Celebration Lit Tours presents The Devoted by Suzanne Woods Fisher

About the Book

Restless and adventurous, Ruthie Stoltzfus is right on the cusp of leaving her Amish home. Secretly, she’s earned her GED, saved her money—but she can’t quite set her journey into motion. Just as everything falls into place, along comes Patrick Kelly.
Patrick is a young man on a journey of his own. He’s come to Stoney Ridge to convert to the Amish and has given himself thirty days to learn the language, drive a buggy, and adapt to “everything Plain.” Time is of the essence and every moment is to be cherished—especially the hours he spends with Ruthie, his Penn Dutch tutor.
Ruthie’s next-door neighbor and cunning ex-boyfriend, Luke Schrock, is drawn to trouble like a moth to a flame. Rebellious, headstrong, defiant, Luke will do anything to win Ruthie back—and Patrick Kelly is in his way.
Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to Stoney Ridge for a story of dreams deferred—and the promise of hopes fulfilled.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

We are back with the Stoltzfus family in this third book of the series, The Devoted. While Ruthie Stoltzfus is trying to figure out what she wants to do in life, a young Englischer, Patrick comes to Stoney Ridge wanting to give the Amish life a try for a month. Ruthie begins to tutor him in Penn Dutch, and as they spend time together they become more attracted to each other. Will Ruthie finally find her role in life?

As usual, author Suzanne Woods Fisher gives readers another awesome and interesting Amish story to read. I have grown to love the Stoltzfus family and hope to hear more from them in the future. David Stoltzfus  continues his role as the bishop, and I like David because he is different from a lot of the bishops you read about in Amish stories. David has a kind heart, and is really concerned about his flock. I liked the way he treated Luke, because even though Luke is a troubled guy, David was compassionate with him, and didn’t pressure him into making a decision. Much different than most bishops would have handled the situation. I always enjoy the stories when the Amish dad is not afraid to show his love to his family, and especially his children. And David clearly showed that love to each of his kids. And Birdy, I really didn’t like her at first, I don’t know why, but she is a wonderful characters and adds a lot of value to the story. She makes David a better person, and is a lot of help to him in his ministry.

There is so much to say about this story, but I don’t want to give any more details and ruin it for you! If you enjoy Amish fiction, I highly recommend The Devoted to you, as well as the rest of the series. You will not be disappointed! I received this book from Celebration Lit Blog Tours to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

 

About the Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author whose most recent novels include Anna’s Crossing and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at http://www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

Blog Stops

October 18: cherylbbookblog

October 18: Blogging With Carol

October 18: Mary Hake

October 19: Reading Is My SuperPower

October 19: Books,Dreams,Life

October 20: Singing Librarian Books

October 20: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS

October 21: Seasons of Opportunities

October 21: Daysong Reflections

October 22: Back Porch Reads

October 22: Southern Gal Loves to Read

October 23: Lighthouse Academy

October 23: The Power of Words

October 24: Bigreadersite

October 24: Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner

October 24: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

October 25: Artistic Nobody

October 25: Donna’s BookShelf

October 26: Pause for Tales

October 26: Christian Chick’s Thoughts

October 26: Bukwurmzzz

October 27: Splashes of Joy

October 27: Bibliophile Reviews

October 28: ASC Book Reviews

October 28: Vic’s Media Room

October 28: inklings and notions

October 29: Jeanette’s Thoughts

October 29: Book Bites, Bee Stings, and Butterfly Kisses

October 30: A Baker’s Perspective

October 30: Book by Book

October 30: Quiet Quilter

October 31: Two Girls and a Book

October 31: Blossoms and Blessings

Giveaway

[Insert Giveaway Picture Here]

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away a copy of The Devoted and an iPad Mini 2 16GB! Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/a60b

Litfuse Presents A Sister’s Wish/An Amish Family Christmas by Shelley Shepard Gray

A Sister’s Wish
by Shelley Shepard Gray

A Sister’s Wish (Avon Inspire, September 2016)

In Shelley Shepard Gray’s third book in her Charmed Amish Life series, a respectable young woman finds herself falling for an Amish man from the wrong side of the tracks.

Amelia Kinsinger is the perfect Amish woman—at least according to her neighbors. And while Amelia takes pride in her role as homemaker, she’s also harboring a secret: She’s been in love with bad boy Simon Hochstetler for as long as she can remember. Too bad he’s about as far from “perfect” as an Amish man could get… but that’s exactly why she’s so drawn to him.

Life hasn’t been kind to Simon. He ran away from an abusive home at fifteen and things went downhill from there. Eventually, Simon landed in prison. But the experience changed him. Now back in Charm as a grown man, he’s determined to make a new life for himself and not think too much about his wild past…unless it pertains to Amelia.

He’s loved Amelia for years. To him, she represents everything good and kind in the world. When he realizes that she returns his affections, he starts calling on her in secret, even though her older brother Lukas—who just happens to be Simon’s best friend—has made it perfectly clear that Amelia deserves better. Simon disagrees and believes he’s the only one who can truly make her happy.

But when Amelia gets hurt, it sets off a chain of events that forces them to consider their future together—and face their past mistakes. There’s a chance for love… but only if Simon dares to trust Amelia with the secrets of his past.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

 

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

Simon Hochstetler was known as the bad boy of his Amish community because of the life he lived outside of the Amish. Truth was he was really forced out of the community, as well as his older brother and sister because of the abuse from his dad. When he comes back to the community years later, Amelia Kinsinger still attracted to him, even though her brother and sister didn’t approve.

I have to say, I really like Simon. His story is so sad, having to leave home at such an early age and make some kind of life for himself. And sad as it is, someone with nothing usually make the incorrect choices, just as Simon did. I could understand Amelia’s family being protective of her, but they really went a bit too far with it. I think a lot of it was they were comfortable with Amelia taking care of the farm and her brother and sister while they ran their company.

I love Shelley Shepard Gray’s books and A Sister’s Wish is another awesome read from this author. If you enjoy Amish stories, this is a must read. Actually the entire series is a must read. Don’t miss out on these fabulous Amish reads!

I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

 

An Amish Family Christmas
By Shelley Shepard Gray

In Shelley Shepard Gray’s fourth book in her Charmed Amish Life series, an unlikely Amish romance reveals that Christmas is a time for family, miracles—and love.

Ever since his father died in a tragic fire, Levi Kinsinger has felt adrift. Having just returned to Charm, Ohio, Levi tries to fit into his old life only to discover he seems to have outgrown it.

When Julia, Levi’s young widowed neighbor, asks for his help with a Christmas project, he finds a sense of purpose for the first time in months. She and her daughter are new to Charm and could use a friend, a task Levi takes seriously. Soon enough, his friendship with Julia grows into attraction, but Levi can’t help harboring doubts. There’s something about Julia that doesn’t ring quite true . . .

Like Levi, Julia Kemp has survived her fair share of hardships—but only by hiding the truth of her past. Then she meets Levi and, for the first time, she feels hopeful. Little by little, she begins to imagine telling him her darkest secret and eventually . . . perhaps even sharing her life with him.

Christmas is a time for family, and as the holiday draws closer, Julia and Levi will have to face their pasts together in order to find the healing, support, and love they so desperately desire.

 

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

This is Levi’s story. Levi left home when a horrible accident happened at their family mill. Several men in the community lost their lives, including Levi’s dad. And the only way Levi could deal with the loss was to leave home for a while and get away from it all, leaving his brother and sister to run the mill, and deal with all of the negative abuse from the community blaming their dad for the accident. Levi’s story was different, and its probably my favorite of the series, though its difficult to pick a favorite. Levi lived in a different home than his family, again, to stay away from reminders of his dad. Julia, his neighbor was a single mom, and the two seemed to always run into each other, but Julia has a secret that she didn’t want anyone to find out, so she changed her story a bit to keep her location a secret.

Again, another awesome story from author Shelley Shepard Gray. I love the believable characters, and the way they develop and grow throughout the story, and throughout the series. The Kinsinger family has lost much, and endured a lot. As I read each book, I found myself wanting to do something to help the characters, to pray for them. And of course this book was wonderful because the story happens during the Christmas season, which I love. And an Amish Christmas story is wonderful because of the way they celebrate with family. If you enjoy Amish stories, you will love An Amish Family Christmas and Levi and Julia’s story. You may even find a bit of violence in here.

I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

 

Shelley Shepard Gray is a “New York Times” and “USA Today” bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.

Celebration Lit Tours presents….Mary, Chosen of God by Diana Wallis Taylor plus Giveaway!

To purchase your own copy, click here.

Scroll down for the giveaway

About the Book

“Blessed are you, Mary, chosen of God.”
Mary is ordinary girl from Nazareth. She helps her mother with household chores, she daydreams about a handsome carpenter’s son named Joseph, and at night she lies on the roof and contemplates the stars.
But one evening, a heavenly visitor comes with unexpected news—and her life is changed forever.
Experience the life of the Messiah from the perspective of his mother, who must place her trust and obedience in Adonai, the Most High, as he fulfills centuries of prophecy in the middle of her daily life. Walk with Mary as she witnesses Yeshua grow, mature, minister, and even be crucified—and then raised again, to the kindling of her new faith.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

This is such an amazing story, I was in awe the entire time I was reading this book. Both Mary and Joseph were the sweetest young couple. Her parents loved her very much to make sure the man she would marry was the man she loved. I know this is fiction, but as I read the account of the angel coming to Mary in a dream, her trip to see her cousin Elizabeth, Mary telling her parents and Joseph she was pregnant with the Messiah, each and every scene was so fully detailed, I felt like I was living this story along with the characters. It is so neat to see this Bible account through the eyes of Diana W. Taylor.

It was so sweet to follow along with Mary as she realized she was carrying a special baby, that God has actually trusted her an favored her among all of the women of that time, and chose her to be the mother of Jesus. Despite what she had to go through, the outrage of her family and Joseph when she first told them she was pregnant with God’s son, all of the talk and whispers among everyone she came in contact with, Mary still had a peace and calmness, and an excitement that God had favored her among women. Can you just imaging what that would feel like?

Ms. Taylor not only writes an wonderful story of Mary, the historical events and all of the details was amazing. It is so much in this story that I love, I could go on and on, but you have an idea what this book is about. And I agree with others that this book needs to be read before Christmas and before Easter. It is a great way to ready your heart for the Celebration of each of these holidays. If you have friends and family that love reading, and don’t know the Lord, this would be the most amazing book for them to read. The Gospel is told throughout this book in a wonderful way. This is a must read for every Christian!

“I received this book from the author for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed in this review are my own.”

 

About the Author

[Insert Author Picture Here]
Diana Wallis Taylor has written eight biblical novels, including Mary, Chosen of God, Martha, Journey to the Well, Mary Magdalene, Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate, and Ruth, Mother of Kings. Well-known in the Christian book industry for her biblical fiction, her most recent five books have received over 3,000 ratings on Goodreads. Taylor is a former San Diego Christian Writer’s Guild’s “Writer of the Year” and her biblical novels have earned her a variety of awards. Diana lives in San Diego with her husband, Frank. They have six grown children and ten grandchildren.

Blog Stops

October 4: Simple Harvest Reads (spotlight)

October 5: Proverbial Reads

October 5: I Hope You Dance

October 6: Book by Book

October 7: History, Mystery & Faith

October 8: Book Bites, Bee Stings, and Butterfly Kisses

October 9: Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner

October 10: A Greater Yes

October 10: Back Porch Reads

October 11: The Power of Words

October 12: Book Babble

October 13: For the Love of Books

October 13: Mary Hake

October 14: Splashes of Joy

October 14: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

October 15: Bigreadersite

October 16: Henry Happens

October 17: His Grace is Sufficient

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Diana is giving away a gift basket that includes Mary, Ruth, Whitaker House’s study Bible, and The Lord is my Shepherd candle from Abba Anointing Oil! Click here to
enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/a5b

PTSD Road to Recovery: One Soldiers Story by Bob Bray

Most books on PTSD are dry, clinical, and impersonal – no matter how sympathetic they are to the sufferers. Not so with this challenging book!

Author Bob Bray has walked an exhausting pathway, dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in his own life. Obviously, PTSD has been around for a long while. It has existed under names such as battle fatigue, shell shock, or the soldier’s disease. Today, that notion has expanded beyond the battlefields where weapons are used to destroy enemies. Now it refers to the emotional trauma experienced when people are exposed to horrific situations beyond their ability to understand or explain to themselves. It comes with hurricanes, forest fires, floods, and terrorist attacks like the Boston bombing. This book is unique in that it describes more than the outward observations of physicians and researchers. It is a view from the inside of someone who has been overwhelmed, survived, and now has begun to thrive after PTSD. The author is a compelling writer pouring out the inner struggles and outward consequences that come from those who have lived through the horrors of warfare. To them, all too frequently, they come home but the battle isn’t over.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

I have never been around anyone with PTSD, but after reading Bob Bray’s book, PTSD Road to Recovery: One Soldier’s Story, I now have a clear insight of what someone goes through when having this disease. Mr. Bray’s story started when he was abused as a small child, and continued on through his school years, into the military and again back at home. He gives a clear insight of what soldiers face every day, and what they face after their time of service at home. I had never really thought about it like he explained it, that while in military service, there is always someone to tell you what to do, and when you get home, its just you, and no one to tell you how to live your life. This is just a little taste of what it is this book.

My heart ached as I read Bob Bray’s story. From the very beginning, reading about the beating from his father, Mr. Bray was never given a chance to know how to deal with this abuse, except though anger and fighting as he got older. One thing about this book is, readers are getting everything firsthand. I better understand the life of a soldier and the life of a police officer now that I’ve read this book on the road to recovery from PTSD. After everything this author went through for so many years, the part of his story that he tells about his recovery is amazing. There are so many things in this book that can be of help to others going though the same situations. If you are suffering PTSD. anxiety, depression, or any other unhealthy feelings after coming home from military service, or maybe from having a difficult life like Bob Bray, this is definitely the book you need to read. I can’t emphasize enough how important this book is. I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy for yourself, or for someone you know. I may change your life or the life of your friend.

The Courtship Basket By Amy Clipston

Book Description

Years ago, a picnic basket brought two hearts together. For Rachel and Mike, history may be about to repeat itself.

Rachel Fisher is devastated when the young man she’s loved for years leaves her to date her best friend. Her heart is broken, and she has all but given up on love. Determined to keep her mind off the pain, she starts teaching at an Amish school for children with learning disabilities.

Since his father became ill, Mike Lantz has been overwhelmed with the responsibility of providing for his family and caring for his six-year-old brother, John. When John joins Rachel’s class and she learns that his mother is deceased and his father sick, she desperately wants to help the family, even with something as simple as a meal.

With her parents’ old picnic basket, Rachel begins sending food to the Lantz family. As the weeks go by, John’s grades start to improve, and the attraction grows between Rachel and Mike. They can’t deny that their friendship is growing toward something more, but both of them are hesitant to risk a more serious relationship.

The last thing Rachel wants is another heartbreak, and Mike is worried about providing for his loved ones. Will the two be able to reconcile their past hurts with new hope for the future?

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

I love, love Amy Clipston’s books and this is another amazing one from her. She writes the most amazing Amish fiction, and you don’t want to miss this one. Mike Lantz has his hands full taking care of his dad and his disabled son. He moves to the area because he wants his son to go to this special school, hoping he can learn like a regular. And that’s where he meets Rachel. Rachel feels sorry for the Lantz family and wants to help them, so she starts fixing them mills each week and sending them home by Mike’s son John. The special thing about these meals is that she sends them in an antique basket that belonged to her mom, a basket that brought her mom and dad together. Can history repeat itself and bring another couple together?

Find out when you read the third book in The Amish Heirloom Series by Amy Clipston. I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson

Book Description

After inheriting his title from his brother, the margrave has two weeks to find a noble bride. What will happen when he learns he has fallen for a lovely servant girl in disguise?
The Margrave of Thornbeck has to find a bride, fast. He invites ten noble born ladies who meet the king’s approval to be his guests at Thornbeck Castle for two weeks, a time to test these ladies and reveal their true character.
Avelina has only two instructions: keep her true identity a secret and make sure the margrave doesn’t select her as his bride. Since the latter seems unlikely, she concentrates on not getting caught. No one must know she is merely a maidservant, sent by the Earl of Plimmwald to stand in for his daughter, Dorothea.
Despite Avelina’s best attempts at diverting attention from herself, the margrave has taken notice. And try as she might, she can’t deny her own growing feelings. But something else is afoot in the castle. Something sinister that could have far worse—far deadlier—consequences.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

Avelina is only a maidservant sent to Thornbeck Castle on behalf of someone else. The very last thing she could do was to be chosen to be the bride of The Margrave of Thornbeck.  But that was sure easier said than done. Avelina seem to have all of the characteristics of the woman he planned to marry, and to marry soon was a must for him. And he wants Avelina as his bride, but with others involved, that just may be impossible.

Melanie Dickerson gives her readers such an amazing story in The Beautiful Pretender, and a beautiful story it is. The characters are were oh so wonderful, and each one played their supporting roll just great. I loved the medieval era in which this story was set. The vivid detail of each event, and the description of each scene took me back to an earlier time in history. I really enjoy books like this, stories that you can place yourself in and go back a little while for a fun time to enjoy. For you fairytale readers out there, this is a book you must read! I highly recommend it.

I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

 

 

 

Fraying at the Edge by Cindy Woodsmall

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About This Book

Family, community, faith, and love.
These “quilt blocks” sewn together made Ariana’s beautiful life.
When they are pulled to pieces,
will anything familiar remain?

The Old Order Amish life Ariana Brenneman loved vanished virtually overnight with the discovery that she was switched at birth twenty years ago. Now she’s immersed in the Englischer world, getting to know her mother and under the authority of her biological father, an atheist intellectual with resolute plans to expand Ariana’s worldview. Only Quill Schlabach, a childhood friend living Englisch, can steady the tilting ground between Ariana’s two worlds, but can she trust him after so many betrayals?

At the same time, Skylar Nash is forced to choose rehab or spend several months with her true relatives, the large Brenneman family and their seemingly backward life—no electricity, no technology, no fun. What the young woman can’t leave behind is her addiction to illegal prescription drugs and a deep emptiness from the belief that she doesn’t belong in either family.

New ties are binding Ariana and Skylar to the lives they were meant to have. Can they find the wisdom and strength they’ll need to follow God’s threads into unexpected futures?
 
Fraying at the Edge is the second novel in The Amish of Summer Grove series.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

This first book in this series, Ties That Bind ended with Ariana Brenneman and Skylar Nash going to live with their biological parents. Skylar’s parents were not together, so she had two families to get to know. As well as doing everything on the lists that her parents had for her to complete. One the other hand, Ariana Brenneman did not care for her biological parents and their lifestyle. She didn’t want to live without electricity and everything that goes with that, including cell phones and internet.

This series deals with the harsh situation of babies switched at birth. These two young ladies were from completely different lifestyles, so it makes for an amazing read. My heart went out to both ladies, because neither of them wanted to change their way of living. But as I followed their story in Fraying at the Edge, it was interesting to see the changes in Ariana and Skylar, the longer they stayed with their biological parents. Cindy Woodsmall does an amazing job of weaving together each family and the interaction between the two. I read this book in one setting, because I had to find out what happened to these young ladies I have grown to love. I simply can’t wait for book three to hit the shelves. This is such an amazing series I plan to keep this series on my shelves and read it again. Ms. Woodsmall puts a different twist to her Amish stories that makes them different from all other.

If you enjoy Amish fiction, Fraying at the Edge is one you need to check out. And don’t forget the first book in the series as well, Ties That Binds. I just can’t say enough about this wonderful book and series!   I received this book from Blogging for Books to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

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