by admin | Oct 11, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Mason jars have always been a part of my life. As a child I watched my mother and grandmothers can food from their gardens and enjoyed the bounty during delicious meals all year. After my own marriage, I too learned the secrets to using mason jars and have a large supply of pickles, relishes, and salsa on my shelves today. Since his retirement my husband has developed an interest in old and nostalgic items, especially bottles and mason jars and has acquired quite a collection of them. Needless to say, they are not used for canning. With mason jars such a integral part of life for this country girl and farm wife, I was of course intrigued by the book with the simple title “The Mason Jar.”
“The Mason Jar” is one of those books within a book that I run across occasionally. This time a young woman is told about a novel written by her ex college boyfriend that is obviously about herself. As Eve reads through “The Mason Jar” the reader learns most of the story about her romance with Finn as well as what happened in his life after her disappearance from it. Between excerpts from the book, some other details about Eve are filled in. The final chapters of this book are set in the present time and the reader will learn whether Finn and Eve ever meet again.
In some aspects, “The Mason Jar” is a very sad story that emphasizes Finn’s grief and hopelessness after the loss of the woman he loved. To me the highlights of the story were the conversations with his grandfather along with the letters received from him in their special mason jar. Finn’s grandfather was a fount of wisdom and the one constant in Finn’s life. Many worthwhile quotes to ponder can be found within the pages of “The Mason Jar”. I also liked the fact that despite his pain and disappointment, Finn spent a number of years as a missionary in Africa helping others rather than becoming bitter and dwelling on his loss. I was particularly intrigued by his descriptions of microfunding as a better way to help those in need rather than just giving them handouts.
All-in-all, “The Mason Jar” was a pleasant read and I recommend it to those who enjoy a bit of angst with their romance or those who enjoy reading a romance from the male point of view.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
What if your old college roommate called, raving about a book someone sent her, calling it the most beautiful book she’s ever read? “But,” she said, “it’s about you.” The author is your college ex.
In The Mason Jar, Clayton Fincannon is a Tennessee farm boy raised at the feet of his grandfather. He and his grandfather leave letters for each other in a Mason jar on his grandfather’s desk—letters of counsel and affirmation. When Clayton attends college in Southern California, he meets and falls in love with a dark debutante from Colorado. However, when an unmentioned past resurrects in her life and she leaves, Clayton is left with unanswered questions.
Clayton goes on to serve as a missionary in Africa, while he and his grandfather continue their tradition of writing letters. When Clayton returns home five years later to bury his grandfather, he searches for answers pertaining to the loss of the young woman he once loved. Little does Clayton know, the answers await him in the broken Mason jar.
A story about a girl who vanished, a former love who wrote a book about her, and a reunion they never imagined.
Written for the bruised and broken, The Mason Jar is an inspirational romance that brings hope to people who have experienced disappointment in life due to separation from loved ones. With a redemptive ending that encourages us to love again and written in the fresh, romantic tones of Nicholas Sparks, The Mason Jar interweaves the imagery of Thoreau with the adventures and climatic family struggles common to Dances with Wolves, A River Runs Through It, and Legends of the Fall.
Find out more and purchase a copy at James’ website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
James Russell Lingerfelt is the author of “The Mason Jar” and writes articles for “The Huffington Post.” James connects with readers at his blog, Love Story from the Male Perspective, and divides his time between Southern California and his family’s ranch in Alabama.
Find out more about James Russell at http://www.jamesrussell.org.
THE MASON JAR Kindle Fire Giveaway from @JRLingerfelt!
James Russell Lingerfelt‘s debut novel, The Mason Jar, is hot-off-the-press and causing quite the buzz. It’s even been optioned for a feature film and is in pre-production.
Catch the spark by entering James’ Kindle Fire giveaway!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire
- The Mason Jar by James Russell Lingerfelt
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 19th. Winner will be announced October 20th at James Russell’s blog, Love Story from the Male Perspective.
by admin | Oct 6, 2014 | Books, Christmas, Historical, Novella, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I cannot think of a better way to begin to prepare myself for the Christmas season than with this short but sweet romance from Mary Connealy, the first installment of Barbour’s new The 12 Brides of Christmas collection. I was hooked from its opening line and read through it in one sitting.
Although character development was necessarily limited due to the short length of the novella, there was adequate information for me to quickly love Melanie, Henry, and Simon. I loved the symbolism of the puzzle box and how as each of its hidden compartments were opened, the corresponding hidden compartments of the characters’ hearts were also opened and softened as they found their way to Christmas and each other.
I am looking forward to the hidden treasures in each of the other eleven installments of The 12 Brides of Christmas collection. What a wonderful idea!
This book was provided for review by Shiloh Run Studios.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Melanie Douglas attempts to connect with a troubled student using an advent box with hidden rewards. When Henry O’Keeffe sees a remarkable change in his son, he has to meet the new teacher. Will more than one prayer be answered in the small Nebraska town?
More About The Advent Bride with Mary Connealy
What is a puzzle box?
“I’ve wanted to use a puzzle box because I love the idea of hidden latches and drawers and secret compartments. I thought of Advent, with its set number of days and decided a puzzle box with the right number of drawers would be perfect,” Mary said.
Research sent her to Youtube where she spent hours watching videos on the intriguing and complex boxes. You can see one here:
The award-winning and best-selling author of many novels and novellas, Mary Connealy lives in Nebraska and has been looking for a story to set there for many years. The Advent Bride, located in a wind-swept Nebraska town, provided her with a place close to home.
But not too close. While Mary loves historical stories, she knows too much about what life must have been like from her own experiences.
“I love the modern world. I suppose it’s possible my inner pioneer toughness would be revealed if I was forced to live in the old west, but if it did, it would surprise everyone. I’m a wimp. I love air conditioning. I live pretty close to the soil here in Nebraska, on a ranch. I know how to do a lot of the things necessary to survive. Kill and clean a chicken, milk a cow, gather eggs, grow a garden, can food. I know enough about it to know its stinking hard work!”
Perhaps history intrigues her because her personal roots go deep into the American past.
“I had an ancestor come to America in 1638. I’ve got the paperwork to prove I could join the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) I have Irish ancestors who came here because of the potato famine in the mid-1800s. Many pioneers in that group.”
Mary has written full length novels as well as novellas, and enjoys the challenges presented by both. As to her characters? Like many writers, she writes heroines with characteristics she admires.
“My heroines are all how I wish I was, tough, take charge, speaking their minds. I’m pathologically non-confrontational and I tend to apologize for everything….and I’m really sorry about that.”
Mary and her husband have four adult daughters and Christmas if filled with “faith, food and fun.”
As to The Advent Bride, Mary incorporated her spiritual life by using Advent as the theme. “As Christmas drew near my characters were on their own journey, just as Joseph and Mary were on their journey to Bethlehem.”
For further information on Mary, please visit her website at www.maryconnealy.com.
She regularly blogs at Seekerville and Pistols and Petticoats and Her Blog.
or see her on social media: Facebook and Twitter
by admin | Oct 6, 2014 | Books, Crafts
MY REVIEW:
I was a bit hasty in choosing to review “DIY Type” and failed to recognize its actual contents. As a graphic designer, I am always eager to find ideas for using type in my projects and fully expected this book to be helpful in that respect. Actually, “DIY Type” is probably more appropriate for the home crafter who could use a bit of help. It is exactly what the cover specifies – a book of typographic stencils for decorating, crafting, and gifting. The book itself is attractive. Its contents consist primarily of sheets of basic letter stencils that will need to be removed from the book to be used. There are some photos and hints on how to use the stencils for various projects, most of which would appeal to those with children. Be aware that this book does not contain detailed instructions but is a tool to get its user started and to inspire their own creativity.
This book was provided for review by the Blogging for Books program.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Dana Tanamachi, the Brooklyn-based typographer whose exquisite hand-lettered murals fueled a chalk-writing trend, offers a book of alphabet stencils for all-purpose craft projects.
Inspired by the contemporary aesthetic of rendering type by hand, celebrated designer Dana Tanamachi shares a full set of upper and lower case alphabet stencils to create wall compositions, monogram t-shirts and jackets, personalize journals and school supplies, embroider pillows, and host parties filled with customized cakes and banners. With beautiful photographs and simple tutorials, you’ll find endless ways to decorate with type and joy in discovering the happy imperfections unique to your own application.
by admin | Oct 6, 2014 | Books, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Buttermilk Sky” is a warm and nostalgic novel set in Kentucky during the early 1900’s. The primary focus is on Mazy, a mountain girl eager to experience more from life in the big city where she is enrolled in a secretarial school. Another major character is Chanis, the sheriff back home who is in love with Mazy and hopes to marry her.
The plot details Mazy’s struggles with her studies, interaction with fellow students, and the possibility of a romance with Loyal, a wealthy young man who lives in Lexington. Meanwhile Chanis dreams about a future with Mazy as he goes about his duties as sheriff. The story is at times quite humorous, especially some of the situations in which Chanis finds himself. In the end, Mazy comes to realize that things are not always what they seem and the grass is definitely always greener elsewhere.
I enjoyed “Buttermilk Sky” and hope to read more novels by Jan Watson soon.
This book was provided for review by The Tyndale Blog Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Weary of the expectations imposed on her by her strict upbringing, eighteen-year-old Mazy Pelfrey prepares to leave her home in the Kentucky mountains for the genteel city of Lexington, where she’ll attend secretarial school. She knows her life is about to change—and only for the better. Everything will be blue skies from now on.
But business school is harder than she thought it would be and the big city not as friendly, until she meets a charming young man from a wealthy family, Loyal Chambers. When Loyal sets his sights on her, Mazy begins to see that everything she’d ever wished to have is right before her eyes. The only hindrance to her budding romance is a former beau, Chanis Clay, the young sheriff she thought she’d left firmly behind.
Danger rumbles like thunder on a high mountain ridge when Mazy’s cosseted past collides with her clouded future and forces her to come to terms with what she really wants.
Read an excerpt from “Buttermilk Sky” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jan Watson won the 2004 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest for her first novel, Troublesome Creek. Her other awards include being named the best Kentucky author in 2012 by Kentucky Living magazine, a nomination for the Kentucky Literary Award in 2006 and second place in the 2006 Inspirational Readers Choice Contest sponsored by the Faith, Hope, and Love Chapter of the Romance Writers of America. Jan has published seven novels. As a registered nurse for 25 years at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, she incorporates her nursing experience in the hospital’s mother/baby unit into her novels. Jan resides in Kentucky.
by admin | Oct 6, 2014 | Amish, Books, Romance, WWII
MY REVIEW:
“Promise to Cherish” is much more than the typical Amish fiction. Much of the story takes place in the Hudson River State Hospital during World War 2 where Christine Freeman is a nurse for patients with various mental problems. Eli, an Amish conscientious objector is assigned to her unit where he has a positive influence on many of the patients. The author’s vivid descriptions of hospital conditions and attitudes toward both the mentally ill and the conscientious objectors are eye-opening and disturbing.
The realistic plot covers some tough subjects without pulling any punches, yet manages to do so without unwelcome details. The Amish were not placed on a pedestal but were portrayed with a fresh honesty that revealed that deep down we are really not all that different. Well-developed characters who grew in their faith and managed to overcome despite their serious challenges were central to the story. I especially liked Aunt Annie whose acceptance, compassion, and wisdom made such a difference to Christine’s life.
I enjoyed “Promise to Cherish” and would recommend it to all who enjoy Amish fiction.
This book was provided for review by Howard Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
It’s 1945, and Christine Freeman is a nurse at Hudson River State Hospital, where she works alongside members of a Civilian Public Service unit. Eli is one of the conscies—conscientious objectors to the war—and he is doing his best to become a man of character instead of the immature heartbreaker he used to be back home in his Amish community.
Christine and Eli are friendly, but when an old acquaintance, Jack, returns home from the war, Christine’s world is violently turned upside down. Eli, heartbroken to see his friend so hurt, offers her an escape within his Amish community. Despite her misgivings, Christine is fully embraced by Eli’s community. She slowly begins to feel valued and loved as she learns the Amish way of life.
Christine finds herself falling for Eli. But soon, the abusive Jack discovers Christine in her Amish hideaway and starts causing trouble for the quiet community. Christine can’t see herself becoming Amish, and she knows that if Eli leaves the church to be with her, he will be shunned. Will she escape Jack and possibly have to give up the one thing she holds most dear, or will she follow her heart and promise to cherish the Amish man who loves her?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Elizabeth Byler Younts is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers. She is an Air Force officer’s wife and a homeschooling mom with two young daughters. She makes her home wherever her family is stationed. Elizabeth was Amish as a child and after her parents left the church she still grew up among her Amish family and continues to speak Pennsylvania Dutch.
Connect with Elizabeth:
Twitter: Elizabeth Byler Younts
Facebook: Author Elizabeth Byler Younts
Author’s Website: Elizabeth Byler Younts
Not Quite Amish
