The Secret of Pembrooke Park

Summary:
Facing financial ruin, Abigail and her father search for more affordable lodgings, until a strange solicitor arrives with an astounding offer: the use of a distant manor house abandoned for eighteen years. The Fosters journey to imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was abruptly left: tea cups encrusted with dry tea, moth-eaten clothes in wardrobes, a doll's house left mid-play...

The handsome local curate welcomes them, but though he and his family seem acquainted with the manor's past, the only information they offer is a stern warning: Beware trespassers drawn by rumors that Pembrooke Park contains a secret room filled with treasure.

This catches Abigail's attention. Hoping to restore her family's finances--and her dowry--Abigail looks for this supposed treasure. But eerie sounds at night and footprints in the dust reveal she isn't the only one secretly searching the house.Will Abigail find the treasure and love she seeks...or very real danger?


My Thoughts:
This is my first book by Julie Klassen. I had been hearing what a great author Julie is, so I was excited to read this one even though it looked a bit long.
I was not disappointed. I loved the setting of the book. It felt like an additional character. Abigail, the heroine, wasn't my favorite character in the book, but I liked her. William was likable although a bit forward for a preacher of that time. I loved Leah and the history/mystery surrounding the house most of all.
The plot was layered carefully and artfully. I enjoyed the plot and even though the book was long, it didn't feel cumbersome.

I recommend this for fans of Christian Regency novels.

I was given this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

 

 

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Sabotaged: A Review

 

Back cover summary: Growing up, goody-two-shoes Kirra Jacobs and troublemaker Reef McKenna were always at odds. Now, working together as search-and-rescue for Alaska's arduous Iditarod race, a growing attraction seems to be forcing aside old arguments. Then Reef catches Kirra sneaking from camp in the middle of the night.

Kirra's uncle, a musher in the race, has disappeared. Kirra and Reef quickly track the man, but what they discover is harrowing: Frank's daughter has been kidnapped. Kirra and Reef, along with the entire McKenna family, are thrown into a race to stop a shadowy villain who is not only threatening a girl's life--but appears willing to unleash one of the largest disasters Alaska has ever seen.

My thoughts:

I loved the first three books in this series. I love the family dynamics, the well-developed characters, and the fast-paced adventure. The fourth book wasn't as amazing, but I still loved it.

This one was my least favorite. The romantic aspect seemed settled way too early in the book, and the action just didn't carry the book. I skimmed the last third of the book to find out the end.

I enjoyed the epilogue because I did enjoy all the characters in the series. They were intriguing, and the Alaskan setting was unique and added to the stories.

 

Overall, it's a good ending to a terrific series. I know it seems like I didn't like it, but I think that's just because the first few books were so fantastic that even though this book is good, it just didn't stand out like the others.

 

I received a copy in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

 

 

 

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Confessional Friday

 

 

Connecting with Leslie at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/ for Confessional Friday

 

I confess I've lost count of how many mini Reese's I've eaten in the last week. I need Valentine's to be over, but then there's the Easter candy right after that. Maybe I can just avoid stores all together. That would help my budget too.

I confess I hate math and am dreading doing my taxes now that I have this author thing going on. I love everything about being an author except "selling" and math/taxes. It's worth it though.

I confess after years of hating stuff around my neck, I've become a fan of scarves....like wearing one three out of four days so far this week.

I confess I only lasted four days with nail polish on my fingernails. The second one nail chips, it's over for me.

Boring, I know!

 

 

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Confessional Friday

 

 

I've been lax about my Confessional Friday posts. I had a fantastic Christmas break that included a great trip to New Mexico. Then, I went back to work and the first couple weeks back were horrible. I was so discouraged.

Things improved this week, and I'm hoping they continue.

 

 

 

So, I'm back.

 

I confess I really miss the cold. It was in the 80s a few days this week. It's like Houston forgot it's January.

 

 

 

 

I confess I've got nothing left.

Such a sad post.

Next week will be better. I hope.

 

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A Few Giveaways!

 

So, I've been doing some interviews and giveaways on different blogs.
Here are the links in case you're interested. A couple of them only have a few entries, so your chances are great. :)

God is Love Blog:
http://capturingtheidea.blogspot.com/2015/01/author-interview-laura-jackson.html

Barn Door Book Loft Giveaway 1:
http://www.barndoorbookloft.net/2015/01/worth-time-by-laura-jackson.html

Barn Door Book Loft Giveaway 2:
http://www.barndoorbookloft.net/2015/01/interview-with-huston-author-laura.html

Teens of Today and Tomorrow Blog:
http://www.pattishene.com/teensoftodayandtomorrow/275/1

Good luck!

 

 

 

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Sometimes I don't Get It

 

When I first got the cover for Worth the Time from my publisher, I have to admit I was a little confused.

I was worried that someone who didn't know the series would immediately think couple....and an older guy with a teen girl.

 

 

But, you know what, my publisher got what I had forgotten.

This wasn't a story about a girl meeting a guy and falling in love.

It was about a girl who thought she was abandoned by her father only to find out she wasn't.

A girl discovering that she is loved.

By her earthly father.

And more importantly, her heavenly father.

 

That's the greatest love story ever told--the one we have with our creator.

 

 

 

So, my publisher added the blurb on the front, and it's perfect to me. I love it.

It's not the norm to show a girl with her dad on the cover of a YA novel, but I've never been normal. :) And Lindsey's not either.

Hope you enjoy Lindsey's story.

 

It's on sale Tuesday, January 6th on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

(And Worth the Wait is on sale until Saturday for 99 cents to celebrate. Find it on Amazon .)

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HopeSprings Giveaway!

 

 

 

Thanks to all of you who visited our various blogs throughout the month of December and commented. We appreciate you taking the time to do that and hope that you'll continue to stick around. Each of us try to provide interesting and entertaining content weekly and would love your continued presence!

Without further ado, our grand prize winner is

June Horne

June, please contact me via email - elizabeth dot maddrey at gmail dot com (replace "dot" and "at" with a . and an @) And in even more delightful news - everyone else who commented is eligible for a free audiobook download of one of the following HopeSprings books:

• Worth the Wait by Laura Jackson
• Marriage Takes Three by G.E. Hamlin
• The Sheep Walker�s Daughter by Sydney Avey
• Courage to Change by Elizabeth Maddrey
• Joint Venture by Elizabeth Maddrey

Please contact me (same email as above) with your first two choices (supplies of each title are limited, so get in touch quickly.) Your participation in the Advent giveaway will be verified and then you'll receive an email with information about how to claim your free audio book. Thanks again for spending a bit of your Advent with us. Have a very blessed Christmas!

 

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Congrats, Katie!

 

Congrats to Katie Clark for winning a copy of Worth the Time!

Everyone who commented will be put into the drawing for the 150-dollar gift card! The winner will be announced Monday!

 

Merry Christmas, everyone.

 

 



If you didn't win this time, you can still check out Worth the Time on Amazon. :)

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HopeSprings Giveaway: Hope in Jesus

 

Immigration Debates

ISIS

Racial Tension

Violence

Depression

Bullying

Broken or hurting marriages

 

 

 

The world is messy. It's broken. Wait, it's more than broken, it's in shattered pieces.

 

And we search in all the wrong places to fix it: the government, anger, social status, education, relationships, etc.

 

And they don't solve it. They will disappoint us every time we place our hope in them.

 

 

Where's the hope of a better future? The hope that tomorrow will be brighter?

 

Jesus.

 

He is the only hope, the only way, the only truth. He takes our brokenness and restores.

 

He is hope. The brokenness of the world may still swirl around us, a tornado of sin, but inside we can still grasp onto the hope of Jesus.

 

Titus 2:13 (ESV): Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ

 

Our hope is not in the things of the world. Our hope is not in the people around us. Our hope is in Jesus alone and His appearance--His promise fulfilled.

 

What a glorious day that will be!

 

What does the word hope mean to you? Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Worth the Time. (Be sure to leave your email address.)

 

Each comment will also enter you into the Author of HopeSprings giveaway (150 dollar Amazon gift card).

 

I'll draw a winner on the 20th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Bookmarks and Pens!

 

 

I've got pens and bookmarks for anyone who'd like some to keep for yourself or pass out.

Just send me your info to laurajacksonwrites at gmail dot com and let me know if you're passing them out or just want a few for yourself.

 

 

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