Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey - Audiobook - The Countess of Carnarvon - Read by Wanda McCaddon

As a Downton Abbey enthusiast, I enjoyed this book immensely! Full of romance, sorrow and drama! Just like the beloved show, Downton Abbey. Only, these people, really lived! 

About the Book

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey tells the story behind Highclere Castle, the real-life inspiration and setting for Julian Fellowes's Emmy Award-winning PBS show, and the life of one of its most famous inhabitants: Lady Almina, the fifth Countess of Carnarvon. Drawing on a rich store of materials from the archives of Highclere Castle, including diaries, letters, and photographs, the current Lady Carnarvon has written a transporting story of this fabled home on the brink of war. Much like her Masterpiece Classic counterpart Lady Cora Crawley, Lady Almina was the daughter of a wealthy industrialist, Alfred de Rothschild, who married his daughter off at a young age, her dowry serving as the crucial link in the effort to preserve the Earl of Carnarvon's ancestral home. Throwing open the doors of Highclere Castle to tend to the wounded of World War I, Lady Almina distinguished herself as a brave and remarkable woman. This rich tale contrasts the splendor of Edwardian life in a great house against the backdrop of the First World War and offers an inspiring and revealing picture of the woman at the center of the history of Highclere Castle. (Description from Amazon.)

My Thoughts

I admit without shame, that I am an avid Downton Abbey fan. Having been sucked into it by the time the third season aired, I have been in love ever since. As some of you may know I have an obsession with finding out the real history behind stories that I love.

Behemoth & Goliath - Leviathan Trilogy Books 2 & 3 - Scott Westerfeld (Illustrated by Keith Thompson)

As the world plunges into The Great War, the Leviathan travels to the Ottoman Empire in hopes of keeping the peace with the Emperor. Follow Deryn and Alek as they travel around the world. These books abound with secret missions, new beasts and machines, hidden lies and truths that are (FINALLY) revealed and many historical figures encountered. 

***Please note that these books do not stand alone...My review for the first book in the series Leviathan can be found HERE***

Behemoth - Book 2

About the Book

The Behemoth is the fiercest creature in the British navy. It can swallow enemy battleships with one bite. The Darwinists will need it, now that they are at war with the Clanker Powers. Deryn is a girl posing as a boy in the British Air Service, and Alek is the heir to an empire posing as a commoner. Finally together aboard the airship Leviathan, they hope to bring the war to a halt. But when disaster strikes the Leviathan's peacekeeping mission, they find themselves alone and hunted in enemy territory. Alek and Deryn will need great skill, new allies, and brave hearts to face what's ahead. (Description from the back of the book.)

MyThoughts

As you may have guessed, I have a problem with binge reading. When I find a series that I am IN LOVE with, I won't stop until I am finished! However, most of the time I need to wait six months to a year before the next installment.
Thankfully that was not the case with Mr. Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan Trilogy. My favorite beastie by far is the perspicacious loris. This picture is pretty close to how I envisioned it. I want one!!! It was so much fun reading this alternate history of WWI. Learning a few interesting details about the war that did in fact happen along the way. Although Mr. Westerfeld has

Cascade® Platinum™ ActionPacs™ - BzzAgent Product Review

About the Product

You’ve got life upgrades in spades: Whether taking steps into parenthood or taking steps into a new place to call home, there’s a lot going on. Why not upgrade your dishwasher detergent with Cascade® Platinum™ ActionPacs™? With 3X more film-fighting power, better grease cleaning abilities and rinse aid action powered by Shine Shield, these tough-on-grime dishwasher packs make it easy to clean even the hardiest stains. Formulated with the grease-fighting power of Dawn®, ActionPacs™ clean tough food stains better than six bargain brand detergent packs combined. That’s why it’s the #1 recommended detergent by North American dishwasher manufacturers.

The Reluctant Duchess - Ladies of the Manor Book 2 - Roseanna M. White - Guest Post + Giveaway

I have been looking forward to The Reluctant Duchess since the moment I finished book one, The Lost Heiress! As the mystery of the Fire Eyes continues, we will follow Lady Rowena on her journey of faith and love. We also have a special guest post by Roseanna M. White and a giveaway! (Make sure you click on the link below.) 

"Ye're incorrigible, aren't you, Duke?"

He leaned forward a bit, the grin feeling at home now. "The word you're looking for, my dear lady, is charming."

- The Reluctant Duchess (page 79)

About the Book

By the year 1912, Lady Rowena has suffered much and is determined to flee the terrors of her life in the Highlands of Scotland. Yet she reluctant to submit to the schemes designed for her escape. In a rather unconventional way, Brice Myerston, the Duke of Nottingham, sweeps in and saves her from a daunting future. With the Duke, Lady Rowena has the chance of a new life, new love and a new hope that she never thought possible. (Please tell me I am not the only one who started humming the Star Wars theme song just now.) Yet she is plagued with nightmares of the past. Afraid that she will never be worthy, convinced that no one could care about her. Rowena also discovers that Brice is involved with a treasure that brings sorrow wherever it goes.  Will Brice be able to help her see the true worth and the beauty that lies within her? Will she find her confidence, her voice and maybe fall in love along the way? Can they overcome the "curse" of the Fire Eyes, together?

"Be whoever you want to be, and be it with confidence." 

- The Reluctant Duchess (page 156)

My Thoughts

While I have no personal understanding of the exact situation that Lady Rowena experiences, I know full well the horror of emotional trauma. I avoid talking about our experience in my reviews because, books are my escape. I didn't want the stress, the

As the Ink Flows: Devotions to Inspire Christian Writers & Speakers - Author Interview + Giveaway

I am so excited to have Melony Teague visiting with us today! Melony is also graciously giving away an eBook of As the Ink Flows (courtesy of Judson Press). Make sure you enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below!

About the Book

As the Ink Flows: Devotions to Inspire Christian Writers & Speakers integrates the craft of writing with the faith of people of the Word, in order to deepen, sustain, and expand ministry in the world. The volume includes 90 devotions written by members of Friends in the Word, a Canadian Christian writers’ group. Each entry features a Bible verse, a brief meditation on the Scripture and the writing experience, and a prompt for personal reflection and creative response. For ease-of-use, the devotions are organized topically, including: The Craft, Inspiration, Priorities, Life Stories, Wellbeing, Personalities, and Faithfulness.

My Thoughts

It has been a LONG time since I have done any writing outside of my reviews (journaling/poetry/creative ramblings) and in just a few days of reading these devotions,