Archive for November 2014

Review of Christmas at Rose Hill Farm: An Amish Love Story by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Monday, November 24, 2014

Christmas at Rose Hill Farm: An Amish Love StoryChristmas at Rose Hill Farm: An Amish Love Story by Suzanne Woods Fisher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
★: Didn't Like it
★★: It was Ok
★★★: Liked it
★★★★: Really liked it
★★★★★: It was amazing

Suggested Age:12+ Genre:Christmas Fiction, Christian Fiction, Amish Fiction


This is definitely one of the best Christmas books that I’ve read.  T   Suzanne Woods Fisher really knows her Bible and is one of the most spiritually minded authors that I’ve found in this genre.  I was very touched that she researched her angel character to be as accurate as she could and that she provided scriptures and insight into that research at the end of the book.   This is a book that I would suggest to anyone.  I was very touched. If you're looking for more holiday suggestions, be sure to check out our Suggested Holiday Reading List. 

Note: I have deemed this book as appropriate for teens but in full disclosure of the ARC edition (which may be different in the published edition) there is an instance of the bishops and the mother talking to the young lady who is to be married about the things to expect after she is married. It is non-descriptive and would be a non-issue for me in regards to my teen. As always, I suggest that parents to use their own discretion.
 

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2014 Suggested Holiday Reading List

A Christmas Carol|Christmas at Rose Hill Farm|Where Treetops Glisten|Naomi's Gift|The Christmas Cat
This is our 2014 Suggested Holiday Reading List.  As reviews are posted for each of the following books, this post will be updated to link to each review so...keep an eye out!  Also, feel free to share your holiday favorites in the comments below!


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'Trading Secrets' by Melody Carlson

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Trading SecretsTrading Secrets by Melody Carlson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
★: Didn't Like it
★★: It was Ok
★★★: Liked it
★★★★: Really liked it
★★★★★: It was amazing

Suggested Age:13+ Genre:Young Adult, Amish fiction


This book was hysterical. I wasn’t sure if I would like it because I often find YA books to be lacking in depth and story. Of course, there are always exceptions and this happened to be one of them. 

My daughter read this first and she kept telling me all of the really funny parts in the books. I mean, how many Amish books do you read that talk about the, “hot Amish guy.”  I really got a chuckle out of that.

This book does involve an Amish family but it isn’t really what I would consider to be Amish fiction. It’s more on the Englisher’s side of an Amish encounter.   

Note: I deemed this appropriate for ages 13+ as always, parental discretion is encouraged.   There’s a couple “hotties” thrown around and mention of underwear but nothing that I deem to be super risqué or inappropriate for teens.







Micah has been writing to her Amish penpal for years. The problem is, Zach thinks she’s a boy and she’s never bothered to correct him!

When Micah has a chance to spend some time on Zach’s farm, it really never occurs to her to just tell him the truth. She’s too afraid of losing their friendship. So, she masquerades as a boy—until she realizes that they’re going to make her room with him! 

There were a lot of hysterical situations involving this little deception and I really enjoyed this quick and quirky read. 

I do think there should be a little follow up book. I would like to see how things end up for adult Micah and Zach.     Overall, I gave this book a solid four stars. Pretty quick and clean read for a young lady.
View all my reviews|Excerpt
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Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.

She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.

Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.
 



I received Trading Secrets as a complimentary gift in exchange for  an honest review from Revell. I was not required to write a  positive review. My comments and opinions are my own.



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A warm Christmas tale of God's steadfast love:Review of Quilted by Christmas by JODIE BAILEY

Monday, November 10, 2014

Quilted by Christmas: Quilts of Love SeriesQuilted by Christmas: Quilts of Love Series by Jodie Bailey

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
★: Didn't Like it
★★: It was Ok
★★★: Liked it
★★★★: Really liked it
★★★★★: It was amazing

Suggested Age:13+ Genre:Christmas Fiction, Christian Fiction

Goodness, these Quilts of Love books are hit or miss for me.  This one fell somewhere in the middle for me.  Now, I do have to say that I really loved Jemma. She was spunky and hilarious but I just didn’t connect with the other characters.  You know, I also just didn’t like that the main character hid something so big from her significant other and he was able to just get over it.   I just thought it was a very rotten thing. I understand why she made such a decision but it doesn’t mean that I think it was okay.  

Overall, the book was okay but Taryn’s deception for me just killed it. I know everyone makes mistakes but I felt that she committed one of the ultimate betrayals.  The book is a quick read that I feel a lot of other folks would enjoy. I personally could not connect with Taryn. I chose to still give the book a three because of Jemma. She was truly the redeeming character of this book. While she also was guilty of her own deception, it was just really hard not to enjoy her spunk.

Note: I have deemed this book as appropriate for teens but in full disclosure, there is an instance of an unwed mother. While I feel that it is not written inappropriately, I do know that some of my reader-friends would not want their teens to read about such a circumstance. I will leave that to reader discretion but I found it to be of a non-issue. The pregnancy was not praised in any way and it was written appropriately. 
 

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Shakespeare meets Amish! Review of Becoming Bea by Leslie Gould

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Becoming Bea (The Courtships of Lancaster County, #4)Becoming Bea by Leslie Gould

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
★: Didn't Like it
★★: It was Ok
★★★: Liked it
★★★★: Really liked it
★★★★★: It was amazing

Suggested Age:13+ Genre:Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction


Becoming Bea is probably my favorite out of the Courtshipsof Lancaster County series. I think this author has really found her voice. Don’t get me wrong…all of the books have been really good but I just think each book has been better than the last!  This series of books are all Amish renditions of Shakespeare—very loosely based.  They are written in first person perspective which I usually don’t enjoy as much but this author does it really well! 

Note: I have deemed that this book is appropriate for teens. While there’s a minor altercation between Bea and another character becomes a bit violent with her, it is hardly described and the scene is cut short.   As always, I urge parental discretion but in my humble opinion, this book is suitable for teen girls ages thirteen and up. 

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A Love Undone: An Amish Novel of Shattered Dreams and God's Unfailing Grace

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

A Love Undone: An Amish Novel of Shattered Dreams and God's Unfailing GraceA Love Undone: An Amish Novel of Shattered Dreams and God's Unfailing Grace by Cindy Woodsmall

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
★: Didn't Like it
★★: It was Ok
★★★: Liked it
★★★★: Really liked it
★★★★★: It was amazing

Suggested Age:13+
Genre: Amish Fiction, Christian Fiction

Oh goodness! Next to the Sisters of the Quilt series, this is now my new favorite by Cindy Woodsmall! These characters are the kind that could so easily rip your heart out of your chest and stomp on it a few times.  They’re really THAT real.  Not saying that happens in this book—just that they have that ability if they wanted.  I got so caught up into this story. I just can’t gush about it enough! 


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BECOMING BEA By @LeslieJeanGould | Kindle Giveaway and Facebook Party!

Monday, November 3, 2014

Leslie Gould is back with the latest book, Becoming Bea, in her Shakespeare-inspired series, The Courtships of Lancaster County. Don't miss the other books in the series, Courting Cate (retelling of The Taming of the Shrew), Adoring Addie (inspired by Romeo and Juliet), and Minding Molly (inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream).



Leslie is celebrating the series with a Kindle giveaway and a Facebook party on November 11th.

becomingbea-400
One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire
  • One copy each of the entire The Courtships of Lancaster County series: Courting Cate, Adoring Addie, Minding Molly, and Becoming Bea.
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 11/11. Winner will be announced at Leslie's 11/11 Becoming Bea Facebook author chat party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Leslie and Amish fiction fans, as well as for a chance to win some great prizes!

becomingbea-enterbanner
{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 11th!

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