Amish Christmas at North Star: Four Stories of Love and Family (Book Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Blogging For Books in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own. 

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-

Around October, I start itching to immerse myself in all things holiday related. I love the joy and spirit of the holiday season and I want to make it last as long as I can! One of the ways I like to do that is by reading Christmas themed books. I am not generally a fan of short stories, but there is something about Christmas short stories that I can't get enough of! The draw to this book is that one of my favorite authors, Katie Ganshert, wrote one of the stories. Amish fiction isn't her normal genre, so I was even more curious to read it and see how she did. Not surprisingly, her story was my favorite in the book and loved that she was the anchor to the stories (her story was the first one in the book and she wrote the epilogue). The book was about several babies who had been born on the same day by the hand of the same midwife 25 years prior. We get to find out where they are now in life and enjoy reading about their romances. The stories stand well alone but are tied together because the main characters were all born on the same evening. While I really liked the stories and would recommend the books to friends looking for a lighthearted read, something about them didn't feel like traditional Amish fiction, so that may rub some people look for traditional Amish fiction the wrong way. I still think it is worth a read and full of innocent romance. I recommend Amish Christmas at North Star to anyone who enjoys Amish fiction or Christmas themed short stories.

Made with Love by Tricia Goyer & Sherry Gore (Book Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

A Dash of Love, a Pinch of Hope, and a Whole Lot of Good Cooking

Lovina Miller should be thrilled. Pinecraft, Florida, has everything a young Amish woman could ask for: sun, sand, volleyball games, and evening singings in the park. But Pinecraft lacks the one thing Lovina desperately wants—a pie shop of her own. She longs for a place to gather with the community and serve the treat she loves.

A young carpenter named Noah Yoder strolls into her life and offers a way to make her dream come true. But before Noah and Lovina can build a shop—and a life—together, they must each face heartaches from the past. Is their new love stronger than their regrets?

Find inspiration, romance, and authentic Amish recipes for everyone’s favorite food—pie!

My thoughts-

Not long ago I read Sherry Gore's book about how she has been one of the few people from the outside to join the Amish church. She lives in Pinecraft and I know this book would have a very personal touch to it because of that. My absolute favorite author of Amish fiction is Tricia Goyer. This book to me sounded like a match made in heaven. Made with Love was a cute love story that gives us the opportunity to learn a bit about a different kind of Amish community. Pinecraft residents don't seem to follow the same stringent rules as many of the other Amish communities. This books serves as a reminder that there are Amish communities all over the United States and that each one is unique. In other words, there are Amish people outside of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Anyway, I loved the story! I found Lavina to be an interesting and likeable character. Who can not like someone who's nickname is Love? Lovina and Noah working on her pie shop and learning more about each other was a great story to watch unfold. I also enjoyed the parts of the book where Lovina's mom Ann and her best friend Regina write letters back and forth. There is just something about the written word that gets to me, it's such a personal glimpse into someone's life. As always, my favorite thing about this type of Amish fiction is that at the end of nearly every chapter there is a fantastic Amish recipe just waiting to be cooked! I can't wait to try them all! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Amish Fiction or has ever dared to dream big! 

Connect with Tricia Goyer on Facebook

Connect with Tricia Goyer on Goodreads

www.triciagoyer.com

Connect with Sherry Gore on Facebook

Connect with Sherry Gore on Goodreads

www.sherrygore.com

Christmas at Rose Hill Farm by Suzanne Woods Fisher Blog Tour & Book Review + Enter to Win a Kindle

I received a copy of the book from the publisher via the Litfuse Group in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

Bess Riehl is preparing Rose Hill Farm for her Christmas wedding, but her groom isn't who she thought it would be. Billy Lapp is far away from his Amish roots working as a rose rustler for Penn State and wants nothing to do with Stoney Ridge, his family, or Bess. And that suits Bess just fine. Why should she think twice about a man who left without a word, without any explanation? It's time she moved on with her life, and that meant saying yes to Amos Lapp, Billy's cousin and best friend. But as Bess and Amos's wedding day draws near, her emotions tangle into a tight knot. She loves Amos. Yet she can't forget Billy.

When a "lost" rose is discovered at Rose Hill Farm, Billy is sent to track down its origins. Get in, identify the rose, and get out. That's his plan. The only catch is that he's having a hard time narrowing down the identity of the lost rose, and he can't get those tropical blue eyes of Bess Riehl out of his mind.

As the history of the lost rose is pieced together, it reminds Bess and Billy--and Amos, too--that Christmas truly is the season of miracles.

Join bestselling, award-winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher for an Amish
Christmas to remember. Filled with heart-twisting moments amid the sweet anticipation of love, this story will charm readers into the holiday spirit.

My thoughts-

I haven't read an Amish fiction novel in a while so it was nice to not only have a book to read in a great genre, but also a book set around Christmas time. Although most of the book isn't necessarily centered around Christmas, it is definitely good at making you feel the spirit of the season. The majority of the book is about Bess trying to work out her feelings on the brink of her wedding to someone who wasn't her first choice, while the man who has always had her heart but disappeared has suddenly made an appearance back in her life. I can appreciate her dilemma and feel almost kind of bad for Bess when Billy shows back up to examine the unique rose, he is almost kind of aloof with her as he tries to fight his own feelings. My very favorite thing about Christmas at Rose Hill Farm are the interactions between Billy and George. They have only just met, but George keeps Billy on his toes and tells him exactly what he needs to hear time and time again. He encourages Billy, nudges him to do the things he needs to do. I really loved that entire story line in this book and how it concluded at the end of the story. I was rooting for Bess the entire story and was impressed by how brave she was to lay her feelings out there on the line the way she did several times. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good holiday book, Amish fiction or nice love story. 

About the author-

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Inn at Eagle Hill series, 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. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist. She is a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. For more information, please visit suzannewoodsfisher.com and connect with her on Twitter @suzannewfisher. Get Amish proverbs delivered right to your mobile device! Download the Free App! http://bit.ly/10Tygyi

Connect with Suzanne Woods Fisher on Facebook 
Connect with Suzanne Woods Fisher on Twitter
Connect with Suzanne Woods Fisher on Goodreads
Connect with Suzanne Woods Fisher on Pinterest
http://suzannewoodsfisher.com/

********Enter to Win a Kindle!********

Don't miss Betsy St. Amant's latest fiction release, All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes. A "sweet" tale of two best friends and the choices they make between dreams and a possible "sure thing," St. Amant's novel is sure to satisfy your romantic-fiction craving.

Betsy is celebrating with a fun Kindle giveaway and a Love & Cupcakes Facebook party! One winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle
• All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 18th. Winner will be announced at the "Love & Cupcakes" Author Chat Party on 9/18. Betsy will be hosting a "sweet" book chat, giving away prizes, and answering questions from readers. She will also share an exclusive sneak peek at her next book project!

So grab your copy of All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes and join Betsy on the evening of September 18th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 18th!

The Last Bride by Beverly Lewis

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book via the publisher in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

Of her Old Order parents' five daughters, Tessie Miller is the last to marry. She has her heart set on Amishman Marcus King, but Tessie's father opposes the match. Impetuously, Tessie and Marcus elope to the English world, then return to Hickory Hollow to live as singles, trusting they'll convince the Millers to give their love a chance over time. But when the unthinkable happens, Tessie faces the almost-certain censure of the People. Will she find a reason for hope in spite of her desperate plight?

My thoughts-

I loved the original Hickory Hollow book series and I love reading book series where old characters might pop up again, so I was excited to pick up this book to read. This was definitely a different plot for an Amish love story and I appreciated that. Sometimes it is nice to have a fresh take on things. It is apparent at the beginning of the novel that eloping is going to cause some issues because of Tessie's parents being adamant about not going forward in the relationship, but what happens is even beyond that. Tessie has a lot to deal with and she doesn't feel like she can really share it with anyone. Unfortunately, her secret will eventually come out so she will have to share it whether she wants to or not. I can' really say too much about this book without giving away secrets of the plot, so I will say that it was an interesting Amish romance. This is not your typical story although it has many of the typical elements. There were some interesting things in this novel that I guess I never really thought about that the Amish might deal with when it comes to pairing up. I would recommend this book to a lover of Amish fiction, but if you have never read a Beverly Lewis novel, I would recommend going back and reading the original Hickory Hollow series over reading this novel. It was good, just not her best.


About the author-

Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, is the New York Times bestselling author of more than ninety books. Her stories have been published in eleven languages worldwide.


Connect with Beverly Lewis on Facebook
Connect with Beverly Lewis on Goodreads

The Kissing Bridge by Tricia Goyer (Book Review)

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Book Look. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

In the third book in the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series, award-winning author Tricia Goyer introduces a surprising new resident to West Kootenai as a young woman escapes from her stifling conservative Amish community to find a new life. Rebecca is an Amish woman whose pained past compels her to leave everything to become a nurse—abandoning her family and community. Caleb is an Amish man who is counting down the days until hunting season. At a crossroads in his own life, the excitement of hunting game is all he looks forward to. All the while he wonders what to do with the rest of his life. Even though he likes the Amish lifestyle, what good is an Amish man without faith in God?

An unexpected meeting pushes them together, and they embark with friends on a two-week-long wilderness wagon journey. Hardship tears down the flimsy walls of protection they've placed around their hearts, and as their friendship grows they open up to each other and eventually reveal their deepest secrets. While on the outside they appear to be traditional Amish people, inside they both know they are anything but that. Will their secrets pull them together or draw them apart? And will their faith in God grow? There is a bridge to cross at the end of the journey. Will true love take them across?

My thoughts-

This is the third installment in the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series written by Tricia Goyer. All of the books stand alone well, but it is fun to see random characters from the first book show up from the previous books, so I hope that continues on in the series. I really like Amish fiction, so I read a lot of books in this genre and without a doubt Tricia Goyer is my favorite Amish fiction writer. I am always counting down the days until her new book will come out the second I am done with the previous book!

I really enjoyed The Kissing Bridge. The characters are easy to relate to, although it is so difficult to "see" them struggle internally when if they would just reach out to someone, maybe they would be able to work through their issues better. Rebecca's pretty much running from the life she knows because she wants to better herself after the death of her sister because she feels like she might have been able to help if she would have been more educated. On the way to the school she is going to attend, she makes an impromptu stop at her friend Marianne, who has recently left the Amish church to marry her husband. It is while visiting Marianne that she meets Caleb and begins to struggle with whether she is doing the right thing by going to school because she feels an immediate attraction to Caleb. The best part of Amish novels is always the romance that develops between the central characters and this is no exception. I love seeing the relationship develop between Caleb and Marianne, but I think the love story in this novel goes even further showing the deep love of friendship and, of course, the love of God. One of my favorite parts of the book was toward the end when Caleb and Rebecca are by the river and some young boys are being wild. It is great to see the story come full circle and reiterate that God has a purpose for every single thing that happens in our life, even if it doesn't seem apparent at the time. As usual, I am already ready for the next installment in this series and I will be counting down the days until the 5th book makes it's way to the retail shelves. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good love story or a story about faith.

Connect with Tricia Goyer via Facebook
Connect with Tricia Goyer via Twitter
Connect with Tricia Goyer via Goodreads
TriciaGoyer.com

A Road Unknown by Barbara Cameron Blog Tour & Book Review + Win a $200 Visa Cash Card

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Litfuse Group. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own.

About the book:

Elizabeth is at a crossroad. She's been given the chance to experience life outside of her community, away from the responsibility to care for her eight younger siblings, but Elizabeth Bontrager can't decide which road to take. Goshen has its charms and pressures, but Paradise, Pennsylvania, sounds . . . well, like paradise. And it's also home to her Englisch friend, Paula. Decision made. Elizabeth is Paradise bound.

But will the small town live up to its name? When Elizabeth meets Paula's friend, Bruce, she quickly learns he wants more than a friendship. And the same might be true of Saul Miller, her new boss at the country story that sells Amish products to the Englisch community. As the two compete for her attention, Elizabeth is surprised to realize she misses her family and becomes even more uncertain about where she belongs. She has a choice to make: return home or embrace this new life and possibly a new love?

My thoughts:

A Road Unknown is the first book in the Amish Roads series by Barbara Cameron. I love to read novels about the Amish because I find them and their lifestyle fascinating, so starting a new series where I might get to know several characters well when it's all said and done is always something I am willing to do. I liked that Elizabeth wanted to step out of her comfort zone and go live with her Englisch friend somewhere entirely different from her family, and the second she meets Saul on the bus, I know immediately that I will like him as the story goes on. As Elizabeth's story unfolds, it is clear that the responsibilities of her home life and helping take care of her brothers and sisters has taken a toll on her and she just wanted to step out of that life and find herself. I love that through her new job and her new place that she is living she might find out she is meant to do something she never imagined. Moving to Paradise seems to be exactly what Elizabeth needed. I feel so bad for her in several situations when it seems like she is being judged harshly or being told what to do when she is an adult and wants to make her own decisions independently. My blood boiled for her when she received a letter from her grandmother. Grandmothers should be loving and encouraging and Elizabeth's  is neither. I enjoyed following her journey, getting to know the new people in her community with her and seeing her have the opportunity to chose between two men, when in the past she hadn't had the time to have any options at all. Because she has had basically no life outside of her family, I found myself happy that she had a few big decisions to make! I look forward to seeing what characters will be in the second book in the Amish Roads series! I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in faith based romance novels or anyone interested in the Amish.

You can buy a copy of the A Road Unknown at Amazon.com or at Christian retail stores nationwide.

About the author:

 Barbara Cameron is a best-selling author who has a heart for writing about the spiritual values and simple joys of the Amish. She is the author of more than 38 fiction and nonfiction books, three nationally televised movies, and the winner of the first Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award. Barbara is a former newspaper reporter. Some of her non-fiction titles include the Everything Weddings on a Budget Book and Her Restless Heart: A Woman's Longing for Love and Acceptance. Cameron currently resides in Edgewater, Florida.


*********************Enter to win a $200 Visa Cash Card Below!*********************

Barbara Cameron is celebrating the release of A Road Unknown with a $200 Visa cash card giveaway and a fun "Amish Roads" Facebook party.

One winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa cash card
• A Road Unknown by Barbara Cameron

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 27th. Winner will be announced at Barbara's "Amish Roads" Facebook Party on February 27th. Connect with Barbara for an evening of book chat, Amish trivia, laughter, prizes, and more!

So grab your copy of A Road Unknown and join Barbara and friends on the evening of February 27th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 27th!

The Promise Box by: Tricia Goyer (Book Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher Zondervan via the Book Sneeze Blogger Program in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book:

Every year, young Amish men descend on the cozy little town of West Kootenai, Montana, arriving in the spring to live there for six months and receive “resident” status for the hunting season in the fall. They arrive as bachelors, but go home with brides!
In The Promise Box, the second book of bestselling author Tricia Goyer’s Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series, Lydia Wyse, a book editor from Seattle who grew up Amish, returns to the small community of West Kootenai, Montana to give comfort to her father after her mother's death. She is drawn back to the familiar Amish ways after finding her mother’s most precious possession, a Promise Box of prayers and scripture. What her publisher sees, though, is an opportunity for a sensational “tell-all” book about the Amish.
Lydia soon finds herself falling in love with Amish bachelor Gideon Hooley. She wants nothing more than to forget her past and look forward to a future as an Amish bride. Will the pain of her childhood— and her potential betrayal of her community—keep her from committing her whole heart?

My thoughts: 

I have been waiting for this book to come out since I finished up The Memory Jar, which was the first book in the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelor's series. The Memory Jar is one of my favorite Amish fiction novels of all time and I haven't met a Tricia Goyer novel that I haven't liked yet. I was excited to read about how another Amish couple was to come together in The Promise Box. I have to say that I love this book every bit as much as the first. I got pretty wrapped up in Lydia and Gideon's story. Lydia's mother told her at age 16 the tragic event that led to her birth mother putting her up for adoption and it causes Lydia to question where she belongs so she leaves the Amish. She comes back for her mother's funeral and her very first meeting with Gideon is definitely an interesting one! I love learning each of their back stories piece by piece throughout the book. I really feel like I need to point out that I think the most romantic scene I have ever read in an Amish fiction novel occurred in this book, my heart got fluttery for them a couple of different times, that's how strongly Goyer writes these characters, that you feel what they feel. I absolutely love that I can read a love story and feel like one of the scenes is that wonderfully romantic, but that it is completely innocent behavior, these are the kinds of love stories I want my daughter to grow up and read, the sweet ones that sweep you away! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Amish fiction or a really sweet love story. Is it bad I am already ready for book #3 in this series? The Kissing Bridge doesn't come out until April, 11 2014 so I guess I'll have to be patient!! :)

About the author:

Tricia Goyer has written more than thirty-five books, including both novels that delight and entertain readers and non- fiction titles that offer encouragement and hope. She has also published more than 500 articles in national publications such as Guideposts, Thriving Family, Proverbs 31, and HomeLife Magazine.

Connect with Tricia Goyer on Facebook
Connect with Tricia Goyer on Twitter
Connect with Tricia Goyer on Pinterest
Connect with Tricia Goyer on Goodreads

http://www.triciagoyer.com/

The Promise Box is available now on Amazon.com.

A Christmas Gift for Rose by Tricia Goyer Book Review & Blog Tour + Win a Kindle HDX for You AND a Friend!!

*Disclosure- I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Litfuse Group in exchange for my honest review. All opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book:

Rose turned her back on the man she loves after he assisted the Englisch during World War II---only to discover she's an Englischer herself. Born in the midst of the hardships of The Great Depression, Rose grew up in Berlin, Ohio, in the arms of a loving Amish family. But she is overwhelmed by self-doubt when she learns that she was born Englisch and abandoned when her family moved West in search of work. Was she meant to be Amish or would she have been better off growing up with her own
kind---Englischers? When the man she loves leaves her behind, Rose is certain he left for good. Yet Rose discovers sometimes our greatest gifts are the ones we fear.




My thoughts:


This was the first Amish fiction novel I have read that wasn't set in the present day and I thought one of the coolest things about this story was- it didn't matter. It read the same. The Amish are the same now as they were then. While this was not a surprise, I still found it refreshing that a group of people could remain largely unchanged generations later. As usual, we could certainly learn a thing or two from the Amish. A Christmas Gift for Rose was an interesting story altogether. Through a confession or her mother's Rose learns that she is actually adopted and not Amish by birth which causes her some huge struggles. Is she even truly Amish since she wasn't born that way? Did she have any right to judge her former beau Jonathan chose to go off to war (even though he didn't fight or break any of his Amish beliefs while there)? I really liked this story. It brought to mind something I would have never thought of- how would the surrounding Englishers feel when the Amish chose not to participate in a war? I liked following Rose's story and how she grows in just a short amount of time after her mom drops the adoption bombshell on her. It was also interesting to follow Jonathan's thought process and how he felt he needed to do one thing, but was able to stay true to his beliefs while doing so. I think Jonathan is probably more a character I would relate to more than Rose because he feels like he needs to do what he knows in his heart is right, regardless of what might be thought of him. I find the Great Depression time period to be an interesting one, so it was neat to think of it from the prospective of the Amish, something I have never considered when thinking about this time period. I also really enjoyed the protective relationship Rose is on the receiving end of when it comes to her brother, just a few years older than she. It was sweet to see where that began and how it never really stopped. I really enjoyed this novella. It is a great, quick little holiday read. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Amish Fiction or a love story set during Christmastime.

About Tricia Goyer:

USA Today best-selling author Tricia Goyer is the author of over 35 books, including the three-book Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series and "Lead Your Family Like Jesus," (co-written with Ken Blanchard). She has written over 500 articles for national publications and blogs for high traffic sites like TheBetterMom.com and MomLifeToday.com. She is the host of Living Inspired, a weekly radio show. Tricia and family live in Little Rock, Arkansas. They have six children.


Connect with Tricia Goyer on Facebook
Connect with Tricia Goyer on Twitter
Connect with Tricia Goyer on Goodreads
Connect with Tricia Goyer on Pinterest
TriciaGoyer.com

A Christmas Gift for Rose is now available for purchase on Amazon.com

                                
                                **********Win a Kindle HDX for you & a friend!**********

Tricia Goyer is celebrating the release of her first Christmas novella, A Christmas Gift for Rose, with a Christmas Gift giveaway! 

Enter to win a NEW Kindle Fire HDX for you AND one for a friend!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire HDX and one to give away to a friend!
• A Christmas Gift for Rose, by Tricia Goyer for you and your friend!

Four second place winners will receive:

• A Christmas Gift for Rose Christmas pack (includes a recipe card, bookmark, a signed book plate, discussion questions, and a Gathering & Giving handout!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 19th. All winners will be announced October 21st at Tricia's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Tricia's blog on the 21st to see if you won one of the great prizes! (Or better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)

The Letters by Suzanne Woods Fisher Blog Tour & Book Review + Win an iPad, Kindle or Nook!

Disclosure- I received a complimentary copy of the book for the purpose of composing this review from the publisher via Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book:

Rose Schrock is a plain woman with a simple plan. Determined to find a way to support her family and pay off her late husband's debts, she sets to work to convert the basement of her Amish farmhouse into an inn. While her family, especially her cranky mother-in-law, is unhappy with Rose's big idea, her friend and neighbor, Galen King, supports the decision and he helps with the conversion. As Rose finalizes preparations for visitors, she prays. She asks God to bless each guest who stays at the Inn at Eagle Hill. As the first guest arrives and settles in, Rose is surprised to discover that her entire family is the one who receives the blessings, in the most unexpected ways. And she's even more surprised when that guest decides to play matchmaker for Galen King.

With her signature plot twists combined with gentle Amish romance, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites readers back to Stoney Ridge for fresh stories of simple pleasures despite the complexity of life. Fisher's tale of God's providence and provision will delight her fans and create many new ones. Welcome to the Inn at Eagle Hill.

My thoughts:

I always love when I discover a new book series at it's beginning because there is nothing better than the opportunity to start on a journey with characters that you know you will be able to continue after the book is over. As usual, I am already ready for the next book in the series to find out what happens to these characters I have come to know and care for. Rose Schrock has a good amount of things to deal with in her life, she's widowed by her husband, her step-son is missing, her mother-in-law is ailing and she needs to find a way to support her family. Through it all, Rose remains composed and gentle on the outside, although sometimes falling apart on the inside. Her step-daughter Bethany is head over heels for a man that may or may not be stringing her along and another interesting man comes along, but Bethany doesn't want to give him the time of day because of his reputation as a flirt. There are a lot of little story lines going on in this novel which I really enjoyed. It is wonderful to have so many different characters to learn about and I felt that Suzanne Woods Fisher did a great job introducing them all. My favorite character in this book is probably the aloof Galen King, although I really enjoyed Bethany, Jimmy & Rose as well. I thought The Letters was a great story of surviving stressful situations and life in general...we all have hardships to bare at some point in our lives, Amish or not, so this is a story that is pretty easy to relate to. I would recommend this story to fans of Amish fiction or those who enjoy a good (but innocent) romance.


About the author:


Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Lancaster County Secrets series and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor of a new Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist. She is a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. For more information, please visit suzannewoodsfisher.com

Connect with Suzanne Woods Fisher on Facebook
Connect with Suzanne Woods Fisher on Twitter
Connect with Suzanne Woods Fisher on Goodreads


Get Amish proverbs delivered right to your iPhone or iPad! Download the Free App! http://bit.ly/134r55G

Read what other bloggers are saying about The Letters!

**Win an iPad, Kindle or Nook from @SuzanneWFisher in “The Letters” Giveaway!**

Suzanne Woods Fisher is celebrating the release of the first book, The Letters, in her new series by giving away 2 iPads, 2 Kindle Fires and 2 Nook HDs! Wow!

Two grand prize winners will receive:

• An iPad
• The Letters by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Four second place winners will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HD or a Nook HD - winner's choice!
• The Letters by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 17th. All winners will be announced August 19th at Suzanne's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Suzanne's blog on the 19th to see if you won one of the great prizes! (Or better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)

The Secret Keeper (Home to Hickory Hollow #4) by Beverly Lewis

*Disclosure- I received a free e-ARC of this novel via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book:

Jennifer Burns has always had an "old soul," but joining the Amish world will challenge her spirit--and her heart--in ways she never expected.

Jenny heads to Hickory Hollow and joins a familiar cast of characters as she learns what it takes to live the Amish life.

My thoughts:

When I read the plot description for The Secret Keeper, I was excited at the prospect of this new take on the Amish world- an outside "Englisher" not born into the Amish wanting to give up all of her worldly possessions to join their life, their church. This is the fourth book in a series of books "Home to Hickory Hollow," but stands alone well. I have only read one of the three books that proceeds it and didn't have any trouble following along. As I began to read The Secret Keeper, I noticed some familiar names (like Rebecca Lapp) pop up and realized this book was about familiar characters! I was SO ecstatic. I really enjoyed the books in the Heritage of Lancaster County series that were focused on Rebecca Lapp's daughter Katie, so I was really happy to catch up with characters in this book and see what has become of their lives a few years later. This book almost feels like you are taking this journey with Jenny. At least it did to me. I have always been fascinated by Amish culture, I don't think I could ever join their community, but it was fun to follow someone who was convinced that she was meant to live simple and among the Amish. I could relate to her in many ways- she feels like she was born in the wrong era, that she really doesn't fit in with those around her. These are things I can certainly understand. It seems that once Jenny gets to Hickory Hollow she's found somewhere she does fit in, but there are many people around her not so sure that they do. This, coupled with a big secret she is asked to keep by her mentor, causes her a bit of confusion in her own journey. There are some interesting turns in this story and I was happy to see how things wrapped up. For a moment near the end, I was almost afraid that the book wouldn't end how I thought it should and desperately wanted it to, but overall I was happy with how the entire thing panned out. I am definitely hoping there is another book that focuses on Jenny as she continues her journey! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Amish fiction, anyone who might just be curious about Amish culture and of course anyone who loves a sweet love story.

The Secret Keeper will be available September 3, 2013. You can pre-order it right now on Amazon.com.

Connect with Beverly Lewis on Facebook
Connect with Beverly Lewis on Goodreads
Beverly Lewis' Website
  Book trailer for The Secret Keeper:

The Confession- Movie Review

*Disclosure- I received a copy of the movie to view. I was not required to render a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About The Confession:

Raised by an Amish family, Katie Lapp (Katie Leclerc, TV's "Switched at Birth") always felt the call of another life. Now, her quest to find her birth-mother, Laura Mayfield-Bennett (Sherry Stringfield, TV's "ER"), has drawn her into the world of the "Englishers." Along the way, two very different men try to help her overcome a devious scheme to steal her rightful inheritance. Business-minded but kind-hearted Justin Wirth (Michael Rupnow) reaches out to disvoer Katie's hidden secrets, while her childhood sweetheart Daniel Fisher (Cameron Deane Stewart) sacrifices his own happiness for her future. Katie's heart is divided between two worlds as love reveals the trust in the moving saga based on the hit novel from New York Times best-selling author Beverly Lewis.

Michael Landon Jr. Brings to life this second installment in author Beverly Lewis' The Heritage of Lancaster Country trilogy on the big screen. I must confess, upon beginning to movie I didn't realize that this was the second in a series, but this movie (and I am sure the novel as well) is able to stand on it's own quite well. Although I had not read any of the books from this particular series of Ms. Lewis, the movie sounded great so I definitely wanted to watch it. I thought it had a great story line. Katie is on a journey to find her birth mother, who is not Amish, so she is in the world of the "Englishers" trying to figure out how to find her. She finally finds out where she is only to discover once she gets there that someone else is posing as her! She stays anyway, mistaken as a new maid, just to be around her mother and to figure out exactly why there is someone pretending to be her! I loved following along in the movie rooting for Katie in so many different ways. I wanted so badly to see that Katie would be able to reveal herself to her mother or that her mother would somehow figure out who she was. I love some of the little plot twists that revealed themselves in the movie, but I won't ruin that here for those of you who haven't read the books. There are two men that seem to love Katie and want to see her happy and help her along the way. This makes for some fantastic scenes for those of us who enjoy romance! The ending of the movie was great and left me wanting more, so I REALLY hope that they make the third installment of The Heritage of Lancaster Series into a movie as well!

The Confession is a great family movie filled with faith and love. I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys a family friendly, heartwarming story. The Confession debuted on The Hallmark Channel on May 11. The DVD will be available on June 11 and can be bought at Walmart stores nationwide. You can also pre-order the movie on Walmart.com right now! 

As for me, after watching The Confession, I realized the first movie in the series is on Netflix...guess what holds the number one spot on my instant queue? I look forward to seeing where the story began and to reading the third book (and hopefully watching the third movie if/when it gets made!) to see what is sure to be a wonderful conclusion to this great series!