At the Bookshelf

Not a Word – A Review

by // // No Comments

Not a Word by Chautona Havig
Originally Published in 2013

Words have power. Add a solid reputation behind those words, and they have the power to destroy.

It began with a lie.

Mac’s life changed irrevocably with a false accusation. Blissfully unaware of the carnage she left behind when she moved from Brant’s Corners, Savannah Forrester is back and when Mac sees her at church–with a boy–he wants answers.

For eight years he’s lived under the cloud of her accusations–without defending himself. He kept her secret. He endured the shame and the life-altering consequences.

Savannah can set the record straight. Mac says no. The ultimate question remains: what is best for Rory.

And who is Rory really?

The Characters and Story:

This book is one of my favorites. I have read several by Chautona Havig and this one tops them all. (Though the Alexa Hartfield Mysteries do come in as a somewhat close second.)

Mac is a great character. I love watching him grow, as he starts out shielding the woman who he loves, which leads to his friend using his selflessness as an opportunity to witness. His growth from a slightly arrogant kid to mature man is very well done.

Savannah is also well done, though I admit, I got mad at her a few times. She feels rather insecure, but that’s understandable given her circumstances. I don’t dislike her; I just don’t like her as much as I do Mac. She is a good example of a Christian, who has never really been tested on their beliefs, and thinking that she was strong, she fell. “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12.

Mrs. Havig did well writing a character that stood out as funny, but adorable. That character is Rory. There are a few times, when he couldn’t seem to stop talking, but that’s forgivable, considering he’s just a kid.

As to the minor characters, they were varied and colorful as I’ve come to expect from Chautona Havig’s books. I loved Aunt Clara, Savannah’s best friend, Gene, and the appearances by Luke, Aggie, and several of the other characters from the Aggie’s Inheritance Series.

A Few More Thoughts:

This book is a good illustration, as I stated earlier, of a Christian being tested on the strength of their convictions, but also the consequences of sin, and how God can take even sin and make something beautiful out of it. Fiction or not, I find this book encouraging in that last aspect – because I know my LORD does, indeed, work in that way.

Cautions:

The only caution I would give, is if you were going to give this book to a younger reader. I would suggest this book only be given to those sixteen and up, simply because of the topic. It was, however, handled with tact and discretion, which I appreciate.

I would highly recommend this book.

 

To the KING be all the glory!

~Life of Washington – A Review

by // // No Comments

In continuance of my reading challenge, I give you my review on a Biography.

Life of Washington by Anna C. Reed
Originally Published in 1842

George Washington led an exemplary life of service to God and his country, from his very boyhood. Raised by godly parents, they instilled in him a sense of honestly and duty, which proved him well in his many roles as son, land surveyor, soldier, husband, General, guardian, land-owner, benefactor, master, state representative, and President of the United States.

Miss Reed tells us about the life of one man, used of the LORD in many diverse ways of many years. Pulling from legends, letters, diary excerpts, personal testimonies, and using engaging narration, she paints a picture of the life of George Washington, as well as the events leading to the start of the country that he helped to found.

This book proved both interesting and well-written, often binging the reader back to the Bible with Scriptures and reminders of God’s promises.

I truly enjoyed reading Life of Washington. It rarely grew dull, and when it did, those sections were short. Much of what I read, I had studied before, but it was good to refresh my memory.

General Washington always has been one of my heroes and this book confirmed that in the best of ways.

To the KING be all the glory!

~Keep a Quiet Heart – A Review

by // // No Comments

I’m doing a reading challenge this year. The original idea was to read 110 books, in specific categories, this year. It’s May and I haven’t got far exactly, so we’ll see how that pans out. Here, however, is my review for a Book on Christian Living…

Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot
Originally Published in 1995

This book is a collection of articles that Elisabeth Elliot collected and put together from her newsletters over the years. The articles are a combination of encouragement and instruction for following the LORD and keeping a quiet heart, despite what may or may not be going on around you; learning to give over every ounce of our own will and self-preservation to the Almighty.

Mrs. Elliot draws on her own experience, as well as that of others, to build up and encourage her readers, though her focus is especially on women. She quotes extensively from the Bible and hymns, as well as gathering poignant quotes from other men and women of God.

Overall, I found this book a blessing; an encouragement, though sprinkled with areas of that convict. I would certainly recommend this book.

To the KING be all the glory!

~The Scarlet Rose – A Review

by // // No Comments


The Scarlet Rose by Erin Nichole
Originally Published in 2016

The Royal family of Wyvern love each other, their land, and their people. Theirs is a happy life, living in the castle, taking care of the citizens of the land, and ruling the peaceful country.

Across the water, Lord Davon of Nora has no intention of allowing the peaceful lives of the Wyvernians to continue. He wants the country for himself and he will stop at nothing to achieve his desires. Deceit, kidnapping, war, murder; nothing is too low and nothing will hold him back.

The Characters: There were several characters, who I liked. Bentley was probably my favorite, though one other rivaled him. (I can’t tell you who though.) Bentley’s obvious love for his family, especially his sister, and his tender heart toward the people of Wyvern, won me over fairly easily.

Lord Davon and his wife could hardly be listed among my favorites, but they were well-written in all of their evil plots and plans. Wicked, is the best way to describe and they exuded evil in their very dialogue.

A Few More Thoughts: This book is number two in the Wyvern Tales, but I think it works well as a standalone. I read it, before having read Book One, and though one or two small points may confuse the reader, that I assume were explained in the story’s predecessor, there was nothing major that I can recall.

Cautions: While there is nothing objectionable in this book, not even language, there was, nonetheless, sensitive topics introduced. I would recommend this book for sixteen or eighteen-years-old and up.

 

To the KING be all the glory!

 

Save

~Wednesday’s Bookshelf

by // // No Comments

IMG_2105

I have been trying to read a little more lately. One might never guess how little time a writer might find to sit and read. That, however, can be a different post.

I have commenced an attempt to finish up the list of books that I’ve started in the last nine months to a year, than put aside. More from getting busy with life and other things, and consequently more than half-forgetting about the books, than anything else. In this endeavor, I have so far succeeded three times in the last week.

First, I finished Elisabeth Elliot’s Loneliness. A very good book, that our pastor’s wife suggested to me. I confess that I was tempted to hate it a bit in the beginning, but it was a very convicting, yet almost comforting book to read.

Second, I finished E. B. White’s Stuart Little. I know many people love this book, but I am afraid I just couldn’t discover why. The story felt random, and lacking in a real and satisfying ending, beside being a bit creepy in that a mouse was born to a human. At least, I’m pretty sure that’s what happened. Stuart too, had an attitude that I didn’t care much for either. One of those, I’ve got more sense and am better than pretty much any other creature on the planet, type of attitudes, or so it seemed to me. Overall, I was disappointed, for once rating the movie, with all its silliness and issues, rather higher than the book.

Third was C.S. Lewis’ The Horse and His Boy. Probably my least favorite of the Narnia books I have read thus far, but still a fun read. Besides, there’s just something about being in a wood of talking animals that just excites my imagination. Possibly, because I’ve imagined that animals could talk, ever since I could remember.

Currently? I’m working to finish L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, and I’ve still got a ways to go…

To the KING be all the glory!