Wednesday, February 21, 2018

The story of Hannah

Hannah has always been one of my favorite women from the Bible.  We are kindred spirits and I love her story.  "A Passionate Hope," Jill Eileen Smith's 4th book in the Daughter's of the Promised Land series, gives a fictionalized telling of Hannah and her troubles with infertility and finally her sacrifice with Samuel.  But it is also a book about a family of women.  Hannah married Elkanah, a man she loved, only to discover that she was unable to have children.  Then Elkanah, who is a bit of a wimp when it comes to his mother, marries Pininnah, a spoiled brat that  is much younger and his mother's preferred.  Pininnah proceeds to give Elkanah many children, antagonize Hannah, as well as turn Elkanah into her whipping boy as well.  All of this turns poor Hannah's life into a living hell!  As time goes by Hannah makes a vow with God to receive a son in return of giving him back.  However the agony of dealing with Pininnah goes on and on. 
This novel is the type that keeps getting better as you read it.  The weird obsession Pinannah has with Hannah's uterus gets a little annoying, but the dynamic between the women in the family is very enticing and leads the reader to want to do nothing but read this book!  I give it 4.5 stars.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the author. 

Friday, February 2, 2018

Farthering Mystery

"Death at Thorburn Hall" is the 6th in the Farthering Mystery series by Julian Deering.  In Thorburn Hall, Drew and Madeline Farthering go to Scotland to the European Open.  They stay with a distant cousin of Drew's along with the Pike's, friends of the Rainsbys; and Nick and his girlfriend Carrie.  While at the Open, Lord Rainsby is murdered.  One by one, people connected to the Rainsbys turn up dead.  Drew and Madeline are on pursuit of the mystery to discover the killer.
I really like this series of books.  I've read them all.  They take place pre-world war II and in a much higher society than most people are used to.  I like how they are always saying things like "my good man" and "I'm not altogether certain," things that seem kinda classy.  This book worms two mysteries together which makes for a harder case.  Good book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Bethany House Publishers.