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

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**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!)

Wishing on Willows by Katie Ganshert Book Review + Giveaway

About the book:

A three-year-old son, a struggling cafe and fading memories are all Robin Price has left of her late husband. As the proud owner of Will Tree Cafe in small town Peaks, Iowa, she pours her heart into every muffin she bakes and espresso she pulls, thankful for the sense of purpose and community the work provides.

So when developer Ian McKay shows up in Peaks with plans to build condos where her cafe and a vital town ministry are located, she isn't about to let go without a fight.

As stubborn as he is handsome, Ian won't give up easily. His family's business depends on his success in Peaks. But as Ian pushes to seal the deal, he wonders if he has met his match. Robin's gracious spirit threatens to undo his resolve, especially when he discovers the beautiful widow harbors a grief that resonates with his own.

With polarized opinions forming all over town, business becomes unavoidably personal, and Robin and Ian must decide whether to cling to the familiar or surrender their plans to the God of second chances.

My thoughts:

I read Ganshert's first book Wildflowers for Winter and really enjoyed it. It was a great first novel and so I knew as soon as I heard that she was writing a second book that it was another I would need to read. Robin is in Ganshert's first novel too as a more minor character, so it is nice to see her story unfold in Wishing on Willows. It is easy to feel sympathy for Robin, a widow with a young son and a cafe owner in a small town. You don't want to see her lose her business when she has already lost something so precious and seems like such a good person. When Ian comes to town, looking to develop property, and win the approval of his father, at first it feels like you don't want him to win. As the book goes on and you learn a little more about Ian's own personal life and struggles and can quickly start to see him develop feelings for Robin, you definitely are rooting for him as well. Wishing on Willows is a great story. It allows us a glimpse into the life of someone suffering the greif of losing a spouse, that many of us can only imagine and how to come to grips with maybe feeling attracted to someone else and having to deal with those emotions. I really enjoyed this novel and thought it was a great sophomore effort from Ganshert. I already find myself looking forward to another book in this series!

About the Author:

Katie Ganshert graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison with a degree in education. She worked as a fifth grade teacher for several years before staying home to write full-time. She was born and raised in the Midwest, where she lives with her husband and their young son. She is the author of Wildflowers from Winter. 

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Enter below via the Rafflecopter form for a chance to win an Advanced Reader's Copy of Wishing on Willows!

Be sure to head to Katie Ganshert's Facebook Page on March 19th (to coincide with Wishing on Willow's release date) and enter to win prize packages from several different characters from the book. There is some pretty cool stuff that is to be given away! Hope to see you there!

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*Disclosure- I received an advanced reader's copy of Wishing on Willows in hopes that I might mention it on my blog. All opinions stated are 100% my own.

VeggieTales The Little House That Stood Review & Giveaway

I remember the first time I watched VeggiesTales many years ago, long before I met my husband or even thought about having children of my own. It was in youth group at church on a Wednesday night and none of us could get enough of the Silly Songs with Larry segment of the show. I knew right away that one day when I had kids of my own, I would want to watch this wonderful, entertaining and best of all Faith based children's show with them.

Now that I do have my own kids, we definitely watch our fair share of Bob, Larry and friends, so I was beyond excited to have the opportunity to review the newest offering from VeggieTales- The Little House That Stood. This movie is about making good choices, a lesson we all need to be reminded of every now and then, adults and kids alike. The first story interweaves the Biblical parable of the wise man building his house upon the rock with the beloved children's classic The 3 Little Pigs. All three of my kids were excited to see the pigs make an appearance and they loved all of the catchy songs this VeggieTales offering was filled with. I loved the great lesson that no matter what we build our house out of, without a firm foundation, it is useless. And of course, this is also a great lesson in having a firm foundation for our lives as well (our faith in God).

Between the two episodes, there was a Silly Songs with Larry segment called "Happy Toothday" in which he sings an ode to his lone tooth. It's cute and silly as per usual. The next episode of VeggieTales on this dvd was just two cute and followed the theme of making good choices. Humpty Dumpty is the main character and mayor of a town of many chidlren's stories characters. My 5 year old daughter was most excited to see Goldilocks and the 3 bears in this episode and I really enjoyed the way some of these children's stories were woven together for the purpose of the lesson. It was pretty clever!

We enjoyed this VeggieTales DVD very much and look forward to watching it many more times in the future! Check out the trailer below!


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VeggieTales: The Little House That Stood Still will be available on March 5, 2013...in just a few days! Enter below for your chance to win your own copy of the DVD below via the Rafflecopter.

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*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Abel's Field DVD Review + Giveaway

About Abel's Field:

Left motherless by tragedy and abandoned by his father, high school senior Seth McArdle (Samuel Davis) faces enormous pressure as he strives to support his little sisters. At school, he endures the daily bullying of the football team. But fighting back only finds him singled out for punishment and assigned to an after-school work detail under the supervision of the reserved groundskeeper, Abel (SOUL SURFER’S Kevin Sorbo). Much to his surprise, Seth discovers that Abel may be the only one who truly understands his struggles. As dark times lure Seth toward desperate measures, the reluctant Abel may be the one person who can point him back toward the light.

My thoughts: I love a good drama. There is just something about a heart wrenching moving that just calls to be watched. I couldn't help but think throughout this movie that there are likely people going through the same situation as fictional character Seth in real life. I thought this was a great story about a 17 year old boy who was dealt a difficult hand in life and was definitely trying to take care of his sisters. His stubborn nature caused some strife that could have been avoided- when all he needed to do was ask for help. Still, I admire such a young guy trying to be the provider for his younger sisters. Seth also has trouble with members of the football team pushing him around which leads him to an after school job helping school janitor Abel in the field. Seth and Abel's relationship teaches them both great lessons about themselves and others. I thought it was a great movie overall. It wasn't too preachy, but it had easy to understand morals to the story. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a great inspirational drama to watch.

Website: http://www.Abelsfield.com

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Abel's Field will be released by AFFIRM Films/Provident Films on January 22, 2013

Enter below via the Rafflecopter for your chance to win a copy of Abel's Field on DVD! 

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising