Top Ten Tuesday: 11 Characters Who Would Make Great Leaders of a Camping Trip

It’s another Top Ten Tuesday, now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl!

Way back in November, a TTT topic was all about “characters who would make great leaders of _______”. From brainstorming about that list, I came up with a group of characters who would be more helpful in outdoorsy, adventurous situations. SO, it morphed into this week’s freebie choice: 11 characters who would make great leaders of a camping trip!

From real-life experience, I know you want camping family/friends who are dependable, capable, and able to handle unexpected things. This group would be excellent because of their skills and general knowledge of their respective environments. Some would be helpful in an emergency, others reliable for their survival skills and general adventurous natures.

11 Characters Who Would Make Great Leaders of a Camping Trip

1. Tyler Hawk from Count Me In by Mikal Dawn

I mean, he leads his own ADVENTURE expedition company in the pacific northwest. Paragliding or rafting, anyone?

2. Benny Citrone of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police from A Lesson in Love and Murder by Rachel McMillan

Hello, a Mountie who explores the northern territories? AND has a poetic side!?

3. Jesse Bird from The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn by Lori Benton & 4. Sion Morgan from A Moonbow Night by Laura Frantz

Wilderness and frontier survivors. They can track, hunt, and provide with the best of them.

5. Sadie Boden from No Way Up by Mary Connealy

Her rock climbing skills alone would be handy!

6. Griffin McCray from Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey & 7. Ford Brayden from The Road to Paradise by Karen Barnett

Griff, a park-ranger-turned-detective, is more than capable of handling anything that comes his way. And Ford— well, his park ranger knowledge of the wilderness, foliage, and axe-wielding skills make him capable, too!

8. & 9. Brothers Pete AND Sam Brooks from Rescue Me by Susan May Warren

Many leading characters from this series would work on this list. But these two….. between their search-and-rescue skills and their general hilarious banter (when they’re not at odds with each other), they would both be assets to a team!

10. Paul Rustin from Reclaimed by Jennifer Rodewald & 11. Reese Mitchell from A Twist of Faith by Pepper Basham

I couldn’t make this list without at least a couple good ‘ole country boys! Paul fits that persona, and more. Reese, well, his skill set begins with fire-starting and doesn’t end there! 😉

Your turn! Who would you add to this list? What did you pick for your freebie topic? Share in the comments!

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books with Bookish Heroines (and Heroes!)

It’s another Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by  The Broke and the Bookish

Today’s official topic: Ten Books That Feature Characters ____________: Examples: Ten books that feature black main characters, characters who hold interesting jobs, characters who have a mental illness, characters that are adopted, characters that play sports, etc, etc. 

This meme is (usually) all about books, so let’s explore that topic further with book characters who ARE #bookish themselves!!! Because let’s face it, bookish people are the coolest. And we booknerds will instantly like and relate to bookish characters. These are a few of my favorites…..

And, because Goodreads is a fun place to hang out, I started a listopia list for this topic!

Inspirational Fiction Books with Bookish Heroines/Heroes

Please feel free to come vote for your favorite bookish characters and add to the list!

(click covers to visit my reviews!)

10 Books with Bookish Heroines (And Heroes!)

A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White: Peter Holstein

To put it simply, Peter is the ULTIMATE bookish hero. He writes. He writes stories and letters and scribbles notes on the nearest surface. And don’t get me started on his library, even if it is the messiest and most intimidateing library ever known to man (or, at least, known to Rosemary 😉 ).

The Brontë Plot by Katherine Reay: Lucy Alling

She “sets aside a day for books”, sells rare books, AND visits classic literature destinations.

True to You by Becky Wade: Nora Bradford

I don’t think there can be a more bookish heroine enamored with the idea of fairy tales. In all of this, she stays grounded and learns important real-life lessons on what makes a true hero.

The Captive Imposter by Dawn Crandall: Dexter Blakeley

While Elle is the one who reads classics aloud to an older lady, Dexter is the one that names his animals after literature figures. Like Pip and Knightley. YES.

Here to Stay by Melissa Tagg: Autumn Kingsley

She’s proud of her eclectic book collection. She even carries books around in her purse.

Lizzy and Jane by Katherine Reay: Nick

While Lizzy is more eager to discuss books AND food and such, Nick’s intelligent appreciation of books makes an appearance. And when he reads a book that Lizzy loves and does something with THAT ONE AUSTEN “LETTER, his bookish game conquers.

The Road to Paradise by Karen Barnett: Margie Lane

Margie’s bookish ways have to do with the outdoors’ flora and fauna. This story challenges her and puts her head knowlenge to the test in some exciting ways!

The “Herringford and Watts Mysteries” series by Rachel McMillan: Merinda Herringford

Merinda Herringford is intelligent and smart. Her problem-solving skills are further influenced by her love of Sherlock and application of his methods. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, anyone?!

Told You So by Kristen Heitzmann: Grace Evangeline

Grace is an author, so she’s automatically bookish. Getting inside her head and seeing her work and develop story is a fun part of the book. And when that combines with Devin’s prowess? Look out, world!

Whispers in the Reading Room by Shelley Shepherd Gray: Lydia Bancroft

Lydia loves books AND she works at a library!

Did you participate in this week’s TTT? Do you have a favorite bookish hero or heroine?

Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Characters I Wish Would Get Their Own Book

It’s another Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by  The Broke and the Bookish

 

Top Ten Characters I Wish Would Get Their Own Book

When I saw this week’s topic, I knew I had to throw together a last-minute post. There are so many great characters and series out there from fave authors, but sometimes you just want MORE! Especially from those lovable minor characters. In no particular order, these are some characters I would love to read more about — I couldn’t quite come up with 10 on short notice.

Cody Coleman from the Above the Line / Bailey Flanigan series by Karen Kingsbury

After journeying through 3 or 4 great series with Bailey Flanigan and Cody Coleman, I would really like to see what Cody is up to now.

Andra Ballantyne (Ansel’s sister) from The Ballantyne Legacy series by Laura Frantz (book 3 reviewed here)

She’s a minor character who is not-so-lovable. Ok, she’s just plain crabby. But I’d love to know WHY she’s that way, and what makes her tick! And I’d like to see her have a belated happy ending.

Nico D’Alisa (Juliette’s brother) from A Table by the Window by Hillary Manton Lodge (see my review here)

Juliette’s brother just seems so cool. I hope we get to see more of him or even a side plot involving him in book 2!

Gabe O’Connor (little sister) from the Winds of Change series by Julie Lessman (see my review of the series here)

She is such a spunky tomboy, I’d love to see her feisty personality all grown up!

Naomi (Eleanor’s immigrant friend) from A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander (see my review here)

She was a very minor character, but she was so grateful. I would enjoy learning her backstory.

Tara Spencer (Morgan’s little sister) from The Breath of Dawn by Kristen Heitzmann

I remember Kristen mentioning her in a Twitter conversation as maybe getting her own story, and I heartily agree! Plus we’d get to catch up with Morgan, Quinn, Noelle, and Rich.

 

Do you agree with my choices? Share your thoughts or links for TTT in the comments!

Book Review: “The Headmistress of Rosemere” by Sarah Ladd

If you adore the Regency Era in England (think characters Jane Austen and Jane Eyre), you will enjoy the “Whispers on the Moors” series by Sarah E. Ladd. The series started with The Heiress  of Winterwood. I recently finished the second in the series, The Headmistress of Rosemere. set in Darbury, England in 1816.

Book Summary from Goodreads:

Patience Creighton will finally find the peace she lost years ago–if she can open her heart and forgive the man who loves her.

Bright, sensible Patience knows what is expected of her. At twenty-five, her opportunity for a family of her own has passed, so she finds contentment teaching at her father’s school for girls. When her father dies suddenly and her brother moves away to London, she is determined to keep her father’s dream alive.

Confirmed bachelor William Sterling also knows what is expected of him, but mistake after mistake has left him teetering on ruin’s edge. As master of Eastmore Hall he owns a great deal of land but possesses little money to manage the upkeep. He is desperate to find a new source of income, including the sacrifice of land connected to Rosemere.

When her brother returns with a new wife to take over management of the school, Patience is heartbroken to no longer be responsible for her beloved school and is forced to reassess God’s purpose for her life. After her sister-in-law’s matchmaking brings Patience and William together, they both learn new truths about their character and find a common goal in restoring Eastmore’s legacy

My thoughts:

Patience Creighton, filling the role of headmistress out of necessity, is a responsible spinster and sister, very capable of handling the school on her own. Her mother’s continual depression over her father’s death has not improved with her brother, Rawdon’s, absence. When she meets Eastmore estate owner William Sterling, her monotonous routine abruptly changes. Through a few peculiar and trying occurrences, hope for a different future springs forth and her faith in God begins to reawaken.

Character William Sterling is working hard to clear his debts from his days of gambling. After he meets steadfast Patience Creighton, he is drawn to a dream of a future with a family. Secrets from his past haunt him, however, as he struggles to clear his name. Unknown to him, his trials are slowly showing him the true meaning and value of redemption.

The progression of the characters as they search for resolution and uncover past secrets is realistic and true to an era which limited the roles of both men and women according to their stations. I was pleased to see that elements of faith and hope are prevalent components of the characters’ lives. Also, the setting of this novel is very enjoyable – I always love to explore different eras and countries through books! Sarah Ladd is a talented painter with words as she vividly describes the girls’ school, Eastmore estate, and the English moors.

I loved this novel, and I can’t wait to read the final one in the “Whispers on the Moors” series, A Lady at Willowgrove Hall, releasing later this year.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Thank you to Booksneeze and the publisher for providing a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.