Donna Fletcher CrowRecensioni

English professors Elizabeth and Richard are celebrating their 20th anniversary by visiting Jane Austen’s old stomping grounds. From Bath to Hampshire to Steventon and more, this couple has planned the dream vacation. But, when some old papers are donated to the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, Richard ends up helping go through them and begins what will become a multiple-victim mystery, complete with a search for a missing Austen manuscript.

Before I even began reading this book, I wrote this in my notes: "I haven't even opened the book yet and I'm excited! I just took a Jane Austen-themed tour this past September to all the places mentioned in the back cover description. I am so looking forward to reading this!"

I absolutely adored this book---totally was not disappointed! The author has obviously spent time in the places she's describing. The Jane Austen Centre tea room---oh, I can just see it! She mentioned so many things I just loved about England. The performers in the courtyard and Holy Communion at Bath Abbey, the beautiful assembly rooms, Chawton Cottage---I followed her every step of the way! One line in the book said, "Jane never wrote about a place she did not know personally." This story completely came alive for me because I do know these places personally!

The writing style is simple and sweet. My favorite line from Elizabeth: "Logic can be such an inconvenient thing." Love it!

I'm definitely looking forward to reading the other two in this series, as well as looking into the archaeological dig at Steventon---the only place mentioned in the story that I didn't visit.

Thanks so much to Donna Fletcher Crow for the complimentary review copy. My daughter is enjoying it now, and then it will go into our personal collection.

The plot is very similar to that of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code though more in the style of a murder mystery rather than a thriller. A small group (in this case 3 people) are guarding a secret relating to the Christian church; one of the group is murdered but leaves behind cryptic clues which a man and young woman try to unravel, travelling from place to place while others try to stop them. This plot is more believable but the identity of the bad guys seemed pretty obvious after the halfway point. I learned a lot about early English church history (more than I really wanted to!) including who the Venerable Bede was (previously just a name to me).

A treasure hunt following cryptic clues in a journal. However, a little too much history about Cuthbert that didn't actually contribute much to the plot. And Felicity seemed to get conned rather easily. But some of the church history was interesting as was the religious context of the story.

College professors Elizabeth and Richard are on their dream vacation - visiting all Jane Austen’s homes in England with the help of an Oxford guide - could they have stumbled upon a letter that has gone missing which could lead to revelations about Jane Austen’s unfinished manuscript The Watsons?

While studying at the College of the Transfiguration in Yorkshire, Father Dominic gifts Felicity Howard a book, but then he is found murdered. So Father Anthony and Felicity are sentto find the meaning behind the murder and the contents of the book.
Straightaway I unfortunately found Felicity irritating, and that coupled with for me too much information about Cuthbert and the history of the Church of England, was not a good start to a series I have been looking forward to reading.

Lord Charles Danvers decides to accept the invitation to the country estate of his friend Sir John Boileau to celebrate the coming of age of the eldest son. When their peace is disturbed by the brutual murders in a nearby house.
An enjoyable read but would have preferred to read a lot less of Mill's philosophy and the views of the Vicar.

At the Great Exhibition Lady Antonia discovers a body. But this is soon forgotten as her marriage to Lord Danvers approaches and they set off on their honeymoon in Scotland. With digging into past personal histories, the body also comes back to haunt them.
Too much non-inportant description to make it interesting.

Victorian England and India clash. With Antonia and Lord Danvers with their family caught up in the London season, with a couple of murders. While Antonia's childhood friend is caught up in the events in India.
Too much descriptive historical fiction not enough mystery.

Although this is well written, the plot is tempered by the romance interest. The characters are underdeveloped but suitable for the light read this book provides. Issues are raised but they do not impinge on the reader.½

Stephanie’s father is an Idaho State representative, her best friends are protesting the Vietnam War, and Stephanie wants to make a difference. Author Donna Fletcher Crow depicts a small-town girl’s view of Vietnam with powerful conviction, leading to a growing sense of conflicted political ideals in her protagonist. But Stephanie is strong enough to rise above it all, even stepping into her own smaller wars with the Attorney General when he opposes her stand to create more immediate change in housing for the poor.

Combining a convincing sense of history with detailed depictions of political machinations, Days of Turmoil recreates the turmoil of a time not so long ago, while balancing it on a past that is likewise recent. A delightful sense of family histories, so easily lost, is well-balanced against the battle for very real religious and political issues. With natural faith, honest exploration of freedom’s changing face, and an intriguing touch of self-searching uncertainty, the novel is as convincing in its depiction of romance as in the gritty realities of politics and the prayers of the haunted. It’s a very cool read, with intriguing discussion questions too.

Disclosure: I love the author’s writing and I got this one in a deal.

The plot is very similar to that of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code though more in the style of a murder mystery rather than a thriller. A small group (in this case 3 people) are guarding a secret relating to the Christian church; one of the group is murdered but leaves behind cryptic clues which a man and young woman try to unravel, travelling from place to place while others try to stop them. This plot is more believable but the identity of the bad guys seemed pretty obvious after the halfway point. I learned a lot about early English church history (more than I really wanted to!) including who the Venerable Bede was (previously just a name to me).½

This novel is difficult for me to describe. There are two sides to it--a historical one exploring centuries of the story of the Lanark family, a family with Scottish origins residing in Ireland and a modern one telling the story of Mary an American girl who wants to live happily ever after with her fiancee in an Irish cottage but finds herself in the midst of the Irish Republican Army unrest. Like most novels with a historical and modern thread, I much prefer the historic and wish the modern had been omitted. In this case, I felt it was unnecessary since the saga could have moved forward another generation or two to include that element. Crow is a cut above most Christian novelists, and her research into the time period shows. Those interested in the history of Ireland will enjoy this work.½

Very disappointed by "A Most Singular Venture" by Donna Fletcher Crow. I hoped the dryness would go away and leave me floating through the pages happily. The book has everything I like in it. There are rare books, bookstores, England and Jane Austen, marriage, mystery. I'm really hurt because one of my favorite Classic authors is Jane Austen. Anyway, I soon became discouraged. What I wanted to happen didn't happen.

I feel so badly. The author's name is one I fell in love with too. I liked repeating her name in my head, Donna Fletcher Crow. I'm definitely going to read another one of her books. I have great hopes that soon this author will satisfy my need for a good mystery or English fiction with History. Thank you for a copy of the e-book from Reading Deals

I had this book sitting around for years and even read a 100 pages at one time. This time I started from the beginning and read it all. Some parts were page turners and others were hard to get through. Each section of history had one or two main characters. I think I enjoyed reading of the earlier ones more than the later ones. The author wrote well and did her homework. I am thankful for the family tree and maps in the front.½

Fourth in Donna Fletcher-Crow’s Where There Is Love series, Where Love Restores is a wonderful blend of period romance, English history, and Christian faith. The story takes place against a political backdrop of Wilberforce’s opposition to slavery, American independence, the Cato Street conspiracy and more. Georgiana delights in dances and hunts, while dreaming of marriage one day. Meanwhile Granville, the love of her childhood, leaves the navy to attend Cambridge. Ever suffering as the younger son with no future planned out for him, he struggles to believe there is any purpose to his life.

Cambridge, with its churches and temptations, isn't all that much changed today. Certainly, having attended there, I have no problem believing the author’s depiction of the university's past. I’m excited to see new buildings going up—then and now—and delighted to learn the history of both Christian and secular societies.

Where Love Restores isn’t a book for those opposed to Christian faith. But it might be a particularly good book for someone struggling with the idea of not being good enough. Granville struggles to believe in the love of a young woman, or of an earthly or heavenly father. In the real world he’s slightly deaf, and in the spiritual he insists on hearing only condemnation and obligation. But faith and prayer will win through, protecting hearts and lives, as the year goes on.

The story’s based on accurate research and presented with evocative prose. Where Love Restores is another great book in the series, and I can hardly wait to read more.

Disclosure: I was given a copy and I offer my honest review.

“Teaching reading was usually Catherine’s greatest joy. Opening young minds to the wonder of language.” But faith is her other joy—faith found with pure delight one day while listening to Charles Wesley’s preaching. She was so sure it was God’s will that they meet; surely God’s will that she be on her brother’s short list of people the famous preacher might marry; and certain that Charles would never wed a younger woman, as now he has. Suddenly God’s will for Catherine’s life seems oddly obscured. Meanwhile an itinerant preacher, once sure God would call him to a place where he could stay and set down roots, feels equally unmoored.

Where Love Begins is filled with fascinating details of historical society, transport, teaching, clothing and even food—from anchovy toast to strawberry fritters, potato pudding and more. All is experienced through the convincing eyes of truly believable characters, longing for God’s will, and struggling with those choices that might define their lives. It’s a story of human spirituality and need, well-balanced between love and duty, honestly appraising the loneliness of rejection and the glory of fellowship, and seasoned with an aching desire to know and do God’s will. And it’s a tale that brings to vivid life an exciting time of change in England’s history. Faith is a natural thread in the characters’ lives and thoughts. And prayers just might be answered in God’s way and time, rather than man’s.

If you enjoy historical romance, and if faith does not offend, this book will surely offer both enjoyment and inspiration, plus more than a few twists of intriguing history.

Disclosure: I was given an ecopy and I offer my honest review.

A mystery dinner that has been lengthened from a night to a week, with period costumes worn by the detectives. While following the clues of the "crime scenario" the main characters discover a body in the bath, then lo and behold the hotel is cut off from the outside (the police) by a winter storm with excessive flooding. They will have to solve their own murder. Many reminders and referrals to mystery writers of the past Christie, Sayers, Marsh etc. tie the present to the past. This was a fun read.

“What a wonderful story," says my mother. "As a Methodist of 85 years standing I have read a lot about the early days of Methodism, both in stories and in factual accounts. The background to this book and the accuracy of the descriptions, both of apparel and of stately homes is astonishing. It is hard to realise that the book was written by an American author. I began to read it halfway through the morning. I stopped just once, to visit the bathroom and then make sandwiches and eat lunch. Then I rushed back to it and read to the end." She clearly loved this book!

Donna Fletcher Crow’s Where Love Illumines is set partly in Cambridge, England, so I’m bound to love it too. It’s a faithful tale of historical Methodists – another good reason to read. But it’s also a story of real people in a world of failing faith, not unlike our own; a story filled with laugh-out-loud humor, gorgeously fashioned romance, and well-reasoning Christians arguing the meaning of their faith while their teachers are found wanting. It makes for an epic mix, and author Donna Fletcher Crow sets emotions and intellect into clever juxtaposition, juggling both and producing a result as well-balanced as the flavors in a perfect turtle soup.

In a time when the rich take the waters at Bath, dress gloriously, and feed on wondrous foods, London is growing—“eleven thousand new houses have been built in one-quarter of Westminster in less than ten years.” Meanwhile “enthusiasm in religion” might be “social suicide.” And a wise and humorous young man might have to “put his entire career and future success on the line for his faith.” But what of a woman whose love is confused, and whose faith hasn’t quite found its path.

The author incorporates letters of famous preachers into her text, and creates a novel that draws the reader like fiction, inspires like prayer, involves like a well-wrought lecture, and most highly entertains—or wrongly if you happen to feel “Humor … is most inappropriate and unbecoming in a man of God.” The story proceeds rightly and pleasingly, with a perfect balance of fiction and fact, fun and fire, inspiration and elation. Highly recommended for anyone interested in romance, religion or Christianity.

Disclosure: I was given a free ecopy and I offer my honest review.

szkoda dobrgo tematu.Narratorem jest infantylna niepozbierana dziewczyna.

Title: A Sweet Misfortune (Virtues and Vices of the Old West #2)
Author: Maggie Brendan
Pages: 336
Year: 2016
Publisher: Revell
John McIntyre is intent on increasing the size of his ranch through buying land and cattle. He has no time to deal with his friend’s wayward sister, but feels compelled to help him out after he receives a letter from his friend. His friend’s sister, Rachel, is working as a dance hall girl at the town saloon and her brother fears for her reputation. John rides to town and takes Rachel to his ranch where he lives with his grandmother. He feels protective of her, but has his eye on a nearby wealthy young lady for courting purposes not a dance hall girl. He discovers there is much more to Rachel than just a dance hall girl; she is caring, compassionate and puts the needs of others before her own.
Rachel Matthews desperately needed a way to support herself after her brother leaves to try to find gold to buy back the family ranch after their parents’ deaths. Rachel only knows cattle ranching, so she decides to work as a dance hall girl to support herself. She has no other options. After John forcibly takes her from the dance hall, she begins to realize she is better off at his ranch and working at his grandmother’s millinery shop. She enjoys her job and has three suitors; however, none of them make her heart speed up like it does when John is around.
I just so appreciated the three main characters in the story constantly pointing to God for their blessings in every situation. Their reliance on prayer and God’s provision was evident throughout the story and I liked that aspect to the story. This book is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. The chapters are short and the print easy to read so the story quickly passes. I also enjoyed the author’s note, explaining some historical facts about things/people in the story. Book three is already in the works and the first chapter is included at the end to whet readers’ appetites!
My rating is 4 stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Expecting another cozy Victorian murder mystery, I was shocked when this book began with a murder more akin to Capote's In Cold Blood. A philosophizing, balloon enthusiast, Lord Danvers involves himself in finding the murderer and stumbles on further secrets of gambling, blackmail, and death. Oh yes, and a little romance. Great book!

The second Lord Danvers book; I found this less satisfying than the first one. It began with Lord Danvers and his fiancee enjoying the famed World Exhibit that was masterminded by Prince Albert and naturally, a body appears that just happens to be associated with Scotland, where they plan to honeymoon only a few weeks later. The accused is a relative and to top it all off, there's a brewing scandal in the Danvers family. It was okay but I liked the first book much better.

I wanted so much to like this book more than I did but in the end, could only say "I liked it". Crow does an excellent job of including the Victorian interests and beliefs - phrenology, ballooning, architectural restorations, etc. In this book, the murderer was someone who actually existed although this particular crime is fictional. That part of the book was pretty good. What annoyed me was the great secret held by Lady Danvers who was disappearing and lying to her husband in a manner that seemed completely out of character for her from previous books. When you find out what the secret is, it seems completely stupid that she felt she couldn't tell her husband who clearly dotes on her and has a forgiving, loving heart even for strangers so how much more would he be so towards his wife? 3 stars it is.

Do you know what a python wrangler is, or how a best boy can be a girl? Do you know how to sweep the old year from a home, or how English mysticism arose in medieval times? Can you sing the songs of religious tradition in a tale of mystery and murder? If not (or even if you can) Donna Fletcher Crow’s An All-Consuming Fire might be just the book for you. Starring the religiously honest and soon to be married Anthony and Felicity, with an all-star supporting cast from overbearing American mother to overworked and underpaid British TV producer, plus the occasional corpse and a great team of teens, the latest in the Monastery Murders series revels in the beauty of British landscapes, the wonders of British history, the miracles of Christian mysticism, and the magic of Christian liturgy.

Author Donna Fletcher Crow has a wonderful way of combining times, balancing ideas, and building Christian themes and doctrines neatly and naturally into thoroughly modern and up-to-date stories. Kids take drugs. Films show porn. Greed kills. And love waits. Monastery Murders is a great series of stories for believers, non-believers, and mystery lovers everywhere. And An All-Consuming Fire is a great next step. I’m longing for more.

So is my Mum.

Disclosure: I was given a free copy and I offer my honest review – the best yet!

I liked the artistic sense of the main character and how she described settings she saw and translated them into yarns that she owned to use in her weavings. The colors and textures really stood out to me in her descriptions.

The rest of the story I found pretty standard. There were parts that lagged for me and made it hard to hold my interest in reading on--but I've read a number of books in this series recently and, as with any series, the consistencies between stories tend to be noticeable the more of them you read and this might be coloring my view of the story.