The Scent of Cherry Blossoms by Cindy Woodsmall - Review

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms

by Cindy Woodsmall

Nineteen year old Annie Martin lives the Plain lifestyle of Old Order Mennonite with her mother and siblings. She visits her Daadi Moses sometimes, the only one in the family that seems to care about her grandfather. Annie's mother and grandfather had a falling out and her mother won't even answer the phone when he calls. Her mother would never tell Annie what happened and when Annie's father left, 10 years ago, she would not explain that either.

Aden Zook lives the Plain lifestyle of the Amish and with his parents, twin brother and other siblings. They are neighbors to Annie's Daadi Moses and have been business partners for many years in the restaurant that the Zook's run. Daadi Moses, as Old Order Mennonite, is allowed to have electricity, but the Zook's are not, if there is no electricity in the restaurant the state will shut it down. Aden's twin brother Roman, and his father were in an accident five years ago and Roman now faces the rest of his life in a wheelchair and his father can walk but can't be on his feet for long periods of time. It's up to Aden to get Roman up in the mornings, into his wheelchair, in and out of the shower, besides lifting him into any buggy or vehicle when he wants to go someplace. Aden is a stutterer so he doesn't talk much but he is a great artist. Roman is surprised when he sneaks a peek at his drawings, he can't believe his eyes and while looking at them he realizes where Aden's true live lies.

Annie spent time with her Daadi Moses sporadically throughout her life and went to help out at the restaurant with her grandfather after the accident. She liked Aden and he cared for her, but as friends, so each of them thought.

When Annie was home with her mother she worked at a produce market as did two of her brothers. The boys were soon smoking, drinking and gambling but they still seemed to find more favor with their mother than Annie did. One day after work there was an argument when they got home, so Annie got kicked out and sent to stay with her grandfather. She went to visit the Zook's and ended up helping Aden at the restaurant since they were extremely busy that week and Roman was helping his uncle and wouldn't be able to work.

Annie and Aden grew closer and enjoyed being together. But they could never marry because of their religious orders. Whichever one left their church would be banned and the other would be looked on as a trouble maker. When Daadi Moses finds out that they are spending time together outside of the restaurant he goes to Mrs Zook and demands Aden stay away from Annie or he will withdraw his partnership in the restaurant. If that happens the Zook's wouldn't have any money to live on so she tells Aden to stay away from Annie. He wants to but can't, Daadi Moses then threatens Aden, so he tries again. Annie's grandfather finally storms to the restaurant and sends her packing right back to her mother, the driver is waiting as he confronts her.

What will happen to the Zook's, will they get to keep their restaurant, what will happen to Annie when she shows up at her mother's, and what will Aden do now?

This was an interesting book, I knew that the Amish and the Old Order Mennonite's had some differences, I thought they got along with each other and were friends usually. This story gives me the impression that they 'tolerated' each other but there is no way one can leave one order and join the other without dire consequences. I really enjoyed this story and Cindy really draws you into the storyline. I would highly recommend this book as a great investment of time and money.

An Amish Family Reunion by Mary Ellis - Review of the fourth book in the Miller Family series

An Amish Family Reunion

Fourth book in Miller Family series

by Mary Ellis

Phoebe is the quietest member of the whole Miller family and is content to spend her time drawing. She carries her tablet and pencils with her everywhere. Phoebe lost her mother at a young age then her father married Hannah Miller, she truly loves her mother and Hannah loves her.

Henry, her cousin, tells her about a two day bus tour to Niagara Falls and encourages Phoebe to go since she hasn't joined the church yet. Phoebe's father refuses to allow her to go even though it will be all Amish kids from two different districts. Hannah finally convinces him to let Phoebe go.

Eli Rhiel, a young man from the other district, notices her as they are getting on the bus and tries to flirt with her. She ignores him, but he sits right across from her and ends up in her seat on the girls side of the bus. On these tours the guys are supposed to sit on one side and the girls on the other, when the chaperone sees them in the same seat she thinks nothing of it because of who they are.

Eli can tell a story better than anyone she knows, the chaperone knows this too, so she calls on him to tell a funny story about Niagara Falls and when he's done he returns to his seat, not hers, so she gets her pad and pencils out and draws pictures to go with the story he told. When Eli sees the illustrations, he can hardly believe his eyes. Phoebe can't believe how much Eli knows about Niagara Falls and wonders if he's taken this trip before.

Phoebe hates leaving, she has had a great time and found a new friend. She has talked to Eli more than she's probably talked to anyone in her whole life. The two start meeting on Wednesday afternoons at the library and Eli asks Phoebe to be his partner in writing children's books, he will write the stories and she will do the illustrating.

You will have to read the book to see if this relationship works out, if it leads to more than a working relationship, and if it does, is there something to break one and/or both of the relationships up. There are more family stories for you to follow along with too and you will get drawn into each one.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone. Mary does a great job of telling the story of the Miller Family.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the NetGalley <http://www.netgalley.com/> book review program. 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 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Lydia's Charm by Wanda E Brunstetter - Review

Lydia's Charm

by Wanda E Brunstetter

Lydia King decides to accept her mother's offer of moving to Charm, Ohio after losing her job because of a slow down at the restaurant where she was working. It was her only source of income as a widow with a young son, Josh. Lydia and Josh would live with Mae, her mother, and her grandfather. Mae was a widow also and had moved in with her father to care for him since her two brothers had moved.

Growing up Lydia always felt as if she couldn't do anything right, her mother always corrected everything she did, she hoped things would be different now that she was a mother herself. Lydia was never told that when Mae was growing up, her dad treated her the same way, she thinks it's because he lost Mae's mother when she was giving birth to Mae. Mae and her father still do not get along, and things between Lydia and Mae don't seem to have changed either.

Josh brings joy to his great-grandfather's life, the few times Josh is able to sneak into his room anyway. Mae is constantly nagging four year old Josh to be quiet, to stay away from his great-grandfather and is jealous of their relationship.

Lydia finds a job at the local restaurant and Mae babysits Josh.  Mae has plans of Lydia maybe marrying Menno, a widow with four boys, but Lydia doesn't seem attracted to him in that way. Levi appeals more to Lydia but Mae hates the idea of her marrying  him because, although Levi is normal height, the rest of his family are 'little people'. Mae won't even talk to Levi's family or shop in their store.

As Lydia's grandfather is passing away, he finally makes peace with Mae. A short time later Josh is killed when he runs into the road and a car coming over a hill cannot get stopped in time and hits him. Now they have medical bills and two funerals so Lydia goes back to work  after burying Josh, but they also have a guardian angel who mysteriously leaves them food and money. Mae gets her hopes up regarding Lydia and Menno as they are spending more and more time together. Shy Levi finally gets up enough nerve to ask Lydia out, but it seems every time he tries Menno comes and interrupts the conversation and asks Lydia out first.

I guess you'll have to read this book to find out if Lydia marries Menno or Levi and if she stays in Illinois when she goes to be with a friend who loses her father in an accident. What happens to Mae after her father dies, does she move on with her life or continue to live in her fathers house by herself, or with Lydia? Does Mae convince Lydia to marry Menno?

I really enjoyed this book, Wanda did not disappoint. I will say this is a good investment for anyone that reads Amish stories or Wanda Brunstetter books.

Need You Now by Beth Wiseman - Review

Need You Now

by Beth Wiseman

Brad and Darlene Henderson, with their three teenaged children, Chad, Grace and Ansley, recently moved to the small town of Round Top, TX from Houston. Brad commutes daily for his job and Darlene is a stay at home Mom who decides she'd like to find a job outside the home for the first time in her married life. She gets hired by a small special needs school.

Brad and Darlene have a very good marriage, couldn't be happier, and now they are living in her grandparents old farm house and have plans to repair and remodel it as they can afford it. Before they left Houston Chad was experiencing some problems but he seems to be doing better now. Ansley has some learning problems and is doing well enough in school that she has earned the chickens her Dad promised if she brought good grades home. Grace has always been their perfect child, never gave them a problem.

Darlene meets Layla, her neighbor, when she goes running out of the house because there is a snake under her bed. Layla appears and kills the snake for her but doesn't seem to be a very friendly person. Over time she gets to know Layla who has turned her back on God because of the death of her daughter which led to her divorce from Tom.

Darlene really enjoys her teaching job, she is a one-on-one teacher for Cara. Cara's Mother has passed away and lives with her loving Dad, David. David isn't sure about Darlene at first, but soon Cara loves Darlene and David develops a crush. Darlene has only been teaching for a short time when she discovers her daughter Grace is having some problems, she quits her job to stay home with her children, problems develop in her marriage, and Grace starts counseling.

Layla returns to God, thanks to Darlene, as Darlene is beginning to have problems and gradually starting to turn her back on Him.Darlene confides things to Layla and asks what to do but will she listen to her and will Layla be able to pull Darlene back to God to repay her own debt to Darlene? Will Grace get the help she really needs or will she continue to hide her thoughts and what bothers her? Will Brad and Darlene's marriage ever be the same, can it be saved?

If you like Beth Wiseman's books, you'll love this one too. It isn't what I 'm used to reading from Beth but it's a touching story that shows what faith can get you through. Whether it's what you want or what the Lord wants for you, He will pull you through.

I won this ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in a contest and was not required to read or review it. This is my review and my opinion.

Love Lies Bleeding by Susan Wittig Albert - Review of the sixth book in A China Bayles Mystery series

Love Lies Bleeding
Sixth book in A China Bayles Mystery series

by Susan Wittig Albert

China Bayles and her friend Ruby get involved in solving the murder of ex Texas Ranger, Roy Adcock. They know his wife Dolores although she was not a close friend. The Whiz, China's friend Justine from her college days, asked the two to do some investigating, China said no but Ruby was excited to do it. So, with China letting Ruby doing the investigating at first, going along reluctantly, she soon gets involved herself, but not all because of Ruby.

China's live-in boyfriend, McQuaid, is also an ex Texas Ranger who quit to teach college. China discovers he may be having an affair with Peggy on Valentine's Day, when she was expecting him to propose to her, yet again, but this time she was going to surprise him and say yes. Her surprise was that he didn't propose and when they returned home after dinner that night, she overheard a  conversation when she picked up the phone to call her mother, but didn't get a chance to confront him for a day or so. The day they were having 'the' discussion, she got a phone call and as McQuaid was listening and recognizing names, he told her to go with Ruby to see what she could find out about the murder.

This is my third cozy mystery and the first by this author, I really liked this one! Even though they are not married and he's having an affair, there is not sexual talk, so that is one thing I liked. I was so pulled in that I stayed up till 3:00 A.M. finishing it one night.

This is the sixth book in the China Bayles Mystery Series. I read this one first because I needed a cozy mystery with the word Love in it to read during the month of February, and there aren't too many like that. There are 21 books in the series so far, 19 of them are published, number 20 will come out in March 2012 and number 21 in April 2013. I will definetely be going back and reading the first five, and go on from there. Great writing Susan.

Here's the link to the 

2012 Cozy Mystery Challenge: Feb. Mini Challenge

Amish Snow by Roger Rheinheimer - Review

Amish Snow

by Roger Rheinheimer

This book is different from the normal Amish books I read, I would classify it as more about the 'dark' side, for lack of a better description. It starts out be telling how the Amish came to be in Germany, then jumps ahead 438 years to Lancaster, PA and the story of Ezra Neuenschwander and the abuse he and his mother and siblings suffered from his Father. His Father, Nathan, was abused as a child and wanted to break the cycle when he married Rebecca and he did for several years then it gradually started along with the drinking.

One day Ezra had finally had it and when Nathan pulled his fist back to hit him, Ezra swung back to protect himself. Nathan fell and hit his head. Ezra noticed the bleeding and the jerky motions, but went on with his chores. He put the horses up, went into the house and told his Mother what happened. Rebecca knew this would eventually happen so she got the bag she had ready for him with money, clothes, a cousins phone number that lived in Philadelphia, and a Bible. Ezra left not knowing if his father lived or died, never to talk to his family again.

In October of 1964 Ezra arrived in Philly in the middle of the night, got a room in a motel where they had hourly rates posted, the room was filthy and smelled with a stench he didn't recognize.

I will leave the rest of the story for you to read, there are lots of twists and turns, good and bad. I just about quit reading it around chapter eight or nine because I thought I knew the direction it was going, but I didn't give up on it and soon wanted to know the rest of the story. Needless to say, it didn't quite go in the direction I thought it would.

This is the first time I've read a book by Roger and I will say that I did enjoy it. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Roger Rheinheimer. 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 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble - Review os the first book in Under Texas Stars series

Blue Moon Promise

First book in Under Texas Stars series

by Colleen Coble

Lucy Marsh is taking care of her brother and sister, children from her father's second marriage after her mother had died, but things go from bad to worse when she discovers she's being followed on her way home from the job she just got laid-off from, her landlord meets her when she gets home to let her know he's sold her 'ramshackle' house and they have seven days to move out. When she enters the house she notices a strange man sitting on a chair, it seems Jed took a dare and tried to pick his pocket but got caught. Jed returned the wallet, but that isn't the reason Henry Stanton is waiting to talk to her. It seems he's looking for a wife for his son, Nate, who has given his father a signed statement allowing him to act as his agent in all business matters for this trip, so Henry wants Lucy to marry Nate by proxy without even knowing anything about Nate, or Henry for that matter, and without Nate knowing his father would be bringing him a wife home, signed, sealed and delivered you might say.

As she is trying to figure out what to do and fixing supper for the Jed and Eileen, a man comes to the door, Albert, and says that Catherine, Lucy's step-mother, has sent him and wants Eileen. When Lucy refuses to turn three year old Eileen over he threatens her. Lucy puts the children to bed, prays and tries to sleep, but any sleep she may get is soon interrupted by a man, not Albert, trying to break into their house. With no money, no job, soon no home and all of these men that seem to be haunting her, she decides to accept Henry's offer and marry Nate to keep Jed and Eileen safe.

Let's say that Nate is none to pleased when his father returns with Lucy, Jed and Eileen. Since Lucy is so much younger than his father, he thinks Lucy probably got Henry to marry her so she could get his money and his land. When he finds out that Lucy is HIS wife, he's even more angry. He insults her by saying she's too little, won't be able to carry her own weight, etc. Lucy sets out to prove him wrong.

I loved this book and had a hard time putting it down. It has faith, love, some mild suspense and even a surprise ending. Colleen did a wonderful job!

This book comes out this month and I don't see where she's started a second one yet, but since it has Under Texas Stars at the top of the cover and on the spine, I'm guessing, and hoping, there are more.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. 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 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”