Category: book review

Murder, love, honour and secrecy. Tide and Tempest by Elizabeth Ludwig has it all!

Tillie McGrath and her fiance leave Ireland dreaming of a better life in America. During the trip over, her fiance falls ill with a severe illness that takes his life. She is left alone in a new world with only memories. Although difficult, Tillie finds new friends at her New York boardinghouse and begins to pursue her dream of opening a home for orphaned children.

In steps, Captain Keondric Morgan, that despite two years having passed that fateful trip still remembers the girl who left his ship heartbroken. When one of his crewmen reveals a secret on his death bed, Keondric learns that this young lady’s fiance was murdered. The captain now knows he must contact her and fill her in on what he knows. His attention to Tillie draws the notice of others as well, the same dangerous men that took her fiance’s life! They believe she has something in her possession that could potentially expose their crimes.

Tide and Tempest by Elizabeth Ludwig was full of adventure and suspense. I literally could not put it down! I had to know what happened next especially with all the great twists! Elizabeth writes so well and gives just enough at each stage of the book to have you craving more!

Tillie’s story was one of forgiveness, selflessness and self discovery. You could not help but love her! After all she suffered through, she still thought of others before herself. You just want to grab her and give her a giant hug and help her for a while. I wanted to see the romance blossom earlier between her and Keondric but the way it developed suited the story perfectly.

Rating: 5/5

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

A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander follows the story of Eleanor Braddock. Eleanor has been brought up to be practical and has always thought of herself as plain and not a typical Southern beauty. Due to her age she feels she will never marry. Impoverished and struggling to care for her father and his mental decline, Eleanor arrives at Belmont Mansion. Belmont Mansion is home to her aunt, Adelicia Acklen, the richest woman in America and also one of the most demanding. Adelicia is determined to find her niece a husband but Eleanor wants to follow a different path. From one act of kindness, Eleanor begins to take care of the widows and fatherless children from the Civil War, something she knows her Aunt will never understand nor approve of.

Archduke Marcus Gottfried has come to Nashville from Austria in search of a life that he dreams of instead of the one that has been preset for him. He hides his royal heritage so that he can follow his passion for nature and combining this with architecture. His dream is to develop the most marvelous building in American history.  He begins to work on the home that will help Eleanor care for the widows and their children and this begins to draw them closer together. They find so much in common and begin to fall in love.

A Beauty So Rare was a fantastic read from start to end. Eleanor was a character that you could easily relate to and connect with. She is a tad bit unsure of herself, determined to make her own way and go against society norms. Throughout the novel she is forced to struggle with her father’s mental decline which many can relate to and understand the difficulties that can arise with dementia. This is not an easy topic but throughout the novel she cared for him and did all she could for him.

Eleanor selflessness was one of her most admirable traits. She was always ready and willing to give more. She came to Nashville with little money in her pocket but she still cared for those less fortunate. Despite dreaming of owning her own restaurant she cooks and cares for those less fortunate. Her character really shows us that as Christians (and people in general) we are always called to care for others and give where we can. It has inspired me to help out more in my own community!

The love that blossomed between our two main characters was simple and sweet. The two characters made you smile, laugh and shake your head. Similar to moments in our own relationships with our significant others today!

A Beauty So Rare was full of historical places, people and information. This really helped to draw you into the story and see into Eleanor’s world. Tamera does an excellent job of re-creating society in this time period fully immersing you into this historical period.

Eleanor shows us that true beauty comes from within and shines through all of our acts of kindness and selflessness. A Beauty So Rare is a definite must read!

Rating: 5/5

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

Last week I brought you an excerpt of the new novel I am reviewing, A Beauty So Rare. I actually finished reading it this weekend (could not put it down on Saturday!) and wanted to share a video on the inspiration behind the novel.

The Tyrant’s Daughter written by J.C. Carleson, a former CIA officer, follows the account of a royal Middle Eastern family exiled to the American suburbs.

The Story

When 15 year old, Laila’s father is killed she flees from the war torn middle east to a life of anonymity in the U.S. Gradually she begins to adjust to a new school, friends and culture but while she focuses on her new life her mother is focused on the past. Her mother is conspiring with CIA operatives and rebel factions to regain the throne her family lost. Laila feels torn as an international crisis begins to shape around her but is conflicted on what one girl can do to stop a conflict.

My Thoughts

The Tyrant’s Daughter was an incredibly powerful and moving novel. It allowed us to see inside the world of a young girl who is on the verge of womanhood and trying to discover her own place in the world. She is torn from the only life she has ever known and placed into the safety of unfamiliar neighbourhood. She slowly begins to see her family and the people she knew back home in a different light as she is allowed to use the Internet for the first time – is her Father the man she thought he was or the one portrayed on the Internet?. Being immersed in a new culture so different than her own allows her to understand herself better and at times embrace her own beliefs stronger. Everything from gender interactions to food to clothes is so different then anything she has ever experienced before.

The novel gave such a different perspective of politics and the effect it has on the families of those involved. How the decisions their loved ones makes effects them and so much more.

Rating: 5/5

A definite must read! The book is meant for young adults but I found it perfect for my own age group as well.

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