Cindy Thomson

This is unlike any devotional that I’ve ever read! Celtic Wanderings is history interwoven with Scripture, a devotional that is so unique that you find yourself looking forward to each day's readings. It is one of a kind resource that will only enrich your quiet time with the Lord, while also educating you on Celtic saints and traditions.

Because “the Celtic people saw nighttime as a beginning rather than an end” it is recommended that it be read at night, preferably before bed, which further adds to this devotionals uniqueness. The short devotionals are the perfect length for before bed reading, and I love the nightly “challenge” and prayer, giving you a good springboard for either further study or the right thoughts to ponder before bed.

It is divided into sections, giving focus to various topics like “Travel” and “Celebrate” and each days reading begins with a passage of Scripture, which I loved. You can feel the passion the author feels for Ireland, creating a craving in me to learn more about Ireland and its inhabitants myself, especially since I too have an Irish lineage.

I feel so blessed to have Celtic Wanderings as a resource and devotional, and cannot recommend enough!

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author and/or publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.… (mais)

One of my biggest pet peeves when authors decide to use real people and events from history in their fictional tales is when they change the essence of who those people were so really they’re only using the “celebrity” and not the truth.

Then you have wonderful authors like Cindy Thomson who are able to use their talented imaginations to create an entire fictionally based story around history but stick to the truth of the time and the people so well it’s nearly impossible to know where she begins and the past ends.

Thomson did a fantastic job in creating characters that breathe accuracy to the time and culture of ancient Ireland. Her dialogue, although it took some getting used to as she set the tone and sentence structure to the times, was easy to understand and follow. I loved how she created such a strong, intense character in Aine particularly since it’s most often that men get all the glory and focus in historical fiction even though countries like Ireland have a plethora of female heroes to choose from. Kudos to Thomson for showcasing some of that fierceness by creating a representation of that in Aine as she stood up to royalty, warriors and her peers for her beliefs.

I know most of what she created around Brigid was illusory but I liked that she kept true to the integrity of the person and what we know of her from the little that survived in Irish history. It helps to stay in the story when you don’t get angry at the author for having someone that well known do something they’d never do in a million years which only reminds you that you’re reading a book instead of getting immersed in a world different from your own.

Her plot line made sense, was straightforward and moved fairly quickly for a historical novel. I also felt it picked up from its predecessor really well although you really need to make sure you read the first book to truly appreciate the whole context of the second.

Thomson handled the burgeoning Catholicism and well-practiced Druidic faith evenly without coming off too biased one way or the other so it truly felt like a story being told in the context of that time; not an author with an agenda.

Overall I’d recommend this and its predecessor for anyone who likes to read about ancient Irish history. Although this is a work of fiction, and therefore it should not be taken as completely historically accurate, Thomson handled the past with grace and honor.… (mais)

This was an animated retelling of Saint Brigid's story. I didn't know that much about this Irish saint before reading this book, and as such, I don't know the accuracy of the portrayal, but it did make me care about the characters, and the saint.)

There were three things I wished we would have seen in this book: The first was that I wish we'd gotten to see Saint Brigid meet Saint Patrick. We heard a little bit about her previous encounters with him, but by the start of the narrative, he had already died, and that was a bit disappointing. I also wish we could have learned what happened to Bram. Over and over we heard that he was on the verge of converting, but the last we saw of him, he was weak and sick. The last we saw of him he was dying, probably alone and in the middle of the wilderness, and we never find out if he fully converted, though he didn't appear to disbelieve in Christ, I was never sure if he did grow to believe in him or not. The third thing I wish we could've heard, was what happened to Arden. He was captured by raiders, and being tended by a Christian, and asks to know more of his God. This angry, bitter, power-mad man, who had spent most of Brigid's life trying to destroy her, and just like that, heh asks to hear more about Christianity. does he actually convert? Does he ever return to Ireland? Does he ever seek Brigid's forgiveness? These are a few questions I would have liked to get answers for.

That said, in spite of the fact that a few story lines could have come to a slightly more satisfying end, the end of the book was pretty satisfying. Brigid, in one form or another, managed to forgive the person who hurt her more than any other, from whom she withheld her forgiveness for so long.

The ebook was formatted extremely poorly, but I don't hold that against the story.

Like [b: Saint Magnus, The Last Viking|21567213|Saint Magnus The Last Viking|Susan Peek|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1395777159s/21567213.jpg|40898888], I don't know whether to put this book on my Catholic Fiction shelf our my non-fiction shelf, so, contradiction or no, it's going on both.… (mais)

Title: Annie’s Stories (an Ellis Island novel)
Author: Cindy Thomson
Pages: 416
Year: 2014
Publisher: Tyndale
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Annies-Stories-Ellis-Island-Thomson/dp/1414368453/ref=sr_1...
Reading is such a sweet endeavor and a blessing to be sure, especially when discovering a new author. Annie’s Stories is the second book in the Ellis Island series with the first book being, Grace’s Pictures, published by Tyndale in May of 2013. Losing myself in the pages of the tale was a rich and rewarding experience. The story is rich, robust, historical, reminding the audience of what others might have experienced before us, both the good and the bad. The best part was learning even more about the book written by L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, along with how novels and illustrations were meant to teach virtues and character traits.
Annie is of Irish descent whose father loved storytelling, which I learned is a tradition steeped deeply in the Irish culture. Annie’s father dies, leaving her as she views her life all alone with no money to speak of or future in Ireland. When she is rescued from a place known as the Magdalene Laundries and their controversial history, again I was enthralled to learn more about these places after I finished the book. The story is one most people can relate to when life is viewed based on growing faith, life experiences, and love received from others. There is one character named Stephen who must learn that all he can do will never quiet the pain in his heart or soul when he loses his mother, father and only brother. Stephen comes to a place where a pastor helps him understand the choice he has before him of either to forgive or withhold and the need to listen for God’s voice or continue to try to help through his own efforts.
I have not even scratched the surface of the well-researched tale written and shared with us. If you appreciate history, faith, love, and so much more, this is one novel not to miss reading or sharing with others. I plan on obtaining the other book title I shared at the beginning of this review as I believe it will be just as rewarding as Annie’s Stories.
My rating is 5+ stars.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book from www.bookfun.org. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457… (mais)