Wednesday, February 29, 2012

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms by Cindy Woodsmall- Charming Amish Read

Annie enjoys working at the fruit stand despite the occasional hazards. She is given an opportunity to spend some time in the home of her Grandfather Moses in Apple Ridge. Annie helps fill the time away by working at Zooks serving meals.

Aden feels a responsibility for the care of his brother Roman, the two forming a close bond. Aden while working on a generator at Zooks catches the eye of Annie. Annie is determined to break the silence with Aden despite the Old Order Mennonite and Old Order Amish rules and restictions which separate them.

During a time of turmoil Annie decides that Apple Ridge is just what she needed. In the middle of blooming cherry trees can she find peace and love?

A novella of betrayal, heartache, acceptance and romance the reader peers into the lives of these interesting and well developed characters. I loved Roman's and Aden's characters, so down to earth. A different storyline with familiar concepts kept me reading and entertained. Dialogue, description and scenery works with no dull parts. I found the overall message inspiring and would recommend this book to others. I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

http://www.cindywoodsmall.com/
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9780307446558
http://www.scribd.com/doc/75790909/The-Scent-of-Cherry-Blossoms-by-Cindy-Woodsmall-Chapter-1-Excerpt
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/author-spotlight.php?authorid=72213

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The Rose of Winslow Street by Elizabeth Camden- Very Enjoyable!

A family far away from their home in Romania arrive in Massachusetts and come to reside in the home of their ancestors only to find that it looks to be occupied. Soon Michael discovers that there is more to the house than he first thought.
Michael, keeper of treasures kept in a wooden box, his sister Mirela who is haunted by something locked away in her past, his sons Andrei and Luke and family friends traveling with Michael's family find America is not as hospitable as they had hoped.
Libby imprisoned by the way others see her, views the world through the colors that she paints.
Libby and Michael's first introductions are anything but memorable. Although Michael is in awe of Libby's paintings he is very protective of what is his. Despite their clear differences, can it be possible to find a common ground between themselves, and if so, will it destroy what each has worked so hard to keep hidden?

I was taken in by this book from the beginning chapter and could not put it down until I was finished about 6 hrs later! It was heartwarming, romantic, laced with deceit, secrets, history, bitterness and acceptance. This original and creative novel with well developed characters, that I felt as if I knew them, storyline, dialogue and scenery promises many enjoyable hours with no dull parts. I was highly entertained and challenged in my faith. I would highly recommend this novel to others!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Unmasking the Antichrist by Ron Rhodes- Revealing!

This well written, researched, executed and quite extensive complete volume on everything related to the Antichrist held my attention throughout as I read and studied along with my bible. Included are many references to bible passages that correspond to the subject being presented, and is an excellent study tool for individual or group use. This volume delves into the Books of Revelation and Daniel extensively but also other books are discussed and explained in an easy to understand format. Topics include chapters on Is the Antichrist alive today, the character of Antichrist, the role of Satan, the emergence of Antichrist, different world views of who the Antichrist will be and the comparisons and contrasts between them are but a few of the many included. The question and answer session fulfilled alot of my wonderings about the Antichrist and backed the answers up with scripture.

I felt I benefited from the book and learned quite a bit, as it separated the facts from the fiction, and I found it to be a good choice for the time spent. I did take my time reading, studying and reflecting, while looking up passages in my bible. Alot of information is contained within the book and to hurry through it would guarantee missing many key points and events. I would highly recommend this book to others, not only to Christians, but to nonChristians as well so they will be aware of the coming times. Thank you to Harvest House Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC for my review.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Not This Time by Vicki Hinze- Riveting!

What if someone wanted to hurt you?
What if that person knows you better than most?

Beth and Sara best friends creator of SaBe realize that others are not what they seem. Trust is easily compromised, but if you cannot trust your business partner whom can you trust.
Crossroads Crisis Center workers along with knowledgable detectives know the hour is crucial and time is precious, but the mystery must be solved before lives are at stake and before international foulplay is committed.

I really loved this creative and very well written book and was on the edge of my seat alot of the time spent reading it! It was very hard to put down. Playing out like a detective and murder movie that was peppered with crime, kidnapping and fear, all of these elements encompassed the story successfully while faith of the characters remained strong. The storyline is easy to follow and the novel has lots of twists, turns and key points to keep the tension high and to keep you reading! This book is the third in the series and reintroduces a few of the characters from Deadly Ties as well as new characters but this book could easily work as a stand alone novel if the first two have not been read yet. Excellent character development, believable dialogue, and visual scenery all worked well together as the book had no dull parts. I was highly entertained, challenged in my faith and would definitely recommend this novel to others. I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
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Thursday, February 9, 2012

The Hearts Frontier- Lori Copeland, Virginia Smith-Fun and Creative!

Life in the unsettled old west has it challenges, especially when the travelers are Amish.

Luke Carson, trail boss, has to concentrate on his job, others are counting on him to deliver the cattle to the awaiting train, diversions are not in the plan. Jesse Montgomery, long time friend to Luke sees the fun in situations even the ones he has no control over.Emma Switzer, father Jonas, sister Rebecca, and grandmother are on a pilgrimage to Troyer.When Luke meets the Switzers he realizes that their journeys lead them on different paths, their way of life very different from his own, but by supporting one another much can be accomplished.

I found this to be a very fresh and inspiring read. The characters seemed so real, genuine and familiar and I loved every minute spent getting to know them and reading about their story. I highly recommend this book to others! Amish fiction is not a genre I read alot of personally but gravitate more toward the western genre with cowboys and gunfights, but put the two together and you can expect a fun time reading with laugh aloud moments, times when you happily sigh and some parts that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Action, suspense, humor, old fashioned values and romance pepper this creative read. Dialogue, description and scenery all worked with no dull parts. Extremely well written, very hard to put down. I look forward to a sequel in this series! Thanks to Harvest House Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC for my review.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Echoes of Titanic by Mindy Starns Clark & John Campbell Clark- Brilliant!

Kelsey Tate successful business woman, like her great grandmother Adele before her must protect what is important to her at all costs. Adele, Titanic survivor and founder of Brennan and Tate, is plagued by her memories of that fateful night and what had happened, leaving her with unbearable guilt. A clueless mystery and hidden secrets take Kelsey back to the past. What happened afterwards could cost her and her family everything.

The novel shifts back and forth from the past then to the present expertly. I was able to connect with both Adele, her traveling companions, cousin Jocelyn and uncle Rowan who were portrayed aboard the ill fated ship; and with Kelsey, her family and business partners living in the present day. This book is sure to please mystery and suspense fans with its many twists and turns and as it kept me guessing to the end, as well as appealing to those of us who are Titanic fans thirsty for new storylines and adventures, and to romance fans who are searching for something a little different. The more deeply I delved into this book the more it captured my complete attention and became very difficult to put down. I did savor and read more slowly to soak in the words and scenery because so much happened in this novel. I found the overall message inspiring and will recommend this well written book to others. Thanks to Harvest House Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC for my review.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Hearts that Survive A Novel of the Titanic by Yvonne Lehman- Highly Recommended!

I really loved Hearts That Survive! Creative and captivating storyline, well developed characters and realistic scenery captured my heart and kept me reading and reflecting until the last word was read. I found it was very hard to put down.

Lydia Beaumont haunted by past regrets, John Ancell who spun words into magic, and Craven Dowd the realist along with a host of other interesting characters that I met while reading, were original and refreshing. The travelers also included actual people who were aboard the ship. Friendships found, secrets kept, along with devastating heartbreak lie beyond the frigid waters of the deep and dark Atlantic. When the great unsinkable ship meets its destiny how many will survive and how many will the sea claim as its own taking them to their watery graves? A novel of both being on the ship and the sinking and of the survivors afterwards and how they kept on living. I loved the ending!

The more I read, the more I became drawn into the story and into the character's lives. A novel of romance, heartbreak and survival. I found the overall message inspiring because through all the devastation and tragedies God is always with us and is able to bring promise and comfort. I was highly entertained and will definitely recommend this book to others! Thanks to Abingdon Press and Netgalley for the ARC for my review.