Two Book Quotes

"You can't get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me."  - C.S. Lewis

This is one of my all-time favorite quotes about books (and tea!). C.S. Lewis was such an amazing author!

"Never judge a book by its movie." - J.W. Eagan

It's so true! There's some films that no matter how sweet they may end they just give the story a bad reputation. My advice (especially with Jane Austen) is always read the book first before you watch the adaptation! Books are always so much better! 

Very Truly Your's,

Literary Tag

Charity U at Austenitis did this Literary Tag and it sounded like so much fun I decided to do it here too! Thanks for this fun tag Charity!

1. Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to: Margaret Hale in Mrs. Gaskell's North & South. When I first read N&S I connected with her and felt her heart more than any other heroine I've read before. Not just her personality but also her circumstances touched right where I was in my life when I first read N&S. I also love and relate to Anne Elliot of Persuasion and Elinor Dashwood of Sense & Sensibility.

2. Share five of your favorite historical novels: Hmm...this is tricky. Defender of the Faith by Charles Ludwig, Mozart's Sister by Nancy Moser, I love all of the Little House books about the Ingalls family. Anastasia: The Last Grand Duchess by Carolyn Meyer, Standing in the Light: The Captive Diary of Catharine Carey Logan by Mary Pope Osborne, I also read and enjoyed several books in the Trailblazer Series based on the lives of Christian heroes.

3. Out of those five books, who is your favorite character and why? I always love books about royalty and Queen Victoria is my favorite, she's so fascinating! Defender of the Faith is my favorite book about how the Lord worked to bring Victoria to the throne and bringing a much needed change to the monarchy.

4. What is your favorite time period and culture to read about? Books about or from the 1700's-1800's era are my favorites to read. Most of the books I read are set in England.

5. If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent? Well any of my favorite heroines but probably a Jane Austen character first of all. Probably Catherine Morland or Elinor Dashwood.

6. What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate? I ADORE chocolate! It's a must and is great for indulging while reading! :) I especially like chocolate mixed with something else like peanut butter, nuts, caramel or fruit.

7. Favorite author(s)? Jane Austen and Agatha Christie are my all time favorite authors. I've read and enjoyed almost all of their work. Other favorite authors include: Elizabeth Gaskell, Charlotte Bronte, Charles Dickens, Louisa May Alcott, Janette Oke, Lori Wick, Grace Livingston Hill, C.S. Lewis and so many more!

8. As a small, imaginative, red-haired damsel might query: would you rather be divinely beautiful, dazzlingly clever, or angelically good? Probably angelically good, then I'd be patient and kind to everyone.

9. In which century were most of the books you read written? In the 19th century, mostly. But early 1900's is a close second.

10. In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is... This is a hard one! I adore Henry Tilney and Mr. Knightley and Captain Wentworth but they probably wouldn't be considered the ultimate hero. I do just adore Austen heroes though, they are

11. Have you ever wanted to change a character's name? Yes! I love names and their relation to history and I can sometimes get very put out when a name is overused or used in the wrong time period. One great thing about Austen and Christie is that they use great names that are time period appropriate.

12. In your opinon, the most dastardly villain in all literature is... Wow! This is tricky! Maybe like Moriarty from Sherlock Holmes or Bill Sykes from Oliver Twist. Both are the worst I can think of. I recently made a list of my favorite villains but those were really my favorites because they're semi-good and interesting in their own way.

13. Three favorite non-fiction books? Besides my Bible the other books that have influenced my life are probably: I Kissed Dating Good-Bye by Joshua Harris, Let Me Be A Woman by Elisabeth Elliot, and The Delicate Power of Modesty by Dannah Gresh.


Now it's your turn! If you're reading this I'm tagging you! Go answer these questions on your blog and if you do let me know about it! This was so much fun!

~Miss Laurie

Time Will Tell

Time Will Tell by Lauralee Bliss
A Heartsong Presents Romance, 15 Chapters, 170 Pages, Printed 2005


I've read a lot of Christian romance fiction in my time and there are many authors I love. This short book I picked up in October on a trip from New Jersey back to Maine. It made for some fun light reading for the long car ride.

Plot:  "Everyone loves a bargain - but Connie Ortiz gets more than she bargained for when she buys an old cuckoo clock at a yard sale. Suddenly, strange people begin entering her life. An elderly man appears at her doorstep, offering to buy the clock for an exorbitant sum. The older lady in change of the sale urges Connie to keep the clock at all cost. And her handsome boss arrives on the scene to play referee. Truth be told, Lance Adams care less about refereeing than he does about getting to know Connie. He finds her quite intriguing - but so, too, is her fascinations with a clock that everyone seems to want. What is it about this clock that has people in a frenzy - and Connie caught in the middle? Can love resolve this mystery? Only time will tell." - From the back cover

This was a fun light story with a bit of mystery and romance. I love that Christian values are upheld and that friendship is valued above romantic feelings. I've read several books from Heartsong Presents and have enjoyed most of them but they can be very fluffy with not much to them. This was a sweet fun read and I recommend it if you ever get a chance to read it.

Dinah Harris Mysteries

For Christmas my dear daddy gave me two books that are the beginning of the Dinah Harris mysteries from Christian author Julie Cave. It sounds awful but often I don't read books I'm given as gifts mostly because I procrastinate and I'm not a huge reader. As my father said, this time he picked two books that I probably wouldn't have picked up on my own, but I really enjoyed reading these two novels! I procrastinated at getting the review of the first book up, but now I can review both together!


Deadly Disclosures by Julie Cave21 Chapters, 283 Pages, First printing March 2010
As the first book in this series we are introduced to Dinah Harris, a former FBI detective who, because of problems in her past, is now reduced to teaching new FBI recruits. But when she's asked by her former partner to help him on a high profile case she reluctantly accepts and is swept into the case of the disappearance of Thomas Whitfield, Secretary of the Smithsonian. As they investigate leads and interview Thomas Whitfield's family and associates they come face to face with the spiritual battle of Creation vs. Evolution.    
Author Julie Cave does a good job of revealing enough about Thomas and his captors that the reader is one step ahead of the detectives, while at the same time keeping enough back that I was surprised by the ending and the true identity of the criminals. There is a lot of grit and quite a few crime scenes are described. I could definitely see both books making for great TV crime drama. Julie Cave's attention to detail means that we get to follow the detectives as they enter crime scenes, hear the coroner's detailed reports, and histories of creation, evolution, and many other topics. 
Dinah Harris is a very human character, many flaws but some endearing qualities. She's impatient and brisk and struggles with a huge secret in her past that keeps her self esteem low. When we meet her she's not a Christian, she battles with alcohol addiction and suicidal thoughts. But this case will prove to be life threatening and life changing for Dinah. 
This is probably my favorite of the two books. There's a lot of debate dialog about creation vs. evolution. The gospel is clearly presented at least three times and the changing grace of God can be witnessed in the character's lives. 




The Shadowed Mind by Julie Cave:21 Chapters, 281 Pages, First printing October 2010
In this second book we see Dinah Harris coping with life after the Smithsonian case. Trying to stay on the right track and learning to trust in her newfound Savior for every problem in life. When Dinah is hired as a private consultant by police detective Samson Cage to investigate a string of similar homicides the pair quickly find themselves on the path of a ruthless serial killer who attacks the weak and helpless choosing who should live and who should die! 
In this book author Julie Cave does a great job at stringing four different story lines that weave in and out of each other and ultimately coming together to form one picture. The reader follows the nameless killer as he chooses his victims and leads them to their death; Dinah and Cage as they investigate the murders and the killer's motives and techniques; Ella Barnett as she struggles with caring for her father with Alzheimer's, wondering if euthanasia is the answer; and a crooked politician who is helping a eugenics group push their agenda forward.
I must say that I pretty much tagged the killer right away but I was still very surprised by every twist and turn. I enjoyed this book very much, I don't know why but the interest of catching a serial killer appeals to me. This book has a lot about the history of eugenics which I didn't always understand but it was interesting and a bit scary to learn about. The gospel is presented very clearly and the message of forgiving and loving others is the ending theme. 

My Recommendation:
I enjoyed both books very much! The mysteries kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Some of the themes were a bit more mature than I thought they would be but Julie Cave deals with these topics very gently and honestly. I'd definitely recommend these books for everyone ages 16+. Fiction is such a great entertaining way to learn about history and current events. I enjoyed the character of Dinah Harris even if I didn't identify with her all the time. Her character isn't that perfect all-knowing detective, she's smart but flawed, serious bit with a dry wit. I can't wait to find out what's going to happen to her next! The third book in this series, Pieces of Light, will be out June 2011. 
Both books and the author Julie Cave have been heavily influenced by Answers In Genesis ministries and are highly recommend by them. Creationist Ken Ham talks about Deadly Disclosures on his blog. Visit JulieCave.com for more information on the author and her books. 

"He giveth quietness."

"He giveth quietness." O Elder Brother,
Whose  homeless feet have pressed our path of pain,
Whose hands have borne the burden of our sorrow,
That in our losses we might find our gain.


Of all Your gifts and infinite consolings,
I ask but thise: in every troubled hour
To hear Your voice through all the tumults stealing,
And rest serene beneath its tranquil power.


Cares cannot fret me if my soul be dwelling
In the still air of faith's untroubled day;
Grief cannot shake me if I walk beside you,
My hand in Yours along the darkening way.


Content to know there comes a radiant morning
When from all shadows I will find release;
Serene to wait the rapture of its dawning-
Who can make trouble when You send me peace?


-Devotional for January 31, from L.B. Cowman's 'Streams in the Desert'

I've really been enjoying reading Streams in the Desert each evening before I fall asleep. The devotionals are hitting right where I am in life now and mean so much. I read this poem last night and wanted to share it with you!

God Bless,

Books of 2010 & 2011

First of all, I changed the design and the header on my blog a bit. I feel that there's more room now to read and maneuver. I hope the design shows up as well for you as it does for me!

Now, a look back at the books I read in 2010:

• Heart's Desire by Patsy Oda (re-read)
• I Kissed Dating Good-Bye by Joshua Harris (re-read)
• Curtain by Agatha Christie
• Crooked House by Agatha Christie
• Faith of the First Lady by Jerry MacGregor & Marie Prys
• Let Me Be A Woman by Elisabeth Eliot
• Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler
• Time Will Tell by Laralee Bliss
• A Bride By Christmas by Linda Goodnight, Kelly Eileen Hake, Vickie McDonough & Therese Stenzel
• The White Flower by Grace Livingston Hill
• Miss Lavinia's Call (and other stories) by Grace Livingston Hill
• The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
• The Bird's Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggins

Not bad all told but I hope to do even better in 2011! I've selected 30 books to read, most of which are books that have laid unread too long on the bookshelf. Here's my reading list for the new year:

-20 Fiction & Non-fiction Books:

• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (re-read)
• Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
• Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
• North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (re-reading, I will have to buy my own copy)
• Deadly Disclosures by Julie Cave
• The Shadowed Mind by Julie Cave
• The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis (re-read)
• The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis
• Villette or Shirley by Charlotte Bronte
• David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
• another by Charles Dickens such as The Old Curiosity Shop
• The Young Visiters by Daisy Ashford (re-read)
• The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliff
• Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen (re-read, after reading Udolpho)
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• Jane and the Wandering Eye by Stephanie Baron
• The Sonnets by William Shakespeare (poetry)
• Thomas Hardy by Claire Tomalin (biography)
• an Agatha Christie novel for fun, probably re-read Tuesday Club Murders

-10 Spiritual & Christian Books:

• Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris (re-reading)
• Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman
• Footprints of a Pilgrim by Ruth Bell Graham
• The Measure of a Woman by Gene & Elaine Getz
• Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis (I hope to buy my own copy)
• Dating Mr. Darcy by Sarah Arthur
• God's Priceless Woman by Wanda Kennedy Sanseri (Bible study)
• For Such A Time As This by Lisa Ryan (re-read)
• Passion & Purity by Elisabeth Eliot (or another book by her, I'd have to buy my own copy)
• The Secret Keeper by Dannah Gresh (re-read)

Both of the Gaskell novels I'll be reading between January 1st - June 1st for the Gaskell Reading Challenge.

My goal is to read at least 3/4 of the books on this list. I'm not a great reader, sometimes it takes me a while to get through long books, so I'm going to stick to reading only the books on the list and try not to read other things. I'm really looking forward to getting some reading done and am enjoying Deadly Disclosures by Emily Cave which was a Christmas gift.

What are you reading this year?

Very Truly Your's,

Miss Laurie

Happy New Year!!!

Book Review: The White Flower

The White Flower by Grace Livingston Hill is the story of young Rachel Rainsford who all alone in the world since the death of her professor father. In an attempt to support herself she answers a newspaper ad to become an old lady's companion and begins her journey by train out west. Wealthy Chan Prescott sees Rachel's red hair and immediately recognizes her as the daughter of his old professor who inspired him to truth and excellence. Sitting quietly reading on the train Chan overhears Rachel's traveling companion selling Rachel to businessman Mr. Shillingsworth and submit her to "a fate worse than death". It is then that Chan makes his own plans to warn Rachel of the plan and get her off the train and to safety out of these evil men's grasp. They hop off the train at a remote location and the chase begins - hiding in trees, running through the countryside, jumping onto moving trains, and renting rooms from old ladies in farmhouses. Suspense abounds as the pair think their safe only to run into the bad guys and off they have to run again. But God is looking out for Rachel and her protector guiding them to safety and Chan to a saving knowledge of Himself.

What I most appreciated about Grace Livingston Hill is the purity and high spiritual ideals she writes both into her stories and her characters. In this book Rachel is a born-again believer who's very character breaths modesty, sweetness, kindness and purity. These are things that Chan loves about her, he sees right away in the way she dresses and conducts herself that she is different than other girls he's known, and he really appreciates that. She is a special lady and throughout the story she inspires in him a desire to be a man worthy of such a woman. To be a noble protector, loyal, kind and pure gentleman who she can trust. She also inspires in him a desire to "Live pure, right wrong, and follow the King" and to wear "the white flower of a blameless life". Another things about Ms. Hill's is that she always tried to include the salvation message and spiritual truths in her novels, which is a great blessing.

I loved the descriptions of different ways Rachel wore her hair and the 1930's clothes she wore. The way Ms. Hill writes it's so easy for the reader to see the picture she's painting of places and characters.

Another thing I enjoyed was Rachel's explanation to Chan about her Christian view of love and marriage, and why she would only marry the man God wanted her to. Below is an excerpt from Chapter 9 where Rachel is explaining:

"You see, this house we live in...This house of flesh is full of electrical currents, like the wiring of a house. That's how father explained it to me, and when we bring the wires together the current is bound to flash along the whole circuit. And we have no business to bring them together unless we really belong. That was why father objected to dancing. He said it gave license for too much personal contact, and young people especially were misled and took it for a deeper feeling. They thought it meant mind and spirit too, when it was only just the senses. And then when it was too late and they had spoiled their lives they found out it was only the flash deceiving them. He said that those feelings were meant to come after and add beauty and light and glory, just as the lighting system of a house is not the place we live in, but only an added beauty; a thing to rejoice in, but not a thing to shelter us. ...Mother used to say the light of the house were not for everybody to turn on. They are for the master's hand only. They are the crowning glory. She said that for anyone else it was uncleanness, impurity."

How does the story end? Very well, wrong is righted when Chan leaves vengeance to the Lord and chooses to follow Christ as his King! This is such a sweet and interesting story a bit like a mystery and the "romance" doesn't really happen until the very end of the story. I hightly recommend this books and other from Grace Livingston Hill. I'm afraid that his good Christian author has been forgotten in recent years.

Have you every read anything by Grace Livingston Hill? What did you think?

What have you been reading lately?

Your's Very Truly,