For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
Summary from Goodreads:
It's been several generations since a genetic experiment gone wrong caused the Reduction, decimating humanity and giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.
Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family's estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jump-starting the wheel of progress, and Elliot's estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth—an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go.
But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret—one that could change their society... or bring it to its knees. And again, she's faced with a choice: cling to what she's been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she's ever loved, even if she's lost him forever.
Inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion, For Darkness Shows the Stars is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.
Read November 2012
5 Stars
My Review:
Jane Austen's Persuasion set in a post apocalyptic society. Fascinating. Really this was a surprise for me (meaning I liked it more than I thought I would). There was the familiar elements of Persuasion, but also so much more.
The setting was almost a character on its own. So many of the circumstances of the story revolved around the setting. Elliot, the heroine of the story, was tied to her farm, keeping it running, trying to keep her family and the workers alive.
The ages of the characters is very young. It was hard for me to picture these teenagers dealing with all of this, but that is part of the post-apocalyptic society.
The post-apocalyptic rules and regulations create much of the conflict in the story. When do you follow the rules? When do you do what you believe is right, if that goes against those rules?
This was a book about decision making and the consequences that follow, good or bad.
Luckily, with the base of Jane Austen's Persuasion, there was at least some sense of there being a happy ending. And, as much as this is a love story, it had little physical romance in it.
Warnings: None
I would let my 14 year old read this story.
Lady of Quality by Georgette Heyer
Summary from Goodreads:
When spirited, independent Miss Annis Wynchwood embroils herself in the affairs of a runaway heiress, she is destined to see a good deal of Lucilla’s uncivil and high-handed guardian Mr Oliver Carleton.
Read November 2012
3 Stars
My Review:
This is another regency romance by Georgette Heyer. It has similar writing, words and sayings that I have no idea what they mean but I "go with it", and a wicked leading man. She has a good formula going.
My main complaint about this book is the lack of romance between the lead characters. The wicked leading man was really a mean guy. I had a hard time finding anything I liked about him. How the leading lady ever fell for him I'll never understand. I did enjoy the few kisses they shared at the end, but other than that, the romance part of this book was lacking.
I've enjoyed other books by Georgette Heyer more than this one.
Warnings: None
I would let my 14 year old read this, though I don't think she wouldn't like it, too wordy.
A Season for Tending by Cindy Woodsmall
Summary by Goodreads:
In a community where conformity flourishes, seeds of Rhoda’s odd behavior were planted long ago. Can she cultivate her relationships with the same care and tenderness that she gives her beloved garden?
Old Order Amish Rhoda Byler’s unusual gift and her remarkable abilities to grow herbs and berries have caused many to think her odd. As rumors mount that Rhoda’s “gift” is a detriment to the community, she chooses isolation, spending her time in her fruit garden and on her thriving canning business.
Miles away in Harvest Mills, Samuel King struggles to keep his family’s apple orchard profitable. As the eldest son, Samuel farms with his brothers, the irrepressible Jacob and brash Eli, while his longtime girlfriend Catherine remains hopeful that Samuel will marry her when he feels financially stable.
Meanwhile, Samuel’s younger sister Leah is testing all the boundaries during her rumschpringe, and finds herself far from home in Rhoda’s garden after a night of partying gone badly. But Leah’s poor choices serve as a bridge between Rhoda and the King family when a tragic mistake in the orchard leaves Samuel searching for solutions.
Rhoda’s expertise in canning could be the answer, but she struggles with guilt over the tragic death of her sister and doesn’t trust herself outside her garden walls. As the lines between business, love, and family begin to blur, can Rhoda finally open up to a new life? And what effect will this odd, amazing woman have on the entire King family?
Read November 2012
5 Stars
My Review:
I am now officially obsessed with the Amish people. I want to learn all about them and their culture after reading this book.
I grew up in Maryland and we often traveled to areas of Pennsylvania where we saw Amish and Mennonite people. As a kid I always found them interesting and I've even taken my children to Lancaster, PA to a "touristy" Amish community (with shops selling their goods, a restaurant, photo opportunities, etc.).
Lately on TV, there has been a show about Amish young adults who are going through a time of self discovery, do they want to be Amish or do they want to leave what they've known all their lives. I have not watched this show. However, I have heard others post about it on Facebook. I am a little saddened to see these youth exploited at such a vulnerable time in their lives. Reading about their culture in this book has increased my emotions toward them.
Now, I don't know how accurate the depiction is of the Amish culture since this is a fiction book, but I could tell the author had done a lot of research and was trying her best to be true to the culture she was writing about.
A Season for Tending is a fiction book that takes place in an Amish community, with both Amish and Englisch (non-Amish) characters. I was drawn in by the characters, their stories, as well as their culture. I was carried away in this book. It is the first in a series called "Amish Vines and Orchards" and unfortunately the next book doesn't come out until sometime next year. This book wrapped up the immediate story, but left off with quite a cliff hanger. I want to find out what happens next!
Warnings: Teen drinking and sex mentioned
I would let my 14 year old read this book.
The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson
Summary by Goodreads:
Unknowingly cast as the bachelorette for her town’s charity event, Taycee Emerson wants out. Especially when she discovers her old teenage crush, Luke Carney, is one of the bachelors and it's up to the viewers--not her--to decide which bachelors stay or go.
Coerced into participating, Taycee does what any self-preserving girl would do. She launches a subtle attack on Luke’s good name with the hope of getting him voted off the show. Unfortunately, Luke's an eye-for-an-eye kind of guy, and when he discovers what she's up to, it means revenge.
But when their pranks go south, will they screw up any chance they have at a future together, or will they be able to forgive and forget and prove that love really does conquer all?
Read October 2012
5 Stars
My Review:
This is a clean, funny, heart-warming romance. I liked that the author made the characters flawed, yet loveable. I laughed, I cried, I had butterflies. This is one of my favorite reads this year.
Warnings: None
I would let my 14 year old read this. I don't think she would, but I would let her.
Lemon Tart by Josi S. Kilpack
Summary by Goodreads:
A recipe for murder!
* 5 families living on Peregrine Circle
* 1 flowered curtain tieback
* 1 missing child
* 1 body in the field
Mix with a long list of suspects and top with two very different detectives. Increase heat until only the truth remains.
Award-winning author Josi S. Kilpack introduces a new series of culinary "cozies" that is sure to tantalize mystery lovers. In this debut volume, cooking aficionado-turned-amateur detective, Sadie Hoffmiller, tries to solve the murder of Anne Lemmon, her beautiful young neighbor - a single mother who was mysteriously killed while a lemon tart was baking in her oven. At the heart of Sadie's search is Anne's missing two-year-old son, Trevor. Whoever took the child must be the murderer, but Sadie is certain that the police are looking at all the wrong suspects - including her!
Armed with a handful of her very best culinary masterpieces, Sadie is determined to bake her way to proving her innocence, rescuing Trevor, and finding out exactly who had a motive for murder.
Read November 2012
4.5 Stars
My Review:
What a fun culinary mystery! I really enjoyed this story and the main character Sadie. I thought the story had intrigue, heart (I really liked these characters and felt bad for them), and just a touch of romance. And, I was totally surprised! My one complaint is that it annoyed me how much Sadie got herself into difficult situations. What was she thinking?!!! But, I guess that is part of her charm.
Warnings: There is obviously murder (it is a murder mystery), some infidelity, lots of lying and deceit. With all of that said, I still consider this a "clean" book.
I would let my 14 year old read this.
