All Things Bright and Beautiful

I was introduced to Owl City my first year of college, when the song "Fireflies" was really popular and playing on the radio all the time. I fell in love with his music - the upbeat rhythms, the unique and creative lyrics, and the overall emotion and excitement of the songs.

I finally bought the latest album All Things Bright and Beautiful the other day, and even though it's a bit different than Ocean Eyes and some of his other music (as others have noted), I'm starting to get into it. However, I discovered that there's one song on the iTunes album that's not present on the Amazon MP3 album I bought - and when I heard it on YouTube, I decided I just had to buy the song from iTunes! It's called "How I Became the Sea":



Beautiful, no? And then there's this short track before the song "Galaxies":



You might recognize these words and the quoted poem from a devotional piece by Larkin Spivey that I shared several months ago. That poem is deeply moving!

Lastly, if you, too, are a fan of Owl City, have you ever heard of Sky Sailing? According to iTunes, Sky Sailing was Adam Young's project prior to Owl City. I bought that CD, An Airplane Carried Me to Bed, this past summer, and I love it!! It's quite possible that I like it better than Young's other CDs overall, mostly because of the mood and flow of the songs. Want to hear a sample?



*Sigh* Lots of great music to listen to whenever! I'm so grateful that of "All Things Bright and Beautiful" that God made, He also gave us music. What a blessing!!

(Note: Videos were found on YouTube.)

Monday for the Military

Last week's guest was Maureen Lang, author of "The Great War" series. If you missed the interview, I encourage you to click HERE and read it - I think you'll be touched by Maureen's responses!

And now for last week's winner:

Lgm52!!

Congratulations! Be on the lookout for my e-mail!

I don't have anyone new to introduce ya'll to this week. But I wanted to ask you - is there something you'd like to see for this feature? Would you like to meet more military members (and their families)? Or more authors who focus on the military? Do you enjoy the military-themed book/movie reviews? (I bought a cute military romance movie several weeks ago at a Hallmark store that I could write about if you're interested!)

Let me know! I've been blessed by all the wonderful people I've come in contact with through this feature, and I hope you've been blessed, as well. =)

Love Begins

About the Movie (from the Hallmark Channel website):

"Clark Davis’ (Wes Brown) adventurous dreams of seeing the world are put into jeopardy after he and a friend start a fight which damages a local cafe. Through a plea deal with the Sheriff (Jere Burns) and café owner Millie (Nancy McKeon), Clark works off his sentence as a farmhand for the Barlow sisters, Ellen (Julie Mond) and Cassie (Abigail Mavity).

Older sister Ellen doesn’t understand Cassie’s friendly nature with Clark; she agreed to the Sheriff’s offer only because the farm has become too much to maintain alone. Clark is slowing winning Ellen over, but suddenly suffers a traumatic head injury in a fall. After Ellen nurses him back to health, her former fiancé returns to win her back. Will Clark travel on or stay behind where love begins?"

My Review:

The original Love Comes Softly was powerful - so much so that 7 sequels have been made (8 movies loosely based on the 8 books in the series), and now 2 prequels, as well. The first prequel, Love Begins, aired last night (Saturday, September 17th) on Hallmark Channel. (The second prequel, Love's Everlasting Courage, airs in 2 weeks on October 1st.)

The emotion and inspiration found in Love Comes Softly fueled the movies that came after it, but to be honest, I think the series is about out of steam. The first four movies directed by Michael Landon Jr. remain my favorite, although Love's Unfolding Dream has its own charm, too. But there seems to have been too much of a reliance on the faithful audience won over in those beginning movies and the overall reputation of the series. The movie quality of Love Begins is sorely lacking. A sweet romance, yes. A well-made and engaging movie - not quite.

There's room for a prequel or two before Love Comes Softly, in the sense that Clark definitely had a story before he met Marty. But then again, lots of characters from all sorts of movies have a back story - anyone who has made it to their adult years has a past. So there has to be a compelling reason to bring in a prequel to the popular original movie. And Love Begins didn't make a strong enough case for its existence to satisfy me.

When watching Love Begins, there's the sense that it's a modern movie parading as an historical. Not in the basis of the movie or the plot-line, but rather in the acting and the set/costumes. Perhaps the budget didn't allow for a more realistic feel, which is a bit disappointing.

Yet there remains the sweetness. Some cute moments offer some smiles, and the corny moments certainly offer a giggle or laugh (and some humorous commentary among friends). I can't help but wonder if some of the movie was cut off on T.V. due to the length of the commercials, though, because some parts were rather abrupt and/or not well-developed, including the quick reappearance of another love interest.

So what's the prognosis? Well, if you're a die-hard fan who has all 8 movies in the series (yes, I fit into this category), then it certainly can't hurt to watch the prequels if you have the time! Love Begins is not overly moving, but it's a sweet diversion on a Saturday night. (As an aside, though, I worry about how they're going to pull off the supposedly serious plot for Love's Everlasting Courage...)

If you haven't yet seen any of the movies, I might skip this one. Or if you do watch both of the prequels first, please don't miss out on the original Love Comes Softly, as well! I know these movies aren't for everyone, but if you enjoy inspiring prairie-style romances, then I especially recommend the first few or so of the Love Comes Softly series. Overall, I've been blessed by these clean, gentle movies, some of which I have re-visited in the past and fallen in love anew each time (particularly Love Comes Softly, Love's Enduring Promise, Love's Long Journey, and Love's Abiding Joy).

Movie Trailer:



Did anyone else see the movie last night? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Litfuse Publicity Blog Tour: Fairer Than Morning

Here's a description of the book:

"Ann dreams of a marriage proposal from her poetic suitor, Eli-until Will Hanby shows her that nobility is more than fine words.

On a small farm in 19th-century Ohio, young Ann Miller is pursued by the gallant Eli Bowen, son of a prominent family. Eli is the suitor of Ann's dreams. Like her, he enjoys poetry and beautiful things and soon, he will move to the city to become a doctor.

Ann travels to Pittsburgh, accompanying her father on business. There she meets Will Hanby, a saddle-maker's apprentice. Will has spent years eking out an existence under a cruel master and his spirit is nearly broken. But Ann's compassion lights a long-dark part of his soul. Through his encounters with Ann's father, a master saddler, Will discovers new hope and courage in the midst of tremendous adversity.

When the Millers must return to Ohio and their ministry there, Will resolves to find them, at any cost. If Will can make it back to Ann, will she be waiting?"

Read an excerpt HERE.

My Rating: Spring/Summer

My Review:

A young man dreams of a new future in a big city. A young woman dreams of a life of romance and poetry. But when Will and Ann discover "reality" to be far different from their young dreams, will they give up on life and love?

Fairer Than Morning begins with innocent youth, but circumstances quickly change for Will and Ann. It's a story about the harshness of adult life - cruelty, broken hearts, shame, responsibility. But it's also a story that explores the multifaceted gem of freedom and the enduring gifts of kindness and caring.

I think this book especially struck a cord in me at this time because of some of the classes I'm taking this fall semester - "Civil War Era" and "History of Modern Africa." With all the discussions of slavery from various angles, reading about the abuse and fear slaves and some indentured servants experienced was difficult. Despite the cover's depiction, this book is not a light romance. It's an intense story of growing up and struggling with some very real issues.

Approaching the book for what it is, be prepared to read about the darkness of night in order to discover what is "fairer than morning." And be prepared to be challenged by this complex and well-written debut novel!

*With thanks to the author and publisher for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion, to be shared during the Litfuse Publicity Blogging tour.*

About the Author:

"Rosslyn Elliott grew up in a military family and relocated so often that she attended nine schools before her high school graduation. With the help of excellent teachers, she qualified to attend Yale University, where she earned a BA in English and Theater. She worked in business and as a schoolteacher before returning to study at Emory University, where she earned a Ph.D. in English in 2006. Her study of American literature and history inspired her to pursue her lifelong dream of writing fiction. She lives in the Southwest, where she homeschools her daughter and teaches in children's ministry."

For more about Rosslyn, visit her website.

To Buy the Book: click HERE

Blog Tour Schedule: Check out all of the other review scheduled by clicking HERE.

Contest:

To celebrate the release of her debut novel, Fairer Than Morning, Rosslyn Elliott is giving away two fabulous prize packages. The first is brand new KINDLE in her Fairer Than Morning Kindle Giveaway. Then on September 20th she's giving away a $200 gift certificate toward a Custom-Made Historical Reproduction Dress (from Recollections) during the Fairer Than Morning Book Club Chat Party on Facebook! Sigh...romantic.

Fairer Than Morning is receiving wonderful reviews - Library Journal said, "A well-written historical series debut…". Read more reviews here.

Be sure to join the fun and enter the Kindle contest -

One winner will receive:

* Kindle with Wi-Fi

* Fairer Than Morning (for Kindle)

To enter just click one of the icons below. But, hurry, giveaway ends on 9/19. Winner will be announced on 9/20 at Rosslyn's Book Club Facebook Party. Details and official rules can be found when entering the contest.

Then be sure to RSVP for Rosslyn's Facebook Party! During the party Rosslyn will be chatting with guests, hosting a book chat about Fairer Than Morning (don't worry if you haven't read the book yet - you could win a copy!) & historical Fiction, testing your trivia skills. She'll also be giving away that $200 gift certificate toward a FABULOUS custom-made period dress from Recollections!

Fall Friday

More than textbooks and homework, fall semester at college inevitably means a new year of dorm life. Where else but a girls' college dorm would you...

• Get ready for an 8:00 or 9:00 AM class to the sounds of Air 1 playing in the hall bathroom?

• Eat chips and salsa on a Tuesday night listening to others' testimonies?

• Hear a knock at your door, call "Come in," and are offered a chocolate cake ball?

• Do a work-out video (played on your laptop) with your roommate?

• Get startled out of your homework-induced coma by the sounds of a fire alarm (set off by popcorn burnt in the microwave)?

• Go to bed to the tune of slamming doors and conversations filtering in through your open window?

• Meet a bunch of wonderful girls, make great new friends, and have an opportunity to learn more about communication and cooperation through living with other people (both similar to and different from you)?

I realize that a lot of the blessings of dorm life I've experienced have to do with the fact that I go to an amazing Christian school called Corban University. =) I love it here! There are some challenges to living in a dorm, for sure, but overall it's a fun and memorable experience - one that will be over all too quickly. So for now, I'll take the burnt popcorn incidents with the chocolate cake balls. Here's to the fall semester of my senior year!!

My Review of Veiled Rose

Here's a description of the book from the author's blog:

"A Monster Prowls the Mountains of Southlands

Rose Red trusts no one with her secret. She hides in the forest, her face veiled in rags, shunning the company of all save her old father and her nanny goat. Her life is bleak and lonely.

Until she meets a privileged young man sent to spend his summer in the mountains. Headstrong young Leo startles everyone by befriending Rose Red, and together they begin searching for the monster rumored to be stalking these lands.

But the hunt, which began as a game, holds greater risk than either imagines. Soon both are forced to test their trust in each other as a far more terrifying scourge puts their entire land at risk."

My Rating: Spring/Summer

My Review:

In Veiled Rose, Stengl brings a vivid and haunting world to life in a powerful way, giving new perspective and new dimensions to the story begun in Heartless (Book One of the "Tales of Goldstone Wood"). Full of adventure and meaning, this book is creative, unique, and epic in its scope. It is also challenging in its depth and insights - a well-rounded and well-written tale!

In order to fully appreciate the fantasy world and the characters that Stengl has depicted, I highly recommend reading Heartless before Veiled Rose. If anything, it's utterly intriguing to discover Lionheart's past (from childhood to his early 20s) and see the background elements of Heartless become the main ingredients in this new, and yet eventually familiar story that takes place before and during the events of Heartless.

This is a meaty sequel that spans years and concludes on the brink of another story. The book is engrossing, albeit rather dark for the most part. Full of caution, danger, and yet undying hope and love found in the Prince of Farthestshore, Veiled Rose is a wonderful sequel that begs the reading of Moonblood (releasing April 2012)!

*With thanks to Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Book Discussion: Torrent

Welcome to Medieval Italy! Let's adjourn to the library at Castello Forelli so we can discuss the talk of the kingdom - "The River of Time" series by Lisa T. Bergren! Or more specifically, the conclusion to this awesome series - Torrent!!

Before we dive in, here's the description of the book from Lisa's website:

"Gabi and Lia Betarrini have learned to control their time travel, and they return from medieval Italy to save their father from his tragic death in modern times. But love calls across the centuries, and the girls are determined to return forever—even though they know the Black Plague is advancing across Europe, claiming the lives of one-third of the population. In the suspenseful conclusion of the River of Time series, every decision is about life … and death."

Time for Some Rules:

While this discussion is mostly for readers who have read the whole series, anyone is welcome to join! I'm going to keep my questions as spoiler-free as possible, but I can't guarantee the comments will be such. So feel free to read this post and respond to whichever questions you want - just beware of the comments if you haven't yet read Torrent! (If you're one of those people who hasn't read it, I recommend you read it soon!!)

Time for Some Discussion Questions:

• OK, I just have to ask this question first! Who is your favorite hero in Torrent and/or the whole "River of Time" series? Why? (I think this just might be one of the toughest discussion question ever!!)

• Gabi is one tough swordswoman - always "at the ready," persevering through pain, and fighting for freedom. Do you think you would have what it takes to survive (like Gabi and her family) in a place as dangerous as Medieval Italy? What does it take to survive in this day and age? Conversely, what do you enjoy most about living in this time period?

• For parents: Would you be willing to let your children travel back to a vicious time if it meant a more meaningful "future" for all of you?

• For young adults: If the only way your whole family could stay together was to go back in time, would you be willing to take the risk and give up modern comforts, friends, school, a career, etc.?

Time for Some Dessert:

Here's one last discussion question from the "after words" section of Torrent:

• "In one passage, the book titles for the series are somewhat explained: 'My eyes shifted to the trickling river. Come spring, it would be ten times as wide and just as deep. On and on it went, rushing toward the distant horizon. Like time. Like life. Sometimes gently falling from one pool into the other, other times fast and cascading, and still other times narrowing into a funnel, a torrent of knots and waves.' Have you experienced life like that? Identify three times in your life that feel like a Waterfall, a Cascade, and a Torrent. Which one describes your life right now?"

I absolutely LOVE the idea of an "after words" for a book - like an "encore" or a piece of "dessert." Way to go David C Cook publishers - fabulous idea! I just had to include the discussion question above because it really ties the whole series together, and it's a brilliant question!

Can't wait to hear your thoughts and interact with all of you! =)