Book Review~Words from the Heart

About the Book: 

Her fingertips brushed against something else in the box of doilies. She lifted a bundle of letters, neatly tied with a thin red ribbon . . .

Ivy Yoder hasn’t heard from John King in over a year. She knows it’s time to let go of the idea that they will one day marry, but she’s humiliated to be one of the oldest single women in her Amish community of Birch Creek. When quirky Cevilla Schlabach asks her to help clean out an attic, Ivy is grateful for the distraction.

Noah Schlabach isn’t from Birch Creek, or even Ohio. His job as an auctioneer takes him around the country and away from a typical Amish life, but he still remains devoted to his family. So when his aging aunt asks him to help clean out her attic, he agrees. Plus, who knows what curious items he might find up there?

As Noah and Ivy work side by side, they come across a different kind of treasure: a packet of letters written during the Korean War. Soon they are swept up in the story of two young people falling in love—even as they remain determined not to fall in love themselves.

Words from the Heart is a moving story of lost love letters, fragile fears, and the beauty of taking another step forward.

My Review: 

Words From the Heart is the third book in author Kathleen Fuller's Amish Letters series. I had read the first two in the series, Written in Love and The Promise of a Letter. They were very enjoyable, and Words from the Heart was a great addition to the series. Although these stories intertwine characters, they can be read alone. 

Ivy Yoder was a single Amish woman, old by Amish standards to not have married yet. Noah Schlabach was also older and single, with no plans for marrying anytime soon. Ivy, on the other hand, yearns for marriage and children. The two had known each other for years, and when Noah's aunt pulls them together on a project, its the perfect chance for them to get to know each other better. The discovery of old love letters brings in mystery to this sweet romance. 

I enjoyed the storyline and the characters in Words From the Heart. It is a book I recommend, along with the other two books in the Amish Letters series. Kathleen Fuller is a talented author of Amish fiction. 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

Book Review~Beneath the Summer Sun

Book Description: 

It’s been four years since Jennie’s husband died in a farming accident. Long enough that the elders in her Amish community think it’s time to marry again for the sake of her seven children. What they don’t know is that grief isn’t holding her back from a new relationship. Fear is. A terrible secret in her past keeps her from moving forward.

Mennonite book salesman Nathan Walker stops by Jennie’s farm whenever he’s in the area. Despite years of conversation and dinners together, she never seems to relax around him. He knows he should move on, but something about her keeps drawing him back.

 Meanwhile, Leo Graber nurtures a decades-long love for Jennie, but guilt plagues him—guilt for letting Jennie marry someone else and guilt for his father’s death on a hunting trip many years ago. How could anyone love him again—and how could he ever take a chance to love in return?

In this second book in the Every Amish Season series, three hearts try to discern God’s plan for the future—and find peace beneath the summer sun.

My Review: 

Beneath the Summer Sun is the second book in author Kelly Irvin's Every Amish Season series. I did not read the first book in the series-Upon a Spring Breeze-but had no problems following the story. I think Beneath the Summer Sun can be read alone. 

I felt so much compassion for the character of Jennie-she has been through so much, and is afraid to open herself to the chance to love again. With seven children to care for, one of whom is experiencing a lot of emotional pain, she barely has time for herself. She has two men interested in her who are both loving, caring men. But she also thought her husband was loving and caring before they married. Things quickly changed after their marriage vows. 

As domestic violence is a main topic in Beneath the Summer Sun, it could be a trigger for some readers, so I think its important to know upfront. Domestic Violence is not often a theme in Amish fiction, as Amish are generally thought of as non-violent, gentle people. It was an interesting story that kept my attention from start to finish. At the back of the book are Domestic Violence resources, as well as discussion questions about the story. 

I received a copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. 

Book Review~A Place at our Table

About the Book: 

Along with his volunteer work at the local fire department, running his Amish farm keeps Jamie Riehl busy. He barely has time to eat at the family table, never mind find someone to date. But when he meets Kayla Dienner, he is smitten.

Kayla tries hard to deny her attraction to Jamie. After all, she’s spent the last year discouraging her younger brother, Nathan, from becoming a firefighter. The death of their older brother in a fire a year ago is fresh in her mind—she can’t bear the idea of putting her heart on the line every time the sirens blare.

Then tragedy strikes, and Jamie wants to extinguish any flame between him and Kayla. Can Kayla set aside her own fears to save the love she was determined to deny?

The first book in the Amish Homestead series, A Place at Our Table invites us to a quiet community in Lancaster County where love burns brightly no matter the cost.

What I Thought: 
A Place at our Table is the first book in author Amy Clipston's new series, An Amish Homestead. I have read several books by this author and always enjoy them. A Place at our Table was very easy to get caught up into immediately because of the action going on with the fire at the Dienner's. The story continues on with lots of activity, mostly because Jamie is a firefighter. His occupation definitely added some energy to the book. Both Kayla and Jamie's families having suffered tragedy in the loss of a close family member pulls them together. The story focused a lot on grief and the different ways people deal with it. It was inspiring that people can feel like their lives cannot go on, yet they manage to continue and even be happy. The characters' strong faith was definitely the reason for their strength.

I definitely enjoyed and recommend A Place at our Table, and I look forward to the next book in the series. Along with the story, A Place at our Table includes a helpful glossary of Amish words, a family tree relative to the story, discussion questions, and an excerpt from the author's book The Forgotten Recipe, the first book in her Amish Heirloom series.

*I received a copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Review~Home All Along

About the Book:
Charlotte, an Englisher, is living in Amish Country, and she has formed strong and lasting bonds with the people in her new community. She has even fallen in love with an Amish man. But just when she is considering a permanent conversion to the Amish way of life, her world crashes around her. An unexpected death and a mysterious visitor unsettle Charlotte, and she begins to question her faith and her choices.
Daniel loves Charlotte and wants to share his life with her, even it if means leaving the only world he’s ever known. But as he walks alongside of her through her struggles, his own world is turned upside down when a loved one receives a grim medical diagnosis and a prodigal relative returns home. Will Charlotte and Daniel’s relationship succumb to the many pressures around them, or will their faith and the strong community around them allow them to weather the storms of their own lives in order to build a life together?

What I Thought:
Home All Along is the third book in author Beth Wiseman's Amish Secrets series. I did read the first two books in the series, and have thoroughly enjoyed all three books. Charlotte and Daniel come from two very different worlds, English and Amish, but have found love together. Their lives are turned upside-down with the people they love going through life-threatening crisis, and through it all they must decide if their love is strong enough to withstand their differences. One of them has to make a life changing decision if they are willing to live a different lifestyle to stay with the person they love. Although I think Home All Along could be enjoyed by itself, the reader will get much more from the story if they read all three books in order.

There are discussion questions at the back of the book, making Home All Along a great choice for your Book Club.

*I received a copy of this book free from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. 

Book Review~Abiding Mercy by Ruth Reid

About the Book: 

Abiding Mercy is the first book in author Ruth Reid's Amish Mercies series.  

Sixteen-year-old Faith has worked full-time in her parents' restaurant since she finished eighth grade. She loves her Amish community and the romantic attentions of her longtime friend, Gideon. 

When her sister seems to be getting too friendly with Englischers, and her parents are in a buggy accident, Faith wants to escape into her dream of joining the church and getting married. 

But then a local newspaper runs a story about a child named Adriana who was kidnapped fifteen years earlier, and everything Faith has held true comes into question. 

Suddenly the community Faith has known her whole life seems unreal. Can she even trust her own family? And how will she ever find home again if she no longer belongs in the world she knows best?

About the Author: 

Ruth Reid is a full-time pharmacist who lives in Florida with her husband and three children. When attending the Ferris State University College of Pharmacy in Big Rapids, Michigan, she lived on the outskirts of an Amish community and had several occasions to visit the Amish farms. Her interest grew into love as she saw the beauty in living a simple life. Visit Ruth online at www.ruthreid.com, on Facebook at Author Ruth Reid, and Twitter at @AuthorRuthReid. 

What I Thought: 

I've read several of author Ruth Reid's books and always enjoy them. I find it especially exciting when I'm reading the very first book in a series and it turns out to be a really great story, like Abiding Mercy did. Now I know that there are more good books coming in the series!

The main character Faith is a very sweet Old Order Amish young woman. Her boyfriend, Gideon, is charming, and they have a blossoming romance. Faith is a very hard worker, and besides her rough relationship with her sister, life is full and good. After an unfortunate accident turns the family upside-down, Faith throws herself into saving her family's beloved restaurant, The Amish Table. Soon a secret is uncovered about Faith's past, and her life is forever changed. 

I enjoyed reading about the conflicting emotions everyone had regarding Faith being found by her birth parents, and how they were resolved. God definitely throws some curve balls in our lives, and this story emphasizes trusting Him to get you through these hard times and following His lead. Abiding Mercy was a heartwarming story that I really enjoyed. There are Discussion Questions at the back of the book, making it a perfect choice for a book club!

*Disclosure: I received this book free from www.booklookbloggers.com in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Review~The Promise of a Letter

About the Book:
A letter brings him back to his Amish family. It will take someone truly extraordinary to make him stay.
Roman is on the verge of leaving the Amish ways. Feeling confined by the strict rules, he longs to do something more with his life. But when things don’t go as planned, Roman’s prospects outside of the community dwindle. Upon learning that his beloved grandmother has died and left a letter urging him to reconcile with his brother in Birch Creek, Roman decides to return home. But he doesn’t plan to stay for long.
Leanna Chupp has always made her own way in her small community of Birch Creek. Though some may call her unconventional—strange, even—Leanna is happy. Her unique outlook on life has meant she’s never had many suitors pursuing courtship, which Leanna doesn’t mind. She is content being single.
But when Roman and Leanna find themselves working together again, everything changes. Though neither fit squarely within the strictures of the Amish faith, their differences could be the very thing to help them form a deeper connection to their community and to each other. The question remains: will this strengthening bond be enough to make Roman stay for good?

What I Thought: 

The Promise of a Letter is the second book in Kathleen Fuller's Amish Letters series. I've always been a fan of the author, and she did a great job once again. I did read the first book in the series, Written in Love, which mainly focused on Jalon and Phoebe. They are still a strong presence in this book, but the focus is on Leanna and Roman mostly, with quite a bit about Daniel and Barbara as well. While readers would get the most enjoyment reading the books in order, I feel like The Promise of a Letter could be read by itself without confusion. 

Forgiveness and trusting God to make your path in life are strong themes in this story. Daniel and his brother Roman had a rough childhood and many hard feelings between them, but a letter from their grandmother asking them to reconcile tugged at their hearts. Leanna was not your typical Amish woman, and figured she would never get married. Roman had always rubbed her the wrong way. But God had his own plan and things started to change. 

I really enjoyed reading The Promise of a Letter and highly recommend it! I look forward to the third book in the series, Words from the Heart, coming out in February 2018.

*I received a copy of this book free from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Review~The Beloved Hope Chest

About the Book (from the back cover):

When Mattie packed her hope chest, she put away the heartache of her past. But as her daughters begin to unpack it, she discovers a healing more powerful than she ever hoped for.
Mattie Fisher’s three daughters know that she’s been keeping a secret from them. With each item pulled from the beloved family hope chest, they’ve discovered a new clue about their mother’s past.
But there’s a reason Mattie has been keeping her history hidden, and she’s not sure she’s ready to reopen old wounds. Will dredging up the past change the way her children view her? Or her marriage to their father? And can she handle the pain of revisiting the memories that preceded the last few happy decades?
Mattie’s story is one of grief and learning to love again. But like the best things preserved in a hope chest, it's a story of love and redemption born out of heartache—and it's past time to share it.

What I Thought: 

The Beloved Hope Chest is the fourth book in author Amy Clipston's Amish Heirloom Novel series. The first three books, The Forgotten Recipe, The Courtship Basket, and The Cherished Quilt, were all based on the three Fisher sisters. I enjoyed reading all three of them. In The Beloved Hope Chest, the focus is on Mattie and Leroy Fisher, the girls' parents. It goes back in time to their childhoods and early marriage.

The Beloved Hope Chest is by far my favorite of the four books. The story was so deep and moving, it really touched my emotions. Poor Mattie had such a promising future, and then to have so much loss and grief. This story could be inspiring to someone who struggles with grief, thinking there is no way they could ever live a normal life. Mattie lost so much, but with faith in God and the love of her family and friends, she pulled through.

I highly recommend reading The Beloved Hope Chest, as well as the other three books in the series. These books can be read on their own, but I enjoyed reading them in the order they were published. At the back of the book are discussion questions, making it a great book for a book club.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review~Written in Love

About the Book: 
When a postal error creates pen pals of two young Amish people, can they put behind their past mistakes to see the bright future God has written for them?
Jalon Chupp has a past he isn’t proud to claim. He’s worked hard to overcome his youthful mistakes, and he has recommitted himself to his faith. When he receives a sweet note included in a piece of misdirected mail, he can’t help but write back. Soon, the letters he receives from Phoebe are the highlights of his days, and with a hopeful heart, he suggests they meet in person.
Phoebe, too, looks forward to every single one of Jalon’s letters. Living with her overbearing aunt, Phoebe doesn’t have too much to look forward to. But when Jalon suggests they meet, she panics—although she has shared some of the deepest longings of her heart with him, she hasn’t been entirely truthful about her past. But when Jalon shows up at her aunt’s doorstep, everything is revealed. And she can only pray he’ll forgive her for holding back the truth.
In order to reach beyond the errors of their pasts, both Phoebe and Jalon must put their faith in something—or Someone—bigger than either of them.

What I Thought: 
 Written in Love is the first book in author Kathleen Fuller's new An Amish Letters Novel series. I've enjoyed many books by Kathleen Fuller; she creates wonderful stories that keep me engaged. Written in Love is a sweet love story of two young Amish people who have gone through hard times in their lives and are searching for happiness. Chapter one starts out with letters written back and forth between Jalon and Phoebe over a two month time period. I liked how the author did this, it gave a good base to the story.  Written in Love was easy to read and hard to put down! Phoebe and Jalon had to learn to trust in God and each other. Included in the book are a glossary and discussion questions. 

*I received a copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

An Amish Home

About the Book: 

A Cup Half Full by Beth Wiseman—Sarah Lantz always dreamed of the perfect home, the perfect husband, the perfect family. When she married Abram, she knew she was on her way to securing her perfect life. But all of that changes in one moment when an accident leaves her unable to walk and confined to a wheelchair, dashing all of her dreams. As Abram starts to transform their home, Sarah begins a transformation in her spirit, and she begins, once again, to see her cup as half full.
Home Sweet Home by Amy Clipston—Down on their luck and desperate after they are evicted from their small apartment, Chace and Mia O’Conner reluctantly take Chace’s Amish boss up on his offer to rent them the daadihaus located on his property. They are certain they will never feel at home in the rustic cabin without any modern conveniences, and they start to blame each other for their seemingly hopeless situation. But with the help of their new Amish friends, Chace and Mia begin to enjoy their cozy cabin and realize that home really is where the heart is.
A Flicker of Hope by Ruth Reid—Fifteen years ago, Thomas and Noreen King were blissful newlyweds. Young, naive, and in love, life was rosy . . . for a while. Then trials and tribulations rocked their foundation, shattering them emotionally, and soon, their marriage was in shards. All hope for restoring their previously unshakable union seems lost. When fire destroys their home, Thomas and Noreen are left to sift through the rubble. As uncovered items from the remains of the house shake loose memories of the past, Thomas and Noreen begin to draw closer and a flicker of hope—and love—is reignited.
Building Faith by Kathleen Fuller—Faith Miller knows that carpentry is an unlikely hobby for a young Amish woman, but she loves the work and it keeps the memory of her grandfather alive. So when her cousin asks Faith to build the cabinets in her new home, Faith is only too happy to take on the job, even if it is the most ambitious project she has ever taken on. The only catch is that she has to work with her ex-fiance, Silas. As they work to build Martha’s kitchen, can they put the past behind them and start to build faith in one another again?

What I Thought: 
I always enjoy reading books that are collections of novellas. An Amish Home is a wonderful book with four novellas from some of my favorite Amish fiction authors. Each novella is less that 100 pages, so a quick read. Each of the novellas has a glossary, discussion questions based on the story,  and at the back of the book there are two recipes from each story.  406 pages might seem like a long book, but when broken into four short stories, it goes by quickly.

All of the stories from An Amish Home have several things in common. The stories are all based on someones home,whether the main characters or someone else. It might seem like the home is the most important thing, but as they resolve the home issue they learn a lot about themselves. The characters encounter love, faith, patience, and following God's plan for their lives.

Although I don't have a favorite of the four novellas, A Flicker of Hope really touched my heart. Noreen has ached for a child for many years, and her relationship with her husband Thomas has grown cold. When their house burns to the ground, it seems all hope is lost. The couple must face their problems, and lean on God to get through this terrible time in their lives.

*I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Review~The Cherished Quilt

About the Book:
Tragedy tore Christopher’s world apart. But Emily believes there are enough pieces left behind to stitch together a beautiful new beginning. Emily Fisher is eager to meet the new employee at her father’s shop in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania. But when Christopher Hochstetler arrives, his cold demeanor freezes her attempts at building a friendship. Longing for a fresh start, Christopher travels from Ohio to Bird-in-Hand to work at his uncle’s shop. Christopher’s heart is still wounded from memories of home, and making new friends is the last thing on his mind—he knows the pain that comes with losing those you love. When Emily is kind to him, he tries to remain distant, but he soon finds himself stealing glances at her throughout the day. When Christopher shares his tragic reasons for leaving home, Emily decides to make a quilt for him as a gesture of their friendship. Even though he is not a member of the church, she’s found someone with whom she can imagine a future. The two are quickly falling in love when a family emergency calls Christopher back to Ohio without warning.

What I Thought: 
The Cherished Quilt  is part of the Amish Heirloom novels by author Amy Clipston. I've read all of Ms. Clipston's Amish fiction books, and always enjoy them. The Cherished Quilt was no exception. My heart broke for Christopher, who blames himself for his brother's death. His father also blames him, which drove Chris to leave home and relocate to his Uncles home and shop in Pennsylvania. Emily and Christopher quickly begin to have feelings for each other, but Chris just can't escape the extreme guilt. Can he forgive himself so that he and Emily can have a life together? 

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book  from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Book Review~Love Bears All Things

Book Description:

Could God be offering Charlotte a second chance at true love?
Charlotte Dolinsky needs time to recover after breaking up with her boyfriend, Ryan. But when a surprise visitor shows up on her doorstep in Texas, she’s forced to put aside her own worries to help her Amish friends in Lancaster County. Soon she is entangled in a web of deception and this time, she isn’t the only one keeping secrets.
Daniel Byler struggles each day in his Amish community to heal from his fiancée’s betrayal. When he discovers that a member of his family is in danger of being shunned, his pain turns to fear. His only way to help is by partnering with Charlotte, a woman he barely knows who has already deceived them all before.
Charlotte begins building a friendship with Daniel that she’ll need to lean on when more surprises surface from her past and she once again finds herself torn between two worlds. Will Charlotte’s friends in the Amish community be able to show her the power of redemption and lead her home? And can she help young Jacob realize that God offers second chances at happiness when she isn’t even sure herself?

My Thoughts:

Love Bears All Things is the second book in the Amish Secrets series by author Beth Wiseman. I loved the first book, Her Brother's Keeper, and I doubted that Love Bears All Things could live up to it. Well, I was wrong! Love Bears All Things was just as wonderful of a read! It was a real page-turner, as I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. There were several issues going on that needed to be resolved, including some romance, the mystery of Charlotte's brother's death, and if Jacob would leave the Amish. The mix of Englisch and Amish lives is always interesting, even more so if a spark of romance is lit. From beginning to end, this book held my attention and kept me wanting more. As always with Beth Wiseman, I felt like I got to know the characters very well.  The Amish Secrets Series is a must-read!!

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

Book Review~A Love Made New

About the Book:  

Abigail Schrock knows God can make all things new, but does that include her broken heart?

It seems as if everyone is falling in love in Birch Creek, including Abigail Schrock. But when heartbreak descends on her already fragile world, she can’t help but feel that if she’d only been a little prettier, she could be on her way down the wedding aisle. To make matters worse, Abigail’s two sisters have found love, while all Abigail can seem to find is the chocolate she has stashed away in the pantry.
Asa Bontrager has never had trouble with the ladies in his Amish community—his good looks have always gotten him far. Which is why he’s baffled by the call he’s received from God to pursue Abigail, a woman who seems determined to turn him away.
Can Abigail find the peace and joy she so desperately desires? Will she allow herself to stop running and melt into the embrace of unforeseen comfort? If she does, she may just discover a love powerful enough to lift the heavy burden of grief weighing her down and restore her hope in a promising future.

What I Thought: 

A Love Made New is the third book in author Kathleen Fuller's series Amish of Birch Creek. I did read the first two books in the series, A Reluctant Bride and An Unbroken Heart. I do believe the author gives enough background in each book that they could be read without the earlier books in the series, but I think the reader will get the most out of the series if they read all three books. 

Each book in the Amish of Birch Creek series focuses on one of the three Schrock sisters, who lost their parents in a horrible buggy crash. They each have their own issues they are dealing with, and in A Love Made New, the main story is about Abigail Schrock. Abigail has gained weight since the accident, and is very self conscious. Then her boyfriend, who she planned to marry, breaks up with her for another girl. She has a lot of work to do to learn to love herself again. Asa Bontrager is way out of her league-she thinks-so when he shows interest in her, she does not respond well. 

I enjoyed how A Love Made New wrapped up the story of all three sisters. Each sister had problems that readers could relate to.  The focus on family, God, and community was strong. At the back of the book are some discussion questions, making it a great book for a group. 
 *Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free from BookLook in exchange for my honest review.
 

Book Review~The Courtship Basket

About the Book:

Years ago, a picnic basket brought two hearts together. For Rachel and Mike, history may be about to repeat itself.
Rachel Fisher is devastated when the young man she’s loved for years leaves her to date her best friend. Her heart is broken, and she has all but given up on love. Determined to keep her mind off the pain, she starts teaching at an Amish school for children with learning disabilities.
Since his father became ill, Mike Lantz has been overwhelmed with the responsibility of providing for his family and caring for his six-year-old brother, John. When John joins Rachel’s class and she learns that his mother is deceased and his father sick, she desperately wants to help the family, even with something as simple as a meal.
With her parents’ old picnic basket, Rachel begins sending food to the Lantz family. As the weeks go by, John’s grades start to improve, and the attraction grows between Rachel and Mike. They can’t deny that their friendship is growing toward something more, but both of them are hesitant to risk a more serious relationship.
The last thing Rachel wants is another heartbreak, and Mike is worried about providing for his loved ones. Will the two be able to reconcile their past hurts with new hope for the future?

What I Thought: 
The Courtship Basket is the second book in author Amy Clipston's Amish Heirloom series.  I did not read the first book in the series, The Forgotten Recipe-I'm not quite sure how that one slipped by me, as the author is one of my top ten amish fiction writers.  So, I will definitely have to go back and read that one!  The good news is that I discovered you do not need to read The Forgotten Recipe to understand The Courtship Basket-it stands alone just fine. 

The Courtship Basket caught my attention quickly and held it until the last page. I felt compassion for the main characters of Rachel and Mike. Rachel had her heart broken after a four-year relationship with the man she planned to marry, and Mike is caring for his very ill father and young brother. They both need someone in their lives, but neither thinks the timing is right. God has His own plans, however, and they must learn to open their hearts to each other. There are Discussion questions at the back of the book, making it a great Book Club choice. I highly recommend The Courtship Basket!

*I received a copy of this book free from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.  

Book Review & Giveaway~Sister Eve and the Blue Nun

About the Book:
Sister Eve, a motorcycle-riding nun with a natural (or is it supernatural?) gift for solving murders returns to the enclave she once called home and quickly finds herself confronting yet another mysterious death. Someone has poisoned Dr. Kelly Middlesworth-a researcher on the life and ministry of 17th-century's revered "Blue Nun"-and a set of irreplaceable historic documents have disappeared before they could ever be examined. When all evidence seems to point to the victim's brother, Sister Eve sets out to expose the killer and learn the explosive truth those missing manuscripts might contain. Chasing a killer is dangerous work, and as her two worlds collide, Sister Eve may need some heavenly help simply to survive. 

What I Thought:
Sister Eve and the Blue Nun is the third book in the Divine Private Detective Agency Mystery series written by Lynne Hinton. This is the first book I have read by the author. The paperback is 324 pages and includes discussion questions.

I enjoyed the characters of Sister Eve (how often do you hear of a crime-fighting nun?) and her father. The topic of the Blue Nun was something I had never heard of and it was fascinating to learn more about her, as well as the New Mexico area.

I lost interest in the book a few times and was confused a few times, but hung in there to find out who the killer was. Maybe everything would have moved along better for me if I had read the first two books, I don't know. The story line itself was good, but there was something about the way it was written that didn't work for me.

Giveaway!!!
I have an extra copy of Sister Eve and the Blue Nun to give away to a US resident. I will email the winner after the giveaway, and the winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be drawn.  Enter below: 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.  

Book Review~An Unbroken Heart

About the Book: 
An argument. A crash. In an instant Joanna's world is changed forever.

One minute, Joanna Schrock was arguing with her parents, and the next, her parents’ lives were claimed in a hit-and-run buggy accident. Her body is broken, but her heart is in even deeper pain— after all, how do you cope with your parents’ deaths when your last words were spoken in anger?

 After an extended stint in a physical rehabilitation center, Joanna re-enters her Amish life. But nothing is the same—not even her feelings for Andrew Beiler.

 Joanna has loved Andrew since the age of twelve, and her feelings have not changed throughout the years. She is thrilled when Andrew wants to get married, but she wonders whether it’s love he’s feeling, or pity. As the couple’s wedding date approaches, Joanna isn’t overcome with the deep joy she was hoping to feel; instead, she’s wracked with anxiety and guilt.

 Joanna hears God whispering to her, Be strong and courageous, but she’s afraid that courage looks a lot like walking away from her dreams and into the plan of her Heavenly Father.

 If Joanna takes the first step toward healing, will it cost her everything she’s ever wanted? Or could God be changing the desires of her heart?

What I Thought: 
An Unbroken Heart is the second book in author Kathleen Fuller's Amish of Birch Creek series. The first book, A Reluctant Bride, was an excellent story, as are all of the author's books! She never disappoints to give readers a captivating story line, and An Unbroken Heart was no exception. The characters from the Schrock and Troyer families are very complex and have been through devastating situations. In An Unbroken Heart, Joanna and Andrew must learn to deal with their families tragedies while keeping faith in God to steer them on the path to love and forgiveness. 

At the back of the book are discussion questions, perfect for a book club. I'm excited for the next book in the Amish of Birch Creek series, A Love Made New, coming out Fall 2016.

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Review~Parables

About the Book: "The Parables of Jesus are more than teaching tools. They are the secret keys to the mysteries of God's Kingdom. Many assume that Jesus told parables to make His teaching easy, accessible, and comfortable in order to reach the widest possible audience.

The reality is Jesus spoke in parables to unbelievers not to make the truth clear, but to hide it from them as judgement. The parables were symbols of our Lord's condemnation on those who had rejected His clear teaching."


Parables: The Mysteries of God's Kingdom Revealed Through The Stories Jesus Told by John MacArthur is broken down into the following chapters:

Introduction (Sloppy Thinking About the Parables, Why Parables, and Some Definitions and Details)
1. One Ominous Day in Galilee
2. A Lesson About Receiving the Word
3. A Lesson About the Cost of Discipleship
4. A Lesson About Justice and Grace
5. A Lesson About Neighborly Love
6. A Lesson About Justification by Faith
7. A Lesson About Faithfulness
8. A Lesson About Serpentine Wisdom
9. A Lesson About Heaven and Hell
10. A Lesson About Persistence in Prayer
Acknowledgements
Appendix (Storied Truth, Objective Meaning in Narrative, Stories as Effective Vehicles for Truth, The Wealth of Truth in Jesus' Parables, Stories and Propositions)
Notes
Index
Scripture Index
About the Author

About the Author: 

John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, president of the Master's College and Seminary, and featured teacher with the Grace to You media ministry. In more than four decades of ministry, John has written dozens of bestselling books, including The MacArthur Study Bible, The Gospel According to Jesus, and Slave. He lives in Los Angeles.

What I Thought: 

I was excited to read this book because the parables have always interested me. I have always thought of them as short stories that help the reader understand a point.  I had never thought of parables the way the author explains, as hiding the truth from unbelievers. In Parables, author John MacArthur does an excellent job of breaking down and explaining each parable, and linking them to others. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to understand the parables more deeply, and I also think it would make an excellent gift.  There is also a workbook that you can purchase in addition to the book.You can find Parables at numerous online book stores, including Amazon. 

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.  

Book Review~The Bishop's Son

About The Book: 
Two men offer Leila two very different futures. Will she choose with her heart or with her faith? Leila Lantz has been in love with Jesse Glick from the day she first saw him at his father’s store, but she can’t make sense of his intentions. One day he wants to come courting, the next he seems to be putting distance between them. Jesse may be the bishop’s son, but his faith has been wavering of late. If he is so unsure, is it fair to give Leila false hope for a future he doubts he can provide?

Then there’s Will, Jesse’s cousin. He has been trying to keep his feelings for Leila a secret, but he also knows Jesse is wrestling with his faith. Would declaring his feelings for Leila be in her best interest or simply serving his own selfish desires? Leila knows she can choose Will and be secure in her own future. But when her heart speaks, it’s Jesse’s name she hears. When will God make His will known to her? Could leaving everything she knows—even her own faith—be a part of God’s plan?

About The Author: 
 Kelly Irvin is the author of several Amish series including the Bliss Creek Amish series, the New Hope Amish series, and the Amish of Bee County series. She has also penned two romantic suspense novels, A Deadly Wilderness and No Child of Mine. The Kansas native is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Journalism. She has been writing nonfiction professionally for thirty years, including ten years as a newspaper reporter, mostly in Texas-Mexico border towns. She has worked in public relations for the City of San Antonio for twenty years. Kelly has been married to photographer Tim Irvin for twenty-seven years. They have two young adult children, two cats, and a tank full of fish. In her spare time, she likes to write short stories and read books by her favorite authors.

What I Thought: 
The Bishop's Son is the second book in author Kelly Irvin's series The Amish of Bee County. I did not read the first book, The Beekeeper's Son, but I have read other novels by the author and enjoyed them. I found The Bishop's Son easy to read without the backstory from the first book of the series. I enjoy Kelly Irvin's writing style-she is very descriptive and I feel like I know the characters well. This book was unique from most Amish fiction because it didn't portray the outside world-the 'Englisch'-as all wicked. There was a good group of Christian young adults that Jesse was involved with. In this book, Leila is torn between passion and risk with Jesse, or stability with Will. The Bishop's Son kept me engaged from start to finish. At the back of the book are Discussion Questions. Now that I've read The Bishop's Son, I will definitely go back and read The Beekeeper's Son. 

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Book Review~An Amish Christmas Gift

About the Book: 


Naomi's Gift by Amy Clipston
Naomi has started to think that she isn't meant to find love, but she might receive more than she ever hoped for this Christmas. Twenty-four-year-old Naomi King, who has been burned twice by love, has all but given up on marriage and children. As Christmas approaches-a time of family, faith, and hope for many others-Naomi is more certain than ever her life will be spent as an old maid, helping with the family's quilting business and taking care of her eight siblings. Then she meets Caleb, a young widower with a 7-year-old daughter, and her world is once again turned upside-down.

An Unexpected Joy by Ruth Reid
Abigail has driven other suitors away, but can Micah find a way to show her he cares? Abigail Kemp has managed to frighten off every bu who's ever driven her home from a singing. Sure she will live to be an old maid, Abigail starts saving her money to buy a horse so she can at least have some independence. Micah Zook is looking for a caregiver for his grandmother, and Abigail needs a new job. He never expected that Abigail would talk so much . . . or that his grandmother would keep finding ways to set the two of them up. Despite Abigail's constant chatter, she and Micah become friends-until Micah makes a decision that leaves Abigail feeling betrayed. With Christmas in their midst, can Micah find a way to reconcile with Abigail and to reveal what's on his heart?

A Christmas Visitor by Kelly Irvin
Frannie Mast returns to Bee County for Christmas, but her heart stays back in Missouri with an Englisch farm boy. Frannie knows her parents have the best of intentions when they send her back to Bee County, Texas, to live with her aunt Abigail and her husband Mordecai. After all, she knows nothing can come of a relationship with Rocky, the handsome but Englisch farmer boy back in Missouri. It's best to put those feelings aside, no matter how hard it is. But all bets are off when Rocky follows Frannie to Texas to plead his case. Could he be the Christmas gift to end all gifts?

What I Thought: 

An Amish Christmas Gift is a collection of three novellas written by three different authors: Amy Clipston, Ruth Reid, and Kelly Irvin.  I really enjoy these collections of novellas-with each story being around 100 pages, individually they are quick reads.  I've read books before by the other two authors, but had never read anything by Kelly Irvin. Her story, A Christmas Visitor, was my favorite of the three. It is fascinating to consider a person raised English wanting to become Amish.  Sure, we all may think occasionally that a 'simple' life would be great, but would we really go through with it? I enjoyed all three novellas, each with a heartwarming message to remind us of the true meaning of Christmas.

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Review~A Reluctant Bride

About the Book:
"When tragedy strikes an independent Amish woman, she must accept a marriage proposal from the man she vowed never to marry.
As the oldest daughter in an Amish family, Sadie's life was mapped out since the day she was born. She would join the church, marry an Amish man, and eventually she and her husband would take over her family's store. But when her parents unexpectedly die in a buggy accident, her life goes into a tailspin. Determined to keep her parents' legacy alive, Sadie works harder than ever to provide for herself and her younger sisters.
However, the bishop is unwilling to let a young woman manage the property and business all on her own. He gives Sadie two choices: marry his son, Aden, or relinquish the business and land to the community. Not willing to give up on her dream, she weds Aden, resigning herself to a loveless marriage.
But while working with Aden at the store, Sadie realizes he isn't the same boy who had betrayed her in the past. In fact, she begins to look forward to the time they spend together, getting to know the man with a kind heart and gentle smile. Just when Sadie starts to let her guard down and perhaps develop feelings for her new husband, several dangerous secrets are revealed. Now everything Sadie has worked so hard to protect is threatened, and she must find a way to save her family-and herself."

What I Thought: 
A Reluctant Bride is the first book in a new series, Amish of Birch Creek, by author Kathleen Fuller.  I've read several of the author's books and have enjoyed them all, but I must say A Reluctant Bride is my absolute favorite. It was so full of emotion! My heart ached for several characters. Some of the topics touched on are very serious too-physical abuse within family, unwanted sexual advances, death of parents, and more. I was immediately into this story and finished it very quickly, and when it ended I wanted more of the story!  I hope the same characters are in the next book in the series. A Reluctant Bride is a must read!

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review~The Plain Choice: A True Story of Choosing to Live an Amish Life

About the Book: As a young adult, Sherry Gore dreamed of a radio career, but instead, a series of terrible mistakes left her wrecked and alone. Then one morning she walked into a church and the truth of Jesus' forgiving love shattered her world-and put it back together again. She began to rid her life of anything that might keep her from God, but still she wanted a deeper faith. Something more.

Soon the life Sherry remade for herself and her children featured head coverings, simple dress, and a focus on Jesus Christ. Only then did she realize that there were others like her: the Amish.

The Plain Choice is the fascinating story of one woman's journey toward God through the Amish community. After making the rare transition into Amish life, Sherry learned how to live off the land and make it, grow it, or do without it. She learned the adventure of the horse-and-buggy life and began to thrive on faith, family, and pie. And when her teenage daughter was diagnosed with a devastating illness, she learned again how bright God's light can shine when everything else seems dark.

This unusual memoir offers a riveting look at the choices we make toward or away from God-and how God pursues us in the most unexpected ways.

About the Author: Sherry Gore is the author of two cookbooks, Simply Delicious Amish Cooking and Me, Myself, and Pie, and co-author of the novel Made with Love. She is also a weekly scribe for the national edition of the Amish newspaper, The Budget, established in 1890. The National Geographic Channel featured Sherry prominently in their documentary series, Amish: Out of Order. Sherry's culinary adventures have been seen on NBC Daytime, The Today Show, Mr. Food Test Kitchen, and more. Sherry is a year-round resident of beautiful, sun-kissed Sarasota, Florida, the vacation paradise of the Plain People. She has three children and is a member of the Beachy Amish Mennonite Church. When not spending time with her family, writing, or eating, Sherry is a cooking show host and an official pie-contest judge.

My Thoughts: The Plain Choice: A True Story of Choosing to Live an Amish Life is a fascinating memoir that I couldn't put down.  I have read many articles about the author, Sherry Gore, and knew she joined the Amish as an adult, but I had no idea what a crazy, difficult life she has led. She takes you through her life, the good and the bad, and shows what it means to pursue what God wants for your life. There are many interesting stories, and she includes pictures taken throughout her life as well.  If you are interested in the Amish, this is a book you should read!

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.