Miranda Atchley's Blog, page 19

Review: Emmeline by Sarah Holman

Emmeline by Sarah Holman
In the year 1930, Emmeline Wellington knows of the rumors of the Great Depression, yet she refuses to believe that it is actually happening. The daughter of a car dealership owner, money has never been an issue in her life. She leads a comfortable life in high society. When she meets a young German woman named Catarina, whom works at the canning factory owned by Emmeline’s neighbor Mr. Knight, Emmeline sets out to help the young woman adapt to life in high society. Through lessons on speech and etiquette, new dresses for parties, Emmeline is sure that Catarina will be the perfect match for a wealthy man. Yet her lifelong neighbor and dearest friend Fredrick Knight disapproves of Emmeline’s matchmaking. Will she prove him wrong, or will she only cause heartache for her friends?
 This was a neat book! It has those elements of humor like Emma, and the premise of the story sticks pretty true to Austen’s classic, only set in 1930’s America. Miss Wellington was very similar to Miss Woodhouse in that she thought she knew what was best for everyone. While her intentions were mostly (keyword mostly!) good, she often went about things the wrong way. I like that the author modeled her characters after those in Emma. Emmeline is conceited and in need of direction, Mr. Wellington has a nervous disposition, Mr. Knight is wise, and Catarina is naïve. It all fits pretty well with the original.
All in all, Emmelineis a neat retelling of Jane Austen’s classic, Emma. Not only will fans of the original 19th century story enjoy this novel, but Christian historical fans will enjoy the message and the 1930s setting.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
I received a review copy of Emmeline, though the opinions in this review are my own.

Review: I'll Be Seeing You by Melody Carlson

I’ll Be Seeing You
by Melody Carlson

The Mulligan family has always been close. With five siblings and a store to run, there’s never been a chance for any of them to get bored. And now that the country seems to have recovered from the Great Depression, they’re hoping that things will get even better as the year 1941 is coming to a close. Yet with the eldest and only son off in the navy, things don’t feel quite right in the Mulligan home. And when they hear that the Japanese army has attacked Pearl Harbor, they fear the worst. The sisters, Bridget, Margaret, Colleen, and Molly, try to be strong for their parents, yet this is not easy. And when their father tests positive for tuberculosis, they begin to feel as though they cannot catch a break. When they receive some more bad news, the family wonders if they’ll be able to carry on. And as the oldest daughter Bridget joins the military as an army nurse, they wonder if their family will ever be the same.
I’ve been a longtime fan of Melody Carlson and have read many of her books. After reading I’ll Be Seeing You, I think The Mulligan Sisters might be my new favorite series by her. There’s a lot going on in this book (with that large of a family, you can’t expect it not to have lot going on) but everything ties in and it doesn’t feel scattered. There’s drama, self-discovery, and a little romance. But the main focus is on the Mulligan family and how WWII is affecting all of their lives. Everything in the book seemed so real; just how you would imagine this sort of family during WWII. And the style of writing made it hard to put down. 
In some ways, the Mulligan sisters sort of remind me of the March sisters in Little Women. There’s the same amount of sisters, and they all have similar personalities as those in Louisa May Alcott’s classic. Even though they disagree and there is friction between them, the Mulligan sisters still love each other and it shows throughout the book.
All in all, I’ll Be Seeing You was a great WWII era family drama that fans of Christian historical fiction will enjoy. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Pride and Prejudice Read-Along Week #5

Hello, readers and friends! Today I bring to you the last discussion post for the Pride and Prejudice Read-Along. I’ve had a lot of fun with this read-along and have enjoyed revisiting the Bennets and their friends while reading in a group. Can’t wait for the next read-along!
General Impressions
After running away with Whickham, we now see that Lydia is married and if we hadn’t already known, she most certainly would have told us about it had we been at Longbourn during her return. We also read as Bingley returns and proposes to Jane. And another couple reconciles. All at Longbourn were shocked when Lizzy accepted Mr. Darcy’s proposal. Mrs. Bennet, having previously detested the man, now believes him to be a dear person. By the end of the book, we see two out of the three newlywed couples happily situated and Mr. Bennet contented with his daughters’ new lives.
It’s the end! I can’t believe it’s over! I think it’s hilarious, though slightly annoying, how quickly Mrs. Bennet’s opinions of people change. Quite the opposite of Jane’s unwavering optimism! But I am glad to see Jane and Lizzy get their happily ever afters.
Discussion Questions
1. Which character's words or actions shocked you the most in this section (in a good or bad way)? How would you have responded if those words or actions somehow affected you?
Lady Catherine de Bourgh's. After being so stoic and regal, she just came unglued when Lizzy didn't cater to her whims!

2. How would you describe the main moral of the story? Is there a lesson or reminder that especially stood out to you by the end?

I think that the main moral is that you have to be careful about who you trust. And you have to be sensible in your actions.

3. Which aspect of the final chapter made you smile the most?
Mr. Bennet's letter to Mr. Collins! Definitely love that!lol And reading of how happy Mr. and Mrs. Bingley and Mr. and Mrs. Darcy were. :-)
Thank you to Amber for hosting this awesome read-along! It was so much fun to read and discuss Pride and Prejudice with you and Julie. Looking forward to more read-alongs with you two!

-Miranda Atchley

Pride and Prejudice Read-Along Week #4

Hello, readers and friends! Another week of the Pride and Prejudice Read-Along has come and gone. I can’t believe how fast this read-along and month has passed!

General Impressions
Again, it’s been a whirlwind of events in these chapters! We begin with the aftermath of Lizzy’s turning down Darcy’s proposal and the letter that he writes explaining why he and Whickham do not get along. In this letter, Lizzy comes to see how wrong she has been. Lizzy is out of sorts as she returns from the Collins’ while Jane also returns from London. And then Lydia goes to visit a friend, where she runs away with Whickham. The family is in an uproar as this section comes to a close.

Discussion Questions
1: Who do you think has changed the most since the beginning of the story? What are some examples of how he or she has changed for the better or for the worse?
I definitely think that Lizzy’s views have changed, obviously. She went from despising Mr. Darcy, to regretting turning down his proposal, and her views on Whickham are as different as night and day from the last section. And if I had not already known the story prior to this reading, I would have been shocked by the truth about Whickham.
2: What are your impressions of Pemberley (Darcy’s home), including the location, and the people who work/live there?
I think Pemberley seems like a beautiful place to live. In both the BBC miniseries and the 2005 Focus Feature, it was a beautiful place. It reminds me of Downton Abbey, my favorite show. I think the housemaid that gives Lizzy and the Gardiner’s a tour seems sweet, and she is very proud of the place where she works, as well as those that she works for.
3: If you were a Bennet daughter and got word of Lydia’s disappearance, do you think you’d respond more like Jane, Elizabeth, Mary or Kitty?
I’d probably respond most like Lizzy. I would think Lydia was acting absolutely crazy running off with Whickham!
Thanks for stopping today, readers and friends! What did you think of the events of these chapters?
-Miranda Atchley

Release Day

Today is the day, readers and friends! Of Things To Come has officially released and you can now read what Abi’s been up to since All The Future Holds . I won’t keep you long so you can go ahead and start reading the book, but I do want to tell you what the book is about.
After enduring the First World War, most of the world is hoping to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives and move forward in the year 1919. Yet for Abi Hensley the happiness she felt upon the end of the war has been short lived. Grief stricken from the passing of a dear friend, she cannot seem to overcome the loss. Amidst her grief, she is also struggling with her writing, something that has always been a comfort to her. In light of these circumstances, she finds herself questioning many things in her life for the first time.
Can Abi get back to all that she loves and look forward to things to come?
Of Things To Comeis available for purchase on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions. You can add it on Goodreads today, and swing by my Pinterest board to look at some photo inspiration for the novel. And don’t forget that there is still time to enter to win one of three Kindle downloads of the book! The winners will be announced tomorrow.

Thank you so much for stopping and celebrating today! Happy reading!

-Miranda Atchley

The Of Things To Come Blog Tour (GIVEAWAY)

Hello, readers and friends! Today I wanted to let you all know about the blog tour I have put together for my next book, Of Things To Come. I’m fortunate to have a few very nice bloggers participate in the tour to help spread the word about my next book. I wanted to share a little bit about the tour and what it will be about, so read further to find out more!
The blog tour begins tomorrow. Here’s a list of bloggers who are participating. I encourage you all to follow along and visit each of these blogs!
Blog Tour Dates
10/20 Amber at Seasons of Humility10/21 Julie at My Favorite Pastime10/22 Grace at She Hearts Fiction10/23 Amada at ASC Book Reviews
Thank you so much to these amazing bloggers for participating and sharing about Of Things To Come!
 Each blogger will be sharing what the book is about, as well as the giveaway that I’m hosting.


About The Book
After enduring the First World War, most of the world is hoping to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives and move forward in the year 1919. Yet for Abi Hensley the happiness she felt upon the end of the war has been short lived. Grief stricken from the passing of a dear friend, she cannot seem to overcome the loss. Amidst her grief, she is also struggling with her writing, something that has always been a comfort to her. In light of these circumstances, she finds herself questioning many things in her life for the first time.
Can Abi get back to all that she loves and look forward to things to come?
Giveaway
Three winners will each receive a Kindle download of Of Things To Come. The giveaway begins October 20th and ends on the 28th. The giveaway is open internationally. Must be 18 or older to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway



Thank you all for stopping by today! Good luck to those entering the giveaway and don’t forget to visit the other blogs participating in the tour!

-Miranda Atchley

Pride and Prejudice Read-Along Week 3

Hello readers and friends! Another week of the Pride and Prejudice Read-Along has past, and what a week it has been! There’s a lot to discuss, and so without further ado, here we go! For more information on the read-along, just visit seasonsofhumility.blogspot.com
Favorite Quote
“To Jane herself,” she (Elizabeth) exclaimed, “there could be no possibility of objection; all loveliness and goodness as she is!- her understanding excellent, her mind improved, and her manners captivating.”
The only pain was in leaving her father, who would certainly miss her, and who, when it came to the point, so little liked her going, that he told her to write to him, and almost promised to answer her letter.
General Impressions
This section was packed with big happenings! After the Bingleys and Hursts leave Netherfield Park, Caroline sends a rather passive aggressive letter to Jane, stating that she believes that one day Miss Darcy will be her sister. Heartbroken, Jane goes to stay with her aunt in London where she hopes she might again see Mr. Bingley, yet is only met with a disappointing visit from Caroline. Meanwhile, after Lizzy refused Mr. Collins’s proposal in the last section, he is now married to Lizzy’s dear friend Charlotte. In this section, we read as Lizzy visits the Collins’ and meets the much discussed Lady Catherine de Bourgh at her infamous Rosings Park. Here Lizzy also meets Miss de Bourgh, as well as Colonel Fitzwilliam, who is visiting Rosings with his cousin, Mr. Darcy. At the end of this section, we read of Mr. Darcy’s proposal, and Lizzy’s consequent outrage and refusal. We also see Mr. Whickham become engaged to a young woman whom has recently come into 10,000 pounds. Like I said, a lot happened in this section!
One thing that surprises me about Austen novels are the visits that the heroines often pay to friends and relatives. I know that things were very different then and you can’t really compare it to modern day, but it does seem odd to think of staying months with an aunt or a friend. I’m definitely a homebody, and so maybe if I were more of a traveler it wouldn’t seem so odd. Just an observation! Haha.

Discussion Questions
1: In chapter 1 of volume II Jane tells Elizabeth, “Let me take it in the best light”- referring to the situation with the Bingleys. Do you admire Jane for her way of approaching life, or do you think she is too naïve? Is it better to always think positively, or are there times when it’s more harmful than good?
I think that it’s good that Jane doesn’t automatically assume the worse with people. But I do think that it would be harmful for her to continue to believe the best if someone was continually presenting themselves in a bad manner. Yet I don’t think she’s naïve to the point of harm.
2: Pick a character from this section of reading and imagine yourself having a conversation with him or her. How would it go? What would you talk about, and how would you respond to this person’s attitude and manners?
There are a few characters that I would like to meet in Pride and Prejudice. Of course I would like to meet Lizzy and discuss literature with her, but I would also like to meet Jane. I think she would be a good confident; someone to go to for advice.
3: How would you respond to Mr. Darcy’s proposal in this section?
I would have said no. At this point in the book, we have only seen Mr. Darcy’s proud exterior, and there would be no reason to accept his proposal.
And thus ends this week of the Pride and Prejudice Read-Along. What do you think of these chapters of Pride and Prejudice?

-Miranda Atchley

Lately 10.18.2017

Hello readers and friends! I hope you all have been well doing lately. Things have been quiet around the blog. I’ve been pretty busy getting everything ready for Of Things To Cometo release. But, I wanted to check in with a lately post, so here goes!
Reading
Pride and Prejudice!I’m really enjoying re-reading this book in a group as a part of the read-along. It’s a lot of fun. I’ve read a few other books this month, which is good, because I was in a reading rut last month.
Writing
Now that Of Things To Come is finished, I’m going to take a little vacation and then work on the next book in The Abi Hensley Series . It’s pretty surreal to think of my book as being finished and it makes me sad to think of not working on it. But I’m ready for a little break to read and watch movies and do other things that I haven’t had so much time for these past couple months.
So there’s my lately. Not too much to share, but I hope you enjoyed reading this post all the same. Thank you all for stopping by!
-Miranda Atchley

Pride and Prejudice Read-Along Week 2

Hello, readers and friends! Today I’m checking in with the second discussion for the Pride and Prejudice Read-Along. To learn more about the read-along, just head over to seasonsofhumility.blogspot.com
General Impressions

In these chapters, we meet Mr. Collins and Mr. Whickham. Both are infamous characters, but for very different reasons. I always laugh and feel awkward when Mr. Collins enters. He’s just such an odd person! And I get mad every time I see Elizabeth fall for Mr. Whickham. At this point, she doesn’t know his true character, but she will come to regret it later.
I’m not the biggest fan of Mr. Darcy. I don’t dislike him, but he isn’t my favorite hero, because he is so proud, especially in the beginning of the book.
I’m glad that Mr. Bingley is so nice to Jane. Like she said, he is just what a gentleman ought to be. Yet I can’t abide his sisters. They’re wicked.
Favorite Quote
“An unhappy alternative is before you, 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, and I will never see you again if you do.”

Discussion Questions

Feel free to answer one, two, or all three of these questions in the comments section or in your own blog post!
1.Which quote or scene made you laugh/smile the most?
“An unhappy alternative is before you, 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, and I will never see you again if you do.”
I’ve always loved this quote, because it really shows how much Mr. Bennet loves Lizzy and how he is most concerned with her (and her sisters’) happiness.
2. Mr. Darcy is often silent: in social settings, in his feelings toward Elizabeth, and in defense of his side of Wickham's story. Do you think his silence is "golden" (a wise choice), or do you think he should have been more vocal in these chapters?
In a way, I do think Mr. Darcy’s silence was a wise choice. He and Lizzy didn’t know each very well at that point in the book, and it would be rather awkward to spill the story that I know he tells to someone you don’t really know. It would almost be hard to take him seriously and one might wonder if he had made it up simply to make himself look better.

3. How would you respond to Mr. Collins if he proposed to you?
Not well, I’m afraid! It would just be so awkward. I definitely would have said no, but I would not have been as composed as Lizzy. I probably would have had a meltdown because it would just be such an awkward situation.
So another week of the read-along has come and gone. I’m really having fun with this read-along. Are you currently reading Pride and Prejudice? Or have you in the past and have any comments on this part of the book? Tell me about it in the comments!

-Miranda Atchley

Pride and Prejudice Read-Along Week 1

Hello readers and friends! Today I’m posting my first contribution for the Pride and Prejudice Read-Along. If you’d like to find out more, just visit seasonsofhumility.blogspot.com       In these chapters, we’ve been introduced to a vast cast of characters, the center of the book being the Bennets, the Bingleys, the Lucases, and of course, Mr. Darcy. We see the Bennets at home, and we see them attend the ball in which they are infamously introduced to the Bingleys and Mr. Darcy. We see how proud Mr. Darcy is and how Lizzy’s family sticks up for her upon his rejection.
This is my second time reading the book. I read it for the first time over two years ago, with a paperback that still sits on my shelf. This time, I opted for an e-book, seeing as I hadn’t yet read the free copy that has been on my Kindle for years.
Like Amber, I’m surprised by how little Lizzy is mentioned in the beginning. She’s sort of a background character in the first several chapters. Even so, I know we’ll be hearing a lot more from her in the chapters to come.
Favorite Quote
“You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these last twenty years at least.”
I really like this quote because it shows how witty Mr. Bennet is.
Discussion Questions
1: Which character do you most relate to? Whose worldwide views/personality most resembles your own?
I’ve always thought that I related more to Lizzy than any other Austen heroine because she likes to read and she isn’t so wrapped up in finding a husband like most young ladies in the Regency era were. Yet as I’ve been reading the book lately, I’ve started to think that in some ways I’m a little bit like Jane, seeing as she’s more quiet and reserved. As far as who’s views I most agree with, that would be Mr. Bennet.
2: Ponder Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth’s first impressions of each other. Might the story have been different if they had each responded differently at (and after) that first ball?
In a way, I do think it would have been different. There might not have been a book if they’d behaved amicably toward one another.
Have you been participating in the read-along? Or, have you already read Pride and Prejudice? If so, what do you think about these first chapters?
-Miranda Atchley