Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Review: Cynthia's Attic: The Missing Locket by Mary Cunningham

Cynthia’s Attic: The Missing Locket
BY: Mary Cunningham
PUBLISHED BY: Echelon Press
PUBLISHED IN: 2005
ISBN: 978-1590804414
Pages: 150
Reviewed by Billy Burgess  

            In the summer of 1964, two twelve-year-old best friends Cynthia and Augusta (everyone calls her ‘Gus’) decided to explore Cynthia’s family attic. Her parents are planning on cleaning it out soon and the girls want to check it out to see if they can find anything they want to keep. The girls come upon an old trunk and are memorized by it. Mysteriously, the girls are swept fifty years into the past, where they try to unravel what happened to Cynthia’s great-great Aunt Belle, who vanished years ago without a trace. While on their adventure, the girls take a ride on the seven seas and they must also try to find a locket that was thought to be lost.

 “The Missing Locket” is the first book in the series that follows in the footsteps of the Nancy Drew, and the Boxcar Children. I can’t believe I let this book sit around in my eBook reader for several months before making time to read it. Being an amateur genealogist myself, I found the premise of traveling back in time to help your ancestors to be intriguing. Now of days, the tween market is full of “Twilight” clones, so it was a bit of fresh air to find an exciting adventure written for kids that doesn’t involve creatures of the night. The main characters are two twelve-year-olds, so I was a bit surprised to see kids at this age to be excited about finding old family heirlooms to be thrilling, but Cynthia’s Attic is set in a more simpler time, before cable, cell phones, video games, and the internet. Despite being a mystery with a bit of a science fiction twist, the book offers great humor between the two girls as they try to change the past. I recommend Cynthia’s Attic: The Missing Locket to readers of all ages.

*I would like to thank the author for sending me a copy to review.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Review & Giveaway - Sixty Acres and a Bride

Sixty Acres and a Bride
BY: Regina Jennings
PUBLISHED BY: Bethany House
PUBLISHED IN: 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0990-1
Pages: 368


In Regina Jennings’s debut historical romance novel, we, the readers, meet a strong-headed Rosa Garner, who recently lost her husband and father-in-law while hoping to strike rich in the silver mines of Mexico. Along with her grieving mother-in-law, Louise, Rosa arrives at their Texas family ranch, which they had leased out in their absence. To her surprise, she learns that the renters had abandoned their farm and stopped paying the taxes on it. The family owned one hundred and sixty-six dollars, which was a whole lot of money back in 1878, and with only three months until the payment is due! While staying with other relatives of her late husband, a cousin, Weston Garner, returns to Caldwell County and he may be her only savior.

    Sixty Acres and a Bride is a well-written novel and a great first outing for newcomer Regina Jennings. Rosa and Weston are believable characters, but they are not perfect. They do have their flaws, which makes them more realistic. I simply loved how Rosa adapted to her new surrounds and learned the lifestyles of her new family while staying faithful to her own customs and beliefs. I find that romance novels can become stale and predictable, but the author has constructed an original romance. It is a great read and I recommend it to everyone.

*I would like to thank Bethany House and Litfuse for sending me a copy to review.


About the Author:



Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She has worked at The Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City with her husband and four children. Meet Regina here.

Friday, March 9, 2012

The Friday 56 - Cynthia's Attic: The Missing Locket

the Friday 56 is hosted by  Freda's Voice


 

As I casually glanced up, I caught a reflection
in the ornately carved mirror that was sitting on
top of the antique dresser, and what I saw took my breath away.
I quickly turned toward Cynthia and, to my relief, I saw my friend
of twelve years. But when I looked back into the mirror, I saw a face 
that wasn't mine - a face I recognized as that of my grandmother when she was a young girl.

page 56, Cynthia's Attic: The Missing Locket by Mary Cunningham

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Friday 56 - Sixty Acres and a Bride








Already determined she wouldn't leave the ranch without Rosa,
Molly strained her eyes at the empty road and waited 
for the lumber wagon to appear on its way back to the mill.
The sooner she got them separated the better. Weston's deep
lullaby wrung her heart, and she wasn't nestled against him 
like Rosa manged to be.

page 56, Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings

Monday, February 27, 2012

Review - Blue Moon Promise




Blue Moon Promise
BY: Colleen Coble
PUBLISHED BY: Thomas Nelson
PUBLISHED IN: 2012
ISBN: 978-1-59554-915-0
Pages: 316
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

When my copy of Blue Moon Promise arrived, I was memorized as I glanced upon the book cover, as I am a sucker for any novel that is set in the 1800’s. The woman on cover reminds me of a teacher I had in Junior High. I set the book on my nightstand, and eagerly started reading the book later that night. I have bought a few Colleen Coble books, but I have never had a chance to read one, so jumped into the first chapter with a fresh mind.

The main character, Lucy Marsh, is adjusting to raising her younger half-siblings, Jed and Eileen. Their father, owner of a pawn store, had recently been murdered, and their stepmother ran off with another man. Lucy works hard as a seamstress, but can barely keep up with the rent. One night when she arrives home and finds an old friend of her father’s, Mr. Henry Stanton there. He wants to help Lucy out - a marriage proposal. Mr. Stanton is wanting a wife for his son, Nate.

  Lucy agrees to the proposal and soon enough she, along with Jed and Eileen, is on a train headed to Texas. Nate is surprised to find out that his father has brought him a wife. After Henry has a health scare, Nate agrees to try the marriage.

Nevertheless, someone is following the Marsh clan to Texas, and he wants a value object that belongs to him.

It took me two sittings to read Blue Moon Promise, the wonderful characters and fast-paced plot kept me turning the pages. There are a few twists & turns that keeps the plot from becoming predictable. I found the love story between Lucy and Nate to believable and never once did I think it was rushed. I recommend the book to all romance readers.

*I would like to thank Thomas Nelson/Litfuse for sending me a copy to review. 

Buy the Book at: http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1595549153&title=Under_Texas_Stars_#1__:_Blue_Moon_Promise 


 About the Author:

Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA’s RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.
For more about Colleen and her other books visit www.colleencoble.com
Blue Moon Promise is a story of hope, romance, and suspense . . . immersing the reader in a rich historical tale set under Texas stars.

To celebrate Colleen is teaming up with her publisher Thomas Nelson for a "Blue Moon Promise" Facebook Chat party where she will giveaway a KINDLE Fire and a Texas-sized gift basket (fabulous Texas treats and fun Lucy-inspired housekeeping products)!

Click the banner, RSVP today for the Facebook Party and mark the date on your calendar!

Invite your friends and don't miss Colleen's evening of chat, trivia, prizes, and more.

  Kindle Giveaway and More! Save the Date - 3/13!

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Review - StoryBranding

StoryBranding: Creating Standout Brands Through the Power of Story
BY: Jim Signorelli
PUBLISHED BY: GreenLeaf Book Group Press
PUBLISHED IN: 2012
ISBN: 978-1-60832-145-2
Pages: 234
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

        I thought I would expand my reading by signing up to review this book from GreenLeaf Book Group Press, whom kindly sent me a complimentary copy. After viewing the ridiculous high priced Super Bowl commercials, I flipped opened StoryBranding without any other knowledge on marketing. The book is in nonprofessional’s terms, along with a few quirky diagrams, so you do not have to be a marketing genius to understand it. Jim Signorelli’s view of marketing is simpler than you may think.

    In today’s economy, consumers are not going to waste their money on pointless products. They spend their money on things their family needs. Companies hire marketing agencies to sell their products to consumers, which can be difficult if the consumers cannot connect with the product. The product needs to tell the truth, as us customers are tired of lies. Jim Signorelli uses new, but simple ways of marketing to today’s customers by telling the story of the product/brand. You cannot just have an expensive flashy advertisement; most customers would be put off by it. It is like telling me to buy, when you should be showing me why I want to buy this brand.

    It took me longer to finish this book, because of several dry chapters. In addition, at times I thought the chapters repeated the same information. StoryBranding is primary aimed for marketers and brand owners, but small business owners, writers, and bloggers can easily find the book useful. Honestly, I did not find StoryBranding to be groundbreaking. I am not in marketing, but I found most of the information to be common sense. After viewing recent commercials/advertisements, in my opinion, it seems brands have lost their creative edge and they have no idea what the consumers want. Maybe, if they had some common sense they will read StoryBranding.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Guest Post by Author Hope Irvin Marston




HOW I MET MARGARET WILSON:
The Birthing of My First Historical Novel
by
Hope Irvin Marston


When I was little girl my sister Shirley, who was fifteen years older than me, had a pen pal named Scotty. I was amazed that she was getting a letter from someone who lived in faraway Scotland.  Though I don’t recall how it began, I acquired my Scots pen pal, Sheena McIlvean, sometime before my twelfth birthday.  (We are still pen friends!)  We had been writing for a year or two, when Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip were married in 1947.  Sheena sent me a lovely book with wedding pictures of the royal couple.

About forty years later when I was proofreading a manuscript for a publishing company in Harrisburg, PA, I read the inscription on Margaret’s grave marker in a Wigtown, Scotland, kirkyard.  I was awed by the dedication of this 17th century teen martyr. I set out on my own quest to find out all I could about her.
A librarian by profession, I had research skills that put me in good stead.  However, finding information about a Scots teen who  had lived some 300 years ago was a daunting task.  For about four years I searched for Margaret in libraries and on the Internet.  I subscribed to The Scots Magazine and watched for any mention of her or of  the time frame in which she lived.

In 2000 I visited Scotland on a Castle Tour.  I met Sheena and her husband Phil and shared a dinner with them in their lovely home in Perth. The following day they took me to Stirling Castle. Just below the castle is a huge statue of Margaret and her younger sister.  We also visited some areas in Edinburgh that were significant in Margaret’s life. I came home and finished my story as best I could based on the information I had assembled.

In 2004 when Sheena was securing for me a CD entitled Voices of Wigtown, she was given the name and contact for the leading authority on Margaret Wilson and the Covenanters, Donna Brewster. Donna was an American who married a Scotsman and now lived in Wigtown. When I contacted her via e-mail, she invited me to come to Wigtown as her house guest.  She would take me to the places important in Margaret’s life.
I finished my manuscript as best I could before visiting Scotland to “check things out.”  I returned on the 325th anniversary of Margaret’s martyrdom and had the privilege of laying flowers on her grave and taking a wreath to the spot where she was drowned.

Donna took me to Margaret’s birthplace and to the moors as well as other spots that were part of Margaret’s life. Stepping into the small prison cell where she spent her last few days in Wigtown was an emotional high for me and a fitting climax to my research.

  It was home again to rewrite much of Margaret’s story. When questions arose in my mind about something Scots, a quick e-mail to Donna, or to Liz Curtis Higgs, an American author acclaimed for her historical Scots novels, secured for me the answers I needed to ensure my story details were accurate.
In July 2007 an American publishing company, P & R Publishing (Presbyterian and Reformed), released Against the Tide: The Valor of Margaret Wilson as part of their Chosen Daughters Series.

The persecution of Christians around the world grows more severe day by day, a grim reminder of the mini-inquisition that Margaret Wilson and the people in Southwestern Scotland faced for fifty years from 1638-1688.

Widow M’Lauchlan, a devout Covenanter who was martyred on the same day as Margaret Wilson, had counseled her when they were imprisoned together in Thieves’ Hole that they needed to be ready for service or sacrifice.  Margaret understood this.  She was ready.

Whether the readers of Margaret’s story are teen or adult, that’s the story I aimed to tell through Margaret’s life.