Book Review: Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis

Book Review:  Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis

The Captive Trail is Book #2 of a six-book series about four generations of the Morgan family living, fighting, and thriving amidst a turbulent Texas history spanning from 1845 to 1896.  Although a series, each book can be read on its own.  And I enjoy all the books' historical aspects intertwined with the fictional Morgan family.  Davis is an excellent writer that makes you see the other side of the story as well as the (fictional) emotion involved.




The main character in this book is 20-year-old Taabe and she has been a Comanche captive for so long she has forgotten English, making it hard for her to explain her situation after she ran away from the Comanche and is searching for her white family.  Through many lessons by the nuns that found her and are caring for her, and the patience and understanding that stage coach/mail delivery driver Ned offers, Taabe learns of her true identity.

As Ned searches for Taabe's family the Comanche are hot on the trail, determined to bring Taabe back to the tribe making for a great read.

This review is my own.  Thanks to Moody Publishing for a complimentary copy to review.

Book Review: The In-Between by Jeff Goins

Book Review:  The In-Between by Jeff Goins
Embracing the Tension between Now and the Next Big Thing

I felt this book fell short.  I was expecting MORE:  HOW to embrace the every day ordinary of now until the Next Big Thing happens in our lives as the subtitle states.  The author Jeff Goins told his life stories very well indeed, and I really felt that I had a good glimpse into his life, but I could rarely relate to his life.  I understood the overall concept that Goins was rushing his life.  And missing some of the great parts In Between.  As we all do.  I too recommend that most all people need to slow down and stop grasping for the Next Big Thing.  As the saying goes:  Life's a Journey, enjoy the travel.  But I thought I would get a big ah-ha moment as to HOW to better Embrace the Tension Between Now and the Next Big Thing from Goins book and it just wasn't there for me.

This review is my opinion.  Thanks to Moody Publishing Reviewer's Program for the free copy of this book. 

2013 Vacation Day 2

Vacation 2013. Day 2. HORRIFIC storm early this morning. Started raining maybe about 3am but by 5am there were horizontally blowing winds, whirlwinds off the barn we were parked next to, and 3.5 inches of rain all at once. Needless to say, not much sleep was had! When we left, we heard the south route was impassable due to high water so we took the north route on Road 19 and it was underwater in two places. At hwy 166, there was construction and we had to wait for the pilot car. All this within one mile of departure!

In Chetopa, KS heading toward Baxter Springs we see ‘Road Closed’ signs off to the side of the hwy. We thought they were old, no longer valid and headed that way. Yep, bridge washed out. Turned around. Many bridges had water just under their overpass the waters were so high. Headed back to Chetopa, got fuel since we didn’t know how many more impassable areas we would encounter. Went around the washed out bridge. And it was the only one.

Got into Wright City, MO a lot later than expected, about 8:30pm. Uncle Kenneth was kind enough to drive over to see us. We visited with Mom, Dad & Ken then headed over to see Kayla, Danielle, brother Scott and Cindy. Kayla was having a “Final Farewell” party for about 20 of her high school friends before they head out to college in the next few weeks. Left about 11pm. We were all beat tired. And Ken had a hour drive home still!

Laura knit a ruffle scarf using Improv yarn during this day of driving.

2013 Vacation Day 1

Vacation 2013.  Day 1 of 36.  Depart Waco.  Can’t find GPS so turn around & go home to look for it.  Found it where it had fallen behind the driver’s seat.  Depart for second time.  In OKC saw road signs saying I-44 was closed west of Springfield, Mo (this was August 7th, 2013). It's 106 degrees out. Ugh hot. Arrive DH’s parent’s house in Sedan, KS about  8 pm-ish.  Chatted.  Had 3 layer sour cream chocolate cake with Cool Whip Frosting for DH’s “birthday cake”.  Yum.  Called Mom May to ask about I-44 closure and it was closed at exit 172 (Jerome, MO).  Stayed up till about midnight talking.  Laura finished knitting a Plymouth Yarn Chunky scarf during the long drive.

Lone Star Trail by Darlene Franklin

 

Texas Trails * Lone Star Trail ~ ~ ~ A Morgan Family Series
by Darlene Franklin

Oh my goodness - - >  Good!  Ms. Franklin can bring her characters, the land, the historical time to life for her readers.  Excellent writing.  The story is about a 26 year old rancher Jud Morgan in 1845 in Victoria, Texas whom was prejudice against all the immigrants flooding to Texas since he had lost his father during the fight for Texas independence.  At this time, the Germans specifically were migrating to New Braunfels, Texas via Victoria.   Like the Fleischer family.  The Fleischers lost a child after the sea voyage, lost their wagon to the Texas clay mud, lost another child to the cholera epidemic, lost their ranch and barns they had worked so hard to obtain to arson, their oldest daughter lost her fiancé to another woman he met on the sea voyage and yet, through all these hardships, their faith in God prevailed and provided for them.  They worked hard and grew to be an integral part of the Texas-born  and German population in Victoria.  The story is one of perseverance that deserves your time to read.

"Dead Ever After" BOOK REVIEW

"Dead Ever After" Sookie Stackhouse Book 13 (and last) by Charlaine Harris BOOK REVIEW

From the book cover:  THE FINAL SOOKIE STACKHOUSE NOVEL

There are secrets in the town of Bon Temps, ones that threaten those closest to Sookie—and could destroy her heart....

Sookie Stackhouse  finds it easy to turn down the request of former barmaid Arlene when she wants her job back at Merlotte’s. After all, Arlene tried to have Sookie killed. But her relationship with Eric Northman is not so clearcut. He and his vampires are keeping their distance…and a cold silence. And when Sookie learns the reason why, she is devastated.

Then a shocking murder rocks Bon Temps, and Sookie is arrested for the crime.

But the evidence against Sookie is weak, and she makes bail. Investigating the killing, she’ll learn that what passes for truth in Bon Temps is only a convenient lie. What passes for justice is more spilled blood. And what passes for love is never enough…

My Review:  Overall I think Charlaine Harris did really well in "Dead Ever After" and had the perfect ending. These fictional characters are from Ms. Harris' imagination and I've read this is how she envisioned her series ending since around the 2nd book. I've enjoyed her imagination and characters and stories in all 13 books. I for one like to see a "happy ever after" in a normal-ish way for our heroine after all these years. Congrats on a job well done Ms. Harris!

Whiskey Beach book review

Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts
Book Review

from inside cover: 

For more than three hundred years, Bluff House has sat above Whiskey Beach, guarding its shore—and its secrets. But to Eli Landon, it’s home…

A Boston lawyer, Eli has weathered an intense year of public scrutiny and police investigations after being accused of—but never arrested for—the murder of his soon-to-be-ex wife.

He finds sanctuary at Bluff House, even though his beloved grandmother is in Boston recuperating from a nasty fall. Abra Walsh is always there, though. Whiskey Beach’s resident housekeeper, yoga instructor, jewelry maker, and massage therapist, Abra is a woman of many talents—including helping Eli take control of his life and clear his name. But as they become entangled in each other, they find themselves caught in a net that stretches back for centuries—one that has ensnared a man intent on reaping the rewards of destroying Eli Landon once and for all…

My review:
An excellent build on the main characters (probably could have done in less pages though) and the locale.  Especially enjoyed the added element of history and the scenic location just 'takes you away'.   Well written and a Happy Ever After fictional read.