Book Club Picks: Until the Day Breaks

So as you all know I started a book club last year. Because you know me and books…

Every month we read a book and I do a little post on the book we read and discussed. What can I say, I just love books.

There is no theme, other than with each month, a different member gets to pick a book, whichever one they want. This time was my turn and I picked:

Until the Day Breaks (California Rising #1) by Paula Scott

I was first introduced to this book when the author came into the museum I was working at as she needed to discuss something with the curator. We started talking about the book and California and Western history as I absolutely love it.

I read it and the sequel, and enjoyed both of them. So of course, when a few months passed and it was my turn again-I picked it.

So the book takes place in 1846. California “belongs” to Mexico, but not really being more independent. The United States looms closer and closer, Manifest Destiny gobbling up more states. Rachel Tyler grew up in Massachusetts, is Protestant, and raised by her grandparents. She is a sweet woman and engaged to minister hopeful, Stephen. (As soon as his mother dies and releases her control over him)

Well that all changes when her father, Joshua Tyler, awakens their long silence. After Rachel’s mother died, he took off to California to make his fortune and has, in some nefarious ways. He married a wealthy Californio’s niece, Sarita, a girl only a year or so older than his daughter and has brokered a deal matching his daughter with Sarita’s cousin, Roman Vasquez.

This match will work for for Joshua Tyler-as if California remains in Mexico’s control he will have protection in the match. If the United States take over, Tyler can secure the Vasquez land and money through his daughter.

Rachel is hurt over the broken engagement with Stephen and in even more dismay over her upcoming marriage to Roman. Roman is a lusty, passionate, and angry man. Rachel is afraid of that passion, especially as she starts to find herself falling in love with him.

Roman has returned from fighting in the American Intervention with Mexico, known as the Mexican American War by the United States; injured, angry, and finding California completely different then what he left. His family thought he was killed, his fiancé married Joshua Tyler, his family fortune and land is dwindling through his uncle’s gambling, and now he has to marry this Yankee?

But as Roman gets to know Rachel she touches him in a way no one has in a long time. Her kindness, sweetness, and relationship with Christ starts to affect him. But can he really overcome his lust, passion, and anger?

To complicate things further-Sarita is a witch who is angry that Tohic, the god she worships, lied to her about Roman’s death. Even though she is married and Roman is engaged-she will sacrifice anything and do everything to get what she wants.

And as California looks more and more like war is coming-all are uncertain what that means and what exactly to do?

Then to everyone’s surprise Rachel’s ex-fiance shows up! And he brings his friend and ship Captain Dominic Mason.

This is a power firecracker of a novel. It is enjoyable and a real page turner. Every one of us ladies finished long before book club was scheduled to meet.

So while we discussed our book, I thought that in the flavor of Daring Chloe, we should meet in my California town’s historical Saloon that existed in the same time this book is set in. It really was a lot of fun. Here’s a couple of snaps I took. I meant to get a pic of the book in the restaurant,but forgot-maybe I’ll stop by and do it again.

For more book club picks, go to Book Club Picks: The Illustrated Man

For more Christian fiction, go to Book Club Picks: The Masterpiece

For more bible verses, go to Always Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide

 

Proud to Be an American

Happy 4th of July!

Well today is a special day in our history. Today not only marks the birth of a new country but a choice that we were no longer to be owned and ruled by kings, instead giving us regular people the power to choose who we want.

While not ever country may view this day as special:

But I sure do.

So however you like to celebrate, whether you treat this day seriously or have fun:

Enjoy your day, but always remember what it stands for.

For more on the 4th of July, go to Every Heart Beats True for the Red, White & Blue

For more holiday posts, go to Summertime

 For more on Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, go to It’s A Fan World After All

The Power is Yours

So today is a very important day.

It is not a holiday or anniversary; but much more important.

Hmm…

Today is Voting Day!

Whatever party you are, it doesn’t matter; you get yourself to the polls and honor the right that the people who created this country fought hard to win.

The right that people die trying to keep safe for us.

A big thank you to all servicemen, past and present

This is a right that not every person in the world has, but we are lucky enough to have. So exercise that right!

I will end this post with one political thought. Here is a quote I think encompasses my beliefs and something I hope you all consider as you think long and hard about who to choose in any office.

And to quote Forrest:

For more on voting, go to Right to Vote

For more Ayn Rand, go to A Real Individual

By Boat, By Train, By Foot, By Plane

28) Somewhere You Would Like to Move to or Visit

There are actually quite a few places I would love to visit. As you all know, I’m all about history and art history so I would like to eventually travel the world and see some of these things.

1) Italy

I’ve always wanted to see Venice, Rome, Florence, & Sicily. There’s the Sistine Chapel, the colosseum, Masaccio’s works, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci…I could go on and on.

For more in Italy, go to I Don’t Want to Own You, I Just Want to Be With You: A Room With a View (1985)

2) Denmark

As stated before, I am Danish and really want to visit the country. I would love to go to the Hans Christian Anderson Museum, along with other

3) Mexico

I have already been here once, but there is still so much I want to see, Chitzen Itza being one of them.

4) Egypt

I have been obsessed with Egypt ever since I was young, I guess I saw The Mummy one too many times. I have always loved looking at the Pyramids and really want to see them in person one day. Although I probably die from heatstroke. 🙂 J/K

For more on Egypt, go to Eternal Punishment for Anyone Who Opens This Casket: The Mummy (1932)

5) England

Jane Austen, Sherlock Holmes, Downton Abbey, North & South, Charles Dickens, the Beatles, the Who, etc. Some of the best things have come out of England and I would love to go visit, instead of reading about it.

For more on England, go to Beast or Man: The Wolfman (2010)

6) Greece

Once again the Art and architecture call me to them. Not to mention the island of Crete and Mount Olympus.

7) China

I have always wanted to see the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. Always.

8) France

The Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, the Eiffel Tower, Impressionist artwork, etc. I would love to see this place as well.

For more on France, go to Marry Me: Gigi (1958)

9) Prince Edward Island

I LOVE Anne of Green Gables and really, really want to see the place. REALLY, really bad.

For more on Prince Edward Island, go to Fanning All Over the Place

10) Ireland

I took a class on Irish History and just fell in love with it. I really want to visit it now.

11) Scotland

I have always wanted to visit Loch Ness and try and spot the Loch Ness Monster (it’s out there). And after seeing Braveheart and reading The Cat Who Series I was introduced into Scotland and it’s history, making me want to visit even more.

12) All 50 States of the United States

I love American history as it is so interesting and complex. One day I want to visit every one of our states and every monument. So far I have been to Hawaii, California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. Only 42 left to go. 🙂

To start the 30 Day Challenge from the beginning, go to Musical Madness

For the previous post, go to Ya Bothering Me

You Can’t Have Just One!

So this does not apply to just food, it applies even more to TV shows

Oh yeah!!!

My friend got me really into it. I recommend it as it is a great show and it has something for everyone:

Fair warning though, it will take you on a real ride of heartbreak:

Oh yeah, it will be hard and extremely difficult but just push through, you’ll be able to do it. And for the rough patches, there is always this to help you get through

For more on Supernatural, go to It’s Time

For more on Dean Winchester/Jensen Ackles, go to Highway Star

For more on Jared Paladecki, go to Love of My Life

For more on Sam Winchester, go to Carry On My Wayward Son

For more on Misha Collins/Castiel, go to Happy B-day!

For more on feelings, go to I Don’t Wanna Be in Love (Dance Floor Anthem)

For more on Boromir, go to Lord of the Cats