The Calling by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Book Summary(from Amazon)

Twenty-year-old Bethany Schrock is restless. Her love life has derailed, her faith hangs by a thread, and she is spending the incredibly hot summer days wading through a lifetime's accumulation of junk at the home of five ancient Amish sisters. About the only thing that holds her interest is the spirited and dangerously handsome Jimmy Fisher--and he seems bent on irritating her to no end.

When the sly old sisters and a guest at the Inn get Bethany involved in running the local soup kitchen and starting a community garden, she suddenly finds herself wondering, Shootfire! How did that happen? Despite her newfound purposefulness, a gnawing emptiness about a childhood mystery continues to plague her. Encouraged by Jimmy Fisher, she will seek out the answers she craves--and uncover a shocking secret that will break her heart, heal it, and point her to love.

My Thoughts:

This is the second book in The Inn at Eagle Hill series. Although reading the books in order is always my first choice, you can read this book as a stand alone. I know you will want to read more when you are done with this!

I love how Suzanne Woods Fisher can create a wonderfully written book with many twists and end up with something that leaves you wanting to know more. I love how the characters draw you in and bring you into their lives. I found myself relating to each one at some point in the story. I love Bethany's journey to find truth and a reconnect of faith in her life. We can learn about how the simple life of the Amish can help during the struggles of life and help us lean on what's important.

This shows an inside look at volunteering, connecting and being able to move into the future and leaving the past behind. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good, clean read with some twists and turns along the way.

Disclosure: I received a print copy of the book in order to do my review. My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own.

The Secret Keeper by Beverly Lewis

The Secret Keeper is Book 4 in the Home to Hickory Hollow series. Although it's Book 4, you can read it independently of the other books. I have read the entire series from the beginning and recommend them all.

Jenny is an Englisher, but in her heart she has always seen herself as Plain. She has never felt like she belonged in her world and thanks to an Amish friend, finds herself being mentored in her "proving period" by Rebecca and Samuel Lapp.  Although things are more difficult then they appeared at first, Jenny is determined to fit in and prove she has what it takes to become a baptized member of the Amish church. People in the community have a variety of thoughts of this worldly person wanting to join the Amish church, especially at the same time many of the youth are seeking to leave the community.

As Jenny strives to learn the correct ways to conduct herself and learn how to be a true Amishwoman, she also finds herself struggling with her interest in Andrew. Jenny is not supposed to court until she is a member of the church, but she finds herself drawing closer to him and his trust in her.

When a secret threatens to destroy her chances of finishing her proving time, she decides she will never be Amish and leaves to go home. What she finds is that although she is back in the English world, her heart is with the Amish.

What I love about this story is that it brings in a theme that is common to people no matter where they are or who they are. The struggle to find where you fit in. Following your heart may not be the accepted choice or the most popular, but how important it is to follow your heart and God's leading.

The families and individual characters in the story draw you in. They feel like family.  If you have read any of the Heritage of Lancaster County books, you will love hearing more about Katie Lapp and her journey outside the Amish faith, and learn about the struggles and changes occuring in that family.

I love reading Amish fiction. Although the lifestyle is strict and difficult, the idea of living simple without all the stress of "keeping up" with everyone makes reading about it very enjoyable.
Beverly Lewis never disappoints with her books. I highly recommend finding this book fast! You can find it HERE.


Disclosure: I received a print copy of the book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

A Hopeful Heart by Amy Clipston

A Hopeful Heart is the first book in a new series called  

"Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel". 

When Hannah finds herself a young widow, she tries to help support her family by working housekeeping at a local hotel. Although her Mother in law is against her having a job outside the home (it's not typical for Amish women) ,She really enjoys her job and co-workers. 

When she begins to befriend a male guest, Trey, who has suffered similar losses, she learns the difficulties and reasons why the Amish prefer to keep to themselves and not become involved in the English world.  Hannah and her Brother in law,Joshua,have been working together to keep the farm going, but when  Hannah starts including Trey in her life outside the hotel, Hannah is seen as trouble and the trouble starts to affect her children.

To complicate the situation, Joshua is in love with Hannah. When she finally realizes that, she is also falling for Trey. Through many trials, Hannah finds herself in the midst of a difficult situation which could affect her whole family. Her choices could cause her to be shunned and to lose family members if she follows her heart to leave with Trey. She loves Joshua, but feels more of a friend to him and a way to keep her husbands memory alive. How will she make the right choice? What IS the right choice for her and her family?

MY THOUGHTS:

This book is a great read! I again found myself reading late into the night because I couldn't put it down. My sleep pattern is losing out to great books!  I felt this book to be a very realistic view of life, love and choices. Whether you are Amish or not, there are decisions we make every day that affect not only us, but those around us. In this book, we find a balance of both sides of the choices Hannah must make. I enjoyed the characters throughout. I found myself liking some of them and disliking others. Although the Mother in law seemed to be more on the manipulative side, I'm sure that by seeing it from her side we would find her heart and reasoning. Amish life seems to be rooted in very strict rules that they are supposed to follow without question, which would be the side of the Mother in law. Hannah is choosing to follow her heart and see what God has for her, whether it's to stay or go she will follow God. I love how there are discussion questions in the back. This would make a great book for a book club. I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. I highly recommend it , and already looking forward to book two of this series.

You can find this book at amazon.com

Disclosure: I received a print copy of this book from booksneeze.com in order to do my review. No other compensation was given. My reviews are always honest and my opinions are my own.

Grace Given by Beth Shriver

      In this book, we find Elsie and her family trying to find their way into a new community. They have moved from Virginia to Texas only the previous year. While learning to follow the changes of the community, and dealing with vandals hitting the Amish farms, they also are dealing with a family issue.  

Elsie's sister Katie left the community with Jake, and Elsie finds this especially hard because she thought their was something growing in her relationship with Jake. 

      Thankfully Elsie has a good friend in Gideon. He has been interested in Elsie for a long time and enjoys being there for her, and also hoping that Elsie will grow to love him. 

      Through circumstances with the English vandals, Elsie and Gideon find themselves growing closer as they search for the truth.

      When Katie returns, emotions run wild. In an already stressful time, we find yet another situation that requires faith, grace and forgiveness. Choices must be made and struggles met to do what is right.

Amazing story of love and forgiveness.

My Review:

I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars. I find myself intrigued by the Amish culture and enjoy reading books which give insight into their lives and why they choose to do things the way they do. This is Book 2 in the series "Touch of Grace" by Beth Shriver.  I read this one realizing that I had not yet read Book 1. Although I plan on going back and reading Book 1, I don't feel that not reading it first caused any difficulty in understanding what was going on in this book. I would recommend reading in order though, but that's just how I usually like to do things:)

This book is well-written, and kept my attention well past times that I should have been sleeping! Beth Shriver always puts together wonderful stories and I am thrilled to have the privilege  of sharing this one with you.

You can find a copy of this book at amazon.com

Disclosure: I received a print copy of this book through thebooketeria.com in order to do this review. My reviews are always honest and are my own opinion. My opinions may differ from  others.

The Fiddler by Beverly Lewis

Summary:

      This is book 1 in a series called Home to Hickory Hollow, about life in Amish country.  In this book we are introduced toAmelia. She is an English girl who is searching for the life she wants. She has spent most of her life playing the fiddle in concerts around the world. She really wants, and needs, some rest. She feels she is missing out on something and wants peace.
      In a rainstorm on her way home from a fiddle concert, outside her normal realm of music, she meets Michael. Michael is in the midst of his own search. He struggles with the decision of whether or not to join the Amish church. His family expects him to, but he feels a pull to the outside world even with his love of his family and the life at home.
      As they talk, they find themselves able to talk in a way neither has been able to before. When Amelia returns with him to Hickory Hollow, we follow her as she learns to find peace and return to a heart relationship with God. Through many struggles, and many heartfelt talks, we see how these friends begin to rely on each other to help find the life God wants for them both.

Review:

      I have always been interested in Amish stories. I think because of how simple they make life. I know I could not live the way they do, and some of their beliefs are not matched up with mine, but regardless, I find myself drawn to these books. I have read most of Beverly Lewis's books, and knew before I read this book I would like it. I was not disappointed. It was great! Her style of writing allows readers to become a part of the story and feel apart of the families in the book.
      This book weaved a wonderful story of friendship, love and ultimately a relationship with God. I found myself captivated and didn't want to put the book down. It made me wonder how I could apply what was in the story to my own life.
      The story flows in a way which keeps the reader interested and always looking forward. I highly recommend checking this book out. It will leave you wanting to know more. Yes, I am already reading book 2!

You can find the book at amazon.com
Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this review. My reviews are always honest and are my own opinion.

Katie Opens her Heart

Katie Opens Her Heart

By Jerry Eicher

• Christian Fiction
• Amish life
• my rating is 5 out of 5 stars

  Summary:

   This book is the first in a new series called "Emma Raber's Daughter". In this book, Katie is a teenager living with her widowed mom, Emma. Due to the loss of her father and situations in her mom's past, Katie is kept from participating in the traditional Amish rumspringa. Katie and her mom are considered strange by the Amish community. Katie badly wants to be a part of the community and to have friends.

     One day, through a friend at work, Katie is invited to a mennonite birthday party. Although her mom is against it, Katie goes and had a great time. She feels comfortable and loved by the friends she meets and wants to continue to nurture the friendships by going to more get togethers with them.

      When Jesse comes to court Katie's mom, she sees this as a way for Emma to be happy, but also allow her to gain the life and freedom she deserves herself. Although there are many setbacks and obstacles  to overcome, this is the beginning of new life for them both.

     Review:

     I have always found books about the Amish lifestyle fascinating. The traditions have interested me in seeing how they live the simple life, not affected by all the trappings of the world. In this book again I was not disappointed. I had a hard time putting down the book. This is a great story with an interesting plot. I felt myself become a part of each of the characters and feeling how they felt in each circumstance. It was easy to put yourself in their place to see how each situation affected their life and their love.

      I look forward to the next book in this series, and can't wait to see what changes happen in Katie and Emma's lives and also watch new stories unfold in new characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a story of life, love and family.

Disclosure: I received an ebook in order to do this review. No other compensation took place. The opinions here are my own and may differ from yours.

Direct link to book: http://www.amazon.com/Katie-Opens-Heart-Rabers-Daughter/dp/0736952519/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357170293&sr=8-1&keywords=katie+opens+her+heart