A Simply Enchanted Life

An Angel by Her Side by Ruth Reid

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I couldn’t wait to pick up this book! I really enjoyed the first two books in the Heaven on Earth series by Ruth Reid and I knew that this one would be another fantastic read! This author keeps getting better. She perfectly blends the Amish genre in seamlessly with angel fiction and the result is amazing. The second and third book really shows that the author is finding her niche. If you’re looking for a great series to read this year then I strongly suggest these books.

Katie Bender is a twenty-nine year old school teacher and borders on “old maid” status in her Amish culture. After the death of her fiancée—Katie accepts that it may not be God’s will for her to marry and have children and teaching becomes a passion for her. That is—until the school and her community is hit by a devastating storm that destroys everything in its path.
Seth Stutzman arrived in the community before the storm and as fate would have it—he is the one who helps Katie and her school children escape from the school’s storm cellar. His presence in Hope Falls is a mission as well. He is there to help his brother-in-law who is still grieving the loss of his wife. The situation that Seth finds in the home is an emotionally charged train wreck. Amos has become bitter and depressed and his children are also suffering.

Amos has stopped going to church and refuses to help with rebuilding the community. Despite struggling with a hidden learning disability and a dark secret that has destroyed his confidence—Seth is determined to do his part. He jumps in on the relief efforts and finds encouragement in an old man that no one seems to know. Perhaps he is from a neighboring community?

What is unknown to Katie and Seth is that the friendly and helpful old man named Elias is actually an angel. He is watching over Katie and Seth and even Amos—protecting them from the fallen angel, Razzen who is bent on destroying lives and turning this family away from God and away from each other. I particularly enjoyed the struggle and the battle scenes that raged between Razzen and Elias. It is a very interesting and unique concept taking place within the story.

This book was a smashing hit. Once again I was pulled into the community of Hope Falls and hung on every bit of dialogue between the characters and also between the angel and demon. I thought it very interesting that these characters were not your run-of-the-mill-perfect characters that are often presented in books and rather had very real issues. Amos had his depression, Katie was often overbearing and Seth struggles with dyslexia. Very real characters that you can relate to! If you’re looking for new Amish fiction to read that is unique—Ruth Reid’s Heaven on Earth series is well worth the read!
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Ruth Reid is 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. You can learn more about Ruth by visiting her site at ruthreid.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

The Promise of an Angel by Ruth Reid

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"The Promise of an Angel" is the breakout novel in the "Heaven on Earth" series by a new author, Ruth Reid. I really enjoyed the book. It was unique in that it combines two genres - Amish Fiction and Angel Tales - into one book. Unlike the second book, which I also enjoyed, you can really tell that this book was written by a relatively new author. There were small issues with the book, such as redundant words or sentences that just didn't read well. Ruth Reid still shows promise and I will be reading more of her stories in the future.

In this book we meet Judith Fisher and her friends, family and community. When Judith's younger brother is hurt in an accident, everyone blames Judith as she was watching him at the time. Furthermore, they think she's lost her mind when she insists that an angel assisted her brother on the day of the accident. The entire community scorns and mocks her, including the boy she loves. However, she does find a friend in the Bishop's son, Andrew. Andrew, as we find out, is dealing with his own private pain. I won't ruin the ending for those that haven't yet read it, even though it was a bit predictable. The book was still quite enjoyable. I think Ruth Reid shows promise which is evident in the improvements in the flow of the second story, "The Brush of Angel Wings" -- definitely a writer to keep our eyes on. I think she'll do well and will delight us with many unique Angel and Amish tales in the future!


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Brush of Angel's Wings by Ruth Reid

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



‘Brush of Angel's Wings’ by Ruth Reid is possibly the best book I've read this year. A relatively new author, I was a little scared to read this book. However, I was pleasantly surprised. This book isn't your typical Amish book. It is a mixture of two genres - Amish Fiction and Angel Fiction, which makes this book very interesting.

In this book we meet two angels: the good angel, Nathaniel and the evil fallen angel Tangus, who is constantly provoking Nathaniel's wards, Rachel and Jordan. Rachel isn't your typical Amish girl either. Being the youngest daughter, unmarried and not very good at domestic skills, she's more taken to helping out on the farm in the wake of her brother's death as she's the only remaining child at home for her parents. Her parents, however, have different ideas for Rachel and hire Jordan to help out on the farm in hopes that Rachel will become more focused on finding herself and also a good Amish husband. Jordan on the other hand isn't exactly Amish. He's the son of a shunned Amish lady who's last wish was for her son to get to know her family as his own father has abandoned them. When tragedy strikes and all hope seems to be extinguished, Tangus does his best to lure Rachel and Jordan down the path of despair. However, Nathaniel has not yet given up and is determined to bring the pair to Christ.

This book was absolutely fantastic. I cried with Rachel when she experienced overwhelming loss and I felt Jordan's sheer hopelessness. The message of God's love and salvation being extended and the peace that follows was wonderfully refreshing and delightful to read. It was also interesting to see the attacks of Satan brought to life through the dialogue of Nathaniel and Tangus. I give this book 5 stars. I can't wait to go back and read the first debut novel, "The Promise of an Angel" and will certainly be on the lookout for future releases from this Author.

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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