Book Review: A Rumored Fortune by Joanna Davidson Politano

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A Rumored Fortune, Book Reviews, Christian Fiction, Historical Romance, Joanna Davidson Politano, Lady Jane Disappears, Reading, Revell Publishing, Sandra Ardoin

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

Revell Publishing

So far, I’ve missed reading Ms. Politano’s debut novel, Lady Jane Disappears, but I’d heard so much about it that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on her second book, A Rumored Fortune.

Tressa Harlowe’s father sends word for his wife and daughter to return to Trevelyan Castle, Tressa’s childhood home. They arrive to find her father dead, a stranger claiming to be the new manager of the vineyard—the only thing her father ever prized—and no money to pay employees and creditors.

‘…Come, let’s have the fortune brought out now. Where has he gone and put it?’

I turned back and looked about for whom she might be talking to, but she remained focused. ‘Why, I haven’t a clue where it is, Mother. I assumed you…’

Her blue eyes froze into two orbs of ice and she dropped my hands. ‘He did not tell you?’

I shook my head, gladness and fear swirling through me that the fortune should be out of her reach, at least for this moment. ‘He said he’d tell me just before he died.’ I looked at Mother and the truth struck us both immediately. Here we were living in this immense castle with a lavish vineyard and a staff of nearly sixty-five…and barely a shilling between us. At Father’s death, we were suddenly the poorest wealthy family in all of England.

Poor Tressa wanted only to be loved and noticed by her father. Now, he’s gone and greedy vultures descend on the property. And let’s not forget Donegan Vance. Oh, my…a mysterious man haunted by past mistakes and out to right them, but a true hero.

The story is told in Tressa’s first person and Donegan’s third person, so it’s never a question as to whose point of view the reader is in. For me at times, there were paragraphs of in-depth narrative that seemed more repetition than new information. However, the writing is lovely, the characters well-rounded with both flaws and redeeming qualities (including some of the many antagonists), and the plot holds a reader’s interest.

Through the use of the father’s grapevines and lost treasure, Ms. Politano weaves a strong spiritual message involving sacrificial love, God’s pruning in our lives, and a dependence on God when everything seems lost. 

This is not a book that wraps every plot line in a neat, little bow. For instance, I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when Tressa’s mother finds out….

Well, I won’t spoil the story for you. If you’re like me and enjoy gothic-style books with a Jane Eyre feel (though without the depth of darkness), you should find A Rumored Fortune to be right up your reading alley. I’m giving it 4.8 stars.

Is there a historical, classic story you would like to read revamped in a contemporary setting?

 

 

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Historical Flavor: Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

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Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Historical Flavor, History Channel, Mark Twain, Novels, Sandra Ardoin, YouTube

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

The novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, published in February of 1885, has been a lightning rod over its 133 years being termed on occasion “coarse” and “racist.” Somewhere along the way, it became a classic. (I believe I still have my copy from high school literature class packed away in a box somewhere.)

I scoured YouTube—where you can find just about anything—and discovered the following brief video for the first film based on the book. The movie was produced in 1920, ten years after Twain’s death.

 

Below is a short biographical video about Mark Twain from the History website. In reading about him, he certainly led an interesting life, though it seemed a somewhat contradictory one. There were several instances when he’d first believe in one thing, then change his mind later to support the opposite viewpoint, including his opinions on Christianity. 

 

Do you have a favorite Mark Twain story? What was the must-read-for-a-grade novel you enjoyed most in school?

Book Review: Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano

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Apart from the Crowd Series, Bethany House, Book Review, Christian Fiction, Christian Historical Romance, Jen Turano, Novels, Out of the Ordinary, Reading, Sandra Ardoin

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

Bethany House

Out of the Ordinary is the second novel in the Apart from the Crowd series by Jen Turano. I looked forward to reading this story with its hint at a host of peculiar characters sure to provoke laugh-out-loud moments.

You see, it all boils down to the fact that the fashion-designer-wannabe Mrs. Davenport depends on her wallflower companion, Gertrude Cadwalader, to save her from her kleptomaniac self. Gertrude’s job is to prevent her employer’s tendency to relieve other wealthy individuals from their possessions or, failing that, return them without the person knowing they were stolen or by whom. Add in Gertrue’s friend Harrison Sinclair, a sought-after shipping magnet whose penchant is for outlandishly-colored clothing, and the potential for humorous mayhem ensues, making for a great story.

Maybe.

I normally enjoy Jen Turano’s stories and really wanted to like this one a lot after the hint of it in the prequel novella and first novel of the series. As usual, she placed her odd characters in equally odd situations. (I mean, really, half a birdcage as a bustle?) And those situations were entertaining.

However, the first setting (an engagement party) went on far too long for me. As in the previous book, the author spent at least the first third of the novel there. While that isn’t bad in and of itself, it became one incident after another that did little for moving the story along in an exciting and timely manner. There were too many instances where a situation or reactions were dragged out after the fact, much of it telling narrative not shown in real time. On the other hand, the second half moved much better. 🙂 

I really liked Harrison and, for the most part, I liked Gertrude. I thought I would like Mrs. Davenport much more than I did. Previously, I’d seen her as a loveable eccentric. Though she has a compelling backstory, overall, it didn’t change the moments I found her selfish and unpleasant.

I’ve read fiction long enough to know that no matter how much I like an author, on occasion there will be individual books I’m not as crazy about. That doesn’t mean I’ll stop reading that person’s work. So, because of the second half, along with the humorous moments and one laugh-out-loud situation, my stars on Amazon will show four (barely).

Your thoughts?

Historical Flavor: Laura Ingalls Wilder

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Almonzo Wilder, Charles and Caroline Ingalls, Historical Photographs, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House on the Prairie, Perfect Life on YouTube, Rose Wilder Lane, Sandra Ardoin, YouTube

Sandra Ardoin @Sandra Ardoin

Like many young girls growing up, the Little House books of Laura Ingalls Wilder stoked my reading habit. Who knows? They may have even influenced my desire to write historicals of that time period. So when I saw this article in Publisher’s Weekly, 10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Laura Ingalls Wilder, I had to read it. Not being a LIW scholar, I can’t say how factual these “facts” are, but I thought they were interesting.

As well, I’m fascinated by photographs of the era and found this video showing photos of the Ingalls/Wilder families. It moves a little slow, but gives the viewer time to read the captions. Enjoy!

 

What book(s)/author began your journey into reading?

In the Stack and On the Kindle

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Christian Fiction, In the Stack, New Christian Fiction Releases, Reading, Sandra Ardoin

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

So, every time I think I’m getting a handle on my to-read stack, I add to it. Is that you too? Here are a few I’m looking forward to starting and one I need to finish:

Fantasy/Speculative

Dreamlander by K. M. Weiland – When I began to read this, I had no idea it was so long, but I am enjoying this fantasy about a guy caught up in events between his real world and his dream world.

Revisionary by Kristen Hogrefe – A YA dystopian that looks interesting.

Historical Romance

A Rebel in My House by Sandra Merville Hart – An “opposite sides” romance set in Gettysburg during the Civil War.

Love, Lies, and Typewriters by Heather Blanton – A western setting during WWII 

Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green – I’ll admit, it’s the beautiful cover that attracts me to this one.

 

Mystery/Romantic Suspense

Catching Heat by Janice Cantore – My first by this author is next on my schedule. Yes, I know it’s the third in the Cold Case Justice series, but you gotta read what you gotta read, right? 🙂

Chasing Secrets by Lynette Eason – I finished this while riding shotgun on a recent trip. I’ve really enjoyed the Elite Guardians series and, frankly, want more. How about Christina, Lynette?

A Fool and His Monet by Sandra Orchard – It’s worth putting on the list just for the title. 🙂

Threads of Suspicion by Dee Henderson – The second in the Evie Blackwell Cold Case novels. I enjoyed the first one and am interested in seeing where this one goes.

Honestly, I could list a slew more, but I think I’ll stop there for now.

Maybe we have some of the same books in our pile. What book can’t you wait to start?