The Wish by Beverly Lewis - my review

The Wish by Beverly Lewis is another awesome Amish story told by one of the best Amish story writers, in my opinion.


A story of close friendship between two girls, Leona and Gloria, that feel as sisters and wish that they were. Even after Arkansas Joe, Gloria's father moves her family far away in the middle of the night, they find their way back to each other and their friendship, and wishes start coming true.

Gloria is torn between her family and the world, English ways, or what her heart tells her is right, the Amish way of life that they lived before leaving Lancaster County. Torn between and old Amish beau, Orchid John and a new English boyfriend Darren, which will win her heart.

When Gloria contacts Leona, to come for a visit, she decides to go, praying that she can help her sister/friend. While her beau, Tom wonders if he should be concerned because Leona is going so far away to visit Gloria and her family who are now English.

I highly recommend this to anyone that loves the Amish stories, or is a Beverly Lewis fan, you will not be disappointed.

I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) from the publisher Bethany House and NetGallery in exchange for my honest review.

Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund - my review

Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund is #2 the Beacons of Hope Series, but it is a great stand-alone book as well. Takes us back in time, to 1865,  and the  Windmill Point Lighthouse in Michigan when the rules for women were so much different than today.  I felt many emotions as I read this book, one that I quickly became involved in the story and couldn't put down! I had not read the first book in the series yet, so yes you can read this one without having read the other. Although I will admit NOW I will be going back to read the others.   Out Of The Storm #.5   and  Love Unexpected #1  

Caroline Taylor is left to take care of the lighthouse and her siblings after the death of her Father. She does an excellent job at it and loves doing it. Then along come Mr. Finck to remind her that this is not a job for a woman, he has hired a man for the job.  Ryan Chambers, a civil war veteran, who has his own set of problems, doesn't really know how to run the lighthouse. Caroline and Ryan help each other, becoming closer to each other everyday. Then mysterious and creepy things start happening, that they can't explain. 

This story is full of drama, suspense, tender moments. It kept me reading into the night as I didn't want to lay it down, yet was disappointed when I got to the end only because I didn't want the story to end. I loved it! The story is also loosely based on a true story which makes it even better. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a good heart-felt read. 

I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) from Bethany House for my honest review, be it good or bad.  Thank you . 

Finding Me by Kathryn Cushman - my review

Finding Me by Kathryn Cushman was a book I was anxious to read from the time I first read the description, I was NOT disappointed! The name of the book is great as Kelli, who was born Darcy , searches for answers to troubling questions. A real page-turner I didn't want to lay it down for any reason.  As it keeps you wanting to find out along with Kelli/Darcy what happened. Why would her Dad fake their deaths and leave her Mom, brother, and sister behind? Why did he lie to her all of her life? A great Christian fiction book with suspense, and a little romance thrown in as well. As I read I wondered how I would react to being in a situation such as any of these characters were. It is a wonderful story with a great lesson about forgiveness.


I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) from Bethany House and NetGallery in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.

The Love Letters by Beverly Lewis - my review

I enjoyed reading The Love Letters by Beverly Lewis. Marlena Wenger is staying with her grandmother to help her out after the passing of her grandfather, when her sister is hospitalized and her niece Angel Rose also comes to stay. Marlena quickly becomes connected to the baby, which her beau Nat is not happy about.
 The neighbor boy Jacob finds a homeless man, who is having problems with his memory, living in the old mill.

I found myself quickly involved in their stories, disliking Nat and his parents for there judgemental ways, and absolutely loving 'Small Jay'. I love reading books about the Amish and Beverly Lewis has created another wonderful story with characters to love and dislike.

I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) from Bethany House and NetGallery in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.

 

Esther: Royal Beauty by Angela Hunt - my review

I finished reading Esther: Royal Beauty by Angela Hunt last night and was completely lost in the telling of this old story. I'm a big fan of Biblical fiction and this will now be on my list of favorites as such.

I have read the Biblical story of Esther and studied it at different times, but after reading this book I will never look at it quite the same again! Angela Hunt brings this old story back to life by letting two characters, Esther (Hadassah) and a eunuch by the name of Harbonah tell the story. I tremendously enjoyed reading this age old story from this perspective. Even though I knew this story, it was still a real page-turner as I read from the view point of Hadassah and Harbonah. It was so easy to love these two, as I read along, crying and laughing with them.


One of my favorite quotes from this book, about this time long since past, so easily fits the Christian life that I walk, today as well.

 We walked in it, traded in it, communicated in it, and did acts of kindness for it. To the casual observer, we might have looked like ordinary people, but we were not. About that, at least, Haman was right. 
 We were children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and we served and invisible God, who remained close to us no matter where we lived. But our hearts did not -- should not -- belong to this world. 


I highly recommend this book to everyone who likes Biblical fiction.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.