A Day and a Life by Penolope Wilcock (Book Review!)

A Day and a Life

The Hawk and the Dove Series, Book 9

By Penelope Wilcock

(received in exchange for an honest review)

 

Genre- Fiction / Christian / Historical

Published by- Lion Hudson

Copyrighted- 2016

Number of pages- 221

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN: 978-1-78264-200-8

Brother Cedd has vanished.  Nobody knows where he has gone, and he doesn’t know how he has affected those he has left behind. 

As everyone else goes about their day they wonder about him, but they also know that each of them has their own part to do at St. Alcuin.  What will happen if he returns?  Will he return? 

About the Author-

Penelope Wilcock currently lives in England with her family.  She is a writer and is a former Methodist minister.  Her blog is Kindred of the Quiet Way.

My Thoughts-

Penelope Wilcock is a talented writer.  I have enjoyed all the books in The Hawk and the Dove series.  I was sad when I read the back of the book, and it said it was the end of the series.  I have been drawn into each of the books, so I’m able to remember the monks from one book to another.  It is inspiring to watch them learn from each other and God, then grow.

As I finished this book, I realized that in each of these books I have taken life lessons that were important in my life at the time.  I learned about what each of the monks did in a typical day, but along the way they thought different things and sometimes had small conflicts with each other.  Their lives aren’t that much different than ours in the 21st century.  We need to be kind to others.  We also shouldn’t focus on our weaknesses, but our strengths.

I would recommend this book and the rest of the series to others.  There are life lessons and good information about 14th century monasteries.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received A Day and a Life, by Penelope Wilcock, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Beautiful Thread by Penelope Wilcock (Book Review!)

The Beautiful Thread

The Hawk and Dove Series, Book 8

By Penelope Wilcock

(received in exchange for an honest review)

 

Genre- Fiction / Christian / Historical

Published by- Lion Hudson

Copyrighted- 2016

Number of pages- 208

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN: 978-1-78264-145-2

William de Bulmer has come back to the abbey to help Abbot John and the new cellarer with a society wedding.  Unfortunately, Bishop Eric will also be there.  Since William is a former abbot and monk, who also attempted suicide, Bishop Eric could bring him to justice for breaking his monastic vows.  Bishop Eric wants to find him. 

Conradus's mother brings a problem of her own when she comes to the St. Alcuins to help with the wedding.  Will she be a help or a hindrance? 

About the Author-

Penelope Wilcock currently lives in England with her family.  She is a writer and is a former Methodist minister.  Her blog is Kindred of the Quiet Way.

My Thoughts-

I have enjoyed this book and the others in the series.  Penelope Wilcock is a wonderful writer.  I have been drawn into each of the books, so I've come to remember the characters and enjoy watching them grow in God.

I typically don't like to turn the corners of the pages or mark in books (I like to keep them nice), but I just had to do it in this book.  There were different life lessons and ways to grow in God.  My favorite one was on page 83 when Conradus's mother was speaking to Father John.  She had a game as a young child where she would try to make people happy.  She still did it as an adult.  I have noticed that I was doing the same thing at work.  I have been trying to brighten people's lives.  I really appreciated this lesson and I want to make sure that I do it every day. 

I would recommend this book to others.  There are life lessons and good information about 14th century abbeys.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Beautiful Thread, by Penelope Wilcock, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Breath of Peace by Penelope Wilcock (Book Review)

The Breath of Peace

The Hawk and Dove Series, Book 7

By Penelope Wilcock

(received in exchange for an honest review)

 

Genre- Fiction / Christian / Historical

Published by- Lion Hudson

Copyrighted- 2016

Number of pages- 204

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN: 978-1-78264-173-5

Abbot John needs his new brother-in-law, William de Bulmer, to come back to the abbey to help with cellarer duties. 
William is a former monk and abbot.  He loves his new wife, but each conversation has now become a fight.  He is very capable with finances, administration, and used to authority figures.  He is having more problems being a husband.

Will William be able to adjust to his married life?  Will he be able to help Abbot John with the duties at St. Alcuin's Abbey?

About the Author-

Penelope Wilcock currently lives in England with her family.  She is a writer and is a former Methodist minister.  Her blog is Kindred of the Quiet Way.

My Thoughts-

I have enjoyed this book and the others in the series.  Penelope Wilcock is a wonderful writer.  I have been drawn into each of the books, so I've come to remember the characters and enjoy watching them grow in God.

In this book there are several things I especially appreciated:

• don't judge others.
• learn their story (what makes them tick), so you know why they act the way they do.
• be patient and kind.
• don't assume you know eveyrthing about them.
• take time for them.

I appreciated these lessons, because I have recently been in the situation where I need to do all of these things to make my life and theirs more pleasant. 

I would recommend this book to others.  There are life lessons and good information about 14th century abbeys.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Breath of Peace, by Penelope Wilcock, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

52 Original Wisdom Stories by Penelope Wilcock (Book Review!)

 

52 Original Wisdom Stories

Short lively pieces for the Christian year

By Penelope Wilcock

(received in exchange for an honest review)

 

Genre- Nonfiction / Christian

Published by- Monarch Books

Copyrighted- 2015

Number of pages- 256

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $19.99, ISBN: 978-0-85721-602-1

52 Original Wisdom Stories is 52 short stories about a married couple, Sid and Rosie.  In this book we learn about their faith, hopes, and perspectives about God.

Each of these stories can be used on its own.  Topics included are:

• marriage.
• education.
• the beginning.
• death. 

About the Author-

Penelope Wilcock currently lives in England with her family.  She is a writer and is a former Methodist minister.  Her blog is Kindred of the Quiet Way.

My Thoughts-

I thought this book was inspiring.  I plan on keeping it on my bedside table, so I can read it weekly.

I liked that it was based on a married couple, Sid and Rosie.  Their stories and beliefs made it a lot more personal.  I thought they had interesting views, because Sid was Catholic and but was now Quaker, and Rosie went to many different churches of different beliefs.  It was Sid’s Catholic beliefs that were the strongest. 

My favorite week was 29, because it was about abiding joy.  I have been trying to declutter my life.  I have noticed more joy, since my house and life are cleaner.

I do not follow the church’s year, so it would have been helpful for me to know what week of the year it was.  I was able to guess for a lot of it, because the stories would hint at the right time of year.

I think this is a book that many people will enjoy.  I recommend it.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received 52 Original Wisdom Stories, by Penelope Wilcock, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Hardest Thing to Do by Penelope Wilcock (Book Review!)

The Hardest Thing to Do

The Hawk and Dove Series, Book 4

By Penelope Wilcock

(received in exchange for an honest review)

 

Genre- Fiction / Christian / Historical

Published by- Lion Fiction

Copyrighted- These editions are 2015

Number of pages- 256

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN: 978-1-78264-148-3

The Hardest Thing to Do begins one year after The Long Fall.  The new abbot has been chosen following the death of Father Peregrine.  Abbot John is faced with his first problem when Prior William comes needing refuge.  Several of the monks do not want the prior there, because of the way he treated Father Peregrine.  The monks decide to let Prior William stay there on a trial basis.  What will happen?  Will they all be able to forgive each other?

About the Author-

Penelope Wilcock currently lives in England with her family.  She is a writer and is a former Methodist minister.  Her blog is Kindred of the Quiet Way.

My Thoughts-

I thought this was a wonderful book about forgiveness and change.  This was a perfect book to learn about Abbot John and the way he was able to get Prior William involved in the monastery. 

I liked the characters in this book as much as I did in the other three books.  Since I recently read the other books, the characters were easy to remember.  If I hadn’t remembered them, there was a very complete list of characters at the beginning of this book to help me.

I liked how the chapters were divided by each day of Lent, but I wish they were a little more detailed than, “The Tenth Day.”  There were some things I wanted to look up, but I couldn’t remember which chapter they were in.

I really enjoyed this book.  I think everyone should read this book.

Here is my review of the other three books.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Hardest Thing to Do, by Penelope Wilcock, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.