Month: July 2017

Books I Read – June 2017

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
This is a week late, I know. Our summer is a craze of busyness–great, wonderful busyness, but busyness nonetheless. 
June wasn’t a huge reading month for me–and it was one in which my reading balance got shifted. Usually I try to balance non-fiction and inspirational books with fiction. Turns out for the summer I had agreed to review a list of books and didn’t think about my schedule too much. So I had to “catch up” on fiction reading for June/July.
But backing up to June.
My most anticipated read…

*insert a huge row of grins and happy claps*
Since this is a Civil War fiction book, I was reading half for research and half for enjoyment. It met my expectations. This was my first Lynn Austin book to read, and I love her balance of Christianity with accurate history. I gave it five stars. 😉 You may read my full review here.
Another anticipated read is actually an anticipated author-read. I’ve been wanting to try out Dee Henderson for a while and finally got my chance!

I’ve heard that Threads of Suspicion is one of Dee’s calmer books. I enjoyed it all the same. You can see what I enjoyed most here.
And then two books I reviewed here on my blog (as well as Dee Henderson’s book):

I’ve gotten some flack with my review of The Story Cure. There were good elements to it, but as a Christian, I have read other non-Christian books that were less offensive to me personally (particularly writing books) because of the content that Moore chose to display. As another review stated, “The author was OBSESSED with divorce and affairs.” That assessment is kind of accurate, in my view.
But let’s get on to another book that I did enjoy!

I was happy to be a part of Livy’s debut novel and look forward to reading more of hers! If you don’t remember my review of The Coronation you may look it up here.

So… there are my four wee books that I read in June. So far, it looks like July will pass up June’s reading count. 😉
How many books did you read in June?
How many books are you hoping to read this summer?
What is your most-anticipated read coming up next?
(I’ll give you my next most-anticipated read: A Name Unknown by Roseanna White!!!! Can’t wait!!)

First Line Friday and Review | Heart on the Line

Published on by Amanda Tero6 Comments

Happy Friday! I finally got around to reading my first Karen Witemeyer book–and I enjoyed it! How many of you have read Karen Witemeyer? What do you consider your favorite of hers?

The cheerful tinkle of the bell alerted Grace Mallory to the arrival of a guest.
(Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer)


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Also, be sure to hop along to all of these other blogs and see what First Lines they have to share!
Please note that I may not fully endorse all of the books that these bloggers read or the content in these blogs.
Rachel – Bookworm Mama
Andi – Radiant Light
Robin – Robin’s Nest
Kathleen – Kathleen Denly
Trisha – Joy of Reading
Jeanette – CJane Read


MY REVIEW
This was my first Karen Witemeyer book to try (which, I discovered after finishing it that it’s a book two–but it reads perfectly as a stand-alone). My first impression? I’ll be looking forward to reading more by her!

Amos and Grace being telegraph operators was fascinating. Their use of Morse code was a priceless touch to the story.

I enjoyed the hint of mystery and suspense in this book. It wasn’t overpowering, but enough to add a spice of intrigue. Who was after Grace and what measures were they willing to take to reach her? Who are the mysterious men who suddenly appear in a women’s-only colony (okay, a “woman’s colony” plus two men who made their way into the group)? At the same time, Grace was a little too smart for the book to hold much suspense. I figured out immediately who the two newcomers around town were, and not long after I did, Grace “sensed” the truth about the newcomer she met. So it spoiled the thrill that could have been there, in my opinion. I still enjoyed seeing how my surmisings were accurate and how the story would play out, though.

The Christian aspect was there. The characters quoted Bible verses and prayed, trying to seek God. It seemed to be a part of the characters’ lives, not just “added into the story.” It wasn’t the strongest Christian-themed message but it *was* very visible, with messages on fully trusting God, accepting His wisdom in what He allows, and quoting Scripture for strength.

And of course, romance. This is a Christian Historical Romance book. From the beginning, both Amos and Grace yearned for a spouse and when God would send “the one.” There was a whole-page description of a kiss (I kid you not, it took the entire page), and the other kisses were also fairly in-depth described. The romance didn’t steal the whole show, but it was definitely one of the strongest threads in the story, and though the characters did pray about God during their interest in another person, it still had a lot about the feelings leading their decision. There were a couple of comments mentioned that led to more sensual thoughts of “more than a kiss.” So yeah. A bit of romance, which is what I had expected. I was fearing that one of the women may be abused/forced but thankfully that didn’t happen (for those who are curious about that aspect).

I really enjoyed the flow of the story. As a writer, I try to shut off my editor-brain and read as a reader; and when I find a book that I enjoy as a writer, I’m doubly happy. This was one of those books. It just seemed to have a good balance and was the type of book that lent to a much-needed “just relax and read” weekend.

*I received this book from Bethany House and happily provided my review*

ABOUT THE BOOK
Grace Mallory is tired of running, of hiding. But when an old friend sends an after-hours telegraph transmission warning Grace that the man who has hunted her for nearly a year has discovered her location, she fears she has no choice. She can’t let the villain she believes responsible for her father’s death release his wrath in Harper’s Station, the town that has sheltered her and blessed her with the dearest friends she’s ever known. 

Amos Bledsoe prefers bicycles to horses and private conversations over the telegraph wire to social gatherings with young ladies who see him as nothing more than an oddity. His telegraph companion, the mysterious Miss G, listens eagerly to his ramblings every night and delights him with tales all her own. For months, their friendship–dare he believe, courtship?–has fed his hope that he has finally found the woman God intended for him. Yet when he takes the next step to meet her in person, he discovers her life is in peril, and Amos must decide if he can shed the cocoon of his quiet nature to become the hero Grace requires. 


PURCHASE HERE.

Carter Elkins Music

Published on by Amanda Tero3 Comments

Another friend of mine in the music field! Carter does an amazing job with orchestrations! He’s kind of an extended-family-not-really… he’s one of my sister-in-law’s brother. 😉 He has an orchestral CD which I’ll include details of after “Field and Forest.”

Here’s one of my favorites of his! Writers, if you need inspirational background music… here you go! 😉

A Glimpse of Today During the Civil War

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
July 4th. The celebration of Independence. Celebrated throughout all America since 1777. Not quite so…
In 1863, General Grant ordered his Union army to march south. Much of this year, General Sherman spent most of his time in Mississippi. On July 4, 1863, “Vicksburg surrendered, and orders were given for at once attacking General Johnston.” (from Memoirs of General William T. Sherman)

That day marked a day not as celebration, but a day of mourning, which the citizens of Vicksburg, MS, recognized for over a hundred years.
Now that you’ve had your history lesson for the day (oh the fun things you learn while researching)… happy fourth! Does your family do anything special?

Scripture Graphics #46

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
We hear this passage often as an example to search the Scriptures. This time, when I read it, I noticed their “readiness of mind.” They were teachable but also wise in the Scriptures. Today, we have many unteachable hearers who don’t go to the Scriptures to define truth. May we never be guilty of this!

The power of God and His Word. Do we trust that power? Or, when ministering to others, do we take the place of God and His Word—others cannot grow in the Lord unless we’re there?

“Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God. And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan.” (Joshua 22:3-4)
When I’m tempted to think, “My time is being used by someone else,” I should remember these tribes. They left their wives and children home while they went with Israel for years, fighting, and likely some of them getting killed. Yet, in due time, God rewarded their faithful service.


A beautiful reminder of what salvation is: turning from darkness to light, changing from the power of satan to the power of God, receiving forgiveness of sins, an inheritance, sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ.

Share a verse from your Bible reading today!