Grace A. Johnson's Blog: Of Blades & Thorns, page 25

Review: To Treasure an Heiress by Roseanna M. White

*Warnings*

#1 This is a long review, so pull up a chair and grab a bowl of popcorn. You’ll be here awhile. #2 When I read a review, I want substantial information. So I will not skimp on the details. Which may mean some spoilers, so watch out.

Stars: 5+

Synopsis: Beth Tremayne has one goal: find the rest of the infamous pirate John Mucknell’s buried treasure before Lord Theodore Howe, Marquess of Sheridan does. And, if in the process, she happens to insult Sheridan into complete silence (because when does he ever stop prattling on?), as well as avoid his obvious machinations to steal her heart—I mean, her treasure—then, well, that’s simply the icing on the cake!

Favorite Quote: Just a note here that I’m not going to add my favorite quote to every review I do...suffice it to say that I had such a hard time picking a favorite from this book that I simply threw them all into the review itself. You’ll get over it. *winks*

I could’ve left my review as the simple “Sheridan,” and, believe me, y’all, that would’ve been enough. I know several people were concerned about Sheridan from the first book—he was such an exuberant and eccentric character—and even I pondered just how White was going to pull off his character...but, guys, Sheridan is simply fabulous. He is on a whole new level of hero—a bit of a classic, but exuding a modern air; as posh as any lord, minus the arrogance; humorous and insightful and wise and compassionate and endearing. To be honest, he reminded me some of Lord Rule from The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer, which is very much a good thing. I adored Rule.

“Reason is greatly overrated.”

If anything, Sheridan is unique, wholesome, ever so comedic, and the sweetest fellow you’ll ever meet! If you don’t fall as hard and fast for him as I did, I can at least assure you that he’ll make you laugh, make you think, and perhaps even make you tear up!

“She hadn’t immediately told him to leave. That was something. Progress. At this rate, she’d be Lady Sheridan in a decade, at the most.”

Seriously, though, if he wasn’t saying/thinking something positively hilarious, he was giving the most delightful nuggets of wisdom—in his own way!

“Perhaps love isn’t a word, then. For that first strike, I mean. Infatuation. Attraction. Though, too—there could a knowing. Yes? The thought, from the first glance, that this is the one for me. Perhaps the deep love has to dig in over time. Chisel itself in. To one’s heart, that is. Or rather, chisel the heart its shape. But sometimes lightning does strike.”

ALSO. The man made constant references to Pride and Prejudice. That right there is enough to make me love him forever! Oh, and we mustn’t forget his precious list and his botched proposals. Y’all, this man is such a bumbling buffoon and that is somehow the most romantic thing ever.

Well, except for one thing…

“Nothing more romantic than a library by lamplight, is there?”

Now, I know some reviewers have brought up Sheridan’s spirituality, terming it “spiritual deconstruction” and discrediting not only his character but the author for the what and how he believed.

Allow me to explain. Sheridan was not “deconstructed.” Spiritual deconstruction is when an individual who once claimed to be a Christian up and renounces the faith. (For example, Joshua Harris, author of I Kissed Dating Goodbye, and Kevin Smith of DC Talk.) Sheridan didn’t renounce or denounce or claim anything at all.

I see your looks. But Sheridan didn’t go to church, you say. But Sheridan didn’t do this, you tell me. But Sheridan didn’t reflect the perfect image of a religious, Pharisaical Christian who followed all the rules and checked all the boxes, confining his faith to the walls of a church building and refusing to accept the truth that God revealed to him both through His Word and His Holy Spirit, you continue.

Exactly my point, dears.

Yes, my irreligious, NAR, bordering-on-heathen self found Sheridan’s faith absolutely beautiful. Why? Well, not only because I don’t go to church every single Sunday (you gonna call me deconstructed?), but because he actually had faith. One that he practiced. One that he struggled with. One that he grew. One that would falter. One that he quite obviously placed in Jesus Christ.

“Drawing closer to the Lord, being directed by Him, used by Him to help someone else...that was quite a feeling. Heady and humbling all at once. To think that they served a God who could and would do such things—and use them to accomplish it.”

He wasn’t simply a cardboard cut-out character who only went to church and blessed his meals. No, Sheridan lived out his beliefs, and whether you agree with them or not, that is something you can admire.

So, before you start bashing Sheridan for his not-Christian-enough Christianity, remember that people you know and love share a similar walk to him (*waves hand*), and think of all the “Christian” novels you’ve read in which the main characters didn’t display any faith at all. No prayers. No reading the Bible. No seeking the Lord. All they did was attend Sunday service (not that church in its essence is bad; it’s simply that one cannot live off church alone), and that was plenty enough to keep you from complaining, now wasn’t it?

*takes in a deep breath* I know that was a rant, for which I apologize, and I’m sure I stepped on some toes, so if you disagree or misunderstand (which you’re bound to), I’d be happy to expound upon my opinions privately and show you some Scriptures to back them up!

ANYWAY. Enough about that! Let’s get into the good stuff!

Oh, but first. On top of your Sheridan concerns, a lot of readers picked up on some evolutionary ideals (personally, I completely missed those) in The Nature of a Lady, in which case, allow me to assure you that no such thing exists in To Treasure an Heiress! If anything, you’ll have to deal with Sheridan’s lack of respect for nature and whatnot, being an architect and all.

Unlike Libby, our quiet and unassuming young botanist, Beth is full of energy and has a definite penchant for trouble. To be quite honest, I saw her as being a wee bit immature in TNOAL and perhaps with potential to be rather bothersome...but she was positively lovely! Which I rarely ever say about a heroine, so y’all savor this moment.

As crazy as it seemed, I did indeed enjoy Beth’s character. She was so fun and unique, so vicarious and adventurous, but she was also deep and realistic. She did retain a portion of that youthfulness, but paired with her loyalty and love, as well as her sharp mind and tongue, she didn’t seem immature at all. There was definitely growth on her part that I loved, and come to think of it, a bit of that was reminiscent of Elizabeth Bennet’s arc and how she let go of her prejudice.

Actually, if I were to pick a character that Beth most reflected, it would be Elizabeth. She had all of Elizabeth’s finer points and flaws—from her stubbornness and judgmental attitude to her unending devotion and lively spirit. With characteristics such as those, how could you not love Beth?

“Then she whispered, ‘I love you too,’ and he was pretty sure his heart would just give out then and there.”

On that note, hers and Sheridan’s romance was just. so. precious. They were simply perfect for each other, and I loved how they had their moments of conflict—it breeds the most intense chemistry, I might add—but what I loved the most was how Sheridan became so integrated in Beth’s family and their lives, and how she seemed to complete him, you know? And vice versa, of course. It was positively beautiful!

“This was a man she could imagine exploring her way through life beside. A man she knew she could count on to cherish her, who would always treasure the right things. A man who would seek adventure with her in whatever neighborhood they found themselves, here or the Lake District or Antarctica.”

Whilst I’m speaking of characters, we must make mention of how lovely Libby and Ollie were….how I craved more of Mabena and Casek...how Emily and Telly are perfect for each other...how Mamm-Wynn was as golden as always...and how absolutely amazing Abbie and Millicent—Sheridan’s older sisters—were! They—or, more specifically, their relationship with Sheridan reminded me a bit of my great-aunts Fannie Lou and Ruth, as they were much older than my papa and always treated him as their “play pretty,” and of myself and how I mother my three-year-old brother. Of course, that kindred spirit vibe there made me love Abbie and Millicent all the more, but regardless of their relationship with Sheridan (which was the most precious thing), they were absolutely splendid! As hilarious as their brother with as many eccentricities!

“But family wasn’t created by seeking your own good. Family was created by doing good for others.”

An unexpected surprise was Ainsley and Senara. Now, I wasn’t at all shocked to find Senara played such an important role in this book, nor Ainsley, for that matter, as White has a tendency to give us that upstairs-downstairs feel (somehow even wi’ de po’ folks from de isle) that adds such a depth to the story. But the significance and the beauty of Senara’s story (and hers and Ainsley’s relationship) wasn’t something I’d anticipated at all!

“Every time we make a mess of things, every time we take a wrong step, it’s just an opportunity for the Lord to meet us in an unexpected way.”

I will be honest, Senara didn’t act her age at all. I’d’ve had her pegged at anywhere from sixteen to twenty-six...not in her thirties. But apart from that, I actually liked her and her arc, and I ADORED how White wrote it and all the biblical truths she poured in! (Prepare for an overload of quotes…)

“Sins committed together are also committed against each other. And against the Lord. Repenting to Him is sometimes the easiest part. But He asks us to make right what we can too. That generally means facing those we’ve wronged.”

First of all, White didn’t let Senara’s sin go unnoticed, ignored, or glossed-over (as fornication is today). She dealt with it biblically and gracefully, which I am actually impressed by! You simply can’t find Christians who will deal in grace and truth anymore. We tend to have too much tolerance and acceptance and no—you guessed it—shame.

“But shame, Senara...it’s for a purpose. It’s there to strike our consciences, to remind of the standard of the Lord. It’s there to let us know we’ve sinned.”

I love how White describes and implements shame, something most people see as wrong and dirty, something you should never feel. But shame, as Mamm-Wynn says, has a purpose and place. Shame, you could say, is a journey, and it leads you to repentance.

“You must learn how to let the shame go. It has its purpose, a right and needful one. It can take us to life and repentance and return us to God. But if we’re not careful, it can just as easily carry us away and drown us. Others will try to force us to live in it still ever after we’ve repented, after Christ has washed us clean. They will try to push their guilt and shame upon us, if we let them. Guard against that. But only after you are once again clean.”

Then Ainsley steps in, speaking more truth into Senara in such a gorgeous way that I could’ve teared up (if I were the emotional sort, that is)!

“He makes us with great worth. Creates us that way intrinsically. Our sins, our bad choices, perhaps they coat us like mud. But the mud cannot take away the value He instilled in us. Mud does not make a pearl any less valuable. If it did, they why would Jesus have deemed us worthy of the sacrifice of His life? Because He loves us, as does the Father. Because we are valuable. And the blood of Christ, when it washes us clean, fully restores us to what He created us to be. A pearl cannot be stained. No matter how many centuries it sits in mud, wash it in a bit of water and it’s gleaming again.”

This is just one element of To Treasure an Heiress that I loved. It wasn’t just one theme, one arc, one story—it was a realistic mesh of so many lives and stories and messages and themes, and that was such an amazing experience!

So...if you find you abhor Sheridan (which is impossible) and despise him for his walk with God...or if you find you simply can’t accept the spiritual elements White weaved in through Mamm-Wynn and her intimacy with the Holy Spirit...then you can at least appreciate the lovely redemption of Senara Dawe!

“You are a pearl of great price, Senara Dawe. I could see that as soon as I met you. You are a woman of deep heart, of great love, or beautiful spirit. It is an honor to be counted among your friends.”

Seriously, there is something for everyone in this book. There’s adventure and intrigue, mystery and suspense, humor and heart, romance and passion, and a whole lot of faith! What’s not to love?

Nothing. Exactly.

Well, except for the villains, of course.

Long story short...you must read To Treasure an Heiress. Regardless of your preconceived notions. Regardless of your mixed feelings for The Nature of a Lady or Roseanna M. White. Regardless of what other people say. Just...give it a try. If anything, I know you’ll like Beth, you’ll love Senara’s arc, and you’ll laugh at Sheridan’s strange sense of humor! (I call it strange, possessing the same sort of humor. *winks*)

Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

snag your copy about the author

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. She and her family make their home in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

Yours in spirit and script, Grace

#bookreview #review #secretoftheisle #totreasureanheiress #roseannamwhite #favoritebook #historicalfiction #historicalromance #intrigue #mystery #adventure #romance #christianfiction

2021 Highlights: Bookish Favorites

Man, y’all, looking back over the last year has been crazy. I read 150 books (give or take a couple that Goodreads miscounted) in 365 days—most of which were compliments of three free months of KU and NetGalley/publisher ARCs. Plus I beta/alpha read several that probably don’t count… And I’ve started many that I’ve yet to finish as of the end of 2021. My point is that HOW IN THE GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY AM I SUPPOSED TO PICK FAVORITES?

Fortunately for myself, I’ve not confined myself to a specific number of favorites in the past, so I don’t have to worry about that. It’s just...they were all good. This entire post is basically pointless.

Then again, my myriad of two- and three-star reviews is proof enough that there were some books (or series) that simply topped the rest. Therefore, instead of just listing my favorite individual books, I’ll also be listing my favorite series (as in, ones I read the entirety of...or at least most of the entirely...as in, not a series I read one book out of or a series that hasn’t been completed); my favorite novel (standalone or part of an incomplete series...I’ll mark those); my favorite authors from this year’s selection (specifically new-to-me authors I discovered this year); my favorite beta-reading project (because why not?); my favorite book that I’m currently reading; and lastly my favorite reviews this year!

Wow. That’s a bunch of favorites. Better get into ‘em quick, eh?

Also. Note. I have only linked to my top nine favorite individual books on Goodreads because I would be here aaaaalllll day linking to every single book/author I mention. #googleit

Favorite Books

Y’all, this was a hard list to make! I had so many favorites, but only a few really stuck out as being the most delightful and memorable! Keep in mind that these are simply the best of the best of about 150 books! (The asterisk indicates a book that is/will be the first in a series.)

#1 The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham.* Y’all, I cannot gush about The Mistletoe Countess enough! This novel was everything I could ever want in a book—a perfectly executed marriage of convenience/arrangement; beautiful, tender romance; LOADS of kisses; a spot of suspense and mystery; lovely faith elements and themes; a heroine I positively adored; and a hero I fell for! Basham may have let me down with Hope Between the Pages, but she sure surprised and pleased me with TMC!

#2 A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano. First off, I have adored Politano’s books this last year. The subtle romances are beautiful. The elements of mystery and intrigue are nothing less than epic. The messages and themes are so truthful. I honestly didn’t expect her novels to get any better after Lady Jayne Disappears (which was her first book, but the second one I read). Until A Midnight Dance. The first scene absolutely captivated me with its intensity and passion, its delectable descriptions, the surge of emotion, and rest of the novel to follow was just as exquisite. To think, all it took was one dance…

#3 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. One word: MR. DARCY. Oh, wait, that’s two words. Still, though, Mr. Darcy lived up to his sterling reputation. And although I’m not as big of an Elizabeth fan as some, I did indeed thoroughly enjoy her character (she was Keira Knightley the entire book, just sayin’). And Austen’s writing? Well, let’s just say that there’s a reason why she’s as famous as she is, even all these years later.

#4 The Colonel’s Lady by Laura Frantz. I could simply drown in Frantz prose...but when you combine that with characters as lovely and passionate as Roxanne and Cass, boy howdy, have you got a book! The romance in this was both subtle and electrifying, a contradiction that worked perfectly, and the plot was so full and engaging. Of course, I adored Cass, and I actually liked Roxanne, despite my reservations. It really doesn’t get much better than this, my friends!

#5 To Treasure an Heiress by Roseanna M. White.* My review of this novel is coming soon, so I’ll keep this short. Suffice it to say that SHERIDAN WAS PERFECTION. Beth was actually more than tolerable. The comedy was GOLD. The spiritual elements were on-point. And I CAN’T WAIT for Book 3!!!

#6 Fairest Son by H. S. J. Williams. Y’all know I try to shy away from fae and dark fantasy and whatnot, but the reviews for this book were too good to resist—thank the Lord! Fairest Son was actually one of the most beautiful allegories I’ve read (not that I’ve read all that many...maybe four or five), and the way Williams wove in the fantasy elements wasn’t excessive or disturbing...it was positively breathtaking!

#7 When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin.* Let me put it like this: one character was a socialist and the other was a feminist. And yet...I loved this book. I think that says it all. *winks *

#8 The Secret of Emerald Cottage by Julie Lessman.* A Julie Lessman mystery? Count me in! Complete with an Irish playboy (of course), a heroine who packs (best. thing. EVER.), and a mystery that just gets deeper and more dangerous by the minute, The Secret of Emerald Cottage was an epic experience! Not quite on the same level as A Passion Redeemed, but still worth the five stars!

#9 Rules of Murder by Julianna Deering.* A clean 1930s British murder mystery with a dash of faith and a hint of romance? Y’all, I simply can’t complain! Deering put all of my favorites together in a story that’s reminiscent of a Christie novel with a Christian perspective, which made this mystery-lover more than happy! (Yes, little known secret, I adore mysteries...Nancy Drew was my first bookish love, after all! It’s just hard to find well-done ones in the Christian fiction world.)

And number ten is my honorably mentioned four-way tie...the following books for their engaging plots, lovely prose, and delightful characters:

The Kissing Tree by Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, Nicole Deese, and Amanda Dykes. Imagine by the Teen Writers’ Nook family. Preacher on the Run by Jayna Baas.* Unknown by Vanessa Hall.*Favorite Series

Y’all, I can’t number these! Series are so broad and unique, and each novel within them is different! Plus, in some cases, I’m still waiting on the next book in some of these series...and I was already selective enough in picking these!

Age of Conquest by Tamara Leigh Secrets of the Isles by Roseanna M. White The Bride Ships by Jody Hedlund The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy by Kellyn Roth The Moretti Trilogy by Kristina Hall Hanger’s Horsemen by Karen Witemeyer The Covenant House by Connilyn Cossette State of Grace series by Tammy L. GrayFavorite Authors

These here are my top new-to-me authors for this year! Most of these are indie authors while a few are authors I’ve been wanting to read from for years! Keep in mind that these are in no particular order!

Kellyn Roth Hannah Linder/Willowy Whisper Kristina Hall Vanessa Hall H. S. J. Williams Jayna Baas Joanna Davidson Politano Daisy Torres Connilyn Cossette Jenna Terese E. K. Seaver Abigail Kay Harris Anna Augustine Sarah Monzon Julianna Deering Tamara Leigh Jessica Kate Nicole Deese R. M. Archer Kara Swanson Maya Joelle Pepper D. Basham Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Now, for some of my favorite repeat authors (also in no particular order)…

Julie Lessman Roseanna M. White Karen Witemeyer Kristi Ann Hunter Laura Frantz Becky Wade Tammy L. Gray Sarah Sundin Kate Breslin

As for the author who surprised me the most this year…

Jane Austen

I should’ve been an Austen fan right off the bat, but I read Persuasion last year, and it just didn’t do it for me. Well, I knew I should give the infamous Austen another chance, so this year I read Pride and Prejudice and Y’ALL. I wanna devour everything Jane Austen now!

Favorite Beta/Alpha Read

Right now, this is a three-way tie between Kellyn Roth’s latest novels:

At Her Fingertips Beyond Her Calling A Prayer Unanswered

I also got to beta read Calligraphy Guild by R. M. Archer, but I’m not offering an opinion on it just yet, as I believe she’s made several revisions since I read it! I’m also in the process of beta-reading Heir to His Crown by Issabelle Perry, which is quite lovely...just sayin’!

Favorite Current Read

Let’s see...I have quite a few novels on my currently-reading shelf at the moment, most of which are there due to my negligence...because, yes, I’m taking my precious time (aka six months) to read one book.

BUT ANYWAY. As of right now, I am reading an ARC copy of Beyond Her Calling, but since I’ve already mentioned that one, I must pick something else, shouldn’t I?

A Heart Adrift by Laura Frantz is the novel I’m actively reading at the moment, a gorgeous second-chances romance between a chocolatier and a privateer, set in 1740s Virginia. Chocolate and seafaring—two of my most favorite things! How could I not love this book? On top of all that, it’s by Laura Frantz, and, y’all, that woman can write, lemme tell ya!Favorite Book Review

The final section is a sneak peek of my next 2021 Highlights post all about my book reviews from the last year! I posted probably fifty reviews on my blog—including mini reviews that I did during the spring—and Lord only knows how many on Goodreads, so picking a favorite was not an easy task…

Of course, I could choose my most negative, rantish one (because y’all know I love to rant negatively), or my most positive one, or my most concise and detailed one. But in the end...Pride and Prejudice wins out.

Reviewing this beautiful novel was a huge undertaking (probably took me two weeks), and I went so far as to include gifs and quotes and all the gushing I could. In fact, I probably did more of a fangirl’s examination of the characters than I did actually review the book...but, seriously, how are you supposed to review a classic?

Plus, I didn’t feel rushed to review it or conflicted about my thoughts or offensive about my negative comments (of which there were none...that is, except concerning Wicked and Mr. Collins), which makes that post all the more wonderful.

So we’ll call it my favorite bookish discussion, and you can get in on the fun here!

Well, I think that takes care of everything...but before you go, you can check out my Goodreads Year in Books (which isn’t entirely accurate, due to some glitches on mine/my Kindle’s/Goodread’s part) for all the highlights and lowlights!

And now it’s your turn!!! What was your favorite book? Favorite series? Favorite new-to-you author? Lemme know in the comments!!!

Yours in spirit and script, Grace

#favorites #bookishness #bookishfavorites #books #readsof2021 #highlights #favoriteauthors

Welcome to 2022!

happy new year, peeps

Most of y’all won’t remember my Welcome to 2021 post, but to sum up, I did a lot of praising God for His many blessings, for protecting my family, for providing for us in 2020. And I’m not saying that 2021 wasn’t a good year—it was, and I am beyond thankful for God showing up and showing out—but it definitely didn’t end as expected.

On Christmas Eve morning, the day we celebrate with my mom’s side of the family, my grandmother was rushed to the hospital in the middle of having a massive heart attack that should have killed her. After being flown out to St. Vincent’s in Jacksonville, she received two stents in her right bypass and will have stents put into her left bypass sometime this month or early the next. She came home on the 26th, and she’s doing so well, you’d think she’d only pulled a muscle!

That was...it was crazy, y’all. That was my mom’s first Christmas without her parents and my first Christmas without my nana and papa (or any of my grandparents, actually, since my dad’s parents don’t celebrate Christmas). Despite that, all of uncles, aunt, and all of my cousins were able to get together this year not only for Christmas but also to be there for Nana. (It’s a rarity that we’re all together on Christmas Eve these days, since my cousins have wild schedules and one uncle is an NCIS agent and the other lives in Denmark.) But thanks to all of my amazing friends and family praying and God’s grace and mercy, she’ll be all right.

I’m just glad she’s still with us. So many of my family and friends have lost loved ones—including my papa’s sister earlier this summer and my dear friend’s father this fall. Life is a fragile thing and not to be frittered away—but keep in mind that our life on this earth is only a shadow, a mere reflection, of our eternity in Heaven.

In the middle of all this happening, my four-year-old sister had an allergic reaction to a bee sting and my dad’s parents were robbed. Let’s just say that I’ll never forget Christmas 2021!

A lot of things transpired last year, some of which were awesome and others that were...not so awesome (not including the above).

One of the not-so-awesome things was my dual-enrollment classes with my local tech school. Back in 2019, I took some online core classes with a college a couple hours away, and I’d planned on continuing with that school until I graduated from high school, thereby receiving my associate’s degree. However, the law changed, cutting back the dual-enrollment hours that the government pays for, making it kind of pointless to keep on taking those classes if I wasn’t prepared to continue furthering my education after high school and, well, paying for it (spoiler alert: I wasn’t).

So I took 2020 off from dual-enrollment (which was for the best) and did my research, finally settling on tech school and a TCC in small business marketing management. A TCC is a technical certificate of credit, and it basically amounts to a traditional degree in all that you learn, as well as preparation for immediately entering the workforce upon completing the required courses. To be honest, I haven’t enjoyed these classes as much as I did the core classes I took, and I’ve encountered a LOT of issues with my professor, BUT I am learning and growing (even if I feel like I’m teaching myself sometimes) and I will have a lot of knowledge to put towards marketing my books and maybe even doing some freelance work in the future.

Although I was supposed to be able to complete all my courses in one semester, one class was offered in the spring and the other one, which was supposed to be available in spring too, is actually offered in the fall, so it’ll take me three semesters to finish only five classes. *groans* I’m not too adept at time management and all, though, so it’s for the best.

Anyway, that’s been a struggle (can’t tell y’all how many times I’ve complained to my parents, grandparents, and friends about it), and I hate how sensitive I am to the stress of school (not that constantly PMSing helps any), but it’ll be worth it in the end.

ON A HAPPIER NOTE. My family has been longing to visit the crystal blue waters of the Gulf Coast for YEARS, and we finally got to do so this summer! Granted, the good beaches were crowded and it rained a couple days and the water is not very pretty at 6 in the morning...but I’m glad we went! We’ll probably stick to day trips instead of week trips from now on, though. Packing nine people into a car, driving for 5+ hours, and cramming ourselves into a rental house isn’t necessarily our preferred method of vacationing.

Besides, I haven’t been to Summer Waves in, like, more than two years, and I’m dying to get on Pirate’s Passage again and try out Man-o-War! (Y’all know I’d be a Summer Waves fan with rides with names like that! *winks*)

As I was nearing the end of the year—it was perhaps sometime in November—I looked back on what all I had done and despaired because I felt like I’d accomplished nothing. So, I pulled out my planner and starting jotting down all the things I did and projects I took on and things I tried. What better than sharing the highlights from that list with y’all!

(For context, my goals when I began 2021 were (1) publish Bound and Determined, (2) dual-enroll, and (3) get my driver’s license. I’m actually intentionally holding off on getting my license until next year, so that I’ll get more practice in and my sister and I can go together to get her learner’s and my driver’s.)

Published Six O’clock. I actually wrote this story for a contest back in October/November of 2020. When I didn’t win, I decided to release it on Kindle in the late winter/early spring of last year. Published Daylight. Armed with my street team and some amazing beta readers, I went for my first full-on launch when this short story released on 9/11. Plus, I got the chance to try out a new publishing method! Had a short story published in Imagine: A Collection of Poems and Stories from the Teen Writers’ Nook Family. I took a chance on this, choosing to write a short story for my friends’ anthology instead of for Story Ember’s contest. In the end, I am SO glad I decided to write and submit Cursed! Completed three of five classes with my tech school (see above). Interned for six months with Kingdom Pen. This included writing and critiquing articles, which was a great learning experience! Launched Book Nations, a blog all about writing Christian fiction! Updated my website. This was no small undertaking. I completely revamped my website and added so many new features—plus, I got the chance to refine my brand and update my image too! Wrote 13 installments in Reign. Around March/April, I started publishing a chapter a week in my fantasy story...suffice it to say that I was starting to get tired of the story (not to mention I needed to work on Bad) and ended up stopping at 14 installments. I finally took the story down and will probably get around to finishing it and publishing it one day. Beta/alpha read nine books—actually, it may be more like eleven. *shrugs * Some of the books I got to beta read were Calligraphy Guild by R. M. Archer, The House That Didn’t End by E. K. Seaver, and At Her Fingertips by Kellyn Roth! Among many other things that I’ll not bore you with, I just recently started making and selling premade covers here on my website! Well, technically, I haven’t sold any...yet...but I’m having fun designing them and can’t wait to start marketing them more heavily (or marketing them to begin with).

Right now, I have a TON of things I want to do in 2022, but I won’t dare list them all here (there are way too many), nor will I hold myself to accomplishing all of them. The main things, though, are as follows:

Publish Bound and Determined (for real this time). I should have this baby finished up by the end of this month, Lord willing! Get my driver’s license (again, for real). Get my TCC in small business marketing management. Release my first issue of Sky’s the Limit Literary Journal (it’s more of a magazine, but journal sounds cooler). Launch an editing business with my friend E. K. Seaver.

I’d also like to get into podcasting, bookstagramming (which is a word), and YouTubing (that’s a word too, peeps), but I make no promises (I have a survey here if you'd like to offer your thoughts)! There are also some things I’d like to introduce (or at least include more of on my blog), but I’m also probably gonna be cutting back on how often I post (nothing drastic like thrice a month, mind you), so I’m not sure how that’ll work out.

Plus, I’m trying to get into a steady posting schedule for Book Nations—one spotlight, one guest post, one article by me, and one author interview once a week every month—but that all depends on how far ahead I’m able to get the interviews and guest posts put together.

I also have a very special project I hope to begin research on as soon as I can...I’d love to tell y’all more, but at this juncture, I’m zipping my lips. *winks* It’ll be a huge undertaking, and one I’m not prepared for at the moment, so I’m simply preparing to enter the preparation stage right now. But suffice it to say that it is going to be amazing and I can’t wait to share more!

Anyway, enough about me! What about y’all? What did y’all accomplish in 2021? How was your year? Did you enjoy your Christmas? Did you get all the books you wanted? What are your goals for 2022? I want all the details!

Before I sign off (which my new signature, as a matter of fact), I have something special I'd like to share with you. A lot of my friends/fellow bloggers do pick a word for the new year, one that symbolizes what God has placed on their heart and what they feel the upcoming year will bring.

Now, I'd like to do the same, but I (1) want to be unique and (2) couldn't pick just one word.

So, instead, I'm introducing...

Scripture of the Year

I was gonna go with Verse of the Year, but the passage that spoke to me the most is actually three verses - Psalm 91: 14-16. My mama has tasked my siblings and I with reading Psalm 91 every day, for multiple reasons. One of which being how pertinent this passage is - both in the days we're in right now and because of what our family has experienced in recent weeks.

So, instead of trying to sum up 365 days in a single word, I'd like to offer y'all a reminder that will last all 365 days and will remain as unchanging and relevant each of those days.

“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;

I will protect him, because he knows my name.

When he calls to me, I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble;

I will rescue him and honor him.

With long life I will satisfy him

and show him my salvation.”

I hope this stands as a reminder to y'all of God's steadfast love and enduring salvation, how we are covered from head to toe in the blood of Christ, which is a promise of eternity, righteous, protection, and peace.

God will be with you in 2022. He will deliver you from whatever comes your way - anything from a robbery to a heart attack. He will protect you from pestilences, danger, disease, and pain. He will answer you when you call out and He will be with you in trouble, no matter how seemingly small or insignificant the issue or how large and insurmountable. He will rescue you from the toxicity of this world and honor you for standing upon Him and His Word. He will satisfy you with a life of abundance and make His salvation, His works in your life, and His presence with you more clear than ever before.

May you have a blessed year and may you never doubt the promises of God!

Yours in spirit and script, Grace

#welcometo2022 #lifeupdate #yearlyupdates #wrapup #goals #updates #news #psalm91 #scriptureoftheyear #happynewyear #newyear

PS: No one guessed what my January theme is (the clue was wet and colorful, but not a rainbow)...which is watercolor! Technically, the pic I used for today's post graphic isn't watercolors...it's sketches, but it's from a collection by Pure Julia on Unsplash full of watercolors, sketches, journals, and other beautiful designs that I simply adore!

Review: Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund

*Warnings*

#1 This is a long review, so pull up a chair and grab a bowl of popcorn. You’ll be here awhile. #2 When I read a review, I want substantial information. So I will not skimp on the details. Which may mean some spoilers, so watch out.

Stars: 3.5

Synopsis: When Ellen Creighton witnesses—and experiences—the supernatural healing power of the ancient water, she finds herself in the realm of business espionage and intrigue...and in the 14th century. Will she be able to return to the future and reveal the enemy’s evil plot in time to save herself and her friends?

Never Leave Me picks up right where Come Back to Me leaves off, following suit in many ways—such as not quite reaching its full potential.

Ellen and Harrison I believe had much deeper development and characterization than Marian and Will in the previous book—in part because of the fact we’d already gotten to know them, to a degree, in the first book. I really appreciate that, and, for the most part, I think Hedlund managed the transition from Come Back to Me into this book quite well.

Unfortunately, I never did establish a connection with Ellen. She had more going for her than Marian, I reckon, but I could never get a read on her personality or her true character, so she just never really clicked for me. Typical of heroines, eh?

Harrison, on the other hand, I loved in the first book...but in here, I feel like he lacked his novelty. He seemed a bit forward, a tad immature, and perhaps a teensy smidge out of place. Okay, a lot out of place. What rankled me the most, though, was that he didn’t act at all like a nearly forty-year-old man. A twenty-year-old kid from 1930, yes—which honestly shouldn’t be much different from a forty-year-old man in the 2020s. My point is that for all his aristocratic airs, age, and intelligence, not to mention his years spent as a paralytic, he simply acted like a brash young American. And when I’m promised a refined, wisened older Englishman, I find that sorely disappointing.

Seriously. I love older heroes (and Harrison wasn’t all that old), but when they differ none from the kid who’s half their age, it’s basically pointless. So perhaps I’m overreacting to a pet peeve, but you’ve got to admit that characters who don’t act their age (or act like they are mature as their circumstances would make them seem) are unrealistic, therefore unbelievable, therefore difficult to connect with.

Not to mention Harrison himself made a big deal out of being thirty-nine and seemingly too old to be a father. Believe you me, had he had a child, he would in no way act like their grandfather. (My dad was in his late forties when my baby brother was born, and suffice it to say that he doesn’t act like a grandfather to him at all. On top of that, my great-grandfather was fifty-two when my grandmother was born, and he lived to see his grandchildren. No issues with age there either. I honestly find that argument shaky and selfish, but that’s just due to my experiences.)

Apart from that, at least they had more development and more of an emotional connection to each other than Will and Marian did. I can appreciate that.

However, where the characters possessed a bit of substance, the plot did not—the opposite of CBTM. There were so many plot points—from the healings and the vacation to Ellen’s capture to Harrison’s arrival in the 14th century to that extremely rushed ending—that I feel like none of them were given enough time to be fleshed out. Especially the dumb marriage of convenience (if convenience is even the right word in this context) toward the end there. I’m sorry, but I can’t stand MoCs that are just thrown in last minute to add some spice to the book. Trust me, they don’t. They seem like cliché and unnecessary plot devices and I hate them. Now, if you want to make the whole book about the MoC or just focus on the MoC in the beginning (like More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer and The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham), I’m all for that. We get the development we need to really pull that off, so how can I complain?

But when you just slip it in there within the last fifty pages and you use it to manufacture unneeded drama, you’re just setting yourself up for failure. Especially when you, like Jody Hedlund, have written at least fifty marriage of convenience stories.

Let’s see...there’s A Bride of Convenience, Hereafter, A Cowboy for Keeps, Searching For You, Come Back to Me, Love Unexpected, A Noble Groom...the list goes on, my dears.

It’s getting old. Just sayin’. Next time you need a catalyst for drama or something to move the story along, try something new or pull from the material you already have. Don’t just conjure something up—especially something that everyone has used a gazillion times.

(Y’all may use this to discourage me from ever doing the same thing in the future, if you’d like. Can never have too many officers on the Plot Police force. *winks*)

I still like the time travel method, though. And the thread of suspense and intrigue. I really wish there’d been more of that—it was what kept the story interesting, after all.

And I do appreciate the faith content—Hedlund never leaves God out—but what bothered me was that Ellen and Harrison both seemed to have struggles in their walk with God that were never touched upon. Ellen even went so far as to say that she’d been doubting God so much, pushing His away, and not trusting in Him...but instead of turning that into a theme or message or a faith arc for Ellen, it was left to lie. And that was sorely disappointing, because I feel like there was so much that Ellen and Harrison needed to work through before the end.

Speaking of the end, may I add that a book that ends with “they decided to not have kids” does not constitute as a happy ending? I know everyone’s opinions on this differs, but I personally believe what the Bible says: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Ellen and Harrison up and making the executive decision to not have kids based on Ellen’s uninformed assumption that she could pass down a disease that she didn’t even have was just foolish. That is a very, very important decision that can only be made after seeking the Lord’s will and following His direction.

But y’all don’t let me get preachy on y’all—I know how much y’all hate that.

Long story short...Never Leave Me followed the previous book perfectly, meshing timelines and characters, mysteries and romances, effortlessly. It also provided the same quick and enjoyable reading experience. However, the plot lacked depth and development, probably due to how short and fast-paced this story was. With a finer focus on the better plot points and more time for development, I think this could’ve been a fabulous story. But alas, such was not the case.

Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Snag Your Copy About the Author

Jody Hedlund is the author of over thirty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

#review #bookreview #timetravel #contemporary #medieval #romance #christianfiction #historical #speculative

Bookishly Yours, Grace

Review: Come Back to Me by Jody Hedlund

*Warnings*

#1 This is a long review, so pull up a chair and grab a bowl of popcorn. You’ll be here awhile. #2 When I read a review, I want substantial information. So I will not skimp on the details. Which may mean some spoilers, so watch out.

Stars: 4

Synopsis: Marian Creighton was unprepared for her father’s death...and even more unprepared to travel back in time to the Middle Ages in search of a fantastic cure for all diseases. Will she be able to survive in the 14th century long enough to find her father and the cure to heal her sister?

Come Back to Me was one of those books—you walk away from it pleased, having enjoyed the story if not found yourself lost in it, but once you take the time to think about it, you realize several things were off about it. That’s what I call an enjoyable experience. The actual process of reading the book is five-star—holds your attention, can’t put it down, you read through smoothly—but the book itself was just lacking in certain arenas. Like the ones that keep the book fresh in your mind for months to come, so that you can jump into the sequel with gusto, or ones that make you gush in your review, even if you don’t write it until six months later.

As you can tell, Come Back to Me lacked the gushing-worthy elements. *looks around* See? No gushing. Crazy, right?

What’s crazy is that I think I liked the technicalities of this book the best. The plot, the mechanics, all that. I loved the way Jody Hedlund chose to depict time travel. There are so many options—you can go the Marvel route and be as scientific as possible; the Back to the Future method of sticking with unique but not too complex; or be as fantastical as you can and keep the technical stuff on the level of a children’s show (in other words, call it magic). Of course, when you’re talking Christian time travel, you’ve got a lot of other things to factor in. Namely, God.

Which is why I really like how the Waters of Time series focuses on real history and Christian mythology while weaving in a bit of quantum physics to make things seem a wee bit more realistic (the physics don’t come into play until the second book, though). It was the perfect balance, and the way Hedlund wrote it was both a little fantastical, a bit scientific, kinda spiritual...and, in the end, almost believable.

The plot was good—if not a bit cliché in some areas (the ones not involving time travel)—and the pacing as well. The beginning was weird, though. Slow, because we didn’t meet Will (or at least travel back for more than a minute) until way later, but also really fast, because a lot transpired within just a few chapters. After that, things flew by (which is not necessarily a bad thing, I suppose).

The touch of suspense was lovely, playing into a lot of the loose ends that are left for the sequel, so suffice it to say that once you finish this book, you’ll be ready for the next one.

All this said, Hedlund’s writing wasn’t up to par with some of her other works. First of all, I was missing the flavor—especially in the contemporary scenes, which read like historical scenes. Hedlund really struggled to get out of the 19th and 14th centuries, and it showed. There were times when I had to pause and remember Marian was a female pharmacist (which, if you consider Linnea from The Heart of a Cowboy, isn’t that big of a deal) to remind myself that this was a present-day time travel novel.

She also seemed to be doing more telling than showing, and I feel like there was some emotional connection or theme or character arc that was missing.

On that note, why do I feel like she tries to do something different for each series? And I don’t mean in terms of plot, setting, and characters. I mean, she found something that worked. The Bride Ships. That was series was perfect. I didn’t realize how much I loved it until I started reading her new series—the Colorado Cowboys and this one. It was the perfect balance between passionate romance, inspiring faith messages, and engaging plots. But the beauty of that series...the quality of the romance, the depth of the characters, the power of the themes...is exclusive to that one. It’s as if she decided to cull all that from her other series, leaving them hollow in comparison. She found something that worked...but she hasn’t kept doing it.

Maybe that’s a little harsh or I’m just not able to see the good parts of these two series like I was the Bride Ships.

Either way, I know the characters in Come Back to Me were just not on-par with most of Hedlund’s others (Bride Ships or no). Will had potential, but the story obviously wasn’t about him, because he had very little screen time and seemed to be almost disregarded. As if he were only there for the plot and the romance, not to have his own story, his own experiences, and his own character arc.

Such blatant inequality. *shakes head*

But then…Marian didn’t really have much of an arc either. For all of her problems, all of her doubts, all of her struggles...she doesn’t really experience much change. None of that is ever really dealt with.

It could be that this was a plot-driven novel and that the characters were just there to move the plot along (newsflash: only works with mysteries)...or it could be that the book was simply to short to deal with all of that. I don’t know. I just know that these two didn’t reach their full potential, which is always a shame.

Neither did their romance.

Now. Before I go into that, I will say that certain aspects of their romance—i.e., the physicality of it—have been dissed by many reviews of this book, some calling it “Christian erotica.” That, my friends, is actually a thing (don’t ask me how...it just is...it’s a case where the rose isn’t necessarily defined by its name). And this...this is not Christian erotica. Not even close. I have read way more passionate Christian romances and, worse, I have read Christian romances that are way more focused on physical attraction than this one.

So if you have been turned away by such reviews, let me assure you that they don’t know what they’re talking about (no offense). Yes, this romance does get a little physical, but like I said. This ain’t nothing. And, yes, it is a marriage of convenience, so you’ve got that to deal with (I’m beginning to hate MoCs, by the way, so I’m not gonna comment on that). However, I will say that this romance wasn’t purely physical. There was great potential for this deep and abiding emotional and spiritual connection between Will and Marian...but guess what.

The same thing happened to the romance that happened to the characters. There wasn’t enough time for development, apparently, and I feel like so many scenes weren’t written. Scenes in which Will and Marian got to know each other and grow alongside each other. Scenes in which their romantic relationship—basically their marriage—became part of their individual arcs and vice versa. Scenes in which they bonded over something others than being stuck with each other. I mean, there was like one scene. And I loved it. And I wanted it to go on forever.

But it didn’t. So we were kinda left with just Will going on about how purty Marian was. Which, yes, is annoying. But at least there was potential for more. I feel like so many other romances—even and especially Christian ones—don’t even have potential for more. Allow me to direct you to my review of Hooked on You and my review of Never Miss. The foundation of the romances in these two books literally was just physical attraction. At least in Come Back to Me, I felt like there was this unseen something lurking in the shadows that was the backbone of Will and Marian’s relationship. We just...didn’t get to see it.

Dude, this was like a Christmas present that your forgetful aunt wrapped fifty times and you eventually just left there half-opened. That’s exactly was this was like.

Okay, seriously, though, no one forgets that they wrapped a present. Forty-nine times over.

Lastly, there was the faith elements. Marian and her dad are scientists...and Christians. And the entire plot of this series revolves around supernatural occurrences. So naturally, you have two elements that seem to contend (I personally don’t think science and God contend...God invented science, after all, but that’s a discussion for something other than a book review). Despite that, I feel like all of that...all the spirituality...was glossed over. Marian believed in God and she believed in science (perhaps a little more so) and that was that. Until her dad dies suddenly and she gets swept into the mystery of time travel. Then it seemed like she started doubting God and having some spiritual struggles. But guess what. None of that was ever dealt with or resolved. There was no substance to her faith—only a thin shred of belief and nothing more. Most of that is due to what I stated above—she had no arc.

As for Will? Pft, nothing. Poor dude didn’t get nothin’ outta this book but grief, bless him.

So the depth of Christianity in here was (1) God created the Tree of Life and (2) Will’s sister is a nun. That’s basically it. And here I was hoping for some great theme about trusting God and following His will for your life...or taking the Gospel to all time periods...or being a light to others...or having faith during the hard times...or something.

On top of that, what did she give me? A birth control comment. I’m beginning to think that Hedlund is pro-birth control (I’m currently discussing the portrayal of birth control in Christian fiction in the comments section of this review, if you’d like to join). Personally, I don’t appreciate that. At all. But at this point, I’ve complained about enough stuff. This honestly reads like a negative review, so I’m sure you’re asking yourself why the heck did Grace rate this four stars?

Like I said. Five-star experience. I enjoyed reading this book. I couldn’t put it down. I breezed through it so quickly that apparently I missed all the good stuff. I mean, if y’all want more positivity—I liked the historical elements. Gotta love insurrection and peasant uprisings, am I right? I’m right. Fighting for social justice is always a fan-favorite. And I was super excited for the sequel when I finished this, so that’s a good sign. Hungry for more, right?

Long story short…if you just want an entertaining and unique read, then, dude, this is perfect. But if you’re like me and you want to become invested and involved in the characters and you want a story that leaves an imprint on your heart, then may I direct you to another novel? (I may? Ooh, goody! I’ll leave a recommendation for you in the comments, then!) So, yeah, it was a five-star experience reading a three-star book. So here we are with four stars and a much longer review than I’d anticipated. This is why I warn you people. I ramble. They call me The Rambler. Oh, I’m The Rambler. I ramble on and on and on and on.

And, yes, that is a parody of The Wanderer by Dion. I’m so glad you noticed. *winks*

Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Snag Your Copy About the Author

Jody Hedlund is the author of over thirty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

#review #bookreview #timetravel #speculative #christianfiction #medieval #contemporary #romance #historicalromance

Bookishly Yours, Grace

Blog Tour: The Toymaker's Doll by E. G. Bella (Interview + Review)

Wow, have I got a jam-packed post for y'all today! In honor of the upcoming release of E. G. Bella's debut story, The Toymaker's Doll, I have not only a book spotlight but also a review of the story AND an interview with the author! This short story is SO SWEET and I know you're not gonna wanna miss the chance to read it, so without further ado...

About the Book

A limp. A scuff. A cowardly heart.

Jane is a doll struggling with all these things. She and her friend Isabel, a blind stuffed kitten, spend their days in the corner of their shelf, watching the other toys in the shop play – and wishing they could be like them.

Why did the Toymaker create them flawed? Surely it was an accident. One day, Jane sets off to find his workshop, eager to be fixed, and to bring him back for Isabel.

But the journey is hard and the road long. How can such a weak doll ever reach the Toymaker? And how will he respond if she does? What Jane learns will change her life forever.

The Review

When I first read The Toymaker’s Doll, a rush of memories came flooding back to me...of the first play I saw when I was close to five about toys that came to life; of watching the Toy Story movies; of a Christmas movie my grandparents gave me about a toy bear who’d been made differently than the others...and when I read it the second time, I got chills.

This allegorical story reads somewhat like an old children’s book, with a simple but poetic style and a classical cadence, but its message is ageless. E. G. Bella wove the answers to some of life’s hardest questions—why do bad things happen to good people? why are some people healed but not others? does God love me? do I have a purpose?—into this short story in a way that was memorable and inspiring. The depth of wisdom in the simple words is so beautiful! The scriptures she included—in the Toymaker’s dialogue and at the end of the book—are some of my favorites, and the note she left at the end was absolutely touching.

I have no doubt that everyone who reads this tiny tale will not only enjoy it but walk away impacted by the lovely message!

Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

Snag Your Copy The Interview

#1 What first inspired you to write?

Oh, so many things! I’ve always been a huge reader, and had my mom not enforced a library book limit, I’d have tried to bring the whole building home, haha. Stories have always meant a lot to me. But if I had to nail down exactly one thing that changed me from simply being a reader to being a writer as well, I’d say it was my dad.

When I was about five, I checked out a library book that my parents ended up deeming too dark for my age. And although I look back and agree, I was pretty bummed at the time. I didn’t understand why that particular story was being marketed to kids if the content wasn’t even suitable for them. While I was admittedly sulking in my bed that night, my dad came into the room with one of his ‘special’ blue notebooks from work. He gave it to me, and told me that I could write my own stories now. All my first real stories were in that notebook, and I haven’t stopped writing since. Thanks, Dad!

#2 What are some of the driving forces behind you and your writing now?

These days, my primary motivation to write comes from my belief that stories are powerful, and that God can use them to touch hearts in very special ways. It might sound dramatic, but lives truly can be changed in huge ways via story. I know mine has been. And it’s with that prayer that I write my stories now. I write a mixture of explicitly ‘Christian fiction’ and simply ‘clean fiction’, but no matter what the story, the process always involves lots of prayer and intentionally making sure that the themes and truth shine through. If even one person’s life is bettered by one of my stories (and sometimes that person is just me!), it’s worth all the work.

#3 Can you name any authors who have inspired your voices in different ways? How can you see their influence in your writing?

I always struggle to answer this question. Looking back, I see so many different bits and pieces of inspiration that I’ve gleaned from countless authors. But a few that always come to mind while I’m writing include Katherine Paterson (the depth and emotional resonance of her historical fictions always inspired me), Max Lucado (especially his knack for making biblical stories and themes come alive again), Maggie Stiefvater (her narrative voice is gorgeous!), and Nadine Brandes (her narrative voice is also amazing, and her plots are so intricate). I consistently see influence from each of them in my writing now.

#4 What are some of your most favorite books/genres—to read and to write?

Well, unfortunately, I can’t start talking about my favorite books or we’ll be here all day, haha. Besides the Bible of course, I don’t have a neat couple of favorites, it’s more like a master list of ones that I love for some reasons but not for others. Goodreads works very well for keeping track of them actually, so that’d be a good place to start if you’re really curious. (Which you can find ,here).

I like reading and writing in a lot of genres too, but some of my very favorites right now are medieval adventure, fantasy, historical fiction (particularly having to do with pirates) or biblical fiction, dystopian, and contemporary.

#5 What do you do when you aren’t writing?

Wish I was writing.

Other than that, haha, my time is largely taken up by two jobs, being a youth and worship leader with my church, and trying to be available for loved ones. When I have some time to myself and am not writing (fiction or blogging), I enjoy reading, playing the piano, singing, going for long walks or hikes, playing board/card games, tormenting family with awful jokes, and acting out random scenes from my stories.

#6 Looking back, what has changed for you as a writer—be it how you write or what you write about?

Probably the biggest way I’ve changed as a writer has to do with my perfectionism. For years I refused to let people read my stories, or felt nothing but stress if I did, because I knew they weren’t perfect. So I’d continue to make them wait until I finally got the story ‘just right’. And of course that never happens, so many of my stories have gone unread.

Recently though, God’s really been working on my heart and showing me that it’s okay not to be perfect. In fact, perfection is impossible as flawed humans. But that’s where He comes in. My role is to use my gifts in a way that can glorify Him, and He’ll take care of the rest. I’m slowly but surely learning to trust that I should simply do the best that I can in my stories - without stressing over whether they’re perfect - and then be at peace knowing He’s got the rest under control. He specializes in bringing beauty and meaning from imperfection, and if the story is meant to touch someone, He’ll bring it to them.

#7 Tell me about your debut story—The Toymaker’s Doll! What inspired it?

The Toymaker’s Doll is about a doll in a toy shop who’s struggling with the way the Toymaker created her and her friend. She doesn’t understand why he’d allow their flaws and weaknesses and she sets off to find him and ask him to fix them. On the way, she learns some valuable lessons, and ultimately discovers that the things we think are weaknesses can often be our greatest strengths, and that God can use even the most difficult things for good.

Though it started as a school assignment (with a suggested word count far below what I ended up with), this story really came from me asking God the same questions that the doll asked the Toymaker. I’d gone through some tough situations, including the recent loss of a dear friend, and was struggling to figure out how He could use all of my brokenness for any sort of good. I didn’t plot at all, I just started writing and let the story flow. Praise God, He met me there and offered a lot of healing through this little story. I pray others can be as encouraged by it as I was.

#8 What does your writing process typically look like?

It varies a lot depending on the stage of life I’m in. At the time that I write this, it’s 1 AM and the only chance I’ve gotten to write in a few days so I’m taking it. Some days, I will write for 4-6 hours, or even more on rare occasions. My ideal writing process would involve getting up with the sun, probably a cup of coffee, and then knocking out my word count goals before most people are even up. But usually my writing happens in as many little bursts throughout the day as I can nab. With my current schedule, I’m happy to get anything done!

#9 What are you currently working on?

Besides this blog tour/book launch, I’m still working to get my pirate novel, ,Cabin Girl, ready for publishing. It’s very close, but it still needs some final edits, a final paperback cover, formatting, and Amazon preparations. I have 4-5 other novels in various stages of work right now too, and I’m looking forward to getting into them again - hopefully soon!

#10 What do you want, most of all, for readers to take away from your books?

I'd really like for readers to finish my books having drawn closer to Christ during the story. Whether it's through a lesson taught, a theme displayed, an aspect of God's character revealed...I pray that none of my stories will ever be cheap or easily forgettable, but instead have a powerful - and preferably eternal - impact.

#11 Have you ever endured any discouragement as an author? If so, what inspired you to persevere?

Absolutely. Some of it larger, some smaller, but there have been many times when I've felt compelled to give up on writing. That my stories aren't worth telling, that my style isn't something anyone will want to read, that I don't have what it takes…

Several years ago, I entered one of my first novels to a contest, and was extremely (foolishly) hopeful to do well. I was excited that I'd finished the first draft quickly, that people liked my characters, and that the theme was strong. But it wasn't until the novel didn't even make it past the first ten pages in judging that I looked at it objectively and noticed all the plot holes, the sloppy prose, and the clichés. Boy, did I feel like giving up! And I did for a while, because I just felt too ashamed of that story and my writing. But after a few months, I realized that it was too dear to me to give up on, and resolved to polish it up - if even just for myself. So I rewrote it, with heavy research, lots of comments from readers, and a determination to get it right this time. And I'm so glad I did. It's one of my favorite books that I've written, and it ended up placing semifinalist in the same contest the next year. (That story is Cabin Girl).

Even if the only person you're writing for is yourself, don't give up! Maybe your story won't ever be the next bestseller, but the blessings and lessons you can gain simply by sticking with it are far better than the regrets you'll have from giving up.

#12 What are your greatest aspirations for your future, be it as a person or as a writer?

They say to dream big so I'll just say it, my greatest aspiration as a writer is to be able to write part-time and then supplement that with another part-time job outside the home. While the thought of writing full-time is also appealing, I wouldn't ever want the need for a good income to tempt me to compromise on the values I put into my stories (i.e. writing purely for market, even if it's not what I should write). So I want to be careful there.

Just as a person, I most want to follow Christ's path for my life and become more like Him. What the specifics will look like, I can hardly imagine, but I'm doing my best to just trust and anticipate the plan He has.

#13 What has being a writer taught you?

Well, one big thing that's carried into my daily life is remembering that everyone has a story. Characters have always been my favorite parts of stories, and I spend a lot of time making sure that they're realistic; that they have fears, dreams, personalities, backstories, beliefs, motivations, and a life outside of what's showcased in a particular story. Even the most minor character still has this whole life that we barely catch a glimpse of. And it's the same way in real life. We're each the main character of our own life, and there's so much depth behind each and every stranger you meet. We all have our stories, and I think it's important to remember that none of those stories are worth more than anyone else's. We should strive to be an ally in someone's else's story, not a villain.

#14 What led you to self-publishing?

A combination of a friend's experience, a collection of books and resources about it, the encouragement of an experienced author I was blessed to talk with (Allen Arnold, author of The Story of With), and realizing that self-publishing could actually be a serious thing and not just for authors who 'couldn't make it' traditionally. In fact, the more I learned about it, the more I saw that it would fit my current goals and place in my writing journey. Though managing all the different aspects can be overwhelming, I'm especially grateful to have the complete creative license to tell my stories how I feel called to tell them.

#15 What are your thoughts for other aspiring writers on writing and publishing?

I'd say the things that have helped me most in the process are to 1) Keep writing, 2) Keep learning, and 3) Keep reaching out to other authors and readers of your genre/s. You can read a million craft books and take a thousand courses, but until you actually diligently do the work of writing and putting it into practice, your knowledge won't ever result in good books (or any stories at all). And yes, read those books, take those courses, and ask those questions. There are so many moving parts to writing and publishing, and learning from knowledgeable sources will help the process go much smoother. Finally, I've been amazed at the supportive and welcoming community of story-lovers out there. Don't be afraid to join it. Having people encouraging you, helping you, and motivating you to keep going can make all the difference. Most of all, just don't be afraid to try. If you have a story to tell, tell it!

About the Author

E. G. Bella is a bookworm-turned-author whose early love for stories prompted her to start filling notebooks with them when she was just four years old. She’s never looked back. Now, with a passion for cheesy puns, colorful characters, and contagious faith, she writes in a wide variety of genres, striving to craft memorable and page-turning tales the whole family can enjoy.

When she’s not writing, thinking about writing, or gushing about her stories to anyone within earshot, Bella can be found sipping warm coffee, reading emotional books, and harmonizing with the radio. Sometimes all at once.

You can visit her at www.egbella.com, where she blogs weekly about life, writing, and what she’s learning about both. While you’re there, join her email list to receive her writing announcements and new releases early, and some special gifts!

The Tour

Monday (December 20th):

Vanessa Hall (Book Review)

E. G. Bella (The Toymaker's Doll Blog Tour Kickoff!)

Tuesday (December 21st):

Kristina Hall (Book Review)

Wednesday (December 22nd):

Vanessa Hall (Author Interview)

E. G. Bella (Why I Use a Pen Name)

Thursday (December 23rd):

Grace A. Johnson (Book Review & Author Interview)

Friday (December 24th):

Stepping Stones Book Reviews (Author Interview)

E. G. Bella (What Readers Are Saying)

Saturday (December 25th):

Teen Writers' Nook (Book Review)

Sunday (December 26th):

E. G. Bella (Blog Tour Wrap-Up)

Y'all be sure and follow the tour to learn more about this lovely story and its amazing author! Bella has another book coming out next year...a pirate novel!! Y'all know I'm excited about that! I hope y'all enjoyed this post - I know I did! Bella had some fabulous answers to my questions and great advice for authors, y'all! (Yes, I tacked on that y'all to see how difficult it'd be to have one in each sentence. *grins cheekily*)

Y'all, my lovelies, have a very merry Christmas and I'll see y'all after the holidays! (Dude, two y'alls in one sentence. I'm on a roll! Whoop! *winks*)

#blogtour #indie #shortstory #newauthor #debut #christianfiction #christianauthor #youngauthor #bookreview #interview #review #authorinterview #newrelease #bookspotlight #allegoricalstory #allegory #indieauthor

Bookishly Yours, Grace

Author Interview with Maya Joelle

I am so excited to have the author of the lovely poetry collection Cathedral on the blog today...none other than Maya Joelle! She is such an inspiration and so creative - I have loved following her blog these last several months! You can learn about her and where to follow her here...or, y'know, keep reading for our interview below!!

What first inspired you to write?

My first-ever story was a Narnia fanfiction, which I wrote at age six out of frustration at C.S. Lewis for not telling us what happened next to Susan. So I’d say my first inspiration to write was Lewis, which really means that it was my parents, because my father read aloud the entire Narnia series to my sister and me and both my parents encouraged me to continue writing stories.

What are some of the driving forces behind you and your writing now?

For my poetry, I’m driven by the need to get my emotions out on paper (or on a computer screen). I love it when I manage to write something that can bring me back to a certain moment and the exact way I felt at the time. It’s even better when others can experience the same emotions by reading my poem. I also write high fantasy, which is driven by a love for my characters and worlds. (Seriously. I geek out about my main characters and their arcs all the time. It’s great fun.)

Can you name any authors who have inspired your voice in different ways? How can you see their influence in your writing?

I’ve been strongly influenced by the poetry of Allison Beery, Havilah Gael, Essie-Marie W, Levi the Poet, Shigé Clark, and my good friend Lilly, and I’d like to think my poems resemble theirs in some ways. They are all immensely talented and manage to capture emotions and moments in such creative, memorable ways.

I always pray that my poetry will give people the same experience that I have when I listen to Levi the Poet, specifically his tracks “The Dark Night of the Soul” and Chapter Seven: Orphan Theism.” Here are a couple quotes:

So where is the lullaby that our doctrine sang? Where is the house on the rock when even the rock couldn’t withstand the rain? What does it mean, you who uses spit to clean the eyes of blind men suddenly guilty for all that they have

claimed to see? It’s not that I don’t believe, it’s just that sometimes faith feels more like cataracts than clarity. Please, go gentle on me. - Levi the Poet, “The Dark Night of the Soul”

I have no idea what to believe, but beauty pulls me beyond myself like I don’t even have a

choice, so I know I don’t believe in nothing. - Levi the Poet, “Chapter Seven: Orphan Theism”

(lyrics found at ,https://www.levithepoet.net/music-lyrics/)

What are some of your most favorite books/genres—to read and to write?

My favorite genres to read are high fantasy and historical fiction, and some of my favorite authors are J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Brandon Sanderson, N.D. Wilson, Intisar Khanani, Megan Whalen Turner, Andrew Peterson, Rosemary Sutcliff, Robin McKinley, L.M. Montgomery, and G.K. Chesterton. Yes, I know that’s an inordinately long list. Just be thankful I didn’t try to list all of my favorite books :)

As for writing, I have several high fantasy WIPs and ideas for WIPs, and I also spend a lot of time writing poetry. I’ve written some contemporary fiction as well. But it’s mainly fantasy and poetry.

What do you do when you aren’t writing?

I read a lot. That is, I did, until college started. Now I spend a lot of time studying, hanging out with friends, listening to music, and walking to and from classes (not to mention actually taking said classes). My other hobbies include singing, martial arts, and holding my little brothers.

Looking back, what has changed for you as a writer—be it how you write or what you write about?

I write less now than I used to, but that’s mainly because I’m quite busy. I’ve gotten better over the years at planning plots before I write them (I wouldn’t call it actually plotting, because my system is very loose and disorganized, but at least it exists).

What draws you to poetry?

I love the flexibility of it — there are so many different ways to express yourself, and less “rules” (you decide where line/stanza breaks go, etc.). And it’s a way to express emotions and capture moments through metaphors and imagery, which is one of my favorite ways to write.

What does your writing process look like — for poetry and prose?

For poetry, I either type or handwrite a draft as soon as I can after I get the idea for a poem. Then I let it sit for a while, and come back to it and edit it later. Mostly I make little changes. If a poem needs large, structural edits, that usually means I should re-write and find a different way to say the thought.

For example, here’s the first draft of a poem from Cathedral (originally called “dizzy”)’

We are spinning at a speed we cannot comprehend Dizzily turning Somehow we are yet alive. Can anyone understand this mercy? How we spin round See the stars

And yet stand incredibly still And see the sky full of fire and awe

And here’s the final draft (now titled “fire and awe”):

We are spinning at a speed we cannot comprehend Dizzily turning Somehow we are yet alive. Can anyone understand this mercy? How we spin round through a sea of stars

And yet stand incredibly still And see the sky

By removing the last half of the final line and making it the title instead, I think I made the conclusion stronger overall, and I was able to create a parallel between “sea” and “see” without repeating the word twice in such a short poem.

For prose, my first drafts are usually a lot further from the final product. It can take many rewrites to get there, and I often absolutely hate the initial draft.

Cathedral is your upcoming release—can you tell me a little bit about it?

Cathedral is a collection of poetry and short creative prose that I’ve written over the past several years, about darkness and light, courage and fear, and death and life. (Among many other things.)

What made you choose self-publishing for Cathedral?

The process of querying, acquiring an agent, and getting a publishing deal is very long and hard. I’ll likely pursue it someday, but I knew that I could design and format satisfactorily myself, and I am satisfied with the manuscript without further editing. (I did pay for an editor for a previous draft.) It made more sense for me in terms of how much time and effort I have to spend on publication, and I’ll be able to hold my own book in my hands and say, “I wrote that, and I designed and formatted it, and now other people can read it.”

What are your thoughts for other aspiring writers on writing and publishing?

For writing — just write. Don’t worry about how terrible you are. Don’t worry about anything. Just consistently write something. That’s the first step. (Of course, there are things you can and should do to get better at writing, but if you’re not consistently writing, you haven’t got anything to improve.)

For publishing — don’t do it until you’re ready, do lots of research, and if you’re going to be like me and do everything yourself, make sure you’re satisfied with the quality of the product you produce. Would you buy the book you’re selling? If you wouldn’t, you’re not ready to publish it. (I don’t really have advice for traditional publishing at the moment, but the same basic idea applies — don’t query/submit until you’re sure you’ve written something you’re proud of, something you’d want to read or buy if someone else wrote it.)

What do you want your readers to take away from this collection?

Have the courage to create.

This darkness will end.

Lay down your life as a gift to others.

Give all the glory to the true King.

Have you ever experienced any discouragement as an author? If so, what inspired you to persevere?

Of course. I think everyone goes through that. In fact, one of the pieces in Cathedral, “dust,” deals with this issue. I’ll let you read it to learn a little more about my reasons for persevering.

What are your greatest aspirations for your future, be it as a person or as a writer?

As a writer, I’d like to self-publish my poetry, and pursue traditional publishing for my fantasy. I hope to continue to write all my life, but not make it my main career. My aspirations as a person in general include traveling to Europe, homesteading and homeschooling, publishing my own translation of a Latin epic, being a Bible translator and missionary, and owning a pair of gold earrings (among other hopes). I think I’ll at least achieve that last one.

What has being a writer taught you?

If you want to get better at anything, you have to consistently do it.

About the Author

Maya Joelle is a wordsmith, bookdragon, and avid forest enthusiast from Michigan. In addition to poetry, she writes high fantasy novels and short stories that turn into novels. When she’s not writing or studying, she is often found marveling at the beauty of creation through the wonders of nature, music, and friendship. She writes poems to remind herself and others of God’s goodness amidst pain and sorrow, for the glory of the Author who knows the ending of her story. All the important links: ,https://mayajoelle.carrd.co/

#youngwriter #youngauthor #indieauthor #christianauthor #authorinterview #interview #abouttheauthor #debutauthor #poet

Bookishly Yours, Grace

Review: After She Falls by Carmen Schober

Stars: 2.5

Synopsis: In a frantic escape from an abusive marriage, Adri Rivera stumbles, daughter in tow, back into her hometown, hoping for a fresh start. Will she be able to bypass the aching memories—particularly those of her childhood friend Max—to grasp a peaceful future and chase her dreams?

Favorite Quote: “Just keep the Lord in front of you, honey. Ask God what he wants you to do, then do that, one thing at a time.”

In today’s episode of Grace Unfiltered™ (which is, yes, gonna be a real thing...eventually), we’re bringing Carmen Schober’s debut novel, After She Falls, to the butchering counter discussion table. This is a novel of pain. It’s a novel of healing. It’s a novel of dreams. It’s a novel of nightmares. It’s…

Really not all I’m making it out to be.

Now, After She Falls has potential. It, like, oozes potential. A novel about about a female MMA fighter? With a pinch of romance and lots of fighting? And chock-full of Rocky references?

How could it possibly fall flat?

One word: Max.

Not that I’m blaming it all on him...but it’s totally his fault. It just is.

Why, you ask? Well, it all began on a dark and stormy night…

No, not really. It actually began once Adri returns to her hometown and instead of inviting us on her journey of healing, restoration, and finding God, we get front-row seats to watch the drama between her and Max unfold.

Y’all know I like romance. And that’s the understatement of the year. I LOVE romance, and it’s like pulling teeth to get me to read anything without romance in it.

But y’all know what hurts worse than something completely devoid of all romance?

A crappily-written romance. Some novels are simply better without any traces of it at all, instead focusing on the characters’ inner journeys, the plot, action and adventure, mystery—any of that.

This was one such novel.

Adri was in too much pain, not even divorced yet, and here she was making eyes at some dude she hasn’t seen for years. On top of that, the dude is a drunk, a fighter, and has no respect for women. HOW WAS HE ANY DIFFERENT THAN OWEN? Just because he’s never hit a woman yet doesn’t mean he won’t get drunk and ticked off at one eventually! (Because, seriously, this dude has anger issues and can hold a grudge like ain’t nobody’s business.)

I’m sorry, but Max had ZERO redeeming qualities. None. Zilch. Nada. And his “romance” with Adri was full of arguing, hating, making out, more arguing, fighting, more making out, and topped off with a hefty dose of lust. That was not what she needed after getting out of an abusive relationship, and it certainly wasn’t what I wanted to be entertained by.

There was no emotional connection between the two. No development. No real love. Maybe on Adri’s part, in her naivete, but not Max.

I just...I didn’t buy it. And I certainly didn’t like Max. Had he not existed, I might’ve liked Adri more, gotten into the story, and even given it four stars.

But, y’know, Max.

Also, his “redemption arc” was virtually nonexistent. All of a sudden, he’s reading the Bible and being nice, and Adri’s good with it. Nope. I need at least a year’s worth of total devotion to the Lord. And there’s no realistic way that the dude just up and decided to “do things right” after doing things wrong for his entire adult life. Yes, Jesus changes you. But you also have to actually accept Him, commit to Him, seek Him, and wrestle with your flesh daily. Max...I dunno...I just didn’t get to see him accept Christ and he certainly didn’t seem to do much wrestling. Not the most realistic, if you ask me.

Anyway. I think that takes care of Max.

As for Adri, believe me when I tell y’all I wanted to like her. I really did. And for a few moments, she’d start to grow on me...but then you-know-who would show up and totally ruin Adri for me. Her personality was kind of hard to pinpoint, and honestly, I couldn’t detect that “fire” Roman claimed to see in her. Selfishness, yeah. For example, in speaking of the championship match, Adri thinks: “Her dream is right in front of her, and Gemma’s just in the way.” It broke my heart to think that, after all of this, Adri’s dream wasn’t to give her daughter a better life, to find peace, to be healed, or to grow closer to God. It was to win a fight. That was the culmination of this novel—a fight.

If this were Rocky, it’d be one thing. Rocky didn’t just escape from an abusive marriage with a young daughter before meeting Apollo in the ring. Rocky’s story wasn’t rife with emotional turmoil and relationship issues. (I mean, yes, there was Adrian, but a few turns around the skating rink and a visit to the zoo was the gist of that.)

This, however, was Adri Rivera, a college-age girl who was lost and lonely and needed Jesus. Instead of seeking Him, serving Him, and relying on Him, she pinned her...everything…on herself and, of all people, the almighty Max. (Who, might I add, was even more selfish than her and wanted nothing more than for Adri to do his bidding rather than him sacrificing for her and building her up.)

I am glad that Adri did turn to God, that she established boundaries and strove to remain within them, but I feel like so much from missing from her spiritual journey (yeesh, that sounds so New Age, but you know what I mean). And it seemed like every time Yvonne and Roman (both of whom I adored, by the way) said something deep and inspiring, Adri let it go in one ear and out the other. Their advice never made much of an impact.

On top of all that, the third-person POV in present-tense was SO jarring. I’ve never read anything written like that, and it gave me a deeper connection to everything going on in the “physical realm” (i.e., the action) but distanced me so much from Adri and Max. I couldn’t connect with either of them at all, because I was held at arm’s length. And not in a delicate Jane Austen omniscient manner, but in a push-me-down-every-time-I-try-to-get-close manner.

Were it not for the third-person present-tense, Schober’s writing would’ve been fine! Everything was technically spot-on; in-scene pacing was good; and descriptions were balanced. Speaking of pacing, I really didn’t like how, from a broader perspective, the story would skip months at a time. I felt like I was missing so much.

Lastly, my final qualm was the content. I’m surprisingly very tolerant of a lot of things—alcohol/tobacco content; violence, fighting, gore; prostitution; the list goes on—however, I felt slightly disturbed by some of the content in here. Now, nothing was very graphic, but the way it was depicted was so casual and sometimes even positive. There was no guilt or shame on the main characters’ parts and no mention of God’s guidelines concerning things like drunkenness, sex outside of marriage, etc. (Which, on top of being disturbing and unbiblical, really made the romance seem dirty.) Furthermore, I didn’t like how divorce was celebrated. I know views on divorce differ, and if we wanna get into it, yes, it was a good thing that Adri escaped an abusive marriage, but…

(There’s always a but.)

The Bible makes it clear of God’s idea of marriage and divorce. Jesus stated in Matthew, chapter 19: “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” When Jesus was then asked why Moses allowed them the ability to divorce their wives, He replied, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”

Because of this, I see divorce as against God’s design and something to mourn. It is, after all, the end of a marriage and thereby a symbol of death. ‘Til death do them part, after all. Divorce on grounds of adultery is one thing—it’s quite obvious the marriage died the moment one or both spouses committed adultery—but remarriage after divorce regardless of the circumstances is basically the same thing.

See my point?

So, yes, it broke my heart to see how everyone threw divorce around so casually and almost gleefully, as if it were of no consequence.

And why do I feel like I’m critiquing this book as if it were real life instead of mere fiction?

Probably because I am, thanks to my tendency to get a little too involved in what I read.

I think I’ve finally covered all the bases, though. Long story short, once you separate the book from the characters, the plot, and the content, you’re left with a book that’s kind of a struggle to read. Had it not been for the third-person and present-tense combo and the skipping around, it would’ve been a more enjoyable read—and therefore easy to connect with the characters and become immersed in the story. Overall, it had potential. The execution was just really off.

Well, thank y’all for tuning into today’s episode of Grace Unfiltered™! Maybe my next review will be full of gushing and fangirling—I sure could use a break from all this negativity! (Y’all see now why I went so long without ever writing a negative review...I have strong opinions, folks.)

Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Snag Your Copy About the Author

Carmen Schober is a debut novelist, wife, full-time mother to two daughters, avid boxer, and Rocky enthusiast. A graduate of Kansas State University, where she earned a master's degree in English literature and creative writing, she currently lives in Manhattan, Kansas. She has published sports fiction in Witness magazine and Hobart Pulp, and she regularly blogs about faith, family, and fighting at www.carmenschober.com.

#contemporary #christianfiction #romance #bookreview #review #debutnovel

Bookishly Yours, Grace

Review: As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin

*Warnings*

#1 This is a long review, so pull up a chair and grab a bowl of popcorn. You’ll be here awhile. #2 When I read a review, I want substantial information. So I will not skimp on the details. Which may mean some spoilers, so watch out.

Stars: 4

Synopsis: During the Great War, a young munitions worker arrives in Gretna, Scotland, bearing the name of Tilly Lockheart. What the family who take in Tilly, including their auldest son, a discharged RAF captain, don’t know is that there’s more to Tilly than meets the eye. And what Rose Graham, the woman behind the name, hasn’t an inkling of, is the immense responsibility that she’s taken on by claiming to be her deceased best friend. In fact, she may even find the weight of an entire war upon her shoulders.

Favorite Quote: “I've fallen in love with you. Tilly or Rose, it matters not. You're the same lass to me, either way.”

First things first, let’s all agree that any novel set in Scotland is automatically a great book.

We’re agreed?

Good. Moving on.

No, I’m serious. The vibrancy of the setting and the lovely Scottish accents made this novel, and if nothing else, Kate Breslin captured a bit of the Scots spirit in her latest release, As Dawn Breaks.

She also captured a bit of the hardworking, sacrificial spirits of the women during WWI, particularly munitions workers like Rose, Tilly, and Hannah, as well as the deception and politics of war.

One of my favorite things of this novel is how she wove all of that in. From the accent into Alex’s narrative (artfully done, by the way) to the intrigue and suspense. All of her novels thus far have had this perfect blend of the everyday life during a war—including the surface perception of what went on—and the espionage and political games behind the scenes. She also weaves in sweet romance and subtle themes that come together for a lovely story!

I will be honest (y’all know I’m always painfully honest), there were some elements I didn’t enjoy. I’d like to get them out of the way first thing, if you don’t mind.

Alex. I really don’t want to hate on the main man, but to me Alex was a little too cynical and bitter for me to connect with, and as shallow as it sounds, it wasn’t the most romantic either. I think, had we had time to dive deeper into his character and have more interaction between him and his family, he would’ve been a fabulous hero. But because of a lack of depth (at least, a perceived lack of depth), he didn’t really reach his full potential. Hannah. I’m sorry, y’all, but every moment with her was pure botheration. I’m sixteen years old, with a sister who’s fourteen and friends who are fifteen. Believe me when I tell you that most teenage girls in the twenty-first century don’t act as immature as she did—let alone girls in the early 1900s. She acted more like a twelve-year-old from the modern day, and not only was that jarring, it also just drove me slap crazy, because no one I know at that age (nor myself) would act like she did. The deception. I know, I know, it’s a plot machination and without Rose telling a couple lies, we wouldn’t have had a book. I totally understand that. But what I don’t understand was how Breslin just let Rose off the hook. She never received any of the consequences for her actions, and to me it seemed like “working for the government” was all the justification she needed. On top of that, there was never any mention of God’s thoughts on lying (it’s a sin, in case you were wondering); instead, Rose reflects several times on how God seemed to be planning all of it out for her. Yes, God helps and guides His children. Yes, He provides for them. But, no, He doesn’t condone their sin, regardless of how much good they do, nor does He guide them toward committing it. Rather, He offers a way out of temptation (SCRIPTURE REFERENCE NEEDED). Plus, on a Chauvinist Grace™ side note (gotta love those, amirite?), Rose made some feminist comments that, to me, didn’t jive with her respective, demure personality. The whole “I stood up against a bully and became a superhero for all women” was just...outrageous. Unless you destroyed all traces of the male species, you did not save all women across the planet from sexism. It’s quite obvious that anyone can be a bully, regardless of their gender, by the way Colleen and the other girls torture Rose. But that’s apparently not the same as a man making a few snide comments. Anyway, yeah. For a different character, I might let it slide, but for Rose it just seemed out of place. And this is where I don’t make a big deal out of how this was yet another escaping-an-arranged-marriage story, because if I did we’d be here all day. Seriously, though. It’s getting old. Can we please come up with a new plot device? One that’s more accurately portrayed? Thank you.

Well, that takes care of that! *dusts hands* Now, apart from all that mumbo-jumbo, I must commend Breslin on dethroning the Lady of Assumptions (the name change is official, people). The plot twists and curveballs she threw at me...I didn’t see a single one coming! This novel was anything but predictable!

Speaking of, can I please make a big deal about seeing Simon, Eve, and of course Marcus again? (Please don’t ask how that has anything to do with plot twists…) Seriously, I just loved seeing them again, and I’m sorry, but if this woman doesn’t give Marcus a book soon, I’ll have to have a talk with her. I’ve been in love with the guy since Day One, and y’all, he needs a story. Marcus Weatherford needs a story.

Nuff said.

So maybe the reoccurring characters were my favorites (they were), and maybe Rose wasn’t perfect. Although that may just be the case (it is), I have to admit that I adored Rose’s sweet disposition and her love and respect for the Bairds. What a refreshment after all the snarky, rude heroines permeating the book world! And, yes, Mr. and Mrs. Baird were precious.

So was the gentle romance. Even though Alex wasn’t a prime candidate for a love story in my mind, there have been worse heroes. Like, way worse heroes. And I think that once he got over his distaste for Rose (the first time, at least), he became quite the sweet, caring love interest and older brother, and I craved more time between him and Rose.

I also loved the faith elements. I do think the deception part was off, but otherwise, I’m grateful that Breslin hasn’t fallen prey to the dilution of Christian fiction! This novel wasn’t preachy by a long shot, but it certainly didn’t ignore God. Rose prayed and relied on Him, even if she didn’t always consult Him like she ought, which was greatly appreciated.

What? The souls of all people matter—even fictional ones.

Long story short, As Dawn Breaks wasn’t perfect, no, but it was sweet, subtle, suspenseful, and all-around lovely. Kate Breslin always delivers a well-rounded novel full of intrigue and romance, and she doesn’t disappoint this time! She even threw in some Scottish accents, which is worth fifty stars in and of itself!

Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of this book was provided bythe publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Snag Your Copy About the Author

Former bookseller-turned-author Kate Breslin enjoys life in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and family. A writer of travel articles and award-winning poetry, Kate received Christian Retailing's 2015 Best Award for First Time Author and her first novel, For Such A Time, won American Christian Fiction Writers 2015 Carol Award. Kate's latest novel, Far Side of the Sea, released in March, 2019. When she's not writing inspirational fiction, Kate enjoys reading or taking long walks in Washington's beautiful woodlands. She also likes traveling to new places, both within the U.S. and abroad, having toured Greece, Rome, Barcelona, and much of Western Europe. New destinations make for fresh story ideas. Please visit her at www.katebreslin.com

#review #bookreview #historicalfiction #christianfiction #christianromance #historicalromance #WWI #romance #romanticsuspense #intrigue #setinscotland

Bookishly Yours, Grace

Review: Cathedral by Maya Joelle

If I wasn’t into poetry before, I am now.

I’ve read a few of Maya’s poems on her blog—“Borrowed Grief” is the one I remember the most—so I knew even before I began this anthology that she had talent.

What I wasn’t prepared for was the depth of it.

These poems...the prose...the emotions behind it all literally made my heart ache. I didn’t want to put it down for even a second (even though I did, because my sister wet the bed while I was reading last night); it just drew me in and consumed me until I felt like I was a part of these poems.

That’s what’s crazy. Connecting with the reflection of someone else’s heart and their experiences—most of which I don’t share—up to the point where I feel so invested and integrated into it.

(Okay, seriously, I just thought of “Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake, and that distresses me.)

So, for this review, instead of trying to sum up all of these different—and yet so cohesive—pieces in one short “I enjoyed it,” I’d like to take a moment to give you my thoughts on each individual piece.

borrowed grief—this was amazing on its own, but knowing the story behind it and how/why Maya felt this way just takes it to a whole new level and really gives me a great admiration for Maya and her heart. I honestly borrowed her borrowed grief while reading this poem. coming—man, reading from Death’s point-of-view is not something you wanna do before bed, and yet Maya captures the dark, greedy cravings and vile intentions of Death so expertly, almost making it beautiful. In this piece, she speaks more of spiritual death and sin, and the way she portrays that is so authentic and almost convicting. ghosts—though short-lived, the words Maya uses in this poem immediately invokes the most lovely imagery of ancient ruins and haunted castles. The symbolism of how memories, regrets, and sin haunt the soul much like a ghost follows up the previous poem almost like a reply. enough {I}—I remember reading this one on her blog several months ago, but it didn’t really strike me until now how much I relate, with how several of my friendships in the past have eroded away...and yet I felt no true grief. What I love the most is how she took something that should have been a symbol of death and turned it into a symbol of grace, love, and eternity. shipwreck—of course, I would love the piece about a shipwreck, wouldn’t I? But this wasn’t your typical shipwreck—it was self-imposed, intentional, and I love how Maya used that. It’s a bit like giving up, giving in, in some way symbolic of killing oneself—whether literally or metaphorically—how one would when they had no hope for life and no true desire to weather the storms. The shipwreck one would bring upon themselves if they didn’t have Jesus to guide them. Despite the depressing undertones, I love the prose and how it reads like a novel...and yet it doesn’t. How she utilizes simple sentences to create something so vivid and lively. treasure—lay up your treasures in Heaven, the Bible says, and in this poem Maya asks what your treasures are, drawing from that verse in a way that makes one stop and think. Especially after the previous piece. The pirate vibes are off the charts at this point, people. you tell me, rejoice {I}—I could go on about this piece...but what strikes me the most is the chaos of it. The lines of three sentences, followed by a one-word line. The rush of unfiltered thoughts, followed by a shattering confession. Then...and yet/you tell me/to rejoice. The poignancy of that statement, halting the chaos like a lifted hand, really tied this piece together, and I love how real that was, how it followed the thought process. to the broken ones—y’all, the allegory in this was absolutely amazing. I loved it, how it was both this ethereal analogy and yet such a physical thing. If that makes sense. Ach, go read it! ring—autumn meets Heaven. Does it get any better than that? No, it doesn’t. I love how Maya entwined the walk-in-the-forest vibes with a simple yet profound worshipfulness (let’s just pretend that’s a word), almost like she was stepping into the Lord’s presence. brave—as a reader and writer, I adored this poem and the idea that libraries are brave. fire and awe—again, Maya astounds me with her understanding and just the beauty of her thoughts. enough {II}—God is enough. The words I think we all need to hear, written as a bit of a poem, a reflection of the author’s personal experience, and a bit of a letter to a broken heart. Honestly, my hearts just clenches reading over this again as I think of all the people I know—especially some of my friends—who need to hear this. piano recital—since my mom plays the piano and I’ve been dabbling a bit, I really connect with this one and the feeling of awe at watching someone’s hands fly across the keys in a wild dance that I doubt I could ever imitate. beacon—three lines, and yet they hold such profound wisdom. setting sail—I’m not sure if Maya meant this to follow up “Shipwreck,” but I think it does. And I love it. goodbyes—this one I also read previously, and I wonder if some of it’s entwine with “Enough {I}.” I’m not sure, but I do know that these poems and verses are charged with such tangible emotion that I just want to reach out to Maya and give her a hug. Odysseus—as strange as it sounds...this was my favorite. The moment I saw the title, I just grinned to myself, since I’m working (slowly) on reading Homer’s Odyssey and LOVED how Maya correlated it with Christ and just...augh. The beauty of this...the heartrending beauty...the way it echoes God’s many laments in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others of how Israel had turned away...amazing. walk around the pasture—how simple. A glimpse into the everyday. Yet...so enchanting. And the sweetness of little Sayer reminds me of my own younger siblings. dust—the Jack and the Beanstalk vibes were definitely here, but Maya turned this into a lovely story of creativity and dreams and new beginnings and courage. I love it. you tell me, rejoice {II}—a continuation of the first, I love how this shifts from the pain in the first piece to disbelief. And, of course, better things, but I’m pretty sure you can spoil poetry just as good as you can novels. So I’ll move on now... crown him—a poem based off of a hymn. Nuff said. (If you know me well, you’ll know I love hymns. So, yeah, now there’s really been enough said.)

All in all, there really aren’t words to express the depth and beauty of this collection and my awe and appreciation for Maya’s talent and how she so expressly and joyously uses it for the Lord. This was truly an honor and a privilege to read, one that I never would have expected or felt worthy to ask for.

About the Author

Maya Joelle is a wordsmith, bookdragon, and avid forest enthusiast from Michigan. In addition to poetry, she writes high fantasy novels and short stories that turn into novels. When she’s not writing or studying, she is often found marveling at the beauty of creation through the wonders of nature, music, and friendship. She writes poems to remind herself and others of God’s goodness amidst pain and sorrow, for the glory of the Author who knows the ending of her story. All the important links: ,https://mayajoelle.carrd.co/

#poetry #poems #collection #bookreview #review #selfpublished #indie #youngauthor #Christian #newrelease

Bookishly Yours, Grace