Home with the Boys: April 2010

Monday, April 5, 2010

We've Moved!!!

If you don't get automatically redirected, you need to head on over to our NEW SITE!!!

Home with the Boys is now here!

Please update your bookmarks and get connected over there!

Exciting Day!

The Easter photos will have to wait a few days, lots of things going on here today that I want to share...

#1 - Today I started the "Get Dressed" Challenge over at Sarah Mae's blog (one of my absolute faves, by the way!). I LOVE this type of accountability and the whole idea - I already feel way more productive and put together even after only one day! Want to join me?!

#2 - Also started a new online Bible Study with my new friend Stef over at Layton Family Joy! I love the way it is designed - and again with the accountability! Check out the On Topic Bible Study and see if you are interested in joining us!

#3 - Tonight is a BIG night for the blog! Some of you may already know why, but if you don't, you'll have to check back this evening for the "moving" news!!! I can't wait!!!

Friday, April 2, 2010

Book Review: An Absence So Great

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

An Absence So Great by Jane Kirkpatrick

Summary:
Inspired by the engaging stories told through her grandmother’s photographs taken at the turn of the century, award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick provides a portrait of the tension between darkness and light in the soul of a young woman pursuing her professional dreams.

Despite growing in confidence as a photographer, eighteen-year-old Jessie Ann Gaebele’s personal life is still at a crossroads. Hoping she’s put an unfortunate romantic longing behind her as “water under the bridge,” she exiles herself to Milwaukee to operate photographic studios for those ill with mercury poisoning.

Jessie gains footing on her dream to one day own her own studio and soon finds herself in other Midwest towns, pursuing her profession. But even a job she loves can’t keep those painful memories from seeping into her heart, and the shadows of a forbidden love threaten to darken the portrait of her life.

My Thoughts...

This is the first fiction book I've been asked to review on the blog - very exciting for me! I love a good fiction book! I love to read in general, but there is just something about getting lost in another time and place when you read really good fiction.

And really good fiction to me is a book you don't want to put down. Where the characters stick with you. You can picture being there.

I felt this within the first few pages of Kirkpatrick's book.

The book is beautifully written, but I must say that my favorite thing about it is the historical setting. It's not glamorous or exotic - in fact, it's set right here in the Midwest - but just going to another time period draws me in. Gender issues and economic changes round out a thorough picture of the turn-of-the-century.

In addition, the book is based loosely on real people and photographs which makes it even more intriguing. Kirkpatrick weaves a wonderful story though her grandmother's photographs, which are included in the book as well.

Even without the setting to fascinate me as it does, the story itself is captivating and worth a read!

For more information about or to order this book, visit the Random House website.

Author Bio:

Jane Kirkpatrick is an award-winning author of sixteen historical novels, including A Flickering Light, the first part of Jessie Gaebale’s story, and three nonfiction titles. Known for her unique insights into the exploration of community, family and faith of actual historical women, the Wisconsin native and her husband have called their ranch in Oregon home for the past 25 years.