Life, Love and Books

  Hopefully Ever After  by Beth Wiseman In the third book in the An Amish Bookstore series, we find Yvonne and Abraham opening their humble home up to Yvonne's sixteen year old cousin. Eden Hale is looking forward to starting anew and overcoming her past circumstances. Her hopes of being seen as who she is, comes true when she meets Samuel a young amish guy.  Samuel has grown up in  a very strict home and is looking forward to seeing what is out there in the "Englisch" world. So when he meets Eden, Samuel is excited to learn more about what's out there from her. But Samuel's parents are not very thrilled to have their son spending time with an outsider. As Samuel's and Eden's friendship grows, so does the disapproval of Samuels parent's.  Eden and Samuel start to share their dreams and struggles with each other, which brings to light Samuel's slipping away from his faith. Will Eden and Samuel be able to make the decisions  that will lead them down ...

The Story of Love  by Beth Wiseman We return to Montgomery Indiana in the An Amish Bookstore series, where we find Yvonne Wilson starting a new chapter in her life. Her dear friends have offered her a job at their little bookstore, a place where Yvonne can start to heal after the loss of her fiancé. Her return stirs up feelings for the handsome police officer Abraham Byler. Abraham is in the middle of a dilemma himself, he is dating the vibrant Brianna, but his heart belongs to another.  Beth Wiseman writes some very delightful reads, she weaves faith and family all into a beautiful story. If you love reading amish books this series is a must read.  I was provided a complimentary copy of this book the publisher and did not receive anything in return  for  my honest opinion of the book. The opinions expressed here are completely of my own are without any influence.

Anything But Plain by Suzanne Woods Fisher In Anything But Plain, Suzanne Woods Fisher takes the reader back to our dearly loved Stony Ridge. We meet the bishops daughter Lydie Stolzfus; a delightful young lady who has struggled with understanding where she belongs. She does not feel like she fits in with the other Amish girls and secretly plans to leave. When Lydie is given an opportunity to work for the local doctor for  few months, she sees it as chance to form her goodbye to a dear friend. Nathan Yoder has been more than just an next door  neighbor to  Lydie; their friendship has grown over the years until recently. Nathan is confused by Lydies actions and has started to believe that his childhood friend is in love with his brother. After spending time with her niece, Dok has come to a realization that Lydie may have a rare disorder. Will her brother allow her to take the steps to help Lydie or will he reject her assistance. Will Lydie come to see that her home is wit...

The Booksellers Promise By Beth Wiseman In the newest series by Beth Wiseman we meet three very unique characters; Yvonne Wilson, Jake Lantz and Eva Garber. Sent on a trip by a collector to obtain a very rare book, Yvonne travels to Indiana; where she meets the owner of the bookstore and his assistant. Jake Lantz has inherited the rare book from his grandfather, who he promised to never sell the book. But when Yvonne Wilson comes from Texas to asking about the book, Jake starts to wonder what is in this book that makes it  so valuable. Eva Garber has worked for Jake for years and has loved him from day one. But when the beautiful Englisher walks in the bookstore, it seems that she might have caught Jake's eyes.  Eva has to think of a different way to spend time with Jake. So she suggests that they read the book that has caused a big stir recently. To the trios surprise  the book leads them on a journey of discovery,  healing and love.  This book leads you on a j...

Among The Innocent By Mary Alford Ten years ago tragedy struck the small town and left behind a lone survivor, a teenage girl. All grown up now, Leah Miller has found a career as a deputy with the police force. But when an amish teenager is found murdered with the same MO as the family ten years ago, it brings to question was the wrong man blamed for the deaths.  As the new police chief, Dalton Cooper has an alternative motive to why he chose to take the job. But he did not expect to be working along side the daughter of the murdered family, Leah. Their time spent together has drawn Dalton and Leah closer, but their secrets may tear them apart or even help them work towards finding the truth. Is there a copycat or was the wrong man accused of murder? Mary Alford writes a read that keeps you turning the pages to see what is next. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good suspense read. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Revell and did not receive anythi...

Writing about the Amish by Beth Wiseman Something interesting I have learned from reading this memoir is that every one of Beth Wisemans books have a red suitcase in them. I have actually read many of her books, but had never realized this fun fact. Looks like I am going to be on the lookout for the red suitcase in the next book I read of Beth Wiseman's. A plus to this book is the short story that is included in it. I love reading any of Beth Wisemans books, she writes a fresh and energetic read. So getting a glance into the writing process is something I love about this book.   I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher to review, this my honest opinion of this book and I have not received any compensation for it.

Two Steps Forward By Suzanne Woods Fisher In the third installment of the Deacons family, we return to Stoney Ridge to meet prodigal son Jimmy Fisher. His return stirs up an old family feud for his family, but Jimmy has no longing to be part of this. When Jimmy  is offered a job by his mothers rival, the pretty violet eyed Sylvie; he jumps at the chance to train her Arabian horse. Sylvie Schrock King has a dream to build Rising Star farm into a breeding farm for buggy horse for the Amish around her. When she finds out that the grown son of her next door neighbor is a expert at working with horses, it seems that she has hope on the horizon. As Jimmy's lazy smile and teasing ways work their way into Sylvie's heart, but is she being wooed so he can have the land that his mother has been claiming belongs to her family. Will Sylvie and Jimmy find the hope that come from above and the love that is growing between them? Suzanne Woods Fisher has done...

An Amish Christmas Bakery by Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller and Kelly Irvin Sorry I am a little late on sharing this review, but I think we need a little Christmas Cheer at the beginning of this new year.  Cookies and Cheer by Amy Clipston Alyssa Byler has amazing ideas for the bakery store display window, for this Christmas season she comes up with the idea of a Sugar cookie Nativity scene. She reaches out to the local blacksmith's son, Kyle Smoker to make the much needed cookie cutters. When the display brings in more customers than the bakery can handle, Alyssa starts to put in more hours at work then she has time for. While Kyle is starting to feel overwhelmed by the amount of orders that are coming in for the cookie cutters. Will Kyle and Alyssa be able to put aside the craziness of the holiday rush to see what it is right in front of them? Will they be able to see the beauty of Christmas and the love it bring to us?...

Listening to Love by Beth Wiseman   In the second installment of the Amish Journey series, we find englischer Natalie Collins and Lucas; the older brother of Levi Sheltar having friday night suppers together. As time passes, the two have become very much best friends to the concern of their family and dear friends Levi and Mary. The opinions of those around them, starts to frustrate Natalie, who adamantly says that it is friendship only. But deep down she is realizing that her feelings have grown toward love for Lucas.  Lucas loves getting to talk with Natalie in the late night hours, but time has come that he has to face the truth of the struggle between their two ways of life. To leave would cause so much pain for his family. Also he knows that asking Natalie to walk away from her plan to become a veterinarian, would break her heart. But the more time they spend together the truth starts coming out that they have feelings for each other When Natal...

An Amish Homecoming: Four Stories Stories about homecoming are very heartwarming and stir us toward hope for all. Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, Shelley Shepard Gray and Kathleen Fuller come together to bring us this wonderful book.  No Place Like Home Amy Clipston Estranged from her parents, Eva Dienner has been staying with her in-laws. since she lost her husband. Now she feels it is time for her son to meet his maternal grandparents. Upon arriving back at her parents, she finds that the neighbor has been doing a lot of the work on the farm. Unsure of how she feels about this situation and how to put her past behind her? When Love Returns Beth Wiseman Sarah Zook is forced to move back to her parents, when the Hurricane Harvey destroys her home. Her return raises feelings that Abram King thought was buried forever. One look at Sarahs daughter tells him the truth, that he still loves Sarah. Now they need to find a way to face the past to b...

Amish Celebrations by Beth Wiseman In the newest addition to the books written by Beth Wiseman is Amish Celebrations. Four stories in one that brings hope to all of us who love a good story.  The Gift of Sisters , We meet a set of Twins getting ready to enjoy their rumschpringe together. Both are different as night and day, but when they meet a new guy in their community things start getting hairy. With each young women falling for the same guy, it drives the sisters apart from each other. Will they see that the bond between them is the love doe each other? A New Beginning A young couple in love and ready to be baptized into the church, when one night out on his rumschpringe makes his beloved question their future. As they navigate the turns and twists of the road of relationships, will they be able to see the hope and light at the end of the tunnel.  A Perfect Plan When her beloved pops the question on her 19th bday, Priscilla starts planning her w...

Home All Along by Beth Wiseman In the third installment of the An Amish Secrets Novel, we find Charlotte struggling with choosing to commit to a relationship with Daniel. Her desire for a family and home is being threatened by painful memories and fears. Just when she thinks she has found the peace that she has been longing for, chaos is stirred up with the arrival of a long lost sister. Daniel's life is upset when a illness strikes a beloved member of his family and the arrival of a shunned aunt. This combination of an unexpected death, a prodigal relative's return and the grim medical diagnosis enter into the lives of this couple. Will their love for each other and their faith in God pull them thru this time of struggles.   Beth Wiseman is an amazing writer who writes a story that touches our hearts. While also giving the message of overcoming difficulties and struggles with the hope of God in our lives. This series tells a story of a young woman searching for...

Love Bears All Things (An Amish Secrets Novel) by Beth Wiseman In the second installment of the An Amish Secrets series, we find Charlotte Dolinsky needing time to recover from a bad breakup with her boyfriend. When suddenly the answer to her troubles shows up on her doorsteps in the form of her Amish friend's brother. Turning away from all of her life issues, she focuses on helping this young man in his time of struggle. In the midst of all the things going on. Charlotte chooses to be very deceptive of what is going on. But she is not the only one that is hiding secrets from their friends. Daniel Byler lives with a struggle to heal every day in his beloved Amish community, after being betrayed by his fiance. Now his pain has turned to fear after he discover's that another of his family members is in danger of being shunned.His only hope is to turn to the most unlikely person for help, an  Englisher, Charlotte Dolinsky. As the two spend time together,...

Fraying at the Edge by Cindy Woodsmall With the second installment of The Amish of Summer Grove, we return to find the lives of Ariana Brenneman and Skylar Nash turned all upside down. Both girls have found out that they had been switched at birth and now are to spend a whole year living with their birth families. With only one link to there old lives, each of these girls have to take another look at the world around them. Each from very different worlds now having to take another look at their lives and decide what is the next step to take.   Cindy Woodsmall has brought us another very heartwarming series, that reaches out to each one of us and pulls us in. The story line is about two babies switched at birth, that both come from two very different backgrounds. It is not easy to be uprooted from all you ever known and be placed in a total opposite lifestyle. The way Cindy takes each of the families and intertwine each of their stories, while keeping us turning each ...

An Amish Harvest: Four Novellas by Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller and Vanetta Chapman Four very wonderful authors come together to bring us another amazing novel with four uplifting stories. Under the Harvest Moon  by Beth Wiseman After suddenly losing her husband, Naomi Dienner is not looking for love again. All she wants to do is be able to provide for her family and get the harvest in for the fall.When her father suggests a English family friend, Brock Mulligan; that will be able to help her in her time of need. As the time passes Naomi struggles with a very deep and dark feeling that seems to weigh her down with concerns. What seems to be a innocent option to help with this weighted down feeling turns out to be very much a bad thing. With the help of her handsome harvest worker, will she be able to see the light God has provided and the love that is in front of her. Love and Buggy Rides  by Amy Clipston On her first day working ...

The Quieting by Suzanne Woods Fisher  In the second book in  "The Bishops Family" series we meet Abgail the niece of the bishop who has come with her sister to help her uncle out in their time of need. Her second goal is to finish her father's genealogical project for a client that lives in Stony Ridge. Unbeknownst to Abgail, her grandmother has other plans for her elusive granddaughter. She has set her sights on finding a husband for Abgail and plans on finding the right one there in Stony Ridge. Stony Ridge is not overrun with eligible bachelors, except for one who is not right for Abgail in many ways. Bearing the last name Glick and a relative to the church bishop that is at odds with Abgails's uncle. Dane Glick has his sights set on marrying Abgail, but she does not have her sights set on marriage. Her goal is to help her father break out of his mood of melancholy that he is stuck in. As the conflict grows between the two families, relationships...

Hannah's Choice by Jan Drexler As the eldest daughter, Hannah Yoder has shouldered alot of the responsibilities  in her family. Striving to bind the threads of her family back together with her mothers depression, her sisters rebellion and her fathers worries, she becomes the strong one. She loves the settled and peaceful life that her family has living along the banks of the Consetoga Creek. Believing that at some time she will settle down with her best friend and have a family in the same area as her family is settled. When suddenly her father is offered a chance at moving west  closer to a amish community by another fellow amishmen that is moving. Along comes a young amish man that truly believes Hannah is the one he is to marry. Forced to face making a decision of staying behind near her beloved home or following the one who promises her life of adventure following God's call west. Will Hannah choose to stay with what is familiar or choose to follow her heart ...