Review of His Steadfast Love by Golden Keyes Parsons

Rating: 3.5 Stars

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Synopsis from Thomas Nelson: The Civil War - a defining time of great sacrifice, change, and betrayal which determined the fate of the Nation.

-It isn’t until it comes into her very home that Amanda Belle must face impossible choices of love, loss, and loyalty.  It's the spring of 1861 on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Although Amanda never thought she would marry because of her promise she made to her dying mother, her attraction to Captain Kent Littlefield is undeniable.
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When Texas secedes from the Union, her brother Daniel marches off to war to fight for the Confederate States and Kent remains with the Union troops. Her heart is torn between the two men she loves and the two sides of the conflict. When she turns to God for help, Amanda expects direction and support, but hears nothing. Is God listening to her anymore? Where is God in the atrocities of war—and whose side is He on?
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Amanda senses her life is at a turning point. But she must trust God to bring her family through the chaos that threatens her home, her family, and the beloved state of Texas . . . with her heart, and her faith, intact.

Review: His Steadfast Love is the third novel that I have read in the past few weeks relating to the Civil War era.  Each story has brought to life different aspects of the war and its effects on the nation and its people.  In her latest novel, Golden Keyes Parsons delves into America's tumultuous years when friends and neighbors turned into enemies on the battlefield.  The plot begins in 1860, just before the start of the war and concludes at the war's end. As a result, readers see the struggles, heartaches, and uncertainties that families faced during four long years.  We also see examples of bravery and forgiveness.  It is important to remember both aspects of the war that divided the nation, and Parsons nicely combines loss and triumph.  

Amanda is caught between her love for her Southern family and her love for her Northern beau, Kent.  During much of the novel she is torn by loyalty to the South and her feelings for Kent, who suddenly becomes labeled as the enemy. The love between Amanda and Kent develops quite rapidly at the beginning of the novel.  A few months pass between their initial meeting in September 1860 and Kent's departure. Unfortunately, the jump did not allow me to witness the development of their feelings for each other.  The steadfastness of their love for one another is touching and is an example of bravery itself.  

Parsons integrates loss into the fabric of His Steadfast Love as well.  Some deaths occurred suddenly and in within a few pages of each other, leaving me stunned.  Again, I felt that the jump of a few months from chapter to chapter disconnected me from the characters' grief and their healing process.  Through the various losses, injuries, and uncertain futures, Parsons illustrates the importance of maintaining one's faith despite hardships.  Amanda questions her faith during the war, as many people undoubtedly did, but she ultimately reclaims it along with happiness. 

His Steadfast Love has strong qualities and offers a glimpse into the Civil War era. Parsons sets the plot in Texas, a state not often focused upon in Civil War novels.  The setting was refreshing, but I felt a distance from the characters at times. I had difficulty delving into the novel, especially during the first half.  The historical content is a clear strength and Parsons takes the reader on an journey from family parlors, to prisons, to battlefields.    

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through their book review program.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Band Perry Live in Concert!

Photo from blog.gactv.com (Photo Credit: Ivan Clow, Courtesy of Republic Nashville)

We recently had the opportunity to see one of our favorite country bands in concert: The Band Perry!  We have mentioned them a few times on our blog and featured their vintage-inspired videos. During the past year we've played their CD countless times and downloaded their songs into the music player on our Kindle.
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After learning that The Band Perry would be playing near us, we were all anticipation until the show started.  From beginning to end, it was a fantastic show.  Before The Band Perry came on stage, a sound clip played what has become their slogan of sorts: "Daddy rocked us to sleep with the Rolling Stones; Mama woke us up with Loretta Lynn. So we get it honest...We're The Band Perry and we play country music."   The concert backed up their declaration and proved that they are an authentic addition to the country music world. 
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The playlist for the night included many of the songs from their self-titled CD released last year. They also introduced some new music, which made us hungry for their next CD whenever it is released.  The familial harmonies between Kimberly, Reid, and Nick were showcased during an acoustic portion of the show, during which they performed a melody of famous American/rock songs, as well as a rendition of Amazing Grace. 
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Kimberly described herself as the "spitfire" of the group. She brought a ton of energy to the stage.  Her true passion for music and songwriting shined through in her performance.  Unlike many stars today, Kimberly seemed approachable and real with an honest love for country music. 
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Together The Band Perry exhibits incredible talent, and the "x factor."  Their most popular single to date, If I Die Young, just went Triple Platinum. They are currently nominated for 5 CMAs and 3 AMAs.  We are hoping they claim a few victories and continue to play their country music. 
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Don't miss their performance this coming up Tuesday, October 18th on the Dancing with the Stars results show on ABC!
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Here are links to their videos on our blog: All Your Life Video, If I Die Young Video.  

Review of A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner

Rating: 4.5 Stars

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Synopsis from WaterBrook Multnomah: A house shrouded in time. A line of women with a heritage of loss.

As a young bride, Susannah Page was rumored to be a Civil War spy for the North, a traitor to her Virginian roots. Her great-granddaughter Adelaide, the current matriarch of Holly Oak, doesn’t believe that Susannah’s ghost haunts the antebellum mansion looking for a pardon, but rather the house itself bears a grudge toward its tragic past.

When Marielle Bishop marries into the family and is transplanted from the arid west to her husband’s home, it isn’t long before she is led to believe that the house she just settled into brings misfortune to the women who live there.

With Adelaide’s richly peppered superstitions and deep family roots at stake, Marielle must sort out the truth about Susannah Page and Holly Oak— and make peace with the sacrifices she has made for love.   

Review: A Sound Among the Trees is yet another masterfully blended tale of the past and present. Susan Meissner never fails to give her readers the best of both worlds in seamlessly integrated and fully developed plots. A Sound Among the Trees is a captivating, poignant, and occasionally haunting novel.  Meissner builds her latest story around Holly Oak, an antebellum mansion in the charming town of Fredericksburg, Virginia.  The plot begins in present day, enrapturing us with remnants of the past that reside within the home’s four walls. Lifelong Holly Oak resident, Adelaide, and her new granddaughter in-law, Marielle, are the focus of the first half of the novel.  Adelaide’s impressions of the mansion and its past have been formed over a lifetime, which has been defined by loss. Like Marielle, we view the house from a new perspective and are left to sort through the mysteries and “ghosts” that have become a tangible part of the home.

Meissner divides the first half of the novel into five parts: The Garden, The Parlor, The Studio, The Cellar, and Holly Oak.  The garden, parlor, studio, and cellar are important places in the mansion’s existence.  Their history resonates through the pages, and they are more fully brought to life when Meissner switches to the perspective of Holly Oak’s most pivotal Civil War resident and source of much speculation, Susannah Page.  Susannah’s story is told through a sequence of unguarded letters to her cousin.  I was completely engrossed in Susannah tale of love, loss, and bravery.  Meissner’s skill as a story-teller shines in the poetical narrative.  Despite the passage of more than a century, Susannah is still very much a part of Adelaide’s life and the presence of the mansion.  Her letters provide an insight into the truth of her life and her values.  As a character, she is fully developed, despite her perspective accounting for less than half of the novel.   

Adelaide offers a prime example of how years of misconceptions can cloud our view of the present and cripple our outlook on life.  She places Holly Oak in a position of power and lets it define her life.  From the first chapter, we learn that Adelaide, Marielle, and their families, have struggles to overcome.  The past defines Adelaide’s present life and the weight of her superstitions have implications in the lives of others who live at Holly Oak.  As the characters embrace the truth and let go of their fears, readers are left with a satisfying ending, full of promise.  But like real life, not everything is perfect, but Holly Oak becomes a place of peace.

As someone who loves historic homes, I loved this novel. A Sound Among the Trees sings an enchanting melody of love and truth. I highly recommend it!

A Sound Among the Trees is available for purchase at the following locations:
Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Multnomah/ WaterBrook Press through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review of ReMatch & MatchPoint by Erynn Mangum

 Total Rating: 5 Stars

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Synopsis of the Books from cbd.com: 

• ReMatch - Lauren Holbrook believes that God matched couples before time began, but some just require a coordinated introduction. No one plays love connection better than Lauren, an undercover Cupid on a mission to connect clueless friends! The next couple in waiting? Brandon and Hannah, two unsuspecting pals who are perfect for each other in every way. They just don't realize it yet. But as Lauren grows closer to her friend Ryan, and her single father unexpectedly falls in love, she discovers the joy found in trusting God's perfect plan instead of her own.
• MatchPoint - Now that she's successfully matched four couples, Lauren Holbrook is wondering if she'll always be the bridesmaid and never the . . . or will she finally admit that she and Ryan are more than "good friends"? But handsome Keller Stone may try to convince her otherwise. A riotous, romantic conclusion to Mangum's caffeine-laced series!

Review: I went on a reading spree this weekend and finished Erynn Mangum's addictive and funny Lauren Holbrook series.  It was time well spent.  I decided to read ReMatch and MatchPoint together, like one novel.  After I completed ReMatch I was very anxious to finish Lauren's story, and I was not disappointed. Both of the novels contain the same humor, match-making schemes, quirky characters, Jane Austen discussions, and infusion of chocolate and coffee that were so endearing in MissMatch. One of my friends described the series as "cute,"  which is an accurate description.  Each novel is a fun and fast read with a refreshing element of youthfulness. Lauren matures throughout ReMatch and MatchPoint; and with her maturity, we see more introspection.  We see her struggle with the concept of growing up, something to which many 20-somethings can relate.  

MatchPoint offers a wonderful balance between humor and tenderness.  Lauren finds herself the subject of matchmaking schemes, which made me laugh. Ryan and Lauren are a comedic duo with an endearing relationship.  Of course, the big question is will Lauren and Ryan become more than "just friends?" Lauren faces various changes and challenges throughout both novels, but lightens every situation up with her trademark wit and wackiness.  After three novels, the ending of MatchPoint left me completely satisfied, the perfect conclusion to the trilogy.  It was not rushed, but brewed to sweet and warming perfection, a quality that Lauren so loves in her coffee. 

The Grand Old State Fair

Something about the chill in the air makes me long for an old-fashioned state fair, which brings to mind the State Fair musical from 1945. I wonder how closely the musical mimicked real state fairs of the past.  Were they really the appealing mixture of charm, fun, and sophistication that I attribute to the fairs of yesterday or did they closely resemble the fairs of today? Did women really wear nice dresses and heels and the men suits and ties? The fashion has changed, without a doubt.  But, there is an element of the past in the present with  livestock, agricultural, and craft competitions...and somethings never change: the food, the occasional obnoxious vendors, and the buzz of energy in the air.

State fairs and local fairs are traditions for families and communities. There is history in tradition, which is the common thread to the past and the future.  Even though clothes, rides, and events might change, the infamous state fairs still offer the excitement and family atmosphere that past generations enjoyed and future ones will too.