A Simply Enchanted Life

Minding Molly by Leslie Gould

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Suggested Age:12+
Genre: Christian,Amish Fiction

I have loved every single book that I’ve read in the The Courtships of Lancaster County series so far!

I have to admit that this one was the one I have been looking forward to the most.

The books in this series are adaptations of Shakespeare plays into an Amish setting and this particular book is a retelling of A Midsummer Night’s Dream—which just happened to be my favorite Shakespeare play.

The cover is also the nicest out of the series so far, I think. The cover model is exactly how I pictured Molly. Fantastic book and I would definitely recommend it!

Molly Zook has lost her father and she is determined to keep her mother from losing their farm. She even considers a marriage of convenience that her mother is determined to arrange. That is, until she meets Leon…

Leon is everything Molly ever wanted. He’s kind and compassionate, good looking and creative. He’s also from Montana and Molly’s heart is torn because she doesn’t want to leave her mother and her sister.

To further complicate things, her friend Marvin has set his eyes on her but Molly doesn’t want to hurt her best friend, Hannah who has her eyes set on Marvin.

When the friends all take a camping trip, Molly’s bossy and take-charge attitude threatens to drive everyone away, including Leon. Will Molly learn to let go and let God be in charge or will her need to control everyone drive them away?

I identified so much with Molly. She has the best intentions and tries to keep things running smoothly by demanding that people do things her way. Her ability to get things done is a good thing but it is awful easy to also come off as bossy and as an elitist who sucks the fun out of everything. Knowing when to turn over control and let people do things their own way is something I also struggle with.

I enjoy reading a book where the characters have flaws and are realistic. I give Leslie Gould two thumbs up and a 5 out of 5 star rating for this book! I look forward to the next book in the installment. Expected publication for “Becoming Bea” is October 2014.
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Leslie Gould is the coauthor, with Mindy Starns Clark, of the #1 CBA bestseller, a 2012 Christy Award winner, The Amish Nanny, and The Amish Bride. She is also the author of numerous other novels, including Garden of Dreams, Beyond the Blue (winner of the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice for Best Inspirational Novel, 2006), and Scrap Everything. She holds and MFA in creative writing from Portland State University and has taught fiction writing at Multnomah University as an adjunct professor. She and her husband and four children live in Portland, Oregon.

Learn more about Leslie at www.lesliegould.com
I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

A Christmas Gift for Rose by Tricia Goyer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Looking for a book to ease into the holiday season without feeling as if it slapped you across the face and made you feel like you needed to start writing your list and checking it twice?

This book is a holiday novella but it isn’t overly christmasy!

I promise you won’t find yourself humming jingle bells or have an overwhelming desire to go trim your tree.

What you will discover is a sense of peace that is often easier to find during the holiday season.

Rose imagines that her life would have been different. Perhaps she should already be married but the love of her life forsook the Amish way when he volunteered for the military.

Something bigger than Jonathan leaving her gnaws at her though and she can’t quite figure out a reason for her discontentment and the constant nightmares that plague her. Feelings of abandonment and a fear of loss seems to reach into the recesses of her mind and torment her for reasons she cannot fathom.

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When Jonathan returns home from the war she is confused about how she feels about him. She wants to give them a chance but she worries that his time in the world will take him away from her and once again she finds herself questioning feelings that she can’t explain. Why does she feel so alone?

When a “secret” is revealed, Rose is more confused and lonely than ever. She feels as if her world has been crumpled and that she doesn’t belong anywhere. A still small voice keeps reminding her of His love for her but will she overcome her sadness to listen? Will she stop and recognize the message?

This book was a fantastic book about the love that a mother has for her daughter and the special love that goes into raising a child that God has trusted you with.
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About the Author:
Tricia Goyer is the author of thirty books including Songbird Under a German Moon, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.

I received this book free from the publisher through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own
I received this book free from the publisher through a fantastic program called Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review. The thoughts and opinions I have expressed are my own. To view other reviews and learn more about this tour please visit the Litfuse group by clicking here

Simply Delicious Amish Cooking: Recipes and Stories from the Amish of Sarasota, Florida by Sherry Gore

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I’ve seen a lot of praise for the author of this cookbook from various Amish-Fiction writers so I was excited to have the chance to pick it up. I held off on writing my review until I tried a few of the recipes which might I add—were DELICIOUS! I wanted to get a picture of the recipes we tried but unfortunately the muffins were gobbled up before I had a chance!

I thought this cookbook was great but I will be honest that I’m still slightly confused over cookbooks in e-book format. I understand that this book comes in both print and in e-book but seeing as the ebook version is the one that I read…

The reason ebooks as cookbooks make no sense to me is that you get your kindle or ereader filthy and have to have it in your kitchen which isn’t a very safe place for an electronic. Also, it does not make it easy to flip through and look at which recipes you want to view or to just prop your book open and take a look.

Otherwise, the cookbook itself was a 5 star cookbook simply for the delicious breakfast muffin recipes I found inside! I made the Blueberry Streusel muffins and as I said—they were gone before I could even get a picture of them! I can’t wait to try a few variations of this recipe with other fruits. I’m betting strawberry would be fantastic!

This is a book I will definitely be on the lookout for in printed format. I enjoyed the recipes and the stories inside the beginning of each chapter. I knew very little about Pinecraft, Florida or about the Amish and Mennonite that live there. There was also a “statement of faith” of sorts that helped put their belief system into perspective.

If you’re looking for a recipe book with fantastic desserts—I do suggest this one. I DO suggest getting the book in print rather than ebook publication!
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Sherry Gore has a multiple book contract (including a memoir) with Zondervan, an imprint of HarperCollins. Sherry is the author of Simply Delicious Amish Cooking and is the editor-in-chief of Cooking & Such magazine, which has been called “Visually stunning, completely heartwarming” by Amish novelist, Cindy Woodsmall.

Sherry is also a weekly scribe for the national edition of the 120-year-old Amish newspaper, The Budget. National Geographic Channel featured Sherry prominently in the 2012 season of their documentary series, Amish: Out of Order. Sherry is currently under development contract for a second documentary series and just completed a sizzle tape for Lifetime TV. 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. She’s a caregiver to her twenty-two-year-old daughter, a Sunday school teacher, a cooking show host, and an official pie contest judge

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

My Amish Childhood: A True Story of Faith, Family, and the Simple Life by Jerry S. Eicher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was so pleasantly surprising for me…WOW! I’m honestly shocked because this is the first time I have ever made it through an autobiography! Not only did I make it through but I enjoyed it! This was also the first book that I have read by the author.

My mother has been bugging me for quite some time to pick up his books and I had been meaning to but I will admit that I was scared. It seems that male authors sometimes leave me feeling as if something is missing that connects with me as a woman. Not all male authors mind you—but it was still enough to scare me for a short time.

I should have put away my fears because I absolutely loved this book. I thought it was humorous at times, brutally honest and also touching. I’m giving 5 stars to this book and wish I could give an additional star for being the first autobiography that was written in a way that appealed to me.

This book is an autobiography of Amish writer, Jerry Eicher whom, as we find out in the book—grew up Amish! He was honest about his awkwardness and even about his mischievousness as a child which I found to be refreshing as I often think of Amish children having the idyllic life we read about in Amish fiction. In the grand scheme of things—Jerry had quite a bit of issues to overcome; an issue with stuttering and bouts of depression.

We also got an inside view of a new Amish community in a third world country and the struggles that they faced. I was really rooting for the community to succeed and was a little disappointed to find out that it had failed. It was on that note that the autobiography was wrapped up. I would really like to see how things unfold in the later years. I am assuming that he eventually left the Amish faith—I want to know these things! I guess I’m greedy and want more information as I really found the author’s life to be very intriguing. This book definitely gets two thumbs up for me for both wit and for the insightful spirituality. I have to say that Eicher’s account of his salvation is possibly one of the sweetest, honest and simplistic explanations that I have ever heard—and it was touching. I will definitely be reading more from this author!
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Jerry Eicher’s bestselling Amish fiction (more than 210,000 in combined sales) includes The Adams County Trilogy, the Hannah’s Heart books, and the Little Valley Series. After a traditional Amish childhood, Jerry taught for two terms in Amish and Mennonite schools in Ohio and Illinois. Since then he’s been involved in church renewal, preaching, and teaching Bible studies. Jerry lives with his wife, Tina Eicher, and their four children in Virginia.
I received this book free from the Author and Harvest House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own

Goodbye to Yesterday by Wanda E. Brunstetter

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I was so excited to read this book. It is part one of six in a serial which honestly—I do have mixed feelings about. Even at the $4(ish) that I paid for this book it is a little expensive for a 120 page mini-book. As it turns out if I pay that for each of the six small parts it will come up to quite a bit to own the entire collection and that leaves me with mixed feelings. I also really enjoyed the story and I would it a five star rating but I have a feeling that I’m going to forget what is going on with only 120 pages of a story to go on until the next installment is released. That is just my take on it. Great story but unsure of how I’m going to like this delivery method.

Things have been tough for Luke and Meredith since he lost his job—pinching pennies is not a good way to start off a marriage. When the opportunity opens up for Luke to learn a new trade he packs up and heads to Indiana, leaving Meredith behind because they can only afford one ticket. Meredith is supportive of her husband but there is a nagging worry in her mind.

As Luke makes the journey through perilous weather, a new and unforeseen danger arises and a twist in fate will change his life forever. Will Luke survive this tragedy and will Meredith be there for him, no matter what? This is where the book ends, abruptly and sudden. That was one thing I did dislike about this. I really was frustrated that I have to wait until next month to see yet another small part of their story. So, it is with mixed feelings that I write this review. I do feel it is a five star story (or it will be in the entirety) but I would have preferred it to be a full sized novel. Even if that novel was broken up into a series I feel it would have left me feeling less frustrated than these mini-novels.
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A nationally recognized authority on the Amish community, Wanda E. Brunstetter has seen her book sales over the two million mark. Wanda enjoys an uncommon kinship with the Amish and continues to visit their communities throughout the country. Her books have won numerous awards and topped several bestselling charts. http://www.wandabrunstetter.com/

The Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hrmm, what can I say about this book? I’m trying really hard to reflect on this book without taking book two into account as well but it is really hard as it is a three part series. I am so discontented with the cliffhanger in The Haven and the fact that we skip years ahead in The Lesson and see an outcome (in passing really) but no hints to how things came to be. As a matter of fact—this book is about an entirely different sister so of course everything truly is in passing. I have so many unanswered questions about Sadie and Will. Joe-Joe is mentioned in passing but it feels as if he is a disconnected part of the family which was very disappointing to me as well. I don’t know—I just feel cheated I guess. I wanted to know how everything happened and I don’t feel like that happened. It feels disjointed and I hate even admitting it because I really adore this author. I just—I’m having a hard time figuring out what to say. If I could read The Keeper and The Lesson and forget that I really got pulled into the story of The Haven—I wouldn’t feel this way I think. It is definitely a very good book but I would have enjoyed it better if the book leading up to it had been concluded.

M.K. has grown up but in many ways she’s still an unsettled little girl. At nineteen she has yet to commit to baptism into the church and her family is worried that she may leave the faith. When M.K. bumps into the hypochondriac school teacher with her scooter—Alice is convinced that she is injured and needs time away. The Bishops decide that M.K. is the only one for the job—much to her disdain. M.K. would much rather spend her time figuring out the mysteries of life and newcomer to the community, Chris Yoder is a mystery that M.K. is determined to crack!

I really did enjoy M.K.’s story but for the reasons outlined above I simply cannot give a five-star rating. Rather, I have chosen four stars. The last part of the book was the redemption of this story as I was almost certain that I was going to give this book a three-star rating. So, my suggestion is—if you pick up this series, either skip the second book or be prepared to put aside your feelings and enjoy the third book for the story in which it is meant to be enjoyed for rather than carrying emotional baggage from the second book over into this one.
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Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Lancaster County Secrets series and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor of a new Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist. She is the host of internet radio show Amish Wisdom and a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. For more information, please visit www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and connect with her on Twitter @suzannewfisher. Get Amish proverbs delivered right to your iphone or ipad! Download the Free App!

Stoney Ridge Seasons

I received this book free from the publisher through a fantastic program called Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review. The thoughts and opinions I have expressed are my own. To view other blogs participating in this blog tour, click here

A retelling of the Taming of the Shrew! Leslie Gould is celebrating the release of Courting Cate with a fun Kindle Fire Giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat Party (11/20)!

One lucky winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Courting Cate by Leslie Gould

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 19th. Winner will be announced at the "Courting Cate" Author Chat Facebook Party on 11/20. Connect with Leslie, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at an Amish trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 20th!

Amish Prayers: Heartfelt Expressions of Humility, Gratitude, and Devotion by Beverly Lewis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amish Prayers includes a selection of prayers that have been translated from the original German and is introduced by Beverly Lewis. Each prayer is accompanied by a scripture from the King James Version of the Bible and includes beautiful black and white drawings of the Amish throughout. I found the prayers to be very insightful and with the inclusion of scriptures I think I may make use of this book for devotion guide.

About the Author:
Beverly Marie Jones (Lewis) was born in the heart of Amish country—Lancaster, Pennsylvania. At the tender age of nine, she began writing short stories and poetry.

Beverly's first venture into adult fiction is the best-selling trilogy, The Heritage of Lancaster County, including The Shunning, a suspenseful saga of Katie Lapp, a young Amish woman drawn to the modern world by secrets from her past. The book is loosely based on the author's maternal grandmother, Ada Ranck Buchwalter, who left her Old Order Mennonite upbringing to marry a Bible College student. One Amish-country newspaper claimed Beverly's work to be "a primer on Lancaster County folklore" and offers "an insider's view of Amish life."

A member of the National League of American Pen Women, as well as a Distinguished Alumnus of Evangel University, Lewis has written over 80 books for children, youth, and adults, many of them award-winning. She and her husband, David, make their home in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, and spending time with their family. They are also avid musicians and fiction "book worms."

You can find out more about this author by visiting her website at http://www.beverlylewis.com/



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