Book Review: Leaving by Karen Kingsbury

Leaving by Karen Kingsbury
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Bailey Flanigan has dreams of performing on Broadway, so she is thrilled when she is given an opportunity to audition for her favorite show Hairspray. At the same time she's nursing a broken heart because her family friend-turned-boyfriend, Cody Coleman, walked out of her life without explanation. She still misses him after months of no phone calls or texts, but at the encouragement of her mother she tries to move on.

The characters in this story are connected to the Baxter Family series, none of which I've read. As I started into the book it was a little hard to discern who belonged to whom, and it seemed like there were so many characters to keep track of. After a few chapters it started falling together for me, and it wasn't a problem.

I liked the characters Bailey and Cody. I felt like they had depth and were relatable. I felt drawn into Bailey's life, particularly, and was left at the end of the book wanting to find out what happens next.

The one thing I especially appreciate about Kingsbury's writing is that she includes characters who have a genuine relationship with God, and they have regular conversations with Him when they face adversity and in their decision making. I wish more Christian writers would include this element in their books.

I have enjoyed a few of Karen Kingsbury's other books more than this one. Unlocked is by far my favorite of the few I have read. Having invested time into this story and getting caught up in Bailey's character, I will probably have to read the next in the series to find out what's next for Bailey, as well as a few of the other characters.

If you're a fan of Karen Kingsbury, I'm sure you will enjoy the book.

I would like to thank Zondervan for providing me with a free copy of the book for review. I was not required to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

• Subscribe to my blog by Email or Feed Reader
• Follow me on Twitter

Book Review: Promises To Keep by Ann Tatlock

Promises to Keep by Ann Tatlock
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed reading this story about 11-year-old Roz, whose mom relocates her, her brother, and her baby sister to a small town to get away from her drunken, abusive father in the 1960's. Although she knows her dad was frightening at times, Roz wants to remember all the good things he did for her and hopes one day her family can be together and whole again.

Tillie is an eccentric, elderly woman who makes herself at home with Roz and her family shortly after they arrive in town, and even though she's a little odd, they soon find she's just who they need in their lives.

Then there's Mara Nightingale, a friend from school who befriends Roz. As their friendship grows they share everything with each other, including their deepest secrets. They make a pinky-swear promise to one another that they will pray for each other, that God will make both of their greatest desires come to pass one day.

Ann Tatlock is a new author to me, but I will enjoy reading more of her books. This story held my attention and had my interest from the first page. It was a fast-paced read and hard to put down.

I would've enjoyed the book even more if the faith aspect had been stronger. It was rather weak for my personal taste, but I still highly recommend it for the plot and storytelling.

I appreciate Bethany House Publishers for sending me a free copy for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

• Subscribe to my blog by Email or Feed Reader
• Follow me on Twitter
  
  

Book Review: Courting Miss Amsel by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Courting Miss Amsel by Kim Vogel Sawyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Edythe Amsel is single, pretty, independent, and the new schoolmarm at a one-room schoolhouse in Walnut Hill, Nebraska. Although the single men in town would like an opportunity to court her, she has only one goal in mind. She wants to teach her students, not be a wife and mother.

Miss Amsel's students love her, but the school board is quite irritated with her discipline, teaching methods, and broad subjects, since the children will simply become farmers when they graduate. Miss Amsel believes the children should know of the opportunities beyond Nebraska farming, though.

When she pushes the school board's limits by proposing the students travel to see Susan B. Anthony and a suffrage speech, Miss Amsel may be out of a job.

I enjoyed this story, even more than other books by Kim Vogel Sawyer. Although there are plenty of stories written about schoolteachers of this time period, this one held my interest.

I enjoyed the characters like Edythe, Luthenia, and Joel and his boys. I also liked the conversations between Edythe and Luthenia about God and faith. The crisis that brings Edythe to a moment of decision had me turning pages quickly.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction set in the 1880's. It's a lighter read but a good story about family, choices, relationships and faith.

I would like to thank Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a free copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

• Subscribe to my blog by Email or in a Feed Reader
• Follow me on Twitter

Sunday Scripture

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ~ Philippians 2:9-11

• Subscribe to my blog by Email or Feed Reader
• Follow me on Twitter

Book Review: The Daughter's Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick

The Daughter's Walk: A Novel by Jane Kirkpatrick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In a daring effort to save their family farm in 1896, Norwegian American Helga Estby takes her adult daughter Clara on a walk from Spokane, Washington to New York City to win $10,000.

Leaving their family behind and neighbors scoffing at her decision, Helga is willing to take a risk if it means she can help her family. But the journey is much more than she bargained for. It is harsh, secrets are revealed, and she returns home to loss and consequences that will be far reaching.

Upon returning to Washington, Clara goes in search of something that she can't find at home. She makes the decision to continue her own journey, leaving her family once again.

I found the story fascinating, particularly because it is based on real people and true historical events. The research Jane Kirkpatrick did to put this book together was extensive and intriguing, and she shares that process at the end of the book.

Although the characters stray from my own biblical view that a wife should honor and respect her husband as the head of the home, the Estbys were real people and this is their story. There were serious consequences which resulted from choices that were made, even though the choices were made with good intentions. I can't say that any of the Estbys responded to their hardships in a way that brought unity to their home, and unfortunately it wasn't an altogether happy story.

I highly recommend this book! The storytelling was terrific and engrossing. I found it hard to put the book down. It's amazing that Helga and Clara accomplished what they did, and it's worth reading the book to hear their story, a story that was almost lost forever.

If you would like to see a trailer of this book, check it out on Amazon. 

I wish to thank WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group and their Blogging For Books program for providing me with a free Advance Reading Copy. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

• Subscribe to my blog by Email or Feed Reader
• Follow me on Twitter