Enjoyable continuing story -- The Gift

Wanda Brunstetter continues her Prairie State Friends series with The Gift. She once again takes her readers to Arthur, Illinois, to re-visit friends first introduced in The Decision.

The story picks up from the first book, with several characters returning in continuing relationships.  The story has an engaging mix of hope, joy, promise and hurt, despair, and struggle.  There are twists and turns that kept me well involved in the flow of the story.  I also learned some interesting things about widely varying topics like reflexology and hummingbirds.

Fans of good Amish fiction should enjoy this read by one of the premier authors in the genre. There are enough loose ends left in the story to make me anxious to see how they work out in the final installment of the trilogy -- The Revelation, scheduled for release next February.

Thanks to Wanda and her publisher for providing a copy of The Gift in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

Follow the heart-wrenching story of Adam Beachy, whose mother walked out on him and his family—and away from the Amish faith. Now he balks at the idea of ever marrying and having a family of his own. But when tragedy strikes, Adam is suddenly a father figure to his three nieces and finds himself needing a wife. Despite their differences over her practice of reflexology, Leah Mast seems the best option to fill that role. Can they make it work in a modern-day marriage of convenience?





About the Author:

New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter and her husband live in Washington State but take every opportunity to visit friends in  Amish settlements throughout the States.

Fascinating Story -- The Plain Choice

Before reading The Plain Choice, I had gotten to know quite a bit about Sherry Gore through social media and glimpses of her Plain life that she shared in her cookbooks.  Her faith and relentless spirit through difficulties shine through in any contact with her.  But I knew little of the detail of her life's choices until reading this fascinating telling of her story.

Sherry has successfully done what relatively few people have -- moving from life in the modern "English" world to becoming fully assimilated into an Amish life.  Her move was not motivated by some fascination or curiosity of a different lifestyle.  Rather, Sherry became convicted of the type of life she believed God intended for her to live and found that the
Amish church and community was the environment in which to life out those convictions.

As all followers of God's way for their lives find, making the right choice does not guarantee an easy life, free from problems.  What it did provide for Sherry, though, was a place of belonging and peace that comes from following God's direction.

Although most of us who read this story will not find ourselves making the same choices as Sherry's, by reading her story we can certainly be inspired to find our own place in life.

Anyone with an interest in things Amish -- as well as those who have no exposure to this way of life -- should enjoy this story and find it to be fascinating and motivational.

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers for providing a copy of The Plain Choice in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

Raised in a broken family and emotionally overlooked, Sherry Gore grew up without a solid foundation, a prisoner of her own poor choices, and at times without hope.  A series of terrible mistakes left her feeling wrecked and alone and a sudden tragedy threw Sherry into an emotional tailspin too powerful to escape.

Sherry hangs by a thread, unable to see how she can go on living, until it happens: on a morning of no particular significance, she walks into a church and BAM the truth of Jesus’ forgiving love shatters her world and cleaves her life in two:  She goes to bed stunned; she wakes up a Christian.

Unwilling to return to the darkness of her former life, Sherry attacks her faith head on.  Soon the life Sherry Gore remakes for herself and her children as she seeks to follow the teachings of the Bible features head coverings, simple dress, and a focus on Jesus Christ.  Only then does she realize, in a fit of excitement, that there are others like her.  They are called Amish and Mennonite, and she realizes she has found her people.

The plain choice that Sherry makes is not easy – and life still brings unexpected pain and heartache - but it changes everything for her, as she becomes one of the few people on earth to have successfully joined the Amish from the outside.

She has found her place. And her story proves that one can return from the darkest depths to the purest light with the power of God.

About the Author:

Sherry Gore is the the author of two cookbooks, "Simply Delicious Amish Cooking" and "Me, Myself and Pie" and co-author of the novel "Made with Love.” She is also a weekly scribe for the national edition of the Amish newspaper, The Budget, established in 1890. The National Geographic Channel featured Sherry prominently their documentary series, Amish: Out of Order. Sherry's culinary adventures have been seen on NBC Daytime, the Today Show, Mr. Food Test Kitchen and more. Sherry is a year-round resident of beautiful, sun-kissed Sarasota, Florida, the vacation paradise of the Plain People. She has three children and is a member of a Beachy Amish Mennonite church. When not spending time with her family, writing, or eating, Sherry is a cooking show host, and an official pie contest judge.

Interesting Lessons -- It's Good to be Queen

Liz Curtis Higgs has a special knack for taking information about Biblical characters, adding her own flair to their story, and finding relevant lessons for today.  That is what she has done once again in her story of the Queen of Sheba -- It's Good to Be Queen.

There is actually very little information given in the Bible about this interesting queen.  But she has been the subject of film and print accounts, particularly those filled with speculation about any supposed relationship with King Solomon.  Liz finds nothing to suggest any intimate relationship between the two members of royalty but finds seeds for lessons to share with contemporary women.

In addition to laying out principles that could easily be applied to modern-day living, Liz shares her own stories as well as many gleaned from answers to questions she asked of her online readers.  In some places, it seems she relies heavily on those stories; in others she adds much to Biblical details of the Queen of Sheba's visit and what she learned from Solomon.  I did not find this book as enlightening as some of Liz's others.  All in all, though, she did a good job of engaging the reader with her unique teaching style.

Thanks to Blogging for Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

Sheba Journeyed Across the Desert with a Caravan of Riches,
 Only to Find the Greatest Treasure of Them All.  So Can You.

When it comes to famous queens of the Bible, we know the good one, Queen Esther, and the bad one, Queen Jezebel. Now meet the wise one, the queen of Sheba, who traveled to Jerusalem to test the mind and heart of a king.

Her quest for wisdom will surprise you, challenge you, inspire you, change you. This wealthy royal from antiquity will show you how to live boldly, seek after truth, ask the right questions, encourage others, receive graciously, and honor the Lord above all.

Shedding new light on this ancient biblical role model, Liz Curtis Higgs unveils timeless wisdom for all who aspire to please the king of Kings. - See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400070039#sthash.eMc1FXQf.dpuf

When it comes to famous queens of the Bible, we know the good one, Queen Esther, and the bad one, Queen Jezebel. Now meet the wise one, the queen of Sheba, who traveled to Jerusalem to test the mind and heart of a king. - See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400070039#sthash.eMc1FXQf.dpuf

When it comes to famous queens of the Bible, we know the good one, Queen Esther, and the bad one, Queen Jezebel. Now meet the wise one, the queen of Sheba, who traveled to Jerusalem to test the mind and heart of a king.

Her quest for wisdom will surprise you, challenge you, inspire you, change you. This wealthy royal from antiquity will show you how to live boldly, seek after truth, ask the right questions, encourage others, receive graciously, and honor the Lord above all.

Shedding new light on this ancient biblical role model, Liz Curtis Higgs unveils timeless wisdom for all who aspire to please the king of Kings. - See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400070039#sthash.eMc1FXQf.dpuf

Sheba Journeyed Across the Desert with a Caravan of Riches,
 Only to Find the Greatest Treasure of Them All.  So Can You.
When it comes to famous queens of the Bible, we know the good one, Queen Esther, and the bad one, Queen Jezebel. Now meet the wise one, the queen of Sheba, who traveled to Jerusalem to test the mind and heart of a king.

Her quest for wisdom will surprise you, challenge you, inspire you, change you. This wealthy royal from antiquity will show you how to live boldly, seek after truth, ask the right questions, encourage others, receive graciously, and honor the Lord above all.

Shedding new light on this ancient biblical role model, Liz Curtis Higgs unveils timeless wisdom for all who aspire to please the king of Kings. - See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400070039#sthash.eMc1FXQf.dpuf

Sheba Journeyed Across the Desert with a Caravan of Riches,
 Only to Find the Greatest Treasure of Them All.  So Can You.
When it comes to famous queens of the Bible, we know the good one, Queen Esther, and the bad one, Queen Jezebel. Now meet the wise one, the queen of Sheba, who traveled to Jerusalem to test the mind and heart of a king.

Her quest for wisdom will surprise you, challenge you, inspire you, change you. This wealthy royal from antiquity will show you how to live boldly, seek after truth, ask the right questions, encourage others, receive graciously, and honor the Lord above all.

Shedding new light on this ancient biblical role model, Liz Curtis Higgs unveils timeless wisdom for all who aspire to please the king of Kings. - See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400070039#sthash.eMc1FXQf.dpuf

Sheba Journeyed Across the Desert with a Caravan of Riches,
 Only to Find the Greatest Treasure of Them All.  So Can You.
When it comes to famous queens of the Bible, we know the good one, Queen Esther, and the bad one, Queen Jezebel. Now meet the wise one, the queen of Sheba, who traveled to Jerusalem to test the mind and heart of a king.

Her quest for wisdom will surprise you, challenge you, inspire you, change you. This wealthy royal from antiquity will show you how to live boldly, seek after truth, ask the right questions, encourage others, receive graciously, and honor the Lord above all.

Shedding new light on this ancient biblical role model, Liz Curtis Higgs unveils timeless wisdom for all who aspire to please the king of Kings. - See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400070039#sthash.eMc1FXQf.dpuf

When it comes to famous queens of the Bible, we know the good one, Queen Esther, and the bad one, Queen Jezebel.  Now meet the wise one, the queen of Sheba, who traveled to Jerusalem to test the mind and heart of a king.

Her quest for wisdom will surprise you, challenge you, inspire you, change you.  This wealthy royal from antiquity will show you how to live boldly, seek after truth, ask the right questions, encourage others, receive graciously, and honor the Lord above all.

Shedding new light on this ancient biblical role mode, Liz Curtis Higgs unveils timeless wisdom for all who aspire to please the king of Kings.

About the Author:

Liz Curtis Higgs has been telling tales since she wrote her first novel at the tender age of ten. Careers in broadcasting, public speaking, nonfiction writing, and children's books brought her back to her first love, fiction, at the turn of the 21st century.

Liz Curtis Higgs

In her best-selling series of Bad Girls of the Bible books, workbooks, and videos, Liz breathes new life into ancient tales about the most infamous—and intriguing—women in scriptural history, from Jezebel to Mary Magdalene. Biblically sound and cutting-edge fresh, these popular titles have helped more than one million women around the world experience God’s grace anew.

Her best-selling historical novels, which transport the stories of Rebekah, Leah, Rachel, Dinah, Ruth, and Naomi to eighteenth-century Scotland, also have invited readers to view these familiar characters in a new light. Now, with The Girl’s Still Got It, Liz offers a twenty-first century take on the book of Ruth, dishing out meat and milk, substance and style, in a highly readable, always entertaining, and deeply personal journey with one of the Good Girls of the Bible.

Liz is the author of nearly 30 books, with more than 3 million copies in print. Her popular nonfiction books include Bad Girls of the Bible, Really Bad Girls of the Bible, Unveiling Mary Magdalene, Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible, Rise and Shine, and Embrace Grace.
- See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400070039#sthash.eMc1FXQf.dpuf

When it comes to famous queens of the Bible, we know the good one, Queen Esther, and the bad one, Queen Jezebel. Now meet the wise one, the queen of Sheba, who traveled to Jerusalem to test the mind and heart of a king. - See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400070039#sthash.eMc1FXQf.dpuf

Sheba Journeyed Across the Desert with a Caravan of Riches,
 Only to Find the Greatest Treasure of Them All.  So Can You.
When it comes to famous queens of the Bible, we know the good one, Queen Esther, and the bad one, Queen Jezebel. Now meet the wise one, the queen of Sheba, who traveled to Jerusalem to test the mind and heart of a king.

Her quest for wisdom will surprise you, challenge you, inspire you, change you. This wealthy royal from antiquity will show you how to live boldly, seek after truth, ask the right questions, encourage others, receive graciously, and honor the Lord above all.

Shedding new light on this ancient biblical role model, Liz Curtis Higgs unveils timeless wisdom for all who aspire to please the king of Kings. - See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400070039#sthash.eMc1FXQf.dpuf

An Amish Brady Bunch? -- A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn

Shelley Shepard Gray provides another fun installment in her Amish Brides of Pinecraft series in A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn.

As I read the story, I couldn't help but compare some of the main characters to the classic TV show, The Brady Bunch.  Widowed mom with three girls meets widowed dad with three boys, and . . . well, you'll have to read the story to see what comes next.  Throw in a well-meaning, but trouble-making, beagle and you have plenty of elements for an enjoyable story. 

The characters are delightful to meet.  The relationships in the story move very quickly, but there is enough development to enjoy getting to know some of the feelings and struggles of the people involved.  There are visits from many of the Pinecraft folks we've met in the previous stories, including Beverly Overholt in her Orange Blossom Inn.  I am looking forward to seeing some loose ends tied up the final installment, a Christmas story.

Fans of Amish fiction should find Shelley's story to be a delightful, easy read.

Thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group for providing a copy of A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn in exchange for my honest review.

See what other readers think about the book here. 

About the Book:

A wedding brings together two young widowed parents . . . and gives them a second chance at love.

Emma Keim was heartbroken when her husband, Sanford, passed away, leaving her to raise three young daughters alone. Though several years have passed, her relatives have made it no secret that they expect Emma to remain a widow, mourning Sanford indefinitely. But when she meets Jay Hilty---a handsome widower with three young sons of his own---Emma is delighted to have a new friend who understands her struggles. Still, she is dismayed that her family is so opposed to their friendship---and the idea of it ever becoming anything more. She honors her husband's memory every day, but is she destined to be alone forever?

Emma's gentleness with Jay's boys stirs something in his heart that's been quiet for far too long. But when his oldest son becomes engaged to a local woman, suddenly Jay, Emma, and their children are swept up in wedding preparations. Witnessing his son's joy, Jay wonders if it's time for him to move forward, too, and find happiness again.

Once again, love has come to Pinecraft. But can these two parties of four become a happy, healthy family of eight?

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1USUEQM

 

About the Author: 

Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time New York Times bestseller, a two-time USA Today bestseller, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. She lives in Southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.

Find Shelley online: website, Facebook, Twitter

Great resource for a tough topic -- God Made All of Me

(As a part of my review of God Made All of Me, I shared the book with my daughter -- a mother of two toddlers -- to get a reaction from her perspective.  My comments are a compilation of our observations and thoughts.)

God Made All of Me provides an excellent resource to help parents approach the very difficult topic of sexual abuse with their young children.  The book is filled with colorful pictures, dialog between parents and children, and scattered scripture verses to help children understand what a special creation of God their bodies are. 

This is not a book to just hand to young children; supervision and guidance by a parent or other close adult is an essential
part of sharing the information.  The practical suggestions offered in the book include such things as distinguishing between "secrets" and "surprises" and brainstorming to make a list of people who could help the child feel safe.  The story is followed by a section written just for parents, providing more ways to help protect children from sexual abuse.

Parents should be aware that the book uses proper names for body parts.  Those who might feel that such terminology is not appropriate for their children due to age or other reasons should preview the book and make decisions about how to handle those parts of the story.

I would recommend God Made All of Me for parents and caregivers of young children.

Thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

See what other readers think of God Made All of Me here. 

About the Book:

"God made every part of you!"

It's easy to convey the message to children that their bodies---or particular parts of their bodies---are shameful. This misconception fuels confusion, embarrassment, and secrecy, and often prevents children from recognizing or reporting sexual abuse.
God Made All of Me is a simply-told, beautifully-illustrated story to help families talk about these sensitive issues with two- to eight-year-old children. Because the private parts of our bodies are private, the home is the ideal environment where a child should learn about his or her body and how it should be treated by others.

God Made All of Me starts from the fundamental truth that God created everything and applies that truth---the doctrine of creation---to kids and their bodies. It equips parents to talk with both boys and girls about their bodies and to help them understand the difference between the appropriate and inappropriate touch of others. God Made All of Me allows families to build a first line of defense against sexual abuse in the safety of their own homes.

God Made All of Me is the first children's book written by Rid of My Disgrace authors Justin and Lindsey Holcomb. Parents of young children themselves, the Holcombs regularly counsel victims of sexual abuse and are profoundly aware of the dangers kids face. Their simple and relatable story, designed to help children protect their bodies, will be an important resource for every family with young children.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1j72kTN 

About the Authors:

Justin Holcomb, PhD, is an Episcopal priest and professor of theology and Christian thought at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Reformed Theological Seminary. He is the author of On the Grace of God, Know the Heretics, and Know the Creeds and Councils, as well as the coauthor of Is It My Fault? and Rid of My Disgrace. He also serves on the boards for REST (Real Escape from the Sex Trade) and GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in Christian Environments).

 

Connect with Justin: website, Facebook, Twitter

 

Lindsey Holcomb, MPH, counsels victims of sexual assault and domestic violence and is the cofounder of REST (Real Escape from the Sex Trade). Lindsey has provided crisis intervention to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence and conducted a variety of training seminars to service providers. She is also the coauthor of Is It My Fault? and Rid of My Disgrace.

 

Connect with Lindsey: website, Facebook, Twitter

Recipes and conversation -- Gather around the Amish Table

Snippets of Amish life, scrumptious recipes, appetizing photos -- those are the things you will find in Gather around the Amish Table.

Lucy Leid, an Old Order Mennonite, has collected recipes from a variety of Plain cooks and compiled them into a delightful book.  The stories provided with many of the recipes are very conversational and give you the feel of sitting at the kitchen table and visiting with the cooks while they prepare meals for their family and friends.  The dishes, for the most part, are simple fare, calling for every-day ingredients common to most of our pantries.  (Although I'm not too sure about the roasted pig stomach!)

I've not yet tried any of the recipes, but several of them are on my "must-try" list for the very near future.

Thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group for providing a copy of Gather around the Amish Table  for my honest review.

See what other reviewers think about Gather around the Amish Table here.

About the book:

Straight from Amish kitchens to yours, this cookbook offers favorite family recipes and charming stories from Amish and Mennonite cooks.

Bake the pecan rolls that taste best after an ice-skating party, or try the hoagies that a community sold to help an Amish family with hospital bills. Discover the cocoa cupcakes with instructions to "stir by hand" that one young cook took literally, or whip up the whoopie pies that one Amish woman took to market in her horse and buggy.

These cherished recipes speak of comforting traditions, lively communities, and strong Christian faith. Gather your family around the table to sample the nourishing fare and trademark charm of the plain people. In the words of one cookbook contributor: "Bake someone happy!"

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1NfOVUi

About the author:

Lucy Leid is an Old Order Mennonite wife, mother, and cook in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.