The Outcasts

The Outcasts by John Flanagan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The new Brotherband series from John Flanagan begins with a Book One: The Outcasts. Son of the late, proud Skandian warrior Mikkel and freed Araluen slave Karina, Hal has been an outcast all of his 16 years. Intelligent and quick to learn the ropes of sailing and boat building, Hal, with the help of a few other young Skandians not in the inner circle, rush to build Hal's own smaller, faster rendition of a warship and christens it the Heron right before brotherband training - when all the young men of the village will learn to be warriors.



As with all John Flanagan's books loyalty, courage, and ingenuity are praised, there is always the fight between good and evil and humility wins over bullying and bragging. For fan's of Flanagan - youth, teens, and adults alike, this is a great new adventure series to keep an eye on.



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Deep in the Heart of Trouble

Deep in the Heart of Trouble by Deeanne Gist

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Seems to be a lot of books out about feisty, independent women from the 1890s. (I would so love to visit that time!) Gist's comes back with her second in the Trouble series with her main character, sassy Essie Spreckelmeyer, an oil baron's daughter who also runs the company and a bicycle club to boot. Essie is a lot of fun and is quite happy being a single lady in her 30s (spinsterhood in those days, ye-gads)when Tony Morgan starts climbing the rungs in Spreckelmeyer oil business. Determined not to get hurt again, Essie steers clear until the whole town starts claiming him as one of their own.



A fun, enjoyable read - I learned a bit of the oil business in its early days and when "by jingo" was considered a swear word!



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All I Have to Give

All I Have to Give: A Christmas Love Story by Melody Carlson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Although Carlson's book is predictable, it's nice to see the Gift of the Magi, rewritten and updated. It's centered around lovely Christmastide when we try to outdo ourselves with giving the perfect gift, especially to our spouse - and that's exactly what Anna wants for Michael, because she feels like this will be her last Christmas ever.



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Unbroken

Unbroken: A World War II Story Of Survival, Resilience, And Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


How could anyone survive the horrors and degradation of body and soul of World War ll POW camps? Although many men and women did just that, this book focuses on the true story of Louie Zamperini, a troubled youth, an Olympic contender, a bombardier on a B-24, and a survivor of both a plane crash in the Pacific and Japan's POW camps. To top it off, Louie survived the after effects of war on return to the US - flashbacks and PTSD and goes on to create camps for other troubled youth.

I had actually seen an article in Guideposts on the power of the human will and forgiveness and it mentioned Zamperini's experience and piqued my interest. Written by the same amazing author that penned Seabiscuit, Laura Hillenbrand, Unbroken is a goldmine for information on World War ll - a time period in which I've always had an interest. I'm not sure how to put into words the effect this biography had on me. The power of the human spirit is phenomenal....




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The House by the Fjord

The House by the Fjord by Rosalind Laker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The book opens with war-bride Anna Vartdal ready to visit her late husband's family and beloved country of Norway, ravaged by World War II. It's Midsummer's Eve of 1946, the ship is docking, and Anna will soon join her friend Molly, who had married her late husband's best friend and who also was a pilot for the Royal Air Force of Norway. On that same day Anna is met by the Harvik family lawyer who is rather insistent on Anna accepting the family home and property. Anna tarries in the town of Jessheim with her war-bride friends until Christmas when she finally meets with her father-in-law in the town of Molde.


This work of historical fiction paints beautiful pictures of Norway's fjords, mountains, and valleys and made me eager to visit. It also filled me in on how Norway's stalwart citizens coped with the war and resisted the Nazi regime. A lovely book....



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Once Upon a Town

Once Upon a Town: The Miracle of the North Platte Canteen by Bob Greene

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


An amazing look at a small town - North Platte, Nebraska - and the true sacrifices made to support the troop trains of World War II that trundled in and out, 5am - midnight, every day for years. North Platte offered its canteen as a homey rest stop, complete with hot coffee, delicious home cooked food, sandwiches, boiled eggs, cake made from scratch and more for millions of mostly young, weary men - many away from home for the very first time.

Included are oodles of interviews, from the once young and grateful men and people of the town and surrounding farmland who gave of their very own goods or used ration cards to supplement their precious offering.

An uplifting, enjoyable read...



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Christmas in Sugarcreek

Christmas in Sugarcreek: A Christmas Seasons of Sugarcreek Novel by Shelley Shepard Gray

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Ben Knox has only come back to Sugarcreek to sell his parents home and move on - at least that's what he keeps telling himself until he runs into Judith Graber. When Judith's father offers him a temporary position in the family store, Ben grabs it and finds himself working side by side with the lovely, responsible Judith everyday. Judith has everything that Ben ever wanted and never had - the important things like - a loving, big family, respect, honor, and a kindness that permeates to her very soul. Ben can't help falling in love with her, but realizes he has nothing to offer. Will Christmas work its many wonders on Ben and Judith?

A sweet little Amish Christmas novel, with several stories within the main story.....



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The Christmas Shoppe

The Christmas Shoppe by Melody Carlson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Poor Matilda Honeycutt - from the moment she enters town, people are talking about her, forming their own opinions on the woman who bought the old Barton building in the small town of Parrish Springs. As the news leaks out that the store will be named The Christmas Shoppe, the town becomes excited, but the balloon is burst when customers finally enter through the front door and see the dilapidated goods. However, this store is full of sweet and wonderful surprises!



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