BLOGWORDS – Saturday 16 November 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-SATURDAY – BOOK REVIEW – STAND ALONE by RUTH E. MEYER

TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW-on-SATURDAY – STAND ALONE by RUTH E. MEYER

THE BLURB

Grace Neunaber has entered a new phase of life. With two grandchildren and her second child college-bound, she’s rethinking what to do with her quiet days while the kids are at school. But she’s not the only one with decisions to make.

Thanks to a football injury, Jackson Williams’ college plans have been turned upside down. His confidence and ego have been shattered along with his dream of a football scholarship. Yet he’s challenged to grow both by his accident and by his best friend, Sam.

With so many uncertainties for the whole family, Grace will have to muster her self-confidence in the face of change. And Jackson will have to choose what kind of person he wants to become–a man who shirks responsibility and caves to circumstance or a man who stands up for what’s right when life knocks him down. Even when it means standing alone.

 

THE AUTHOR

 

Ruth Meyer graduated from Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with a degree in church music and no plans whatsoever to become an author. But a student of the week project for her son inspired Our Faith from A to Z, a children’s picture book. After that, it was only a matter of time before she tried her hand at fiction. As both the daughter of and the wife of a pastor, Ruth has moved around a lot, and her experiences provide many ideas for her writing. Currently, she resides in rural Texas with her husband, their five children, and two dogs. It is her hope that through her writing, readers are assured of God’s grace through His Son, Jesus.

 

 

 

 

 

MY REVIEW

I read this book with mixed feelings and reaction. Much of the dialogue and interaction was deep and meaningful. It was loaded with strong messages of faith and forgiveness.

But then there was so much dialogue that felt awkward and stilted.

My greatest issue, though, was with the timeline after Jackson’s injury. Ms. Meyer states that her son suffered a similar injury but in the story Jackson’s recovery seemed rushed; I, too, have had personal experience with leg surgery and recovery, and found the timeline in the story extremely rushed and implausible.

Jackson had such a tender heart, and was such a good friend. I was happy with his choices and decisions in the end.

 

ROBIN’S FEATHERS

THREE FEATHERS

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

 

#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day-on-Saturday, #TRD, Book Review, Stand Alone, Ruth E. Meyer, JustRead Publicity Tours

BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 12 November 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – SMOKE SCREEN by TERRI BLACKSTOCK

TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – SMOKE SCREEN by TERRI BLACKSTOCK

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Book: Smoke Screen

Author: Terri Blackstock

Genre:  Christian Suspense

Release Date: November 5, 2019

 

THE BLURB

One father was murdered, and another convicted of his death. All because their children fell in love.

Nate Beckett has spent his life fighting wildfires instead of the lies and rumors that drove him from his Colorado home town. His mother begs him to come to Carlisle now that his father has been released from prison, but it isn’t until he’s sidelined by an injury that he’s forced to return and face his past. But that means facing Brenna too.

Fourteen years ago, Nate was in love with the preacher’s daughter. When Pastor Strickland discovered Brenna had defied him to sneak out with Nate, the fight between Strickland and Nate’s drunken dad was loud—and very public. Strickland was found murdered later that night, and everyone accused Roy Beckett. When the church burned down, people assumed it was Nate getting even for his father’s conviction. He let the rumors fly and left Carlisle without looking back.

Now, Brenna is stunned to learn that the man convicted of murdering her father has been pardoned. The events of that night set her life on a bad course, and she’s dealing with a brutal custody battle with her ex and his new wife where he’s using lies and his family’s money to sway the judge. She’s barely hanging on, and she’s turned to alcohol to cope. Shame and fear consume her.

As they deal with the present—including new information about that fateful night and a wildfire that’s threatening their town—their past keeps igniting. Nate is the steady force Brenna has so desperately needed. But she’ll have to learn to trust him again first.

 

Click here to get your copy.

 

THE AUTHOR

 

Terri Blackstock has sold over seven million books worldwide and is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author. She is the award-winning author of Intervention, Vicious Cycle, and Downfall, as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, the SunCoast Chronicles, and the Restoration Series. Visit her website at www.terriblackstock.com; Facebook: tblackstock; Twitter: @terriblackstock

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXCERPT

I woke up in a blinding bright room, my clothes off and something clamped to my face. I tried to reach it, but I couldn’t bend my right arm, and my hand stung. An IV was taped to my other hand, but I moved carefully and touched the thing over my face.

An oxygen mask. I tried to sit up. “What happened?”

T-bird came to my bedside, a sheen of smoky sweat still soiling his face. “Nate, lie back, man.”

“The fire,” I said. “Need to get back. My men.”

“They’re still there. Making progress. But you’re not going anywhere near a fire for a month or so.”

I took the mask off and coughed a little, but managed to catch my breath. “A month?”

“Yep. Second degree burns on 20 percent of your body. Some of the burns are deep.”

It came back to me, the event that had gotten me here.

“The family. Were they injured?”

“Not a scratch or burn. Turns out it was a U.S. Senator from Kansas. He says you’re a hero.”

“You know I had no choice. They were in the path—”

“Take the praise where you can get it, man. We don’t get that much.”

I looked at my right side. My right arm was bandaged, and so was my side and down my right leg to the point where my boots had stopped the flames. Second degree wasn’t so bad, I told myself. Third degree would have been brutal. I’d be able to leave the hospital soon. I’d heal.

“I won’t need a month,” I said.

“Yes, you will. They can’t let you go back. Doctor’s orders. You’re grounded until he releases you.”

I managed to sit up, but it was a bad idea. The burns pulling on my skin reminded me why I shouldn’t. “I can’t be grounded during fire season. Are you crazy? I need to be there. You don’t have enough men as it is.”

“Sorry, Nate. It is what it is. Why don’t you go home to Carlisle for a while? Take it easy.”

Go home? Pop had just been pardoned, and he and my mom were trying to navigate the reunion. Though she would love to have me home, I didn’t know if I was up to it. My father could be challenging, and fourteen years of prison hadn’t done him any favors.

 

Taken from “Smoke Screen” by Terri Blackstock. Copyright © 2019 by Terri Blackstock. Used by permission of http://www.thomasnelson.com/.

 

MY REVIEW

WOWIE!!! This is my first read by this author but it definitely won’t be my last! With plot twists and turns, Ms. Blackstock packs a punch in this story!

From adult children bearing the stigma of their parents’ actions to bearing the brunt a sibling’s behavior, old ghosts haunt both Brenna and Nate—including their feelings for each other.

I appreciated the ugly reality of Brenna’s drinking; this reviewer knows the heartache of watching the crippling effects of alcohol. As a mother, my heart broke for Brenna’s battle for custody of her kids, but I also knew Nate’s struggle to balance between helping and enabling… Ms. Blackstock portrayed both exquisitely.

The dialogue, and the interactions and reactions of the characters were genuine and believable. The journey of the story moved naturally and easily to a perfect conclusion.

 

ROBIN’S FEATHERS

ALL | THE | FEATHERS!

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

 

BLOG STOPS

As He Leads is Joy, November 9

Sara Jane Jacobs, November 9

CarpeDiem, November 9

Christian Bookaholic , November 9

Fiction Aficionado, November 10

KarenSueHadley, November 10

Quiet quilter, November 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 10

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 11

Among the Reads, November 11

Genesis 5020, November 11

A Reader’s Brain, November 11

Robin’s Nest, November 12

All-of-a-kind Mom, November 12

Bigreadersite , November 12

Blogging With Carol , November 12

Betti Mace, November 13

Spoken from the Heart, November 13

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, November 13

Emily Yager, November 13

By The Book, November 14

For Him and My Family, November 14

A Baker’s Perspective, November 14

Splashes of Joy , November 14

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 15

Through the Fire Blogs, November 15

Andrea Christenson, November 15

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 16

The Christian Fiction Girl, November 16

Just the Write Escape, November 16

Mary Hake, November 16

Remembrancy, November 17

Simple Harvest Reads, November 17 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

EmpowerMoms, November 17

Bloggin’ ’bout Books, November 17

Blessed & Bookish, November 18

Older & Smarter, November 18

For the Love of Literature, November 18

Inklings and notions, November 18

Lights in a Dark World, November 19

amandainpa , November 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 19

Pause for Tales, November 19

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 20

For The Love of Books , November 20

Hallie Reads, November 20

Cathe Swanson, November 21

Christian Bookshelf Reviews, November 21

All 4 and About Books, November 21

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 21

Batya’s Bits, November 22

Livin’ Lit, November 22

Texas Book-aholic, November 22

janicesbookreviews, November 22

#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, Smoke Screen, Terri Blackstock, Celebrate Lit

BLOGWORDS – Monday 11 November 2019 – NEW WEEK NEW FACE – GUEST POST – PAT NICHOLS

NEW WEEK NEW FACE – GUEST POST – PAT NICHOLS

 

SETTING: FICTIONAL VS. REAL

 

In 2016 the idea for a story about Emily and Rachel—strangers drawn together by tragedy and a long-held secret—grew into a full-blown plan to write a series centered in a small town struggling to survive.  From the beginning, I knew the two women had to come from different backgrounds and lifestyles. If Emily was raised by middle-class parents living in a small town, Rachel had to be the daughter of a wealthy big-city business owner.

Because I live in Duluth, Georgia—a metro Atlanta suburb—selecting the city was easy. Not only had I visited Centennial Park and the Georgia Aquarium, my husband and I had dined at the Sun Dial Restaurant atop the circular Peachtree Plaza Hotel. Nearly every Atlanta site referenced in The Secret of Willow Inn exists. Including the high-rise building that houses Streetman Enterprise the fictional real-estate development firm owned by Rachel’s father. Using actual locations has advantages. Especially with the existence of Google Earth. I can’t count the number of times I zoomed in on downtown Atlanta to make sure Rachel could see the Skyview Ferris Wheel from her office window or Fox Theater from her father’s office. Or which direction she turned to walk to the park. Of course, as a writer I was also bound by reality.

When it came time to identify Emily’s hometown, I decided to create a setting I could conform to the story. A town on the brink of failure, populated by a cast of quirky, argumentative, lovable characters.

To get a sense of small-town vibe, my husband and I spent several weekends visiting north Georgia locations; tourist destinations—some dating back to the civil war—and quiet little villages off the beaten path. One of those treks occurred on Labor Day. Once we left Atlanta, we discovered an interesting situation. Small towns take the holiday seriously. Other than a few places to eat, stores were closed. Imagine that. No labor on Labor Day. A fact I used in Willow Falls series book three.

Every town we visited had a place to eat, some sort of general store, and at least one inn. Perfect for my story. Because the characters in my fictional town believed the only way to survive was to entice visitors, it needed a few existing attractions—a fifty-foot waterfall and a hundred-year-old general store. Add a colorful history, revealed in The Trouble in Willow Falls, and the town had a fighting chance to survive.

After mentally creating a fictional setting, I needed a visual to guide my scene descriptions and characters’ movements. So, I created an aerial view on a poster board, using a blue marker to pinpoint key locations; Willow Inn, the abandoned hotel, Hayes General Store, Pepper’s café, and Patsy’s Pastries and Pretties. As the story progressed, I added new sites. Recently I created a more professional looking view.

It’s funny how in time the fictional setting seems as real as the one that physically exists, thanks to readers’ ability to imagine and writers’ capacity to paint mental pictures. In some stories the setting serves as another character. During my research about fictional settings, I discovered Cabot Cove, the setting for the Murder She Wrote television series wasn’t real. Who knew?

As an author I’ve found it beneficial to use both fictional and real settings in the same novel. Real settings, especially those that are well known, give readers a sense of authenticity. Atlanta is a southern hub for ground and air travel. I can only guess how many millions have flown over the city or driven on the downtown connector as they pass through to their destinations. At the very least folks might have wondered what lay beyond the skyline.

On the other hand, a fictional setting gives writers tremendous latitude and readers’ the opportunity to let their imaginations soar. By the way, I prefer not to have characters’ faces on my covers, because I don’t want to limit readers imagination to picture the characters the way they want. The same can be said for setting.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pat Nichols is proving it’s never too late to follow your dreams. She draws on a twenty-seven-year corporate career working with amazing women from all walks of life to write emotionally charged stories about women who face tension-laced challenges and heart-warming triumphs as they pursue their dreams. The Secret of Willow Inn introduces readers to Willow Falls, a small southern town on the brink of failure, populated by an opinionated, quirky, lovable, cast of characters. The Willow Falls series will appeal to Debbie Macomber, Ane Mulligan, and Jan Karon fans.

She was born in Illinois, grew up in Orlando and has called Georgia home since the eighties. Pat and Tim reside in Duluth and are active members of Gwinnett Church, a Northpoint Ministries Campus. Although they love dogs, especially black labs, their pets now consist of squirrels scampering across their deck and deer traipsing through their back yard. She is a member of ACFW and Word Weavers International. She was featured on WATC Television Atlanta Alive and in Voyager Magazine http://voyageatl.com/interview/meet-pat-nichols-author-duluth/

Come on over for a visit on her website: www.patnicholsauthor.blog  or Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

 

 

 

 

#Blogwords, New Week New Face, #NWNF, Guest Post, Pat Nichols

BLOGWORDS – Monday 11 November 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-MONDAY – BOOK REVIEW – THE TROUBLE IN WILLOW FALLS by PAT NICHOLS

TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-MONDAY – BOOK REVIEW – THE TROUBLE IN WILLOW FALLS by PAT NICHOLS

 

THE BLURB

After a scathing blogger review and a negative Atlanta television newscast tarnish Willow Falls’ reputation as a secluded North Georgia tourist destination, the town council votes to use the remainder of its annual budget to hire a PR firm to restore the town’s image. At a town-hall meeting, angry residents brainstorm ideas to boost Willow Falls’ appeal. When a second Atlanta television station announces plans to film a segment for its Around Georgia series, residents invest their time and limited resources to spruce up Main Street’s appearance. Willow Post editor Emily Hayes can’t help but shake her head at her town’s desperate efforts.
For months, Emily has submitted her novel to numerous publishers but received only rejections. When famous artist Naomi Jasper offers Emily much-needed cash to finish writing, then cast and direct a play about Willow Falls’ colorful history, Emily faces a difficult decision—postpone the rewrite of her novel or accept the project. After convincing her sister, Rachel Streetman, to partner with her, Emily puts her dreams on hold and agrees to take on the play. Failure to deliver is not an option.
All her life Rachel has dreamed of becoming a stage actress, so when she receives an invitation to audition for a respected Broadway director, Rachel abandons her sister and the Willow Falls play. But an incident with the director sends her reeling back into the arms of Charlie Bricker, her one true love. Out of options, Rachel reluctantly accepts her part in the town play with the slim hope that her performance might kick-start her career.
If anyone understands broken hearts, it’s Willow Inn’s beloved innkeeper, Sadie Liles. Sadie has learned to live with the fact that love is the last thing she’ll ever find. Then he walks through the front door.
As the town prepares for Redding Arms’ grand opening, five newcomers and one British tourist test the town’s quirky, lovable, argumentative residents’ souls. Digging deep to deal with the strife, bickering, and personal backstabbing will test Willow Falls in ways the small town never imagined. Could it be that the trouble in Willow Falls is the very thing that reminds its residents that honesty, love, and loyalty to one another is what binds them together?

 

THE AUTHOR

Pat Nichols is proving it’s never too late to follow your dreams.

During the spring, summer, and early autumn of her life this side of heaven, she and her high-school-sweetheart husband struggled and triumphed through life’s peaks and valleys. They raised two children, welcomed four grandchildren—one is with the angels—bought a Corvette, and ticked off every item on their travel bucket list. Now approaching her winter years, she ignores the minor aches that come with age and is grateful she can still paint her own toenails and dance with her hubby.

Following twenty-five years in six different management positions with an international beauty company, Pat launched career number two as a novelist and freelance editor. She chose women’s fiction to honor her daughter’s strength in the face of significant health issues and the loss of a child. Her corporate experience, working with hundreds of amazing women from all walks of life, inspires her to create stories about women who confront challenges in the pursuit of their dreams.

Although she writes five days a week, she and Tim—her best friend and number one fan—continue to celebrate their fifty-plus-year marriage. They lead a small group, volunteer for church guest services, participate in two social organizations, and spend time with family and friends. She thanks God for the blessings that brought her joy and the challenges that continue to strengthen her faith, skills, and resolve.

Pat was born in Illinois, grew up in Orlando, and has called Georgia home since the eighties. She lives in an Atlanta suburb, is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Word Weavers, Christian Pen, and Gwinnett Church (a campus of Northpoint Ministries).

CONNECT WITH PAT NICHOLS: website | Facebook | Twitter

 

MY REVIEW

I was so glad to spend time with these characters again. The theatre bit was a bonus for this actress!

Ms. Nichols brings her characters back for another whirlwind ride. One disaster is a fact of life; two disasters a crazy coincidence, but a third disaster is plain suspicious.

As the townspeople rally to recover from the derogatory blog post—disaster #1—they are divided in how best to save their town. The way they come together makes me wish I lived in a small town.

I was happy to see that Rachel and Emily have become so close, and how they teamed up to help save Willow Falls.  Ms. Nichols threw a couple of twists again, and a tearjerker surprise. Once again, I look forward to the next Willow Falls story.

 

ROBIN’S FEATHERS

FOUR FEATHERS

 

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

 

 

#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day-on-Monday, #TRD, Book Review, The Trouble in Willow Falls, Pat Nichols

BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 5 November 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – CALLED TO INSPIRE by MARSHA DuCILLE

TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – CALLED TO INSPIRE by MARSHA DuCILLE

 

THE BLURB

Do you sense God prompting you to do something special with your life? Do you feel totally unprepared to answer his call?
Get ready for your heart to be emboldened and your faith strengthened! In CALLED to Inspire, Marsha DuCille, founder and publisher of CALLED magazine, leads you through a 52-question devotional experience to help you discover a rich, victorious life guided by God. With each weekly devotion, you’ll find compelling answers to life’s most significant questions. Each reading is accompanied by a powerful prayer, a meaningful verse to hide in your heart, a declaration to defend and fortify your faith, and journaling space to record your thoughts.
Let CALLED to Inspire encourage you to step outside your comfort zone and give you the strength and confidence to hear God’s calling in your life. Cling to this companion week after week—and dare to render your answer.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marsha DuCille is the founder and editorial director of CALLED magazine, the largest North American-based publication for Christian women. Her “hobby turned global venture” reaches women worldwide through a variety or multimedia platforms. She is also the creative director of CALLED Design, a print and digital solutions enterprise; the creative principal of CALLED Boutique, a merchandising brand; and the chairman of The CALLED Project, a philanthropic arm that supports outreach efforts around the world. Marsha earned a master’s degree in social work from Boston University and a master’s degree in educational foundations, research, and policy from the University of Michigan.

 

MY REVIEW

A treasure of wisdom and truth, to encourage and uplift, and inspire. Fifty-two single page vignettes, each with a profound and simple and thought-provoking truth.

But more than encouragement, CALLED to Inspire calls the reader to search deep, to live a life changed to Father God’s image. To think as He thinks, to live as He lives. To be His hands and feet, His eyes and voice in the earth.

The beauty of each week’s study is its brevity and its simplicity; the Gospel is not complicated at all.

Ms. DuCille has included a prayer for each week’s study, and a verse to focus on and a declaration to speak out. Space is provided for the reader to journal their thoughts on the week’s message. Perhaps my favorite bit is the Keepsake thought that Ms. Ducille tucks at the bottom of each journal page.

 

ROBIN’S FEATHERS

ALL | THE | FEATHERS!

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

 

#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, Called to Inspire, Marsha DuCille, JustRead Publicity Tours

BLOGWORDS – Monday 4 November 2019 – NEW WEEK NEW FACE – GUEST POST – J’NELL CIESIELSKI

NEW WEEK NEW FACE – GUEST POST – J’NELL CIESIELSKI

 

SETTING: REALITY VS FICTION

 

Once upon a time in a land far, far away …

How many times as readers have we been swept away to places new or familiar by this timeless phrase and descriptions of palm trees, drafty castles, or moon dusted planets? Setting is an instrumental component in storytelling. It sets the tone, character background and expectations, and in some cases directs the narrative (where would The Little Mermaid be if she wasn’t under the sea?). Imagine some of the most distinctive stories you know: Robinson Crusoe, Braveheart, Lord of the Rings, or Alice in Wonderland. These stories would not be what they are without their unique settings. For them, setting is king.

How does a writer go about choosing the setting? In some instances, there is no choosing as it can only be one place. William Wallace does not exist outside Scotland, nor could Frodo make his epic journey through New Jersey. It had to be Middle Earth. In other cases, a story can be set just about anywhere the author prefers. Not being a fantasy writer myself, I can’t expound much on fantastical settings so for the sake of credibility we’ll stick to real locations that may or may not have fictional elements (spoiler: they usually do, otherwise it wouldn’t be fiction).

Ok. We’ve got our setting. Now what? Research! Remember how setting is king? Well, research is the shining crown that makes it so. Research must be conducted to know the lay of the land, to understand the weather, to see the rolling hills or crashing waves. A reader wants to walk the cobblestone streets of a French village with the characters. A reader wants to see the rusting colors of a sun setting over the mountains of Colorado. These emotions and experiences can only be evoked with proper research; otherwise literary pandemonium will break out as rooftops in Germany will suddenly be green (they’re terra cotta) and deserts will spring up in Iceland (hardly, as it’s known as the land of fire and ice). Take for example my recent novella set in Scotland. The country has a very distinct look, landscape, and feel. I wanted readers to shiver at the chilled winds sweeping off the granite crags, sway with the heather flowers thick as carpet across the moors, dive into the deep blue lochs, and stare in awe at the ancient stone castles home to the clans. Without including these key elements the story would fall flat and the characters would not have an authentic setting in which to act and react to. At some point, research isn’t enough. At some point, the story needs to start adding its own elements to the setting.

In real settings, fictional elements must be introduced in order to keep the story moving. It’s impossible to keep every detail accurate, otherwise you venture into non-fiction territory. Details must be added for characters to play off and live within that can’t be found in the real world. Looking again at my novella, Night Fox, I researched everything I could about the area in which the story is set and realized I needed to give the hero a home. Yes, there is a real place called Scotland with clan lairds who lived in castles during the eighteenth century, but there was never an estate called Strathmoore on McLendon lands. At least to my knowledge, because I made it up. Likewise there isn’t a village called Druimbeath, but I needed a place for my heroine and hero to interact (when one of them isn’t out committing highway robbery). These places may have sprung from my imagination, but the details about them are true to what existed in eighteenth century Scotland that I had compiled through extensive research. In other words, though my village and castle are made up they could easily be mistaken for real. But that’s also because I’m a stickler for details J

Which brings me to a final point that is hotly debated among readers. Detail accuracy. Does the writer keep the details as authentically accurate as possible for the setting/time period/nationality/etc. or do they keep things accurate-ish while liberally sprinkling in their own ideas of what things should look or sound like? As a historical writer this hits home for me because there is a high standard for keeping historicals as authentic as possible to the era presented, and while this is a noble endeavor, it’s not always possible when information becomes lost over the centuries. I believe in not placing so much importance on accuracy that enjoyment of the crafted story gets lost. Research what needs to be researched, but at the end of the day it’s called fiction for a reason and I for one will never mind a few make believe castles.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Believing she was born in the wrong era, J’nell Ciesielski spends her days writing heart-stopping heroes, brave heroines, and adventurous exploits in times gone by. Winner of the Romance Through the Ages contest and Maggie Award, J’nell can often be found dreaming of a second home in Scotland, indulging in chocolate of any kind, or watching old black and white movies. Born a Florida girl, she now calls Virginia home, along with her very understanding husband, young daughter, and one lazy beagle.

 

Just for Fun …

• My name is pronounced Juh-nell Suh-sell-ski
• I’m not a fan of cooking, but I love baking. Probably because I can lick the bowl of cake batter
• My heart belongs to no other dog than a beagle. I mean, c’mon. Have you ever seen a beagle puppy and not squealed?
• I was married at Disney World
• My favorite TV channel is TCM

 

http://www.jnellciesielski.com/

https://www.facebook.com/jnellciesielski

https://twitter.com/JnellCiesielski
https://www.goodreads.com/jnellciesielski

https://www.pinterest.com/jnellciesielski/

 

 

Available 15 November

 

#Blogwords, New Week New Face, #NWNF, Guest Post, J’nell Ciesielski

BLOGWORDS – Saturday 2 November 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-SATURDAY – BOOK REVIEW – A KITE ON THE WIND by PATRICIA LEE

TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-SATURDAY – BOOK REVIEW – A KITE ON THE WIND by PATRICIA LEE

 

THE BLURB

Is Love Strong Enough to Overcome the Walls They Hide Behind?
Left waiting at the altar, Claire Simpson has buried her past and moved on, carving out a life for herself as a teacher on the Oregon coast. When her former fiancé appears, he threatens to unravel the peaceful independence she has worked so hard to achieve after their relationship failed.

Montgomery Chandler has moved to NOAA headquarters in Newport, Oregon to make new, happier memories for his children after his wife died of a lingering illness. Their home in Seattle held nothing but the whispers of their earlier lives. Starting over will help all of them heal, but Monty is resolved not to risk love again.
When the handsome widower enrolls his hurting children at the school where Claire teaches, her determination to remain uninvolved vanishes at the whim of a snowstorm. This family needs her expertise. Can she help them without losing her heart?

 

THE AUTHOR

 

Patricia Lee is a published author, having written since she first learned what words could do at the age of six. She holds a BA in journalism from the University of Oregon. Articles to her credit have appeared in Moody Monthly, Power for Living, Expecting and Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse as well as in two anthologies— Cup of Comfort Bible Promises and In the Company of Angels. She is part of a team of bloggers who submit short devotionals for FaithHappenings.com.

Patricia is a member of the Oregon Christian Writers and of American Christian Fiction Writers. She and her husband have two adult children and live in the Pacific Northwest with two sleepy cats.

CONNECT WITH PATRICIA:  Website | Facebook | Twitter

 

 

 

MY REVIEW

I wanted so badly to like this story. And there were bits that did touch my heart. A father with two young children grieving the death of wife and mother. The teacher who embraces the children and, with her expertise, eases their grief. The close bonds of family, both nearby and across the country; the way Ellen befriended Claire.

But overall it seemed dry, the dialogue was stilted, and the children didn’t talk like kids. Much of what they said was beyond any seven or eight year old I’ve ever known.

The situation was unique [NO SPOILERS], not something I’ve read before. As I picked up on the hints throughout the story, I wondered… I tried to put myself in Claire’s place, imagine how I might have reacted. The trauma of Fallyn’s illness infused tension and angst into the story.

I did like the characters. Monty struggled to balance his life after suffering tragedy, no easy task. Claire clearly had the heart of a teacher and counselor. Mia’s fixation on kitties is one I share, and Mason’s obsession with kites was a fun bit. There was good interaction between the characters. BONUS: McKenna from An Anchor on Her Heart made a cameo appearance.

 

ROBIN’S FEATHERS

THREE FEATHERS

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

 

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