Showing posts with label Amish fiction. Show all posts

Monday, February 9, 2026

Reviewing: The Beginner's Quilt by Wanda Brunstetter

is a prequel to popular series. Fans of this series will enjoy meeting as a young woman who funbled to find any talents suitable for any young woman preparing for her future. She'd much rather pursue fishing or hiking to sewing or cooking. To help Emma along, her mother sent her to to spend the summer with her granparents. Hopefully, in addition to building her skills for homemaking, she could also overcome the painful shyness that prevented her from making friends or enjoying the singings the Amish young people in her community enjoyed attending.

While choosing fabric for a new dress to begin sewing lessons with her grandmother, she fell in love with the lovely quilts adorning the walls of the fabric store. Lucky for her, her grandmother's friend Ida Mae Yoder, was working at the store that day and invited Emma to take quilting lessons from her. Emma's love for the quilting process was a turning point for this young woman and gave her the lifelong gift of making beautiful quilts.

Ivan Yoder, a friendly young man took no time to notice Emma and learn how much they had in common. Spending time with Ivan brought Emma out of her shell and allow her to spend time enjoying so many things she avoided doing at home. It was by chance that Ivan, Ida Mae's son, came to be such a part of that summer visit to her grandparents. Were they who God destined for them to be together as husband and wife?

Time and nature seem to give us tests in life, and this young couple was not exception. A lost memory of a misadventure threatens to drive a wedge between Ivan and Emma. What we take for granted will happen doesn't always occur even under the best circumstances. Love, forgiveness and faith provide the answers to most situations in life.

This is a sweet love story and written especially for fans of Wanda Brustetter and the wholesome Amish fiction so many of us enjoy.

Thursday, July 10, 2025

...from the publisher...

Two years since Rosa Petersheim mysteriously disappeared from her Amish home, there has been no word from her. Her family and friends have suffered in the silence, though they have tried to move on with life.

Then one day Rosa just as suddenly reappears at her parent’s home. . .with a husband in tow.

Rosa is ashamed of the choices she made that caused her to leave home. And now that she is back, her father is not welcoming and her siblings and friends want explanations that she can’t give.

Will Rosa’s family accept her and Anthony? Can the Big Valley ever be home again?

...my thoughts...

The Pretender is the third and final book in the Miflin County Mystery series. I have not read the first two books in this series so I can say without reservation that this book can be read as a standalone novel.

I enjoyed this story by Wanda E Brunstetter for several reasons. The characters are believable and not without the foibles of life that can make or break your day. Rosa, the young Amish woman who is the main focus of this story convinces Anthony to drive her to the family home she left two years before. There begins the ruse of this story as the two of them begin more than a journey from New York City to an Amish farmhouse to Anthony's greatest surprise. It is the first of mny times that he wonders if she is the same woman he believed her to be.

What follows is a serious, yet comical story of life change, forgiveness and new beginnings. I recommend this book for the reader looking for inspirational entertainment. You'll find it all inside, including a strong dose of sibling rivalry, a strict Amish bishop and a young man who is open to supporting his friend as she mends the hole in the heart of her family once she had left their community. There is much more to this story than meets the eye.

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Reviewing: The Orchard by Beverly Lewis

...from the publishers...

For generations, Ellie Hostetler's family has tended their Lancaster County orchard, a tradition her twin brother, Evan, will someday continue. Yet when Evan's draft number is called up in the lottery for the Vietnam War, the family is shocked to learn he has not sought conscientious objector status, despite their Old Order Amish belief in non-resistance. The faraway war that has caused so much turmoil and grief among their Englisher neighbors threatens too close to home.

As Evan departs for boot camp, Ellie confides her disappointment to Sol Bontrager, the brother of her best friend and cousin to her new beau, Menno. In contrast to Evan, Sol is a conscientious objector. Despite Ellie's attraction to Menno, she finds herself drawn to Sol's steady presence as they work together in the orchard. Suddenly, it feels as if everything in Ellie's world is shifting, and the plans she held so dear seem increasingly uncertain. Can she and her family find the courage to face a future unlike any they could have imagined?

...my thoughts...

This book touched my my heart in a unique way. I was a young teenager during the time this book was set and I had two brothers who served in this war, as did neighbors and friends. I remember when the lottery was implemented. I felt for Ellie's brother Evan who had probably the worst shock of his life when he landed in the barber's chair at boot camp! I have read other works of Amish fiction where Amish men who served, but as orderlies assisting medics in field hospitals, not in combat. It was a terrible time for all of us but for an Amish family who wouldn't have a phone or a daily paper, they were very out of touch with what was going on.

I enjoyed reading Ellie's story and her love for the family orchard. Her love for the orchard was personal. She would have loved taking over the orchard when her father retired, yet as a woman, that would have been unrealistic in her culture. Throughout the story she grows into a wonderful young woman who changed from a young woman with dreams. She dreams of the orchard and dreams of her beau, Menno. Her feelings are as natural today as they would have been for any young woman in the 1960s. As a reader, it is satisfying when the story wraps up neatly just as we think it should go. Beverly Lewis, has, time and again written beloved characters whose situation we can identify with, even though we are not Amish. I recommend this book to all who enjoy immersing themselves into a good story.

Saturday, September 25, 2021

Reviewing: A Season on the Wind by Suzanne Woods Fisher

...from the publisher...

Ben Zook had only two loves in his life: books and birds. In a stroke of good fortune, he'd stumbled onto a way to cobble together those two loves into a career, writing books about rare birds. He was as free as a bird--until a chase for a rare White-winged Tern takes him to the one place on earth he planned to never return: his Amish home in Stoney Ridge.

Desperate for photographs of the elusive tern, Ben hires a local field guide, Micah Weaver, and boards at Micah's farm, planning to "bag the bird" and leave Stoney Ridge before anyone recognizes him. But he neglected to plan for Micah's sister, Penny.

Ben. One long-ago summer, Penny had introduced Ben to birding, even sharing with him a hidden eagle aerie. That was when she knew true love. She'd always hoped he would come back to Stoney Ridge. Back to his Amish roots. Back to her. The only problem? Ben has absolutely no memory of Penny.

Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher welcomes her readers to the Amish community at Stoney Ridge in this engaging story of discovering just who the rare birds are in life.

...my thoughts...

A Season on the Wind by Suzanne Woods Fisher is destined to become a favorite among her fans. Picking up this book is like coming back for a nice stay in Stoney Ridge. Micah and Penny Weaver are new to the area. Penny had other ties to the area, having spent one particularly fine summer with her late grandmother. During that summer, she met and spent time with Ben, talking about birds while creating beautiful art. Micah may have the corner on finding the birds birders seek but Penny is the center of it all. Knowledgeable too in the study of birds, she seems to be everywhere supporting her younger brother.

Ben had no plans to ever return to this area but a pending book deal won out any reluctance he may have had before this trip. Nothing went according plan. The plan, in the end, didn't seem, in the end, to be as important as the real journey he took, within the walls, with the Weavers.

One important thing in this book as well as Suzanne's other books is that she has characterization down to an art. Challenging characters are her forte. Lives are changed and the endings are neatly wrapped up. I recommend this book to fans of Amish fiction, or those who want a good story without all the extra fluff so common today. Good books are a treasure. I enjoyed this one immensely!

Sunday, July 26, 2020

Piecing It All Together by Leslie Gould Is Rich, Entertaining and Heartwarming

...from the publisher...

When Savannah Mast's fiance dumps her a week before their wedding, she flees California for the safety of her Amish grandmother's farm near Nappanee, Indiana. She's not planning on staying long but becomes unexpectedly entangled in the search for a missing Amish girl. She can't leave--especially not when her childhood friend Tommy Miller is implicated as a suspect.
When Savannah accompanies her grandmother to Plain Patterns, a nearby quilt shop, the owner and local historian, Jane Berger, relates a tale about another woman's disappearance back in the 1800s that has curious echoes to today.

Inspired by the story, Savannah does all she can to find the Amish girl and clear Tommy's name. But when her former fiance shows up, begging her to return to California and marry him after all, she must choose between accepting the security of what he has to offer or continuing the complicated legacy of her family's faith.

...my thoughts...
The title Piecing It All Together is so fitting for this story as it pieces the past along with the present as though each piece was part of a whole. Savannah Mast's heart was broken but when she landed in Nappanee, her upset world was only the beginning of the whirlwind she found at her grandmother's. Like most quilt shops, Plain Patterns was a haven for the women in the community to learn the comings and goings of the small town. The events, which for a sleepy Amish community run at a fast clip, unfold events in Savannah's own life that put more than her broken heart into perspective. She was drawn to the circle of quilters, especially Jane, who possessed the amazing gift of sharing stories of her ancestors who settled the area long before the town was born.

I enjoyed this book. To write the journey of one woman is one thing, but to write two women's stories is another matter and to do it well, takes the talents of a writer like Leslie Gould. I found myself favoring Emma's story over Savannah's, only to realize both women's stories were so good. Each woman had compelling events in her life that makes her stronger. It is interesting to see how the past, however far removed, can be relevant to our stories today. Well written, with very interesting characters, Piecing It All Together is not your average book of Amish fiction.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House for an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are truly my own.

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Sunday, January 19, 2020

Two Steps Forward

from the the publisher...
Back and broke in Stoney Ridge, Jimmy Fisher has coasted as long as he could through life on charm, good looks, and deep-set dimples. They always worked just fine for him--until they didn't. His smile has no effect on the violet-eyed beauty he met at the Bent N' Dent, the one with that stunning horse. She's offered him a job, but nothing else.

The last thing Sylvie Schrock King needs around Rising Star Farm is a grown boy working for her, especially her neighbor Edith's son. The woman holds a serious grudge against Sylvie and her son, and hiring Jimmy Fisher will only fan the flames of Edith's rancor. But Sylvie is desperate for help on the farm, and Jimmy understands horses like no one else.

While Jimmy's lazy smile and teasing ways steal Sylvie's heart, Edith is working on a way to claim her land. Has Sylvie made another terrible mistake? Or is it too late to outfox the fox? More importantly . . . just who is the fox?

Writing with both wit and warmth, Fisher delivers a supremely satisfying conclusion to the popular Deacon's Family series.

my thoughts...
Two Steps Forward is one of those books that will keep my thoughts captive for many days and when I reread it I will enjoy it just as much. All of the characters in Stoney Ridge are like old friends. You see them again from book to book as another member of the community's story unfolds. So it is with Two Steps Forward Jimmy Fisher returns from being an Amish Cowboy in Colorado. He was an incorrigible lad when he was introduced in The Keeper, book one of the Stoney Ridge Series. What he didn't think of for mischief, nobody else could imagine. Now he was home and life would never be the same. His dogged determination to prove what he can do is just the opposite of what anyone expected.
Suzanne Woods Fisher is a master story teller. She has a way of hooking you into a story from the moment you turn the first page. Her characters, like Jimmy Fisher, are entertaining but have a lot of lessons to give us all. In Suzanne's books a lot of difficult topics are intertwined into the story. While reading Stitches In Time Suzanne introduced the topic of foster care in Amish homes. Luke Schrock, newly appointed deacon wished to fulfill beloved Amos Lapp's wish to empty the system by finding homes for those children. Knowing the impact of that system on his own wife, Luke has been diligent in keeping his promise. While Two Steps Forward is focusing on Jimmy and Sylvie, there is a larger issue at hand. Luke and his wife Izzy are championing the cause of unwanted babies. Recent issues out in the English world seem remote yet closer than one would suspect. Rather than sitting back and being passive about the issue of unwanted babies, the community is united in finding ways to help one baby at a time.

This book is funny, it is entertaining and it leaves the reader something to think about before the book is closed. Things are never what they seem and people will surprise you when you least expect it. I could wax on about this book for a long time, but then, why give the story away when you can enjoy it yourself? It will put your mind on things that are happening in the world today that impact all of us, no matter where we live.

5 stars for this book and the entire Deacon's Family series by Suzanne Woods Fisher! Many thanks to Netgalley.com and Revell for the opportunity to review this book. The opinions offered regarding this book are mine alone.

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Reviewing: Stitches In Time by Suzanne Woods Fisher

...from the publisher...
New to Stoney Ridge, schoolteacher Mollie has come to town for a fresh start. Aware of how fleeting and fragile life is, she wants to live it boldly and bravely. When Luke Schrock, new to his role as deacon, asks the church to take in foster girls from a group home, she's the first to raise her hand. The power of love, she believes, can pick up the dropped stitches in a child's heart and knit them back together.

Mollie envisions sleepovers and pillow fights. What the 11-year-old twins bring to her home is anything but. Visits from the sheriff at midnight. Phone calls from the school truancy officer. And then the most humiliating moment of all: the girls accuse Mollie of drug addiction.

There's only one thing that breaks through the girls' hard shell--an interest in horses. Reluctantly and skeptically, Sam Schrock gets drawn into Mollie's chaotic life. What he didn't expect was for love to knit together the dropped stitches in his own heart . . . just in time.

Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to the little Amish church of Stoney Ridge for a touching story of the power of love.

...my thoughts...

I have been waiting to read more of Luke's story and Stitches In Time was worth the wait. Suzanne has developed a wonderful community over time and it is always like visiting with friends whenever I pick up her books. Through the years I have seen such changes in her characters, just as we see among our friends and family members. Luke has certainly grown from being the epitome of the neighborhood bad boy to an unlikely choice as deacon. As unlikely as that seems, it is only natural for one to wonder: will he succeed or live up to the expectations of many who are waiting for him to fail.

This story is entertaining while giving us a serious look at how life can be for children raised within the foster care system. Parenting comes in many forms, whether through traditional families or a growing norm of children living with absent parents. The choice to foster a child is commendable, yet not an easy road, especially for people like Mollie, who wants children so badly yet gets much more than she bargained for with the 11-year-old twins. My mother had twin girls and she often said that "What one didn't think of the other did" and these two take that to a new level. In the end, all comes together as the Amish community of Stoney Ridge embraces new ground when challenged by Luke to open their hearts and homes to the displaced girls.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy contemporary Amish fiction. True, the Amish reportedly live a simple life, but the issues they face are not as simple as it appears. After all, human nature is a great equalizer in a complex world.

Saturday, October 5, 2019

Saturday Night Review: The Timepiece by Beverly Lewis

,,,from the publisher...

As the only daughter, Sylvia Miller of The Tinderbox has always held a special place in her Old Order family, one Adeline Pelham jeopardizes when she shows up at the Millers' Hickory Hollow farm. It isn't that Adeline means to be a threat, but her very existence is a reminder of the painful secret that has so recently upended the Miller household. And withthis Englisher--into their midst.

Despite the Millers' unexpected hospitality, Adeline is well aware that she's treading on Sylvia's turf, and she feels guilty about doing so when Sylvia is grappling with issues of her own. Not only is Sylvia trying to rebuild her trust in her father, but she's uncertain what to make of her once-promising engagement to Titus Kauffman, who hasn't pursued her since she confronted him. Adeline wishes she could help Sylvia, but she's not sure that either she or Sylvia is ready for that level of closeness in their relationship.

Can God make something good come out of the mistakes of the past? Or does Adeline's
arrival mark one too many surprises for the Millers and their Amish community?
Sylvia and her mother still struggling to come to terms with that news, this is a challenging time to welcome an Englisher--especially

...my thoughts....
I usually anticipate the release of Beverly Lewis' books and after I read the last page of The Tinderbox, I eagerly waited for the arrival of The Timepiece. The Miller's are once again under scrutiny. Sylvia, who thought she was her father's only daughter, didn't relish getting to know Adeline, the daughter he didn't know he had. She was also unsure if she would marry Titus, the cautious son of Amos Kaufman, the strictest preacher of her church district. This is one of those stories that gives us a glimpse into human nature to see that all we need to see isn't on the surface.

The Miller family, except Sylvie, warmly welcome Adeline into their family. There have been so many changes and she wasn't prepared for the addition of a sister, especially from the Englisch world. The dynamics of the newcomer in addition to learning more about her father's life before joining the Amish seem to impact her the most. As her time to become baptized draws near, she must decide her future. Adeline, for her part, is becoming more intrigued with this quiet life as she too, prepares to return to her college studies and her fiancee Brandon. She too, has questions as she learns more about her father, Earnest and the surprises she finds in her late mother's journal.

Amidst all this, is Rhoda, Earnest's wife and Sylvia's mother. She is a quiet force to reckon with as she guides them along with love and wisdom. This story is about a resilient family whose faith strengthens them to bring about forgiveness, and the discovery of joy. Beverly Lewis wove together a wonderful story that proves that faith, patience and time can bring forth many blessings. I recommend this book to all fans of Beverly Lewis, but also to new fans to pick up and enjoy.

Saturday, August 3, 2019

The Healing Jar By Wanda E Brunstetter A Heartwarming Story of Love and Healing

...from the publisher...
Lenore Lapp is an Amish schoolteacher in her late twenties still living at home with her parents and grandparents. She thought love had passed her by until she meets Jesse Smucker, a widower with a baby daughter. She quickly falls in love with them both and accepts Jesse’s proposal of marriage, but Jesse breaks off their engagement when he realizes he can’t marry only for convenience.
Resigned to living single, Lenore throws herself into caring for her elders. While working in her grandmother’s garden, she digs up an old jar. Will Lenore find healing for her broken heart and solve long-buried family secrets by reading the note contained inside?

...my thoughts...
The long awaited conclusion to Wanda E. Brunstetter's series, The Prayer Jars, is here! The Healing Jar is Lenore's story. One day in the barn, she found the long hidden prayer jar, and found solace in the words tucked inside. The mystery of this jar and another, found on a shelf in the dark basement, piqued the interests first of Michelle, then Sara. Now Lenore sits in wonder at these words that seem to coincide with her own thoughts and feelings. At the discovery of a third jar, the mystery begins to unfold as the discovery of who started these jars hidden for so long.

Carefully written, complex lives of a seemingly simple world are upturned and will never be the same. It is just like me to start a new book late at night, and I found myself unable to put it down. I enjoy Wanda E. Brunstetter's books for the way she makes her characters come to life. The Healing Jar is a fitting title for a book that touches the heart of this extended family. I laughed, cried and found wisdom in this book. I have a feeling that many a prayer jar will be started as more people read this wonderful series. I am sad to see this series end, but look forward to more books written by this beloved author.

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Tuesday Night Review: The Brides of the Big Valley

...from the publisher...

In an area of Pennsylvania called The Big Valley, a uniquely blended Amish community thrives in which 3 distinct groups of Amish identify themselves by the colors of their buggy’s top—white, black, or yellow. Join New York Times Bestselling Author Wanda E. Brunstetter, her daughter-in-law, and granddaughter in experiencing the stories of three young women who search for faith and love

within this special place. Deanna is a widow who sees her second chance of love slipping away. Rose Mary is at a point in life where she must choose the path of her faith and the right man to walk with her on it. Leila is burdened with family responsibilities and wonders when she will ever start a family of her own.

...my thoughts...

Once again, three generations of Brunstetter women have brought three unique stories together in one book. I liked how each story was set in the same valley, allowing some of the characters from a previous story to spill into the next one. I know that fictional characters are, well, fiction, but sometimes I wonder what might have happened to that person or how they may have adjusted to a trying situation. Difficult situations are not always written about in Amish fiction yet the Brunstetter's are able to infuse these topics into their work. These are the very things that make their stories believable for the challenges brought to bear. At the heart of each woman's story is their faith and how it renews and strengthens each of their paths as they become brides.

I recommend this book for all fans of Wanda E. Brunstetter and for those who are new to reading works written by her daughter-in-law Jean Brunstetter and granddaughter Richelle Brunstetter. Together their collaborations are wonderful, while each has her own unique gifts.

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Beverly Lewis' The Tinderbox Holds a Past That is too Hot to Handle

...from the publisher...

With her Amish parents' twentieth anniversary approaching, eighteen-year-old Sylvia Miller stumbles across a surprise--the old brass tinderbox her clockmaker father keeps in his Lancaster County shop has been left unlocked. Against her better judgment, Sylvia opens the cherished heirloom, not realizing that what she is about to discover will splinter apart her happy life.

Sylvia's bewilderment grows when her father confronts her about snooping in the box. To her amazement, the respected convert to the Old Order reacts as if he has something to hide.

Burdened by the weight of his deception, Earnest Miller decides he must reveal the details about his past to his beloved wife, Rhoda. The long-kept secret alters everything for the close-knit family, jeopardizing Earnest and Rhoda's relationship, as well as threatening Sylvia's recent engagement to the preacher's grandson.

Can the Millers find a way forward through the turmoil to a place of forgiveness and acceptance?

...my thoughts....

I liked The Tinderbox by Beverly Lewis very much and it hooked me right away. The love shared between Earnest and Rhoda Miller spills over into the lives of their five children. Sylvia, the oldest, has dreams of having a close relationship like her parents have with her new fiancee, Titus. It was her curiosity about the one heirloom her father kept locked on a shelf in his shop that niggled at her imagination and tempted her since childhood. One day, by the merest chance, the box was left unlocked and because of that burning curiosity, she opened it and the ensuing can of worms had a ripple effect on her family and her relationship with Titus.

While the secrets in the box cuts deeply into the fabric of their lives, Sylvia begins to notice things about her own relationships along the way to healing her family. Titus, whom she thinks the world of, may not be the man she believed him to be. She is second guessing a lot of things that she took for granted yet she remains the kind, generous spirit her parents raised her to be. As she grows, she begins to think much more independently and I felt myself cheering her on.

At the heart of the matter is her father, and his sin of omission before joining the Amish community in Hickory Hollow. The family may never be the same and yet in the midst of it all, they begin to look at their faith in new ways. Beverly Lewis has created characters that have depth and appeal. They are alive with the tension and love that comes from facing serious challenges. I recommend this book for its strong characters, good plot and the promise of hope for better things to come.

Monday, March 11, 2019

Reviewing: A Faithful Gathering by Leslie Gould

...my thoughts...

I recently read A Faithful Gathering, book three in the Sisters of Lancaster Series by Leslie Gould. I enjoy Leslie's books not only for the good story but also for the characters, each one unique and complex. Leisel is no exception. She courageously left her Amish faith and comforts of home to study nursing, a field she felt God called her to enter. For an Amish woman with an eighth grade education that is no small fete. When you open this book you will find she has accomplished all that hard work and she is ready to take her board examinations. With her future full of opportunity, her life around her shifts and she suddenly finds herself on new ground and nothing is going to be what she planned.

Her mother does not support her leaving the faith and becoming a nurse. Her sister Marie is on shaky ground with a cancer diagnosis. The farm is at a point where some changes need to be made to keep it productive. Nick is planning a change in his career that will alter the life they planned together. The calm in this port of storm is her beloved aunt relating the wonderful story of her grandfather. His story is like the balm she needs to see things in a new perspective.

...from the publisher...

Leisel Bachmann left her Amish roots and beloved sisters to pursue a career in medicine without a second thought. She has an Englisch boyfriend, Nick Jordan, and dreams of a new life--but those dreams come crashing down when her sister Marie is diagnosed with cancer.

Soon nothing is going as she planned--not her state boards, not her first nursing job, and certainly not her relationship with Nick. As she becomes increasingly discouraged, her aunt shares the story of Leisel's grandfather during World War II and the struggle he faced between returning to Lancaster or being with the woman he loved.

Peace and a vision for the future are difficult to find, and when Nick leaves Pennsylvania for a completely new life, Leisel is faced with impossible choices. Will she stay in Lancaster, close to her family and the traditions of her past? Or learn from her grandfather's story and embrace a life of love and service in an uncertain future?

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Mending Fences Destined to Be Another Success for Suzanne Woods Fisher

Luke Schrock just got out of rehab for the third time. He didn't receive the welcome home he expected and he was unsure where he would stay or whether he wanted to be back in Stoney Ridge. He had long since worn out his welcome and wore down the community. When Bishop David Stoltzfus talked to Luke about mending fences, it was not meant in the literal way with a hammer and some nails. Rather, it was a painstaking method that Luke found the most difficult challenge of his life.

Handsome, confident Luke got much more than he bargained for this time. I loved reading this book by Suzanne Woods Fisher. Whenever I read one of her books I tell myself it is her best yet. However, there is so much inside Mending Fences that I recommend it not just for a good read but also as a book club selection. The discussions would be lively and all the more so for the questions in the back of the book.

I found myself laughing out loud a few times in this book for the adventures Luke got himself into. In the midst of all his foibles there is a truly serious side to this story of resilience and faith. He is persistent in his journey of second ( or sometimes more....) chances and along the way his faith grows, bringing along some surprising new friends.

Although this is Luke's story, it would be rather dull without Izzy Miller, A young woman, who like Luke, was staying at Windmill Farm with Amos and Fern Lapp. Throughout the story he worked hard to win her friendship. She trusted very few people, least of all Luke. His reputation had, after all, preceded him. The story of their prickly relationship is heartwarming and full of surprises. Tears of sadness and joy abound.

Mending Fences is the first book of Suzanne's new series The Deacon's family. After reading an excerpt of the upcoming Stitches In Time, I am looking forward to hearing more about Luke and Izzy.

Saturday, February 23, 2019

The Patient One by Shelley Shepard Gray

"Some friends may ruin you, but a real friend will be more loyal than a brother. "—Proverbs 18: 24

Friendships are to treasure, for we never know when those close ties will change forever. The Patient One begins with friends gathered for the unthinkable: Andy's funeral. They can't work out how it can possibly be that one of their own has died. Each has their own precious memories of a friend who was the best sort of friend. Loyal, dependable, always with a willing ear. Each wonders how they could have drifted on to their own busy, separate lives.

Shelley Shepard Gray has hit the pulse of how it feels when death comes takes someone young from our midst. As those left behind struggle to reason with their loss, nobody has a good answer. As Andy's friends struggle to understand his death, each grieves in their own way. I liked this book, as I have others by this author. She tackles hard topics and this was no exception as I thought of each young person in my life who died too young. It is inexplicable and painful. It is not easy, yet we can emerge with lessons learned, as all of Andy's friends do as they grapple with grief and what their lives hold for them in the future. And there is a future. A rich future, that may look differently than what they imagined, yet our faith in God reminds us of this promise.

I appreciate this book for the thoughtful way it was written. I recommend it with 4 stars as it is a book that will make you think and remain in your heart for a while. It will make you think of absent friends and memories of times spent together making those memories. Stay tuned for more books in The Walnut Creek Series.

...notes from the publisher....

When word had gotten out that Andy Warner had committed suicide, everyone in Walnut Creek, Ohio, had been shocked. For seven men and women in their twenties, some Amish, some Mennonite, and some English, each of whom had once counted his or herself as one of Andy’s best friends, it had been extremely painful.

And, maybe, a source of guilt.

Years have passed since they’d all been together last. Some of them got into trouble. A couple got into arguments. Eventually they all drifted apart. But even though none of them really saw each other anymore, there was a steadfast certainty that they’d always have each other’s backs—even when no one else did. Their bond was that strong…until Andy did the unthinkable.

Now the seven remaining friends, still reeling from Andy’s death, have vowed to look after each other again. As far as they’re concerned, it doesn’t matter that they’re now in their twenties and have drifted far apart. They need to connect again…for Andy.

Sunday, December 30, 2018

Reviewing: Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer

...publisher's notes....

Raised among the Amish of Indiana, 18-year-old Marianna Sommer plans to get baptized into the church, marry Aaron Zook, and set up life in the only community she has ever known. But when her older brother chooses the world’s path following his rumschpringe, and a younger sibling begins showing interest in Englisch ways, Marianna’s parents move the family to Montana.
Although she is also in her rumschpringe years and not obligated to move, Marianna makes the journey to dutifully help her mother who is expecting another child. Surprisingly, from strangers on the cross-country train ride to the less rigid stance of the new Montana community, many Englisch influences awaken within Marianna—and even her father—the desire to pursue a deeper kind of joy and love for God.
After an accident, Marianna tells her friend Ben a defining story about the Sommer family, and his response further illumines the active relationship God seeks with His followers. In due time, she learns the move from Indiana was not about losing anything, but finding out who God really is. Despite all the shake-ups, Marianna feels a sweet peace, like still waters, in her soul.

...my thoughts....

What a wonderful story! Sometimes you find that one book that just captures your heart and Beside Still Waters is just such a book. The characters are well developed and seem to come alive. I wasn't sure what to think when the story began with an unthinkable tragedy. The story really begins when the family moves to Montana and leaves their stifling Amish community behind. Our heroine Marianna longs to return and marry her childhood sweetheart. Once she opens her heart to see God's plan for her she has some new decisions to make. Tricia Goyer has a gift in helping things sort out nicely. I can't wait to see what happens in Along Wooded Paths, next up in the Big Sky Series.

Friday, October 5, 2018

The Sound of Distant Thunder by Jan Drexler

...notes from the back cover....

Katie Stuckey and Jonas Weaver are both romantics. Seventeen-year-old Katie is starry-eyed, in love with the idea of being in love, and does not want to wait to marry Jonas until she is eighteen, despite her parents' insistence. So much can happen in a year. Twenty-year-old Jonas is taken in by the romance of soldiering, especially in defense of anti-slavery, even though he knows war is at odds with the teachings of the church. When his married brother's name comes up in the draft list, he volunteers to take his brother's place. But can the commitment Katie and Jonas have made to each other survive the separation?

From the talented pen of Jan Drexler comes this brand new Amish series set against the backdrop of the Civil War. She puts her characters to the test as they struggle to reconcile their convictions and desires while the national conflict threatens to undermine and engulf their community.

...my thoughts...

If you have followed Jan Drexler's writing you find this book a bit different. Set during the Civil War in 1862, this story is compelling because of the role the war will play within the Amish community. The Amish people do not fight, choosing pacifism instead. When Jonas chose to take his brother's place in the Army, the war had a profound effect on him. He was a true believer and his faith was a light in his actions. HIs love for God, Katie and his family were as much a part of him whether he was home in the cornfields or along the battlefield in Fredericksburg.

I was inspired by Jonas. He was definitely a young man who wanted to marry young but he was willing to work hard to show was ready to marry Katie. Rather than get upset when Katie's father asked them to wait a year, he decided to take that time to clear land and build the home they would settle in.

I wasn't as sure about Katie. She was sure she was ready to marry at seventeen and it took Jonas to make her realize that the wait would make no difference, they would just be better prepared with their home. As the time passes and Jonas leaves for training, she began to change. She began to see how her actions could help others. She gained new understanding of her mother's dark moods and did what she could to ease the pain of old memories. Her love for Jonas never faltered and she grew into a formidable young woman whose strength stood difficult times. In the course of the story my admiration for her grew.

I received a copy of this book with no obligation to review it. I am happy to recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Christian Fiction.

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Reviewing: The First Love by Beverly Lewis

...from the publisher...

It's the summer of 1951, and Maggie Esh is in need of some hope. Sweet-spirited and uncommonly pretty despite struggling with chronic illness, she is used to being treated kindly by the young men of her Old Order Amish church district. Yet Maggie wishes she were more like other courting-age girls so she could live a normal, healthy life.

To make matters more complicated, Dat has recently remarried, less than a year after her mother died. And while her stepmother is kind, Rachel is much younger than Mamm, and she simply doesn't understand Maggie or her illness the way Mamm did.

When tent revival meetings come to the area, Maggie is curious, and the words of the Mennonite preacher challenge her to reconsider what she knows about faith. Can she learn to trust God even when hope seems a distant dream?

...my thoughts...

I was inspired after reading The First Love by Beverly Lewis. Maggie is such a wonderful young woman. She doesn't wish to be defined by her illness although she could be if she weren't so determined to be thought of as whole. Her faith is strong yet when she is offered a chance to attend the tent revival meetings there is a turning point. Her Old Order Amish faith is accustomed to silent prayer, not the exuberant prayer she encounters. It is intriguing and she is led to learn more about prayers for healing. Once she begins to seek healing scriptures she is surprised at who reveals their own discoveries of faith and healing. When she begins to feel stronger it is a wonder...did her faith heal her or was it the new herbal supplements that were recommended she try?

Maggie is one of my favorite Beverly Lewis characters. She is pivot-able in this story not just because of her health issues but because she is a magnet for her family. They are drawn to her for her wisdom. In our story she celebrates her 18th birthday but she is mature beyond her years. She is patient to her elderly aunt, kind to her stepmother, while acting as a buffer between her and the other children. She listens first and offers advice only when it is sought. She is a glue that bonds deep. I appreciate how her family respected her and helped her on her bad days with patience and love. I think we have all had a Maggie in our life. I recommend this story for those who enjoy a story rich with faith, hope and love. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Fiction in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

Friday, July 20, 2018

Plain Everyday Heroes Celebrate Lit Blog Tour Review & Giveaway!

About the Book

Title: Plain Everyday Heroes

Authors: Laura V. Hilton,

Rachel J. Good, Thomas Nye

Genre: Christian Amish

Release Date: July 4, 2018

Playing with Fire

Arie Zimmerman has been in love with Noah Behr from almost the moment they met, but after a devastating wildfire destroys the community, everything changes. Noah questions how a loving Gott could allow such things to happen. As Arie and her family struggle to rebuild their home and lives, Noah escapes to California to fight another off-season wildfire—and maybe find Gott in the process.

When Noah returns, he promises Arie the prize money if she will help him with a chili cook-off to fund the fire department. Of course, in order to spend more time with the girl he loves, he’s also willing to pitch in unloading the new furniture and animals her daed bought at an auction. He’ll even help Arie slice and dice vegetables if he can taste test the recipes.

More than just the kitchen heats up as they spend time together. But will Noah find a still missing Gott in the process and discover there’s more to life than what he initially believed?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

...my thoughts....

I enjoyed reading Playing With Fire and learning what became of Noah Behr, who first appeared Laura's book Firestorm. Arie and Noah sincerely care for each other but before they can move ahead in their relationship he needs to come to grips with his faith. Arie's family lost everything in the firestorm, yet her faith is stronger than ever. Noah is refreshing as he searches to find God and he is determined to keep searching. The resilience in this story could only be written by master story teller Laura V Hilton. If you have not read her work yet, I recommend you start now.

An Unlikely Hero

Mysteries intrigue secondhand shop owner Benuel Miller. Although strangers may think a blind man would be easy to cheat, those who know Benuel realize he’s honed his other senses to pick up clues his eyes don’t see, making him a savvy business owner. When a stranger enters Benuel’s secondhand shop, the man is shocked by Benuel’s accurate assessment and unsolicited advice. Wary, he hopes Benuel won’t find out his true intentions, but the shopkeeper is already on the case.

Later, Mari and her twin sister, Frannie, stop in Benuel’s shop with Frannie’s three-year-old son, and Benuel senses trouble. His hunches have never led him astray, but is he misreading something here? He can’t help being drawn to Mari, yet is she as sweet and loving as she seems? Or is she hiding a deep, dark secret?

One explosive night when tragedy strikes, Benuel risks his life to find out the truth. Can he unmask the stranger from his shop to foil a sinister plot? And will what he discovers destroy his only chance for love?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
...my thoughts on Unlikely Hero...

This is an intriguing mystery that kept me turning pages one night until I came to the end! Benuel Miller is blind but bears a special insight that enables him to read a lot into the characters of customers who enter his store. While he is not your every day hero, he quickly sizes up the situation between Mari and Frannie and knows things just don't add up. I enjoyed this novella by Rachel j Good, an author who finds the most intriguing real life subjects for her books.

Racing the Slow Girls
A recipe for fast-paced, comical, Amish adventure— Ingredients: Three fun-loving teenage boys on bicycles. Mix in an adorable little girl on a pony, a few spunky teenage girls, and a hint of romance. Directions: Place the characters in a beautiful setting, such as Holmes Co. Ohio. Roll in the boys on bikes. Stir up a few harsh words spoken carelessly. Add plenty of retaliation by the girls. Place in the heat of a family emergency until everyone is completely undone. Sit back and enjoy an Amish adventure with a cup of coffee.

...my thoughts on Racing the Slow Girls...

I enjoyed reading about Daniel and Libby, an unlikely friendship developed through his simple acts of kindness toward her. Libby was an engaging child who seemed to make him late when he was meeting friends for fun and games. Daniel had two identities and when the truth comes out in an all important event to help out his young friend, the results are a nice finish to a game of mistaken identity.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Authors

Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning, sought-after author with almost twenty Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. When she’s not writing, she reviews books for her blogs, and writes devotionals for blog posts for Seriously Write and Putting on the New.

Laura and her pastor-husband have five children and a hyper dog named Skye. They currently live in Arkansas. One son is in the U.S. Coast Guard. She is a pastor’s wife, and homeschools her two youngest children.

When she’s not writing, Laura enjoys reading, and visiting lighthouses and waterfalls. Her favorite season is winter, her favorite holiday is Christmas.

Rachel J. Good is the author of several Amish series in print or forthcoming—Sisters & Friends, Love & Promises, and two books in theHearts of Amish Country series—as well as the Amish Quilts Coloring Books and the contemporary novella, Angels Unaware, part of the Hope Chapel series. Visit Rachel at her website: www.racheljgood.com.

Thomas Nye writes novels about horses and Amish life, with a touch of romance, and a foundation of faith in Christ. He and his wife, Shari, live on her family farm where they raised five children. Their six grandchildren love to visit Karma and Karla, a team of draft horses which Thomas purchased from an Amish friend.

Arie’s habanero chili

1 lb stew meat: venison, or beef

1/4 cup bacon bits

1/2 Onion, diced

Green pepper, diced

2 cans of habanero Rotel

1 can tomato sauce

1 can kidney beans

1 can pinto beans

1/2 cup sliced jalapenos

1 TSP cayenne pepper

3 TB chili powder

2 TB beef bouillon

1 TSP paprika

1 TSP pepper

2 TB garlic

salt to taste

Saute onion and pepper, set aside. Sear stew meat in hot pan until brown. Do not over cook. Add meat and other ingredients to pot and simmer until done. Add water if necessary. Serve with cornbread. Approximately 7 servings

Recipe compliments of Michael Hilton (Laura’s son)