Review: The Key on the Quilt by Stephanie Grace Whitson

Widow Jane Prescott soon realised she had made a mistake in marrying Owen Marquis in order to give her daughter a father. Owen was an abuser, and one night, after an innocent dance with the local doctor, the fight went too far and Jane found herself serving ten years for his manslaughter.  Dr Max Zimmer feels responsible for Jane's imprisonment, as he alone knows of the injuries Jane suffered at the hands of her second husband, and he wonders if dancing with Jane at the town social might have caused the fatal argument.

The loss of her daughter affects Jane more than the loss of her freedom. To manage this loss, she withdraws herself, including from Dr Max Zimmer.  As Christians we seek freedom in Christ for ourselves and for others, but we don't realise that some people are so bound up in their personal prisons that they are afraid of being free. That fear must be broken before they can be whole, before they can be free. Jane is one of these people.

The Key on the Quiltis an original story, well-written with strong supporting characters, interesting sub-plots and a strong Christian theme, although it slowed a bit towards the end. It is a story of 'grace notes', healing and redemption in Christ.  Grace, in Christianity, is sometimes defined as the unmerited favour of God. In music, grace notes are extra notes added as an embellishment. They are not needed for the melody or the harmony, but are simply to enhance the overall sound.  So Christian grace notes are those extra things God gives us that we don't deserve, but which make life so much more than it could be.

One of the problems with having read a large number of books is that I don't often find a truly original plot, so it was a pleasure to discover The Key on the Quilt. Perhaps most gratifying for a history junkie like me is the note from the author at the end, explaining the inspiration behind the story, her research and the (very few) liberties she has taken with the facts. One of my pet hates is a historical novel that gets its facts wrong, so Stephanie Grace Whitson scores highly in this regard.  Overall, a novel that is well worth reading.

Thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

Review: If Walls Could Talk by Lucy Worsley

Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful - William Morris

If Walls Could Talk: An Intimate History of the Home is written in a very readable tone, and covers the four main areas of the house: the bedroom, the bathroom, the living room and the kitchen, from medieval times to the present day. While most of the books I review are Christian, this one is not, and those with delicate sensibilities might be advised to avoid it.

As ‘An Intimate History of the Home’, If Walls Could Talkis filled with fascinating, useful, useless and sometimes just plain revolting information about the homes and lives of our British ancestors (with some information on the Americans). Some of the information (like the discussion on childbirth) I Really Did Not Need To Know. At the same time, it makes me wonder what modern cultural or medical beliefs we hold will be mocked or looked upon with horror by future generations.

For example, have you ever said it is time to hit the hay or hit the sack? Worsley reminds us that this saying derives from a time when most beds were a sack stuffed with hay (at the rich end of the spectrum, Henry VIII apparently slept on eight feather mattresses which travelled with him).

There was also some gentle mocking of some of our modern standards, such as our “strange desirability of imperfection”, our belief in the superiority of hand-made products, even through they have “a certain margin of crudeness. The margin must never be so wide as to show bungling workmanship, since that would be evidence of low cost, nor so narrow as to suggest the ideal precision attained only by the machine, for that would be evidence of low cost.”

The author has undertaken extensive research, and If Walls Could Talk has over 40 period illustrations, a comprehensive list of references and a detailed index. Much of the information is from the author’s first-hand experience, gained working at Historic Royal Palaces (who manage properties such as Hampton Court Palace and the Tower of London), and through presenting a BBC TV series on the history of the home.

Overall, If Walls Could Talkis a fascinating history of home and hearth that reminds me to be grateful for modern conveniences - many of which are more modern that I realised. Recommended for those who are addicted to shows such as Downton Abbey, Time Team and Antiques Roadshow.

Thanks to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

Review: A Texan's Promise/A Texan's Honor by Shelley Gray

Book One in The Heart of a Hero series: A Texan's Promise

After Vanessa is assaulted by her step-father, the foreman on her family ranch, Clayton, comforts her and offers to take her to safety. Knowing that Price will only continue to abuse her, nineteen-year-old Vanessa accepts. While Vanessa suffers from night terrors in the aftermath of Price's attack, Clayton has his own demons to conquer, including his need to keep the promises he has made to God, his father, Vanessa's father, and Vanessa herself. Meanwhile, Price is on their trail, wanting to claim Vanessa for his own, despite his wife. He is accompanied by Miles, Vanessa’s older brother, who has also suffered under Price’s belt.

Vanessa and Clayton marry to protect her reputation, each of them hiding the fact that they have feelings for the other (despite the ten-year age gap). I don't usually like stories where the hero is much older than the heroine, even though I know it was normal at this time. What I particularly liked about A Texan's Promisewas the theme about how age was not the factor. Clayton was a Confederate Captain, and it was the things he had seen and experienced during the war that made him the man he was, a man that Miles would struggle to become at any age. Although young, Vanessa had "lost her innocence at Price's hand", which forced her to grow up too. What we don't know is what Vanessa would have done if it were not for Clayton, although the fact that she fought Price once suggests that she would have continued to do so, which speaks to her character in comparision to that of Miles.

Despite the dark beginning, A Texan's Promisewas an enjoyable read. The author dealt with Vanessa in a sympathetic manner, and wrote a realistic recovery. The book was immediately engaging, and easily held my interest with a likeable hero and heroine and an interesting cast of supporting characters.


Book Two in the Heart of a Hero series: A Texan's Honor

Miss Jamilyn Ellis was taken hostage by the notorious Walton Gang when her train was hijacked for its cargo of silver. While it is apparent that some members of the gang would like nothing more than to do her harm, Will McMillan steps in to protect her, with the permission (but not the approval) of Scout Proffitt, the gang’s second-in-command (and the younger brother of Clayton, from A Texan's Promise). After Will and Jamie escape from the train, Scout is sent to find and silence them, but his search is distracted by Kitty, who has suffered years of abuse from her stepfather.

Similar to the characters in A Texan's Promise, Will is another person who has been deeply affected by the war, someone who perceives that the war and the choices he has made have broken his character. This made me wonder about the current war - how many young men and women of good character are being broken by the things they are seeing, and what affect will this have on their futures? Will appears different to the other gang members, as though he is hiding something. Again, this made me think of the consequences of war, of having lived through a time so difficult and dangerous that making a living as a train robber almost seems like a moral improvement.

Overall, A Texan's Honor is a darker book than A Texan's Promise, as the story focuses on two men who have made bad choices. Call me shallow if you like, but I usually prefer the lighter stories. It is a testament to Shelley Gray’s ability as a writer that I actually found both books equally good, equally enjoyable and equally challenging. I especially liked her sensitive way of dealing with some difficult themes, without sensationalising them or being unnecessarily graphic in her descriptions, but at the same time, not diminishing the abuse or glossing over the damage it caused. She struck an excellent balance between horror and restraint, particularly as these books are (I assume) quite different to her previous books, which were set in the Amish community. Recommended.

Thanks to Abingdon Press and NetGalley for providing free ebooks for review.

Review: Like Sweet Potato Pie by Jennifer Rogers Spinola

Shiloh P Jacobs is back in this sequel to Southern Fried Sushi, with her debts, her cravings for Japanese food, and a brand new Christian faith. As a well-paid journalist, Shiloh had expensive tastes, a sharp contrast from a difficult childhood with a mother for whom details like feeding and clothing her daughter were secondary. Now Shiloh is struggling financially in a minimum-wage job with a mountain of debts, a house that won’t sell, a half-sister who is angling for a share of the house proceeds, and a real confusion over what life as a Christian is all about. Also back are Shiloh’s slightly crazy friends, who alternate between being interfering and encouraging, including Becky, who is a bit of an airhead, but has a heart of gold, and who is a great Christian witness and encourager to Shiloh as she navigates her new faith.

When her friend Kyoko visits from Tokyo, Shiloh begins to realise that despite all her problems, she is at peace in Virginia in a way she never was in Japan. Japan had helped her forget her past, but in doing so perhaps she has also lost some of herself. As the story progresses, Shiloh blossoms as she starts to find her real self, the self she hid with expensive clothes during her time in Japan.

I really enjoyed Southern Fried Sushi, the first book in this series, and I was almost hesitant to read Like Sweet Potato Pie, in case it didn’t measure up. Well, it did. It is light and deep at the same time, with some brilliant one-liners. Parts of it were so moving that they almost brought tears to my eyes, and I’m not a teary person. Some Christian chick-lit focuses too much on the humour, some focuses too much on pushing an ‘issue’... this is different, better. Shiloh is a real heroine, not because she does anything spectacular, but almost because she doesn’t. It’s easy to be good and strong when everything is going well, but so much harder in the real world where there are money troubles and boyfriend troubles and job troubles, and Jesus seems far away from your heart even though your head tells you he is right there. That’s what Shiloh is going through, and what makes this book so good. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

New Releases for March 2012

Welcome to the list of new release Christian fiction for March 2012. All links are to http://www.amazon.com/ and all prices are in US dollars. Most are available as Kindle ebooks from Amazon, or epub ebooks from sites like http://www.koboreads.com/, http://www.whitcoulls.co.nz/ or http://www.koorong.com.au/. Your local Christian bookseller should be able to order them for you, or you can mail order from Amazon or Koorong.

Leave a comment if one of your favourite authors is also releasing a book, then I can add it to the list!

Longing by Karen Kingsbury

The answers Bailey Flanigan once longed and prayed for are finally becoming clear. In Loving, the fourth and final book in the Bailey Flanigan Series by New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury, Bailey is planning a wedding and making decisions that will shape her future. Bailey enjoys the beginning of her new career and time spent with Brandon while Cody faithfully coaches his team on and off the field. Will she spend her life with Brandon Paul in Los Angeles, or will her heart draw her back to Bloomington, Indiana and Cody Coleman, her first love? Bailey has learned much and grown over the years, but the greatest challenges, the richest joys, and the deepest heartaches are still to come. Featuring members from Karen Kingsbury's popular Baxter family, Loving completes Bailey and Cody's story --- the finale thousands of fans have been waiting for.

Sweet Potato Pie by Jennifer Rogers Spinola

Witness as Shiloh’s new life in Virginia crumbles around her. The house she inherited from her mother is much more than a place to live—it represents Shiloh’s changed life and what little financial security she has. But her half sister is contesting their mother’s will and the IRS is threatening to take it for back taxes. She’s also discovering God’s ideal when it comes to love and romance. When Mr. Right shows up will she recognize God’s hand or let circumstances and prejudices blind her heart to the love of her life?

A review is on the way...

The Key on the Quilt by Stephanie Grace Whitson

Enter a historic Nebraskan prison where three women find betrayal, love, and ultimate truth. Jane Prescott is serving a ten-year sentence for murder. Can a broken spirit be healed behind bars? Matron Mamie Dawson feels called to help the wounded women in her charge. Will a guard’s attentions keep her from her mission? Warden’s wife Ellen Sullivan has changed her preconceptions about these female prisoners. Will it be enough to save her from a life-or-death situation? Will the cryptic quilt connecting their lives expose the truth of one woman’s past and ensure a better future for them all?

A review is on the way...

By The Light of the Silvery Moon by Tricia Goyer

Remember the Titanic 100 years after its doomed voyage with Tricia Goyer’s fictional portrayal of one woman’s journey. To Amelia Gladstone, this ship means promise of seeing family again. To Quentin Walpole, the Titanic represents a new start in America…if he can get onboard. All seems lost until Amelia offers him a ticket, securing his passage—and bringing him face-to-face with his railroad tycoon father and older brother, Damian. As Amelia works to reconcile father and son, she finds herself the object of both brothers’ affection. Can she choose between two brothers? Or will she lose everything to the icy waters of the Atlantic?

A review will follow...

The Messenger by Siri Mitchell

Hannah Sunderland felt content in her embrace of the Quaker faith ...until her twin brother ran off and joined the army and ended up captured and in jail. Suddenly Hannah's world turns on end. She longs to bring her brother some measure of comfort in the squalid, frigid prison where he remains. But the Quakers believe they are not to take sides, not to take up arms. Can she sit by and do nothing while he suffers? Jeremiah Jones has an enormous task before him. Responsibility for a spy ring is now his, and he desperately needs access to the men in prison, whom they are seeking to free. A possible solution is to garner a pass for Hannah. But while she is fine to the eye, she holds only disdain for him--and agreeing would mean disobeying those she loves and abandoning a bedrock of her faith.

The Ocean's Frontier by Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith
Kansas,1881—On a trip to visit relatives, Emma Switzer’s Amish family is robbed of all their possessions, leaving them destitute and stranded on the prairie. Walking into the nearest trading settlement, they pray to the Lord for someone to help. When a man lands in the dust at her feet, Emma looks down at him and thinks, The Lord might have cleaned him up first. Luke Carson, heading up his first cattle drive, is not planning on being the answer to anyone’s prayers, but it looks as though God has something else in mind for this kind and gentle man. Plain and rugged—do the two mix? And what happens when a dedicated Amish woman and a stubborn trail boss prove to be each other’s match?

Chasing the Sun by Tracie Peterson

When her father disappears in war-torn Mississippi, Hannah Dandridge finds herself responsible not only for her younger siblings but for the ranch her father recently acquired on the Texas plains. Though a marriage of convenience could ease her predicament, she determines to trust God for direction. Hannah, desperate for help, and William, desperate to regain his family's land, form an uneasy truce. Will they be able to set aside their own dreams and embrace the promise of a future together?

Dawn Comes Early by Margaret Brownley

It's 1895 and twenty-nine-year-old dime novelist Kate Tenney finds herself without a publisher or other means of support when her novel is banned. When she agrees to try her hand at ranching, trouble begins the moment she steps foot in Arizona Territory. The West is nothing like she wrote about in her books. Not only does she have to deal with a hard-nosed ranch owner and a nefarious outlaw, but also her own traitorous heart.

Deserted as a child by her father, grandfather, and seemingly even God, Kate does not trust men and has no intention of falling for Luke Adam's charm. She's determined to learn the ranching business and prove to the doubting ranch owner that she's up to the task-even if it kills her. As her faith is tested by the harsh realities of the desert, Kate may survive this trial, if she can stay away from a certain handsome blacksmith and his two matchmaking aunts.

Illusion by Frank Piretti

Dane and Mandy, a popular magic act for forty years, are tragically separated by a car wreck that claims Mandy’s life—or so everyone thinks. Even as Dane mourns and tries to rebuild his life without her, Mandy, supposedly dead, awakes in the present as the nineteen-year-old she was in 1970. Distraught and disoriented in what to her is the future, she is confined to a mental ward until she discovers a magical ability to pass invisibly through time and space to escape. Alone in a strange world, she uses her mysterious powers to eke out a living, performing magic on the streets and in a quaint coffee shop.

Hoping to discover an exciting new talent, Dane ventures into the coffee shop and is transfixed by the magic he sees, illusions that even he, a seasoned professional, cannot explain. But more than anything, he is emotionally devastated by this teenager who has never met him, doesn’t know him, is certainly not in love with him, but is in every respect identical to the young beauty he first met and married some forty years earlier.

A Texan's Honor by Shelley Gray

Texas, 1874. Years ago, Will McMillan had fought in the open, next to his Captain, Clayton Proffitt. Now he’s waging another war undercover, pretending to be a member of the notorious Walton Gang. But when a hostage situation goes awry and an innocent woman is in the middle of the fray, Will knows he must protect her no matter what happens. Even if his cover is blown. Even if they risk being killed by his gang or by the lawmen on their trail. Even if the woman he’s risking everything for will never love him back.

A review is on the way...