The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen

The first book in a new series, setting up the stories to follow.  You’ll enjoy getting to know the characters and want to read more to see how their lives and their community progress, somewhat reminiscent of the Mitford series.

The Bell Inn was left to Jane by her husband, who had died suddenly. Jane came from an aristocratic background with few skills to run an Inn. While married, her husband did not encourage her to participate in anything to do with the Inn. His mother and brother were his partners. Theora, his mother, grew up in the family that had run the Inn for years and it was part of her. When her son left the Inn to his wife, she decided to go to her sister’s house to stay, but that didn’t go as expected so she returned to the Inn she knew and loved. On return she discovered that the Inn had fallen into disrepair and was losing business. Add to that a local banker suddenly claiming there was a huge loan on the Inn – an amount that was practically impossible to repay – which would be a benefit to Patrick (the brother) who wanted to take the Inn over and turn it into something else.

The man who delivered the news to Jane of her husband’s death offered to stay on and work for the Inn and became a valuable asset. As the story progresses Jane has some leads to follow concerning her husband’s whereabouts when he was killed – or possibly murdered.

A rival Inn owner purchases Jane’s old home to turn it into competition as an Inn, but he also offers several suggestions to Jane about improving The Bell. The whole town enters into a competition between the two Inns for the right to have the Royal Mail delivery.

Love interest, deceit, intrigue and mystery. A great book on its own, but I can’t wait for the second book in the series to see what happens next!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Bethany House Publishers - Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”.


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Where Treasure Hides by Johnnie Alexander Donley

 

I was hooked in the first chapter. Set in the early 1940s before and during Hitler’s reign of terror, this is a totally engulfing story. It starts out with a pampered wealthy family’s daughter traveling through England for their art gallery. She sees a soldier defending a Jewish boy about to board an orphan train, when his violin (his only possession) is being taken away from him. The soldier suggests that if the violin belongs to him, then he will be able to play it. The boy plays beautifully, and the soldier stands by until he knows the boy is safely on the train with the violin. It brings Alison and Ian together, and it’s ‘love at first sight’. Only she holds back because of her family’s ‘curse’.

This is a story of the excruciating ups and downs during war time of pain, love and sacrifice. It’s impossible to put down! I do so hope that there will be a second book that will continue the story.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Tyndale Publishers - Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”.

From the publisher:
Artist Alison Schuyler spends her time working in her family’s renowned art gallery, determined to avoid the curse that has followed the Schuyler clan from the Netherlands to America and back again. She’s certain that true love will only lead to tragedy—that is, until a chance meeting at Waterloo station brings Ian Devlin into her life. Drawn to the bold and compassionate British Army captain, Alison begins to question her fear of love as World War II breaks out, separating the two and drawing each into their own battles. While Ian fights for freedom on the battlefield, Alison works with the Dutch Underground to find a safe haven for Jewish children and priceless pieces of art alike. But safety is a luxury war does not allow. As time, war, and human will struggle to keep them apart, will Alison and Ian have the faith to fight for their love, or is it their fate to be separated forever?

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This Road We Traveled by Jane Kirkpatrick

I have been blessed with strong women who were/are wonderful role models. My Grandmother who was my best friend, my Sister In Law Paula who died of complications from Lupus. I am blessed to still have my Mother and Mother In Law. I have learned and gathered strength from each of them. I believe that Jane Kirkpatrick’s book All Together in One Place should be required reading for all women. This book would be my next choice.

Another enriching masterpiece by Jane Kirkpatrick full of life’s wisdom told from a rich Christian view. Based on the true story of Tabitha (Tabby) Moffat Brown, in her 60’s, who traveled to Oregon.  Her children had decided to go, but decided that Tabby was too old and lame to be able to make the journey. She determined to go anyway, funding her own wagon.

Tabitha is known as “The Mother of Oregon”, who established an orphanage, school and university in the Tualatin Plains following the tragedy at Whitman Mission in 1847. She was among the first to travel the Scott-Applegate Trail in 1846 – an alternate trail to Oregon that didn’t follow the Columbia River. They decided to split off from most of the group and try this new trail, later finding that it had not been cut yet for wagons to pass. Most wagon trail stories tell of the difficulty and tragedy emigrants experienced – this also includes starvation. A widow, she traveled with her brother in law, who was 18 years older than she. At one point the two of them barely survived a three-day journey they traveled alone. It’s amazing that anyone survived it, let alone this elderly malnourished couple, each with disabilities.

There are always so many things to learn from Jane’s books. A perspective on life’s trials, a way to view our situations - not with a pity party but with great wisdom. I’d like to share some examples that inspired me, interspersed within the story. At one point Tabby wished they had taken “the more established route, but it was too late now. Regrets must be treated like wounds, remembered only for how well they healed. Or didn’t.” “We gather facts, then listen to our hearts.” “Think of all the discoveries about life and living and myself that I’ll enjoy.” “We must leap on a cloud of faith, believing that we won’t fall through. Not only that we won’t fall through, but that we will thrive on that cloud of faith, draw new energy each time we need it, knowing that God is an unending source of hope no matter the trial. That’s what journeys are about, you know. It’s not just the destination. “
I truly hope you’ll read this and other books that Jane has written. You’ll find your views expanded and greatly enriched, with perspectives that will help lift and support you through life.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Author and Revell/Baker Publishing Group - Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

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Sarah's Orphans by Vannetta Chapman

A book unique yet universal. This is a story about a large and dysfunctional family. They have had  little help from their parents, and have learned how to take care of themselves and come together to survive – yet just barely. And yet they are able to add two more small children, alone and abandoned by their own dysfunctional parents. What is universal is that we all need love, and it becomes so very important in our lives. Even when we aren’t looking for it, and can’t possibly take on anything more in our lives, there is always room for love – and we are all made more whole by it.

We think that we are independent, but once you realize that you aren’t doing a thing yourself, that God is truly the one in control (and we let Him) things become so much easier. He lifts our burdens and provides.

Another important lesson to learn is that one strand can be weak, but when woven together with other strands we have a much stronger thread. The same can be said with love and relationships that God leads us to.

This is a wonderful story of love – of a family and its members as well as others in the community. Oh yes, and there’s romance here as well. An enriching and beautiful book you’ll be the better for having read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Harvest House Publishers and the Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”. http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html.

From the Publisher:

These orphans may be on their own...but God hasn't abandoned them.

Sarah Yoder belongs to a Plain community in Oklahoma, but her days are far from simple. Her father suffers from bipolar disorder—until a tragic accident ends his life and the abuse he inflicted. Instead of stepping up to provide a better future, Sarah's mother packs her bags and leaves her six children behind.

Alone with her younger siblings, Sarah is exhausted but finally at peace. Then she nearly runs over a small Hispanic boy with her buggy...and somehow finds herself sheltering two more orphans.

Paul Byler moved to Cody's Creek to help his brother in a time of need. But now that Joseph has recovered from his heart attack, Paul's ready for a quiet place of his own. The only problem? His new property lands him next door to the orphaned Yoder family—and a calling from God he can't seem to ignore.

A story of extraordinary grace and love in the face of desperate need, Sarah's Orphans is the third standalone novel in the Plain and Simple Miracles collection by Vannetta Chapman.

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The Jewelry Recipe Book by Nancy Soriano

I was amazed at the detail at the beginning of the book, including how to choose the right jewelry for your body shape. I learned quite a few things - did you know you could dye beads or other pieces? And I got a few ideas - glue buttons to earring posts and to rings for unique jewelry statements. And who would think of using pieces of candy for earrings, necklaces or hairpins?

I think it would have been better in the basics to have step by step photos to illustrate the instructions. There are some techniques that would be better to learn by seeing rather than reading.

Lots to inspire!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Artisan Books and the Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

From the Publisher:
The Jewelry Recipe Book takes materials available at large craft stores (as well as specialty shops and artisan shops on Etsy)—beads, shrink plastic, leather, lace, pearls, sequins, polymer clay, yarn, and pinecones, to name a few—and transforms them into one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry. Each of the 35 mini chapters organized by material consists of three projects and three skill levels, adding up to more than 100 stunning pieces that could easily be found for sale at Urban Outfitters or Anthropologie. Every piece is beautifully photographed, as are the majority of how-to steps, and the information is presented in an easy-to-follow way, like a recipe. The book also includes an overview of simple jewelry-making techniques and tips, with best practices for how to work with various materials; how to wear jewelry; and how to work with design elements that include color, scale, and shape.


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