My heart broke for a young girl who carried too much… and I rejoiced for the young woman, who learned to love again. ~ Sheila

Anna has grown up haunted by her younger sister’s death. In the life she constructs as a barrier against the emotional wreckage of her family tragedy, Anna settles comfortably into a career as a teacher of deaf children. But a challenge arrives—in the form of a young girl. Adrea’s disarming vulnerability and obvious need for love offer Anna the possibility of reconnecting with the world around her—if she has the courage to open her heart.

Author, Rachel Stolzman sent me her book along with two to give away which I had done earlier, when I interviewed Rachel the end of July.  I was excited to finally have the opportunity to sit down with her book over the past few days and really let myself sink in to what this book was about.

The book opens with what I would think of as every parents worst nightmare… what is interesting is that this books focus is more on how the sister Anna has grown up with the grief of the loss of her sister.

With this book I entered a world I have not known… the world of sign language as Anna grows into adulthood and becomes a teacher for deaf children…  even adopting one of the children she has worked with, Adrea.  While reading through the new relationship struggles between Anna (now mother) and Andrea.. I found myself almost holding my breath to see how this would break down the barriers that Anna was still holding tight to in the loss of her sister.

This is a book where I learned more about a world of silence… that spoke volumes once I entered it.

I received this book from the author, Rachel Stolzman

I rate this book PG

I am… well, giddy. I have been looking forward to reading this book since the day it arrived and now that I have read it… I am still so excited about it! ~ Sheila

Erin and her twin brother, Bain, never expected to find that the cabin in the woods near their home is actually a secret entrance to a magical world. Surrounded by pegasi, dragons, and fairies, they discover new powers within themselves and a secret they have unknowingly been preparing for: they are training to become elves. Now they are faced with the decision to stay in this dream world or return home to the life they knew.

A spellbinding tale of fantasy and fairy tale, Älvor draws you into an enchanting world of all things magical.

Biography

Nearly a native of Idaho, she was born in Iowa and moved to Idaho at age four. She graduated from Ricks College with an Associates degree and from Boise State University with a Bachelor degree in Biology as well as certification to teach all science subjects in secondary education in the state of Idaho. In her backyard stands a dance studio where she teaches youth of all ages the lesser known, but much loved sport of clogging.

Her grandparents and other relatives live in the beautiful Pennsylvania hills where she adores visiting. She lives in Boise with her husband and five young children, including her own set of boy/girl twins.

As I opened the pages to this book I was thrilled to start reading and get a sense of Narnia…. and then a sense of Twilight, then Never Ending Story, Harry Potter, and dare I even say a small sense of Zelda?  Yet as I kept reading, and while each of those things about the book just made me more excited to read it – I closed the book last night knowing that while the book gave me a feel for some favorites I have known… Alvor is in a class all of its own.  Unique in its own right.

This book was everything I had hoped it would be.  I loved the vivid descriptions of all that their world held.  And I loved that when I read the final words… and I closed the book,  I had a feeling that it was not over.  And whatever that means, if Laura Bingham left it open for us the readers to come to our own conclusions of what happens next or if this is a hint of another book to come… I do not know.

I for one…. hope it is the later.

Author Laura Bingham made a post on her site about this review.  Please read it here.

I received this book as well as a giveaway copy from the author.

I would rate this book G, friendly for all audiences!

Its a whole different read when you have traveled the roads  described in a book… seen the sights and smelled the air of the beautiful northern country of Minnesota ~  Sheila

Northeastern Minnesota – home to what may well be America’s most unique national park – the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Over one million acres of unparalleled, primitive beauty that, to this day, remains unspoiled. A great roadless area where hundreds of years ago, Native People and French Voyageur alike, navigated over the innumerable lakes and rivers, using the sky-blue waters as their free-spirited highways.

It is in this remarkable place where Ray Maki has lived his entire life. For thirty-three years, Ray has been surrounded by old friends, strong family ties, and uncommon natural beauty. Ray feels blessed, and his life is a happy one…until one spring morning when Ray’s easy-going existence is jeopardized by a series of unexpected events…events that will test the limits of his character, and possibly bring an end to his rare way of life.

Author Greg Suhonen, as did every one of his paternal ancestors, eventually went on to work in the

iron ore mines of Northern Minnesota’s world famous Mesabi Iron Range. Thirty years later, after accepting an offer for early retirement, Greg went forward with his idea of writing a book. A book based on a cherished piece of lake property that has been owned by his family for more than eighty-five years – Pike Point.

He continues to live and work in the North Country, together with his daughter Vianna, and best friend Joan, wife of thirty-six years.

I spent some time this past weekend in one of my favorite spots in Minnesota, at a camp 15 miles up the Gunflint Trail in Grand Marais.  Along for the ride, came this book that was sent to me by author Greg Suhonen, Pike Point and The Good Lord’s Earth.

During a little down time in my day, I had the opportunity to sit on a dock on a sunny afternoon, overlooking Mink Lake and crack open this book.  It was interesting to read about areas that I had been to and I chuckled at the Finnish Immigrant character.

A great story about the boundary waters, great characters with lots of zip and a little bit of Minnesota history tied in makes for a book I will refer to again.

I received this book from the author Greg Suhonen

I rate this book PG