Showing posts with label Shiloh Run Press. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

A Retelling of the story of Ruth and Boaz from the Bible--"Shadow Among Sheaves" by Naomi Stephens--Review

My Review:

I love the story of Ruth from the Bible. I like to read retellings of it as well. When I read the synopsis for this book I saw that it contained Victorian elements and the Ruth character is from India (two things which I’m very interested in). "Shadow Among Sheaves" by Naomi Stephens is a book I ended up having mixed feelings on.

Naomi Stephens is a great writer and I love her descriptions. The pace moves fairly quickly, only lagging in a few parts. I love the concept of this story. Ms. Stephens deals especially well with describing the Indian culture and how that would clash with Victorian England. It’s crazy how much prejudice the people in England had against the Indians (even if a person was from the highest class in India). Both cultures are well researched.

But, there are two things that give this book a lower rating for me. I mistakenly thought it would also be a Naomi and Ruth story as well as a Ruth and Boaz. I really wanted to know more about Nell’s (the Naomi character) life and thoughts. I desired to see more of the beautiful relationship Naomi and Ruth share in the Biblical account.

Secondly, I just did not like the Boaz character in this story (Lord Barric). He says and does some really mean and hurtful things towards Rena (Ruth). I understand why he did them, but he just doesn’t seem like a hero character to me.

All in all, it was fun to see how this retelling would play out. I enjoyed the plot, setting and descriptions, but I just didn’t love the book overall. I would still recommend that you try it out for yourself!

Content: I give this book a PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content are: the main characters live in a brothel for a while (but do not become prostitutes); there are some violent descriptions of the Indian Mutiny; mention of prostitution and concubines; talk of lovers; a man swears, but the word isn’t actually written; a man hits a woman; a married couple is naked in bed together; the word “dammit” is used.

Rating: I give this book 3 stars.

Genre: Christian fiction; Historical; Romance; Victorian

I want to thank Barbour Publishing, Shiloh Run Press, Naomi Stephens, NetGalley and Celebrate Lit for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

About the Author:

Naomi Stephens is a bookworm turned teacher turned writer. She received a B.A. in English from Concordia University in Ann Arbor and an M.A. in English from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne.

In bookstores, Naomi gravitates towards 19th-century British novels—the broodier the better (i.e., Jane Eyre)—but she can also be found perusing the young adult, mystery, and fantasy sections. Anything that keeps her turning pages past midnight.

Though she has called many places home over the years, she currently lives in Ohio with her husband, her two children, and a rascal of a dog named Sherlock. When not writing or having adventures with her family, she can be found drinking tea, practicing photography, and pining for London.

To purchase the book click here

To visit the author's website click here

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Fashion, History and Women's Rights-"The Fashion Designer" by Nancy Moser Review

"The Fashion Designer" by Nancy Moser is a book filled with fashion, history and women's rights! It is also packed with faith content! It's the second book in "The Pattern Artist" series and can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading the books in sequence to get the most enjoyment from the series as there are references to past events, and characters from the first book make cameo appearances. Ms. Moser does refresh the reader later on in the story regarding characters and events from the previous book, but it would have been nice to have a little refresher or character list earlier on.

Ms. Moser excels in the historical details. She wows the reader with her descriptions of the time period, down to every minute detail. I felt like I was transported back into New York City in the early 1900s, when women were still fighting for their rights and maternity clothes weren't yet in fashion. Our main character, Annie, wants to design affordable, functional clothes for the everyday woman. She even wants to try her hand in maternity wear (gasp!). I learned so much history while following Annie's journey.

"The Fashion Designer" has characters that really live out the Christian walk and incorporate their faith into everything they do. The main characters are always talking about their faith, praying, discussing God's timing and trying to trust God. There is a sweet bit where Annie's husband leaves her a Scripture verse when she is struggling with doubt.

There are some more mature themes in this book, such as domestic abuse and rape. They are both talked about, not in a lot of detail, but enough that I was feeling uncomfortable. It was very hard to read about the way a husband is treating his wife at one point. I know that these are important and realistic themes to address, but they may be hard for some to read about.

"The Fashion Designer" incorporates a lot of great history and faith content! I really enjoyed those aspects, but I would caution younger and/or sensitive readers due to the more mature themes in the book. Overall, I really enjoyed it!

Content: I would rate this book PG-13 due to some of the mature themes that are addressed. Some examples of the content are: a joke about a woman’s bosom; a man smokes a cigar; people drink champagne and other alcoholic beverages; a man is emotionally and a little physically abusive towards his wife and he oppresses her; there is a conversation about a woman giving birth, but it’s not graphic; a woman has been raped in the past and talks about that and losing her virginity; there is talk of a man being a drunkard.

Rating: I give this book 3 stars.

Genre: Historical fiction; Christian fiction

I want to thank NetGalley, Nancy Moser, Shiloh Run Press and Barbour Publishing for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I've been married to my wonderful husband for 42 years. We have three grown children with three great spouses, and seven grandchildren--and we're waiting for more! We both earned a degree in architecture, have traveled extensively in Europe, and I've performed in various theaters and choirs. I love to knit, kill all my houseplants, and can wire an electrical fixture without getting shocked. I am a big fan of anything antique—humans included. Professionally, I am the author of twenty-nine novels that share a common message: we each have a unique purpose—the trick is to find out what it is. My genres include contemporary and historical novels including "The Pattern Artist, "Love of the Summerfields", "An Unlikely Suitor", "Mozart's Sister". Some of my contemporary novels are the Christy Award-winning "Time Lottery", "The Invitation", "The Seat Beside Me", "The Sister Circle", and "The Good Nearby."

To visit the author's website click here
To purchase the book click here

Thursday, March 1, 2018

A Riveting, Fast-Paced Regency--"The Innkeeper's Daughter" by Michelle Griep Review

"The Innkeeper's Daughter" by Michelle Griep is a riveting, fast-paced Regency you won't want to miss! This is the second book that I have read by this author and I am just in love with the way she writes. The first book I read by Ms. Griep was "12 Days at Bleakly Manor" (read my review here).

Ms. Griep is a master of characters. The way she writes her characters is very Dickens-esque; she makes the traits and quirks of some characters almost over-the-top. Some of the characters are so eccentric and quirky; I had a big smile on my face every time I read about them. Even the side characters are so well written. Dickens fans especially will probably recognize some familiar character traits and eccentricities.

I love the journey of faith that the two main characters (Johanna and Alex) go through over the course of the novel. Ms. Griep weaves in the themes of surrender, trusting God and rest. She also, like Dickens, shows the corruptness of the justice system and the jails.

"The Innkeeper's Daughter" has intrigue, danger, mystery, secret identities, traitors and spies. What is not to love?! This book made my Dickens, Regency-loving heart happy!

Content: I would give this book a PG rating for some minor content. Some examples of the content are: a character gambles; mentions that people curse, but the curse isn’t actually written; some characters drink alcohol; references to bawdy houses; a joke about a maiden on her wedding night; the word “maggot” is used; references to wenching and drinking; a man notices a woman’s curves; the word “damn” is used; a character is beaten with a whip; some violence; mention of a woman being ravished.

Rating: I give this book 4.5 stars.

Genre: Christian fiction; Romance, Regency; Historical; Mystery

I want to thank Michelle Griep, Shiloh Run Press and Barbour Publishing for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

About the Author:

Michelle Griep is an author, blogger, and occasional super-hero when her cape is clean.

You can visit her at https://michellegriep.com/.

To purchase the book, click here

Thursday, December 14, 2017

"12 Days at Bleakly Manor" by Michelle Griep Blog Tour & GIVEAWAY!

About the Book

Name of book: 12 Days at Bleakly Manor

Author: Michelle Griep

Genre: Historical Christmas

Release Date: September 1, 2017

England, 1851: When Clara Chapman receives an intriguing invitation to spend Christmas at an English manor home, she is hesitant yet feels compelled to attend—for if she remains the duration of the twelve-day celebration, she is promised a sum of five hundred pounds.

But is she walking into danger? It appears so, especially when she comes face to face with one of the other guests—her former fiancé, Benjamin Lane.

Imprisoned unjustly, Ben wants revenge on whoever stole his honor. When he’s given the chance to gain his freedom, he jumps at it—and is faced with the anger of the woman he stood up at the altar. Brought together under mysterious circumstances, Clara and Ben discover that what they’ve been striving for isn’t what ultimately matters.

What matters most is what Christmas is all about . . . love.

Click here to purchase your copy.

My Review

Prepare yourself to be highly entertained by this delightful book! "12 Days at Bleakly Manor" by Michelle Griep is the first book in the "Once Upon a Dickens Christmas" series. Ms. Griep fills her story with danger and mystery, leaving the reader guessing as to what will happen next!

"12 Days at Bleakly Manor" is a mix of Charles Dickens's "Bleak House", Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None", and pure genius. I love BBC's version of "Bleak House", so I was excited to pick this book up. I've never read "And Then There Were None", but I didn't feel like I was missing anything by not having read the book. It was fun for me to pick up the "Bleak House" nods throughout the story. Ms. Griep reminds me of Dickens in the way that she shows and describes the conditions of prisons, the plight of the poor in Victorian England and the unfair and corrupt justice system.

This story is a fast-paced read with amazing characters and a gothic, mysterious setting. Ms. Griep employs great descriptions and word pictures. There is a darker side to the goings-on at Bleakly Manor. I appreciate how Ms. Griep gives the readers a helpful list and description (at the back of the book) of the Victorian Christmas traditions that are mentioned in the story.

If you think the people at your Christmas get-togethers are crazy, check out this group at Bleakly Manor! Some of the characters have very funny and weird idiosyncrasies and eccentricities, which makes the story all the more interesting. With everything going on in the house and mystery looming everywhere, can the characters trust that God is in control?

"12 Days at Bleakly Manor" is a novel of second chances and choosing between revenge and forgiveness. There is a theme of trust and a strong faith element. I very much enjoyed this book!

Content: This is a clean read. There is a scene where a man is in prison and the conditions are described vividly, which might make sensitive readers uncomfortable. It also mentions that a character swears, but the word is not actually used.

Rating: I give this book 4.5 stars.

Genre: Christian historical fiction; Victorian England; Mystery

I want to thank Michelle Griep, Shiloh Run Press and Barbour Publishing for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

About the Author

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the author of both Regency and Colonial historical romances but also leaped the writerly fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan. Keep up with her escapades at www.michellegriep.com or stalk her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

Guest Post from Michelle Griep

Go Green With Victorian Christmas Décor

Guest post by Michelle Griep

Walk in any store and you’ll be bombarded with displays of Christmas lights, gaudy ornaments, and inflatable life-size lawn characters. Commercialization at its worst. 150 years ago, that wasn’t the case. Yearning to decorate in a simpler fashion this year? Here are some ways you can bring a bit of the nineteenth century to your home this Christmas…

TREE DECORATIONS

Queen Elizabeth’s husband, the German Prince Albert, introduced the concept of a Christmas tree to Windsor castle. And you know, if it’s good enough for royalty its good enough for the common folk, right? So, the tradition spread. Generally trees were brought inside on Christmas Eve and taken down on January 6th. Trees were decorated with homemade ornaments from paper or fruits and nuts, strings of popcorn or cranberries, or hanging cookies such as gingerbread men from the branches. And remember, an authentic Victorian Christmas tree would’ve been small, like small enough to stand on a table.

GREENERY

Holly. Evergreens. Mistletoe. Most Victorians couldn’t afford store-bought decorations even were there a commercialized industry at the time (which there wasn’t). So the next best thing was to bring in some free/natural ornamentations. Greenery would’ve been perked up with berries, ribbons, dough ornaments or flowers. Pinecones were also scattered throughout the house.

WREATHS

“Writhen” is the root word where we get the word wreath from. It’s an old English word meaning “to writhe” or “to twist.” While the art of hanging wreaths goes back to Roman times, Victorians continued the tradition.

CANDLES

Candles were primarily placed in one of two spots during a Victorian Christmas. A single candle in a window was lit to show that the house was willing to provide food and shelter to travelers. Candles were also used on each and every branch of a Christmas tree, which meant a huge danger of fire. Usually a servant would stand nearby with a bucket of water just in case the thing started to burn.

DRESDENS

Dresdens are ornaments hung from the tree, from a window, or really hanging pretty much anywhere. These were handmade by cutting out shapes (usually animals or trains) and painted with metallic paint so that they looked like metal.

And that’s about it. No obnoxious Santas or reindeer inflated on the front lawn. No psycho Christmas lights strobing enough to give every passerby a seizure. Just plain and simple decor that made the home feel cozy.

And speaking of cozy, how about grabbing a blanket and a cup of hot tea and settling in for a holiday read that’s sure to put you in the Christmas spirit? My latest release is 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, a Victorian blend of Dickens and Agatha Christie.