May 12, 2015
The Dream Lover by Elizabeth Berg #bookreview
The Dream Lover is a historical novel based on the sensuous Parisian life of the nineteenth century writer, George Sand.
About The Dream Lover
At the beginning of this novel we meet Aurore Dupin as she prepares to leave her estranged husband, a loveless marriage and her family’s estate in the French countryside to start a new life in Paris. To celebrate this change she gives herself a new name, George Sand and pursues her dream of becoming a writer and embraces a unconvential and sometimes scandalous lifestyle.
Aurore as George Sand defies the confines of society. As Sand welcomes fame and friendship, she must overcome heartbreak, prejudice, failure and loss. She must work to reconcile the pain of her childhood and the relationships with her Mother and daughters as well as her relationships with men and women.
My Thoughts
An extremely interesting and vivid read of a young woman in the confines of the nineteenth century. This was my first time being introduced to Aurore Dupin better known as George Sand (I know, I am cringing myself too! Especially with all the fantastic work she had done!). I was amazed at all the things she managed to accomplish, goals that she did for herself in a time period where this was not common for a woman. She stood her ground and followed her dreams regardless of who it hurt at times (her children – more specifically her daughter).
We are witness to her childhood, her role as a Mother and finally as she breaks free to follow a career not available to women. We witness her experiment with gender transition, have love affairs and lead a life that was then deemed unacceptable to a female and quite scandalous.
While slow in the beginning as we are introduced to the past that made George Sand who she was, the novel really picks up halfway through making it hard to put down. This is my first time reading a novel by Elizabeth Berg and I can’t wait to read more. She has a lovely way of writing that will keep me coming back for more!
Rating: 4/5
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 12, 2015
When Grace Sings by Kim Sawyer
When trouble comes to quiet Arborville in the novel When Grace Sings, Alexa and Anna-Grace find themselves the target of exposed secrets. Can they continue to seek the grace of God during the fog of confusion?
About When Grace Sings
Alexa Zimmerman wonders if the Old Order Mennonite community in Arborville will ever fully accept her. Her family roots are not what everyone thought they were when she first arrived. She is hoping her culinary and hospitality skills will win them over. The bed and breakfast she is operating needs to succeed. Alexa agrees to take on Chicago reporter, Briley Forrester to stay as a long-term reporter not realizing his true intentions.
When Alexa agrees to take on her cousin Anna-Grace, the presence of extended family brings on an insecurity which sets Briley’s on a trail to uncover the truths.
Plans for a secure future and a young romance hang in balance, when the two girls have to face the secrets that bind them in ways they would not believe.
My Thoughts
A lovely read from start to finish with an important lesson for all of us to learn. Briley comes to Arborville under false pretenses hoping to uncover his story of a lifetime. His personal family history has made him into the man he is today, who doesn’t care for religion,God and finds it hard to find faith in others.
Alexa and Anna-Grace have a history that intertwines their lives forever. Only one of them knows the truth, this truth hurts her and we see her carry the full burden of this truth throughout most of the book. It is this truth that Briley uncovers. But how he will use this will affect all of the characters in this book greatly.
Finding the grace of God plays a strong role in this book and the end will leave you crying and overwhelmed. It was a beautiful ending to a beautiful story of faith, trust and grace.
You can find more reviews of When Grace Sings on the Litfuse Blog Page. To purchase a copy of the book, you can do so here.
Rating: 4/5
About the Author
Kim Sawyer is the author of twenty-nine novels! Her books have won ACFW Book of the year, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Kim is an active member of her church and in her downtime enjoys drama, quilting and calligraphy. Kim, her husband and their three daughters live in Kansas. You can connect with her on website, Facebook and Twitter.
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 8, 2015
Grace and Frankie, A Netflix Exclusive! #StreamTeam
With so much stress from life (work, finances, health), when I come home I want to watch television shows that make me laugh out loud, that make me think and sometimes that make me cry (but in a good way!).
Grace and Frankie, a Netflix original series, stars the hilarious Jane Fonda (Grace) and Lily Tomlin (Frankie). These two women have their life turned upside down when their husbands reveal they are gay and are leaving the two women for each other. This unlikely pair form a unique bond when they face their uncertain future together. Together they discover a new definition of family with laughter, tears, and plenty of mood enhancers along the way!
Grace and Frankie is from executive producers, Marta Kauffman (Friends) and Howard Morris (Home Improvement) and takes on aging in a hilarious new way (from joint pain to blind dates) and how life’s little turning points show us who we are.
Jane Fonda is one of my favourite people to watch. She has this way about her that makes you love her, hate her and laugh at the same time. She pulls off this role beautifully while Lily Tomlin is her perfect counter part. These two women, who hate each other with such passion, are thrown together in the worst of situations. I am still laughing as I think about the moment when the men tell them they are leaving them – Jane was at her finest!
While a comedy, Grace and Frankie, paints a picture of life how it really is. Life can be beautiful, ugly at times and can throw curve balls out of nowhere. When you feel that you are finally on the right path, life can just turn you right around. This series shows you how it is and will leave you laughing, crying and gasping at times. With a few swear words and mild inappropriate terms, it is definitely for older teens and adults but it will win over your heart.
Grace and Frankie premieres on Netflix May 8th,2015 so get ready for some good laughs with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin coming your way today!
Disclosure: I am a Netflix #Streamteam member and received early access to this series. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 8, 2015
The Motherhood Journey: Support, Guidance, Love and Trust #TheMotherhood
Motherhood: the state of being a Mother, maternity, the qualities or spirit of a Mother, Mothers collectively. As an adjective: having or related to an inherent worthiness, justness, or goodness that is obvious.
The day my first son came into this world was the most incredible moment of my life. Hearing his cry, counting his fingers and toes, cuddling him close to my chest were moments of absolute bliss. The moment I first held him against my chest, was probably the closest any one person can get to heaven on Earth. Those feelings were revived when I gave birth to my second son almost seven years later. It is a moment of absolute perfectness that is so hard to describe.
Those moments also marked my first steps into the journey of motherhood. It wasn’t long after I gave birth that I realized becoming a Mother wasn’t a role that I had to nor one that I should face alone. The saying, it takes a village to raise a child, becomes clear after you become a parent. Mothers need to form a group of people around them to guide, support, love and give them much-needed adult time.
So who helps me with my motherhood?
My Motherhood group consists of a large group of women that includes my Mom, sister, Aunts, colleagues and my neighbour. Each one of these incredible individuals has helped me in so many ways grow as a Mother and be the best Mother that I can be for my boys. I turn to them when I am lost, when I need advice and for a shoulder to cry on.
My sister has always been there for me night and day. When I am scared or stressed, I know that I can message her at any time and she is always there to answer me (even at three in the morning!). She is my sound advice and shoulder to vent on. She is the first person I share all my news with, especially about my boys, my career and my goals. I am grateful to have her in my life.
Those ladies right there – they are my biggest supports in life and motherhood. They are so much more to me than my colleagues. With just one look, they know how I am feeling, if I need a hug or just a moment to breathe. When our youngest started daycare, all I wanted to do was cry everyday after the drop off. They are the ones to give me a hug, make me laugh and remind me of their own experiences with their children. You know those crazy questions you have about parenting? The ones that you think no one will be able to answer? These ladies are the ones I go to for help, they help me without judgement and even manage to make me laugh about the situation. No matter what they always help me see the goodness in every situation.
These incredible individuals help make up my ‘motherhood’. This Mother’s Day, Campbell’s hopes you take a moment to reflect on those people in your life who help us on our Motherhood journey, they don’t have to be a Mother but are those people in our lives who help make us better for our children. Take the time out this week to thank them for all that they do.
Who helps you on your journey of Motherhood?
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post from Campbell’s Canada. All opinions and reflections are my own.
May 6, 2015
Star Wars Fans Rejoice: Star Wars Rebels Comes Alive with DK Canada!
How many of you are Star Wars fans?
For me, my obsession with these movies started as a child and I have passed this on to my children. How can you not love this movie saga?
With the newest installment in this series coming out this year, get your child ready with Star Wars Rebels series from DK Canada.
The Star Wars Rebels comes in the ever popular DK Readers set. My children were able to read through Meet the Rebels (level two) and Fight the Empire (level three). Level two books are designed to suit readers that are just beginning to read alone with occasional adult help. Level three books are suited for the child that is confident in reading alone.
Both books have beautiful, large illustrations that help draw your child into the book. The font in each of the two books was large and bold, allowing our son to confidently read the book to his brother. Which for us as parents was one of the best parts, to watch our eldest son read to his younger brother. Each page was examined closely by our boys to see the illustrations up close. Both books had a quiz and glossary at the end of book to help them out with terms they may not have understood throughout the book.
We also had the pleasure of viewing Star Wars Rebels: The Visual Guide. This guide features the beginning of the epic struggle against the Empire with new heroes, villains, new vehicles, weapons and worlds. The guide contains a foreword from Dave Filoni, how cool is that?! The full-page images in this book are stunning, truly bringing the series to life. The colours are bright and the pages are set up with the images to follow them across the page. The accompanying info will be helpful for new and old fans alike.
Make sure to check out DK Canada’s Star Wars Boutique to get your fill of all things Star Wars.
Which Star Wars movie is your personal favourite?
disclosure: I received the above mentioned books free of charge in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.