Pages: 322

Publisher: Barbour Publishing

Published: August 1, 2017

Wanda E. Brunstetter never disappoints in providing a heartwarming read.

In book two of The Amish Cooking Class, she introduces 6 new members of Heidi’s Saturday morning cooking classes. Heidi is able to teach her students some new Amish recipes as well as share God’s word.

My favorite character is teenager Nicole. Since her mom left she has become the “mom” of the household and cooks all the meals. Her family is ready for some new dishes and her dad finds Heidi’s class. Over six weeks Nicole will learn more than cooking from Heidi. Will forgiveness be one of her learning experiences?

My least favorite character is Todd. Why? Because he is so full of himself. At times I found myself yelling at him to get over himself. Will Heidi be able to teach him that the world does not revolve around him?

I loved that Wanda brought back Kendra throughout the entire book. I cannot wait to see if she continues her story in the next book. I want to know what happens with the new love interest in Kendra’s life. (Hint, Hint)

I cannot wait to try the recipes in the back of the book, especially Chicken in a Crumb Basket. It sounds yummy and I think my picky teenager might even like it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for my own and honest review.

Pages: 352

Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

Published: August 1, 2017

The second installment of The Peace in the Valley series is a good story with a great motto: the more you believe in yourself the more you can accomplish.

After the passing of her beloved grandma, Phoebe must decide if she will return home to Lancaster or stay and turn the farm into her grandmother’s dream of a healing farm for mistreated children. A terrible action in Phoebe’s childhood has caused her to lose her self-confidence. Will her neighbor David help her to find it again? Will Phoebe help David convince his sister, Ruth, to not jump the fence to the English world?

I’m quickly becoming a fan of Jerry S. Eicher’s work. He is able to the Lord’s words and apply it to every day obstacles without making one feel they are reading a heavy sermon. He makes you think about your life and how you should apply the lesson to yourself.

I had one complaint with this book. The beginning was a bit confusing. I had to reread paragraphs several times to fully understand what was happening. Phoebe’s waffling within herself made me feel waffled. Other than that another great book for teens and adults.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harvest House Publishers for a free copy to read and review with my honest opinion.

Pages: 384

Publisher: Revell

Published: June 6, 2017

I would have given 3.5 stars if the option was available. The reason for 3/3.5 stars is the book started out very slowly for me. The blurb made the book sound so good I kept at it but it did not pick up for me until a little over a quarter of the way through it. The last forty percent of the book was very good.

A few years before the book starts Naomi adopted a young boy, Davey, her and her family found hiding in his family’s chimney after a tornado destroyed the property and killed his family. They have since moved to LaGrange, Indiana with other Amish families to start a new settlement. Davey befriends the new neighbor, Cap, and has his heart set on making him his new friend and dad. As Davey works on his plan, a few scrapes and almost near tragedies almost derail the plan. Will Naomi and Cap fall in love to create the family Davey so desperately desires?

As I mentioned before the book had its slow spots but it is a book I would recommend to others. The history woven into the story is very interesting. I also found it interesting as I have visited the modern day LaGrange, Indiana to see the Amish and I found it fascinating to learn about how it started.

This is the third book in a series. I have not read the first two but have put them on my list of books to read.