Month: August 2021

August 29, 2021

Safe Harbour Book Review

In Safe Harbour, as far-fetched as her father’s plan sounds, sticking to it is easy for Harbour — until it isn’t.

About Safe Harbour

Fourteen-year-old Harbour is living in a tent in a Toronto ravine with her dog, a two-month supply of canned tuna, and an unconventional reading list. She’s not homeless, she tells herself. She’s merely waiting for her home — a thirty-six-foot sailboat — to arrive with her father at the helm. Why should she worry when the clouds give her signs that assure her that she’s safe and protected?

When her credit card gets declined, phone contact from her father stops, and summer slips into a frosty fall, Harbour is forced to face reality and accept the help of a homeless teen named Lise to survive on the streets. Lise shows Harbour how to panhandle and navigate the shelter system while trying to unravel Harbour’s mysterious past. But if Harbour tells her anything, the consequences could be catastrophic.

My Thoughts

Safe Harbour is a powerful book that touches on several important topics including homelessness, child welfare system and mental illness told with compassion, understanding and sensitivity.

Fourteen year old Harbour has found herself living in a Toronto ravine in a tent with her dog Tuff Stuff while she waits for her Dad to join her on his sailboat. As we learn, this is not unusual – Harbour has had a very interesting childhood. She has been homeschooled in an untraditional manner – learning more about real life application about topics close to her Father’s heart. Harbour is kind, thoughtful and independent. She is used to being on her own and making do, this time getting by on cans of tuna and crackers. But this time, something is not quite right as the days turn in to weeks waiting for her Father. She develops a friendship with a young woman named Lise, who helps show her how to survive on the streets of Toronto especially as fall is closing in quickly and the weather is changing quite quickly. She also helps her to realize and support her when it appears something bad has happened to her Father and he may not be coming.

This was a beautifully written book that many times had me in tears over the kindness and compassion that Harbour finds in Lise. Being witness to their struggles on the streets of Toronto hurts, hearing the stories of the youth, their struggles with the system breaks your heart because you know that these stories hold true for so many of our youth. Lise approaches life with caution but with humour, getting by by trusting her instincts and the people who have been there for her judgement free. Both young women are trying to get through each day looking for food for themselves and Tuff Stuff, to keep warm and clean, and to find a way to move forward while facing extreme weather, mistrust of the system and being judged by society. While the ending may not be an ending that all youth will experience, it warmed my heart and helped bring the story full circle.

Safe Harbour was an incredible read from start to finish that I could not put down. It is perfect for all age groups and covers some very important topics with compassion. Safe Harbour is a definite must read novel this summer!

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Christina Kilbourne is the author of Safe Harbour, Detached and the award-winning Dear Jo. Her writing has been translated into Spanish, Portuguese, Slovenian, and Ukrainian. She lives in Bracebridge, Ontario.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

August 23, 2021

The Wilderness Spa Book Review

The Wilderness Spa brings people from three quite different sources together to survive catastrophe in the Alaskan wilderness.

About The Wilderness Spa

The Wilderness Spa brings people from three quite different sources together to survive catastrophe in the Alaskan wilderness. They amaze themselves in their ability to coalesce and work cohesively in the face of hunger, injury, insecurity, and possible death. With that on their minds, they explore statistics, logic, social justice, and challenges to philosophies and social norms.

After rocky starts when new members enter the group, they learn to find the best in their fellow travelers, how to help, follow, and lead when necessary. Nothing is ever easy. Without attacking each other, they dig deep to reconcile their differences.

Join the group as they make the best of what they have. Struggle along with them and reconcile your own philosophical belief systems with logic and science.

My Thoughts

Take a dive into the Alaskan wilderness where a group of individuals from different backgrounds must work together to survive.

An earthquake has hit the Alaskan wilderness and has put several different groups of individuals (with very different backgrounds, comfort levels and survival skills) on a different path of survival. Each one of the individuals has their own strengths and weaknesses, and each is vital to the survival of the group in the face of such uncertainty and wildness. Tom brings his knowledge of the land and strong survival skills, while other brings medical skills, food handling skills, leadership and hunting skills. They have been thrown together in an almost impossible situation – facing death, injury and hunger. They not only have to survive but have to learn how to trust each other as well (no easy task under such intense pressure!). Can Tom ensure that the group survives? Can he tame the personalities and encourage them to work together for the greater good?

This was an incredible tale of survival, and how individuals from different walks of life can come together to overcome obstacles. It is also an important reminder that every member is vital to the groups survival – bringing to the group different skills necessary. The novel is well written and the characters each bring with them a different approach and flavour to the novel that you can appreciate and recognize in real life (you may even be able to recognize a few of your own colleagues in this group). You do not want to put this novel down, as you follow along with their struggles and achievements in the wilderness, a great summer time read.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Books a Million and Indie Bound.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

Jim Halverson is the author of Trials & Trails (2019) and Ponce, What Actually Happened at the Fountain of Youth (upcoming, 2021). Jim grew up in the rural, gold-mining town of Mokelumne Hill, CA and received his MBA from Golden Gate University. He spent part of his life on a ranch and is an avid student of psychology. He recognizes the struggles of all men and women seeking equality and respect. Jim and his wife, Gail, spend their time traveling from their small farm in Forestville, CA.

You can connect with him on his website.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

August 19, 2021

On the Cliffs of Foxglove Manor Book Review

In the Cliffs of Foxglove Manor, when the residents of Foxglove start sharing stories of whispers in the night, hidden treasure, and a love willing to kill, it becomes clear this home is far from a haven. She’ll have to risk it all to banish the past’s demons, including her own.

About On the Cliffs of Foxglove Manor

1885.

Adria Fontaine has been sent to recover goods her father pirated on the Great Lakes during the war. But when she arrives at Foxglove Manor–a stone house on a cliff overlooking Lake Superior–Adria senses wickedness hovering over the property. The mistress of Foxglove is an eccentric and seemingly cruel old woman who has filled her house with dangerous secrets, ones that may cost Adria her life.

Present day.

Kailey Gibson is a new nurse’s aide at a senior home in a renovated old stone manor. Kidnapped as a child, she has nothing but locked-up memories of secrets and death, overshadowed by the chilling promise from her abductors that they would return. When the residents of Foxglove start sharing stories of whispers in the night, hidden treasure, and a love willing to kill, it becomes clear this home is far from a haven. She’ll have to risk it all to banish the past’s demons, including her own.

My Thoughts

Two young women separated by over a century are tied together by the mysterious Foxglove Manor, a ghost story and the secrets within its architecture, caves and those who guard its secrets.

Adria has been banished to Foxglove Manor to recover a secret treasure that was stolen from her Father. She is a young woman who has had a difficult life, with little sense of family and who suffers from depression. She can sense the dark history of the manor and those who live there, despite the warnings she still tries to uncover the secrets both for herself and her Father.

Kailey lost her parents tragically as a young child and just before this she was kidnapped but no one believed her. She now cares for her autistic brother and is determined to uncover the memories of her past and discover how the kidnapping and deaths are connected to Foxglove Manor.

I loved how the novel went back and forth between the two young woman and we were able to witness their story evolve. The plot was incredible and keeps you on the edge of your seat. We learn bit by bit the history of the manor, stolen treasures, a ghost and a story that has been carried down generation to generation. It is a well written novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat, unable to put the novel down. I loved the way the stories built up, as Jaime gives you just the right amount of information at each stage of the novel. I enjoyed the two female characters – they were vulnerable and flawed, which made them relatable and makes you want to protect them and support them.

On the Cliffs of Foxglove Manor is an intense novel full of suspense that is a definite must read novel this summer.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 4.5/5

About the Author

Jaime Jo Wright is the author of six novels, including Christy Award winner The House on Foster Hill and Carol Award winner The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. She’s also the Publishers Weekly and ECPA bestselling author of two novellas. Jaime lives in Wisconsin with her cat named Foo; her husband, Cap’n Hook; and their littles, Peter Pan and CoCo. To learn more, visit www.jaimewrightbooks.com.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

August 16, 2021

The Art of Time: A Mother – Daughter Sprezzatura on the Spirit of Time Spotlight

The Art of Time offers concepts and images that introduce readers to a new—and wonderful—realm of being.

About The Art of Time: A Mother-Daughter Sprezzatura on the Spirit of Time

In The Art of Time: A Mother-Daughter Sprezzatura on the Spirit of Time, Martine Therese and her daughter, Martina Franca, invite you into a lush world where time has no limits. Consisting of paintings, meditations and poetry, The Art of Time merges maternal & youthful wisdom into a one-of-a-kind artistic showcase with a powerful message: humanity’s experience can be enhanced by developing our minds into sensual thought.

A gorgeous book to be treasured by everyone from art connoisseurs to children, The Art of Time offers concepts and images that introduce readers to a new—and wonderful—realm of being.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

About the Author

Martine Therese was a practicing Certified Public Accountant when she became pregnant with her daughter, Martina Franca. She decided to leave her accounting job and focus on her daughter instead. The transition, while “brutal,” completely transformed Martine’s life, and opened up a whole new world of possibility.

For Martine, who has been writing poetry all her life, motherhood expanded her creativity, and she finally felt the courage to bring her work to the world. Martine and her daughter discovered a love for painting, and their artwork, combined with Martine’s poetry, form the basis of The Art of Time; A Mother-Daughter Sprezzatura on the Spirit of Time. The book is a token of their shared loves and talents.

Martine and Martina Franca are putting together a follow-up collection on the topic of what it means to be human, exploring the theme of building the potential of humanity. Martina Franca embraces her maternal side on a daily basis, be it with caring for her baby dolls or her puppy, Marcello. She gets a kick out of tailgating with Mom and watching people’s reactions, and playing practical jokes like hiding Daddy’s shampoo bottle, and she loves having conversations. She regularly chills out with Mom during yoga in their special “rainbow room,” a room just for the two of them to recharge. On sunny days, gorgeous rainbows fill the wall of the Rainbow Room, and Martina and Mom bask in those colors—which is why Martina loves infusing her art with rainbows.

You can connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.

Giveaway!

Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card here.

Disclosure: This is a spotlight tour, I did not receive compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

August 9, 2021

To Find Her Place Book Review

To Find Her Place is set in the midst of WWII and Jane is at a crossroads – can she discern the path to true happiness?

About To Find Her Place

In the midst of WWII, Jane Linder pours all her energy and dreams for a family into her career at the Toronto Children’s Aid Society. As acting directress, Jane hopes for a permanent appointment so she can continue making a difference in the lives of troubled children. But if anyone were to find out she is divorced, everything would change.

Garrett Wilder has been hired to overhaul operations at the Children’s Aid Society. He hopes to impress the board members with his findings and earn the vacant director’s position. A war injury ended his dream of taking over his parents’ farm, but with the security of the director’s job, he’d be able to contribute financially and help save the family business.

Despite their competing interests, feelings begin to blossom between them. But then Jane’s ex-husband returns from overseas with an unexpected proposition that could fulfill her deepest desires. Suddenly at a crossroads, can Jane discern the path to true happiness?

My Thoughts

Jane is a bright young woman who has risen quickly in the Children’s Aid Society from social worker to acting directress, especially at a time when women were not viewed as capable of handling all of this. She has balanced her Mother’s illness, her home life and hidden the secret of her divorce all in the hopes to secure the Directress position to provide her with financial security and the hopes of a family.

Garrett returned from the War with a severe injury that could end his life at any time – an injury that he refuses to speak about and one that has caused him to give up hopes on a future and happiness. His job with the Children’s Aid Society is to find where Jane has gone wrong and if someone is stealing money. This puts the two of them at odds despite the budding attraction and their both very obvious love of the children and protecting them.

I loved this well written novel. Jane is just this wonderful woman, who has a heart full of love and kindness – you can’t help but love her and want to be her friend. She has had a difficult past, and you want to continuously protect her throughout the novel but these are things that she must learn to forgive and move past, if she ever wants to have happiness in the future. Garrett has his own troubled past – one that he also has not come to peace with and while he is perfect for Jane, both of them struggle with letting go and their own insecurities in order to find happiness in the future.

This is a definite must read novel that will inspire you, give you hope and belief that we should always follow our hearts.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Susan Anne Mason’s historical novel Irish Meadows won the Fiction from the Heartland contest from the Mid-American Romance Authors Chapter of RWA as well as the Christian Retailer’s Choice Award for Debut Novel. A member of ACFW, Susan lives outside of Toronto, Ontario, with her husband and two children. She can be found online at www.susanannemason.net.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.