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TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated Never an Amish Bride in Books
Feb 24, 2021
Ever heard the saying once you read one you have read them all? Well, that is what my husband told me when he saw that I was reading an Amish book. He said, “How many differences can you see in the Amish, isn’t the point that the Amish are plain, as in nothing ever happens with them?”. I dropped my book. Case in point, Never an Amish Bride by Ophelia London.
This book is the first in a series and I loved the introduction to all the characters. This Never an Amish Bride is different and intriguing. I loved Ophelia London’ s character variations, their emotions were realistic and not over-dramatized, and the conflicts were believable. Both Lucas and Esther were engaging characters that I loved reading about. Ophelia London engaged my emotions in this book and appealed to my heart.
The main themes of this book are Faith, Trust, and Forgiveness. Ophelia London did a great job of showing those themes through the eyes of her characters. I particularly liked how Lucas handled the trials he went through; I wish I could handle situations as well as him.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for the creative characters, the interesting storyline, and for making me look forward to the next book in the series.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
This book is the first in a series and I loved the introduction to all the characters. This Never an Amish Bride is different and intriguing. I loved Ophelia London’ s character variations, their emotions were realistic and not over-dramatized, and the conflicts were believable. Both Lucas and Esther were engaging characters that I loved reading about. Ophelia London engaged my emotions in this book and appealed to my heart.
The main themes of this book are Faith, Trust, and Forgiveness. Ophelia London did a great job of showing those themes through the eyes of her characters. I particularly liked how Lucas handled the trials he went through; I wish I could handle situations as well as him.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for the creative characters, the interesting storyline, and for making me look forward to the next book in the series.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated A Letter from Lancaster County in Books
Feb 25, 2019
When I first read the title of this book, I thought I would be reading another Amish novel from a talented author. However, after sitting down and opening the first pages of the book, I quickly realized it wasn't your normal Amish fiction. This book was truly well written and kept me hooked from start to finish. I loved the sisters and visiting the country side of Lancaster County!
I loved getting to know the sisters! Angela and Rose,sisters who long to reconnect their relationship, really kept me captivated through out this story. I enjoyed following them to Lancaster County to visit sweet Aunt Sylvia, their Mennonite aunt, watching them change and grow in their relationship and learning to accept what God has in store for them, instead of what they had in store for themselves.
This story of faith, hope and longing is beautifully written and highly captivating. If you want your normal Amish fiction novel, that will be solely about the Amish, then this isn't the book for you. If you are looking for a 4 star, wonderfully chiseled contemporary story filled with heart capturing characters and a whirlwind plot line, that keeps you hanging on every word, then this is definitely the book for you! I can't wait to see the next book Ms. Lloyd has in store for her fans, especially if she mixes English, Mennonite and Amish together in a fantabulous read! <a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/13952-revision-v1/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
I loved getting to know the sisters! Angela and Rose,sisters who long to reconnect their relationship, really kept me captivated through out this story. I enjoyed following them to Lancaster County to visit sweet Aunt Sylvia, their Mennonite aunt, watching them change and grow in their relationship and learning to accept what God has in store for them, instead of what they had in store for themselves.
This story of faith, hope and longing is beautifully written and highly captivating. If you want your normal Amish fiction novel, that will be solely about the Amish, then this isn't the book for you. If you are looking for a 4 star, wonderfully chiseled contemporary story filled with heart capturing characters and a whirlwind plot line, that keeps you hanging on every word, then this is definitely the book for you! I can't wait to see the next book Ms. Lloyd has in store for her fans, especially if she mixes English, Mennonite and Amish together in a fantabulous read! <a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/13952-revision-v1/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
Lindsay (1693 KP) rated Whispering to Horses (Amish Horses ) in Books
Feb 15, 2018
Whispering to the Horses could be a bit longer. The author could get quite a few ways with this. It would be great for a series. I would also enjoy learning more about Eli and Matt. This is a good introduction of how it important to be Amish in your community. You can even learn from each other as Matt and Eli did. They seem of made a fast friendship.
It was nice to see it from another viewpoint as of Matt a business man. How he starts to understand what the Amish do and how they go about life. How our world may be more difficult because we make it that way. We should probably take a look at our neighbors and learn from them if they are Amish or not and try and make life simpler is better and making the family more important.
Eli shows what hard work is and how a nine-year-old can be more mature than any other nine years old. For he takes on responsibly like a man does for a family. He does not show or act like no other normal nine years old in the modern day. As the Amish can learn from us, we really can learn from them and their lifestyle.
It was nice to see it from another viewpoint as of Matt a business man. How he starts to understand what the Amish do and how they go about life. How our world may be more difficult because we make it that way. We should probably take a look at our neighbors and learn from them if they are Amish or not and try and make life simpler is better and making the family more important.
Eli shows what hard work is and how a nine-year-old can be more mature than any other nine years old. For he takes on responsibly like a man does for a family. He does not show or act like no other normal nine years old in the modern day. As the Amish can learn from us, we really can learn from them and their lifestyle.
TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated Home on Huckleberry Hill in Books
Feb 24, 2021
This was such a unique Amish book!
I loved the synopsis of the book; it is part of the reason I originally wanted to read this book. It turned out to be a great story, with a storyline I had never read in an Amish book before. Women everywhere want to be heard and loved for who they are, the Amish women are no different; it is just harder for them to show it. Jennifer Beckstrand explained the situation very well and made everything seem very plausible. She also did a great job describing the setting, the characters and their emotions. Jennifer Beckstrand really crafted a very good story about communication, forgiveness and second chances. With a little quirkiness thrown in, the Home on Huckleberry Hill is sure to be an interesting and fun read for everyone. I truly enjoyed this book.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
I loved the synopsis of the book; it is part of the reason I originally wanted to read this book. It turned out to be a great story, with a storyline I had never read in an Amish book before. Women everywhere want to be heard and loved for who they are, the Amish women are no different; it is just harder for them to show it. Jennifer Beckstrand explained the situation very well and made everything seem very plausible. She also did a great job describing the setting, the characters and their emotions. Jennifer Beckstrand really crafted a very good story about communication, forgiveness and second chances. With a little quirkiness thrown in, the Home on Huckleberry Hill is sure to be an interesting and fun read for everyone. I truly enjoyed this book.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Her Last Breath (Kate Burkholder, #5) in Books
Feb 13, 2018
An Amish father and his three children--traveling home in their buggy--are struck one evening in a terrible accident. The vehicle leaves the scene and in the aftermath, Paul Borntrager and two of his small children are dead. Chief Kate Burkholder (no stranger to awful crime scenes) is horrified by the scene.
This is the fifth book in the Kate Burkholder series, and honestly, if I knew Kate, I feel like maybe I would move out of Painter's Mill, as it seems well on its way to becoming the "Cabot Cove" of the Amish community. How many more terribly things can happen to this poor Amish community?
Anyway, I still love Kate, even if she's still wishy washy about her relationship with reliable Tomasetti. At some point, I just want to shake her. So I keep reading, even if at some point, I feel like there may be no Amish left in Painter's Mill to keep off.
Overall, this is a disturbing book and it was a bit hard for me to read, since it dealt with such a brutal death of two little kids. The plot is interesting, however, and as a I mentioned, I do enjoy Kate, even if I also find her frustrating. I'm amazed at how Castillo can keep things interesting - when I had my "aha" moment in this one and realized what had happened, I was impressed. A good read and I'll no doubt keep going through the series, though I really hope Kate gives Tomasetti a break. (And maybe the poor Amish of Painter's Mill can catch a break, too.)
This is the fifth book in the Kate Burkholder series, and honestly, if I knew Kate, I feel like maybe I would move out of Painter's Mill, as it seems well on its way to becoming the "Cabot Cove" of the Amish community. How many more terribly things can happen to this poor Amish community?
Anyway, I still love Kate, even if she's still wishy washy about her relationship with reliable Tomasetti. At some point, I just want to shake her. So I keep reading, even if at some point, I feel like there may be no Amish left in Painter's Mill to keep off.
Overall, this is a disturbing book and it was a bit hard for me to read, since it dealt with such a brutal death of two little kids. The plot is interesting, however, and as a I mentioned, I do enjoy Kate, even if I also find her frustrating. I'm amazed at how Castillo can keep things interesting - when I had my "aha" moment in this one and realized what had happened, I was impressed. A good read and I'll no doubt keep going through the series, though I really hope Kate gives Tomasetti a break. (And maybe the poor Amish of Painter's Mill can catch a break, too.)
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated Amish Christmas at North Star in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Snowy winter nights, the sound of a blazing fire crackling, laughter of family and the joy of Christmas. Amish Christmas at North Star is the perfect book to read during this Christmas season!
On a cold winter night 25 years ago, four babies were brought into the world under the same roof, at the hands of the midwife Rebekah Schlabach. Life has taken the children in different directions, but God found a way to bring them together again. Follow their stories of love, loss, forgiveness and redemption.
This is the first Amish Fiction that I have read. I believe that it was the perfect choice! I was introduced to various author's style and learned a lot about the Amish community. My interest is very much piqued and I can not wait to read more now! I love books that put you in a festive, Christmas mood. The stories in this book remind us that Christ should be at the center of Christmas. It is not about how much "stuff" we want, or will receive, but about family and love and cherishing the moments we have with each other. All the while knowing that Christ's birth is the reason we celebrate. If you are looking for a lighthearted Christmas read, pick up a copy of Amish Christmas at North Star. The stories are a little less than 100 pages each. So it makes an easy quick read, God bless you and your family this holiday season! Merry Christmas!
I received a free copy of Amish Christmas at North Star from Waterbrook Press through Blogging for Books, in exchange for my honest review.
On a cold winter night 25 years ago, four babies were brought into the world under the same roof, at the hands of the midwife Rebekah Schlabach. Life has taken the children in different directions, but God found a way to bring them together again. Follow their stories of love, loss, forgiveness and redemption.
This is the first Amish Fiction that I have read. I believe that it was the perfect choice! I was introduced to various author's style and learned a lot about the Amish community. My interest is very much piqued and I can not wait to read more now! I love books that put you in a festive, Christmas mood. The stories in this book remind us that Christ should be at the center of Christmas. It is not about how much "stuff" we want, or will receive, but about family and love and cherishing the moments we have with each other. All the while knowing that Christ's birth is the reason we celebrate. If you are looking for a lighthearted Christmas read, pick up a copy of Amish Christmas at North Star. The stories are a little less than 100 pages each. So it makes an easy quick read, God bless you and your family this holiday season! Merry Christmas!
I received a free copy of Amish Christmas at North Star from Waterbrook Press through Blogging for Books, in exchange for my honest review.
Rachel King (13 KP) rated Summer of Secrets (Seasons of the Heart, #1) in Books
Feb 11, 2019
I know very little about the Amish lifestyle, though there is a similar community near where I live. This book was a good introduction to their beliefs and practices without the details getting in the way of the plot. Tidbits of the Dutch language are also interspersed throughout the dialogue to make it more realistic. Food plays a prominent role in the plot, with several of the main characters running a restaurant together called "Sweet Season." Many of the recipes featured in the back of the book were served up in the restaurant, and many descriptions of the food sparked my appetite, such as the cinnamon rolls and orange knots. So many of the Amish ways focus on Plain living, such as an old-fashioned washing machine and garden-grown fruits and vegetables. While some aspects could be considered inconvenient, such as no telephones except for businesses, other practices make for a healthier lifestyle. "Modern" society could certainly learn a few things from the Amish.
The characters were easily relate-able, even with such polar opposites as Rachel - high-maintenance and emotional - and her long-lost sister, Tiffany/ Rebecca - withdrawn and goth. I also rather liked Micah, Rachel's fiance, for his desires to help others and be responsible while also being honest with himself. Rebecca is the perfect dichotomy to the Amish faith, as she questions everything and behaves and dresses nothing like the Plain people, though she was born in the community. Miriam, the triplet's widowed mother, is also a subtle example of how even the women can gain independence and self-sufficiency by operating her own restaurant with the aid of her daughters.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially for its conservative approach to romance and drama, and I know that I will be delving into more Amish literature.
The characters were easily relate-able, even with such polar opposites as Rachel - high-maintenance and emotional - and her long-lost sister, Tiffany/ Rebecca - withdrawn and goth. I also rather liked Micah, Rachel's fiance, for his desires to help others and be responsible while also being honest with himself. Rebecca is the perfect dichotomy to the Amish faith, as she questions everything and behaves and dresses nothing like the Plain people, though she was born in the community. Miriam, the triplet's widowed mother, is also a subtle example of how even the women can gain independence and self-sufficiency by operating her own restaurant with the aid of her daughters.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially for its conservative approach to romance and drama, and I know that I will be delving into more Amish literature.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated The Hawaiian Quilt in Books
Jun 18, 2018
The Hawaiian Quilt by Wanda E. Brunstetter & Jean Brunstetter is a refreshing new twist on Amish fiction. This is not your typical Amish story. There is such faith, hope, dreams, heartbreak and determination throughout this wonderful story. This one will keep you turning pages right up to the very end so you can see how it ends.
A very different type of Amish story, we are going to Hawaii, and we are using cameras and cell phones, and doing tourist things, we are also on a cruise ship.
Four dear friends decide to take a trip of a lifetime, and decide to take a cruise to Hawaii and Mexico, this is happening before they join the Amish church. Now you can picture these sheltered young women being on this exciting journey, how different for them. Mandy, Ellen, Barbara and Sadie decide early on their trip to each take separate side trips and then share their experiences with each other so that they are able to see more. Mandy and Ellen are late getting back to the ship while in Kawai and when they get to the dock the ship is gone. These girls sure had God’s hand on them, you can imagine all kind of bad things happening, but they end up staying with Christians and this is where the lost quilt comes into the story.
I enjoyed this quick read, questioned some of Mandy’s actions, but then remembering they are in their run around time, but I could see that Ellen was more set in her faith. The ending to me left a lot to be desired, it seemed a bit rushed, but then I didn’t write the book, and as I said this is a very different Amish story.
I received this book from Barbour Publishing and Shiloh Run Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A very different type of Amish story, we are going to Hawaii, and we are using cameras and cell phones, and doing tourist things, we are also on a cruise ship.
Four dear friends decide to take a trip of a lifetime, and decide to take a cruise to Hawaii and Mexico, this is happening before they join the Amish church. Now you can picture these sheltered young women being on this exciting journey, how different for them. Mandy, Ellen, Barbara and Sadie decide early on their trip to each take separate side trips and then share their experiences with each other so that they are able to see more. Mandy and Ellen are late getting back to the ship while in Kawai and when they get to the dock the ship is gone. These girls sure had God’s hand on them, you can imagine all kind of bad things happening, but they end up staying with Christians and this is where the lost quilt comes into the story.
I enjoyed this quick read, questioned some of Mandy’s actions, but then remembering they are in their run around time, but I could see that Ellen was more set in her faith. The ending to me left a lot to be desired, it seemed a bit rushed, but then I didn’t write the book, and as I said this is a very different Amish story.
I received this book from Barbour Publishing and Shiloh Run Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.