Monday, March 17, 2014

An Amish Garden Review


My husband and I have had a garden for all the years of our married life.  In our beginning efforts, it was quite a struggle for us to have it watered adequately, yet not too much, to keep the weeds down and to know how to properly deal with the little garden pests, both insect variety and larger animal variety. 
We often had problems that we had to “weather” out, such as late frosts after the garden was beginning to come up or early frosts when we not prepared and hadn’t brought in the harvest.  Hail and wind storms also wreaked their havoc upon our little garden plot.  It was and sometimes still is frustrating when things didn’t go as we had hoped and planned.  But so is our life, also not the smooth road we always hope and pray for.  We have to learn to “go with the flow” and accept what happens and move forward.  Yet we can find peace in our lives and grow and learn.  The garden holds many happy memories and fun as the kids and now grandkids help us harvest, weed and enjoy the fruits of our labors.

This wonderful book, which entails four Novellas, written by four wonderful authors, shows how the gardens in our lives help us to move ahead and as stated in the final novella by the very talented author, Vannetta Chapman, Gardens will bless your soul. 

“They are a place to rest, to draw near, and to heal.”  I especially loved that line and marked it as I was reading the book, because that is how I truly feel about gardens, as well.
My Review:

1.       Rooted in Love, Beth Wiseman

Rosemary Lantz is the main character in this story.  She is a talented young woman except that gardening has its challenges for her.  In her courting days, she was together with Saul until she hears a secret about him that at her age of 16, causes her to separate from him.  This was a hard thing for both of them, but Rosemary knows that a life with Saul under these circumstances would never work.  As they begin to work together in her garden, they share work and laughter together.  I especially liked the part with Rosemary’s father and there was a part that brought me to tears as I read the feelings between the two of them.

2.       Flowers for Rachael, Kathleen Fuller

Rachael has a beautiful flower garden and spent most days tending to it.  She loves her garden and even finds herself talking to her flowers, perhaps because she is lonely. She apparently has a secret admirer, however, as suddenly and daily a beautiful flower appears for her with a very short note.  She has no idea who is bringing the flowers, although she hopes it might be Gideon.  Yet, it appears not to be as he seems unaware of the flowers’ meanings when she gives a flower to Gideon. 

Rachael cares for her grandfather and finds him collapsed one day, which leads to a hospital stay and Rachael feels she needs to be her grandfather’s caretaker.  Her grandfather insists she needs to tend to her life and that God will take care of things all in their due time.  Rachael still is worried about her grandfather but discovers that she must learn to trust.
3.       Seeds of Love, Tricia Goyer

This novella takes place in Montana and the main character is Sadie Chupp who is a young woman whose late mother left her with a legacy, heirloom seeds that are her special remembrances of her dear parents.  She seems to harbor some unhappy feelings towards her siblings, who, after the deaths of their parents, sold the family home.  Sadie being the youngest was heartbroken and moves to her uncle in Montana to start fresh.   She brings her mother’s seeds and plans a garden to continue to keep the feeling of her parents close to her.  A company has wanted to buy the heirloom seeds, but Sadie’s mother had not wanted to do so, because the seeds had belonged to her family for generations.
She meets Eli who wants to help her with her gardening.  As time passes she and Eli have a misunderstanding and Sadie is beyond sad.  Her garden undergoes lots of damage and the heirloom seeds have all been planted.  How will she ever be able to repair the damage that a bear cub has done?

The biggest surprise yet occurs when Sadie meets Eli’s grandfather.
4.       Where Healing Blooms, Vannetta Chapman

Emma is a widow who lives with Mary Ann, her mother-in-law.  Mary Ann has a beautiful garden that she lovingly tends. Emma tries to find a purpose in life now that her children are grown.  She learns that a runaway Amish boy has been hiding in her barn.  She tries to know how she can help him at this troubled time of his life.  She leaves food and hopes that he will feel that he can trust her to help him.  She also is asked by the bishop to house an abused Amish woman and her two children.  They find a safe refuge at Emma’s and begin to work together. 
Emma begins to find some meaning to her life and purpose

Her old friend, Danny, has returned home after many years absence.  She had once hoped that they would marry, but Danny had disappointed her by moving away to pursue his life’s plans leaving Emma alone and to marry another.  Emma feels she is too old now to find love again in her life.
Mary Ann’s garden holds a secret which she reveals to Emma and Danny that may just change both of their lives. 

These four stories will touch your heart.  These four authors share how gardens can help you find peace, faith, endurance, hope and healing.  I loved them all!





 

53 comments:

  1. I love all these authors and I love amish books.I enjoyed your post.I would love to win this book.Thanks for the chance.jackie_tessnair{at}yahoo{dot}com.

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  2. I have read other books from all of the authors. I have even met two of them! Tricia Goyer and Vannetta Chapman. Wonderful sweet ladies. Beautiful inside and out. I would love to meet Kathy and Beth some day too.

    Thanks for your post regarding Gardens. Very interesting!

    I would be thrilled to win a copy of, An Amish Garden.

    Blessings!
    Judy B judyjohn2004(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  3. What a wonderful book! With these talented authors,An Amish Garden couldn't be anything but....... Thank you for you beautiful post and thank you for this great giveaway.

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  4. Thanks for the post! I'm so excited about this release. After the winter we all have had, it's great to think about gardening - and of course the Amish gardens are a joy to see.

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  5. How interesting to read about the Amish people. Thank you for sharing, and thank you for the giveaway.
    sugdenhg@gmail.com

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  6. I have been waiting impatiently for this book! Got in on my kindle this am and it is soooooo good!

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  7. I love gardening - it is so soothing to the soul :D

    babykf629 at gmail dot com

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  8. Four wonderful authors. This will be an amazing collection. Would love to have it. Please accept my entry. Thank you.

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  9. Looks like a great book--can't wait to read it!

    Gmeekma at gmail dot com

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  10. I would love this book!

    braintumorlife@gmail.com

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  11. I would love to win this book too!!!
    Love Amish stories and the author.
    ;-)

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  12. I feel like I personally know you, and I love amish reading.Thank you. Keep up the great stories.

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  13. Love the cover. Makes me want to pick these beautiful flowers.
    Elizabeth Suiter

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  14. I am down in bed alot and this would help pass the time. Thanks for the chance !

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  15. Thank you so much! I just love these Amish novella anthologies. I've been looking forward to this one!

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

    http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com

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  16. Oh I need this book at this time in my life. I need the healing of reading such a book as this. Vannetta you are an inspiration to me through your books. Would love to read this book.

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  17. As a person who gardens I love all things related to them. I also am an intern at Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College and I put in community gardens on the 5 Ojibway reservations up here in NW Wisc. Keep up the great work! Thank you for doing a drawing.

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  18. Anything that Vannetta is a part of is well worth reading! I love gardening, and I would love to have the chance to win this beautiful book!

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  19. It looks as if that is a very green garden, do you do flowers or veggies? I am trying to get more shrubs and flowers in an area that has many roots so am thinking of using half whisky barrels if I can find them.
    I love to read amish stories and would like to be in the drawing thanks.

    Paula O(kyflo130atyahoodotcom)

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  20. It is so nice to see GREEN!! Snow is slowly melting, reading your book would seem to make it melt faster! Spring is around the corner!!

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  21. I love my gardens, both flowers and vegetables. Growing beautiful things keeps me closer to family and God. This sounds like an interesting Amish read!! ronnalord ( at) msn ( dot) com

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  22. I would sooo love to read this book.

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  23. I am looking forward to reading An Amish Garden . Please enter me in contest. Thank you for the opportunity to win.I enjoy reading books by these authors..augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Have a wonderful week.

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  24. I love these authors and would love to win is book! Lenijaye(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  25. Would love to win. I have read some of your other books and loved them. Pick me, Pick me!!

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  26. Love stories of the Amish! Would love to win the book!

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  27. Such great authors and books. I love Amish reading so much. I also am a gardener as well flowers and vegetables. Would love to win . thanks for the chance to win. amhengst AT verizon DOT net

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  28. oh wow such great authors, such great books. thanks for the chance... vrush729@aol.com

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  29. Wishing to be considered for this amazing book giveaway. I have not read the book but have a desire to read the book. I can't afford the book right now so to receive it from you would be wonderful. The fact that the book is coming directly from you is a plus. Please consider me.

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  30. I have read books by some of the authors that you have reviewed but always love to find new ones. mapesda(at)Verizon(dot)net

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  31. Would love to win! Thanks for sharing with us!
    RW620(at)aol(dot)com

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  32. Would love to win..but will read your book..even if I do not win

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  33. i would love to win this. i love your books God bless u n your family thanks houswife@gmail.com

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  34. I can't wait to read this one. Would love to wu mob a copy!

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  35. This book is on my wish list. Love all these authors.

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  36. What a wonderful book to have in my little library at home. Would love to win a copy!

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  37. Gardens played a large part in my life when I lived at home until I went to college. We didn't have much time to devote to gardens again until I retired, and now my husband and I enjoy our little vegetable garden very much.
    I would love to win this book, especially since I have relatives named "Lantz."
    Kaye Whitney
    kayewhitney@bellsouth.net

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  38. We would love to win this! Thank you so much! Blessings!

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  39. Looks like a great book! Would love to win this.

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  40. I would love to have this!! kimella42 at yahoo dot com

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  41. Thank you for the wonderful post. I enjoy all of these wonderful authors writings.
    gardens are one of the great blessings we get to experience, I love watching the seeds come to life and have a place to just enjoy my quiet time.
    Thank you.
    mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com

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  42. I have been wanting to read this book. Thank you for this chance to win a copy! lisastifler(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  43. Lots of good authors listed on this page along with yourself! I can't wait to read this book.

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  44. This sounds so good. Would love to read this. grammador(at)gmail(dot)com

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  45. Such a gorgeous cover! From reading your other books, I know this one will be great too.
    Love Vannetta Chapman ♥
    cindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com

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  46. Please,enter me......l know I will love reading these stories. Thanks so much for the offer....blessings

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  47. I love Amish books. Vannetta is my favorite of all. Would love to win!

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  48. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    Replies
    1. Hi, everyone, please don't forget your email addresses.

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  49. Amish books are my favorite! I would love to win!
    donco49(at)gmail(dot)com

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  50. Hello. Thanks for this give-away. I love all of these authors and their books are very good. Sounds like very good stories here. I love Amish books. Hope I can win. Want a chance anyway. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

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