by admin | Feb 3, 2016 | Amish, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Although Amish fiction is not my favorite genre, I know I can always depend on a good read when I pick up one of Shelley Shepard Gray’s novels. She has a unique approach that probes the depths of human emotions and brings her characters to life. I find it easy to empathize with each of them because their life situations are familiar despite the difference in culture.
“A Son’s Vow” takes place during a time frame following a devastating fire that killed several men of the community. Although no evidence proved him responsible, Darla’s father was blamed for the accident by many residents. With so many affected by the fire, relationships have been strained, even those between once close friends like Darla’s friend Lukas. Darla spends her days attempting to take care of her brothers and sisters in the absence of her parents and Lukas finds himself responsible for the mill since his father’s death. With so much responsibility and so many changes in their lives, can their friendship survive?
In this novel, Gray touches on the subjects of anger and domestic abuse which are not something most would associate with the Amish. The author illustrated how grief, anger, and stress can drive a person to do things he regrets and is ashamed of, yet cannot seem to stop. I particularly liked how the guilty party was brought to repentance and restoration through the loving and forgiving approach taken by those who confronted him.
I thoroughly enjoyed “A Son’s Vow” and liked how the title was tied into the story near its end. If this book is any indication, The Charmed Amish Life series promises to be a good one.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Three months ago, everything changed for Darla Kurtz and her family.
Darla’s father was responsible for a terrible fire at Charm’s lumber mill which killed five Amish men. And though he, too, lost his life, the town of Charm hasn’t looked at her family the same since. Even Lukas Kinsinger—with whom Darla used to have a close friendship.
Now her brother’s anger at the town is spilling over onto Darla, and she has the bruises to prove it. The accident already cost five lives, but if something doesn’t change soon, Darla fears it will cost her—and her family—even more.
Lukas Kinsinger wants to mourn the loss of his father, but he can hardly find the time to breathe. Suddenly the head of his father’s lumber mill and responsible for taking care of his three siblings, he’s feeling the pressure. He has also never felt more alone—especially with the new tension between he and Darla. But when he learns of her troubles at home, Lukas knows he can’t simply stand by and watch. Someone has to help her before another tragedy occurs.
As Lukas and Darla attempt to repair their families, they discover something deeper than friendship growing between them. But will Lukas and Darla’s love be accepted after so much loss? Or will the pain of the past overcome any chance of future happiness?
Shelley Shepard Gray’s first book in her Charmed Amish Life series is set in the quaint Amish village of Charm, Ohio, and tells the stories of the Kinsinger siblings who are each struggling to find both forgiveness and love in the face of tragedy.
Learn more and purchase a copy of A Son’s Vow.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.
Find out more about Shelley at http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com.
Enter to win a copy of A Son’s Vow—five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced February 11 on Shelley’s blog!
by admin | Dec 8, 2015 | Amish, Books, Christmas, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Amish Christmas at North Star” was a bit different from most Amish books I have read. A collection of four novellas written by four different authors, each story features one of four babies born on the same snowy night almost twenty-five years earlier. Not only does each story contain a romance, but each of them has a unique twist that often is just a bit of mystery.
I loved reading these stories by some of my favorite authors. Strong characters and interesting plots held my interest with no problem. I was particularly blessed by the compelling redemptive message of forgiveness and healing expressed by each of the novellas.
I believe that all readers who enjoy Amish or Christmas fiction would enjoy “Amish Christmas at North Star”. It is the perfect book for a cozy chair next to a blazing fire this Christmas season.
This book was provided for review by Blogging For Books.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
One night four lives entered the world by the hands of an Amish midwife on the edge of North Star, Pennsylvania.
On a cold, snowy night almost twenty-five years ago, Rebekah, an Amish midwife, delivered four babies. Rebekah’s babies, as they are called, are now young adults. In four heartwarming novellas, each young person experiences a journey of discovery, love, and the wonder of Christmas.
Guiding Star by Katie Ganshert
Curiosity gets the best of Englischer Chase Wellington when he investigates the twenty-five-year-old disappearance of an Amish baby. When he finds adventurous Elle McAllister in Iowa, will his discoveries upend her world?
Mourning Star by Amanda Flower
Eden Hochstetler slips from her parents’ shop to investigate the death of her friend Isaac.? Who is guilty? Isaac’s handsome great-nephew Jesse, an angry Englischer, or someone else?
In the Stars by Cindy Woodsmall
Heartbroken Kore Detweiler avoids North Star after Savilla Beiler rejects his love. But when he is unexpectedly called home, he and Savilla must join forces to keep a family together.
Star of Grace by Mindy Starns Clark and Emily Clark
Andy Danner left North Star to join a new Amish settlement in Mississippi. His little brother devises a scheme to bring Andy home for Christmas, and unwittingly unleashes the power of forgiveness in an old widower’s life.
by admin | Oct 26, 2015 | Amish, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I have to admit that I can often grow weary of Amish fiction but I know I can count on Suzanne Woods Fisher to provide me with a solid story that will always hold my interest. “The Imposter” was no exception. My only problem is how to review it without spoilers.
Readers of Suzanne’s earlier novels set in Stoney Ridge will delight in the return to familiar places and characters but new readers will have no problem jumping right into her latest novel. As one might expect, readers get an intimate look into the lives of several featured Amish characters; however they might just learn a few surprising secrets this time. There are some rumblings among the church leadership and members with a couple of the men who want to make sweeping changes without input from others. Then of course there is the expected romance. Actually this time there are at least two of them, both of which progress naturally as the story progresses. In fact other story elements often take precedence over romance.
All-in-all, “The Imposter” is a very satisfying read with strong and likable characters and a well thought out plot that moved along at the perfect pace. Some elements of the plot were resolved nicely while others will continue on at least into the next book of the series. I cannot wait to read “the rest of the story”.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A heart once deceived should not be easily fooled again . . .
Katrina Stoltzfus thought she had life and love all figured out: she was going to marry John and live happily ever after. But as her plans crumble before her eyes, she struggles to face an uncertain future. When a widow asks for help starting a new business, Katrina quickly agrees. She needs time to heal her broken heart, to untangle her messy life, to find a purpose.
What she doesn’t need is attention from Andy Miller, a farmhand who arrives at the widow’s farm just when help is most needed–and who always seems to say the right thing and be in the right place, at the right time. Is Andy for real or too good to be true? She’s been deceived once before, and she isn’t planning on experiencing it again.
Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to Stoney Ridge for a tale of love, uncertainty, and trusting God to write your story.
Read an excerpt from “The Imposter” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Photo Credit: © Dan Davis Photography
Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of The Letters, The Calling, 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 an Amish children’s series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner for The Search, a Carol Award finalist for The Choice, and a Christy Award finalist for The Waiting. She is also a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and connect with Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.
by admin | Oct 21, 2015 | Amish, Books, Romance, WWII
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingPromise to KeepHoward Books (October 13, 2015)byElizabeth YountsABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A Word from the Author:
I’m Elizabeth, a blessed child of The King. I’m a middle-born daughter, military officer’s wife, homeschooling mama, writer, closet DIYer, and, dare I say it, Downton Abbey addict. May I also mention that I love both my history and my coffee rich.
I am formerly Amish and my heritage is very dear to me and thankful to be so accepted among my still Amish family. I can still speak PA Dutch, too! You can learn more about my Amish family in my first book Seasons: A Real Story of an Amish Girl.
My three book series with Howard Books (a division of Simon & Schuster) is a dream come true. The series is titled The Promise of Sunrise. In this series you will live through World War 2 from an Amish perspective and experience their unique struggles as conscientious objectors during wartime. What happened if one of their members enlisted? What was it like to serve at the Civilian Public Service Camps for years with almost no compensation? How did Amish women and families cope when a son or father was drafted? I look forward to taking you back into the richness of these years of Amish history through fiction.
Learn more about Elizabeth Byler Younts and her books on her website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
World War II Marine Joe Garrison returns home from war longing to be a father to his deaf daughter, Daisy, only to find that she is attached to Esther Detweiler, the Amish woman who has raised her since his wife’s death in this touching historical romance.
Orphaned as a child, Esther Detweiler is used to caring for herself and her ailing grandmother. They made the best out of a hard life and poverty without asking for help. They even take in her shunned cousin’s deaf daughter, Daisy, when her mother dies and her father goes off to war. When Esther’s grandmother dies, Daisy is all she has.
When war veteran Joe Garrison returns, all he can think about is recovering from the horrors of war and building a relationship with his seven-year-old daughter. Daisy, however, is unwilling to leave Esther, whom she loves. Joe and Daisy get to know each other again, but Joe struggles with nightmares and fatherhood is proving to be more difficult than he imagined. Esther loves Daisy and despite her Amish ways, Joe finds himself drawn to her as a woman and not just a caregiver.
As their love blossoms, Joe decides to send Daisy away to a school for the deaf which propels their lives into turmoil and a battle for love and family.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Promise to Keep, go HERE.
by admin | Sep 22, 2015 | Amish, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Florida, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I always enjoy books by Shelley Shepard Gray. She has a unique way of making her characters come to life that makes them seem like old friends. “A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn” is a continuation of Gray’s Amish Brides of Pinecraft series that is set in Florida. The third book in the series, it can easily stand on its own although there is a thread that runs throughout the series that centers on the inn.
This particular volume contains, not one, not even two, but three romance stories and the reader might be surprised by which couple marries first. Although the story features Emma and Jay primarily, their children, the innkeeper, and her niece also play pivotal roles. An then there is Frankie, a pizza-loving beagle who gets into enough mischief to keep everyone laughing. Overall, “A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn” is a sweet and romantic novel that is good for a quiet evening’s entertainment.
I loved how the Amish of Pinecraft seem to be much more laid back than those who live elsewhere. I could easily visualize the bright colored dresses paired with flipflops and the casual outdoors lifestyle shared by the community. I recommend this book to all who enjoy Amish fiction and to those who might enjoy just a little change of pace.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A wedding brings together two young widowed parents . . . and gives them a second chance at love.
Emma Keim was heartbroken when her husband, Sanford, passed away, leaving her to raise three young daughters alone. Though several years have passed, her relatives have made it no secret that they expect Emma to remain a widow, mourning Sanford indefinitely. But when she meets Jay Hilty—a handsome widower with three young sons of his own—Emma is delighted to have a new friend who understands her struggles. Still, she is dismayed that her family is so opposed to their friendship—and the idea of it ever becoming anything more. She honors her husband’s memory every day, but is she destined to be alone forever?
Emma’s gentleness with Jay’s boys stirs something in his heart that’s been quiet for far too long. But when his oldest son becomes engaged to a local woman, suddenly Jay, Emma, and their children are swept up in wedding preparations. Witnessing his son’s joy, Jay wonders if it’s time for him to move forward, too, and find happiness again.
Once again, love has come to Pinecraft. But can these two parties of four become a happy, healthy family of eight?
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time New York Times bestseller, a two-time USA Today bestseller, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. She lives in Southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.
Find out more about Shelley at http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com.
When widow Emma’s family opposes her new friendship with widower Jay, she begins to wonder if she’ll be alone forever. Don’t miss Shelley Shepard Gray’s third book, A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn, in the Amish Brides of Pinecraft series! A wedding brings together two young widowed parents, and once again, love has come to Pinecraft. But can these two parties of four become a happy, healthy family of eight?
Enter to win a copy of A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn—five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced October 1 on Shelley’s blog!
by admin | Sep 15, 2015 | Amish, Books
MY REVIEW:
Just when I had begun to think that every Amish novel was a repeat of the same basic theme, Cindy Woodsmall brings a fresh approach to the genre. “Ties That Bind” has a little romance, more than a little angst, the return of an old love interest, and a family mystery that dominates the story.
Although this book does not contain much action and it may move along at a more sedate pace than many, I found that it held my interest quite well. I liked reading both sides of the story involving the man who assists Amish who want to leave the order. Instead of painting him as a bad person, the author allowed her readers to understand why he chose to do what he did. Without demonizing or idealizing the Amish, she offered a realistic view of their strict belief system and how it affects those who are part of their community.
As the first book of the series, “Ties That Bind” leaves the reader with several questions unanswered. Despite the way it ended, I personally remain hopeful that Ariana and Quill will eventually find their way back to each other. I am also anticipating learning more about what will happen with Skylar. So, yes, I definitely plan to read the other books in this series. I can’t just leave Summer Grove without having my curiosity satisfied.
This book was provided for review by Blogging For Books.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Ariana’s comfortable Old Order Amish world is about to unravel. Will holding tightly to the cords of family keep them together—or simply tear them apart?
Twenty-year-old Ariana Brenneman loves her family and the Old Ways. She has two aspirations: open a café in historic Summer Grove to help support her family’s ever-expanding brood and to keep any other Amish from being lured into the Englisch life by Quill Schlabach.
Five years ago Quill, along with her dear friend Frieda, ran off together, and Ariana still carries the wounds of that betrayal. When she unexpectedly encounters him, she soon realizes he has plans to help someone else she loves leave the Amish.
*
Despite how things look, Quill’s goal has always been to protect Ariana from anything that may hurt her, including the reasons he left. After returning to Summer Grove on another matter, he unearths secrets about Ariana and her family that she is unaware of. His love and loyalty to her beckons him to try to win her trust and help her find a way to buy the café—because when she learns the truth that connects her and a stranger named Skylar Nash, Quill knows it may upend her life forever.
Ties That Bind is the first novel in the Amish of Summer Grove series.
Click here to download an excerpt from Ties That Bind.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times and CBA best-selling author of numerous works of fiction and one of nonfiction. Her connection with the Amish community has been featured widely in national media. She lives in the Foothills of the North Georgia Mountains with her family.
