Book Review: JFK the last speech

JFK: The Last Speech explores the dramatic relationship between two seminal Americans—President John F. Kennedy and the poet Robert Frost—which reached its tragic climax in a surprising encounter with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev at the height of the Cold War.

Born out of these events is Kennedy’s remarkable speech about poetry and power, which alters the life course of a group of Amherst College classmates who witness this compelling address and continue to exemplify in their contemporary lives a portrait of the challenges facing America.

Purchase the Book: HERE

My Thoughts:

I did a lot of Kennedy Era studies during my undergrad. He was always such a fascinating historical figure. The conspiracies and such that surround Kennedy still linger today. I remember sitting in my Civil Rights class and reading about the last few months of Kennedy's life. This book was a very interesting read. I loved all the different perspectives that this book brings together. One of my favorite parts of history is the people's history. I love hearing it through people's recollections. One of my favorit parts of this book was found on page 132 "On November 22 1963, I was walking past the Octagon on the Amherst Campus when I heard that President Kennedy had been assassinated. I remember the exact spot. Kennedy's inaugaration speech resonated in my head." I know that my parents and grandma remember where they were when they heard about Kennedy. Reading this description by Steve Downs sent chills through my spine. The way that it was described I felt like I was there. When you hear everyone's different thoughts it brings history together. 

This book is incredibly researched. It is extrememly well written. It is a perfect gift for those that love history, presidential history and Civil Rights History. 

I recieved a copy of this book through Mascot Books. All thoughts are my own. 

Book Review: Kentucky Barracuda Parker Hardin French By Joe Goodbody

About the Book

Barracuda: A con man, hustler, or swindler. Or, to put it more directly: Parker Hardin French. Though a notorious scoundrel in his time, French has been relegated to a minor footnote in American antebellum and Civil War history. Through his research into primary sources, Joe Goodbody pieces together a picture of Parker Hardin French as he lived and schemed, bringing him out of the shadows and into the spotlight.

About the Author

I am a retired United States Army Colonel and corporate leader. My wife Carol and I have been married for fifty years with two sons and four grandchildren.

I learned about Parker Hardin French while working on family genealogy and researching great grandfather Francis (Frank) Alexander Goodbody (1828-1906). Frank was victimized by French as a member of the fraudster’s California bound gold rush expedition in 1850.  The endeavor faltered in mismanagement and collapsed in deception, fraud and forgery.

How did my great grandfather— whose family viewed as a smart, skeptical, and a very tough guy— get swindled? After seeing the Wikipedia article on Parker Hardin French, I became fascinated with the man and the story. Casual interest changed to intrigue and then to a six-year compulsive drive. I hit the web, gathered references, researched digitized records and newspapers, and visited historical archives and government record centers. Great Grandfather, I found, was not alone in being conned; he was in great company with foreign leaders, business tycoons, prominent politicians, frontier toughs and army officers. And, some of Parker French’s capers and antics were downright funny.

As I researched I discovered that his story was much more significant to history than previously documented. It also provides an interesting perspective on antebellum and civil war Americana.

While I proudly called myself a history buff before this research, I started questioning that characterization as I discovered elements of American history of which I was completely unaware. When asking other well-read acquaintances and even history professionals, I found that my ignorance was not atypical.

My Thoughts:

One of the things I love to discover, is new historical figures that I have not heard about. This was the case with Parker Hardin French. In this book you will meet Parker Hardin French. Born in 1826, in Kentucky. He loses his mother in his childhood and goes to stay with his uncle. He grew up and was intelligent, interesting and very charismatic. You follow his journey to Alton, Ill when he is 18 years old. While you continue on you will learn about all the swindling and hustling that he did. There were times that I was sitting there with my mouth wide open. I could not believe he got away with some of the stuff that he did! One of the things that I really enjoyed throughout this book was the extensive research of cities, people, family, etc. I learned a lot about during this journey. I love that the author has taken a lesser known historical character and brought him to life. This book is easy to follow. It is written with both the history buff and regular audience in mind. 

I received a copy of this book through the publisher, Mascot Books. All thoughts are my own.

Buy the book: HERE

Delayed Justice by Cara Putman. Review and giveaway.

About the Book

Book Title: Delayed Justice

Author: Cara Putman

Genre: Legal Romantic Suspense

Release date: October 15, 2018

She had long given up the desire to be loved. Now she only needed to be heard. 

Jaime Nichols went to law school to find the voice she never had as a child, and her determination to protect girls and women in the path of harm drives her in ways both spoken and unspoken. As Jamie, now a criminal defense attorney, prepares to press charges against someone who wronged her long ago, she must face not only her demons but also the unimaginable forces that protect the powerful man who tore her childhood apart.

Chandler Bolton, a retired veteran, is tasked with helping a young victim who must testify in court—and along with his therapy dog, Aslan, he’s up for the task. When he first meets Jaime, all brains, beauty, and brashness, he can’t help but be intrigued. As Chandler works to break through the wall Jaime has built around herself, the two of them discover that they may have more to offer one another than they ever could have guessed—and that together, they may be able to help this endangered child.

This thrilling installment of the Hidden Justice series explores the healing power of resolution and the weight of words given voice. And as Jaime pursues delayed justice of her own, she unearths eternal truths that will change the course of her life.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Since the time she could read Nancy Drew, Cara has wanted to write mysteries. In 2005 she attended a book signing at her local Christian bookstore. The rest, as they say, was history. There she met a fellow Indiana writer Colleen Coble. With prompting from her husband, Cara shared her dream with Colleen. Since those infamous words, Cara’s been writing award-winning books. She is currently working on book 30 and 31.

Cara Putman is an active member of ACFW, and currently serves on its Executive Board. She has also been the Indiana ACFW chapter president and served as the Area Coordinator for Indiana.

Cara is also an attorney, lecturer at a Big Ten university, active in women’s ministry, and all around crazy woman. Crazy about God, her husband and her kids that is. She graduated with honors from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Go Huskers!) and George Mason Law School, and Krannert School of Management. You can learn more about Cara at www.caraputman.com

Guest Post from Cara

Delayed Justice was a hard story to write.

I’d known from Beyond Justice that Jaime had a hard story, but I wasn’t sure exactly what it was. She tried to hide from her past. She tried hard, but in the end it slowly spilled out. A young girl wounded deeply by someone who should protect her. And now as a professional young woman, Jaime is still fighting the shadows.

She believes she’s okay, or as okay as she’ll ever be.

Instead, she has to learn that there’s so much more waiting for her. Freedom from the chains of a past she didn’t choose. A love that will never end. And a God who has always loved her even when she questions His existence because of her past.

I think we’ve all lived that. There’s a place in our hearts that seems beyond His reach. For some of us, it’s a barrier to knowing Him. To others of us, it makes us question what we thought we knew about God. And for others of us, it presses us deeply into Him. Jaime’s book, Delayed Justice, explores this space. The space where some days we scream at the heavens Where are you, God? And the days we just curl into ourselves because life is too hard.

And in that space of shadow and light, God ultimately shines brightest. This is a truth that is slowly revealed through friends and The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe.

My Thoughts

This is book 3 in the Hidden Justice series. While it is part of a series you can read this as a standalone . It is a Christian legal thriller. It does deal with the topic of sexual abuse .However the way that the author presents it is with grace. I really enjoy the way the author writes .Her characters are so real feeling .You can feel the pain and trauma that they experience. This book takes you on twists and turns. You will go on an adventure. What a great reminder of how God has a plan for all of us .He is all redeeming. 

I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program. All thoughts are my own. 

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 29

Fiction Aficionado, September 29

The Avid Reader, September 29

The Power of Words, September 29

The Christian Fiction Girl, September 29

The Lit Addict, September 30

BBHfiction, September 30

Painting with Words, September 30

Real World Bible Study, September 30

Janices book reviews, September 30

cherylbbookblog, October 1

Where Faith and Books Meet, October 1

Back Porch Reads, October 1

Cafinated Reads, October 1

Faithfully Bookish, October 1

Because I said so – adventures in Parenting, October 2

Lighthouse Academy, October 2

Livin Lit, October 2

Inklings and notions, October 2

Bigreadersite, October 2

All-of-a-kind Mom, October 3

Reading Is My SuperPower, October 3

The Becca Files, October 3

Blogging With Carol, October 3

Lights in a Dark World, October 3

Genesis 5020, October 4

Cathe Swanson, October 4

Spoken from the Heart, October 4

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, October 4

100 Pages per Hour, October 5

Multifarious, October 5

Book by Book, October 5

Splashes of Joy, October 5

Rockin’ My Mom Jeans, October 6

Mary Hake, October 6

Godly Book Reviews, October 6

Two Points of Interest, October 6

C Jane Read, October 7

Daysong Reflections , October 7

Bibliophile Reviews, October 7

Buy, Borrow, Skip, October 7

The Mimosa Blossom, October 8

Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 8

Book Bites, Bee Stings, and Butterfly Kisses, October 8

Maureen’s Musings, October 8

Just the Write Escape, October 9

Simple Harvest Reads, October 9 (Guest Post from Mindy Houng)

Remebrancy, October 9

Carpe Diem, October 9

Quiet Quilter, October 10

Margaret Kazmierczak, October 10

At the Fence, October 10

By The Book, October 10

God is Love, October 11

A Baker’s Perspective, October 11

proud to be an autism mom, October 11

Texas Book-aholic, October 11

Henry Happens, October 12

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, October 12

Have A Wonderful Day, October 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Cara is giving away a grand prize package that includes a Courage Dear Heart bracelet, a The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe print, a copy of Delayed Justice, and a box of Turkish Delight!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d5c4/delayed-justice-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Review: Everything She Didn't Say By: Jane Kirkpatrick

ABOUT THE BOOK

In 1911, Carrie Strahorn wrote a memoir entitled Fifteen Thousand Miles by Stage, which shared some of the most exciting events of 25 years of traveling and shaping the American West with her husband, Robert Strahorn, a railroad promoter, investor, and writer. That is all fact. Everything She Didn't Sayimagines Carrie nearly ten years later as she decides to write down what was really on her mind during those adventurous nomadic years.

Certain that her husband will not read it, and in fact that it will only be found after her death, Carrie is finally willing to explore the lessons she learned along the way, including the danger a woman faces of losing herself within a relationship with a strong-willed man and the courage it takes to accept her own God-given worth apart from him. Carrie discovers that wealth doesn't insulate a soul from pain and disappointment, family is essential, pioneering is a challenge, and western landscapes are both demanding and nourishing. Most of all, she discovers that home can be found, even in a rootless life.

With a deft hand, New York Times bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick draws out the emotions of living--the laughter and pain, the love and loss--to give readers a window not only into the past, but into their own conflicted hearts. Based on a true story.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jane is internationally recognized for her lively presentations and well-researched stories that encourage and inspire.

A New York Times Bestselling author, her works have appeared in more than 50 national publications including The Oregonian, Private Pilot and Daily Guideposts. With more than 1.5 million books in print, her 30 novels and non-fiction titles draw readers from all ages and genders. Most are historical novels based on the lives of actual historical women often about ordinary women who lived extraordinary lives. Her works have won numerous national awards including the WILLA Literary Award, the Carol Award, USABestBooks.com, Will Roger's Medallion Award and in 1996, her first novel, A Sweetness to the Soul, won the prestigious Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage and National Cowboy Museum. Her novels have also been finalists for the Spur Award, the Oregon Book Award, the Christy, Reader's Choice and the WILLA in both fiction and non-fiction. Several titles have been Literary Guild and Book of the Month choices and been on the bestsellers list for independent bookstores across the country, in the Pacific Northwest and the Christian Booksellers Association. Her books have been translated into German, Dutch, Finnish and Chinese

                                                                 MY THOUGHTS

I am a huge fan of this author - I was thrilled to get the opportunity to read this book. The author is very talented and her stories bring history to life. In this story, you meet Carrie. She details her journey west along with her husband. Her husband works for the Union Pacific railroad. He starts the beginning of towns that were popping up along the railroad. We see that she was not happy in her marriage, it was nothing like she had expected. This wasthe way of the Pioneer woman. The author has done careful research to create this story. 

I receive a copy of this book through the Revell Reads blogging program. All thoughts are my own. 

Book Review and Giveaway: The Christmas Prayer By: Wanda E. Brunstetter

About the Book

Book Title: The Christmas Prayer

Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter

Genre: Historical Christmas Romance

Release date: September, 2018

Beloved, bestselling author of Amish fiction, Wanda E. Brunstetter takes readers on a journey in 1850 along the California Trail.

Only the brave—or foolhardy—would attempt a cross-country journey late in the season. Three wagons meet up in Independence, Missouri, in April 1850, and their owners decide to keep forging ahead despite many setbacks and delays. December finds them in the Sierra Nevada Mountains when a sudden snowstorm traps them, obscuring the trail.

Cynthia Cooper is traveling with her mother and the man she has promised to marry. But as Christmas is upon them and they are hunkered down in a small cabin, she is forced to reevaluate her reasons for planning to marry fellow-traveler Walter Prentice. When a widowed father heading to a California ranch and a gold prospector both show an interest in Cynthia, she weighs her dreams for marriage alongside her responsibility to care for her mother. Can love win over her timid heart?

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written close to 90 books translated in four languages. With over 10 million copies sold, Wanda’s stories consistently earn spots on the nations most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.

Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com.

Guest Post from Wanda

A cross-country journey in 1850 leads to high mountain danger—and romance.

Only the brave—or foolhardy—would attempt a cross-country journey late in the season. Three wagons meet up in Independence, Missouri, in April 1850, and their owners decide to keep forging ahead despite many setbacks and delays. December finds them in the Sierra Nevada Mountains when a sudden snowstorm traps them, obscuring the trail.

Cynthia Cooper is traveling with her mother and the man she has promised to marry. But as Christmas is upon them and they are hunkered down in a small cabin, she is forced to reevaluate her reasons for planning to marry fellow-traveler Walter Prentice. When a widowed father heading to a California ranch and a gold prospector both show an interest in Cynthia, she weighs her dreams for marriage alongside her responsibility to care for her mother. Can love win over her timid heart?

Find out in The Christmas Prayer from NY Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter.

Try this Exclusive Bonus Recipe Found Inside the Book!

Cynthia’s Fried Apples

Instructions:

Without peeling, quarter as many tart apples as you would like. Lay apples close together, skin side down, in frying pan with salt pork fat or butter. Cover until well steamed then uncover and brown both sides, turning and watching closely to prevent burning.

My Thoughts

Wanda Brunstetter is one of my favorite authors. I was excited to read this book. It was a quick and easy read. I was very sad when it was all over. A Christmas Prayer is a historical novel that takes us on a cross-country journey back in 1850 with three wagons headed to California. Each has their own story to tell. Each are so brave to go into the unknown. This is not your typical Wanda story. It is full of adventure, danger and so much more. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. 

I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program. All thoughts are my own. 

Blog Stops

Among the Reads, September 18

The Avid Reader, September 18

The Power of Words, September 18

Lighthouse Academy, September 18

Just Commonly, September 19

Carpe Diem, September 19

A Baker’s Perspective, September 19

Blossoms and Blessings, September 20

Britt Reads Fiction, September 20

Random Thoughts From a Bookworm, September 20

Connie’s History Classroom, September 21

Luv’N Lambert Life, September 21

Not Enough Time for Books, September 21

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, September 22

Lis Loves Reading, September 22

Literary Reflections Book Blog, September 22

Babs Book Bistro, September 23

Jeanette’s Thoughts, September 23

Janices book reviews, September 23

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, September 24

Mary Hake, September 24

Two Points of Interest, September 24

Inspiration Clothesline, September 25

Inklings and notions, September 25

Ashley’s Bookshelf, September 25

Fiction, Faith, and Fun, September 26

Girls in White Dresses, September 26

Book by Book, September 26

Splashes of Joy, September 27

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, September 27

The Morning Chapter, September 27

The Mimosa Blossom, September 28

Pause for Tales, September 28

Have A Wonderful Day, September 28

Miss Tina’s Amish Book Reviews, September 29

To Everything A Season, September 29

Cafinated Reads, September 29

Bibliophile Reviews, September 29

Quiet Quilter, September 30

Southern Gal Loves to Read, September 30

proud to be an autism mom, September 30

Texas Book-aholic, October 1

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 1

Bigreadersite, October 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Wanda is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a free copy of The Christmas Prayer with an autographed book plate inside!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d297/the-christmas-prayer-celebration-tour-giveaway