The Bridge of Peace by Cindy Woodsmall

I found this book to be very enjoyable.  Once I got into the story and the characters, I had a really hard time putting the book down.  Lena has lived her whole life with a birthmark on her face and has struggled with the comments and remarks that have come with that.  She is a wonderful young woman who loves teaching her students and wants to help them in every way possible.  Her story is one of coming to an understanding of herself.  I enjoyed her story, Grey's story, and the many other stories in the book.  The details of Amish life are always so interesting to me, and Cindy Woodsmall does a great job capturing so many aspects of Amish life.  This book had some very intense moments, twists, and turns, which just added to the draw of the story.  I find the books in this series so interesting for several reasons: there's romance, there's suspense, there's faith, there's Amish life, and so much more.  I have so many thoughts swirling through my head about this book, but I can't seem to capture them well.  I really found it to be another great story from Cindy Woodsmall.  She really has a way of bringing Amish life to life for her reader.  I look forward to the next book in this series.  I'm hoping that some loose ends get tied up!  I so enjoy reading about each characters struggles and challenges and joys!  If you love Amish fiction, you will certainly enjoy this story!!

Disclaimer: This book was provided free for review by WaterBrook Press.

New Blog Tour Challenge

I have worked out the details of the New Blog Tour Challenge. I have 21 books in my New Blog Tour Challenge. I have allotted a total of 281 days to read and review all 21 books, this translates to approximately 12.4 days to read each book. The Challenge will begin on June 25, 2011, and run through March 31, 2012. I have set up a reading schedule and blog tour dates for each book. The book titles, authors, and schedule follow:


1. The Bridge of Peace by Cindy Woodsmall
Reading Dates: June 25-July 6, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: July 6/7, 2011

2. A Measure of Mercy by Lauraine Snelling
Reading Dates: July 8-19, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: July 19/20, 2011

3. The Rose Legacy by Kristen Heitzmann
Reading Dates: July 21-Aug 1, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Aug 1/2, 2011

4. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Reading Dates: Aug 3-14, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Aug 14/15, 2011

5. Talk of the Town by Lisa Wingate
Reading Dates: Aug 16-27, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Aug 27/28, 2011

6. Word Gets Around by Lisa Wingate
Reading Dates: Aug 29-Sep 9, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Sep 9/10, 2011

7. Never Say Never by Lisa Wingate
Reading Dates: Sep 11-22, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Sep 22/23, 2011

8. Beguiled by Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand
Reading Dates: Sep 24-Oct 5, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Oct 5/6, 2011

9. Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson
Reading Dates: Oct 7-18, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Oct 18/19, 2011

10. The Lord's Prayer by R. T. Kendall
Reading Dates: Oct 20-Nov 4, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Nov 4/5, 2011

11. No More Christian Nice Girl by Paul Coughlin & Jennifer D. Degler, PhD
Reading Dates: Nov 6-17, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Nov 17/18, 2011

12. Love is a Flame Compiled by James Stuart Bell
Reading Dates: Nov 19-30, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Nov 30/Dec 1, 2011

13. Christians Are Hate-Filled Hypocrites...and Other Lies You've Been Told by Bradley R. E. Wright, PhD
Reading Dates: Dec 2-13, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Dec 13/14, 2011

14. The Vigilante's Bride by Yvonne Harris
Reading Dates: Dec 15-26, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Dec 26/27, 2011

15. From A Distance by Tamera Alexander
Reading Dates: Dec 28, 2011-Jan 8, 2012
Blog Tour Dates: Jan 8/9, 2012

16. Beyond This Moment by Tamera Alexander
Reading Dates: Jan 10-21, 2012
Blog Tour Dates: Jan 21/22, 2012

17. Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander
Reading Dates: Jan 23-Feb 3, 2012
Blog Tour Dates: Feb 3/4, 2012

18. A Rush of Wings by Kristen Heitzmann
Reading Dates: Feb 5-16, 2012
Blog Tour Dates: Feb 16/17, 2012

19. Hatteras Girl by Alice J. Wisler
Reading Dates: Feb 18-29, 2012
Blog Tour Dates: Feb 29/Mar 1, 2012

20. The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen
Reading Dates: Mar 2-13, 2012
Blog Tour Dates: Mar 13/14, 2012

21. To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer
Reading Dates: Mar 15-26, 2012
Blog Tour Dates: Mar 26/27, 2012

Bonus Days: Mar 28-31, 2012

If you would like to follow along and read with me, please do.  Also, I would certainly appreciate your comments on the titles after I have finished reading a title and posted a review of it.  This New Challenge is a personal one that I am setting out before myself so that I might finish reviewing the books that I am currently obliged to review, and I thought it might be kind of fun!!  The dates are a guide - if I finish a book early I will start on the next book early and if I finish a book late I'll start the next book late.  I don't want the New Challenge to be so rigid that I fail as soon as I start.  Also, I may add other books in along the way (if I commit to more).  Anyway, please check back over the next nine months and see how the New Challenge is going.  Thank you for your continued interest and support.  Also, I want to note that my baby is due on November 8, 2011, with a c-section scheduled for November 1st.  That right there may put an end to the New Blog Tour Challenge.  Please follow me on this interesting journey to new books!

The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen

I really enjoyed The Apothecary's Daughter.  A very interesting and enjoyable read.  The story of Lillian (Lilly) Haswell, daughter of apothecary Charles Haswell, is well-written with details and depth by Julie Klassen's hand.  I found Lilly's story full of fascinating details about apothecaries in the 1800s, as well as details about England at the time the story takes place.  Lilly is the daughter of an apothecary, a man with great knowledge and understanding of ailments and their treatment.  She has an amazing memory for details of the past and knowledge of herbs, mixtures, treatments, etc. herself.  However, Lilly longs for something more from her life than what she has in Bedsley Priors.  She wants to travel, to see the world, to go beyond her little village and experience more of life.  The opportunity arises for her to go to London and spend time in the care of her aunt and uncle of wealth.  There, Lilly learns the finer points of being a young lady of proper upbringing, but she also misses the life she came from.  Throughout the story many young men vie for Lilly's affection, and she goes through many trials.  Lilly is a woman with many good qualities and a knowledge that during her time in London she has wandered from her life of prayer.  She rediscovers the importance of this, I think, upon her return to Bedsley Priors.  This story is full of rich characters, a twist or two, and many interesting historical pieces.  I found it to be a fairly quick read and an enjoyable story that I would certainly recommend to others.  If you enjoy a good historical novel, check out The Apothecary's Daughter!  Enjoy!

Hearts Awakening by Delia Parr

Ellie's story is somewhat predictable, but it was one I really enjoyed.  Ellie is a spinster at 31-years-old and finds herself almost entirely alone in the world.  The only relatives she has left are two male cousins who are not really the nicest folks around.  She has been sent to keep house for free for a widower with two young sons as "punishment" for her actions.  Ellie makes the two-hour journey by foot hoping beyond hope that the man will give a recommendation so that she might find a position somewhere and no longer be dependent on her Cousin Mark.  As the tale unfolds, Ellie finds herself in a situation she's always dreamed of but never thought it would be the way that it is.  Along her journey she comes to care deeply for her young charges and their father as well as the island she now calls home.  Can God cause a miracle to happen?  Can a man truly love a woman as plain as Ellie?  Can circumstances so change that true love flows on both sides?  A story half full of sadness and half full of joy.  I enjoyed journeying through this tale with Ellie as she came to a place she truly felt God wanted her to be.  She is a woman of great character and depth and insight.  She has a heart for her Father.  I found the male lead in the story to be rough around the edges and moody and somewhat dense at times, but I think he had a lot of growing to do and heartache to work through.  A good historical read from Delia Parr set in Pennsylvania!  Enjoy!

Disclaimer:
This book was provided free for review by Bethany House Publishers.

Links to check out:
Hearts Awakening Book
Hearts Awakening Excerpt
Delia Parr's Website

The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen

I learned a lot about governesses from this book.  This was my first time reading a novel by Julie Klassen and I was drawn in quickly to the story, setting, etc.  I am, admittedly, a huge Jane Austen fan so that may have something to do with my quick interest in this particular book.  Ms. Klassen tells the story of Olivia Keene - a young woman who goes through several trials of sorts throughout the tale.  She is thrust into a situation beyond her control and finds herself in unexpected circumstances in the home of an earl.  During her time in that place she befriends many individuals and eventually becomes the governess.  Olivia's story is full of hurts, heartaches, assumptions, and so much more.  In the end, everything is as it should be.  God's plan is worked out.  The true heart of each of the characters comes to light by the end of the book, but I felt that this story was somewhat lacking in sharing faith openly.  There were not many obviously Christian characters.  There were many moral issues throughout the book, but then I suppose those even (if we were honest) occur in the life of a Christian on occasion.  Overall, I found this story of Olivia, Lord Bradley, Lord Brightwell, Mr. Croome, Andrew, Audrey, and so many others to be a delightful tale with some twists and turns.  I certainly, after reading this novel, want to find and read more of Ms. Klassen's books.  She seems to have a real taste for the era of Jane Austen and her contemporaries.  If you enjoy a good historical read, check out The Silent Governess.  It's a real delight and hopefully a quick read!

Disclaimer:
This book provided free for review by Bethany House Publishers.

Links to check out:
Julie Klassen's website
The Silent Governess book
The Silent Governess excerpt

Divine Appointments by Charlene Ann Baumbich

At first I had trouble getting into this story, mostly because of the main character's attitude and behavior.  I also thought this book would be like the first book in the series, but it really didn't have the same feel at all.  After reading more of the book, I discovered that the story is rich with great characters (even Josie - the main character).  Josie is an analyst experiencing hot flashes and dealing with ideas that have been drilled into her since her childhood with a military father.  She is a woman who knows how to get things done and does it with little emotion and feeling, but what she doesn't realize is that her life is about to change.  Not only does her life change, but the lives of others at the company where she is a consultant.  They are changed in ways only God can orchestrate as He does so well.  I enjoyed getting to know divorced Marsha and pleasant, friendly, encouraging Beth.  Quirky Frank.  Kind, charitable Lyle. And others as well.  The story is one of Divine Appointments - events only God can bring about for His purposes.  I found the book very enjoyable and one I'd highly recommend.  I'm also hoping that somehow there will be a third book in the series.  I still continue to enjoy Ms. Baumbich's writing, especially her Dearest Dorothy books.  She is a wonderful writer!  Hope you all get a chance to have your own Divine Appointments.

Disclaimer:
This book was provided free for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

Links to check out:
Divine Appointments Book
Charlene Ann Baumbich's Page

Love At Last Sight by Kerry & Chris Shook

Awesome!  That's the first word that comes to mind about this great book.  I haven't read any other books by the Shooks, so this was my first experience with them.  I found the book to be just what I needed right now in my life.  I have dear relationships that are in all stages, and I want to do what I can to take them to the "Love At Last Sight" stage.  Over the course of reading through this book and answering the journaling questions and following through on their suggestions, you see that the Shooks deeply care for you and your relationships.  They sincerely want to help you grow in your relationships and strive to be the best kind of friend you can be.  I know that several of the points they mentioned struck a chord within me regarding my dearest relationships.  They are very insightful and honest about all aspects of relationships in this book.  What would it really be like to have a "Love At Last Sight" kind of relationship?  I truly believe that it would be the kind of relationship that Jesus had with his disciples.  I know that's what I would love to have with my husband, my children, my dearest friend, etc.  Relationships are so very crucial to our life, especially our life as a Christian.  This is a powerful, useful, genuine resource that I highly recommend for those who desire to take their relationships to a new level.  Whether you have a wonderful relationship already or you want to restore a relationship that is on its last legs, this book will guide you through steps to get you to the kind of relationships we all wish we had.  I think this is a resource that we all need to utilize at some point in our life.  Check it out!  It's worth the 30 days!!

Disclaimer:
This book was provided free for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

Links to check out:
Love At Last Sight Book
Love At Last Sight Chapter One
Last Sight Challenge Website