Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Give-away at Vera Godley's Blogsite

Here is the link to another giveaway.  Sharing so that you have a chance to win a fun book!
Click here to find the give-away!

Sunday, April 27, 2014

The Last Bride by Beverly Lewis

The first Amish book that I ever read was The Bridesmaid by Beverly Lewis.  I purchased that book at Wal-Mart in the fall of 2012 as I prepared to take a trip to Poland.  I had a long lay-over and was traveling alone.  I needed something to read.  I grabbed this book off the shelf and it grabbed me back!  Beverly had me at "Wunderbar gut!"

So it was no surprise that when the local library sent me a little note that among the new books, was the title The Last Bride by Beverly Lewis that I hurried right down to pick that one up!

And it didn't disappoint. I read it in a couple of days, and that is fast for me, what with all the hours at work, and the other grandma duties that I had to fulfill on Saturday.  Here's a little about this book.  I am sure you will agree that it is a great book.  Beverly Lewis always seems to come up with a great story-line.

The main person in the book is Tessie Miller, the last of her family of sisters that is yet to marry.  She has her heart set on Marcus King and the two secretly date as Tessie's father does not want her to be with Marcus.  No matter what they do, he does not change his mind and the unhappy couple takes matters into their own hands.  They decided to elope and not have the traditional large family and church Amish wedding.  But as they marry and return to their respective homes, an event occurs that changes all the plans of future happiness together. 

As Tessie faces the Church and family, she realizes that her actions will cause a possible excommunication from the Church.  Despite the great sadness at the events that have transpired, Tessie tries to carry on with her life.  She has a supportive family for the most part and they see each other through the times ahead.  Will Tessie realize happiness again in her life or will past sins devour that happiness? 

This is a wonderful book and one of real-life problems and resolution, family, community and love, the most important factor.  A great book!

Friday, April 25, 2014

The Letters by Suzanne Woods Fisher

I just finished reading The Letters which is Book 1 in the Inn at Eagle Hill series.  I have to admit that I read book 2 first. 

I really enjoyed this book, even though book 2 takes off from where this one leaves off.  Rose Schrock is an Amish widow and has lots of troubles left behind from her now deceased husband, Dean.  Dean ran an investment firm that went under, leaving their Amish investors out of all their money.  Dean has an untimely death which left Rose with damage detail duty.  She is determined to repay all the investors regardless of how long it takes to do so.

In an effort to earn money, she opens their home and turns it into an Inn with the approval of her Bishop.  The Inn turns into a place of healing for guests as their problems become evident and Rose finds she is a good listener and helper to those in need of her assistance. 

Her mother-in-law who owns the house is not the easiest person to live with and also is facing problems of her own.  By the bounds that Rose shares with one of the guests, she is able to find answers to Rose's problems also.

One of the guests who has stayed for quite a long time, hasn't had contact with family members for quite a while, only to find out that her estranged husband was charged with her death.  As a result, publicity brings the Inn into the news and many find it a place of Miracles and begin writing letters to the Inn looking for their own miracles.

The story is very nice.  I would just love to stay at this warm, friendly and cozy inn.  I think this would be a place which takes the daily stresses of live and replaces them with peace, love and happiness.  A good book!

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Chat With Vera Blog giveaway

Vera is having a giveaway on her blog to win a free copy of a cute children's book entitled Claude at the Beach.  I know my grandkids would love this.  You can read about it here and also enter at the bottom of her Blog.  Here is her link! Vera's Blog Giveaway!

Monday, April 14, 2014

A Merry Heart by Wanda Brunstetter

Proverbs 17:22
This was an enjoyable and easy read by Wanda.  It was book 1 of the Brides of Lancaster County series.  Little did I know that I had the combined 4 book set of this series when I picked this book up a week or two ago.  I will need to do a book inventory, I do believe! 

In this book, Miriam Stoltzfus is a 26 year old teacher in an Amish school.  She had been hoping to marry William until he wrote her a letter telling her of his impending marriage and told her he was  thankful for their friendship.  To Miriam this was a shock to have been considered only a friend.  This caused her heart to be broken and for bitterness to set in. 

Miriam's students even talk about her that she is mean and has a heart of stone.  When Amos Hilty, a widower with a young daughter who is a student of Miriam's wants to court her, she flatly refuses.  She is completely uninterested in beginning a relationship with him or anyone for that fact.  Another young Englisch man also shows an interest in Miriam which seems to flatter her and she finds him easy to confide in.  However, even though she finds herself slipping away from her Amish faith just a little, she feels that she can't leave her Amish community.

Aside from her broken heart, tragedies occur to add to her already sad heart.  Her faith and her convictions are put to the test. 

She feels Amos Hilty is not the one for her because he wants a mother for his child and a house caretaker.  She has no idea of Amos' true feelings.  Amos finds the continued rejection from Miriam hard to handle and wonders if she would even be a good example for his daughter.

I liked this book very much.  I would recommend it for Amish readers.  So you don't make my same mistake, below the single and the 4 book set.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Huckleberry Summer by Jennifer Beckstrand

I loved Jennifer's book, Huckleberry Hill, so I really didn't doubt at all that this would be another winner.  I was right.  It is a winner!
Even the cover is fun!  What I enjoyed so much about this book was the fresh story-line with interesting twists and turns.  I never quite knew what would happen next.  That always keeps me reading.  A real attention keeper for me!

In this story Lily is working for Anna and Felty Helmuth, who we met in the earlier book of this series, Huckleberry Hill.  Anna has a little match-maker goal of getting a wife for her grandson, Aden.  Lily is the young woman Anna has in mind to make a perfect match for Aden.  There is a definite problem here as Lily's father hears about Aden's past which includes several arrests and jail time.  This does not sit well with Lily's protective father at all. 

Lily's father has the perfect match for Lily, as well. Tyler Yoder, the wonderful flawless Amish man is the one, the only one, that is good enough for his daughter, Lily.  Tyler and Aden are both interested in Lily but Lily is warned by her Dat that she should stay away from Aden and his schemes.

As Lily becomes more acquainted with Aden, she can't help falling for Aden.  How will this ever work out when her father is so opposed to all things "Aden"?

Aden convinces Lily to come along to check out a possible "puppy mill" only to have the police arrive to arrest them for trespassing.  This totally causes Lily to refuse to see Aden which in turn makes Lily's Dat a happy man.  Now the way is clear for Tyler Yoder who soon sees a happy future ahead with Lily.

You will need to read the book to find out what happens.  But I can tell you that this is a book you won't want to put down until you have reached the end of the book.  I really enjoyed this book.  Jennifer Beckstrand is fast becoming one of my favorite authors!

You can find Jennifer's webpage here!


Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Kensington Publishing Corp. in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review. 

Monday, April 7, 2014

A New Home for Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher

I was surprised when my granddaughter said to me that she was not happy because she was missing one of the "Lily" books.  She had 3 of them and was missing Book 2.  She said that there was lots of space in time in between the episodes and she really wanted it badly.  So I got her one.  But of course, I had to read it quickly to make sure she would like it.  And you know what?  She definitely will!  I even liked it.

In this story Lily and her family leave their home and community in New York and move to Pennsylvania.  Lily is not immediately happy with things as the first appear in her new place.  Her home was not pretty and her schoolmates were mostly boys except for two people, one of which was Effie and she was not Lily's idea of a friend.  Beth seemed to be the best choice for her.  And then there was the most annoying boy ever in her school, Aaron Yoder.  And two years in a row his desk was by hers.  He was the worst boy ever.

Teacher Rhoda was definitely a nice teacher and Lily was happy about this.  She was also happy about the goats as you can see by the cover. 

Lily experiences day to day joys, disappointments and things that many girls her age experience.  This book was a nice read for young girls and I know my granddaughter will love this one as much as the others.  Lily even has a new baby in the family, however, not the little sister she was hoping for.

I am sure that your daughters and granddaughters will enjoy this book and have lots of fun reading it.  Seeing the happiness in new friends, times that are not so happy and other times when you wonder why people do the things they do.  Heartwarming, fun and a good read for young readers!

A Free Download of BORN OF PERSUASION!

Please go to this link for your free download! Click here!   Please feel free to share this link. And if you post it on your blog and email Jessica Dotta, you will have a chance to win a first edition copy of Maud Montgomery's Mistress Pat.

Saturday, April 5, 2014

A Promise For Miriam by Vannetta Chapman

This book was such a good read!  I was the lucky winner of this excellent book and hope that you will take the time to read this also.  You can find Vannetta's link here. 
Vannetta has written many Amish fiction books and her latest is Murder, Simply Brewed.  This is from her Amish Village Mystery series.

Published in 2012, A Promise for Miriam is about a 26 year-old Amish woman, a teacher in the Amish community school.  She loves teaching and those that she teaches.  This heartwarming story is about Gabriel Miller who moves to Cashton, Wisconsin from his former home in Indiana.  He finds himself in a much more conservative order than what he is accustomed to, yet a warm, friendly and helpful community.

Gabe is a widower with an eight year-old daughter, who has not spoken since the death of her mother.  He and his daughter, Grace, meet the school teacher, Miriam where Grace begins to attend school.  Gabe is somewhat taken aback when Miriam tries to encourage Grace to try to speak again.  He feels this might be too difficult and informs Miriam of this fact causing some friction between them. 

Because of the frightening incidents that occur, Gabe softens both towards Miriam and to the new community he has come to love and depend upon. 

This book shares the importance of healing, friendship, community spirit, and love towards your fellow man.  As their little community becomes involved in situations, both important to the Englisch and the Amish, Gabe plays an important role in matters of a civic nature.  It is good to read how, even though there are differences in the Amish and Englisch, teamwork and community efforts can work out for all involved.

A Promise for Miriam is a warm and cozy read that will leave you wanting to read the rest of the series of The Pebble Creek Amish books by Vannetta Chapman.