Miranda Atchley's Blog, page 15

News: I'm Starting a Mailing List!

Hello, readers and friends! Today I’m checking in with a super quick post to let you all that I’m starting a mailing list. With this mailing list, I hope to keep readers informed of new releases, book sales, and giveaways. My first newsletter will go out on March 18, 2018. In this first newsletter, I’ll be making a very announcement that will appear there first, so if you’d like to be among the first to know some news, just fill out the form on the right.
-Miranda Atchley

First Line Fridays: Faking Grace

Happy Friday, readers and friends! I hope you’ve had a good week. If not, well, take comfort in the fact that it’s over, haha. Anyway, it’s time for another edition of First Line Fridays, hosted by Hoarding Books.
This week I’m featuring the first line from Faking Grace by Tamara Leigh. Enjoy!

Maizy Grace Stewart’s 5-Step Program To Authentic Christian Faith
This book is not my typical read. I’m a historical fiction girl through and through, and while I have been known to enjoy a contemporary read from time to time, it is definitely not my favorite genre. But, lately I’ve been in something of a reading rut and I wanted something light and snappy to read when I’m not writing. So I picked this book up from the library the other day. While it isn’t nestling itself into my heart as an all-time favorite read, I’m enjoying reading something light and funny and fast paced.
Now it’s your turn. What’s the first line of your current read? Is there a genre or specific book you like to turn to when you’re in a rut?
-Miranda Atchley

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Favorite Book Quotes

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.
Today’s topic: Favorite Book Quotes
You know those moments when you’re reading a book and a line just pops out at you? If you’re reading an e-book, you electronically highlight it, or if it’s a print copy you grab a highlighter pen and draw the neon ink over it so that it will always stand out to you. Sometimes you grab your phone and Tweet the quote then and there, other times, you copy the infamous words down in a notebook because you never ever want to forget those special words. I love those moments. They make reading whatever book it is even more special. And that’s what today’s post is all about. There are probably a thousand quotes that I’ve simply not thought of, but here are some of my absolute favorite book quotes.


10: “An unhappy alternative is before, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins. I will never see you again if you do.”Jane Austen, Pride and PrejudiceProbably my favorite quotes from Pride and Prejudice (yep, it beats out the opening line and Darcy’s “in vain I have struggled” quote.) It makes me laugh and it makes me cheer that Mr. Bennet would say this.


9: “Every man’s island, Jean Louise, every man’s watchman is his conscience.”Harper Lee, Go Set A WatchmanSuch a powerful quote from one of the greatest writers of all time.


8: “If you just want a thing had enough and keep on trying, you get it in the end.”-Jean Webster, Daddy-Longs-Legs


7: “But, dear me, let us be elegant or die.”-Louisa May Alcott, Little WomenThis quote always cracks me up!


6: “I am no bird; no net ensnares me.”-Charlotte Brontë, Jane EyreThis being one of my favorite novels ever, there are a few quotes from the book that I love. This one always stands out in my mind when I think of Jane Eyre.


5: “Oh, I tell you, Daddy, when we women get our tights, you men will have to look alive in order to keep yours.”-Jean Webster, Daddy-Long-LegsYou tell ‘em, Judy!


4: “There are many Beths in the world, shy and quiet, sitting in corners until needed, and living for others so cheerfully that no one sees the sacrifices till the little cricket on the hearth stops chirping, and the sweet, sunshiny presence vanishes, leaving silence and shadow behind.”-Louisa May Alcott, Little WomenSo heartbreaking and beautiful.


3: “God’s in His heaven; all’s right with the world”L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green GablesI’m almost certain this quote was originally by another author, but I always associate it with Anne of Green Gables.


2: “I’m going to enjoy every second, and I’m going to KNOW I’m enjoying it while I’m enjoying it. Most people don’t live; they just race. They are trying to reach some goal far away on the horizon, and in the heat of the going they get so breathless and panting that they lose all sight of the beautiful, tranquil country they are passing through; and then the first thing they know, they are old and worn out, and it doesn’t make any difference whether they’ve reached the goal or not. I’ve decided to sit down by the way and pile up a lot of little happinesses even if I never become a Great Author.”-Jean Webster, Daddy-Long-LegsDaddy-Long-Legsis one of my favorite books ever and this quote displays why. It’s just so good!


1: “Women are supposed to be very calm generally: but women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their faculties, and a field for their efforts, as much as their brothers do; they suffer from too rigid a restraint; too absolute a stagnation, precisely as man would suffer; and it is narrow minded in their more privileged fellow-creatures to say that they ought to confine themselves to making puddings and knitting stockings, to playing on the piano and embroidering bags. It is thoughtless to condemn them, or laugh at them, if they seek to do more or learn more than custom has pronounced necessary for their sex.”-Charlotte Brontë, Jane EyreThis is a rather long quote, but I just love it.
What are some of your favorite book quotes, readers and friends? I’d love to hear about them!
-Miranda Atchley

First Line Fridays: Doctor Thorne

First Line Fridays is a weekly feature hosted by Hoarding Books.
Hey readers and friends, and happy Friday! It’s time for another First Line Fridays. This week, I’m featuring the first line of the classic novel Doctor Thorne.
Before the reader is introduced to the modest country medical practitioner who is to be the chief personage of the following tale, it will be well that he should be made acquainted with some particulars as to the locality in which, and the neighbours among whom, our doctor followed his profession.

Not a terribly noteworthy first line, is it? I’ve really enjoyed certain parts of this book, but some parts have been sort of dry. I wanted to read it because I loved the mini-series Julian Fellowes based on the book. 
So what's the first line of your current read?
-Miranda Atchley

A Nice Continuation of A Wonderful WWII Series | Review: As Time Goes By by Melody Carlson

As Time Goes By by Melody Carlson
About The Book
 In 1942 San Francisco, war has touched every part of the Mulligans’ lives. With their brother killed at Pearl Harbor, their father recovering from tuberculosis, and their eldest sister a nurse in the Army, those at home are left to keep on, wondering if it’s possible to thrive…or only to survive. 
Pragmatic Margaret struggles with the gap between the dreams she’d always fostered of married life and the reality of having a husband an ocean away—combined with the concerns for the family store in uncertain times. Colleen has always been considered the superficial sister, but when a chance at her dream of Hollywood makes her second-guess her hopes and tragedy shakes her to her core, her family sees a side of her they never expected. Molly, always the hopeful one, dedicates herself fully to the war effort at home—but can all the optimism in the world guard her against harsh reality? Who can she talk to when troubles come? 

Each of the Mulligan sisters must do her part to keep the family going—and each must find her own new place as the world shifts under their feet and time goes by. 
My Thoughts
I really enjoyed this book. I loved it just as much as I loved the first book in The Mulligan Sisters series. Melody Carlson is one of those writers whose books I just tear through. I just can’t put them down! And this series is my favorite series by her. I love WWII fiction and this series is like a time machine; it takes the reader right back to the 1940s. Carlson deals with the war tastefully, incorporating the sadness and grief that affected everyone’s lives and balancing it with stories of those on the home front as their lives continue in the midst of war. Elements of faith weave throughout the story subtly, while not being too preachy, but still there.
The story is full of vivid characters who seem like people you know in person. I’m glad to see Colleen starting to grow up and become mature. She’s not a perfect person, but she’s learning, and this makes her a more realistic character. The only thing lacking in this book is that I wish there had been more about Bridget. I’m hoping that she’ll be featured more in the next book, because she’s a good, likable character.
All in all, As Time Goes By is a great continuation of a series that I love. I recommend this book to all fans of Christian fiction set during WWII. Can’t wait to read String of Pearls!

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

February in Review

Another month has passed, readers and friends. Amazing how fast time passes, isn’t it? Granted this was a short month, but it still seems like 2018 just started. Any who, while this month wasn’t terribly exciting, I still wanted to do a review post to look back on what all took place here on A Real Writer’s Life.
Favorite February PostsFirst Line Fridays: The Dishonorable Miss DeLanceyA Charming Story with a Cozy Setting | Review: The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen
I’m excited to have begun participating in First Line Fridays! While I haven’t posted every Friday, it is fun to join this tag from time to time. And The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill was a great post that I enjoyed featuring here on the blog.
Books Read in February The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey Amongst The Roses The Valley of Fear The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill A Dangerous Legacy A Noble Masquerade Love in Three Quarter Time The Ladies of Ivy Cottage As Time Goes By
My favorite book from this month would probably be As Time Goes By. I just really enjoy The Mulligan Sisters series. It’s a great WWII series that I highly recommend. 
Thank you all for taking the time to stop by the blog this month. It means a great deal to me, and I look forward to reading your comments in the months to come. Wishing you all a wonderful month in March!

-Miranda Atchley

Lately 2.15.2018

Hey readers and friends. I hope you’re all doing well today. Things have been fairly quiet around here. I’ve been mostly writing and reading, which you can read more about below!
Writing
I’m still writing the next book in The Abi Hensley Series. Still no title, but I hope to have one soon that I can share with you all. I will say that this is probably the most intimidating novel I’ve written so far, because it takes place all over Europe. There is so much to learn!
Reading
Lately I’ve been reading A Dangerous Legacy and The Ladies of Ivy Cottage. Both are great novels that I’ve really enjoyed reading. I’ve finished a few of other books this month and I have so many that I’m planning to read soon. There just aren’t enough hours in the day for all the books I want to read!
So there’s my lately. Thank you so much for stopping by today!

-Miranda Atchley

A Charming Story with a Cozy Setting | Review: The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen

The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen
About The Book
The lifeblood of Ivy Hill is its coaching inn, The Bell. When the innkeeper dies suddenly, his genteel wife, Jane Bell, becomes the reluctant landlady. Jane has no idea how to manage a business, but with the town’s livelihood at stake and a large loan due, she must quickly find a way to save the inn.
Despite their strained relationship, Jane turns to her resentful mother-in-law, Thora, for help. Formerly mistress of The Bell, Thora is struggling to overcome her losses and find purpose for the future. As she works with Jane, two men from her past vie for her attention, but Thora has promised herself to never marry again. Will one of them convince her to embrace a second chance at love?
As pressure mounts from the bank, Jane employs new methods, and puzzles over the attention of several men who seem to have vested interest in the place, including a mysterious newcomer with secret plans of his own. With help of friends old and new, can Jane restore life to the inn, and to her empty heart as well?
My Thoughts
While I love reading about grand places like New York City, London, Paris, etc., I also love reading about small villages. Cranford is one of my favorite books ever, and to me The Innkeeper of Ivy Hillhad a similar feeling, what with the small country English village setting, and the fact that the cast of characters is made up mostly of women in all age ranges. Yet this novel is different enough from Cranford to make it feel like a fresh story. The characters are diverse, but their stories come together nicely. Even though Thora could be a little harsh at times, I still liked her because she was witty. Jane was a somewhat weak character in the beginning and seemed to let everyone walk over her, but I was glad to see her learn to stick up for herself as the book progressed.
Another thing that I enjoyed about this novel was learning about women’s rights, or the lack thereof, during the early 19thcentury. This book gave a unique perspective of what women’s lives were like and how they were treated that I found interesting.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill. Anyone who enjoys books like the classic Cranford will want to read this book.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

A Gripping Tale of the Civil War Era | Review: Amongst The Roses by Meghan M. Gorecki

Amongst The Rosesby Meghan M. Gorecki
Three hearts and one war - who will return?The War Between the States shakes Margaret Bryant out of her comfortable upper-class life when her father enlists in the Army of the Potomac. Despite being safely ensconced above the Mason-Dixon Line in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, Margaret finds her strength tested by opposition from familiar faces and Confederate threats. Will she let a young man from a lesser station into her heart even as war rages ever nearer to the home front?Restless Connor Doyle sees the war as a way to escape from his family s farm and his identity as a poor Irishman s son. His brother, Adam, torn between duty to country and his family, enlists alongside Connor. Adam dares to hope in a future with Margaret when he begins a courtship correspondence from the war front. The two brothers make a vow to protect one another at all costs, but when faced with death and destruction from all sides will they be able to uphold it? The three bloodiest days in America s history bring these three together at Gettysburg and tragedy s cruelty threatens to tear two hearts apart and bring two unlikely allies together.
Having read Meghan M. Gorecki’s previous two novels, I was definitely looking forward to reading her novel set during the Civil War. She’s a good writer and that is displayed in Amongst The Roses. The novel is well researched and her passion for this period in history is clearly seen throughout the pages. There are many pretty turns of phrases and nice uses of symbolism used throughout the book, and I enjoyed these aspects. However, I didn’t find the characters to be terribly likable nor relatable. I must admit that I didn’t like Margaret Bryant the way that I was hoping to. She’s a somewhat self-righteous character and her obsession with making a wealthy match was bothersome at times. Yet I will specify that this seemed to fade as the book progressed. It seems to me that the author’s intent is to show Margaret’s growth over the course of the series. Connor Doyle was a pretty cocky guy and could try one’s nerves at times, though there were some redeeming qualities to his character, such as his want to protect his family. As with Margaret, I get the impression that his growth will be displayed throughout the series.
I feel it necessary to point out that there is some graphic content in this novel due to the various battle scenes. This is to be expected when it comes to novels set during the Civil War and some readers might keep this in mind when considering reading the novel.
All in all, Amongst The Roses is a solid start to the Keystone Legacy series. Civil War aficionados will want to consider giving this one a try.
I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.

*I received an ARC of Amongst The Roses from the publisher in exchange for my honest review and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

First Line Fridays: The Valley of Fear

Hey readers and friends! It’s Friday, so of course that means it’s time to share the first line from the books we’re reading. Thanks to Hoarding Books for hosting!
My current read is TheValley of Fear by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Here are the first few lines in the book.

“I am inclined to think-” said I.“I should think so,” Sherlock Holmes remarked impatiently.I believe that I am one of the most long-suffering of mortals; but I’ll admit that I was annoyed at the sardonic interruption.
I highlighted that last line in my Kindle, because 1) it’s hilarious, and 2) it’s so true! Dr. John Watson most certainly is a long-suffering mortal and has more patience with Sherlock Holmes than most others would have.
So there you have the first line of the book I’m reading. What’s the first line of the book you’rereading? I’d love to hear about it!
Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

-Miranda Atchley