Tuesday, November 24, 2015

The Memory Weaver by Jane Kirkpatrick


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Overview: Eliza Spalding Warren was just a child when she was taken hostage by the Cayuse Indians during a massacre in 1847. Now the young mother of two children, Eliza faces a different kind of dislocation; her impulsive husband wants them to make a new start in another territory, which will mean leaving her beloved home and her departed mother's grave--and returning to the land of her captivity. Eliza longs to know how her mother, an early missionary to the Nez Perce Indians, dealt with the challenges of life with a sometimes difficult husband and with her daughter's captivity.

When Eliza is finally given her mother's diary, she is stunned to find that her own memories are not necessarily the whole story of what happened. Can she lay the dark past to rest and move on? Or will her childhood memories always hold her hostage?

Based on true events, The Memory Weaver is New York Times bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick's latest literary journey into the past, where threads of western landscapes, family, and faith weave a tapestry of hope inside every pioneering woman's heart. Readers will find themselves swept up in this emotional story of the memories that entangle us and the healing that awaits us when we bravely unravel the threads of the past.

ISBN-13: 9780800722326 | Publisher: Baker Publishing Group | Publication date: 09/01/2015
Buy It: B&N | Amazon | CBD

My Review: This is the first book I've read in a long time. I was in a little bit of a reading slump, and then I had a lot going on in my personal life. I just didn't have time to read. I think this book is going to be the gateway for me to get back into reading. I really enjoyed the story. It's written like the pages of a diary from Eliza's point of view. At times, I was a little confused as to what was going on, but I think it's because the first half of the story was read in little bits and pieces at a time by me. To fully enjoy the beauty of this narrative, I think I would have had to read bigger chunks at a time.

The descriptions of the trials, tribulations, and memories Eliza has to deal with and the land, homes, and settings were phenomenal. I could empathize greatly with the women in this story. I really didn't care for the men. I thought Eliza could have done better in her choice of husband, but he gained my respect by the end. The story mainly focuses on Eliza and her growth as a Christ follower. I really enjoyed following her journey from the trials she faced at a young age to womanhood. It was inspiring!

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. Jane Kirkpatrick weaves a story of overcoming past trials to face present times in an amazing way, with God at the center.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through the Revell Reads blogging program in exchange for my honest review.*

About the Author: Reviewers and readers alike acclaim Jane's work as unique in a world of storytellers. “Kirkpatrick's books enfold the reader. They whisper "let me tell you about a woman who…. They find a secret place in each of us and bring it gently to the surface.” The Statesman Journal, Salem Oregon. Moving from being a rancher, writer and rattlesnake fighter to full time writer has produced 29 books from bestselling and award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick. She has 24 novels and five non-fiction titles to her credit. Creating stories from the lives of actual historical women or events, Jane's focus is on telling stories that inspire. “I like helping people from the distant past step from their generation into our own to teach us and touch us with their lives.” Jane lives with her husband Jerry and two dogs near Bend in Central Oregon. Her works have sold over a million copies, been translated into foreign languages, won literary awards such as the Wrangler, WILLA Literary and Carol as well as being a New York Times bestseller. A mental health professional, she's a lively presenter who has spoken about the power of story throughout the world. Enjoy receiving her Story Sparks newsletter by signing up at http://www.jkbooks.com/.

Connect with Jane: Facebook | Blogger | Twitter

Monday, November 9, 2015

The Methuselah Project by Rick Barry

Imagine being held captive for seventy years without aging a day, only to escape into modern-day 2015. Meet WWII hero Roger Greene in Rick Barry’s The Methuselah Project. Katherine Mueller—crack shot, genius, and real Southern Belle—offers to help him find his way home. Can he convince her of the truth of his crazy story? Can he continue to trust her when he finds out she works for the very organization he’s trying to flee?

My Review: This was such an interesting book. I have never read anything like it. Can you imagine never aging? Can you imagine being held in captivity for your entire existence? I truly felt for Roger. His captivity was lonely and boring, and I could feel those emotions through the words the author penned. The author laid out the story very well, and it was easy to follow. I do wish we could have heard more about Katherine's thoughts and actions, but I understand why the author didn't expound a great deal on her for more than half the book. Roger is the main focus: from the beginning to the end, the author does an excellent job of keeping you engrossed in the story of Roger's life. Overall, I really enjoyed this excellent story!
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through the Litfuse blogging program in exchange for my honest review.*

Landing Page:
http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/the-methuselah-project-by-rick-barry
Methuselah Project

{MORE ABOUT THE METHUSELAH PROJECT}

The Methuselah Project(Kregel, September 2015)
Nazi scientists started many experiments. One never ended.
Roger Greene is a war hero. Raised in an orphanage, the only birthright he knows is the feeling that he was born to fly. Flying against the Axis Powers in World War II is everything he always dreamed—until the day he’s shot down and lands in the hands of the enemy.
When Allied bombs destroy both his prison and the mad genius experimenting on POWs, Roger survives. Within hours, his wounds miraculously heal, thanks to those experiments. The Methuselah Project is a success—but this ace is still not free. Seventy years later, Roger hasn’t aged a day, but he has nearly gone insane. This isn’t Captain America—just a lousy existence only made passable by a newfound faith. The Bible provides the only reliable anchor for Roger’s sanity and his soul. When he finally escapes, there’s no angelic promise or personal prophecy of deliverance, just confusion. It’s 2015—and the world has become an unrecognizable place.
Katherine Mueller—crack shot, genius, and real Southern Belle—offers to help him find his way home. Can he convince her of the truth of his crazy story? Can he continue to trust her when he finds out she works for the very organization he’s trying to flee?
Thrown right into pulse-pounding action from the first page, readers will find themselves transported back in time to a believable, full-colored past, and then catapulted into the present once more. The historical back-and-forth adds a constantly moving element of suspense to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Rick Barry

{MORE ABOUT RICK BARRY}

Rick Barry is the author of “Gunner’s Run,” another World War II novel, “Kiriath’s Quest,” and more than 200 articles and fiction stories. In addition to being a World War II buff, he is the director of church planting ministries at BIEM, a Christian ministry operating in Eastern Europe. He holds a degree in foreign languages, speaks Russian, and has visited Europe more than fifty times. Rick lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Find out more about Rick at http://rickcbarry.com.