Sunday, February 27, 2011

Mosaic Monday, A Book Review and a Giveaway!

In January I was approached by Sarah Reck, a Web Publicist with Faith Words at Hachette Book Group. She came across my post of a list of books read in 2009 in which I had read two books by one of their authors, Michael Phillips. She asked if I would be interested in receiving a free copy of his latest book, Angel Harp to review on my blog. Would I mind? Not only would I not mind, I was honored! So I immediately sent her an email saying, "Heck yeah!" Actually I was a little more professional but eventually I received this in the mail.


I've finished the book and want to share my thoughts with you.

I loved this book. The main character in the book is Angel Dawn Marie Buchan, a 34 year old widow who could be you or me. Like many of us she had dreams of meeting a wonderful man and being loved and loving him in return, of growing old with this man and watching their children and grandchildren grow. Unfortunately her husband dies before they had time to have children.

Now Marie is on her own just getting through life, working half-days as a teacher's aide, taking harp lessons once a week,  and teaching the harp. She realizes that she's alone and lonely and she brings another dream to life. A dream she and her husband had of someday visiting Scotland. Her husband would write the great American novel (even though they were both Canadian) and she would play the harp and write songs. She realizes this is one dream she can still fulfill and finds herself settling in a Port Scarnose, Scotland.

This mosaic portrays what I saw in my mind of the different people and places written about in the book.



Marie finds more in Port Scarnose than she could ever have imagined. She finds that perfect place she's always imagined to play her harp. She finds a lovely little child that grows to love her. She finds two love interests, the dashing curate of the local church, Iain Barclay and quiet, reserved and troubled Duke Alasdair Reidhaven. She makes many friends in the small community and also ends up finding her faith again.

The book is a wonderful story about not giving up on life. There are so many other adventures, friends and loves if we just have the courage to seek them. I so enjoyed this book that I feel it should become a part of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Book and I would love to give it away to one of you. Please leave me a comment letting me know that you would like to be entered to win this book and another letting me know if you are a follower. If you would like to follow me, please do so and leave another comment letting me know you're a new follower...and welcome! I'll  choose a winner on Friday evening, so stay tuned! Oh and leave me your email if it's not readily available on your blog. Thanks!

Sarah, thanks so much for choosing my humble blog to review your book. It was an honor and a pleasure!

Also please be sure to visit Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday and have a wonderful week!


41 comments:

  1. Love your mosaic! It sounds like a wonderful story, makes me wish I had more time to read!

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  2. This sounds like a wonderful read - please enter me in the draw!

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  3. That was a great review. It sounds like something I would love to read. If I don't win I'll just find it but I would like to be it's next stop on the travel route.

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  4. Thank you for the review! And your mosaic is just charming!!! Wishing you well.

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  5. Hi Alicia!

    Lovely mosaic! Sweet place you have here! I have enjoyed perusing several of your posts! Fun 'meeting' some of your family too :)

    Kindly, Lorraine

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  6. Wonderful mosaic...the book seems like something I would enjoy.

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  7. Your mosaic is so beautiful and says so much even though I have not read the book. I think I will have to try to download it to my iPad. Your picture choices and design are lovely.

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  8. Sounds like a wonderful story and is a wonderful mosaic! Very clever.

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  9. The book sounds like a good read. Please do include my name. Your mosaic of images make me long for Scotland. ~ Sarah

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  10. I'm already one of your followers. ;-)
    ~ Sarah

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  11. Carol @ There's Alway Thyme to Cook - Thanks so much for stopping by. It's hard to find time to read isn't it? I try to read at least 1/2 an hour before I turn out the lights for the night. It relaxes me.

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  12. Pondside - You are entered my new follower friend! Good Luck!

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  13. Donnie - If you don't win my friend I'll make a special request to have you be the 2nd stop if at all possible. You would love the book!

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  14. GrandmaK - No GrandmaK...thank you. Thank you for stopping by and for commenting!

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  15. LDH - Wow, thank you for not only commenting but for checking out some of my previous posts. I sincerely appreciate it Lorraine!

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  16. sueskitchen - I think there's something for everyone in this book. I really enjoyed it. Good luck, hope you win it!

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  17. Genie - Thanks, there a part in the book where the Duke takes his daughter away in a sailboat, that's just what I imagined it would look like from far away, and the little cottage that Marie stayed in while she was there most certainly looked like the cottage I pictured. It's funny how you can see the place in your head while you're reading. That's why I love when they make a movie out of a book because then you get to see how close your imagination was!

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  18. Snap - Well thanks, as I was telling Genie who commented before you, that's how I see it. The old sheepherder in the book I imagine must have looked very much like the one in my mosaic.

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  19. Sarah - You are included my friend! I've always wanted to visit Scotland...this book makes me feel as if I have :-D

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  20. Tales from an oc cottage - Thank you! I love your little signature at the end!

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  21. Rajesh - Thank you so much. I enjoyed your blog very much as well! Very educational.

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  22. Wonderful mosaic, and the book sounds like something I'd love to read. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  23. First of all, I like the cover of the book with the widow, the harp, and Scotland's landscape.

    The plot looks and sounds lovely , and so does your writing style.
    A good read and a fine bookreview!

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  24. Hey, sweets! As always, you've captured the attention of yet another reader who realizes what a voracious reader and wonderful writer yourself...so of course they combined the two and now you're a humdinger of a reviewer!

    The book sounds wonderful...and will go on my list of ones to read someday...when I can actually find time to read again. In the meantime, I hope your giveaway winner loves the book as much as you do.

    It's kinda fun saying "hi" at 5am! (The letters look kinda fuzzy, tho..)
    xoxo

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  25. Sounds like the perfect book to curl up with on a wintery day. Love the photos. V

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  26. Lorrie - Thanks Lorrie. I had fun making that mosaic and searching for the pictures. Good Luck!

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  27. DUTA - Thanks Duta! I always love your reviews of my reviews! I'm glad you enjoy my writing :-D

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  28. kathryn - Thanks Kathryn. 5am? Wow, you poor thing. I've missed your visits! Thanks for the compliment.

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  29. Gardening in a Sandbox - Oh you would love this book on a wintery day, you would almost feel like you are in Scotland yourself! Good Luck!

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  30. I'd love to be entered, thanks!

    heatheranne99 at gmail dot com

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  31. I love the weaving of the story and the mosaic. Nicely done!

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  32. Love that now you're a professional book reviewer!

    I love it!

    The book sounds awesome. It's on my list of books to read for 2011.

    Thanks!

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  33. Heather - Consider yourself entered and good luck!

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  34. Meri - Thanks. I've gotten lots of compliments on the mosaic!

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  35. Climb2Nowhere - Wow, thank you my friend...a professional book reviewer! I like the sound of that :-D

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  36. Sounds like a great book, Alicia! Thanks for sharing at MM. :)

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  37. Hi Alicia, this sounds like a really good book. I'm happy you were chosen to review the book on your blog.

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Please leave a comment.I would love to know your thoughts!