Books You Can Feel Good About

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

A Tapestry of Light by Kimberly Duffy

"She knew every time she created something beautiful, she was declaring something of her own— independence, value, creativity"

1889 Calcutta, India. What an interesting story. Ottilie is a Indian-British young lady with a talent for beetle-wing embroidery, a skill handed down for generations. She was not accepted by society, on either side of her heritage. "No matter how far she ran, she couldn’t escape the narrative God had been fashioning for her—a story of constant loss and never belonging." She had lost her father and two siblings to cholera, and then later her mother was killed, leaving Ottilie to care for her grandmother and young brother. Her mother had supported them with sewing and embroidery and she tried to. Then their British relatives send a representative to take her little brother to England as he had become heir of the family estate. An estate their father had walked away from. You can feel Ottilie's fragility and her strength throughout, as well as her struggle with faith, since her grandmother had died too. But the safety of England from cholera made her accept their going there. Unfortunately society in general there did not accept her and even her relatives treated her terribly, and Everett the young man who had been sent to take them to England. They all struggle to coexist, and when her brother is sent away to school, she leaves the estate to be near him and takes a job in a dress design shop,. This is also a story of the poor conditions women worked in to produce high fashion for the elite. Excellent read! A lot to learn.

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#ATapestryofLight #NetGalley

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Hope Between the Pages by Pepper Basham

I don't usually care for stories that flip back and forth between time. This one does it perfectly. For me it worked best because it starts out in the past, 1915 at the Biltmore where Sadie is the maid in charge of the library. A job she us excellent at. As the guests find out when she hears their comments and later places selections they might like out on display. Especially one particular guest. Class distinction comes into play, a barrier overcome. Hurdles can make each person better when crossed, each gaining rather than losing anything. Then present day Clara is running the family bookstore, without much of a life otherwise. There are people trying to take it from her family, mysteries open up and there is pressure before all is lost. This turned out to be one of the loveliest love stories I've ever read. The characters are to be treasured. This is the first I've read from this author...I'm a fan. Christian Historical

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#HopeBetweenthePages #NetGalley

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Saturday, April 3, 2021

Something Worth Doing by Jane Kirkpatrick

A Novel of an Early Suffragist

"Some things are worth doing regardless of how they turn out."

Abigail Scott Duniway was a true pioneer, traveling to Oregon by wagon train, then blazing trails for women's right to vote and equality for all. Based on a real person and her life, Jane Kirkpatrick is just the right person to tell this very detailed story. A natural born teacher herself, writing about strong, intelligent and caring women.
Abigail grew up knowing how difficult it was for her mother, bearing several children and being responsible for running a household, the work, and what it took out of her. She also saw how the lack of any rights affected women, who didn't have the legal right to own anything, or even the rights to their own children. Yet she herself became a mother of several children. She was blessed to have a supportive husband who loved her and learned to let her have her lead, most of the time. She spent her life trying to right the wrong for all, to get women's rights. Women were the last to get the right to vote. She was an excellent speaker and brilliant writer of books and speeches. She led and taught many. Excellent, informative read. Christian Historical. #SomethingWorthDoing #NetGalley
I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
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From This Moment by Kim Vogel Sawyer

This author never disappoints. Well told story of young adults who are starting their lives in a small town, each with their own set of problems to work through. They end up helping each other to do so, growing in the process. A lot of excellent advice for anyone planning on becoming a youth pastor. Excellent Christian faith scripture and lessons applied.

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#FromThisMoment #NetGalley

My Reviews
Powells

To Steal A Heart by Jen Turano

I ALWAYS love a Jen Turano book. If you ever need to relax, just let go and get lost in a book, choose one of her stories. This is another hilarious, heart touching Jen Turano hit. Set in the late 1800s New York City, orphaned street thieves grow up and meet again to use their special talents. With chaos. And some deep hurt feelings. Twisting, turning storylines that come from several places and gracefully wind together. Genius. Characters you have to love. It will steal your heart!

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#ToStealaHeart #NetGalley

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Tuesday, March 16, 2021

A Bride's Choice in Central City

1872. Book 3 in an intricately wound story involving several ribbons of characters. Life in the West has its own flavor, with people who have travelled long distances for a new life, for various reasons. Each of the women have faced their own situations. This story spotlights some of the difficulties of women trying to support themselves. Nora had come out on a wagon train, Annabelle was able to travel by train. The towns are still in early stages, with lots of rough men they had to avoid. Tough women and faith woven throughout. Excellent read.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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Sunday, March 7, 2021

Shadows of the White City by Jocelyn Green

Starting in 1890 Chicago, but mostly contained in 1893, Sylvie saves Rose from going into an orphanage that couldn't care for so many children, just as her father was bringing her there. Sylvie took Rose in and raised her like a daughter. Sylvie owned a bookstore and lived above it, also renting out rooms. Kristof and his brother, professional violinists, live in one the rooms. Things transpire that Sylvie and Kristof get closer as they both have to live with letting their loved ones go. One of those books you look forward to picking up again. Never a dull moment. This was also when the Worlds Fair was held in Chicago and has lots of descriptions of the wonders that were to be seen. Excellent read!

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#ShadowsoftheWhiteCity #NetGalley

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