Here’s the thing. I bought a house. (It was the best birthday present I’ve ever given myself – ha!) I also thought it would only take a day or two to get said house in order. I’m so funny.
Anyway, I’m finally getting into a routine that doesn’t include unpacking boxes on the weekends and so back to blogging! I make no promises of regular scheduled programming just yet (I learned) and I’m still so behind on everything blogging, but it’s a start! So let’s dive in.
When globetrotting photographer Maggie Henry loses the only man she’s ever loved, she jeopardizes her rising career and steps in to care for her best friends’ three young children on a remote island in the Pacific Northwest. Free-spirited and fiercely independent, Maggie’s star is rising fast. But she has a secret. She can’t let go of her first and only love, renowned architect Marco Firelli, now married to her best friend Lena.
With the shattering news of Marco’s death, Maggie rushes to the Firelli family’s summer home on San Juan Island and attempts to provide stability for the children as fragile, perfectionist Lena slowly falls apart. When Maggie is offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to compete in the world’s most prestigious photography competition, she finds herself unable to leave the only family she has during their time of need. Devastated, Maggie takes a series of photographs documenting their life in limbo.
A mysterious man appears on the island, and Maggie soon realizes there is more to him than meets the eye. Daniel Wolfe, an award-winning Native American poet hiding in exile on the island, is responsible for Marco’s death. Maggie is both drawn to and repelled by Daniel, a sensitive, tortured soul with secrets of his own. Out of their loneliness and grief they form an unlikely friendship. Maggie develops her recent photographs, and she’s elated to discover that they are good enough for the photography competition. She still has a chance to win. But she must first relinquish the past so that she can move forward and embrace the reality of her unexpected life.
What to say about this book? All in all it wasn’t a bad read, but I didn’t connect with it. I would put it down, come back to it, then put it down again. I know part of the reason is I’m not a fan of best friends being in love with their best friend’s husbands and normally I wouldn’t pick it up, but since he died in a tragic accident, I was intrigued.
An intriguing book cover and plot line. How did it pan out?
Outside of not connecting with the characters, there were some things that were introduced a bit too late in the story. If brought about earlier, they could have helped with story connection, character development and arc. I did appreciate learning about the island, the unique lives of the characters, and the children, I just wish I became invested more.
I do love this cover though and I’m also interested to see what’s next from Linden.
While this question has nothing to do with the book, how have y’all been? How was your summer?
Superheroes have always been Leia Birch Briggs’ weakness. One tequila-soaked night at a comics convention, the usually level-headed graphic novelist is swept off her barstool by a handsome and anonymous Batman.
It turns out the caped crusader has left her with more than just a nice, fuzzy memory. She’s having a baby boy—an unexpected but not unhappy development in the thirty-eight year-old’s life. But before Leia can break the news of her impending single-motherhood (including the fact that her baby is biracial) to her conventional, Southern family, her step-sister Rachel’s marriage implodes. Worse, she learns her beloved ninety-year-old grandmother, Birchie, is losing her mind, and she’s been hiding her dementia with the help of Wattie, her best friend since girlhood.
Leia returns to Alabama to put her grandmother’s affairs in order, clean out the big Victorian that has been in the Birch family for generations, and tell her family that she’s pregnant. Yet just when Leia thinks she’s got it all under control, she learns that illness is not the only thing Birchie’s been hiding. Tucked in the attic is a dangerous secret with roots that reach all the way back to the Civil War. Its exposure threatens the family’s freedom and future, and it will change everything about how Leia sees herself and her sister, her son and his missing father, and the world she thinks she knows.
I will start with this. The narrator was really funny. She had quite a few hilarious lines and the ways she processed things made me chuckle on more than one occasion. I love a funny narrator. I appreciated the unique aspects of the story (even if I thought her comic book story was added more than necessary, as it broke up the flow for me).
But even with its unique bits, there were too many pieces that when all was revealed, I wasn’t impressed. I get what the author was working towards (and the issues she wanted to deal with), but I struggled. Maybe it was how the issues, like race, were dealt with, but overall I wasn’t much of a fan. I also know that’s vague, but don’t want to spoil anything.
Have you read any of Jackson’s books?
Israel has been on my list of “countries I really really really want to visit” for quite some time now and for so many reasons. Until I can make that happen though, I turn to the books and the internet. It helps…a little :).
Many of us only dream of traveling to the Holy Land. Very few, like Israel’s top aerial photographer, Ron Gafni, soar above the craggy mountain ranges of Masada, the salty Dead Sea, and the iconic locations where Jesus walked. “Israel – God’s Heart – Landscapes and Legacy,” beautifully captures the ancient landscapes of this great nation, as well as presents the legacy of God’s Redemption plan for the world.
As you slowly turn the pages, you will find unexpected vantage points, such as the Tower of David surrounded by city lights and fast paced cars. And, a hot air balloon floating over a field of cotton. From a bird’s eye view, you will also experience a vibrant, bustling, modern Israel. Biblical references and thoughtful narrative, by Author Kathleen Barrett, intertwines with awe inspiring photography to bring you to the Holy Land time and time again.
What a fun little book – especially for those who want a glimpse into Israel and and some of popular areas. I thought the photographs were beautiful. I love seeing landmarks and cities from high above and this book provides plenty of views.
There’s a great mix of photos of the city, historical sites, and the beautiful countryside. There’s also plenty of animals, lakes, towns, churches, landscapes and even what modern day life is like in Israel. While the presentation of the book (size, cover, etc) left me a bit wanting, I still did enjoying flipping through it.
Take a look at beautiful Israel through the lens of a camera!
I also thought the narratives were an interesting blend of historical pieces, faith reminders and what it means for us today (with scripture sprinkled throughout). They weren’t necessarily connected to the images all the time, but I think the author desired to encourage the reader in their faith.
What country do you want to visit next?
If you enjoy historical fiction with encouraging faith reminders, you need Tamera Alexander’s novels. The last of the Belmont novels did not disappoint and was all the I have come to expect in every Alexander novel. I may have also listened to some Lindsey Stirling while writing this review.
A master violinist trained in Vienna, Rebekah Carrington manages to wheedle her way into an audition with the maestro at the newly-formed Nashville Philharmonic. But women are “far too fragile and frail” for the rigors of an orchestra, and Rebekah’s hopes are swiftly dashed because the conductor–determined to leave his mark on the world of classical music–bows to public opinion. To make matters worse, Adelicia Acklen Cheatham, mistress of Belmont Mansion and Rebekah’s new employer, agrees with him.
Nationally acclaimed conductor Nathaniel Tate Whitcomb is Nashville’s new orchestra leader. And despite a reluctant muse–and a strange buzzing and recurring pain in his head–he must finish composing his symphony before the grand opening of the city’s new opera hall. But far more pressing, he must finish it for the one who first inspired his love of music–his father, who is dying. As Tate’s ailment worsens, he believes Rebekah can help him finish his symphony. But how do you win back a woman’s trust when you’ve robbed her of her dream?
As music moves us to tears yet makes our hearts soar, A Note Yet Unsung captures the splendor of classical music at a time when women’s hard-won strides in cultural issues changed not only world history–but the hearts of men.
I love that each book in this series dealt with the three things the real life Adelicia deemed important (art and nature being the first two), with this one covering music. It added such intrigue to who she was and made for a fabulous backdrop in each novel.
And like the first two, I enjoyed this one. From the beauty of music (this book made me want to take violin lessons) to being able to imagine the joy Rebekah’s passionate talent brought to the hearts of the crowds, this had me captivated. I loved her fiery spirit and I loved the story surrounding Tate. Both unique and both interesting.
Fans of historical fiction and @tameraalexander will love this final Belmont novel!
There were also some unexpected and sweet surprises. I was left encouraged to never stop going after your God given passion and that no circumstance is wasted. Life may throw you some curve balls, but we can always trust in Him.
Have y’all read some of Tamera’s books? Which is a favorite?