Book Review- A Daring Sacrifice by Jody Hedlund

  I grew up on a steady diet of Robin Hood stories. I loved every one I found and I spent many happy afternoons pretending I was wearing Lincoln green. My own children have seen the Disney movie version and have sat for many hours while I read them tales of Robin and his merry men. They even have a love for archery! That makes my heart happy. Anyway, I was thrilled to find out that Jody Hedlund's latest YA novel is very Robin Hood-esque!

Gorgeous! 

  A Daring Sacrifice is an inspirational YA set in 1390. It is the second in the series but could work as a stand alone. The first line drew me straight into a world of villains, thieves, noble deeds and horrific torture. 

  The Cloaked Bandit is on the prowl. If you are a poor citizen of Wessex you need not fear, but if you are a nobleman you had better watch your back, or more accurately, your purse. What the people of Wessex don't know is that famed Cloaked Bandit is Juliana Wessex, the rightful ruler of their land. They believe that she is dead, just like her father. 

  Living in the woods, stealing from the rich to provide for the poor, is Juliana's life. It is the only way she knows of to stay alive and help her people. She wants nothing to do with nobility or the life that she lost but then she steals from a young knight, Collin Goodrich, and he sees through her disguise. He isn't about to let her just disappear back into the forest.

 

 Juliana isn't open to a relationship, friendship or otherwise with Collin, but he stubbornly sets out to show her that just because he is rich doesn't mean he is evil. Tensions are rising, both in Wessex and in Juliana's heart. She must find a way to help her people without being killed by her uncle and she has to figure out how Collin fits into it all. 

 This was a very sweet story, the kind I hope my daughter will enjoy in a few years. It had all the elements of a beloved fairy tale and the sort of morals I feel good about recommending. I'm happy that I was able to be an influencer for this uplifting book.

It can be purchased at Amazon or your favorite book seller.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my review. 

Book Review- Undaunted Hope by Jody Hedlund

 I read this book over a month ago but my life sort of exploded between then and now, so I'm finally posting the review this book deserves.

 Undaunted Hope is the third book in the Beacons of Hope series and I think it might be the best one yet. It is about Tessa Taylor who has arrived at a mining town in Michigan with the hopes of redeeming her less than perfect reputation. Before she can even set foot in her new town she is met with challenges, and a dashing man who pulls her out of the lake. Having to be rescued from a lake is only the beginning of her problems. Soon she is fighting to keep the teaching position that her new life depends upon, keep her past firmly in the past and help the mining community that she is falling in love with.

 Tessa is a strong character. She is constantly battling with who she was and the woman of God that she is striving to be. I enjoyed reading about a character with this inward struggle because it is one that I am very familiar with and I'm sure other readers will find encouragement in it too.

 Alex, the lighthouse keeper who pulled her from the lake, is an equally strong character. He has given up everything to help his brother. That was fine, until his brother met Tessa. Suddenly setting aside his own desires and dreams is much more difficult.

 So, basically, if you enjoy historical fiction that has great characters, a creepy bad guy and just enough romance, you will love this book! Reading it was like a vacation for my brain. I was entertained and encouraged all at once.

I received a copy of this book from the publishing company in exchange for my review.

Book Review- Einkorn, Recipes For Nature's Original Wheat

I have taken forever to review this book. The book itself is gorgeous. The recipes look amazing but I don't think I would have chosen this book if I knew how expensive Einkorn flour is!

Isn't it pretty though?

  Carla Bartolucci certainly knows about einkorn and her reasons for using this flour are compelling.

The first section of the book is information on the benefits of this grain. Next it moves on to recipes that made me want to jump right in and eat (ahem, bake) them all.

  The recipes range from a sourdough starter to artisan bread to pizza dough and desserts. Most of them are paired with stunning pictures and interesting blurbs that tell more about the recipe. This book is complete enough to switch entirely to einkorn and not be deprived of delicious breads and other wheat items. 

 Anyone that wants to explore the benefits of einkorn or is trying to live a low gluten lifestyle would enjoy this book. My main complaint isn't about the book at all. It's about how expensive the flour is. I plan to try some of these recipes but I'm hesitant to jump into the sourdough or anything I'd want to make on a regular basis.  It may be worth tweaking the budget for but for now I will stick with some of the other high nutrient flours on the market. 

I received a copy of this book to review from Blogging For Books.

Currently

  It feels like I haven't blogged in forever. Life took over, with its overwhelming blend of good, bad and everything in-between. I think I'm back. I hope so, but I'm not sure if I want to blog like I have in the past or if its time to change it up. Oh well. I know I love writing and blogging so I'll just write and blog and see what happens.

I figured that a Currently post would be perfect for jumping back in.

So...

Currently I am...

Loving

 Hmm. I'm loving so many things right now. 

 I'm loving crocheting in the evenings. I'm making a gigantic granny square afghan out of leftover yarn. It looks like a color explosion but its soft and has a charming quirkiness going on. 

It's about five times bigger and brighter now :)

 I'm loving wearing slouchy hats and that it's cool enough for sweaters (some days).

I'm loving my fenced yard and how much enjoyment my four year old gets by simply running in circles and digging in the sand.

I'm loving that my room is slowly turning into a fresh and relaxing space. 

I'm loving that my fresh and relaxing room now has a desk by the window so I can think and be, write and create, all while having a perfect view of the back yard and the woods behind it.

  

Reading

I love Christmas but it effectively zapped all of my reading time. Of course part of that was because I decided that I was going to make many of the presents myself... Fun, but I'm so glad that it is all done and over with. Now maybe I will be able to read more.

I have read one book so far this year and it was under 70 pages. It was Writing Day in and Day Out: Living a Practice of Words by Andi Cumbo-Floyd. I loved it. It was exactly the soul nourishing sort of book that I needed.

Watching

The thing about crocheting is that it lends itself well to doing other things, like say, binge watching Netflix. After watching heaps of Christmas movies with my children I felt like watching something deep and gritty so I started watching the show The Killing. I may be hooked... It is full of mystery and twists and I'm in love with Liden and Holder's characters and how much depth they have. 

I also watched my favorite movie ever (over and over and over) The Decoy Bride (quirk, romance, gorgeous setting and David Tennant) and Jackie and Ryan. I really need to watch Jackie and Ryan again.

Listening

Does arguing children count? How do they find so many things to argue about? 

My daughter is very into Lindsey Sterling so I've been listening to a lot of her music and my youngest loves Laurie Berkner. Variety, right? When I get to choose I've been listening to Gungor and Ben Howard along with various modern folk artists. I love songs that have emotion and meaning in the lyrics.

I almost always have an audio book going and my current selection is Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. I want to say that I love it but I'm on the fence. I can't even pin point why.

Thinking About

Everything, all at once, in a never ending tangle. The main threads are about writing, and how to best homeschool my crazy, intelligent children, how to make our home an inspiring environment, what to make for breakfast... You get the idea. 

Anticipating

I discovered this adorable bakery in a small coastal town about an hour and a half away from us. I haven't taken my children yet and I can't wait for them to see it. It has fresh bread, huge cookies and the owner picks her own rosemary in the morning to sprinkle on the focaccia.  Yum. It isn't very far from an island with a lighthouse so I'm thinking that we will be having a field trip one day very soon!

Wishing

I'm wishing to find the ever elusive balance between what needs to be done and what I would like to be doing.

Making Me Happy

Everything from the I am loving section. 

One of my favorite slouchy hats.
I wear it everywhere.

Also, I've been working out using Fitness Blender's workouts and my new found muscles are definitely making me happy :)  I have to be able to keep up with my energetic kiddos, you know.  

What have you been up to Currently?

Any favorite books?

Any simple things that just make you feel like you?

Book Review- Luther and Katharina by Jody Hedlund

  

Martin Luther is one of my favorite historical figures, so you can imagine how excited I was to get an email to help promote Jody Hedlund's latest book Luther and Katharina. Honestly, there are not many inspirational/historical fiction that takes place in the 1500's and I love stories set during this time period. This book had the characters, pacing and detailed setting that I love about Jody Hedlund's books combined with a huge dose of history. I was one happy reader!

 Luther and Katharina is the story of Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora. While the focus is on their relationship, it also is rich in history about the reformation. This turbulent time in history is brought to life in a way that showcases the importance of Luther's work and the sacrifices he made. I loved how the book showed both his strengths and his weaknesses. It made him seem so human, not some faint echo in a history book.

 It took awhile before I liked Katharina. She came off almost annoyingly headstrong. I may or may not be able to relate to her personality... By the end of the book I found myself wanting to know more about this strong woman who forsake the life she knew and married a man who was willing to give his life for his beliefs.

  I found this book to be very inspirational. It had me reflecting on the past, comparing it to the present and left me wanting to have the spiritual strength portrayed in the book. I will definitely be recommending this one.

You can learn more about the book here.
Jody Hedlund also has an excellent blog that is full of book news and writing advice.
If you want to purchase a copy you can do so here, or at your favorite book retailer.

I received a copy of this book to review thanks to  Waterbrook Press and the author. 

Monday, Monday

  It's hard to find anyone with anything positive to say about Mondays. As a home schooling mom, I find Mondays can be a true struggle. I don't want to get up and going, the kids don't want to get up and going and the garbage man seems to think it's hilarious to stop by extra early, leaving me chasing him with an overflowing can, or just pretending that I didn't here it rumbling by. Oh, and of course I can't put the can out on Sunday because the bears will scatter it all over the road. There are good things about Mondays, right?
 
Mondays are a fresh start, a beginning. I love most beginnings. The start of a school year has me happily collecting new notebooks and pencils. The beginning of autumn has me adding pumpkin and apples to everything. The beginning of a year has me setting goals and reflecting on what I want to change to be the best me I can be. Why can't some of this newness rub off into Mondays?

 Today is shaping up to be a classic Monday at my house. I will spare you the details. But what is good about this Monday? What can I hold onto and use to help set the mood for an awesome week?

1. It's raining and I love the tranquillity of rainy days. I can definitely enhance it with some coffee and a good book.  I can't think of a better way to start the week. 
2. My daughter has dance today so I can tuck into some remote corner of the building and use the hour to work on the hat I'm crocheting for my oldest son. Rain and crochet? I can do that!
3. I actually have a start on the enchiladas I'm making for dinner. Yay!

So, good things can happen on Mondays. It might take a bit more creativity to find them, but they are there.

What has been good about your Monday?

YA Buccaneer's Summer Reading Challenge Update

I'm not sure how two entire months of the YA Buccaneer's Summer Reading Challenge have gone by already. I'm grateful that there is still a month left to go as I still have several books to read!

Here is my progress (purple = complete):

Banned Book- Um... any recommendations?

Set During Summer- Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Historical Novel- I'm working on A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly

Book with Diverse MC- The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

Adapted Into a Movie- not sure yet but I do have Paper Towns sitting on a shelf

Published your Grad Year- A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Book by your Favorite Author- Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund

Freebie- The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson

Graphic Novel- Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Road Trip Book-  One Plus One by Jojo Moyes (I had this under a different category but it fits here just fine)

Translated From Another Language- Emerald Green by Kersten Gier

Rory Gilmore Book- ?

Book you Own but Haven't Read- ?  I have so many choices...

Set on a Different Continent- Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan

Non-fiction/writing/craft- I'm working on Deconstructing Penguins by Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone

So, nine down, six left to go. Totally doable. Right?