Halloween Book Pick | Review of These Vicious Masks

About the Book

England, 1882. Evelyn is bored with society and its expectations. So when her beloved sister, Rose, mysteriously vanishes, she ignores her parents and travels to London to find her, accompanied by the dashing Mr. Kent. But they're not the only ones looking for Rose. The reclusive, young gentleman Sebastian Braddock is also searching for her, claiming that both sisters have special healing powers. Evelyn is convinced that Sebastian must be mad, until she discovers that his strange tales of extraordinary people are true—and that her sister is in graver danger than she feared.

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My Review

I've had this book on my shelf for a little while now, and I thought it would make a good October read. These Vicious Masks definitely has its fill of danger, creepiness, and twists! But what I also loved was the thread of humor, courtesy of the snarky heroine, the blithe Mr. Kent, and some funny secondary characters (see last paragraph of the review for a side note).

All is not fun and games, though. Be prepared for drama, lots of revelations, and intense scenes and situations. While I certainly wouldn't categorize this as a "horror" story—it's much too tame for that that, evidenced by the fact I was able to read it—this young-adult novel does have a darker side to foil its lighter elements.

The historical setting adds to the shadowy backdrop: bleak London streets and alleys, spooky houses, and places where polite society shouldn't be seen. Although the characters and their attitudes sometimes feel too modern for that setting. (But I will add how surprised I was to find and read a book titled Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow by Jerome K. Jerome, copyrighted 1890, in which those "idle thoughts" felt quite modern and relatable—and sometimes hilarious. Definitely an intriguing read. :) But I digress.)

These Vicious Masks has a great cast of characters and a plot that holds your attention. And while I didn't absolutely fall in love with it all, I did appreciate the points it makes and discussion it raises about having a "gift" and being brave enough to use it for good.

Side note: I enjoyed the "Swoonworthy Extras" at the back of the book! (I read the paperback.) You get some funny insights into one character's sister and a butler. #TuffinsFTW

Pride & Prejudice Read-Along | Week 1

Welcome to Week 1 of the Pride & Prejudice read-along! You can learn more about the read-along schedule in this invitation post. (We're reading 2 chapters a day.)

Today we're going to discuss chapters 1-6 (Volume I). If you came prepared, go ahead and share your thoughts in the comments section or in your own post! (Feel free to use the image above, linking back to the Pride & Prejudice read-along tag.) If you still have to catch up on some reading, you're welcome to check in later this week or whenever you're ready. :)

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

~ ~ ~

Pride & Prejudice Volume I: Chapters 1-6

Discussion Format: One favorite quote, some general impressions, and three questions for each week's reading.

Favorite Quote

"There are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement." ~ Charlotte Lucas

General Impressions

Characters truly have their own distinct persona between movies and books, don't they? In these first few chapters, I've really enjoyed getting to discover different sides and depths of the familiar characters in Pride & Prejudice.

So far, Elizabeth hasn't stood out to me all that much. She seems rather likable, if not entirely remarkable (at least, as little as she's been described so far!). I like that she holds her own, and I especially like seeing the bond between her and Jane. It's really sweet how much she cares about Jane's happiness, and how defensive she is of Jane's introverted ways.

Jane really shines at this point. I love the way Lizzy describes Jane's attitude: "To take the good of everybody's character and make it still better, and say nothing of the bad—belongs to you alone." I appreciate Jane's kindness in how she views and judges (or, refrains from judging) others. Between her gentle ways and her loveliness, Mr. Bingley was bound to fall in love. :)

Speaking of Mr. Bingley...he's definitely made himself much more appealing in these first few chapters than Mr. Darcy has. But I suppose that's the point: the "first impressions" (First Impressions being the original title of the book) are quite unfavorable for him, but they don't tell the whole story. As Mr. Bennet says (in jest to his wife, but with underlying truth in it):

A fortnight's acquaintance is certainly very little. One cannot know what a man really is by the end of a fortnight.

I'm not quite sure what to make of my first impressions of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. Mr. Bennet is rather funny and charming, although it's hard to tell (so far) whether or not he truly has affection for his wife. I prefer to take this line...

The astonishment of the ladies was just what he wished; that of Mrs. Bennet perhaps surpassing the rest.

...to mean that he really cares about making Mrs. Bennet happy, even if he likes to have a little fun at her expense in the process. ;)

Then there is Charlotte Lucas. She seems very jaded, but also wise to the ways of her world and what survival looks like within it. I think what she says about love needing encouragement is a good point even today. We all long for a sign that the person we love shares our feelings. Sometimes, when we have a crush, we can make up those signs. (I think I did a fair amount of this in years past!) But we still look for clues and long to know we're not alone in what we feel. It gives us the courage to reach out.

Discussion Questions

Feel free to answer one, two, or all three of these questions in the comments section or in your own blog post!

1. Which character do you most relate to at this point in the story? Whose worldview/personality most resembles yours?

2. Ponder Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth's first impressions of each other. Might the story have been very different if they had each responded differently at (and after) that first ball?

3. What do you think of the portrayals of marriage/courtship so far? Charlotte claims, "It is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life." Do you agree or disagree?

Join us next Tuesday for our second discussion! 

(Vol. I: Ch. 7-20)

Book Tag, Deals, and More! | Fun with Flowers

Over on my author blog, The Heart's Spring, I'm hosting a "Fun with Flowers" bash this week. :) Here's what's happening so far:

• eBook deals on The Heart's Spring series (including a freebie!)

• a quick, flower-themed book tag (you're invited to join!)

• a stroll through visual gardens (all about the pics!)

The fun will continue through Friday, and I'd love to see you over there! 

P.S. Speaking of exciting activities, don't forget the Pride & Prejudice read-along starts on Sunday! You can get all the details HERE.

Waves of Gratitude | Our Wedding Day

A wedding is such a wild, wonderful thing.

Leading up to the event, there are so many questions to answer and choices to make. So many little details that are somehow supposed to fall in place.

And somehow, they do. :)

Our wedding day was everything I hoped for, with waves upon waves of love and beauty and joy...

Getting ready with my bridesmaids and family was crazy, fun, and so sweet! My "something borrowed" was a pearl necklace that my grandpa gave to my grandma, which my mom let me wear for the occasion.

My bridesmaids, dad, and I trekked down four flights of stairs and across a parking lot to get to the ceremony location. This picture of my bridesmaids and I on the balcony, with my dad poking his head out of our hotel room, is one of my favorites. ;)

Josh's childhood pastor married us, which made the ceremony extra-special.

It was so surreal, preparing to walk into that room and exchange vows with the man I love.

And here we are at the start of our journey, our vows sealed with a kiss. ♥

The venue was simply gorgeous. Driftwood Shores took my dreams for the site and made them tangible. The colors, the lights, the decor, and of course the view...all were perfect for our little beach-themed wedding!

While I didn't taste nearly as much as I wanted to of these desserts, the cake and cupcakes lovingly crafted by The Frost Queen were delightful. :)

My dad and I love to dance, and we chose to dance to "Beyond the Sea" by Bobby Darin in memory of my grandparents and their love story.

I love this picture of Josh with his grandma. The reception was such a treat, to be able to visit with the family and friends who joined us on the coast.

The Holcomb family ♥

The Stokes family ♥

Josh with his great group of groomsmen. :)

I adore my husband's smile, more than words can say!

My beautiful sister was my maid of honor, and she gave the sweetest toast ever at our reception. 

It was a precious gift to have these dear friends by my side that day.

I blame it on Pinterest...but I really wanted to get in the waves and have our awesome photographers take some pictures. ;) 

Best of all, my darling husband patiently and sweetly joined me for a photo session on the beach. 

On this day, World Gratitude Day, I look back on July 15th with so much thankfulness in my heart for the people who gave so much of their time and support to make our wedding beautiful. And I'm so especially grateful to be the wife of Josh Holcomb, a man with adventure running through his veins, dedication and care showing in his work, and love overflowing from his heart. God is good and gives such good gifts. ♥

Photo credit (all photos): Leah Banick Photography

Fall in Love with Mr. Darcy | Join the Pride and Prejudice Read-Along!

Confession: I've never read Pride & Prejudice.

I know! It's terrible. I think it's about time I fix that, don't you?

And if you've also never read the book, or are simply looking for an excuse to re-read it, I invite you to join me for the Pride & Prejudice Read-Along during the month of October!

Here's what you can expect...

• Reading two chapters per day (except for the last day, when we'll only read one chapter)

• Discussing the book every Tuesday, for a total of five discussions (on the 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st)

• Having lots of fun chatting with other Jane Austen fans 

• Quite possibly falling in love with a fictional character ;)

Want to join? Feel free to take the button above to share on your blog or social media sites! You can also continue the conversation on Twitter using #InspiredByAusten. 

(For those who participated in the Persuasion read-along, I hope you don't mind I'm recycling that hashtag! Keeps things simple. :))

I can't wait to start another read-along with you! 

P.S. Explore past Jane Austen read-alongs at these links: Persuasion and Prayers Read-Along; Northanger Abbey Read-Along; Emma Read-Along

Dear Friends (A Letter to You)

Dear Friends,

I've missed you! Goodness, how the past year has flown by... (And I have precious few blog posts to show for it!) But it's been a very wonderful year. :)

I'm writing to you from Montana, where Josh (my new husband) and I have now settled. The picture I've included is of last night's sunset as seen from a bedroom window. I certainly can't complain about the view! While there aren't any crashing ocean waves nearby, I think I can come to love the rolling golden hills and the stunning mountains framing the land.

I hope to share more with you soon—perhaps some wedding photos and an update on what I plan to be working on over the coming months. 

But for now, I'd love to know how you've been! Did you go anywhere during the summer? Have any exciting life events happened while I've been away? What books did you discover this past year that are new favorites?

I hope to hear from you soon! 

Your Friend,
Amber

P.S. Do you have an Instagram account? If so, I'd love to connect with you there! You can find me @seasonshumility.

A Clever Mix of Sweetness and Suspense | Review of Heart on the Line

About the Book

Witemeyer Returns with Her Trademark Blend of Adventure, Romance, and Humor

Grace Mallory is tired of running, of hiding. But when an old friend sends an after-hours telegraph transmission warning Grace that the man who has hunted her for nearly a year has discovered her location, she fears she has no choice. She can't let the villain she believes responsible for her father's death release his wrath in Harper's Station, the town that has sheltered her and blessed her with the dearest friends she's ever known.

Amos Bledsoe prefers bicycles to horses and private conversations over the telegraph wire to social gatherings with young ladies who see him as nothing more than an oddity. His telegraph companion, the mysterious Miss G, listens eagerly to his ramblings every night and delights him with tales all her own. For months, their friendship—dare he believe, courtship?—has fed his hope that he has finally found the woman God intended for him. Yet when he takes the next step to meet her in person, he discovers her life is in peril, and Amos must decide if he can shed the cocoon of his quiet nature to become the hero Grace requires.

Available Now!

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My Rating

Spring/Summer

My Review

While Grace and Amos take great risks in this story, I know it's not much of a risk to try a new Karen Witemeyer book—because I'm bound to enjoy it! I haven't read the first book in this series, but I found it easy to drop into Grace and Amos's world. Their romance is unique and sweet, as they can communicate in a way many others can't...and their hearts beat in a similar frequency too, with their quiet ways mixed with profound inner strength and life.

The line of danger and fear underscoring each page leading up to the epic finish definitely keeps the pace moving along. I confess I set this book aside often, but I think it had more to do with a lot of distractions in my personal life than a lack of interest. Once pieces were set in motion for the showdown, I was quite hooked!

The main setting of a women's colony adds a different element to a familiar Western flavor, and the occupation of the hero and heroine (along with their resourcefulness) make for some fun scenes and clever twists. Heart on the Line is as suspenseful and enjoyable as Witemeyer fans would expect.

I should also add that a secondary character took center stage now and then with her own storyline, and I love how her character grew on me. The lessons she learns about trust are quite powerful!

*With thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of the book.*

Other Karen Witemeyer Stories I've Reviewed...
A Tailor-Made Bride | Head in the Clouds | Short-Straw Bride | Stealing the Preacher | A Cowboy Unmatched | Love on the Mend | The Husband Maneuver