NEARLY BRILLIANT

Blogging Update

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 14:05:00 +0000

Due to time constraints I am no longer actively blogging.

You can follow my writing here

http://teenastewart.net/

https://www.facebook.com/TeenaStewartAuthor/

You can follow my artsitic endeavors here

https://www.serendipitinistudio.com/

https://business.facebook.com/SerendipitiniStudio

The Color of the Season by Julianne MacLean

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 11:40:00 +0000

NOTE: Due to a serious need to cut back on my workload, this will be my last official book review on this blog.

It doesn’t seem possible that the evening can get any worse for police officer Josh Wallace after he is dumped by the girlfriend he planned to propose to, but it does. Josh and his partner are shot while chasing a carjacking suspect. While on the operating table Josh dies and has an after death experience that drastically alters his life and the lives of several people from his past.

I began reading this book with skepticism dreading the part where the near death experience enters the picture. I figured it would be the hokey bright light thing. There is some of that (minus the chees factor) but the story takes a different turn and goes off in a completely different direction after Josh is saved on the operating table. I don’t want to spoil any surprises so I won’t say too much. It’s a great story of love lost, love found, and the importance of family and forgiveness. I give it five out of five stars.

Book Review: Swept Away (Trouble in texas Book 1) by Mary Connealy

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 22:46:00 +0000

Ruthy MacNeil is rescued by Luke Stone after she nearly drowns fording a flooded river with a wagon train. Her step family doesn’t survive and she is finally free of their mistreatment. Luke surived the horrific ordeal as a prisoner of war in notorious Anderson prison during the civil war, only to learn that his father has been killed and the family ranch stolen.

With the help of his friends, also survivors of Anderson and known as the Regulators, Luke plots to take back the ranch at the same time rescuing the woman who is the wife of the man who murdered his father. Luke is immediately smitten with Ruthy and it doesn’t take long for her to feel drawn to him. I loved the way Luke dubs Ruthy “Rosie” as an endearment and throughout the book she keeps correcting him to no avail for some good comic relief. I also like Luke’s friends, especially the doctor, Dare (love that name).

The beginning of the book really held my interest but the story seemed to drag a bit in the middle as the friends plotted how they would help Luke take back the ranch. Connealy set the plot up well for the next book in the series but the book is complete, unlike some series, and doesn’t leave you hanging. I give this four out of five stars.

Book Review of Everything She Ever Wanted by Ann Rule

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 20:38:00 +0000

When Pat Taylor wed Tom Allanson he had no way of knowing it would destroy his life in just a matter of weeks

In fact, Pat destroyed a lot of people’s lives. The attractive Southern belle was spoiled by her mother and she expected to live a lavish lifestyle at any cost. Nobody crosses Pat who was fascinated with Scarlett O’Hara. Pat could pour on the charm, but underneath the beautiful façade was a cruel and evil heart. She was manipulative and controlling and if anyone crossed her, well, they’d better watch their back. At the heart of this story is the murder of Tom’s parents, orchestrated by Pat. But it doesn’t stop there. She’s determined to get to Tom’s grandparents money, even if she has to revert to poison.

There’s lots more to tell but I don’t want to spoil all the intrigue. Rule, a former police woman, spares no details regarding this true story and delves into two troubled families and the horrific, twisted behavior of Taylor who has no conscience. This is not a new book but it’s still a fascinating read. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Book Review of Ruby, Dakotah Treasures by Lorraine Snelling

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 20:23:00 +0000

Ruby’s had to be grown up ever since her mom died when Ruby was just a girl and Ruby has not only been in charge of the care of her little sister but has been a Nanny to several other children. When she receives word her father is dying out west, she and her little sister Opal, venture west to Little Missouri (also called Little Misery by its residents.) They arrive just in time for her father’s death. He bequeaths the only asset he had, a saloon complete with saloon girls who make their living as soiled doves.

This first book in the series takes us through Ruby’s struggle to keep her promise to her father to “take care of the girls,” while changing the purpose of the saloon to a hotel and dining establishment. It isn’t easy. Thrown into the mix is her desperate need for cash to prop up the failing business and conflict with Belle one of the girls who seems bent on making her life miserable.

There is a taste of romance as Ruby gets to know the cavalry captain and a second hint at romance as she encounters a local rancher who rubs her the wrong way. I found it rather ridiculous that Ruby’s father would day the very next day after her arrival and that she is absolutely clueless that the girls are saloon girls and “working girls.” Sure, she’s sheltered, but really? If you want full- fledged romance you will have to wait until the next book in the series. The book end abruptly with no resolution regarding the romance. All in all, it’s a nice prairie romance with likable characters though I would have liked the ends to have been a little more wrapped up. I give it three out of five stars.

Book Review: Land of My Heart (Heirs of Montana) by Tracie Peterson

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Mon, 25 May 2015 13:44:00 +0000

When Dianne Chadwick’s father is killed during an altercation in front of his store as conflict between the north and south rises, she and her mother decide to move their family to Montana. They believe it will keep their boys away from the civil war conflict. But the attempt to bring safety and security is short lived when Trenton the eldest chooses to join Confederate rebels in order to avenge his father’s death and the family’s trip by wagon train brings with it unspeakable tragedy. The love interests in this are Cole Selby a wagon train scout and Diane.

The first book sets up events to happen in the series. After reading this book I have a new appreciation for the risks people took to travel across Indian inhabited lands where they risked everything to start a new life. The descriptions of Montana make me want to see the country I have never seen. I also appreciate the fair treatment Peterson gives of the Indians (there are both good and bad). However, I didn’t find the characters as fleshed out as I would have liked which made it difficult to really feel for them. More internal monologue may have helped. Still, this Christian romance is a good story if you like prairie romances. 3 out of 5 stars.

Book Review: 1929, Book One (The 1929 Series) by M. L. Gardener

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Sun, 17 May 2015 13:07:00 +0000

When the stock market crashes in 1929 it crushes the wealthy lifestyles of three young couples whose lives are intertwined. This riches to rags story captured my interest and I hung in there for the entire book because it started off well. Jonathan Garrett the husband of one of the couples feels responsibility for their circumstances as it was his brokerage firm that they had all invested in.

With scarcely more than the clothes on their backs they leave everything behind and secure apartments in shabby tenements of a ruthless landlord who already has ties to the Garretts. He's a villain right out of a melodrama. The story held my interest for maybe the first third of the book despite the ridiculous premise that three couples would stay together and work together rather than go their separate ways.
And though Gardener introduces conflict through adversity, Victor the landlord, and Elise, a French prostitute from Jonathan's past, it just isn't enough. The story drags on an on as we hop from one character's head to another (too many points of view) and we must trudge through mundane chapters with scarcely any plot advancement.

There's also a lot of telling rather than showing what happens which does nothing to make this more interesting. I kept reading, not because it was captivating, but I really did want to know how they got out of their situation. I don' t want to ruin the end for you, but if you want a page turner, this is not going to be it and I am definitely not going to read any further in this series. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Book Review: A Painted House by John Grisham

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 11:46:00 +0000

I have actually read this book before but didn't review it. It's just as good the second time round and a deviation from Grisham's usual legal mystery/thrillers. Frankly, I feel it's his best work. The first person narrative and southern setting reminds me of To Kill a Mockingbird though the plot is quite different.

At the heart of the story is an Arkansas farming family, the Chandlers. The story is told through the eyes of 7 year old Luke Caldwell. The cotton is ready for picking and migrant workers (Mexicans and Hill People) have arrived to pick it.

There's plenty of conflict from Hank, the mean bully from the Spruill family whose cruel actions leave one young man dead after a street brawl, and Cowboy, a Mexican with a ruthless streak. Then there's the fight against the elements every farmer faces to try to make a living off unforgiving land. Luke witnesses not one but two murders and is bound to secrecy in fear for his life.

There is slight nudity at one part, a few issues with language but not too much, and a couple of scenes with violence. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Book Review: Sail Upon the Land by Josa Young

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 20:23:00 +0000

The prologue of this book starts in India with the rape of Damson a sheltered young woman. From there it takes us back to the 1930's and traces forward through four generations of English women ending with Damson. The superb writing and the sensitive treatment of real life circumstances such as depression, being born with physical challenges, pregnancies out of wedlock and even inheriting property and title with no funds for upkeep all make this story intriguing. I think Ms. Young has done a superb job and I look forward to reading more stories by her. I give this woman’s fiction five out of five stars.

Book Review: Storm Clouds Rolling in by Ginny Dye

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 21:51:00 +0000

The first book in a series. Carrie Cromwell has grown up on a Virginia plantation so she is used to the comfort of a privileged life and she’s an independent thinker. Slaves have always been a part of her lifestyle, but the older she gets the more she questions whether slavery is right or wrong. The story gives us both sides of the slavery issue including the rationalization many southerners made (using the Bible as their foundation) that helped them remain morally okay with it. Carrie also has dreams of being a doctor and as the tension mounts between North and South and the time draws near for beginning of the civil war, she must make some difficult decisions regarding what she believes and the young man she is drawn to who is from a similar wealthy circumstances. The author gives interesting historical background that helps the reader understand Virgina’s position during the civil war the moral struggle many people faced. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Book Review: By Eastern Windows by Gretta Curran Browne

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 20:16:00 +0000

A unique historical romance that focuses on a male main character, Lachlan Macquarie. The book begins in Scotland with Macquarie as a young soldier, then moves to India where he rises through the ranks of the English military. He meets the love of his life, lovely Jane Jarvis who has been raised in India but the happy marriage is short-lived. When tragedy strikes, Browne makes us feel Macquarie’s agony in the loss of wife and the horrific ordeal he faces following her death in China. Toward the end of the book he is given a second chance at love with Elizabeth, a young Scottish woman who has loved Lachlan since the first day she met him. Browne writes with great sensitivity and a gift for making the readers experience life through her main character’s eyes to the fullest sense. Though I have never been to India, it felt like I was there. This is the first in a series and I hope to read more. I give it five out of five stars.

Book Review: Susanna and the Spy by Anna Elliot

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 14:01:00 +0000

Susanna Ward’s grandfather cut her father off from his inheritance years ago because he disapproved of his marriage. When her father dies, she is forced to see work as a governess. Ok. This is not the newest plot in the world, but it’s a mystery and therein lies the different. Her grandfather meets with a mysterious death which a stranger indicates might have been the result of murder. She resolves to impose on her relatives residing in her grandfather’s estate and ask to stay with them, determined to learn if the stranger’s accusations are true. Before she is welcomed into the household, she stays overnight in the local inn during which time a wounded man, running for the authorities seeks refuge in her room. Could he be the famous Captain Clark rumored to be the leader of a local smuggling ring? This book is heavier on the mystery than the romance. I had a little trouble believing a young lady would keep getting up and having adventures in the middle of the night, but despite that it was a wholesome and fun fantasy read. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Book Review: Treasure Me by Christine Nolfi

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 19:46:00 +0000

Birdie Kaminsky is the daughter of con artists and is herself a petty thief but once you learn how difficult her up bringing is you'll grow a soft spot for her. Having moved from place to place in order to keep one step ahead of the law (partly her fault and partly her parents) all she really wants is a place to belong and to fill the void in her life where love should be. She also wants

Petty thief Birdie Kamisky wants to go straight but the odds are against her. She's the daughter of con artists who are always on the run. It's difficult to change when she has no real skills.

She arrives In Liberty, Ohio in hopes of tracking down treasure she's heard exists, the story of it has been passed down through her dysfunctional family. But she gets more than she bargains for when she arrives and has to share an apartment along with a handsome down-on-his-luck reporter. She takes a job as a waitress in the local cafe where the treasure is believed to be hidden.

I found this to be a charming story about two messed up people who want to straighten out their lives and find a place where they belong and it's also filled with humor and some pretty fun and quirky characters. A very fun and sensitive read. You'll fall in love with Birdie. I give it four out of five stars.

Book Review: Georgiana Darcy's Diary: Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Continued by Anna Elliot and Laura Masselos

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 22:27:00 +0000

I'm a big Austen fan and I love Pride and Prejudice so my fear was this would be a feeble attempt at sequel. I was pleasantly surprised. Georgiana Darcey, Mr. Darcey's younger sister, is now 18 years old and in love with her co-guardian Colonel Fitzwilliams.

Elliot and Masselos do a great job fleshing out some of the peripheral characters from the first story including Georgiana and introducing new ones. I especially like the way Georgiana takes sickly Anne de Bourgh (Lady Catherine's daughter) under her wing. Watching Georgiana and Anne blossom is fun. Of course there have to be some villains and Wickham returns for an encore and there's an additional one I don't want to giveaway. A very fun read. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Book Review: Standing Stones by Beth Camp

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 15:09:00 +0000

This first book in a promising series, takes place in 19th century Scotland in the Orkney islands at the time of the Clearances. It was a time when wealthy landowners were changing their mode of land management and ruthlessly throwing tenants off the land.

When Lord McDonald takes over the estate of Westland and its holdings, he's determined to make improvements and increase his income to match the holding of his prosperous brother. But the extreme changes he makes brings even more hardship to the tenants of his lands when they are already struggling to survive. These include increased rental fees and bringing in a new breed of sheep, and forcing the fishermen to alter their boats at their own expense. With only an eye for profit, the new lord doesn't care that the people who serve him aren't able to make the rent and many are going hungry. When he brings in some thugs to enforce his decrees, it is more than the people can bear. Those who stand up to him including Mac, the eldest son in the MacDonnells clan, face harsh consequences.

This saga follows the plight of the McDonnells and their loved ones. What a great story based on true facts, though the characters are fictional. It increased my awareness of great wrongs that have been done in the past and the people who weathered these storms. I give it five our of four stars.

Book Review: Caught in the Middle by Regina Jennings

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 18:30:00 +0000

Anne Tillerton is similar to Annie Oakley. She's a dead shot with a gun and for the past few years has made her living as a buffalo hunter. But when Nick Lovelace comes to the aid of a passenger on a train during a hold up, Anne ends up saving Nick's life.

Anne's sordid history includes killing her husband. We learn later it was a kill or be killed situation and she suffered abuse and the loss of a child. All she wants to do is come to town to find a cook, but instead she ends up caring for an abandoned orphan child and helping Nick in the process. There couldn't be more of a mismatched pair but when the two are thrust together and it's interesting to see the relationship develop. It was refreshing to meet up with a female historical character who wasn't the stereotyped damsel in distress. I truly cared
about Anne and Nick is noble guy. The one issue I have is that Jennings has Anne using powdered baby formula which, according to what I've researched, didn't come into use much later. I give it four out of five stars.

Book Review: Alzheimer's Prevention: Protect Your Brain for Life by Dr. Melody Jemison

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 18:11:00 +0000

A very thorough book written by Dr. Melody Jemison. Jemison lists multiple things you can do to prevent the progression of Alzheimer's. The author references a variety of studies. It's never too early to start putting these measures into place. In fact, the earlier the better, as taking the recommended supplements or establishing suggested regimens can actually give you and edge over Alzheimer's though not in some cases if you are already genetically wired for it. I give this 5 out of 5 stars.

Book Review: The Heart of a Gypsy by Roberta Kagan

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 19:07:00 +0000

During Nazi Germay Christian Stearn, a freedom-fighter is rescued by a band of gypsies involved in the resistance after being captured by the Nazis. Christian immediately falls in love with Nadya the beautify gypsy girl who helps orchestrate his rescue. Christian then joins forces and works with the gypsies.

The author uses the story to help educate readers as the the plight of the gypsies during this time. They were treated as the Jews were as scum by the superior Aryan race and were annilated as well in the concentration camps. At times it felt like an info dump of gypsy culture and history and Kagan tends to tell more than show what happens. There were a couple of steamy sex scenes. Nadya ends up being virtually an object with little to do but stay at camp and pine for Christian to return from dangerous missions. Had this been better written I would have given it a higher rating. I give if 3 out of 5 stars.

Book Review: Hearts Awakening (Hearts Along the River) by Delia Parr

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 19:04:00 +0000

Ellie Kilmer is a spinster with no money and a plain countenance. Her only hope for supporting herself is to serve as a housekeeper on Dillon Island for widower Jackson, a widower with young boys. Jackson makes a marriage proposal to Ellie, but it will be in name only and he’s mainly after a cook and caregiver. The more Ellie gets to know Jackson the more she learns about his troubled first marriage and the other women he still carries a torch for. Ellie is a sympathetic character and I felt for her and for the rejection she experiences by Jackson’s boy. It’s good story. I give it four out of five stars.

BOOK REVIEW: LAKE SURRENDER BY CAROL GRACE STRATTON

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 01:59:00 +0000

Ally Cervantes’ life is in the toilet. Her husband has bailed on their marriage partially due to the fact that he can’t handle being dad to an autistic son and partly because the passion has died. Ally has to sell her home in California at a loss and simultaneously loses her job as an editor for a book publisher. Not sure how else to make it, she takes her Aunt Nettie up on her offer to come stay with her in Michigan on Lake Surrender. Even then Ally can’t get a job in the publishing industry and she takes the only job available, that of camp cook.

As Ally tries to cope with her young son’s autism and difficult financial circumstances she draws closer to God and begins to have feelings for the camp director. Stratton doesn’t wave a magic wand and promise that struggles will go away, but she does give us courage to stay the course and believe that ultimately good will win out. I give this four out of five stars.

Here's the amazon link. Lake Surrender

BOOK REVIEW: MIRACLES: 32 TRUE STORIES

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 20:44:00 +0000

32 stories people have shared about ways they have seen a divine hand in their hardships, struggles, moments of danger and more.

This book will put any struggles you face or have faced in perspective and are a testament to the human spirit and faith in God. I give this 4 out of 5 stars.

Here's the amazon link

Miracles: 32 True Stories

Book Review: Daughter of Joy, Brides of Culdee Creek Book 1 by Kathleen Morgan

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 12:54:00 +0000

In this historical romance Abigail Stanton is a widow who has lost a child and a husband and is still grieving. She accepts a job as housekeeper for Conor MacKay, a gruff man who has not only been through a string of housekeepers but has also lost a wife who ran off and a son who stole from him and then disappeared. He also has a child from an Indian woman and has slept with several women in his past.

While Abby wrestles with her losses and her Christian faith, she makes it known to Conor she is not open to any of his advances. Slowly the love between them grows and she helps Conor’s tough and ostracized daughter see herself as something to be cherished.

The author builds good romantic tension between the two romantic leads and with the daughter’s resistance to Abby. I felt that Abigail can come across as a little bit too prudish at times. It is a good story of redemption and reconnecting with Christian faith after life has caused deep hurts. I give it four out of five stars.

Here's the link on amazon

Daughter of Joy (Brides of Culdee Creek Book #1)

Book Review: The Redemption by Mary Lu Tyndall

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 14:23:00 +0000

This is the first in the King Pirates series by this author.

Charlisse Bristol fleas an abusive uncle and sets off to find the father she never met but a fiece storm shipwrecks her on a deserted island. She’s rescued by Captain Merrick head of a group of pirates.

Devilishly handsome Merrick has recently turned his life over to Christ but he still has much more smoothing out from his past to got through. He feels responsible for her safety. Despite her distrust of men, she falls for Merrick. What she doesn’t know is that her father is actually a notoriously cruel pirate Edward the Terror whom Merrick has sworn to capture and bring to justice.

If you love historicals and pirates, you’ll enjoy this book. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Here's the amazon link

The Redemption (Legacy of the King's Pirates Book 1)

Book Review: Letter Perfect by Cathy Marie Hake

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 12:53:00 +0000

Letter Perfect (California Historical Series #1)

Accident prone Ruth Caldwell has been to many different finishing schools but never seems to make it through because she just can’t conform to the expectations of refinement for women of her day.

When her mother dies she goes west to find her father. When she arrives she learns he has died and she’s half owner of the ranch he held.

The love interest in this historical romance is Josh McCain, the son of her father's business partner. As the story unfolds we learn that there’s more afoot due to Josh’s unscrupulous father who has designs on getting his hands on Ruth’s fortune.

I liked the concept of a woman not being able to conform to the standards of the day and Ruth’s low self-esteem thinking she’s worthless. It’s a good message, but overall I didn’t find the humorous situations the author tried to set up and the characters all that captivating and several times I almost gave up on the book as it wasn’t all that riveting. Even the auxiliary characters seemed to be more padding to get to a certain word count than they were of importance to the plot. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Here the link on amazon

Letter Perfect (California Historical Series #1)

Book Giveaway: The Beckoning by Michael Minot

noreply@blogger.com (Teena Stewart) — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 16:38:00 +0000

In celebration of Michael Minot's new book, The Beckoning, Nearly Brilliant is giving away one copy of the book (print or ebook, winner's choice). To enter, leave a comment below with your email stating why you'd like to win a copy. Here's more about the book and the author.

Several years after graduating from law school, Michael Minot discovered something profound: the strong atheistic views he had held for so long failed miserably against the strengths of God's truth.

Michael Minot felt he was living the American dream. For a number of years he’d been reaping the professional and financial rewards of being a commercial litigation attorney. To him, life was great and getting better all the time. He first gained notoriety around his hometown as a nationally ranked tennis player. But now, years later, he was becoming known for his skills as a lawyer and as the youngest elected official in the area. And then, in his late 20's, Michael unexpectedly discovered something that turned his world and his entire idea of life upside down.

About the Book: In a response to a challenge from a friend, Michael agreed to investigate issues relating to science, philosophy, and the Scriptures. Comfortable with his life as an atheist, he began reading with an indifferent attitude. But what started as a casual inquiry soon turned into a time of intense research. What follows is the story of Michael’s journey, his thoughts and reactions to the evidence he discovered, and the new life that soon followed.

To help people process their questions, Michael has a new book that explains what he discovered during his initial investigation. The Beckoning will equip readers with answers to the questions of how and why the complex parts of the environment we live in fit together. It also will explore how life doesn’t have to be an unsolvable, frustrating puzzle. God’s truths will be presented in a way so readers don’t just acquire knowledge, but understand the abundant life God offers and how to fully engage in it.

Here's the amazon.com link. The Beckoning: Examining the Truths That Transformed an Atheist Attorney Into a Believer In God (Morgan James Faith)