An Amish Love by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller & Kelly Long

Thomas Nelson publishing company has just sent me a collection of 3 novellas to read, all in one book called An Amish Love, written by 3 familiar authors: Beth Wiseman, Kathllen Fuller & Kelly Long. Each story is around 130 pages and the setting is modern day in Paradise, PA. In A Marriage of the Heart, Abby wishes to escape the lonely life with her widower father, and deceitfully tricks Joseph into marrying her. Joseph has just come back to the Amish faith after living as an Englisher for the past 5 years. Joseph shows her that life in the English world isn't always what it seems, and how to be content in the life that God gave her. In What the Heart Sees, Ellie is blind as the result of an auto accident during her rumschpringe that also took the life of her best friend Caroline. Caroline's boyfriend Christopher is still hurting from her death and has turned away from God and the Amish way of life. Ellie shows Joseph what true forgiveness is and how to accept God's direction in his life, and Joseph realizes that he can still care of someone even if his first love dies. In Healing Hearts Levina and Naaman Lapp were married for 30 years. Then Naaman set off for Middlefield, OH on a type of middle-life crisis where he was trying to find himself. While he is gone for almost a year, Levina takes care of their home and has to deal with the rumors of why her husband left. When Naaman comes home, it is a true test of love, trust, and forgiveness, as well as understanding on Levina's part. They begin to "date" again, and they realize that life just got so busy that they forgot to take time for themselves. I liked all 3 novellas. They made me think of how I would react if I was in that situation. It also challenged me to not take life for granted and appreciate what you have. The characters were strong and easy to relate too. I would have liked it if all 3 novellas had more of an intertwined story. Some of the same characters were mentioned in each book, but only in passing. This is a great read for anyone who likes an Amish story with a happy ending!

A Time to Dance by Karen Kingsbury

A Time to Dance is Book 1 in the Timeless Love Series by Karen Kingsbury. John and Abby Reynolds have been married for 21 years, but in the last couple of years, the fighting has started as they had lead separate lives and neither feels loved anymore. Abby is sure John is having an affair, and John feels Abby criticizes his every move. Then their oldest daughter announces she is getting married on their anniversary in 6 months. Not wanting to upset her happy wedding plans, they vow to wait until after the wedding to announce their divorce plans. As they are thrown together for their daughter they remember what their relationship used to be, and wonder how they got to this place of unhappiness and so far away from God.
I couldn't put this book down!!! And even though I cried through at least half of it, it was easily the best books I had read in months!!! I need to go find Book 2 now! It's a great reminder of God's desire for marriage and how easily it can be to get busy with life- career, kids, friends, etc. and neglect your spouse. It shows how easily temptation can find you when you grow away from God. Every person that is married, or preparing to be should read this book!

Amy Inspired by Bethany Pierce

Bethany House Publishers sent me a new book Amy Inspired by new author Bethany Pierce. The story takes place in modern day Ohio. Amy Gallagher is an inspiring author who is currenly teaching freshman English at the local college. She is frustrated by writer's block and feels like everyone's else life is taking off except hers. Her younger brother is soon-to-be married and almost finished with medical school. Her roommate can write stories daily and freely enjoys life. Then unemployed artist Eli comes to live with them until he can get back on his feet. He causes her to look at her life, and her reasons for making lists, praying, going to church, exercising, etc. Amy wants to have courage to follow her dreams, but isn't sure how.
I personally didn't like this book very well. I am not a writer, nor can I understand how they think. And I am not interested in art, so alot of the analogies with writing and art I didn't follow. I did like the part about her soul searching to find out who she really is. But I would probably never read the book again. Just not my type of book. But if you like modern day struggles of an author or artist, this book is for you.

A Suitor For Jenny by Margaret Brownley

A Suitor For Jenny takes place in Rocky Creek, TX in 1881. Jenny and her 2 younger sisters have just settled in Rocky Creek after reading an article in the newspaper that this was the best city to find eligible men to marry. Jenny is guardian of her 2 sisters after her parents die, and she feels it's up to her to interview the men of the town to find the ones that are wealthiest and have the most proper manners, so her sisters will be guarenteed a good life. She bases her criteria on a book by Miss Abigail Jenkins, while the pastor's wife gentles suggests to her that the Bible would be a much better guidebook. Jenny feels as if God has left her on her own, and one mistake in her past is unforgiveable. Her sisters each meet a godly man that they want to marry, but Jenny has other ideas. Meanwhile, US Marshal Rhett Armstrong confuses her emotions and tests her patience. I enjoyed the story and how the characters interacted with each other. I like how Jenny comes to realize that God never leaves us nor forsakes us, and how He wrote the guidebook for our lives.

Where Hearts Are Free by Golden Keyes Parsons

Where Hearts Are Free is the third book in the Darkness to Light Series. The setting is Philadelphia, PA in 1681. Bridget is from a well-to-do family, and when she informs her parents she is in love with their indentured servant,Phillipe, her father sends him away and quickly arranges a marriage with an older wealthier man that she does not love. Bridget feels trapped into doing what her parents expect of her and feels like God has deserted her. Phillipe was royality in France, until his family came to America where he had to work as a servant to pay for their passage to the New World. Bridget shares with him her secret of witnessing a murder as a young girl and when he finds she is in danger, he sets out to rescue Bridget. I learned about the early history of PA, with the Lenape Indians, and also the history of the religious persecution in Europe that led families to flee to America. Though the story seems to start slowly, it quickly gained my interest. I had not read the first 2 books in the series, but the author reviewed the supporting characters enough that I could understand what had happened in the past novels. I think the author gives a true picture of what life was like for Americans in the late 1680's. The novel is based on her ancestors who were persecuted as French Huguenots and later moved to Bushkill County PA.

Faithful by Kim Cash Tate

This is a Women of Faith fiction book that centers around the lives of 3 friends who belong to the same church in modern day St. Louis. Cydney is 40, a college professor, still single and questioning God about why He hasn't given her the "desires of her heart". When she meets the best man at her younger sister's wedding, she wonders why she is drawn to him b/c he is a non-believer. Phyllis, who is married with 4 young children, is a fairly new Chrisian, yet her husband refuses to have anything to do with church. She meets an old friend, a widower at a college reunion who is a strong Christian and is tempted with the idea of a relationship with him. And then there is Dana. She is married with 2 young children, and discovers that her husband, who leads mentoring groups for young newlyweds at church, is having an affair. She struggles with feelings of inadequacy and despair. All 3 women are dealing with life-altering struggles, and must decide to trust God, and fight the desire to go against His faithfulness. I really enjoyed this book! This was a new author for me, but she was so true to modern day life. I really felt like I knew these characters, even though I haven't gone through the same struggles. My favorite quote from the book is: "Every day in your marriage will NOT be a fairy tale, but everyday God IS faithful. Keep the faith, so that when you don't see the fairy tale, you'll still be able to se the beauty of God working."

Sarah's Garden by Kelly Long

New author Kelly Long writes about Amish life in the Allegany Mountains of PA in the book Sarah's Garden. Sarah is a young Amish woman who has rarely been out in the English world. Then her family needs her to operate their produce stand in town, and she begins to interact more with those who are not Amish. One man in particular, Grant who is the new veterinarian in the area, stops for produce and converation almost daily. A relationship with an Englisher is out of the question for Sarah, but they both feel God has a purpose in bringing them together. Sarah must decide what is most important to her. An excellent story, especially for those interested in the Amish way of life. Kelly Long adds humor along the way, and makes you feel like you know the characters. I'm hoping there will be a second book in this series because there are many supporting characters that have a story to tell of their own!