Tag Archives: Wilderness

Rescue Me

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Warren, Susan May. Rescue Me: Montana Rescue Series- Book 2. Grand Rapids, MI: Revell Publishing. 2017.

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SUMMARY:
In love with both her sister, Sierra, and her sister’s boyfriend, Sam, free-spirited Willow Rose also has a heart for God. Though she has been in love with Sam for years, Willow doesn’t want to hurt her sister so decides to keep her emotions to herself. Detailed-minded Sam knows Sierra appears to be the perfect match yet finds himself drawn to Willow for some unexplainable reason. While in the Glacier National Park with a group of teenagers from a youth ministry group, both Sam and Willow must save their own lives, the lives of several teenagers, and quite possibly their hearts…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Starting with the cover and continuing throughout the story, I liked every page of this novel. Intrigue, danger, suspense, action, faith and romance all played center stage while several other pieces surrounded them. As a stand-alone novel while also being a great addition to the Montana Rescue series, I am already waiting for book 3, A Matter Of Trust, due out in July. Like a good story, interesting characters, dangerous situations and the beautiful wilderness? Then look no further than this series by talented author Susan May Warren.

RATING:
4.5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Rescue Me from Revell Publishing for my honest review*

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The Memory Weaver

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Kirkpatrick, Jane. The Memory Weaver. Grand Rapids, MI: Revell Publishing. 2015.

SUMMARY:
memoryweaverWitnessing a massacre at a young age, Eliza Spalding Warren was held hostage by the Cayuse Indians and forced to work as an interpreter as the only person who knew both languages. As time passes, memories shift which cause new insight and feelings into the past events. Based on a true story, New York Times bestselling author, Jane Kirkpatrick, takes readers on yet another emotionally, thought-provoking read…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
I loved the basis for this story positioned on real-life past events. Also interesting, the alteration of memories over time, through experiences and as more knowledge is gained. Not a light read but rather a deeper, stimulating read which made me ponder the events and recollections associated with them. Always well-written with bits of true situations included, Jane Kirkpatrick enthralls with each novel. Though not a huge fan of pioneer time-frames, The Memory Weaver was an exception for me…especially as I enjoyed the included author interview at the end. I look forward to her next novel.

RATING:
4 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of The Memory Weaver from Revell Publishing for my honest review*

A Light In The Wilderness

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Kirkpatrick, Jane. A Light In The Wilderness. Grand Rapids, MI: Revell. 2014.

SUMMARY:
wildernessThough clutching the papers which proves she is free, Letitia learns that freedom may be hard to prove. While traveling the arduous Oregon Trail, Letitia becomes united with Nancy, a woman hesitant to make the journey yet willing to follow her husband, and Betsy, a Kalapuya Indian grandmother. Different women sharing a common pilgrimage…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Though not a huge history fan, I must admit I was captivated by this book. Based on a true story, I found myself deeply involved in the lives of the three women and all they were forced to endure. It actually made me pause to consider the same trials women must brave regardless of the time period. Not a light read, the story draws you in completely and almost makes time stand still. As an accomplished author and recipient of several prestigious awards, Jane Kirkpatrick will remain on my bookshelf as a favored author. Now if perhaps she taught history, even I might have a change of heart concerning the subject!

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of A Light In The Wilderness from Revell Publishing for my honest review*

A Short Walk To The Edge Of Life

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Hubbartt, Scott. A Short Walk To The Edge Of Life. Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook Press. 2014.

SUMMARY:
walkScott Hubbartt, a military veteran with years of survival training, becomes lost during a day-hike through the Peruvian Andes. Heat, dehydration, starvation, isolation and rugged desert terrain all make for an almost perilous journey. After realizing his many mistakes, Scott Hubbartt reaches out to God in desperation. Is it enough? Is it too late? Does God listen? Will he make it out alive…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Actually this memoir would never have needed to be written if the author had smartly relied on his highly skilled survival training and basic adventure guidelines. However, it was written due to his lack of preparedness and fortunately ended well with lessons learned, determination strengthened, and faith/ trust in God developed. Overall, a rather slow story but with a good message shared. The included maps which chronicled his intended trek against his actual course of travel were appreciated and contributed to the understanding of his story.

RATING:
3 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of A Short Walk To The Edge Of Life from WaterBrook Press for my honest review*

Captured by Love

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Hedlund, Jody. Captured by Love. Bloomington, MN: Bethany house Publishers. 2014.

SUMMARY:
jodySet on Michilimackinac Island, Angelique MacKenzie endures a hard life. Having lost her parents, she is forced to live with Ebenezer Whiley (her cruel step-father), provide food for herself and the British Army invading the island, care for her elderly blind friend, and become betrothed to a man she respects but doesn’t love. When Pierre Durant returns after many years away to find his childhood friend, Angelique, all grown up, they both must decide where their loyalties and hearts truly lie…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Wow. Jody Hedlund does not disappoint! Through adventure, suspense, romance and history, the author tells a tale so artfully told it was hard to put down. Now a popular tourist spot, the telling of the history of Michilimackinac (Mackinac) Island was so very interesting and accurate. Alive with canoes, the Great Lakes, wilderness, forts and fur trading, the story was authentically real. Combined with those elements is a deep storyline strewn with pieces of faith which just keeps progressing. I only hope Jody Hedlund is in the writing process of her next book already. Again…wow.

RATING:
5+ (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Captured by Love from Bethany House Publishers for my honest review*

THOMAS LACORTE VISITS SAVURBKS

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Welcome

PLEASE WELCOME THOMAS LACORTE!

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MEET THE UPCOMING AUTHOR THOMAS LACORTE:

Biography

Thomas LaCorte was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1957. He moved to Florida with his parents in 1968 at the age of 11. At the age of 14 he started what was to be a lifelong career in Land Surveying. He spent the next 40 years of his life surveying the Florida wild. He draws from this experience in his debut novel “6 Miles With Courage” and is an award winning author and a magazine columnist.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THOMAS LACORTE:

RED QUESTION MARK

How did you incorporate your personal experiences into your book “6 Miles with Courage”?

I pulled directly from my experiences of surveying the Florida-wild. I have spent over 40 years land surveying and mapping Florida from the everglades in the south to the swamps and deep creeks of the northern part of the state.

How does writing a novel differ from other styles of writing?

You have to stay focused on the long term goal of developing a good story of over 50,000 words. Fall short and you have a novella.

How did you develop your characters?

I used the relationships I had in life with friends and family for the main characters. But a lot of the interesting supporting cast just simply appeared out of nowhere.

What was your biggest obstacle in writing this book?

Facing the loneliness of writing a good novel. You have to shut yourself off from the world, live in and spend a good amount of time in the world you write in. It takes tremendous discipline.

SO ARE YOU READY TO MEET SOME ALLIGATORS?
6 mi

High above the Florida wilderness 17-year-old Ryan and his father, a Professional Land Surveyor, are scouting a future job and enjoying a leisurely plane ride. Suddenly Ryan finds himself in for the ride of his life.
After a low pass of the Oklawaha River, and the dangerous swamp below, the plane’s engine destroys itself in a major malfunction. Ryan’s father, Rob, must find a place to land within sixty seconds but it was not to be. He has but one choice. Fly it into the trees!
Ryan awakens in the wreckage and he looks out his window. His eyes begin to focus on the scenery. Ryan remembers the scene from movies, Tarzan movies.
There are long vines hanging down from ghastly looking trees. There is an occasional spot of dry ground, but for the most part, it is swamp. There is a mist in the air, and it is dark under the canopy of cypress and gum trees. Ryan rubbed his face to make it all go away, but it does not go away.
Now begins an incredible journey into manhood, one that will take great courage. Ryan has but twenty-four hours to walk the 6 miles through the swamp, cross the dangerous Oklawaha River, and bring help to save his father. The question is will he have the courage. If either one of them is to survive he must leave the plane and Rob must instill enough courage into his son to make him believe that he can go the distance.
The journey is treacherous, but the most peculiar thing of all is the people that he meets along the way. Who are they? Why do they vanish? Did Ryan survive or not?

READY TO TAKE OFF AND READ? FIND “6 MILES WITH COURAGE” AT:

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AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Miles-With-Courage-Thomas-LaCorte-ebook/dp/B00BZXDKW6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383006437&sr=8-1&keywords=6+miles+with+courage

BARNES AND NOBLE: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/6-miles-with-courage-thomas-lacorte/1115427396?ean=9781484167571

READY FOR MORE ADVENTURE? VISIT THOMAS LACORTE AT:
thCAEERS45

http://tlacorte.wordpress.com/

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
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6 Miles with Courage

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LaCorte, Thomas G. 6 Miles with Courage. Thomas LaCorte. 2013.

SUMMARY:
6 miSpiders, monkeys and alligators…oh my! Rob and Ryan Sykes, a father and son, fly out over the Florida wilderness to celebrate Ryan’s 18th birthday. When an unexpected BANG! occurs, a quick decision must be made. Heading out into the cypress swamp, Ryan soon discovers he is not alone. Garnering his faith in God along with unwavering courage, the 6 mile trek is begun…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Though out of my comfort genre of historical fiction, I found this adventurous, suspenseful novel to actually be quite engaging and heart warming. Through some unexpected endangerment, the author leans strongly on faith development within his characters. Though I was totally new to the environment of the Florida wilderness, the author took the time to act as a guide; thus, showing his vast and extensive knowledge of the subject. (He worked in the Florida wild as a land surveyor for 40 years.) Overall, I enjoyed this debut novel and await more journeys.

RATING: 4 (out of 5) pennies