A Simply Enchanted Life

When Mercy Rains by Kim Vogel Sawyer

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

Suggested Age:14+ Genre:Amish/Mennonite Fiction, Christian Fiction

 
Note: I let my thirteen year old read this but not all parents will feel comfortable with topics involving teen pregnancy/unwed mother.  Teen pregnancy is not glorified in any way, in fact, you see the shame that this young girl felt and the embarrassment.   As always, I suggest that you use your own discretion in regards to this matter.

A 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

Your Family in Pictures: The Parents' Guide to Photographing Holidays, Family Portraits, and Everyday Life by Koh, Me Ra
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

For parents (especially moms) with little to no photography experience who want to capture better portraits and photos of their families using any camera.

What parent doesn’t want to capture the perfectly imperfect joy of family life through photos? From holidays and vacations to portraits and shared moments, celebrated photographer (and mom) Me Ra Koh not only helps moms and dads take better photos, but inspires them to discover photography as a way to connect with, cherish, and celebrate their family. With forty beautiful “photo recipes” anyone can follow—with any camera—preserving your family’s story has never been easier!

I was so excited to take this book! Photography is a passion of mind and as most of my friends know—I’m actually opening a new photography business called Simply Enchanted Photography.
The thing is though—it’s so much easier to take pictures of strangers than it is to take pictures of your family. You aren’t a photographer to your own children—you’re quite simply, mom.

I thought this book would provide me valuable tools and tips for photographing ‘my’ family. Instead, what I found was that this book had many wonderful tips, tricks and ideas that I will be able to carry through as I work with clients as well!

While I have a nice Canon DSLR, this book is still useful to anyone and it doesn’t require you to have a fancy camera to take nice pictures. The techniques suggested to getting your family’s attention and suggestions on how to build your photographer’s eye is helpful to anyone—new photographers or hobbyist especially.

Are you a new photographer or simply wanting to take better pictures of your family? Wherever you’re at in your photography goals—Capture life. Live life. Love life.
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Me Ra Koh, affectionately known as The Photo Mom, is the leading photography expert and educator to moms with cameras. She hosts the Disney Junior TV show Capture Your Story with Me Ra Koh, and also writes a weekly column for Disney’s Babble.com

“I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.”

Seasons of Tomorrow by Cindy Woodsmall

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Suggested Age: 12+
Genre: Christian, Amish Fiction

This book is exceptional. Cindy Woodsmall is never a disappointment. I have loved every single book I’ve ever read by her.

I was a little sad that this book wrapped up the Amish Vines and Orchards series because I really enjoyed the main character, Rhoda. I think I could have read a few more installments at least. She’s just so quirky but also has that sad and mysterious side to her that makes me feel protective of her even…can you feel protective of a book character? I hope so, because I can’t help how I feel!

I was very pleased with this book, even if my heart nearly stopped a couple of times out of fear and anticipation. Cindy definitely knows how to work my emotions! I suppose that is one reason I enjoy reading her books so much!

Rhoda is still feared by many of the Amish for her unique gift of insight. It doesn’t help that she’s also fallen in love with Samuel, choosing to let go of his brother, Jacob. It makes for a sticky situation and people are just so quick to judge.

Further, Leah is struggling with her faith and with her desire to commit to the Amish church and community. Of course, blame seems to fall back on Rhoda, even though she’s done nothing to encourage Leah to leave the faith.

In the midst of everything else going on, there’s also the little fact that Jacob is so very hurt and he feels betrayed by Rhoda and by Samuel. Rhoda and Samuel both struggle to know if they should deny each other their love out of respect for Jacob. A good part of this book is all about forgiveness and also with being able to look back on situations and in great wisdom know that things have worked out for the betterment of all the parties involved.

Amish Vines and Orchards is a unique story that will pull you in and make you fall hopelessly in love with each and every character. They are solid and very genuine characters that don’t feel like silly ole book characters. They feel real and for me…that’s a book that is a hit!
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Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best-selling author who has written six novels, three novellas, and Plain Wisdom, a work of nonfiction coauthored with her dearest Old Order Amish friend, Miriam Flaud. She’s been featured on ABC Nightline and the front page of the Wall Street Journal, and has worked with National Geographic on a documentary concerning Amish life.
I received Seasons of Tomorrow as a complimentary gift in exchange for an honest review from Blogging for Books. I was not required to write a positive review. My comments and opinions are my own.

The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn by Lori Benton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Suggested Age: 18+
Genre: Christian, Historical Fiction

This book is really cool because it’s set in Morganton, NC which is just five minutes up the road from where I live.

It was very interesting hearing about Indian settlements and political uprisings for an area in which I live.

Also, I had never heard of the lost State of Franklin so that was a very interesting thing for me to read up on after I finished the book.

Overall this was a pretty good story. I will admit that I thought some of the innuendos or sexual content was a bit out of place or unneeded in this story.

I’m not a prude, nor do I oppose situations of violence (in books) if it serves a purpose and brings a person closer to God. In this story though, I thought there were times when it was simply unneeded. The rape of the slave-girl and the near rape of a young girl both seemed unnecessary. It really had nothing to lend to the tale and therefore, I felt it was out of place. I also thought that Jesse’s exclamation that he’d prefer Tamsen having her clothes off was a bit much for this genre. It was just presented in a near crass manner. That’s simply my personal opinion.

I’d also like to point out that I have read a good many book with violent or sexual situations in them that I felt was appropriate for the genre, even Christian books that covered such material that didn’t rub me the wrong way so I don’t think that my opinion is because I’m being overly prudish. When it has a Christian label on it though, I feel it is my place to note when I think there is material that some may find offensive

Overall I thought the book was pretty good. I would read more by this author.

Tamsen Littlejohn defies her stepfather and flees into the wild with Jesse Bird. Her stepfather would see her married to Ambrose Kinkaid but she is certain that she can never condone his treatment (or his keeping) of slaves.

Read an excerpt on the Author's blog

It is after her stepfather murders her mother that she makes her escape with Jesse. The problem is that her stepfather is angry and he is trying to cover up his involvement in the murder of his wife. Thus, he pins the blame on Jesse and also alleges that he kidnapped her.

Jesse is a mountain man, raised by the Shawnee and then adopted by the Cherokee. He takes Tamsen into the wild, leading her back to his homestead where he thinks they will be safe.

Ambrose Kinkaid is hot on their heels and all the while, Tamsen is more determined than ever to never be found—not only because she fears for her life but also because she is falling in love with Jesse.

To further complicate things –parts of North Carolina has seceded and formed the State of Franklin. Surprisingly, this actually happened and it made me aware of a part of our history that I had never heard of.

The story wraps up with Tamsen and Jesse discovering their family history and of course seeing a resolution to their problems. I won’t share anything further as I don’t wish to ruin the story for those of you that haven’t yet read the book. I give it a solid three stars for the reasons I outlined above but would still suggest the book to folks who aren’t put off by those situations.
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Lori Benton was born and raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American and family history going back to the 1600s. Her novels transport readers to the 18th century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history, creating a melting pot of characters drawn from both sides of a turbulent and shifting frontier, brought together in the bonds of God's transforming grace.

When she isn’t writing, reading, or researching 18th century history, Lori enjoys exploring the mountains with her husband – often scouring the brush for huckleberries, which overflow the freezer and find their way into her signature huckleberry lemon pound cake.

I received The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn as a complimentary gift in exchange for an honest review from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. My comments and opinions are my own.

For Every Season by Cindy Woodsmall

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Suggested Age: 12+
Genre: Christian, Amish Fiction

Another fantastic hit! I adore Cindy Woodsmall and I have never read a book of hers that I have not liked.

This series is absolutely fantastic and I’m so glad I’ve had a chance to review this book.

The characters in this series are so wonderfully written that I can’t put the book down once I’ve picked it up.

If you haven’t read the first or second book in this series I would suggest that you do so or you will be very confused. These are not stand-alone books like some series books within the Amish genre.

Rhoda finds herself torn between two brothers. She connects with each bother on a different level and the awkward situation threatens to tear apart the new Amish community and business. I think when I first started reading the series I liked Jacob more but at this point I’m also torn but leaning more towards Samuel for Rhoda.

As the story progresses, Rhoda has to work out her feelings for Samuel and for Jacob and determine whether she should follow her heart or fulfill a sense of duty and obligation that she has for Jacob. Amish love triangle—interesting!

Coming April, 2014!

Rhoda still struggles with seeing the apparition of her sister and flashes of visions that the Amish consider to be witchcraft or a gift given from Satan. You can nearly feel Rhoda’s frustration at times and I think this makes readers connect with her on a personal level.

I enjoyed this series immensely and I’m curious as to how everything will wrap up for everyone. I’m invested in every single one of the characters in this series. Even the new characters have piqued my interest and I can’t wait to pick up book four which is coming sometime in April of 2014!
View all my reviews|Read an Excerpt

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Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best-selling author who has written six novels, three novellas, and Plain Wisdom, a work of nonfiction coauthored with her dearest Old Order Amish friend, Miriam Flaud. She’s been featured on ABC Nightline and the front page of the Wall Street Journal, and has worked with National Geographic on a documentary concerning Amish life.
I received For Every Season as a complimentary gift in exchange for an honest review from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. My comments and opinions are my own.