A trilogy to love

My Hope Is Found is the final installment of Gideon and Lonnie O'Riley's story.  I don't want to ruin the first two books, Be Still My Soul, and Through My Heart is Torn, but will attempt to vaguely tell their story as it leads up to this fabulous ending .

After a very rocky start to their marriage and then being torn apart when Gideon's past comes back to haunt him, Gideon is finally able to return to his family.  However, stepping back into Lonnie and Jacob's life isn't quite so simple.  Lonnie has grieved over the loss of Gideon (she has no reason to think that they will ever reunite) for months and has finally come to a place where she can open her heart and has--to a Scottish preacher named Toby McKee.  When Gideon returns and realizes what has happened, he has to turn the only place he knows to--God.  Could it be that Toby would be the better husband for Lonnie and does Gideon love her enough to let her go? 

I love, love, love this series!  The characters are endearing and my heart has grieved over all they have endured.  I have no doubt you will love Lonnie, Gideon, and Toby as much as I do. Each of these books in the series will leave you wanting more but know that they must be read in order. These are the first novels written by Joanne Bischof but I hope they will not be the last.  Even though she is from California, I can see and feel the Appalachians in her writing and she is dead on.  If you haven't read the series, may I recommend this as something to put on your wish list?  If you still aren't convinced, check out Ms. Bischof's website at http://www.joannebischof.com/.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive review.  Five stars without any hesitation!

 

Excellent Biblical fiction

Return to Me by Lynn Austin opens with something of a prologue where the prophet Daniel is interpreting the writing on the wall for the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, King Belshazzar. Babylon's days are numbered.  That means uncertainty for Daniel and his people but they will continue to trust in the Sovreign God as he has done his entire adult life.

Chapter one introduces the priest, Iddo and his family.  After years of Iddo's nightmares of his capture and his never ending desire to return to the Promised Land, King Cyrus is finally releasing the Jewish people to return to their land and rebuild the temple.  Iddo's passion for doing so has not wavered but he finds that all the Jewish people don't have that same passion. Babylon is "home", a pagan world they have grown comfortable in, and their love for and faith in the one true God has wavered. Even his own sons wish to remain in Babylon.  Only his grandson, Zechariah, desires to go to the land of his forefathers and it takes an "act of God" to convince him but his decision to do so changes everything.

Lynn Austin has successfully brought to life the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.  Not only does the story bring to life the characters from those Old Testament books, much of the story comes straight from scripture.  Ms. Austin's books are always among my favorites and this one is no exception.  Her writings demonstrate that she is well researched and thorough.  Her novels are typically lengthy but not filled with fluff.  This one is no exception.  I love how she makes me feel as if I am walking alongside these Biblical characters.  A must read for any historical fiction reader.  Return to Me is the first installment in the Restoration Chronicles.  I look forward to the furture installments.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

Three Christmas Novellas in One Volume!

For a year, Beth has mourned over the death of her fiancé. Everyone is encouraging her to move on but she is still dressed in black and appears content to live above and work in the dry goods store with her spinster Aunt Lizzy. Lizzy fears that Beth may hold on to the past forever and end up just like her--alone. Every day Beth pastes on a smile that would leave most to believe she is okay but it is the secret she hides that makes her hesitant to open her heart even if the man be to the artist who stirs her soul with his work.

Mattie runs her own shop and is fulfilling her dream of being a cake decorator after having her heart broken and leaving Pennsylvania for Ohio. Mattie has found someone new, Sol, whom she plans to marry--some day. But Mattie lacks the bond with Sol that should be present with the one you want to spend the rest of your life with even if Sol does have all the characteristics she ever wanted in a husband. So why does her ex-fiance, Gideon's, voice keep popping up in her head? When tragedy strikes, Mattie is forced to return to her Pennsylvania home. Here she will be faced with the truth behind her broken heart.

Sadie has finally found love--Daniel. That is until Daniel betrayed Sadie, with her own cousin whom she had invited to visit for the months leading up to hers and Daniel's wedding. But her whole family believes exactly as she does. If she doesn't marry Daniel, she will never marry. Sadie is torn between suffering the scorn of calling off a wedding and being strong enough to marry the man who has lied to her. Unable to bear either, she moves away and is permitted to go on Mennonite mission trips to Peru until her family insists she return home several years later. Might she open her heart and learn t o trust again?

Christmas in Apple Ridge is a collection of three Amish novels in one, all of which are centered around the Christmas season. Each story is connected through either family or friendship. The first two novellas have been released previously but the third story is new and a continuation of the first two. Difficult circumstances resulting in broken people who, through God and the love of his people, begin to heal and open their hearts again make for some very believable and touching characters. As always, Cindy Woodsmall does an excellent job of capturing the Amish way of life and includes an Amish soap recipe for the reader to try their hand at the Amish way of doing things. I have never been disappointed in a Cindy Woodsmall book and this one is no exception. There are times when escaping to a less commercial, "simple" lifestyle sounds quite appealing and doing so in the pages of an Amish story is preferable to my cutting off the electricity. They were all a joy to read and got better with each one.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

A Christmas Gift for Rose

World War II has recently ended and Rose Yoder should have been married to Jonathan by now but he ashamed their community when he voluntarily joined the military as a medic, a decision that went against the Amish pacifist way of thinking.  Rose wanted a good Amish life, not a worldly one.  How could Jonathan have turned his back on her and their future?  But perhaps the recurring nightmare Rose has had much of her life holds the secrets to the reason she has broken things off with Jonathan.  Can Rose trust Jonathan with her heart and her secrets?

Jonathan knew he couldn't stand the Englisch gazes and comments and stand by and do nothing when so many other men were giving their all for the war effort.  Even though the war is over, the results of his choice and the war itself may be with him the rest of his life. 

Tricia Goyer has woven an Amish tale of love, faith, sacrifice, and forgiveness that is set in one of the most magical times of year--the Christmas season.  It is full of surprises with the twists and turns that will keep you guessing.  For an enjoyable afternoon read, pick up the new novella, A Christmas Gift for Rose, for your own reading pleasure or as the perfect gift.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and the story felt complete even though short.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

The Women of Christmas

Three women.  All chosen by God.  All played a vital role in Jesus' birth as did the men in their lives.  After reading The Women of Christmas, you may  have a better understanding of why God chose them and what they can still teach  us today--to wait on the Lord, to trust Him with everything, and to pray until your prayers are answered.

Christmas is so much more than a holiday filled with glittering lights, music, cookies, fancy bows, and parties.  It is a season for reflection, preparation, and renewal.  Perhaps you already know the stories of Mary, Elizabeth, and Anna but Liz Curtis Higgs' writing will help you see them in a new and fresh way.  The book is also scattered with the thoughts and quotes from women who participated in an on-line Bible study such as "When the circumstances of life threaten to overwhelm me, I remember Mary's response to God's appointed plan--one that meant great cost to her, one of suffering and not understanding all God was doing. Her example of simple but complete trust has encouraged me through some difficult hours".  The Women of Christmas also contains a thorough study guide which can be used for small group study or personal advent reading.

I always enjoy Liz Curtis Higgs' humor and writing.  While this isn't my favorite of hers, I did very much enjoy the fresh look at the nativity story and plan to revisit this title beginning the first of December.  It is a quick read if you wish to do it in one sitting and would make a great ladies group study book for the months leading up to Christmas.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and am in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

Beverly Lewis' latest

I have almost sworn off any more Amish stories but who can refuse Beverly Lewis? I have been reading her works for close to twenty years so won't stop now and she never disappoints even with a topic that is currently way overwritten. Oddly enough, the same day my review copy came in the mail, my mother was meeting her in a bookstore to purchase the same book.

Since age eleven, Jennifer Burns has been enamored with the Amish people She has subscribed to their newspaper, exchanged letters with an Amish girl she befriended, visited Lancaster County Pennsylvania each summer, and read everything she could find about their ways. Jennifer even felt she had been born in the wrong era and that she never quite fit in with her siblings and parent's way of life. When Jennifer sells everything she owns in order to move to Lancaster and become Amish, all are shocked but Rebbecca and Samuel Lapp provide a place for her to stay even though it isn't customary to do so. What she didn't do before leaving her old life was tell her family what her plans were.

When Jennifer arrives in Hickory Hollow, Rebecca is immediately taken with her. However, others in the Amish community aren't so quick to win over and trust an Englischer. Jennifer isn't discouraged though and is determined to be part of the faith. Her journey takes her in directions she didn't quite expect.

Even though written as part of a series, this book easily stands alone and Ms. Lewis fills the reader in on events that happend in previous installments. Even though another Amish fiction, the slant that Ms. Lewis takes on a person being raised in the Englisch world wanting to become Amish is enjoyable. To be honest, I've never read anything by Beverly Lewis that I didn't thoroughly enjoy and "The Secret Keeper" is no exception. Thank you for another enjoyable read, Ms. Lewis!

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review. 

Historical Fiction At Its Best

Susanna Smith has always known she would marry up.  She really had no choice.  She wants to help the less fortunate and that is the means to do so.  But she cringes at being a part of what attracts a prestigious husband.  "If only she could flirt as effortlessly" as her beautiful sister Mary.

Benjamin Ross came from a farming family and is a rising country lawyer who wants to change his world.  Even though the colonies are still under British rule, he dreams of life without the king's tyranny. He and Susanna had played together as children but does he remember her and her vain words?  The two are drawn together as adults but Benjamin knows he is not what Susanna is expected to marry.  Throughout the story, both must struggle with what they feel is ethical vs. what is lawful.

I love Ms. Hedlund's attention to historical detail and her work is well researched.  This is my favorite time period in American history, on the eve of the American Revolution, set in Massachusetts where much of the unrest and uncertainty to the colonies' future was most vividly felt.  Ms. Hedlund has created two characters full of passion for what they believe in and struggling to fulfill the roles expected of the in a story filled with romance, mystery and drama.  If you love historical fiction, this is one you won't want to put down.  Available in bookstores this week.

I did receive this book free from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review and am in no way obligated to leave a positive review.