REVIEW: Across the Blue by Carrie Turansky

About the Book


Set in Edwardian England and ideal for readers who enjoy Julie Klassen novels, this romance about an English aviation pioneer and the girl who falls in love with him is filled with adventure and faith.
Isabella Grayson, the eldest daughter of a wealthy, English newspaper magnate, longs to become a journalist, but her parents don't approve. They want her to marry well and help them gain a higher standing in society. After she writes an anonymous letter to the editor that impresses her father, her parents reluctantly agree she can write a series of articles about aviation and the race to fly across the English Channel, but only if she promises to accept a marriage proposal within the year. When James Grant, an aspiring aviator, crashes his flying machine at the Grayson's new estate, Bella is intrigued. James is determined to be the first to fly across the Channel and win the prize Mr. Grayson's newspaper is offering. He hopes it will help him secure a government contract to build airplanes and redeem a terrible family secret. James wants to win Bella's heart, but his background and lack of social standing make it unlikely her parents would approve. If he fails to achieve his dream, how will he win the love and respect he is seeking? Will Bella's faith and support help him find the strength and courage he needs when unexpected events turn their world upside down?


















My Review


Across the Blue is a an Edwardian piece about the first planes and romance. I always enjoy historical novels when you can tell while reading them that the author spent a lot of time researching so everything would be correct. You have no idea how many so called historical novels I've read that feel and read nothing like the period it's supposed to be set in. So I appreciate that Carrie took the time to do her research. I also really loved reading about the first planes. Across the Blue is a sweeping adventure and you're not going to want to miss the ride.

REVIEW: They Came for Freedomby Jay Milbrandt

About the Book

A page-turning story of the Pilgrims, the courageous band of freedom-seekers who set out for a new life for themselves and forever changed the course of history.

Once a year at Thanksgiving, we encounter Pilgrims as folksy people in funny hats before promptly forgetting them. In the centuries since America began, the Pilgrims have been relegated to folklore and children’s stories, fairy-tale mascots for holiday parties and greeting cards.

The true story of the Pilgrim Fathers could not be more different. Beginning with the execution of two pastors deviating from the Elizabethan Church of England, the Pilgrims’ great journey was one of courageous faith, daring escape, and tenuous survival. Theirs is the story of refugees who fled intense religious persecution; of dreamers who voyaged the Atlantic and into the unknown when all other attempts had led to near-certain death; of survivors who struggled with newfound freedom. Loneliness led to starvation, tension gave way to war with natives, and suspicion broke the back of the very freedom they endeavored to achieve.

Despite the pain and turmoil of this high stakes triumph, the Pilgrim Fathers built the cornerstone for a nation dedicated to faith, freedom, and thankfulness. This is the epic story of the Pilgrims, an adventure that laid the bedrock for the Founding Fathers, the Constitution, and the American identity.

My Review

I've been looking forward to reading Jay Milbrandt's They Came for Freedom since I found out about it months ago. I've always enjoyed historical non-fiction and especially pieces about the colonial pilgrims. Some of these pilgrims who came here from England for mostly religious freedom are my own ancestors. The true and real story about these men, women and children is remarkable. And they were only successful with the help of God. A great documentary on these early settlers is Monumental: In Search of America's National Treasure. It is fantastic and one of the historians featured in the documentary is so passionate about what she is talking about that she brings the pilgrims story to life. Jay has done the same with the written word. They Came for Freedom is a must read in the Non-Fiction genre.

REVIEW: Coloring Christmas Devotions by Lizzie Preston

About the Book


Enjoy all the best parts of the Christmas season as you spend time reflecting on God’s greatest gift for His children: the birth of Jesus. This unique coloring book also includes devotions perfect for the season. Take a few minutes out of the busyness of Christmas to spend time in devotional thought, while relaxing through stress-free coloring.

With inspirational devotions on one side and a festive Christmas scene to color on the opposite page, Coloring Christmas Devotions will be a welcome part of your holiday celebrations. Take a few quiet moments to yourself to reflect on the reason behind the festivities as you read through the Scripture verses and devotions and color the pen-and-ink illustrations.

This coloring book is unique with a trim size that is easy to fit into a purse or bag, an embellished cover, perforated pages, and a low price point.

A beautiful gift or a fun treat for yourself, Coloring Christmas Devotions will help you focus your heart on the true meaning of Christmas.










My Review


Coloring Christmas Devotions is a nice little Christmas themed coloring book. The book was quite smaller than I was expecting it to be, but that's not really a big deal. I was just a little suprised. The devotions for each coloring page are not deep devotions. They are just quite simple and of course Christmas themed. Each coloring page consists of a Chrismas themed picture to color in. Now I will say these pictures can be difficult to color in. The areas you are supposed to color in are kind of small and thin. So if you are a perfectionist when you color than these pictures are going to take you a while to finish. Overall this is a good coloring book for Christmastime.