Sotherton Abbey Book Review...

Title: Sotherton Abbey: Jane Austen Meets Sante Fe
By: Inez Ross
Publisher: Ashley House
Published: 2010
ISBN: 9780966433746
Pages: 173


Each chapter begins with a quote from Jane Austen and other prominent authors including C.S. Lewis, Lord Chesterfield and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. This book is a pocket companion small enough to fit in your back pocket but large enough to tell a great coming of age story. It’s a small book with a lot of suspense and excitement as Christina Dashwood leaves her Michigan farm home travelling to Sante Fe to take six weeks of summer classes at the Regency Seminar.

Introduced to Jane Austen in her final year of high school by her classroom teacher, Mr. Saxon, she is eager to attend this seminar. Christina has never left her home town alone and her parents are not exactly excited about the trip to New Mexico. At first, her father denies her the opportunity by telling her that they don’t have the money for her to go. However, her teacher informs the class of the trip and the scholarship that comes through a writing contest that Christina eagerly enters. The contest winner receives a free trip for the seminar which Christina ultimately wins. A real journey begins as soon as Christina boards the train for her trip. Christina arrives at the seminar but not without setbacks that occurred on her journey. Despite the challenges, she triumphed and arrived in Sante Fe while becoming friends with a young girl, Jane Fairfax, along the way.

Christina and Jane become close friends which directs the suspense and mystery of the story. Jane’s family has some secrets that are shared throughout adding to the suspense and mystery that begin to arrive in Christina's life. Christina becomes a heroine as she helps Jane solve the mystery. That is exciting for Christina as she has secretly desired to be a heroine. This book is a great, faced paced story that could be read anywhere as it is small enough to fit in your pocket or purse. The difficulty is that you will want to sneak a peek at it every chance you get because it is hard to put down. Ms. Ross is an established author and this is her eighth book which is reflected in her great storytelling ability. If you are a fan of Jane Austen or have never had an opportunity to read anything from her time, now is your chance. Good stuff!

Tenderfoot book review...

Tenderfoot
Mary E. Trimble
Publisher: Treble Heart Books
Published: 2010
ISBN: 978196127092
Pages: 289

Tenderfoot is a romantic story full of suspense about writer, Corrie Stephens and her quest to find out all she can about ranching. In the midst of her quest to start life anew, she sells her home and ventures off to start a new life in Washington, settling into a small cottage on the land of rancher, J McClure. Corrie spends her time writing, ranching and meeting new people. She is living her life to the fullest since her divorce and is trying her best to stay out of J’s way. Against love after her husband cheated on her, she refuses to fall for J McClure. Corrie interacts with other townspeople trying to distract her emotions.

This story is a love story that takes place in 1980 when Mount St. Helens erupted. Corrie and her new friends, venture to camp out near the volcano thinking that an eruption won’t affect them. Despite the wishes of the authorities, scientists and especially J, they settle down a few days before the volcano erupted. Despite their efforts to not fall in love, J and Corrie’s feelings erupt as the volcano does. The book was quite vivid allowing the reader to experience a range of emotions—anxiety, fear, pain, joy and excitement—as Corrie travelled throughout her new life.

I must admit I was angry that Corrie would go up to the mountain and spend the night with two men that she didn’t know. But I became more angered that she would spend the weekend with them on this same mountain when the volcano was getting ready to erupt. I wanted to believe she was smarter than that but found out differently. In order to spite J and love, she put her life at risk. I enjoy books the most that I can get lost in and that is exactly what happen with this book. I felt the pain from the ash and had clear images of the ash as it fell.

I couldn’t put this book down finishing it in one day. I’m not into romance novels but with the story based around the eruption of Mount St. Helens, I almost forgot it was truly a love story. Ms. Trimble is a great storyteller which is easily reflected in her ability to tie a non-fiction event so closely together with fiction. Well done and I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to get lost in a love story filled with mystery and excitement… I promise you won’t be able to put it down!