I’m skipping the book review for this week and doing a blog tag: The Liebster Award!  I’ve been awarded for the I-don’t-know-how-manyeth time. 😀

Thanks to Amie at Crazy A!

Here are the rules:

Thank the blog that nominated you for the award
2. Answer the questions they gave you
3. Give 11 fun facts about yourself
4. Nominate 11 other bloggers for the award, and give them 11 questions to answer

 

• History book or Science book?  Why?

Probably science…. because… I prefer listening to my history on audio! 😀

• What is better, having to color all day, or having to wash dishes all day?

Color, definitely. 😉

• Do you use caps lock often?

THAT DEPENDS ON THE DAY AND WHICH MESSAGE I AM TRYING TO GET ACROSS.

• Lace, ruffles, or camouflage?

Out of the three, camouflage, however I prefer just a comfy t-shirt and skirt. 🙂

• What is you opinion on the all time classic, Pride and Prejudice?

Great book!  Opinion over.

• Botany or astronomy?

Astronomy!!!!!

• If you had to choose a broken finger, or a broken toe, which would you chose?

Ouch.  Neither.  Okay, okay! I stepped on a nail a few days ago (I don’t suggest it!) and I found out how hard it is to walk with my foot hurting.  So I’m going with finger.

• What is your favorite hair color?

Brown? Light brown? Somewhere around there.

• Do you enjoy crafting or destroying better?

Crafting.

• What is your favorite kind of tape?

Uh…. ?  Tape?  There’s more than one kind of tape?

• Lastly, if you knew some horrid event was about to happen in the near future, how would you go about warning people?

That’s rough too.   I’d start by telling my parents, then they’d tell everyone they know, then those people would tell everybody they know, and post it on social media (Facebook, etc.), and soon the whole world would know! 😀

 

I tag whoever is reading this post! Answer the questions in the comments.

1. What kind of shoes do you like to wear?
2. Favorite food?
3. Favorite genre to read/write in?
4. Last book you read?
5. Favorite Bible verse?
6. Do you play an instrument?
7. Pens or pencils?
8. If pencils, regular or mechanical?
9. Whew, only two more.
10. Notebook or typing on the computer?
11. Do you like answering questions? 😛

 

Finally, I’ll be gone for a few weeks, so I’ll get back to blogging when I return!

~ Molly ~

Today I am helping Kellyn Roth with her book tour.  It’s a tour for her… well, book!  The brand new addition to The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy, Beyond Her Calling!

I got to interview Kellyn about her writing life and favorite foods. 😉

My questions are in bold.

Her answers are in plain type.

How long have you been writing?

Since I was seven years old, so about ten years, officially? I’ve been seriously writing since I was twelve, which makes it five years. But I’d almost say I’ve been coming up with stories since I could talk! It’s a real passion of mine.

Had you written a full-length novel before The Dressmaker’s Secret?

I had, and I hadn’t. I’d finished a 10,000-word story, but that isn’t exactly a full-length novel even though I considered it to be one at the time! However, The Dressmaker’s Secret was my true first full-length novel. Or at least the first one I finished – I’d gotten up to 40,000-words with other ones, just not finished them!

Do you want to continue pursuing writing?

Absolutely! I’ll probably never stop. To me, it’s a full-time career. 🙂

Which of your characters in the Chronicles of Alice and Ivy would you most want to meet in person?

Ooh, that’s a hard one! Probably Violet Angel or Jordy McAllen.

Completely random question, do you like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?

I absolutely … don’t? You see, I’m not a huge fan of jelly. *hides* Sorry! I just don’t enjoy them. I do like just peanut butter sandwiches, though!

Kellyn Roth lives on an Eastern Oregon ranch with her parents, little brothers, border collies, cats, and a few dozen cows and chickens. Always a lover of a good story, and especially of telling one, she’s been writing since she was seven and published her first novel at fourteen. Now a homeschool grad, she divides her time between penning her next Christian historical novel, creating professionally silly articles at kellynroth.blog, and her actual life. Actual life plays second fiddle sometimes, though.

Find out more on her website: https://kellynrothauthor.com/

More About The Book!

At twenty, Ivy Knight feels as if she hasn’t accomplished anything of worth. Her life stretches on before her, empty and pointless. Though her faith in God and her mental abilities have been strengthened, she still doubts herself. Does God have a purpose for a socially awkward, often confused and frightened young woman?

Jordy McAllen has just returned to Scotland after his education in London. Though he has accomplished a lot for a farm lad such as himself, he fears that what everyone has always said about him may be true: he won’t really make a good doctor. Determined to prove himself, Jordy snatches up the opportunity to become the doctor in the village of Keefmore near his parents’ farm.

Helping Jordy with his work at Keefmore seems like the perfect opportunity for Ivy. Still, she doubts herself. Is there a purpose to Ivy’s life?

And guess what?? There’s a giveaway! Click on the book cover to enter!

And finally, a link to Amazon and Goodreads.

Thank you, Kellyn, for letting me help with your tour!

TTYL!

Molly

*Note: I’ve never read this book, but I hope to sometime!*

 

Great Expectations

Charles Dickens

 

Pip, an orphan raised by his bullying sister and her sweet-natured blacksmith husband, discovers one day that he has a mysterious benefactor.  The good-hearted Pip suddenly has “great expectations” of his life and begins to reject spiritual valutes for materialistic ones.

Despite his financial windfall, things do not go well for Pip.  Estella, the beautiful but haughty young woman he loves, coldheartedly tortures him.  And then there is the reappearance of Magwitch, the escaped convict who forced Pip to steal for him when Pip was a young boy.

 

Strong language – 0? I don’t remember….

Romance – 4

Graphic Details – 1

Magic – 0

I had what might be called “great expectations” for this book. 😉

I had enjoyed the story of Oliver Twist, also by Charles Dickens, so earlier this summer I picked up Great Expectations.  I was immediately drawn to the style of the narrative.  Like this first paragraph.

My father’s family name being Pirrip, and my christian name Philip, my infant tongue could make of both names nothing longer or more explicit than Pip.  So I called myself Pip and came to be called Pip.

– Great Expectations, Chapter One

The first part is fairly well paced, and the story keeps moving.

In the middle it gets slow, and I got confused over some of the characters.

And then, in the end, it redeems itself with some action, a few surprises, and the crashing of all Pip’s dreams. (Almost.)

The characters are all so vivid and each one is different!  From haughty Estella to humble Joe, this cast is quite incredible.  (Though in the middle, as I said, there are quite a few characters to get confused!)

I read lots of classics, so I didn’t find it too hard of a read.  If you are willing to plow through the boring parts, this is a great book!

 

Great Expectations is on Amazon HERE!

TTYL!

~ Molly ~

*DISCLAIMER* Post may contain affiliate links; if you buy, I may receive money, with NO additional cost to you whatsoever.  Thank you.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Elizabeth George Speare

Sixteen-year-old Kit Tyler is marked by suspicion and disapproval from the moment she arrives on the unfamiliar shores of colonial Connecticut in 1687. Alone and desperate, she has been forced to leave her beloved home on the island of Barbados and join a family she has never met. Torn between her quest for belonging and her desire to be true to herself, Kit struggles to survive in a hostile place. Just when it seems she must give up, she finds a kindred spirit. But Kit’s friendship with Hannah Tupper, believed by the colonists to be a witch, proves more taboo than she could have imagined and ultimately forces Kit to choose between her heart and her duty.

 

 

Strong language – 0

Romance – 4

Graphic Details – 2

Magic – 0

Believe it or not, this book isn’t about a witch.

Despite it’s title, The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a clean, fun read.  My mom read this aloud to my siblings and I. 🙂

Kit is an unlikely heroine, being direct from Barbados (where you can swim without being suspected as a witch!) To top it off, she moves to Connecticut during the era of the Salem witch trials.  Being able to swim is unacceptable. 

Mercy is such a sweet person!  She is probably close to my favorite character.  Hannah Tupper is a very kind old lady.  Prudence is a nice little girl, and I feel so sorry for her!

All of the characters are believable, whether they’re annoying or nice.  (Some of them are very annoying! 😉 )

The plot is really good, too!  Between love affairs, being accused of being a witch, and midnight escapes, this book also keeps you reading from the first page to the last.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond is on Amazon HERE!

See you all next week!

~ Molly ~

 

P.S. Sorry this post is a day late

*DISCLAIMER* Post may contain affiliate links; if you buy, I may receive money, with NO additional cost to you whatsoever.  Thank you.

!

Kingdom Series | Pt. 2

Chuck Black

 

#4

A sworn enemy of the Prince vows to eliminate his Followers.
Until the Prince saves his life…

For generations the Noble Knights have been in service to the King. Following a strict code of conduct, they preserve the peace in Chessington, the King’s chosen city, and rule its citizenry. Sir Gavin is a young and promising Noble Knight, devoted to King and Code.

Then a peasant disrupts the tranquility of Chessington, brazenly challenging the Code while claiming to be the son of the King–a Prince. When it is learned that he is actively training a force of men in defiance of the law, the stranger is arrested and executed.

But his Followers continue to defy the Code, and Sir Gavin swears to destroy this threat to Chessington–until he himself is grievously wounded in battle. As he faces his own death, Gavin is saved by someone who will transform his heart and change his life…

Journey to Arrethtrae, where the King and His Son implement a bold plan to save their kingdom; where courage, faith, and loyalty stand tall in the face of opposition; where good will not bow to evil–and one brave man stands against the Dark Knight.

 

#5

He was called to fulfill a mighty quest, filled with fierce battles.
A quest to bring hope to the kingdom…

Having narrowly escaped death at the hands of the evil Shadow Warriors, Sir Gavin is given a new name by the Prince to signify his new allegiance–to the cause of the one he once swore to kill. Called to share this message to everyone in the land of Arrethtrae, Sir Gavinaugh takes up his sword and embarks on an epic journey.

Winning hearts and minds with the power of his words and his skill with a sword, Gavinaugh travels from one end of the kingdom to the other, telling Outdwellers about the Prince, convincing them to join him. And though Gavinaugh is at times beaten, thrown in prison, or stranded far from home, the Prince himself guides his words, his sword, and his pilgrimage.

Journey to Arrethtrae, where the King and His Son implement a bold plan to save their kingdom; where courage, faith, and loyalty stand tall in the face of opposition; where good will not bow to evil–and the Prince’s chosen messenger speaks boldly of his quest.

 

#6

An evil army masses against the Knights of the Prince, and they are outnumbered.
Only the King can save them…

While the Knights of the Prince train in the Kingdom Across the Sea, the Dark Knight, Lucius, reigns in Arrethtrae with complete authority. But when a small group of loyalists swears allegiance to the King, the Prince returns, and in a mighty battle, Lucius and the Shadow Warriors are vanquished and imprisoned in the Wasteland.

Peace and prosperity renew the land, and the Prince rules from the royal city of Chessington. While the heroic Cedric travels as ambassador, he sees that every corner of Arrethtrae reaps the benefits of prosperity brought to the land by the Prince’s reign.

But not everyone will swear allegiance to the King, and it seems this paradise may be lost yet again because of the pride and greed of evil men who plot to free the Dark Knight and his minions. Cedric rides desperately to bring the news before it’s too late…

Journey to Arrethtrae, where the King and His Son implement a bold plan to save their kingdom; where courage, faith, and loyalty stand tall in the face of opposition; where good will not bow to evil–where the King reigns…along with His Son!

 

Strong language – 0

Romance – 2

Graphic Details – 5, a few scenes with details of battles/battle wounds.

Magic – 0

Note, and a bit of a spoiler.  Written in white, so highlight to read. 🙂 When the Prince (representing Jesus) dies, he gets hung rather than dying on the cross.  This is a bit disturbing, as there must be blood to cover sins. and blood is lacking. 😦 

The third, fourth, and fifth books in The Kingdom Series cover the Apostle Paul to End Times.  Of course, there’s knights in shining armor and damsels in distress, so that’s all cool!

(Depending on your theology), these books are biblically accurate.  I highly recommend them!

And since I always find myself at a loss on what to say about books, that’ll be all for today.

On Amazon  Kingdom’s Call  Kingdom’s Quest  Kingdom’s Reign

See you all next week!

~Molly

 

*DISCLAIMER* Post may contain affiliate links; if you buy, I may receive money, with NO additional cost to you whatsoever.  Thank you.

 

 

Hello everyone!

Today I had a rhetoric assignment in school that I thought I’d share, just for fun.  Enjoy!

How to Slay a Dragon

If you are reading this (and obviously you are), you must want to know how to do the aforementioned deed.  If so, keep reading; you will not be disappointed.

First, gather the things on the list below.

• A sword
• A horse (a skateboard works too)
• Two sombreros (one for you, one for the dragon)
• Paper and pencil (to write an epic poem of your deeds)
• A compass and map
• Food
• A pack of bubble gum

Gather these items in a backpack, mount your gallant steed (or skateboard), and get out your map.

Now the problem is where to find the dragon, as dragons are rather hard to find.  The only surviving dragon species is located in the country of Galoompifus, between Madagascar and Mozambique.

These dragons are infamous for keeping fair ladies captive.  If it is your wish to rescue a fair lady, then read on.  If it is not your wish, go find your skateboard and go on your trek without help from me.

Once you arrive at Galoompifus, you should be very careful.  Though the dragon-beasts look harmless, they are very dangerous.  (They look much like teddy bears until they stick out their spines.)

Ride your horse (or skateboard) up the large mountain in the center of Galoompifus until you find a dragon’s cave.  They are every where, and thus not hard to find.

Inside the cave a fair maiden will sit, bound to a chair with cords.  Typically, dragons don’t tie knots, but these are Galoompifus dragons.  As I said, they’re more like teddy bears.  Cut the cords with your sword and let her go free.

Soon the dragon will arrive.

Give the lady some gum so that she won’t scream while you’re fighting the dragon.

Toss the sombrero over to the dragon, then put your own on.

Fight the dragon.

Kill the dragon.

Ride down the mountain on your skateboard (or horse) with your fair lady.

Go home.

Chances are you’ll need a nap.

THE END

Let me know how you liked it!  And also, check what’s between Madagascar and Mozambique. 😉

~ Molly

Kingdom Series | Pt. 1

Chuck Black

#1

Sixteen-year-old Leinad thought he was a common farmer’s son, nothing more.  He wondered why his father had trained him for years to master the sword – not exactly the tool of the trade for farmers.

Only then does he begin to understand his calling – a calling no other man in the entire kingdom of Arrethtrae can fulfill – a calling given by the King Himself.

Teamed with a young slave girl, Leinad is thrust into adversity and danger  – for the Dark Knight and his vicious Shadow Warriors will stop at nothing to thwart the King’s plan to restore the kingdom.  Leinad will need more than a sharp blade and a swift hand to fulfill his mission and survive the evil plots of the King’s sworn enemies!          

Journey to Arrethtrae, where the King and His Son implement a bold plan to save their kingdom; where courage, faith, and loyalty stand tall in the face of opposition; where good will not bow to evil – and the future of a kingdom lies in the hands of a young man.

#2

Fairos thought he had sentenced Leinad to death in the Banteen desert.  But Leinad returns – a true Knight of the King.  His skill with the sword is unmatched this side of the Great Sea and he is determined to free the people from their bondage to Lord Fairos.

Leinad quest takes him from the chains of slavery, near the jaws of dragons, and close to the arms of love. And when the rest of the kingdom turns away from the King and the Code, Leinad turns to his most faithful ally, Tess. With her help, Leinad struggles to conquor his own doubt.  But he must do so soon, for the King’s archenemy, the Dark Knight, is about to unleash his entire evil force and only Leinad can stop them…

Journey to Arrethtrae, where the King and His Son implement a bold plan to save their kingdom; where courage, faith, and loyalty stand tall in the face of opposition; where good will not bow to evil; where the future of the kingdom is at the threshold of either victory or defeat – and one man holds the key.

#3

For Cedric of Chessington, every day is the same: full of poverty and despair.  He knows that it will never change.  Or so he thinks.

Then, a stranger comes to the city.  Drawn to the man’s mysterious ways, Cedric discovers the stranger’s humility belies great strength and wisdom.  That’s when an astounding truth becomes clear – the stranger is a Master of the Sword, and He is there to train Cedric.

Suddenly propelled into a desperate battle against evil, Cedric must rely on the Master’s training if he is going to survive.  But the ultimate battle is yet to come, for the Dark Knight is at work, implementing his plan to take over the kingdom.  Will Cedric be ready to stand in the face of pure evil?

Journey to Arrethtrae, where the King and His Son implement a bold plan to save their kingdom; where courage, faith, and loyalty stand tall in the face of opposition; where good will not bow to evil; and where hope and compassion are as powerful weapons as the sword.

Strong language – 0

Romance – 2

Graphic Details – 5, a few scenes with details of battles/battle wounds.

Magic – 0

First off, the names are really cool!  Leinad is Daniel spelled backwards.  Arrethtrae is terra earth spelled backwards (terra is Latin for earth.)

The Kingdom Series starts in Kingdom’s Dawn with the story of Leinad. Leinad represents the Old Testament people from Seth, Adam’s son, to Malachi.

Second is Kingdom’s Hope, which continues the story of Leinad, including the captivities.

Third, and last for the day, Kingdom’s Edge is where Leinad is left behind and Cedric comes into the picture.  And that starts the New Testament stories.

The fighting scenes are very well portrayed, which is great!  (Those scenes are really hard to write well.)  And these books, though allegories, are very biblically accurate!

On Amazon Kingdom’s Dawn,  Kingdom’s Hope, Kingdom’s Edge.

And I almost forgot: there are audio books too!  The narrator is really good;  there are also sound effects. 🙂

Audio: Kingdom’s Dawn, Kingdom’s Hope, Kingdom’s Edge.

See you all next week!

~Molly

 

*DISCLAIMER* Post may contain affiliate links; if you buy, I may receive money, with NO additional cost to you whatsoever.  Thank you.

The Hobbit: or There and Back Again

by J.R.R. Tolkien

 

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling any farther than his pantry or cellar. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an adventure. They have launched a plot to raid the treasure hoard guarded by Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. Bilbo reluctantly joins their quest, unaware that on his journey to the Lonely Mountain he will encounter both a magic ring and a frightening creature known as Gollum.

 

 

 

Strong language – 0, I think

Romance – 0

Graphic Details – 4

Magic – 5, yes it has magic, but it’s not dominating.  Similar to Narnia.

 

In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.

So starts the prequel to J.R.R. Tolkien’s famous work, The Lord of the Rings.

Hobbits, known for their hairy feet and complete lack of height, generally stay at home and quite away from adventures.  Bilbo Baggins is not exception.

But when visited by a wizard named Gandalf and a whole troop of dwarves, that’s about to change.

The Hobbit is a fun story (with a bit of suspense mixed in) that the whole family will enjoy!  Bilbo is a great main character.  He’s funny.  He’s a poet.  And, of course, a great burglar. 😉   Definitely a great read!

Find The Hobbit on Amazon HERE!

~ Molly ~

 

 

(P.S.  I read The Lord of the Rings before I read The Hobbit.  Well, that was a bit of a mistake.  Though do-able, The Hobbit has a lot of information that makes the plot in The Lord of the Rings more clear.)

*DISCLAIMER* Post may contain affiliate links; if you buy, I may receive money, with NO additional cost to you whatsoever.  Thank you.

Today I have an announcement! *Drum roll*

asparkleoflight.wordpress.com has officially become….

Which means all those annoying advertisements won’t be around any more. 🙂

What do you think?

I’m super excited for this and I hope it will work out well!

Look for another book review on Friday!

~ Molly

 

 

Hi!

I’ve been trying for a while to do a photography post and haven’t gotten around to it.  But, finally, here it is!  Enjoy!

 

A butterfly on some Russian sage.

 

Camping. ❤

 

And last of all, a blackbird hanging out on a rock.  I wonder what he’s thinking?

 

Which picture is your favorite?

TTYL!

Molly