-
The Gift of Faith
As I mentioned in my last blog post, my review of The Mark of the Raven, our Bible study group is studying the spiritual gifts right now. Of course, discovering what our gifts are is of interest, but I’ve been focusing more on the Giver and the reason for the gifts. Not because I’m super spiritual or selfless, but because I felt like I needed to start at the beginning. Without a solid understanding of the nature of the Giver and His original intent, it’s easy to go off track. Just ask Lady Selene Ravenwood. (See above.) Meanwhile, something serious happened to someone dear to me, and I started to feel…
-
Mark of the Raven Book Review
Boy, was I wrong. I’ve been intending to read Morgan L. Busse’s Mark of the Raven for years. But there was just something about the cover. It said, “futuristic dystopian,” to me, and I find that depressing. Between AI taking over, the ever present threat of another pandemic, and the mystery surrounding 3I/Atlas, who needs fictional dystopia? But this book was nothing like what I expected. It’s a rich fantasy, full of meaning and insight, that sucked me in from the first page. I did have to put it down to breathe at times. It’s that intense. Be warned – it’s a three part saga that won’t let you go until…
-
What’s a Quipu?
Any guesses? Some sort of textile equivalent of a grass skirt? An ancient example of a fidget toy? It’s actually pretty practical. Quipu: an ancient Incan data recording device consisting of variously colored ropes knotted in different patterns But what if . . . the data it stored was a secret message? I looked at this picture and saw a perfect tool for spies. I’m editing the first book in The Prophet Chronicles, and this device will be on the pages. This quipu (KEE-POO) doesn’t just keep a record of crop yields or tax payments. Hurgalan spies carry top-secret information embedded in the quipu’s knots from Ariel, the capital of…
-
A Scheming in Parliament
Erica Vetsch has done it again – what a great book. She’s an automatic buy for me, and she never disappoints. A Scheming in Parliament, book 2 in the Of Cloaks and Daggers series, will keep you turning pages. So much scheming! From dastardly to delightful – so many schemes. Villainy had my heart beating fast, and the ingenuity of a plucky girl had me laughing out loud. In both the Thorndike and Swann Mysteries and the Of Cloaks and Daggers series, well-crafted stories allow romance to bloom at an unhurried pace. Fans of Erica Vetsch have grown to appreciate Philippa Cashel’s beauty and strength of character. It’s time for…
-
The Governess and the Rogue
Mimi Matthews wraps up the Somerset Stories (for now) with The Governess and the Rogue. If you’re not familiar with the author, she’s a master of clean romance set in the Regency and Victorian eras. Her love stories are beautifully crafted with intriguingly flawed protectors and heroines who are strong and resourceful yet vulnerable. The series began with Gentleman Jim and A Work of Art, and the last four imagine what the children from those two couples might be like. Every book in this series feels like a gift. Stepping into the pages is like visiting an old friend. This time, it’s Jack Beresford, youngest son of the earl. He’s…
