Christian Fiction

The Sound of Rain by Sarah Loudin Thomas

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the sound of rain

Pages: 326

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Published: November 7, 2017

The Sound of Rain is thought-provoking and comforting all at the same time. Judd Markley finds himself in South Carolina after recovering from a mining accident that took Joe, his baby brother’s, life. Joe always wanted to move to SC and Judd is trying to live the life Joe wanted. Judd starts working at the local timber company and starts spending time with the owner’s daughter, Larkin. Larkin has a mind of her own which she is just starting to show to those around her. Her dream is to move to Appalachia and help those in need. She sees the ticket to Appalachia through Joe not realizing he does not want to go back. Through many ups and downs including Hurricane Hazel Judd and Larkin find themselves falling for one another. Is Judd just a pawn for Larkin’s father and Larkin herself or can love overcome the economic difference in their lives?

I took my time reading this book as it made me think. I thought about the time period (1950s) it took place and wondered how I would have chosen to live my life. Would I have wanted to be unselfish and volunteer my time helping others or would I have lived in the moment and had fun hanging out with friends dancing and finding the right husband? Maybe having been into money the choice was easy for Larkin?

I admired Judd in basically starting a new life with barely a duffel bag full of clothing in a city and state he had never been too and working at a job that he had no experience working. I would have been terrified.

Judd talks about how he was not real religious but he knew God was there for him always. Even though he was not a church-going man he never lost his faith in God when things got trying. I found that refreshing in that a character could have faith without it being thrown at the reader every other page.

Whether you are a Christian fiction reader or not I suggest you grab a copy of this book. Sarah Loudin Thomas has outdone herself with her newest novel. This novel was clean with no sex, foul language or violence. It would make a great Christmas gift for the older teenage girl, grandma or best friend in your life.

Thank you to the author and Bethany House Publishers for a copy to read in exchange for my honest review in my own words.

, Published: November

A Plain Leaving (The Sisters of Lancaster County #1) by Leslie Gould

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a plain leaving

Pages: 352

Publisher: Bethany House

Published: October 3, 2017

A fresh new approach to Amish fiction. Leslie Gould has taken Amish fiction to a new level and has excelled.

Jessica left her family for the English world three years ago and family tragedy has brought her back. Her older brother, Arden, is dead set against her returning to the farm. The brother and sister have never agreed on how the farm should run. Arden wants to allow fracking and Jessica is against as she knows the dangers. Will Arden be able to see past Jessica’s shunning to listen to her or will Jessica need to convince her Mamm that Arden is going against their Dat’s wishes?

Yes, this novel has the common themes of Amish novels such as shunnings, farming, distrust of the English world but it tackles new subjects of fracking and wanting to get the law involved to help others.

If you like a little more to your stories than just a complicated romance this is a book for you. You will be left hungering for more. I know I was. I am anxious to learn what the second book tackles and which characters will become the main characters. I am also interested to go back and look at her other works and start reading.

A refreshing, new approach to one of my favorite genres. I hope you take a chance and read A Plain Leaving by Leslie Gould.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House for a copy of the book to read and review in exchange for a review based on my own honest opinion and in my own words.

A Place at our Table (An Amish Homestead Novel #1) by Amy Clipston

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a place at our table

Pages: 352

Publisher: Zondervan

Published: November 14, 2017

An emotional read that will have you going for the tissues.

Kayla Dienner is still healing from losing her older brother, Simeon, to a house fire when a barn fire at her home puts her little brother’s life in danger. James Riehl, an Amish volunteer firefighter, responds to the fire and one look into Kayla’s eyes lights a fire inside of him. Will he flame that fire or will a personal tragedy extinguish it before it has a chance to burn?

Amy Clipston writes so beautifully that the love between her characters jumps off the page into your heart. I’ll be the first to admit I can become attached to characters quickly but no other Amish characters have touched my soul as Kayla and James. I did not think that my heart could take any more and Clipston would throw another heart twinging moment at me. I heavily suggest in a box of tissues and several hours of quiet time when you read A Place at our Table. You will not want to put the book down as the story will keep grabbing at you even when you are not reading.

I hope there are more books involving the Riehls and Dienners as it would be a shame to not visit them again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zondervan for an advance copy in exchange for a review based on my own thoughts and in my own words.

The Quilting Circle by Amy Lillard

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the quilting circle.jpg

Pages: 304

Publisher: Kensington

Published: October 31, 2017

A collection of three novellas centered around three women in a quilting circle. The stories focus on love, family and learning what makes you happy.

In More than Friendship, Clara Rose is set to marry Thomas until her best friend, Obie, throws a snag into the plans. Will Clara Rose be able to figure out where her heart belongs before it is too late?

In More than a Promise, Mariana learns she is pregnant soon after she buries her husband. She turns to her husband’s best friend, Reuben, in her time of need. Will they find love together?

In More than Marriage, Tess and Jacob have hit a rough patch. There is more arguing than sweet words of love. Will Tess leave Jacob or will she see a way to find the love in her marriage?

I enjoyed these novellas and found them short enough to read the entire book in under 24 hours. The strangest thing for me was their use of tractors to get around. That was a first. These novellas have made me curious about the Amish in Oklahoma.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review in my own words.

Belle by Sarah Price

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belle

Pages: 320

Publisher: Kensington

Published: October 31, 2017

Belle is an Amish retelling of the classic story of Beauty and the Beast and it lives up to its expectations.

Belle Beiler lives with her dad and two older sisters on their farm in Echo Creek. Her father is a dreamer who loves to invent things from new tools to outdoor grills. When an adventure to a neighboring town goes awry, he must tell his girls that he is broke and soon they will lose their farm. Their neighbor Adam, who is known as The Beast due to a horrific childhood accident, has offered to buy the farm. Belle hates to see her family have to uproot and move so she offers to be Adam’s housekeeper on one condition. He must let her family stay in the house. Does The Beast accept this offer or does he have a more permanent solution?

Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite stories and I enjoy reading different takes on it. This was a clean read with many great messages. The message that spoke the most to me is towards the end when the bishop talks about “Just one speck of dust can blind an eye.” The sermon he gives makes the reader think about their own life and how they treat others.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for an advanced copy in exchange for a review in my own words.

Sarah Price does a great job in retelling classics. Below is a list of her classic retelling works:
1. Second Chances (Jane Austen’s Persuasion)
2. Sense and Sensibility (Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility)
3. Mount Hope (Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park)
4. Belle (Beauty and the Beast)
5. Ella (Cinderella) – to be released

These Healing Hills by Ann H. Gabhart

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these healing hills.jpg

Pages: 368

Publisher: Revell

Published: September 5, 2017

A perfect historical novel to read at the start of the fall season. Educational in you learn about the Frontier Nursing program in the Kentucky Appalachian Mountains. A clean read with a bit of romance.

Francine has decided to continue her nursing and learn about catching babies by moving to the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. She also hopes this will help heal her heart as her intended has written that he has fallen for a girl overseas while fighting in Europe during WWII. As Fran learns the ways of the mountains she also learns about herself. Despite the warnings from her mentor/teacher she finds herself loving more than just nursing.

This book took ahold of my heart from the beginning and has yet to let go. I could read a series of books on Granny Em alone. We all need a Granny Em in our lives.

Ann H. Gabhart has written a beautiful tale set in a place that speaks of beauty and love.

Thank you to NetGalley and Revell for a copy to read in exchange for an honest review in my own words.

An Amish Christmas Candle by Kelly Long, Jennifer Beckstrand and Lisa Baker Jones

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an amish christmas candle

Pages: 352

Publisher: Penguin

Published: September 26, 2017

I enjoy being able to read short story compilations by different authors as it allows me to see if I will enjoy reading the author’s other works.

I did not enjoy the first story, Snow Shine on Ice Mountain by Kelly Long. First let me say, this is my own personal opinion on how the story spoke to me. Please make your own opinions when you read the story. Second, the author is a great writer and my opinion in no way reflects her great writing. I read Amish fiction as a change from novels with lots of sexual innuendos and such. For me this story was too sexually charged.

A Honeybee Christmas by Jennifer Beckstrand was my favorite. Bitsy is a real hoot. We all need a little bit of Bitsy in us. This story has sparked my interest in reading the Honeybee series.

The Christmas Candle by Lisa Jones Baker was exactly what you expect of a sweet Amish Christmas story. You will finish with a smile on your face.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for an advanced copy to read and provide a review based on my own honest opinion.

Home All Along (Amish Secrets #3) by Beth Wisemen

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home all along.jpg

Pages: 351

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Published: September 26, 2017

A beautiful and stunning ending to the series. Even though each book can be read as a stand alone novel, I suggest you start from the beginning so you can be immersed in the feelings of each character.

Charlotte has returned to the Amish community she has grown to love and is settling into her home and moving forward with her relationship with Daniel. So much so they have been discussing marriage. Death and sickness alter their world in a quick fashion. Will their relationship survive the turmoil?

Throughout the entire series Beth Wisemen has tackled taboo subject of mental illness. While it is an illness that is hard to admit in the English world it is more so in the Amish world. Wisemen gives you a fresh, new look at the disease. She also tackles drug addiction, child abuse, and how to know it is time to let someone go.

You will need tissues throughout the entire series but especially for the third book, Home All Along.

Series in order:
1. Her Brother’s Keeper
2. Love Bears All Things
3. Home All Along

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review in my own words.

A Simple Wish (Simple Gifts #2) by Charlotte Hubbard

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simple wish

Pages: 320

Publisher: Kensington

Published: September 26, 2017

Willow Ridge is a place where one can start over with the help of the town without judgement.

Loretta and her sister Rosalyn are still living at home with their Dat after Edith gets married. Loretta wants nothing more than to find the love of her life but first she has to deal with Will, her ex-fiancé. Will, has moved to Willow Ridge to get a fresh start after the death of his wife. Can Loretta and Will put their past behind them and find love again or will a new suitor sweep her off her feet?

I enjoyed visiting Willow Ridge again and following the Reihl sisters through all the ups and downs is a true joy. Hubbard continues the mystery with the girls Dat which makes the book very meaty. I hope there is a third one coming soon.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for an advance copy in exchange for a review in my own honest words.

Colors of Christmas by Olivia Newport

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colors of christmas.jpg

Pages: 320

Publisher: Barbour Publishing Inc./Shiloh Run Press

Published: October 1, 2017

Two very inspiring novels of having faith during the difficult times life can throw our way. The message that the Lord will see you through trials and tribulations if you give it to me is especially needed at Christmas when so many suffer from depression and the world seems to be falling in around them.

In Colors of Christmas we meet Astrid on the day her son moves her into the Assisted Living facility after a nasty fall resulting in her breaking her foot. Astrid accepts the move but is not letting that slow her down. She befriends her physical therapist, Carly, who is going through a particular hard time. As Astrid tells her story from growing up in WWII, to moving to America as a new bride not able to speak the language and two unexpected deaths she helps Carly find the strength to overcome her situation. I would like to hope we all have a little of Astrid in us when the going gets tough.

Christmas in Blue introduces us to Angela, a middle age widow, who is dealing with the loss of her best friend, Carole. The town has decided she is the perfect replacement for Carole who was the leader of the town’s Christmas celebration, A Christmas to Remember. All Angela wants to do is lock the door for next ten days and be on the other side of Christmas. As Angela deals with one problem after another she learns how strong she really is and how a town can come together to help one through a time of grief if you let them.

This is the perfect book to read to get you in the holiday spirit while keeping the true meaning of Christmas in the forefront. I see this as a book I will be buying and handing out as presents.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing Inc./Shiloh Run Press for an advance copy in exchange for my review in my own, honest words.