Today I'm celebrating with family so there won't be any reviews. Hope you have a great day with your loved ones. If you want something good to read for today, I suggest the Bible and Resurrection story. Remember Jesus today and His gift to you.
Storyline -
Thomas is Lord of Magnus but now he must keep it. As he goes off to fight the Scots, he most be cautious of Druids haunting him, wanting Thomas to become a member of their group. But he is determined to do things his own way. When his rule to Magnus is threatened with strange events happening all around him, Thomas will have to find a way to battle these strange forces. But does he have enough strength on his own or will he have to find aid from another?
Author -
Sigmund Brouwer
Publisher - WaterBrook Press Age Group - 14 and up Content - *May Contain Spoilers*Thomas feels he can only depend on himself and his own strength but begins to see he might need help. He is even trying to figure out who God is and if he can believe in him after only ever seeing religious be greedy and untruthful. Some creepiness from the bad guys with them threatening Thomas, branding and torturing people (this is heard about after it is done so no details), and one guy wanting to marry a girl.
Personal Opinion -
I usually like Sigmund Brouwer's books but I couldn't get into this one. Thomas's plans are still interesting and I enjoy reading how he wins a battle using his wit because it is so creative. I also liked how he had a mouse and, eventually, a dog. But, I felt this book was a bit slow and the majority of it had to do with a battle when the ending had to do with something else (sorry for being vague but I don't want to give away spoilers). The chapters didn't seem to flow together well either with one ending with Thomas hold council and the next him walking somewhere. I also don't know anymore about what "Merlin" or "immortal" has to do with this series than the first book. I feel more could have been in this book. Buy -
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Unfortunately, I don't have a review up today but I am currently reading some good stories. I should have more reviews up by next Sunday but, until then, there is still one giveaway active (read through the Terms and Conditions section before entering, these books are recommended for a certain age group so double check that) and the is a winner announced for the Chokepoint giveaway.
Storyline -Daria is without home or employment. Chased from Rhodes, she has little choice but to accept the offer of a strange, yet charming, man, Lucas, to go to Ephesus and be his Persian tutor. But his demeanor changes upon their arrival to the city and she sees there is something dark stirring inside him. Slowly, she begins to uncover the mysteries of his wife's death and his need for vengeance, but ghosts from her past has followed her to Ephesus. As the city struggles with fraction with sorcerers, being faithful to the goddess Artemis, and the new fraction of believers of One God who call themselves Christians lead by a man named Paul, both Daria and Lucas will have to choose their way. But darkness is on their heels, waiting to take not only their souls, but lives as well.
Content - *May Contain Spoilers*The characters regularly run across Sorcerers and one tries magic. Lucas is filled with guilt and the desire for revenge but slowly sees the error of his ways. Daria tries to use her mind to make decisions but grows in relying on God after she meets the Christians. Paul and the other Christians speak of God's love and desire for everyone to turn to Him.
Personal Opinion -While twists and turns travel through this novel in the plot and the characters, Tracy Higley draws beautiful messages of God's love for us into its core. Daria and Lucas were true to life characters with genuine struggles. The plot was detailed and complex, a danger to an unskilled author but Tracy pulls it all together with no loop holes. Beginning the book in Rhodes was fun because that was were the last book of Tracy's I read left off. It kinda brought the two together yet this book still can be read as a stand alone. I didn't see many of the plot twists coming and, despite its length, never bored with bits of new information given at perfect intervals to keep me interested and coming to understand better what was haunting Lucas and Daria. My favorite part was how much was got to know and spend time with Paul and the Christians. It made the changes in Lucas and Daria more believable because I got to see how their lives slowly change because of what they were learning. The book is a bit dark at times but that is because of the sorcerer subject matter, which is never detailed by is still creepy (at least for me). Tracy's books always do a great job in creating 3D characters and engage plots and So Shines the Night is no exception.
Video -
Mini Author Interview - As part of the Caravan blog tour, I was able to ask Tracy some questions. Enjoy!
What made you interested in writing ancient history fiction? I’m not sure! It evolved in my mind, and I suppose it was the tie-in to biblical history, to the time period which informed my faith and held so many stories I already knew and loved. But I’ve never been content to look at Scripture through the single historical lens of the Judea. I’ve always wanted to see the Old and New Testament periods through the eyes of the world outside the Jewish people, from the pagan perspective.
How do you do your research? It’s a multi-tiered approach, with very basic research at first (sometimes even juvenile non-fiction), to get a high-level view, then going deeper into the specific days/years I’ll be writing about, and then getting a broad view of the daily life and culture through dusty textbooks. All of this goes into my “notebook” and inspires specific plots and scenes. As I am actually writing the first draft, I often leave placeholders where more specific research is needed, like an XX where a number or detail should go. At the end, I go back and find all those placeholders and research the details, often online where it’s much easier to search for very specific information.
Can you share anything about your future projects? The best way to get a sense of what I’m working on now would be to visit this page: http://tracyhigley.com/books/work-in-progress/ Although, don’t hold me to all those thoughts about the book I haven’t started yet – who knows where that will go! Make sure to enter the giveaway Tracy is hosting during the blog tour by going here. Be sure to enter my giveaway too at the bottom of this review.
Storyline -
It is the 1960s, man has launched into space and walked on the moon and Scarlett is having trouble fitting in with her strange brother, Cliff, and awkward grandfather which causes people to stair and whisper. A loner at school and stressed from her parents fights and her sister lies, Scarlett does what she can to take care of the house and her brother. But when he brother requests her help in building a rocket to Jupiter, she can't disappoint him. Making her specialty, peach pies, and with the help of the perch farmer's son, Frank, Scarlett and Cliff sell the pies to earn money for their rocket. As the summer progresses, Scarlett's family is falling more and more apart. And then a tragedy shakes her world. Seeing no hope, Scarlett will have to make the decide if she will trust the God she has ignored and find peace.
Content - *May Contain Spoilers*Scarlett's sister goes out all night with a hippie boy friend and is clear that she is not making good decisions but the book doesn't go into detail on what she is doing. Scarlett is taught about God and His love and faithfulness. Scarlett tries to do the best by her family and on occasion stumbles.
Personal Opinion -
Chasing Jupiter is one of the most moving books I have ever read. I might not be completely fond of the ending but it speaks on a level of trusting in God's love and His purpose, even when you can't see it. It also speaks on loving others, not judging someone just because they are different, and helping your family. I think a lot of people can identify with the broken family aspect even if the novel is placed in the 1960s. There were several points where this book had me bawling but it ends with hope and trusting in God. Even though I felt that the novel could have gone deeper with some of the side characters by spending more time with them and the ending isn't my favorite, I will be looking into more books by this author who is incredibly talented in story telling and character creation.
Team Novel Teen is a group of bloggers dedicated to spreading the word about clean teen fiction. Check out other posts about Chasing Jupiter by Rachel Coker by clicking on the links above, and check out www.NovelTeen.com for more information about Team Novel Teen.
I know you are probably looking for today's review. Well I have good news and bad news. Bad news, there wont be a review today. Good news, there will be a review tomorrow AND Tuesday. Yup, two reviews this week. The first is for Chasing Jupiter by Rachel Coker with the Novel Teen blog tour group and the second is for So Shines the Night by Tracy L. Higley with the Caravan blog tour group. Hope you enjoy both and come back to check out these two books and great authors. Enjoy and chew on a good book today!
Storyline -
Sophie has always lived a simple but tortured life, working as a scullery maid, for Duchess Ermengarde. When a strange young man, Gabe, arrives, telling her she is truly the dead Duke's daughter and betrothed to his older brother, she can't help but want to believe it. But the Duchess has plans for Sophie's death. Soon, Sophie and Gabe are on the run and hiding at the Cottage of the Seven. As they hide, they can't help but fall in love with each other. Can Sophie and Gabe find a way to be together despite her being promised to another? Can they both find the plans God has for them?
Age Group - 15 and up Content - *May Contain Spoilers*Sophie is kind and giving and is learning to trust after being betrayed and lied to all her life. Gabe is rebellious but an event in his past that causes him guilt which contributes. He is also learning to be responsible and learning what his actions cost him. Both are going against their betrothals. Duchess Ermengarde is just a bit creepy, wanting to kill Sophie and happy about the idea of her dying. The Seven are open but one doesn't mind facing the issue at hand and trying to have Sophie and Gabe see it the problems of their relationship.
Personal Opinion -The Fairest Beauty was a story of love, adventure, and overcoming obstacles. The action scenes were really good and exciting. Sophie was sweet and helped others however she could and Gabe's rebelliousness reminded me of Han Solo in the original Star Wars film. I also liked how each of the Seven had a distinct thing about him that made him easy to remember and spot. But there were a couple of things I was not very fond of. Gabe was very rebellious in the beginning but then had a quick change of heart, almost too quick for me but I think it would have been a bit more believable if some information about his past had been hinted at earlier. I had also thought there would be more information on the personal stories of the Seven but there wasn't much of that. Most of the time, Sophie or Gabe was wondering about their feelings or how they were going to be together which was fine but I felt it happened a little too much (then again, it might just be my action side talking). All in all, The Fairest Beauty was good but not my favorite. If someone really wants to read it, they should because they might really like it.
I'm a Catholic blogger who loves books and sharing them with others. I hope to use this blog as a way to share information about books I've read and help others find new, good reads. I have a double major in English with a Creative Writing emphasis and Communications. To learn more about me, visit my website at rachelannmichaelharris.wordpress.com
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