Tuesday, December 11, 2012

An Amish Kitchen - Wiseman, Long and Clipston

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com  a book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own

 Oh yay another Amish book of course is what I thought. I have a love/hate relationship with these books that are three in one deals. I love them because Im getting to read three stories without having to wait on other books but I hate them because I feel like right when they are getting good and Im starting to care about the characters they stop.

I of course have read books by Wiseman and Long but this was mt first time reading anything my Amy Clipston and I can't wait to read  more by her. These little stories are just cute and I can't get enough of em. Since the stories are so short I feel that if I say anything about them it will be giving away the whole story so I will leave it at this... If you enjoy cute stories and or Amish books then you will love these and if you are looking into starting Amish fiction this would also be a good place to start .

No Safe Harbor by Elizabeth Ludwig

I received a copy of this book for review purposes from Bethany House Publishers.  I am under no obligation to write a positive review, just an honest one.






Oh how I hate giving negative reviews, its such a hard thing to do when I know that someone has worked so hard on this book but I fear Im going to have to do such a thing this time.  I couldn't for the life of me get into this book. I tried and tried but couldn't make myself want to read it. My rule of thumb is if Im to chapter 3 and couldn't care less to read anymore than I don't. Its not worth my time which these days having time to read is rare.  So this book was not for me and I can't even tell you who it might be for.

Monday, November 12, 2012

A Marriage of the Heart - Kelly Long

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com  a book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own

Three Amish Novellas

YAY another Amish book wooohoo, we know I love these. I'll be honest the last book I read by K.Long did not impress me ( check out the blog) so i was a little worried about committing to read this one. But it was worth my while.

This book is comprised of three short stories, in a way I like this and in the same turn I feel like the story and characters are just getting started when the book ends. I had previously read one of the other stories in another book so I really only got two new stories.  I wont go into the details of the three stories because they are so short I fear I may ruin them with what little details I may give.

I did enjoy the two new stories that I hadn't read. They were true to Amish works I have previously read. As usual it left me wanting more , maybe full versions will come soon. That would be awesome ....until next time

Alison

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Twice A Bride - Mona Hodgson

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

I hate to write a negative review but I'm afraid that I'm going to have to this time.  I could not for the life of me get into this book. It was beyond boring and I felt like it was a waste of my time. I hate to have to say that about anything people have worked hard on but I was asked to be honest

This book was about a young widow Willow Petterson who with the recent death of her father as well she has to find her place in the world as a single woman and try to figure out a way to support herself as a independent lady... in comes Trenton Van Der Veer a local photographer who is looking for a partner in the business and in walks Willow

And thats pretty much how the story goes, I found it completely boring and lacking detail.

Friday, October 5, 2012

The Trouble with Cowboys - Denise Hunter

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com  a book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own

 This is the second book I have read by Denise Hunter , so I was pretty excited to get started. Love a good cowboy book, dont we all.

Annie Wilkerson is somewhat of the towns horse whisper a great thing to be when you live in Montana, that is until the hunk of a cowboy Dylan Taylor needs your help. Annie doesn't want to help Dylan but what is she to do when she too soon finds herself needing Dylan's help to keep her part time job as a columnist. Can the two work together or are their difference too much to handle ?

This was a cute book, I for one loved Dylan right away and found it hard to believe that Annie didn't like to even look at the man. But it wouldn't have made for a very good story if she did I guess. It was a very good read and of course left me wanting more.

Over The Edge - Mary Connealy

I received a copy of this book for review purposes from Bethany House Publishers.  I am under no obligation to write a positive review, just an honest one.

 This is the third book in the series and I coulnd't wait to get my hands on it. And it was just as good as the first two.

This book focuses on Seth and his bride that he didn't even know he had. So typical of Seth to completely forget the fact that he got married. Callie his bride tracks him down and id ready to kill him for up and leaving her but is that the way it goes ??

I really enjoyed this book , I hope there is more to come !!! Gotta love a love story about cowboys mmmm mmm yummy.

When Hope Blossoms - Kim Vogal Sawer

I received a copy of this book for review purposes from Bethany House Publishers.  I am under no obligation to write a positive review, just an honest one.

 A Mennonite book, YAY almost as good as an Amish book. I have never read a Vogal Sawyer book but my Nanny loves them so I was pretty excited about it, plus it looked like it would be right up my alley.

Amy Knackstedt  ( what a crazy last name) a widow as moved to a new town along with her three children, one of special needs. She worries how they will get along in this new town since the town doesn't have many Mennonite's . Amy moved into a farm house next to Tim Roper an ex- Mennonite's apple orchard . Tim is annoyed by the new neighbors but does he need their friendship more than he realizes ?

This was a cute book, very predictable but cute non the less, it left me wanting more so hopefully there will be a second book about Amy and her family.

Friday, September 7, 2012

A Season for Tending By Cindy Woodsmall

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review






YAY YAY YAY a Cindy Woodsmall novel. She is one of my very favorites. I was super excited to be able to get my hands on an advance copy of her latest novel in her new series, Amish Vines and Orchards.


This book of old Order Amish is about two families who are both struggling to make ends meet in this tough economy. Rhoda Byler's a young woman who has a passion for planting berries and herbs stumbles into Leah King a teenager in her rumschpringe and is testing the boundaries with her family. The meeting of Leah also results in the meeting of her older brother Samuel a young apple orchard farmer who is having a rough go around on the producing sides of things this harvest year. All seems lost untill he believes Rhoda may be the answer to all their problem.

I'll be honest I had a little bit of trouble getting into this book, it took longer than it normally does with a Woodsmall book but once I was in I was in and couldn't put the  book down. I actually stayed up past my bedtime a few nights because it was just so good. can't wait for book #2

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Once again this was listened to on our library playaways which my boyfriend just loves. I for one like the turning of the pages but I didn't have time for that and this was just easier.

I really got into this one more than I did the first Hunger Games book. I of course am team Gale so there wasn't enough of him but I hope the third book will change that. I really thought this times arena was crazyyyy and I loved how you really had to use your brain to figure it out !

Monday, August 27, 2012

An Amish Love






This is a book of three Amish novellas by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller and Kelly Long. I have read books by all 3 so I of course knew I would love it ...and I did LOVE it, although it is a little long at 500 pages it was worth every second and gave me the warm and fuzziness feeling in my heart 

Sunday, August 26, 2012

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I did it, I fell into the Hunger Game trap. My boyfriend who is visually impaired so we rent these things called "playaway" which is a book loaded into an mp3 player. Super cool asnf perfect for what we need. He listened to it and demanded that I do as well.

I figured from what other friends had said that I would like this book, and sure enough I did. It was a lot different than I thought it would be. I found myself falling in love with Katniss and really getting into the emotions of the book....I was a little concerned that this book was advertised as a teen book . I wouldn't let me teen read it !! Super graphic in the descriptions and not appropriate  for a young audience .  Currently listening to "Catching Fire "

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Roadtrip Reading

My boyfriend Charles and I went on a roadtrip to Virginia for my cousins wedding. Since it is about an 8 hour drive we decided it would be a good idea to get a few audio books to listen to. A friend suggested we try to Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. So we went to the library and got the first two books. We laughed our butts off the whole way !!! If you have not read the series i suggest you start now. We already put a hold on the next few books


A Path Toward Love by Cara Lynn James

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com  a book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own





A non Amish book, I know shocking right ? Well even if it wasn't Amish i did enjoy this book. I can normal tell by the cover if I will like a book and sure enough I liked the cover and I liked the book...bad bad me judging a book by its cover.

This novel was about a young woman, Katherine  who is a widow and trying to run the orange farm  that she inherited when her no good two timing husband  got sick and kicked the bucket. Her husbands gambling affairs but a damper on the family business and its just about to  bankrupt when Katherine's father stops by for a visit. He is willing to loan Katherine the money to help try and make a turn around but in return she has to New York with him for a month. Katherine agrees and finds herself in the company of two men wanting to court her, Andrew who works for her father and his cousin Randy who her parents desperately  what her to marry. What will Katherine who has vowed  to never remarry do ?

I really enjoyed this book, it was pretty much what I thought it would be and ended how I thought it would. I could really relate to the hardheadedness of Katherine. I tend to be the same way myself. It was a really cute enjoyable story.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Almost Amish by Kathryn Cushman

I received a copy of this book for review purposes from Bethany House Publishers.  I am under no obligation to write a positive review, just an honest one






Another Amish book....shocking I know !! This is the first book by Kathryn that I think I have read, I read so much its hard to keep track of what all I have read. But anyways this one had a little different twist on things than the normal Amish fiction  that I normal read.

In Almost Amish it has a twist that almost all America seems to enjoy...reality TV. In this novel sister in laws Susan and Julie take on a challenge form a talk show host to take their families and live the Amish lifestyle with none of the comforts of daily life that they are use to. Susan and Julie soon realize that this challenge maybe more than they bargained for .

I enjoyed this book, not my favorite but certainty not the worst I've ever read. I did like the feeling I got when I read it. As always I want to know what will happen next.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

The Widow of Saunders Creek by Tracey Bateman

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

 I don't normally read suspense novels but decided to give this one a try. Boy am I glad that I did !! It keep me on the edge of my seat the whole time. It was a very easy read and was over before I knew what happened. I like that in a book.

Corrie Saunders moves to Saunders Creek a few months after her husband dies in the war. She returns to the house he grew up in and left her in his will. Problem is Corrie feels like Jarrod didnt actual leave her at all. Eli, Jarrod's cousin is helping Corrie fix up the house but finds himself doing the unthinkable , falling for her. Is Jarrod's ghost in the house ? Will Corrie return Eli's feelings ? You will have to read to find out how this one ends .

Like I said I do not normally read suspense novels so I was a little worried as to how this one would go. But I really did enjoy the book and left wanting to know what happens next. It was a really enjoyable read.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Baby Proof by Emily Giffin

I had time for another fun read


I'll be honest , I didn't enjoy this one as much as I have the other Giffin books I have read. I just had trouble connecting with the story and I felt alot of unneeded info was in it. Not my favorite read but certainty not my least favorite .

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Tumbleweeds by Leila Meacham

This one was actually for pleasure, Ive been so busy lately with official book blogs to read i hardly find to for a personal read but I had some time this summer.

Since this is a personal read i wont go into great details since there are no blog requirements. I saw an advertisement in the "All You" magazine and thought, I must read this so I requested it from Nashville Library. This was a very BIG book. I finished it a few days ago and Im honestly not sure how I feel about it. It was a good read but I felt it was a little too jumpy and then the ending was rushed. It was slow then super fast then slow. I got lost a few times??? 

My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade

I received a copy of this book for review purposes from Bethany House Publishers.  I am under no obligation to write a positive review, just an honest one.


This book was a little different that what I normally read. To be honest I felt it was a little slow , but at the same time I did enjoy myself while reading it. A little something different is always good for a change up. 

Kate a social worker from Texas takes a few months of work to go up north to help her grandmother fix up her old birth places. The local contractor for the project is Matt , a famous retired hockey player who was recently left a widower by the death of his wife. Kate is more determined to fix Matt's broken shut down self than her Gran's house. Will she ever be able to break down the wall that he built so high ?

Like i said this book was a little slow and seemed to give alot of unnecessary details to the story but at the same time I did enjoy it after I was done wanted to know more of what happened after the final chapter 

Thursday, July 5, 2012

The Harvest of Grace by Cindy Woodsmall

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

 I know what you are thinking, another Amish book surprise surprise. Its no secret that I'm a fan of a good Amish novel. And with a "The Harvest of Grace" that's exactly what I got! This is the third book in the "Ada's House" series, I read the second one not too long ago and couldn't wait to get my hands on this one to see where the story of these lovely Amish women went.

In "The Harvest of Grace " we are introduced to a new character Sylvia Fisher who in unlike normal Amish women roles loves to do the farming work. Being one of nine daughters she helped her father on their dairy farm, that is until a sticky situation with a brother in law left her with no choice to but to leave the farm. She found herself working on the Blank dairy farm helping Michael run things since only son Aaron is in rehab . Sylvia and Michael make plans to get the farm out of debt, all is on the right track until Aaron returns home with different plans on what to do with the farm, can Sylvia an Aaron work out their differences ?  You will have to read this wonderful novel to find out.

I knew going into it I was going to love this novel, because Cindy Woodsmall has yet to disappoint me. And once again she did not let me down. I read this novel in record time. I hope there is more to come in the "Ada House" series. I can't wait to see what happens next!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Winning Balance – Shawn Johnson

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. I am asked to give my honest opinion about the book.



I'm not normally one to read these kinds of books. But I love gymnastics so I figured this would be a good read and something different that I knew I would enjoy. I loved Shawn in the 2008 Olympics so I was familiar with her story ....or so I though.


Shawn does a great job in this book of her life story so far, for only being 20 years old she sure has had alot of life experiences for someone her age. I really enjoyed reading of how hard it is for the gymnast to get to Olympic level. Sometimes when watching the games you forget the person is just as human as you or I.

Although she is young Shawn does a great job sharing her lessons in life and how a little bit of Faith and trust in God can go a long ways. Although Shawn will not be at the 2012 Games, I wish her the best in life post gymnastics. I can only imagine how hard it will be for her walking away from something that has taken up so much of her life. It will be like a whole new born again Shawn.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

The Fiddler - Beverly Lewis

I received a copy of this book for review purposes from Bethany House Publishers.  I am under no obligation to write a positive review, just an honest one.

 As we all know , I love me an Amish novel. Being a big Beverly Lewis fan I knew I would love this story and she did not let me down. I finished it in record time and was ready for a sequel to see what happens next.

Amelia a concert violinist finds herself stuck in Amish country, what she first thought of an accident seems to be more of the Lords way. Amelia makes friends with Michael a young Amish man who is trying to figure out where in the world he belongs, does he stay with his faith or does he go English in the world he longs for?

Amelia and Michael make quick friends because just like Michael she is also searching to find where she belongs in the world. She loves being a concert violinist but longs for something more and different. She has stuck with her current career for so long to please her parents but is now time to step away and start doing things for herself and living life the way she wants ?

I really enjoyed this story, it was different than many other Amish stories cause this time the woman was the Englisher and the male was the Amish and normally its the other way around. Like I said I'm ready for book #2 in this series

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Arms of Love - Kelly Long

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com  a book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.










Yay an Amish book, I of course was oh so excited  cause we all know I love me an Amish novel ! This was the first book that I have read by Kelly Long so i really had no idea how it was gonna go. I must say I was a little disappointed in this book. It failed to keep my interest :(  Never a good sign  for this book lover.

Young Amish woman Lena finds herself in a pickle when her mother dies in child birth and her father is locked up in prison . She is relying on the help of her Amish boyfriend Adam, little does she know that before her death Lena's Mother made Adam promise that he was going to change his ways and become a better man even if that meant leaving Lena to fend for herself. Will they end up together or will Adam's new ways not be what Lena is looking for in a future husband. 

Like I said I wasn't all that thrilled with the books, it was pretty slow going and about 100 pages in I just didn't have any interest in seeing how it ended. Now Im not sure if it was because this wasn't a present day novel.


Saturday, May 19, 2012

The Messenger - Siri Mitchell

I received a copy of this book for review purposes from Bethany House Publishers.  I am under no obligation to write a positive review, just an honest one.


This novel is one of historical fiction, a tiny bit different from what I would normally read ( aka Amish) it was set in the Revolutionary War time, being a history buff that I am I thought I knew alot about history but as I got into this book it seems that I lost alot of knowledge that I should have gained in high school. So ti was kind of a refresher on how things use to be. 

This story is about a  young Quaker  woman , Hannah trying to figure out what in life she believes and doesn't believe and somewhat questioning the believes of her faith. When her twin brother lands himself in jail as a rebel she decided to go against her faith a little and teams up with a wounded solider and local bar owner Jeremiah in helping the jail-mates plan an escape as she becomes "the messenger " will Hannah and Jeremiah succeed in their mission? You shall have to read to find out .

Like I said before, this is a little different that what I would normally read but I did really enjoy this novel and it kept my interest and I read it in a fairly fast manner which is always  a way to tell how good a book is.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Wildflowers from Winter - Katie Ganshert

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review


Wildflowes from Winter is a novel about a young architect, Bethany  in Chicago who left her hometown of Peaks Iowa at the age of 18 and hasn't looked back since. That is until Bethany gets a phone call from her mother who she doesn't get along with at all. Her best friend Robin's husband was in a serious accident as was in the hospital in a coma. Bethany debates on weather or not to return home to comfort her friend in her time of need. Then her Mom calls again saying that her Grandfather has had a heart attack...

Without thinking Bethany gets in the car and drives to Peaks.  With twist and turns along the way Bethany finds herself at her Grandfathe's farm with the young farm hand Evan. She is faced with life altering decsions. Does she follow her heart or her dreams, you will have to snuggle up in a blanket and this good book to find out how this page turner ends. 

This was my fist time reading Katie's work and I must say i really enjoyed it. As well all know im a fan of Amish fiction/ historical  fiction  but it was nice to step away from that and read something a little more modern. I look forward to reading the follow up.

Monday, April 30, 2012

Named By God - Kasey Van Norman

Tyndale House Publishers has provided you with a complimentary copy of this book. I am asked to give my honest opinion about the book.


Named By God - Kasey Van Norman

"Each one of us is born with a "God Code"  Kasey Van Norman self help book goes thru the different ways that God has made us all special and how no matter what has happened to us we can be forgiven for our sins and be in the right with God.  In realizing that even the best of the best in the Bible in some ways have struggled with the very same things that we do today and if God can forgive them then he very well can forgive us as well. We may not be perfect in others eyes but as long as we make an effort to be right in Gods then that is all the matters.

I honestly had a hard time reading this book. Im not sure if it is because I'm use to reading fiction and this was more of a self help/christian spiritual book, I knew going into it that it probably wouldn't be my cup of tea but I thought I would give it a try. I also didn't completely agree with the way that Kasey translated some of the passages in the Bible. The way she read the word and the way I read the word we somehow got a different meaning and message out of the passage. Now that's not saying her way of translating it is wrong and that I'm right. I think that is what is great about the word of God, it can be read in many different ways and as long as we get that Jesus died for our sins that is what God was trying to get across.

If someone is having a hard time understand why God is putting certain roadblocks in their life this may be a just the read they need to know that God knows what he is doing even if you are questioning his actions.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Tori Spelling's Mommywood

This book was one I picked up at a yardsale and will sell on ebay (For Sell Now) 



                  







There isnt too much to say about this one without spoling the book. Pretty much Tori trying to talk herself into thinking she is a normal mother. It was pretty good and I read it in less than 2 days