Sunday, July 23, 2017
SWEETBRIAR COTTAGE by DENISE HUNTER
I think this has been one of the best books I've read from this author. She captured the hurt and shame of a young woman who carried a secret for a long time When Josie was introduced I immediately identified with her. She is tough, has trouble with relationships and trusting others is not easy for her.
Noah is what every woman longs for. He loves unconditionally and never gives up. He works hard and his tender side really showed up in this story. I loved when Josie went to deliver divorce papers to Noah after a mix-up determined they were still married. All Josie wanted to do was get Noah's signature and be done with another bad relationship. I could feel the tension between the two and knew they had some unfinished business.
The best part of the entire story is when they get trapped in a snow storm and are left to rely on each other. The author does an amazing job of allowing readers to feel the cold and wet snow as her words were so vivid. I could see them shivering and hope disappearing as the day turned to night. Josie has hidden something from Noah during their marriage that has a major impact on their relationship. When Josie begins to let her guard down and tell Noah the terror she went through as a child, I cried. I knew how she felt not believing she was important and wondering where God was. Will Noah forgive Josie for the things she did in their marriage to push Noah away? Can Josie forgive herself and allow God to heal her heart? This is one book that I will never forget. The author does a great job in telling a story about a subject that is painful . She does it with grace and compassion and shows how unconditional love heals wounds. This story could have been written about me, because I lived through what Josie endured starting at age twelve. I can assure the author that she did the story justice and helped me get closer to emotionally healing from wounds that have left me broken for years. To all the Josie's out there, don't give up. To the Noah's out there, thank you for loving unconditionally.
I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild. The review is my own opinion.
Noah is what every woman longs for. He loves unconditionally and never gives up. He works hard and his tender side really showed up in this story. I loved when Josie went to deliver divorce papers to Noah after a mix-up determined they were still married. All Josie wanted to do was get Noah's signature and be done with another bad relationship. I could feel the tension between the two and knew they had some unfinished business.
The best part of the entire story is when they get trapped in a snow storm and are left to rely on each other. The author does an amazing job of allowing readers to feel the cold and wet snow as her words were so vivid. I could see them shivering and hope disappearing as the day turned to night. Josie has hidden something from Noah during their marriage that has a major impact on their relationship. When Josie begins to let her guard down and tell Noah the terror she went through as a child, I cried. I knew how she felt not believing she was important and wondering where God was. Will Noah forgive Josie for the things she did in their marriage to push Noah away? Can Josie forgive herself and allow God to heal her heart? This is one book that I will never forget. The author does a great job in telling a story about a subject that is painful . She does it with grace and compassion and shows how unconditional love heals wounds. This story could have been written about me, because I lived through what Josie endured starting at age twelve. I can assure the author that she did the story justice and helped me get closer to emotionally healing from wounds that have left me broken for years. To all the Josie's out there, don't give up. To the Noah's out there, thank you for loving unconditionally.
I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild. The review is my own opinion.
THE BLESSING : AMISH COOKING CLASS
I have come to really love this series. I love how the author brings strangers together for a cooking class. They all meet in an Amish home where Heidi and Lyle live. Heidi is such a sweet and compassionate person. Her heart is full of love and kindness. After a devastating loss, Lyle thinks it is time for Heidi to teach another cooking class. The description of the Amish lifestyle is very well written and shows how much the author knows about the Amish culture.
As each student was introduced, we get a little background on their life. Each one comes from different places, but they each were seeking, acceptance, love, friendship and for some , forgiveness. I loved how each character blended well into the story. I have to say that I wanted to be in the kitchen as one of the students. I could feel how much Heidi loved to share her cooking skills . She made everyone feel welcome and had that tender touch of listening and guiding her students to overcome their obstacles. It was nice to have a few previous students visit in the story. The author has a wonderful style of writing which brings readers right into the story. After each class, Heidi gives the students a recipe card with a scripture on the back. I loved how those scriptures impacted their lives.
I don't have a favorite character because I felt they each played a key role in the overall story. Each character has something they are dealing with that centers around forgiveness and disappointment. At the end of the book the author has included discussion questions. I loved reading them and thinking about my answers to them. As an added bonus recipes are included at the end also. I know there are several I am going to try. Overall the book was very touching and I loved how the characters were able to open up and trust each other. I am looking forward to the next book in this wonderful series.
I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.
As each student was introduced, we get a little background on their life. Each one comes from different places, but they each were seeking, acceptance, love, friendship and for some , forgiveness. I loved how each character blended well into the story. I have to say that I wanted to be in the kitchen as one of the students. I could feel how much Heidi loved to share her cooking skills . She made everyone feel welcome and had that tender touch of listening and guiding her students to overcome their obstacles. It was nice to have a few previous students visit in the story. The author has a wonderful style of writing which brings readers right into the story. After each class, Heidi gives the students a recipe card with a scripture on the back. I loved how those scriptures impacted their lives.
I don't have a favorite character because I felt they each played a key role in the overall story. Each character has something they are dealing with that centers around forgiveness and disappointment. At the end of the book the author has included discussion questions. I loved reading them and thinking about my answers to them. As an added bonus recipes are included at the end also. I know there are several I am going to try. Overall the book was very touching and I loved how the characters were able to open up and trust each other. I am looking forward to the next book in this wonderful series.
I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.
About the book:
Two sisters get a second chance at life and love
Angela--- Her mother's untimely death, a struggling marriage, a strained relationship with her sister, Rose, and regrets over what might have been haunt her. Despite being a wife and mother, she feels she has little to show for her life.
Rose-- Still single, she longs for a husband and children. But Angela has all that and still isn't happy. Rose wants to be closer to her older sister, but she and Angela couldn't be more different. Both strong women, will their sibling rivalry ever end?
* * *
When a letter arrives from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Angela and Rose decide to visit Aunt Silvia, their mother's Mennonite sister, in the heart of Amish country. This vacation could provide the opportunity both sisters need to sort out their issues. And yet instead of finding a new way of connecting with each other, Angela and Rose discover surprising family secrets that add to their strife and threaten Rose's romance with a new beau.
Through it all, the two sisters must find the faith necessary to face their personal problems and allow God to restore hope and healing to their hearts and relationship as only He can.
About the author:
Kate Lloyd is a bestselling novelist whose books include "A Portrait of Marguerite" and the Legacy of Lancaster trilogy. A native of Baltimore, she enjoys spending time with friends and family in rural Pennsylvania and is a member of the Lancaster County Mennonite Historical Society. She now resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband.
Find out more about Kate at http://katelloyd.com.
  
What a wonderful story of two sisters who find themselves learning to accept each other . The invitation to visit their aunt must have surprised the sisters, but it will be a trip they will never forget. I loved how the author described the town and all the beautiful landscape. Aunt Silvia is one tough lady. She is fragile and quite ill but so wants to share memories with the girls. Right away you can see the different qualities Rose and Angela have . Rose is a sweet girl who sometimes is not sure of her abilities. She longs for a family and seems to be a bit jealous of her sister. Angela seems to have the perfect life. She has a wealthy husband and two children she adores, but both sisters are unhappy with their lives.
I loved the times that the girls spent with their aunt at her place. It was definitely a culture shock with no electricity or modern conveniences. As the sisters start to go through things in the attic a secret is revealed. Will this secret destroy the family? Can Rose and Angela learn to forgive someone close to them ? It is a wonderful story that explores the dynamics of two sisters and their jealousy towards each other. It's funny how they each want happiness and think the other has that. The lessons in the story are good as Rose and Angela start to open up to each. Will they be able to repair their relationship? Can aunt Silvia find a doctor that can help her overcome her illness?
The book is filled with life lessons and reminded me of how we think someone else's life looks better than our own. As the sisters start to look at their life, they find that they need to work on making themselves happy and being thankful for what they have. There are some emotional moments that really capture the essence of bonding with family. I enjoyed the ending and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a copy of this book from LitFuse. The review is my own opinionLanding page:
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Wednesday, July 19, 2017
My Summer Bucket List by Deana Dick
There are so many books I want to read but I will narrow them down to four for my must read summer list.
Summer Storms by Amy Clipston. I saw this book on Amazon and instantly knew I had to read it. I know it will encourage me and I always feel good after reading one of her books .
The Writing Desk by Rachel Hauck because she is an author that consistently writes beautiful and memorable stories.
The Blessing by Wanda Brunstetter because each book in this series brings characters from different walks of life and shows unconditional love, grace and friendship.
Hurricane by Janice Thompson because I love her writing. I found this book through another blog and ordered it right away. It talks about the hurricane from 1900 that devastated Galveston, Texas. I live about an hour away and knew that Janice would write a story with historical details and characters that I will fall in love with.
Golden Dreams by Darlene Franklin . I have come to love her books so much. I am amazed at her stories that come to life and I feel like she puts readers right in the era she writes about. She has a gift and I hope to read more from her.
The Gift of Love by Amy Clipston, This story I have wanted to read for awhile. It has been on my TBR pile and I have decided it is time to read it. I know it will bring tears, joy and grace as I get lost in an inspiring story.
Well I have so many more books I wanted to add and I know that I said I would only list four. It is hard for me not to mention some of the gifted authors I have come to love.
This project was for Amy Clipston Bakery Bunch Challenge.
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