A Simply Enchanted Life

When I got this email this morning from Blogging from Books I simply had to share a peek at this upcoming book release. Men like this are true heroes and we should honor and remember them...always! Please help me in spreading the word about the release of this book. I have left a description as well as a video for you to enjoy below.

"When Navy SEAL Adam Brown woke up on March 17, 2010, he didn’t know he would die that night in the Hindu Kush Mountains of Afghanistan—but he was ready.

In a letter to his children, not meant to be seen unless the worst happened, he wrote, “I’m not afraid of anything that might happen to me on this earth, because I know no matter what, nothing can take my spirit from me.”

Fearless is the story of Adam Brown, a man of extremes, whose courage and determination was fueled by faith, family, and the love of a woman. It’s about a man who waged a war against his own worst impulses and persevered to reach the top tier of the US military. Always the first to volunteer for the most dangerous assignments, Adam’s final act of bravery led to the ultimate sacrifice."

Do not be discouraged. For the Lord gives wisdom. From His mouth comes knowledge and understanding."
Ruth Reid, The Promise of an Angel

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world"
Thorin OakenShield, The Hobbit

I have read this book many times and, as always, I am drawn to Middle Earth as a moth is drawn to a flame. Oh the lessons that we can learn from Bilbo Baggins! I could give a long elaborate review on this book but feel it is pretty unnecessary. The beauty (and danger) Of Middle Earth has enticed many a reader without my help and I'm sure it will continue to do so for many years to come. So, I leave you all with one of my favorite poems from The Hobbit and I hope that you enjoy!

Roads go ever ever on,
Over rock and under tree,
By caves where never sun has shone,
By streams that never find the sea;
Over snow by winter sown,
And through the merry flowers of June,
Over grass and over stone,
And under mountains in the moon.



Roads go ever ever on
Under cloud and under star,
Yet feet that wandering have gone
Turn at last to home afar.
Eyes that fire and sword have seen
And horror in the halls of stone
Look at last on meadows green
And trees and hills they long have known.

The Promise of an Angel by Ruth Reid

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"The Promise of an Angel" is the breakout novel in the "Heaven on Earth" series by a new author, Ruth Reid. I really enjoyed the book. It was unique in that it combines two genres - Amish Fiction and Angel Tales - into one book. Unlike the second book, which I also enjoyed, you can really tell that this book was written by a relatively new author. There were small issues with the book, such as redundant words or sentences that just didn't read well. Ruth Reid still shows promise and I will be reading more of her stories in the future.

In this book we meet Judith Fisher and her friends, family and community. When Judith's younger brother is hurt in an accident, everyone blames Judith as she was watching him at the time. Furthermore, they think she's lost her mind when she insists that an angel assisted her brother on the day of the accident. The entire community scorns and mocks her, including the boy she loves. However, she does find a friend in the Bishop's son, Andrew. Andrew, as we find out, is dealing with his own private pain. I won't ruin the ending for those that haven't yet read it, even though it was a bit predictable. The book was still quite enjoyable. I think Ruth Reid shows promise which is evident in the improvements in the flow of the second story, "The Brush of Angel Wings" -- definitely a writer to keep our eyes on. I think she'll do well and will delight us with many unique Angel and Amish tales in the future!


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Brush of Angel's Wings by Ruth Reid

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



‘Brush of Angel's Wings’ by Ruth Reid is possibly the best book I've read this year. A relatively new author, I was a little scared to read this book. However, I was pleasantly surprised. This book isn't your typical Amish book. It is a mixture of two genres - Amish Fiction and Angel Fiction, which makes this book very interesting.

In this book we meet two angels: the good angel, Nathaniel and the evil fallen angel Tangus, who is constantly provoking Nathaniel's wards, Rachel and Jordan. Rachel isn't your typical Amish girl either. Being the youngest daughter, unmarried and not very good at domestic skills, she's more taken to helping out on the farm in the wake of her brother's death as she's the only remaining child at home for her parents. Her parents, however, have different ideas for Rachel and hire Jordan to help out on the farm in hopes that Rachel will become more focused on finding herself and also a good Amish husband. Jordan on the other hand isn't exactly Amish. He's the son of a shunned Amish lady who's last wish was for her son to get to know her family as his own father has abandoned them. When tragedy strikes and all hope seems to be extinguished, Tangus does his best to lure Rachel and Jordan down the path of despair. However, Nathaniel has not yet given up and is determined to bring the pair to Christ.

This book was absolutely fantastic. I cried with Rachel when she experienced overwhelming loss and I felt Jordan's sheer hopelessness. The message of God's love and salvation being extended and the peace that follows was wonderfully refreshing and delightful to read. It was also interesting to see the attacks of Satan brought to life through the dialogue of Nathaniel and Tangus. I give this book 5 stars. I can't wait to go back and read the first debut novel, "The Promise of an Angel" and will certainly be on the lookout for future releases from this Author.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255


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“Live in the present, remember the past, and fear not the future, for it doesn't exist and never shall. There is only now.”
― Christopher Paolini, Eldest

The Redemption of Sarah Cain by Beverly Lewis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I really enjoyed reading ‘The Redemption of Sarah Cain’. I have not
yet seen the movie and I haven't been able to find the original book,
as this is the movie edition of the book. I do look forward to reading
the other version of the book as well as watching the movie to
compare. Beverly Lewis is one of my favorite authors of the Amish
genre and the story didn't disappoint. Most of the books I read are
about the Old Order Amish so I was rather surprised that this one is
about the New Order Amish and to learn some of the differences,
include having telephones and other basic electric amenities. All of
that aside, the thing that stands out to me in this book is the
message of forgiveness through Christ and the importance of His
salvation.

In this book we meet Sarah Cain, a rich real estate agent who is very
caught up in a material way of life, which contrasts with her five
orphaned nieces and nephews who have been raised in a Plain Amish
community. Sarah remembers her sister as being cold hearted and
cruel. She doesn't realize the change that has taken place in Ivy's
heart, because while her sister was alive she wouldn't give her sister
a chance to prove she had changed. And Ivy had surely changed, from
the inside out. When Ivy leaves Sarah as the children's caregiver,
she is stunned and put off. To be honest, Sarah is selfish and she
doesn't want her lifestyle threatened. Yet, she finds herself in the
heart of Amish country, if for nothing else, to find a home for her
sisters children so that she can go on with her life. I won't
completely ruin the story for those that haven't yet read but, as the
title suggests, Sarah will find her redemption. Whether this means she
will become Amish and give up her fancy life, well I'll leave that up
to the readers to find out for themselves!

**On a side note, a lot of folks down rate this novel for the very
Christian themes and opinions. To those, I have to say, if you dislike
Christian themes and the Bible, this book and author is not for you.
She is a Christian writer; her books are published by a Christian
publishing company. The Amish are a very religious people with a
strict lifestyle that allows very little straying from the fold. It
would serve well to keep those facts in mind before picking up any
Amish fiction.



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"You must remain optimistic, for a negative outlook is more of a handicap than any physical injury."
Christopher Paolini