Monday, April 8, 2013

Courting Miss Amsel by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Edythe Amsel is delighted with her first teaching assignment:  a one-room schoolhouse in Walnut Hill, Nebraska.  Independent, headstrong, and a firm believer in a well-rounded education.  Edythe is ready to open the world to the students in this tiny community.  But is Walnut Hill ready for her?

Having raised his nephews since their parents' untimely deaths, Joel Townsend is thrilled to learn the town council has hired a female teacher.  his sons could use a woman's influence.  But he sure didn't bargain on a woman like Miss Amsel.  Within the first week, she has the entire town up in arms over her outlandish teaching methods.  Of course, Joel can't help but notice that she's also mighty pretty--and just might make a good mother for his boys.

Not My Cup of Tea

This book made such an impression on me, that I couldn't remember I had read it before until about halfway through.  While I do think author Kim Vogel Sawyer is a very good writer, I couldn't get into this book.  I tried and tried to feel something, anything toward the heroine, but couldn't raise any sort of connection with Edythe Amsel.

I thought all of the characters were fairly well developed.  I understood the background behind each one, or at least I think I did.  Maybe I didn't and that's why I didn't connect.  I did like Miss Amsel's teaching methods, and wished my children had teachers like her.  I also thought the look into the Women's Right to Vote issue was very well written.

I loved the two little boys, the nephews of Joel Townsend, and thought their personalities were quite charming.  I thought Joel was a tad desperate.

There was a twist in the story about halfway through, that even though I wasn't looking for it at first, was fairly predictable, although the character kind of threw me for a loop.  I don't want to give it away, but I will say I didn't see this particular character going in quite this direction.

All-in-all, this is definitely not staying on my "Keeper" shelf, but it doesn't mean that I wouldn't love to give author Kim Vogel Sawyer another try.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Bethany House book review bloggers program. 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’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Courting Cate by Leslie Gould

In Paradise, Pennsylvania, Cate Miller is known more for her sharp tongue and fiery temper than her striking appearance.  Her sweet and flirty sister, Betsy, on the other hand, seems to have attracted most of teh bachelors in Lancaster County!

But the sisters' wealthy father has made one hard-and-fast rule:  Cate, as the oldest, must get married before Betsy can do so.  Unfortunately, untamable Cate has driven away every suitor - until Pete Treger comes to town, that is.

Prodded by the men of the area, Pete turns his attention to winning Cate's hand.  But is his interest true or is there a scheme at play?




Evidently being a self-sufficient, bull-headed female isn't unique to Englisch  women.  As Cate Miller shows us, there are Amish women who want to be self-sufficient and not dependent on a man.  Cate Miller is a sharp-tongued, independent woman who hides behind her temper in her attempt to shelter her heart. With a head for business, she wants nothing more than help her Da run his many businesses and maybe, just maybe, start one of her own.  Unfortunately, Cate lives in a culture where women are there to take care of and be taken care of by a man.

Due to an unfortunate and embarrassing event with a young man who she thought was a suitor she now makes sure she hurts others before she gets hurt.  The only person who seems to be able to get under skin is her sister, Betsy.  Unlike Cate, Betsy wants nothing more than to get married and will do absolutely anything to make sure she gets the chance.

The story was well told, but it ran a little slow for me.  I had a little trouble connecting with the characters, and while I understood the motives behind why Cate acted the way she did, I just had a hard time feeling empathy towards her.  I did, however, fall in love with her big, burly, gruff dad and was really hoping he would get together with one of the secondary characters.  Maybe he will in one of the following books.

All in all, not a bad book.  Probably not a re-read, but I didn't feel like I wasted my time or anything.

If anyone would like to read this book, please leave a comment below and I will get it out to you.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Bethany House book review bloggers program. 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’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Monday, April 1, 2013

Book Review: Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden


Meet Lydia Pallas.  Orphaned as a young Greek immigrant child on the Boston wharves, Lydia grew up determined not to rely on anyone but herself.  All grown up, Lydia, who is fluent in multiple languages, works for the Navy as a translator.  When her neat and orderly (OCD) world is suddenly turned upside down, she makes a deal with mysterious Alexander Banebridge who has a driving need to shut down the opium trade.

Elizabeth Camden weaves a good, solid story pulling you in to the idiosyncrasies of her main characters.  While the majority of the story was fairly predictable, I was not at all discouraged by that fact.  I really did enjoy the story and the twists and turns that it had.

One thing that I absolutely loved was the opportunity to learn.  Ms. Camden does a masterful job in teaching about the opium trade that was extremely prevalent and widely accepted by many physicians in the 1800s.  I remember reading somewhere that opium was actually encouraged by most doctors at that time.  So the great detail she went into on that subject, as well as the behind the scenes look at the Navy was very much appreciated by me.

All in all, a quite excellent book.  I highly encourage you to branch out to this author.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Bethany House book review bloggers program. 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’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”