These is My Words

Moving and Heartfelt. It feels as if you are living life with Miss Prine as you read. I often had to remind myself when I would set the novel down that I lived now and it wasn't necessary to grab a pistol and a shotgun to protect myself every time I leave the house.

What a strong and courageous woman who lives out a true and real love story. If you know me, you know I hate romance novels but Miss Prine's love story with Jack Elliot is not sensationalized, just real and sweet.

Fame, Glory, and Other Things on My To Do List

Okay, this is the greatest book. I am not usually a big fan of Young Adult Fiction, but this one had me reliving High School and laughing out loud! The main character reminded me a bit of one of my best friends in High School Robyn. Mostly because of her nack to fill her life with embarrassing moments.

I just got to see West Side Story at Highland High School last month so it was fresh in my head as I read this book. I think that made it all the funnier as the characters in Fame, Glory and Other Things... put on a very unique version of West Side Story. Honestly I was laughing out loud so hard that I was crying and my nose was running!

Janette Rallison is definitely one I will seek out again.

Through the Perilous Fight

10 10 10

This is the very best series I have ever read. I felt a little hallow when I finished it. I will miss the characters, their wisdom, strength, and growth. And I will forever have a deep respect for those who lived through the trials of the civil war on both fronts.

It was sobering and educational. I would recommend this series to anyone!

To Make Men Free

Pg 14 "It was ironic, he supposed, to be looking for peace while going to war, but the peace he sought was internal."

Wow. This series is easily one of the best I have ever read. Now I have only finished book 2 of 4 so that is a little premature, but wow.

When Lance and I sold pest control in New Orleans, LA several years ago, we went to tour a beautiful plantation home called Oak Alley. At the time, I was fascinated by the architecture and the perfect restorative condition of the main house. I remember reading a little about the slaves and viewing some of the outhouses, but now I would love to visit again with the history and viewpoint of this book in my mind. I know I would have an entirely different visit after reading this novel.

Allen, the author, spent much time reading personal narratives, journals and accounts of people who lived through the ever changing, dramatic years of the civil war and it is as if those people come alive again through her thoughtfully constructed characters. She is so devoted to historical accuracies that when, for the sake of the story, she changes events even slightly she notes the chapter and the actual history in the back of each novel.

I can't get enough of these novels and the second I finished this one was back to the library to pick up the third book.

Allen's eloquent and descriptive writing at times leaves you holding your breath, angry, tearful, shocked, proud, hurt, dismayed, downright gleeful and on and on.

Faith of Our Fathers A House Divided

Coming

Before the Dawn

Looking for a fast uplifting read that makes you feel fortunate about your lot in life? It's about Leah, an unlikely Relief Society President in the early 30s during the heart of the Depression. I love Leah because I identify with her character so much! I love Dean Hughes. He writes with exact historical accuracy and is an amazing writer. I love the way he thinks! This book I will read again.

Saboteur

I loved this novel, the only thing missing is a Volume Number 2. Not that it needs it, but because Hughes makes you fall in love with the story wishing it would never end. I am a sucker for Historical Fiction. I was going to minor in History, but found myself a little bored with the dry way it comes across in a classroom. Hughes spends a lot of time and effort to get things Historically correct. It's like you are listening to your Grandfather (if he was an amazing storyteller like mine was) tell the stories of his youth. Seeing World War Two through the characters eyes as if they actually lived it. Military Strategy, Battles, Home life all described as accurately as possible through an amazing story that will thrill you, make you cry, fall in love, and learn the history of our Country in a unique, interesting, and fun way.

Just Take My Heart

So this book takes the cake. I haven't read anything for a very long time, but the other day, while visiting a friend Ms. Donahoo, I noticed that she had a children's book by Mary Higgins Clark on her coffee table. Clark was one of my favorite authors as a teenager but I hadn't read any of her novels for about 10 years. I was very surprised that she was writing children's books and it peeked my interest. Mrs. Donahoo had one of her latest novels in her personal library and graciously loaned it to me. I was hesitant to take it because I thought I had no time for reading anymore. After all I hadn't read a book since college.

Well, when I got home I flipped open and read the first page and then the next and the next. I was consumed in the story in a matter of minutes. It pulls you along its twist and turns, through a vicious legal battle where you fall in love with the prosecutor, Emily and fear her neighbor, Zachary, a psychopath murderer.

I love how that book embraces and explains the title of the book at the very end, griping you to the very last page.

This book I fully credit with bringing my love of reading back to the surface!