Blogging Break

I'm going to be taking a break from blogging.  At least for the summer.

Instead, I think I do most of my features on facebook.  So, if you haven't already:

Friend me on facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/colletta.miller?ref=tn_tnmn

I'm also on goodreads.  I have a widget on my sidebar.  Come friend me there too!

I hope everyone has a wonderful summer :)

Book Review ~ It Happened at the Fair by Deeanne Gist

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review as part of a 

Litfuse Publicity Blog Tour.  

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Title:  "It Happened at the Fair"
Series:  It Happened at the Fair Book 1

Author:  Deeanne Gist
Publisher:  Howard Books
Publication Date:  4/9/13

Pages:  409

Book Description:

A transporting historical novel about a promising young inventor, his struggle with loss, and the attractive teacher who changes his life, all set against the razzle-dazzle of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.

Gambling everything, including the family farm, Cullen McNamara travels to the 1893 Chicago World's Fair with his most recent invention. But the noise in the Fair’s Machinery Palace makes it impossible to communicate with potential buyers. In an act of desperation, he hires Della Wentworth, a teacher of the deaf, to tutor him in the art of lip-reading.


The young teacher is reluctant to participate, and Cullen has trouble keeping his mind on his lessons while intently watching her lips. Like the newly invented Ferris Wheel, he is caught in a whirl between his girl back home, his dreams as an inventor, and his unexpected attraction to his new tutor. Can he keep his feet on the ground, or will he be carried away?

My Overall Feeling of the Book:

This book was so interesting. The details about the World's Fair were amazingly written. I could picture it clearly in my mind. I loved that there were also pictures of the fair to help create the scene in my imagination.

I loved both main characters, Della and Cullen. Some of their antics and quirks were hilarious.

I was glad to read as they overcame the obstacles between them and made their way to each other.

Another great book by Ms. Gist!

A Brief Excerpt:

"Della couldn't believe the noise in Machinery Hall.  How did Cullen stand it?"

 Page 139

The Cover:

This cover is GORGEOUS!  But...I can't help thinking how dirty that white lacy dress would get if I were the one wearing it!

Other Notes:

~  Gist fans should NOT miss out on this book!

Rating

4/5

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On to the next book,

Friday Fragments ~ 5/10/13

Five things that made me smile this week :)

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1.  I went to the hair salon and got my hair done!  This is one of my favorite things to do :)

2.  Hanging clothes out on the line for the first time in my married life.  I forgot how much I enjoy being outside doing this :)

3.  Watching my 6 year old play ball in the yard  :)

4.  Switching to a new TV system that actually works!  No more blacking out AND we can record 5 shows at a time :)

5.  Signing the girls up for Summer Camp!  We've decided that the girls will NOT be allowed to sleep and sit around all day this summer :)

What made you smile this week?

Book Review ~ Roses Have Thorns by Sandra Byrd

I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.  

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Title:  "Roses Have Thorns"
Series:  Ladies in Waiting Book 3

Author:  Sandra Byrd
Publisher:  Howard Books
Publication Date:  4/9/2013

Pages:  336

Book Description:

In 1565, seventeen-year-old Elin von Snakenborg leaves Sweden on a treacherous journey to England. Her fiance has fallen in love with her sister and her dowry money has been gambled away, but ahead of her lies an adventure that will take her to the dizzying heights of Tudor power. Transformed through marriage into Helena, the Marchioness of Northampton, she becomes the highest-ranking woman in Elizabeth’s circle. But in a court that is surrounded by Catholic enemies who plot the queen’s downfall, Helena is forced to choose between an unyielding monarch and the husband she’s not sure she can trust—a choice that will provoke catastrophic consequences.

My Overall Feeling of the Book:

This book was very well written and paid close attention to period details. It was very interesting to read about society and relationships during the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

At the same time, huge chunks of time are skipped over from chapter to chapter. This book isn't so much about Elin and one particular time in her life. It is more about the happenings to her in the lifetime Queen Elizabeth.

I'm not sure how I felt about this. In one way, I almost couldn't read fast enough because I wanted to find out what was going to be written about next. But on the other hand, so many people flew in and out of Elin's, or should I say Helena's, life that it had to be read in a manner to keep them straight.

Overall, this was a very good read. I didn't read the first two books of the series, but this book can stand alone very well.


A Brief Excerpt:

"Just before and after Christmas the court was at its most festive.  It was the season of revels, and plays were performed for Her Majesty's enjoyment."

 Page 82

The Cover:

The cover is rich in color and period clothing.  It does a very good job of showing what the book is about.

Other Notes:

~

Rating

3/5

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On to the next book,

It's Monday! What Am I Reading? ~ 5/6/13

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The book I am currently reading is:

Kate Dearing’s life is turned upside down when her father loses everything in a railroad land speculation and she and her brother are shipped off to their mother’s brother, Sir Anthony, in England with one edict: marry money.

Though their uncle tries to ensure Kate finds matrimonial prospects only among the highest echelon of British society, her attentions stray to the one of the least eligible people at her uncle’s home—the garden designer.

Trying to push her feelings for the handsome—but not wealthy—man aside, Kate’s prospects brighten when a friend of Sir Anthony’s, a wealthy viscount, shows favorable interest in her. But will marrying for the financial security of her family be the right thing to do, when her heart is telling her she’s making a mistake?

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So far, I've only read the prologue, but it looks very promising!

Also Hoping to Read This Week:

Afloat (if recieved)

Catch a Falling Star

What are you reading today?

Book Review ~ Katie's Choice by Amy Lillard ~ 5/5!!!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review as part of a Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Tour.  

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Title:  "Katie's Choice"
Series:  A Clover Ridge Book #2

Author:  Amy Lillard
Publisher:  B&H Publishing
Publication Date:  5/1/2013

Pages:  320

Buy From Amazon:  HERE

Book Description:

Katie Rose Fisher loved Samuel Beachy with an intensity that shook their Amish district. No one doubted they would one day marry, until Samuel turned his back on the church and joined the world of the English.

Alone now in Clover Ridge, Katie Rose dedicates her life to God and the school children she teaches each day. Although she secretly longs for more, Katie knows God’s hand is at work, and she is happy.

News correspondent Zane Carson never even knew Oklahoma had an Amish community until he got the chance to live among them and learn about their day-to-day activities. Their simple way of life is intriguing, but not half as much as the young teacher.

Katie Rose is flattered over the attention she receives from Zane, but she has resolved to never marry. Even if she were to entertain the idea, it surely couldn’t be with an outsider like Zane.

Never one prone to the restraints of organized religion, Zane finds a comfort in the rituals and blessings in the day to day righteous living of this small Amish community. He finds himself, God, and love with Katie Rose.

But as Zane draws closer to Katie Rose, Samuel comes back to repent his ways and return to his place at her side. Can Zane convince Katie Rose that he is committed to adapting to her way of life, or will Samuel win her affections back for himself once again?

My Overall Feeling of the Book:

It had been a while since I'd read an Amish story and I was looking forward to it. I was not disappointed! This book had everything I could wish for.

I loved how Zane, a war reporter, took to the Amish life so readily. Katie was such a wonderful character as well.

The author did a wonderful job with the setting, characters and flow. I was pulled into the story and couldn't wait to find out how it turned out. I was very pleased :)


A Brief Excerpt:

"Two neat beds sat side by side in a surprisingly large bedroom.  Each bed was covered with a quilt of vivid colors--black, red, yellow, orange and green."

 Page 15

The Cover:

The cover is very sweet.  It depicts Katie with the correct color eyes - green.  In the background Zane is plowing and Katie looks on.

Other Notes:

~ I didn't read the first book of this series and felt it in no way hindered my enjoyment of this, the second book of the series.

Rating

5/5

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On to the next book,

Book Review ~ Sunflower Summer by Evanageline Kelley ~ 5/5!!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review as part of a 

Litfuse Publicity Blog Tour.  

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Title:  "Sunflower Summer"
Series:  Postcards from Misty Harbor Inn Book 2

Author:  Evangeline Kelley
Publisher:  Guideposts
Publication Date:  4/1/13

Pages:  269

Book Description:

Misty Harbor Inn officially opens, and Gracie Gold, the middle Marris sister, wrestles with an overwhelming decision. As the sisters learn the day-to-day workings of running an inn, Gracie counsels its first guests, newlyweds whose honeymoon seems to be ending before it begins. Meanwhile, Sam’s discovery of a clue in a secret room sheds unflattering light on Hannah Montague, who vanished from the house more than one hundred years ago. And as Gracie and Caroline welcome guests to the inn, they are delighted to see how God uses it—and them—to deepen relationships and transform lives.

My Overall Feeling of the Book:


Reading book #2 in the Misty Harbor Inn series makes me wish all the more that I could actually go there to visit.  I loved reading about the visitors to the Inn and the running of the B&B.

I eagerly read hoping to learn more about the mystery surrounding Hannah Montague's disappearance.  Although everything wasn't fully made clear, learning more about the history helps to draw better conclusions of my own.

I hope there is another book in the series and I can learn even more about the Inn and the mysteries it holds.



A Brief Excerpt:

"Caroline's look of intense concentration as she worked on her project made Gracie think  of an old movie with a mad scientist."

 Page 1

The Cover:

I like the blues and yellows but I miss the view of the ocean from the first book.

Other Notes:

~  Read Book One first to get a better feel for this book.

Rating

5/5

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On to the next book,

Book Review ~ Seaside Harmony by Evangeline Kelley

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review as part of a 

Litfuse Publicity Blog Tour.  

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Title:  "Seaside Harmony"
Series:  Postcards from Misty Harbor Inn Book 1

Author:  Evangeline Kelley
Publisher:  Guideposts
Publication Date:  4/1/13

Pages:  333

Book Description:

When Caroline Marris joins her sisters Gracie Gold and Sam Carter for a Nantucket Island getaway, she has no idea how it will change her life. The sisters stumble upon Misty Harbor Inn, the place their late mother loved so much, and Caroline talks her sisters into buying the beautiful but dilapidated inn. But can free-spirited Caroline stay focused enough to make opening the inn a reality? Hand-drawn old postcards draw the sisters into the mystery of Hannah Montague, the young widow of the original owner. Can the sisters uncover the fate of this woman who disappeared in 1880? As Caroline and her sisters work together to make their mom’s dream a reality, they bond in ways they never expected.

My Overall Feeling of the Book:

What a perfect book!  I really wish I could actually go visit the Misty Harbor Inn.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the purchase and renovation of the Inn.

The relationship between the three sisters was very entertaining.  I don't have any sisters, but my mother has several so I used them as a reference point as I read.  Their love, and their squabbles, are so true to life which made the story even better.

The setting was amazing!  I could picture myself with the sisters at the rental cottage, at the beach, shopping and finally at the Inn.

I was so caught up in the mystery of Hannah Montague right along with the characters.  I wish we would have found out more about her but I have hopes that the second book will continue with the unsolved mystery.


A Brief Excerpt:

"Gracie set down her book and rubbed the bridge of her nose.  "If I had to venture a guess, I'd say she's at the Misty Harbor Inn right now, snooping around again."

 Page 62

The Cover:

Sigh...  Can I please go there?

Other Notes:

~  Read it!

Rating

4/5

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On to the next book,

Friday Fragments ~ 5/3/13

Five things that made me smile this week :)

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1.  Finally getting the sewing room cleaned and organized!

2.  The beautiful weather to go outside and enjoy :)

3.  Watching and playing with my nephew, Dex, Monday!

4.  Reading on my swing in the sunshine!

5.  The satisfaction of working outside and getting the yard cleaned up :)

What made you smile this week?

Booking Through Thursday ~ Hobbies ~ 5/2/13

"What is your favorite hobby OTHER than reading?"

Crocheting!  I love to create with my hands.  You can see my shop button on my right sidebar.

I also love to watch TV or go fishing with my family.