“Treasuring Emma” is a bit different from most Amish novels I have read. In most stories, the heroine is described as pretty or beautiful despite her plain lifestyle. In this novel, the impression is given that Emma is overweight and unattractive with “stubby” fingers. However that concept of her appearance comes primarily from three sources – her own view of herself and from the impressions of two men. Of course one of those men sees her as fat and the other views her as curvy so it seems as though her appearance is dependent upon the point of view. I prefer to believe that Emma is a full-figured woman who does not fit the current popular slim model.
Another difference is that this is the first Amish novel in which I’ve run across an Amish con artist, a young man who makes a habit of manipulating people for his own gain. As the book progresses, his personality and intentions become darker and darker which adds a unique twist to the story.
Like other reviewers, I noticed that the back cover copy and what actually occurred in the novel were not in agreement but I can’t blame that on the author. I have noticed this type discrepancy before and I believe that the publishers should be more careful because this leaves a bad impression. I feel the same way about cover art that is entirely different from what is described in the book. How about a bit closer proofreading before the book goes to print?
Overall, “Treasuring Emma” was a pretty good read. It contained elements I have come to expect with Amish novels including the prodigal who has a change of heart and returns home and reunites with a former love who has pined for him since he left. The secondary plot with Emma’s sister Clara and her husband Peter added a touch of reality as they struggled in their marriage. A primary lesson gleaned from the story is the importance of depending upon God rather than yourself or others.
“Treasuring Emma” may not be for everyone but those who truly enjoy Amish fiction should like it.
This book was provided for review by the Amazon Vine Program.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Emma always put the needs of others ahead of her own. When will it be her turn to be treasured?
Adam was her first love and best friend. But then he went away. Determined to experience the freedom of living in the Englisch world, he left Emma heart-broken. How could he have chosen the world over her?
Now Adam is back in Middlefield and Emma can’t seem to keep him away from her family’s farm. But this time she’s determiend to guard her heart. It might be love that keeps him there . . . or perhaps just guilt.
When a newcomer arrives in town and shows an interest in Emma, she dismisses Adam’s insistence that she be cautious. All this attention is new to her and she doesn’t know quite how to accept it. Emma knows her Heavenly Father treasures her. But will her new beau?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Just the facts…I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, and now make my home in beautiful Geneva, Ohio. I’ve been married to James for 15 wonderful years (really, they have been wonderful!) We have three terrific children, three dogs, and an overwhelmed cat. We have also raised cattle, pigs, and chickens at various times over the years. We would have gone into the goat business, but I had to draw the line somewhere. I started writing in 2000, and published my first short story a year later. Since then I have authored several short stories, novellas, novels, and have done a lot of freelance non-fiction work. I have also worked as an editor. I have a Masters degree in Special Education, emphasis on teaching the blind and visually impaired, and a Bachelors in Early Childhood/Elementary Education. I have taught all age groups ranging from age 4 to age 18. A few of my favorite things: my relationship with Christ, chocolate (of course!), autumn, a satisfying book, good friends, a sense of humor, people who don’t take themselves seriously, haunting melodies, NFL football, and did I mention chocolate?
” Along Wooded Paths” is somewhat different than most Amish novels I have read, primarily because its setting is not in one of the expected Pennsylvania, Ohio, or Indiana locations. Another difference is the frequent interaction between the Amish and the Englisch in this series. Because of the remote and rugged territory, all the residents of the small Montana town are dependent upon each other and their friendships tend to ignore the usual barriers.
After Marianna’s plans to return to Indiana are aborted, she settles into life in Montana. Her friendship with Ben has introduced her to a more personal relationship with the Lord and her spiritual life is thriving. She is very drawn to Ben but knows that a romantic relationship is impossible because he is not Amish. Then Aaron Zook, the Amish man she expected to marry, shows up unexpectedly and circumstances force an extended stay with Marianna’s family. Most of the book focuses on Marianna’s indecision between Ben and Aaron. Each of them attracts her for different reasons and she finds herself torn.
As the book draws to a close, Marianna has made her decision between Ben and Aaron and I found myself telling her “NO!”. The teaser for the next installment of the series seems to confirm that my instincts were correct. Can’t wait to find out if I am right.
I enjoyed “Along Wooded Paths” because it was not the usual bonnet fiction but dealt with some true to life matters and didn’t ignore the difficult subjects. I also liked the way some of the Amish characters began to question the importance of all the Amish rules and regulations when compared to a true relationship with Jesus.
For those who are a little weary of the usual Amish fiction, Goyer’s Big Sky series might just be a breath of fresh air.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
See what other bloggers are saying about “Along Wooded Paths” HERE.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
All she wanted was a simple Amish life . . . But now Marianna Sommer finds herself depending on Englisch neighbors. Although proud of living apart from the world, she and her newly relocated Amish family have discovered that life in the remote mountains of Montana requires working together.
As Marianna begins helping those different from herself—and receiving their help—her heart contemplates two directions. She’s torn between the Amish man from Indiana whom she has long planned on marrying and the friendly Englischer who models a closer walk with God than she’s ever seen before.
Who should have young Marianna’s heart? What is God asking her to sacrifice? Her traditions? Her community? The answer is found along the wooded paths.
Find out about book 1, “Beside Still Waters” HERE.
Tricia Goyer is the author of thirty books including “Songbird Under a German Moon”, “The Swiss Courier”, and the mommy memoir, “Blue Like Play Dough”. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference in 2003. Tricia’s book “Life Interrupted” was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.
Tricia is celebrating the release of Along Wooded Paths with a Fabulous Facebook party on October 18th. She’ll be giving away prizes and a sneak peak at the next book in the Big Sky series.
Then during the second half of the party she’ll be hosting a LIVE AUTHOR CHAT on her website and announcing something BIG! CLICK the button (below) to RSVP for the party – then go here to sign up for the Live Author Chat.
Beverly’s first venture into adult fiction is the best-selling trilogy, The Heritage of Lancaster County, including The Shunning, a suspenseful saga of Katie Lapp, a young Amish woman drawn to the modern world by secrets from her past. The book is loosely based on the author’s maternal grandmother, Ada Ranck Buchwalter, who left her Old Order Mennonite upbringing to marry a Bible College student. One Amish-country newspaper claimed Beverly’s work to be “a primer on Lancaster County folklore” and offers “an insider’s view of Amish life.”
Booksellers across the country, and around the world, have spread the word of Beverly’s tender tales of Plain country life. A clerk in a Virginia bookstore wrote, “Beverly’s books have a compelling freshness and spark. You just don’t run across writing like that every day. I hope she’ll keep writing stories about the Plain people for a long, long time.”
A member of the National League of American Pen Women, as well as a Distinguished Alumnus of Evangel University, Lewis has written over 80 books for children, youth, and adults, many of them award-winning. She and her husband, David, make their home in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, and spending time with their family. They are also avid musicians and fiction “book worms.”
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Rose Kauffman pines for prodigal Nick Franco, the Bishop’s foster son who left the Amish under a cloud of suspicion after his foster brother’s death. His rebellion led to the “silencing” of their beloved Bishop. But is Nick really the rebel he appears to be? Rose’s lingering feelings for her wayward friend refuse to fade, but she is frustrated that Nick won’t return and make things right with the People. Nick avowed his love for Rose–but will he ever be willing to sacrifice modern life for her?
Meanwhile, Rose’s older sister, Hen, is living in her parents’ Dawdi Haus. Her estranged “English” husband, injured and helpless after a car accident, has reluctantly come to live with her and their young daughter during his recovery. Can their marriage recover, as well? Is there any possible middle ground between a woman reclaiming her old-fashioned Amish lifestyle and thoroughly modern man?
If you would like to read the first chapter of The Mercy, go HERE.
Watch the book trailer:
MY REVIEW:
The Mercy is the final installment of Beverly Lewis’ Rose Trilogy and for the most part the story focuses on tying up all the loose ends from the previous two novels. By the end of the book the reader will find out what happens with Hen and her husband Brandon, whether Rose’s mom had a successful surgery to relieve her chronic pain, what really happened with Nick and his brother Christian, and whether Rose found the husband she so desperately wanted.
It was good to see all the unresolved issues from the earlier books wrapped up so neatly but in many ways, The Mercy was pretty much just another Amish novel in a market full of them. Issac’s character introduced a bit of originality with the groups of Amish young people who participated in barn dances but it didn’t take very long to realize that he and Rose were total opposites and that he was merely a distraction from her obsession with Nick. Very little effort was made to portray Issac because in the long run, he just wasn’t important enough.
Overall The Mercywas a decent read. It was well written and moved at a reasonable pace. Forgiveness and reconciliation were major themes and the spiritual content was more than adequate. So, if you are a true Amish fiction fan, you should love The Mercy.
Healing Hearts contains three previously published novellas by Beth Wiseman. Although the three stories are contained in one volume, each one stands alone and is not directly related to the others. Each of the stories features Amish couples in various stages of life. Themes of acceptance and forgiveness run through the stories that also give the reader an inside look at life among the Amish. Each of these novellas can easily be read in one sitting and are an excellent afternoon escape.
In Healing Hearts, Levina and her husband Naaman have been married thirty years when he leaves and does not return for a year. The story begins with Naaman’s return and the adjustments Levina and her grown children are forced to make – including the choice of whether to forgive his desertion of his family.
A Change of Heart features the youngest couple of the three stories. Leah loves to write stories and has no interest in the everyday chores that most young Amish girls learn in preparation to be a wife and mother. In fact, almost everything she tries, ends up with disastrous results. Her sister sneakily sets her up with her fiance’s brother Aaron against her wishes. Leah fights the attraction but Aaron’s unique ability to accept her as she is is almost irresistible.
A Choice to Forgive is about Lydia who has been widowed after fifteen years of marriage to Elam. When Elam’s brother Daniel, Lydia’s first love, returns after Elam’s death and wants to once again be a part of her life, she is reluctant to subject herself to the possibility of more pain.
This book was provided for review by the Amazon Vine Program.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Three hope-filled stories about second chances, trusting your heart, and the power of forgiveness.
Healing Hearts: Empty-nesters Levina Lapp and her husband Naaman have no children under their roof for the first time in 30 years. When Naaman leaves to visit cousins in Ohio, Levina never expected him to be gone a year. Now that he’s back, will they be able to move beyond this estrangement and rekindle the fire of the love they once shared?
A Change of Heart: Leah is a writer in a community that does not encourage such fruitless endeavors. She lacks the skills necessary to be a good Amish fraa-cooking, cleaning, quilting, and gardening. Aaron is aware of Leah’s short-comings, but his heart is captured by this spirited young woman. Will Leah’s role as an Amish wife and mother force her to set aside her creative life-or will Aaron make an offer she never dreamed was possible?
A Choice to Forgive: Lydia has loved two men in her life. Daniel, who disappeared one Christmas Eve long ago, leaving only a note saying he wanted to live in the Englisch world. And Elam, Daniel’s brother, to whom she had been happily married for 15 years. When Elam dies, Lydia gives up on ever loving again. But she is shocked when Daniel wants to return to the Order and her life. Is there enough forgiveness in her heart to overlook the past and move into a future that could fulfill her dreams?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Beth is the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series — Plain Perfect, Plain Pursuit, Plain Promise, Plain Paradise and Plain Proposal. Her new series–Land of Canaan– debuted in the fall of 2010 with Seek Me With All Your Heart which has been selected as the 2011 Women of Faith Novel of the Year. She is contracted with Thomas Nelson Publishing and is currently working on her first non-Amish novel due for release in the spring of 2012. All of her books have held spots on both the CBA (Christian Book Association) bestseller list and the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) bestseller list.
As she puts it, her writing has been “all over the place.” As a former newspaper reporter, she was honored by her peers with eleven journalism awards, including first place news writing for The Texas Press Association. She has been a humor columnist for The 1960 Sun in Houston and published articles in various publications. Those articles included a wide array of topics – an article on premature birth, an article about performance boating, and an article about her mother–a whitewater canoeing enthusiast who still paddles the rivers at the age of 77. However, writing novels is where her heart is. She left her job as a journalist in 2008 to write novels full-time.
“Writing about the Amish lifestyle within fictional love stories has been a wonderful experience,” Beth says. “The Amish and Mennonite contacts I have established in Pennsylvania and Colorado help me to keep the books authentic. These very private people might dress differently, avoid the use of electricity and modern conveniences, but they are just like everyone else. They love, hurt, have daily challenges and struggles, and strive to be the best they can be. An often misunderstood sect of people, it has been a privilege to learn about their ways.”
A native of New Jersey, I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I often joke that my fiction writing “career” began in elementary school as I wrote and shared silly stories with a close friend.
In 1991, I graduated from high school, and my parents and I moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia. My father retired, and my mother went to work full-time. I attended Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk, and I graduated with a degree in communications. I met my husband, Joe, during my senior year in college, a few days after my father had a massive stroke. Joe and I clicked instantly, and after a couple of months we started dating. We married four years later.
After graduating from VWC, I took a summer job with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District, which turned into an eleven-year career. I worked in the Public Affairs Office for four years and then moved into Planning as a writer/editor.
One day while surfing the Internet for a professional editor’s group, I accidentally found a local fiction writing group, Chesapeake Romance Writers. I attended a meeting and I met writers in all stages of their careers. The group helped me realize that I did want to be an author, and it was my dream to see my name on the cover of one of my novels. Through Chesapeake Romance Writers, I learned how to plot, write, and edit a novel, and I also learned how to pursue an agent. I signed with Mary Sue Seymour at the Seymour Agency in 2006, shortly before Joe and I moved my parents and our sons to North Carolina.
My dream came true when I sold my first book in 2007. Holding my first book, A Gift of Grace, in my hands was exhilarating and surreal.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Take a trip to Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, where you’ll meet the women of the Kauffman Amish Bakery in Lancaster County. As each woman’s story unfolds, you will share in her heartaches, trials, joys, dreams … and secrets. You’ll discover how the simplicity of the Amish lifestyle can clash with the ‘English’ way of life—and the decisions and consequences that follow. Most importantly, you will be encouraged by the hope and faith of these women, and the importance they place on their families. Naomi’s Gift re-introduces twenty-four-year-old Naomi King, who has been burned twice by love and 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. Naomi’s story of romantic trial and error and youthful insecurities has universal appeal. Author Amy Clipston artfully paints a panorama of simple lives full of complex relationships, and she carefully explores cultural differences and human similarities, with inspirational results. Naomi’s Gift includes all the details of Amish life that Clipston’s fans enjoy, while delivering the compelling stories and strong characters that continue to draw legions of new readers.
If you’d like to read the first chapter of Naomi’s Gift, go HERE.
Learn more about Amy and her books on her Website.
MY REVIEW:
Naomi’s Gift is a quick to read novella that gives the reader a glimpse of life among the Amish as the Christmas season approaches. Although the Amish may seem quaint and certainly different from the world known by those of the English persuasion, Clipson’s narrative reveals that in many respects they are much like people everywhere. One of the characters of Naomi’s Gift is even a busybody/gossip which totally blows the perception of Amish perfection out of the water.
Because of two past failed relationships, Naomi King has resigned herself to a life caring for her younger brothers and sisters. She is certain that the Lord must not have a husband and children in his plans for her. As Christmas draws near, time spent with a young girl and her widowed father reopens her heart and makes her hope once again for love. Caleb Schmucker’s grief over his wife’s death two years previous has kept him just going through the motions of living and taking care of his daughter Susie. Each encounter with Naomi has touched his heart and caused him to reconsider plans for his future. However, detractors are at work to keep them apart. Caleb’s sister has other plans for him and goes to great lengths to implement them. Naomi’s own mother discourages her interest in Caleb and she hears and sees things that tend to support the fact that Caleb could not be the man for her.
Naomi’s Gift is a sweet story that would be perfect for a relaxing break during the hectic days leading up to Christmas.
A Lancaster County Christmas is an Amish Christmas novella that could be read in one sitting on a lazy afternoon. The reader will quickly find herself immersed in the deftly crafted story filled with well-defined characters. The author has not wasted her time on nonessentials but has made every sentence count.
Although Jaime Fitzpatrick and Mattie Riehl are from widely divergent backgrounds, each carries her own personal pain that influences every aspect of her life including her relationship with the Lord. Jaime’s grief after her mother’s death has resulted in a dependence on sleep medication and a desperate need to reconnect with the father who abandoned her as an infant. Mattie’s failure to have another child has sent her into a depression and the need to overprotect her one son. Little could either of them imagine that one small whistle left behind at the doctor’s office and a huge snowstorm could change their lives forever.
When the Fitzpatricks are forced to spend several days at the home of the Amish family of Sol and Mattie Riehl, each person in the home is touched by their encounter. Several plot twists keep the story moving along. A Lancaster County Christmas may not be the typical story about a Christmas celebration but the intended message of “Emmanuel, God With Us” comes across very clearly.
A tender and touching story, A Lancaster County Christmas is one book that could be enjoyed each year during the holiday season. I would highly recommend it.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK: Jaime and C. J. Fitzpatrick began their married life as most couples do–in love and looking forward to a bright future together. But four years later they’ve drifted apart and are almost ready to call it quits.
Mattie Riehl was hoping to give her husband Sol the Christmas gift they have both longed for–news that a baby was on the way. But as usual, she is disappointed. The holidays bring an acute awareness to Mattie that her dream of a big family isn’t likely to become a reality.
Then a winter storm raging outside blows the Fitzpatricks into the Riehl home–and into a much slower pace of life. Can these two couples from different worlds help each other understand the true meaning of love this Christmas?
With her trademark plot twists and attention to detail, Suzanne Woods Fisher offers readers a beautiful Christmas story of love, forgiveness, and what truly matters in life.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. She has many, many Plain relatives living in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and travels back to Pennsylvania, as well as to Ohio, a couple of times each year for research.
Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world. In both her fiction and non-fiction books, she has an underlying theme: You don’t have to “go Amish” to incorporate many of their principles–simplicity, living with less, appreciating nature, forgiving others more readily– into your life.
When Suzanne isn’t writing or bragging to her friends about her first new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To Suzanne’s way of thinking, you just can’t take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone’s underwear in its mouth.
To celebrate the release of her first Christmas book, Suzanne Woods Fisher has teamed up with her publisher, Revell, to bring you the “Christmas in September” iPad Giveaway! The winner will be announced on 9/27 at the A Lancaster County Christmas Facebook Party! Details below. Tell your friends and join in the fun (9/7-9/27).
Oh and be sure to follow the blog tour HERE – many of the bloggers have copies of the book to giveaway!
Suzanne and Revell will be presenting one merry winner with a Christmas Prize Pack (valued at over $600):
A Brand New iPad 2 with Wi-Fi
$25 gift certificate to iTunes
A copy of A Lancaster County Christmas
To enter, click HERE. But, hurry the giveaway ends on 9/26.
But, wait! There’s more! The winner will be announced at the A Lancaster County Christmas Facebook Party on 9/27 at Suzanne’s author page. During the party she’ll be revealing something *BIG* – you won’t want to miss it. She’ll also be hosting a book chat, trivia contest and giving away a few early Christmas presents! Hope to see you there.
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Emma always put the needs of others ahead of her own. When will it be her turn to be treasured?
Just the facts…I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, and now make my home in beautiful Geneva, Ohio. I’ve been married to James for 15 wonderful years (really, they have been wonderful!) We have three terrific children, three dogs, and an overwhelmed cat. We have also raised cattle, pigs, and chickens at various times over the years. We would have gone into the goat business, but I had to draw the line somewhere. I started writing in 2000, and published my first short story a year later. Since then I have authored several short stories, novellas, novels, and have done a lot of freelance non-fiction work. I have also worked as an editor. I have a Masters degree in Special Education, emphasis on teaching the blind and visually impaired, and a Bachelors in Early Childhood/Elementary Education. I have taught all age groups ranging from age 4 to age 18. A few of my favorite things: my relationship with Christ, chocolate (of course!), autumn, a satisfying book, good friends, a sense of humor, people who don’t take themselves seriously, haunting melodies, NFL football, and did I mention chocolate?
