A Simply Enchanted Life

I'm No Angel: From Victoria's Secret Model to Role Model by Kylie Bisutti

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I usually can’t stand true stories/autobiographies but this one pleasantly surprised me! WOW! What an inspiration and a reminder that we are all precious in God’s eyes. I think this book would be perfect for a young girl or even an older girl who is struggling with her body image.

There is a lesson we can learn about beauty in the modern world and how what we see is not really a reality and how our perception is skewed based by media and modern photoshop tools. Most importantly we are reminded that beauty comes from within because God looks upon our heart and not upon our physical appearance.

"God sees everyone one of us as beautiful. We are, after all, made in His image. We make ourselves ugly by turning away from Him and getting entangled in things He despises, like pride, greed and lust. But the more we cling to virtues like humility, selflessness, modesty, and purity, the more beautiful we become--not only in His eyes, but also in the eyes of others. You can't airbrush that."

Definitely 5 stars! I loved the honesty and the Godly principles. I will be keeping this book for future discussions about body image and modesty with my children.

In December 2011, 21-year-old Victoria's Secret Runway Angel Kylie Bisutti stunned the fashion industry when she chose faith over fame and fortune and made the switch from supermodel to role model. In "I'm No Angel," Kylie shares her story--from her early years struggling to make it big in the cut-throat world of modeling, her "big break" winning the Victoria's Secret Runway Angel competition, and the disillusionment and spiritual warfare that followed, to the moment she realized that she could no longer reconcile her career with her Christian beliefs, surrendered her life to God, and dedicated her life to preaching a message of modesty and inner beauty. Along the way, Kylie talks about her personal struggles with inadequacy, low self-esteem, and her near-constant quest for approval in a world where you can never be thin enough, pretty enough, or sexy enough. She helps readers understand that true beauty lies within and that real fulfillment comes from knowing, loving, and serving Christ
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Kylie Bisutti is an American model who won the 2009 Victoria's Secret Angel. At 19, she beat out 10,000 other girls to win a modeling contract with Victoria's Secret,,"Victoria's Secret Model Search" competition,broadcast online through CBS and concluded during the December 1st airing of that year's Fashion Show. Placing first through fan voting over fellow contestant Jamie Lee Darley in the final round earned Bisutti, nineteen years old and a newlywed at the time of filming, the prize of walking in the annual show alongside Victoria's Secret Angels like Heidi Klum, Miranda Kerr and Doutzen Kroes.

Although Bisutti continues her career in the entertainment business,she did not work with Victoria's Secret after the show. She later said lingerie modeling conflicted with her Christian values: "My body should only be for my husband and it's just a sacred thing." Bisutti states that she will only choose wholesome jobs that will honor her Christian beliefs. I received this book free from Tyndale 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.

The Guardian by Beverly Lewis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It’s no secret that I love returning to Hickory Hollow and I will do so any chance that I get! Each new book that comes out—I rush through until I get to the parts with Ella Mae. I just love her and I can’t get enough of her wisdom! I adore the spunk and tenacity that she possesses. Of course, the main plot is always fantastic as well. Beverly Lewis is an author that never disappoints her readers.

Jodi is a young woman struggling to piece together her life after losing her sister. While her parents and fiancé all love her deeply there is something missing in her life. Since the loss of her sister—Jodi has given up on God. She has stopped talking to Him and that causes a void in her life that she can’t seem to fill.

Coming September,2013!

When a young Amish girl, Sarah falls out of the family buggy—it is Jodi that finds her and returns her to her mother. Sarah is drawn to Jodi and though her mother, Maryanna is worried about developing a relationship with Jodi she can’t say no to her youngest daughter.

Jodi begins to spend more time with Sarah and her family and her heart begins the slow process of mending while her faith begins to be renewed. Only time will tell if Jodi’s heart will mend enough to draw her closer to her fiancé and to her parents.


Maryanna is also dealing with her own silent grief—the loss of her husband, Benuel who was truly her best friend. She feels that she can never love another but also worries that her children are suffering without the firm guidance of a father figure in their life.

Local widower, Joshua is very interested in Maryanna. Having have lost his wife and unborn child in recent years, he is finally looking towards the future rather than living in the past. The problem is that Joshua was Benuel’s best friend and their neighbor which gives Maryanna a little inside look into what could be viewed as eccentricities.

I thought the story really wrapped up beautifully. Perhaps a bit predictable but we really wouldn’t have wanted it to end any other way. Mrs. Lewis seems to know what her readers expect of her and she delivers her stories beautifully. Filled with wisdom and encouragement in the faith her stories do not disappoint. I loved everything about this story, all the way down to the beautiful cover. Definitely a 5 star story and I cannot wait until my next trip to Hickory Hollow in “The Secret Keeper” which is due to be released in September 2013!!!
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Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado. Learn more about Beverly by visiting her website at http://www.beverlylewis.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.

Letters to Katie by Kathleen Fuller

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Oh how I love visiting Middlefield! I was so excited to receive this book for review. I do love an ongoing series and the connection I form with the characters. I especially love Sawyer and Laura so I was excited to read more about them within this book—though the main storyline was about Katie. I think so far this one has turned out my favorite though. I loved the theme of Katie finding her value as a godly woman instead of the most important goal being a husband. Fantastic read!

Katie has had her heart set on Johnny since she was a young girl but he has never paid any attention to her. If anything, he’s been somewhat cruel to her. He is ready to acknowledge his feelings for her but first he feels he must have something more to offer her—to deserve her.

Before he gets his chance to show her how he feels another young man starts to take notice and pay attention to Katie. Shortly thereafter, Katie is struck with a mysterious illness that lands her in the hospital. While things prove not to be too serious and she will recover—her memory of time lost may prove to be a difficult stumbling block when it comes to winning her heart.

There was very little I didn’t like about this book—I enjoyed all of it. I will admit that Katie’s mother really frustrated me with her adamant distaste for Johnny. For reasons I couldn’t really discern other than his young and foolish treatment of Katie when they were younger; I thought she did a good job of overreacting to the situation. I suppose it is just one of those things though where mothers are sometimes irrational when it comes to their children.

Overall? Fantastic story that I would recommend to any fan of Amish/Christian fiction. I loved the moral of the story!
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Kathleen is the author of several books, including the upcoming Amish series Hearts of Middlefield for Thomas Nelson. She is also included in two Amish anthologies for Thomas Nelson, An Amish Christmas and An Amish Gathering. Kathleen loves to hear from readers.

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


*Giveaway opportunity is simply a link to a promotional offer being hosted at Goodreads. A Simply Enchanted Life is in no way hosting or responsible for the outcome of the giveaway nor is it my place to distribute. I simply wanted to share the opportunity with my readers.