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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Looked Forward to It, but Was the Book Worth the Wait?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Lainey of the Door Islands: historical fiction for a more YA audience. Clean, sweet, &with a rich setting, this book also touches on faith. via @chautonahavig

So I was planning my week a couple of weeks ago, and put in the back-to-back reviews I had.  At the end of the session, I double-checked everything and found that I’d switched one book with another–opposite dates.  OOPS.  So, I covered them up with white stickers and rewrote. One of them. Only one.

Double oops.

Got a message today saying I hadn’t filled out a form.  For a book I was supposed to have read two weeks ago.  And hadn’t.  So, guess what I did today?

lainey of the door islands review

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Looked Forward to It, but Was the Book Worth the Wait?

Considering much of the story is written about a young girl growing into womanhood, I’d have to consider this strongly in the YA or youth field. The descriptions of the islands, the coast, the lake–it’s all breathtaking and rarely does the author go overboard with it.  I really enjoyed feeling like I was there on the islands, in the gales, helping with the lighthouse. She managed to capture those things perfectly.

Outside of that, however, the book fell flat for me.

I never really cared about any of the characters except for Uncle Otis and a bit for Aunt Edith.  The characters were all rather flat and a bit… perfect. Lainey was a strong “Mary Sue” character. I just never felt like she was human. More of a cardboard cutout placed in the scenes of the book.

My understanding of Scripture differs from the author’s, and as such, I took issue with a few things. A vision, a few instances of God “speaking” to the characters.  Some of those times were closely connected to Scripture, so I was fine with that.  BUT… others… too specific and outside of Scripture.

All in all, those who enjoy books in the vein of the Lamplighter books or Elsie Dinsmore will enjoy Lainey of the Door Islands.  Also, if you’re just in the mood for a book with little believable tension and a lot of sweet interactions, Lainey of the Door Islands will be a perfect fit for you.  I wanted to love it so much, but it just wasn’t the book for me.

lainey of the door islandsAbout the Book

Book:  Lainey of the Door Islands

Author: Judy Ducharme

Genre: Historical Fiction and Young Adult Fiction

Release date: July 24, 2020

Walk with Lainey into the world of Door County and its islands in the late 1800s, a time of shipwrecks, lighthouses, and strong individuals who never gave up. Lainey becomes one of those rugged individuals as she faces tragedy and hardship. Her aunt and uncle, the lighthouse keepers on tiny Pilot Island, demonstrate the toughness needed to survive, but Lainey takes it a step further with her spunk and grace and becomes a shining light to all those around her. With humor, faith, close friendships and the young man who interferes with her ability to function, Lainey of the Door Islands will capture your heart, and she’ll inspire you to know that no matter what happens, God has a plan to prosper and not to harm.

judy ducharme lainey of the door islandsAbout the Author

Judy DuCharme grew up with Lake Huron next to her backyard and has always loved the water. She, her husband, daughter, and son moved to Door County in 1984. After teaching 5th Grade at Gibraltar School for 22 years, Judy followed the calling that tugged at her all her life to write. Lainey of the Door Islands is her 7th published book and she is the recipient of numerous awards. She also writes for Guideposts Magazine. If you visit Door County, you may find her hiking in the woods, jet skiing on the bay, worshipping at her church, teaching a Bible study, cheering for the Green Bay Packers, playing with her amazing grandson, or sitting outside enjoying the beauty around her.

More from Judy

Door County, where I live, is the destination of 3 million people in the summer and fall. Lainey of the Door Islands, my seventh published book, is the culmination of my desire to write a book about this wonderful area where I live. Tourists and residents alike love all things Door County, past and present. One day as I traveled on the ferry between Washington Island and the mainland of Door County and gazed out at tiny Pilot Island, I said again to myself, ‘I need to write a book about Door County’. I don’t recall if it was that day, the next, or two days later, but the story dropped into my spirit. I sat down at my computer and wrote well into the second chapter in one sitting. I said to my husband, “I’m writing and I can’t stop.”

Blog Stops

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, May 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 23

Texas Book-aholic, May 24

lakesidelivingsite, May 25

Blogging With Carol, May 25

The Write Escape, May 26

ABBA’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 27

Inklings and notions, May 28

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 29

Simple Harvest Reads, May 29 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Connie’s History Classroom, May 30

For Him and My Family, May 31

Godly Book Reviews, May 31

She Lives To Read, June 1

Mary Hake, June 2

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 2

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 3

deb’s Book Review, June 4

Pause for Tales, June 4

Giveaway

lainey of the door islands giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Judy is giving away the grand prize package of a copy of the book and a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10c92/lainey-of-the-door-islands-celebration-tour-giveaway

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 438: A Chat with Margaret Philbrick
byChautona Havig

 Oh, wow.  When I read the synopsis for House of Honor by Margaret Ann Philbrick, I knew this was going to be a fabulous book.  Forget all the endorsements and starred reviews, listen in to hear just how awesome this book is!  

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

When Margaret described the story within House of Honor, I not only learned a lot of art history, but I got a taste of Italy (sadly, without pasta and gelato… sniff). I can’t wait to see what she coes up with next.

 House of Honor by Margaret Ann Philbrick

Two Italian sons, one woman, linked by a masterpiece painting, are put to a test of loyalty and honor.

At the heart of this gripping tale is Orazio Bordoni, the wayward son of a construction magnate, living a reckless life like that of his artistic hero Caravaggio. He finds himself befriended by Nicolo Giotto, the devoted son of a powerful Sicilian mafia clan, who wants to uphold the honor of his family.

As the dark underbelly of the art world and the Vatican expose their true character, Orazio finds himself in a world where his loyalty is tested, honor is at stake, and the boundaries between life, love, and art blur. He and Nicolo discover just how far they’re willing to push those boundaries, even if it means sacrificing everything.

House of Honor is a pivotal story that weaves the threads of history, the ruthless allure of the mafia, the enigmatic power of the Vatican, and the timeless brilliance of Caravaggio.

Learn more about Margaret on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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Episode 438: A Chat with Margaret Philbrick
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