Rowena Ballantyne had lived in Kentucky from the time she was born. Now it was just her father, as her mother had died. She was content with her home, enjoying the beautiful country side and helping her father make violins and bows. Wren, her nickname, was passionate about music and playing the violin. It brought her great joy. Their lives were simple and unfettered by the trappings of the world. She knew her father came from a very wealthy family, but it mattered nothing to her.
That is until he is summoned to family home by his father, Silas Ballantyne. Never having left her home, she is overwhelmed by the trip on a Ballantyne steam boat named after her, “The Rowena”. While the journey was trying for her, she was nowhere near prepared what she would face when they reached the family estate.. She is not only thrown into living with her family she never met, but also all the expectations and entrapments of high society. Her father makes the change with ease, stepping back into the life he once had. Thinking this is simply a visit, Wren soon learns that this is her new home.
She attempts to meet her new family’s expectations and adapt to their ways, but she is a simple girl at heart. All the finery and airs are a burden. Her grandparents were both very sweet and unpretentious, unlike Silas’s haughty, overbearing sister Andra. Her Uncle Jack and Aunt Ellie’s big family and home were a welcome respite, especially her cousin Izzannah that was near her age. Andra is determined transform Wren into one of the aristocracy. Her purpose is to secure Wren a wealthy suitor to save their family’s business and lavish lifestyle. Wren’s wants nothing of it and yearns to be with James Sackett, a dear family friend and steamboat pilot. Along the way she learns of many secrets and dangers she must face. Will she yield to her aunt’s wishes or follow her heart?
I have not read the other 2 books in this series but now I certainly want to! This book stood alone. Each character was distinct and well developed. I learned so much about the wealthy during this time. I knew they had balls and were rather, what can I say, fake, but I never dreamed high society was so rigid and detailed to the point it was ridiculous. I loved the descriptions of Wren’s attire and lavish gowns. I too felt weary as I read about all she was expected to do not only in dress, but also manners, conversation, and endless social events. I could feel her frustration with the senselessness of it all.
Wren was such a beautiful character. Even in the midst of such lavishness, she maintained her character and she was not swayed nor impressed my all the pomp and glitter. Her values remained intact. Wren’s compassion and concern for people no matter where they were on the social ladder was foremost. This book was well written and a very enjoyable read!
I received this book free from Revell Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My children are grown, but this Bible study was perfect for me too! Pam Forster is the QUEEN of Bible study! I so wish she would write a book just for that. (hint hint). It is put together for busy mother’s (and grandmothers!) to spend anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes a day. You will find yourself wanting to study much longer!
While they study is not complicated or difficult to follow, it is very in depth! For me it was definitely a springboard to a much deeper study. Her methods are enjoyable and interesting. She uses symbols and highlighting to mark certain words to help better understand the scripture. She asks questions that really make you meditate on the Word and look at yourself.
I liked the part entitled “For Your Children” included in each day’s study. There were so many creative and fun ideas to capture a child’s attention and encourage learning the scripture. This way your children will be studying what you do daily but in a way they can grasp it. There are instructions to make charts to compare things you are learning. Some lessons instruct you to look up synonyms, antonyms and their meanings. I have used this method before and I learned so much! My in-depth study became a bottomless one!
1 Corinthians 13 is such an important chapter in the Bible because it teaches us what true love is. After finishing this book you will have a totally different view of love. I cannot praise this book enough. Ms. Forster has an incredible talent for making Bible studies life changing!
Be sure to go to the author’s website and learn about more of her books. Www.doorposts.com
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookCrash.com book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

This book really caught my eye because I love animals, fish, birds, reptiles, any living creatures! (And the picture of the cute dog on the front helped too!) I can’t get enough of learning about them in every way!
Ms. Morell did extensive research for this book. She went to those scientists that have given their careers to study about one animal or type of animal. Their research is extreme and some go to drastic measures to learn about their subjects. She talked to them and actually observed demonstrations of their findings. It was fascinating!
Far too many people that have no interest in animals, simply mark them off as . . . well, JUST animals. This book shows that they are far more than simply having a heartbeat, a brain, and an unconscious, robotic life. While they may not have the same level of intelligence and emotional responses we do, each has their own unique sensitivity. Beyond a doubt these living creatures experience pain, have memoires, grieve the loss of companions, teach each other, solve problems and more.
I enjoyed the book not only for all the intriguing new information I learned, but also for the humor in it. We expect some mental and/or emotional depth from chimpanzees, dogs and dolphins, but ants, birds, fish, rats? Yes rats, they actually laugh when tickled! Before reading this book I had a general knowledge and a few in depth facts about the creatures discussed, but I learned so many new things!
There are some very detailed scientific explanations that can be slow reading, but it is worth it. The only thing I did not agree with the author was her belief in evolution. This book is an amazing read! It will definitely change the way you look at the animals we share our world with!
I received this book free from the publisher through the Blogging for Books <http://bloggingforbooks.org, book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own

Being the baby of five in an Amish family of all girls and the last to marry, Tessie Miller was in a hurry to start a new life. She had just the beau in mind. She was head over heels in love with Marcus King. For some reason Tessie’s father is adamantly against her marrying him, but won’t ever tell her why. She obstinately refuses to allow him to pick her spouse, as her sister’s match was not a happy one.
Marcus and Tessie decide to elope and hide their marriage. They want to wait till the right time and when they reveal it to her parents, hopefully they will accept their union. The couple meets secretly every chance they can get. Before they can share the news with her parents, Marcus dies tragically in an accident. Not long after Tessie find’s out she is expecting. She hides her pregnancy as long as possible. When she confesses her condition and tells of her marriage no one believes her. Her marriage certificate has disappeared and she has no way of proving she is telling the truth. Tessie is shocked when she accidently finds out that her father was not just being stubborn and controlling. There was a very serious and legitimate reason he did not want them marrying, and rightfully so. During that time a kind and gentle Amish man named Levi Smucker becomes interested in her and begins asking her out. When he finds out she is pregnant will he still want to court her? Will any Amish man ever want her?
This book carries a strong message about taking things into our own hands and acting under the cloak of deceit. It also reveals that the painful consequences we face will not only affect us but all those who love and care about us. There is no escaping it. We will have to pay the price and sometimes at greater cost than we ever imagined. While it is a story of mistakes and regrets, it also beautifully shows forgiveness, true love, and courage to take responsibility for one’s mistakes. I enjoyed this book very much!
I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Beth Thatcher was a beautiful young woman who had grown up in an extremely wealthy family. She had been very sheltered all her life from the world. All the pomp and splendor of high society did not interest her. Her parents wanted her to marry well and take her place as among the elite. Beth had other plans; she wanted to do a great work for God. She loved Him with all her heart.
Being young and believing there was nothing she could not do, she jumped at the chance to serve as a teacher in a very remote region in Western Canada. Her mother is very against her going as Beth has always been sickly. Her father supported her desire and understood.
She was understandably nervous about this venture, but nothing prepared her for what she found when she arrived. Coal Valley was the direct opposite of her home in Toronto. There was no electricity or indoor plumbing. The houses were battered and sparsely furnished. It never came to her mind that these things would be missing. The town was mostly widows due to a terrible accident at the mine. These poor women had given of the little they had a paid to have Beth come as their children’s teacher for a year. So much rode on her succeeding: proving to her family and those back home that she was capable, carrying out the mission God had sent her on, and not letting the women down that had sacrificially brought her there. While her confidence was shaken, she was determined to keep her commitment no matter what.
She moved into Molly’s boarding house, where she paid for her room and meals. Molly was a loving, wise, and simple woman that treated Beth as a daughter. Beth relied on her in many ways. Both were women of great faith. I loved Molly’s wisdom and scripture applications to life. I learned from her too!
There was no school house or supplies! The children and their families broke her heart with the poverty they lived in. This was no straight forward teaching job! She began organizing ways to meet the children’s needs both physical and spiritual. While at first some of her efforts were met with misgiving and opposition, gradually she began to make a difference in the lives of everyone in the town.
Beth faced many problems involving things she never dealt with nor even knew existed. She may cry and feel like a failure but she never quit and always looked to God for the answers. She also faced the challenge of unexpected romance as she had had no interest in marrying. This involved two handsome Mounties vying for her affection. One was a family friend from her childhood that she always found annoying and the other she met through Molly. She surprised herself by developing feelings for both of them.
The story was incredibly entertaining and well written. I was inspired by Beth’s dedication and faith. There were so many surprises that I found the book to be a real page turner. You always know it will be a good book if it is by Janet Oke!
I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Every time I read a book by Ms. Kirkpatrick, I always say the same thing, “I love it!” Her books are so amazing, and if it is even possible it seems she continues to outdo herself with each new one! I had a couple sleepless nights because of this book; I couldn’t put it down!
The author is a master at writing historical fiction. Letitia and many other characters are real people that Ms. Kirkpatrick intensely researched. It makes the book even more enjoyable knowing these people really existed. As with her other books, the story seems as if it was written by the characters. I found myself forgetting many of the details are fiction.
Letitia is a black woman that has been freed by her master. She treasured and guarded the parchment paper that declared her legally a free woman. The word freedom she knew was used loosely as there were still many dangers, prejudices, and restrictions imposed by society. Not everyone acknowledged her as free, and certainly not an equal with a white person.
Her family was gone and her cow Charity was her prized possession. She took great pride in the fact she had paid for her, but also Charity was more than that. She was the only living breathing thing that Letitia could love and draw comfort from.
In 1842 she leaves front Kentucky, heading to Missouri with the Bowman family as a paid employee. Mrs. Bowman still treated her like a slave in most ways. They were heading to Oregon and Letitia had heard it was a state that wanted to join the Free states. She hoped to start a life of her own there. A large group of people are gathering in Missouri to go in groups with special guides to help them make the difficult journey.
There an Irish immigrant named Davey Carson took her in to work for him after she lost her job at the hotel. He was a man of compassion and loved Letitia. He asked her to be his wife and she accepted. Whites could not legally marry blacks then, so both being Christians they had their own ceremony before the Lord. Their relationship is definitely rocky at times.
I saw through her eyes the life of a freed black woman of that time. It wasn’t a pretty picture. People were so cruel and condescending; it is hard to imagine anyone treating another person that way. She found a true friend in Nancy Hawkins who was also heading to Oregon with her large family. Nancy and her husband Zach, a doctor, accepted Letitia as a person and saw her value.
As if being black was not enough of a challenge, the trip to Oregon was arduous, exhausting and grueling. Just surviving was extremely difficult without adding the unexpected problems that arose. It took a huge amount of faith, courage, and perseverance to make the journey. Many died but there was no time to grieve for their loved one as they had to bury them and move on. I was shocked at how hard daily existence was on the trail. All she had to do to simply cook, bath, wash clothes, try to sleep, take care of her family when they were sick, exhausted me just reading it. All this done in the wilderness in or around a wagon!
The spitefulness and rejection of the other women was unreal. There wasn’t even simple kindness. I remember one part where they ladies spread their skirts and turned their backs so they could take turns getting in the middle of the circle and use the bathroom unexposed. Poor Letitia had to go out away into bushes alone, risking being attacked by a wild animal or Indians!! It really made me think about the conditions the settlers endured. I can’t imagine having to use the bathroom like that and many women gave birth while on the trail!
More adversities and suffering met them in Oregon. There a Kalapuya Indian grandmother, named Betsy, and her grandson befriended Letitia. Giving her not only friendship but helping her when she had no one. Betsy understood the condemning attitude from society because the Indians were look down upon as were the blacks.
Letitia’s remarkable strength in facing anything life dealt her really made an impression on me. She never gave up or backed down in spite of disappointment, pain, or setbacks. Knowing she really lived such a life was inspiring. I thought of how easily we give up now. This is an amazing, amazing story! It is constantly moving and developing with such intensity and many surprises. You WILL want to read it! Thank you Jane Kirkpatrick for another incredible book!
I received this book free from Revell Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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When I saw this book had 52 devotionals I thought, “Oh one for each week of the year.” Well when I started reading it was more like 3 or 4 a day! They were like potato chips, I couldn’t stop with just one!! I have been having many hard days since the death of my husband and all life’s “extra’s” to face alone. I truly found this book very encouraging.
Each devotional draws its encouragement from a scripture in Psalms. The Bible is the true source of all of our encouragement. The titles of every one of them spoke to my heart. They were worded perfectly to catch my attention. I found them to be exactly the thought or questions I might be consciously or unconsciously thinking about my situation. Holley’s stories and thoughts that followed helped me look outside of my “hard day” and focus on my loving Heavenly Father and His Word. I know sometimes when I have dealing with difficulties I tend to concentrate on the problem looming before and forget to give all my attention to the Lord. I found myself thinking, “Yes! I am not alone. God has this under control. I can make it with Him!
The devotionals are only 2 to 3 pages each. I appreciated this because when I am troubled I find myself having difficulty concentrating on things for a prolonged length of time. There is also a prayer at the end of the devotional and a place to write down how God spoke to you. This is special to me because then I can refer back again and again to His comfort and guidance. I also liked the contents at the front of the book. It made it easy to skim the titles and find just the one I needed at that moment. The book is the perfect size to fit in a purse, or backpack, and easily fits in your hand when you are reading. You will want to have one for you and several to give to friends who are struggling with “hard days”.
I received this book free from Revell Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.