Maid to Match: A Book Review

Tillie Reese has been trained to be a lady's maid since she was a little girl, and now she's got her chance. Employed at Biltmore as the head parlor maid, she's given a contest with another maid for the position when Mrs. Vanderbilt's lady's maid turns in her notice. Then mountain man Mack Danver is hired on, and the sparks that fly between them threaten everything Tillie's worked so hard for.

Maid to Match is a sweet, charming story about a maid employed at the historical Biltmore Estate in Ashville, North Carolina, during the Gilded Age.  I was completely delighted with the rich history and descriptions of Biltmore, the detail of the period clothing and hairstyles, and Gist's realistic portrayal of the servants' lives. "Downton Abbey" fans will be pleased.

Faith in God played a small role in the latter part of the story, and it was a little awkward and jolting since Tillie didn't start the book depending on God for guidance, and nothing happened to explain the change in her.  The villain didn't come across as real as the other characters, but this could be because he was more a part of a sub-plot than the main, overall story.

Maid to Match was my first Deeanne Gist novel, and I liked it well enough to pick up another of her works.  I wouldn't reccommend it to readers who get bored without mystery and suspense elements, or to those who are uncomfortable with a romance heavy on the physical aspect.  But if you enjoy fun, light reads filled with historical detail, and featuring a clean but steamy romance, this may be a good match for you. :-)

Favorite line of the book: "I picked my nose."

The Danger of Being Comfortable

A beautiful picture isn't it?  A real slice of heaven.

Photo by Grand Velas Riviera Maya

http://www.flickr.com/photos/grandvelasrivieramaya/3180227438/

It makes me wish I was there, relaxing in one of those lawn chairs, soaking up the sun, enjoying the rhythmic ebb and flow of the ocean -- perhaps an umbrella drink in hand.  Sure, I'll take a vacation there.  Even better, maybe one day I'll have made enough money off my books that I can permanently retire to such a place.  (And every author said, "yeah, right".) It'd be wonderful. I'd have a beautiful house.  Maybe a couple of classic cars...  A convertible '65 Mustang, oh yeah!  The life O'Reilly.

Did you know that this is one of Satan's most successful attacks on the church today?  He dangles luxury, status, and pretty things in front of us, and whispers, "You need it.  Look what they have!  You can afford this.  You deserve it."  He knows that if we're occupied with worldly success and a comfortable lifestyle, we'll be distracted from the real reason we're here -- to know God's love and salvation, and to share the gospel and His love with others.  He knows what he's doing.  If he can get us to pursue "The American Dream" instead of God, we'll invest our resources in more comfort and luxury for ourselves, and neglect the Kingdom.

C.S. Lewis was right.


"Prosperity knits a man to the world. He feels that he is "finding his place in it", while really it is finding its place in him. (The Screwtape Letters", Letter 28)


Be careful.  A comfortable life isn't a sin, but it is dangerous.  It has the power to lull us to sleep and water down our faith.  We may find ourselves depending upon the tangible things of this world instead of God.  Perhaps even too attached to let go.  Remember the rich, young ruler.  He wanted to be right with God, but his wealth had sunk its claws into his very soul and held him captive. (Luke 18:18-25)

Introduce Your Characters Properly

Have you ever read struggled through a book featuring characters you didn't care about or connect with?  Insert worst thing that could happen to them, and you shrug. Maybe the character has redeeming qualities, but they're obviously still stuck in the author's head and never made it to paper. He/she doesn't make a whip of sense to you. Perhaps you're even cheering for the villain. (Just kidding. Who does that??)

My theory is, you weren't properly introduced. True, not everyone will like a realistic, flawed character because not everyone will like a real person that rubs them the wrong way, but I'm sticking to my theory. Characters can be likeable with the right introduction.

How does an writer/author properly introduce a character?  While I don't claim to be an expert on character development, this question has been heavy on my mind as I work through second draft edits of TWOI. Louisa isn't exactly an easy character to sell. The following are a few ideas I have :-)

Wait. Before I start my list, make sure you like your character.  If he/she is your own flaws personified, everyone else is going to hate them too.

1) Give the reader a reason to pity, admire, or identify with your character.  If you can manage all three, more power to you.  Make their deepest fears and the desires that drive them clear from the beginning.

2) If their goal might seem stupid to the reader, answer the "why" question.  The sooner, the better.  And make sure the reason isn't stupid too.

3) If they have annoying flaws, show why they have them, and hold the backstory. For example, my character Louisa is a bit reckless and obsessive, but I'm making an effort to show the trauma and insecurities that sparked those traits.

4) Present them in their everyday world -- what they know, what they're used to.  If your book opens with action, try to show them in their element after the action dies down. Preferences, quirks, likes and dislikes come to life in this kind of setting.

The Frontiersman's Daughter: A Book Review

If you enjoyed the "Christy" TV series, and like your novels featuring more than one romantic interest for the heroine, you're going to love The Frontiersman's Daughter.

Lael comes of age in 18th century Kentucke territory, shadowed by her father's legendary reputation as a settlement founder and former captive of the Shawnee. While her hope for love and marriage is banked on a childhood friend, she stirs up trouble when she catches the eye of a white Shawnee warrior.  And just when she thinks she knows what life she will choose, a Scottish doctor arrives, needing her knowledge of medicinal herbs. Yet something about him makes him dangerous. Even more so than the Shawnee warrior.

The Frontiersman's Daughter has a gentle, flowing pace, balanced by Frantz's trademark lyrical writing and rich historic detail. It will sweep you away to the Kentucke frontier during the American Revolution, allowing you a glimpse into the lives of the settlers who braved both harsh environment and hostile natives. I usually prefer books that bring me into the hero's POV part of the time, but since it would have ruined the mystery of who Lael ended up with, I completely understand why Frantz kept me rooted in Lael's point of view. Loved the guessing game.

Lael was a great character. Her broken relationship with her family was heartbreaking and lifelike, and it made the pain and grudges she carried so tangible.  She was a bit fickle about the three men she liked as the heroine in the classic "Tom, Dick, and Harry" movie, but it made her more real to me. Seriously, what single, lonely girl presented with the attention of three handsome men won't like all of them?

This is the third novel I've read by Laura Frantz, and I have to say, no one can tell a story quite like her.  Graceful prose, wonderful history, and a setting that becomes a character all on its own. I am anxiously awaiting the release of "Love's Reckoning" this fall, and highly recommend any of her books to fans of historical romance.

Guest Posts!

Today I'm hanging out with Helen and Jess at Book Review Sisters. We're celebrating their 1st blogaversary, and talking about books of course ;-)  These wonderful Aussie gals are such a blessing, and I hope you'll stop by and wish them well.  They're also giving away a new book from cowboy comedy author Mary Connealy.

On Wednesday, I'm over at Stuff & Nonsense II with Anne Payne, reminiscing about a hard time in my life that led me to a new perspective of God's purposes/desires for us. It was the truth I gleaned from this experience that inspired the theme of For the Sake of One Lost.