Book Review: Wild Irish Rose by Deborah L. Weikel

This is a lovely story full of strong imagery, interesting Irish history and sweet romance.

Wild Irish Rose 
 by Deborah L. Weikel

• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: Brigham Distributing (June 3, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1935217666
• ISBN-13: 978-1935217664

Genre: Historical Romance, Inspirational
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: June 3, 2010
It is May 1865. When Rosaleen O'Shay and her mother lose their factory jobs, and then her father and brother are injured ina coal-mine cave-in, the family is in serious trouble. Rosaleen worries they will never save enough money to fulfill their dream - to leave Pittsburgh and buy a farm in California. Hoping to give her a better life, Rosaleen's father secretly arranges to marry her off to Blaise Cameron, a young man on his way to his parent's ranch near Stockton, California. In a twist of fate, Blaise turns out to be the soldier from the street - the one Rosaleen considers a blackard. To make matters worse, Blaise has a plan - and dubious motive for taking a wife - so Rosaleen will have to drive a hard bargain of her own. Will Blaise tame the fiery redhead and make her truly his? Or will he annul the marriage as promised when he has achieved his objectives? And will Rosaleen realize that unusual beginnings can lead to happily ever after?

Review:

Rosaleen is a beautiful Irish lass who wants to help her family rise out of the Irish oppression in Pittsburg, PA in 1865.  The family is struggling to make ends meet even with her father and brother working in the mine and her mother and her working in the sewing factory. Then Rosaleen and her mother lose their jobs because she won’t give in to the factory foreman.

Rosaleen rescues another young girl from the foreman and they try a night job at a saloon. Rosaleen is at an age to marry but she wants to find her own husband and marry for love. Her father has a different idea since he feels his impulsive daughter needs to be controlled.  Rosaleen’s father decides to answer an ad for a ‘mail order bride’ in the hopes of getting her settled.

Blaise has returned from the Civil War hoping to return to his family ranch in California. He learns from his distraught sister that his parents have been kidnapped and are being hidden by a former suitor who has commandeered the ranch.  To gain legal control of the ranch Blaise must marry in the next month.  His plan is to marry, for convenience if need be, find his parents, regain the ranch and then divorce. He is drawn to the fiery redhead but knows that she thinks he is a rogue. But she will go along with the plan if he agrees to take her family to California too. 

Ms. Weikel’s descriptions are clear and vibrant from the war images to the mining town, the ship and the range.  I really enjoyed the portrayal of the social history of the time, including the difficulties that the Irish faced and the struggles of convincing old ranchers to try new ideas. The story is driven by the romance between the strong heroine and hero. There is the intrigue that Blaise faces to overcome a conspiring scoundrel but I was a bit disappointed that there really is very little confrontation with the villain and the danger is wrapped up with minimal fuss. I appreciated the underlying faith in this story too. The author delivers the message through the steadfast assurance of Rosalinn’s family that leads Blaise to learn to trust that he needs more than his own efforts.

This read fairly quickly and I would like to read more by this author. If you enjoy warm romance with a marriage of convenience where the characters start at odds but grow on each other, you should check this title.

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Quotes I liked:

He would never again travel by sea–this unpredictable, vast, and lonely wasteland where he had no control over his circumstances. ... The sea was confining, but Blaise felt at ease on the range. Location 2045.

She was indeed starting to care for Blaise, but she knew it would only bring her heartache to wish for more than what he offered her now.  Location 2151.

I received this title from Walnut Press for an impartial review.

This is set in Pittsburgh, PA and California for my Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also add it to my ARC and New Authors lists.

Sunday Words of Encouragement August 19, 2012

We  had another good Sunday school and church service today. We blessed the teachers and children as they head back to school tomorrow.

Our Pastor's sermon was on The Power of God in Our Lives but more particularly on the Power of HIS Name.  As mentioned by the missionary a couple of weeks ago, God's name is to be Hallowed. It is Holy and Powerful.We should be careful how we use the name of God and Jesus. We must be careful not to allow the worldly, casual use to make us forget the holiness and power of the Name.

We cannot treat His Name casually and then expect any power. There is authority, healing, deliverance and so much more in the Name of God. Eternal life is sealed with His Name.

I had several choices of video for this message.
I found this song some time ago and decided to share this one today.

The Names of God

A Verse for Today

Exodus 20:7 (ESV)

⁷  “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

I give thanks that I never took to swearing when I was young. It is unnatural to me. I pray that I may ever give praise to and in His Name and never use it lightly.

Sharing Beyond Books #62 Comment Giveaway August 18, 2012

Welcome to another SBB!

Hello again on Saturday Night! It's been another busy week and I have heard lots of bloggers bemoaning the heat. I guess I don't notice so much since I tend to be indoors most of the time.  

Thank you to all who shared last week.

Only a few commenters have re-purposed books for more than giveaways, though many like the crafty ideas. Carol linked to an etsy site where they make purses out of books!  Ricki has made bookmarks out of a book torn in the mail.  Marianne has made plaques from old books - sounds interesting. And nrlymrtl has turned some damaged books into compost... not pretty but environmentally friendly. :-)

All but a few people do like to watch some of the Olympics. The favorite sports seemed to be gymnastics and swimming. I was sorry to read that several people thought the coverage this year has been lacking.

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The Winner from SBB #61 comments is: #9 nrlymrtl  There are still 6 'love' books to pick from and 1 Christmas choice (I guess I'll have to add some titles to that list soon). nrlymrtl please choose a book (or GC if international) from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway, remaining Christmas Giveaway Book, OR pick from the Updated ARC/Review List and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #62Questions

Q1. Marjorie asks: Do you ever listen to the radio??

A: I rarely listen to radio anymore. Most of the time I will have a book going in print, ebook or audio. I will occasionally listen to my choir CDs in the car to learn the songs. And my DH will put on 80s music, rock and roll or country gospel, depending on his mood, when we are sitting by the pool.

Our outside player looks like this.

Image found at The Design Town

Q2. My question: Is there a book that has gotten a lot of buzz and hype that you wouldn't or don't want to read??

A:  First I will say I haven't read the Twilight series and don't plan to although my son said I should try it. But this past year there was a lot of buzz about Fifty Shades of Grey.  I guess I could start by not being interested in something touted as 'virgin and erotic.'  However, several people have told me that it is the equivalent of 'housewife porn'. Looking at the mixed reviews and few excerpts (I do investigate before I just say "no") the writing does not sound particularly well done and the plot idea does not draw me in.  Sooo - this is one title I am passing on and have no plans to read (and I have no interest in the movie either).

Image found at Goodreads

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask.  Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I will draw from the suggestions I used the month before and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions but some of you others might want to get in a question or two as we have a few people submitting most of the questions so far.  Either way - it works for me. :-)  The question list is being replenished!  Thanks for sending in questions!  
 
Your turn to share:

1. Marjorie asks: Do you ever listen to the radio??

2. My question: Is there a book that has gotten a lot of buzz and hype that you wouldn't/ don't want to read??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 7 books available to choose from. Also I have added the Updated ARC/Review List now.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower; 
b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the two/three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.

I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, August 24, 2012 at 10 PM central.

Winners of Georgette Heyer Titles and Hell on Wheels!

CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNERS!

Thank you to all who entered.

Giveaway Three Georgette Heyer Titles. 

Anne-- oops - I need new contacts! This is for Anme!

Giveaway Review Copy Hell on Wheels. 

Carol L

Anne and Carol please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads AT gmail.com to confirm the win and I'll send the download the information to the publisher and mail the book copy.  Please reply within 72 hours!

Audiobook Review: The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch

This is a thought provoking dystopian tale with YA characters but good for adult listening too.

The Eleventh Plague

by Jeff Hirsch (Author), Dan Bittner (Narrator)

• Audible Audio Edition
• Listening Length: 7 hours and 3 minutes
• Program Type: Audiobook
• Version: Unabridged
• Publisher: Scholastic Audio
• Audible.com Release Date: September 1, 2011
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005KFQPQ8

Genre: Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic
My Rating:  4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
In the aftermath of a war, America's landscape has been ravaged and two-thirds of the population left dead from influenza. Fifteen-year-old Stephen Quinn and his family were among the few that survived. But when Stephen's grandfather dies and his father falls into a coma, Stephen finds his way to Settler's Landing, a community that seems too good to be true. There he meets strong, defiant, mischievous Jenny. When they play a prank on the town bully's family that goes horribly wrong, they find themselves in the midst of a battle that will change Settler's Landing forever.

Review:

This story tells of terrible danger, loneliness, prejudice, fear and ends with a message of hope.
Fifteen year old Stephen and his family survived the war that devastated America. Somehow they also survived ‘the eleventh plague’ that killed two-thirds of the population. The life that Stephen knows has been harsh. He has learned to follow his strict and demanding grandfather’s rules or suffer for disobedience. His sweet, kind mother died in childbirth, and Stephen, his father and grandfather have lived as scavengers. They are constantly traveling to find what they can to trade and along the way they have to avoid towns where their might be illness and avoid being picked up by slavers. Stephen’s father might occasionally long to settle down but it would mean a risk from the routine that has been drilled into them.

Stephen’s grandfather dies and Stephen and his father struggle on. In a break of discipline, his father intervenes to help others break away from slavers.  As Stephen and his father then try to escape his father is injured and falls into a coma. Although fearful of strangers, Stephen has little choice but to accept their help. He follows them to a small community which is unlike anything Stephen has known.  The people share their burdens, their bounty and their skills.  The families live in homes and the young people even attend school.

It is hard for Stephen to adjust and fit in especially since the primary community leader’s son has taken a dislike to him and claims he is a spy for another community up the road.  The bully and his friends taunt and harass Stephen every chance they get hoping Stephen will be thrown out of the community. Stephen slowly warms to the family that has taken him in. The son befriends him as a brother and Stephen is intrigued by their adopted Asian daughter, Jenny. She too is looked upon with suspicion by many in the community so she holds herself as an outcast.

As Jenny and Stephen are drawn to one another they tend to get into trouble. This puts the family at risk and eventually triggers a confrontation with the neighboring community.  When the slavers show up to enter the fray the people have to decide how they are going to defend themselves. Even more importantly, how are they going to treat each other as they move into the future?

I enjoyed the plausible struggles and traumas portrayed in this story. The pacing is good and the characters’ diversity gives room for thought. Although the narrator did a good job of presenting different voices I felt at times that he lacked some extra ‘umph’ or spark that could have given greater life to the story.  All in all though I recommend this as solidly engaging and a good listen.

I received this as a free download as part of Audiofile Sync YA 2012  Summer Program. That is a great program that pairs a new audiobook with a classic of similar tone to encourage young people to read/listen to the classics as well as new authors.

I'm not quite sure where the community is located... mid south I think. I will add it to my New Author, Audio and Post-Apocalyptic Challenge lists.