Review \\ Touching the Sky by Tracie Peterson

\\ About the Book \\ When Laura Marquardt first meets Brandon Reid, their encounter is anything but pleasant. But when the two are seated together at a dinner party, they soon find that they share similar interests--Laura desires to educate blacks, and Brandon, as a white officer over colored troops, eagerly supports her cause.
When Laura's sister, Carissa, marries her Confederate beau, Laura finds herself in a difficult situation when she overhears plots to kill Union soldiers. Though in her heart she feels she should share this information with Brandon, Laura fears she will betray her sister's trust and possibly endanger her sister's life. And when Brandon's motives for pursuing her come into question, her heart is even more conflicted. Where is God leading her?

After feeling a bit of disappointment over the first installment of Tracie Peterson's Land of the Lone Star series, I had my concerns when I received Touching the Sky in the mail. Turns out I liked it much better than Chasing the Sun, and that is a very good thing.

Touching the Sky at first doesn't seem to be linked to Chasing the Sun at all. It could very well be a stand alone novel except for a small part at the end that reminds us of the previous book. This book focuses on Laura Marquardt, a wise young woman who is keenly aware of the changes the end of the Civil War has brought to her hometown of Corpus Christi. I love her character because she is smart and honest about everything. 

When Captain Brandon Reid asks to court her, Laura is pretty much ecstatic, though (of course) she doesn't let such emotion show. Soon, however, she realizes that Captain Reid might be leading her on in order to gather information to harm her sister Carissa's Confederate beau. Wise Laura is suddenly torn between two loves, and her decision will not be easy. 

As always, Tracie Peterson creates intriguing characters that keep us loving her stories. I'm a little annoyed at Peterson's tendency to throw together some dramatic, rushed ending. (I can count several of her books in which this happens.) However, her writing remains steady and her stories interesting, so I guess I'll be all right with her endings. My only other pet peeve, as I've been trying to diversify my fiction selections lately, is that her dialogue is so stiff and so proper. Do we really believe that people back then didn't use contractions? I wonder.

Though you could easily read this book without reading the first in the series, I think it would be best to start with Chasing the Sun. Touching the Sky only begins Laura's sister Carissa's story, and the next book is devoted to her and a character from the first book. I'm hoping that one will be really good, because I think it has the best potential of the three.

\\ About the Author \\ Tracie Peterson is a bestselling author who writes in both historical and contemporary genres. Her novels reveal her love for research as well as her strong desire to develop emotionally meaningful characters and stories for her readers. Tracie and her family live in Montana.

\\ Info \\

Title: Touching the Sky

Author: Tracie Peterson

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Publication Date: June 1, 2012

Number of Pages: 336

ISBN: 0764206168

Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy!

Review \\ Travelers Rest by Ann Tatlock

\\ About the Book \\ A young woman determined to honor her commitment. . . An injured soldier convinced life is no longer worth living. . . A retired doctor certain it's too late to be forgiven. . .  Jane Morrow has a dilemma, and love alone may not solve it. her faith has never been strong, yet somehow she hopes God will answer her prayers and tell her what to do. The answer she finds may not be at all what she expected. . . .

Travelers Rest by Ann Tatlock is a nicely-written novel about Jane Morrow, a young woman whose future is practically shattered after the news that her soon-to-be-husband Seth Ballantine has been injured and paralyzed. Jane's character is easy to sympathize with. She is stuck in a hard place. Though she is dedicated to Seth, Jane realizes that Seth is no longer dedicate to her, and her struggle to remain in his life is fascinating to read. In that setting other characters like blind pianist Jon-Paul and retired doctor Truman Rockaway pop up, and the story only gets better. Both add new insight to Jane's journey and help her figure out her next steps.


This is my first time reading a book by Ann Tatlock, and I was pleasantly surprised. Her writing is really refreshing, and I know I'll be reading more from her. While I enjoyed Travelers Rest immensely, I also felt that it could nearly be divided into two separate novels. About halfway into the book Jane learns Truman's backstory, and the rest of the book is divided between the two characters' journeys. It's a little odd, because their separate storylines aren't really connected (only a little, but I won't give that away). And while both stories were intriguing, I was disappointed that Jane's was cut short in order to tell Truman's. Really, I was disappointed in how Jane's story ended. I felt like it was a rush to the end in order to get both stories finalized, and that only left Jane seeming unemotional (so unlike her character at the beginning).

Still, Travelers Rest is worth reading. Its subject matter gives a lot of food for thought, and Jane's doubts and questions give Tatlock a platform to gently and wisely unleash some biblical truths about trusting God. It's an enjoyable, encouraging book. My only disappointment is that Tatlock squashed two stories together that could have been better written apart. But, among the many choices of contemporary fiction these days, Travelers Rest is a great one to start with.

Life's gearshift's got no reverse, so you have to just keep moving forward.

 \\ About the Author \\  I couldn't find a good bio of Tatlock, so, go to her website to read a great question/answer session!


\\ In Case You Were Wondering \\
Title: Travelers Rest
Author: Ann Tatlock
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Publication Date: May 1, 2012
Number of Pages: 352 (Paperback)
ISBN: 0764208101
Many thanks to the publisher for providing me a review copy!

Review \\ Rain Song by Alice J. Wisler

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\\ About the Book \\ Nicole Michelin avoids airplanes, motorcycles, and most of all, Japan, where her parents once were missionaries. Something happened in Japan...something that sent Nicole and her father back to America alone...something of which Nicole knows only bits and pieces. But she is content with life in little Mount Olive, North Carolina, with her quirky relatives, tank of lively fish, and plenty of homemade pineapple chutney. Through her online column for the Pretty Fishy Web site, she meets Harrison Michaels, who, much to her dismay, lives in Japan. She attempts to avoid him, but his e-mails tug at her heart. Then Harrison reveals that he knew her as a child in Japan. In fact, he knows more about her childhood than she does...

In the midst of hot and humid summer days, I often opt to curl up on a cushy couch in an air-conditioned room and read a sleepy yet entertaining novel. Rain Song by Alice J. Wisler is just such a book. It's not filled with shocking plot points, frightening encounters, or pulse-pounding sequences. Rain Song is slow-paced, relaxing, and delightful.

Nicole is a character I could relate to. She has many, many fears that I can identify with, and, as the book is told from her perspective, her thought processes are often similar to my own. Her main struggle is that of finding out the truth about what happened in Japan when she was just a little girl. I loved learning about Japan and moving with Nicole through her discoveries. (Interestingly, Alice J. Wisler was born and raised in Japan.) Nicole grows and changes through the book; a big part of this is her learning to trust God, which I liked a lot.

Though the storyline is fascinating, the characters make Rain Song the beauty that it is. Ducee, Nicole's grandmother, is absolutely memorable with her wise advice and Southern touch. Iva, Nicole's great-aunt, is absolutely hilarious, and there is a whole slew of other family members that all in some way shape Nicole's life. Even Nicole's coworker who dates ex-cons and likes riding motorcycles is a great addition to the story.

I like reading fiction that seems so real to life. I like good stories and good characters. Rain Song is strong on every point. It isn't fast-paced, but it is memorable. I really enjoyed Wisler's style, so I'll definitely check out more of her books. And, while I've read some reviews of Rain Song that contest the "unfinished" ending, I thought the ending was absolutely perfect. Instead of finality, Rain Song's ending says clearly that Nicole's story isn't finished, and won't be for a long while.

\\ About the Author \\ Alice J. Wisler is a public speaker, advocate, fundraiser, and the author of several contemporary novels including Rain Song, a Christy Award finalist. She has been a guest on several radio and TV programs to promote her self-published cookbooks, Slices of Sunlight and Down the Cereal Aisle. She has a Bachelor of Science from Eastern Mennonite University and has traveled the world in jobs that minister to people. Alice and her family live in Durham, North Carolina. www.alicewisler.com

\\ In Case You Were Wondering \\
Title: Rain Song
Author: Alice J. Wisler
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Publication Date: October 1, 2008
Number of Pages: 295 (Paperback)
ISBN: 0764204777 

Review \\ The Fiddler by Beverly Lewis

\\ About the Book \\ Come home to Hickory Hollow, Pennsylvania--the beloved setting where Beverly Lewis's celebrated Amish novels began--with new characters and new stories of drama, romance, and the ties that draw people together.
A wrong turn in a rainstorm leads Englisher Amelia Devries to Michael Hostetler--and the young Amishman's charming Old Order community of Hickory Hollow. Despite their very different backgrounds, Amelia and Michael both feel hemmed in by the expectations of others and struggle with how to find room for their own hopes. And what first seems to be a chance encounter might just change their lives forever.

She's English. He's Amish. Oh boy.


Beverly Lewis never fails to spin an enchanting tale filled with Amish-English relationships. All said relationships are strained and few are deemed good by either culture. So, if you've read any of Lewis' books, you know that a young female Englisher meeting a young male Amishman (both of similar attractiveness) is not going to be all puppies and ice cream.


Let me preface the rest of my review by saying that I'm a bit disillusioned with Amish fiction. In recent weeks I've watched a couple of documentary type television shows about ex-Amish, and I'm not sure that Lewis paints a completely accurate view of the so-called happy Amish life. 


In The Fiddler, at least, she gives us the character of Michael, a young man who should have at his age already been baptized into the Amish church but is bent on straddling the fence between the Amish and English. Yet, even in his situation, there is so much that seems unrealistic. His parents seem highly disapproving at first, but in the middle and at the end they are simply so-so. At least Michael owns up to the fact that he has to make a decision at some point, and, in the end, he does.


Amelia's case is equally dissatisfying. The thing I hate most about her is her sad treatment of her almost fiance. It's definitely sad, to say the least. And not really knowing why this love interest is so wrong for Amelia is disappointing. Nothing in his character besides his teensy bit of controlling attitude (seriously, is planning for the future so wrong?) appears bad. Why Amish guy over him? All Michael and Amelia really have in common is there desire to be free from the control of others. Otherwise there isn't much happening there.


More time was spent on Amelia's touring information (I couldn't care less about her itinerary abroad) and practice sessions than on the development of the characters and their relationships.


But, there is the anticipation of the happy ending you know is going to take place, the desire to know how it is all going to come together, and the hopefulness that Amelia's and Michael's parents won't disown them completely. That, along with Lewis' accomplished, well-seasoned writing, is what saves The Fiddler.


I can't say The Fiddler is one of Lewis' best (The Thorn is much better), but, if you are a committed fan, I'm sure you will find something in it to enjoy. I'm giving it a sad arrow, though. I would recommend other books by Lewis like The Thorn several times over before I would recommend this one, just because I know she has other books that are better developed and more intriguing than The Fiddler. 


I can say with some excitement that the next book in the series will feature my favorite character from this novel, Joanna Kurtz.

\\ About the Author \\ Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado."

\\ In Case You Were Wondering \\

Title: The Fiddler
Author: Beverly Lewis
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Publication Date: April 10, 2012Pages: 326 (Paperback)ISBN: 0764209779Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy!

Review \\ Chasing the Sun by Tracie Peterson

I took a journey through my past blog posts and was a little shocked that I have never reviewed a Tracie Peterson novel. I've read a lot. When I first stepped out of the children's section of the library (and bookstores, but more often the library) I entered the world of Christian fiction. My mom and older sister were fans of authors like Beverly Lewis, Karen Kingsbury, Janette Oke, and Tracie Peterson. We had a couple of series by Tracie Peterson, which I really enjoyed as a 13/14 year old. Since then I've read Peterson's

Alaskan Quest Series
Brides of Gallatin County Series
The Broadmoor Legacy Series (On second thought I don't think I have read the third book yet.)
Ladies of Liberty Series
Song of Alaska Series
Heirs of Montana Series
And now . . . Land of the Lone Star Series.

From this list you can assume I like Tracie Peterson's books. You're probably just wondering why. I like that Peterson's books are historical, that they are set in interesting places (like Alaska, Montana, and Texas), and that they always include a little bit of adventure. I like that her books are simple, and I don't mean that in a negative way. There are times when I don't feel like sitting down to read a book that makes me pay such close attention or I'll miss something important, or a book that is so extremely thrilling that I can't get to sleep because of it, or a book that is just hard.

Tracie Peterson's books are nice and romantic. Reading them is like sitting down to watch a Hallmark movie (one of the ones that is written well and doesn't have bad acting). Nothing terribly deep or confusing, just a good story. You know how it is going to end from the second chapter (though you don't know how things are going to happen to get there). Besides that, her romance isn't too romantic and she always includes Christian values. I like that.

Chasing the Sun, the first book in the Lone Star Series, is about Hannah Dandridge, a young woman who is charged with the care of her young step-siblings after her father disappears. (This series is set against the backdrop of the Civil War.) When Union soldier William Barnett shows up at his ranch to find Hannah and her family living in his house, he's more than a little angry that the government took his family's property and gave it to "true Confederates." There are so many interesting angles to this plot line.

My favorite characters in Chasing the Sun are Marty and Andy, Hannah's siblings. They have by far the best lines of the book. The only thing I didn't like as much about this novel is that Hannah and William think too much. They're always thinking and worrying about what the other is thinking and worrying about that it gets a tad annoying in places. And I actually didn't think that there were quite enough scenes with them together. There are maybe two really good scenes, but not enough for me to really believe that they would fall so quickly for each other. At the same time, there is a lot of other plot points to cover in this book, so I thank Peterson for choosing not to make Chasing the Sun 500+ pages.

Tracie Peterson is truly a leader among Christian and historical fiction authors. And with so many of her titles to choose from, you can find at least one to really enjoy.

\\ About the Author \\Tracie Peterson is a bestselling author who writes in both historical and contemporary genres. Her novels reveal her love for research as well as her strong desire to develop emotionally meaningful characters and stories for her readers. Tracie and her family live in Montana. Learn more about her books at traciepeterson.com. 

\\ In Case You Were Wondering \\Title: Chasing the Sun (Land of the Lone Star #1)Author: Tracie PetersonPublisher: Bethany House PublishersPublication Date: March 1, 2012Pages: 347 (Paperback)ISBN: 076420615XMany thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy!

Review \\ The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen

\\ About the Book \\ To escape a scheme to marry her off to a dishonorable man, Margaret Macy flees London disguised as a housemaid. If she can remain unwed until her next birthday, she will receive an inheritance, and with it, sweet independence. But she never planned on actually working as a servant. And certainly not in the home of Nathaniel and Lewis Upchurch--both former suitors. As she fumbles through the first real work of her life, Margaret struggles to keep her identity secret when suspicions arise and prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall. Can she avoid a trap meant to force her from hiding? Brimming with romance and danger, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall takes readers inside the fascinating belowstairs world of a 19th-century English manor, where appearances can be deceiving.

Julie Klassen does it again. Combining historical charm, romance, and mystery, Klassen crafts a beautiful story in The Maid of Fairbourne Hall. Each Regency-era book Klassen writes tends to focus on a different class of people. The Apothecary's Daughter focused on the working class, The Silent Governess  revealed the odd situation of a governess, The Girl in the Gatehouse looked at those shunned by scandal, and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall gives readers a closer look at servanthood. (I believe Klassen has another book as well; I have yet to read it.)

Klassen never fails to script an engaging story and create intriguing characters. Margaret Macy at first seems haughty and uppity, but as her role in life changes she becomes graced with a good dose of humility. Her transformation is my favorite part of the story. Nathaniel Upchurch seems very strange at first, but he becomes a more likable character at well. I love it when authors use their crafty ways to make us hate-then-love or love-then-hate a character.

There are only two negatives for me. One doesn't really have any weight to it. The romance is over the top for me, but I guess if I didn't want romance I shouldn't have picked up a Julie Klassen book. I suppose I'm just not a fan of too many scenes where characters are near each other continually having "longings" that they want to express but can't because it would be too scandalous. Scandal seems to be the only thing holding these people back. (And oh dear for the people who don't care about gossip or scandal.) But I realize that I stepped into historical romance and got exactly that. My other negative is that I felt like the first two-thirds of the book lolled along and the ending came whap! I've read numerous novels like this, so I think this particularly negative would also be classified based on my personal likes and dislikes when it comes to reading books.

Otherwise, I enjoyed yet again a Julie Klassen novel. My favorite things about her books is the way she deals with different classes and how she includes quotes from historical documents and non-fiction at the heading of each chapter. I loved learning about what a maid in Regency era would have to go through, and I'm rather glad I'm not one. If you're looking for Jane Austen flare, historical intrigue, and romance, Julie Klassen is definitely the author to go to.

\\ About the Author \\ Julie Klassen loves all things Jane — Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She has won the Christy Award: Historical Romance for The Silent Governess (2010) and The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011) which also won the 2010 Midwest Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com

\\ In Case You Were Wondering \\
Title: The Maid of Fairbourne Hall
Author: Julie Klassen
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Publication Date: January 1, 2012
Pages: 416 (paperback)
ISBN: 0764207091
Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy!