Holly's Blog – March 2009 Archive (11)

A Lady of High Regard

A fun little historical read mixed with some romance and suspense. Mia Stanley is a wealthy young socialite in 19th century Philadelphia. She works for Godey's Lady's Book magazine, much to the chagrin of her proper parents. Mia's talent for matchmaking has brought her friends husbands, but none for herself.

Unsatisfied with simply writing about fashion, Mia's interests draw her into the world of the poor, downtrodden seamen's wives on the… Continue

Added by Holly on March 29, 2009 at 10:30pm — No Comments

Petticoat Ranch

The first book in the Lassoed in Texas series by Mary Conneally.

Sophie Edwards is a spunky widow raising 4 daughters alone in the Texas wilderness, after her husband, Cliff, was murdered by marauding outlaws. When his twin brother, Clay, shows up determined to do his Christian duty and marry his brother's widow, Sophie isn't sure she wants a man around. She's feisty and independent and doing just fine on her own.

The man who killed… Continue

Added by Holly on March 28, 2009 at 10:30pm — No Comments

The Duggars: 20 and Counting!

While I am, admittedly, not a television watcher, I have seen one or two of the shows about the Duggar family. They fascinate me. So, when I saw that this book was available, I picked it up at the library.

Jim-Bob and Michelle Duggar are an Arkansas couple with 18 children. Their oldest is 20 and recently married, and the youngest is an infant. They share their story: how they each grew up, how they met and fell in love and how they came to have… Continue

Added by Holly on March 27, 2009 at 10:30pm — No Comments

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

A completely enthralling story. I figured it would keep me busy for an entire 5 hour drive. I finished it in two. Written as a memoir and alternating between World War 2 and 1986, the novel tells the story of Henry Lee, a young Chinese-American boy living in 1940's Seattle.

Now an adult, Henry's wife has died and his son is somewhat distant. While out, Henry passes the Panama hotel one day in 1986 and sees that the new owner has found many old… Continue

Added by Holly on March 25, 2009 at 10:30pm — No Comments

She Always Wore Red

A sequel to Doesn't She Look Natural?, the story picks up several months later. Jennifer Graham is now taking courses to become a mortician. She seems to have settled into the Mt. Dora community and her boys are making friends. Gerald still works at the funeral home and surprise, surprise, Jennifer's unknown half-sister arrives, bringing her own drama.

For the coverage of such serious issues as racism and abortion, the story is still very… Continue

Added by Holly on March 20, 2009 at 10:30pm — No Comments

Red, White and Blue

A sequel to America the Beautiful. Emily Benton has been elected President of the United States and has asked Kate Rosen, her best friend and campaign manager, to be her Chief of Staff.

After Emily's election victory, Kate realizes that she doesn't know her best friend as well as she thought. She tries to overlook small betrayals and Emily's ever increasing ability to blur the lines of honesty in her effort to achieve ultimate political… Continue

Added by Holly on March 15, 2009 at 1:27pm — No Comments

Galway Bay

"Epic" is the first word I would use to describe Galway Bay. The words "rich" and "lyrical" would follow. Mary Pat Kelly fully captures the tragedy and triumph of the 19th century Irish emigration.

Michael and Honora Kelly, young newlyweds, begin their life together on a small patch of land overlooking Galway Bay. Michael is a bagpiper and blacksmith by trade. He's the owner of a prized racehorse and plans to breed her and sell the colts.… Continue

Added by Holly on March 15, 2009 at 1:25pm — No Comments

The Forgotten Warrior

16-year old Sydney Morgan has a black belt in karate and a tough attitude. She is devoted to her single mother and disabled sister. When her mother is diagnosed with breast cancer, Syd finds herself facing an uncertain future. When her absent father shows up, she is even more confused. A seeming chance encounter with a hospital custodian results in Syd's being transported back in time to the land of Zarahemla. Syd is accused of being a lamanite spy,… Continue

Added by Holly on March 15, 2009 at 1:25pm — No Comments

Unsung Lullaby

An easy read, but by no means light. Matt and Maddie Shep have struggled with infertility through their entire marriage. After their hopes are dashed yet again, and Maddie learns that she will never conceive a child, they begin to talk of adoption. When they discover that Matt has a child from a past, teenage transgression, their lives change dramatically.

Josi does a great job tackling a difficult subject matter. Not only is the subject of… Continue

Added by Holly on March 15, 2009 at 1:24pm — No Comments

Married Strangers

In theory, this has the potential to be a fascinating book. The story follows three couples, all of whom have their relationship issues and disagreements. The chapters alternate between each couple, with some minor story overlapping. Each perspective is third-person narrative, with Shania's chapters being first-person. It was hard to tell who the actual story was about.

Rayna is a newlywed who discovers that marriage is not always a daily fairy… Continue

Added by Holly on March 15, 2009 at 1:23pm — No Comments

Saffron Dreams

Fascinating. A fictionalized story, written as a memoir. Arissa is a young Pakistani-American woman who loses her husband in the 9/11 tragedy. Pregnant with a special-needs child, she struggles to find her place in this post 9/11 world. A world without her beloved husband, and a world where many people do not understand the life and faith of Muslims.

Arissa's story is told first-person through flashbacks and present day. Her childhood in Pakistan… Continue

Added by Holly on March 13, 2009 at 6:30pm — No Comments