A Novel of three best friends and their dreams !! A Book Review

In Every Heartbeat
By Kim Vogel Sawyer

This novel was most interesting and captivating.  I loved it!!
The three main characters grew up in an orphanage together and were good friends throughout their childhood  and young adulthood.  Each one had a unique background of why they ended up in an orphanage, adding suspense and questions as you read .  The current story takes place during their years at university, where they all encounter challenges, personal problems and are somewhat social misfits. 
Although they try to maintain their close friendship, others become involved in their lives, some in a positive way and some in a negative. 
Libby strives to become a journalist,  Pete- a minister and  Bennett- just wants to fit- maybe in a fraternity,anywhere where he can have fun and just belong.
When Libby makes a shocking discovery of Pete's family, the choice is apparent- will it draw a wedge between them or bring them closer together?? It has the ability to bond them in a way never anticipated, but, will they make the correct choice??

The author keeps you involved throughout the book, involving each of the three characters- in their own personal lives and in their intertwining connections.  Well done!!Sorry when it was over!!
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available now from your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

Amish America

 Amish America is an online newsletter that I  subscribe to. You get short emails, then can go to the longer articles from the link. Right now you can enter a contest to win 10 books - all about the Amish.What are you waiting for?? Enter, it's free!

Something New- A DVD to Review

"The Way Home"
A DVD movie based on the Inspirational True Story
Starring Dean Cain
This was a very different kind of review for me. I  had never watched a movie and then been asked to review it.  Totally different experience than holding a book in my hand and being able to flip the pages to remind myself of names, etc.
This is a story of a husband and father who is torn between the demands of his job and his family. Who is going to be more important?? It becomes evident early in the movie, that family becomes the centre of his attention in a tragic way.  Christal, Randy's wife, asks him to watch their two year old son Joe for a few minutes while she is packing for a trip. Randy becomes distracted by a work call/ computer and Joe disappears.  What a terrible feeling for the family!! Randy is overcome with grief- he wasn't being a good father- he became involved in another task rather than watching his son.
This movie also shows how a church community comes together to join in the search for the missing child. Strangers appear to help  search, as well as pray together for the safe return of Joe. 
Randy and Christal's already strained marriage now is further tested- the potential loss of their youngest child.
This is a movie, well worth watching, showing Randy's spiritual journey back to love , faith and a Godly understanding of a father's first priority- his family, NOT his job!!  Emotions run high throughout the entire movie. Will Joe be found alive, will he be found at all???
A good family movie as well as for couples struggling with what is important in their life and marriage.

An Encouraging True Story of Faith and Trust- A Book Review

"Choosing to See"
By Mary Beth Chapman, with Ellen Vaughn

All I can say is WOW!! This is truly  a book of struggle and hope- as the cover states.
This is a true (life) story of Mary Beth Chapman, her songwriter and  performer husband,
Curtis Chapman and their family, starting out as 3 children, then growing to 6.
Mary Beth's life starts out quite ordinary, but develops into something that no one can possibly plan, other than God.  She desires to live  a peaceful life and strives for stability and control, however, quickly learns that that is not to be. God is in  control, even when sometimes the results are nothing like we dreamed or wished for.
God gave her a talented, Christian husband and three great kids, but in Choosing to See, she tells us how she struggles with some of life's biggest questions- where is God when everything falls apart?  It is difficult to give the true essence of this book without including spoilers.
Let's just say, she and her husband decide their family will increase from three children to six -  through international adoption.  The adoption process is described in detailed, emotional terms- you feel you are living with them at that moment. Since we adopted our daughter,  I could feel all those mixed emotions.
When everything seems to be going so well and happiness reigns in their home, a tragedy occurs-one that no parent wants to have to deal with!!  Mary Beth tells of the struggle to survive and how to continue to believe throughout sorrow.  Although much of the book deals with extreme sadness, it ends in such  a positive way!! Sorry, can't tell you that part- it would spoil the book!!  What an encouraging story of faith that shows what God can do with a family who will follow His leading.
This book honestly tackled questions we all have at times. Why does God allow terrible things to happen? How can we survive these times??
Great book!!!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc. Available now at your favourite booksellers from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

What a Great Book for Amish fans!!

The Thorn
By Beverley Lewis

Oh, where do I start ??? This is a very difficult book to review with using spoilers!! I don't want to tell too much.  The setting is in Amish country, Lancaster County PA. Beverley describes the setting so well, that you feel you are there not only in mind but in body. 
This story involves a  young lady, Rose, her sister Hen - who married an Englisher, and a young man trying to find himself in maze of troubles.  Hen becomes the prodigal daughter who returns home, leaving her husband , to try to  go back to her Amish roots and teach her child the true faith.  In doing so, she meets many challenges, both personal and spiritual as well as with her family who believe she MUST save her marriage-  but how??? He is an agnostic and will have nothing to do with her Amish family.
Nick is a foster child who has suffered much and is struggling to find his roots. Which ones should he go to - the English or the Amish???
Rose has a struggle of her own- is she in love with someone outside the faith? She has to decide.
This is another excellent example of Amish Fiction at its best.  Beverley Lewis continues to write with detail and feeling.  I would highly recommend this to all readers. If you have never tried the Amish Fiction genre, this is a good book to start with.  Great  Book!!!!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf- Martin Communications Inc,Available now from your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing House."

What a marvellous trip!!

Our  trip to Paradise PA was SO much fun. This year, we had the pleasure of sharing our holiday with my sister (in law ),  who celebrated her 70th birthday while there.  If you are looking for a marvellous Bed and Breakfast, try Frogtown Acres. They have a website where you can see their rooms and breakfast menus. The innkeeper, Joe is the King of practical jokes and kept us in stitches during our breakfast each day. We were able to sit and watch the Amish in the fields harvesting the corn, with their teams of mules and horses, watch the buggies clip clopping down the road and travelled far and wide in Lancaster County. Of course, I bought LOADS of quilt fabric- if you are a quilter- that is where you should go- very reasonable and I  purchased a few books- like 20 or so.Lol! Now back home to do my next book review. And guess what???? It is an Amish fiction, The Thorn by Beverley Lewis!!YEAH!

A Trip to Lancaster County

Well, it is that time of year again!! Our annual trip to Paradise, PA!! Amish country to see the sights, tsounds and feel the peacefulness. The faith that our Amish friends exhibit is what I greatly admire.  I will attempt to post photos when I return from this holiday of relaxation.
Quilt shops, book stores and Amish restaurants will be our destinations. We are also going to see Joseph at the Sight and Sound Theatre. What a gift!! God has given us the opportunity to observe peace at its best.