Book Club: Book Review of The Burning of Rosemont Abbey

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review or be compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you.

Who wouldn't love a good murder mystery where the suspense is palatable, but it is not a story filled with gore? Naomi Stephens has succeeded in writing an excellent work of Christian fiction set in 1956. In The Burning of Rosemont Abbey, readers join Louisa Everly on her journey to exonerate her twin brother, Paul Everly. 

About the Book 

In 320 pages, Naomi Stephens introduces a set of characters who live in a quiet English village. These characters come to life under her skillful words and sentences. We first join the story on the night of the fire at Rosemont Abbey. Louisa was alone in the kitchen quite happy one moment, and the next she felt the death of her brother. 

Throughout the novel, we join Louisa as she tries to find out what happened to Paul and whether or not he actually set fire to Rosemont Abbey. She seeks to prove his innocence whether she has to do it by herself or with the help of a recently returned friend of Paul's. Inspector Malcom Sinclair – who had once been Paul's close friend – heads up the investigation. Louise eventually shares the information she has with Malcom. And as readers, we see the pieces fall into place that will help resolve the story.

My Thoughts 

I wasn't sure what to expect when I requested The Burning of Rosemont Abbey to review. While I really enjoy historical fiction, I often prefer those set further back in time than 1956. But this novel was a joy to read. 

The pace of the story was just right. As we uncovered details and clues with Louisa, it was only to be expected that we would want to keep reading. I ended up reading the final third of the book in one night. I needed to see: 

• If Paul was innocent. 
• If David Ashworth really loved Louisa. 
• If Louis's aunt and uncle would support her decisions. 
• If Malcom would figure out who was causing havoc in Wilbeth Green. 

What else did I like about The Burning of Rosemont Abbey? Louisa was a likeable character. She was headstrong but not to the point where I questioned her wisdom. I also loved the way Stephens wrote the book. For example, these sentences are very well crafted: 

"And though Louisa knew he was merely goading Mrs. Watson, she was also struck by the sudden and rather silly notion that she was growing entangled with the kind of boy who had sometimes skipped choir practice." (141) 

"'It really was like a fortress, wasn't it?' she whispered. 'How terrible it is, knowing that such a mighty structure can fall so easily...'" She shivered, her words trailing off. 

The vicar smiled gently. 'God's Word still stands, Miss Everly, and that's enough.'" (244) 

I would recommend The Burning of Rosemont Abbey to those who enjoy Christian fiction, mysteries, suspense, and historical fiction. 

Book Club: Book Review: Of Gold and Shadows

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review or be compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you.

What a wonderful book! Of Gold and Shadows by Michelle Griep ticked so many boxes for me. This paperback from Bethany House is set in 1888 England, with the main characters connecting over the need to properly identify and value a set of Egyptian artifacts. There is adventure, romance, and intrigue all rolled up into a quick read! 

About the Book 

The story starts out during a dark evening in an Oxford cemetery. Ami Dalton is conducting business which will net her an Egyptian artifact that she can supply to a British museum. We next jump to Edmund Price who is returning to Oxford after being abroad in India for eight years. As one of the most eligible bachelors, he is besieged by women who want to woo him. How do the two of them connect? Edmund needs someone to appraise his newly acquired collection of Egyptian artifacts so he can sell them. He seeks out Ami's father who is on a dig in Egypt. Ami offers her services and the rest is history. 

While going through the collection of Egyptian artifacts in Of Gold and Shadows, Ami discovers a piece that is cursed – the golden griffin. This brings about many interesting adventures, including injuries attributed to the cursed griffin and other incidents. Does the curse of Amentuk really exist, though? Ami reminds everyone who will listen that Egyptian curses aren't real and that they should seek their faith in God.

In addition to the appraisal  of the artifacts, Ami and Edmund being to fall in love with each other. But what book wouldn't be complete without complications? These complications include a reading difficulty, another woman, and a kidnapping.

What I Think About Of Gold and Shadows 

I would read Of Gold and Shadows over and over again! My hope is that these characters will be seen in another book, because I really want to learn more about them. 

I appreciated how Christianity and the faith of Ami and Edmund was woven very naturally into the story. There was discussion of Egyptian curses and religion, but Ami was always very firm in her beliefs.

My only complaint is in reference to Ami and her father's desire to see the Egyptian artifacts retired to Egypt. The author, Michelle Griep, does discuss this in the back of the book (with other notes about magic lanterns and palmistry). The view of returning items to the original countries was not one commonly held in Victorian England. I felt that this was allowing modern viewpoints to take too firm of a hold in a work of historical fiction.

Overlooking my one complaint, I can still highly recommend Of Gold and Shadows. 

Are you interested in learning more about Egypt? 

I have several Blogging Through the Alphabet posts in which I talk about Egyptian history, gods, and goddesses.

• K is for Khnum (Blogging Through the Alphabet)
• I is for Imhotep (Blogging Through the Alphabet)
• R is for Ramses the Great (Blogging through the Alphabet)
• M is for Mummies (Blogging through the Alphabet)
• B is for Bastet (Blogging through the Alphabet)
• I is for the goddess Isis (Blogging through the Alphabet)

Another Great Logic Game: A Review of IQ® Gears

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this product from the Timberdoodle in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review or be compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you.

Gear up for some fun with IQ® Gears from Smart Games! From easy to expert, be prepared to build critical thinking skills while working through 120 challenges. 

We have the privilege of adding IG® Gears to our homeschool day, courtesy of Timberdoodle. This unique logic puzzle is part of the 2024 10th Grade Curriculum. Whether you homeschool one child or several, this is perfect for those moments when you are busy and need to occupy your child(ren), but you want them to build their critical thinking skills.

What do you get? 

• 1 game board 
• 7 puzzle pieces with gears 
• 1 booklet with 120 challenges and solutions 
• 1 convenient carrying case 

Why is this a Great Logic Game? 

IQ® Gears allows you and your children to work independently on concentration, problem-solving, and logic. Or you can work on puzzles together on the couch. I've found that having an extra set of eyes sometimes helps you see the answer you missed. 

In order to play this logic game, you will need to remove all the puzzle pieces from the game board. After you pick a challenge, you will place the indicated piece(s) onto the gameboard as shown in the challenge. Next, it is your job to place all the puzzle pieces onto the gameboard. All the pieces should fit and create a connection between the big gears on the right and the left of the game board. This is how you win the challenge. You can see if the gears match up by spinning  There is only one solution for each puzzle. 

What Do We Think? 

Like other games we have reviewed from Smart Games, our children quickly grabbed IQ® Gears to work on in their rooms. Our nine-year-old daughter had it in her room for a few weeks before I had to grab it again so I could share our thoughts.

They enjoy puzzle-solving video games, so I am always happy to introduce something low-tech for them to do offline. And with five levels (starter to wizard), they will be able to continue using IQ® Gears for years to come. 

Just like the Zig Zag Puzzler and IQ Waves, IQ® Gears is perfect for car rides. It's compact and easy to take with you in your bag or backpack. In addition to car rides, it's perfect for waiting rooms or restaurants. Why give your child(ren) a phone or tablet to keep them busy, when you can build their critical thinking skills? 

Are You Looking For More Ways to Build Critical Thinking Skills? 

Check out these reviews of other great products offered through Timberdoodle: 

• Thinking Critically and Creatively: A Review of Critical & Creative Thinking Activities 
• Dice, Decks, and Boards: Penguins Huddle Up™ Game 
• Dice, Decks, and Boards: Navigate the High Seas through Critical Thinking 

Book Club: Book Review of Meeting Her Match

 

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review or be compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you.

Reading historical fiction can be so much fun (especially reading a good one on vacation)! I was lucky enough to start reading Meeting Her Match by Jen Turano while on vacation. It was the perfect book to read while soaking up the sun. So, while Meeting Her Match, the third book in The Matchmaker Series, is set in West Virginia, I was introduced to Owen and Camilla down the shore.

About the Book 

The story opens with a chase through the Hudson River Valley in the Spring of 1889. Our heroine, Miss Camilla Pierpont, is riding with her companion, Lottie, when unknown assailants attempt to kidnap her. It's during this escapade that Camilla meets Owen who is there to meet her.

Owen Chesterfield is seeking help to make a refined lady out of his sister, Luella. There have been some pretty disastrous run-ins between the Chesterfield and the Murchendorfer families of Wheeling, West Virginia. Eventually, Camilla agrees to help and travels to West Virginia. 

Of course, helping Luella isn't the only plot point of Meeting Her Match. Camilla herself is facing potential matchmaking as is Lottie, Owen's grandmother, and others.

My Thoughts 

This is a really fun book. From Camilla's pets to a surly pig named Esmerelda, there are quite a few humorous and well-written moments. The family and friends of the main characters, while not at the center of the story, jump off the page and invite the reader to learn more about them. 

The description of the homes, furniture, and clothing also brings the novel to life. While reading Meeting Her Match, I could feel myself sitting on the yellow sofa and hearing the swish of period dresses. 

I would recommend Meeting Her Match for those who enjoy historical fiction.

Learning to Draw in Nature: A Review of The Nature Explorers Drawing Guide for Kids

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this product from the Timberdoodle in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review or be compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you.

Would your children like to learn about drawing? Do you want to include nature journals in your homeschool routine? The Nature Explorers Drawing Guide for Kids is a great tool to help your children learn to draw most of the animals they will see during nature walks, and it presents fun and interesting facts about the animals, too. This paperback book is part of the 2024 Third-Grade Curriculum Kit from Timberdoodle. 

About the Book 

The Nature Explorers Drawing Guide for Kids presents step-by-step instructions for each animal presented to help your children get started. It provides: 

• An introduction to nature exploration 
• 40 step-by-step drawing instructions 
• Drawing techniques and tips
• 15 2-page nature journal pages 

This 128-page paperback book includes such animals and plants as: 

• Fox
• Moose
• Robin
• Seagull
• Maple leaf
• Saguaro Cactus
• Bumble bee 

Each animal and plant featured has a one-page drawing instruction page and one page dedicated to a critter profile, observations you can make, and a tip.

What Do We Think? 

I love the fact that the book does not start with two or three simple steps and then jumps to finishing up with a very complicated final drawing. The artist presents realistic expectations for the children (and parents who are drawing along with their children). 

I found the steps very simple to follow as did our 11-year-old son. Our 9-year-old daughter was a bit more picky because her drawings did not turn out the way she wanted them to. But the more nature walks we take, the better her drawings will be with practice. 

It is a great size! You can easily stow it away in a backpack or bag to take with you on your nature walks. We even took it with us on vacation.

I would highly recommend The Nature Explorers Drawing Guide for Kids to parents of children ages 6+ whether you homeschool or not!

Note to Christian Parents: There is a brief introduction to Charles Darwin as a naturalist. Nothing is mentioned about evolution in this description. 

Looking To Study More Art? 

Please check out my review of another great art-themed product from Timberdoodle: 

• Art History for All Ages: A Review of Have I Got a Story For You! Downloadable Art History Video Series (Renaissance)