The Birthright

One of the reason I read this book is because of one of its authors, Janette Oke. She has been a famous Christian author and the title sounds so promising. 

The Birthright is actually a sequel to The Sacred Shore. But I find it easy to study the story and the plot.  It is about two women who are " sisters ". One has been separated from her biological family since birth, and another has been adopted by a family who has just lost their daughter. Now , you get the picture. As destiny has its way, both of them are reunited with their families. 

Anne,( the daughter who was adopted) married Cyril, a doctor and is living in a marital bliss.

 Nicole , on the other hand accepts her biological uncle, Charles Harrow's offer to come to England. Apparently Charles Harrow has no children , and he plans to make Nicole as his heir. 

Nicole finds it hard to adjust herself to the happenings of London. She has to attend balls, wear pretty gowns ,learn social manners  as well as make many acquaintances . But she is willing to do all that in the name of duty and her love towards her family. 

However marital happiness didn't last long for Anne as Cyril passed away due to a sickness. Even with her new born son beside her, Anne finds it hard to live her life as it was before. She was in deep grief. Nicole quickly invited Anne over to England. As her sister, she wanted to comfort her and share her grief. She also wanted Anne to divert her attention in a new place. 

Surprisingly, after a few months in England, Anne totally adapted herself in a new place. Soon, she was no longer wearing her mourning attire. She began to devote herself in new projects for the poor. At the same time, Nicole still struggles within her on whether to continue her journey in England. 

Not long after that, Charles Harrow decided to send Nicole to America. He knew from the start that Nicole does not belong here. She needs to be free from obligations and duty. Most importantly , she needs to follow her heart and live the life that God has called her to live. 

It was later revealed that Anne's mother in law had a family connection with Charles Harrow and thus, Anne's son was made the heir of Charles Harrow. 

Honestly, it wasn't what I expected. I didn't expect Cyril to die , especially so early in the story. Furthermore, I feel really bad for Nicole. She had to go through journey after journey in order to know what is her calling. 

But it also made me realised that God is above our thinking and imagination. We may not comprehend it in the beginning, but in His time, He makes all things beautiful. 

Miranda

Yes everyone, I'm back !!!! I am always here, it is just that I hardy read nowadays. I'm very much occupied in learning a foreign language. That would be Korean.

But good news , good news!!! I have somehow managed to buy some books that are not only affordable but they have Christian themes as well. Ah, lovely !!

I'll start of with Miranda by Grace Livingston Hill. I remember reading about her biodata online some time ago. And I decided to buy this book.

Of course, this book is about a woman named Miranda. She is lively, kind, devoted to God and secretly in love with the " most dangerous guy " in her neighbourhood. Something terrible happened and the guy  was forced to leave ( to be precise, escaped from) the neighbourhood.

 But there is something everyone didn't know about the guy, or Allan Whitney ( his real name ) except for Miranda.

Allan Whitney was accused of killing a man that he didn't kill. Not only did he not defend himself, he was actually running away to protect the true murderer. And it was Miranda, our heroine who helped him to escape that fateful night. Whew, talk about drama and adventure.

The novel focuses a lot on how Miranda helps to encourage and help Allan's younger brother, Nathan. Nathan Whitney has lost his father's favor ever since his elder brother, Allan escaped. Nathan had been a little rebellious and it reminded his father of Allan.

Miranda slowly welcomed Nathan to her house and slowly Nathan began to feel the love of a family. Not only that, Miranda's friend , Mr David even offered to teach him lessons so that he can further his studies in a university. And boy, did he turn out fine and refined.

The plot slowly thickens as the true murderer was revealed by Miranda. By then, Allan's name was cleared and she longs to see him again. Safe and sound.

And of course, my dear readers , this story has a good ending.

This is my first time reading a Christian fiction , and I enjoyed it. I like how Miranda stands by the man she loves and how she often upholds him in prayer. She truly deserves a happy ending. =)

There's no place like here

My aunt bought many books for me during this festive season, and so a book review journey is needed.

Muchas gracias, aunt ! =)

But as much I am very thankful, not all the books that she bought are my cup of tea. There are books that I thought I would enjoy, but the moment I read it.........

Books like One Day and The Carrie Diaries just made me so disappointed. With all due respect to the authors, I do understand that they are high profile and famous authors, but it's just me. Okay, call me old fashioned or what, I don't like reading bed scenes, and the practice of having sex before marriage. It's a BIG NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO from me. 

So, I have decided to read There's No Place Like Here by Cecelia Ahern. 

Cecelia Ahern may not be my favourite author, but I like this book. Not to say, SUPER LIKE , but well it's readable , acceptable and quite interesting. 

To start with, I kinda like the main character, Sandy Shortt. She has this weird obsession with missing people and things and she used to think that those missing things and people go to a place. 

I also like the fact that her parents sent her to a counsellor because of her " peculiar" obsession. And there, she met  the young, dashing, Mr Burton , or Gregory as she fondly calls him. 

This story is much more of a self- discovery story rather than a cozzy romance. At first , I thought there will be a love triangle going on between Sandy, Mr Burton and Jack Ruttle. Which is okay with me. I was rooting for Sandy and Gregory from the very beginning. I have my own PERSONAL reasons, hehe.

It is also nice to read about how " missing " people cope with their own " world" after they went missing. As I read the conversations between Sandy and the " missing people", I don't feel as if it's imaginary, because all the characters felt so real and vulnerable. You can feel their emotions and sadness. 

I think it's a book worth reading because it really makes you think after reading. It's not that kind of book where you put it aside saying, 

"Ah, that's a good book."  Period

This book made me think about being true to ourselves, accepting ourselves and finding ourselves in times of happiness and trouble. We need to find our way back to ourselves. 

I'll give this book a rating of 3.7/5 

More book reviews on the way !! =)

Dear Sherlock Holmes

Dear Sherlock Holmes,

It's me here. I read about your adventures here and then. I watched movies about you, and I'm really into the BBC Sherlock series in which Benedict Cumberbatch is starring. I mean, you're so cool !
( Well, Ben gets the credit too though )

The first time I " met " you was when your best friend,  Dr John Watson compiled your adventures into a nice book, and I read them all. Yup, I know it's something not very proud when " The Woman" OUTWITTED YOU. But honestly, I think you're the best consultant detective EVER.

As a result of that, I began to hunt after your stories in the form of movies and series. Robert Downey Jr. portrayed you as a person who knows how to fight, and has a great reflex. While Benedict on the other hand, portrayed you as a DRAMA QUEEN. Indeed, which I think it's very acceptable, given your talents and character. I have yet to watch Elementary though, which starred Jonny Lee Miller.

Your observation skills , peculiar methods  and , science of deduction fascinate me, and makes me think OUT OF THE BOX. I sometimes impress my friends when I tell them things that I have observed about them. Thanks to our common hobby: OBSERVING.
But of course, my skills in this field is way below yours. And if you were to have me as an apprentice, you probably just need to make me Mrs Hudson's assistant. I can help out in some daily chores, if you don't mind.

I have just read The Hound of Baskervilles , and it is one of the most intriguing case I have ever read about you. Clearly, you can always count on Dr Watson to assist you, and he is a reliable person.
In the beginning I was a little lost and short sighted because I cannot see the connection between a stolen boot and the whole case. Why would someone want to steal Sir Henry's boots ? Then slowly I began to see the different relationships and social circles which overlapped the whole case. And the hound. It really does exist. And, I love the part where you and Dr Watson realised that it was actually a Baskerville who is the mastermind behind all this murder and suspense. I promise you, I'll read it again.

If there is any advice that I would give you, it's most probably just one. Go easy on the pipe please. Maybe it makes you more focus , Mr Holmes, but I think you're smart enough to deduce that it will cost your health soon.
Oh I forgot, you have a doctor as your best friend, so there's nothing to worry about, I presume ?

By the way, I have just completed watching the third season of Sherlock, and I will write my review soon. I wonder how you'll react if you were to watch it yourself.

P/s : Nevermind, if you didn't exist, your methods and adventures will stay as one of fiction's masterpiece.

Yours sincerely,

Joycelyn Ong