on." I did, and I'm glad. :) While those mid-story scenes can be somewhat hard to follow, the novella as a whole is thoughtful and sweet, focused on commitment and compassion and hope. A clever, different, and romantic little read for the holiday season.

* * * * *

One Enchanted Eve by Melissa Tagg
(currently $1.99 for Kindle)

Learn more about the book on the author's website.

It's been a while since I read the first novella in this collection, but this second installment is a lot of fun while featuring the author's trademark small-town atmosphere as the main setting. Being a big fan of Food Network and what I've seen of The Great British Baking Show (earlier seasons), I enjoyed the baking angle to this story! While I wasn't completely wowed by what Rylan produces in the kitchen, I was charmed by her growth and how she opens up. There's some seriousness in the midst of the bantering between her and Colin, some big decisions and revelations for both of them to make. The turn-arounds and progress seem to happen in a rather short amount of time, but such is the satisfying nature of a novella. :) I especially liked how the story celebrates family, and I found this to be a happy-but-not-without-difficulties Christmas-season read!

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Next Read-Along Options and a Personal Update

Happy last day of November! Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. :)

I've been thinking ahead to the next read-along and hoping it might work in January, after the busyness of the holidays. And I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Which of these books would you prefer to read and discuss together to kick off 2020?

Heidi 
by Johanna Spyri

Julie 
by Catherine Marshall

I think either book could work well in the month time frame. Let me know in the comments section if you have a preference!

This might be the last read-along for a little while, as Josh and I are gearing up for a big life change...


We're thrilled to be expecting our first child in March! A baby girl we can't wait to meet and hold and raise and love. ♥ She's already a cherished member of our little family!

I'll be entering my third trimester of pregnancy in December, and as long as everything continues to go smoothly, I think January could be a great month for one more read-along. Not to say that there won't ever be more necessarily! But I imagine things will be a little uncertain around here as we adjust to a new rhythm and figure out a new schedule.

I'm not really sure what my blogging or writing will look like in the days to come. I know I've left stories unfinished (like Maya's story) and a book idea unpublished (Morning Glory), and I'm so sorry to have started and marketed projects like that without following through at this point. :( I confess I haven't really worked on stories in quite a while, and I have no idea if/when that might change.

I don't want to say I'll never return to writing or publishing books! I'm just unsure. And I want to be better about not publicly celebrating a book without having done the hard work of writing beforehand. I've craved the excitement and attention that comes with a new idea or a new cover, and I've let down my readers by getting ahead of myself and making promises I haven't kept. For that, I sincerely apologize to you all. ♥

* * * * *

I'm grateful for each of my reader friends and all those I've met around the blogosphere! And I hope to continue chatting about books and life together. :) Speaking of, I'd love to hear about how the holiday season is going for you, what books have recently made an impression on you, or any life updates you'd like to share!

Friday, November 22, 2019

Literary Christmas: The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall (Plus a Kindle eBook Freebie!)


A Literary Christmas: Reading Challenge // inthebookcase.blogspot.com

Happy Friday, friends! I finished reading my first book for the Literary Christmas Reading Challenge (hosted by In the Bookcase) last night, so I thought I'd share some quick thoughts. :)


Learn more about the book on the author's website.

I wasn't 100% sure whether or not I had read The Sound of Sleigh Bells before...but it definitely felt like a new experience either way! I really liked the length of it (almost 200 pages in hardcover format)—not too long to be a quick seasonal read, but also not super short. As the story got started, I was concerned about the role of deception, how it might be treated like it's no big deal if the ends justify the means. But given Cindy Woodsmall's deeper writing, I shouldn't have assumed that would be the case! I'm grateful for the way the story ultimately confronts different kinds of lies and celebrates the freedom of truth.

This isn't a lighthearted Christmas read; it begins in the spring and ends in the winter, and it tackles a painful emotional journey along the way. The heroine's personality and coping mechanisms sometimes rubbed me wrong, but she's still a likable character beneath that, and it's hard not to love the hero. All in all, I found this to be an engaging book with sweet characters and a hard-won romance.

* * * * *

In other Christmas novella news, yesterday I discovered that one of Melissa Tagg's holiday reads is FREE for Kindle right now! I really enjoyed the first novella in the series, One Enchanted Christmas, which I included on my Favorite Books of 2015 list. So I was excited to snatch up the second novella. :) Here's a graphic the author shared on Facebook, indicating the deals last through November 24, 2019:


One Enchanted Christmas (book 1): $.99 for Kindle
One Enchanted Eve (book 2): FREE for Kindle
One Enchanted Noel (book 3): $2.99 for Kindle

Happy Christmas reading, everyone!

Monday, November 18, 2019

Literary Christmas Reading Challenge 2019 (Signing Up and Sharing My List!)


I found out about the Literary Christmas Reading Challenge through Hamlette (author Rachel Kovaciny) at her blog The Edge of the Precipice. (Thank you for posting about it, Rachel!) I've had plans to read/reread a few Christmas books this year, and I thought it would be fun to join this lovely challenge and highlight the books I'm revisiting.

Also, isn't the banner so pretty and festive??

The challenge is hosted by Tarissa at In the Bookcase. Here are the details:
  • Pick a Christmas book (or more than one!) to read or reread this holiday season.
  • Sign up by posting about the challenge on your blog or a social media account.
  • Link your post to Tarissa's main challenge post HERE.
  • Post about the book(s) you read and link up those posts, too, to share the book love!
The challenge takes place November 8 through December 31, 2019. You can learn more and find all of Tarissa's challenge posts at In the Bookcase.

Tarissa is also hosting a really neat giveaway for US residents! You don't have to participate in the challenge to enter, but you can get extra entries in the drawing if you do. :) Click the image below to check it out...


Here's what I'm planning to read for the challenge:

The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall

I actually started reading this the other day, so I'm already through a couple chapters. :) My uncle gave me a copy last year, I believe, and this is one of those books that I'm not quite sure if I've read before or not... I have read a few other books by this author, which I've enjoyed, and whether this is a new-to-me read or an old-but-not-terribly-familiar friend, I'm looking forward to continuing this story!

A Cliché Christmas by Nicole Deese

This book basically made my favorites list for 2015, although I technically read it in 2014. Here's what I said back then: "This poor book fell through the cracks, as I read it after I announced my favorites of 2014, but before 2015 officially began. I have to mention it now, though, because I marked it as a favorite back then and found it to be a delightful Christmas romance. I'm thinking a re-read might be in order at some point."

So, here we are! It's been about five years, so I think a reread is definitely warranted. :)


This was my introduction to the delightful Cindy Vincent and her books back in 2013, and I loved it! I enjoyed editing this little gem, which features two lovable cat detectives, and then hosting a blog tour for the book. This year I'd like to revisit this precious installment of the Buckley and Bogey Cat Detective Capers and experience the Christmas charm once again.

* * * * *

I don't plan to write full reviews of these books, but I'm hoping to at least share a few thoughts and highlight the stories again during the challenge!

Don't forget, if you'd like to participate in the challenge, check out In the Bookcase. I'd love to know if you sign up and what Christmas books are on your reading list this year!

*Banner and giveaway image are from In the Bookcase.

Friday, November 15, 2019

Final Discussion ~ Christy Read-Along


Welcome to the seventh and final discussion of the Christy read-along! ♥ If this is the first you've heard of the read-along, you can view the schedule in this invitation post.

Today we'll be discussing chapters 40-46. If you've already read these chapters, you can share your thoughts in the comments section below or in your own post! (Feel free to use the image above, linking back to the Christy read-along tag.) If you still need to catch up on the reading, you're welcome to check in whenever you're ready. :) We're happy to have you join us whenever you can!

~ ~ ~

Christy: Chapters 40-46
Discussion format: your favorite quotes, general impressions, and three questions to answer for each week's reading

Favorite Quotes*
  • "I knew that I belonged here, helping these mountain people. There was nothing I wanted for myself, I just wanted to give."
  • "What I didn't understand then was that they were training their wills in the only way a will can be trained—by practicing giving up what we happen to want at the moment."
  • "Relationships can be kept intact without compromising one's own beliefs."
  • "By then I was a bit wiser and had learned that there's only one way to give advice to the young: give it, and then be perfectly unconcerned as to whether they take it or not. God alone is capable of managing other people—even our own children."
  • "Every one of us belongs in some kind of ministry." 
  • Is Miss Alice really saying that David can't love me—or anyone—until he has given himself and his love away to God?
  • "I offer back to You this love You gave. It's all I have to give You, God. Here are our lives—hers and mine—I hold them out to You. Do—with us—as You please."

General Impressions

I confess I'm not quite sure what to say about this book's conclusion! As with the rest of the story, there are plenty of thought-provoking lines and moments. The theme of giving oneself, of living in "ministry," of loving without holding back—definitely challenging and inspiring. I'm not 100% satisfied with how the plot ends, but as a whole, this book has been engaging to read and discuss, and it's definitely a compelling story. :)

When I finished the book, I found myself wanting answers. I shared a few links in the first discussion post, and I'll re-share a couple here in case you want to visit them again, now that spoilers aren't an issue:
I found it really interesting to check out the comments section for that first link too! 

It's intriguing to know that Catherine Marshall's mother married a pastor and had a short engagement, which is what might have happened in the book...but then didn't. With David's state at the end of the book, I'm not disappointed that he and Christy didn't get together. It's not that I believe people need to be in a perfect spiritual state in order to get married. Far from it! That's not possible; we always have room to grow, and it's wonderful when marriage itself is a place where people can do that. But I believe it's important to have a foundation of faith beforehand, and I don't think David had that. He was still searching. He even said (on page 551 in my copy), "I have to stand my ground and find myself right here." So...yeah, I don't think his character was quite ready to start a loving relationship with Christy. (As suggested in the second to last quote in the section above.)

But then there's Dr. MacNeill. And I don't know exactly how to feel! Of course, my romantic heart enjoys a happily-ever-after. :) I really liked Dr. MacNeill in the show, and I think overall I liked his character in the book too. (If you're also a romantic, here's a link to a little music video someone put together featuring scenes from the show: It Is You (I Have Loved) [Christy/Neil]

Yet...I feel like his prayer and conversion, as much as I'm glad for them, were too sudden, too convenient to the story. Only a couple chapters before the end, Dr. MacNeill said, "Prayer, Alice, isn't going to change the course of typhoid" (page 540 in my copy). This was right before Christy became bedridden. Of course, his interactions with Christy and Miss Alice might have been on his heart and mind for some time without the reader really knowing it, but I think it would have been helpful to see him somehow wrestling with his faith more before that last scene. Like I said, I'm glad for what happened! I just wish it hadn't been tacked on at the end without more basis in the rest of the story.

Also, as much as an open-ended conclusion can be compelling, so much seems left unsaid. It's a climactic last chapter, but I think I would have enjoyed an epilogue or something to share just a bit more about what happens after Christy's illness. There were undertones of romance throughout the story, but it wasn't necessarily the central element, so it feels a bit odd to have the end be about the romance rather than about the mission and the people of the Cove or even more about faith apart from a romantic relationship.

Okay, apparently I do have a lot to say about the book's conclusion! :) While these last chapters left me wanting more or something a little different, I still really enjoyed the book overall. And I know that as much as I've been complaining about the focus on romance, I'm the one who's been going into detail about my thoughts in that regard, rather than talking about the other stuff that happened! 

I'm inspired by all the sacrifices in these last chapters. With sickness running rampant, the people at the mission gave so much of themselves to care for others, even someone like Lundy who didn't appreciate their efforts. It's so sad his seemingly small act of rebellion with eating eggs was his undoing. :( And yet, Christy and Miss Alice and Ida and Opal were so dedicated in their care of him to the end.

I was impressed by Ruby Mae's husband, his willingness to do whatever necessary to help his wife, even at such a young age. And then there was Christy and her small but meaningful kindnesses to Bessie and her family. And the truth about Tom's death, and how there seemed to be a mending there between families. 

This last section was not all sunshine and roses, that's for sure! (Although there was sunshine and flowers in the last chapter!) But there were shining moments in the midst of much pain and fear and darkness. I have another of Catherine Marshall's books, Julie, on my shelf, and I'm curious to maybe read another story by her at some point.


Discussion Questions

Answer any or all three of these questions in the comments section or in your own blog post!

1. Which story of sickness, whether hopeful or heartbreaking, affected you the most?

2. Were you satisfied with the conclusion of the story? If so, what did you like most about these last chapters? If not, what do you wish might have been different?

3. What was your favorite part about Christy? Do you plan to read other books by Catherine Marshall, either fiction or nonfiction?

Thank you so much for joining the Christy read-along!
It's been a pleasure discussing the book with you. ♥

*Catherine Marshall, Christy (New York: Avon, 2006), 500-501, 504, 506, 507, 546, 547, 558.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Dark and Meaningful Fantasy | Review of Dragonwitch



About the Book
(from Bethany House)

Book 5 in the Tales of Goldstone Wood Series

Who Will Dare to Face the Dragonwitch?

Submissive to her father's will, Lady Leta of Aiven travels far to meet the future King of the North Country and a prospective husband she neither knows nor loves.

But within the walls of his castle, all is not right. Vicious night terrors plague Lord Alistair. Whispers rise from the family crypt. The reclusive castle Chronicler, Leta's tutor and friend, possesses a secret so dangerous it could cost his life and topple the entire nation.

And far away in a hidden kingdom, a flame burns atop the Citadel of the Living Fire. Acolytes and priestesses serve their goddess to the limits of their lives and deaths. No one is safe while the Dragonwitch searches for the sword that slew her twice...and for the hero who can wield it.

Available Now!

My Review

I'm embarrassed to confess that this book has been on my shelf for YEARS. From reading the first four books I knew the in-depth, epic nature of this series—and Dragonwitch is no exception. It's not a light or fast or easy-to-binge sort of read. But, as with its predecessors, the story comes together in a powerful and meaningful way.

When I finally reached a point where I determined to stick with the book rather than stick it back on the shelf for another time, I still almost gave up. I didn't like the darker descriptions of the goblins and the various settings. It felt almost too much for me, and I wasn't sure I wanted to finish.

Am I glad I did? Yes. While I don't really see myself returning to this story, not wanting to immerse myself in the darker plot once again, I'm glad to know how everything comes together. The beginning mostly zooms in on one place and how various characters meet, but as the story progresses you get to know their true identities and backstories, and it becomes easier and easier to care for them and cheer for them. I loved the personal growth, the development of some sweet relationships, and when various characters encounter and embrace truth. So good!

Some revelations come a little late in the story, things that seem like they should be obvious earlier on. I liked the surprise of this but also felt like maybe some things came out of left field for me when there should have been more clues in the characters' thoughts and behavior. Maybe that's just me, though! Also, while some elements of the story are unique to this book, it might have helped for me to have a clearer memory of the previous books (instead of years between readings!).

Dragonwitch is a creatively told fantasy and very satisfying in the way it wraps up, even with the tragic fact that not all the characters make the right choices. As with other books in this series, there's plenty here to inspire and make you think, and the imaginative detail is fantastic. It's a hefty, dark, and intense read, but a valuable addition to the Tales of Goldstone Wood series.

*With thanks to Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.*


My Reviews of Other Tales of Goldstone Wood Books

Friday, November 8, 2019

Discussion 6 ~ Christy Read-Along


Welcome to the sixth discussion of the Christy read-along! ♥ If this is the first you've heard of the read-along, you can view the schedule in this invitation post.

Today we'll be discussing chapters 33-39. If you've already read these chapters, you can share your thoughts in the comments section below or in your own post! (Feel free to use the image above, linking back to the Christy read-along tag.) If you still need to catch up on the reading, you're welcome to check in whenever you're ready. :) We're happy to have you join us whenever you can!

~ ~ ~

Christy: Chapters 33-39
Discussion format: your favorite quotes, general impressions, and three questions to answer for each week's reading

Favorite Quotes*
  • "I learned that true forgiveness includes total acceptance. And out of acceptance wounds are healed and happiness is possible again."
  • "Only in the mountains had I seen such hues: the dark red of the sourwoods; the brown and bright orange of the red oaks; the luminous gold of the hickories; the crimson of the sumac and the scarlet oaks—always with the purple-blue Smokies for a backdrop, like the stain of ripe Concord grapes."
  • "After a while the love of God was more real to me than any old ghost. And then all the ghosts went away, and ever since the dark has seemed friendly and cozy."
  • "This love disclosing itself was no cosmic Creator of a mechanistic universe, for the revelation was intimate, personal. Perhaps the assurance always has to be personal, revealed to the inner person alone, since only man sees other men en masse, whereas God insists on seeing us one by one, each a special case, each inestimably beloved for himself."
  • "I knew now: God is. I had found my center, my point of reference."

General Impressions

Man...there have been some difficult scenes leading up to this section, but I think this week's reading has been the darkest so far between Miss Alice's painful story from her past and the awful nature of Fairlight's passing. These tragic scenes are divided by Ruby Mae's rather wild wedding and the disappointing conversation with David about the school and the creepy talk of Old Marthy, the "witch." It's a lot to take in!

Even with the really dark moments, though, I love that the light still shines through Miss Alice's recounting of her community's love and acceptance...and Christy's comforting words to Zady...and also Christy's honesty with God and her recognition of His love amid all the uncertainties and unanswered questions.

I confess I wasn't taken by surprise to find out the identity of Dr. MacNeill's wife, only because it's a big part of the TV series. But I'd be curious to know if those of you who haven't seen the show or read the book before found that to be a shock! And I'm also curious to see how that revelation might affect the last chapters of the book, if at all.

Dr. MacNeill was...interesting...at the wedding. I like that he's a good dancer. ;) But he's definitely forthright in his opinions about sex and marriage! Not that it's bad to talk about, but if I were in Christy's shoes, I think I'd be uncomfortable hearing a widowed man discuss that topic in that place and context.

As for David...sigh. He makes me less and less inclined to prefer him as a suitor for Christy. He's preoccupied with kissing her but neglects to encourage her or value her opinions or deal with his own lack of faith. And this from a preacher! Again, sigh.

I was not prepared for Fairlight's death. That was definitely not something I remember from the show, and her awful terror that never really was soothed makes me so sad. I'm glad she had Christy with her at the end, sharing Scripture and comfort. And I'm glad Christy had Miss Alice to point her to the people in Scripture who asked questions of God and poured out their pain to Him.

It seems like there's still so much to wrap up with only one week's reading left, and I'm curious how the book will end!

Discussion Questions

Answer any or all three of these questions in the comments section or in your own blog post!

1. What do you think of the Folk School idea that Mrs. Browning shared with Christy? Do you feel like it would be beneficial to the people of the Cove?

2. Do you find nighttime and darkness bothersome or appealing? Have your feelings changed since childhood?

3. What are some of the things you hope will happen or be resolved in the last chapters? (Or, if you've already read the book, has anything stood out to you differently so far while reading the book this time around?)

Join us next Friday for our seventh and final discussion! 
(Chapters 40-46)

*Catherine Marshall, Christy (New York: Avon, 2006), 415, 444, 455, 478-479.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Cover Reveal! | Dear Author: Letters from a Bookish Fangirl (Sweet Nonfiction for Fiction Authors)

Happy Monday, friends! I'm happy to be teaming up with a fellow blogger and debut author to share the cover for her upcoming release, Dear Author! :) I've already had the pleasure of reading this gem, and it's such a sweet nonfiction treat for fiction authors who could use some encouragement. I plan to post my review later on, but for now, enjoy this peek at the colorful cover and some exciting pre-order goodies...


Dear Author: Letters from a Bookish Fangirl
  Laura A. Grace
 Genres: Self-Help, Motivational
  Publication date: December 3, 2019

About the Book

Think your words might not matter? Think again. Words have the power to change lives, especially when they are used to create meaningful stories. In this collection of letters, bookish fangirl Laura A. Grace addresses topics related to every writer’s journey. From “character conversations,” to embracing one’s unique writing style, to celebrating a release day—there is a letter for every author no matter where they may be in sharing their story with others.

Dear Author includes six illustrations by Hannah S.J. Williams.

Signed PaperbackAmazonBarnes & Noble — Book Depository (Coming soon!)


Pre-order the paperback or e-book and fill out the form below to receive some fun little extras!
(Details can be found in the form.)

Pre-Order Goodies Form


About the Author

Laura A. Grace had a lifelong dream of getting to know authors behind the covers of her favorite reads. Little did she know that one day she would become an author too! Now an avid book blogger at Unicorn Quester and writer of clean, Christian manga, Laura creatively balances her passions of supporting indie authors and feeding her readers new stories. In between, she wields plastic lightsabers with her children and binge-watches anime with her husband. Join her quest to find wandering unicorns for your favorite authors at unicornquester.com!

Friday, November 1, 2019

Discussion 5 ~ Christy Read-Along


Welcome to the fifth discussion of the Christy read-along! ♥ If this is the first you've heard of the read-along, you can view the schedule in this invitation post.

Today we'll be discussing chapters 26-32. If you've already read these chapters, you can share your thoughts in the comments section below or in your own post! (Feel free to use the image above, linking back to the Christy read-along tag.) If you still need to catch up on the reading, you're welcome to check in whenever you're ready. :) We're happy to have you join us whenever you can!

~ ~ ~

Christy: Chapters 26-32
Discussion format: your favorite quotes, general impressions, and three questions to answer for each week's reading

Favorite Quotes*
  • "It's been the delight of my life to find God far more common-sense and practical than any human I know. The only time I ever find my dealings with God less than clear-cut is when I'm not being honest with Him. The fuzziness is always on my side, not His."
  • "Fixin' onything is man's work," came Opal's firm answer. "Tearin' down or killin', that thar's easy. Any addle-pated fool kin pull the trigger of a rifle-gun or fling a rock. It's fixin' that's hard, takes a heap more doin'."
  • "Ask questions, never be afraid of truth."
  • "Preach the gospel, David, teach it, preach to the hearts of men. That's your business. Then the fruits, including the reforms in other areas, will follow as fruits."
  • "When your heart is ablaze with the love of God, when you love other people—especially the rip-snorting sinners—so much that you dare to tell them about Jesus with no apologies, then never fear, there will be results."
  • "The sun sifting through moving branches overhead would splinter the light into diamonds on the water, tossing them back into my eyes with such magic that I would want to shout and dance just for the joy of living—and usually did."

General Impressions

There are some rather suspenseful scenes in this section, from the men harassing the women in the mission house to the standoff at the McHones' home. I love that Opal could see God's love through Christy's appearance in the middle of that tense situation. And I love how Opal appealed to Bird's-Eye (in that second quote above).

There's also some great tragedy in this section in regards to the death of Tom. The conversation it led to between David and Miss Alice was so powerful. I think it goes really well with the sermon my husband and I heard at the church we visited this past Sunday, which was on 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, addressing the utmost importance of the gospel and what we should remember about it. I just love those quotes from Miss Alice above (the fourth and fifth ones on my list), how if David wanted to see true change in the Cove he needed to focus on the gospel. Or, as the pastor we heard from on Sunday reminded us, the real problems in the world today are not politics or loneliness or suffering; the real problem is our sin, as it has always been. Yes, the other issues matter, but we will never find true comfort or undying hope or real direction apart from being made right with the Lord through Jesus' sacrifice and apart from seeking God first. It's so tragic that David doesn't seem to understand the power of the gospel, that he is so determined to fix the outer issues without getting to the heart of it all!

And as I was thinking about all this, I realized how much it ties in with Christy's conversation with Dr. MacNeill from the last section. He asked her, "Why don't you just concentrate on the school and the good works and forget all about the religious doctrines that just confuse the people anyway?" (page 325 in my copy). But if that's all the mission did, there would be no hope for real heart change in the people...no forgiveness or reconciliation...no purpose beyond their day-to-day lives...no true healing of the soul, only temporary fixes for the body, if that. If the mission focused on "the good works" apart from the gospel, well, they'd never be making a lasting difference or helping the people in the way they truly need it.

I just love the way the book is helping me think more about important truths through the characters in this story!

To finish off my thoughts on this section: David's proposal hardly seems loving and came out of the blue. I'm glad Christy didn't rush into an answer or feel pressured to say yes. Of course, I love the scenes with Fairlight and the descriptions of her nature outings with Christy. I'm curious about what might come of the "Compt book" and Bird's-Eye's note to Opal. And the account of the last day of classes was a lot of fun. :)

Discussion Questions

Answer any or all three of these questions in the comments section or in your own blog post!

1. What turn of events shocked or surprised you most in this section?

2. What do you think drove Christy to climb a mountain? Have you ever been driven to do something out of the ordinary or especially challenging for you? What was the experience like?

3. What was your favorite part or performance from the school's last-day festivities?

Join us next Friday for our sixth discussion! 
(Chapters 33-39)

*Catherine Marshall, Christy (New York: Avon, 2006), 341, 354, 365, 374, 375, 383.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Discussion 4 ~ Christy Read-Along


Welcome to the fourth discussion of the Christy read-along! ♥ If this is the first you've heard of the read-along, you can view the schedule in this invitation post.

Today we'll be discussing chapters 19-25. If you've already read these chapters, you can share your thoughts in the comments section below or in your own post! (Feel free to use the image above, linking back to the Christy read-along tag.) If you still need to catch up on the reading, you're welcome to check in whenever you're ready. :) We're happy to have you join us whenever you can!

~ ~ ~

Christy: Chapters 19-25
Discussion format: your favorite quotes, general impressions, and three questions to answer for each week's reading

Favorite Quotes*
  • "Beware the chasms in thy life, David. Sooner or later thee will fall down in the chasm thyself."
  • "The Christian religion is not a thing—like a piece of paper—that we can tuck away in the cubbyhole of a rolltop desk and then put the lid down and lock it. Christianity is a life and contains the germ of life in itself."
  • The sky overhead was an inverted bowl with a pale blue lining; over the far mountains, rose faded to peach, with tiny gray clouds looking as if they had been given their marching orders to tramp as majestically across a twilight sky as small clouds can. "Living in the middle of beauty like this," I said, "we've no call to have puny ideas about God."
  • "Christy," his voice was gentle, "I did not ask you what Alice Henderson believes or for a resume of her latest talk to her Bible class. I wanted to know why Christianity is important to you, what you believe."

General Impressions

Well, this was a very interesting section and rather different from what precedes it. Not as uplifting as last week's, but more suspenseful and challenging. It's as if last week's section was showing all the ways Christy had been encouraged and inspired, and now we're seeing her (and David) having her faith and grit put to the test in very stark ways.

And really, this section centers a lot around David and his reactions and relationships. It starts off with classroom trouble for Christy and escalates to violence, cruelty, and the revelation of an unlawful way of life some of the people of the Cove abide by. David's work ethic and strength are challenged, his horse is sheared, and he finds himself tangled up in the whole blockading affair as he preaches against it and tries to shut it down.

I hated seeing the women feel so helpless as their husbands treated David unkindly at the working. And I confess I'm torn about David's sermon... At first, I found myself underlining several of his comments about faith and the church and admiring his forthrightness. But I also agree with Christy and even Dr. MacNeill about David's heavy-handedness, the lack of compassion and complete understanding about the situation.

Sin should be directly addressed, but perhaps lumping the whole congregation together as the target of his harsh words might not have been the best route. He makes some good points, and I think the people were probably aware in advance that the sermon was going to be about an unpleasant topic. But I guess I'm torn about David's methods. As Dr. MacNeill says, "All I know is, when you accuse people, a wall goes up. Then the last thing they're interested in is changing their view or their actions" (p. 299 in my copy). Forthrightness is good and something necessary, but repentance needs the hope of grace and mercy.

Dr. MacNeill is not necessarily "hero material" at this point, but I do appreciate the last chapter of the section and how he challenges Christy to think critically about her faith and own it. I found it a good prompt for myself too. :) I'm curious how Christy might grow in this way in time.

Discussion Questions

Answer any or all three of these questions in the comments section or in your own blog post!

1. Did this section make you want to read faster (because of the suspense) or slow down (because of the heavy topics)?

2. Imagine yourself in one of these tense situations: hearing Uncle Bogg's story at the working, listening to David's sermon, or coming upon Prince in his sad condition. How would you respond?

3. If you could help the McHones in even a small way, what would you do?

Join us next Friday for our fifth discussion! 
(Chapters 26-32)

*Catherine Marshall, Christy (New York: Avon, 2006), 267, 288, 305, 326.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

A Lighthearted Take on Friendship Advice | Review of Better Together



About the Book
(from Moody Publishers)

Being a mom is hard, but it doesn't have to be lonely. 

Are you trying to do this mothering thing alone?
So focused on the kids that you're hungry for friendships of your own?
Have good friendships, but you want to enjoy them more?

Jill Savage, mother of five, knows those challenges well, and she's here to help. Presenting a compelling vision of motherhood as a group effort, Better Together shows how you can:
  • Combat isolation and enjoy a supportive mothering community 
  • Increase your social confidence and stop the comparison game 
  • Deepen your friendships as you share life with others 
  • Strengthen trust and build friendships without fear 
  • Increase your joy and thrive as a mom 
All these things are possible. Dive into this storehouse of creative ideas for how to make mothering easier, richer, and more fun than you ever thought it could be.

Available Now!


My Review 

Better Together is a fairly light read that covers the basics of being a good friend. It provides ideas for reaching out, getting together, being there, showing grace in the difficult seasons, and blessing others (and being blessed). I appreciate the scope of the book, and it was fun to take the personality tests included in the back, which correspond with a particular chapter. :)

I confess the tone felt a little too young for me, given the audience is supposed to be adult women. I realize it's probably meant to be fun and and provide mothering cheerleading, but there were a lot of exclamation points, along with labeling categories of friends and reference to putting on "big-girl panties"—that sort of thing. Some readers might appreciate the lighthearted nature of the book, but it was a bit much for me.

Some of the ideas also felt a bit much for me in other ways, like the co-op suggestions for cooking lots of meals at once, trading babysitting, etc. But that's probably more a personal issue! Some of those projects sound overwhelming, with a lot of work and prep involved that could be fun when tag-teamed but could also be stressful and difficult to plan.

I did appreciate chapters like "Helping Together" and "Caring Together"; I love how the authors encourage community and thoughtfulness and ways to be there for someone who is going through a painful time or simply could use a helping hand. It's a good reminder to be on the lookout for ways to love others better.

On a note that's unrelated to the content, I really like the look and feel of the book! The cover is pretty and the size of the book is great for a paperback. While the tone and some of the ideas in Better Together weren't completely up my alley, this book does have thought-provoking tips and relationship reminders.

*With thanks to Moody Publishers for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.*