Showing posts with label Carrie Turansky. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carrie Turansky. Show all posts

Monday, February 9, 2015

Book Review The Daughter of Highland Hall

BOOK REVIEW
The Daughter of Highland Hall (Edwardian Brides Book 2)
by: Carrie Turansky

•°o•:*:•.ANOTHER WINNER.•:*:• o°•

The Daughter of Highland Hall, Edwardian Brides Series #2   -     By: Carrie Turansky
Book 2 picks up right where book # 1 left off and is every bit as wonderful.  In case you missed my review of book 1, these stories remind us very much of Downton Abbey, but with a much softer, more spiritual feel. 

Opening in 1912 London, England, Julia and Sir William are now engaged and have moved the family to the Ramsey home for “the season”, where debutante Katherine Ramsey is due to make her debut.  Under the guiding hand of her extremely forceful Aunt Louisa, she is learning the proper etiquette, making her way through invitations, sizing up potential suitors and attending parties, teas, art exhibits and balls, all with the end goal of marrying into a proper family.

Julia’s brother Jon is finishing his medical training and comes to stay with them.  There is immediate chemistry between Jon and Katherine, but he is not the “right sort” of match Aunt Louisa has in mind. 

Lydia has come along as a ladies maid.  I picture her as Daisy from Downton Abbey, but with stronger faith.  She ends up on an adventure of her own trying to help locate her missing sister Helen who has run away with her rowdy boyfriend Charlie Gibbons.  She enlists the help of Jon and Katherine, mainly because she assists Katherine and Jon works in London’s East End, which is dangerous but may be a link to finding Helen.

There are many enjoyable characters in this book and Katherine has many choices to make along the way as she navigates society and her own growing faith in God.

Once again, this book is filled with faith and scripture; and is a TRUE Christian novel.  Here is a favorite quote of mine from page #124:
‘He placed one hand on the woman’s shoulder and the other on the boy’s and closed his eyes. “Father, I come to You on behalf of Mrs. Cummings and her young son Peter.  You see their situations, and You know exactly what they need.  I ask You to watch over them and provide for them.  Please help Peter’s arm heal properly and quickly. And please give Mrs. Cummings the strength she needs to care for her family.  We ask You to show Your great love and power in their lives.  Thank You for hearing our prayer.  We’ll be watching and waiting for Your answer.  We ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.” ’
Isn’t that lovely?  I love how she capitalizes You when referring to the Lord.  I do that too!  Also, she gives the reader a biblical example of how to pray – see Mathew 6:6-13 and Ephesians 5:20 first approaching the Father, and then asking in Jesus name.  This was something I had to learn, and am happy to see in this writing.

I again read this story in just a couple of days and recommend it to anyone who enjoys faith filled period romances.

Currently available at Target, as well as (click here ->) Christian Book Discounters
I can not wait for Book 3 which is set to release October 2015.
           
5 out of 5 teacups toasting!

Things that are included: Reader’s Guide (which I never use)

Complete Edwardian Brides Series:
The Governess of Highland Hall (Book 1- 2013)
The Daughter of Highland Hall (Book 2 - 2014)
A Refuge at Highland Hall (Book 3 - 2015)

Carrie is very sweet and approachable online.

I received a copy as a birthday gift and opinions are my own.
© 2014 Multinomah Books – a Div. of Random House
326 Pages
Read: 02/05-07/2015   Reviewed: 2/09/2015
  

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Book Review The Governess of Highland Hall

BOOK REVIEW
The Governess of Highland Hall (Edwardian Brides Book 1)
by: Carrie Turansky



The Governess of Highland Hall, Edwardian Brides Series #1   -     By: Carrie Turansky
I REALLY enjoyed this story about missionary Julia Foster and recent estate baronet of Highland Hall, Sir William and read it in two days, not wishing to put it down.  The quote on the cover from another excellent author, Julie Klassen, really captures my feelings: “There is much to like about The Governess of Highland Hall: A sweet, noble heroine, a proud, yet vulnerable hero, and a Downton Abbey inspired setting.”  Interestingly, I had not read that quote until after finishing the book, yet I found myself envisioning a Downton Abbey setting along with similar characters – Mr. Lawrence as Mr. Carson, a cranky version of Mrs. Patmore who is I pictured for Mrs. Emmitt based on description, rather than Mrs. Hughes. 

Opening in 1911, Berkshire England, Julia is on her way to interview for a governess job so she will have money to take care of her parents.  She and her family have just returned to England due to her father’s poor health after serving 12 years in India.  Sir William has very recently inherited a country estate, which comes with two belligerent teenage nieces.  He and his young children, Andrew and Millie along with a handicapped sister, Sarah, have left London for a fresh start, since he has been widowed and rocked by scandal.  Those experiences have swayed his faith to the point he is no longer truly growing in Christ.  Julia’s arrival seems a divine appointment for what the family needs.

This book is filled with faith and scripture; a TRUE Christian novel (not an impostor) -hands clapping.

It reaches across the barriers of social classes and has characters interacting in more human ways which was both interesting and real in a way I enjoyed.  Plus the setting is lovely.  I personally felt the book was very approachable without shoving to many period facts or fancy words down my throat.  There are some period books I keep my phone handy just to look up the many period references and historical words throughout.  But, with this book I could truly just enjoy the story. 
Currently available at Target (I saw it yesterday!), as well as 
(click here ->) Christian Book Discounters
I am definitely looking forward to Book 2: The Daughter of Highland Hall.
            
5 out of 5 teacups toasting!

Things that are included: Reader’s Guide (which I never use)

Carrie is very sweet and approachable online.

I received a copy as a birthday gift and opinions are my own.
© 2013 Multinomah Books – a Div. of Random House
Read: 02/03&04/2015   Reviewed: 02/05/2015