Archives for September 2014

Christmas at Rose Hill Farm by Suzanne Woods Fisher

15 Sep

Christmas at Rose Hill Farm by Suzanne Woods Fisher was a sweet Christmas story. I am not usually one for stories based around Christmas but I loved this one and I was so glad to have read it. I loved the story and all the characters in the book. It was kind of predictable to me but I still enjoyed it and fell in love with the characters. I was sad that this book was so short because I really did love these characters so I wish the book was longer or that it was a series of books. If you love Amish fiction I know you will love this book.

About The Book

Bess Riehl is preparing Rose Hill Farm for her Christmas wedding, but her groom isn’t who she thought it would be. Billy Lapp is far away from his Amish roots working as a rose rustler for Penn State and wants nothing to do with Stoney Ridge, his family, or Bess. And that suits Bess just fine. Why should she think twice about a man who left without a word, without any explanation? It’s time she moved on with her life, and that meant saying yes to Amos Lapp, Billy’s cousin and best friend. But as Bess and Amos’s wedding day draws near, her emotions tangle into a tight knot. She loves Amos. Yet she can’t forget Billy.

When a “lost” rose is discovered at Rose Hill Farm, Billy is sent to track down its origins. Get in, identify the rose, and get out. That’s his plan. The only catch is that he’s having a hard time narrowing down the identity of the lost rose, and he can’t get those tropical blue eyes of Bess Riehl out of his mind.

As the history of the lost rose is pieced together, it reminds Bess and Billy—and Amos, too—that Christmas truly is the season of miracles.

“Filled with heart-twisting moments amid the sweet anticipation of love, this story will charm readers into the holiday spirit.”

About The Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Inn at Eagle Hill series, Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor of a new Amish children’s series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist. She is a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California.

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Joyful by Shelley Shepard Gray

12 Sep

Written By Margaret Tidwell

Joyful by Shelley Shepard Gray was a great book. This is the third book in the series and I have read the other two as well so I was so glad that I could review this one so I could stay caught up with the characters I have fallen in love with. One thing I loved about this series that she checks in with other characters even though the story isn’t about them. In fact my two favorite characters aren’t actually main characters in any of the books. I loved the characters in this book because they seemed so real. This book was amazing and I am sad that it is the last book in the series because I would love to keep following these characters and see where they all end up.

About The Book

A young Amish couple gets a second chance at love in New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray’s final book in her Return to Sugarcreek series.

Randall Beiler is doing his best to put his family and the farm’s needs first, even forsaking love. But though he tries, Randall knows he needs help caring for his younger siblings and keeping the house together.

When his brother offers pretty Elizabeth Nolt a job taking care of the house and cooking for the family, Randall is furious—and guilty about the way he once broke Elizabeth’s heart. But when he learns that Elizabeth and her grandmother are struggling to make ends meet, he knows the offer, no matter how painful, is the right thing for everyone.

Elizabeth wants to refuse—to stay far away from the man who hurt her—but she needs the money. Though she vows to protect her heart, spending time in the Beiler household makes Elizabeth realize that, while she’s older and wiser, her love for Randall still burns strong.

Randal, too, seems to want something more. But does he want Elizabeth because he truly loves her—or because he needs a housekeeper? If Randall sincerely wants something more, he must find a way to show Elizabeth—or risk losing his chance at love forever.

About The Author

Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time New York Timesbestseller, a two-time USA Todaybestseller, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. She lives in Southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.

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Filed Under: Amish Books, Amish Fiction, Book, Book Review, Book Tour, Books, Books I Love, Joyful by Shelley Shepard Gray, PERSONAL THOUGHTS, Review

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All’s Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant

11 Sep

Written By Margaret Tidwell

All’s Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant wasn’t my favorite book to read. I did love it when I started reading it and I got about half way through and then it was all I could do to force myself to finish the book. I think it all has to do with the fact that I have read so many books that I knew what was going to happen and for some reason I couldn’t get interested in this book again. I really did enjoy the characters and the authors writing but this just wasn’t the right fit for me. Even though I had a hard time towards the end I would still recommend this book because it was a good book.

About The Book

Kat Varland has had enough of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.

At twenty-six years old, Kat is still living in the shadows of her family in Bayou Bend, Louisiana. Still working shifts at her Aunt Maggie’s bakery. Still wondering what to do with her passion for baking and her business degree. And still single.

But when Lucas Brannen, Kat’s best friend, signs her up for a reality TV bake-off on Cupcake Combat, everything Kat ever wanted is suddenly dangled in front of her: creative license as a baker, recognition as a visionary . . . and a job at a famous bakery in New York.

As the competition heats up, Lucas realizes he might have made a huge mistake. As much as he wants the best for Kat, the only thing he wants for himself—her—is suddenly in danger of slipping away.

The bright lights of reality cooking wars and the chance at a successful career dazzle Kat’s senses and Lucas is faced with a difficult choice: help his friend achieve her dreams . . . or sabotage her chances to keep her in Louisiana.

About The Author

Betsy St. Amant lives in Louisiana with her young daughter and has a heart for sharing the amazing news of God’s grace through her novels. A freelance journalist, Betsy is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not reading, writing, or singing along to a Disney soundtrack with her daughter, Betsy enjoys inspirational speaking and teaching on the craft of writing.

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Filed Under: All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant, Book, Book Review, Book Tour, Books, Litfuse, Litfuse Reviewer, PERSONAL THOUGHTS, Review, Romance Novel

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A Grand Design by Amber Stockton

10 Sep

Written By Margaret Tidwell

A Grand Design by Amber Stockton was another great book in this series of books. There has only ever been one book in this series that I didn’t like so this book had a lot to live up to. This book takes place in one of my favorite places and that is Mackinac Island. I went there the summer I graduated from high school and I loved everything about it. Anyway lets get back to the review. This was such a sweet story and I instantly fell in love with the characters and the setting. The one thing I didn’t really like is parts of this book seemed rushed and I also wish it could have been a little bit longer because there were parts I wished she would have gone into more details about it. Overall this was a great book and a great addition to The Quilts Of Love series.

About The Book

A getaway on a charming island may be just what Alyssa needs—if only she can let go of her past.

When Alyssa Denham, a single career woman, wins a fun getaway for two on Mackinac Island where her grandmother lives, she gives her carefree best friend a call. Together, they tour the old shops and hidden treasures of the quaint island while helping Alyssa’s grandmother piece together an heirloom quilt. Their quest gains them entrance into the homes of many longtime residents of the island, parts of the city that are otherwise off limits to tourists.

As the quilt’s story takes shape, Alyssa gains amazing insight into her grandmother’s life . . . and attracts the attention of the handsome Scott Whitman, an island resident in charge of hotel transportation. Will memories of her past keep Alyssa from letting go? Or will the quest to piece together the heirloom quilt restore Alyssa’s fractured heart—and bring healing to her entire family?

About Quilts of Love

Quilts tell stories of love and loss, hope and faith, tradition and new beginnings. TheQuilts of Love series focuses on the women who quilted all of these things into their family histories. A new book releases each month and features contemporary and historical romances as well as women’s fiction and the occasional light mystery. You will be drawn into the endearing characters of this series and be touched by their stories.

About The Author

Amber Stockton is an award-winning author, a national speaker, and a direct-sales brand partner with Nerium International. She lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, in Colorado. They have a daughter and a son, and an Aussie/retriever mix named Roxie. Three of her novels have won annual reader’s choice awards.

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Filed Under: A Grand Design by Amber Stockton, Book, Book Review, Book Tour, Book Worm, Books, Books I Love, Litfuse, Litfuse Reviewer, PERSONAL THOUGHTS, Quilts Of Love, Review

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Slave Again

10 Sep

Written By Margaret Tidwell

Special Discount ~ Limited Time Only

Special Time-Sensitive Giveaway! The first 25 readers who enter the giveaway below will receive a free audiobook from award-winning author Alana Terry. She’s also giving away a $100 amazon card, a hundred free audio downloads, and a free ebook to anyone who signs up!

About Slave Again: After escaping a North Korean prison camp, Mee-Kyong is
hustled over the border and sold into the Chinese underworld. She vows to
survive, but sheer determination and willpower won’t save her this time. Is she fated to remain a slave forever?

Slave Again is a Christian suspense novel from award-winning author Alana Terry, whose debut novel, The Beloved Daughter, won awards from Women of Faith, Grace Awards, The Book Club Network, and Readers’ Favorite.

NEW BOOK RELEASE: Slave Again by Alana Terry is hot off
the press, and both the ebook and paperback are at a steep (30-60%)
discount!! Prices will go up soon, so grab your copy today.

Slave Again book trailer (contains one mildly violent image)

About the Author: Alana is passionate about human-rights issues in North Korea and has devoted her writing to raise both awareness and funds to help North Korean refugees find freedom and safety. You can learn more about her work with Liberty in North Korea at alanaterry.com/link.

Check out Slave Again now before the price goes up, and don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

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Filed Under: PERSONAL THOUGHTS, Slave Again

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Home To Chicory Lane by Deborah Raney

9 Sep

Written By Margaret Tidwell

Home To Chicory Lane by Deborah Raney was a fun book to read. I love this authors writing and I was so glad that I got to review this one. I loved following along and Landyn tries to figure out what is going to do with her marriage. It was great to read a book where the characters are able to work through their problems and in the end realize that they are still in love and in the end stay married. I fell in love with the characters and I can’t wait for the next book so that I can check back in with them all.

About The Book

Landyn longs for home, but her mother may have other plans.

Audrey Whitman’s dreams are coming true. Now that their five kids are grown, she and her husband, Grant, are turning their beloved family home into a cozy bed and breakfast just a mile outside of Langhorne, Missouri.

Opening weekend makes Audrey anxious, with family and friends coming from all over to help celebrate the occasion. But when Audrey’s daughter, Landyn, arrives, the U-Haul she’s pulling makes it clear she’s not just here for a few days. Audrey immediately has questions. What happened in New York that sent Landyn running home? Where was Landyn’s husband, Chase? And what else was her daughter not telling her? One thing was for sure, the Chicory Inn was off to a rocky start. Can Audrey still realize her dream and at the same time provide the comfort of home her daughter so desperately needs?

About The Author

Deborah Raney’s books have won numerous awards, including the RITA, National Readers Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, and the Carol Award, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. She and her husband, Ken, recently traded small-town life in Kansas—the setting of many of Deborah’s novels—for life in the (relatively) big city of Wichita, where they enjoy gardening, antiquing, movies, and traveling to visit four children and a growing brood of grandchildren who all live much too far away.

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Filed Under: Book, Book Review, Book Tour, Books, Books I Love, Home To Chicory Lane by Deborah Raney, PERSONAL THOUGHTS, Review

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Agatha Christie-Quote Of Week

8 Sep

Written By Margaret Tidwell

This weeks quote is by Agatha Christie.

What do you think of this weeks quote? Do you agree with it?

Filed Under: Agatha Christie, Love, PERSONAL THOUGHTS, Quote Of The Week, Quotes

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Adoption Thoughts-Judging

5 Sep

Written By Margaret Tidwell

This week for adoption thoughts I am going to write about something that was said to me that made me sad for many reasons but I also wanted to see how other people would feel if this was said to them. A few weeks ago I had a friend who adopted her first child tell me that she felt like I judge her because of her parenting and that she bet I was glad that I didn’t place my daughter with her.

First off I don’t ever judge anyone and their parenting choices because they are doing what they know and just because my parenting choice was different than theirs doesn’t mean that mine was right and that their choices are wrong or vice versa. All I know about parenting is that the choice I made was right for me and my daughter other than that as long as you aren’t abusing your kids I don’t care the choices you make for your family.

Now on to when she said that she bet I was glad I didn’t place my daughter with her. I am glad I didn’t place my daughter with her because my daughter wasn’t meant for her or her family. She was meant to be where she is. If my daughter had been meant for her than that is where I would have placed her but she wasn’t. Like I said before I don’t judge anyone on their choices and if I had to go through it all again I know I would place my child where she was meant to be and it wouldn’t matter who those people were.

One thing that has always bothered me about mothers is how they are always judging each other. Being a mom is a hard job so instead of judging we should be helping each other. I have always said that I wouldn’t want to raise kids in today’s world so I know I would have any children but if I do change my mind I would want help from people who have done it before me. I always get sad when I mom’s attacking each other because of choices they make for their family. You may not agree with someone’s choices but that doesn’t make the wrong and that is no reason to judge them or bully them. This post went somewhere I didn’t think it would but I am going to leave it because it is true and something I think needs to be said.

Filed Under: Adoption, Adoption Thoughts, Birth Dad, Birth Mom, Bullying, Choices, Judge, Judging, Mom, Mothers, PERSONAL THOUGHTS

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Something I Learned Last Month

4 Sep

Written By Margaret Tidwell

This week for the writer’s workshop I am going to write about something that I learned the last month. I learned a few things but the one thing that sticks out to me is that ALS sucks. I knew about ALS before the ice bucket challenge blew up but I really didn’t want to think about it because even before I looked into it more it still scared me. I had the honor when I worked at a nursing home to take care of a patient for a couple of weeks who had ALS and that was the first time I knew anything about the disease.

Since the ice bucket challenge has been so big I wanted to know more about the disease and it truly scared me. It is the one disease that makes me glad to have Multiple Sclerosis. I mean it does still suck to have MS but in the grand scheme of things and problems that I could have MS is nothing. I am so thankful that there are at least treatments that slow if not stop the progression of the MS so that I can hopefully have a great life and not end up in a wheel chair.

I can even imagine how scary it has to be to know what is going to happen and know that there isn’t anything or anyone who can stop it or even slow down the progression of the disease. Not to mention what happens to you when you have ALS scares me as well because I think one of the scariest parts of the disease is to be all their cognitively but not being able to move or communicate with everyone around you.

I found a YouTube channel made by someone who is only 26 and was diagnosed with ALS. It is even scarier for him because his grandma & his mom have/had the disease so he knows what he will be going through and like I have said throughout this whole post I can’t even imagine how scary that has to be. If you want to check out his channel you can click here.

So that is the biggest thing I learned the last month. What have you learned???