Tis the Season

 

The Healing of Natalie Curtis

About the Book

Classically trained pianist and singer Natalie Curtis isolated herself for five years after a breakdown just before she was to debut with the New York Philharmonic. Guilt-ridden and songless, Natalie can't seem to recapture the joy music once brought her. In 1902, her brother invites her to join him in the West to search for healing. What she finds are songs she'd never before encountered--the haunting melodies, rhythms, and stories of Native Americans.

But their music is under attack. The US government's Code of Offenses prohibits American's indigenous people from singing, dancing, or speaking their own languages as the powers that be insist on assimilation. Natalie makes it her mission not only to document these songs before they disappear but to appeal to President Teddy Roosevelt himself, who is the only man with the power to repeal the unjust law. Will she succeed and step into a new song . . . and a new future?

Award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick weaves yet another lyrical tale based on a true story that will keep readers captivated to the very end. (Goodreads)

 

 

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My Thoughts

 

I really enjoy reading the books that Jane Kirkpatrick writes because they are full of historical details. The cover of this book is one of the most beautiful and unique covers I have seen. 

I enjoyed this book mostly in the first section of the story. I was really intrigued on what was going to happen (which Natalie was a real person and this is a real story) and I had never heard of Natalie until reading this book. Of course her life is fictionalized in this book and I found it fascinating that a woman wanted to experience the West in 1902. Let alone spend time with different Indian tribes. It really is interesting how they traveled and who they communicated with. The main part of this book is that traditional music and dancing (among many other things) was forbidden among the Indians since the country wanted to them to be just like the settlers that took over the land. They also had control because of the reservations they were put on. It really is a horrible part of the history of the America and I am glad people are writing about it. 

In any case while all of the historical details were very interesting the latter part of the book was really difficult to get through. Not much happens though time spans a few years. I know Kirkpatrick was writing about a real person but I really didn't love Natalie's character. 

So if you enjoy historical fiction this could be the book for you. I enjoyed it but it ended up not being my favorite book by Kirkpatrick. 

Three Stars. 

"I received this book from Revell for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lines Between Us

 

About the Book

 

Since the attack on Pearl Harbor, Gordon Hooper and his buddy Jack Armitage have done “work of national importance” in the West as conscientious objectors: volunteering as smokejumpers, parachuting into and fighting raging wildfires. But the number of winter blazes they’re called to in early 1945 seems suspiciously high, and when an accident leaves Jack badly injured, Gordon realizes the facts don’t add up.

A member of the Women’s Army Corps, Dorie Armitage has long been ashamed of her brother’s pacificism, but she's shocked by news of his accident. Determined to find out why he was harmed, she arrives at the national forest under the guise of conducting an army report...and finds herself forced to work with Gordon. He believes it’s wrong to lie; she’s willing to do whatever it takes so justice will be done.

As they search for clues, Gordon and Dorie must wrestle with their convictions about war and peace and decide what to do with the shocking secrets they discover. (Goodreads)

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 My Thoughts

If you want a unique perspective during WWII this book is for you! I was blown away with the historical aspect of this story and then surprised at how the author created a colorful cast of characters. I loved that nothing was predictable, not in the relationships or the overall story line.

This book takes us right into the woods of the men who were conscientious objectors to fighting in World War II and who ended up being smoke jumpers instead. This is not a subject that is written about especially in fiction. We also get a glimpse of the Women’s Army Corps, as the story flips between Gordon Hooper and Dorie Armitage.

Amy Lynn Green does an excellent job in simply writing the facts. She doesn’t try to sway things politically or make one view right or wrong. She does make the reader think and consider what is written. Dorie is angry at her brother for not enlisting. Jack’s religious beliefs convict him not to fight. This creates a painful family situation. Gordon’s character grows a lot through this book and I really enjoyed the story more from his perspective. I liked the details about the smoke jumpers and the facts surrounding the mystery that threads through the book. The ending is not what you expect so you must read until the very end. I really enjoyed this book and I had to dig more into the history after reading.

 

Five Stars.

 

“I received this book from Bethany House Publishers for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.”

Carved in Stone

 

 About the Book

 Gwen Kellerman is an heiress to the infamous Blackstone family, whose history of scandal nearly destroyed her. She now lives a quiet life at the idyllic college founded with her family's fortune and hopes to keep the tragedies of her past safely behind her.

Patrick O'Neill survived a hardscrabble youth to become a lawyer for the downtrodden Irish immigrants in his community. He's proud of his work, even though he struggles to afford his ramshackle law office. All that changes when he accepts a case to challenge the Blackstones' legacy of greed and corruption by resurrecting a thirty-year-old mystery.

Little does Patrick suspect that the Blackstones will launch their most sympathetic family member to derail him. Gwen is tasked with getting Patrick to drop the case, but the old mystery takes a shocking twist neither of them saw coming. Now, as they navigate a burgeoning attraction, Patrick is the only one who can save Gwen from new danger on the horizon. (Goodreads)

 

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My Thoughts

 I love reading books by Elizabeth Camden. I was so excited for her to start a new series and I have to say this book did not disappoint. The characters in this story have a very unique point of view and I really appreciate how the author didn't hesitate in bringing in real life issues. Life is really messy and while we get a lot of cookie cutter stories, especially in Christian historical fiction, this book is not that. Yes, there are some great lessons and a little romance, but there is also incredible growth in the characters that I didn't see coming. There are so many little parts of this book that I enjoyed and I laughed a good bit as well. The chapters in this particular story really set it up for book two, which is all about Natalia Blackstone. I already know book two is going to be fabulous. 

Honestly, if you haven't read a book by Elizabeth Camden you are really missing out. I loved this book and I am eager to read the next!

Five Stars. 

"I received this book from Bethany House for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."