Book Review - Death by the Book by Julianna Deering

One of the Drew Farthering Mystery series. This is the first book by Junianna Deering that I have read. The story kept introducing twists and turn thus causingthe reader to change their thinking on who exactly committed the murders Drew Farhering was unofficially investigating. I did not find the book had the a story line that kept my interest.

I would be more than willing to read another book by the author, though I will stay away from this particular series.  

Winter is finally beginning to loosen it's hold. Time to clear out flower beds and think of spending more time outside. Busy year.

Girl Scouts has taken over a large portion of my lime for the past year and it has been so rewarding. My small group of Daisies will become Brownies at the end of May. We re also planning our last camping trip as Daisies. Am I really ready to sleep in a tent? We shall see as October will be our first camping as Brownies.



Doll houses have taken a second seat or maybe even third one. Not sure. Reading and reviewing also moved out of first place for the past months. Anyone else have more things that you want to do than you have the time for? Am currently working on a 1/2 scale house that I am having difficulty finding furniture for.

Enough for tonight - not much I know - but need to finish what I have already started elsewhere.

The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen

Emma Smallwood and her father ran a small boys boarding school for a number of years. Now with the decline in enrollment it appears the school is destined to close. A letter from a former student’s father has them moving to the estate to tutor his younger sons. The older sons return home for a visit and the calm life of the estate becomes interesting. Who plays the piano late in the night? Who has been sneaking into Emma’s room during the night and leaving messages? As children, one of the older brothers had played pranks on Emma so was he the mysterious one?  Then there was the question of why part of the house was declared off limits to Emma. Was there a secret the family didn’t want her to know about?

Having previously read The Girl in the Gatehouse, I wasn’t surprised when Julie introduced events that gave The Tutor’s Daughter a new twist. I enjoy Julie Klassen’s books and will gladly pick up any of them for a time of enjoyable, captivating reading.

I received this book to review for free from Bethany House.

A Clearing in the Wild by Jane Kirkpatrick

Part historical fact and part fiction, I found A Clearing in the Wild an interesting book that is based on the move of a religious communal group led by Wilhelm Keil from Bethel, Missouri to Washington in the 1850’s. A bit of a history buff myself, I did a little research on this group and found they were similar in some aspects to a group who founded the Amana Colonies in Iowa. It seems German communal groups were not uncommon during this time in our history.

Emma is an outspoken young woman who finds it difficult to assume the role assigned to her, that of a demure, quiet woman who does not speak out and follows the dictates of her father, husband or leader. When a group of men is selected to scout out new territory in Washington, she begins a campaign to go along. Newly married, Emma and Christian have spent more time separate than together due to Wilhelm’s various jobs for Christian. She argues that she can cook for the men, take care of them when they are sick, do their laundry and be with her husband so they may be a family. The leader reluctantly agrees and allows her to travel with them. A Clearing in the Wild is the story of that journey, the hardships and triumphs of finding choice land that they can build on and begin a new colony. Jane Kirkpatrick has done an excellent job of allowing us to take this journey with the scouts and experience the triumphs and heartaches they faced. Even when Wilhelm declared the land they chose as undesirable, Emma convinces Christian that God did not make a mistake and there is a future for them in the land that will allow them to fulfill the godly principles their group held sacred.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

I joined BzzAgent and got a coupon for Glade Expressions^® Oil Diffuser & Fragrance Mist Starter Kits. What is nice about these products is that you don't buy the decorative containers. Just buy the refills. Like the look much better than the typical spray can. Easy to use, just squeeze.

Clouds by Robin Jones Gunn

Shelly Graham grew with a best friend in her neighbor, but when she got older she made a decision that just about destroyed the friendship. Jonathan Redfield wanted more of a relationship than Shelley was willing to give. Five years later she returns home to find that things have changed. In a time of transition, Shelley agrees to join her sister on a trip to Germany. Jonathan and his fiancée are there and Shelley must come face to face with the decision she made those many years ago.

Will she realize the truth she has hidden from herself all these years? Is there a future for Shelley and Jonathan? Can their dreams of fulfilling their future really work together?

I enjoyed reading Clouds. I must admit I wasn’t prepared for the ending turning out the way it did. The reader will find that Robin has given us a twist that will perfectly bring this couple together not only in marriage but in what they want to spend their lives doing.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

Mystery of the Heart by Jillian Kent

The year 1819 in England was not a favorable time for women who wanted to enter the medical profession and become doctors. So what does Lady Mercy do? She travels to Scotland and donning a disguise enters medical school there. All is going well until someone discovers she is not who she appears to be. Now Mercy must return home to save herself and her reputation. This is not a simple journey though. Thrown overboard, she swims for land and rescue. Enter Lord Eden, who also is not as he appears. He takes her under his wing, protecting her until they reach England.

Through a series of events, Mercy and Eden find that they are pursuing the same goal. Find who threw her overboard and why as well as locate the mysterious sword piece that had been stolen from Eden. In the end justice prevails. Mercy and Eden solve their mysteries and are presented with an adventure that will allow Mercy to practice medicine and Eden to continue to pursue adventures that appeal to him.

Very hard book to put down, I found that I wanted to know what happened next and kept reading. I have found another Christian author who keeps me spellbound and reluctant to stop reading.

I received this book to review for free from Charisma House.