I love Kim Vogel Sawyer's books and I know when there is a new one I won't be disappointed! "Song Of My Heart" does not disappoint! It is a wonderful story full of deceit, dreams, heartache and love.
Sadie Wagner wants to help her family. Ever since her step-father was injured and couldn't work she has wanted to help but in her small town there are no opportunities. When her cousin Sid writes and tells her there is a job for her at the local mercantile and also a singing job in the new opera house Sadie begs her parents who reluctantly let her go. Thinking this is a gift from God, being able to make money AND sing, Sadie eagerly sets out on her new adventure.
Upon arriving in Goldtree, Kansas Sadie is met by more than she bargained for, not the least of which is her cousin Sid, twin maiden ladies who run the mercantile, their brother who owns the opera house and is harboring a secret, and the good looking new sheriff. Oh my, she wonders, what have I gotten myself into? How Sadie deals with each of these people while trying to hold on to her faith makes this a delightful book. I finished this book in two nights and I highly recommend it! I can't wait for the next offering from Kim Vogel Sawyer.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
The Wings Of Morning by Murray Pura
This is not your typical Amish love story book! I loved this book! Why? Because I had to keep turning pages to see what happened next and there was always something happening! I was never a fan of books with a war theme but this book was totally different.
Jude Whetstone and his family are converts to the Amish faith and have been part of the faith for about 10 years. He has fallen in love with two things - Lyyndaya Kurtz, also an Amish convert, and the aeroplane. His love of flying gets him in a bit of hot water with the elders but since a decision whether or not to ban the Lapp Amish from flying in them has not been made yet, Jude decides to fly as long as is permitted. Unfortunately for him, he is really good at what he does and the military soon takes notice. After being asked to join the Army and fly and refusing on religious grounds he and several other young men from his community are arrested for being objectors. They, being of German descent are put into horrible conditions and forced to do unthinkable things. Jude is told by an unsavory commander that if he will just agree to fly his buddies can go home or they can die in the conditions they are in if he says no. So he agrees against his will.
Mr. Pura does a wonderful job of getting across the conflict within Jude. He is Amish and does not kill but he is being asked to go to war and kill. How he handles this is the main focus of this book and it is amazing to read. And what about Lyyndaya? She, too loves to fly but not like Jude. And what of their community? They have put a baan on Jude for enlisting and Lyyndaya is forbidden from communication with him. No one understands, except the other boys who were with him, why he did what he did, but Lyyndaya is going to stand by him, no matter what. Will she be shunned too? What if he doesn't come home?
This book had such a good feeling to it amid the conflict and I really enjoyed reading it. I look forward to Mr. Pura's next book. This one is not to be missed!
Jude Whetstone and his family are converts to the Amish faith and have been part of the faith for about 10 years. He has fallen in love with two things - Lyyndaya Kurtz, also an Amish convert, and the aeroplane. His love of flying gets him in a bit of hot water with the elders but since a decision whether or not to ban the Lapp Amish from flying in them has not been made yet, Jude decides to fly as long as is permitted. Unfortunately for him, he is really good at what he does and the military soon takes notice. After being asked to join the Army and fly and refusing on religious grounds he and several other young men from his community are arrested for being objectors. They, being of German descent are put into horrible conditions and forced to do unthinkable things. Jude is told by an unsavory commander that if he will just agree to fly his buddies can go home or they can die in the conditions they are in if he says no. So he agrees against his will.
Mr. Pura does a wonderful job of getting across the conflict within Jude. He is Amish and does not kill but he is being asked to go to war and kill. How he handles this is the main focus of this book and it is amazing to read. And what about Lyyndaya? She, too loves to fly but not like Jude. And what of their community? They have put a baan on Jude for enlisting and Lyyndaya is forbidden from communication with him. No one understands, except the other boys who were with him, why he did what he did, but Lyyndaya is going to stand by him, no matter what. Will she be shunned too? What if he doesn't come home?
This book had such a good feeling to it amid the conflict and I really enjoyed reading it. I look forward to Mr. Pura's next book. This one is not to be missed!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
The Guardian Duke By Jamie Carie
Another winner for Jamie Carie! This first book in the "Forgotten Castles" series is full of everything a good read must have. It has a beautiful heroine, a handsome Duke, intrigue, mystery, suspense, deception and a little romance thrown in.
Lady Alexandria Featherstone lives alone in a run down castle in England with her two aged but faithful servants. Upon receiving word from the King that her parents have been declared dead she decided to prove the King wrong and go find her parents. The parents, who searched for lost treasure for a living, have been gone for almost a year and have not been heard from. Lady Alex however, is convinced they are alive and she sets out to find them, by any means necessary.
Appointed by the King to be Lady Alexandria's guardian, Gabriel, the Duke of St. Easton is quite taken by surprise by this appointment. He has never met Lady Alex or her parents to his knowledge but takes on the task willingly all the while dealing with his own problems. He has suddenly, due to unknown reasons, become deaf after a night enjoying his beloved opera. Upon discovering that Lady Alex may be in danger because of whatever it was her parents were searching for, he decides to bring her to his home in London. However, when he reaches her run down castle she is nowhere to be found. Having formed an opinion of the type of young woman she is from letters they have been exchanging back and forth since his appointment he has learned Lady Alex is a very headstrong and stubborn young woman.
What transpires as he chases Lady Alex all over the British Isles is at times humorous, scary, and frustrating. He always seems to be a step behind her. She, meanwhile, has been befriended by a retired Admiral who agrees to accompany her. Does he have ulterior motives? Will she find her parents? How is the King involved? You will just have to read the book to find out!
I enjoyed reading this book and could not put it down for wanting to see what happens next! I cannot wait for book 2 in the series to find out where the adventures of Lady Alex and Gabriel lead them next! I highly recommend this book! You will not be disappointed!
Lady Alexandria Featherstone lives alone in a run down castle in England with her two aged but faithful servants. Upon receiving word from the King that her parents have been declared dead she decided to prove the King wrong and go find her parents. The parents, who searched for lost treasure for a living, have been gone for almost a year and have not been heard from. Lady Alex however, is convinced they are alive and she sets out to find them, by any means necessary.
Appointed by the King to be Lady Alexandria's guardian, Gabriel, the Duke of St. Easton is quite taken by surprise by this appointment. He has never met Lady Alex or her parents to his knowledge but takes on the task willingly all the while dealing with his own problems. He has suddenly, due to unknown reasons, become deaf after a night enjoying his beloved opera. Upon discovering that Lady Alex may be in danger because of whatever it was her parents were searching for, he decides to bring her to his home in London. However, when he reaches her run down castle she is nowhere to be found. Having formed an opinion of the type of young woman she is from letters they have been exchanging back and forth since his appointment he has learned Lady Alex is a very headstrong and stubborn young woman.
What transpires as he chases Lady Alex all over the British Isles is at times humorous, scary, and frustrating. He always seems to be a step behind her. She, meanwhile, has been befriended by a retired Admiral who agrees to accompany her. Does he have ulterior motives? Will she find her parents? How is the King involved? You will just have to read the book to find out!
I enjoyed reading this book and could not put it down for wanting to see what happens next! I cannot wait for book 2 in the series to find out where the adventures of Lady Alex and Gabriel lead them next! I highly recommend this book! You will not be disappointed!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Missing Your Smile by Jerry S. Eicher
Another good book from Jerry Eicher! When I first started this book I knew it was going to be a different read than anything I have read before. This story is told from 3 different points of view. Susan Hostetler is Amish, but after catching her Amish boyfriend kissing another girl she leaves her home and moves to the English world of Asbury Park, New Jersey where she starts work in a bakery and is befriended by the owner. In her attempts to "become English" she gets her GED and a drivers license with the help of the bakery owners son, but is she really happy? Thomas, the boy she left behind, is wondering if she will come back and forgive him for his one mistake. Her parents are trying to get on with their lives while missing Susan terribly and wondering about the real reason she left in such a hurry.
One day a young, unwed, pregnant, woman comes into the bakery and forms an instant attachment to Susan. What transpires is a friendship and a very unusual request. Will Susan be able to grant this young woman's request? Will Susan decide to go home, and if she does, will she stay? Well, I guess you will have to read the book to find out! As for me, this Book 1 of the Fields Of Home series kept my interest and was a very well told story. I can't wait for Book 2! I want to see what happens next! I highly recommend this book!
One day a young, unwed, pregnant, woman comes into the bakery and forms an instant attachment to Susan. What transpires is a friendship and a very unusual request. Will Susan be able to grant this young woman's request? Will Susan decide to go home, and if she does, will she stay? Well, I guess you will have to read the book to find out! As for me, this Book 1 of the Fields Of Home series kept my interest and was a very well told story. I can't wait for Book 2! I want to see what happens next! I highly recommend this book!
Monday, January 9, 2012
The Captive Heart by Dale Cramer
Since it has been almost a year since I read "Paradise Valley", Book 1 in The Daughters of Caleb Bender Series, I was anxiously waiting for Book 2. This book was worth the wait!
Miriam Bender is trying to adjust to a new land, newpeople , new threats against her people in Mexico and the last thing she wants is to have feelings for one who is forbidden. But that is what is happening. Her heart says one thing and her loyalty to family and her Amish upbringing say something else. Who will she choose, Domingo or Micah? It may take a while to find out. There is so much action in this book you can't put it down. I honestly thought I would have trouble keeping everyone straight but Mr. Cramer has a way of keeping the reader from being confused while keeping the story flowing. When members of her family are attacked on the road by El Pantera and his gang of bandits Miriam's whole family is affected by the events that follow. This book has everything. It has love of God and family, dedication, humor, happiness, sadness and pain and fear. All of which make this Book 2 not to be missed.
If you have read book 1 then you will be delighted with book 2 and if this is the first book you pick up you will want to go back and read book 1. I cannot wait for book 3 and hope it doesn't take a year to get here. I highly recommend this book!
Miriam Bender is trying to adjust to a new land, new
If you have read book 1 then you will be delighted with book 2 and if this is the first book you pick up you will want to go back and read book 1. I cannot wait for book 3 and hope it doesn't take a year to get here. I highly recommend this book!
Monday, January 2, 2012
A Life Of Joy By Amy Clipston
I was really looking forward to this book! Ms. Clipston did not disappoint! It was worth waiting for and a must read! If you have read any of Ms. Clipston's Kauffman Amish Bakery series then you will love this one! This is Book #4 in the series and a wonderful addition to the Kauffman family story.
Lindsay Bedford and her sister were taken in 4 years ago, after the tragic death of their parents, by the Amish sister and her husband of their mother after spending the first 14 years of their life growing up in Virginia. While her sister did not like or want to adjust to the Amish way of life and soon went back to live with family friends in Virginia to attend college, Lindsay took to the Amish way of life and enjoyed living the simple life. Now that she has turned eighteen, the expectation that she will join the church is upon her. Her two best friends are taking the classes to join and can't understand why Lindsay has not signed up. She is just not sure if she is ready to make that commitment yet. She is also getting pressure from her sister who feels she knows what's best for Lindsay, to move back to Virginia and go to college with her after getting her GED. Lindsay sees no reason to go to college and doesn't like her sisters constant criticism of the Amish way of life.
Lindsay's days are filled with working at the Kauffman bakery where she is learning a lot, helping to care for her Aunt and Uncle's two small children, and spending time with her friends. One day she receives a call from her sister who has accepted an internship in New York and says their family friend in Virginia had an accident and broke her leg. Since she can't go because she doesn't want to give up her internship, would Lindsay go and help for the summer. Can Lindsay say no? Of course not. Besides, going home will give her a chance to see which world she really wants to live in, English or Amish.
The reader travels through the ups and downs and indecision that haunt Lindsay and we see her struggle to make the right decision. The time she spends in Virginia offers her the opportunity to not only help, but learn about herself and what she really wants, where she wants to be, and the desires of her heart. When I got to the end of this book I wanted more! I didn't want to see the story end! I can't wait for the next book! Ms. Clipston has done an amazing job of drawing the reader in and keeping them involved in the events of the very large Kauffman family.
Lindsay Bedford and her sister were taken in 4 years ago, after the tragic death of their parents, by the Amish sister and her husband of their mother after spending the first 14 years of their life growing up in Virginia. While her sister did not like or want to adjust to the Amish way of life and soon went back to live with family friends in Virginia to attend college, Lindsay took to the Amish way of life and enjoyed living the simple life. Now that she has turned eighteen, the expectation that she will join the church is upon her. Her two best friends are taking the classes to join and can't understand why Lindsay has not signed up. She is just not sure if she is ready to make that commitment yet. She is also getting pressure from her sister who feels she knows what's best for Lindsay, to move back to Virginia and go to college with her after getting her GED. Lindsay sees no reason to go to college and doesn't like her sisters constant criticism of the Amish way of life.
Lindsay's days are filled with working at the Kauffman bakery where she is learning a lot, helping to care for her Aunt and Uncle's two small children, and spending time with her friends. One day she receives a call from her sister who has accepted an internship in New York and says their family friend in Virginia had an accident and broke her leg. Since she can't go because she doesn't want to give up her internship, would Lindsay go and help for the summer. Can Lindsay say no? Of course not. Besides, going home will give her a chance to see which world she really wants to live in, English or Amish.
The reader travels through the ups and downs and indecision that haunt Lindsay and we see her struggle to make the right decision. The time she spends in Virginia offers her the opportunity to not only help, but learn about herself and what she really wants, where she wants to be, and the desires of her heart. When I got to the end of this book I wanted more! I didn't want to see the story end! I can't wait for the next book! Ms. Clipston has done an amazing job of drawing the reader in and keeping them involved in the events of the very large Kauffman family.
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