First Line Fridays 32: The Baron's Ring by Mary C. Findley

Its Friday again, and the last day of June tomorrow. Time passes so quickly, especially when I realize I have been part of this group for more than one year. 

At the moment I an 'reading' two Regencies The Innkeeper's Daughter by Michelle Griep, and making my way through the audiobook of A Defense of Honor by Kristi Ann Hunter. 

Well, I was just under halfway through the latter, and have completed two more chapters on my Kindle. So listening and reading. 

However, I decided not to include either of those in today's post. Instead, I am choosing a book from my Kindle backlist, which I am trying to make my way through this year. 

The Baron's Ring by Mary C. Findley is an Allegorical Fantasy novel, which I have had on my Kindle- you've guessed it, for years. Noticing a pattern?

Tristan of Parangor fights his crown prince brother's ignorance and godlessness until he is swept a hundred miles downriver and a world away from his royal life to the tiny town of Larcondale. Forced to make a living and wait for the Lord's time to return home, Tristan becomes a farrier, teacher, and encourager to the town's minister and all its people. 

Idolatry and occult Dforces make Tristan's struggles heavier but he finds friendship and budding love as he works and waits. 

A seemingly insurmountable tragedy presents Tristan with an opportunity to increase his power to do good. Day by day he struggles to learn the lessons God has to prepare him for the moment when the past and present collide and Tristan must return to his kingdom. He has no idea that he will face old enemies and find unexpected friends.

And the First Line Reads......

Tristan stood at the farthest edge of the crowd at his father’s funeral, his height allowing him to easily look over the heads of most of the attendees.

 

Don't know about anyone else, but I do like the name Tristan. Its from the Medieval Literature originally. Don't forget to click the Meme and see what all the other members are reading, or post with the First Line of the book you are reading. 

Christian Fiction by Century- Part 1- Rome to Conquest

I'm rather taking my cue from Rosanne E Lortz here, who a few years ago made a list of Historical Fiction by Century. So I'm adapting it for Christian Fiction by century, specifically focused on the Medieval period (though I might do a post-Medieval List its likely to be quite full), starting at the time when many historians regard the Medieval period to have begun- with the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the fifth and sixth centuries A.D.
Readers are welcome to suggest titles to add to the list, so without further ado......

Early Medieval Period (sometimes referred to as 'The Dark Ages', a term which some Medievalists do not like, and so I have not used).

AD 410-597- The Fifth & Sixth Century

 King Arthur!

Whether or not he existed, the legendary British King and Warlord is quite well-represented in Christian Fiction. Here's a selection of novels, set during the period above, and incorporating the Arthurian legends. 

AD 597- 799 - The Seventh and Eighth Century

From the landing of Augustine on the shores of Britain to the coming of the Vikings. Anglo-Saxons (my favourites) come in here. 

AD 800 - 1065- Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh Century to the Norman Conquest 

From Charlemagne to the Norman Conquest and everything in between, including Vikings 

* The Miracle Thief by Iris Anthony is technically General Market fiction, but meets CBA standards according to some reviewers.

Returning next time with the Norman Conquest and the Middle Ages. Up to the Tudors. See you then and Happy Reading.

First Line Fridays 31: A Most Noble Heir by Susan Anne Mason

Back again after taking a break last week. Time has gone by so fast, yesterday was the longest day, or Summer Solstice, so from today the days get shorter. 

I personally love the long days of sunshine in summer, when the sun  beats me to rise at 5am, and is up until well after 9 in the evening.

Hayfever though, is the downside of summer. Even as a write my eyes are watering (well the right one is anyway). 

Today, I'm not going to be complicated, and just share one of two books I am currently reading. Or at least, I started reading the Netgalley version of this one, before getting the audiobook. I will try reading more, before going back to the audio version. 

Gotta sat that whilst the story is good so far, I'm not sure I've entirely warmed to the hero, Nolan. I think I actually prefer Lord Stainsby. That's me: non-conformist all the way.

 

 

Derbyshire, England

May 1884. 

Nolan Price scanned the fields of newly budding greenery and stretched as far as he could see and slowly inhaled the scent of grass, soil and freshly spread manure.

I love the smell of freshly mown grass myself. Though I don't think grass loves me, what with the hay-fever n'all.

That's all from me this week. Don't forget to click the meme and see what all the other members of the group are reading. 

 

You Carried Me by Melissa Ohden Review

You Carried Me: A Daughter's Memoir by Melissa Ohden

Published UK Monarch Books, October 2017

USA Plough Publishing House, January 2017  

Print and Ebook 

What happens when an abortion survivor finds her birth mother, who never knew her daughter was alive?

Melissa Ohden is fourteen when she learns she is the survivor of a botched abortion. In this intimate memoir she details for the first time her search for her biological parents, and her own journey from anger and shame to faith and empowerment.

After a decade-long search Melissa finally locates her birth father and writes to extend forgiveness, only to learn that he has died without answering her burning questions. Melissa becomes a mother herself in the very hospital where she was aborted. This experience transforms her attitude toward women who have had abortions, as does the miscarriage of her only son and the birth of a second daughter with complex health issues. But could anything prepare her for the day she finally meets her birth mother and hears her side of their story?

This intensely personal story of love and redemption illumines the powerful bond between mother and child that can overcome all odds.

My Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I don't often read biographies, but chose this one because it sounded so interesting. Indeed it was. The writing style might not always be according to everyone's taste, but Mrs Ohden's story is one that needs to be told.

Abortion is clearly one of the great taboos of our day: survivors who share their story should not be attacked and despised in the way Melissa has been.

Sadly, this will always happen as long as stories like hers prick the collective conscience. Especially when that involves highlighting the actions of the popular: such as the advert Melissa took part in making which revealed how Senator Barack Obama voted 'to deny basic constitutional rights to babies born alive after failed abortions' four times.

Yet her story also cannot fail to incite compassion, rather that judgement. Often, this whole subject is reduced to a simple matter of 'choice' by people on both sides of the ideological divide. In fact, many women and young girls are coerced or pressurized by those more powerful than them, including parents, or 'deceived' into thinking that 'the price of their happiness is the life of their child'. These women are also victims.

It makes you think that abortion is not simply an act of violence: it is the ultimate abuse of power over the powerless. Both women and their unborn children.

Above all, this is the story of a survivor, who not only survived, but learned to forgive, overcome and find what she most wanted in the end. It carries many important lessons to impart to the rest of us. Recommended.

Published in the UK by Monarch/Lion Hudson, from whom I requested the PDF on Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.

First Line Fridays 30: You Carried Me by Melissa Ohden

That time of the week again! Today I am featuring a non-fiction book. I don't tend to read much non-fiction except history and poetry: or the other genre which I like, which is biographies and autobiographies.

I requested this one on Netgalley months ago, and I've only just recently started reading it. In fact, I forgot to send it my my Kindle, and had to download it again. 

You Carried Me by Melissa Ohden 

Melissa Ohden is fourteen when she learns she is the survivor of a botched abortion. In this intimate memoir she details for the first time her search for her biological parents, and her own journey from anger and shame to faith and empowerment.

After a decade-long search Melissa finally locates her birth father and writes to extend forgiveness, only to learn that he has died without answering her burning questions. Melissa becomes a mother herself in the very hospital where she was aborted. This experience transforms her attitude toward women who have had abortions, as does the miscarriage of her only son and the birth of a second daughter with complex health issues. But could anything prepare her for the day she finally meets her birth mother and hears her side of their story? 

This intensely personal story of love and redemption illumines the powerful bond between mother and child that can overcome all odds.

The first two lines read:

A Thick Manila Envelope arrived at my home in Sioux City with the afternoon mail one sunny day in May 2007.  I knew even without looking at the return address that it came from the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City and contained the medical records that would answer some of the questions I had been agonizing over most of my life.

 Now you can comment with your own First Line, and see what the other members of this group are reading by clicking the Meme 

First Line Fridays 29: Dawnsinger by Janalyn Voigt

Is it already Friday again? The weeks are flying by: and the first day of June this year. There are 4 birthdays in my family this month, and father's day in the UK falls in June as well. Its going to be so busy. 

Today, I am including another book that I have had on my Kindle Cloud reader for years, as I am attempting to clear my Kindle backlog. I did not buy it directly from Amazon, but from the Publisher's website, because Amazon UK's price was extortionate.

Although its fantasy, Dawnsinger by Janalyn Voigt is supposed to be inspired by 13th century English history. 

Dawnsinger, Tales of Faeraven: 1

The High Queen is dying... At the royal summons, Shae mounts a wingabeast and soars through the air to the high hold of Faeraven, where all is not as it seems. Visions warn her of danger, and a dark soul touches hers in the night. When she encounters an attractive but disturbing musician, her wayward heart awakens. But then there is Kai, a guardian of Faeraven and of Shae. 

Secrets bind him to her, and her safety lies at the center of every decision he makes. On a desperate journey fraught with peril and the unknown, they battle warlike garns, waevens, ferocious raptors, and the wraiths of their own regrets. Yet, they must endure the campaign long enough to release the DawnKing and the salvation he offers to a divided land. To prevail, each must learn that sometimes victory comes only through surrender.

The first two lines read:

"The crosswind caught Kai's wingabeast as lightning flared too near. Shrilling, the winged horse tilted in flight, and Kai's stomach lurched'.

I may not be posting much this month, or my postings may be late, because I have a lot of commitments coming up.

As usual though, you can comment with your own First Line, and click the meme below to see what other members of the group are reading.