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
by admin | Oct 4, 2014 | Books, Scotland
MY REVIEW:
“The Sea House” is a tale that spans the centuries as it transitions between the modern story of Ruth and her husband Michael and letters from the vicar and his housekeeper who lived in the same house in 1860. It is not a particularly happy story most of the time. Ruth struggles with fear and bouts of panic as an adult as a result of traumatic experiences during her childhood. Alexander and Moira’s letters reveal horrific treatment of early island residents by the wealthy landowners.
A common thread woven through the entire book is Scottish lore, particularly the legend of the Skelkies, long believed to be part human and part seal. Both Alexander and Ruth had been told that they were descended from Skelkies. A disturbing discovery during the reconstruction of Ruth and Michael’s home tends to lend some credence to the tales. I was fascinated by the legends and found the eventual explanation found by Alexander to make perfect sense.
The plot moved along fairly slowly but was actually a good pace for a book of this sort. The characters were well developed and were not static. Although Ruth had her problems, she was finally able to accept her past and move on with her life.
I enjoyed “The Sea House” and found it quite interesting, however it is not a book for everyone. If you are easily offended by certain language, there is one paragraph that could be offensive. There was only the one incident and in my opinion the use of the word was just indicative of how out of control Ruth felt at that moment. I personally do not care for that word but cannot see discounting the entire book because of one or two sentences. I would have missed a very good tale if I had. I will be passing on my copy to a friend who I know will also enjoy it.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Scotland, 1860.
Reverend Alexander Ferguson, naive and newly-ordained, takes up his new parish, a poor, isolated patch on the Hebridean island of Harris. His time on the island will irrevocably change the course of his life, but the white house on the edge of the dunes keeps its silence long after Alexander departs. It will be more than a century before the Sea House reluctantly gives up its secrets. Ruth and Michael buy the grand but dilapidated building and begin to turn it into a home for the family they hope to have. Their dreams are marred by a shocking discovery. The tiny bones of a baby are buried beneath the house; the child’s fragile legs are fused together – a mermaid child. Who buried the bones? And why? Ruth needs to solve the mystery of her new home – but the answers to her questions may lie in her own past.
Based on a real nineteenth-century letter to The Times in which a Scottish clergyman claimed to have seen a mermaid, The Sea House is an epic, sweeping tale of loss and love, hope and redemption, and how we heal ourselves with the stories we tell.
Learn more at Elizabeth’s website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Elisabeth Gifford grew up in a vicarage in the industrial Midlands. She studied French literature and world religions at Leeds University. She is the author of “The House of Hope: A Story of God’s Love and Provision for the Abandoned Orphans of China” and has written articles for The Times and the Independent and has a Diploma in Creative Writing from Oxford OUDCE and an MA in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway College. She is married with three children. They live in Kingston on Thames but spend as much time as possible in the Hebrides.
Don’t miss The Sea House, a stunning fiction debut from the UK. Set in a house on the windswept coast of the Outer Hebrides, Elisabeth Gifford‘s haunting tale effortlessly bridges a gap of more than a century. Adeptly interweaving two tales involving residents of the titular house, Gifford sets up an absorbing mystery revolving around local lore and myths about mermaids, selkies, and sealmen. Stretching seamlessly back and forth through time, layers upon layers of secrets are slowly and effectively peeled away in this evocative debut (Booklist).
Celebrate with Elisabeth by entering her Kindle giveaway!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire
- The Sea House by Elisabeth Gifford
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 19th. Winner will be announced October 20th at Elisabeth’s Blog.
