Book Review - Stubborn Life - By Franceska Michalska - Publication Date: 5 November 2024

 What an incredible journey of travesty yet overlaid with the stubborness to survive!  Definitely this has been a memoir of one who was in survival of the fittest mode.

Author Franceska Michalska tells it like it was, no holds barred.  Her story of displacement after displacement with harrowing journeys from Volhynia (Poland Belarus Ukraine), Kazakstan and her native Poland during WWII.  The abuse and cruelty of captors, mainly Russian was exponential.  Enduring starvation, fear, sub-zero temps, hard labor, and more, she lived by her wits and managed an education and a medical degree by snips and snaps.  

This book has been translated from Polish into English by Sean Gasper Bye.  In my opinion it is has been good for me to learn of these things.  It feels like the people in these Eastern Europian regions have had it even worse than those in western zones.  One would definitely not wish to have this happen all over again.  However, this region seems to be so repeatedly hard hit, even now.  This book will certainly give clarity on the situation to those readers who care and wish to understand more.

                                           ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                                June 2024

Disclaimer:  This is my own and honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Book Review - Another Breath, Another Sunrise - Book 4 Michal's Destiny Series - By Roberta Kagan - Publication Date: 9 November 2024

 The tying up  of the aftermath of WWII horrors for Michal's scattered family and friends created a satisfactory read for me.  However, I felt somewhat disappointed with this fourth book in the Michal's Destiny series.  I believe it's because there was a fair amount of rehashing of the terrors, trauma and situations that occured in the first three books in order to make this a stand alone novel, in and of itself.  Somehow I expected more after the suspense of the ending of the third book.  Therefore, I rate this book with only 4 Stars.

                                                ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                            November 2024

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by Net Galley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

                                       

Book Review - I Am Wind - By Rachel Poliquin - Publication Date: 5 November 2024

 A big thumb's up for this extra-ordinary, educational children's book!  It is so fascinating and it feels like the author is so in-tune with young readers, knowing just the correct tweak to grab and hold their attention.  The personification of the wind, interspersed with easy-to-read and understand, more formal blurbs, coupled with fantastic illustrations makes this work a definite masterpiece!

I had no idea how many breezes and blasts of winds, and winds of varying names there are.  It is so interesting to learn of the different people groups from earlier times and their names for wind; their stories, legends and beliefs about wind and so on.  The book tells of the different measures of intensity of wind; of harnessing the wind for windmills and other work; of playing with wind, such as making it fly kites and much more.

The most interesting part for me was learning about the "Singing Sands," when wind and sand play together and sing,  for good or not so good results.  The list of key terms related to wind at book's end will help round out the scholastic input.   In my opinion, there's not a single dull page in the book!

A certain 5-STAR rating from me!

                                            ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                               May 2024

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

          

Book Review - A Season For the Heart - By J.M. Hochstetler - Publication Date: 1 November 2024

 

This was a lovely story.  There was so much about faith in Jesus and trusting in God.  There were endearing, amusing moments and those that brought tears and even anger.  There were authentic characters such as Judah who questioned God's love and care, and Ellie who struggled with her Mennonite upbringing with all its restrictions with which I could relate.  I really liked how the author carefully crafted the emotions and thought processes of the characters.  Issues such as child abuse, PTSD from war, and other trauma were touched upon.  Of course there was sweet romance but I thought all the issues in this historical fiction story were well balanced.

I was truly satisfied with this story and have been savoring it for the past couple of days.  I'd like to rate this heartfelt read with a 5-Star rating.

                                                       ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                                   October 2024

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by Net Galley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Shoe On the Other Foot

 Jesus has done so many great things like curing folks and raising others from the dead.  He taught His disciples and the crowds.  The people flocked around Him to see all those wondrous things He did and no doubt went home and told their families and friends about it all, perhaps even embellishing it, if that were possible.  

But what about the words He said and said to DO?  Do we DO them?  That is the question.

Those words, 

"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is law and the Prophets" (ESV).

Do you see that ...

"What you wish others would do to you, do ... them"

This is star action.

Philosphers of the past have said thing like, 

"don't do to others what you don't want them to do to you".

This is the negative passive perspective seems to imply then just don't do anything.  Live and let live.  You don't harm then, but likely you didn't help them either.

One preacher I heard lately, noted that Jesus took a vastly different approach, the one of DOING - doing something good that will help others, for their benefit.

Things get done then.  People get helped.  It appears many churches in Canada are helping the vast influx of immigrants and refugees in one way or another.  This is doing the 'do' - that which you'd want to be done for yourself if the shoe was on the other foot.

This is not selfish behavior because you are not keeping things for yourself but are helping others, not expecting return.

Lord, help us to do as Jesus did and do what we'd want others to do for us.  Amen.

                                                  ~  ERC  July 2024  ~

Based on Matthew 4:23-25, 7:12 ESV.

Sing,  The Prayer - along with Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion.

Book Review - Watch Over My Child - Book 3 in Michal's Destiny Series - By Roberta Kagan - Publication Date: 24 October 2024

 

This third book in the Michal's Destiny series has been another good read.  The twists and turns in Gilde's rescued life (Taavi and Michal's youngest daugher) are heartbreaking despite some of the good that transpires.  The book ends with a shocker that could well purport a further book in the series but this is only my guess.  Although this Book 3 could stand alone, I feel there would be much better connect if the previous two books are read in order.  Author Roberta Kagan has given readers yet another 5-star rated (by me), WWII timeframe work of historical fiction.

                                             ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                          October 2024

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by Net Galley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Book Review - Angel of Death - The James Ryker Series Book 12 - By Rob Sinclair - Publication Date: 24 October 2024

 

If a potential reader is looking to keep their adrenaline nimble, this book could be a good choice.  I found enough action, mystery and murder to give me a good thrill.  In the twists and turns you'll meet Ryker and Angel - almost like cookie cutter replicas of each other.

Clandestine meetings, super rich folks and people in power, the key to much of the action.  And is the Syndicate actually real?  The intrigue kept the pages turning for me.  Some potential readers may like to be cautioned regarding some of the more imitmate scenes as well as for some of the violence involved.  Other than these aspects, I felt that author Rob Sinclair crafted a noteworthy narrative.

                                            ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                          October 2024

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by Net Galley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.