Friday Book Pick: The Daughter's Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick

It's a nice day outside...a good day for a walk or sitting in the shade with a good book. Today's book pick, Jane Kirkpatrick's The Daughter's Walk, combines both ideas.

In 1896, Clara Etsby and her mother accept a wager made by the fashion industry: walk across the country in seven months to promote the new "reform-style" dresses and win $10,000 to save their family farm. Along the way, Clara learns self-confidence, a new respect for her mother and a family secret that will change the direction of her future.

Believing that the book was about the walk itself, I found myself surprised and slightly disappointed when Kirkpatrick skimmed over large sections of their journey. About one third of the way into the book, I realized why she had done so. This story is less about the walk and more about a woman's struggle to understand the sacrificial journey and its long-term impact on her family and her life.

Though I enjoyed the book--paticularly the close attention to historical detail and to Clara's relationships with family and faith--I often found myself frustrated with the plot and characters. Kirkpatrick stays true to the historical facts of Clara's life and I felt a little guilty wishing for a satisfying resolution--something we don't always get in real life.

If you enjoy historical sagas that follow a character through the hills and valleys of their life, you will be delighted with The Daughter's Walk. If you prefer gentle walk-in-the-park type stories, you'd be advised to look elsewhere.

If you would like to learn more about The Daughter's Walk, you can view the book's trailer on YouTube or read the first chapter, courtesy of WaterBrook Multnomah.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for the purpose of review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed 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.”

A World With No Borders?

I was very sad to read the news on Monday that the Borders chain is giving up the fight. I'm not terribly surprised--they have been closing stores all year--but it still came as a blow.

After our local Waldenbooks closed, our town was down to a couple of used bookstores and a small Christian bookseller. My family began making regular pilgrimages to the next town over which had a Borders. I was always impressed with their staff, who surprised me with their deep knowledge of books, no matter how bizarre our questions. When my son was on a comic book buying frenzy, one of the clerks told us all the great places in town where he could find the odd issues he was seeking. I had a fascinating discussion with another clerk about YA Christian fiction and the way that it is shelved. You expect that level of knowledge and service at a small bookstore, but it's rare in a large chain.

Unless another bookstore moves into our region, I guess that means we have to travel even further afield to find a new favorite bookstore. Don't get me wrong--I love Amazon and have since they broke on the scene a few years ago (Christmas shopping in the middle of the night without leaving the house? Cool!), but I will miss the fun of walking the aisles at Borders and talking with the clerks.You just don't get that with an on-line seller.

How are you feeling about the loss? Where do you buy most of your books? Where will you buy them now?

Do you think E-books are to blame for Borders' demise? PCWorld doesn't. Read their article here. 
Are you worried about your Kobo reader? Read Kobo's response, here.

Friday Book Pick: Canary Island Song by Robin Jones Gunn

What do you do if you're ready for a vacation, but can't afford to take one? My solution is to pick up a book by award-winning Christian author, Robin Jones Gunn. Each of the books in her much-loved "Sisterchicks" series was a mini-vacation in itself, and her newest title, Canary Island Song (Howard Books; July 5, 2011), has that same romantic, escape-from-the-world feel.

Here is the plot for Canary Island Song, courtesy of Robin Gunn's Website:

When Carolyn's grown daughter tells her she needs to "get a life," Carolyn decides it's time to step out of her familiar routine as a single woman in San Francisco and escape to her mother's home in the Canary Islands. Since Carolyn's mother is celebrating her seventieth birthday, the timing of Carolyn's visit makes for a perfect surprise. 

The surprise, however, is on Carolyn when she sees Bryan Spencer, her high school summer love. It has been seven years since Carolyn lost her husband, but ever since that tragic day, her life has grown smaller and closed in. The time has come for Carolyn to get her heart back. It takes the gentle affection of her mother and aunts, as well as the ministering beauty and song of the islands, to draw Carolyn into the fullness of life. She is nudged along by a Flamenco dance lesson, a defining camel ride, and the steady gaze of Bryan's intense blue-gray eyes. 

Is it too late for Carolyn to trust Bryan? Can Carolyn believe that Bryan has turned into something more than the wild beach boy who stole her kisses so many years ago on a balmy Canary night? 

Carolyn is reminded that Christopher Columbus set sail from the Canary Islands in 1492 on his voyage to discover the New World. Is she ready to set sail from these same islands to discover her new life?

One of the nice features of Canary Island Song is that unlike many other contemporary romances, Gunn's lead character is not a twenty-something searching for her first love. Carolyn is a middle-aged widow struggling to start over, with all the normal baggage that comes with age. Also, this story is so well-researched and descriptive that you can almost feel the ocean breezes and taste the local cuisine as you read.

I can't wait to read Canary Island Song's companion book, Under a Maui Moon (Howard Books, July 2010). I think I deserve another vacation.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from Howard Books for the purpose of review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed 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.”

Telling the story behind the story

On Tuesday, I shared with you my first attempt at using video content to improve my blog and to talk about my writing. Today, I'd like to share my second video with you. This one tells the story of why I like to write Christian historical fiction and how I first got the idea for my newest book, First Impressions. Thank you for taking the time to view it and please feel free to share any suggestions you have for improving the video. Thanks!

Exploring the world of video

I'm excited to begin adding some video content to my blog and have been playing around with editing software. So far, I have designed two short videos for my current (in progress) book, First Impressions. It feels a little silly making video content for a book that's not yet complete, but it has been a great learning experience. It's helping me think visually about the characters and the plot, and also to envision how I will be able to market this book as a finished product.

Today, I'm going to share the video trailer with you. I'd love to hear your comments. Thanks for taking the time to view it!

Friday Book Pick: Lion of Babylon by Davis Bunn

Perfect entertainment for the holiday weekend, the new release Lion of Babylon by Davis Bunn, reads like a Hollywood blockbuster. The story kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. If you need some excitement for your summer travels--look no further.

Here is the basic plot summary, courtesy of Bethany House:

Marc Royce has been a State Department agent involved in covert operations--that is, until personal issues lead to his dismissal.

When Alex Baird goes missing in war-torn Baghdad, State comes calling again. Alex is a CIA agent--and a close friend of Royce. Three others have also dropped out of sight--a nurse, an aid worker, a wealthy young Iraqi. Are these cases linked? Rumors circulate about a kidnapping conspiracy, yet both American and local officials refuse to pursue it.

Blocked at every turn, Royce eventually unearths a trail of secret encounters between sworn enemies. What he discovers could transform the course of rivalry and reconciliation throughout the Mideast. As the human and political drama escalates, can one man summon the courage to make a difference?

Davis Bunn is a wildly talented author and his descriptions of people and places are so vivid that I sometimes forget that I am reading a novel. He delves into deep issues in Middle East culture, history and religion in a way that brings the story to life and makes your heart burn for the Iraqi people and their struggles. With a wonderful blend of personal struggle and heroic action scenes, Lion of Babylon is a powerful experience from beginning to end.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from Bethany House for the purpose of review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed 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.”