A Simply Enchanted Life

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

An Amish Miracle by Beth Wiseman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


How I enjoy the novels like this!

It breaks the monotony of a single author from time to time and allows you to see individual stories within a larger story.

I think it gives a bit of character depth that isn't achieved by a single author.

This was a quick read and I enjoyed it very much. I'm pleased to have this book in my collection of Amish fiction!

Always in My Heart by Mary Ellis:

Hope Bowman believes that God is punishing her for giving up the son she had as a teen. She carries grief and anger in her heart for being forced to give him away and also from not being allowed to share this event with her husband. He is understandably upset that she never told him of this child or the events surrounding the birth. God must make a work in the hearts of this family and bring them peace.

Always His Providence by Ruth Reid:

I think this was actually my favorite story out of the three. Rosa Hostetler is in danger of losing her home. As a young widow she has trouble accepting the fact that she is actually a widow and is rather stubborn about letting the church know as she feels that she shouldn't use the widow's fund to help her pay her bills.

Her husband passed away and asked his close friend to watch out for Rosa. She is hesitant to open her heart to him—especially if she loses her home and has to move to her aunt’s house in another district.

These characters just came to life to me and I nearly wish that this tale had been a full size novel!

Always Beautiful by Beth Wiseman

This story addressed an issue that plagues a lot of young women—worry about their weight. Becky feels that no one will love her because she’s a bit on the heavy side. She takes drastic measures and begins cutting out entire meals to shed the pounds.

The truth is though, there are two young men who are both smitten with her—just the way she is!

Becky has to learn to love herself before she can ever accept the love of others. An important lesson for any young lady!
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Mary Ellis grew up close to the Amish where she loved their peaceful agrarian lifestyle and strong sense of Christian community. She and her husband now live by the largest population of Old Order in the country where they take weekend trips to research her books. Mary enjoys reading, traveling, gardening, bicycling and swimming.

Ruth Reid is a CBA and ECPA best-selling author of the Heaven on Earth series. She's a full-time pharmacist who lives in Florida with her husband and three children. When attending Ferris State University School of Pharmacy in Big Rapids, Michigan, she lived on the outskirts of an Amish community and had several occasions to visit the Amish farms. Her interest grew into love as she saw the beauty in living a simple life.

Beth Wiseman is hailed as a top voice in Amish fiction. She is a Carol Award winner and author of numerous bestsellers including the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. She and her family live in Texas.
http://bethwiseman.com/

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

Plain Peace by Beth Wiseman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have waited so long for another book in the Daughters of the Promise series!

Beth Wiseman is such a fantastic writer and this particular series is one of my favorites. I enjoy getting to go back and see characters I’ve met in passing or read about before.

If you’re looking for a great book series in the Amish genre I would recommend this one for sure.

Anna’s parents died in a car accident and she is being raised by her grandparents. They’ve always provided her with a stable home but she longs for love—a near impossible feat since everyone is afraid of her grandfather who happens to be the bishop. Sure, they have loved her but she longs for a family of her own, children and a husband.

Jacob is determined to win her affections though and is determined to earn her grandfather’s trust; despite a poor first impression. Unfortunately it seems that everything he does backfires and diminishes his standing with the bishop even more.

This book was really good and it had some serious moments, light-hearted moments, a bit of romance and even some laughs along the way. I love a book that includes a range of emotions, reactions and situations because it is much more realistic.

I was very interested in the inclusion of Lucy from a previous book. Lucy is an English woman who had a child by a married Amish-man. Ivan ended up being killed in an accident and his wife moved on with someone else while Lucy is pretty much ostracized as the scandalous harlot by her own mother and those around her. I’m interested in knowing if her storyline will be explored further in future books because I would love to see her come full circle as a daughter of the promise. I want to know how things conclude with her mother’s issues and her making friends with the bishop’s wife.
I will definitely be reading more from this author and I’m really hoping she continues to write more in this series.
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Beth Wiseman is hailed as a top voice in Amish fiction. She is a Carol Award winner and author of numerous bestsellers including the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. She and her family live in Texas.
http://bethwiseman.com/

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 rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was so excited that I snagged this book from Booksneeze. I really wanted to read it and had in fact already pre-ordered this book as it looked like something I would enjoy—I was right! I loved it! This set of 3-in-one novellas was fantastic and the recipes in the back of the book look fantastic! As a matter of fact—I have “Rosemary’s Kaffi Cake” in the oven as I type up this review!


A Taste of Grace- Fern Zook’s parents died in years past and she now lives with her aunt who is training her to be an herbalist. Fern’s prayer is to find someone who can love her and when Abram Fisher shows up on her doorstep seeking treatment for his little sister—she begins to wonder if he might be the answer to her prayers. I have to say—Abram sounds like a total cutie and if I weren’t married already I’d be contemplating how to go about snagging a fictional book character :)
A Spoonful of Love- Hannah King is struggling to run a successful bed and breakfast while still providing care for her dad who has suffered from a stroke. Her brother is busy with a family of his own and cannot devote the time to doing repairs around the inn and things have fallen into disrepair. Then Stephen shows up—a young man running from a painful past. Stephen has to learn how to forgive himself before he can move on with his life—hopefully with Hannah!
A Recipe for Hope- Eve Bender doesn’t get along so well with her mother, Rosemary. It’s going to be a challenge for these two ladies to live together while Eve’s home is being rebuilt but with a little bit of hope and a whole lot of prayer—hearts may find peace and a mother and daughter’s relationship might be repaired. Rosemary has to come to terms with a secret she has carried for years before she can mend her relationship with her daughter and Eve has to come to understand why her mother has always kept her at a distance. This little tale was bittersweet but beautifully concluded!
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Kelly Long is the author of the Patch of Heaven series and the historical Amish Arms of Love. She was born and raised in the mountains of northern Pennsylvania. She’s been married for twenty-six years and enjoys life with her husband, children, and Bichon.
http://www.kellylongbooks.com/


Amy Clipston is the best-selling author of the Kauffman Amish Bakery series. Her novels have hit multiple best-seller lists including CBD, CBA, and ECPA. She and her family live in North Carolina.
http://www.amyclipston.com

Beth Wiseman is hailed as a top voice in Amish fiction. She is a Carol Award winner and author of numerous bestsellers including the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. She and her family live in Texas.
http://bethwiseman.com/

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

"Talk to God like a friend. He will be there for you."

His Love Endures Forever by Beth Wiseman

"Place your future-and your past-in His hands. Life will never go the way you plan. But putting your total trust in God is the answer."

His Love Endures Forever by Beth Wiseman

"God doesn't always ask us to do things that don't cause pain, and we can never know His plan."

His Love Endures Forever by Beth Wiseman

His Love Endures Forever by Beth Wiseman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

His Love Endures Forever is book three in the Land of Canaan series by Beth Wiseman. I have read all all of the previous installments but this is the first review I've had the honor of putting up for this fantastic series. Not to worry, I'll reread the rest of the series at some point so that I can put up a review for all of my lovely readers.

In this book we are once again immersed into the quaint and lovely community that Beth has woven into her series. This particular story tells the story of Danielle Kent. In previous books, we briefly met Danielle as a troubled teen--abused by her mother and taken in by a kooky and fun loving character named Martha. Martha isn't an Amish lady but she is friends with the surrounding Amish in her community.

It is through Martha that Danielle is introduced to the Amish and she meets a young man by the name of Levi. But she also meets Matthew Lapp from a neighboring Amish community and though she is best friends with Levi, she begins a romantic relationship with Matthew.

Now 18, Danielle's world changes in an instant with a little pink plus sign. Danielle is pregnant. She hopes that Matthew will do the right thing and settle down, marry her and help raise the baby. However, Matthew is determined to leave the Amish community and he wants absolutely nothing to do with Danielle or their child.

When Danielle turns to Levi for comfort and advice he throws out the crazy idea of marriage. Much to the horror of his mother, Danielle accepts! However, there is one thing that stands in their way. Danielle is an unbeliever. Having suffered abuse at the hands of those that were supposed to love her the most--Danielle is put off by the thought of God. Where was God when her mother hit her? Where was God when she became pregnant and the father didn't want the child?

"Talk to God like a friend. He will be there for you."

I don't want to spoil the book for those of you that haven't yet read so I'm going to stop here and say...READ THIS BOOK! You will not be disappointed at all. Beth Wiseman really outdid herself with this one!

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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"The Wonder of Your Love" is the latest book published in the Land of Canaan series by Beth Wiseman.  The story follows the life of Katie Ann, an older Amish mother to a four month old, Jonas.  Ivan, her husband,had left her for an Englisher woman before he even realized that Katie Ann had become pregnant. He died in a car accident shortly after.  Katie Ann struggles with feelings of betrayal, loss, grief and trusting God's path for her life.  Then she meets Eli, a widower of 17 years.  They're in two very different places in their life.  Eli is done with children and raising a family, while Katie Ann is just starting out.

  This book offers a resounding message of trusting God's wisdom as well as trusting His time-line rather than our own.  A wonderful read for for any christian who struggles with trust.  I did feel as if the book rushed some of the story line between Martha and Danielle (Katie Ann's Englisher friend and a troubled teen) in a way that didn't entirely tie up.  I am assuming we may see more from these characters in a future book, however.  All in all, I give the book 5 stars.  I thoroughly enjoyed my visit with my old friends from the series and can't wait to read the next installment.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html>