PRAYING WITH THE ENEMY by Steven T Collis

PRAYING WITH THE ENEMY by Steven T. Collis. This fantastic read was released this week. A historical fiction about the Korean War with the viewpoint from four different people was so well done. I was drawn in from chapter one and couldn't put it down. The feelings and opinions of each person were so strong and in a way relatable. War is not for the faint of heart but when you are able to experience it through the eyes of another, it makes at least me feel that much more grateful for our freedoms and those who have sacrificed to maintain our freedoms. What a beautiful story brought to life. It is one every person should read.

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When pilot Captain Ward Millar is forced to eject over enemy territory in North Korea, the ejection explosion snaps both of his ankles. Unable to walk, he is easily captured by North Korean and Chinese soldiers who interrogate, threaten, and starve him for strategic wartime information. He feeds the enemy false information while plotting his escape. But it’s only a matter of time before they discover his lies. He knows it will take a miracle to gain his freedom, but his previous self-reliance on his own capabilities has never included appealing to a higher power. If only he had faith like his wife, Barbara, whose firm belief in God can move mountains. 

THE PAPER DAUGHTERS OF CHINATOWN by Heather B Moore

THE PAPER DAUGHTERS OF CHINATOWN by Heather B Moore. What a fascinating story. Donaldina was such an amazing woman. Her courage and strength motivated me to want to do better not only as a woman but as a human. What she was able to do for the girls brought to American under false pretense was incredible. She, and all those who helped her, are a heroes in all definitions of the word. What an incredibly eye opening book that I would recommend to just about anyone. It might not be suitable for younger readers due to the subject of human trafficking. There is nothing graphic or explicit, but it is heavy content.

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A powerful story based on true events surrounding Donaldina Cameron and other brave women who fought to help Chinese-American women escape discrimination and slavery in the late 19th century in California.

When Donaldina Cameron arrives at the Occidental Mission Home for Girls in 1895, she intends to teach sewing skills to young Chinese women immigrants, but, within days, she discovers that the job is much more complicated than perfect stitches and even hems. San Francisco has a dark side, one where a powerful underground organization--the criminal tong--brings Chinese young women to America to sell them as slaves. With the help of Chinese interpreters and the Chinatown police squad, Donaldina becomes a tireless social reformer to stop the abominable slave and prostitution trade.

Mei Lien believes she is sailing to the "Gold Mountain" in America to become the wife of a rich Chinese man. Instead she finds herself sold into prostitution--beaten, starved, and forced into an opium addiction. It is only after a narrow escape that she hears of the mission home and dares to think there might be hope for a new life.

PIONEERING THE VOTE by Neylan McBaine

PIONEERING THE VOTE by Neylan McBaine.  What a fascinating topic. I had no idea that the women in the west were forerunners in the suffrage movement. The background gave me pause to think things through in a different point of view. I loved all the information that was given and the story it laid out. I struggled with the format of the book. It began with a story from Emmeline's point of view and went to a "looking back" section that filled in the historical aspect of what was happening. Then it went back to the story, but sometimes the story was only a paragraph or two. There were also biographies of different women (amazing women that I loved to learn about) put in the middle of both the "looking back" and story sections. It took me almost four chapters to wrap my head around how the book was structured. Of course, it's my opinion and others may not have the issues I did in reading it. I'd love to know what you think.

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In 1895, Utah's leading suffragist, Emmeline B. Wells, welcomed her friends Susan B. Anthony and Reverend Anna Howard Shaw to a gathering of more than 8,000 people from around the nation at the Rocky Mountain Suffrage Convention. They were there to celebrate the suffrage movement's recent wins and strategize their next triumphs. Pioneering the Vote tells the remarkable, largely unknown story of the early suffrage victories that happened in states and territories in the American West. With the encouragement of the Eastern leaders, women from Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho came together in a unique moment of friendship and unified purpose to secure the vote for women in America.

THE NOBLE SMUGGLER by Sian Ann Bessey

THE NOBLE SMUGGLER by Sian Ann Bessey. This was a fun romance to read. It is sent on the coastline where smuggling was the way of life. It shows what some good people do in order to bring down the wicked, reminding me a lot of current day undercover police officers, albeit untrained in this story, and how far people will go to get the justice they feel is deserved. I enjoyed the historical people sprinkled into the story, and I loved Elizabeth and Jonas. How their stories intertwined was beautifully done. I would highly recommend this book to any and everyone who loves a good historical story with romance throughout.

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Despite living at her father's inn her entire life, Elizabeth Doyle has always managed to avoid involvement with the smugglers who frequently gather there. Until now. When a handsome smuggler is brought to her with dire injuries, Elizabeth risks everything to hide him—completely unaware that the wounded man is not who he appears to be.

When an opportunity arises to infiltrate the notorious smuggling gang he believes caused his father's death, Jonas Ainsworth, the Viscount Langton, pretends to be one of them. But when he is wounded mid-charade, Jonas's life is placed in the hands of an unlikely savior: a smuggler's daughter. Forced to flee before his wounds have fully healed, he does not think he will ever see her again—until she appears on his doorstep, seeking safe haven. Divided by their social standings yet united in their mutual desire to expose the leader of the smuggling ring, Jonas and Elizabeth are undeniably drawn to each other. Neither realizes, however, that they are dangerously close to uncovering explosive secrets from the past—secrets that will alter the course of their lives forever.

THE FIGHTING PREACHER

THE FIGHTING PREACHER. Hubby and I had the priviledge to see this movie Friday night. I had seen the movie trailer and I was very curious about it. T.C. Christensen did such a fantastic job. The story was incredible. I had no idea about the sacrifices of the Bean familiar in going to Palmyra. It was an incredible story that was portrayed so well. We talked about it all the way home, as well as when we can show this movie to our children. It is a movie of change, growth, and love. I would highly recommend it to everyone. It's in Mesa, for those of you in the area, this next week. Take a watch and let me know what you think.

Watch the trailer here. You'll love it.

OUT OF LIBERTY

OUT OF LIBERTY. This movie looks very interesting. True accounts always fascinate me. I'm excited to see this one. I'd love to know what you think. Be sure to take a look at the Q&A with the director and Rafflecopter at the bottom.


Winter 1839. LIBERTY, MISSOURI. Local jailer, Samuel Tillery (Jasen Wade) is tasked with watching Missouri's most wanted men as they await their upcoming hearing. Caught between the local Missourians' increased drive to remove the prisoners, and the prisoners' desperate efforts to survive, Tillery is pushed beyond what any lawman can endure. Based on actual recorded accounts, Out of Liberty is an intense, evocative western, with an outcome you have to see to believe.





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Out of Liberty

Q&A with Director, Garrett Batty

1. Where did the concept come from for Out of Liberty?

I love a good Western, and I've wanted to do one for a while. The events at Liberty Jail involve a triangle of conflict between the jailer, the mob and the prisoners.  It seemed like an intriguing plot to explore.  Amidst some of the better known occurances were attempted jailbreaks, repeated appeals to the legal system and an impromptu court hearing.  With 1830’s Missouri as a setting, it’s the perfect backdrop for a powerful western.

2. What were some high points during the creative process?

Working in independent film is extremely difficult.  It requires a lot of talented, passionate creative individuals to make things come together.  Stephen Dethloff brought in the first several drafts of the script, and it was a high point to see that there was a cinematic story in Liberty Jail.  Then, to be able to cast Jasen Wade, Brandon Ray Olive and Corbin Allred (who came back to acting after a 5 year hiatus just for this role) was a dream come true.  Another high point was getting to see the set of the jail.  We built 2 different sets, to cover interiors and exteriors.  To step onto each set after they were completely prepped for filming made everything feel real.

 

3. What was your favorite scene on set?

The entire shoot was extremely cold, and the pressure to get everything just right probably impeded me from being able to feel like I had a favorite scene during the shoot.  But now that the film is done, I can look back at some of the scenes and more accurately choose favorites.  There’s a lot of recorded stories about the friendship between Joseph (Brandon Ray Olive) and Porter (Corbin Allred.)  The scenes in which we tried to portray that friendship have become some of my favorites.  Also, the jailer, Samuel Tillery (Jasen Wade) has a classic western stand-off with one of the characters.  I’ve loved that scene from the moment it was in the script, through the final edit. 

 

4. Any learning moments you want to share?

Any film presents opportunities for learning moments.  Whether in the research phase, fundraising phase, production, post, or distribution, I’m always learning more and more about the process.  One lesson that relates specifically to OUT OF LIBERTY was learning to respect the humanness of whom the story is about.  Often I read historical accounts, but fail to recognize that they are written about real people, who deal with the same human hopes, dreams, faith and fears that I go through.  So I learned to not only show their actions, but to help the audience understand the human emotion that was driving their actions.  So in a moment of weakness, when Sydney Rigdon (Brock Roberts) doesn’t live up to my expectations, appreciating his humanness helps me to be more understanding of his actions.

 

5. What is the inspiration behind the story? 

OUT OF LIBERTY is based on the true events that happened at Liberty Jail in 1839.  Mob rule and public opinion collided with religious liberties and expressions of faith.  It lead to a conflict that escalated beyond what either side wanted.    Today, with ever-present social media and opinionated commentators stirring up reactions and attacks toward any differing belief, the similarities felt very relevant.  Fortunately, we see in both cases, that principled individuals, dedicated to the good of society, can make a difference.

 

6. What advice would you give to aspiring filmmakers?

Stop aspiring, start doing.  We need great storytellers!

 

7. If you had to summarize the film in one line what would it be? 

OUT OF LIBERTY is a western drama about a jailer caught between his civic job to keep Missouris’s most wanted men held for trial, and his personal duty to protect them from those who want them dead.

 

8. What do you hope people take away from this film?

When audiences go to the theater to see OUT OF LIBERTY, I hope they come away thinking “Wow, that was an awesome film!  Let’s see it again.”  It’s really a cool story, and to see it in theaters brings it to life in a way that no other format can.

 

9. What most surprised you in the making of this film?

One of the surprises along they way was how dedicated and committed the cast and crew were to telling this story.  One example of this is with the character of Caleb Baldwin played by Adam Johnson.  I’ve been friends with Adam Johnson for years, and have loved watching him in everything from CHARLY to The Outpost on The CW.  He was gracious enough to come do this movie as a favor for me.  I anticipated he would show up, deliver a good performance, keep the set fun, and be on to the next project.  But Adam surprised me.  He brought a performance that gave a level of humanity and depth that turned Caleb Baldwin into a real person for me.  It was humbling, inspiring, and it has stuck with me.  Every actor gave  their all, and it shows on screen.  It was really quite a nice surprise to have that caliber of talent on this film.

 

10. What scene was the most difficult to film? 

Each scene had its own set of challenges, but for this project I’d have to say the first day of shooting was the hardest.  The film is dedicated to my mother-in-law, who unexpectedly passed away only two days before filming began.  With this personal tragedy very much on my mind, it was difficult to try to focus on the film.  I was grateful to be surrounded by a supportive cast and crew, and a wonderful family.  One message of the film deals with enduring extremely difficult circumstances, so that inspired me throughout the shoot.

11. What other films have you directed?

OUT OF LIBERTY is my fourth feature film.  Other features I’ve written and directed are THE SARATOV APPROACH, FREETOWN and SCOUT CAMP. 

12. How long did it take to film your movie?

 We filmed OUT OF LIBERTY in November, 2018.

One fun story - I was holding auditions, and was surprised when Jasen Wade showed up to audition.  We had never worked together, and it was an honor to have him audition.  He read for a role and did a great job.  But I felt I should ask him to read the part of the jailer, Samuel Tillery.  He looked a little disheartened, but agreed to read for the part.  He was perfect for it!  About a week later, we offered him the part and he graciously accepted.  I asked him to make some time for a call so that we could discuss his approach to the character.  As we discussed the character, he paused for a minute, then said “Wait a minute… I’m just playing the jailer, right?”  He was shocked to find out that the jailer was the protagonist of the film.  He was expecting it to be just a small supporting role.

INVISIBLE HEROES OF WORLD WAR II by Jerry Borrowman

INVISIBLE HEROES OF WORLD WAR II by Jerry Borrowman. What amazing men and women supported and served our country during this time of war. It was humbling to read about these invisible heroes who helped shape the war. It's heartbreaking to know what some of them went through and how little the santity of life meant to others. Some of the things were very difficult to read and I had to take it in small doses, but I would recommend it to almost anyone. 

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Invisible Heroes of World War II, documents ten fascinating true stories of a diverse group of soldiers and noncombatants from all over the world, including African Americans, women, and Native Americans who worked and fought to keep the world safe from tyranny and oppression. Some were frontline soldiers and spies, while others were engineers, industry workers, or war correspondents and photographers. Without much fanfare, these heroes made noteworthy contributions to the war effort. Some even gave their lives for freedom and liberty. All served with valor and distinction, and their names should never be forgotten.

CONTENTS
• Pat Patton: Abandoned at Bataan
• Nancy Wake: The White Mouse of the French Resistance
• Joseph Hyalmar Anderson: Missing in Action
• Joseph Medicine Crow: The Last War Chief
• Dickey Chapelle: American Journalist
• Navajo Code Talkers: Heroes of the Pacific War
• The Purple Heart Battalion: Rescuing the Texas 1st
• Combat Engineers: Builders and Soldiers
• African Americans at War: Heroes Despite Prejudice
• Rosie the Riveter: Women in the War Industries

CHARLOTTE'S PROMISE by Jennifer Moore

CHARLOTTE'S PROMISE by Jennifer Moore. When I got this book I found the cover to be a bit odd, but I couldn't wait to read it. Once I finished the book, the cover had grown on me. The plot sounded fascinating and it held true. The readers were thrown into the story in such a way that you immediately feel for Charlotte and her position, as well as her reasons for attempting to gain passage to New Orleans. The voyage over was harrowing as several things went wrong. And the adventure continued into New Orleans. This adventure is worth risking it all for. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great seaworthy tale as well as some romance.

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One year ago Charlotte Bower’s life was ripped apart when Creek Indians attacked, killed her parents, and separated her from her young brother—now, she will stop at nothing to find him. After a year of captivity, she has finally made her escape. Her search will begin in New Orleans, where captives were taken after the raid. But how to reach a city hundreds of miles away? As she watches men boarding a waiting ship, Charlotte formulates a bold plan: if it’s men they need for the ship’s crew, it’s a man they’ll get. Taking on her childhood nickname, Charlie, it is all too easy to gain passage on the New Orleans-bound vessel. Easy, that is, until Charlie is caught . . .

From the moment he sets eyes on the new deckhand, Captain Alden Thatcher knows one thing for certain: Charlie Bower is no man. But for reasons of his own, he keeps her secret. As their journey progresses, however, the voyage is increasingly ill-fated. With danger ever present, Charlie and the captain find themselves relying on one another in ways they’d never imagined. As they draw closer to her goal, Charlotte is faced with the most perilous adventure of all—an adventure that may risk her heart.

A SONG FOR THE STARS by Ilima Todd

A SONG FOR THE STARS by Ilima Todd. What a fabulous story. I love books that create a desire to read anything the author has written. This story was engaging from beginning to end. It covers an area in the 18th century that is not commonly written of. Hawaiian history is amazing. I felt like I was right in the middle of everything. My heart broke when Maile's fiance was killed. Maile's turmoil about John. The difficults the island faced as well as the English sailors. Everything was woven together seamlessly. What an amazing story. Everyone should read this book. Not only is it for the romantic at heart, but the historian, the adventurer, the sailor, the navigator. It's for everyone, and I would highly recommend it to any and everyone.

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Inspired by a true story

Hawaiian Islands, 1779

As the second daughter of a royal chief, Maile will be permitted to marry for love. Her fiancé is the best navigator in Hawaii, and he taught her everything he knows—how to feel the ocean, observe the winds, read the stars, and how to love.

But when sailors from a strange place called England arrive on her island, a misunderstanding ends in battle, and Maile is suddenly widowed before she is wed.

Finding herself in the middle of the battle and fearing for her life, Maile takes John Harbottle, the wounded man who killed her fiancé, prisoner, and though originally intending to let him dies, she reluctantly heals him. And in the process, she discovers the man she thought was her enemy might be her ally instead.

John has been Captain James Cook's translator for three voyages across the Pacific. He is kind and clearly fascinated with Maile's homeland and her people—and Maile herself. But guilt continues to drive a wedge between them: John's guilt over the death he caused, and Maile's guilt over the truth about what triggered the deadly battle—a secret she's kept hidden from everyone on the island.

When Maile is tasked with teaching John how to navigate using the stars so he can sail back to England, they must also navigate the challenges of being from very different cultures. In doing so, they might also find the peace that comes when two hearts become one.

EXCERPT

John Harbottle's Journal
4 February 1779

I fear we've overstayed our welcome.
My relief when the captain orders the ships ready to depart is palpable. Our duty is to search for the Northwest Passage, after all, not indulge ourselves in the pleasures of this paradise.

Yet what a paradise it has been.

Never on our previous two voyages have the natives been more accommodating, more praising, than here in this protected bay. Even the captain, whose demeanor has been despondent of late, has emerged a new man while ashore, as though the water here is a life-giving elixir. One must only drink to become transformed-translated into a more celestial state.

The natives revere the captain as divine, much to our advantage. Even as we make preparations to leave, we are inundated with such quantities of food and gifts that we haven't the room to hold it all. But perhaps the captain has seen what some of the sailors have as well-the natives grow impatient. Suspicious. What they expect us to do or say I know not, but after a month's recovery on the island, it is past time we take our leave.

Maile
I wasn't the only one who questioned Cook's divinity. There were many relieved expressions among my people when the white men finally sailed their ships out to sea. There are only so many pigs one can hunt on an isolated island to give as gifts to the foreigners. I was beginning to worry we wouldn't have enough supplies for our own needs.

I try to see the white men as he does. As revered guests. As a blessing. But there's still a part of me waiting for the trick to reveal itself, the proof that they're really a curse in the end.

This time, I know those white clouds low on the horizon are not clouds at all, but the large white sails of James Cook's Resolution and Discovery. And this time, I know he will not be welcomed.

JANE AND EMMA

JANE AND EMMA. I have heard really good things about this movie so I was excited to see it. I usually watch these movies with my young children. For this one I was glad I watched it first. They are young enough that they wouldn't understand everything that is represented very accurately in this film. It was a very well done movie. It did take me a few flashbacks to figure out what they were doing with the plot, but once I figured it out, it made sense. Many things I hadn't made the connection on. It was very interesting and worth watching.

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JANE & EMMA is based on the life of Sister Jane Manning, one of the first black Mormons. She returns to Nauvoo to find that Joseph Smith, her prophet and friend, has been assassinated. Jane spends a ceaseless night with his widow, Emma Smith, sitting watch over the body of the prophet as a whirlwind of loss and confusion leaves them wondering how either one of them will be able to move forward. Through the long night, Jane wonders if the prophet’s promise to extend the blessings of eternity to her has died along with him. The film explores the possible events of that night, including Jane’s endeavor to remain amongst the Mormon people and Emma’s struggle to cope with her heartbreaking loss. Poignant issues of racism and polygamy threaten to break their bond of friendship. In the end, will Jane and Emma have the courage to follow the path each believes they must take? 

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LONG JOURNEY HOME by Sarah M Eden

LONG JOURNEY HOME by Sarah M Eden. Sarah will always be one of my favorite authors. I have loved all of the Hope Springs Novel and this one did not disappoint. I love learning of the trials and hardships of a new nation and how people sacrificed to make a place for themselves. It gives me a good reminder to be grateful for everything I have. Maura's journey is no exception. I knew who I thought she would get together with, but I wasn't sure it was actually going to happen until the very end. The way things played out was so incredible. This is a wonderful novel for anyone who loves a bit of history with their romance and who loves the O'Conner family. They will teach one how to love, work together, stick together, and survive.

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Widowed by war, Maura O’Connor has raised her son alone under the weight of poverty in the unforgiving slums of New York City. That harsh and difficult life has taken a toll on them both. Desperate to save her son from the misery around them, she moves them both to the tiny western town of Hope Springs, where her late husband’s family lives, hoping that the decade of silence between them does not mean she and Aidan will be rejected outright. Her son needs family, and she would endure anything to see him happy.

Ryan Callaghan has worked the land belonging to the late Granny Claire for years, dreaming of one day claiming it as his own. Living in his brother’s home affords him no freedom, no stability, no joy. The arrangement is even harder on his mother, whose health is quickly deteriorating. A risky investment in the land has finally begun to pay off, and he is at last in a position to secure a better future for them both. When use of the home is, without warning, offered to a newly arrived widow and her son, that future is entirely uncertain.

Both Maura and Ryan desperately need the Claire farm, for their own futures as well as those of the loved ones who depend on them. Neither can remain in Hope Springs without the house and land, but only one can claim it in the end.

Longing for Home Series:

Longing for Home

Hope Springs

My Dearest Love

Love Remains

Long Journey Home

Tour schedule

Sept 10

LDS Writer Mom
Min Reads and Reviews

Sept 11

LDS and Lovin’ It
Wishful Endings

Sept 12

The Bibliophile Files
Joy in the Moments
Bonnie Gets a Say

Sept 13

Why Not Because I Said So
Heidi Reads...

Sept 14

Getting Your Read On
Literary Time Out
Singing Librarian Books

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THE SHIPBUILDER'S WIFE by Jennifer Moore

THE SHIPBUILDER'S WIFE by Jennifer Moore. I really enjoyed this book. Not only were the characters fun to love, it gave me a different sense of what the world was like in America during this particular time period. It showed how war changes some people and brings others closer. It showed how shallow some people in society were as well as who kind and loving others are. I loved Lydia and her growth throughout the store. I enjoyed watching Jacob learn to deal with his trust issues. There was one unanswered question that I'm hoping will be answered in another novel sometime, or it just may be one that is left dangling. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. It was a wonderful read that I would recommend to anyone.

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The day of her parents' garden party dawns bright as Lydia Prescott eagerly anticipates a marriage proposal from a handsome and wealthy plantation owner. The lovely debutante plans to steal a moment away with her beau, but her plans go terribly awry. Instead of her intended, she is joined by a stranger—the largest man she's ever laid eyes on. And it is clear Jacob Steel is there for reasons far more sober than the party. With British raids erupting all around them, it is his job to reassure plantation owners of their safety. In reality, however, Jacob is an espionage agent, and the truth is dire: America is on the verge of invasion by the British.

Blissfully unaware of the danger surrounding her, Lydia basks in the glow of her recent engagement. But her joy is short-lived—a surprise British attack results in a devastating wound, and her plans for the future are shattered. Lost in her devastation, Lydia could never dream that Jacob, that giant of a man she met so briefly, would prove to be her saving grace. And with a war raging around them, she may be called upon to save him too.

Tour Schedule

Sept. 3^rd

https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/
https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/
http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/
http://mybookaday.com/,http://www.iamareader.com/
https://brightlystreet.com/category/book-reviews/

Sept. 4^th

http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/
http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/
http://lifeiswhatitscalled.blogspot.com/
http://empowermoms.net/

Sept. 5^th

http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/
http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/
http://fireandicereads.com/
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/
http://www.kindleandme.com/

Sept. 6^th

https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/
http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/
https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/
https://www.lovebugsandpostcards.com/

Sept. 7^th

http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/
https://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/
http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/
https://www.wishfulendings.com/
http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/
http://www.iamareader.com/

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SUPREME POWER: 7 PIVOTAL SUPREME COURT DECISIONS THAT HAD A MAJOR IMPACT ON AMERICA by Ted Stewart

SUPREME POWER: 7 PIVOTAL SUPREME COURT DECISIONS THAT HAD A MAJOR IMPACT ON AMERICA by Ted Stewart. I have enjoyed the insight given in Stewart's other books so I'm looking forward to reading this one as well. Let me know what you think!

Bestselling author Ted Stewart explains how the Supreme Court and its nine appointed members now stand at a crucial point in their power to hand down momentous and far-ranging decisions. Today's Court affects every major area of American life, from health care to civil rights, from abortion to marriage.

This fascinating book reveals the complex history of the Court as told through seven pivotal decisions. These cases originally seemed narrow in scope, but they vastly expanded the interpretation of law. Such is the power of judicial review to make sweeping, often unforeseen, changes in American society by revising the meaning of our Constitution.

Each chapter presents an easy-to-read brief on the case and explains what the decisions mean and how the Court ruling, often a 5-4 split, had long-term impact. For example, in Lochner v. New York, a widely accepted turn-of-the-twentieth-century New York State law limited excessive overtime for bakery workers. That law was overturned by the Court based on the due process clause of the Constitution. The very same precedents, Stewart points out, were used by the Court seventy years later and expanded to a new right to privacy in Roe vs. Wade. making abortion legal in the nation. 

Filled with insight, commentary, and compelling stories of ordinary citizens coming to the judiciary for remedy for the problems of their day, Supreme Power illustrates the magnitude of the Court's power to interpret the Constitution and decide the law of the land.

ALL THAT MAKES LIFE BRIGHT by Josi S Kilpack

ALL THAT MAKES LIFE BRIGHT by Josi S. Kilpack. In a way, this book was hard to get through. I have felt all of the overwhelming feelings and sense of losing ones self that Harriet talks about. It was hard to read about someone else going through almost exactly what I feel. However, it was comforting to see that things were worked out and to see how they worked out for her and Calvin. It was interesting to learn what added to and helped Harriet become the great writer she was known for. I would recommend this book to anyone.

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When Harriet Beecher marries Calvin Stowe on January 6, 1836, she is sure her future will be filled romance, eventually a family, and continued opportunities to develop as a writer. Her husband Calvin is completely supportive and said she must be a literary woman. Harriet's sister, Catharine, worries she will lose her identity in marriage, but she is determined to preserve her independent spirit. Deeply religious, she strongly believes God has called her to fulfill the roles of wife and writer and will help her accomplish everything she was born to do.

Two months after her wedding Harriet discovers she is pregnant just as Calvin prepares to leave for a European business trip. Alone, Harriet is overwhelmed—being a wife has been harder than she thought and being an expectant mother feels like living another woman's life. Knowing that part of Calvin still cherishes the memory of his first wife, Harriet begins to question her place in her husband's heart and yearns for his return; his letters are no substitute for having him home. When Calvin returns, however, nothing seems to have turned out as planned.

Struggling to balance the demands of motherhood with her passion for writing and her desire to be a part of the social change in Ohio, Harriet works to build a life with her beloved Calvin despite differing temperaments and expectations.

Can their love endure, especially after "I do"? Can she recapture the first blush of new love and find the true beauty in her marriage?

COMPASSIONATE SOLDIER by Jerry Borrowman

COMPASSIONATE SOLDIER: REMARKABLE TRUE STORIES OF MERY, HEROISM, AND HONOR FROM THE BATTLEFIELD by Jerry Borrowman. This was a fascinating book. It covered stories from all of the wars that are not commonly shared. These stories show the true character of people, their dedication to serving their fellow men even with their own lives at risk, their innate desire to do what they believe is right despite all odds, and many other things that restore faith in humanity. I thoroughly enjoyed joined reading each story, shaking my head in awe of these people and what they did. True heroism, mery, and honor from the battlefield. I highly recommend it to anyone, especially those who love the different war eras.

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Compassionate Soldier illuminates fascinating yet largely unknown stories of men and women whose humanity led them to perform courageous acts of mercy and compassion amid the chaos and carnage of war. Arranged by war from the American Revolution to the Iraq War and global in perspective, it features extraordinary stories of grace under fire from valiant soldiers and noncombatants who rose above the inhumanity of lethal conflict and chose compassion, even knowing their actions could put their lives and liberty at risk.

Included are the stories of Patrick Ferguson, a British officer during the American Revolution who had the chance to kill George Washington but refused to shoot a man in the back; Richard Kirkland, a Confederate soldier during the Civil War who took water to wounded Union soldiers during the battle of Fredericksburg; and Oswald Boelcke, a German WWI flying ace who was one of the most influential tacticians of early air combat and was known for making sure the airmen he shot down made it to the ground alive.

These and other inspirational stories illustrate that even in the midst of the unspeakable horrors of war, acts of kindness, mercy, compassion, and humanity can prevail and, in doing so, expand our conventional thinking of honor and battlefield glory.