A Trail of Crumbs

by Susie Finkbeiner
Review & GIVEAWAY!

Description

"I believed it would have been a sin to stay inside when God had sent us such fine weather. According to Pastor Ezra Anderson, sin was the reason we'd got in the dusty mess we were in. The way I saw it, that day was God's way of letting us know He wasn't mad at us anymore. Just maybe He'd seen fit to forgive us."

Pearl Spence has been through more in her young life than most folks could handle. But through it all, her family has been by her side. They may not be perfect, but they love her and they all love each other, come what may. That's one thing Pearl no longer questions.

But the end of her beautiful day signals the beginning of the end of her secure life.

Now her family is fleeing their Oklahoma wasteland. Pearl isn't sure she'll ever see home or happiness again. Are there any crumbs powerful enough to guide her back to the dependable life she once knew?

The strong narrative voice of Finkbeiner's young protagonist from A Cup of Dust returns in this gritty yet hopeful sequel, sure to please her many fans.

Biography

Susie Finkbeiner is a story junkie. Always has been and always will be. It seems it's a congenital condition, one she's quite fond of.

After decades of reading everything she could get her hands on (except for See the Eel, a book assigned to her while in first grade, a book she declared was unfit for her book-snob eyes), Susie realized that she wanted to write stories of her own. She began with epics about horses and kittens (but never, ever eels). 

It takes years to grow a writer and after decades of work, Susie realized (with much gnashing of teeth and tears) that she was a novelist. In order to learn how to write novels, she read eclectically and adventurously (she may never swim with sharks, but the lady will jump into nearly any story). After reading the work of Lisa Samson, Patti Hill, and Bonnie Grove she realized that there was room for a writer like her in Christian fiction.

Her first novels Paint Chips (2013) and My Mother's Chamomile (2014) have contemporary settings. While she loved those stories and especially the characters, Susie felt the pull toward historical fiction.

When she read Into the Free by Julie Cantrell she knew she wanted to write historical stories with a side of spunk, grit, and vulnerability. Susie is also greatly inspired by the work of Jocelyn Green, Rachel McMillan, and Tracy Groot.

A Cup of Dust: A Novel of the Dust Bowl (2015), Finkbeiner's bestselling historical set in 1930s Oklahoma, has been compared to the work of John Steinbeck and Harper Lee (which flatters Susie's socks off). Pearl's story continues with A Trail of Crumbs: A Novel of the Great Depression (2017) and A Song of Home: A Novel of the Swing Era (2018). 

What does she have planned after that? More stories, of course. She's a junkie. She couldn't quit if she wanted to.

My Thoughts ~

I've traveled back to the days of the depression and the Oklahoma dust storms with my favorite character, Pearl. She's young, innocent, and a free spirit. I loved her in the author's prequel, A Cup of Dust, but grew to love her even more in A Trail of Crumbs. Her life has been difficult, but it's all she knows, and the love of her family has kept her secure and cared for. Pearl and her best friend, Ray, are carefree youngsters, happy, with few worries in their young lives. Unfortunately, troublesome and grievous times force the family to move on, far from the only home they've known. 

As in A Cup of Dust, Susie weaves a palpable tale that is authentic, earthy, gritty and heartrending. A Trail of Crumbs represents an underlying hope even as much has been lost. The family moves forward to a new life in a faraway place. Descriptive, insightful and poignant, the narrative moves forward with candor and credibility. 

Susie Finkbeiner has written some of my favorite books, some that I've already read twice, which I intend with A Trail of Crumbs. Her books evoke numerous emotions that bring me back for more. With each book she pens I am more and more impressed with her creativity and credibility. This young author creates an intense, consistent narrative with her heart and soul woven into the lives of her characters.

I highly recommend A Trail of Crumbs, and if possible, please pick up a copy of A Cup of Dust and read it first. Your emotions will be heightened as you absorb each book! 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book as a gift. All expressed opinions are my own, and there were no expectations for a positive review.

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For Love & Honor

by Jody Hedlund

Description

Lady Sabine is harboring a skin blemish, one, that if revealed, could cause her to be branded as a witch, put her life in danger, and damage her chances of making a good marriage. After all, what nobleman would want to marry a woman so flawed?

Sir Bennet is returning home to protect his family from an imminent attack by neighboring lords who seek repayment of debts. Without fortune or means to pay those debts, Sir Bennet realizes his only option is to make a marriage match with a wealthy noblewoman. As a man of honor, he loathes the idea of courting a woman for her money, but with time running out for his family’s safety, what other choice does he have?

As Lady Sabine and Sir Bennet are thrust together under dangerous circumstances, will they both be able to learn to trust each other enough to share their deepest secrets? Or will those secrets ultimately lead to their demise?

Biography

Winner of 2016 Christian Book Award for fiction and Christy Award for historical romance, best-selling author Jody Hedlund writes inspirational historical romances for both youth and adults.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

My thoughts ~

This young adult medieval story is not limited to young adults. I thoroughly enjoyed this fairy tale type story of the late 1300s Maidstone Castle and the family who has been swindled out of the family money by an older brother. The younger brother, Sir Bennet, returns to the family castle to attempt retribution for all that has been lost. 

A possible marriage of convenience is plotted by Lady Sabine's grandmother, a wealthy woman who only wants the best for her beloved granddaughter. She has selected Bennet, in the hope that Sabine will be attracted to him, and with her tremendous wealth, pay off his debt, thus saving his castle.

The descriptive elements in this story are awe inspiring, and the characters are varied. I loved Sabine's grandmother and her antics. Sabine and Bennet both hold secrets they wish not to reveal. Attacks against the castle are imminent due to the money owed to various creditors.

Jody Hedlund has once again written an exciting, fast paced novel of mercy and redemption, with depth and power. I highly recommend this book to young adult and adult readers as well. It is appropriate for all.

Disclaimer: I received this book as a gift. All expressed opinions are my own.

Earth Psalms: 

Reflections on How God Speaks through Nature

By Francine Rivers

Description

Millions of readers have been transformed and inspired by Francine Rivers’ bestselling novels Redeeming Love and A Voice in the Wind. Now, in this weekly devotional, the beloved author invites you to join her in seeking the Creator through the marvelous natural world we live in. Francine shares observations she’s gathered over a lifetime of exploring―abroad and in her own backyard―and reflects on how they might apply to your daily life. What do the majestic redwoods, the persistent woodpecker, or a glorious sunrise reveal about our artistic and generous God? How could that change your outlook or the way you handle adversity?

Stunning photography, Scripture excerpts, applications, and prayers accompany Francine’s reflections, inspiring you to be encouraged. Be challenged. Be comforted. God’s power is immense; His attention to detail in precise; His love for you is vast and unfailing. The proof is all around you.

Biography

"New York Times" best-selling author Francine Rivers began her literary career at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in English and journalism. From 1976 to 1985, she had a successful writing career in the general market, and her books were highly acclaimed by readers and reviewers. Although raised in a religious home, Francine did not truly encounter Christ until later in life, when she was already a wife, a mother of three, and an established romance novelist. Shortly after becoming a born-again Christian in 1986, Francine wrote "Redeeming Love" as her statement of faith. First published by Bantam Books and then rereleased by Multnomah Publishers in the mid-1990s, this retelling of the biblical story of Gomer and Hosea, set during the time of the California Gold Rush, is now considered by many to be a classic work of Christian fiction. Redeeming Love continues to be one of the CBA's top-selling titles, and it has held a spot on the Christian best-seller list for nearly a decade. Since "Redeeming Love," Francine has published numerous novels with Christian themes—all best sellers—and she has continued to win both industry acclaim and reader loyalty around the globe. Her Christian novels have been awarded or nominated for numerous honors, including the RITA Award, the Christy Award, the ECPA Gold Medallion, and the Holt Medallion in Honor of Outstanding Literary Talent. In 1997, after winning her third RITA Award for inspirational fiction, Francine was inducted into the Romance Writers of America's Hall of Fame. Francine's novels have been translated into over 20 different languages, and she enjoys best-seller status in many foreign countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, and South Africa. Francine and her husband, Rick, live in northern California and enjoy time spent with their three grown children and taking every opportunity to spoil their grandchildren. Francine uses her writing to draw closer to the Lord, and she desires that through her work she might worship and praise Jesus for all He has done and is doing in her life.

My Thoughts ~

Francine Rivers is remarkable in my estimation. Her approach to living a godly life through nature and personal experiences is refreshing to say the least. She has connected scripture with nature and a Bible study that is impressive. Of the many devotional books I've read over the years, this is by all means my favorite. The author approaches the intimate feelings that we know and recognize, and offers scripture and lessons from her own personal experiences to make this a very personal journey, with prayer as a focus.

Reflection, application and connecting with God are examples that reinforces the beautiful stories and photographs from our natural and awesome surroundings. I highly recommend this book of reflections. I will be reading this again and again. 

Disclaimer: I received this book as a gift. All opinions are my own, and no compensation was received for this review.