A Quest That Leads Home
590093
Devlin, the Chosen One of Jorsk, is tasked with finding the Sword of Light in this fantasy-adventure. Accompanied by his loyal friends Stephen and Didrik, he must journey home to Duncaer in order to find the legendary blade. The main source of conflict comes from the fact that Duncaer was conquered by Jorsk and Devlin is viewed as a traitor because he has become the defender of the conquerors.

I quite enjoyed this novel. It has a good balance of action, magic, and character building. Devlin is an interesting epic hero. The author does a nice job of exploring the fact he has become the champion of a people not his own. Themes of friendship, loyalty, honour, and justice are also threaded throughout the story.

This is an enjoyable novel, but it would be best to read it after the first book of the series (Devlins Luck) to fully appreciate the world the author has created.
3367194
Life is a journey and this is an intriguing one. A good read which prompts your own soul searching
1496817
Sometimes the best way we can understand our future is to spend some time looking through the past. For America, a lot changed when we entered WWII, and as thousands of husbands, brothers, and fathers left to serve, women stepped up in a role not familiar to them to pick up in factories where the men left off, their way of helping in the war effort.

As the war ended, and some men returned home, often times with less than they had before, with disabilities, missing limbs, and dealing with PTSD, women were again challenged to step into the roles vacated to help those returning home. Then again, there were those women who married before the war, and were notified that their husband, was killed and would not be returning home. This set the stage for the beginnings of the women's right movement as men returned to go back to work, women who enjoyed working were now faced with resuming the role of a full-time wife and mother, and wanted the respect and recognition that they got in working that was missing in their domestic roles.

That is the stage set for Beneath the Bellemont Sky by Rane S. Clark. For the Larsen family, having a farm is what helped them to get by during the war and now that the men are beginning to return home, the women in the family are looking forward to having the men take over the farm tasks. Vera and her four children have moved back home after learning her husband wouldn't be coming home after all and a way to help make ends meet. The hardest part for any of them is learning to move forward into an unknown future when all they have known is their past. As the town attempts to resume normal life, Andrew Larsen returns with a French wife and now the town's socialites have decided to snub her at every attempt, partly because one of them had hoped that Andrew might return to marry her instead.

Vera knows she has to find a new start for her life and finds solace in the new teacher that comes to town, Dominick Whitaker, who is finding starting over in a small town might just be what he needs but also brings its own share of problems as well. Vera and Dominick hit it off as friends being in similar places in their futures and find an instant connection in their conversations, one that lasts beyond the time they spend with each other. Will Dominick be ready to take on a ready made family or will something in their pasts keep them apart despite their growing affections for one another?

I received Beneath the Bellemont Sky by Rane S. Clark compliments of Covenant Communications. I truly LOVE the novels set among the war time because so much was forced to change to help benefit everyone both in serving in the war or supporting those who left behind those empty places. Change was forced whether one embraced it or not. And in a small town of Wyoming, one can only imagine that everyone knew everyone else. When the war came to a close, some women wanted to stay working, and raising a family and not everyone wanted to return back to their former lives, especially when things we so different. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and give it a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion.
737896
This is not a typical "how to" book in the religious or spiritual genre.  Rather, it is a memoir of the authors's quest to find his way back "home" in the spiritual sense.  He tells the story with a certain authenticity and desperation that really resonated with me.  Clearly, his path and mine are not exactly the same; no two paths ever are.  Yet, his successes and failures, wrong turns and doubts, all gave me hope that I'm not alone on this journey, and that all is well.

"Pastor" Dave is a wonderful, kind and caring man who was the pastor at the church that I grew up in during much of my childhood and young adult years.  He always was open to other viewpoints and treated everyone with love, respect and dignity.  I always held him in the highest personal regard.  However, after reading his new book, I now feel like I know him as a friend and fellow sojourner on the path home.  It's a beautiful story by a beautiful human being, and one that I will treasure and turn back to for years to come.
2408270
"It's about the way, not the destination." This was the theme of the book and one that the author does a great job of illustrating throughout. Sunrises to Santiago is a book for anyone who has ever wanted to travel in hopes of finding adventure while also finding his or herself. You are taken on a journey as the author and his wife go on a 30 day trip across Spain and part of France for the Camino de Santiago.

As I read this book, I found my own desire to do the Camino de Santiago increase tenfold due to the great descriptions. A lot of care is given to ensure that you feel as if you are in this 30 day journey. Little effort is needed to imagine the hotels, meals and companions that become part of this book. You feel the excitement, sorrow, anxiety, and more that Gabriel shares with his fellow travelers ans his wife along the way. The author also provides good quotes throughout which also illustrate his growth during the journey. One of my favorites is one which the author comes across near the end of his journey that he uses as motivation to live in the now and enjoy each moment. "The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance;the wise man grows it under his feet."

I look forward to seeing what else Gabriel Schirm writes as he has a talent that could continue to grow in future works
1188689
A curious and captivating journey for a man facing a hard life and a difficult past. Ricky's path winds through the gritty and strange, as he and an unlikely crew try to solve unusual happenings. The narrative voice is a captivating guide, at once pragmatic, poetic, and peculiar; taking us through an odd shadowy world alongside our familiar cities
1450343
This is an interesting story of a family's journey across Australia.  Parry and her husband, Noel, living a comfortable life in their Australian home, decide to become nomads and cross the Australian Bicentennial Trail.  They decide to sell all their earthly possessions, buy camping supplies, food, and whatever they feel they might need for this trip.  They know they need horses to undertake this trek, so instead of buying the most costly horses, they decide to get horses that were destined for euthanasia unless homes were found for them in a timely manner.  They have to train the horses to get along with them and each other, which takes time and effort.

(Mild spoiler)
Along the way they meet friends, old and new, learn more about each other, learn to love their horses, and realize that they've had a great adventure but perhaps this is not necessarily something they would do again.

I enjoyed this honest and candid author's retelling of their adventure.  I recommend this book.
3088719
In 1903, a newly widowed young woman of 19  is escaping the consequences of both the murder of her husband and the events surrounding it.  Her brothers-in-law are intent on catching her to make her face justice.  This sets the scene for a brutal journey through the cold western wilderness of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada.  The widow (as she is generally referred to throughout the novel) carries with her the demons of her past and some of her recollections are not entirely reliable.  The widow knows that there is no safe place for her within the confines of what passes for civilisation and so she flees across the Rocky Mountains.

There are a number of different themes in this novel and the setting itself is important.  The environment is both beautiful and harsh.  In order to survive, the widow needs to appreciate both and to adapt.  Along her journey she meets some interesting characters, most of them outlanders in their own way, and learns how to survive.  Can she find an enduring happiness?

At times the widow's mind is a confused and confusing space.  It isn't always clear where reality begins and ends but this is integral to the story itself.  This may not be an easy novel to read, but it is beautifully written and well worth the journey.  I found myself reading slowly in order to appreciate the journey while simultaneously wanting to rush ahead to find out the ultimate destination.

This is Ms Adamson's first novel, and I'll certainly be looking to read more of her work.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith
1317244
I liked the journey the main character, Elizabeth, went on to find her purpose and faith. Wherever you are at in your faith, this should encourage you to keep searching.
4262595
Jerry Haynes did a terrific job of combining this long told story about a family's loss and search.  The story leading up to the stolen child and the years of search afterwards is captivating.  You are given a close picture of pioneer life and difficulties, and a look at the time taken to accomplish travels of short distances.  The peak into the Indian's way of life was fascinating, leaving me with the desire to read more, especially about the Wyandots.  I found myself lost in the story, not wanting an end to come, but well-satisfied when the story closed.
255862
Malcolm Clay is a profoundly honest and brave man who chases a beautiful woman from Carmel to Ireland, and at the end of the rainbow he finds hidden treasure within his own soul. SamSara is a work of fiction, but it is deeply authentic in its vivid detail of human internal struggle to understand the riddles of one's life.

Only a few pages into SamSara, I found my-self on a grail quest as Malcolm Clay trekked about Europe with me along for the ride. In Firenze, Malcolm seeks understanding of the feminine amidst the relics of the Renaissance. "A lost in the world tractor salesman" tangled up with a group of female Ph. D.'s, some of which attempt to diagnose & classify him because of their inability to relate on a soulful level. Malcolm presses on and continues to listen to wisdom only to find himself in a small French village waiting for the next clue in his quest. Onward to Ireland where he is led on a treasure hunt searching for the Leprechaun from Carmel.

Anyone who has the guts to search within himself and delve into the unknown will find this read an awesome adventure. Throughout his journey, Malcolm is a witness to lifeless souls existing rather than thriving, always a constant reminder to be true to himself and reclaim his life.

A tapestry of humanity and suffering, for it folly and glory, Mel Mathews bears the soul of Malcolm Clay and distils the spirit of being alive by facing the demons of the past in an attempt to separate from the bondage of false beliefs and dogma.

I look forward to Mel's next book.
2083474
this is a pretty good story about a young man on a quest to find something. whatever that something is well never know, but it has the spirit of Kerouac and Steinbeck all within. definitely recommended!
3327072
It has been said that the greatest journeys are those of the heart.  Carina Burns has written of such a journey, a very personal but in many ways universal search for identity and meaning.  With an eye for detail, she describes aspects of the many places she has visited or called home.  She has candidly described both the joys and challenges of life as a Third Culture Kid.

Thank you, Carina, for sharing your journey with us and by so doing enriching our own.
4528441
This is a fascinating story of a travel undertaken by seven children in order to save their native Teletsia. A journey of epic proportions in which even the youngest of the seven discover hidden heroic - and humane - qualities they did not know they possessed. It is an inspiring story which stays with you months and years after you've finished it. Hard to put aside,  when finishing reading it, one has the feeling of loss usually associated with having to leave trusted and loved friends.  The adventures of the seven kids somehow engulf every day reality, lending it a deeper meaning and even a sense of enjoyment despite adversities. Linda Williams' book resembles Gregoire de Kalbermatten's "The Legend of Dagad Trikon" in that they both feature a revival of heroic tales (not unlike J.K.Rowlings's Harry Potter Series), and center around a collective hero - in which the virtues of feminine intuition and wisdom play a significant part.
101725
Starting a new life in middle age is always of interest to me, as I also know new doors that opened to me when others closed.  It took courage to close the doors behind her and try a new way to make a life.  Living in an RV that can change your environment seems like an exciting adventure, and then to cover it with daisies to share your optimism is a bold statement of your personality.  I found the first part of the book more exciting as she met interesting people and searched for her own part in life.  There were times I was disappointed with her indecision of whether to move on or go back to Toronto, as it seemed unresolved for too long.  But I enjoyed the journey, and I live in the rainy country of Washington so could understand the pull Nanaimo.  She still didn't sound as happy as I would have liked, but it was a pleasant read.
3800121
Debu's journey brings together many opposites: east and west, thoughts of  adults on the young, old country -- new country, Hinduism -- Christianity,  tradition and modernity.  His odyssey takes him from an ancient land to a  new one; sacred rivers flow through each, he creates himself anew as he  moves between cultures.  It is a voyage of discovery, but not just of  places and environments and new friends and colleagues; there is an inner  voyage that takes place too.  In this kind of journey -- which takes place  over decades, on several continents -- although most of these stories are  set in Idaho in the last 20 years -- there is ample room for reflection,  and doubt and crises of identity.  Do I belong to one culture?  Or another?  Or does that question even have meaning any more?  Not least of the gifts  of this book is that as Debu ponders the changes that have come about in  himself, among his fellow Indians who have come to the United States, and  in everyone who has come to the American West, he sees himself in new ways,  and we see ourselves in a new light too.  That is a valuable gift.
1463130
I started reading this book in the car on my way to my very first workshop with Kenn. It's a wonderful tale of an actual journey that mirrors a spiritual journey that takes place at the same time. This is a book that can help you get closer to some of the answers you seek and may send you in a whole new direction in your life. If you are ready to connect with something deeper, something eternal, something that modern society seems to deny this book may just be what you are looking for to begin your new journey of self discovery and healing.