"A Beauty So Rare" -- Week 2

Inspiration can be found anywhere. It is not tied to one time or place, nor is it found in the same way for all people. One can be inspired to paint or draw or write or create the next big thing in fashion. Inspiration is not, of course, tied to just one profession or creative outlet. It is for anything and everyone. In the case of this post, it is about writing. The YouTube video from author +Tamera Alexander details where she found the inspiration for her novel, "A Beauty So Rare."

"Tide and Tempest" by Elizabeth Ludwig

Tide and Tempest (Mar. 4, 2014) by Elizabeth Ludwig.*

The luck of the Irish be not with Matilda “Tillie” McGrath. Tillie left Ireland without her parents’ blessing, and on her passage to America, her fiancé took ill and died. At least, that’s what she believes for two years until the captain of the Caitriona Marie, Keondric Morgan, and his younger brother, Cass, tell her a different tale. A tale of murder. Other deaths have occurred in which foul play was involved, and attempts have been made on Tillie’s life. The source seems to be from one known only as The Celt. Keondric, Cass and others are determined to keep Tillie safe and prevent her from meeting the same fate as her late and beloved fiancé.

            “Tide and Tempest” is the third story in Ludwig’s Edge of Freedom series. Some characters stem from the first two novels, but there was only one time when I felt lost, this being the first novel I’ve read by Ludwig. It is a Christian fiction historical romance suspense novel set in New York, and while it doesn’t have the sights and sounds of NYC today, the plot certainly contains much hustle and bustle, suspense and character viewpoints to make it a fairly speedy read. I enjoyed that Ludwig created very distinct characters. It was easy to cheer for the good guys and hope the bad got their comeuppance. If your interest is piqued even in the slightest, I encourage you to let the tide sweep you in to this tale of love, suspense, hope and learning to forgive oneself for a past that cannot be undone.

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"A Beauty So Rare" -- Week 1

Hello! "A Beauty So Rare" (by +Tamera Alexander) is the next book I will be reading from Bethany House Publishers, and I'm pleased to be able to include some extras related to this book. I am very much looking forward to reading this novel, which will be the first I've read from this author. Please check out the extras below and check back for more related to this Christian fiction title!

1. This first extra is the book trailer for "A Beauty So Rare."

2. This extra is an excerpt from the book!

A Beauty So Rare by Bethany House Publishers

Sims FreePlay: Ghost Hunters Quest

The primary subject of my blog is definitely not Sims FreePlay. However. I thought I would post this in the event that it can clue in anyone who might be looking for it. I wanted to know the steps in the Ghost Hunters Quest, but I didn’t have any luck finding it. To be fair, my search was not extensively time-consuming, although I’ve found other quest lists with very little research.

SIMS FREEPLAY: GHOST HUNTERS QUEST

Steps as of March 2014 -- Pre-Update

1. Send a Sim to the Park

2. Hide in the Public Toilet in the Park (18 hours, 30 minutes)

3. Buy the Spooky Painting (1^st is Free, additional cost 1 LP)

4. Hide from the Painting (1 day)

5. Drink an Herbal Tea (2 minutes)

6. Complain to the Toilet (6 hours, 30 minutes)

7. Complain to a Spooky Painting (6 hours, 30 minutes)

8. Get 4 Sims in the Park

9. Hold a Conference on a Soapbox in the Park (1 day)

10. Look for Ghosts with a Video Camera (16 hours, 30 minutes)

11. Buy Another Spooky Painting (1^st is Free, additional cost 1 LP)

12. Buy Spooky Bookshelf (§200)

13. Read Fine Literature (14 hours)

14. Buy Spooky Chains (§180)

15. Tell Jokes to the Spooky Chains (4 hours, 30 minutes)

Note #1: Certain times may vary depending on the star rating of the item you’re using.

Note #2: If you complete this quest within the time limit, you unlock the Haunted House lot.

Note #3: You have 6 days, 23 hours to finish this quest in order to unlock the Haunted House lot. You can note by the highlights that there are many time-consuming elements to the quest. If you’re determined to obtain the Haunted House lot, be prepared to either (A) make this game your life for a week or (B) fork over lots of LPs.

Note #4: These times are based on times before the update. I was already in the midst of this quest when the 3/12/2014 update occurred, and I have a feeling some of these longer task times are no longer that long. If you’ve run across this quest since the update, please let me know which task times have changed. Thanks.

Happy Simming!

Rutabaga's Reads 2014: Part 3

As if the world didn’t have enough vampire books, here’s another … and another … and another … and … well, you get the idea. More vampire books, though this time for the middle-grade set. This compilation revolves around the first six books in the My Sister the Vampire series by Sienna Mercer (Scholastic cover editions). Many thanks to Kristi W. for lending me the books!

Switched (July 24, 2007).

A new girl has started at Franklin Grove Middle School just five weeks into the new school year, and Ivy Vega has the eeriest feeling that she’s met her before. The new girl is Olivia Abbott, and the two couldn’t be more different. Ivy is at home in her black attire and her clunky black boots, absently twirling the dark emerald ring on her necklace. And Olivia is, well, she’s so utterly pink. She’s also a cheerleader, but she wears a ring identical to Ivy’s. Ivy has also noticed that, underneath her pale Goth-ness and all of Olivia’s pink-ness, they look exactly alike! As if being an eighth grader wasn’t enough – SURPRISE! – you suddenly have an identical twin!

            This story is the first in a series of advanced chapter books, so while they may be unexciting for a reader who enjoys young adult literature, it may be just right for someone who’s not yet ready for, say, Twilight or The Vampire Diaries. I think the series is a fun concept. Both sisters are very likable, and the stories read quickly. They are not tough reads at all; this vamp lit is vamp-light even with all the vampires hanging out in Franklin Grove.

Fangtastic! (Aug. 21, 2007).

Olivia’s knowledge of her sister’s vampire nature is top secret. She’s been sworn to secrecy by Ivy, not that she would ever betray the twin she never knew she had, nor Ivy’s boyfriend, Brendan Daniels, or Ivy’s best friend, Sophia Hewitt. Unfortunately, well-known tabloid reporter Serena Star is nosing around. She doesn’t necessarily think there are vampires around town, but she thinks it’s highly unusual the number of Goths roaming around Franklin Grove. In their town’s case, Goth attire is synonymous to vampire, but that’s not common knowledge. Will it be as Serena Star edges closer and closer to the truth?

            While these books are meant for younger readers, they still make me chuckle. After all, how can someone not be amused by (or disgusted with) the idea that Ivy’s favorite cereal is called Marshmallow Platelets? Maroon bits and little marshmallows doused in milk – dare I call it the breakfast of [vampire] champions? Ha. Light and fun, these stories do entertain, and you don’t have to be eight years old to find the humor in them.

Re-Vamped! (Nov. 20, 2007).

The secret is out! Bunnies are humans and vampires are, well, just vampires. Actually, no, that secret is not out. But the fact that cheerleader Olivia and Goth Ivy are twins is. It’s the scoop of the year, not just for their school reporter classmate Toby Decker, but especially for Olivia and Ivy. Because now they have to tell their parents. Gulp! But perhaps that’s the easy thing to do. The town is excited about the twin-ness of the girls. At one point, Ivy spots a bunny wearing a tee that says, “I WANNA GOTH TWIN” and declares inwardly that she’s a fad. Oh, the horror!

            But now that that secret is out, the vampire officials are suspicious that Olivia knows the truth, and vampires should never tell a bunny about the First Law of the Night – that vampires exist. She’ll have to go through three tests to determine if she’s trustworthy enough to carry the Blood Secret. Surely she will pass, because what do you think happens to someone deemed unworthy of carrying the Secret?

            This third book in the series is another cute tale to add to the collection. While Olivia and Ivy are interested in finding clues that lead them to their birth parents, other family dynamics are interesting, too. We get to meet Brendan’s family, and his parents are so much more open than Ivy’s dad. Brendan’s little sister is a hoot, too. She may be seven, but she declares to Olivia, “… I’m utterly mature.” Not sure that’s the case when readers see that vampire tykes have growing up issues like anyone else, which is an element I appreciated in the book. In one scene, Bethany doesn’t want to take her VitaVamp because, “It tastes worse than broccoli!” Does that mean, if you like broccoli, that it would taste really yummy? Guess we’ll never actually know …

Vampalicious! (Feb. 26. 2008).

How much would it rock to have an identical twin to exchange places with? Even if that twin’s a vampire? And you aren’t just any bunny, but a vegetarian bunny, and suddenly your vampire twin tells you that your new favorite food is Marshmallow Platelets?! Maybe that’s a moot point if it means switching places so your twin can experience something she’s only dreamed of or to save your twin some emotional anxiety. Perhaps it’s their last hurrah before Ivy moves, not just across town or even a different state, but to Europe. They just met a few months ago, and suddenly Ivy’s dad has declared they’re making a move. He’s even found an all-girls vampire academy in Luxembourg for Ivy to attend. Hooray. (So not.) Ivy, Olivia and their friends conspire to find a way to convince Mr. Vega to stay. But what way is that?

             I wouldn’t say these books amaze me, but I continue to enjoy how cute they are. The little nuances Mercer puts in are fun. It’s not the most ingenious, and others might say there are too many clichés, but so what? They’re fun. In this fourth story, the timeline is scooting ever closer to Christmas. Do vampires believe in Santa Claus? No. They have the HB -- a.k.a. the Holiday Bat. See? Like I said, cute.

Take Two (Jan. 3, 2011).

If you’ve ever had a celebrity crush, nod knowingly to yourself at this time. Now, how many of you have actually met your celebrity crush? If you’ve accomplished this, feel free to do a happy dance of success in the presence of at least one other person (who also happens to be recording you). In “Take Two,” Olivia gets to meet her longtime crush, teen actor Jackson Caulfield. Amazingly, he’s in Franklin Grove to shoot scenes for his newest film The Groves. The movie cast and crew have taken over the local eatery, the Meat and Greet. Olivia doesn’t mind, as Jackson has been paying attention to her. They really seem to mesh well, but Ivy is worried. Not because of Jackson’s status (famous); she’s concerned that he has vampire tendencies.

            So Book 5 of the series is extra fantastical. It’s already obvious that vampires are involved in the series, and on top of that this story added a famous teen sensation who just happened to be filming a movie scene in their little town and he also happened to develop a crush on one of the main characters. But it keeps the tone of Mercer’s other books in the series: light, fun, cute. Also: pink, happy cheerleader and dark, Goth vampire. Go team!

Love Bites (Mar. 7, 2011).

The twins have packed their bags and are off to Transylvania to meet their birth dad’s side of the family. It turns out this part of the family is vampire royalty. While that sounds pretty cool, both Olivia and Ivy are missing their boyfriends. Olivia isn’t even sure where she stands with hers. She’d tried to visit him right before she left, but the surprise visit was far less than she’d hoped it would be. On top of it all, she was expecting she wouldn’t fit in with her vampire side of the family, but with the fancy clothes, mannerly meals and royal etiquette, she fits in better than Ivy. Ivy feels like she has all the grace of a bull in a ballroom. And on their arrival day, they meet the Crown Prince of Transylvania, Prince Alex, who seems very down-to-earth and is welcoming of the both of them. He is not biased in his views regarding vampires and humans. In fact, he seems to find Olivia quite intriguing, reciting poetry to her on lone walks and inviting her ice skating. Is he being genuinely friendly or does he have an ulterior motive?

            I liked that Mercer told a story in a totally different setting. She really took both of them out of their elements of comfort: away from home, friends and family they know. I appreciated the direction she took with Olivia and Ivy as well. Instead of Olivia being stereotypically out of place as the only human, she made her comfortable amongst vampires and created discomfort for Ivy, the one we’d think would fit right in with her fellow vampire kind.

Overall Impression:

As far as advanced chapter books go, the first six books in this series are good. They’re light, easy reads. However, they’re probably too frothy for diehard vampire lovers and also for mature readers that would prefer something more (whether that be darker or more romantic, etc.).

"Allegiant" by Veronica Roth

Caution: The following book is the last in a trilogy. I can promise that there are no major spoilers, but I don’t promise that there are no spoilers at all.

            Also, look for the movie version of “Divergent,” the first book in the trilogy. It hits theaters March 21!

Allegiant (Oct. 22, 2013) by Veronica Roth.

Chicago is a fenced-in city plagued by violence. It is practically impossible to find peace and kindness amidst the destruction and power struggles. It affects everyone, including Beatrice “Tris” Prior, who’s also been scarred by the loss of loved ones and betrayed by someone who should have put love first. When given an opportunity, she and several others go beyond the fence – literally – to discover what’s on the other side. Also with her is Tobias “Four” Eaton. He disapproves of the way the factionless are trying to assert power, and they are overseen by someone he long thought was dead.

            Outside the only place they’ve ever known, they find that the grass is not greener on the other side. They find out more about their origin, and that reality is perhaps the most alarming thing of all. Even in the new location, at the Bureau of Genetic Welfare, there is a hierarchy. There are those deemed “genetically pure” (GPs) and those deemed “genetically damaged” (GDs). To which category do the Divergent belong and why? The discoveries made about their history and the current reality will test them. Tobias will cross an imaginary line and be riddled with guilt over the outcome. Tris will battle to understand sacrifice. Does she understand letting someone sacrifice oneself out of guilt as opposed to out of love? Can she find courage and strength under the greatest duress?

            As far as the writing itself, Roth again showcased that she is an intelligent writer capable of complexity. She wrote this conclusive YA novel from the perspectives of both Tris and Tobias. While I enjoy multiple-perspective stories, I sometimes found the segue between the two to be too similar. Like, the characters thoughts were so similar that they occasionally appeared to read as the same character. But don’t let that stop you from reading “Allegiant!” If you have been following the trilogy, you won’t want to miss this book. And with it hitting theaters shortly, many others might not want to miss this book and its predecessors, either!

            Although I liked the complexity of the plot, and the conclusion wrapped itself up in a satisfactory way, I still have mixed feelings of the book. And this is only because this book will be now known to me as The Book That My Favorite Character Dies In. For spoiler reasons, I will not say who that character is, and if you do know, I ask that you please do not publish it in a comment. All that aside, Roth definitely made this final book a dramatic one. The back of  the book jacket says: “One choice can transform you. One choice can destroy you. One choice will define you.” And of her choice for the finale? Well, let’s just say she’s rather dauntless!

            Book One: Divergent

            Book Two: Insurgent

Rutabaga's Reads 2014: Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of Rutabaga’s Reads 2014. I haven’t read these books any too recently, nor have I re-read them. I’ll admit that these stories were not ones I really enjoyed, but that doesn’t mean you would agree with me. As I always aim to do – and have hopefully been successful – I pointed out the strengths I found in each book.

Angels & Demons (May 2000) by Dan Brown.

When a discrete particle physicist calls Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, he understandably asks, “Are you sure you’ve got the right Langdon?” Another physicist has been viciously slain at CERN¹ (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) and has the word Illuminati – in ambigram form – seared into his chest. Being the symbologist he is, Robert knows of the Illuminati. Summed up, they’re science lovers and religion haters. As Robert gets involved in the investigation, the body count rises as the Hassassin unleashes his awful evil. The murdered physicist’s daughter, Vittoria Vetra (a Bio Entanglement Physicist), gets caught up in the hunt for the Hassassin. Together, they travel to Rome to save the Vatican from being wiped out by a canister of stolen antimatter. At multiple moments, it is a life-and-death adventure.

            While I enjoyed “The Da Vinci Code” more, “Angels and Demons” is a fast-paced thrill ride. It’s over-the-top with many twists and turns. I am middle-of-the-road on this one; I didn’t love it, but I didn’t dislike it, either. Especially when facts are expected – in this case, scientific and historical – I like to have a little more background, but sometimes all of that information, especially when it’s new, can put your mind on information overload. Many of you have probably read this book, so you know it’s a “smart” read and not a laidback one.

¹Located in Geneva, Switzerland, CERN operates the world’s largest particle physics laboratory.

The Mission Song (Sept. 19, 2006) by John le Carré.

Bruno Salvador is a half-Irish/half-Congolese orphan-by-abandonment. He’s a handsome twenty-nine-year-old in a sour marriage who’s fluent in multiple African languages such as Kinyarwanda and Shi. His affinity for languages has made him a top interpreter in London. He’s sent to interpret at a conference and also to decipher recordings that are coming from hidden microphones that the attendees don’t know about. The conference is between Congolese warlords and their supposed Western backers known only as the Syndicate. Bruno learns of a coup and tries to prevent it. Will he succeed?

            I found this adult fiction book to be intelligently written. It is ripe with corruption, affairs, displeasure and even torture. I may be wrong, but I don’t recall it having much humor. The major turn-off for me was the vulgar language. I’m not wimpy about coming across vulgar language, for I can always skip over those words or mentally re-word them, but I felt as though every other sentence contained the “f” word. And actually, that’s not even an exaggeration for parts of the book.

            Have any of you read other books by le Carré? I’m curious to know if all of his books are like that or if only this one is.

Silent Thunder (July 8, 2008) by Iris Johansen & Roy Johansen.

The Silent Thunder of the story is a decommissioned Soviet submarine, and Hannah Bryson, marine architect, has the honor to inspect it. It’s her job to make sure every inch is safe before it’s visited by thousands. Her brother, Connor, helps her examine the sub. A mysterious message is discovered, but there’s a deadly assault onboard before it can be deciphered. Hannah’s warned not to, but she leaps into investigative mode anyway. She has good reason, and she’ll join forces with a mysterious man called Kirov. Good thing, too, for she’ll need his aid to survive.

            Iris Johansen teamed up with her son for this adult fiction suspense-thriller. While you can see I. Johansen’s signature touch, R. Johansen adds some more to the Johansen novel. It is brisk, and the points that appear to be based on fact seem to be well-researched.

Storm Cycle (July 21, 2009) by Iris Johansen & Roy Johansen.

How far would you go to save your sister? I don’t have one, so I don’t really know. However, I do have a sister-in-law and a soon-to-be sister-in-law. They should know that I would totally fight off a dark wizard, defend them from Downworlders Shadowhunter-style or kick a zombie in the face for them. (I could add more, but let me not get carried away!)

            Rachel Kirby is a techno-geek (or computer genius) attempting to piece together something which may cure her younger sister, Allie, of a rare disease called Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (a.k.a. GLD or Krabbe’s Disease). It’s a rare disorder of the nervous system. A man named John Tavak uncovers an important secret in an Egyptian tomb that may save Allie and many more. Unfortunately, there are enemies who want that secret and are not afraid to use violence and wreak death in the process. Rachel and Tavak will have to put their expertise together to keep that secret out of the wrong hands.

            The plot is outlandish, but as it is thriller fiction, there’s nothing wrong with that. There are twists and turns and a betrayal or two, violence and suspense. I actually didn’t mind either of these Johansen & Johansen novels. It’s just that following one Johansen is enough for my reading library!

Wicked Lovely (June 12, 2007) by Melissa Marr.

Sight can be a powerful thing. “Sight” in this case is the ability to see faeries. Aislinn has always been able to see them, but they’re not the Disney variety. These faeries are powerful and dangerous and can be downright vicious. There are three simple rules about faeries.

   Rule #1: Don’t ever attract faeries’ attention.

   Rule #2: Don’t answer invisible faeries.

   Rule #3: Don’t stare at invisible faeries.

Trouble is, those rules aren’t helping Aislinn. Faeries are noticing her, including Keenan, the Summer King, and he wants Aislinn to be his Summer Queen. Why?

            Faeries and mortals intermingle in this YA urban fantasy story. Love and danger swirl around in this book. It’s not that I didn’t find the book interesting; it simply wasn’t one I loved. I think Marr creates a well-imagined world within a contemporary setting in “Wicked Lovely.” If anyone’s read this book or the whole series, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.

Rutabaga's Reads 2014: Part 1

Here is Part 1 of Rutabaga’s Reads 2014. I’ve been referring to this compilation as my Hodgepodge Edition, thanks to the range of age categories and book genres. Happy Hodgepodge to You!

Odd Interlude: A Special Odd Thomas Adventure (Jan. 1, 2013) by Dean Koontz.

Adult Thriller/Mystery/Science Fiction.

Welcome to Harmony Corner. Incidentally, you won’t find harmony there, but there is a corner. Odd Thomas will have to take care not to get stuck in one. Oddie has a sixth sense “with several facets,” one of which draws him to places of trouble. That is how he comes to arrive in Harmony Corner. Despite its name, grave darkness lurks. It may lurk in the man with the horrifically scarred face or the mother whose daughter is too beautiful to live. What is the evil presence that appears to inhabit Harmony Corner? Oddie intends to find out and save them, despite doubting his heroic abilities. The “too beautiful” daughter is Jolie Ann Harmony, a sarcastic twelve-year-old, and she helps Oddie out in a pinch. Oddie finds that he especially wants to save her, so that she can live her life and not merely endure it. Will she take it with a grain of salt? Can Oddie save her and her family?

            This was the first time I’ve read a Koontz book, and I was pleasantly surprised by it. Honestly, I thought it’d be a little dry when in fact I liked it. There is humor and sarcasm and fun allusions to modern- and former-day characters/people/literary works. I’d recommend this book to those who like some sci-fi with their fiction. Odd Thomas is a character who’s likable because he’s a hero but doesn’t think he is. It makes him humble, yet he’ll resort to drastic measures like “unapproved borrowing.” Both witty and dark, it lives up to its odd title character -- not odd in a weird way, but a good one.

Princess Posey and the First Grade Parade (May 27, 2010) by Stephanie Greene.

   Stephanie Roth Sisson, illustrator.

Chapter Book Fiction.

Like many young girls, Posey is no stranger to playing dress-up, and when she puts on her pink tutu, she becomes Princess Posey, the Pink Princess. As the Pink Princess, Posey feels she can do anything, even walk into her First Grade classroom by herself. But without her tutu … she’s just Posey, and that Posey is scared to enter First Grade by herself. There’s a chance meeting with Miss Lee, her new teacher, and Posey has an idea to propose. Will Miss Lee be receptive to her idea? How could this idea help allay Posey’s first-day jitters?

            “First Grade Parade” is a cute chapter book, geared for readers who are ready to read more than picture books. Posey’s dilemma is entirely plausible, and I think the story would resonate with many young readers. After all, how many of us remember first-day-of-school jitters from when we were young? This is also a story to lift kids up. They may not be able to make Posey’s idea a reality, but perhaps they’ll find the confidence needed to face their first day of school head-on.

Ruby Valentine Saves the Day (Aug. 1, 2010) by Laurie Friedman.

   Lynne Avril, illustrator.

Children’s Picture Book Fiction.

Can you guess which holiday is Ruby Valentine’s favorite? It’s Christmas! Kidding. It’s Valentine’s Day, and she’s just moved to the hill outside town. Valentine’s Day is nearing, and she’s prepping for a big party at her house to celebrate. Even her pet bird is helping her prepare. She’s invited everyone in town, and when the big day comes, the area’s been covered by a snowstorm! How will Ruby handle things when her plans have to change? And change again?

            This children’s tale has a lot of pink and red and hearts. Her bird is named Lovebird, her house has a heart-shaped window, she sits in a heart-backed chair, and the town is called Heartland. It is a cute story for Valentine’s Day with rhyme and colorful illustrations. The sugary sweetness feeling of it all might make some adults cringe, but anyone can appreciate Ruby’s generous spirit. It’s a nice story of celebrating with those you love, and it has a great message that’s good for any age!

The Secret Keeper (Sept. 3, 2013) by Beverly Lewis.

Christian Fiction.

Farewell Modern World, Hello Amish Country! Jennifer Burns has yearned for a simple life since she was a little girl. After meeting an Amish gal several years ago, she’s decided to leave her fancy life – where she never wanted for anything growing up with money – and travel to the Old Order Amish community of Hickory Hollow in Lancaster County. Jenny has plans to learn the Amish ways and eventually be baptized. But is she ready to give up her modern life completely? To say good-bye to her car and electricity? To be of a humble and submissive spirit? She witnesses someone going someplace one shouldn’t, by order of the Bishop. That person asks Jenny to keep the secret, which eats at Jenny. After all, she is working to be a baptized member, learning everything from darning socks to speaking Pennsylvania Dutch to Amish etiquette. She’ll have to confess everything she knows when her Proving time comes, but that would betray a trust. What should she do?

            Rebecca and Samuel Lapp become hosts to the seeker, Jenny. Rebecca is open to welcoming her, albeit with some anxiousness over Jenny’s worldliness and knowing that she lost her only daughter to the modern world. Will she feel like she’s failed as a mother if Jenny leaves Hickory Hollow and returns home? Samuel is exceedingly wary of the seeker to the point that he practically ignores her. Will he warm to the seeker’s presence? Marnie Lapp is the Amish gal who encouraged Jenny to come to the Hollow. But Marnie’s going through a conundrum of her own. Does she dare defy her stubborn father’s expectations to fulfill the request of her betrothed?

            Lewis’ Hickory Hollow is fictitious, but the Hollow’s setting within Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is a real place. I appreciated the point of view this story followed, being from that of an Englischer wanting in. I continually enjoy how Hickory Hollow seems like such an idyllic place, yet it’s not without its trials, and, in the case of this book, its secrets. Lewis’ books are very good, fictional literature, and they also provide very good insight into the Old Order Amish way. There are definitely gender roles, but there is such a sense of positive spirit, love and community. And figuring that out is no secret!

            Book One in the Home to Hickory Hollow series: The Fiddler

            Book Two in the Home to Hickory Hollow series: The Bridesmaid

            Book Three in the Home to Hickory Hollow series: The Guardian

Vanishing Beauty on the Backroads (Jan. 16, 2010) by +Julie Bronson.

Photography Book Nonfiction.

The landscape is silent, and times of a bygone era stand still in Julie Bronson’s first book of photography. Previously I summarized and reviewed her “Vanishing Barns” book. This first book focuses on dilapidated houses, most of which are long-abandoned. Looking at the houses now, there is a sense of loss -- loss due to time passing and loss due to abandonment. Some of the photos are almost eerie to look at, as if the ghosts of yesteryear lurk within the shells that remain. And that is part of the wonder of the book.

            The images Bronson captures represent ever-fleeting pieces of local history. It is like seeing a firefly light up in the night: You see it – THERE! – but before you know it, the firefly and that moment are gone. It is sometimes the case with this vanishing beauty. There one day, but perhaps gone the next because of time, nature or man. The page numbers in this book are helpful, and I really liked the story from her aunt. Bronson’s passion for photography is evident, and if those walls could talk, surely they would thank her for visiting.

            See Also: Rutabaga’s Reads 2012: Part 9 for “Vanishing Barns on the Backroads.”

Happy 2014!

Happy New Year! Another year has come and gone -- another year of good things, bad things and those things in between. Another year filled with joy and sorrow, laughter and tears, moments of greatness and moments perhaps better forgotten. Another year filled with days of adventure, melancholy, happiness, routine, contentment, delight and stress. Another year of hellos and of goodbyes.

            I don’t know exactly what your days were filled with last year, but I hope you smiled more than you frowned and laughed more than you cried. As we said hello to 2014, I hope you took hold of the reins with one foot in reality and the other in dreams. Whether your dreams provide hope, momentary escape from your present, or goals for your future, I hope you keep those dreams. But don’t forget your reality, for our dreams cannot become reality if we’re not also rooted in it.

            What are you looking forward to this year? Do you already have travels set and adventures planned? Are you graduating, switching schools or returning to school? Are you getting married? Are you moving? Whatever this year brings you, please have a safe, healthy and wonderful year. Blessings and happiness to you all! --Lisa “Rutabaga”

"Champion" by Marie Lu

A word to the wise that this book is the last in a trilogy. I do my best not to include spoilers, but I don’t promise that there aren’t any.

Champion (Nov. 5, 2013) by Marie Lu.

The Republic. Patriots. The Colonies. A nation divided with a group clinging to the idea that there can be peace between the two. The Patriots are disbanded (or dead), leaving the young new Elector to worry about other matters, such as a threat of war from the Colonies over a plague outbreak and the continued weeding out (a.k.a. execution) of Senators and dissenters who would attempt to assassinate him. Fortunately for Elector Anden Stavropoulos, he has June Iparis (the prodigy) and Day (the legend) on his side. June is training as one of three Princeps-Elects, signifying that one of them will someday lead the Senate. And Daniel Altan Wing – “Day” – once the Republic’s most notorious criminal, is now a national hero. How the tides have turned.

            They’re turning even more, and not for the better. The Colonies have a powerful new ally in the Confederate Nations of Africa. Even more powerful than Africa? The nation of Antarctica, which has a long-standing rivalry with Africa. Their economy is thriving, and their technological advances are extraordinary and impressive. Life in Ross City, Antarctica, is a game that’s brilliant enough to reduce crime to practically nil. They’ll help the Republic push back the Colonies, but their parameters seem almost impossible.

            One thing Antarctica requires is a cure to the virus. Anden thinks clues to the cure lie in Day’s brother’s body, but Day isn’t about to let the Republic get their hands on Eden again. He’ll do anything in his power to keep Eden safe, and June, too, but he’s in a worsening state that may not allow him to help anyone.

            Overall, “Champion” was a satisfying conclusion to this YA dystopian trilogy. It didn’t end all wrapped up with a nice bow. Instead, it ended with the prospect of a new beginning or a new chapter. I enjoyed the finale book, which read swiftly. Lu is a deft writer, as showcased by how smoothly the book reads. Are there awkward moments? Sure. Always. Some may think them technical glitches, but in this case, I felt they added more details that readers might be interested to know. I also enjoyed Lu’s foray into international worldbuilding with the visit to Antarctica. With its game base, it made me think of “The Sims,” making me an instant fan of Ross City. I would have loved to read more about Lu’s Antarctica. I’m thinking a new trilogy, but this time set in Ross City …

            One Legend. One Prodigy. Two heroes. Will either be Champion?

            Book One: Legend

            Book Two: Prodigy