The Englisch Daughter Review

 

About the Book

A marriage is tested in this Old Order Amish novel of longing for renewed love and a path for forgiveness from the best-selling author of Gathering the Threads .

Old Order Amish wife and mother Jemima has put her marriage and family ahead of herself for years. She's set herself aside. Raising four children, she's followed all the rules and has been patient in looking forward to her time to chase a dream of her own.

But when she finds out that her life savings for pursuing that dream is gone--and her husband, Roy, has been hiding a child with another woman--her entire world is shattered. Will she be able to listen to God and love Roy's child? With so much at stake, how can she and Roy fix their relationship before their lives come crashing down? (Goodreads)

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My Thoughts

I am a fan of Cindy Woodsmall. Amish fiction is not my "go to" genre but Cindy has a way of creating unique Amish stories. I will be honest and say this simply was not the book for me. I know many others have loved it so this is just my personal opinion. I was expecting something a lot different and while this story holds a lot of difficult real life topics, I cringed most of my way through the book. Not necessarily because of the tough situation but because of how it was written into the story line. There were a few times I wasn't sure if I was reading Amish fiction or not. There were times I was really surprised that the story kept going. BUT the key thing that I think is important is that forgiveness matters. Not just to those you need to forgive but also for yourself in order to move on. I think that part of the issue is that the healing process in this book happens way too fast and I found that to be incredibly unrealistic for the situation. Yes, you can forgive but trust and healing take a lot of time. 

I am sure some folks will love this book and relate to it. It was not for me but I am eager to read Cindy's next book. 

Three Stars.

"I received this book from WaterBrook for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

A Christmas Haven Review

About the Book 

Old Order Amish Ivy Zook is wrestling with her need to shed her community's ways so she can grow the business of her dreams: planning parties. As long as she's stuck living without modernization, she can barely get her business on its feet. But if she leaves too soon, she'd cause trouble for her sister, Holly, who is planning her wedding to Joshua Smucker. All of their plans become twice as complicated when an old car crashes into the storefront of Greene's Pharmacy, carrying a Swartzentruber (ultra-conservative sect) Amish man, Arlan, and his very ill sister.

The Zooks take in Arlan and Madga, tending to the woman's illness and Arlan begins helping around the family farm. Ivy and Arlan are on different tracks, one wanting to leave her community and the other to return to his. But both young people are trying to discover what God has in store for their futures and what miracles might lie around the corner this Christmas season. (Goodreads)

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My Thoughts

For a short book such as this there is a lot packed within the pages. I really enjoyed this story. The characters were well written and I found the different Amish situations very interesting. The authors really know how to make that world come alive all while being unique. I think Arlan was my favorite character, he puts a lot of things into perspective and I just enjoyed how his character was written. It took me awhile to warm up to Ivy but in the end she grew a lot through the story. The ending took me by surprise a little and I appreciated that aspect. I don't always love a predictable ending and this had you guessing. For a cozy holiday read I recommend picking this one up! 

Four Stars. 

"I received this book from the publisher for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

 

The Christmas Remedy Review

 About the Book

When an Old Order Amish woman takes a job at a small-town pharmacy struggling to survive in a world of "big box" stores, her motive is to help her Plain community. But the advent of the holiday season brings an unusual mystery to the surface--and possibly love.

Twenty-four-year-old Holly Zook lives a unique life for a young Amish woman. Years ago, her bishop allowed her to continue her education and become the lead technician for Greene's Pharmacy, an old-timey drugstore that looks out for the Amish community--a group largely without secure healthcare plans. She knows she can't marry and hold onto her professional job. She's Amish, and she can only have one or the other, so she spurns love and works toward addressing treatable diseases--like the one that claimed her father's life.

As long as Holly continues to avoid Joshua Smucker, the one man who draws her like a warm hearth in winter, she should be fine. When something unexpected threatens Greene's Pharmacy, Holly and Joshua must work together to unravel what's happened and find the "missing" patient before the Board of Pharmacy shuts them down. As the snows of December arrive, with Christmas in the air, will Holly succumb to the generous spirit of the season? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

I just love Christmas books. The covers are beautiful and the stories cozy. I really like Cindy's books because she always takes you on a unique adventure. This story talks a lot about modern medicine but from an Amish perspective. There is a perfect mix of mystery and romance that make this book a fun Christmas read. I thought the romance was a bit rushed and not really my favorite part. What I really liked about this book is how it made me think. I am not medical minded in any way and it got me to researching Amish ways and how their life expectancy has always been longer. Truly interesting topic and if you are expecting the typical Amish story you will be surprised. 

I also have really been enjoying the collaboration of Cindy and Erin, it makes for great reading! 

Four Stars. 

"I received this book from the publisher for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

Cleaning My Bookshelves Five Book Giveaway!

Since we just moved and I unpacked all of my books I realized I needed to do another giveaway!

Most of these book are ARCS that I received from the publisher. I ended up with a couple of duplicates so I figured I could share the love.

No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert 

Across the Blue by Carrie Turansky

Gathering the Threads by Cindy Woodsmall

Home on the Range by Ruth Logan Herne

Jane of Austin by Hillary Manton Lodge

 

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This is ONE giveaway so ONE person will win all of the books listed. USA only please. Once the winner has been notified they will have 24 hours to respond before I will have to choose someone else.

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My Favorite Amish Stories

So I will be the first to admit that Amish stories are not my go to books to read. Many times I feel like the stories are all the same. That being said, I have read some EXCELLENT Amish books. If you are looking for something a little unique in the Amish genre check these out!

This whole series is well very written.

This is one of the first Amish books I read by recommendation of a dear friend who has since passed away.

This was just a wonderful book for any time of year!

Katie Ganshert did an excellent job writing out of her comfort zone!

This isn't Christian Fiction just an FYI but it is SO good.

This book drew me right in!

This is probably my all time favorite Amish story written by a classic story teller.

This series is popular for a reason, it really is very good.

This book is non-fiction and it will humble you and stick with you long after you read it. I still think of it often. Read it.

Gathering of Threads Book Review

 

 About the Book

After three months ofdraus in da Welt, Ariana has returned to Summer Grove, the Old Order Amish community where she was raised for twenty years, and life with her Brenneman family. Skylar Nash, the Englisch-raised young woman is working in Ariana s cafe while getting to know her birth family and their Plain way of life. Skylar's time in Summer Grove has changed her outlook, just as Ariana has grown to see her personal faith in God in a different light than the manner she was taught while growing up. Both women will have to make decisions about their paths and Ariana must decide what role her childhood friend, ex-Amish Quill Schlabach, will play in her life.
Gathering the Threadsis the third and final novel in the Amish of Summer Grove series." (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

This is the last book in this trilogy about two young women whose lives got turned upside down starting in book one. If you haven't read these books in order, you really should or many things simply won't make much sense. I think this final book wrapped things up nicely. Both Ariana and Skylar grew a lot as did the many secondary characters. I feel like perhaps things were rushed a bit at the end. The story moved a bit slow for me and then all of the sudden the book was over and issues solved. That being said, Cindy Woodsmall does a terrific job when it comes to Amish fiction. If you aren't sure about reading Amish books, she is a great author to start with! While this hasn't been my favorite series by her, I still enjoyed these books and I look forward to what Woodsmall writes next!

"Thanks to Blogging for Books for giving me a free copy to review. All opinions are my own." 

The Angel of Forest Hill Review

 

 About the Book

A time of anticipation. A season of miracles.
Because of Joel s impossible situation, twenty-one-year-old Rose must sacrifice everything. As days pass into years in the midst of the beautiful hills, the laughter of children, and God s providence is it too much for Rose to hope for love in return?

An amazing journey toward love and belonging, filled with the wonder of the season of Christ s birth.

When Old Order Amish Rose Kurtz is asked to leave her family, travel deep into West Virginia, and help Joel Dienner with his children in the wake of tragedy, the quiet young woman recognizes a home where she might find kindness instead of criticism and hope replacing harsh words. She agrees to stay in Forest Hill and become Joel s wife for the sake of his family needs, but their marriage is to be a partnership, one built from need, not love and affection.
As the years pass, Rose continues to beckon Joel to join life again, to take joy in his growing children, and to awaken his heart to the possibility of new love. Joel hopes that Rose can move beyond deep-rooted hurts to see the beautiful Christmas ahead, their season. But will the arrival of a beautiful widow and a series of misunderstandings reverse how far Rose and Joel have come?" (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

 This is a perfect Christmas book. The cover is stunning and folks, even if you don't really like Amish, you might like this story! The setting is great and while this is a fairly short story, though spanning years, it captured my attention. There are two hurting people who end up thrown together in unusual circumstances. What I loved about this is they didn't fall in love and live happily ever after right away. There is no gushy over the top unrealistic romance. This is an honest story of people who actually need time to heal. Very well written and perfect to cuddle up and read with this winter. 

Five stars. 

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. 

Fraying at the Edge Book Review

 

 About the Book

Family, community, faith, and love.
These quilt blocks sewn together made Ariana s beautiful life.
When they are pulled to pieces,
will anything familiar remain?
The Old Order Amish life Ariana Brenneman loved vanished virtually overnight with the discovery that she was switched at birth twenty years ago. Now she s immersed in the"Englischer"world, getting to know her mother, and under the authority of her biological father, an atheist intellectual with resolute plans to expand Ariana s worldview. Only Quill Schlabach, a childhood friend living"Englisch," can help steady Ariana s tilting ground between the two worlds, but can she trust him after so many betrayals?
At the same time, Skylar Nash is forced to choose rehab or spend several months with her true relatives, the large Brenneman family and their seemingly backward life no electricity, no technology, no fun. What the young woman can t leave behind is her addiction to illegal prescription drugs and deep emptiness from the belief that she doesn't belong in either family.
New ties are binding Ariana and Skylar to the lives they were meant to have. Can they pray for the wisdom and strength they ll need to follow God s threads into unexpected futures?
"Fraying at the Edge" is the second novel in The Amish of Summer Grove series." (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

This is the second book in a series and suggest that you read book one in order to fully understand Fraying at the Edge. Cindy Woodsmall has such a way of capturing Amish life and making it an enjoyable story. She makes life real and not fluffy. This book continues the crazy lives of Ariana and Skylar. They are totally lost in their new worlds and we get to see their journey. So not only do you read about Amish life, but how different it is from the outside world. I liked the secondary characters as well and I am curious to read what happens next. The book left me hanging so I'm sure there will be a third addition. Cindy Woodsmall is my favorite Amish author so I recommend all of her books!

Four stars. 

"I received this book from Blogging For Books for free in exchange for an honest review."

Amish Christmas At North Star Review

 

 About the Book

One night four lives entered the world by the hands of an Amish midwife, just outside North Star, Pennsylvania.
Rebekah’s Babies, as they are called, are now grown adults and in four heartwarming novellas each young person experiences a journey of discovery, a possibility of 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’ fudge 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 to return 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 a reclusive widower’s life.

 My Thoughts

Amish is not what I always love to read, but since Katie Ganshert wrote one of the stories I had to read it! I also like Cindy Woodsmall as well and ends up their two stories are my favorite in this book. The first story is so very good and it leads into the rest of the stories as well. Each story, while different, all tie in together which makes this book one of the better collections I have read. The setting is a cozy Christmas scene and makes you want it to start snowing! All of the characters are well written by each author and if you like reading Amish fiction you will enjoy this book!

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for free in exchange for an honest review."

Ties That Bind Review

 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. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

Cindy Woodsmall is a talented writer and I tend to enjoy her Amish stories more than other authors. This book was a bit slow for me. I liked the overall story line of past secrets and Amish life along with the outside world. It was just a bit predictable. At the start of the book it's made into a big mystery and I was super confused. Then the story line continued and moved really slow. There is a mixture between Amish life and the lives of some characters that aren't Amish so that was different. 

I guess this book just didn't stick with me, though it was well written. 

Four stars. 

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for free in exchange for an honest review."

Summer 11 Book Giveaway- Cleaning Out My Shelves

Oh goodness is it time to clean out my bookshelves and share these titles! I have read all of these books and while they were all good, I either have multiple copies or know I won't re-read them. 

I want people to enjoy reading and I want to share great books with those who haven't read them. 

Some storylines stick with you or make you think differently.  A book can have an impact when you least expect it. 

Here are the titles included: 

 

 

 

This giveaway is for the U.S. only and one winner will be randomly picked. 

These are all in paperback and I will ship them all in one package to the winner.

Enter below and thanks so much for stopping by! Ends August 9th.

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A Love Undone Book Review

via

 About the Book

A husband and son abandoned to forge a path alone. A young woman who sacrificed her dreams. How will the God of grace and hope help them find their way? At nineteen years old, Old Order Amish Jolene Keim was on the brink of happily-ever-after when everything changed, stealing the future she expected and burdening her with an unbearable decision. For the next ten years, Jolene throws herself into family life—and then she meets Andy Fisher. The horse trainer and father to a sweet nine year-old challenges her and holds up a mirror to issues Jolene has been unwilling to face. Andy is cautious about his deepening friendship with Jolene, but he believes she knows the truth about him – that he is a grass widower. As a man whose wife abandoned him six years past, he is unable to divorce or remarry according to the Amish ways. Andy has wrestled with God concerning his reality, and he had found peace with the solitary future facing him…until he met Jolene. As Andy and Jolene find themselves confronted by difficult choices, will they trust in God’s guidance—or will the allure of their deepening friendship only lead to further temptation?(Cindy Woodsmall)

My Review

 

I really enjoy Cindy's writing because I find it to be unique. Many Amish stories are all too similar but Cindy does a good job in keeping the stories real and different. This book has a great twist to it that I definitely did not see coming. The characters I really loved. Jolene goes through so much in such a short time, grief, more grief, confusion, hope, and shattered dreams. Jolene's love for her siblings was evident and I really like that because it seems so easy for families to be ripped apart. I think that was my favorite aspect in this book. The closeness of family, even when it's a difficult decision to remain close. 

While I still don't understand why the Amish do some things, why some things are forbidden, I still like reading about a different lifestyle. This book has so much to it and Cindy has created another beautiful story. 

I rate four stars, simply because it got a little slow in the middle. 

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• Author Bio

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for free in exchange for an honest review."

Seasons of Tomorrow Book Review

 

 About the Book

As love restores Rhoda, a sudden tragedy is the test of faith she never saw coming...
More settled in her heart than ever before, Rhoda Byler feels a newfound confidence living in the Old Order Amish settlement she helped establish in Orchard Bend, Maine. Though it has been almost a year since one brother left, Rhoda is happy to be working alongside the other brother as they tend and nurture the settlement's orchard. Time has helped to heal Rhoda's wounds, and she finds that even her unusual gift of profound intuition is less of a burden as she continues to seek God's wisdom and purpose for her life.
But when an Englischer friend's grandchild is taken deeper into hiding from her grandmother, can Rhoda's gift make a difference or will it simply be a catalyst to another season of doubt and misunderstanding? As she resolves to stay on course, suddenly a shocking tragedy challenges the young settlement like never before, threatening to uproot Rhoda's peace and the future of everything she holds dear. (Goodreads)

My Review

Cindy Woodsmall is a great story teller. I have enjoyed her books from the start and I am not a huge fan of Amish fiction. This entire series has been so unique and different I have no choice but to continue reading! The first book in the Amish Vines and Orchards series is the best but they are a continuing story and go together as one main story line. The last book adds a great closure to the story lines and I really enjoyed the last few chapters. One of things I love is how Cindy includes a section at the beginning of the book to say what has happened in the past books. This helps the reader remember the details then continue on with the story.  I wish more book series had this because a little refresher is so helpful! 

This books addresses the complicated love triangle that started in book one but also includes varying characters which I thought added more to the last book. 

If you are new to Amish fiction or looking for a different Amish story line, these books are a must read. 

Learn more about the author and the books:

• Author's Website
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• GoodReads
• More Info
• Author Bio

"I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review."

Read my reviews for the previous books: 

A Season for Tending

For Every Season

For Every Season Book Review

Picture Credit

About the Book

Working hard to develop a new Amish community outside of Unity, Maine, Rhoda Byler is fully committed to rehabilitating an orchard with business partner Samuel King. But an impulsive decision has created an unexpected strain in her relationship with her beau, Samuel’s brother, Jacob, threatening plans for the orchard. Amidst mounting tension in matters of the heart and business, Rhoda finds that this fledging settlement feels like the home she has always longed for, and she begins to embrace the God-given, heightened intuition that has always felt like a burden to her. She longs for Jacob to fully be free of his past, so they can work towards the future together.

But as Rhoda uses her gift to unpack an old secret with her Englisch neighbors, it is not her beau but an unlikely ally that cheers her on. With the orchard on shaky ground and Jacob’s plans in question, Rhoda is determined to see things through to harvest. But can she trust her insight to direct her path in matters of the heart? (Goodreads)

My Review

Having read the first two books in the Amish Vines and Orchards Series I had to read For Every Season. Throughout the books there has been an ongoing love triangle that has confused me to no end. While this is not my favorite part of story, I was anxious to know what Rhoda decided. I really love the character of Rhoda because she is so different than the many other Amish fiction girls I have read about. Premonitions that Rhoda seems to have are discussed in more detail in this book which is what I enjoy reading about. While I'm sure this pushes the edge for many who read Christian fiction, I think that it is a great gift that Rhoda has. 

Overall the first book in the series is still my favorite but the third is a must read if you have followed the rest of the series. If you have not read the first two books, I don't recommend reading this one separately. There is far too much information in the previous books that continue on into this one. 

For Amish fiction lovers you will enjoy this series!

By the way have you seen the cover? Beautiful!

"I received this book from WaterBrook Multnomah for free in exchange for an honest review."

To learn more about this series stop by Cindy's website.

Christmas in Apple Ridge Book Review

Picture Credit

Christmas in Apple Ridge is a collection of three novellas: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, and The Dawn of Christmas by Cindy Woodsmall. The Dawn of Christmas is her new novella and finishes this collection nicely.

I liked the characters in these books and the delicious looking recipes at the end of the second two books. There is always good food in Woodsmall's books and I love that she includes recipes.
I really enjoyed the first book in this collection because the two characters end up writing letters to each other throughout the story. I love it when people write letters, as I used to do the same with my husband before we were married. The Sound of Sleigh Bells was a little bit more difficult for me to get into, but it ended up being a good story. The Christmas Singing is a good light read as is the Dawn of Christmas. Beth Hertzler, Mattie, and, Sadie are fun characters to read about because their lives and problems are real and honest.

I recommend this collection to anyone wanting to read light Christmas stories. (I tried to imagine myself curled up by a warm fire while reading this!)

I will say that I do love Woodsmall's writing, but her novels I enjoy better than her  novellas.

Read the first chapter here.

Order Christmas in Apple Ridge over here.

Cindy Woodsmall's website has a lot of information on this book and the making of the book collection.


"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. This is my honest opinion of the book."

A Season for Tending Book Review

A Season for Tending by Cindy Woodsmall is the first in the Amish Vines and Orchards series. When I got the book I had no idea what the story line was about so I was pleasantly surprised as I began reading. The story is about Rhoda Byler who has a gift from God that no one understands. Her story is one of guilt and confusion from past events. Her life suddenly changes when Samuel King offers her a business opportunity with the King family orchard. Samuel's girlfriend, Catherine, and his brother Jacob join the story and kept me guessing the entire time! This book deals with jealousy at it's finest, trust, believing in God's plan, and understanding that God does know what He is doing.

I was blown away with this book. I have read many of Woodsmall's books about the Amish and I think she is an incredible author. This book, I think, is her best yet. She was able to write a story that deals with a lot of issues and she did it flawlessly. Many times books about the Amish all start to sound the same, same story and plot and not very difficult to figure out. A Season for Tending was not at all like a typical Amish story and I honestly had no idea what would happen in the end, even with the romance side of things.  This is a must read to anyone who likes simply likes a good story.

Check out Woodsmall's website.

Read the first chapter A Season for Tending.

Also check out the book trailer!

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. This is my honest opinion of the book."

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms Book Review

    The Scent of Cherry Blossoms is a fictional story that captures the differences and hardships between Old Order Mennonite and Old Order Amish people. Annie Martin has grown up Old Order Mennonite and has a deep respect for the ways in which she was raised. After her family is torn apart, they start to lack the respect of the old ways they lived. After more complications at home, Annie is sent to stay with her Grandfather in Apple Ridge.
    The Old Order Mennonite and Amish have respect for each other, but no one is allowed to be romantically involved with someone from the opposite belief system. The punishment would be harsh and either person could be shunned and kicked out of the church. When a person from the family is shunned, it makes the entire family look bad, not just that one person. It ruins many of the families relationships and often times splits families apart.
    After Annie moves back to where she grew up she starts working at her Old Order Amish friend’s restaurant called Zook’s Diner. Annie starts to work with an old friend , Aden Zook, who is Amish and feelings start to grow as the two work together. I don't want to give the rest of the story away but it is interesting to read how difficult the decision is in the end!
    The reason  I read this book is because I never knew that there were barriers between Old Order Amish and Mennonite.I enjoy reading about different points of view on life and this book taught me something new.

Check out Cindy Woodsmall's website here.

Also read the first chapter at this site!

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review."