“In the Shadow of the River” by Ann H. Gabhart is an excellent example of Christian historical fiction. I particularly enjoyed the timeframe and setting (1881, on a showboat traveling Southern US rivers). It was fascinating to read about life aboard a floating entertainment venue. The author shared a great deal about what that life would have been like, and I felt that I learned some things I hadn’t thought about before.
All of the main characters were distinct and very clearly drawn. I enjoyed watching main character Jacci as both a five-year-old and as a young adult. The character of her grandfather (Grampus Duke) was also excellent, and I liked watching how he came to care for and truly love Jacci. Other characters, including Gabe, Cameron, and Winnie, were also unique, and each added something special and integral to the story.
There was something of a mystery element to this book as well, as Jacci tried to figure out what was behind the tragedy of her childhood and get answers to questions she had about her past. This culminates in some exciting drama near the end of the story. I liked observing Jacci as she gleaned information from different sources until she was finally able to put together the whole picture and feel like she truly understood her past.
For the romantics out there, there’s also a bit of a love story. While it’s definitely not the central focus of the book, it does reach a logical conclusion by the end.
Definitely 5 delectable chunks of creamy Gorgonzola!
“The Sound of Light” by Sarah Sundin is a historical novel set in Denmark during World War 2. The author skillfully weaves in a lot of information about historical events, daily life, and the mindset of various parts of society. I enjoyed the new things I learned, and the book never felt like a history text. All of the information shared was a natural and easy-to-read part of the story. I enjoyed the viewpoints of both main characters, Else, an American scientist working in Copenhagen, and Henrik/Hemming, a young Dane who is working with the resistance. Each had a unique perspective on the German occupation, and both shed a great deal of light on the topic.
The romance between Hemming and Else was handled beautifully. Their initial meeting didn’t bode well for a romantic future, and I enjoyed watching them get to know each other, and try to understand each other’s viewpoints about the current events they were living through. I honestly believed what each person was thinking and feeling, and could understand their logic. I especially enjoyed what happened once Else learned that “Hemming” wasn’t exactly who he claimed to be. The author wrote the entire relationship realistically and cleverly, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about it.
Honestly, this is one of my favorite books of the year so far. The mix of fantastic characters, historical information, and romance is absolutely perfect. As an added bonus, although I’ve read a fair amount of historical fiction set during this time period, this is the first I’ve seen focused on the Danish perspective. I always enjoy reading something I haven’t seen before!
Everyone is talking about the new Temu website/shopping app, especially after their Super Bowl commercial aired last weekend. I’ve been seeing app ads for awhile, and was wondering if this was a legitimate company, or some kind of “shipped from China, takes months for items to arrive, and the quality is poor” type of thing. I did some research, and the company is US-based and seems legitimate. So, I decided to make a small test purchase to evaluate them for myself.
When I got to their site on February 15, 2023, 3:40pm, I saw this:
I thought, “Wow, what a great opportunity to buy something small and see how it goes. Note that the top banner from the site, as well as the smaller green banner on the page, show “Free shipping on all orders” with a countdown clock showing 11 hours and change left in the promotion.
So I added an item to my cart and went to check out. Imagine my surprise when I was notified that I needed to buy more to meet the $10 minimum free shipping threshold! Assuming it was an error (I mean….see the HUGE BANNER saying “Free Shipping on all orders”….) I pulled up an online chat with customer service. I was told that, in fact, it’s too expensive for them to offer free shipping on small orders, and that there is a $10 minimum. That makes sense, and is actually a fairly LOW minimum amount for free shipping. My issue is that, if they KNOW this, and WON’T offer free shipping for orders under $10, WHY ON EARTH would they plaster their site with promises of free shipping on ALL orders? Why not just advertise free shipping on all orders over $10? That way, they’re still advertising a good deal, but they’re being honest and upfront.
I told the Temu chat agent that I’d be reviewing their site based on my experience as a would-be customer. After stating repeatedly that she was sorry I had a bad experience, but I had to meet the $10 minimum for free shipping, she finally said: “We have removed the amount restriction for placing an order. You can now try clicking on the ‘continue to checkout’ button on the page to complete your order.”
This was, in fact, done, and I was able to take advantage of the “free shipping on all orders” promotion. However, it took a great deal of back-and-forth with customer service to get Temu to honor the offer on their site. So I guess the takeaway is that, if you’re insistent enough, Temu will honor offers on their own website. I’m still very disappointed in the overall experience.
Anyway, here’s the picture from the Temu site of the item I was finally able to order; my order confirmation said it should arrive by February 28. When it does, I’ll share an actual photo for comparison purposes, along with my thoughts about the item quality.
Update: I checked the tracking through the Temu website on February 20, and saw the following:
So…despite the company having a US-based headquarters, it DOES appear that at least some of their items are shipped from overseas. I’ll update again when the item arrives, including any information about customs charges. Another red flag for me…if they’re shipping items from China, this should definitely be disclosed upfront.
Final Update: The item arrived on February 23, several days before the date estimated when I placed the order. However, it was shipped from Ontario, Canada (hence the airport/customs reference earlier). The back of the package was marked “made in China”. So, despite allegedly being a US company, it doesn’t seem that their warehouses/shipping facilities are actually in the US, at least based on this purchase. That said, they disclosed the estimated arrival date upfront, and the order arrived ahead of time.
,
Item quality: I was pleased with the item. The listing said “around 100”, and I counted exactly 100. While I didn’t compare each charm I received with the ones pictures, I can verify that quite a few are the same as shown. I didn’t notice any obvious duplicates, either. The charms ARE the size stated on the website, and seem to be of good quality. I purchased these for craft purposes. While definitely not fine jewelry, I think they’d also work for a charm bracelet. (Note: If you’re considering purchasing for a charm bracelet, the loops at the top of each charm are closed, so the bracelet links would have to open to attach them.)
100 charms in the bag they arrived in.
100 charms spread out.
Final thoughts: A mixed bag. The cons: Still no clear indication that, aside from a headquarters building, there’s anything US-based about Temu. The company did not want to honor the free shipping offer on their website. Shipping is slow, but disclosed upfront. The pros: The item arrived before the estimated date, and I was pleased with the quality, especially for the price.
Will I shop there again?: Possibly. If I’m bored and have time to browse, I might place a larger test order. If I’m in the market for something specific that I’m not in a hurry to get, I might price-check. If I do, I’ll share it here!
“The Wrong Kind of Weird” by James Ramos rings true in a way few book about high-school aged characters are able to accomplish. The author has successfully combined his own relative youth with the writing style of a seasoned veteran in the literary field to yield an incredibly well-written and realistic story.
The four main characters are high school students, and they act, speak, and dress like actual teenagers. The situations they find themselves in are typical of real high schools and high school social events. I found the whole dynamic refreshing.
Cam is the main character and heart of the story. The reader will follow along as he navigates his friend group and a romantic relationship, as well as his interactions with a (former?) bully and the “popular kids”. I can’t say this enough….these characters seem very REAL. Some conversations remind me of ones I’ve overheard (or even participated in) with actual kids this age.
The story itself was interesting, and I kept reading to find out what Cam would do next to try to get his personal life straightened out. The book kept my attention throughout, and I look forward to whatever Mr. Ramos decides to write next!
“Murder in White” is the excellent third installment in the Wintergreen Mysteries series. It definitely lived up to the high expectations set by the first two books. Retired police detective Bill is a likeable and intelligent main character, and I enjoyed following his investigation into an unusual local murder. I appreciated the way local law enforcement asked him to help with the murder investigation, acknowledging his past experience and admitting they needed his help.
Due to Bill’s past experience, he is able to conduct his investigation in a methodical, efficient manner. I liked following his process and gradually learning more about the victim, the murder, and the potential suspects and motives along with Bill. There was plenty for him to look into, and once everything was revealed in the end, it all made sense based on what we learned along the way. I found this book to be the perfect blend between a cozy mystery and a police procedural; while the crime is serious and the investigation fairly classic, there’s no gore or other hard-core content.
This time around, we spend a bit of time with Bill’s (previously off-screen) ex-wife, and got to enjoy Bill’s adventures in pet-sitting. Other characters from the first book also make appearances, and I enjoyed the continuity this provided. Readers who are new to the series should be able to pick up everything they need to know fairly quickly, and should be able to follow the story without having read the first books.
As an added bonus, the book is set in the beautiful Wintergreen, Virginia area. Having lived in Virginia for most of my life, I can confirm that the author’s descriptions are accurate and will truly allow the reader to envision the surroundings. Mentions of other local areas added even more to my enjoyment of the story.
As another added bonus, a drone convention is being held in Wintergreen. This provides the reader with some interesting information about drones, as well as a fascinating line of inquiry for Bill to purse as he investigates the murder. I liked this unique addition.
All in all, five out of five chunks of my favorite Provolone!
P.S. Might we suggest that a potential future character (hinted at in this book) be named Chewie? I’m sure chewing will be involved, and it’s always nice to honor everyone’s favorite literary mouse….
“The Lost Melody” is an excellent example of Christian historical fiction. Set in England in the 1880s, this is the story of a young musician who is searching for an inherited ward in an asylum. The asylum claims to have no record of the patient in question, and Vivienne goes to great lengths to figure out what happened to this mystery woman.
Most of the story is set in Hurstwell Asylum, and the author sheds a great deal of light on what conditions were typically like in that type of institution during that time period. I found her descriptions of locations, staff, patients, and practices to be historically accurate and interesting. I appreciate Ms. Politano’s efforts to research and write about such a difficult topic, and share her knowledge with the reader without making the story feel depressing. I also liked reading about some of the earliest attempts at music therapy.
I enjoyed just the right amount of suspense as I tried to figure out the answers along with Vivienne. It was interesting to watch her navigate the asylum and see firsthand how it was run. I enjoyed the missing ward storyline, as well as Vivienne’s personal growth and development, throughout the novel.
The author has a unique way of bringing characters to life that make them simultaneously fascinating and relatable. There is just something special about the way she writes that draws me in to her work in a very personal way. In addition to Vivienne, other characters added a great deal to the story. Patients and staff, as well as a couple of “outsiders”, all add depth to the plot and draw the reader into this world even more deeply.
Vivienne’s personal faith journey adds an important element to the story. From her childhood acceptance of God through some doubts as she navigates a difficult situation, I found her faith and thoughts to be realistic. I liked the way her faith was portrayed throughout the novel, and seeing how it guided her in her choices.
The book ends with a satisfactory resolution of the plot, while leaving room for the reader to imagine what comes next in the lives of the characters.
As an added bonus, a quote by a musician starts each chapter. Many are from familiar historical names, but some are from Vivienne herself.
Definitely five out of five slices of perfect Provolone!
I have loved every book in this series so far, and “Murder and an Irish Curse” was no exception. It definitely lived up to the high standard set in earlier books, and I am eagerly anticipating the next installment!
This time around, Pippen is still working with her friends and family to find a way to end the family curse. In addition, a local reporter is harassing Pippen with questions about rumors of her bibliomancy, and she may have personal ties to the Lane family. Things don’t end well for the reporter, so Pippen has to deal with that mystery in addition to working on the curse and running her business. One note: The murder mystery is a very minor part of the story. In fact, it’s not so much a mystery as something that happened; the reveal of who/why is provided, but not as a result of Pippen trying to solve the crime. This book is much more heavily focused on researching and trying to end the family curse. This story could work as a stand-alone, but I think you’d be far more invested (and be able to follow the past research more easily) if you’ve read the series in order.
The reader gets to know Grey and Lily a bit better in this installment; personally, I was glad to see more of both of them. Cousin Cora also makes her first in-person appearance. I like seeing the major characters, as well as their relationships, evolve over the course of the series, and getting to know more of Pippen’s family members better added to this. Temporary characters like the inn guests are given enough unique characteristics that each stands out as an individual. Just as in the previous books, Pippen’s dog Sailor steals every scene she appears in.
The main mystery (trying to end the curse) was very well written, with lots of details and information about Irish lore. Pippen continues her investigation using both regular techniques and her bibliomancy. (This is a special gift she has in which books reveal information to her magically.) She’s fairly methodical about this, and I liked following the clues along with her. I won’t share exactly what is figured out in terms of the curse to avoid spoilers, but the murder aspect was resolved as part of this storyline.
“The Overlook Murder” is the excellent second installment in the Wintergreen Mysteries series. It definitely lived up to the high expectations set by the first book. Retired police detective Bill is an instantly likeable main character, and I enjoyed learning more about him as the story progressed. I appreciated the way local law enforcement asked him to help with the murder investigation, acknowledging his past experience and admitting they needed his help.
Due to Bill’s past experience, he is able to conduct his investigation in a methodical, efficient manner. I liked following his process and gradually learning more about the victim, the accident (or murder?), and the potential suspects and motives along with Bill. There was plenty for him to look into, and once everything was revealed in the end, it all made sense based on what we learned along the way. I found this book to be the perfect blend between a cozy mystery and a police procedural; while the crime is serious and the investigation fairly classic, there’s no gore or other hard-core content.
This time around, we spend more time with Bill’s girlfriend Cindy (a local caterer) and get to know her better. Other characters from the first book also make appearances, and I enjoyed the continuity this provided. Readers who are new to the series should be able to pick up everything they need to know fairly quickly, and should be able to follow the story without having read the first book.
As an added bonus, the book is set in the beautiful Wintergreen, Virginia area. Having lived in Virginia for most of my life, I can confirm that the author’s descriptions are accurate and will truly allow the reader to envision the surroundings. Mentions of other local areas added even more to my enjoyment of the story.
As another added bonus, Bill spends some of his non-investigative time trying to befriend the groundhog that lives on his lawn. Just when I thought I couldn’t love Bill any more….this fine gentleman is a friend to rodents!
All in all, five out of five chunks of my favorite Provolone! Plus a little extra for the groundhog!
I have absolutely ONLY good things to say about this book. It was interesting, inspirational, and even something of a “how to” manual for living. It has been nominated for my Top 10 Books of the Year list.
First, the story was excellent. Aidyn, a young reporter, is supposed to interview an elderly hospice patient to gather information for her obituary. The woman, Mrs. Kip, has other ideas, and soon Aidyn finds herself engrossed in Mrs. Kip’s life story. As a reader, I enjoyed both storylines: present-day Aidyn interacting with Mrs. Kip and trying to move ahead in her career, and the high-impact story of Mrs. Kip’s past. These two are seamlessly woven together, and I found myself as anxious as Aidyn to learn what happened next.
The two main characters are extremely well-written. By the end, I felt like I truly knew and understood both women. Each character’s personality is unique and detailed, and beautiful in its own way. I appreciated how the gentle character moments were interspersed with information about Mrs. Kip’s life story.
As a Christian, the highlight of this book for me was the incredible depth and breadth of Christian content included. Mrs. Kip is a beacon of hope and love, and shares her faith with everyone with whom she comes in contact. I was inspired by both the life she lived and the slow death she was currently enduring. This character is so special, and anyone with an open mind can walk away from reading about her with some new ideas about how to approach both life and its inevitable conclusion.
When reading more about the author, I was stunned to learn that she is quite young, and that this is her debut novel. The quality of the writing, plus the depth of the faith demonstrated in the story, left me imagining an older writer with many (many) more years of life experience to draw from. I’m beyond impressed that someone so young could so beautifully and realistically capture the aging and dying process with such sensitivity.
The Christian Fiction world is definitely lucky to have many more years of Ms. Brunsvold’s work to look forward to!
Definitely five out of five perfectly-arranged cheese platters. (Honestly….this one was TOO GOOD to limit to just one type of cheese in my rating!)
chewietellsall 