Draven’s Light by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Draven’s Light by Anne Elisabeth Stengl. Rooglewood Press, 2015. 189p. (9781942379027) Series: Tales of Goldstone Wood, #7.5

One day the Tales of Goldstone Wood are going to be a classic in the fantasy genre. In the mean time you should start reading the books so that you can enjoy this fabulous world before everyone else! This novella is an easy place to start and is a great example of the author’s talent for storytelling. 

Goodreads Summary:
In the Darkness of the Pit
The Light Shines Brightest

Drums summon the chieftain’s powerful son to slay a man in cold blood and thereby earn his place among the warriors. But instead of glory, he earns the name Draven, “Coward.” When the men of his tribe march off to war, Draven remains behind with the women and his shame. Only fearless but crippled Ita values her brother’s honor.

The warriors return from battle victorious yet trailing a curse in their wake. One by one the strong and the weak of the tribe fall prey to an illness of supernatural power. The secret source of this evil can be found and destroyed by only the bravest heart.

But when the curse attacks the one Draven loves most, can this coward find the courage he needs to face the darkness?

My Review:
This is a story within a story and not until the very end are we told the connection – one that I didn’t see coming. It’s a smooth transition between the two stories and just like the little girl who carries the water gift up to the Brothers building the Great House and who is being told the story of Draven and the tribe across the river, so the reader will keep returning to hear the story being told by the Kind One.

Akilun as A.E. Stengl
imagines him

Fans of the series will recognize the Kind One as Akilun and the other brother as Etanun. This tale takes place before the events of Dragonwitch though it could be read at any point.

The story itself is a tale of despair, turmoil, pain yet hope and yearning for Something. Of cruel raids on neighboring tribes (not told about in detail), of stark courage to show compassion, of enduring despite pain and a fight for life against an unseen evil. It is an amazing story that never preaches about good vs evil and the courage to do what is right even though it goes against everything they’ve been taught.

Even though this is Draven’s story, his sister Ita is the real heroine of the story. But I can’t tell you more because that would spoil the story.

If you enjoy adventure and brave heroes and heroines than this is a novella worth reading.

 

Go read it! Buy it from Amazon ($2.99/$9.49) ; Buy it from ChristianBooks.com ($8.90 pb); Buy it from Barnes & Noble ($2.99/$9.49); Buy the ebook from iTunes ($2.99)

(Ebook/paperback prices good as of June 24, 2015 always double check for yourself)


Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.

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Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com or Independent Bookstores use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

9 Books & Bookish Gifts to Complete your entire Christmas Shopping

Happy Advent! And happy let's-go-crazy-and-spend-money-and-buy-gifts weekend. Don't forget to support all your favorite bloggers by using affiliate links on Cyber Monday and throughout your online shopping trips.

I'm an ocean away from friends & family so I have to do a lot of my Christmas shopping online. Here are a few good books and bookish gifts I've found:

9 Books & Bookish Gifts to Complete your entire Christmas Shopping

Grandparents:

Book stand pillow

Give wrists a rest while reading in bed.

Amazon

Moms and Aunts:

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl by Ree Drummond
Over 8000 5-star ratings on Goodreads, over 1300 on Amazon, must be good.
Amazon; Barnes & Noble; ChristianBook

Dads and Uncles:

The Auschwitz Escape by Joel C. Rosenberg

Over 1,100 5-star reviews on Amazon and over 1,400 5-stars ratings on Goodreads

ChristianBook; Amazon; Barnes & Noble

Adult nieces, cousins, sisters:

Golden Daughter by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
Newest book in my favorite series. You know I had to put it somewhere in the list.
Amazon; Barnes & Noble

Adult nephews, cousins, brothers

or 

The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Amazon (a deal on Monday!) or Barnes & Noble

Teen nieces, cousins, sisters:

Live Original by Sadie Robertson

I've enjoyed watching her on Dancing with the Stars this season; I'm sure her book is as warm, friendly, and genuine as she appears.

ChristianBook; Amazon; Barnes & Noble

Teen nephews, cousins, brothers:

The Keeper: The Unguarded Story of Tim Howard by Tim Howard with Ali Benjamin

The goalie for Team USA during the World Cup in 2014 tells his story. Releases Dec 9th.
Amazon; Barnes & Noble; ChristianBook

Under 10 niece, nephew, cousin, sibling, best friend's kids:

The Jesus Storybook Bible 

Over 1440 people gave it a 5-star rating on Amazon

CBD (save 59%!); Amazon; Barnes & Noble

Friends:
Any of the above (or below)

White Elephant gift:

Book Pillows

Amazon

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Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com or Independent Bookstores use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

Unspoken by Dee Henderson

Unspoken by Dee Henderson. Bethany House, 2013. 441p. (9780764211713) Series: (Not officially but Full Disclosure and Undetected are related, this one falls in the middle)

Oh my. What a complex book of emotions, fear, sacrifice, hope and dreams. And I just love that the author mentioned her O’Malley series and credited them to a character in this book (I hadn’t read Full Disclosure yet and this fun tidbit plays an important part in that story). I think I’ve found a new favorite author.

Goodreads Summary (edited):

Charlotte Graham is at the center of the most famous kidnapping in Chicago history.

The task force of FBI and local cops found her two abductors, killed them, rescued her, but it took four very long years. The fact she was found less than three miles from her home, had been there the entire time, haunts them. She's changed her identity, found a profession she loves, and rebuilt her life. She's never said a word--to the cops, to her doctors, to family--about those four years.

A family legacy has brought her back to Chicago. Bryce Bishop doesn't know her past, he only knows she has coins to sell from her grandfather's estate--and that the FBI director for the Chicago office made the introduction. The more he gets to know Charlotte, the more interested he becomes. But nothing else is working in his favor.

My Review:

Bryce Bishop is “bored out of his mind” with his life and his enjoyable job running a high-end coin shop. But both he and the reader don’t know how much that is going to change when Charlotte Graham shows up in his parking lot. And goodness what a ride it is.

I really don’t want to give away any surprises in this story! The intensity of this book is not in the drama or action, but it simply waiting alongside Charlotte and Bryce for things to progress, for trust to be built, for cold cases to be solved. In watching Charlotte struggle through continuing to figure out life 19 years after being held captive for four years.

Some reviewers have complained about the length – and it is a long book, but who hasn’t wished a story had been a bit longer just so you could spend more time with the characters. Some reviewers have complained about the details regarding the coins in the collection, but I found it interesting and it helps explain the grandfather’s estate, lets the reader get to know Bryce’s character and is an interesting glimpse into the world of coin collectors.

The romance was incredibly sweet and slow and subtle; a very clean romance too. They don’t make a big deal out of their faith either, the author is quite adept at creating characters who are Christians – she doesn’t include any sermons and isn’t pushy.

If you like suspense, mystery and romance, then this is a book for you.

Go read it! Find it at a library near you  ; Buy it from Amazon ($13.41/$8.63) ; Buy it from ChristianBooks.com ($9.49/$8.67); Buy it from Barnes & Noble ($13.67/$9.99); Buy it from anIndependent Bookstore near you

(Paperback/ebook prices good as of November 14, 2014 always double check for yourself)

Disclosure: I borrowed this book from the library. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Links include affiliate links. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.

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Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com or Independent Bookstores use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

Five Glass Slippers

Five Glass Slippers by by Elisabeth Brown, Emma Clifton, Rachel Heffington, Stephanie Ricker, and Clara Diane Thompson. Rogglewood Press, 2014. 464p. (9780989447843)

I love fairy tale retellings and this was a delightful collection of five versions of Cinderella. Last year author Anne Elisabeth Stengl hosted a writing contest and the result was this book. Just this week the fairy tale for the next Rogglewood Press writing contest was announced. And if the quality of the Cinderella stories is anything to go by Five Enchanted Roses will be a fabulous collection as well.

I’ve interspersed my initial reaction to the story jotted down right after reading each story and a short review on each tale after the summaries of each one.

Goodreads Summary:

ONE BELOVED STORY, FIVE EXCITING WRITERS

A COLLECTION TO CHERISH

What happens when Cinderella is so painfully shy that she cannot bear the idea of attending the royal ball? Or when the slipper fits . . . but on the wrong girl? What happens when Cinderella is determined to oust an imposter prince from her rightful throne? Or when she is a cendrillon miner working from a space station orbiting a cthonian planet? What happens when Cinderella, a humble housemaid, is sent with a message for a prisoner trapped in a frightening fairy circus?

Here is Cinderella as you have never met her before, wearing glass slippers and off on unforgettable adventures!

WHAT EYES CAN SEE: Elisabeth Brown

Painfully shy Arella begs her stepmother to let her stay home from the prince’s ball. But kindly Duchess Germaine is determined that her beautiful stepdaughter should be presented at court along with her own two daughters. So, dressed in a gorgeous gown and a pair of heirloom slippers, Arella catches the eye of the crown prince . . . and finds her life suddenly far more complicated than she ever desired.

My Reaction:

How fun! I do like the twist that the stepsisters and mother are nice. Though I wish we could have heard more of Arella’s thoughts.

My Review:

Elisabeth Brown does a great job giving us the classic story, but with a twist. Arella is painfully shy and does not want to marry the prince. I could almost imagine the story taking place in the settings of Disney’s movie but with a master editor rewinding and speculating ‘what if…’

BROKEN GLASS: Emma Clifton

The slipper fits . . . but on the wrong girl! Rosalind never once danced with Prince Marius at the ball, for she is in love with his brother Henry. If only Rosalind and Marius would stop bickering long enough to invent a scheme, perhaps the three of them can find the real mystery lady. But they must work quickly, for dark deeds are afoot, and the kingdom is poised on the brink of disaster.

My Reaction:

Loved the ending! Especially the epilogue. This quote stuck out: “It does take more than one dance to find your soul-mate.” I really like that this story and the previous one both emphasize that fact.

My Review:

Emma Clifton mixed magic and steampunk together and came up with a story that has some of the harshness of the original Grimm fairy tales but also the characters to love and admire. I hope Emma continues writing stories set the land she created as I’m quite curious as to what happened to Ophelia and of course the epilogue is a perfect teaser for another fairy tale retelling.

The editors did a great job picking out stories that complimented each other because this one is a perfect bridge between a more traditional story to the political intrigue of the next tale and the outer space setting of the one after that.

THE WINDY SIDE OF CARE: Rachel Heffington

Alisandra is determined to have her rights. She knows that she is the king’s secretly dispossessed daughter, the true heir to the throne. Prince Auguste is an imposter, and if she plays her cards right, Alis will prove it to the world! That is, if charming Auguste doesn’t succeed in winning her heart before she gets her chance . . .

My Reaction:

What a light hearted piece of fun and political intrigue! And a great “fairy” godfather!

My Review:

Rachel Heffington did a great job completely reimagining Cinderella has a charming political schemer who is actually a disinherited princess. The dialogue was witty and very well written.

A CINDER’S TALE: Stephanie Ricker

It’s a dangerous life, yet Elsa wouldn’t trade this opportunity to work at Tremaine Station, mining cendrillon from the seething surface of planet Aschen. Nevertheless, when a famous deep space explorer and his handsome son dock their starcraft at the space station, Elsa finds herself dreaming of far galaxies beyond Aschen's blistering heat. There is no time for dreaming, however, when danger threatens the space station, and Elsa and her fellow miners are tested to the limits of their courage.

My Reaction:

Delightful. Nice to have a change from romance being the focus (though I’m sure a sequel would have plenty). Great riveting action and danger.

My Review:

Stephanie Ricker put Cinderella in a space suit in a far corner of the universe and crafted a very exciting tale. I especially liked that she used the names Jaq, Gus and Bruno for Elsa’s friends. Though I did keep picturing the dog when I read Bruno. His is a story I would love to read more of. The clones with their unique outfits were a great way to tie in the traditionally ill-dressed stepsisters.

THE MOON MASTER’S BALL: Clara Diane Thompson

After her terrifying experience there several years ago, the one place young housemaid Tilly longs to avoid is Bromley’s Circus. But when kindly Lord Hollingberry begs her to deliver a message to the mysterious Moon Master hidden away among the circus dwellers, Tilly can’t refuse . . . and finds herself ensnared in a web of enchantment cast by the loathsome Mrs. Carlisle and her beautiful goddaughter.

My Reaction:

Thrilling. Spooky. I do wish the word limit had been a bit longer since while the story is excellently told, the climax felt very rushed.

My Review:

Clara Diane Thompson painted an eerie scene and kept the mystery front and center. The sudden appearance and disappearance of the Circus reminded me of the Twelve-Year Market from the Tales of Goldstone Wood. Much has been written about the impracticality of glass slippers – and whether they were mistranslated and should be fur slippers, but in this story they finally had a purpose and a point.

All in all, this is an excellent collection of Cinderella stories. If you enjoy fairy tale retellings or any of the genres included than I highly recommend reading this book. 

Go read it! Pre-orderit from Amazon ($10.93) It will be available June 14, 2014! Add it on Goodreads – plus there’s a giveaway on Goodreads through the 24^th!

(Prices good as of June 4, 2014 always double check for yourself)

Disclosure: I received this book from the editor for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.

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Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

It Had to Be You by Susan May Warren

It Had to Be You by Susan May Warren. Tyndale, 2014. 480p. (9781414378428) Series: Christiansen Family, #2

I think Susan May Warren is one of my new favorite authors. This week It Had to Be You is on sale for $2.99 (or $2.39) and I bought it. (Sale runs through April 5th, 2014) And then read it that same day. And then went straight to the library catalogs to see if I could borrow the first book, sadly neither one has it. :( The next fiction series I’m buying for the school library is this one or Deep Haven.

Goodreads Summary:

Eden Christiansen never imagined her role as her younger brother Owen's cheerleader would keep her on the sidelines of her own life. Sure, it feels good to be needed, but looking after the reckless NHL rookie leaves little time for Eden to focus on her own career. She dreamed of making a name for herself as a reporter, but is stuck writing obits--and starting to fear she doesn't have the chops to land a major story. If only someone would step up to mentor Owen . . . but she knows better than to expect help from team veteran and bad-boy enforcer Jace Jacobsen.

Jace has built his career on the infamous reputation of his aggressive behavior--on and off the ice. Now at a crossroads about his future in hockey, that reputation has him trapped. And the guilt-trip he's getting from Eden Christiansen isn't making things any easier. But when Owen's carelessness leads to a career-threatening injury and Eden stumbles upon a story that could be her big break, she and Jace are thrown together . . . and begin to wonder if they belong on the same team after all.

My Review:

Image source

I am not a hockey fan, but reading the descriptions of the hockey games made me want to watch and learn the game! Even though the story is about two pro-hockey players there isn’t a whole lot of time spent at the rink. I think the author found an excellent balance of just right.

While most of the story revolves around the hospital – both Owen and Jace spend some time there as does a sweet little friend of Jace’s. It is during that time that Eden stumbles on a story she thinks could be a big break for her faltering journalism career.

Jace and Eden work together to pursuit the story and that plot line was excellently woven throughout the tale. Both of them are touched and affected more than they ever would have guessed. And like a pebble thrown into a pond their actions impact many, many more. It’s a neat story line and very touching.

What was even more enjoyable were Jace and Eden’s interactions. Very believable, heartwarming, tense, grin worthy and has just the right amount of detail kissing scenes. This is a Christian romance novel but the faith elements were slipped in naturally and their spiritual struggles added to the story.

I completely enjoyed my visit to Minneapolis, St. Paul and Deep Haven and can’t wait to spend more time with the Christiansen family. This is book two in the series but you don’t have to read the first one to know what’s going on.

If you like contemporary Christian romance, particularly ones with handsome athletes and down to earth families, then this is a great book for you. Oh, and there's a short story of how Eden's parents met and fell in love included at the end.

Go read it! Buy it from Amazon $2.99 ; Buy it from ChristianBooks.com $2.39 ; Buy it from Barnes & Noble $2.99

(Prices good as of March 31, 2014 always double check for yourself) [Quick note: The promo email I got from the author states the sale runs through April 5^th]

Disclosure: I bought this book. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

Reclaiming the Crown (series) by Rachelle McCalla

Series: Reclaiming the Crown by Rachelle McCalla. Love Inspired Suspense, 2011-2012.

A while ago Kara, blogger and encourager extraordinaire over at A Booklover's Heart, reviewed this series and reminded me of its intriguing covers and descriptions. I took her suggestion and found a way to read them. So glad I did! I really enjoyed each book but especially the series as a whole. Each book is full of adventure, danger, learning to trust and forgive, and a sweet and clean romance. I think I even found myself wanting to pray for the characters at times - that's how real they felt.

The modern day series begins with Princess in Peril and follows Princess Isabelle as she flees the attack on the king’s motorcade. She has a very perilous escape route – both physically and mentally challenging.

Loved the adventure and the budding romantic tension and the international aspects. But as someone who has flown internationally many times, I can say with certainty that the airport scenes were not realistic. Especially post 9-11. I haven’t flown into JFK but have gone through Newark several times in recent years and there’s no way Isabelle and Levi could have gotten through security and customs so quickly and easily or dodged those following them so simply. Still a fun story though.

Book number 2, Protecting the Princess is Princess Anastasia’s tale. She missed the motorcade and is whisked to safety by a man she’s not sure she completely trusts. Kirk is a royal guard and the only one who knows what happened to her older brother who disappeared five or six years ago.

Theirs is an interesting escape route and during their flight and search for answers we learn a lot more about the magnitude of the attack on the royal family. I like how the mystery unfolds a bit more with each book and I felt with Anastasia how helpless and frustrating the situation seemed at times. Also, Kirk is awesome.

The 3^rd book, Prince Incognito is about Prince Alec. Problem is, he doesn’t remember who he is and the Lily the woman who rescued him doesn’t know it either until he’s in danger again. Then they are both in life threatening danger. Then they’re rescued, then they’re both in danger again. Then they flee into the desert and are still in danger. It’s quite an exciting tale.

In all of these I’ve really liked the characters and the struggles they each face. But especially so in this one. Lily is helping Alec but it’s her family that is threatening him. Trust and forgiveness play an important part of this story. Also the reader learns quite a bit more about the plot against the Lydian royal family.

The 4^th and final book, The Missing Monarch, tells the tale of the missing crown prince. His is an interesting story and we finally find out who is the mastermind behind the plot. I don’t want to say too much more since that spoils some surprises. Even knowing who this last book is about is a bit of a spoiler if you haven’t read book two yet.

I wish the ending could have been a bit longer as things seemed to wrap up a bit quickly and conveniently but then again most of the loose ends were not very exciting, political threads.

The author has written five more stories about the Lydian royal family, two of which are historical and I really enjoyed those. The other three come after this series and I hope the royal family and their guards will have learned some lessons about modern technological safety and its surveillance capabilities.

Five stars for this series as a whole

Go read them!

#1 Princess in Peril: Amazon ; Barnes & Noble

#2 Protecting the Princess: Amazon ;  Barnes & Noble

#3 Prince Incognito: Amazon ; ChristianBooks.com ; Barnes & Noble

#4 The Missing Monarch: Amazon ; ChristianBooks.com ; Barnes & Noble

Disclosure: I borrowed these books from a library. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

Weird but true! 2 by National Geographic Kids

Weird but True! 2: 300 Outrageous Facts by National Geographic Kids. 208 pg. National Geographic Society, 2010. (9781426306884) Series: Weird but True!

The fifth graders at the school I work at absolutely love these books. We have number 2, 3, 4, 5 and brainless baddies and there's only been perhaps a week when one of them didn't have a kid waiting for it and it was on the shelf. Needless to say the books are wildly popular.

Each book has 208 pages of strange but true facts. Photos, colorful illustrations or unique fonts make each factoid quite eye catching. And there is an index to help you find that crazy fact that you remember reading but can't find again.

The drawback is that there's no citations and sometimes the facts are a bit hard to believe. For example, "The total earthworm population in the United States weighs ten times more than the total human population." (pg. 98) "Astronomers have discovered a star that is made of a 10-billion-trillion-trillion-carat diamond." (pg. 134)

Some facts make you really curious how they even know that: "Newborn babies are color-blind" (pg. 36) or "A snowflake can take up to two hours to fall from a cloud to the ground." (pg. 104)

National Geographic holds the belief that the earth is millions of years old and that comes through on some of their facts, "The oldest bat fossil ever found was 50 million years old." (pg. 153) or "Turtles lived on earth before dinosaurs did." (pg. 73)

If you're looking for a book or series that will keep elementary and even middle school kids entertained for quite a while, then get a hold of these books. I highly recommend this series for any school library and kids who love facts.

Go read it! Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon; Buy it from Barnes & Noble; Buy it from ChristianBook.com (first book in series)

Disclosure: I borrowed the book from the library. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

The Hidden White House by Robert Klara

The Hidden White House: Harry Truman and the Reconstruction of America's Most Famous Residence by Robert Klara. Thomas Dunne Books, 2013. 384p. (9781250000279)

This book caught my eye on NetGalley and I’m so glad I was given a chance to review it. What a fascinating account about a little known aspect of history. I was shocked at the White House’s state of disrepair and what had been done to the load bearing walls and supports! I knew that the White House had undergone some major renovations but I never knew the extent until I read this very well researched and fascinating account.  

Goodreads Summary:

Critically acclaimed author Robert Klara leads readers through an unmatched tale of political ambition and technical skill: the Truman administration’s controversial rebuilding of the White House.

In 1948, President Harry Truman, enjoying a bath on the White House’s second floor, almost plunged through the ceiling of the Blue Room into a tea party for the Daughters of the American Revolution. A handpicked team of the country’s top architects conducted a secret inspection of the troubled mansion and, after discovering it was in imminent danger of collapse, insisted that the First Family be evicted immediately. What followed would be the most historically significant and politically complex home-improvement job in American history. While the Trumans camped across the street at Blair House, Congress debated whether to bulldoze the White House completely, and the Soviets exploded their first atomic bomb, starting the Cold War.

Workmen digging the sub-basement in the demolished White House in 1950
(White House - Abbie Rowe)

Indefatigable researcher Robert Klara reveals what has, until now, been little understood about this episode: America’s most famous historic home was basically demolished, giving birth to today’s White House. Leaving only the mansion’s facade untouched, workmen gutted everything within, replacing it with a steel frame and a complex labyrinth deep below ground that soon came to include a top-secret nuclear fallout shelter,

The story of Truman’s rebuilding of the White House is a snapshot of postwar America and its first Cold War leader, undertaking a job that changed the centerpiece of the country’s national heritage. The job was by no means perfect, but it was remarkable—and, until now, all but forgotten.

My Review:

As stated above Robert Klara has done an excellent job researching and writing an engaging account of a house renovation. It also gives a great picture of the dysfunction of political committees. And it makes me appreciate Harry Truman quite a bit more. Imagine being president and having to live in a cramped little house.

The review copy I received was an ebook version and 25% of the book is taken up by the acknowledgment and endnotes. Very good proof that this book is thoroughly researched with ample citations. The many quotes served to make this a very engaging book on what could have easily been a dry topic.

At the beginning of each chapter is a photograph that relates to the chapter. I’ve included two pictures from whitehousemuseum.org that give you an idea of what a massive undertaking the reconstruction this was.

Workmen digging the basement under the North Portico in 1950
(White House - Abbie Rowe)

I learned a lot about the White House, Harry Truman, and life in Washington during the end of World War II and the start of the Cold War. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in history and particularly those topics.

Go read it! Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon; Buy it from Barnes and Noble

Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.

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Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

Goddess Tithe by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Goddess Tithe by Anne Elisabeth Stengl. Rooglewood Press, 2013. 120p. (978-0-9894478-0-5) Series: Tales of Goldstone Wood, #2.5

(I just made up that number. How do you number a novella that takes place in the middle of a book in a series?)

I just finished reading [when I wrote this review two weeks ago] the first novella from The Tales of Goldstone Wood. It was quite good but now I really want to know if we’ll find out more about Munny. What is his real name? Who is his mother? Who was his father? And the captain. What’s his story? He wasn’t afraid of Risafeth. Why?Who is the lady in the portrait?

And yet for all the questions this book raises, it does answer some questions. All of which concern Leonard the Jester. It’s been a long time since I’ve read Veiled Rose which is the book during which this novella takes place. But I think this story shows us more about his character and some of the things he learns on his journey to Lunthea Maly.

The summary lures us in:

When a stowaway is discovered aboard the merchant ship Kulap Kanya, Munny, a cabin boy on his first voyage, knows what must be done. All stowaways are sacrificed to Risafeth, the evil goddess of the sea. Such is her right, and the Kulap Kanya's only hope to return safely home.
Yet, to the horror of his crew, Captain Sunan vows to protect the stowaway, a foreigner in clown's garb. A curse falls upon the ship and all who sail with her, for Risafeth will stop at nothing to claim her tithe.

Will Munny find the courage to trust his captain and to protect the strange clown who has become his friend?

Just like in Anne Elisabeth’s other books there are universal themes woven in that make it much richer and deeper than a mere adventure on the high seas story. In this book honor, loyalty and self-sacrifice are deftly portrayed.

In hind sight Goddess Tithe reminds me of C. S. Lewis’ Voyage of the Dawn Treader. The glassy sea, the fierce storm, the creatures below the water (though they were friendlier in Narnia’s ocean in the Silver Sea or Utter East), and of course the sea serpent.

Narnian water nymph
Image source: FXGuide.com

Since this is a novella there are fewer descriptions, but I could still picture the scenes and Anne Elisabeth’s illustrations are informative as well. If it were a full length novel I can imagine more details about life aboard the ship, a sub-plot involving other crew members and perhaps more hints about the captain’s past as well, and longer descriptions of the sea and Risafeth. But I’m not complaining. I love the idea of a Goldstone Wood novella and am thrilled Anne Elisabeth will most likely be writing some more.

I thoroughly enjoyed this quick trip to the world of Goldstone Wood and the voyage of the Kulap Kanya. Any fan of Anne Elisabeth’s and anyone looking for an exciting ocean adventure involving a vengeful sea monster will enjoy this novella.

Learn more about Goddess Tithe: http://goddesstithenovel.blogspot.com/

Go read it! Buy it from Amazon; 

Disclosure: I received this ebook free from the author (thank you!). I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.

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