“Right Number” by Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick

Right Number:
An Emily Abbott Short Story
(The Accidental Cases of Emily Abbott, #6.5)

by Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick

Synopsis: 

Cousin Beth and Izzy bring Christmas to Emily's apartment even though it's August and over 100 degrees! Brent has disappeared and Emily hasn't been able to reach him by phone for several weeks. She guesses he's off on an assignment and can't make contact for safety reasons... or can he?
This short story takes place a few weeks after the end of Book 6, "Once Upon a Dime" and can be read for free on the author's blog.

(from Goodreads)

My Review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

5+ stars & 6/10 hearts. Ahhhh! This was such a good story. I loved seeing Brent’s & Emily’s duo-POVs. Poor Brent’s reaction to Emily’s texts was hilarious... and I loved loved loved the ending. :D I’m sooo excited for season 2!!!

A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘Don’t they teach you to withstand all forms of pain in spy school?’ He murmured to himself, realizing that was exactly what Emily would have said if she’d been there.

“‘I can neither confirm nor deny that,’ he whispered. ‘But I can tell you they don’t give proper training on the intricacies and variabilities of different microwave brands.’”

Read this story.

“Beautiful Blue World” by Suzanne LaFleur

Beautiful Blue World 
by Suzanne LaFleur

Synopsis: 

Beautiful Blue World is a thrilling and moving story of children who become the key to winning a war.
Sofarende is at war. For twelve-year-old Mathilde, it means food shortages, feuding neighbors, and bombings. Even so, as long as she and her best friend, Megs, are together, they’ll be all right.
But the army is recruiting children, and paying families well for their service. If Megs takes the test, Mathilde knows she will pass. Megs hopes the army is the way to save her family. Mathilde fears it might separate them forever.
 This touching and suspenseful novel is a brilliant reimagining of war, where even kindness can be a weapon, and children have the power to see what adults cannot.

My Review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

5 stars & 5/10 hearts. First off, the cover. Can we just appreciate it? It’s so blue and white. And the shadows of the planes and boats. And the painted writing. And Megs and Mathilde. I’m not very partial to covers like this normally, but I do think this one is perfect. I picked this book up because I knew two of my friends strongly recommended it, and I was not disappointed. It captured life during war perfectly. I had strong WWII vibes. ;) It was so homey and childish and just lovely. I even liked Rainer... My only objection is a statement that “heaven doesn’t exist. Nowhere is safe for eternity.” But other than that... I just really enjoyed this book. ^_^

A Favourite Quote: “‘That is the best start, Mathilde, to learn to love. It will help you see that every person matters, that everyone is someone’s loved one.”

A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “The glowing candlelight … seemed to flicker inside me as well, warm and soothing.

“A shred of darkness remained, like that creeping through the windows between the curtains.”

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“Jack & Jill” by Louisa May Alcott

Jack & Jill:
A Village Story

by Louisa May Alcott

Synopsis: 
A tragic accident leaves fun-loving Jill and good-natured Jack cooped up for months. During this time they learn some valuable lessons and are cheered up by their friends. Jill and her two friends begin a missionary society, while Jack helps a troubled youth stay on the straight and narrow. Louisa May Alcott has done an excellent job of showing the real life of children during the 1800s. Originally published in 1880 this timeless tale is just as inspiring and enjoyable today as when it was first written.
(synopsis by Amy Puetz) 

My Review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

5+ stars & 9/10 hearts. This is my second-favourite Alcott book. It is just so sweet and beautiful and humorous and real. I love, love Jack, and Jill, and so many of the others—Molly, Frank, Ed, Gus... It is a beautiful glimpse into life as it was for children in the late 1800s and it is full of beautiful little lessons. It is perfect for all ages, and really just satisfies and leaves you happy.

A Favourite Quote: “...both were rather the worse for so much idleness, since daily duties and studies are the wholesome bread which feeds the mind better than the dyspeptic plum-cake of sensational reading, or the unsubstantial bon-bons of frivolous amusement.”

A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “Merry ... rest[ed] a minute at the gate to look down the street, which was a glorified sort of avenue, with brilliant maples lining the way and carpeting the ground with crimson and gold.”

A Favourite Humorous Quote: “It would have been [a] very successful [tableau] if, all of a sudden, one of the rowers had not ‘caught a crab’ with disastrous consequences. The oars were not moving, but a veteran, who looked very much like Joe, dropped the one he held, and in trying to turn and pummel the black-eyed warrior behind him, he tumbled off his seat, upsetting two other men, and pulling the painted boat upon them as they lay kicking in the cambric deep. Shouts of laughter greeted this mishap, but George Washington never stirred. Grasping the banner, he stood firm when all else went down in the general wreck, and the icy waves engulfed his gallant crew, leaving him erect amid a chaos of wildly tossing boots, entangled oars, and red-faced victims....

“‘Quite exciting, wasn't it? Didn't know Gus had so much presence of mind[.] If we did not know that Washington died in his bed ... I should fear that we'd seen the last of him in that shipwreck[.]’

“Much confusion reigned behind the scenes; Ralph was heard scolding, and Joe set every one off again by explaining, audibly, that Grif tickled him, and he couldn't stand it.”

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“From Anna” by Jean Little

From Anna

by Jean Little

Synopsis: 

Nine-year-old Anna has always been the clumsy one in the family - somehow she can never do anything right. She bumps into tables, and she can't read the chalkboard at school. Her perfect brothers and sisters call her "Awkward Anna." 

When Papa announces that the family is moving from Germany to Canada - he's worried about what the Nazis' rise to power will bring - Anna's heart sinks. How can she learn English when she can't even read German properly? 

But when the Soldens arrive in Canada, Anna learns that there is a reason for her clumsiness. And suddenly, wonderfully, her whole world begins to change, especially when new friends at her special school help her stand up to bullies who call her names. 

A truly heartwarming story, From Anna will resonate with any child who has ever felt left out.

My Review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

5 stars & 5/10 hearts. I really love this book. Somehow I relate to Anna in many ways. I also got glasses at a young age, and I still remember that feeling of wonder and miraculousness. I also have a younger sister who is handicapped and, like Anna, is the “odd one.” Anna also appeals to me for all the times I feel/have felt “the odd one out.” She hasn’t a very good attitude towards her family, but one can hardly blame her very much—it’s more her family’s fault than her own. The last chapter made me tear up. We all need to realize that we need to take the time to stop and listen to people.

A Favourite Quote: “She was still concerned about the food, although really she did know she had more than enough. Yet Dr. Schumacher might be a terribly hungry man!
“She looked down and caught Anna waiting for her to listen properly. Oh, she must find time for Anna. From now on, she must always try to find time.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “The excitement which had been blossoming inside [Anna] closed up as tightly as a flower when darkness nears.”

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“The Old River Road” by Hailey Rose

The Old River Road

(Long Lake Legacy, #1)

by Hailey Rose

Synopsis: 

When seventeen-year-old Clara Boutwell married her dashing coworker, William McDonald, she was convinced her life was nearly perfect. For newlyweds in the great city of Chicago, the journey ahead was exciting and promising. When a frightening disease takes William in its grip, the young couple is forced to the clean air of the western frontier in a desperate attempt to save his life. On the eastern Washington prairies, the McDonalds face hardships and trials in a new world where everything is tested, from physical endurance to emotional strength—down to their relationship and faith in the Lord.This novel tells the incredible true story of Clara and William, the great-great grandparents of the author, in a sweet narrative full of laughter, tears, and the struggles of an early pioneering family. Prepare yourself to share in their experience as you read this account of a pioneer family in Washington state, and see their lasting legacy that has endured into the fifth generation.

My Review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

4.5 stars & 5/10 hearts. This book... it made me tear up so often, even if I’ve read it several times. The emotions are so vividly portrayed. So many difficult trials this woman had... and yet, you can see the Lord’s help through them all. And William was a darling. <3 The language is a bit too modern, but the settings are so well described I can see them all in my head. And all the many characters fit in just right. Truly a lovely book, inside and out. Due to the fact that it chronicles the life of a wife & mother, I recommend it for girls 16+. There is nothing inappropriate in the romance (except a couple forehead/cheek kisses & hugs before marriage), and the birthing/nursing scenes are hardly detailed; but in my opinion children younger than that don’t need to focus on those subjects. :) I don’t think I’d hand it to a boy, but then I don’t think a boy would care for it, either. ;) The paperback is worth every penny... it’s SO gorgeous!!!

A Favourite Quote: “Her eyes trailed upwards, where the setting sun cast stunning shades of pink, purple, and orange over the snow below. She gasped softly, wondering where such lovely colors came from. Jesus painting. (...) Even in the busy city, God’s presence was so near.”

A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “The overcast sky made the water sheen a stunning grey. It sparkled like crystal as the slight breeze made ripples on the surface.”

A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘William? ... You aren’t excited?’ Her voice sounded pitiful even to her. ... William stirred out of his reprieve and straightened.
“‘Excited? Oh yes. Very much.’
“Clara wasn’t at all convinced.”

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