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https://travelingwife4life.wordpress.com/2020/08/05/katherines-arrangement-book-spotlight

Katherine’s Arrangement
 by Blossom Turner reminds me very much of a twist on Gone with the Wind for some reason. It is a the first book in a five book series :)

“The reason you feel so close to nature is because God uses creation to speak to people”

After reading the book, I went back and reread it. I liked the book, I really did. I thought that Blossom Turner did a great job showing some of the hardships of life after the Civil War and that her characters show TRUE genuine feelings rather than dumbing them down; It made the book all the more believable. I thought that Katherine shows strength and fortitude to do what was right for her family even though she was not quite happy about it. I also really felt for all that Blossom Turner put Josiah through. I thought he handled everything quite well (mostly) and I liked his maturity in contrast to Katherines. Both characters grew throughout the story and I thought the ending gave a good redeeming quality to both characters.

“The majestic flight of an eagle caught her eye, and she imagined what it would be like to soar high above the complexities of this life – to escape duty and obligation and fly far away from the weight of this decision.”

Blossom Turner writes with detail and imagination that is fun and engaging to read. However, the pace of the story appeared a bit slow and repetitive in places, and things were drawn out a bit more than I thought was necessary. But overall, the story was an interesting read filled with drama, scandal, and forgiveness.

I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars for the creative storyline, the real portrayal of the character's feelings, and for the redemptive story of Christ's forgiveness. I loved Blossom Turner's first book (Anna's Secret) and I will continue to read her books
  
You and Me (Faith to Love, #7)
You and Me (Faith to Love, #7)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
You and Me by Cleopatra Margot is just that, a story about you and me. It is the everyday moments, the big life decisions, the family drama, and finding love for the first time. I enjoyed Cleopatra Margot’s writing style as it was down to earth and read like you were part of the family. From the decisions that Sam was faced with, the mysteries surrounding Braeden’s family, to some surprising revelations in Sam’s own family; Cleopatra Margot spun a heartwarmingly real and engaging story that kept me hooked from the very first chapter.

 I enjoyed getting to know Sam and felt for her and the decisions that she had to make. Her character was very relatable, strong, and gentle all wrapped up in one complete package. Braeden fits his description to a T, Tall, Dark, and Yummy (first time I have heard it put like that, but it fits his character's sense of humor). He had quite a few obstacles to overcome and I loved how he treated Sam through everything, a true gentleman. With the additional side characters, I thought this book was very well rounded and I loved the layers added by the secondary characters.

“But despite the slight chill air this late in August held, there was a warmth inside her.”

  The plot was filled with a good bit of mystery mixed with finding your place in the world and a friends to lovers’ type theme. One of my favorite things about this book was the characters continually pointed out that God must be the center of your life before anything else can really grow. I enjoyed this book, and I am going to be going back and reading the previous books in the series so I can read the other family member's stories. Readers who enjoy family centered books (like Susan May Warren or Dee Henderson’s books) will enjoy this one.

*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
  
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Rick Astley recommended Every Kingdom by Ben Howard in Music (curated)

 
Every Kingdom by Ben Howard
Every Kingdom by Ben Howard
2011 | Pop
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"Something about what he does make you feel like he's doing it from this room, it's so intimate. Hang on – have I got his name wrong? Oh wait, I haven't. He has gigged a lot as a singer songwriter so I think he translates that when he makes a record. This record went mad [in terms of popularity] but someone gave this record to me before he blew up. When I listen to this particular album, I just had the feeling like I'm in the room with him. I don't know whether he wants it to be intimate but it is. Some of the arrangements are mad, with the length of the intros and so on. You're never gonna get that on the radio! Who's gonna do that? The intros are 48 bars long or its him scratching around and doing other things. There's a real beauty in that but he also seems to have thought 'I don't really care.' Is this reflected in my own work? I think my own new record is a hotchpotch of things. The first track is called 'Beautiful Life' and anyone who's heard it has said 'you've gone a bit Nile Rodgers there with the guitar!' But that's inescapable, it's the way it is if you use that sound. And the very last track is that love letter back to prog rock and subconsciously, I've thought 'the last record did alright so now I'm doing whatever I want'. And I was doing it without anticipating anyone ever hearing it, if I'm brutally honest. My fans – yes but not Radio 2 or whatever. With this one, I've gone in without a clock and just played. I went in my room, my wife went to States, I had a bit of fun, went mad, had a load of ideas and made a record. And here we are with 'Beautiful Life'."

Source
  
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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Concrete Rose in Books

Jan 28, 2021  
Concrete Rose
Concrete Rose
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A striking prequel to The Hate You Give
Maverick Carter feels the weight of the world on his shoulders. With his father in prison, he has to help his mother financially while still attending high school. To do so, he's secretly dealing drugs with some of his friends, and he's a member of the King Lords gang, same as his father, for protection. But when Mav finds out he's becoming a father too, everything changes. His son, Seven, alters his view on the world. He wants to stop dealing, to get a real job, maybe even leave the gang. And when a murder rocks his community, Maverick is forced to grow up quickly and figure out exactly what his future holds.

"When it comes to the streets, there’s rules. They ain’t written down, and you won’t find them in a book."

CONCRETE ROSE takes place around seventeen years before Thomas' hit THE HATE YOU GIVE, and it's absolutely riveting. Talk about the book you didn't know you needed, but once you read it, you'll never forget it. Thomas perfectly captures teen Maverick's voice and his early life, including all the pressures that come with being a young black man in his community.

Thomas deftly shows how institutionalized racism has affected Maverick's entire world--his father in prison, the gang life that surrounds him, the standards and judgements forced upon him. Maverick wants to go straight, but the pressures he faces--having to support his family as a kid, other family members who want him in a gang--are nearly overwhelming.

This book touches on friendship, family, belonging, and so much more. It's spellbinding and so well-done. The fact that it has ties to THUG is even better, giving insight into more of that world. Overall, it's incredibly engrossing and insightful. Honestly, I was sad it didn't cover more time up to THUG. 4.5 stars.
  
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