The Bridesmaid by Beverly Lewis

Joanna Kurtz continues to be a bridesmaid, but she wishes she would grow closer to becoming a bride. That possibility enters her mind when she meets Eben Troyer, a young Amishman. The only problem is he’s from Indiana, and she’s from Pennsylvania. Being with him is dependent on Eben’s brother, a brother who turned his back on the Amish way of life. Their father needs help running the farm, and without Leroy, it falls on Eben’s shoulders.

Like many of Beverly Lewis’ books, this was an enjoyable read. I like how she tied in characters from the previous book in the Home to Hickory Hollow series.  The events in this story flowed nicely, and the relationship Joanna and Eben developed seemed natural and realistic, including all the bumps and doubts that go along with a long distance relationship. One character I did not enjoy was Joanna’s sister, Cora Jane. She brought down the mood of the book, and her tense relationship with Joanna wasn’t developed all that clearly. Overall, this is a book worth revisiting.

This book was reviewed for Bethany House Publishers.

Article Published by Inspire a Fire

We all have certain gifts, and there are ones we know have not been given to us. I reflected on this idea in an article that was published by Inspire a Fire. 

http://www.inspireafire.com/not-my-gift/

Over the Edge by Mary Connealy

Seth Kincaid found himself married after fighting in the Civil War. His spitfire of a wife, Callie, goes in search of him after he disappears from their homestead. When she finds him, she wants to wring his neck for not remembering her. Seth, on the other hand, is interested in getting to know this woman who is called his wife. He wants to rekindle the spark they once had. Will they ever make it to a place where they both want the same thing, or will their differences keep them apart? 

This book opens with an action scene, which really grabs your attention and makes you want to keep reading to find out what will happen next. Since this is how it started, I thought there would be a lot more throughout the book, but there wasn’t. There is one more action scene closer to the end.

While Seth is trying to win Callie back and remember her, there is a subplot in the story, but I didn’t feel like it got enough attention to fit in well…until near the end. I found myself thinking those few chapters were more of a distraction than anything.

This book was not a page turner. I struggled my way through it because it did not keep my attention, and I will probably not read it again. 

This book was reviewed for Bethany House Publishers. 

When Hope Blossoms by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Amy moves with her children to a small town in Kansas. Back home, there is speculation that her husband's death was not an accident, so she needs a fresh start. Amy comes from a Mennonite background, one her new neighbor, Tim Roper, left many years ago. He doesn't want any reminders of his past, but those memories have a way of surfacing. Can God use the unlikeliest of people and circumstances to bring healing?

I found this book to be mediocre. It had a hard time holding my attention. When I started reading this book, I thought the love interest would develop much earlier. What was there seemed to be a little contrived, so I did not like that. However, I enjoyed the characters, mainly Amy's children and Tim. Amy was to be a main character, but I felt like most of the book focused on Tim and the children instead of her, so I did not feel as much of a connection to Amy as I anticipated.

This book has been reviewed for Bethany House Publishers.

Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

Meredith Hayes returns to the Archer's farm to warn them of a potentially deadly attack against Travis and his recluse brothers. It's been many years since she set foot on the protected land. The Archers swore many years prior not to allow anyone on their land, for fear they would be split up after their father died. Because of this, Meredith is not warmly welcomed. When trying to help the Archer's protect their land leaves her wounded and her reputation tainted, Travis attempts to rescue her like he did many years ago when she was first injured on their land as a child. But now the brothers and Meredith must work through the decisions they've made. They also must figure out what this new chapter of life is going to look like.

This book was a pleasant read. The characters were enjoyable to get to know, and they all had their little quirks, showing the differences in how people handle situations that come their way. There are a variety of tense moments within the chapters, which kept me on my feet. The dynamic between Travis and Meredith was enjoyable to watch develop. Karen Witemeyer gives you a chance to know both their thoughts, so it's easy to see they want the same thing but are fearful to make it happen.

This book was reviewed for Bethany House Publishers. 

My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade

Thirty-one year old Kate Donovan is in need of an escape from her everyday life where she’s burned out on work and tired of failed relationships. She and her grandmother return to Pennsylvania, where Kate’s grandmother grew up. Their mission? Restore Chapel Bluff, the house that has been in the family since 1820.

Matt, an ex ice hockey player, is the one who is helping them renovate Chapel Bluff. His reserved personality makes Kate curious. She can tell he’s hurting from something, and she wants to help restore him like he is helping to restore the house, but will his reservation keep him from opening up to her.

I thought this book was fantastic, one I will certainly pick up again. Becky Wade writes this story so you feel like you are able to get inside the heads of the two main characters. You know what they’re thinking; you know their fears. You know everything about them, and you cheer for both of them throughout the book. The struggles of Kate and Matt are shown in a real light. Life has hard moments, and sometimes it’s difficult to get past them or see God’s goodness in the midst of trials and disappointments. You can see that struggle in both Kate and Matt, as if it’s a mirror into our own lives.

This book was reviewed for Bethany House Publishers. 

The Fiddler by Beverly Lewis

Amelia Devries, a 24 year old violinist, is feeling the pressure from those around her to continue performing, to continue being a celebrity, but her heart is in fiddling, something her family would frown upon if they knew she was dabbling in it. They would think she was wasting her time and talent. Michael Hostetler, a young Amishman, is wrestling with the decision of whether or not to join the church. They meet unexpectedly during a storm, and Michael invites Amelia to spend some time in Hickory Hollow, giving her a chance to get away from it all. But her other life is beckoning, and Michael still has a decision to make.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was simple yet well developed. The characters were realistic and dynamic. I enjoyed the familiar references of Lancaster County because that's where I'm from, so I felt as though I could picture the scenes more vividly. The Fiddler is an enjoyable book, one that many people could relate. Many people grapple with those decisions that could change the path of their lives, so it's easy to understand what these characters are going through, whether or not the individual circumstances fit.

This book was reviewed for Bethany House Publishers. A review copy of this title was supplied free of charge through the Bethany House Book Review Program.

Kentucky

I had the opportunity to travel to Kentucky for a missions trip, and like many missions trips, I was served in more ways that I could serve. The people in Eolia, Kentucky were extremely welcoming, much more than they are back home in Pennsylvania. It made me think about the way I interact with people. Sometimes I put up walls to keep others out. I like my little bubble, but I need to be stretched from that comfortable spot. I need to open my heart and my doors to those people who are around me. Everyone has a story to tell, and I want to listen to those I haven't heard before. The trip challenged me to give more freely of myself, both my material resources and my time. I also saw how God equips the called instead of calling the equipped. What a wonderful realization. What a wonderful break it was from the everyday hustle and bustle! What an opportunity to slow down and see how God can really use you when you're willing!

Chasing the Sun by Tracie Peterson

Hannah Dandridge finds herself caring for her younger siblings in Texas while her father has gone to Mississippi, but he ends up missing. The ranch they’ve been living on actually belongs to William Barnett and his family, but William’s family abandoned Texas to fight for the Union. Therefore, the ranch was given to Hannah’s father because of his work with the confederacy. William returns to the ranch after his father and brother died in the war only to find it inhabited by a new family. William and Hannah need to figure out how to make this new reality work. Who does the ranch really belong to? 

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. It was light and heartwarming. There were some tense scenes, but I didn’t feel like I was on the edge of my seat with each chapter. In fact, this book was great to read before bed. It was easy to put down after each chapter because that author did not leave you hanging. The religious themes in this books were not too overwhelming or preachy. 

This book was reviewed for Bethany House Publishers. A review copy of this title was supplied free of charge through the Bethany House Book Review Program.