An Entertaining Book - Two in One, by Judy Baer

Two Books in One:

By Judy Baer

"An Unlikely Blessing" and "Surprising Grace"

I reviewed the first book a while back and enjoyed it immensely. It is a book full of humor, faith, challenges and grace, all keeping with a complicated plot and extremely interesting characters. It was a great book and this second part is no exception. The plot is constantly twisting and throwing us for a loop, making us laugh , then making us almost cry with frustration that these characters must feel, with the everyday problems they meet. Judy uses reality to get her point across in both books. Common difficulties met by ordinary individuals who depend on God to get them through.  I giggled, I cried, I was frustrated by the problems. This is what made it a GREAT book!! You FEEL!!!

"An Unlikely Blessing" begins with Alex Armstrong, a city dweller, who has just accepted his first pastoral assignment in a tiny township in North Dakota, in Hilltop Township. We meet many , shall we say, unusual and quaint individuals with whom Alex must work with in his community.  Great excitement arises, as the congregations, (two which he must handle), realize that this good looking young man is single.  The unmarried women come out of the woodwork to cook, clean and impress poor Alex. He must learn to deal with the many odd traditions many residents have, but in doing so , learns much from these rather odd individuals. Humor plays a huge part in this book and Judy had me laughing out loud, as I could just imagine this single pastor being pursued by everyone in sight. Judy's talent to bring a learning experience out of this comical situation is outstanding.Alex learns that this new church home is indeed AN UNLIKELY BLESSING!!


 Then, comes, Book 2 of the series, "Surprising Grace". Alex is now quite comfortable in his new job as pastor of Hilltop Church , going so far as to now understand the strange ways of the people who reside in this prairie land.  BUT, Alex discovers his flock needs help and counsel that he never expected he would have to provide. Would God give him the wisdom to say and do the right thing??? The important part of this book, is that Alex, the handsome young man must choose between a young woman he once planned to marry and the home he has come to love. Which one will win?? God has a plan. Is Alex prepared to listen and follow it??


These books are relaxing and entertaining. The characters are the most unique I have  discovered in a book for a long time. Judy has certainly written a book for all to enjoy - men, women, old and young!!  Everyone will have a smile on their face when they finish this series!

About Judy:
 
Judy Baer was born and grew up on a farm on the prairies of North Dakota, experiencing many of the same things as her Hilltop characters. An only child, she spent most of her days with imaginary people-either those she read about or those she made up in her head. 
 
Baer graduated from Concordia College with majors in English and education and a minor in religion. While at the time, she was simply studying what interested her, Baer later realized that she was educating herself for her future career as a Christian writer. She certainly put her education to use as she is the author of more than 75 books. 
 
A certified professional life coach now certified in three coaching disciplines, Baer coaches primarily professional and aspiring writers. She is also a faculty advisor in the Department of Human Development at St. Mary's University in Minneapolis, MN. Baer has two daughters and three step children. She and her husband live in Minnesota. 

If you wish to read more reviews of this book, please click on the following link:

Blog Tour Schedule: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13467681/foreverhilltop )

Celebrate with Judy by entering to win a Kindle for you and a friend!



One grand prize winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Touch for you AND one to giveaway to the friend of your choice
• Forever Hilltop by Judy K Baer for you and a one for a friend

Hurry, the giveaway ends on 5/22/12. The winner will be announced 5/24/12 on Judy’s blog!

Just click one of the icons below to enter. Tell your friends about Judy's giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

This book was provided free of charge by LitFuse in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Tricia Goyer Does it Again with Book 3 of her Big Sky Novel Series!!

"Beyond Hope's Valley"            

     By Tricia Goyer                     

This is the third book in Tricia's series and is every bit as wonderful a creation as the other two. A fantastic Amish story , with romance, challenges, joys and heartache. You feel with these well developed characters, as they tend to become part of your family. In fact, I started to worry about them at night , when I went to bed, if I stopped reading at a critical point in the story. The solution- just keep reading until done!!


Tricia uses a different type of community, as a starting point in the book. Montana is where the main character, Marianna, has been living , with her family, although she was betrothed to her beloved in Indiana. She returns to Indiana to attend her brother's wedding- where she encounters an unwanted surprise- but I must not add a spoiler here!! and to plan her own wedding to Aaron Zook who she has known since childhood.  Although, she thought she wanted to return to her hometown, she finds herself missing Montana where the Amish community is VERY different.


As months pass, secrets emerge that had been hidden all winter.  Relationships are challenged by these, as God's plans, although revealed,  are 
questioned. Walking through this valley of troubles, confusion and questions, Marianna must decide where and with whom her heart truly belongs.  




Tricia keeps you totally engrossed with her twists of plot. What will Marianna decide??? What will happen to  influence the others in her life?? The secrets that come into the open are a complete shock to the reader.


Well done, Tricia!! You succeeded again in lack of housework being done in my home and late meals!!!! LOL I could not put this book down. LOVED it!!!

 
 


About Tricia: Tricia Goyer is the award winning author of thirty-two books including Beside Still Waters, Remembering You, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences and is the host of Living Inspired. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.

Contest – 

Celebrate with Tricia and enter to win a custom-made Amish Wall hanging in the colors of your choice ... and much more! 

One fortunate winner will receive:

• Custom Amish Wall Hanging {You choose the colors!}
• An Amish Doll {Sweet.}
• Amish-made basket {It’s picnic season!}
• Doilies, potholder and an Amish cookbook {All items form Bird-in-Hand, PA!}
• Three book Big Sky Amish series {Be swept away by this captivating series.}

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 20th. Winner will be announced at "All Things Amish" Author Chat Facebook Party on 5/21. Tricia will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from her website) and giving away books, gift certificates and more! 

So grab your copy of Beyond Hope's Valley and join Tricia on the evening of the May 21st for a fun chat, trivia contest (How much do you know about the Amish?) and lots of giveaways. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 21st!

More info: Living Inspired and www.triciagoyer.com.

Link to buy the book:  http://ow.ly/azust 

If you wish to read more reviews on this book, please click on the following link:
Blog tour schedule: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13489586/bigskyamishbhv)  


This book was provided by LitFuse in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A Book Exemplifying Our Covenant with Christ

"Covenant Child"
By Terri Blackstock


I always love the mystery and intrigue in Terri's books and this one is no exception. It seems very different from her recent creations , in theme and plot, but if possible, is even better than her other series!! IF THAT COULD BE POSSIBLE!!
Terri involves you with the characters from the opening chapter to the last page of the book. I could not put this down. Meals, housework, bed could wait, I just had to read one more page....!!! The heartache experienced by the two little girls was just unbelievable. You get so engrossed with these little ones and their problems, that you want to jump in and save them.
The twists and turns in the plot keep you guessing. I would just think I figured out how it was going to turn out, and then another event would take over !! The suspense is great!! Anyone who loves a great mystery but no blood or gore, this book is for you!


Terri states that she wrote this book to exemplify the covenant we have with Christ and illustrate it in a way that both believers and non believers would understand. She was indeed successful.  


Lizzie and Kara are twins, who have lost their  biological mother at an early age. Their father remarried and they were in the midst of being adopted by their stepmother , when a tragedy occurs. Their father is killed in an accident.
We discover that unknown to the new mom and children, the father comes from an extremely wealthy family family and his children  will inherit this eventually , although it was left to his wife in his will, with the condition that she care for his children.  Then comes the surprise, the biological mother's parents arrive on the scene and in a court fight, get custody of the girls. To Amanda's dismay, she is not even allowed to see the girls. For years , she strives to keep in touch. The girls are unaware of her undying love for them.


This story follows along the lines of the Bible story of the Prodigal Son. The girls would be welcomed home, but will they be allowed to go????


This book helps us to understand God's love for us and the grace he offers. As a result of taking the grace we receive the inheritance. A GREAT book!!


This ebook was supplied by Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.

Review of Book 3 of the "Women of Lancaster" series!

"The Amish Bride"
    By Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Clark


This book continues the story of the family that was involved in Books 1 and 2 of this series. Mammi plays an important role in this book, along with her granddaughter, Ella, who she expects to solve a mystery that has troubled her Mammi for years and eventually herself , as well. It involves a wooden box from Switzerland, handmade, that was carved in detail of the Home Place.  This was the farm in Indiana where Mammi and Ella's mother grew up.  
Ella has been given a journal , written by her great grandmother, that has pictures , recipes, diary entries, but the most puzzling of all are small detailed drawings and symbols. Of course, artwork such as this , is frowned upon by the Plain faith. Mammi wants Ella to discover what these symbols mean and break the code , to find the hidden secrets that she is sure are hidden within this book.




Ella  and Ezra are in love and hope to marry some day, but she is Mennonite while he is an Amish man. Both of them are Plain , but one of them will have to leave their faith and beliefs to continue their relationship.  Ezra's family sends him to Indiana  to work on a dairy farm, hoping that distance will cool the romance. However.... Ella disregards her family's wishes and follows him. The Home Place just happens to be there, so she can research as well as be with the one she loves. She finds a place to live , a job and an unexpected friendship with an Amish farmhand , Luke.  


While all of this is going on, she continues to attempt solve the mystery of the journal for her Mammi. With the help of Luke, she has a major breakthrough that will definitely shock all of the family. The element of surprise is constantly used in this book. The twists and turns in the plot keep one completely captivated. A family tragedy forces Ella back to her home in Pennsylvania where she must face all she has been running from. After making peace with those important to her, she has to make one very important decision- two men- whose bride will she become??? Luke's or Ezra's???




This book is a wonderful story of Plain woman who are struggling to find their place in life, while challenges confront them,


Wonderful development of character is present in this book. You feel as though you are living with them and are involved in every problem, while you rejoice with them when answers are found.


This ebook was provided by Net Galley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A New Kelly Irvin Book to Enjoy

A Heart Made New

By Kelly Irvin

As I began reading this Amish novel, I thought to myself, "Oh this is the same old stuff. An Englischer gets involved with an Amish person, a person gets ill, there are challenges as the lifestyles clash." Boy , was I wrong!! This was a unique, intriguing story. The characters are so well described that you can imagine their looks and their personalities- they become very dear friends. You suffer with them in their problems and rejoice in their successes. Kelly has developed her characters in a realistic fashion, so that they could be people you would meet in the Amish community setting.

The plot was exciting and had many twists and turns. It kept you thinking throughout the book . I was unable to predict what would happen next. Kelly did a fantastic job of having more than one theme going on in the book. There were actually two stories that fit together. Very different and fantastic.

Logan, is the "bad guy" , an Englischer , who tries to rob the bakery run by the Amish , saying he has to do it to feed his family. A shot is fired and he ends up in jail, against the wishes of the Amish community whose faith says forgiveness is the answer not punishment. His girlfriend, pregnant and with a little girl arrives on the scene, homeless, with no money. That is again where the Amish pull together. Annie who was threatened at the bakery , takes it upon herself to show compassion and help this young mom.  

Meanwhile, Annie's intended, David is suffering from cancer and undergoing treatment. He is not dealing well with this challenge and his story becomes a second important part of the plot of the book. Will God change things to heal him and his relationship with Annie?

Will Logan have to go to jail? Will his girlfriend forgive him? The end of the book was a total surprise. I sincerely hope there is a sequel. I WANT to know what happens next!!

This ebook was provided by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. 

Beverly Lewis has done it again!! WOW!! What a great book!!

               "The Fiddler"

          By Beverly Lewis


Another fantastic Amish novel from the author who gave birth to this popular genre in 1997!  "The Shunning" was her first book that hit it big and those great books have not stopped coming. The setting is always in Pennsylvania , where Beverly was born and raised, thus her background in knowledge of Amish life is  exceptional. 


"The Fiddler" takes place in Hickory Hollow, Pennsylvania, where Beverly's first novels began, however this book has brand new characters, drama and new romances.   An Englischer, Amelia Devries, takes a wrong turn in a rainstorm and ends up in a challenging situation, throwing her already confused life into turmoil. A concert violinist who likes to fiddle- quite the combination, and in total opposition to her parents' wishes. Now, Amelia encounters new difficulties and changes in her life.


Amelia meets Michael Hostetler, a devout Amishman, who lives in the exquisite little town of Hickory Hollow, an Old Order Amish community. Despite two very different backgrounds,  both of these characters are feeling the same pressures, being hemmed in by the wishes and expectations of others. They are undergoing the same feeling of  trying to attain their own goals and hopes, while it seems as it everyone important to them is opposing them.


Will this chance encounter change their path in life forever? Will  God get them through these tough times?


Beverly successfully combines drama, romance and intense feelings into a winning story of faith and accepting God's plan for their lives. The characters become part of you- you worry with them , fear for them, and rejoice in their successes.
I could not put this book down. Had it read in a day and a half!!! Now, I am eagerly waiting for Book 2 in this series.
Great, great book!!!
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

A Good Video for all of us to see- AND a good book to follow!