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Next by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band Rock
Next by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band Rock
1973 | Metal, Pop, Rock
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"They were very theatrical. Alex Harvey was 40 something, he was an old guy. And - at the time - that was ancient for rock n roll. He won the Scottish Tommy Steele competition in 1957. The prize? Meeting Tommy Steele! What a bizarre business. That was two years before I was born and he must have been in his late teens/early 20s by then. To be in your early 40s and starting out was unheard of. David Bowie and Alex Harvey knew each other, actually: they bonded over a shared love of Jacques Brel. 'Faith Healer' is one of the best things that ever came out of the 70s. And the end triplet of 'Last Of The Teenage Idols' – which is about the competition that he won. That was amazing. I loved his voice: he screamed his way through life. His version of 'Crazy Horses' is hilarious. He did a song called 'There's No Lights on the Xmas Tree Mother… They're Burning Big Louis Tonight'. It was about a guy in the electric chair who takes all the power off the grid on the night of his death. Nobody in this little town in America gets the Xmas lights. What a brilliant idea for a song. It was theatrics and bravado. Alex Harvey was off kilter - it wasn't like The Sweet or Mud, he was musically brilliant."

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Under the Northern Lights
Under the Northern Lights
S.C. Stephens | 2019 | Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Mallory, a professional photographer, is making her annual flight up to Alaska to enjoy the remoteness and the capture images of the wildlife she loves so much. What she didn't expect is for her plane to go down in a remote area after unexpected weather hits her. Left without any supplies, badly injured and surrounded by danger, she assumes this is the end. Seconds away from death, a mysterious man, living alone in the mountains saves her life.

After spending years alone, having given up on society and life in general, Michael can't help but find himself growing more and more appreciative of Mallory's presence as they face the harsh realities of living in remote Alaska together. Stuck until Spring when he can finally fly them out and to safety, they must learn to live together, relying on each other in this remote land.

SC Stephens has an incredible way of writing that completely rips your heart out, yet you just can't turn away. She hooked me years ago with her Thoughtless series (still my all-time favorite) and she has once again created a beautiful story about survival, faith, and love. Highly, highly recommended!
  
The Fifth Avenue Story Society
The Fifth Avenue Story Society
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THIS WAS A MARVELOUS STORY!

     Rachal Hauck pulled me in right from the very beginning of this story, with her description of the character’s different situations, and the idea of random strangers becoming friends. The overall story plot was very unique and one that I have not previously read before. The perspectives of each character were given in such a realistic and easy to follow thought process, that I found myself readily engaged with the characters by the end of the first chapter, which doesn’t happen often. Every character had a unique background story, and each person had to overcome an obstacle. A true learning experience for everyone involved.

"Maybe the point is at the end of the journey and not at the beginning." - pg. 72

     I think Rachel Hauck did very well in the diversity of her characters and their hurdles to overcome. They faced overcoming fear of the past, self-worth, custody battles, fighting for marriage, the scare of losing a company, and so many more relevant topics that we all struggle with. Yet, in the midst of it all Rachel Hauck manages to tell us about the only hope in our struggles, and how one person choosing to listen to God's voice can affect so many people’s lives. A truly great reminder.

     I give this book a resounding 5 out of 5 stars for the amazing characters and their individual stories, for the story of friendships coming from nothing, and for showing how the faith of one can affect many. I highly recommend picking this book up to read.

*I will say that Rachel Hauck is known for her edgy and realistic writing and in this case, she does basically use a couple of cuss words in this book, as well as references to sex and alcohol. I am not really fond of that aspect; however, I do understand that she is showing a realistic view of people without the light of Christ in them.

**I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
  
I have been looking forward to The Reluctant Duchess since the moment I finished book one, The Lost Heiress! As the mystery of the Fire Eyes continues, we will follow Lady Rowena on her journey of faith and love.

About the Book
By the year 1912, Lady Rowena has suffered much and is determined to flee the terrors of her life in the Highlands of Scotland. Yet she reluctant to submit to the schemes designed for her escape. In a rather unconventional way, Brice Myerston, the Duke of Nottingham, sweeps in and saves her from a daunting future. With the Duke, Lady Rowena has the chance of a new life, new love and a new hope that she never thought possible. (Please tell me I am not the only one who started humming the Star Wars theme song just now.) Yet she is plagued with nightmares of the past. Afraid that she will never be worthy, convinced that no one could care about her. Rowena also discovers that Brice is involved with a treasure that brings sorrow wherever it goes. Will Brice be able to help her see the true worth and the beauty that lies within her? Will she find her confidence, her voice and maybe fall in love along the way? Can they overcome the "curse" of the Fire Eyes, together?

"Be whoever you want to be, and be it with confidence."
- The Reluctant Duchess (page 156)
My Thoughts
While I have no personal understanding of the exact situation that Lady Rowena experiences, I know full well the horror of emotional trauma. I avoid talking about our experience in my reviews because, books are my escape. I didn't want the stress, the
trauma, to slip into my posts. But after reading this book, I felt that I needed to share just a little bit. We have been through a lot with our son (medically) since he was born two years ago. He underwent a lifesaving Bone Marrow Transplant (non cancerous diagnosis) at 9 weeks old and everything that goes along with that: being isolated because he is immune suppressed, constant doctor visits, being hospitalized with even the slightest hint of a fever and so much more. Thankfully we are now at the tail end of our journey. He made it through his first cold and was not hospitalized! (Although he had a quick visit to the E.R. per his protocol.) But the effects of the last two years remain. For me, the thought of having to spend the night in the hospital with my son has brought on severe anxiety. Going shopping alone is a real challenge for me as well. While this may seem trivial to some, it is very real for me. What Rowena undergoes, and what I have experienced ( although different triggers) can be explained as PTSD. Because of this, I feel it only fair to give a heads up that separate from Rowena's experience, there is a heart wrenching circumstance near the end of the book that involves a child. I was caught quite off guard with it and know that can be a sensitive subject. This book was a very hard read for me emotionally. It is not a comedy, however I did laugh out loud a couple of times. Love, faith, hope and joy can be found in The Reluctant Duchess as well. I love Brice's faith, that he is actively listening to God in every situation. He acts on the voice he hears, and even though he may misinterpret the words on occasion, he does not let the condensation of his peers sway his faith. Overall, I really enjoyed this second book in Ladies of the Manor. Because it helped me to see myself in a new light. Roseanna captured the essence of the story beautifully. I absolutely LOVE her use of accents throughout the dialogue. All through the story we are reminded of the truth: Where LIGHT is, darkness cannot abide. Do not let the fear of the past distort your view of the future. I understand first hand the effects that can linger after a traumatic experience. But please, do not suffer in silence. Reach out to those who love you. And find hope for the future.

Brice ducked his head a bit, caught her gaze.
"And if you really want to spite them, do you know what you should do?"
He leaned closer, pitched his voice low.
"Thrive. Be happy."
- The Reluctant Duchess (page 156)

I received a free print copy of The Reluctant Duchess from Bethany House Publishers, through Celebrate Lit, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.