I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Lancaster County this past summer and finally got to experience what the Amish lifestyle really was about. It was wonderful to see all the books I’ve read come to life. I was able to fully appreciate and understand everything I had read about the culture. Therefore I was excited when I read this book because I recognized the settings because I had actually been there.

This story was really fun to read. I loved learning more about the culture and it was interesting to see Lillian change throughout the book. I felt that the Stoltzfus family were a bit less traditional than most other Old Order Amish families. They didn’t seem as strict or condemning as other stories have portrayed families who have lost a child to the “outside world.” I also remember reading that they had a recliner in the house. I guess I just had this feeling that the Amish only had wooden furniture and never pictured a lazy boy in the middle of the living room. I was glad that her grandparents did allow her to wear her jeans until she felt comfortable enough to wear Amish clothing. Also loved reading about the food because I absolutely love Amish food.

While I really liked this book, I did feel that it seemed to fall in the stereotype that everyone who comes in touch with the Amish suddenly wants to become one. It also bugged me a little that Lillian just assumed she’s Amish because it’s in her blood. While she may have Amish roots, she was raised “Englisch” so she’s not Amish by choice. I wasn’t really a fan of Samuel although I did like his son very much. He just came across as very standoffish to me.

Overall I really liked the author’s style of writing. It was a very refreshing read and it made me eager to read the rest of the books in the series. This is one of those Amish books that I really liked. It doesn’t feel like an agenda is being pushed at you. It’s more comfort reading than escapist reading this time around.

Legalism in Christianity has always been such an interesting subject to me. This is just my personal opinion but I just always wonder where these rules came from and who decided that they were right. What’s even more interesting is that a lot of times when someone describes Christianity, legalism rules are always brought up as the stereotype of the religion. This book brings up the topic and questions it and shows that it’s not always the right way to follow. One topic that came up that I found extremely thought provoking was whether these rules were what God said, or whether this is just one person’s personal views and opinions. This book started off extremely interesting. There’s suspense and drama but it’s balanced very well and the story is page turning. You don’t know what’s going to happen and, I sound sadistic, but it’s quite moving to see Jason going from extreme legalistic pastor to a guy who has no idea what he wants or what to do.

Then about halfway through the book, it just went downhill. Story lines were never answered. Characters did complete 180s. The tone of the book became extremely preachy. First off, Corrina just disappears. There was so much of the book focused on her and the storyline is just dropped. I’m half convinced Jason invented her in his mind. Then that once scene involving the “bath powder” was just really unbelievable naive on Jason’s part. The situation with Cody and Renee could have been handled a lot better in my opinion. I know the book takes place in the 70s so the laws that are effective now weren’t as strict back then. However, the situations that take place just seem so over the top. It just makes me feel like the author was making it as dramatic as possible just to create effect. As for being preachy, there were parts of the book that felt like a sermon, mostly Jason’s journal entries and the scenes with the church in Norway.

One thing that really bugged me was how the character of Yoma was portrayed. He’s supposed to be a refugee from Burma who escaped after becoming a Christian and becomes a pastor. That’s all fine, but the author has him speaking in third person all the time. This makes him sound like Yoda which is really annoying. He’s the only Asian character in the whole book and it feels like a horrible stereotype. I even asked my Dad, who’s from Burma, if anyone who immigrated from there spoke that way and he said no.

I just felt like this story could have been so much better. While legalism is a topic that is focused on heavily in the front of the book, it just dies away as the book progresses. There’s too much drama that happens, I mean literally everything that could have possibly happen in a soap opera happens in this book. I mean rape, drugs, suicide, alcoholism, incest, you name it’s in here. The problem is how it’s presented. The target audience is blatantly at Christian readers. To be honest, if I were not a Christian and picked up this book, I would lost interest very quickly. The writing is not really top notch. However the book does present a good argument and I did appreciate the topics that were brought up. If you are interested in reading more about legalism in the Christian church this is a good book to pick up. It just could have been better for me.

Zoe’s character has somehow always stood in the background for me in this series. It’s probably because she’s soft spoken and shy which made me not really notice her too much in the other books. The other three Miracle girls have such loud personalities that they tend to overpower Zoe. Therefore I was glad that she got her own book with her own storyline so we could focus on her because I think her life was really interesting. Her parents are unlike the other girls and it’s always fun to read about having to struggle with feelings between two boys. I liked Dean a lot and I thought he was a good match for Zoe.

In addition to Zoe’s story is another subplot about their mentor Ms. Moore. I found this story to be extremely interesting because it involves a situation that many teacher fear will happen to them, where they try to do a good deed and instead become punished for it. The girls’ determination to prove justice is admirable and even more astounding is the source of the unexpected help that comes their way.

One thing I’ve always liked about Anne and May’s books is how well the story flows together. With some books, it is very obvious that there are two authors, as character’s personalities or POV’s will change when the authors switch writing. This can be very distracting as you feel pulled away from the novel and can be a big jolt. Luckily you never experience this in their books which is a huge plus.

As I’ve said before in the past, I’m a HUGE fan of Anne and May’s books. They really know how to write for teens and they do it so extremely well. The stories are relatable and down to earth, showcase Christians in the real world without being preachy, and are able to reach to two audiences at the same time. Every teen girl should read their books (and adults who like YA too as well!) because not only are they good stories, but they speak to you as well. I cannot wait for Riley’s story to come out next year to round out the series. VERY Highly recommended.

The Love Finds You In… series has been putting out some awesome titles in both contemporary and historical genres. This is one of the historical novels and I really enjoyed reading it. I really liked Catherine’s character for standing up and trying to protect her family. It wasn’t fair that she had to be in charge of her sisters at such a young age but she did everything in stride. I did feel her sisters were a bit spoiled because of Catherine’s desire to protect them but it was with good intentions. Her relationship with Corbin is played out very well. I was pleased that there was a history between the two of them and not because of some random chance meeting. The book, while having a historical setting, isn’t really a historical novel. There isn’t much reference to historical events that take place outside the town or that involve outside politics and world events. Instead the reader is immersed in the lifestyle of the nostalgic west and frontier when life was harder and the lifestyle was simpler. There is talk about the early use of the telephone in the town and it was enjoyable to read about how Catherine’s sister would listen in to conversations as the town operator.

I really enjoyed the mystery that ran through the story. It was done very well and kept me on my toes. I didn’t expect the culprit to be who it was and was pleasantly surprised. It’s a really fun read that’s light and combines the romance, historical setting and mystery perfectly. The story is written extremely well. It’s not very preachy, the characters are multidimensional and the storyline just flows very well. This book is great for a fall evening as you get all comfy with a warm blanket and hot cup of cocoa.

Overall I really enjoyed reading this book. I have been impressed with all the titles from the Love Finds You.. series and this book makes a great edition to the pack. I’ll be looking forward to reading more from Lisa Harris in the future.

To me in this type of historical fiction, the actual “historical” part seems to take a backseat to the rest of the story. Other than the obvious details, this story could have very well taken place in a modern day setting with the same results. The historical setting just takes the reader back to a simpler time where life was harder and situations such as this were more cherished. Juliana is a young woman, who due to the death of her mother, has to take her life into her own hands and lands a job in a newspaper office. From there, she discovers more about life around the town and it helps to fuel her relationship with Josh. It was fun seeing the going-ons about the town and seeing what life was for like people back then. Juliana’s relationship with Marion is interesting because it seems like they might not really be as close friends as they thought. It would be interesting to see a book from her perspective.

While I enjoyed this book, I did feel a bit annoyed at times with Juliana and Josh. I didn’t really feel that much chemistry between them. What chemistry they did have seemed to come from a lot of unnecessary drama. It just seemed to me that several situations could have been totally avoided if the two had just sat down and talked and listened to the other. Instead, too many assumptions were made by both parties, causing friction and anger. There wasn’t really another storyline that rivaled Juliana and Josh’s. Their relationship was the central point of the book. Even though this book is the second in the series, it can be read as a stand alone. There are some references to the first book, but overall the characters don’t really interact so if you haven’t read the first book, you won’t get lost at all.

Overall, I did enjoy the book and I’ll be looking forward to the next book in the series. One more note, I absolutely love the color scheme of the cover of the book. The blues and greens are just gorgeous. You can’t see the back of the book here, but it’s just the loveliest shade of turquoise.

Christi Parrish’s first novel made me a huge fan of her writing and her sophomore release only solidifies this. Once again, Bethany House has done an amazing job at publishing another wonderful literary novel that rivals those in general fiction. Christa’s writing is honest and touches at the heart. The characters are so realistic that it’s like walking to your neighbor’s house and being able to hear their conversations. There were times during the book when it’s hard to read about the relationship between Benjamin and Abbi because it’s so realistic. He came back from Iraq a changed man, both physically and psychologically and they both have to live with those consequences. At times, their relationship is strained to the point of disintegration while at others you can tell that they love each other more than anything.

While Benjamin and Abbi’s story about the baby was interesting, what touched me most was Matthew’s story. His situation was tragic and he totally could have let that control his life. However instead he chose to live out his life and help out those around him. It gave me hope to see him interact with the couple and other people around the town. The story as whole gave me that feeling.

Something that really surprised me about the book is the fact that Benjamin is Indian American. Of course this shouldn’t really have shocked me since his last name was Patil but for some reason I initially glanced over that small fact. It wasn’t until he began thinking about his parents and their cultural background that it dawned on me. Furthermore, I realized that I believe this is the first time I’ve read about a male Indian American lead in a Christian book and even more so the fact that there is an interracial marriage in the story. Honestly, I’m actually glad that this fact is so subtle. It avoids any stereotypes and just acts like this is the normal everyday occurrence that doesn’t need any attention brought to it. I appreciated that no one at all in the entire book questions or brings up the subject. Cultural differences are pointed out but not once is there a character who is insulted by Ben and Abbi’s marriage. I wish more Christian fiction books would feature this style of writing.

Overall this was an extraordinary book. I didn’t want it to end as I was totally sucked into the book. If you haven’t already picked read Christa’s previous book, Home Another Way, you must pick it up along with this one. You will not be disappointed. HIGHLY recommended.

Bethany House has been on a roll with their contemporary literary fiction lately. They have been putting out books that directly touch you without being preachy or over dramatic. This latest book by Kathryn Cushman is no exception. Since I am not a mother, one would think that it would seem as it would be hard for me to understand exactly what Alisa is going through. How would I be able fully comprehend what it would mean to have a son who was living out your worst nightmare? This book however paints out Alisa’s hopes and fears so clearly, it was actually like I was in her thoughts. The story is completely engaging and I was sucked into the story. Even though it may not have been actions I would have done myself, I totally understand why Alisa did what she did. You will do anything and everything to protect the ones you love. Without spoiling anything, I just want to say that you shouldn’t expect a candy coated, happy ending here. This book portrays the real world and people face the consequences of their actions. This is way more powerful than a miracle ending where someone or something comes in to save the day. Also of interest, is the minor storyline between Alisa and her male married neighbor. I was intrigued as to where that plot would go and was surprised by the situation.

I’ve read several reviews where there have been comparisons between Cushman and Karen Kingsbury. Ok, in my honest opinion, Cushman’s books blow Kingsbury’s books out of the water. For starters, you don’t always have the happy ending in Cushman’s books. There isn’t unnecessary soap opera drama. The characters are actually believable. These books are just contemporary women’s fiction. They are stories that touch deep at your heart without have to resort to feeling as they are manipulating your tear ducts. VERY highly recommended.

As you know, Amish fiction is hit or miss with me. I don’t mind Amish fiction that emphasis the way of life but I don’t like reading stories where I feel as if I’m being preached at and made guilty because I don’t want to live the way they do. This novella collection has none of that. I would describe this book as comfort reading. The stories, which are all connected, are written by three authors who are known for their Amish stories. I really enjoyed reading this book. What I liked best about this series was that there was no conversion to the Amish faith. It’s a cliche I’m starting to abhor, that every Englischer who happens to wander in Amish land must become Amish. Thankfully none of that happens in this book. Instead what is shown is an introduction to the Amish way of life, which isn’t pushy or preachy. There is also a lot of food mentioned which is always a plus.

If there was any story I was iffy on, it would have to be Lydia’s story. This is mainly due to her stubbornness and refusal to listen to explanations. I just felt it created unnecessary drama that the story didn’t need. Other than that blip, I really had no problems as all with any of the stories. They all emphasized more on the story than trying to be Amish. Other than the obvious differences between their world and the Englisch world, I really didn’t see any differences between these stories and those set in modern world.

These three authors do very well with the novella situation. I don’t normally like novella stories but I felt that all the stories ended well and the characters were fully developed. I liked how the stories are all connected yet each is distinctly different. The best part is that this book gives a taste of each author’s style of writing and if you liked it makes you want to go and read the rest of their works. I feel that this team is good at writing together and I’ll be looking forward to reading more works from them, both individual stories and more combined efforts. Amish fans will really enjoy this book and there’s the added benefit of getting the reader into the Christmas spirit!

I guess it’s fate that almost every book I’ve read this year has something to do with a wedding. I also seem to compare every wedding story with my own. This story takes quite a different turn as it involves a daughter who has been estranged from her mother for over nine years. At first the reader is kept in the dark as to why Maisey despises Kendy so much. This wasn’t a problem for the most part, although I did feel at times as if I had somehow glanced over small details or had accidentally skimmed a few pages. As the reader learns the back story between the two women, things start to fall in place and you begin to feel for both of them. This is not your typical mother daughter story. It was actually quite refreshing to read a story about a mother and daughter who don’t get along. I say refreshing, because unfortunately not every single family has close relationships and to continually portray every Christan family as happy go lucky is deceiving. This book shows a realistic side of life that people can relate to.

The story is beautifully written and cuts deep to the heart. The narration switches from Kendy and Maisey throughout the story but it flows naturally. What I really enjoyed best about the novel is that the reader sees how everyone is both at fault and not at fault at the same time. The blame is placed on both parties as well as no one. It’s a wonderful story at the power of communication and forgiveness. Jackina Stark has absolutely wowed me with her first two novels. Never have been so impressed with a beginning author’s works. She has really taken the field by storm and I cannot wait to read more from her. VERYHIGHLY recommended.

To be honest, I was a bit hesitant when picking up this book. I’ve read one of the author’s books in the past, and had a bit of trouble reading the subject matter in the book. It was enough for me not to be able to read the other two books in the series. Therefore I was worried that this book would be like that. Luckily, as far as I could tell, there’s no connection and the storyline was one that rather enjoyable. I liked reading about Beth, Lizzy and Jonah. All three of them had very interesting story lines and I liked seeing the connections between the three. I thought it was interesting how the Amish portrayed in this story were allowed to be a bit more modern and freely use phones and other electronics. This is mainly due to the business but it’s always fascinating to read.

The problem with novellas is that because they are short, sometimes the story feels a bit rushed. The author has the hard task of making the entire story come across plus give the characters enough time to grow and develop in a shorter amount of words. In this case, it works well for the most part. I personally would have enjoyed seeing the confusion of identity between Beth and Jonah last longer. It would have been more interesting for them to think they were writing to who they were picturing instead of the actual person. As it was, the illusion ended too quickly. I’m still not ok with the way that the Amish seem to handle heavy subjects. Beth’s fiance sounds like he had serious controlling and abusive issues but she never tells anyone this because it would look bad on them. This type of behavior makes me very wary of the community portrayed in Woodsmall’s books. This book seems to be marketed as a Christmas story but I’m not really seeing it. Aside from a few references to the holiday in the book, it’s almost not even an issue. I would classify it as more a winter time story. Overall, it’s a nice short read perfect for a fall or winter afternoon. If you are a fan of Amish fiction you will enjoy this story.