Fair is the Rose, by Liz Curtis Higgs
This is the sequel to Thorn in My Heart. It follows the Biblical story of Jacob's marriage, first to Leah, then to Rachel. In 1790s Scotland, divorce is unheard of, and so is marriage to two women at once. The way in which the author manages to stick to the Biblical story and still make it realistic as a historical novel is ingenious.
Although the whole series is written from the points of view of several characters, each book is about the plight of a main character. In Thorn, the main plight was Leah's. In Fair is the Rose, the main character in distress was Rachel. As with all love triangles, however, everyone is in distress over something at all times.
There is just as much sneaking and conniving and drama as in the first book, kind of in a soap opera way, but much less cliche. I admire the author's ability to take an old theme (unrequited and/or betrayed love) and make it interesting and fresh.
One thing that bothered me about the book is that the character of Leah was so developed in the first book, and I connected so much to her, that in the second book I really struggled to line up behind Rachel and cheer her on. By the end, I think that I managed to get on board, but I still felt guilty for shifting my loyalties. However, now that I have started the third book, I realize what the author was trying to do there. I'll tell you all about it when I review the third book.
As before, anyone with an interest in re-inventing Biblical stories, historical Scotland, or deep and scandalous and heart-wrenching drama will be interested in reading this book series.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Flies on the Butter
Flies on the Butter, by Denise Hildreth
Yet another $5 promo book. The $5 sticker has not steered me wrong yet, so I am now quite trusting of that little yellow sticker.
This book starts out a little slow. When I got to the second chapter, I wondered if perhaps it would be the first "bad" $5 book. But as I continued to read, I realized that the author is a kindred spirit. It is the type of book I would have written.
In a nutshell, Rose Fletcher is driving from Washington DC, where she is a successful lobbyist, to her hometown in Mullins, South Carolina. As she drives, little things along the way trigger memories of her past. So really, the book is a series of memories telling the story of her life. And it is a normal life. She enjoys her childhood, bad things happen, she tries to escape Hicksville, gets married, is successful in her career, makes mistakes. Nothing extraordinary, and for some reason, that makes the book more exciting. As she drives home, her memories help her make peace with her past.
At the end, the author's note explains that there is a song about childhood memories by Wynonna called Flies on the Butter, and elements of the song were worked into the book. I thought it was very clever and since I did not know the song before I read the book, I of course had to Google the lyrics, only to read over them with delight because everything matched up so perfectly.
I would suggest this book to anyone who grew up cherishing warm lazy summer days, good home-cooked meals, and playing with neighborhood friends. Its really a trip down memory lane.
Yet another $5 promo book. The $5 sticker has not steered me wrong yet, so I am now quite trusting of that little yellow sticker.
This book starts out a little slow. When I got to the second chapter, I wondered if perhaps it would be the first "bad" $5 book. But as I continued to read, I realized that the author is a kindred spirit. It is the type of book I would have written.
In a nutshell, Rose Fletcher is driving from Washington DC, where she is a successful lobbyist, to her hometown in Mullins, South Carolina. As she drives, little things along the way trigger memories of her past. So really, the book is a series of memories telling the story of her life. And it is a normal life. She enjoys her childhood, bad things happen, she tries to escape Hicksville, gets married, is successful in her career, makes mistakes. Nothing extraordinary, and for some reason, that makes the book more exciting. As she drives home, her memories help her make peace with her past.
At the end, the author's note explains that there is a song about childhood memories by Wynonna called Flies on the Butter, and elements of the song were worked into the book. I thought it was very clever and since I did not know the song before I read the book, I of course had to Google the lyrics, only to read over them with delight because everything matched up so perfectly.
I would suggest this book to anyone who grew up cherishing warm lazy summer days, good home-cooked meals, and playing with neighborhood friends. Its really a trip down memory lane.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Sweet Caroline
Sweet Caroline, by Rachel Hauck
This book is about a 28-year-old waitress who has not yet had the opportunity to leave her small-town southern roots. But I picked the book up for several reasons. First of all, I love the song. I was also delighted when the author referred to it within the book. Secondly, it says right on the back of the book that there's a country music singer involved in the plot, and a love-triangle plot to boot. Since my computer no longer has the capability to stream Pandora without choking up, there's been a country music lack in my life. And thirdly, it was a $5.00 promo. It is the second book I have bought from the $5 promo deals, and the second one I have loved.
In a nutshell, Caroline is me. Perhaps it is that the book is written in first person, but I have never felt like I connected to a character in quite the same way. Beaufort, South Carolina, like West Milford is a small town with a 45-minute drive to the nearest shopping mall. While West Milford lacks Mercy Bea's trailer park, there are plenty of roach motels around here to choose from.
True, there are quite a few differences. Caroline inherited a cafe, I did not. West Milly is also rarely in the path of a looming hurricane. But, I think that the spirit is the same. Generally those who grow up in the small town (Beaufort or West Milford) spend their days planning how to leave and then spend the rest of their lives remembering the good old days there.
The very end did not go exactly as I would have hoped, however, I was hoping for a cliched ending. The author chose to be unique and provided enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. My one gripe about the book is that Caroline, like me, had problems making up her mind, and often let people make the decisions for her. It hit a little bit close to home.
As I read the book I thought, "I would jump at the chance to see this on screen and oh- I'd love to dream of playing Caroline." We'll see how that turns out, considering I'm in school for something other than theater now.
But if you want a good story, or if you want a glimpse into how I sometimes feel, read this book. I read it cover to cover in 9 hours straight. I couldn't put it down.
This book is about a 28-year-old waitress who has not yet had the opportunity to leave her small-town southern roots. But I picked the book up for several reasons. First of all, I love the song. I was also delighted when the author referred to it within the book. Secondly, it says right on the back of the book that there's a country music singer involved in the plot, and a love-triangle plot to boot. Since my computer no longer has the capability to stream Pandora without choking up, there's been a country music lack in my life. And thirdly, it was a $5.00 promo. It is the second book I have bought from the $5 promo deals, and the second one I have loved.
In a nutshell, Caroline is me. Perhaps it is that the book is written in first person, but I have never felt like I connected to a character in quite the same way. Beaufort, South Carolina, like West Milford is a small town with a 45-minute drive to the nearest shopping mall. While West Milford lacks Mercy Bea's trailer park, there are plenty of roach motels around here to choose from.
True, there are quite a few differences. Caroline inherited a cafe, I did not. West Milly is also rarely in the path of a looming hurricane. But, I think that the spirit is the same. Generally those who grow up in the small town (Beaufort or West Milford) spend their days planning how to leave and then spend the rest of their lives remembering the good old days there.
The very end did not go exactly as I would have hoped, however, I was hoping for a cliched ending. The author chose to be unique and provided enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. My one gripe about the book is that Caroline, like me, had problems making up her mind, and often let people make the decisions for her. It hit a little bit close to home.
As I read the book I thought, "I would jump at the chance to see this on screen and oh- I'd love to dream of playing Caroline." We'll see how that turns out, considering I'm in school for something other than theater now.
But if you want a good story, or if you want a glimpse into how I sometimes feel, read this book. I read it cover to cover in 9 hours straight. I couldn't put it down.
Thorn in My Heart
Thorn in My Heart, by Liz Curtis Higgs
In the book of Genesis, Jacob and Esau are twins fighting for the family inheritance. Jacob gains a reputation as a deceiver and flees to a distant land, where he works seven years to marry his boss's daughter, only to find out on his wedding night he has married her sister by mistake. So he works another seven years for the "right" bride.
This book takes that whole story, sets it in Scotland in the 1780s, and enhances the drama and intrigue that the Bible only hints at. It tells the story of Leah, Jacob's first wife, who had to live with the pain of knowing she was not the "right" bride.
I really can't say much more. The novel is heart-wrenching at times, and at other times you could lose yourself in the excitement and romance of the moment. While the author is a Christian, and the book has a Christian message, there were a few- ahem, bedroom- moments where I thought, "Wow I can't believe I bought this in a Christian bookstore!" Having said that, I also have to say, the author managed to masterfully keep the entire book pure. This is not one of those cheap dime-store romance novels.
It was good enough that I ordered the second book online the moment I finished this one.
In the book of Genesis, Jacob and Esau are twins fighting for the family inheritance. Jacob gains a reputation as a deceiver and flees to a distant land, where he works seven years to marry his boss's daughter, only to find out on his wedding night he has married her sister by mistake. So he works another seven years for the "right" bride.
This book takes that whole story, sets it in Scotland in the 1780s, and enhances the drama and intrigue that the Bible only hints at. It tells the story of Leah, Jacob's first wife, who had to live with the pain of knowing she was not the "right" bride.
I really can't say much more. The novel is heart-wrenching at times, and at other times you could lose yourself in the excitement and romance of the moment. While the author is a Christian, and the book has a Christian message, there were a few- ahem, bedroom- moments where I thought, "Wow I can't believe I bought this in a Christian bookstore!" Having said that, I also have to say, the author managed to masterfully keep the entire book pure. This is not one of those cheap dime-store romance novels.
It was good enough that I ordered the second book online the moment I finished this one.
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