AN HOUR UNSPENT // Book Review

An Hour Unspent by Roseanna M. White

Rating: 3.5/4ish stars

Every book in this trilogy is delightful - unique and engaging and suspenseful. This family of thieves-turned-government agents (of a sort) is pure gold. I just can't get over what a fantastic idea it was to create a series around a family of orphans, bound together by choice, who suddenly find their lives changed! And then you add World War I. England. Refugees. Government spies. Did I already say it was delightful? (I ended up getting all three signed from Roseanna’s website, and now they’re sitting on my shelf and it makes me smile.)

Things I liked:

BARCLAY. Of course. Everyone wanted his story, right?! I was intrigued when I found out that An Hour Unspent would unravel his lovely character for us. And I loved him! He's like the perfect older brother. He was so well-rounded. And his heart for others...adorable. Seriously. The way he takes care of his entire family and then wants to reach out to others as well is what made him such a cool fictional hero. But he was realistic, too, not without flaws and doubt, but with a bravery that is so admirable! The whole family just GETS ME in the heart. ;)

THE SETTING. I mean, everything. It’s fantastic. I haven’t read many books set in the first World War, but Roseanna ties history into her novels without it becoming dry and stodgy (now that I used that word I’m thinking about The Great British Baking Show. Not joking.) The setting and time period came alive - they’re so vivid! The stories have pieces of actual history interwoven and that just makes me enjoy them all the more. They feel real and intricately done.

SUSPENSE. Um, yes, please! I ADORE the fact that Roseanna writes these stories with heart and romance and faith but then adds a big dash of suspense - and not just romantic tension. The spies and the street thugs and the government agencies… It adds such great depth to the novel.

Things I didn’t like as much:

THE ROMANCE. So before I start, I want to say that I definitely liked the romance throughout this series. Barclay and Evelina's relationship progressed in a pretty realistic way. The depth was present. And the start to their unlikely duo? *laughs* So unexpected! I was just sitting there grinning and had to reread it. Just… *laughs again* Delightful. However, what I didn’t enjoy was the drama. I KNOW, I KNOW. Every romance has to have drama. But for some reason I was getting a bit frustrated with the drama in here? Mostly concerning Evelina. I loved the way Barclay thought about their relationship though. “I play for keeps.” HOW ADORABLE. That scene. <33 But yeah, back to my point… I totally, totally understood where Evelina was coming from, and yet I was slightly like “Get over yourself, girl!” (This is partially because she was so brutal to Barclay in that one scene… O.O) It might have even been my frame of mind whilst reading, but sometimes the drama made me like: -_- It also slightly irks me when characters kiss before they have any real attachment… Of course, I adored some of the quirky loveliness in this, but part of me felt frustrated that they - well, Evelina, really - was partially just spending time with Barclay for fun. Which she consciously decided to do. I hate to complain! I don’t want to sound like I didn’t enjoy it, but it just...it bothered me. A bit. And it was basically just Evelina. Barclay’s take on things was fabulous. *ahem* And basically all three of the novels in this series had the guys taking the relationships very seriously and the girls not so much. It just felt more pronounced in this.

UM, I can’t really think of anything else?! Except that the writing style tends to feel a bit “tell-y” at times. I think it’s just the way the authoress writes, and it doesn’t bother me too much, but I thought it worth mentioning. It’s just not quite the style I usually really enjoy!

Overall, I liked this! I didn’t love it - A Song Unheard holds the favorite spot in my heart - so I was slightly disappointed after loving the second one so much. But there were many pluses to this series! I’m SO looking forward to reading The Number of Love when it comes out next year! I was stoked when I found out it tied into Shadows Over England.

I received a free review copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. The views expressed above are my own.

Out of the Ordinary // BOOK REVIEW

Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano
My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Unfortunately, this book didn't pan out for me. I've read a few of Jen Turano's novels in the past and liked them - but Out of the Ordinary really didn't have the same type of story structure, romance, or excitement. Which is a bit of a bummer...

First off, let's talk romance. Don't get me wrong - I love a good romance novel. They're adorable and sweet and often funny and have good messages. But the interaction between the two main characters in this was...I don't know, interspersed? I didn't feel like I got very much of them together, and a lot of what I did get was building upon a friendship begun in book one of this series (which I...yeah, I haven't read. So that's on me!). Which is okay...except that their relationship didn't seem very deep. At all. There were moments when they'd share their hearts, but it was rare. Neither one knew where the other person stood - again, that's okay, but it just...dragged on? Honestly, I barely cared about the characters being together....which isn't usually the case. Normally I'm rooting for the couple! Plus, it got a bit old with almost all of the secondary characters commenting on the "progress" of their relationship. IT WOULDA BEEN OKAY, but then it kept happening. Over and over again. And both MCs didn't even know how they felt, which, again, is fine, normally, but since I got so little of them together, it...just...didn't work. But then they suddenly, very suddenly, realize they love the other person...except the word "love" wasn't really used, at least in Harrison's case - it was "affection." On top of that, Harrison and Gertrude are supposed to already have a good friendship - and they sorta did? But at the same time it felt fresh and unsteady, without the firm foundation two people need to be a couple. In the novel, the relationship worked, and we're left to imagine them happily getting married and staying happy until the end of their days. K, so...nope. If their relationship was real, it would be at a new stage. Not an engagement stage. It almost felt flighty. LIKE GUYS, YOU GOTTA BE MORE GROUNDED THAN THIS. AND LASTLY, the side romances. One of them was fine, and seemed to be somewhat built upon a good friendship/relationship, but then there was a brand new romance between a side character and another side character and it's love-at-first-sight-I-will-marry-you kinda love. Sometimes that's all right, but since it was compounded with the MCs romance, which was a tad superficial, it made pretty much all the romance feel...shallow. Love isn't about looks - there was too much focus on the physical attributes of the characters, and it annoyed me. *ahem*

Secondly, the structure of the story. I didn't get the climax. The first half of the book happened in the span of a few hours, so...it kinda seemed like nothing happened. The whole book plays out in a matter of like five/six days (or thereabouts), AND JUST I felt like I was reading a snippet of what should've been an entire story? The MCs end up together (which in romance novels isn't a spoiler, haha...) but it was somewhat thrown in at the end and it almost felt like... HUH? WHAT HAPPENED TO BRING THEM TO THIS POINT? There wasn't much conflict to overcome...I mean, yeah, there was the personal struggle of Gertrude, her frustrations with her employer, and her employer's personal struggles, but they all got wrapped up. Honestly, what Gertrude was going through...would be really hard. It'd be painful, and it'd probably take a lot to heal the hurt she was harboring. But we didn't get that healing process?? Gertrude very suddenly realizes, from a bit of a speech from a pastor, that what she's been believing is wrong, and then it's like POOF next thing the reader knows, she's totally over it. IDEK.

Thirdly, the writing. (I really feel like I'm saying a lot of negatives, but...) This is probably just my personal taste, but the writing style isn't my favorite? I don't know why, but every single character seems high strung and stressed like one hundred percent of the time, and I don't get that?! *sigh*

Overall, Out of the Ordinary wasn't my cup of tea. There wasn't enough plot, I wasn't rooting for the characters, it was wrapped up too quickly, there was a lot of repetitious happenings pertaining to the romance/Gertrude's employers habits + the repercussions, and most of the story felt pretty shallow. I'm left wondering where the story arc was...and a bit hesitant to try more of Turano's books. :P

Huge thanks to Bethany House Publishers for giving me a free review copy! The feelings expressed above are completely my own.

View all my reviews

The Chapel Car Bride // Wow It's Been So Long

HEY, GUYS. Um, yeah... it's been like two and a half months. *grins sheepishly* BUT I HAVE SOMETHING TODAY.

SO, I just wanna let all of you know that I plan on starting a new blog at some point, but right now blogging has just taken a backseat. Life is busy, and school keeps me on my toes, so any extra time is spent doing other things. I'm still trying to stay active in the blogosphere, however, and, even if I don't comment, there's a chance I've read your post - cuz my phone won't let me comment if someone else already has?? (I have no idea.) BUT I'm here with a review, AND, who knows, maybe I'll start blogging again in the not-too-distant future, but for now? You can find me on Google+ (Hangouts), Goodreads, and Pinterest - I'm still around, I promise! 

(Scroll down and I've included an update of sorts *nods*)

Now, for the review! It's kinda short, but I ran out of words... *shrugs cuz that's bad for a writer*

The Chapel Car Bride by Judith McCoy Miller
Rating: 2 stars

The Chapel Car Bride by Judith Miller was an okay read. The story didn't really pan out for me. Here's why:

The characters felt like they needed more depth. There were certain struggles, yes, but they seemed somewhat trivial. Luke was my favorite for a while, but in the end kind of disappointed me. Hope was rather naive and she once almost lied to her father so that he wouldn't send her back home (not okay). Kirby, the antagonist, though the most dimensional, also felt somewhat shallow. From the way things started, I was picturing him to be a villainous guy, but then as the story progressed he was more of a spoiled, undisciplined only-child who wanted his way. I feel like that sounds harsh, but that's the way it came across.

Another thing was the climax - it fell flat. There was quite a bit of build up, only to have the whole situation pretty much wrapped up within a few pages. I guess I just thought is was going to be more dramatic? It felt sudden - too sudden and a bit too easy. There were multiple areas where the author was hinting at trouble, only to have it dissolve quickly. I feel like this story also, just in general, needed more depth, more plot. I was interested for a bit, when the tension was slightly building, but it never really grabbed me. The beginning was pretty slow, and the end too fast.

Overall, there were times when I was enjoying it, but it wasn't for me. However, the concept was unique, and you could tell the author did her research! Thumbs up for that. I would probably recommend this to somebody who wants an easy-going, historical fiction novel!

Thanks to Bethany House for sending me this book for review! The thoughts above are entirely my own.  

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What I've been doing lately:

• I BEAT CAMP NANOWRIMO - so yes, did that
• STARTED A NEW NOVEL - this happened extremely suddenly in January. I sat down out of frustration, typed out a page and a half, sent it to Julia, who liked it and ended up pushing me to keep writing and turn it into a novel. SO somehow a random one-sentence story idea I got while driving has morphed into this story I so like with all these cool imaginary humans. For now I'll just say it's Sci-Fi/Dystopian - totally surprised myself there! (Maybe you'll get to know all about it sometime... *runs off without saying more*)
• CAMPED AT DEVIL'S TOWER, WYOMING - with my older bro and his family. I got to see my nieces and nephew, one of which, Ava, was born in September of last year, and GUYS she is so adorable! 
• TRYING TO FINISH SCHOOL - I have one book left in math, then next year is Algebra 2 *would much rather do that than Geometry*
• Read my dear friend's FIRST NOVEL and got to shove sticky notes throughout it and write out hearts at the cute scenes
• WATCHED multiple Signed, Sealed, Delivered movies - which is so great because that show is legit the best
• GOT A NEW PHONE - that has a really nice camera. I was so happy about that because I've been wanting a camera too so it's a win-win.
• AM PARTICIPATING in Ted Dekker's Forgotten Way Meditation challenge - on day sixteen, and this has honestly changed my perception of God. IT'S FANTASTIC. Go read it now.  
• DID MY FIRST SPRINT IN NANO - and wow they help with getting your word count in!
• CUT MY HAIR
• WATCHED A MOVIE with Mikayla over Skype (we're cool like that)
  

• FINISHED six categories in the reading challenge - (which I was going to post on and then didn't O.O) It's going kinda slow for me this year! I'm currently working through the trilogy category with Rachelle Dekker's Seer series. 

Well, that's a very brief overview of my life lately. XD Hopefully I'll see you all again soon *vanishes*

Okay, but first...

Did you do Camp in April? How'd it go?

Have you read the Seer series?

Would You Rather (Book Tag Edition)

I found this tag sitting on my Blogger dashboard a long time ago from Plottinger Twist. I wasn't tagged, but I thought it looked fun, and I thought I should do it, and I can tag others and spread this around... So here I am, doin' it (regardless of being tag-less).

#1 Would you rather read only trilogies or stand-alones?

Oh... Stand-alones wrap up nicely, but trilogies give you more of a story for the adored characters. So, if the characters are fantastic and the plots are good, I'm going to go with trilogies. (I like series, actually, quite a bit.) 

#2 Would you rather read only male or female authors?

Can I just say both? Male and female authors bring different things to their stories, and both are amazing. I just would't want to live without either. (Especially Joanne Bischof. Or Ted Dekker. They. Are. Fantastic.)


#3 Would you rather shop at Barnes and Noble or Amazon?

Barnes and Noble, hands down. (I mean, I've got their membership... So COUPONS + FREE SHIPPING = BOOK LOVERS DREAM.) Besides, Barnes and Noble has physical stores! And cafes! Though the coffee is usually bad... But, on the upside, they have some pretty good blueberry muffins.


#4 Would you rather have books become T.V. shows or movies?

Movies, generally. But shows would be good too... (One chapter = one episode) It probably depends on the book.


#5 Would you rather read five pages a day or five books a week?

Five books a week - because five pages a day would be reader-misery, especially if the book was gripping. But I couldn't read five books a week for an extended period of time! No, siree. #bookcoma


#6 Would you rather be a professional reviewer or an author?

Author. No question about it. I want to write my own stories!


#7 Would you rather read your top 20 favorite books over and over again, or always read new ones you've never read before?

I choose new books. I really enjoy rereads of favorite books (I actually have reread Brothers at Arms six times now. Um. Yeah. *cough*), but new books bring a fresh excitement!


#8 Would you rather be a librarian or a bookseller?

Bookseller, definitely. Totally. And own my own bookstore? Yes, please. With a cafe (that has good coffee). <3


#9 Would you rather read only your favorite genre(s) or anything but your favorite? 

It would be my favorite genre (or genres) for a reason, so I'd rather read only my favorites. ;)

 
#10 Would you rather read only physical books or e-books?

 

Physical books all the way. Now, don't get me wrong, I own a Nook, but e-books don't have the special something that physical books do. Turning pages, finding space for them on your bookshelves, having a huge library one day... All those things would never happen with my poor Nook. (Though the Nook is great, because it slips soooo easily into my purse for road trips. Oh, and the edges don't turn up...or down? That's the only downside about physical books - that they can get worn or damaged. And the room they take up...if you have no room left. Which is me currently. :O)

 
That was fun. Because I like talking about books! It's just so enjoyable, for some reason. Ya know?

I am officially tagging: Michaila from Mic's Room, Mikayla from The Bubblegum Ballerina, Sarah from Trusting in the Lord, Julia from The Barefoot Gal, and Abigayle from The Left-Handed Typist. Enjoy, guys! And if anybody else thinks this looks like fun: go for it.

(Totally just reminded myself of that Sidewalk Prophet's song...)

What is your favorite thing about reading? Have YOU ever had a super-crumbly blueberry muffin from Barnes and Noble's cafe? ;)

Courageous (Book Review)

Courageous
By: Dina Sleiman
Rating: 2 stars (It was okay)
Age range: 16 and up

For starters, I'll just say I haven't read the first two books in the series! (I heard that person in the back gasping...) I think it probably detracted from my enjoyment slightly, just because I didn't have the backstory of the characters. I mean, I could piece together the characters simply because I've read the synopsis of the first two novels in this series, and because there are some slight explanations, but it most likely would've been more fun if I knew the characters already and could say 'Hey! There they are!'. However, that's completely my own fault, and hopefully doesn't appear very negative. I simply would recommend reading them in order.

Okay! So we've got that down, now to the actual review...

The first 200 pages were a bit rough for me. Not because I wasn't really interested, but because some circumstances felt a tad inappropriate and uncomfortable. I did think it read more as a Christian Romance for older readers, instead of Teen Fiction. There was quite a bit of mentioning of things like girl's curves, women's virtue, Saracen harems, and then there's Rumsford and Jocelyn and what happened in Rosalind's past. Now, I know that's one of the main points of the story, because she must come to accept God's grace and stop trying to earn it, but it just isn't what I'm used to reading and it made me kinda uncomfortable. These above-mentioned points were my biggest struggle with the book, but it improved, and I ended up enjoying it more. Something shifted around page 200, and I felt more comfortable. However, those points lessened my enjoyment of the book quite a bit.

Though I didn't love the characters, I did like them. Rosalind and Randel made a cute couple, and I liked their relationship. It had a depth that sometimes doesn't make it into romances. They were in no way shallow, and I especially liked how they were good friends first, and then they started to fall in love. That they were there for each other when it mattered most and that they could share their deepest hurts with each other - because that's completely how it is supposed to be. That is one of my favorite parts of the book! I was pleasantly surprised by their relationship. It was sweet, and they genuinely cared for each other in a really special way. And the epilogue was cute.

The other thing I liked about this book was the accurate and deep portrayal of faith and trust in God. The prayer, the singing, the character that came to Christ, the visions, the small voice of the Holy Spirit leading the way, Sapphira's amazingly in-tune relationship with Jesus - it all had a surprising (in a good way!) amount of deepness and reality to it. Dina Sleiman did not shy away from the faith message, which is definitely worth an applaud from my corner.

Another thing is the history. The Crusades are an interesting time in history, and this book felt well-researched and realistic - realistic not just in the historical aspect, but the character's emotions and the trials they went through and the redemption in the end.

AND I ACTUALLY FIGURED OUT WHO THAT BAD GUY WAS. YES. I was kinda happy. I mean, at first I thought it was this person, and then OH! maybe that person, and then maybe that third person over there, and then things started becoming clearer and I was just like YUP. It's them. But, on that note, part of the villainous character's previous attitude toward Randel didn't necessarily add up for me, but, hey, maybe it was a facade the whole time.

Overall, I somewhat enjoyed it at times, it just felt significantly uncomfortable and inappropriate at points, maybe even dark, the writing was a bit dry, and definitely seemed like more of an adult romance than a teen romance. I probably wouldn't recommend it for people under the age of 16, or possibly even 17 or 18. It really depends on the person.

Big thanks to Bethany House for sending me this for my honest review!

View all my reviews

Favorite Adventure Books + Giveaway Winners! (Two Year Anniversay #3)

Hello, blog readers! Guess what today is? Yup. It's my official blogiversary. *cheers* Two years of craziness talking and rambling about life, books, and other such things. Here's to more years of adventuring.

And, I know, I didn't post yesterday, but to make up for it, today I've got my top five adventure books, and the WINNERS OF THE GIVEAWAY! 

Ready for the winners!?

Julia Ryan wins Hundred More Years and Allie D. wins When Calls the Heart!!! Congratulations, guys!!! I'll email you shortly! 

And, as promised, I've got my top five adventure books. (I'm sure my fellow readers can sympathize with how tough it was to make this list.) Now, adventure books are some of my favorites - Historical Adventure Fiction if one of my favorite genres, but I was surprised to see that, on reflection, quite a few of the books I've read haven't been adventure, necessarily. And, actually, four of the five books I've chosen for this list I read this year. I mean, Brothers at Arms was a reread, but rereads count. ;) Adventure may be my favorite type of book to read, but I also enjoy a wide range of other types of books, which is fun. Diversity is good, don't you think?

Without further ado, here they are (and in no particular order, 'cause, ya know, I have a hard time picking favorites anymore...):

#1 Facing Up by Bear Grylls

You guys, it's BEAR GRYLLS. He is basically adventure in a person. ;) I was a bit of a fan of Bear before I read this book, so I enjoyed getting to watch (or read...) his journey before, on, and briefly after Everest. It was fun, it was informative, and it kept my interest. I was also happy to read the glimpses he gives of his faith and his family.

#2 Brothers at Arms: Treasure and Treachery in the Amazon by John J. Horn

Guns, treasure, British twins, evil, undercover villains, Peru, the Victorian era, crazy natives. Yep. This book combines all that, and in a fun, edge-of-your-seat kind of way. Chester and Lawrence are such opposites, so they work through situations incredibly well together - Law comes up with the plans, but he couldn't very well execute them without Chester's brawn and knowledge of weaponry. Plus, their bantering and slight arguments are funny.

#3 Blink of an Eye by Ted Dekker

Blink of an Eye captured me almost immediately. With an unconventional heroine and an unlikely hero, this thriller shines with on-the-edge-of-your-seat chases, near captures, and the hero's sudden bout of clairvoyance. Seth, the hero, was the best character, just because of his backstory and who he was on the inside - really sweet and caring and protective because of what had happened to him. I didn't want to put this down. Yup. Not recommended for the faint of heart. ;)

 #4 The Young Fur Traders by R.M. Ballantyne

Any of Ballantyne's books are adventurous - it's just how and what he wrote. There are always bad guys versus good guys, a little bit of a message, dangerous situations, some type of wilderness (be it forest or city or jungle), some action scenes... But this one, on top of being filled with the adventures and maybe impetuousness of two boys setting out on their first trip as voyagers in the dense forests of Canada, also included cute, humorous moments and fun characters. (I mean, Fighting the Flames, too! That and The Young Fur Traders are my two favorite Ballantyne books.) And that ending? So funny. I laughed, I smiled, and I enjoyed myself.

#5 God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew

Yes, another adventurous autobiography. Because this book gripped me and touched me and made me tear up. I loved it. And it's on my to-read-again-sometime list. ;) Andrew goes through crazy situations, always pulling through and showing up on the other side. God intervenes in his life in amazing ways, and it was really cool to see.

I did really have a hard time picking the last one! Because there were other candidates up for the job. I mean, Secret of the Lost Settlement by John J. Horn was full of action and intense adventure; the Arcrean Conquest series was riddled with fun characters, interesting plot arcs, faith, mystery, and it's fantasy - which is fun; Take This Cup was an interesting, unique story of a young boy destined by God to be the bearer of Jesus' cup at His last Passover, and it brought to my attention connections and things in the Bible that I'd never noticed before...and that is always fun. But I decided, and I *whisper* hope I made the right decision. ;)

What is your favorite genre (or genres!) to read? Do you like adventure novels? Have you read any of the above books (even the ones I mentioned but didn't include)? Let me know in the comments! 

And to the winners of my giveaway: another huge congrats! I hope you enjoy. <3

 

WIP Snippet (Two Year Anniversary #2)

I mentioned in my anniversary-announcement post that I'd be sharing a snippet from my book. Here it is!

The name of my mysterious WIP (short for work-in-progress)? So far I'm calling it Trapped on the Islands of Panama, or Trapped for short.  

(And, actually, in a matter of days I'll be doing my first ever Camp NaNoWriMo! This novel is what I'll be working on. My word count goal? 12,000 words. It's not too much, but it's a start!)

I feel like the heroine is kinda seeming like me. I guess that's okay. I mean, we are suppose to infuse pieces of ourselves into our characters, right? Makes 'em more realistic. But her and I seem to be similar - just a bit, at least. The hair color, the eye color, the interests... Maybe it's just me. I don't know. If she seems like me, tell me so in the comment section. ;) (Though I'm not sure you can get a feel for her completely from this rather *cough* long snippet, but...) Either way, though, I think I am going to try to make a conscious effort to make her unique. (ahem. Not so much like me, if you get my drift. ;))

The set up? Madeline Williams, sixteen-years-old, lives in Civil War America. It's 1861 and the war is on the horizon (See? I guess I kinda do like the word horizon.). Her brother, Theodore, has been conscripted into the Confederate army, and she's being sent to her cousin's in England for the duration of the war. This is her, well, getting embarrassed on the days she's leaving. Happens to all of us sometimes, eh? ;) Also, just to let you know, some things in this aren't necessarily concrete for my novel. So, if you ever getta read the finished product, you've been forewarned.

I hope you enjoy. <3

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           I stood on the dock, my insides quivering. Here I was, about to take a weeks-long journey aboard an old-looking ship with an uncle I’d barely met once, and all I could think about was that I desperately wished I was staying home, was home, sitting atop my chestnut mare with Teddy by my side on his stallion.

          My eyes drifted to the deck of the ship I knew was my uncle’s, sailors running about, putting things in place for the voyage. The Atlantica was painted on her side. I tried to imagine my room within her bowels, what it would be like to sail on her for days on end. I couldn’t. I’d never sailed before, and, quite honestly, was nervous about doing so now. 

          But there was also a bit of excitement stirring within me that I couldn't place my finger on. Maybe it was the idea of wide open seas and the wind billowing the sail. Maybe it was the idea of something new and possibly... 

          My eyebrows pinched. What if I was prone to seasickness? What if I never developed ‘sea legs’, as I’d heard them called? I shook my head decidedly. It sounded ridiculous, that term seamen used. 
         
         My gaze fell to the water The Atlantica was anchored in. It looked filmy and green. I scrunched my nose and scanned the horizon. No dark clouds rested there. Only blue skies and a shining sun.
          
          I looked over my shoulder. Where was Tucker? Shouldn’t he have been here by now? I reassured myself with a shake of the head and the thought that he’d be along shortly, surely. I let my attention drift back towards the skyline.

         I heard the rolling of wheels on wood and suspected it was a cart laden with stores for the hold of an out-bound ship. Before I could turn to see, it had rammed into my back and I flew into the water, arms flailing and a scream erupting from my throat. Into the water I had thought so green and dirty just seconds before.

         I struggled when my legs caught in my skirts, clawing my way to the surface using my arms. I gasped in air and tried to open my eyes. Something solid grasped my arm and hauled me towards the dock. At least, I presumed it was towards the dock.

          I was on the wood in moments. But I couldn’t see. My face felt wet and slimy. I pulled stringy, green seaweed from my eyes. My stomach churned. That is disgusting, I thought.

          I must’ve said it out loud, because a laugh resonated from my rescuer.

          Turning, I saw a young man that looked no older than eighteen. He had golden brown hair and ocean blue eyes.

          I choked.

         “Um, hello, Miss…Williams, is it?”

          I managed to smile. Barely. “That’s me." 

         He nodded and helped me to my feet.

         “Thank you, Mr….um…”

         “Carter. Wynn Carter, Miss Williams.”

         This was Andrew Carter’s adventurous younger brother who couldn’t attend the New Year’s Eve ball at the Anderson’s? And I would be forced to see him every day of the coming voyage? After this meeting? I would never live this down.

        “You’re Wynn?” I said. 

        A slightly confused, almost guarded look overtook the young man’s face. “I am. Why?”

       “I’ve just…I met your brother. At a ball. He mentioned you would be here. On the ship, I mean.” I closed my eyes briefly and mentally kicked myself. Of all the times…

       Water trickled down my back from my hair and I shivered. Why was nothing going right these days?

        “You’ve met Andrew?”

        Oh, right, Wynn Carter.

        “I have.”

        “What ball?”

        “The Andersons'."

        Wynn snapped his fingers. “I remember. I was busy that night. Couldn’t attend.”

        I nodded. 

       Wynn glanced at my hair, a small grin dimpling his cheeks. But he just as quickly looked away, back down to my eyes.

       Self-consciousness clawed at me. I desperately wanted to make some escape…

       “How was Andy at the dance, Miss Williams?”

       A gusty wind blew over me and goosebumps rose on my skin. “Andrew was well.” I cleared my throat, tried again. “I mean, Andrew…he’s a wonderful dancer.

       “So he actually danced?”

        I laughed at the surprise on Wynn's face. It was a nice feeling, laughter, after having felt so solemn the past few weeks. Months, even. “Yes, he did.”

       Wynn grinned at me.  “I would’ve made him if I’d been there anyway. Found him a partner and everything.”

       “He said much of the same sort of thing. I have to tell you, though, that he only ever danced once, with me.”

       “He did?” Wynn shook his head, almost gravely. “Well, it’s a start at least. I’ve been trying to get him to dance. Never know when you might need to.”

       Wynn’s attention was captured by something behind me. He nodded that way. “Your uncle’s coming.”

       “Oh." I whipped around, saw my uncle threading through rough looking sailors and loaded carts and dashing servants. I turned quickly back to Wynn. "Thank you again, Mr. Carter, for helping me.”

        "It was no problem. Least I could do."

        Right. I nodded, attention grabbed by movement in my peripheral. I turned.

        Uncle Terry came to a halt in front of me, all six feet two inches of him, eyes roving from my dripping hem to my matted hair. His eyes remained on my drooping bun. 

        “Hello, Uncle,” I said, smiling awkwardly, secretly hoping there was no chance of seaweed in my teeth, though it was unlikely. Probably. Probably unlikely.

        But then my uncle did the most unexpected thing. He smiled broadly, laughed, even, and hugged me, wet clothes and all.

        After a few startled seconds, I wrapped my arms around his waist and propped my chin atop his shoulder.

       “Hello, Maddie, my girl.” He squeezed me gently and then drew away.

       “My appearance is…well, it’s…explainable…” I said, looking down at my slimy garments.

       Uncle Terry laughed again, and I joined in. A little. “You are a sight. What in the world happened to you?” His eyes shifted to Wynn, still standing behind me. “You’ve met my niece, Wynn?”

       I glanced back at Wynn, and a huge grin overspread his features. He winked at me. “I have, Captain. Pulled her from the water a few minutes ago. She was knocked in by a mad servant with a cart-load of bags. The brute didn’t even look back when she screamed.”

      “Well, Maddie, that’s unfortunate. Are you hurt?”

      “I believe I’m fine, Uncle. Just wet. And a little embarrassed, is all.” I frowned at Wynn’s ever-broadening smile. Apparently he found it humorous. I probably would too, had I not been the one getting the soaking.

      “Well, Captain, by your leave, I think I’ll check on the preparations for setting sail.”

      “’Course, Wynn. Make sure everyone’s aboard. Madeline and I will be along shortly.”

      Wynn bowed. A quick glance at my hair and he was gone. 

      Oh, no. There was something in my hair, wasn’t there?

      “You’ve some seaweed in your...” Uncle Terry said this solemnly, eyes directed at my hair. “I’ll remove it for you.”

      He pulled out a green mess, dropping it back in the water, and I cringed. “Thank you, Uncle." I smiled sarcastically. "I should probably be more careful when standing on the edge of a dock.”

      Uncle’s eyes twinkled. “Probably,” he said. He nodded in the direction of his ship. “Let’s get going, shall we?”

      “Of course.”

       Uncle Terry offered me his arm and I gently took it. Something about him was warm…kind. Like he’d seen a lot and been through much but come out a different, better person. He seemed someone I could warm to being around every day. I felt myself liking him already, having barely been around him.

       Sure, there was the time a few years back when he’d come to visit us at the plantation. But he was so subdued then… So broken. I could see it in his eyes, even when he was attempting to be happy. In some weird way, I thought I understood. But I couldn’t have. Losing your wife… That was a hard thing to have to go through.

       Uncle’s voice dislodged my thoughts. “How is everyone back home?” he asked. 

       Home. I sighed, but determined to be as cheerful sounding as I could. “Everyone is as well as can be expected, I think. Mama and Father are determined and holding up. Theodore… Well, he writes as often as he can, and says he’s in good spirits. He said that army life is much different than expected, and that he’s been posted in the division one of our cousins is in.”

       I breathed a prayer for the boys. I couldn’t imagine losing Lee and Teddy. Not now. Not ever.

       Uncle Terry seemed to understand. Clearly there would be no need for sugar-coating with him. “That’s good, Maddie. And…you? How are you doing these days?”

        I looked down, smiled briefly. “I am doing okay. Just okay, though.”

        Uncle Terry was smiling at me, very gently. “I wouldn’t expect anything more.”

Copyright Micaiah K. 2016

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