Book Review: Something Worth Doing by Jane Kirkpatrick

First, the blurb:

In 1853, Abigail Scott was a 19-year-old school teacher in Oregon Territory when she married Ben Duniway. Marriage meant giving up on teaching, but Abigail always believed she was meant to be more than a good wife and mother. When financial mistakes and an injury force Ben to stop working, Abigail becomes the primary breadwinner for her growing family. What she sees as a working woman appalls her, and she devotes her life to fighting for the rights of women, including their right to vote.

Following Abigail as she bears six children, runs a millinery and a private school, helps on the farm, writes novels, gives speeches, and eventually runs a newspaper supporting women’s suffrage, Something Worth Doing explores issues that will resonate strongly with modern women: the pull between career and family, finding one’s place in the public sphere, and dealing with frustrations and prejudices women encounter when they compete in male-dominated spaces. Based on a true story of a pioneer for women’s rights from award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick will inspire you to believe that some things are worth doing–even when the cost is great.

What I thought of the book:

I will be honest – I am tired of hearing about how “oppressed” and “unfairly treated” women in the US are today. Many of the people saying this should take a very good look at how things were in the mid-1800s and before, then compare it to the ease with which women run their lives now. Women like Abigail Scott Duniway fought for and won what we enjoy today.

I liked this book – well-researched and historically accurate (as far as I can tell!), it brings to life one of the lesser-known heroines of the fight for actual equality. An advocate of women’s suffrage, she fought for that and for other rights and protections for women through her weekly newspaper, and later was invited to speak to the legislature in Oregon about the right for women to vote. If you are curious about this woman, women’s suffrage, women’s rights, or just about this period in history, I highly recommend giving this book a read.

 

** I was sent this book from Revell Books in exchange for my honest (which doesn’t always mean positive!) review.    

Two Months Ago…

I’ve written about my guy, also known as “Hims” or “Himself”, on this blog, as well as the one before it. We’ve been together for years, and friends for years before that. Soulmates, perfect “other half”, all that stuff everyone hopes for.

On July 28 at 10:02pm Eastern Standard Time, pneumonia, septic shock, and Covid-19 took him away from me. Two months ago tomorrow.

I thought about creating a separate blog just about this, but no – I want to keep everything here. All the confusion and hurt and doubt. All the love and beautiful stuff we shared. And the cats. too. Of course!

There will be more to come, but not this evening. This evening I am soaking in a warm bath with bath salts and a good book and candlelight for a bit.

Just do me a favor: don’t be shy about telling people “I love you!” or that they mean a lot to you. It’s worth it.

On A Coastal Breeze

First, the blurb:

For Madison Grayson, life is good. Newly licensed as a marriage and family therapist, she can’t wait to start her practice. Despite the unfortunate shortage of eligible bachelors on the island–they’re all too young, too old, or too weird–Maddie feels like she’s finally found her sweet spot. Not even one panic attack in the last year. Not one.

And then Ricky O’Shea drops in. Literally. Floating down from the pure blue sky, the one man in the world she hoped never to see again–the one who’d been her archnemesis from kindergarten through her senior dance–parachutes into town, landing on Boon Dock, canopy draping behind him like a superhero. Ricky O’Shea. Now Pastor Rick, the new minister on Three Sisters Island.

Time to panic.

With wit and a bit of whimsy, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to Three Sisters Island where family, forgiveness, and a second chance at love await.

What I thought of the book:

I jumped at the chance to read another of Suzanne Woods Fisher’s books. This was my first visit to Three Sisters Island, even though this is the second in a trilogy. I’ve noticed the author has a wonderful habit of continuing the stories of everyone involved throughout a series, instead of writing solely for the featured characters of each book. Even so, it’s relatively easy to pick up on the lives lived in the pages. There were a few questions I had about Cam, Maddie, and Blaine that are probably answered in On A Summer Tide, the first in the series, but nothing that lessened my enjoyment of this story. And I loved the premise: Please – a boy you couldn’t stand from school is now your community’s pastor? This told me it was bound to be an interesting ride.

As usual, if you really don’t want to read about Christian faith and ideals, you might want to pass on this book. (One of the mains is a preacher, which should give you a good idea.) In this book it all goes very much along with the story and didn’t seem “preachy” at all, which is one of my negatives with some novels. A good read, and one that could only be made better by beginning with the first book first, I’m sure!

 

** I was sent this book from Revell Books in exchange for my honest (which doesn’t always mean positive!) review.    

The Atlas I Didn’t Know I Needed!

First, the blurb:

The Bible tells the story of God meeting real people in a real time and place, yet we rarely take the time to wonder, Why there? Maybe we have a hard time even picturing where there is. To begin to fully understand the Bible, we must understand the geographical settings of Scripture and how each place participates in the biblical story.

With its colorful maps, The Basic Bible Atlas helps us link geography to Bible study so we can understand how place impacted events in the Bible. From Eden to Egypt, from the promised land to Persia, from Bethlehem to the New Jerusalem, The Basic Bible Atlas is a fascinating guide to the land of the Bible. Your Bible study will never be the same.

What I thought of the book:

How beautiful is this! The illustrations and the maps are absolutely gorgeous. Part One is an introduction to geography, John A. Beck explains why we need to understand the geography of the Biblical world as opposed to the world we live in today. Things were much different, and this part explains a lot of that, showing us how the world was back then. Part Two begins with the search for the Garden of Eden (yes, there actually was such a place, which I was unaware of until reading this book), and continues through the Bible, both Old Testament and New, through Jesus’s life, and on to the early Christian church.

If you or someone you know is interested in the history and settings of everything in the Bible, this is the perfect book to begin with.

 

 

** I was sent this book from Baker Books in exchange for my honest (which doesn’t always mean positive!) review.    

Finding Lady Enderly

First, the blurb:

Raina Bretton is a rag woman in London’s east end when a handsome stranger appears in a dank alley and offers her a glittering smile and a chance for adventure. Rothburne Abbey has a unique position for her, one that will take her away from her hardscrabble life and give her a chance to be a lady. Things she could only dream of might be coming true. But some dreams turn out to be nightmares.

Though Raina has traded squalor for silk and satin, something about the abbey is deeply unsettling. As she wrestles with her true identity, the ruin, decay, and secrets she finds at the heart of the old mansion tear at her confidence and threaten to reveal her for who she really is. Only one man stands between her and the danger that lurks within–and only if he decides to keep her biggest secret hidden.

What I thought of the book:

I have to say – I love this book! Who hasn’t mused, at least once, of some stranger whisking you away from whatever troubles you were facing at the time, and into an adventure full of things you’d only dreamt about? Of course, most of us have also been warned that not everything is as it seems, and just because it seems a fairy-tale life, it may be something much much different underneath.

That said – the underlying theme of this story is that people are not always who they seem, and just because you were born into one life, one situation, this does not mean that life or situation defines who YOU are. Raina discovers this along the way and finds out more about herself as well.

One of the things I so loved about Raina is she is written as a woman with strength, but not like today’s definition of a “strong woman”. She is relatable and not at all two-dimensional. Neither are the other characters nor is the setting. I love the way Joanna Davidson Politano weaves the senses together to give the reader a glimpse into this different world. Definitely an author I would like to read again.

 

 

** I was sent this book from Revell in exchange for my honest (which doesn’t always mean positive!) review.    

We Hope For Better Things

 

The publisher’s blurb:

When Detroit Free Press reporter Elizabeth Balsam meets James Rich, his strange request–that she look up a relative she didn’t know she had in order to deliver an old camera and a box of photos–seems like it isn’t worth her time. But when she loses her job after a botched investigation, she suddenly finds herself with nothing but time.

At her great-aunt’s 150-year-old farmhouse north of Detroit, Elizabeth uncovers a series of mysterious items, locked doors, and hidden graves. As she searches for answers to the riddles around her, the remarkable stories of two women who lived in this very house emerge as testaments to love, resilience, and courage in the face of war, racism, and misunderstanding. And as Elizabeth soon discovers, the past is never as past as we might like to think.

Debut novelist Erin Bartels takes readers on an emotional journey through time–from the volatile streets of 1960s Detroit to the Michigan’s Underground Railroad during the Civil War–to uncover the past, confront the seeds of hatred, and discover where love goes to hide.

What I thought of the book:

I will be blatantly honest – with so many people calling so many things “racist” these days, about the last thing I would choose to read is a book largely about racism. Still, the other parts of the book seemed to be interesting, so I took a chance. What a good bet! The story is so well written, touching nerves in a raw but good way. Back and forth between the past and the present, and how everything that has happened before affects what is happening now in each of our lives – and how all of this combined might affect the future.

The characters are all so human, so real. It feels as though we could know them ourselves. And isn’t that one of the things we all long for in a story? The smaller tales woven together are each realistic and interesting and will hold your attention through to the end.

This book is highly recommended!

 

**I was sent this book from Revell Books in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.**

 

The Girl’s Guide To Conquering Life!

It’s really not just for teen girls, either!

The publisher’s blurb:

There’s a lot a girl needs to know as she grows up and makes her way in the world. Having a reference guide of practical how-to life skills and character traits can empower her to become a confident and capable woman. Coauthors Erica and Jonathan Catherman offer this collection of step-by-step instructions on 100 things girls need to succeed, including how to

– introduce yourself
– change a flat tire
– respectfully break up with a guy
– leave a tip
– apply for a job
– ask for a promotion
– behave during a police stop
– create a personal budget
– calculate square footage
– wash your face
– clear a clogged drain
– iron a shirt
– wear a scarf
– shoot a basketball
– sharpen kitchen knives
– and much more

In fact, if it’s in here, it’s an important skill or character trait practiced by capable and confident women. With great illustrations and sidebars of advice from world-class experts, this all-in-one reference tool for young women in the making is the perfect gift for birthdays, graduations, or any occasion.

What I thought of the book:

Seriously, how many of us couldn’t use a refresher course in a lot of these things? To be honest, this review is coming in late because I have been busy wearing myself out (mainly mentally!) learning a brand new job – and I was using some of these tips at all my interviews! I can also attest to the fact that YES you really do need to know the proper way to sharpen and maintain your kitchen knives, and how to leave a correct tip, how to introduce yourself, and how to create a personal budget. (Yeah, that one I’m working on…)

Please don’t assume this is only for those under the age of 21, because there are so many little tidbits women of all ages can pick up from this book. It will make a wonderful gift for any occasion, and one that will teach life lessons that everyone needs to learn for a better day to day life.

Definitely a keeper!

 

**I was sent these books from Revell Books in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.**

 

HUGE Book Update!

I have to begin this blog post with a huge apology! I have had lots of Life Things happening this past month and have fallen way behind with my blogging. This post will cover all the books I have read and should catch everyone up!

Pelican Point

Lighthouse. That’s all I needed to know when I first picked up this book. Because I LOVE lighthouses.

 

The publisher’s blurb:

A crumbling lighthouse is not part of the inheritance Army doctor Ben Garrison expects to claim when he journeys to Hope Harbor. Fresh out of the service, he wants only to unload the tower of bricks, decompress from years of treating battlefield trauma, and prepare to launch his civilian career.

Hope Harbor Herald editor Marci Weber has other ideas. She may not be a Hope Harbor native, but the small Oregon seaside town has become home–and she’s determined to save the Pelican Point landmark.

Sparks fly as the two go head to head over the fate of the lighthouse. But when they start to cooperate, a different kind of fire ignites. And as they work together, might Hope Harbor heal the hearts of these two romance-wary souls?

Bestselling author Irene Hannon invites readers back to their favorite town for a story that will light a beacon of hope within their hearts.

What I thought of the book:

Oh no! I’ve jumped into a series on the last book again. But what a jump. This is the fourth novel in the Hope Harbour series, and while it can definitely be enjoyed on its own, like so many later books in any series it’s probably better to have read the previous stories first. Old characters tend to give a lot of the background in everything, and this book was no exception.

On the whole, I really enjoyed this book. Easy to pick up and read, whether I had a few minutes or a whole afternoon. This would be a great story to take to the beach or poolside this summer. The characters are pretty well-developed (though again, already being familiar with the background would probably help a lot), and the storylines flow.

Grab it – you won’t be disappointed. 🙂

 

 

**I was sent this copy from Revell Books in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.**

The Heart’s Appeal

The publisher’s blurb:

Strong-minded and independent Julia Bernay comes to London to study medicine and become a doctor–a profession that has only just opened up to women. She witnesses a serious accident, and through her quick actions saves the life of an ambitious young barrister named Michael Stephenson.

Coming from a family that long ago lost its money and its respectability, Michael Stephenson has achieved what many would have thought was impossible. Hard work and an aptitude for the law have enabled him to rise above his family’s stigma and set him on the path to wealth and recognition. But his well-laid plans are upended when the accident brings Julia into his life.

Michael soon discovers he’s met a woman every bit as stubborn and determined to make her mark on the world as he is. Sparks fly–but will they find common ground?

What I thought of the book:

In all honesty, I had mixed feelings about this book. The story itself was good. The characters were interesting and varied, and there was nothing glaringly incorrect for the time period. (I just hate when that happens!)

Julia Bernay is an orphan raised in an orphanage who has managed to overcome that societal flaw. She is determined to become a woman doctor, and join a mission in Africa, not only tending to the natives’ bodies but to their souls as well. Michael Stephenson is just as determined to regain the status of his family – mainly for his sister who places a great deal of importance on this. He is a barrister, but will soon see himself with a thriving practice of his own, especially if he is on the winning side of this current lawsuit.

The lawsuit just happens to be against the medical school Julia is set to attend next semester…

As I said, I really enjoyed the story, but what I found a bit grating was Julia’s near-constant espousing of her beliefs. (Kudos, though, that the author showed some others of her acquaintance ill at ease and at times a bit hostile towards this.) Maybe it’s because I wanted to step into the story myself and tell Julia to hush up a bit, that not everyone wants to listen to her claims of faith all the time. Show, don’t tell, Julia!

Still, that is part of Julia’s personality, so after a bit I found I couldn’t complain… too much.

I do recommend this book, though there is one before it which you might like to read first.

 

 

**I was sent this copy from Bethany House in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.**