A Simply Enchanted Life

In no particular order. These are the top ten books I have read this year

The Butterfly and the Violin|A Mother's Secret|Christmas at Rose Hill Farm

A Love Undone|Where Treetops Glisten|Children of the Eclipse|The Daughter of Highland Hall

The Queen's Handmaid|A Miracle of Hope|Seasons of Tomorrow

My choice for the best book cover of 2014 goes to Tracy Higley's The Queen's Handmaid!

Where Treetops Glisten: Three Stories of Heartwarming Courage and Christmas Romance During World War II by Tricia Goyer

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, WWII Fiction

Oh goodness! This book was fantastic! It sure put me in the Christmas mood and it’s only October! Shhhh, don’t tell anyone but I found a Christmas station on Pandora that is getting a lot of use!

All three of these stories are fantastic and filled with a strong Christian message and I can’t really pick a favorite out of the three. There were so seamlessly written and enjoyable.

I was also able to share this book with my thirteen year old daughter and she enjoyed the story very much.

There were a lot of serious moments but there was also love and humor in this book. I suppose, being in the WWII genre, it would be nearly impossible for there to not be a more serious overtone but amidst the loss, the fear and even war—love still exists.

If you’re looking for an easy read that will put you into the upcoming holiday spirit—I strongly suggest this book!

An Amish Garden by Beth Wiseman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Suggested Age: 12+
Genre: Christian,Amish Fiction

Beautiful cover and fantastic book! Of course, the stellar author lineup guaranteed a good read.
This book has four novellas written by four different authors as follows:

1. “A Place of Healing” by Vannetta Chapman
2. “Flowers for Rachael” by Kathleen Fuller
3. “Seeds of Love” by Tricia Goyer
4. “Planting a Future” by Beth Wiseman

“A Place of Healing” Vannetta Chapman
There is no doubt that Emma loved her husband but he is gone now and all of Emma’s children are grown. Alone, except for her aging Mother in Law, Emma struggles to find new purpose in her life. With the discovery of a runaway teen in her barn and the return of her first love—Emma must make a decision about what she wants from life.

“Flowers for Rachael” Kathleen Fuller
Gideon has fallen for Rachael but he’s too shy to tell her. His sister cooks up a scheme to get Rachael to notice him but his plan backfires. This was a super sweet story about how it is best to be ourselves and that we can miss God’s will for us when we try to be something we aren’t.

“Seeds of Love” Tricia Goyer
Sadie’s parents have died in a buggy accident and she moves to Montana to live with relatives. All that she has to remind her of her parents are her mother’s heirloom tomato seeds. Eli is a bachelor who is interested in Sadie but will he be able to help preserve her family’s memory and win her heart?

“Planting a Future” Beth Wiseman
Rosemary has been in love with Saul for as long as she can remember. A dark secret got in their way though and Rosemary has kept it hidden from him for a long time. Still, he pursues her and though her heart aches to be with him—this secret looms over their relationship. At the end, Rosemary has to decide where her heart truly lies and if her love for Saul will outweigh other desires.

I thought each novella was fantastic. I think Flowers for Rachael was my favorite out of the four but I enjoyed each of them. If you’re looking for a quick read and love Amish fiction—I would suggest this one.
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This is a multi-author book by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Tricia Goyer,and Vannetta Chapman.


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

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.

Win a KINDLE HDX!

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.
View all my reviews|Read an Excerpt

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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

Tricia Goyer is celebrating the release of her first Christmas novella, A Christmas Gift for Rose, with a Christmas Gift giveaway! 



Enter to win a NEW Kindle Fire HDX for you AND one for a friend!







One grand prize winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire HDX and one to give away to a friend!


• A Christmas Gift for Rose, by Tricia Goyer for you and your friend!

Four second place winners will receive:

• A Christmas Gift for Rose Christmas pack (includes a recipe card, bookmark, a signed book plate, discussion questions, and a Gathering & Giving handout!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 19th. All winners will be announced October 21st at Tricia's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Tricia's blog on the 21st to see if you won one of the great prizes! (Or better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)

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Before the Dawn by Kathleen Bauer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Charlotte’s life is turned upside down when her daughter is killed in an accident and she becomes the guardian of her three grandchildren.

Charlotte was estranged from her daughter Denise when the accident happened and she had never really been allowed to get to know the grandchildren.

Now their lives are thrown together and they have to learn how to live together and how to be a family. The children have to adjust to a new state, the loss of their mother, the loss of friends and new rules. Charlotte has to learn to rely on God as she struggles to fall back into the role of a parent.
Read an Excerpt

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Sweet September by Kathleen Bauer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Sweet September picks up during harvest time.

Tension runs high as Bob and Charlotte learn to give over some of the control of the farm to their older son, Pete.

It doesn’t make it any easier that they’re still struggling to make a new life with their three grandchildren that came to live with them following the death of their mother.

Life for Emily, Sam and Christopher is also still in turmoil as they learn to fit in with new peers, a new school and also as they learn their place on their grandparents farm.
Read an Excerpt

These were fantastic books. I felt a certain sweet nostalgia reading about Charlotte. It made me miss my own grandmother that has gone on to be with the Lord. As I read this book I longed for another afternoon with her. I could nearly imagine the smell of apple pie baking in the oven or the smell of cocoa waiting on the stove after a brisk walk in the fall air. If you’re looking for a quick read to prepare you for the fall season—these are two books you should pick up!
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Kathleen Bauer is the pen name for a team of writers who have come together to create the Home to Heather Creek series.

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 the blog tour for the Home to Heather Creek series please visit the Litfuse group by clicking here

Welcome to the12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!



Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.



We’re giving away a pearl necklace in celebration of the holidays, as well as some items (books, a gift pack, music CDs) from the contributors! Enter now on Facebook or at the Pearl Girls blog. The winner will announced on January 2, 2013 at the Pearl Girls blog.



If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we’re all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Mother of Pearl, Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.



Christmas Mourning

By Tricia Goyer



As I sat in our living room last Christmas morning, there was a pile of presents under the tree. A smile filled my face, just thinking about the joy and laughter that would fill the house in a few hours when we gathered around to hear the Christmas story, worship Jesus, and open presents.



That morning as I thought about the celebration of our Lord's birth, my mind was already busy unwrapping. No, I wasn't thinking ahead to presents. Instead, I was unwrapping the many memories of Christmas that I carry on my heart.



I remember sitting at the kids' table in Grandma's mobile home, laughing and goofing around with my brother and cousins. I remember the doll house my Grandpa made when I was seven and the loving care my grandma took to decorate it.



I remember the boom box and banana clips from high school and my first Christmas with my son Cory not long after I turned eighteen. Cory was only six months old, but the greatest gift God gave to both of us that year was John—my soon-to-be husband and Cory's soon-to-be daddy.



There are memories of the kids acting out the Christmas story and Goyer family gatherings in which forty of us would eat in our cleaned-out and heated garage because it was the only place big enough to set up tables and chairs for everyone.



I also will never forget the first time I celebrated Christmas in California with my biological dad and the four sisters I didn't know growing up. I had a happy heart that day, being with people I didn't know well but who amazingly looked and acted just like me. How cool is that?!



As I write this, there are faces going to be missing around the tree, to be sure. There's always a sense of missing when the people you love are far away. And that's when Christmas Morning becomes Christmas Mourning. I'm thinking of my mom, dad, siblings, in-laws, and friends, wishing I could fill me house with their faces, their smiles, their laughter. I'm sure you understand.



It's so easy to center Christmas around the baby who God sent, but we cannot forget the purpose for His coming. Jesus' mission wasn't just about the manager, the angels, and the swaddling clothes. His purpose was to offer himself so that we can spend eternity with Him and those we love.



The greatest gift is one we've yet to open. Salvation comes to our hearts when we whisper a prayer of faith and relinquishment—when we give up the right to ourselves.



Like a beautifully wrapped presents under the tree, the best part of the gift is still to come. My mind is anticipating the unwrapping. I can only guess of the joy and laughter to come!



Tricia Goyer is a busy mom of four, grandmother of one, and wife to John. Somewhere around the hustle and bustle of family life, she manages to find the time to write fictional tales delighting and entertaining readers and non-fiction titles offering encouragement and hope. Tricia is also on the blogging team at MomLifeToday.com, TheBetterMom.com and other homeschooling and Christian sites. In addition to her roles as mom, wife and author, Tricia volunteers around her community and mentors teen moms. She is the founder of Hope Pregnancy Ministries in Northwestern Montana, and she currently leads a Teen MOPS Group in Little Rock, AR. Tricia, along with a group of friends, recently launched www.NotQuiteAmishLiving.com, sharing ideas about simplifying life. She also hosts the weekly radio podcast, Living Inspired. Learn more about Tricia at www.triciagoyer.com.

The Memory Jar by Tricia Goyer
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I really dislike writing a review for a book I did not enjoy and it's with a deep feeling of dread that I'm having to do so now. This is the first book that I've read by Tricia Goyer and I'd really hoped I would like her Amish fiction as I have heard fantastic things about her historical fiction. Unfortunately, this book did not make a good first impression. At the risk of sounding absolutely terrible--I think this is one of the lowest rated books I have read this year. I am so disappointed. I'll try really hard not to judge her historical fiction based on this book as I'd really like to try her WWII books. I do not think that I will pick up any more of her Amish Fiction.

What I disliked about this book--pretty much everything. I really hate saying that but when I set out to be a reviewer I promised myself I would always be honest about my feelings. This book just didn't click with me. The biggest gripe I had was the stereotypical southern accented speech used for the characters. I have lived in the south my entire life and even if I have heard people say "yer" or "fer" or "jest" those people would never dream to spell it that way. It comes off as dumbing down the characters and making them look stupid. I know that isn't the intent but that is how I read it. I can imagine these poor characters having a "git r dun" sticker on the back of their buggy. It took away from the entire story and I nearly laid the book down on account of it within the first couple of chapters.

I also thought that the characters were flat and lifeless. Jathan was as wishy washy as a termite in a wooden yo-yo (sorry, I couldn't resist to throw in a southern crack) and Sarah fell in love with him entirely too fast. Her overnight swooning made her seem desperate for the first guy that would look her way. The only character with some life in her in this story was Patty which is very ironic considering her character died. I really wish I could say something more or think of something positive to add but I honestly just can't. There wasn't a single character in the story that I liked. They were all bitter and hateful people that seemed too much like stereotypical hillbillies. I won't be reading the rest of this series.

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

View all my reviews