The Legacy of Pemberley

The Legacy of Pemberley
Rebecca Ann Collins
5 Stars
323 pages


I finally finished this book - which concludes the series, and it was such a bitter-sweet ending.  I discovered the first book in this series 3 years ago and over the years I have cherished all 10 books.  This last and final book was no different.  I am so sad it is ending!


Since the end of Pride and Prejudice, these books take Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy through 50 years of marriage.  This book concludes the story of children and grandchildren, cousins and friends. One of the main plots belongs to Caroline, the widow of Colonel Fitzwilliam.  While she finds herself learning to live and adjust to life on her own,she is able to watch her daughter, Rachel begin her own romance and blossom.  I loved the addition of Daniel Faulkner to the characters.


Of course, Collins doesn't leave anyone out and there are many other appearances of many of the other loved characters and friends from the whole series.  For example, I was so sad reading the story of Emily Courtney, but the reading of her will actually made me smile and have a little laugh.  I believe the only person that I would have loved to read more about after finishing the whole series would be Georgiana.  However, I was secretly happy that Virginia got basically what she deserved.


I can't think of high enough praise for this series of books.  They really have been an absolute favorite of mine throughout the last couple years.  I will continue to recommend these books to any Austen fan I meet and hope that Collins continues to write and will look forward to any new projects she holds for us in the futures!

Heart of Lies

Heart of Lies

Irish Angel Series, Book Two

Jill Marie Landis

285 pages

4 stars

Raised on the streets of New Orleans by Dexter Grande, Maddie was taught to beg, steal and cheat her way through life.  As Dexter’s gang dissolves, Maddie moves to the bayou with her twin “brothers”.  The story develops as the twins appear at the doorstep one night with an eight year old girl they have kidnapped and need Maddie to hold hostage.  Against her better judgment Maddie agrees, but trouble soon follows as Pinkerton agent Tom Abbot becomes part of the case.  Tom, who is also working for Laura Foster McCormick, from book one in this series, Heart of Stone.  Maddie begins to question who she is, who her family really is and if she can really trust Tom.

I was excited to hear about the second book in this series being released.  I really enjoyed the first book and couldn’t wait to read more about the sisters from New Orleans.  I think the romance isn’t over the top, but nice, old fashion and clean.  It's refreshing to find books like this, ones I don't have to worry about while reading.

If I had to pick one thing that I didn’t like it would be Dexter’s character.  Landis did a fantastic job making him into a creep and I really shuttered every time he graced the pages.  I was so disturbed at the thought of Maddie taking part of the changing of the kids.  I am glad she was able to find Tom and eventually Laura.  I hope that in the next few book that it will touch on that she has been able to find peace in her life.

The novels and the writing really make me think that if you love Anita Stansfield books, you will enjoy these series.

I'm looking forward to book three. Hopefully it doesn't take a full year to come out!

A Woman of Influence

A Woman of Influence

Rebecca Ann Collins

5 Stars

336 pages

Book nine in the The Pemberly Chronicles series.

As I finished the 8^th book in this series, Recollections of Rosings, I was curious to see how Becky Tate’s character would hold up in the next installment of the story. I had mixed feelings of if I really enjoyed her character or not, but promised myself I would place those feelings aside try hard to give her a fair chance in A Woman of Influence.

In A Woman of Influence Becky’s story continues as she finds herself living at Edgwater, a widow and alone wondering what will become of her life. When Becky comes in contact with a girl, Alice, who is traveling and homeless with a son, hiding on her property, she becomes absorbed in her story and helping this woman find and free her husband who has been wrongly accused. While this might be a minor plot in the story it ultimately leads Becky to being reunited with an old acquaintance Mr. Aldo Contini.

Mr. Contini and Becky’s relationship was first established shortly after Becky’s daughter’s death when Mr. Contini was there to offer condolences and relief. I was presently surprised with this reunion of characters and the slow romance that developed and followed. It was a perfect pace for me and my feelings towards Becky’s character.

It’s not s surprise that I thoroughly enjoyed A Woman of Influence. The new “mystery” of Alice and her husband added some substance and some suspense and thrill to a typical storyline. I was pleased with Becky and Mr. Contini’s relationship and how it developed, in a world where lines are crossed daily and in appropriate relationships are many times considered “norm” I was even more delighted that this relationship developed at the right time and place in their lives.

Ms. Rebecca Collins is a wonderful writer and storyteller. She has a knack for writing in Jane Austen’s own voice and developing clean, romantic well developed stories that can be enjoyed time and time again.

I cannot wait for Book 10!

Heart of Stone

Heart of Stone

Jill Marie Landis

4 Stars

312 pages

This is the first novel that I've read by Jill Marie Landis and I was not disappointed. Heart of Stone tells the story of Laura Foster, the owner of an elegant boarding house in Glory Texas. When she finds that the widowed preacher in town, Brand McCormick, want to court and even marry her she finds herself torn in her decision. She wants to love but doesn't want her true past to ruin Brand's reputation or future. Landis does a great job describing the time period and characters. Even though they had such a short role, I smiled each time the elderly Mary Margret and Timothy graced the pages.

I was drawn in to this story from page one. It was a quick read and very entertaining. I would classified this book as Christian historical fiction, which is a genre that I typically enjoy because I don't have to worry about any language or graphic scenes.

I am looking forward to finding more novels by Landis and also looking forward to reading the second book in this series which is about Laura's long lost sister, Megan. I recommend this book if you like historical fiction and quick reads.

Recollections of Rosings

Recollections of Rosings

Rebecca Ann Collins

5 Stars

308 pages

The eighth book the the Pemberly Chronicles.

Recollections of Rosings is the story of Catherine Harrison and Becky Tate, sisters and daughters of Charlotte Lucus Collins. After a tragic fire at Rosings Park the story follows the sisters and the twists and turns their lives lead.

If I were a betting girl I would bet that Catherine is a favorite of the author, Ms. Rebecca Ann Collins, due to the fact that she is so eloquently spotlighted and portrayed in this book. It was so easy to fall in love with her character!

As Catherine returns to Rosings after the fire to find her husband injured, her daughter, Lilian finds love - but her Aunt Becky is unsure if it is the right love for her and tries to intervene. I was so impressed with Collins ability to write about the incidents in London at Lady Ashton's parties in a clean and modest fashion. Too many books I've read - even Jane Austen sequels include such incidents, as I'm sure they did happen during the time, but without leaving anything to the imagination or decency for the characters.

I absolutely loved the journal entries that we were able to read from Catherine's past - they were so fascinating I felt like Catherine herself, wanting to stay up all night reading more and more.

I still hold mixed feelings towards Becky Tate. Throughout half the book I had such a dislike for her and her character, she was just so shallow and petty! Then at the end when I read about her separation I did feel sad for her and was happy with the ending that was given her. I just received my advanced copy from the publisher of the next book in this series, A Woman of Influence, in which Becky is a main character. I cannot wait to dive into and read the rest of her story.

Recollections of Rosings does not disappoint. Rebecca Ann Collins is able to create a world of characters that can be loved and cherished. These books are my "feel good" books that I go to anytime I need a good book for a pick-me-up.

Mr. Darcy's Daughter

Mr. Darcy's Daughter
Rebecca Ann Collins
5 Stars


After a few months I am finally able to sit down and write a review for this book, in fact, over the past few months I've read it twice. I love it. The fifth book in this series, Mr. Darcy's Daughter continues by following Cassandra, Cassy, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth's daughter. I love Cassy and her strong personality. She is headstrong, intelligent and dependable.

In the book Cassy is faced with many challenges and comes out the heroine of the book with charm and class. While her brother Julian is struggling with his own family and work Cassy becomes responsible for many of the tasks of running the Pemberly estate. Later in the book she becomes fully responsible for raising Julian's son to become the heir of the estate. Romance is in bloom with Cassy's daughter when the family is introduced to a new young American. Mystery is also involved in this book and Cassy's son Darcy takes part of solving the crime.

I enjoyed the second half of the book and felt it moved fast. The mystery was a new twist to the series and I thought it added a fun addition to the storyline. My only regret is not rereading the previous four books in the series before reading this book so I could be refreshed with many of the characters and families.

I recommend these books to any Jane Austen or Pride and Prejudice lover. This series is hands down the best Pride and Prejudice sequel I have found.

Emma Smith, Woman of Faith

Emma Smith, Woman of Faith

Anita Stansfield

4 Stars

I picked up this book while in Utah and it was a quick and easy read. True Anita Stansfield fashion. I thought it was a nice read and I did love reading more about Emma Smith's life and struggles. Some parts lacked and I really wanted more information, but I think there are more books on Emma that are available that might have more information then this book. This book was under 200 pages.

Emma was a true woman of faith. I can't believe all the trials that she went through and all the children that she lost. I really don't think that I could do it. She was amazing.

I recommend this book if you are looking for a easy read on her life. It did make me want to pick up my copies of The Work and the Glory again and re-read them.

Hattie Big Sky

Hattie Big Sky
Kirby Larson
4 ½ Stars

Set in 1918, this is the story of orphan Hattie Brooks, who leaves what little family and friends she knows for Montana to settle her late Uncles claim. The book is a Newberry Award Nominee and a great historical fiction written for Young Adults.

I first saw this book recommended on another book blog and was so excited when I found it in the stores during a vacation. I loved the little stories of Hattie’s life, the work and dedication that settlers had in those days. At first I was disappointed with the end, it was a twist that I was not expecting, but after re-reading the ending I felt more closure. I do hope there will be a second book containing more of Hattie’s life.

The book was well-researched and made history fun to the reader. It totally made me grateful for all the modern convinces that we have today. The only reason that I didn't give it a full 5 stars is that I did have to think about the ending and re-read it. It wasn't so bad that I wouldn't recommend it, I actually liked it the more I thought about it. I recommend this book to anyone!

The Other Boleyn Girl

The Other Boleyn Girl
Philippa Gregory
3 Stars

I know lots of people rave about this movie and the book, but personally I have to say, I was disappointed. I finished this book and had to sit on it a few days before writing my opinion on it down and I think that it boils down to this – it was a little too racy for my taste. The book I read previous to The Other Boleyn Girl is a great sequel series to Pride and Prejudice that is written in a voice very true to Jane Austen. I jumped from sophisticated, respectful, romantic hand-holding scenes to King Henry the VIII, who graphically gets any woman he wants, any way he wants, married, young or old.

The Other Boleyn Girl is the story of Mary Boleyn, sister to Anne Boleyn, who is Henry VIII’s second wife out of 6. Married at 12, Mary finds herself falling in love with the King of England who has caught her eye. Her family uses her to gain positions and power until she is asked to let her sister take over her role. The plot thickens with pregnancies, miscarriages, children, deaths, marriages, and relationships are added to the book.

One thing that I did find interesting about this book was how sad it made me feel for women during the 1500’s in England. It was a complex time period for religion, government, families. I felt so sad for Mary and the things that she was ordered to do by parents and her families – ones that should have loved and cared for her and her well being. I felt sorry for both the children born to the King and the mothers in the story. They weren’t able to be with their children and when Anne had her daughter I wanted so badly for someone to love her, but no one did.

I disliked Anne more than I disliked Henry VIII. She was smart, manipulative and power hungry. Sisterhood meant nothing to her and she would do anything for any cost to get what she wanted.

I do think that Philippa Gregory took a part of history and made it into an interesting story. It was a page turner and very hard to put down. You can read about Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn by clicking here. I would only recommend this book with an err of caution – it has very graphic racy scenes. I think for myself I’ll stick closer to Jane Austen books when I’m looking for English historical fiction.

The Pemberley Chronicles

The Pemberley Chronicles
4 ½ stars
Rebecca Ann Collins

Preface: Wow. I started this book immediately after finishing re-reading the Harry Potter series and while I loved this book in the end, it took a day or two for me to get with the pace of things and not expect anyone to pull a wand from their pocket and stun someone. Can you imagine that? Mr. Darcy with a wand. Funny, but true.

If you love Pride and Prejudice and love Jane Austen novels you will not be disappointed with The Pemberley Chronicles. I think that this is one of the only novels I have read that really stayed true to Austen’s style and voice.

The first half of the book was really slow moving for me but had very good character development. I enjoyed seeing some of the extended Bennett family and friends develop. Part two of the story had much more of interesting story lines to follow and moved much faster for me. It was during part two of this story that I fell in love with this story and decided I really needed to find The Women of Pemberley, the second book of the series.

There was a lot of political history in this book. Some parts were very interesting, while at other times I found myself skimming through those passages.

I recommend this book to anyone and know I will find myself re-reading it over again. I literally laughed out loud at parts and cried over passages as well.

The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen

The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen

Sryie James

4 Stars

I picked this book up at Costco for $8 and I'm so glad I found it, it was cute, a quick read and really fun.

The book is written to make you believe that is the true memoirs of Jane Austen. At parts it really can fool you. For the most part the author has stayed true to the places and times of Jane Austen, but added just a few fictitious characters and personal thoughts to make a really fun book.

I started and finished this book in one day. It’s not heavy reading by any means but do at least give it a few chapters before you decide to put it down (after the 3rd or 4th at least!)I was reminded of The Work and the Glory when I read this book – facts mixed with fiction. All under 300 pages!

Mother Mason

Mother Mason

Bess Streeter Aldrich

5 Stars

This is a very short cute book about the Mason family. It's such a feel good story and it made me smile. Mother Mason finds joy in raising her 4 children. She is 52 during the story and such an inspriation. I hope that someday my little family will be like the Masons. They were a hoot to read!

There is also something charming to me about reading a book that still has an old library card in it with dates older than myself!

A Lantern in Her Hand

A Lantern in Her Hand
Bess Streeter Aldrich
4 1/2 stars

I started this book about a year ago for a book club at my church and although all the members of the club were raving about it, I couldn't get myself to finish it. I finally picked it up this past weekend and was able to finish it in 3 days - and the only thing I can think of is I must have been reading a very fast pace exciting novel before this when I first attempted to read it.

Needless to say I loved it this time around. (I must be in a better mood as well!) The story follows the life of Abbie Mackenzie Deal. She marries the love of her life, Will Deal and they move to settle "out west" in Nebraska. While Abbie has dreams, she is also a mother. After reading this book I couldn't help but appreciate my own mother more. I am also inspired to become a better mother to my little family.

I found myself wanting to highlight or dog-ear some passages in the book. Here are some of my favorite parts:

Abbie has just recovered from losing her infant son. She comes to terms with it and looks around and sees her little family. She has so many dreams for her little children,
"You shall wear them, darling. Some day you shall. We're going to make it come true. We've got to make it come true." She caught Margaret to her. "It takes faith and courage and love and prayer and work and little singing to keep up your spirits, but we're going to do it."

Abbie is speaking to her daughter, who has just informed her that she will forgo motherhood to pursue a singing career,
"But, Isabelle, if people waited to be rich to have children. If we!...Oh, Isabelle! You'd make me laugh if I didn't feel so like crying. Can't afford it? How can you afford to miss it....little children...their soft warm bodies and their little clinging hands...their cunning ways..miss motherhood?"

After her daughter Grace has just told her she is narrow for not having traveled, Abbie answers her,
"You know, Grace, it's queer, but I don't feel narrow. I feel broad. How can I explain it t you, so you would understand? I've sen everything...and I've hardly been away from this yard. I've seen cathedrals in the snow on the Lombardy poplars. I've seen the sun set behind the Alps over there when the clouds have been piled up on the edge of the prairie. I've seen the ocean billows in the rise and fall of the prairie grass. I've seen history in the making...three ugly wars flair up and die down. I've sent a lover and two brothers to one, a son and son-in-law to another, and two grandsons to the other. I've seen feeble beginnings of a raw state and the civilization that developed there, and I've been part of the beginning and part of the growth. I've married...and borne children and looked into the face of death. Is childbirth narrow, Grace? Or marriage? Or death? When you've experience all those things, Grace, the spirit has traveled although the body has been confined. I think travel is a rare privilege and I'm glad you can have it. But not every one who stays at home is narrow and not every one who travels is broad. I think if you can understand humanity...can sympathize with every creature..can put yourself into the personality of every one...you're not narrow...you're broad."

Miss Bishop

Miss Bishop
Bess Streeter Aldrich
5 Stars

If we could only have more people in this world like Miss Bishop. The story begins with Ella Bishop's first days at Midwestern College. Ella is a lively, spunky girl and the book is her journey through life. She cares for her mother, is a devoted friend and a constant. She is a teacher, and therefore a mother to so many.

Ella Bishop's life is not an easy one, but she never complains. She never takes the easy way out and she always does the right thing. The book has ups and downs. At some points I was so sad I was brought to tears for Miss Ella Bishop and at other points I was literally laughing out loud.

I started Bess Streeter Aldrich's more famous book, A Lantern in Her Hand, for a book club last year and I never could finish it. Miss Bishop was such a touching book that A Lantern in Her Hand is up next on my list.

Wish You Well

Wish You Well

David Baldacci

4 1/2 stars

After suffering through a car crash and losing their father, Lou and Oz are forced to move to the Virgina mountains to live with their Great-Grandmother and invalid mother. The year is 1940 and times in on the mountain and in the small mining communities are struggling. Lou and Oz are struggling to find where they fit in as well.

I loved this story. It's about finding ones self. Finding out what really matters and learning how to love and forgive. I cried and I laughed. I just wonder why I haven't read this before, every person I suggest it to has already read it. Where have I been?

The day I finished the book I was driving home from grocery shopping and I saw an old boarded up farm house and a huge commercial for sale sign in front of it. I wanted to cry. I was sad because with every bit of expansion I'm sure there is a piece of history we are missing. We live in a world where ever one is keeping up with the Jones and trying so hard to be the the biggest and the best. Aren't we forgetting what is really important? Our families. Hard work. Honest living.

I loved this book and I hope to re-read it often. It is a very good reminder of what is important in life.

Darby

Darby
Jonathon Scott Fugua
5 Stars

While sitting at the library this week and watching my children play I looked up to see this book on the shelf. I have seen it there before, but I have never picked it up. Since it had an Iowa Children's Choice Award sticker on it I finally decided to pick it up and give it a chance. It's a children book and about 250 pages. I believe every child - probably around 10 years old - should read it and know the history that battled our southern states.

Darby Carmichael is a girl after my own heart. She wants to grow up to be a news paper girl. Her best friend, Evette, and her write a column for the Bennettsville Times in Marlboro County, South Carolina. While writing is great and she loves receiving all the compliments, it doesn't take long for her to realize that while a good newspaper girl only tries to tell the truth some people don't always want to hear it.

Set in 1926 this book examines the black/white issues that small southern towns faced. I personally spent many years growing up in the south and love small southern town stories such as this one. Darby, and her family, amazed me with her courage.

This was a very good story based on real interviews. It is very easy to read so there are no excuses!

Warriors Don't Cry

Warriors Don't Cry
Melba Pattillo Beals
5 Stars

While reading Darby, my mind kept referring back to the book Warriors Don't Cry, a book a read about a year ago. This non-fiction book is based on the "Little Rock 9" students who segregated Little Rock Central High School in 1957.

While living in Arkansas my mom picked this book up and read it. My husband then picked up the book at their home a few years later and brought it home to read himself. He never was able to read it and I tried a few times to read it without success. Finally last year I sat down and read the account told by Melba herself, who was one of the courageous students. It is an awesome story and very inspiring.

If you are light hearted book this is not the one to pick. She tells it how it was during that awful year and most of which is very hard to swallow. The fact that she stood through it all and graduated was amazing to me. I am not sure I would have the faith or endurance to do what she did. Thank goodness that someone did and that she shared her story with us. We are all better people because of it.

The Kite Runner

Khaled Hosseini
3 1/2 stars
by Kathy

This story follows a young Afghan boy and his friendship with the son of his father's servant. As a youth, the boy fails to stop a brutal attack on his friend, and his guilt over this incident consumes him for 2o some years, as he leaves Afghanistan due to political turmoil, comes to America, and gets married. Ultimately, he finds redemption and peace as he returns to Afghanistan while it is under the rule of the Taliban, and rescues the orphan son of his old friend. A few parts of this book are very violent and brutal, mostly showing how horrible the Taliban was. There are also many tender parts, including his relationship with his wife, and his relationship with his father. This book was an interesting look into Afghanistan's recent history, and its people and culture.n I liked this book overall, but I'm not sure if I'd read it again, as the violence was a little hard to stomach.

Yearning for the Living God

Yearning for the Living God

F. Enzio Busche

4 Stars

This autobiographical book of a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy was sent to me by my mother who has heard Edler Bushe speak. Once she saw it in the stores she was so excited to read the book.

F. Enzio was born in Germany in 1930, just three years before Hitlers rise to power. The story shows reflections of his life as a prisoner of war, being drafted into the German army and living his life full of questions about God.

F. Enzio made a commitment to himself that he would find answers to his question and in time he did find them. The book tells about his testimony and powerful experiences he has had in the church.

One other reason my mother was so excited to find this and found it so interesting was that we have German roots on both sides of her family. It was so interesting to think that my ancestors might have struggled with these same issues.

The Work and the Glory Series

The Work and the Glory Series
Gerald N. Lund
4 1/2 Stars

If you want to learn more about the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and you are not to big into reading straight history books, this is a good way to go about it. However, know that this might take you a long time to read, so I suggest block off an entire year for the first time through. There are 9 novels and each one is at least 500 pages.

The story revolves around a fictitious family, the Steeds. They come in contact with Joseph Smith and the story goes from there. Each chapter has citations where the author cites his sources of the events that really happened in history. If you can keep it straight that anything that happens to this particular family is fiction it is a good way to learn church history.

Most readers out there might know there are a few movies now that follow these books. I had picked up the first book in this series at least 4 times and failed in reading it until I watched the first movie. It really helped. I then plowed through all the books. I am not too fond of the second or third movie, however. The third one was a big disappointment if you have read the books. Entire characters were left out. I guess I just need to understand it's Hollywood and it will never be as good as my imagination.