I Will Not Fear ~ Review

I Will Not Fear 

My Story of a Lifetime of Building Faith Under Fire
by Melba Pattillo Beals

Sometimes it is hard to realize just how short a time ago we had such a segregated country. When one doesn't live through an event it feels farther away than it truly is. But the hatred and tyranny that Melba had to face just to have a chance at equality is truly unimaginable to me. I went to a school that had a well-balanced mix of students of every color and color had no bearing on my choice of friends. But sixty years ago this was not an expectation one had in the segregated South. 

Melba's fight for equality and fair treatment though began before her birth as her Grandmother India fought through persistence to get her delivery to be allowed within the walls of a white hospital. But her fight didn't end with her graduation from high school but rather continued on to her higher educational endeavors and her fight for acceptance into the world of journalism as both a woman and a person of color.

There are moments of heartbreak and moments of joy and triumph that will touch the heart of the reader. And the sustaining force in Melba'a life was the faith that her grandmother shared with her. A faith that allowed her to go forth each day into what could be her last. A faith that sustained her as she raised her children and struggled to keep them safe in a world that was a dangerous as the one she negotiated as a teenager.

I highly recommend this book for those who want to see faith in action in the face of a fallen and hate-filled world. This is not light reading and each chapter should be taken in slowly and thoughtfully so as to have the greatest impact on the reader's own life. This would make an excellent book club choice and be a good addition to the shelf of any library - public, school or personal.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher Revell with no expectations of a positive review ~ all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:

In 1957, Melba Beals was one of the nine 

African American students chosen to integrate 

Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.

But her story of overcoming didn't start--or end--there.

While her white schoolmates were planning their senior prom, Melba was facing the business end of a double-barreled shotgun, being threatened with lynching by rope-carrying tormentors, and learning how to outrun white supremacists who were ready to kill her rather than sit beside her in a classroom. Only her faith in God sustained her during her darkest days and helped her become a civil rights warrior, an NBC television news reporter, a magazine writer, a professor, a wife, and a mother.

In I Will Not Fear, Beals takes you on an unforgettable journey through terror, oppression, and persecution, highlighting the kind of faith we all need to survive in a world full of heartbreak and anger. She shows how the deep faith we develop during our most difficult moments is the kind of faith that can change our families, our communities, and even the world.

Encouraging and inspiring, her story offers hope that faith is the solution to the pervasive hopelessness of our current culture.

Missing Isaac ~ Review

Missing Isaac
By Valerie Fraser Luessse

Isaac Reynolds was the first to let Pete McLean, his mother, and grandfather know that something bad had happened to his daddy. That day Isaac became the closest friend Pete had until the night he disappeared.

Pete knows that Isaac wouldn't just up and disappear without a word to anyone. But in Glory, Alabama, the disappearance of a black man is of no consequence to the sheriff, but not to Pete's way of thinking. And Pete's determined to discover just what happened to his friend. But some thing are just impossible and Pete can't find any clue as to what happened to Isaac.

In his efforts to find Isaac, Pete meets a young girl by the name of Dovey Pickett. The Picketts don't mix with the rest of the citizens of Glory on account of their social standing and being considered by the proper people to be poor white trash. But Pete doesn't see things the way most of Glory does. He's more like his Daddy seeing beyond what is there for all to see and seeing to the heart of a person. What starts on that day is a friendship that will see him through many a day and make a lasting impact on not only his life but those closest to him. And as to Isaac the worst is feared by those who know him best.

Missing Isaac takes place between 1962 and 1968, period of turbulence and change. But through it all this a book that dwells on the value of family and the loyalty of friendship. Like most places life isn't perfect but Pete knows what is important to him and he is willing to fight for what he feels is right. No, there is not a lot of fighting in this book, rather Pete knows what should be done and he persists in his efforts.

Missing Isaac was an enjoyable read - there were periods of sadness, times of joy, and good honest living in-between. Through it all Pete stayed true to who he was and the roots he was given. Often people lament the loss of simpler times but life has always been what you put into it and that is never simpler. I look forward to more from this author in the future, if this debut novel is any indication readers will be drawn into a world that they'll enjoy staying in for a spell.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher Revell through their blogger program with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:

Isaac believed in luck. But from Pete's point of view, Isaac's luck had all run out.

When Pete McLean loses his father in the summer of 1962, his friend Isaac is one of the few people he can lean on. Though their worlds are as different as black and white, friendship knows no color. So when Isaac suddenly goes missing, Pete is determined to find out what happened--no matter what it costs him. His quest will lead him into parts of town that he knows only through rumors and introduce him to a girl who will change his life. What they discover together will change the small Southern town of Glory, Alabama--forever.

With vivid descriptions, palpable atmosphere, and unforgettable characters, debut novelist Valerie Fraser Luesse breathes life into the rural South of the 1960s--a place where ordinary people struggle to find their footing in a social landscape that is shifting beneath their feet.

Historical and Theological Foundations of Law ~ Review

Historical and Theological
Foundations of Law 
By John Eidsmoe

If you are looking for something to read that has some depth and educational values I highly recommend this book. Well, books is a more accurate description as this is a 3 volume set.  Volume 1 covers Ancient Wisdom, Volume 2 Classical and Medieval, and Volume 3 Reformation and Colonial.

This set covers law in such a way that the reader is taken on a journey of world history with law being the thread that is followed from the earliest recorded moments of humanity up to the modern legal structures upon which America was founded (yes, I realize that to some the 18th Century is not considered modern) The rise and fall of nations is contrasted with what we know of their legal system and their commonly held beliefs in God or in gods.

Homeschoolers, if you are looking for a suggestion in regards to a textbook or a supplement to an existing course on world history and government I personally believe this would be an excellent choice. This would be a great addition to any home, school or church library. Believe me when I say this is one set you'll want to re-read and take notes.

I was provided a copy for review purposes by the publisher through TBCN with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.



ABOUT THE BOOKS (1417 pages):

The Law! What is it, and where does it get its authority? Because someone with a crown and scepter has commanded it? Because a council has adopted it? Because a judge has upheld it? Or is law "law" because a Higher Authority has ordained it so? The Laws of Nature? And of Nature's God? Do "echoes of Eden" remain, faintly reminding us of an Original Plan? What is the Common Law? When did it begin? Is it relevant or binding today? And what of the Laws of the ancient Hebrews-an irrelevant footnote, or the cornerstone of all true Law?

With unparalleled scope and minute detail, Historical &Theological Foundations of Law studies the legal systems of ancient societies all across the earth, explores their common threads and differences, and traces their development through history, and notes common trends that should cause hope or alarm today. Embark with us on a journey to discover the earliest origins of Law.
Volume I - Ancient Wisdom

Volume II - Classical and Medieval

Volume III - Reformation and Colonial


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
John Eidsmoe brings to this study the combined disciplines of the soldier, jurist, theologian, and historian. A retired Lt. Colonel in the Air Force and a Colonel in the Alabama State Defense Force, Eidsmoe is an Adjunct Professor for the Oak Brook College of Law & Government Policy, for the Handong International Law School in South Korea, and for the Institute of Lutheran Theology.

Love in a Time of Hate ~ Review

Love in a Time of Hate
By Hanna Schott
Translated by John D. Roth

The Story of Magda and André Trocmé

and the Village That Said No

to the Nazis

Love in a Time of Hate is a lovely and moving story in a time when fear and self-preservation were the reigning thought patterns or so it seemed. This is a story that proves this was not true throughout Nazi-occupied France.

The Prologue opens in 1940 with Magda opening the door when the doorbell rang - this scene brought to mind the picture of Jesus standing at the door knocking.  And this scene is but a fleeting glimpse of the work that the Trocmé's did that was a living example of  "...whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 21:40)

This book is broken into parts that share the life story of Magda and André during their childhoods and the familial influences that shaped them into the people that they became. Into people who would take a stand to do what was right at the risk of their own lives and freedom. Into people who tried to live life in such a way so as to not be in conflict with the message that they had to share - a message of love to all during a time of hate and prejudice. To turn the other cheek was not just a statement to speak but a way of life in their commitment to live the peace that Jesus exemplified with His own life. 

Love in a Time of Hate should be an example all should take to heart in this time in our own history, which is becoming equally turbulent and hateful. The historical aspects of this book recommend it in and of themselves. But the human equation adds a depth that many history books lack. This would be a welcome addition to any library and be an excellent choice for a book report.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher Herald Press with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:

One young couple.

One small village.

Thousands of Jews on the run from the Nazis.

Love in a Time of Hate tells the gripping tale of Magda and André Trocmé, the couple that transformed a small town in the mountains of southern France into a place of safety during the Holocaust. At great risk to their own lives, the Trocmés led efforts in Le Chambon-sur-Lignon to hide more than three thousand Jewish children and adults who were fleeing the Nazis. 

In this astonishing story of courage, romance, and resistance, learn what prompted André and Magda to risk everything for the sake of strangers who showed up at their door. Building on the story told in Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed, German journalist Hanna Schott portrays a vivid story of resisting evil and sheltering refugees with striking resonance for today.

More Than a Soldier ~ Spotlight with Giveaway

More Than a Soldier 

~ based on a true story ~

is Angelo DiMarco’s powerful story of survival, 

resilience and courage.

Book Details:

Book Title: More Than a Soldier: One Army Ranger's Daring Escape From the Nazis

​Author: D.M. Annechino

Category: Adult Fiction, 316 pages

Genre: Historical Biography, WWII

Publisher: CreateSpace

Release date: April 2017

Content Rating: PG-13 (A few four-letter words and violence associated with war)

Tour dates: April 24 to May 19, 2017







Book Description:

Feeling a patriotic duty to defend his country after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, seventeen year old, Angelo J. DiMarco, enlists in the U.S. Army. Severely short of frontline fighters, the Army rushes Angelo through Ranger training and sends him to Italy as part of the 1st Ranger Battalion. Their objective: stop the German invasion.

Fighting on the front lines in Italy, the German’s teach Angelo a sobering lesson on life when they capture him during the bloody battle of Cisterna. Against insurmountable odds, Angelo miraculously escapes in a way that stretches the imagination. He survives behind enemy lines for over five months, hiding from the Germans and trying to outmaneuver them. He begs for food, sleeps in barns and suffers from many ailments, including dehydration, malnutrition, malaria and exposure to the elements.

More Than a Soldier is Angelo DiMarco’s powerful story of survival, resilience and courage.

Buy the Book: 

​Amazon

​Add to Goodreads

Praise for More Than a Soldier:

Annechino colorfully draws the actions scenes, and richly brings the supporting cast of characters to life. A moving tale of survival in war-torn Europe.
- Kirkus Reviews

Nuanced and eloquently written, More Than a Soldier adds to the body of WWII literature an extraordinary story of survival and a deeply affecting portrait of a soldier’s coming-of-age.
- The iRead Review

Meet the Author:

Daniel M. Annechino, a former book editor, wrote his first book, How to Buy the Most Car for the Least Money, while working as a General Manager in the automobile business. But his passion had always been fiction, particularly thrillers. He spent two years researching serial killers before finally penning his gripping and memorable debut novel They Never Die Quietly. He has written and published five novels—all thrillers. But his latest work, More Than a Soldier, is a Historical Biography set in Italy during WWII.

A native of New York, Annechino now lives in San Diego with his wife, Jennifer. He loves to cook, enjoys a glass of vintage wine, and spends lots of leisure time on the warm beaches of Southern California.




Connect with the Author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

BOOK SPOTLIGHT TOUR:

April 24 - Library of Clean Reads - book spotlight / giveaway
April 24 - Puddletown Reviews - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
April 25 - Working Mommy Journal - book spotlight / giveaway
April 26 - A Mama's Corner of the World - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
April 27 - Books, Dreams, Life - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
April 28 - 100 Pages A Day - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
April 28 - Svetlana's Reads and Views - book spotlight
May 1 - My Reading Journeys - book spotlight / giveaway
May 2 - Il Mio Tesoro - book spotlight / guest post
May 2 - Leels Loves Books - book spotlight
May 3 - fundinmental - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
May 4 - A Soccer Mom's Book Blog - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
May 4 - T's Stuff - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 4 - Writers and Authors - guest post
May 5 - Jaquo Lifestyle Magazine - book spotlight / guest post
May 7 - Writers and Authors - book spotlight / giveaway
May 8 - Cheryl's Book Nook - book spotlight / giveaway
May 8 - Deal Sharing Aunt - book spotlight / giveaway
May 9 - Kristin's Novel Cafe - book spotlight / author interview
May 10 - Nighttime Reading Center - book spotlight / giveaway
May 11 - Books for Books - book spotlight
May 12 - Celticlady's Reviews - book spotlight / giveaway
May 12 - Rockin' Book Reviews - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 15 - The Autistic Gamer - book spotlight
May 16 - Bound 2 Escape - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
May 17 - Blooming with Books - book spotlight / giveaway
May 18 - Lukten av Trykksverte - book spotlight / giveaway
May 19 - Essentially Italian - book spotlight / giveaway

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The Elusive Miss Ellison ~ Review

The Elusive Miss Ellison
Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace #1
By Carolyn Miller

If you are looking for a delightful way to pass the day as you enjoy a spot of tea you've found it in The Elusive Miss Ellison.

Lavinia Ellison has no use for the nobility of England who live off the toil and suffering of those who are under their "care". And unfortunately for Nicholas Stamford, the newest Earl of Hawkesbury, he already has a strike against him in the opinion of Livvie, one from which he may never raise in her estimation.

Lavinia, as the local minister's daughter, offers a helping hand to those within the village of St. Hampton Heath and she's determined to see that Lord Hawkesbury do his duty by the villagers and his tenants. But a quiet country life caring for the needs of others isn't what Nicholas seeks. He's searching for a way to heal from the horrors of war and from the guilt he's been carrying for far too long. Lavinia's wit and intelligence might prove to be a distraction to that will make a permanent change in his life, but the daughter of a country reverend could never tempt his heart, or could she?

But when Lavinia and Nicholas have a chance to get to know one another they come to realize that first impressions are not necessarily a true likeness of who a person truly is. But a long-held family secret is lurking in the past, one that could change everything. And it could end any thought of friendship or something more before it ever begins.

This book is a delightful blend of a unique story with a subtle nod to the talent of Jane Austen.  Fans of Regency and historical fiction can enjoy this newest offering that promises a meeting of personages that will rival that of Elizabeth Bennett and Mister Darcy.  Even better this is but the first book in a new series.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation of a positive review ~ all expressed opinions are my own.


About the Book:

"Handsome appearance counts for naught unless matched by good character and actions." That's the firm opinion of not-so-meek minister's daughter Lavinia Ellison. So even though all the other villagers of St. Hampton Heath are swooning over the newly returned seventh Earl of Hawkesbury, she is not impressed. If a man won't take his responsibilities seriously and help those who are supposed to be able to depend on him, he deserves no respect from her. In Lavinia's pretty, gray eyes, Nicholas Stamford is just as arrogant and reckless as his brother--who stole the most important person in Livvie's world.

Nicholas is weighed down by his own guilt and responsibility, by the pain his careless brother caused, and by the legacy of war he's just left. This quick visit home to St. Hampton Heath will be just long enough to ease a small part of that burden. Asking him to bother with the lives of the villagers when there's already a bailiff on the job is simply too much to expect. That is, until the hoydenish, intelligent, and very opinionated Miss Ellison challenges him to see past his pain and pride. With her angelic voice in his head, he may even be beginning to care. But his isn't the only heart that needs to change.

These two lonely hearts may each have something the other needs. But with society's opposition, ancestral obligations, and a shocking family secret, there may be too many obstacles in their way.

Fans of Georgette Heyer, Lori Wick, and Julie Klassen will enjoy the spirited exchanges between the bluestocking minister's daughter and the bruised war hero as they move past pride and presumption to a humbled appreciation of God's grace and the true strength of love. 

David Travels to the Past ~ Review and Giveaway

David Travels to the Past
By Gonzalo Martínez de Antoñana
       and María José Mosquera

This book has two stories that explore the origins of art. Each story is set in a different time thats very uniqueness shaped art then and even in a small measure now.

The Rock Painters
Art of the Upper Paleolithic Period

David is determined to learn all there is about art and his tutor Master Messina comes up with an ingenious plan to help David learn.  Traveling back to prehistoric times in an unique manner David is transported to the beginnings of art. 

But a fun art lesson turns into something more when David and Master Messina join up with a group of prehistoric hunters who in their movements bring them into the LasCaux caves. David and Messina take part in the day-to-day lives of the ancient artists who were hunters of what they painted.

The Babylonians
The Art of Mesopotamia

In their second adventure into the past of art David, Master Messina and Angela travel into the time of the Assyrian, Babylonian and Sumerian people hoping to learn all they can about the art of Mesopotamia. And when David makes a comment about wanting to learning the beginnings of Mesopotamian art the three are taken into the past by a most unexpected guide to the Ninive Library! 

But the chance to hunt with Assurbanipal draws David while the library lures Messina and Angela to its treasures of knowledge. But the origins that they are searching for can't be found here so when a little help they again change times seeking the assistance of Hammurabi in their quest. The art of the Mesopotamians took many forms painting, etching, sculptures, and even the architecture. Along the way they learn about the rulers, myths and gods of the time that helped shape the culture and the art. 

This Graphic Novel will capture the attention of readers with the 2 stories. Entertaining while educating in a subtle manner the early art movements that have had a lasting impact on art through the ages. Reluctant readers will enjoy this book at 72 pages it will hold their attention through both stories.


I received this book free of charge from the publisher all opinions expressed are my own.

Book Description:

David is a young and restless apprentice painter who wants to know everything about painting. His intelligent teacher, the Master Messina, invents a way of transporting David through time to prehistory. They go there looking for the origins of art, but once they are there nothing will be as they thought.

In a second adventure they travel towards the unknown art of Mesopotamia. This time they won´t go alone. The sympathetic and intelligent Angela will travel to the past with them bringing her particular point of view.

Buy the Book:

​USA: Amazon  ~  Kindle ~  Barnes and Noble

​UK: Amazon  ~ Kindle

Australia: Fishpond  ~  Booktopia ~ Kindle

Author and Illustrator:

María José is a teacher. She won international illustrations awards.

Gonzalo has a degree in art history. He works in museums and as a tourist guide.

Connect with them: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook ~ Pinterest

Giveaway:​

Prizes ​

Win a print copy of the graphic novel

David Travels to the Past

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Guest Post by Marie Benedict author of The Other Einstein

Guest Post by Marie Benedict author of The Other Einstein

*The rarity of a woman pursuing this field of study at this time in history

The lure of writing about Mileva Maric, the first wife of Albert Einstein and a physicist herself, was not simply the notion of sharing a fresh perspective on the life of the famous scientist. The deeper I got into the research surrounding Mileva the more I realized I wanted to tell the astonishing story of a young Serbian woman who ascended from the remote regions of the Austro-Hungarian empire where it was illegal for her to attend high school to the physics classrooms of a competitive European university. Mileva’s narrative was all too rare in fin-de-siecle Europe, making Mileva’s climb all the more spectacular.

What were the odds that a young woman like Mileva could become a physics student at a European university? Disregarding the hurdle that girls in Mileva’s region could not even attend high school, prior to the middle of the nineteenth century, European universities were almost entirely closed to women, particularly in Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Switzerland, France, and Central Europe. The rare exceptions of women studying at a higher education institution in Europe during this time involved the receipt of special permission from the administration, and even then, women were typically allowed only to audit classes, not receive degrees. Mileva herself experienced this treatment when she spent a semester at Heidelberg University in Germany, and she attended physics classes but received no credit for them. In the late 1880s and early 1900s, certain European

universities began admitting more women — Switzerland began to admit female students in 1867, for example — and women’s colleges were formed. Still, access to coursework in the sciences was especially formidable, and, without a university degree, it was almost impossible for women to enter any profession, particularly the very specialized professions involving the sciences.

When placed in this context, the story of Mileva Maric’s climb — the foundation upon which THE OTHER EINSTEIN sits — is breathtaking. The odds against her sitting beside Albert Einstein in a physics class at the Swiss Federal Polytechnical University were staggeringly high. Consequently, the tale of her descent from this hard-won height makes THE OTHER EINSTEIN all the more tragic — and all the more important.

Check-out my review of The Other Einstein

The Other Einstein will be on sale on November 20, 2016 on Bookbub
and on Goodreads between November 20 - 26, 2016.

This Road We Traveled ~ Review

This Road We Traveled
By Jane Kirkpatrick

The Brown and Pringle families is about to experience an upheaval. The family has decided (some very reluctantly) to leave the life they know behind in Missouri and become part of the migration west.  The Oregon Territory is a land that those of an adventurous spirit are longing to be a part of, and Tabitha (Tabby) Brown longs for another adventure..

But Tabby's son Orus has declared that his mother can't join them on their move. Tabby would be a hindrance due to her age. But Tabby's indomitable spirit isn't about to be bossed around by her son when she is perfectly able to make her own decisions. And Tabby has decided she's going to Oregon.

The road isn't easy and they face obstacles that could cost them everything. Each choice must be carefully weighed, risks versus gains. But achieving the end of the journey - Oregon is just the beginning.

This is a story of family and a story of a nation.  The characters are ones one can connect with on different levels. I real liked Tabby's granddaughter Virgilia (yes, this is her name) and Nellie Louise Blodget (who is brought into the family). The historical aspects of this book make one more appreciative of what we have today.

Fans of Jane Kirkpatrick's previous works will enjoy this newest book.  The detail just brings this story to life.  The climatic elements can be felt - the endless days of rain, the burning heat of the desert, and cold of the trail.  There are moments of hopelessness and moments of joy.  This is life.

 I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher Revell in exchange for my honest review.


About the Book:
Tabitha Brown refuses to be left behind in Missouri when her son makes the decision to strike out for Oregon--even if she has to hire her own wagon to join the party. After all, family ties are stronger than fear.

Along with her reluctant daughter and her ever-hopeful granddaughter, the intrepid Tabitha has her misgivings. The trials they face along the way will severely test her faith, courage, and ability to hope. With her family's survival on the line, she must make the ultimate sacrifice, plunging deeper into the wilderness to seek aid. What she couldn't know was how this frightening journey would impact how she understood her own life--and the greater part she had to play in history.

With her signature attention to detail and epic style, New York Times bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick invites you to travel the deadly and enticing Oregon Trail. Based on actual events, This Road We Traveled inspires the pioneer in all of us.

Saffire ~ Review

Saffire
By Sigmund Brouwer

Sigmund Brouwer has a way with words that transport one into a story.  Saffire is set in 1909 in the American Zone of the Panama Canal. This marvel of construction is going to create a passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

But there is a mystery tied to this construction and James Holt has made it his mission to help young Saffire, a mulatto girl who is looking for her mother. Saffire is convinced that her mother did not desert her, but can find no one to help discover the truth. But something about Saffire's story touches James heart. Something about this young girl reminds him of his own daughter.

James Holt's search leads him outside the safety of the American Zone where he discovers there is more than a missing woman. There is political unrest and even the possibility of German intervention stirring up rebels.

The construction of the canal is explained in part and it is a fascinating process.  Also of interest are the musings of James Holt as he observes these events, pitying future generations because the greatest achievements of humanity have already occurred.

Though the main story takes place over just a few days the story doesn't feel rushed or too short. This is a world that is in the midst of change. Those who are native to Panama feel they have exchanged one master for another. The racial injustices and inequalities faced by those who were not white are shocking and yet, sadly, not surprising. Sigmund Brouwer creates a story that creates a vivid canvas that teems with life.

 I love the historical aspect and the research notes that the author provides at the end of the book.This is a highly recommended read, perfect for a book club setting or individual pleasure reading.

I was provided an advance review copy of this book by Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.


About the Book:

I reminded myself that once you start 

to defend someone, it’s difficult 

to find a place to stop. But I went ahead 

and took that first step anyway. . .

  
For President Teddy Roosevelt, controlling the east-west passage between two oceans mattered so much that he orchestrated a revolution to control it. His command was to ‘let the dirt fly’ and for years, the American Zone of the Panama Canal mesmerized the world, working in uneasy co-existence with the Panamanian aristocrats.  

It’s in this buffered Zone where, in 1909, James Holt begins to protect a defenseless girl named Saffire, expecting a short and simple search for her mother. Instead it draws him away from safety, into a land haunted by a history of pirates, gold runners, and plantation owners, all leaving behind ghosts of their interwoven desires sins and ambitions, ghosts that create the web of deceit and intrigue of a new generation of revolutionary politics.  It will also bring him together with a woman who will change his course—or bring an end to it.
  
A love story set within a historical mystery, Saffire brings to life the most impressive-and embattled- engineering achievement of the twentieth-century.

For more information about the book click here.

The Reluctant Duchess ~ Review

The Reluctant Duchess

Ladies of the Manor #2

By Roseanna M. White

In The Lost Heiress we were introduced to Brice Myerston, the Duke of Nottingham. The Reluctant Duchess continues the story in which Brice took possession of a rare treasure from Justin and Eden in an attempt to protect them from those seeking these jewels. With the threat of death now focused on him instead Brice is not in a position of seeking out a bride.  But it seems others have plans for him that include marriage.  And Lady Rowena Kinnaird's family seems determined to see her wed to this English duke and far away from the Scotish Highlands she has called home.

But Brice feels lead to marry this young woman, who is nothing like one would expect of an heiress or the daughter of an earl.  Rowena's life is in danger and Brice is her means of escape, but Rowena is not willing to participate in the subterfuge those closest to her are willing to perpetuate to secure her marriage and her future.

Rowena is a young woman who has been broken and she is unable to trust freely making her a perfect pawn in the treachery that the reader observed in The Lost Heiress as Rowena becomes the newest target of Kitty's friendship.  

Can Rowena learn to trust again before it is too late? Or will she forever be broken and separated from a relationship with the God her new husband urges her to seek? And can Brice see his wife for who she is beneath the layers and years of hurt and betrayal? Can they find her true worth and value?

The Fire Eyes are a continuing lure throughout as Brice works to keep them hidden away until Brook can decide what to do with them - these jewels that have cost her so much. But will they know cost Brice the very woman who is working her way into his heart?

Historical fiction with a touch of intrigue - the perfect way to pass a week-end! These are characters one can empathize with though those who are focused on their selfish desires are harder to identify with. Set in the later half of 1912 in Scotland and England one is taken into another world that is only 100 years ago and yet there are such differences in custom and technology from what we experience today.  If you haven't read the previous book you can still easily follow along and get caught up at a later date.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

Will Fleeing the Scottish Highlands Only Leave Her in More Danger?

Lady Rowena Kinnaird may be the heiress to a Highland earldom, but she's never felt good enough--not for her father, not for the man she thought she'd marry, not for God. But after a shocking attack, she's willing to be forever an outcast if it means escaping those threatening her life.

Brice Myerston, the Duke of Nottingham, has never been one to shy away from manor-born ladies, yet the last thing he needs is the distraction of the newly introduced Lady Rowena. He has enough on his plate having recently come into possession of a rare treasure for which many would kill, yet those around him seem intent on pairing him with this desperate but beguiling girl.

Rowena is reluctant to marry this notorious flirt. And when she learns that Brice is mixed up in some kind of questionable business with a stolen treasure, she fears she'll end up in more danger than she fled.

Baseball’s Dynasties and the Players Who Built Them ~ Book Blast with Excerpt

Baseball’s Dynasties 
          and the 
Players Who Built Them

By Jonathan Weeks

About the Book:

Title: Baseball’s Dynasties and the Players Who Built Them

Author: Jonathan Weeks

Publisher: Rowan and Littlefield

Pages: 408

Genre: Sports History

Baseball has had its fair share of one-and-out champions, but few clubs have dominated the sport for any great length of time. Given the level of competition and the expansive length of the season, it is a remarkable accomplishment for a team to make multiple World Series appearances in a short timespan. From the Baltimore Orioles of the 1800s who would go to any length to win—including physically accosting opponents—to the 1934 Cardinals known as the “Gashouse Gang” for their rough tactics and determination, and on to George Steinbrenner’s dominant Yankees of the late twentieth century, baseball’s greatest teams somehow found a way to win year after year.

Spanning three centuries of the game, Baseball’s Dynasties and the Players Who Built Them examines twenty-two of baseball’s most iconic teams. Each chapter not only chronicles the club’s era of supremacy, but also provides an in-depth look at the players who helped make their teams great. Nearly two hundred player profiles are included, featuring such well-known stars as Joe DiMaggio, Jackie Robinson, Sandy Koufax, and Pete Rose, as well as players who were perhaps overshadowed by their teammates but were nonetheless vital to their team’s reign, such as Pepper Martin, Allie Reynolds, and George Foster.

With a concluding chapter that profiles the clubs that were on the cusp of greatness, Baseball’s Dynasties and the Players Who Built Them is a fascinating survey of what makes some teams dominate year after year while others get only a small taste of glory before falling to the wayside. Written in a lively style with amusing anecdotes and colorful quotes, this comprehensive book will be of interest to all fans and historians of baseball.

For More Information:

• Baseball’s Dynasties and the Players Who Built Them is available at Amazon.
• Pick up your copy at Barnes and Noble.

About the Author:

Weeks spent most of his life in the Capital District area of New York. He earned a degree in psychology from SUNY Albany. In 2004, he migrated to Malone, NY. He continues to gripe about the frigid winter temperatures to the present day. A member of the Society for American Baseball Research, he writes about the game because he lacked the skill to play it professionally. He still can't hit a curve ball or lay off the high heat. Baseball’s Dynasties is his fourth nonfiction work.

For More Information

• Visit Jonathan Weeks’ website.
• Connect with Jonathan on Facebook and Goodreads.

Book Excerpt:

With a roster full of superstars, the Orioles captured three straight pennants from 1894–1896. They followed with a pair of near misses, placing second in 1897 and 1898. Along the way, they developed a reputation as one of the nastiest teams in baseball. John Heydler, an umpire who would later ascend to the NL presidency, described the Orioles of the 1890s as “mean, vicious, ready at any time to maim a rival player or an umpire.” Infielder John McGraw was proud of that distinction. “We’d go tearing into a bag with flying spikes as though with murderous intent,” he boasted. “We were a cocky, swashbuckling crew and wanted everybody to know it.”

Pirates great Honus Wagner manufactured a tall tale about a harrowing trip around the bases against the Orioles. After driving a ball deep into the outfield, he claimed to have been tripped at first base by Jack Doyle and then knocked flat by Hughie Jennings at second. Climbing to his feet, he lumbered toward third, only to find John McGraw holding a shotgun on him. “You stop right there!” McGraw allegedly bellowed. Although Wagner’s story is obviously apocryphal, numerous reliable accounts confirm the fact that the Orioles resorted to underhanded tactics regularly. When they weren’t physically accosting opponents, they were treating them to streams of verbal abuse. Baltimore players were so free in their use of profanity that a resolution was adopted in 1898, imposing mandatory expulsions upon anyone using “villainously foul” language.

Even the groundskeepers at Baltimore were deceitful. Soap flakes were mixed with the soil around the pitcher’s mound to make the hands of opposing hurlers slippery when they reached into the dirt.  Orioles moundsmen knew to keep untainted soil in their pockets. The infield was mixed with clay and rarely watered, creating a surface not unlike cement. Baltimore players chopped down on the ball, creating dramatically high hops that gave them a head start to first base (hence, the origin of the term Baltimore chop). The outfield was ruddy and riddled with weeds. Outfielders allegedly kept extra balls hidden out there in the event that the ones in play eluded them.

Roots of Irish Wisdom ~ Review

The Roots of Irish Wisdom
Learning from Ancient Voices
By Cindy Thomson

The Roots of Irish Wisdom explores not only the influence that Christianity had upon Ireland and her development as a nation, but the Christian influence that Ireland shared with the rest of the world - especially Western Europe.

The Irish fascination with the triad made the idea of the Trinity a well received truth.  This also resulted in many facets of Christianity being presented within the aspect of the triad.  Due to the isolated nature of Ireland as an island state Christianity flourished there while in the majority of Europe  it was stifled during the Dark Ages.  This was the Golden Age of Christianity as it was presented directly to the Irish people.

Roots takes a close look at both the saints of Ireland and the traditions that not only promoted the spread of Christianity across the island but helped return it to the people of Europe after the Roman Empire fell to its own instability.  Patrick's influence is well known - born in the 4th century he never embraced his Christian upbringing until he was taken as a slave to Ireland.  There having lost everything he opened his heart, his, mind and his eyes to all that Christ offered him.  But it wasn't until he returned to the land that enslaved him that he shared the message of God to a land ready to hear and embrace the gift of salvation. Patrick's return brought a time of upheaval and chaos as the old pagan ways struggled against this Christian God - a God who was a Trinity.  Patrick's influence on the whole of Ireland is honored and celebrated by both Catholics and Protestants.

The second saint Roots looks at is Brigid who lived in the late 5th / early 6th century.  Brigid, a woman shrouded in mystery, was known for her giving to the poor.  She cared for the refuges who came to Ireland from the instability that was consuming both the Roman Empire and Western Europe - no small feat at the time in which she lived.  This giving spirit came from the belief the that the Lord resided within all who were poor.  A good deed is never forgotten and this is the legacy of Brigid's life.

Some lesser known saints and their lives and influences as missionaries from Ireland to the rest of Europe are explored. Irish monasteries nurtured the Christian faith - these centers housed and trained thousands who helped spread Christianity from Ireland into the darkened regions of Europe who had fallen under pagan influences with the collapse of Rome.  Learning Scripture was of vital importance and these centers were where Scripture was recorded and preserved - the most noted being The Book of Kells.  The monasteries were also known for their high crosses - stone crosses which were carved to share the Biblical story with the common person who could not read. 

This is a book that packs a great deal of information into a few pages.  For those who are interested in either Irish history or Church history this is a fount of information that you'll want to turn to again and again.  I was especially intrigued with the accounts of the Book of Kells, the high crosses and prayer.  It is amazing how the very isolation that first kept Christianity from Ireland was the very thing that kept its message safe while the rest of Europe fell into the Dark Ages.

I was provided with a copy of this book by the author in exchange for my honest review.