Thursday, October 21, 2021

A Season on the Wind // Book Review

About the Book:
Ben Zook had only two loves in his life: books and birds. In a stroke of good fortune, he'd stumbled onto a way to cobble together those two loves into a career, writing books about rare birds. He was as free as a bird--until a chase for a rare White-winged Tern takes him to the one place on earth he planned to never return: his Amish home in Stoney Ridge.
Desperate for photographs of the elusive tern, Ben hires a local field guide, Micah Weaver, and boards at Micah's farm, planning to "bag the bird" and leave Stoney Ridge before anyone recognizes him. But he neglected to plan for Micah's sister, Penny.
One long-ago summer, Penny had introduced Ben to birding, even sharing with him a hidden eagle aerie. That was when she knew true love. She'd always hoped he would come back to Stoney Ridge. Back to his Amish roots. Back to her. The only problem? Ben has absolutely no memory of Penny.

My Review:
It’s been awhile since I’ve read a book by Susan Woods Fisher but I’ve enjoyed the books I read by her so I was excited to read her newest release. A Season on the Wind was a good book but not a favorite. I had never read a book with characters who loved birds so much, so that was an interesting aspect to the story. There were lots of different facts about birds so if you find that fascinating you should give this one a try!
I thought Penny was a good main character and so was Ben. 
Natalie and Micah’s point of views were interesting to read about but they weren’t my favorite characters.
I think it’s fun that this book, like so many others by Suzanne Woods Fisher, is set in the town of Stoney Ridge so it’s fun to be able to see characters from her previous books.
Overall I thought this book was an enjoyable read. 

**Thank you Revell for the book in exchange for my honest review 

Friday, October 8, 2021

Mind the Gap // Book Review

 
About the Book:
 The best thing to do when all your dreams get crushed? Pack your bags and head to London.

Kate Macon has spent her life preparing to be a teacher and six weeks into her dream come true, everything crashes and burns thanks to budget cuts and a hiring freeze. With nothing but bowls of cookie dough and Pride and Prejudice marathons to look forward to, it’s not a hard decision when her grandmother calls and invites her on a trip to London.

However, instead of being an escape from reality, London just proves to be a catalyst for bringing out the worst in Kate. All her fears, insecurities and frustration seem to be right in front of everything. And her feisty grandmother, not to mention their quick-witted tour guide, aren’t helping to lift the mood.

What could the Lord possibly be doing by causing so much havoc in Kate’s life? When everything seems to be falling apart, could it be Jesus putting things back together – but in a way Kate never could have imagined?

Grab your passport and a hot cup of coffee. This is a London adventure you won’t want to miss.


My Review:
I absolutely love Erynn Mangum’s books so when I heard she was releasing a new book I was thrilled!
Mind the Gap was a great book and did not disappoint at all.
The main character, Kate, and her grandmother went on a trip to London. I thought that was a fun setting for a book. The places described sounded so fun and now London is on my long list of places to go one day. ;)
I don’t know how Erynn Mangum does it but her characters are so relatable and a lot of times they remind me of myself. Kate was no exception. She was a fun character although she did worry quite a bit and had a hard time just relaxing and just having fun and she also had a hard time trusting God with life. I could really relate to that and it was really encouraging to see Kate grow throughout the book.
Kate’s Gran was a super sweet lady. I absolutely loved her.
Then there was Oliver. He was such a nice guy. I really liked him. He was also super encouraging. Not only was he such a totally sweet and genuine guy he was really good looking too. (How do I know a book character is good looking you may ask? Well, Oliver was described as looking like John Thornton from the movie North and South!)
Mind the Gap was such a great book and I can’t wait to own a paperback copy!!
I can’t quite express how much I love this book. It was so amazing and encouraging. The ending definitely made me tear up because of how sweet and amazing it was. This is most definitely a book I will be re-reading.


Monday, October 4, 2021

A Midnight Dance // Book Review

 
About the Book:
All theater romances are tragedies. Ella Blythe knows this. Still, she cannot help but hope her own story may turn out different than most--and certainly different than the tragic story of the Ghost of Craven Street Theater. Yet as she struggles to maintain her tenuous place in the ever-shrinking ballet company, win the attentions of principal dancer Philippe, and avoid company flirt Jack, Ella cannot deny the uncanny feeling that her life is mirroring that of the dead ballerina.

Is she dancing ever closer to the edge of her own tragic end? Or will the secrets that are about to come to light offer release from the past?

Mystery and romance make the perfect dance partners in this evocative story from fan-favorite Joanna Davidson Politano.


My Review:
Back in the spring of last year I read my first book by Joanna Davidson Politano and she became a new favorite author. 
Joanna Davidson Politano has a lovely way with words. Her stories are so well crafted, her characters complex and amazing, and I love the air of mystery that is woven through her stories. 
When I first heard of A Midnight Dance I was so excited to read it. It did not disappoint!
I thought it was cool that the main character, Ella Blythe, did ballet. I find lots of different styles of dance fascinating so it was cool to read about a dancer.
Jack Dorian was an interesting character. I went from not liking him at all to liking him a lot. 
The people and mysteries surrounding Craven Street Theatre were intriguing. 
So much stuff that I was so not expecting happened, especially towards the end!
I absolutely loved the ending. It was so amazing!
I really enjoyed reading about the ballet and the performances. It was really neat. 
There’s so much more I want to say but can’t because I don’t want to spoil anything.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait to read this authors next release!

**Thank you Revell for the book in exchange for my honest review 


Saturday, October 2, 2021

My Summer Adventures

I've always wanted what I call "my year of adventure" and it just so happens that this year became that for me. I was able to go on quite a few trips this summer which was a ton of fun!
~In the beginning of July I went and visited my friend, Brooklyne. I just did a post on our adventures in a book store that you can read here. ;)

Brooklyne and I   :)

Celebrating the 4th of July!

~Towards the end of July I went on a road trip with my mom and grandpa to Utah and Colorado. We went to two national parks and we also got to visit with some family. :)

Arches National Park

My mom and I at Arches 



We went to Great Sand Dunes National Park with my cousin and her family. 

the sand dunes

I found out that I love the mountains!

I went above the timber line which was super fun!

Colorado state flower 



~At the beginning of August a friend and I took a trip to Virginia where we got to visit Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown!





~Then at the end of August I got to go visit a friend in Washington and we went to the beach!




This summer has definitely been one to remember!