Book Review: Between the Sound and Sea by Amanda Cox

 

Another great summer read book review for the blog, "Between the Sound and Sea" by Amanda Cox. 

Seeking an escape from her everyday, Josephina "Joey" takes a job to renovate a decommissioned lighthouse as way to avoid a complicated situation in her home town and with her family. During the restoration process, she discovers hidden notes in the lighthouse and is confronted by issues that seem to be sabotage, though the locals explain it all away with a local legend/ghost story. Joey must untangle history, rumor and legend to find the truth. Along the way she makes important connections to the new owner, Walt, and his grandson Finn. All the characters' lives are changed nearly as much as the lighthouse they are trying to update.

The author weaves the details of the historical mystery into the present story of Joey, Finn and Walt and the lighthouse with mastery. She connects a theme of restoration throughout both architectural and personal. While a light read, I quickly fell in love with the rich characters and with the unexpected twists. I had a hard time putting the book down, looking forward to uncovering how the details would unfold. I loved how the characters connected with each other and challenged each other. It was encouraging to see how much their lives had changed by the end of the book. While I wanted to hurry to find out how the story to end, I didn't want to say good-bye to the characters. 

Book Review: Until Our Time Comes by Nicole Miller

 

I recently finished the book Until Our Time Comes by Nicole Miller, a historical fiction novel with spies, horses, and a love story all woven together. Set during World War 2, the story follows a dedicated American horse trainer Adia Kensington at the Janow Padlaski stables in Poland, home of some of the best Arabian horses at the time and her quest to protect these horses as war approaches her doorstep. It also features Bret Conway, a Brit on an intelligence gathering mission, who is doing what he can to keep Adia safe.

I enjoy the historical fiction genre but was worried this book would follow too predictable story line, something like: girl loves horses, boy meets girl, girl/horses in trouble, save the day, boy and girl fall in love. 

Instead I was pulled into the plot quickly, kept on the edge of my seat and thoroughly enjoyed the historical aspects of the plot, the plight of the horses, and the challenges faced by the characters, while the author wove a sweet yet realistic love story throughout. The story is well written with memorable characters, including a young pickpocket always into mischief, and beautiful and harsh descriptions of a country torn apart by war. I enjoyed so many parts of this book, I wish is had been longer so I wouldn't have had to say good-bye to it all so quickly.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for a review. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Book Review: The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt

If you are a fan of historical fiction that doesn't not shy from the hard truths, the book "The Warsaw Sisters" by Amanda Barratt is one to add to your list. The book follows twin sisters Antonina and Helena in Warsaw during the German occupation after the father and only parent leaves to join the Poland army. 

Written from the alternating perspective, readers follow each sister, alike but yet so different, as they experience the struggles of their city, neighbors and drastic changes to their own young adult lives during occupation, extreme food shortages, bombings, and more. Each sister faces difficult questions of when to stand up for something at the risk their lives vs keeping their heads down to survive. 

After Antonina's special young man is persecuted for his Jewish faith and eventually forced to live in the ghetto with rumors of deportation, she becomes part of a group of brave women sheltering Jewish children to get them to safety. Helena's desire to see her beloved city free, becomes part of an underground army, passing dangerous messages and training for the day they will fight. Each doing her best to protect the other from what they believe won't be understood. Secrets abound and almost cost the sisters everything they hold dear.

I was quickly pulled into the story of these amazing sisters. The author did the hard job of including the realistic heart-wrenching details of the life or death choices made during wartime. As a reader, it was hard to hold onto hope for the characters as their experiences became bleaker. Reading of hope in terrible circumstances, bravery in face of unthinkable odds, and love when surrounded by loss makes this a story to remember.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for a review. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Book Review: Well Said by Sarah Molitor

I just finished listening to an early audio copy of Sarah Molitor's book "Well Said" and I can't wait to get my hands on the physical copy that should arrive in the next day or two so I can dog-ear some pages and underline favorite words of wisdom.

If you have ever struggled with saying more than you meant to, responding with sharper words than was needed, or desire to get better at using life-giving words to build up or pour into others in your life, this book is for you. 

Sarah digs into the impact of our words, both positive and negative, that flow from our mouths but ultimately our hearts, with honesty, wisdom, and authenticity. She encourages readers with honest and imperfect examples from her own life, scripture that guided her, plus advice and habits to better manage the words flowing out of us. She even digs into the impact of words as it applies to the challenges of social media. The author's faith and love shone throughout the book.

I believe this book has something for everyone, no matter where you fall in life's journey of taming the tongue and encouraging others. It held so many great reminders for me, causing me to pause the re-evaluate how I'm doing with my words lately and what I'm modeling for my children as a mother to two teens and a tween whose natural inclination is to let their words fly unfiltered.

Truth, encouragement, and practical help for all of us.

Book Review: He Should Have Told the Bees by Amanda Cox

 In Amanda Cox's "He Should Have Told the Bees", readers are introduced to two women living wildly different lives. Beckett is a beekeeper living her dream of a quiet life on the farm with her bees when her father's sudden death forces her to interact with life outside the farm and the chance she might loose everything she holds dear. Callie is a struggling to build a new business, making a life she's dreamed of when her troubled mother asks for financial help that might cost her everything and a man she's never heard of names her in his trust giving her rights to a farm she's never seen.

The author brilliantly weaves the threads of the story together keeping readers hooked as these two women struggle with promises they've made, hurts from their past that come roaring back, and dreams that may or may not every come to be. Life connections are made, horizons broaded and questions are answered.

I enjoyed the colorful characters, especially the supporting ones, the realistic struggles, the wisdom learned and shared, and fullness of the story. As a reader, you quickly realize how the main characters are connected but the author builds the story in the way to keep you reading to find out exactly how all the conflict and doubt will be resolved.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for a review. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Wordless Wednesday: August Macro Favs - a walk in the woods

 

Book Review: All-American by Susan Finkbeiner

I recently finished the book  "All American" by Susan Finkbeiner. A favorite summer read here on the gravelly road as I could barely put it down once I started it. 

Set in 1952, this book follows the two sisters of the Harding family, with the narrative switching perspectives between the sisters throughout the book. Bertha, the oldest, dreams of baseball, unlike her high peers. Flossie just wants to read instead of having to deal with late elementary school friendship challenges. The world of both sisters comes crashing down when neighbor accuses their father of being a member of the communist party.

I was quickly drawn into the world created by the author, the emotions of the characters, the chasing of unlikely dreams, the history woven throughout and the plot twists that kept me on my toes. The family faced huge challenges yet stood strong in their faith and never gave up. Bertha found encouragement to chase her dream of playing baseball in unlikely places, and even when it seemed her dream was falling apart, she never lost hope. 

Family. Baseball. Determination. Dreams. A great story indeed.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for a review. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.