Book Review - The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass by Katie Power

At the start of 2023, I set a reading goal of 50 books over 12 months - the same goal I set for 2022. I find this is the right number of books for me. It means I need to be intentional about my reading time without having it overwhelm my life.  

But as the year went on and we were swamped with illness, grief, and estate duties, I had trouble keeping up my reading targets. I found myself slipping further and further behind. Then, December hit, and I took off like a rocket! 

I smashed my 50 book goal in early December, and I've been devouring books all month!

It put me a bit behind in my reviews, so stay tuned for some great reviews over the next week. 

And I'm thrilled to kick it off with this beauty:

The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass

By Katie Powner

Last January, I read and reviewed Katie's novel, 
Where The Blue Sky Begins.
You can read that review HERE.

Katie has a gift for pairing interesting characters in a way that highlights the beauty and power of honest connections in ordinary life.

I really loved this book for so many reasons. First, the prairie landscape serves as its own character, giving a sense of vista and isolation. Having just spent the fall driving across the Canadian prairies, I resonated with the long drives and open space.

Second, each character is quirky, rooted, and endearing in their own way. These are flawed people who each have their own broken backstory. You find yourself cheering them on and hoping each has their own happy ending. Katie's own personal history with fostering children adds weight and realism to one particular storyline. 

Finally, I love the way faith is part of this story without ever proselytizing. This is a story of redemption, friendship, family, and love. Faith guides the path without ever demanding a direction. There's a heart and gentleness to this world that stayed with me long after I closed the cover.

If you're looking for a novel with beautiful writing, endearing characters, and a wonderful story, 

I highly recommend The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass!

You can find more of Katie's wonderful writing at

www.KatiePowner.com/

Kindred Spirits - Guest Blogger!

 I'm excited to be a guest blogger on the Inscribe Christian Writers Fellowship blog!

You can read my piece - Kindred Spirits - HERE

Book Review - The Secrets Beneath, by Kimberley Woodhouse

Ever think you'd find Christian Historical Fiction
that explores the world of 1800's Palaeontology?

Well, here we go!

This week, I read Kimberley Woodhouse's new novel
The Secrets Beneath.

It's the start of a new series exploring women in Victorian era science, specifically palaeontology.

Kimberley has written over 30 books (fiction and nonfiction), but she's still a new author for me. Last year, I read and reviewed A Deep Divide. I loved her ability to bring history to life, so I was excited to read this new offering.

The official description reads:

Anna Lakeman has spent her life working alongside her paleontologist father, drawing intricate sketches at every dig. When they find dinosaur bones near their home in Wyoming Territory, they're swiftly caught up in the era known as the Bone Wars. But when her father becomes sick and an old beau, Joshua Ziegler, returns for the summer, Anna's world is upended and the practical, orderly life she has made for herself shatters.

As a lover of Historical Fiction, this book was filled with fascinating people and topics! The Bone Wars was "a period of intense and ruthlessly competitive fossil hunting and discovery during the Gilded Age of American history." To prepare for writing her novel, Kimberley explored The National Dinosaur Monument - a literal wall of dinosaur bones! She was also able to consult with the grand-daughter of renowned palaeontologist and the man who discovered the bone wall - Earl Douglass. 

Kimberley's extensive research and passion for women in science really brought those parts of the book to life. I love reading all the scenes that involved discovering and exploring the dinosaur site. If anything, I could have used more of it!

Most of the novel centres around the romance between Anna and Joshua. It was good, but honestly? I don't think romance novels are for me. As much as I love romantic films and music, I just can't get into romance as a genre. And truly, not every story needs to have a romance in it! 

That said, there really is so much to love about this book. The landscape, science, and drama in those areas are gripping. And the character of Julian is beyond fantastic! 

If you want to read a well-written novel that explores a little explored piece of American history,
I recommend The Secrets Beneath!

You can learn more about Kimberley's wonderful novels at 

www.KimberleyWoodhouse.com

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Book Review: The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom

A few years, I finally read The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. It was one of those books I knew by reputation, but had never read for myself. After the opening chapter, I could already tell why this story had been a game changer for so many people.

When I was offered the chance to review the book and receive free tickets to the new movie version. I jumped at the chance!

At first, I thought I would just skim the pages. After all, I could write the review based on my memories, right? 

But again, that opening chapter hooked me. I devoured this book, and I'm sure in a few years, I'll do it again.

The Hiding Place tells the story of the Ten Boom family.
Watchmakers, people of faith, pillars of the community.
Even without their extraordinary story, they would have been a fascinating family. 

But when the Nazis invade Holland, their Christian faith is given its greatest test: 

How do we love our neighbours when our own lives could be at risk?

Corrie and her family start hiding Jews in their home. First, it's one or two people overnight, until safer accommodations can be found. But their operation grows. Eventually, they go so far as to build a secret wall in their home creating a "hiding place" for their guests.

It's estimated that the Ten Booms saved upwards of 800 people through their efforts!

I won't reveal the whole story, but this is a story of Nazis and the Holocaust, so you know it's going to get darker before it gets better.

But this isn't just a story a suffering. It's a powerful testimony of faith, hope, and loving your neighbours. It's an old story that's still frighteningly relevant for our current, divided times.

The Ten Boom's story begs the question: 

What would we be willing to risk to save a neighbour? 

What can we do in our own corner of the world to share God's love with those in need?

I highly recommend The Hiding Place! 

Read it yourself. Read it in a group.
Find a way to live out Corrie's message of hope and love...

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Book Review: This Is Where It Ends, by Cindy K. Sproles

 So, this is going to be a challenging review to write.

This Is Where It Ends is Southern fiction - a genre that intrigues me, given our own Nashville years, but a genre I really haven't gotten into yet. I was excited when the hard copy, with its beautiful cover, landed in my mailbox.

The book blurb goes like this:

When Minerva Jane Jenkins was just 14 years old, she married a man who moved her to the mountains. He carried with him a small box, which he told her was filled with gold. And when he died 50 years later, he made her promise to keep his secret. She is to tell no one about the box or the treasure it contains.

Now 94, Minerva is nearing the end of what has sometimes been a lonely life. But she's kept that secret. Even so, rumors of hidden gold have a way of spreading, and Minerva is visited by a reporter, Del Rankin, who wants to know more of her story. His friend who joins him only wants to find the location of the gold. Neither of them knows quite who they're up against when it comes to the old woman on the mountain.

As an unlikely friendship develops, Minerva is tempted to reveal her secret to Del. After all, how long is one bound by a promise? But the truth of what's really buried in the box may be hidden even from her.

I was hooked by the first few pages and chapters of this story. I loved Minerva and her spitfire, survival attitude. I loved the rural world of Minerva's mountain farm. And I'm just always a sucker for any kind of historical fiction.

If I'd written my review at that point in the story, it would have been glowing.
 My expectations were high!

But as the pages went on, my enthusiasm diminished. Minerva talks endlessly about how she's going to die soon (not that she has a fatal illness - there's no real ticking clock - she just feels old), to the point where is starts to feel repetitive. 

There's a "big twist" with Del that you can see coming a mile away. And the big secret about the box and the treasure is so bland it's like air leaking out of a balloon. 

Sadly, I had to force myself through the final chapters of the book. I still loved the characters and the world, and some of Cindy's writing is truly beautiful. I feel this would have been really strong as a novella. There just isn't enough story to carry it through to the end.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Book Review: The Long March Home, by Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee

I've read a lot of great WWII books in recent years. It can be hard to find a fresh take on the subject, but the subtitle of The Long March Home caught my attention:

The Long March Home:

A World War II Novel of the Pacific

"The Pacific"?
All the books I'd read were firmly set in Europe or America.
I knew I needed to read this one right away!

Here's the promo description:

"Jimmy Propfield joined the army for two reasons: to get out of Mobile, Alabama, with his best friends Hank and Billy and to forget his high school sweetheart, Claire. 

Life in the Philippines seems like paradise--until the morning of December 8, 1941, when news comes from Manila: the Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbor. Within hours, the teenage friends are plunged into war as Japanese warplanes attack Luzon, beginning a battle for control of the Pacific Theater that will culminate with a last stand on the Bataan Peninsula and end with the largest surrender of American troops in history. 

What follows will become known as one of the worst atrocities in modern warfare: the Bataan Death March. With no hope of rescue, the three friends vow to make it back home together. But the ordeal is only the beginning of their nearly four-year fight to survive."

One of the most powerful lines of this book occurs just before the prologue:

"Inspired by true stories."

As you read each moving, and sometimes devastating, chapter of this journey, you'll feel the truth seeping through. It resonates. And most of the time, you'll wish it didn't.

This isn't an easy book. I've read many wartime tales, but this is the first time I've read about prisoners of war and the atrocities they faced. And yet throughout it all, each character expresses and experiences an astounding depth of humanity.

Brotherton and Lee keep the story incredibly readable by beautifully balancing the story back home with the stories from the frontline. Heartbreaking history is interwoven with friendship, honour, humour, and so much love.

Honestly? I couldn't put this book down. I was literally grabbing every moment
I could to return back to it and finish yet another chapter.

The story is compelling; the history, fascinating;
 the characters, engaging; and the writing, breathtaking.

I highly recommend The Long March Home!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Book Review: The Vanishing at Castle Moreau, by Jaime Jo Wright

The first time I read a Jaime Jo Wright novel, I was gobsmacked.
Who knew you could write Spooky Gothic Christian Fiction,
and that it would actually be good???

Since then, I've loved and reviewed:

On The Cliffs Of Foxglove Manner

The Premonition At Withers Farm

The Souls Of Lost Lake

And this week, I finished JJW's latest creation:

The Vanishing at Castle Moreau

Reviewing these books has become such a challenge! JJW is a world class storyteller, with gasp-inciting twists built into every tale. It's hard to write a review without giving it all away. (After all, like any great book, it leaves me wanting to shout its awesomeness from the rooftops!)

So, here's the book jacket blurb, plus a few thoughts of my own:

"In 1870, orphaned Daisy François takes a position as housemaid at a Wisconsin castle to escape the horrors of her past life. There she finds a reclusive and eccentric Gothic authoress who hides tales more harrowing than the ones in her novels. As women disappear from the area and the eerie circumstances seem to parallel a local legend, Daisy is thrust into a web that could ultimately steal her sanity, if not her life.

In the present day, Cleo Clemmons is hired by the grandson of an American aristocratic family to help his grandmother face her hoarding in the dilapidated Castle Moreau. But when Cleo uncovers more than just the woman's stash of collectibles, a century-old mystery and the dust of the old castle's curse threaten to rise again . . . this time to leave no one alive to tell the sordid tale."

Okay first, the infamous, fictional Castle Moreau is as much a character as any human in this book. A French-inspired castle, built in love, hidden in the woods, next door to a gossipy small town - the perfect setting for grandeur and secrets!

Next, the story is beautifully structured. The mystery of the titular "vanishing" plays out in both timelines in a way that creates echos across time and oodles of tension.

The mix of characters is such a great choice! People of different social and economic backgrounds, plus various temperaments, all brought together because they each carry a connection to a decades-old mystery. 

And on a personal note: if Daisy's entrance - a red-headed orphan carrying a carpetbag - doesn't remind you of your favourite storybook heroine-with-an-E, then you're not really Canadian!

I read this book quickly, and I highly recommend doing the same!
Hide yourself away in a dark room, with a big bowl of snacks,
and savour the perfect mix of twists and tensions that is
The Vanishing of Castle Moreau. 

In addition to being a prolific novelist, Jaime Jo Wright is super active on social media, offers mentoring for writers, hosts a podcast, and sends out a great newsletter. You can learn more about her at:

www.JaimeWrightBooks.com

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Introducing: Dr Dad! - My Convocation Oration

Today, my Dad - Rev. Hollis Hiscock - 

has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity 

from Queen's College, School of Theology, 

in St. John's, NL.

Gerald and I are unable to attend in person,
but I was very kindly asked to write Dad's introduction for the convocation. 

Thank you, Rev. Rob Cooke, for this great honour,
and for reading in my absence.

Here's my oration. Please enjoy, and lift a prayer for Dad and for all those convocating today. May they have strength, peace, and loving hearts in their next chapter of ministry. 

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

I’d like to start with a personal story from Hollis’s daughter, Allison Lynn Flemming.

“Growing up, our favourite place was our cabin at Ocean Pond. One night, Dad and I stayed up late playing a board game. I can’t remember the name of the game, but the goal was to get to know each other by asking questions. I had a great idea - I would ask Dad about becoming a priest. You see, even at a young age, I’d realized that Dad’s job wasn’t like the other Dads’ jobs. From the working-on-Sundays, to the way people reacted when he said ‘I’m a priest’ all let me know his job was somehow different.

So, in the way that only a cheeky 10-year-old could, I asked, ‘If you could start all over again, would you still be a priest?’ Dad answered with no hesitation, ‘Yes, I would.’ 

I can’t remember his next words, but it was the first time I ever heard someone explain the difference between a job and a calling. That night, I learned more about my Dad than I could fully understand in that moment. I would recall that night many times over the years, especially in the seasons where I saw Dad challenged by the work of ministry. And I was especially thankful for that conversation many years later, when I received my own calling into music ministry.” 

Hollis Robert Nathaniel Hiscock was born in Salvage, the youngest child of James and Winnifred. Hollis and his older siblings, Winston and Alicia, were good kids who caused just the right amount of trouble. Their home was defined by a curiosity for learning, a strong sense of community, and a deep faith in God. All three of these would go on to shape Hollis’s ministry and life.

Hollis pursued theology and a path to orientation through Queen’s College. Like many students, Hollis was active in amateur sports. One afternoon, he was playing soccer when a professor reprimanded him for not wearing his clerical collar. “Proper clergyman” he was informed, "always wear their collars, no matter what they’re doing!” At that moment, Hollis thought, “Well, I guess I’m not going to be a proper clergyman.” 

Hollis joined the summer staff of Killdevil boys’ camp as Padre. One Saturday, a few of the girls’ staff dropped by for a visit, including the beautiful camp nurse, Helen Ryall. Legend has it that, at the end of that day, Hollis turned to his friend and said, “I’m going to marry that girl!”

Hollis was ordained a deacon in 1964 and priested in 1965. On September 28, 1968, Hollis did indeed marry Helen, and the young couple moved to the Parish of Cow Head.

Now, that incident about the soccer game proved to be more prophetic than first imagined. Throughout their lives together, Hollis and Helen continued to challenge church rules that seemed outdated, frivolous, or discriminatory.

You see, you can’t talk about Hollis without talking about Helen, and Hollis will be the first to tell you that. Where Hollis thrives in public leadership, Helen prefers to work behind the scenes. Even in this moment, she hates that we’re talking about her in public. (Don’t worry, Helen, Allison said to blame her for this part of the intro!) Her gifts of hospitality, empathy, and proofreading have fed into every aspect of Hollis’s work. Helen has a unique ability to find people on the fringes of a party or a congregation, and bring them into the fold. She makes everyone she meets feel happier, healthier, and more loved.

Hollis’s life of ordained ministry has spanned almost 60 years, covering 4 Dioceses and 2 provinces! There are a thousand reasons for him to receive today’s honour, but I want to mention four tent-posts that have defined his ministry.

1 - COMMITMENT TO PARISH MINISTRY

Hollis’s first posting - a 30-point parish - took him to the Great Northern Peninsula. But the bulk of his career would be serving parishes as Rector, first at St. Thomas’ Church (St. John’s, NL) and St. John’s York Mills Church (Toronto, ON). 

When Hollis was rector of St. Thomas’, General Synod came to Newfoundland, and Hollis helped lead a vibrant and Spirit-filled week of events. On the final Sunday, delegates and local parishioners gathered at St. Thomas’ Church for a 1-kilometre prayer walk, ending at Memorial Stadium. 4000 worshipers, led by a mass choir, celebrated Holy Communion. Always a creative thinker, Hollis had envisioned an altar that, with a few swift movements, could morph into a boat! As the worship concluded, the transformation began. Three large sails, each representing a Newfoundland-Labrador Diocese, was brought through the crowd and mounted on the boat. 4000 voices sang “I feel the winds of God today, today my sails I lift!” 

In his “retirement,” Hollis has led over 20 parishes through interims and guest worship leadership. Wherever he goes, parishioners of all generations testify to his gentle, creative and inclusive preaching, leadership and pastoring. Perhaps it was said best by the teenage girls of St. John’s York Mills. At Hollis’s retirement celebration, they expressed their love and admiration for him by singing a song from the musical Wicked, letting Hollis know that “because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”

2 - COMMITMENT TO ANGLICAN JOURNALISM

Hollis’s passion for writing, photography, and parish life came together in his work as Editor for two Diocesan newspapers. He served 10 years with The Newfoundland Churchman (now “Anglican Life) and 8 years with The Niagara Anglican. In addition to his role as Editor, Hollis wrote hundreds of articles, interviews and editorials, sharing the Good News as lived out in local parishes. Hollis’s teacher’s-heart also led to him to mentor countless new and emerging writers and photographers for each paper, creating a legacy of storytelling across the country.

3 - COMMITMENT TO THE ARTS IN WORSHIP & AS OUTREACH

Hollis is a passionate supporter of the arts, encouraging parish choirs, bands, handbell choirs, and drama to generously share their gifts with the congregation and community. His signature phrase - “We’re carving out new ministries.” - has led to the creation of countess plays, concert series, and other creative ventures. 

Perhaps the highlight was The Real Christmas Story - A Walk Through - cowritten by Hollis and his daughter, Allison. Each December, audiences walked the churchyard of St. John’s York Mills to visit seven stages, each featuring a living scene from the nativity. 125 performers, greeters, and volunteers pooled their talents to create the production. During its 10-year run, over 5,000 people attended the live performances. A documentary of the play aired nationally for 5 seasons on Vision TV, with an estimated viewership of over 100,000 homes.

Hollis’s love of the arts and support for artists is obvious to anyone who knows him. In recognition of this, St. John’s York Mills Church created The Hiscock Fund in Hollis and Helen’s honour. This ongoing grant program continues to support and encourage a whole new generation in their own artistic expressions of worship.

4 - COMMITMENT TO THE WIDER COMMUNITY & AN INCLUSIVE CHURCH

Hollis’ ministry has never been limited by the walls of the church. He taught Religious Education at the high school level and Psychology at MUN. He was the original Co-Ordinator of Grenfell Campus Extension Services (MUN), responsible for academic, recreational, and business programs in Western and Northern Newfoundland. He has served on numerous church and local committees, including the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, the St. Christopher's Rainbow Committee, and the 1988 Olympic Torch Relay Committee.

And remember the professor who wanted Hollis to wear his collar at all times? Well, how do you think he would feel about wearing his collar with high heels?

On his 50th ordination anniversary, Hollis donned pink high heels and his clerical collar to join the community event: Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, speaking out against male violence against women. Just another creative way Hollis has let people of faith, or of no faith, know they are seen and loved by God.

Hollis’s favourite parable is The Sower and The Seed. If you recall the opening of the story, the Sower isn’t stingy with the seed. Instead, he sows it generously, trusting it will find its way to the good soil. 

Hollis, you have sowed the seed of the Gospel generously!

Because of your commitment to parish ministry, both seekers and lifelong Christians have found a church home that’s welcoming, loving, active, and compassionate. 

Because of your passion for Christian journalism, the stories of God and God’s people have been written, read, and lifted up across our country.

Because of your love of the arts, the Gospel has found new forms of expression, sharing its message of love in countless ways.

And because you dared to step outside the walls of the church, you have provided a loving and inclusive witness of faith to the wider community. 

Isaiah 6:8 inspired a great song - Here I Am, Lord -
a song that has been a touchpoint of Hollis’s life of ministry. 


Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Hollis, your love for God and God’s people, your generous and creative leadership, has sparked and supported a legacy of ongoing ministries by clergy, artists, and people of faith. You have made our Church, and our wider community, a stronger, more loving, more inclusive place. You live out the Gospel message with every breath.

We so are thankful that when asked, you responded,
“Here am I. Send me.”

PREACHING AT ST. THOMAS THIS SUNDAY!

Hollis will preach on Sunday, May 14, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. Newfoundland time (9:00 a.m. in Ontario)
 at St. Thomas' in St. John's, Newfoundland-Labrador. 

He served there over ten years as part of the clergy staff and Rector. All are welcome to join in person!  

The service will also stream live on the church's Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/stthomasnl

Book Review: The Metropolitan Affair, by Jocelyn Green

 This is a challenging review to write.

As a creator myself, I know how hard it is to make anything and put it out in the world. I don't review books as a critic. I review as a writer, artist, and passionate reader. I don't like to publicly say anything negative about something someone has created.

But I received this book on the condition that 

I'd post an honest review, so here we go.

On the plus side: In The Metropolitan Affair, Jocelyn Green has created a lush and vibrant world. 1920's New York City, the Egyptology department of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, and the Italian neighbourhoods are decadent! I revelled in the detailed settings of cafes, hotels, and restaurants. I loved the well-researched details of museum life, 1920's police procedures, and even the workings of the early subway. 

But when it came to the story, it fell flat. To be clear, there's no issue with the actual plot. But it was way too slow.

And here's where to get to my overall complaint with so many recent books:

They're all too long!

Don't get me wrong - there's nothing wrong with a long book, but it has to be long because it tells a long story, not because there are too many pages!

Recently, I've read so many 400 page books that could easily have been 350 or even 300 pages long!

I feel like publishers are so eager to get out the "next great thing" that they're missing a really crucial editing phase. Stories and pace are getting bogged down by way too much filler.

Vacuum that story! Get out the fluff! Make it tight!

If The Metropolitan Affair had been 300 pages, it would have been a smart, tense historical thriller with a great dose of romance and family drama. Instead, it was a narrative slog in a beautiful world.

So, I'm sorry to have to write this review, but there you go. 

Honesty. It can be a pain in the butt sometimes.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Book Review: The Weight of Air by Kimberly Duffy

Friends, let's run away and join the circus!

I've already loved two Kimberly Duffy creations:

Every Word Unsaid

and

A Tapestry of Light

I'm excited anytime she releases a new book,
but when I discovered her new book takes us to the circus,
how could I resist?

The Weight of Air immerses us in the 1911 circus world, right in the midst of the modern circus's popularity. Aerialists and stunt performers were the movie stars of their day. Circuses regularly toured Europe and America, bringing dangerous feats and exotic animals to people of all ages, backgrounds, and economic levels.

Our heroine, Mabel MacGinnis, comes from a circus family. As Europe’s strongest woman, she performed beside her strongman father her entire life. But his sudden death reveals long-hidden family secrets. Mabel and her best friend, acrobat Jake Cunningham (a man with his own storied past), head off to America in pursuit of the truth. 

Meanwhile, in America, aerialist Isabella Moreau has lived a 5-star career, but age is sneaking up on her, putting her act, her future, and even her life at risk. When she sees a young strongwoman perform, Isabella's European past coming rushing back. Can she redeem her past choices, and find a future beyond her own doubts and brokenness? 

Mabel and Isabella's stories are filled with moving themes: mother-daughter bonds, the nature of depression, assumed gender roles, the power of forgiveness, and the definition of strength. Some of these themes, especially the storylines around depression, are extra poignant in this Edwardian setting, where mental health was so misunderstood.

But even with these heavy themes, this book is still filled with so much joy, love, and life!

I loved being in the world of the circus! My artist-heart loved every scene that dealt with rehearsals, audiences, and performances. Imagining the costumes, the horses, the acts, the tent ... As Anne of Green Gables would say, it gave great "scope for the imagination."

Be sure to read The Note from the Author at the end of the book, where Kimberly shares her personal inspiration, as well as her historical inspiration, for the story. Below is a photo of real-life strongwoman, Katie Sandwina. After reading the novel, it's worth spending some time reading up on Katie's story and scrolling through the amazing photos of her act!

If you're looking for a unique kind of historical fiction, 

I highly recommend The Weight of Air!

Kimberly shares her writing and creative process on her site and Facebook page.
You can connect with her here:

www.KimberlyDuffy.com 

Katie Sandwina, the real life inspiration for The Weight of Air

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Guest Post - Every Day Is Easter, by Rev. Hollis Hiscock

Please welcome my Dad - Rev. Hollis Hiscock - as today's guest blogger!

*        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *

Every Day Is Easter
By Rev. Hollis Hiscock

“Every day is a mini-Easter,” intoned the university professor, noticing the stone-faced students he hoped to impress with his stark dramatic revelation.

His words have remained with me since hearing them nearly 60 years ago. 

I recall little else about the professor or the class, but his quote became etched on my psyche because of its insightful eye opener and sustainability. 

Indeed if “every day is a mini-Easter” then the annual celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead must be our “maximum” Easter.

As we approach Easter 2023, let this be our Easter message to ourselves and every person with whom we come in contact.

Let us do it because …

We are the Easter people,
touched by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We are God’s church in the world,
namely the outward visible signs of
God’s unconditional love for all people.

We are ambassadors of Jesus,
presenting the good news of his gospel to others
and pointing them to God.

We do it because Christ is risen,
because he has overcome sin, temptation, suffering and death –
every obstacle preventing individuals from having a living relationship with God.

Jesus/God did it because of love, and we respond for the same reason. 

That is why we celebrate Easter with great joy, jubilation, hope and assurance.

That is why we share, by word and action, the marvellous news that
“Jesus Christ is risen from the dead, Alleluia!”

Happy Easter to you and yours!  

*        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *

Next month, Reverend Hollis Hiscock will be awarded the Doctor of Divinity D.D. (honoris causa) by Queen's College, Newfoundland, in recognition of his years of leadership and service to the Anglican Church.   

You can read the official announcement HERE. 

Hollis is currently serving as Interim Priest-in-Charge of St. John’s Church, Burlington, Ontario. 

You can find their Easter services HERE.

Book Review: The Rose and The Thistle, by Laura Frantz

 
One of the things I love about Historical Fiction is spending time in unexpected eras and places.

With Lisa See, I explore ancient China.

With Kate Quinn, I visit Bletchley Park.

And thanks to Laura Frantz,
I've just spent a week in 1715 Scotland.

The Rose and The Thistle is immersive in the best kind of way.
It opens with a map, a piece of history, and a mini-dictionary of Scottish phrases. Yes, you have a bit of a learning curve to get into this world but trust me, it's worth it.

Our heroine is Lady Blythe Hedley, daughter of an English Duke. Her father is declared an enemy of the British crown because of his Jacobite sympathies. When their castle is attacked in the middle of the night, she flees to the home of her godparents: Wedderburn Castle in Scotland.

Our hero is Everard Hume, eldest son of the ailing Lord Wedderburn, Lady Blythe's godfather. At the passing of his father, Everard is burdened with his estate, a political uprising, a volatile brother, and now, a refugee Lady hiding in his castle tower.

The Rose and The Thistle is rife with secrets, political ambitions, family intrigue, and cultural divisions. But at its heart, it's also a passionate, slow burn love story. I'm sure many may simply categorize this as a "romance", but for me, this novel is so much more: it's historical, dramatic, and epic, with romance sizzling throughout.

Fun Fact:

In the Author Note, we learn that Laura Frantz is actually related to the original Hume family, with roots in Wedderburn Castle! According to the Journal (blog) page of her site, she's working on two other Scottish books. Her Journal has photos of some of her extensive research!

You can check out her many books and her beautiful writing at:

www.LauraFrantz.net

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Book Review: Everything Is Just Beginning, by Erin Bartels

A few days ago, I mentioned another SuperFan Author Review was coming.
Well, here it is!

I am a SuperFan of Erin Bartels!

So far, I've read, reviewed & LOVED:

We Hope For Better Things

All That We Carried

And one of my favourite books of 2022:

The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water

I think she only has two other books for me to search out!

Today, I'm excited to share her latest creation:
Everything Is Just Beginning

I know what you're thinking: "Of course you wanted to read this, Allison. There's a guitar on the cover."

But let me share a secret: Reading novels about music can be very frustrating when you're a musician! So often, people get it all wrong, especially when it comes to the process of songwriting. When the author makes too many assumptions, or trivializes the process, it can become incredibly frustrating!

Fortunately for all involved, Erin knows what she's talking about! Music Creation is almost like a character in this novel, driving the plot forward, traversing relationships, and giving the human characters voice to their emotions.

Michael Sullivan is a young musician without a band, an apartment, and most of his family. In the final days of 1989, his uncle receives an invitation to the New Year's Eve party of the year, hosted by a family of music legends. Michael and his uncle share a trailer and a name, so no one will notice if he accepts the invitation, right? At that swanky, celebrity-filled party, Michael meets the girl, the musician, who will change his entire life...

I read this quickly, over a few restful days in beautiful Fergus, Ontario. We stayed in a B&B in an 1850's stone building, resting in a hand-carved four-poster bed, overlooking the Grand River. Talk about a decadent way to read a book!

The story is well paced, but never at the expense of the characters or the relationships. There's so much depth going on here, but it's all told so well and with the perfect amount of emotional detail. Most of the story takes place in either Michael's uncle's run down trailer or the Wheeler's luxe, music-filled home. The tightness of his world and the contrasting settings tell us so much about Michael's struggles and dreams.

As a special gift for readers, Erin has created a hidden webpage with recordings of the song, videos, chord charts, and all kind of other gifts! It's only accessed via a QR code and a special password you'll learn by reading the book. Check out the last page of the novel for the link. So fun!!!

I'm always happy to recommend an Erin Bartels book,
and Everything Is Just Beginning is no exception! 

Grab your copy today and enjoy ...

Erin's site has a blog, videos, book club resources, and all kinds of fun things.
You can find her here:

www.ErinBartels.com

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

A Storyteller's Celtic Roots - A St. Patrick's Day Post

 I'm guesting on the InScribe Christian Writers' Fellowship Blog!

Please check out my post HERE.

Book Review: All The Lost Places, by Amanda Dykes

Since I started reviewing fiction, I've become a SuperFan
of a select number of authors!

Amanda Dykes is one of those few. 

(A review of another SuperFan Author is coming this weekend...)

I'd read, reviewed, and LOVED: 

Whose Waves These Are

Set The Stars Alight

And one of my very favourite books of 2021:

Yours Is The Night

Amanda is a beautiful storyteller, creating decadent and tactile worlds for her characters. I was beyond excited when my review copy of All The Lost Places arrived in my mailbox.

Our story starts in California, but the true setting of this book is romantic Venice. This is literally historical fiction within historical fiction.

In 1904, we meet Daniel Goodman, a man in need of redemption. In an effort to save his mother's home and business, he takes on a challenging job: travel to Venice to procure and translate a rare "unfinished" book. Along the way, he meets Vittoria, a bookshop owner and true Venetian. As Daniel winds through the city's canals, the mysterious book - and the city's true history - come to light.

In 1807, a baby is discovered floating along the canals of Venice. Here, we meet the real-life characters of The Book of Waters. Our hero - Sebastien Trovato - wrestling with his unknown past. A guild of artisans, raising the lost boy as their own. And Mariana, a woman who washes ashore during a storm.

The challenge of writing this book was monumental! Not only is Amanda writing in two historic timelines, but she also writes huge swaths of The Book of Waters, masterfully weaving together the "novel' and the "history" of the story. (When you've read the book, that'll make sense!)

There's so much to love about All The Lost Places. It's a thick one, not so much in pages, but in mood, story, and history. It deserves to be read slowly with huge cups of tea. I didn't discover this 'til after I'd read it, but Amanda actually created a Thematic Soundtrack for the novel via Spotify, that's available on her site.

I will always be first in line to read an Amanda Dykes book!

Do yourself a favour and pick up any of her treasures today...

You can find more of Amanda's writing, as well as lots of FREE bonuses at:

www.AmandaDykes.com

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Book Review: Why Gather? by Martha Tatarnic

Full Disclosure: This is a book review with lots of bias!

Not only is the author a great friend and colleague, but I also handled the online promo for last year's book launch (including the fun video below!) That said, this is an awesome book and I can't wait to tell you about it!

After not being able to gather in person for almost three years, many of us have started asking the question, 

"Why gather now?" 

We're thankful for Zoom, Skype, and live streaming. These technologies saved many families and ministries over the last few years (our ministry included!). But if we're being honest, we know we're supposed to be with each other. We're meant to live face to face.

Martha asks and responds to the question of Why Gather? with stories of flawed, faithful people living out their doubts and beliefs in the midst of both good times and bad. Some of these stories will hit close to home, rubbing close to your own personal experience. Some will open windows into lives and communities rarely witnessed by others. Each will expand your own sense of empathy and humanity.

As we wrestle with the issue of gathering in a post-pandemic world, Martha isn't afraid to challenge us, both as individuals and as the Church:

So often, we're looking for the next great "thing" that will save our declining churches.
But what if, instead of "saving" the Church, we seek out where God is already at work
in our lives and in our communities? 

Across Canada, many Indigenous communities suffer from a severe lack of a most basic need:
clean drinking water. How do we make our gatherings more inclusive to the needs of
our Indigenous brothers and sisters, and those pushed to the fringes of our society. 

We want the world to change before we're willing to change.
But what if we look to the world of sports and discover the mind shift of "Ultrarealism"? 

Why Gather? encourages all of us to look deeper into our hearts, our churches, and our world, and see that the Kingdom of God is already at hand. And then asks: what is our response to that?

Why Gather? is a book of living out your faith, appropriate for laypeople and church leadership alike. Each chapter ends with discussion questions, perfect for your own reflection or group discussion.

This Lent, I highly recommend picking up a copy of Why Gather?

Read it and then, I encourage you to get yourself to church.

We need each other more than ever ...

Why Gather? has been chosen by Bishop Susan Bell, Anglican Diocese of Niagara, 

for the Lenten Book Series 2023.

You can find the FREE STUDY GUIDE HERE. 

Martha wrote a blogpost about the concept of Ultrarealism for this blog HERE.

You can find out more about Martha and her writing at:

www.MarthaTatarnic.ca

Why I Wrote "Why Gather?"

By Martha Tataric

Guest Post - Snowy Lessons For Our Reflection, by Rev. Hollis Hiscock

Please welcome my Dad - Rev. Hollis Hiscock - as today's guest blogger!   

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Snowy Lessons For Our Reflection
By Rev. Hollis Hiscock

SPECIAL REPORT:
On February 23, 2023, Eastern and Central Canada, along with many parts of the United States,
were blanketed with heavy snow and blizzard conditions.

SPECIAL NOTE:
Snow is mentioned some 20 times in the Bible!
Not bad for lands that rarely, if ever, experienced individually designed,
small, tongue-catching snowflakes fluttering to the ground.

Job - while enduring life-threatening struggles which drastically altered his family - called snow “an amazing thing that we cannot understand,” which falls on the earth. (Job 37:5-6)

Isaiah reflected that snow “came down” to water the earth “making it to bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater.” (Isaiah 55:10)

The writer of the Psalms stated that everything and everybody should praise God, including snow, hail, frost and stormy winds. (Psalm 148:9)

These Biblical ideas direct my attention to a book which my father used for many years.
Today - in its well-worn condition - it still occupies a prominent place in my study.

You see, as a Church Lay Leader, Dad conducted worship almost every Sunday. As was the practice back then, he was not permitted to write and deliver his own sermons or homilies. Rather, he had to read sermons from books, usually written in England, which he had to deliver verbatim in small and isolated communities in Newfoundland-Labrador.

“The Lessons of the Snow” was one such sermon.

Including his snow sermon, the Reverend H. J. Wilmot-Buxton published 23 short sermons for children (maybe long by today’s standards) which he dedicated to his children because he was “more than ever impressed with admiration for the powers of those who clothe holy teaching in language suited to the intelligence of the little ones.” His conclusion reminds me that Jesus also used simple stories and parables to explain the complexity and mystery of God.

Wilmot-Buxton never imagined my father would read his children’s sermons to people of all ages in the colonies, and that in 2023, I would be asking you to reflect on his lessons from the snow, but here we are.

Here are 4 Snowy Lessons for Our Reflection:

Firstly, we learn how wonderfully God works through the great workshop we call Nature. Moisture, drawn from the reservoirs of the earth, is condensed and returns to give new life to the earth. God is the great recycler! 

Secondly, we learn about the wonderfully quiet and irresistible way God works. The snowflake seems so fragile and weak independently, yet when one comes together with millions of others, they become powerful enough to bring a megacity or country to a standstill. “We can get more things done when we pool our resources of time, skills and treasures, than when we act alone” is fodder for our reflection and action.

Thirdly, we learn that God works in our lives in a manner similar to how snow preserves life under its protective covering. The earth may seem dead, but it is only sleeping and is ready to burst into new life. We may feel the same. At times, personal and external circumstances may cause stagnation without hope. Then suddenly, or not so suddenly, we are transformed by God’s power and newly enriched life emerges from the embers. 

Fourthly, we learn that underneath the snow each flower, plant or shrub is holding a placard declaring, “I SHALL RISE AGAIN.” It is the message of the resurrection from a loving God who promised, “I am with you always.”

In his sermon, Wilmot-Buxton suggested that when snow confines us to airports, hotels, residences, work places, traffic jams or wherever, we should take the opportunity to be safe and grasp the opportunity to learn and reflect more about nature, creation, God, others, and ourselves.

While flipping through Wilmot-Buxton’s sermon book, I found my copy of the song The Rose, written by Amanda McBroom and made famous by Bette Midler. I quote the lyrics here to indicate how the people of the Bible, those living in the mid-20th century and even artists today learn similar lessons from the snow. 

“Just remember in the winter, 

far beneath the bitter snow

Lies the seed, that with the sun’s love 

in the spring becomes a rose.”

What are your reflections on our winter snow?

Please share your thoughts in the comments below or on social media... 

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The Reverend Hollis Hiscock 

is Interim Priest-in-Charge of 

St. John’s Church, Burlington, Ontario. 

You can read his New Year's reflection

"3 Guideposts & 1 Prayer for 2023"

HERE.

Book Review: Where The Blue Sky Begins, by Katie Powner

January is turning out to be an amazing reading month!

Week #4 and I'm already reading Book #5.
My Goodreads account won't know what hit it!

And, I'm already on Book Review #2:

Where The Blue Sky Begins, by Katie Powner

I can't think of a better description of Where The Blue Sky Begins than Katie's own:

"When a shallow but charming financial advisor from Seattle and an eccentric terminally ill woman in rural Montana are thrown together for the summer, their unconventional friendship will produce surprising results. Eric and Eunice couldn’t be more different, but they each must learn lessons about themselves, what friendship really means, and how to let go. When the end of summer comes, neither of them will ever be the same."

There were a lot of things to love about this book. The characters have rich backstories, woven together in a way only found in tight knit communities. The story unfolds with a great pace, and some unexpected twists. The town and landscape become characters themselves, shaping the people who live in their midst. There are strong themes of redemption, regrets, forgiveness, connection, and purpose. 

Eunice is definitely my favourite character. Her signature personality and sharp dialogue make you feel like she's in the room with her. I really appreciated the unapologetic portrayal of Eunice's health challenges. Nothing is too graphic, but at the same time, nothing is too pretty. It's a realistic picture of this particular character's physical, emotional and spiritual struggles, mixed with her unique humour, as she faces her final days.

I didn't really know what to expect when I requested this book,
but Where The Blue Sky Begins really hooked me in.
I read it quickly, yet it will stay with me for while.

Katie's website includes a section of fun FREE resources for individuals & book clubs,
including trivia sheets and discussion questions. You can find everything here:

www.KatiePowner.com/Book-Club

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.