by admin | Jan 8, 2013 | Amish, Books, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I am so glad that through the magic of Suzanne’s pen (probably her computer but pen sounds so much better), her readers did not have to wait for the inimitable M.K. to grow up in real time. Clearly the same M.K. we all grew to love in The Haven and The Keeper, her vivacity and zeal for life continued to place her in precarious situations.
When a careless accident forced her to take over as the new school teacher, M.K. dreaded each day she would be forced to spend inside the schoolroom and was certain she would be a failure as a teacher. Although Mary Kate and her father’s mysterious new worker seemed to lock horns at every encounter, they soon developed a connection that neither could ignore.
As with all Fisher’s books, “The Lesson” was well-written and entertaining with characters that were easy to love. Although Amish fiction is not my preferred genre, I always look forward to any new novel by Suzanne Woods Fisher. Filled with humor, drama, and romance, “The Lesson” also contains more than one lesson for its readers. I heartily endorse it.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity and Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Centered on one of Suzanne Woods Fisher’s most loved characters, this is the story fans have eagerly anticipated. The precocious M.K. is all grown up (well, almost) and ready to take on the world–with surprising results. Fisher’s trademark plot twists and turns are as unexpected and satisfying as ever in this third book in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series.
In her wildest dreams, spunky and impulsive nineteen-year-old Mary Kate Lapp never imagined herself behind a schoolteacher’s desk. A run-in (literally) with the schoolteacher compels her to act as a substitute teacher, just as her restless desire to see the world compels her to apply for a passport . . . just in case. The only thing of interest to M.K. in the sleepy Amish community of Stoney Ridge is the unexplained death of a sheep farmer that coincided with the arrival of a mysterious young man into the community. Frustrated that no one takes the crime seriously, she takes matters into her own hands. Unfortunately, as tends to be the case for M.K., she jumps headlong into trouble.
Purchase a copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Lancaster County Secrets series and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor of a new Amish children’s series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist. She is the host of internet radio show Amish Wisdom and a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. For more information, please visit
www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and connect with her on Twitter @suzannewfisher. Get Amish proverbs delivered right to your iphone or ipad!
Download the Free App!
Enter to win an iPad from @SuzanneWoodsFisher in “The Lesson” Giveaway!
Celebrate the release of The Lesson with Suzanne Woods Fisher by entering to win one of TWO iPads!
Two winners will receive:
- A brand new iPad
- A $15 gift certificate to iTunes
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on January 20th. Winner will be announced on 1/22/13 at Suzanne’s Blog.
Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.
by admin | Nov 17, 2012 | Amish, Books
MY REVIEW:
An Amish romance novel based on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew – what an interesting concept! Every time I think that there cannot possible be anything new under the sun as far as Amish fiction goes, I am reminded of how creative so many of our Christian fiction authors can be. Amish fiction is not my favorite genre but I keep reading it and am constantly being surprised by new and interesting plots.
I loved the character of Cate who had internalized her emotional wounds over the years. It had become so instinctual for her to be defensive with others that she didn’t realize how much her caustic reactions pushed people away. Pete’s arrival in Paradise Township changes everything. In a story rife with misunderstandings and difficulties, Cate is forced to meet some challenges head-on. What she doesn’t realize is that as she is being sifted, her spirit is undergoing some radical positive changes and her outlook on life also undergoes a major change.
Courting Cate is a fun read with a serious message. Fans of Shakespeare will probably find themselves looking for the similarities to The Taming of the Shrew.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When This Couple Gets to Courting, Sparks Will Fly!In Paradise, Pennsylvania, Cate Miller is known more for her sharp tongue and fiery temper than her striking appearance. Her sweet and flirty sister, Betsy, on the other hand, seems to have attracted most of the bachelors in Lancaster County!
But the sisters’ wealthy father has made one hard-and-fast rule: older Cate must marry first, before younger Betsy can even start courting. Unfortunately, untamable Cate has driven away every suitor-until Pete Treger comes to town, that is.
Prodded by the men of the area, Pete turns his attention to winning Cate’s hand. But is his interest true or is there a scheme at play?
Book 1 in The Courtships of Lancaster County series.
Purchase a copy of Courting Cate HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Leslie Gould is the co-author, with Mindy Starns Clark, of the #1 bestselling The Amish Midwife and The Amish Nanny. She is also the author of numerous novels, including Garden of Dreams, Beyond the Blue (winner of the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice for Best Inspirational Novel, 2006), and Scrap Everything. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Portland State University and has taught fiction writing at Multnomah University as an adjunct professor. She resides with her husband and four children in Portland, Oregon.
KINDLE FIRE GIVEAWAY:
A retelling of the Taming of the Shrew! Leslie Gould is celebrating the release of Courting Cate with a fun Kindle Fire Giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat Party (11/20)!
One lucky winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire
- Courting Cate by Leslie Gould
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 19th. Winner will be announced at the “Courting Cate” Author Chat Facebook Party on 11/20. Connect with Leslie, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at an Amish trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!
So grab your copy of Courting Cate and join Leslie on the evening of the November 20th for a chance to connect with Leslie and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book – don’t let that stop you from coming!)
Don’t miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 20th!
by admin | Nov 7, 2012 | Amish, Books, Romance
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Courting CateBethany House Publishers (November 1, 2012)
by
Leslie GouldABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Even though I knew I wanted to write fiction by the time I was in the sixth grade, as I grew older I pursued other things instead, such as majoring in history and communications, and then working as a museum curator, then a public relations specialist, and finally as a magazine editor. Once I finally started writing fiction, it was another ten years until I sold my first novel. By that time I’d been married for nearly 20 years and had four children of my own to read to.
In the decade since my first contract I’ve written fifteen books, from Beyond the Blue, a story about international adoption set in Vietnam, to Courting Cate, a retelling of Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew” set in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. No matter what I write, I aim to reveal truths about God’s love, beauty, and redemptive work in our lives. My goal is to connect more deeply to God, family, and friends through my writing. My hope is that my stories encourage readers to deepen their own connections too.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Amish farmer Pete Treger moves to Paradise Township, Pennsylvania, seeking a better life, he meets sisters Cate and Betsy Miller. Both are beautiful, but older sister Cate is known more for her sharp tongue and fiery temper than her striking appearance. Betsy, on the other hand, is sweet and flirty–and seems to have attracted most of the bachelors in Lancaster County!
However, the sisters’ wealthy father has made one hard and fast rule: elder sister must marry first, before the younger can even start courting. Unfortunately for poor Betsy, and for the men who want to court her, her older sister, Cate, doesn’t have any suitors–until Pete comes to town, that is.
Though he finds both sisters attractive, something about Cate’s feisty demeanor appeals to him. Soon the other bachelors in the district convince Pete to court Cate. She hardly seems receptive to his overtures, though. Instead, she’s immediately suspicious of his interest.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Courting Cate, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
An Amish romance novel based on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew – what an interesting concept! Every time I think that there cannot possible be anything new under the sun as far as Amish fiction goes, I am reminded of how creative so many of our Christian fiction authors can be. Amish fiction is not my favorite genre but I keep reading it and am constantly being surprised by new and interesting plots.
I loved the character of Cate who had internalized her emotional wounds over the years. It had become so instinctual for her to be defensive with others that she didn’t realize how much her caustic reactions pushed people away. Pete’s arrival in Paradise Township changes everything. In a story rife with misunderstandings and difficulties, Cate is forced to meet some challenges head-on. What she doesn’t realize is that as she is being sifted, her spirit is undergoing some radical positive changes and her outlook on life also undergoes a major change.
Courting Cate is a fun read with a serious message. Fans of Shakespeare will probably find themselves looking for the similarities to The Taming of the Shrew.
by admin | Oct 26, 2012 | Amish, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
The first novel in Goyer’s newest series set in West Kootenai, Montana, “The Memory Jar” revisits the mountain town that will be familiar to readers of her Big Sky series. This series appears to focus on the young Amish men who visit the area each year to live there long enough to establish residency to get a hunting license. The influx of young men offers some new opportunities for romance and possible marriage for the single women of the town. Book one features Sarah Shelter, a young Amish woman so devastated by the death of her best friend Patty several years earlier that she has had difficulty moving on with her own life. That is until she gets to know Jathan Schrock.
As Sarah and Jathan discover the similarities of what they really enjoy and their dreams about the future, they both begin to dream of a future together. The hard part would be managing to walk out their dreams while honoring and helping their families at the same time. Naturally events transpire to discourage them, then build up their hopes only to have the rug yanked back out from under them. Will they ever have a future together and see their dreams become reality?
Although Patty died in the prologue to this novel, she was a very real presence throughout the book. Sarah’s memories of her at significant points during the story helped me to understand Sarah from a unique perspective. Once Sarah was able to come out on top of her extreme grief and guilt over Patty’s death, she realized the profound impact Patty had on her life.
I appreciated the points made by the author in favor of being who God created you to be and following the path He has set for you instead of always trying to please others. As always, Tricia Goyer has produced another inspiring and enjoyable book.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Book One in the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors seriesEvery year, 30-40 young Amish men descend on the cozy little town of West Kootenai, Montana, arriving in the spring to live there for six months and receive ‘resident’ status for the hunting season in the fall. They arrive as bachelors, but go home with brides! Sarah Shelter has lived in West Kootenai for the last ten years and wonders if she will ever fall in love.
Since the tragic death of her best friend, she carries her memories in a jar along with the small items connected to them. For just as long, she’s also been carrying around her emotions instead of allowing them to penetrate deep into her heart. Now she’s met a kind and gentle man who may be able to break down the wall. But can Sarah risk her heart to finally achieve her dreams?
Purchase a copy of “The Memory Jar”
HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tricia Goyer is the award winning author of over thirty books including Beside Still Waters, Remembering You, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences and is the host of Living Inspired. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.
Win an Amish Kindle Gift Pack from @TriciaGoyer and RSVP for her “Memory Jar” Author Chat Party on November 7
Celebrate with Tricia by entering her Amish Kindle Gift Pack Giveaway and RSVPing to her Facebook party on November 7th.
(And be sure to catch the fun video trailer or try your hand at one of the simple, keepsake crafts Tricia has put together on her website.)
One fortunate winner will receive:
- A brand new Kindle Fire
- Custom-made Memory Jar Kindle Cover
- Amish-made decorative items {Wall hanging, horse/buggy and Amish houses}
- The Memory Jar {Be swept away by this captivating series.}
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 6th. Winner will be announced at the “Memory Jar Author Chat Party on 11/7. Connect with Tricia for an evening of book chat, Amish trivia, and a live video chat! There will also be a chance to win gift certificates, books, and other fun prizes!
So grab your copy of The Memory Jar and join Tricia on the evening of the November 7th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book – don’t let that stop you from coming!)
Don’t miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 7th!
by admin | Oct 25, 2012 | Amish, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Accidentally Amish
Barbour Books (October 1, 2012)
byOlivia NewportABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A Word From The Author:
I’m imagining you. You walk past as I water my front flowerbeds and we wave. You check the time as we both stand in a long line at the grocery store. You sit in front of me in church. I’m at my table in the coffee shop and you’re at yours.
We may smile politely and move on with our separate lives. Or one of us may speak, a simple invitation to conversation, and the words flow between us.
Here the adventure begins. When we meet someone new, we never know where it might lead.
I’ve been married for over thirty years and have two twenty-something kids. We live in stunning Colorado at the foot of the Rockies, where the day lilies in my back yard grow as tall as I am. (No short jokes, please.)
Not every piece of my life is pretty, though. Some days I want to throw out whole chunks. But I am living each day looking for the grace of God to me, in me, and through me. Having your companionship along the way will help uncover a lot of great stories.
Thanks for stopping by my site, where conversations and adventures begin with a click. I hope we’ll run into each other often.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Escape the helter-skelter of the modern culture and join software creator Annie Friesen, hiding at the home of an Amishman. With her high-tech career in jeopardy, Annie runs from fast-paced Colorado Springs—and straight into the hospitality of San Luis Valley’s Amish community. There she meets cabinetmaker Rufus Beiler, and the more time she spends with him, the more attracted she becomes. When Annie finds she shares a common ancestor with Rufus, she feels both cultures colliding within her. But is her love for Rufus strong enough for her to give up the only life she’s ever known?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Accidentally Amish, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
With the current immense popularity of Amish fiction, it is a given that more books like Accidentally Amish will surface. Apparently our overly stimulated, busy lifestyles have created a longing for one that is simpler and quieter so the Amish life has a major appeal to many. For the sake of an entertaining book, I can go along with that although I’m pretty sure the Amish life may be simple in some ways but complicated in ways that most do not expect.
Accidentally Amish is a well-written and entertaining story that not only has a romantic storyline but is also dramatic and somewhat suspenseful. I liked most of the characters (there were some I probably wasn’t supposed to like) and the story moved at a good pace and kept me engaged. I can’t say that I particularly liked the ending – I may be a bit too cynical and/or skeptical to believe that a girl like Annie would make the choices she made. But don’t blame my skepticism on the book. I just tend to be that way.
For those who can’t get enough Amish fiction, Accidentally Amish is sure to please.
by admin | Oct 22, 2012 | Amish, Books, Cookbook, Cooking
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old…or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today’s Wild Card authors are:
and the book:
Harvest House Publishers; Spi edition (October 1, 2012)
***Special thanks to Ginger Chen for sending me a review copy.***
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Jerry Eicher’s bestselling Amish fiction (more than 210,000 in combined sales) includes The Adams County Trilogy, the Hannah’s Heart books, and the Little Valley Series. After a traditional Amish childhood, Jerry taught for two terms in Amish and Mennonite schools in Ohio and Illinois. Since then he’s been involved in church renewal, preaching, and teaching Bible studies. Jerry lives with his wife, Tina, and their four children in Virginia.
Tina Eicher was born and married in the Amish faith, surrounded by a mother and sisters who were great Amish cooks. At fellowship meals and family gatherings, Tina’s dishes receive high praise and usually return empty. She and her husband, Jerry Eicher, author of several bestselling Amish fiction titles, are the parents of four children and live in Virginia.
Visit the author’s website.
SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:
From bestselling author Jerry Eicher (more than 350,000 books sold) and his wife, Tina, comes this warm and inviting peek into an Amish kitchen, complete with recipes, Amish proverbs, and a dash of Amish humor. Readers will laugh, pray, and eat robustly with The Amish Family Cookbook at their side.
Product Details:
List Price: $ 14.99
Spiral-bound: 272 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers; Spi edition (October 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736943773
ISBN-13: 978-0736943772
AND NOW…A FEW RECIPES FOR YOU TO TRY (CLICK ON PICTURES TO SEE THEM LARGER):
MY REVIEW:
The Amish Family Cookbook is an attractive spiral-bound book with a bounty of delicious looking recipes. I was a bit surprised by the diversity of the recipes. Many were not what I would expect to find in an Amish cookbook. I have not had a chance to try any of the recipes yet but having much experience at cooking (over 45 years), I can pretty much tell by looking whether a recipe will be a good one. There are several in this cookbook that I’ll be sure to try out and several more that I’ll have to try to resist. I have also enjoyed the multitude of Amish quotations and jokes that are scattered liberally throughout the cookbook. I have already had several good chuckles while reading them. I especially like the one that says “A round wife and a full barn are the signs of good success.” My husband must be VERY successful! :) The only thing that might have made this cookbook any better would be the addition of photographs of some of the recipes. Otherwise it’s an excellent cookbook and one I am sure I will enjoy again and again.
