The Forgotten Garden

After growing up believing she is the daughter of  Hugh and Lil, Nell is told a secret, one that she spends the rest of her life hiding and trying to figure out as she creates a life for her and her granddaughter. After Nell's death, Cassandra  is alone and a little shocked after she is left with a cottage, a secret garden, a scrap book  and a mystery to follow her grandmother's life and who she really is. Cassandra travels to Cornwall, England to see the cottage and find more about her grandmother's past as well as heal and move on with her own life.

A novel that spans from 1913 to 1975 to 2005, this story includes a family saga, a mystery, fairy tales and even a bit of love. This book was a Pullman Page Turner selection for the month of June and July and I was excited to read it. In the beginning I felt let down because it was not an attention getter at all and I originally had a difficult time following the story, especially with the jumping back and fourth from the various years. 

I will say thank you to my friend Roz, who insisted that  I keep going and although I did not love this story I did end up liking  it. I was able to figure out what happened relatively quickly as the clues were pretty clear, however, I do think it overall was a good story! 

I give this book a 3/2 stars out of 5  

Happy Reading and have a cup of  Tea!!

Kara

Celebrate our Independance!!!!

Happy 4th of July America! 

I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend and we remember to celebrate our independence.  I will be celebrating with my family and friends and of course getting in some reading outside in the beautiful weather here in Southern California. It is supposed to be in the 90's on Monday so I believe I will be enjoying some iced tea.


Happy Reading and enjoy some iced tea!

Kara

The Promise of an Angel

 Judith is turning nineteen and sure her future is set with the courting and marriage of Levi Plank. When Judith's younger brother Samuel is hurt in an accident at a barn raising, she is sure she sees an angel. In her quest to convince the Amish community of what she has seen an heard from the angel named Tobias she ends up alienating herself and turning members of family and her community against her.

Through this time her friendship with Andrew, the bishop's son becomes stronger. Andrew believes Judith and many times is her only friend. As time goes on many of the people in Judith's life show true colors and through it all Judith and Andrew stay true to their faith and each other even if it means losing their family and community.

This was my first time reading the Amish Genre and I read this book in one sitting. I was taken with the characters and I loved Judith's deep love for her family and deeper faith. Her connection and her desire to do what was right in the eyes of God was heartwarming to read. Andrew's patience, awkwardness and his ultimate love for Judith and God was so touching and as a reader I was routing for him at the turn of each page. I found the story completely transfixing,entertaining and so worth the read! I loved it and I am looking forward to the next in the series!

This book was given to me by Booksneeze in exchange for the review.

Happy Father's Day!

 Today we celebrate Father's Day and my father, Don and my husband, Bob are two amazing fathers that I get the opportunity to have in my life.  Today I HONOR them and I hope you all stop and honor all of the fathers in your life both past and present!