The Carousel Painter by Judith Miller

The first thing I want to mention about this book is how much I enjoyed learning about the workings of a carousel factory.  I found the detail about all of the different departments very interesting.  One of my favorite things about reading books is learning about things that I would never take the time to research, yet when someone else does the work, I find the information and detail fascinating.
The main character in this story - Carrington - is a woman with morals and convictions.  She is struggling to learn about God and what He would have her do.  She is a talented lady without any family, but God surrounds her with true friends that lead her in the right direction to real, truthful answers.  She has moments of discouragement but strives to continue on with a good attitude.
The setting for this story was ideal for what the author wanted to accomplish, I believe.  For Carrington to work in a factory full of men at the time the book was set was definitely controversial.  She was the only woman causing many stirrings for not only the workers but their families.  For what she goes through during the story, I think Carrington does a good job of keeping her head above water.
I found some of the other characters very full of themselves and focused on the wrong things in life, but Carrington and Josef, in particular, want to find what is best for their lives with God's help.  Something many of us need to do in our lives.
I recommend this story of love, friendship, growth, intrigue, and more!

Disclaimer:
This book was provided free for review by Bethany House Publishers.

A Journey to New Books - The Miracle of Mercy Land

The Miracle of Mercy Land was not what I expected, but I ended up really enjoying it.  Mercy Land is a woman of the 1930s who is smart, no-nonsense, full of heart, and a go-to-girl.  She has a history different from many of those that she has lived near the last seven years because she grew up in "Bittersweet Creek."  Her rural upbringing has given her a little more sense and awareness than most women of her day in Bay City, Alabama.  She works for Doc at the town newspaper and an amazing turn of events occurs in their lives, something that will change so many things for them.  Under the circumstances of this turn of events, Mercy and Doc discover many things about themselves, their pasts, and their futures.  I found the story full of questions, twists, turns, and thought-provoking tidbits.  River Jordan has written a piece that makes you ponder, wonder, think, and keep turning pages (thinking "what will happen next?").  Truly a unique tale with interesting characters, great setting details, and unpredictable plot turns.  I got to a point, while reading the story, where I didn't want to put it down because I had to know what was coming next.  A mind-bender of a book.  I won't soon forget it.

Disclaimer:
The book was provided free for review by WaterBrook Press.

A Wish for Christmas by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer

Another great installment in the Cape Light series.  I always enjoy coming back to these characters again and again.  I could personally live without the constant Christmas theme that has found its way into the titles and stories of the last several books in the series, but I do still enjoy the stories and the characters.  Cape Light has a way of drawing you back over and over, despite yourself.  If you enjoy small-town life, you should really check out Cape Light and its plethora of unique and interesting characters.  In A Wish for Christmas, the story focuses on David Sawyer, son of Jack Sawyer, and the ever-stalwart Lillian Warwick.  You may find some unexpected treasures in the story as well with Grace Hegman and her father, Digger.  The stories in this installment were enjoyable and worth the read.  Check it out and prepare for the next book - due out in November.  Enjoy!!!

A Christmas Snow

I'd like to go off my usual topic of discussion and tell you about a great movie that I saw recently.  The movie is called A Christmas Snow.  It's the story of a woman with a hurt from her past that she can't seem to move beyond.  Yet, something amazing happens in her life during one particular snowstorm.  Kathleen's life is forever changed through a special series of events.  This movie is about forgiveness, family, and connection.  It made me laugh and cry and wonder what was going to happen next.  I appreciate that the film is clean and family-friendly.  Those movies are hard to find these days, especially ones that are well-acted and made.  I enjoyed that there was a little humor, a little romance, and a little drama - some of everything.  I would highly recommend that you watch this very special Christmas film.  You can watch it with the whole family!  I believe it will be released on October 8th. 

Blog Tour Challenge Update

I am now officially 3 days over on my challenge because it took 2 extra days to read Fields of Grace.  I will soon begin reading The Carousel Painter.  Keep checking in!!

Fields of Grace by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Fields of Grace broke my heart many times, but I found the book to be one that compelled me to want to keep reading anyway.  I thought that Lillian and her family were hardworking, God-loving people who weren't afraid to get their hands dirty to accomplish something great.  Having chosen to leave their home in Russia, Lillian, her husband, her three sons, and her husband's foster brother venture to America.  The decision is made out of a desire to not have Henrik (who will turn 18 soon) be forced to serve in the military.  Being Mennonite, they don't agree with fighting, etc.  What ensues after they leave Russia is not an easy ride across the ocean and a path paved with all the dreams that were hoped for.  Instead, many sad events occur which cause many changes in the characters in Sawyer's story.  I found the story to be heavy in many places, but overall it was an interesting historical novel.  The year is 1872 when the book opens; a year we can only dream about and try to imagine.  Sawyer paints a picture of the journey of this family in that time that is very different than many historical novels I have read.  She is an enjoyable read, if you like something a little more substantial.

Disclaimer:
This book was provided for review by Bethany House Publishers.

Wildflowers by Robin Jones Gunn

Wow!  I've read this book before and enjoyed it then, but I think I understood and appreciated it more now that I'm married.  This book follows Gena.  She has been married over 20 years and has 3 daughters with her husband.  They are in a committed marriage, but for Gena things have changed over time.  She has lost the love she once had for her husband and the desire to commune with God as well.  During this story, Gena comes to realize many things about herself, God, and her husband.  Only having been married almost 5 1/2 years myself, I can't relate entirely to Gena's struggles.  However, I certainly can relate to some parts of her story, and I think many readers will be able to do the same.  I found the story to be very real in many respects and found some eye-opening truths in the pages as well.  The only sadness for me in reading Wildflowers is that it's the last book in Gunn's Glenbrooke Series.  When you've been a fan of Christy Miller, Glenbrooke, and Sierra Jensen as long as I have, sometimes it can be difficult to close that last book and have to let the characters go until the next time.  Other than that, I really enjoyed rereading this wonderful story of refreshing, reawakening, and rebirth.  It is a great story about marriage, friendship, and family.  I hope you'll take the time to read Wildflowers.  To do it right, I recommend starting with book one in The Glenbrooke Series - Secrets - and then continuing on through the series until you reach the end - Wildflowers, book eight.