Making Choices

Cindy Woodsmall's latest Amish novel is A Love Undone. Jolene Keim, a member of the Old Order Amish, goes the planning of her wedding to attending the funeral of both her parents and taking on the guardianship of her younger siblings. Her future husband is not ready to take on such a large responsibility thus the wedding is called off. Ten years pass for Jolene when a horse trainer enters her life. However, Andy Fisher is not an eligible bachelor- he is a grass widower. This is the background upon which the story grows.
I enjoyed the plot and the depth of the characters but I think the ending was a bit hurried with everything tied up too neatly.
I received this book free to review from Blogging for Books.

Page Turner

  Kim Vogel Sawyer latest book, When Mercy Rains, captured my attention immediately. So much so that I had a hard putting the book down. Needless to say I read it in record time!! We are introduced to Suzanne Zimmerman being sent away from her family and her Old Order Mennonite community by her mother because she is in the family way. Then we skip ahead twenty years when Suzanne receives a letter from her brother asking her to return home to help care for their invalid mother. But the family does not know about Alexa, Suzanne's daughter. Thus begins the inner conflicts of going home or staying put in Indiana. Alexa wants to meet her extended family unaware that they do not know of her existence. They go home to Kansas. This is where the story begins to unfold between mother and daughter, between old loves, and between family: bitterness, resentment, secrets. Can this family find healing? Or is it too late? The twist at the end only leads one to want to read the next part in this new trilogy.
  I received this book for free to review from WaterBook Press.

An Everyday, Every Moment Message

   I read the Be the Message since I had read a previous book by the same authors, Chris and Kerry Shook. The message theme is simple enough: live out God's message of love and grace every day, every moment. Don't wait thinking you have to do something big or go on a mission trip. Instead, reach out to those right where you are. So simple yet so hard at times. Reading this book will help you get started with baby steps and then, will then, you will be intentionally living out God's call on your life. Many examples abound but one in particular when one of the author's was waiting in line at the store, the express check-out no less, and is impatiently waiting on the customer ahead who discovers she does not have the money to cover her bill. The author realizes in that moment she is to be the message. She pays the customer's bill. So be the message. Step out in faith and read this book. It will change your perspective of living out God's word.
  I received this book to review free from WaterBrook Press and Blogging for Books.

Childhood: A Gift or a White Elephant

  I had read Johann Christoph Arnold's book Rich in Years a while back. I found his comments and concerns to be valid so when I had a chance to read another of his books I jumped at the opportunity. I was not displeased. Arnold's book Their Name is Today: Reclaiming Childhood in a Hostile World examines the childhood children are experiencing today. So much truth and wisdom are packed in this little book. Arnold explores child's unstructured play, parental influence or lack there of, technology addiction and materialism.For instance, he writes "Children model the behavior of adults, on whatever scale is available to them. Ours are growing up in a nation whose most important, influential men...solve problems by killing people."  If your concerned for your children, grandchildren or any child than you will want to read this gem.
I received this book from Handlebar to review for free.

Sew Heartwarming

 The latest in the Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club series, The Healing Quilt, written by Wanda E. Brunstetter, is a delightful return visit with Emma and Lamar Miller only this time they are vacationing in Sarasota, Florida. Emma is not content sitting or walking the beach everyday. So Lamar encourages her to start another quilting class even though Emma is not sure about getting students. But surprises abound in this new quilting class one of which is a visit from Jan Sweet, a former quilting class student. This quilting class does not fail to bring healing and love and hope to those in the class a wheelchair-bound teen, a terminally-ill artist, a pregnant mom to name a few.
 It was fun to read about this group of quilters, their trials and tribulations, but it was also nice to be reacquainted with pass characters. I particularly liked the character Jan from Brunstetter's first book so it was nice to have him back in this third book. An easy and enjoyable read.
 I received this book free from Handlebar to review.

CAPTIVATING Tamsen Littlejohn's stepfather is planning an arranged marriage for her which is causing her much anxiety and distress. She pleads with her mother for help. The most her mother can do before her stepfather returns to escort her to the proposed suitor is secretly give Tamsen a wooden box and key. In defiance to him, she runs away with Jesse Bird-a frontiersman she does not know. Both Jesse and Tamsen's faith are tested as they cross the mountains to escape and start a new life. But Tamsen's stepfather is in pursuit convincing the suitor, Amborse Kincaid, she has been kidnapped and Jesse is a murderer. This is a frontier love story written by Lori Benton with many twist and turns. At first I thought I knew how it would end but was met with a suspenseful and surprising twist at the end. If your looking for a historical, faith-based romance to read-this a excellent choice.

Courage overcomes

Wanda E. Brunstetter steps out of her Amish genre into more of a historical genre with her latest book Woman of Courage.The story follows Amanda Pearson, a Quaker, as she journeys west to work at the Lapwai Valley mission after being jilted by her finace. She encounters many trials and tribulations along the way, one of which leaves her for dead until being discovered by a half-Indian trapper, Buck McFadden. Buck takes her back to his friend's cabin where Amanda is nursed back to health by the trapper's pregnant Indian wife, Mary. Mary and Amanda soon become friends. Amanda never loses her faith during all of this or as she tries to continue her journey to the mission. Will her faith sustain her? Will she find a guide to take her the rest of the way? Will Buck turn back to God? To answer these questions thou wilt have to pick up a copy of the book and begin thou own journey reading this historical adventure.

Journey of Redemption

This was my first time reading Katie Ganshert so I wasn't sure what to expect. Well, I have put her on my to-read author list. Thoroughly enjoyed reading her book A Broken Kind of Beautiful-so much so I had a hard time putting it down. Ganshert develops her characters to the point I feel they are living and breathing in the same room I am in. The audience is introduced to Ivy Clark at the funeral of her father. She's only 24 but lived a life time as a model for the fashion industry. But things may be changing, she is about to lose her job. Then she is invited to spend some time with her step-mother working at her bridal boutique and helping with a bridal fashion show. Inter-woven throughout is the story of Davis Knight, janitor at the local church, who once was a professional photographer. Can Ivy revive Davis's desire to be a photographer again and gain herself a lucrative job modeling? What secret is Davis keeping buried? Or will they both discover something more important? A story of redemption and God's unfailing love. Pick up the book and take the journey. You won't regret it.

A Legacy

What is my purpose here on Earth? What do I do now that I am retired? What legacy do I want to leave to my children and their children? As an older adult can my life be rich and fulfilling? These are some of the topics Johann Arnold addressed in his latest book Rich in Years. Arnold writes "God created each one of us for this world, but he also created us for eternity, and he has something in mind for each of us." He examines demeneia, fighting loneliness, finding purpose and finding peace by writing about real people, their stories. This is a short, easy read for anyone pondering questions about being an older adult and finding their God filled purpose. We may not want to think about aging but it is part of the cycle so why not have peace about it. That is what Johann Arnold offers in this little volume.

Perfect Patchwork for Love

The Quilted Heart by Mona Hodgson is three historical novellas in one book. The characters of St. Charles are introduced in the first novella and their story continues throughout each of the other novellas. Although each is a love story there is the underlying story of a wagon train heading west and surviving the Civil War. The war has ended and many are looking for a new start on life. If historical romance is your cup of tea then give this author a try. My disappointment with the storyline was that the romances were so straight forward-I could guess the outcome most of the time. But it is an easy, quick read.

Faith Based Business

Using the parables from Matthew 25, Joseph Slawek, unlocks 10 best practices for a successful life and business in his book "Ingredients for Success: 10 Best Practices for business and Life.". A single chapter is devoted to each of the 10 practices. Slawek writes "the essential foundation for all ten practices is living with integrity." As each principle is presented, Slawek discusses the relevant parable and then some aspect of his life or business that relates to that principle. Some of the principles are practical, no-nonsense type of practices that we all have heard before while others he puts a different spin on. For instance, investing our talents for a maximum return is a best practice. He believes money is not the motivator at work, but the "knowledge that my work has purpose" is the real motivator. All in all this relatively easy read on ten best practices can help everyone whether at work or at home to improve their conduct and live more successfully. Challenge yourself to try incorporating these practices into your life or business and see how God uses them!

Captivating

I have just started reading books by this author-Kim Vogel Sawyer. I found this one, What Once Was Lost, to be captivating! I read it in under 24 hours which me is a record!Set in the 1890's, the Brambleville Asylum for the Poor, is home to a rag tag group of displaced individuals guided by Christina Willems. A fire destroys the kitchen and damages parts of the house making it impossible for the group to live there. Christina sets out to find shelter for all members of the group among the residents of Brambleville. Resistance is met in the placement of her young ward, Tommy, who is blind, but she manages to convince mill owner Levi Jonnson to take him. The reclusive mill owner not only develops a fondness for Tommy but also that he have made a mistake regarding his reclusiveness from the community. Meanwhile, Christina has more than her share of problems in trying to get the farmhouse rebuilt and keeping her rag tag members together. Throughout the book the characters grow in their relationship with God as they over come adversity and rejection. There are many lessons taught throughout this book but why give them away. Pick up the book and be captivated not only by the storyline, the characters but by God's love as well. I received this book for free to review from WaterBrook Press' Blogging for Books.