Book Club: Book Review of Whose Waves These Are: A Novel by Amanda Dykes

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I like finishing a book that makes me feel like I am saying goodbye to friends. Amanda Dykes' new book – Whose Waves These Are – is one such book. In the process of reading this story of the Bliss family, I felt like I had made the acquaintance of several new friends.

From the gorgeous cover to the wonderfully written words, I enjoyed this novel from Bethany House. Whose Waves These Are introduces readers to Ansel-by-the-Sea and takes us back to World War II as we read about Robert and Roy Bliss while in the modern era we read about Annie Bliss and Jeremiah Fletcher. As I implied before, the characters really come to life – how the ocean calls to Robert, the hope Roy provides, the love of Annie and her desire to help others, and finally the quiet, strong nature of Jeremiah.

From the back of the book

"In the wake of WWII, a grieving fisherman submits a poem to a local newspaper: a rallying cry for hope, purpose...and rocks. Its message? Send me a rock for the person you lost, and I will build something life-giving. When the poem spreads farther than he intended, Robert Bliss's humble words change the tide of a nation. Boxes of rocks inundate the harbor village on the coast of Maine, and he sets his callused hands to work."

I love how the tale of Robert Bliss intertwines with that of Annie Bliss. Amanda Dykes does a wonderful job of weaving the story together. The two parts of the tale – those set in the past and those set in 2001 – are integral to the whole lovely story of finding hope and love. Sometimes books that jump back and forth in time are clunky but not this debut novel. These easy transitions help make this book into one that you can't put down. I always wanted to know what happened next. What did Roy do in World War II? Why were those rocks in the boat shed? What was on the letter written to Jeremiah? All of these questions were answered in due course as I completed reading Whose Waves These Are.

We see how characters seek solace and hope in God woven throughout the novel. I believe the following to be the most important words of the entire book: "Life is big. And God is bigger."

I recommend Whose Waves These Are – I thoroughly enjoyed it. I admit to shedding a few tears while reading this novel. The characters and experience were that real to me. I look forward to seeing what else Amanda Dykes will bring to the printed page in the future.

You can learn more Amanda Dykes at her website. You can also find her on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

If you are looking for more of my book reviews please check out the following:

N is for Nightingale (Blogging Through the Alphabet)

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Clara Barton

One of the most important figures in modern nursing is Florence Nightingale. She is often credited with being the founder of the nursing profession as we know it today. Of course, other women have been influential in the field of medicine as pioneers such as Clara Barton, Elizabeth Blackwell, Rebecca Lee Crumpler, and Dorothea Dix.


Nightingale demonstrated a great concern for the ordinary soldier who was often not cared about during wars. They were just one of many who could easily be replaced. Too often, the generals and other leaders did not respect the sacrifice of the common soldier.

Early Life

Florence Nightingale was born on May 12, 1820 in Florence, Italy, where her parents were living abroad. She was named for the city in which she was born. Her early childhood and formative years were spent learning the social graces of being a lady of means as well as learning about languages, history, and philosophy. Her mother and father taught both her and her sister, Parthenope, while they were living on their family estates.

While on the family estates, Nightingale also saw the beginning of her calling developing. She enjoyed caring for the farmers on her father's estates when they fell ill and tended to the babies of families visiting the estate. During these years, she bucked tradition – turning down suitors and parties, instead studying health care reform and the treatment of the poor.

Eventually, Nightingale studied at the Institution of Deaconesses (a Protestant school for nurses) in Germany for four months. She would continue her education in Paris and eventually become superintendent of a woman's hospital in London – the Institute for the Care of Sick Gentlewomen.

The Crimean War

The Crimean War (1853-1856) was fought between Russia and the combined forces of Great Britain, France, the Ottoman Empire, and Sardinia. The war was fought for a number of reasons including: religious, commercial (or trade), and geographic reasons. This war would be the first to be covered by newspapers and photographers on the front which is probably one of the reasons why the war was so influential in the history of nursing.

The news arriving at home regarding the troops both saddened and angered British citizens. They heard rumors that troops did not have enough supplies and were dying under terrible conditions. The Secretary of War asked Nightingale to go to the Crimean Peninsula to aid in the care of the soldiers.

Nightingale left in October 1854 and arrived in November 1854 with 38 volunteer nurses and 15 Catholic nuns to help the overworked medical staff. Men were being ill treated and overlooked for many reasons including:

• Overworked staff
• Lack of medical supplies 
• Neglected hygiene 
• Mass infections
• Indifference to common soldier's needs 
• Lack of equipment to process food 
• Lack of cots and clean places to rest and sleep for the wounded 

Nightingale and her nurses had arrived after the Battle of Balaklava where about 250 of the British cavalrymen had been wounded or killed in under 20 minutes. The soldiers who arrived found themselves in an old Turkish barracks with rats and the above-mentioned problems. Nightingale planned to set things right to help the men. 

Changes Nightingale Made 

After seeing the disarray, Nightingale set out to make the dirty and poorly furnished make-shift hospital a better place for the wounded, the dying, and the men and women taking care of them. The men who were healthy enough she enlisted to help her clean up the place. She then set a nursing schedule into effect. She implemented better hygiene practices like hand washing and the sewers were also flushed which helped lower the death rate.

She would tour the wards at night with her lamp or stay up late at night writing letter after letter to request – no, demand – supplies for the hospitals and also write reports. She even set up classes for the men when they felt better and the hospital was running more smoothly so they could learn to read and write for themselves. This would provide them with the chance to write their own letters rather than relying upon the nurses.

Later Life 

Nightingale's work in the Crimean War left her ill and a semi-invalid. The world had come to her for her expertise and she delivered it. She would set up a nursing schooling in London and provided advice for the United States during the Civil War. The Lady with the Lamp, the first recipient of the Royal Red Cross, was such an important woman in the history of medicine.

If you enjoyed this post about Nightingale, perhaps you would like to read more about another famous woman – Elizabeth I. 

Please Join Us For Blogging Through the Alphabet

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• Amanda @ Hopkins Homeschool
• Kirsten @ DoodleMom Homeschool
• Jennifer @ A Peace of Mind
• Kimberley @ Vintage Blue Suitcase
• Christine @ Lifes's Special Necessities
• Yvonne @ The Life We Build
• Dawn @ Schoolin' Swag
• Wendy @ Life on Chickadee Lane
• Lori @ At Home: where life happens
• Kristen @ A Mom's Quest to Teach

Writing During the Month of June: Free Writing Prompts for your Homeschooling Family

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As we move into the warmer months, perhaps you are wrapping up your homeschooling year but are still on the lookout for some fun activities to do with your children. I know that we will continue working on different skills all summer long while having fun outdoors and going on day trips. One of the fun ways you can continue homeschooling through the summer is with writing prompts. Download your set of free writing prompts here and use the photo prompts that follow to build upon those writing skills for your children. 

Photo Prompts

All images are from Canva.com 

Looking for More Fun Ideas for this Summer? 

Crafts, games, or homeschooling year-round – no matter what you plan on doing this month to fill your days, I have some neat ideas for you and your family. 

We have reviewed several games on A Mom's Quest to Teach including Koala Capers, Cauldron Quest, and The Oregon Trail ®. 

Virtual Refrigerator: Weekly Art Link-Up

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It's time for another Art Post! 

We would like to extend an invitation to you and your children to share their artwork created while homeschooling. Each month we will host a link-up for you to share your posts about you or your children's art creation.

After you link up, please visit the other blogs and admire what they have shared from their fridges. You might find some inspiration to make a craft with your kids or to paint a new picture.

This week, I would like to share a few treasured pieces that my mom and grandmom made in ceramics quite a long time ago. My mom attended classes with my grandmom and aunt and they all made a number of pieces. 

Cookie Jar 

This never contained cookies at our house but it always held a place of honor on my mom's fridge. 

Christmas Carolers 

These were all up on my grandmom's windowsill and I have had them displayed in my home since her passing. After our younger children were born, they moved from an end table to the top of a bookshelf to prevent little hands from playing with them. 

My grandmom made the carolers while our son made the paper roll tree in the foreground.

Angel 

Unfortunately, my grandmom's angel broke this past year even though I had the wings wrapped and the entire angel wrapped. I think a box was sitting on top of the box where she was stored. I have set her aside to try and fix her. 

She was meant to carry or hold two candles in her hands.

Do you have any treasured art pieces in your home? 

Now it is time for you to link up! Only one more Wednesday left this month. 

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Book Club: Brides of Seattle Review

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After having read Under the Midnight Sun by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse, I looked for other works in our library by Peterson. I discovered the Brides of Seattle series and started reading.

Steadfast Heart: Book One

In Steadfast Heart, readers will find the tale of several ladies and the men in their lives. The two main characters are Lenore Fulcher and Abrianna Cunningham who are lifelong friends but live in different circumstances. This work of Christian fiction (one could argue historical fiction) is set in Seattle, Washington, in 1888 and primarily takes place at and around the Madison Bridal School.

There is a tale of love at first site within the pages of this fast-paced book. At first, I was credulous. How does someone fall in love and know whom they want to marry so quickly? Even with praying to God for assistance in such a lofty matter, how can one be sure? Then I was reminded of the fact that even though I had corresponded with my husband for a while prior to dating, some felt we became engaged and married too quickly. So perhaps, with the assistance of God, things can happen in a manner that would appear to be too quick for the rest of the world.

There is murder, intrigue, ill health, a missing sister, and illegal trading—among other nefarious goings-on in the city of Seattle. But the story of Lenore and Abrianna is not just one of sorrow. We see how Abrianna is able to help the less fortunate by providing food, clothing, and spiritual guidance. We also observe how Lenore and Kolbein Booth find a closer relationship with God over the course of Steadfast Heart.

Refining Heart: Book Two

We first met Militane Scott towards the end of Steadfast Heart as a new resident of the Madison Bridal school. In this story, we explore her story further—why she came to Seattle, why she is not seeking marriage, and why she is shy around men. In Refining Heart, readers gain insight into her view of God as well as that of Thane Patton's view. Both seem to have difficulty understanding how God can love them unconditionally.

Tracie Peterson also explores the lives of Abrianna Cunningham and her calling to help the poor. I highly enjoyed reading about Abrianna's opening of a food kitchen to serve lunch to her "friendless" people in Seattle. And I liked reading about the arrival of an unexpected but important figure in Abrianna's life.

In addition to reading about Militane and Thane, Abrianna and Wade, I also liked reading about the new Pastor—Pastor Walker from Texas—and his opinion of Abrianna, her aunts, and Wade's Bible Study at the food kitchen. The potential resolution of the interaction with Pastor Walker was also of great interest. It is also during Refining Heart that a fire sweeps through Seattle, destroying much of the city.

Love Everlasting: Book Three

The third book in the Brides of Seattle series tells of Abrianna and Wade and their engagement and all the obstacles that lead up to their wedding day. I was eagerly awaiting my chance to read this book as it was checked out when I returned Refining Heart to the library. In order to address why I did not really like Love Everlasting, I will have to share what could spoil your reading of the book.

***SPOILERS***

At the beginning of the book, Abrianna turns 21 and learns that she has come into an inheritance set aside by her three aunts. She wishes to use this money to rebuild her food kitchen (making it bigger and better than before the Seattle fire). Abrianna's money causes conflict between her and Wade as he does not want to use any of her money for their future life together. (This irked me to no end. Maybe I am too much of a 21st-century woman.)

After attempting to purchase property and being met by a very rude real estate agent, Abrianna's father, Jay, beats up the man who impugned his daughter's honor. This leads to Jay's arrest and his own pummeling by the police at the request of Priam Welby.

Priam Welby is back from the earlier books and even more evil than before. He continues to practice dubious business and hurts others through his actions. He threatens death to everyone that Abrianna holds dear to push her into a marriage with him. I understand that books need conflict to make a good story but I really would have liked to just see Abrianna and Wade get married and deal with the conflict of rebuilding his shop and their starting a life together.

***SPOILERS END***

I enjoyed the first two books of the series much more than the last but I would still recommend—if you enjoyed the first two—that you read the third. Love Everlasting will provide closure (and finally a happy ending) to the Brides of Seattle series.

If you enjoyed reading my review of the Brides of Seattle series, please check out my reviews of some other works of historical fiction and Christian fiction.