Spring For Susannah

When Susannah goes to Dakota territory as a mail-order bride she finds something she never dreamed she would--true love.

With no prospects for marriage and her parents recently deceased, Susannah Underhill agrees to go west to the Dakota territory to marry her minister's homesteading brother, Jesse. But Susannah is painfully shy, doesn't see herself as worthy of love from either a husband or from God, and lives in constant fear that Jesse is going to ship her back to Detroit.

In spite of her petite size and the fact that Susannah doesn't look like she could survive on the prairie, Jesse quickly discovers that his new wife is a greater blessing than he even hoped for. The years she spent as her father's veterinary assistant allow her to save Jesse's ox and twin calves and to help neighboring farmers with their animals.

But Susannah's feelings of unworthiness are deeply rooted, and she can't believe that Jesse's praise--or the tenderness and love he shows--could possibly last. The thawing of her heart seems almost as

distant as Spring in the midst of the winter blanketing the Dakota prairie.



Spring for Susannah is the debut novel for Catherine Richmond. A historical fiction, that takes place in Dakota Territory before there were many settlers. Susannah lost her parents and got married by proxy to Jesse Mason, brother of her Pastor at the church she attended. Jesse Mason paid her way to Dakota. Susannah never planned to be married, she had never dated and really never made friends. Susannah didn't want to any of this but did it to survive. Living in a Sod house and farming. Jesse is a kind man, loves God and has great faith in contrast Susannah didn't feel she was worthy of God's love or anyone elses. Despite her being a woman from the city she shows her strength by helping Jesse on the land to make it prosperous. In this story we watch Susannah transform for a shy, proper woman with little to no faith that God wants anything good for her to a strong, independent woman whose faith grows exponentially. This story is a beautiful story of the transforming power of unconditional love and friendship. The history was well researched, the characters real and you felt their happiness and struggles. This story was a fantastic first novel and I look forward to the other novels Catherine Richmond will write. I highly recommend this book to anyone especially those who enjoy historical fiction.

I received this book from Booksneeze to review for them.  I have not received anything for my review except this book.

Macarthur

When I requested this book from BookSneeze, I wasn't exactly sure what I was getting. I did not know much about MacArthur, but I hoped to remedy this fact by reading this book. And I did. MacArthur by Mitchell Yockelson and Stephen Mansfield tells the life story of Douglas MacArthur, starting with how his grandfather, a great judge, and his father, a hero in the War Between the States, influenced his life. This book details some of MacArthur's exploits in the Spanish-American War and tells of his heroics in World War I. But most of this book focuses on his leadership in the Pacific part of World War II where MacArthur really made his name. Then, of course, came his fall from grace, so to speak, during the Korean War.

One of the things I liked about this book was that it also told a great deal of MacArthur's personal life; it didn't just go from war to war, only telling about his exploits in those. MacArthur was a brave man; he like to lead from the front. When the Philippines were invaded, MacArthur had to be ordered to leave. Otherwise, he would have stayed with his men (and been captured, more than likely). He also was a family man; he was devoted to his mother and cared for her after his father died. He doted on his wife and son. I really enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend it, especially if you want to learn more about one of America's great heroes or the Pacific theater of World War II.

My review is done by myself with nothing paid to me.

I Used To Know That

As the 150th anniversary of the Civil War approaches, the fascination with all things Civil War continues ever more strongly. With I Used to Know That: Civil War, snippets of history class will come rushing back as you recall that:

•The mere election of Abraham Lincoln pushed seven Southern states to secede.

•Distinguished soldier and military strategist Robert E. Lee was offered command of the U.S. Army two days before he was chosen to lead the rebel army of Northern Virginia.

•Elizabeth Van Lew, a wealthy spinster who lived in the Confederate capital, feigned craziness to mask her activities as one of the Union’s most effective spies.

•Robert Smalls, a slave, absconded with a Confederate ship, went on to pilot ships for the Union Navy, and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives after the war.

Author Fred DuBose takes you beyond the history book and in a lively style brings to life colorful stories that include heroes, brilliant military strategists, blunderers, spies, wives on the home front, Underground Railroad facilitators, surgeons, and journalists who took the highs and lows of the war to the public.

As the 150th anniversary of the Civil War approaches, the fascination with all things Civil War continues ever more strongly. With I Used to Know That: Civil War, snippets of history class will come rushing back as you recall that.
•The mere election of Abraham Lincoln pushed seven Southern states to secede.
•Distinguished soldier and military strategist Robert E. Lee was offered command of the U.S. Army two
days before he was chosen to lead the rebel army of Northern Virginia•Elizabeth Van Lew, a wealthy spinster who lived in the Confederate capital, feigned craziness to mask her activities as one of the Union’s most effective spies.

•Robert Smalls, a slave, absconded with a Confederate ship, went on to pilot ships for the Union Navy, and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives after the war.

Author Fred DuBose takes you beyond the history book and in a lively style brings to life colorful stories that include heroes, brilliant military strategists, blunderers, spies, wives on the home front, Underground Railroad facilitators, surgeons, and journalists who took the highs and lows of the war to the public.

A Conflict of Interest

Alex Miller is a criminal defense attorney and, at thirty-five, the youngest partner in one of the most powerful law firms in New York City. He’s a man at the top of his game with the life he’s always dreamed of, complete with a loving wife, who remains patient with his long hours and high-stakes cases, and a beautiful young daughter.

At his father’s funeral, Alex meets Michael Ohlig—a mysterious and nearly mythic figure in the Miller family history—who presents Alex with a surprising request: to represent him in a high-profile criminal investigation . . . an alleged brokerage scam that has lost hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. Wealthy beyond words, Ohlig insists he’s done nothing wrong, and Alex, who’s experienced enough to know that clients always lie, uncharacteristically believes him.


But as the facts come out, shocking secrets are revealed that threaten everything Alex believes in—about the law, his family, and himself. But his desperate need for the truth propels Alex to unscrupulous depths, and to confront a past defined by deception and a future in jeopardy . . . with the realization that one false step could destroy everything Alex holds dear.


In an electrifying debut, the likes of which legal thriller fans have not seen since Scott Turow’s pulse-pounding thriller Presumed Innocent, Adam Mitzner tells a stunning story of suspense that heralds a bold new voice in fiction.

I was given a copy of this book to write an honest review of which I was not paid.

Living A Grateful Life

What a wonderful little book that really does remind us of all of the daily blessings that we often miss because of our busy lives.

In her writings the author reminds us of how our lives just might be a blessing to others, but more than that reminded me just how Blessed that I truly am, as I go along in my daily life, I often fail to notice the little things.

In this book the author shares stories that encouraged me to start noticing the extra- ordinary in ordinary days, because blessings abound all around us, if we only open our eyes and hearts to notice them. This book is broken down into five topical sections, they are a quiet space, finding meaning,making a difference,reinventing who you are, and a celebration of family and friends. Each topics are further broken down and have several mini stories that will uplift and inspire you. Ms. Michaud, has the amazing ability to paint a vivid picture as she weaves her words together in the stories she shares. Several of her stories really stick out in my mind, such as "A Time To Listen," she tells the reader about sitting in her backyard enjoying the sound of a chickadee.

In "The Perfect Apple Pie", a trip to an apple orchard has the author reminiscing about her grandmother, and in the "Garden Club" the author shares the immense blessing of spending a Tuesday afternoon weeding and tending garden with a group of senior citizens at a rehab facility. These are just a few of the stories that will enlighten and inspire the reader to find the joy in simple things, because truly we are Blessed. This book would make a wonderful gift, the pretty cover hints at the beautiful stories that the reader will find inside. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.