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.    

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.**

The Golden Vial

Not the conclusion again!

The publisher’s blurb:

Lady Shona, the newly crowned queen of the realm, is a leader without a throne. Pursued relentlessly by a dark force, her small contingent of loyal followers must make a difficult choice–flee or fight. Determined to save her land from nefarious threats, Lady Shona decides that she must seek out the enemy and attack them head on–a strategy that leads back to the region of the Three Valleys where Hyam was born.

Alas, Hyam has been struck by a mysterious illness that is silently sweeping through the realm. Known as the wasting disease, the sickness has no cure. But there is one shred of hope for Lady Shona and the realm–and it comes in the most unlikely of forms. A young orphan, untested and untrained, could well mean the difference between victory and total defeat.

Thomas Locke concludes his epic trilogy with a gripping tale of courage that will inspire readers to persevere even when all seems lost.

What I thought of the book:

I was very ready for a story that takes place somewhere “other

For Studies…

The publisher’s blurb:

When it comes to the realm of biblical studies, students of the Bible are often overwhelmed, both with the sheer volume of information and with all of the unfamiliar terms, concepts, and topics. Like any other field of study, the serious study of the Bible has developed a specialized vocabulary. The key terms in this important field are defined in The Compact Dictionary of Biblical Studies. It provides clear, concise, and accurate definitions to help students of the Bible make sense of the specialized language of biblical studies.

What I thought of this book:

I love this book. I know – who would have ever thought I would say I love a dictionary? But it’s true – this dictionary is a wonderful resource for the biblical scholar, the theology student, or just someone like me who would like a bit more information on something. Marduk, Marxist interpretation, Gilgamesh Epic, gloss. From “abomination of desolation” (the first entry) to “Zoroastrianism” (the last), there are so many clutches of knowledge in this little book! Honestly, just reading a bit through it – not solely to learn about something you’ve come across in the Bible, but just to be looking – will give you things to think about, and to widen your view of the world, both modern and ancient.

A reference book that should have a place on desks and in backpacks around the world.

 

 

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

Phoebe’s Light

I really like Suzanne Woods Fisher. Just sayin’.

The publisher’s blurb:

Phoebe Starbuck has always adjusted her sails and rudder to the whims of her father. Now, for the first time, she’s doing what she wants to do: marrying Captain Phineas Foulger and sailing far away from Nantucket. As she leaves on her grand adventure, her father gives her two gifts, both of which Phoebe sees little need for. The first is an old sheepskin journal from Great Mary, her highly revered great-grandmother. The other is a “minder” on the whaling ship in the form of cooper Matthew Macy, a man whom she loathes.

Soon Phoebe discovers that life at sea is no easier than life on land. Lonely, seasick, and disillusioned, she turns the pages of Great Mary’s journal and finds herself drawn into the life of this noble woman. To Phoebe’s shock, her great-grandmother has left a secret behind that carries repercussions for everyone aboard the ship, especially her husband the captain and her shadow the cooper. This story within a story catapults Phoebe into seeing her life in an entirely new way–just in time.

In this brand-new series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her signature twists and turns to bear on a fascinating new faith community: the Quakers of colonial-era Nantucket Island.

What I thought of the book:

I absolutely loved the tandem storylines – one taking

Warning: Sarcasm Ahead

Most of the books I review come from a few Christian publishing houses, for which I am grateful. I’ve discovered some great authors and read some enthralling stories thanks to their generosity in allowing bloggers with less than 100 followers (at the time) to sign on as reviewers. I also get to review books through Blogging For Books, which is part of Penguin Random House. Theirs is a decidedly wider, secular offering for blogging. This time, I couldn’t help it – I had to try this out:

The publisher’s blurb:

With a biting, satirical style reminiscent of The Onion, How to Be a Perfect Christian takes a humorous look at the quirks of cultural Christianity while subtly challenging the reader to search for more than a cultural faith.

Written in the trademark style of The Babylon Bee, this book humorously satirizes cultural Christianity while peppering in subtle challenges to the reader. Through humor and sarcasm (and a handy meter to rank your “holiness” as you progress through the book), readers will be called to find a more biblical understanding of the Christian faith, all while poking fun at the quirks of the modern, American Christian community.

What I thought of the book:

First thing’s first: If you take your church community or yourself too seriously, this may not be the book for you. However, if you enjoy sarcasm, good satire,

Violin Strings…

 

The second installment of the Shadows Over England series by Roseanna M. White.

 

The publisher’s blurb:

Willa Forsythe is both a violin prodigy and top-notch thief, which makes her the perfect choice for a crucial task at the outset of World War I–to steal a cypher from a famous violinist currently in Wales.

Lukas De Wilde has enjoyed the life of fame he’s won–until now, when being recognized nearly gets him killed. Everyone wants the key to his father’s work as a cryptologist. And Lukas fears that his mother and sister, who have vanished in the wake of the German invasion of Belgium, will pay the price. The only light he finds is meeting the intriguing Willa Forsythe.

But danger presses in from every side, and Willa knows what Lukas doesn’t–that she must betray him and find that cypher, or her own family will pay the price as surely as his has.

What I thought of the book:

Awhile back, I had the pleasure of

Troubled Waters

More adventures with the PEAK Rescue team!

The publisher’s blurb:

Billionaire Ian Shaw can have everything he wants–except a happy ending. Or at least that’s what it feels like with his fortune recently liquidated, his niece, Esme, still missing, and the woman he loves refusing to speak to him. In fact, he doubts she would date him even if they were stranded on a deserted island.

Despite her love for Ian, Sierra Rose knows he has no room in his life for her as long as the mystery of his missing niece goes unsolved. The only problem is, Sierra has solved it, but a promise to Esme to keep her whereabouts secret has made it impossible to be around Ian.

When the PEAK chopper is damaged and Sierra lacks the funds to repair it, Ian offers a fundraising junket for large donors on his yacht in the Caribbean. But the three-day excursion turns into a nightmare when a rogue wave cripples the yacht and sends the passengers overboard. Shaken up and soaked to the bone, Ian finally has a chance to test his theory when he and Sierra do indeed find themselves washed up on a strange, empty shore.

It will take guts and gumption for the PEAK team to rescue the duo. But it will take a miracle to rescue Ian and Sierra’s relationship.

Death At Thorburn Hall

Travel back to the 1930s for a wonderful murder mystery.

The publisher’s blurb:

The Fartherings’ Scottish Holiday Takes a Dark Turn
Drew Farthering arrives in idyllic Scotland for the 1935 British Open at Muirfield hoping for a relaxing holiday, but he soon finds a mystery on his hands. Lord Rainsby, his host at Thorburn Hall, fears his business partner may be embezzling and asks Drew to quietly investigate. Before Drew can uncover anything, Rainsby is killed in a suspicious riding accident.

Thorburn Hall is filled with guests, and as Drew continues to dig, he realizes that each might have had a motive to put Raisnby out of the way. Together with Madeline and Nick, he must sort through shady business dealings, international intrigue, and family tensions to find a killer who always seems to be one step ahead.

What I thought of the book:

I am not one to refuse a good mystery, and