Tag: fiction

Cloaked in Beauty

Cloaked in Beauty, Softcover, #3
By Karen Witemeyer / Bethany House

This book is a fun and enjoyable love story set in Texas beginning in 1881 . I chose it to read because I do like “journey stories”. An heiress to a shipping fortune on route back to her childhood home is guarded by a Pinkerton Agent. The young lady’s villainous uncle is committed to thwarting her arrival and makes plans to bring about her demise. The Pinkerton Agent is fully occupied keeping her safe. Along the way, major accidents and harrowing adventures threaten to keep them from their destination. The two main characters Letty Hood (aka Scarlett Radcliffe) and Philip Carmichael discover a deep admiration and abiding love for each other. The author portrays them both as capable and wise. Throughout the story they most often act unselfishly and care deeply about social justice. At first glance the wealthy heiress and traveling security guard may not seem like they could make a future together work, but the author resolves this perfectly. Reader’s will be happy with the conclusion. I also like the elements that gave a nod to fairy tales. There were many instances when what you might expect was turned upside down. For example: While Letty Hood needed protection, she was not damsel in distress. Her country upbringing while in hiding with her grandmother allowed her to acquire a range of skills that helped to keep her safe until she could reach her twenty-first birthday, return home, and claim her inheritance. The other element turned on its head was the wolf’s role in the story. No big bad wolf here. Just a loyal companion named “Rusty” who is a main character in his own right. The duo of Letty and Philip aren’t going to Grandma’s instead they leave her and make the journey away from her home, only to be reunited with her later. A true “fracture fairy tale” and a fun story to read. This book is Book #3 in the Texas Ever After Series

I read an ARC supplied by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. #CloakedinBeauty, #NetGalley

Tea with Elephants

Tea with Elephants: A Suitcase Sisters Novel, Softcover, #1
By Robin Jones Gunn / Revell

Just when I thought tea with honey was the cat’s meow, now here comes Tea with Elephants to catapult to the top spot. Of course one is a beverage and the other is a new release from Robin Jones Gunn, so it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison. But reading this book will yield the same comfy and cozy benefits. Guaranteed! I can only list superlatives to describe this book. I chose to read Tea with Elephants due to the African setting. Robin Jones Gunn expertly describes the savannah and the African animal life. She offers a realistic safari ride-along complete with sensible cautions for lion spotting and one predator/prey sighting. I immediately drew close to the main characters she named the “Suitcase Sisters”. The two women met decades ago while serving as counselors at a Christian conference center in Costa Rica. Now all grown up, the duo celebrates their long-term, long-distance friendship by reuniting for an African adventure.

Each woman has faced recent challenges. Fern experiences a life-altering set back when she is let go from her dream job just prior to embarking on her trip. Her marriage to a wonderful man with a teenage adoptive son was at first a rocky road. Eventually their family life smoothed out and this blended family landed in a good place. Lily fears she is losing her zeal for love and life after decades of marriage and child rearing. The two friends face these challenges head on. When the time is right, a good heart to heart talk helps both ladies see a brighter future.

I love that each chapter begins with an African proverb, Bible verse, or literary quote. Each one is worthy of printing on the tags attached to tea bags. The Christian message was explicit from beginning to end. I noticed Tea with Elephants is book one in a series featuring the “Suitcase Sisters”. I look forward to reading book 2 when it releases in January 2025. I recommend these books to readers who enjoy a well written contemporary fiction story with characters who wrestle with real-life problems and rely on their faith to stay strong. I received a complimentary paperback copy from the publisher Revell in exchange for my honest review. #TeaWithElephants and #RevellFiction!

The Warsaw Sisters

The Warsaw Sisters of WWII Poland
By Amanda Barratt / Revell

I’ve been steeped in World War II topics in recent months. For print books, I read The Watchmaker’s Daughter (The True Story of Corrie Ten Boom) and The First Ladies. On many evenings this fall, my husband and I settled in and watched all two seasons of World on Fire on PBS. I requested The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt to review, because I wanted to keep this reading and viewing theme going along the same course. Amanda Barratt’s book is accurate and reflects a great deal of research. Her writing shines a light on the horrific experience Polish citizens experienced at the hands of German invaders. It is interesting how this author was able to craft a plot that weaves in many different points of view. Her prose is rich and detailed. It was an education to read about the Home Army Uprising and their valiant effort to defend Warsaw. The Polish citizens were heroic in their efforts. This is one reason I love to read fiction and non-fiction based on history.

The story is built around the experience of two sisters who chose different paths during the war. One chose to get involved with rescuing Jewish children out of the Warsaw ghetto. The other eventually becomes a soldier in the resistance movement. They fall out of regular contact and events make it seem they will stay separated. But Barratt writes a satisfying conclusion giving readers reason to hope.

My recommendation for readers thinking about picking up this book is to be patient and allow yourself a good amount of time to read this book. Read the historical note for context maybe just as you begin your reading journey. Also stop and look up some of the cultural references to help with your understanding. While I have some knowledge of Polish customs, many terms were new to me such as oplatki. Also I did not know some of the Polish musicians and poets that Barratt referenced in her novel.

I did read the book from cover to cover and I appreciate the amount of work this author put into sharing The Warsaw Sisters with her readers. The publisher, Revell supplied me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. On a final note: I seem to be unable to stop myself from picking up more WW II books. Now I’m reading Freedom Flyers: the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II by J. Todd Moye. #TheWarsawSisters!