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Adventure Awaits!

21 Friday Apr 2017

Posted by Jennifer in Out West Trip, Reviewed Books, Travel

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Bloggingforbooks, Book Review, Roger W. Thompson, Travel Books, We Stood Upon Stars

We Stood Upon Stars

 

Two summers ago, my family of four set out on an adventure of a lifetime. We drove from Virginia to California and back on a mission to see as much of America’s preserved wilderness as possible. All together we visited 14 National Parks in a mere six weeks! It was an incredible trip that made us thirsty for more. Since then, we have found our way to two or there more National Parks on the East Coast. However, nothing quite gives you the goose bumps like Yosemite, Yellowstone, or Arches and Zion.  Because of our trip, I felt a kinship with Roger W. Thompson, author of We Stood Upon Stars.  I knew I had to read this book, for no other reason but to feel like I had a friend who has the fever for adventure.

We Stood Upon Stars is a collection of essays about Thompson’s mostly west coast adventures. He writes about many of the places I have traveled in a light but meaningful way. I love his conversational style and random musings. I also love that he includes illustrations with tips and recommendations for those who might venture out. Once you have seen a giant Sequoia or walked through Yosemite Valley…you know the next thing you must do is go back and do it again.

BIG TREE

Thompson’s description of the Badlands is just how I remember them:  untamable, broken, and beautiful. While words could never describe Yosemite…Thompson does a much better job than I could ever do.  He says it feels like a fantasy…and it absolutely does. I feel like this book is for anyone who has experienced the amazingness that is the landscape of the United States…or for the person who has never seen any of it.  I loved reading it. If We Stood Upon Stars doesn’t make you want to get out and have an adventure, nothing will.  I received a complimentary copy of this book by Blogging for Books. I was not required to give it a positive review. All opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ROGER W. THOMPSON is a successful entrepreneur, collaborator, adventurer, and writer. He’s spent his career building innovative businesses and nonprofit organizations. In addition to creating the first mission tourism resort in Haiti with the Hands and Feet Project, he’s produced surf films, built skate parks, and outfitted adventure trips. Alongside his wife, he travels, surfs, snowboards, and fly-fishes—and is teaching his two young sons to do the same.

A Delightful New Children’s Book

28 Tuesday Mar 2017

Posted by Jennifer in Food for thought, Reviewed Books, Uncategorized

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Bloggingforbooks, Book Review, Children', Easter Basket gift, Matthew Paul Turner, Perfect Easter Basket gift, When God Made You

When God Made you

I absolutely love this book by Matthew Paul Turner! It as such an amazing and powerful message. When God Made You is a children’s book written in rhyming verse with beautiful, colorful, and vibrant illustrations.  It speaks to the uniqueness of every child, each one truly original.

From the title, it is obvious that this particular book is written from a Christian worldview. It highlights the value God has placed on his creation. God knew you before you were born and created you to be unique and special. Author Matthew Turner encourages the reader to follow their dreams, and explore their passions…to dream. My favorite verse says:

So be you- fully you- a show stopping revue. Live your life in full color, every tint, every hue.  Discover, Explore!  Have faith, but love more. And learn and relearn all that God made you for.

This book is whimsical with lovely images that make this a must have. I find it to be appropriate for ages 3-8. It would be a perfect addition to any Easter basket! The book focuses on a little girl, however I think a boy or girl would enjoy it.  I received a review copy of this book from BloggingforBooks and was not required to give a positive review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Book Review: Shine Like the Dawn

21 Tuesday Feb 2017

Posted by Jennifer in Reviewed Books, Uncategorized

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Bloggingforbooks, Book Review, Carrie Turansky, Shine Like the Dawn

9781601429407

 

This is an instance where I chose to read a book purely by its beautiful cover!  Isn’t it lovely? Shine Like the Dawn is a stand alone novel written by Carrie Turansky. This book is Christian Romance and Historical Fiction. As an avid reader of this genre I would say that I like this book, but did not love it. I have the tendency to gush over my favorites, and dread reviewing a book when I can’t. It isn’t that this book doesn’t have all the essential elements, but that it is slow.

Shine Like the Dawn has a promising prologue that piqued my interest and made me excited to read. This novel is about a young woman, Margaret Lounsbury, who survived a terrible tragedy that forever changed her life. Maggie lost her parents in an accident which seemed incomprehensible. Her childhood friend, Nathaniel Harcourt, returns home and promises to help Maggie find the real reason behind the accident. The answer could forever change their friendship. It is after the story’s powerful beginning, I slowly began to lose interest. Perhaps the set up took some time, but somewhere around the middle I was reading purely to finish. I really hate to say that! I do love historical fiction and I wanted to love this book. I have read other novels by Carrie Turansky and loved them.

Having said that, if you enjoy a slower paced book, this is likely a good choice for you. I think more page time between Nate and Maggie might have helped my interest level. I would recommend this book to young readers because Turansky writes a clean novel with strong values. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review. I have not been compensated in any way and all opinions are my own.

About the author: CARRIE TURANSKY is an award-winning author of more than a dozen novels and novellas. She has been the winner of the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award, and the International Digital Award, and a finalist for the Inspirational Readers Choice Award and the Maggie Award of Excellence. A prolific writer of contemporary and historical romance, women’s fiction, short stories, articles, and devotionals, Carrie lives in central New Jersey with her husband Scott. They have five adult children and four grandchildren.

Book Review: A Refuge at Highland Hall

21 Saturday Nov 2015

Posted by Jennifer in Reviewed Books, Uncategorized

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A Refuge at Highland Hall, Bloggingforbooks, Book Review, Carrie Turansky, historical fiction

a Refuge at Highland Hall

About the Book

A Refuge at Highland Hall is the third book in Carrie Turansky’s  Edwardian Brides series. It takes place in one of my favorite eras and places to read about, WWI and Great Britain. If you have long been a fan of Downton Abbey, this series is for you. While this novel covers many connected characters and story lines, the focus of this book is the love story of Penny Ramsey and Alex Goodwin. Penny Ramsey dedicates herself not only to those around her, but also to a handsome pilot who is leaving to fight in the war. Alex Goodwin begins correspondence with Penny in between his harrowing missions. They form an attachment with each other through pen and paper. It is when Alex is injured that their new love is put to the test.

My Review

Although I had not read the first two books in this series, I was still able to enjoy this book without feeling lost. I will admit that I was a bit overwhelmed by the enormous list of characters presented in the first few pages of this novel. I wasn’t sure I would be able to keep track of them all! It is like jumping in the middle of the pool without knowing if you can swim or not. Turansky’s pace of writing makes catching up easy. Overall, I enjoyed this novel but it did take me awhile to really get into the story. I trudged through the first 100 pages over a weeks time. Then, once in the meat of the book I began to love the story. A Refuge at Highland Hall is delightful story and I look forward to reading other books by author Carrie Turansky.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review. I have not been compensated and all opinions are my own.

You can find more from Carrie Turansky here.

Book Review: Reservations for Two

08 Friday May 2015

Posted by Jennifer in Food, Reviewed Books

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Bloggingforbooks, Book Review, Hillary Manton Lodge, Reservations for Two

Reservations for 2

About the Book

Food writer-turned-restaurateur Juliette D’Alisa has more than enough on her plate. While her trip to Provence might have unlocked new answers to her grandmother’s past, it’s also provided new complications in the form of Neil McLaren, the man she can’t give up.

Juliette and Neil find romance simple as they travel through Provence and Tuscany together, but life back home presents a different set of challenges. Juliette has a restaurant to open, a mother combating serious illness, and a family legacy of secrets to untangle – how does Neil, living so far away in Memphis, fit into to her life?

As she confronts an uncertain future, Juliette can’t help but wish that life could be as straightforward as her chocolate chip cookie recipe. Can her French grandmother’s letters from the 1940’s provide wisdom to guide her present? Or will every new insight create a fresh batch of mysteries?

My Review

Reservations for Two is an interesting read that moves slowly but deliberately through the life of Juliette D’Alisa who has a lot on her plate. As Juliette travels, we get to know her love interest, Neil, and her extended family. Author Hillary Manton Lodge also includes some amazing recipes to coincide with delicious dishes mentioned throughout the story. This was perhaps my favorite aspect of this novel! I can’t wait to try the Home-Style Tiramisu. I loved the interesting details that are included with each recipe like tiramisu translated is “pick-me up.”

Beyond the recipes, I did feel a little lost in the first few chapters. This title is book 2 in Lodge’s Two Blue Doors series, and I am wondering if reading the first book is a must. There were so many characters right out of the gate and I felt a bit topsy-turvy trying to keep them straight. Neil was problematic for me as well, mostly because I did not feel chemistry between him and Juliette. Lodge had plans for that, but they had so much page time…I kept waiting for more between them.

Overall, this book will not make my must read list for 2015, but it was decent in its own right. Lodge writes well and has a knack for details. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest review. I have not been compensated and all opinions are my own.

About the Author

Hillary Manton Lodge is the author of Plain Jayne, a Carol Award Finalist, and Simply Sara, an ECPA bestselling book. A graduate of the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism, Hillary discovered the world of cuisine during her internship at Northwest Palate magazine. A storyteller at heart, in her free time she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, watching foreign films, and exploring new walking trails. She and her husband live in Portland, Oregon.

Recent Posts

  • Wonderful Historical Fiction
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  • The Middle Matters by Lisa-Jo Baker
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