Book Review - Thomas Paine and the Dangerous Word by Sarah Jane Marsh + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Thomas Paine was born a corset maker's son. He was expected to follow his father's footsteps. However, when Thomas was given the opportunity to attend school, his entire world opened up.  His destiny changed when he befriends Benjamin Franklin. Thomas traveled to America in 1774 and right into the cusp of the American Revolution. Using his talent for the written word, he penned a pamphlet to help persuade the American people to rally for Independence against the British.

The book had a beautiful artwork along with artfully done prose. The biography of Thomas Paine was engaging and fun to read. It was in an easy to understand and digestible format. I only wished all my history books were done in this format! A great book for any reader who loves American History or has an interest in the American Revolution.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Title: THOMAS PAINE AND THE DANGEROUS WORD

Author: Sarah Jane Marsh

Pub. Date: May 29, 2018

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 80

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, TBD

"The mind once enlightened cannot again become dark."

As an English corset-maker's son, Thomas Paine was expected to spend his life sewing women's underwear. But as a teenager, Thomas dared to change his destiny, enduring years of struggle until a meeting with Benjamin Franklin brought Thomas to America in 1774-and into the American Revolution. 

Within fourteen months, Thomas would unleash the persuasive power of the written word in Common Sense-a brash wake-up call that rallied the American people to declare independence against the mightiest empire in the world. 

This fascinating and extensively researched biography, based on numerous primary sources, will immerse readers in Thomas Paine's inspiring journey of courage, failure, and resilience that led a penniless immigrant to change the world with his words.

About Sarah:

Sarah Jane Marsh is a writer of children's narrative nonfiction and author of THOMAS PAINE AND THE DANGEROUS WORD (Disney-Hyperion, May 2018) and MOST WANTED: JOHN HANCOCK AND SAMUEL ADAMS (Disney-Hyperion, 2020).

Sarah has taught American Revolution history in elementary and middle school. Like Thomas Paine, Sarah attempted several adventurous careers (zookeeping, dolphin training, firefighting), before earning an MBA from the University of Vermont where she studied organizational change. 

Also like Paine, Sarah believes in lifelong learning and speaking out for social action.  She works with her community on youth suicide prevention, Adverse Childhood Experiences education, and meeting basic student needs.

Sarah lives with her family outside of Seattle. THOMAS PAINE AND THE DANGEROUS WORD is her first book.

Representation: Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of THOMAS PAINE AND THE DANGEROUS WORD, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
  
Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2752/?

Tour Schedule:

Week Two:

6/4/2018- Savings in Seconds- Review

6/5/2018- Bri's Book Nook- Review

6/6/2018- A Gingerly Review- Review

6/7/2018- For the Love of KidLit- Interview

6/8/2018- Two Points of Interest- Review

Book Review - Red Sky Over America by Tamera Lynn Kraft + Giveaway

 Photo Source - Amazon

In 1857, slavery is still common and accepted practice in the South. However, William and America are abolitionists and want to confront and end the evil practice. America is the daughter of a prominent slave owner. She believes owning slaves is immoral and want to become a missionary to spread her faith in China. William travels around the country preaching the evils of slavery. Together William and America find themselves struggling to spread the abolitionist idea. Will she be able to help slaves escape if it means going against her father? Will William and America be able to put their differences aside and work together to spread the message?

The novel portrayed a vivid experience of two different people with the same ideals. America's family has owned slaves her entire life. She is torn between the life she knew from birth and the ideals she wants. William's family has always followed the path of abolition. It was interesting to see two people who like each other try to accept each other different point of views while trying to compromise their own beliefs. While the book was an enjoyable read, I found it to be a bit of a slower cozy read than I normally read.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

About the Book

Title: Red Sky over America
Author: Tamera Lynn Kraft
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: February 11, 2018

In 1857, America, the daughter of a slave owner, is an abolitionist and a student at Oberlin College, a school known for its radical ideas. America goes home to Kentucky during school break to confront her father about freeing his slaves.

America’s classmate, William, goes to Kentucky to preach abolition to churches that condone slavery. America and William find themselves in the center of the approaching storm sweeping the nation and may not make it home to Ohio or live through the struggle.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Tamera Lynn Kraft has always loved adventures. She loves to write historical fiction set in the United States because there are so many stories in American history. There are strong elements of faith, romance, suspense and adventure in her stories. She has received 2^nd place in the NOCW contest, 3^rd place TARA writer’s contest, and is a finalist in the Frasier Writing Contest and has other novellas in print. She’s been married for 39 years to the love of her life, Rick, and has two married adult children and two grandchildren.

Tamera has been a children’s pastor for over 20 years. She is the leader of a ministry called Revival Fire For Kids where she mentors other children’s leaders, teaches workshops, and is a children’s ministry consultant and children’s evangelist and has written children’s church curriculum. She is a recipient of the 2007 National Children’s Leaders Association Shepherd’s Cup for lifetime achievement in children’s ministry.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tamera is giving away a themed basket with autographed books of Resurrection of Hope, Alice’s Notions, Red Sky Over America, a copy of Uncle Tom’s Cabin (the book is mentioned in the novel) and a copy of Then Sings My Soul (stories about the hymns), plus a $10 Amazon Card!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/cebb/red-sky-over-america-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Review - The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin

Photo Credit - Amazon

When a blizzards strands travelers in Salt Lake City, two strangers decide to charter a plane together hoping to return home to their loved ones. Ashley Knox is a magazine writer who is en route to her wedding. Ben Payne is a talented surgeon on his way home from a conference. Unfortunately, life doesn't always go as we planned and the duo find themselves badly injured and stranded miles away from civilization. With their chances of survival looking dim, the two will have to rely on each other more than they have relied on anyone else. As resources wear thin, the duo find that they have a connection that might be able to evolve into something more. Will Ben and Ashley  be able to survive? Will Ashley and Ben try to explore their bond if they make it out alive?

A gripping and suspenseful tale of two people who looking for happiness while being stranded. Throw away all preconceptions about this book. It's not your normal run of the mill "survival" novel or "two strangers fall in love while clinging to life". This novel will melt your soul and make you want the love that Ben has and Ashley craves.  There were times, I did get annoyed at the book though. The author went into minute details and I felt like it detracted from the story. However, I am sure there will be other readers who think it adds to the story as it makes the reader feel like they were actually there. Overall, a beautifully done novel and I can't wait to see the film!

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion**

Book Review - Love Held Captive (Lone Star Hero #3) by Shelley Shepard Gray

Photo Source - Amazon

Major Ethan Kelly and Captain Devin Monroe served together in the Civil War and were both POW together in the same camp. While their past has a common thread, little do they know that thread will also be a unifying factor in their futures. 

During the Civil War, the resources were tight and Ethan had to order his men to raid nearby homes for supplies to feed his troops. However, after one search and seizure of a woman's home, Ethan is unable to absolve himself of her sad and pitiful look during the raid. As he tries to move on, Ethan crosses path with the woman and he intends to right his wrong. However, Lizbeth Barclay has a dark secret and while Ethan is trying to make amends, Lizbeth has a tough time trusting his intentions.

Devin Monroe's life isn't much different after the war. He continues to live his bachelor life until he crosses path with Julianne Van Fleet. He becomes enamored and pursues her to be his bride. However, he finds out the source of Miss Van Fleet's seclude life and dark past. He struggles to come to terms with the truth. Devin and Ethan turn to each other for support, but when they find out someone from their past is the source of their women's misery, they decide to put an end to it. Will Devin be able to forgive Julianne? What is the dark secret that is clouding Lizbeth's heart? 

I have read several of Miss Gray's work and I thoroughly enjoyed them. While this is the first one of her novels I have read that isn't of an Amish theme, I must say I was a bit disappointed. I have read several books of historic (and Civil War) romance novels, but Miss Gray let me down with this novel. The book was filled with intrigue and had an interesting story line, but I felt portions of the book was drawn out and stuffed with filler and then the few last pages were written in haste. I am hoping this was an anomaly, but I would continue reading her future books.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - To Wager Her Heart (Belle Meade Plantation, #3) by Tamera Alexander

Photo Source - Amazon

Alexandra was like every other girl until a deadly train accident changes the course of her life. The Dutchman Curve accident claimed the life of Alexandra's beloved finance. When her father declares she must marry an older gentleman, Alexandra must make a choice -- will she marry according to her father's wish or will she marry for love?

Sylas Rutledge is the owner of the Northeast Line Railroad but also his father was one of the conductors involved in the train accident. He is determined to make his new venture a success and provide his father's innocence. However, since Sylas is from Colorado he has trouble with the Southern etiquette and enlists Alexandra's help. Will Alexandra be able to forget that Sylas's dad is responsible for her fiancee's death? Will Sylas's be able to prove his father's innocence?

When I first read the summary for the novel, it seem like the novel was going to be based more around Sylas's business venture and Alexandra teaching him the Southern ways. However, I felt that portion of the story took the back burner and it became more focused on Alexandra's life at the Fisk University. The novel had a lot of mini stories going on and I felt the author left the ending open for another novel to follow but I felt the novel lacked depth for me to continue reading more. I felt that the novel was longer by several chapters than it needed to be and some aspects of the novel was given a few words while other mini stories had unnecessary chapters dedicated to it.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - A Name Unknown (Shadows Over England #1) by Roseanna M. White

Photo Credit - Amazon

Rosemary Gresham was an orphaned at a young age when her family became sick. She was taken in by a bar owner along with a band of other orphans. Together, they rob from wealthy to survive in the streets. However, a wealthy gentleman approaches Rosemary to spy on a British citizen to determine if his loyalties lie with Britain or Germany. The mysterious gentleman knows more about Rosemary and is offering her a great deal of money that her family desperately needs.  

Peter Holstein has dual citizenship with Germany and Britain which causes people to mistrust him. His neighbors think he sympathizes with Germany and terrorize him whenever he goes. Peter is quite elegantly with the written word and is an established writer but writes under a pen name because of his German name.  When Rosemary arrives at his door and willing to help him look through his files to prove his loyalty to England; Peter believes his prayers has been answered. Will Rosemary be able to prove where Peter's true loyalty lie? Will Peter be able to fight for his happiness?

The novel had an interesting premise but I felt the book was about 100 pages to long. I felt that it dragged on and it had a lot of unnecessary fluff pieces. The ending had a bit of a twist but it wasn't enough to warrant me to ever want to read this book again. I wasn't very fond of Rosemary either, that she thinks that because the wealthy has so much that she is entitled to steal from them. They wanted the wealthy to treat them with respect and they found several people from the gentle class who treated her with respect but yet they continue to act that everyone who is wealthy deserves to be stolen from. If they don't want to be disrespected they shouldn't treat other people that way.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**