Book Will Not Disappoint

"As Silver Refined" tries to answer the questions we have to life's afflictions and disappointments. Kay Arthur breaks the subject matter down into small, bite size sections and gives in depth detail and examples. She talks about disappointment as the beginning to the downward spiral and how we can change the "D" to an "H" appointment  She writes: "But those who bear with continued suffering capture our deepest respect, and in their suffering we find ourselves drawn to the Jesus who dwells within them..." The book continues to look at the other Deadly D's: discouragement, dejection, despair and demoralization. We have to remember that God's purpose is to redeem us and make us into a "spiritual success." Restoration, refine and renew are the objective each time we meet hardships and afflictions remembering to keep our eyes on Jesus, to become more like him. We must go through the fire in order to get rid of the undesirable baggage we carry around with us so we can be more Christ-like.
The book also contains a thirteen week study guide making it ideal for a small group study.

A Sweet Book

Apple Ridge is the setting for this Amish love story from Cindy Woodsmall entitled "The Scent of Cherry Blossoms." Annie Martin belongs to the Old Order Mennonite sect as does her grandfather who she goes to stay with after an argument with her mother. While visiting she helps out her neighbors, Old Order Amish, at their diner. A diner that her grandfather is part owner since he is allowed to have electricity. It is during this time she renews her acquaintance with Aden Zook. An acquaintance that begins to grow into something more but there is boundary line between each religious sect. What can these two friends do?
An enjoyable, quick read that will delight the heart. The story behind the cherry trees is very touching. Take a weekend to read this book.

Thriller with all the right ingredients

This thriller from Lis Wiehl, Heart of Ice, has all the ingredients for a suspenseful read. Three young professional women, friends since high school, work together to solve the murder of a young intern that worked with Cassidy. Unbeknown to them they have become acquainted with the murderer: going to lunch, going shopping, working out at the gym. At the same time each of these three women are dealing with personal issues that many readers can relate to in their lives. As the investigation continues so do the murders. It is fast-paced read that is hard to put down because you want to know what the murderer will do next and how our trio respond. 

Is the Bible credible?

Hank Hanegraaff, better known as the "Bible Answer Man," tackles Bart Ehrman thesis that the Bible is not credible by countering with his book Has God Spoken.In God Has Spoken, Hanegraaff uses an extensive arsenal to give support to the credibility of the Bible ranging from ancient manuscripts to archaeological evidence. But I think what makes this book different from other apologetics is his usage of acronyms to help remember and internalize the information. For instance, he uses the subacronym S-P-A-D-E to help remember the archaeological evidence providing support to the places and people of Bible times. There were times I felt I was getting bogged down by so much information. Yet, it was needed to grasp a full understanding of Hanegraaff's view and the world's view.
By the end of the book, one can't help but shout "Yes, I knew it!" The Bible is credible. God is real. If you walk away still not sure, then you need to read it again.

An Amish Christmas

Cindy Woodsmall takes us back to the heart of Amish Country in her latest book The Christmas Singing. Mattie Eash and Gideon Beiler are childhood friends but an unexpected illness makes Gideon decide to break it off his relationship with Mattie. Brokenhearted Mattie moves to Ohio to make her dream come true of owning her own shop as a cake decorator. In the process she finds a new beau but she can not get Gideon out of her thoughts. Then disaster strikes her shop and forces her to return back to her home in Pennsylvania and face Gideon. In this Christmas story love and truth win out.
The characters from Woodsmall's previous Christmas tale, The Sound of Sleigh Bells are woven through out the book. A quick read to help put you in the Christmas spirit. View video clip

A Gut Plain Love Story

This is the third installment of the "Ada's House Novel" by Cindy Woodsmall entitled The Harvest of Grace. Sylvia Fisher is not your typical Old Order Amish woman dreaming of marriage and running a household and tending to children. Maybe once she had that dream but then it burst. Even worst, her old beau becomes her sister's husband, moving to the farm to help her dad with the farming. Sylvia's dream now is to tend to the family's dairy herd but not with her new brother-in-law. So she hires herself out to another Amish farmer who needs help since his only son has disappeared. Sylvia begins to build a new life with the Blanks becoming almost like a daughter to them. Then Aaron Blank returns home with thoughts of selling of the farm, giving his parents an easier life. Instead, he finds a new farm hand, clashing goals and a father who refuses to see the "new" Aaron. This story of the Amish is full of twists and turns. Cindy Woodsmall does not let her readers down in this dramatic conclusion to her Ada House Series. The only downside was that the story came all too quickly to the end!
Stop by and pick up the copy in the library-you won't be disappointed!

Wit Goes Green

Looking for a fast paced witty book-southern style? Then look no further than Tamara Leigh's Restless in Carolina. Our heroine, Bridget Pickwick-Buchanan, is an eco-friendly, thirty something widow who must find a buyer for the family estate. The cast of characters is a real mix from five year twins to an elderly uncle suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. Add in two developers who profess to be eco-friendly and will not destroy the surrounding acres of unspoiled land that the house sits on. But Bridget is in for more than she bargains for with developer J.C Dirk who holds his own secrets. Secrets that could change the way she looks at her families past. To find out the secrets, who is really interested in the land and who is interested in Bridget, you have to read the book!