Plain Proposal by Beth Wiseman

With this A Daughter of the Promise novel, Beth Wiseman tells the story full of the lessons of forgiveness. Forgiving others as well as forgiving ourselves. We read about Miriam, Saul, Shelby and Miriam’s family as they learn those lessons.

Miriam is in love with Saul, who is considering leaving the Amish community. Her life begins to take a turn as she struggles with this love and eventually with the reason he wants to leave. Will she go with him?

 Add to this the arrival of her cousin, Shelby, who has been sent to live with her Amish aunt and uncle by her parents.  An Englischer, Shelby has left a troubled home and finds the meaning of love and family during her time with Miriam’s family.

Rather than give away surprises this novel holds for the reader, I will end by saying that becoming a Daughter of the Promise is a spiritual journey that a woman takes when she finds the true meaning to the words faith, hope and love.

Miriam and Shelby both find that they have strong faith, hope for their futures and a love for God with their whole hearts.

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.”

The Miracle of Mercy Land by River Jordan

The Miracle of Mercy Land is a story about Mercy, Doc Philips and Tommy Taylor. Mercy and Tommy grew up in Bittersweet Creek. Mercy left Bittersweet and went to work for Doc Phillips at the Banner Newspaper in Bay City.

As the reader progresses through the book, the early life of the Tommy and Mercy is revealed. We also find that Doc Philips played a part in Tommy leaving Bittersweet.  The miracle referred to in the title is a revelation Mercy receives about her life and about life in general.

If given the opportunity, would we go back in time and make different choices? Are we aware of how the choices we make affect not only our own life and future, but the lives and futures of people around us? A strange book that shows up on Doc’s desk causes Doc to look back on choices he made years ago and causes Mercy to evaluate choices she must make today.

An interesting book that I would recommend. River Jordan’s writing style made it difficult to put the book down. I kept wanting to find out what was going to happen next.  

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Seek Me with all your Heart by Beth Wiseman

The first in the A Land of Canaan series, Seek Me with all your Heart is a story about three Amish families who moved from Ohio and Pennsylvania to settle in Colorado. Each family had a reason for the move that they preferred to keep secret. However, as they spent time together and began to interact with an English member of the area, all the secrets come to light and they experience a new freedom in their lives.

Beth Wiseman deals with very real issues (bitterness, illness, financial issues, unforgiveness and loneliness) that many families face in today’s world, each issue particular to various members of the families. She brings them through heartache and tears into a life that is much better than they had ever thought possible.

I found this book very refreshing and dealing with more of todays issues than many of the other Amish fiction books that I have read. I look forward to reading more of the books in this series as they become available.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

God Gave Us the World – Lisa Tawn Bergren

A delightful young children’s book for ages 3-8, this story is about a young polar bear, named Young Cub, who learns there are different bears in other parts of the world. He wonders why. Mother bear begins the explanation by pointing out the differences in the snow that is falling. From there Little Cub learns that God is creative. Different bears look different, live in different parts of the world and eat all different foods than he does. As he learns about the world and the differences found there, Little Cub also comes to see that we must take care of this world we live in. Best of all he has a special place in this world.

An easy to follow story with beautiful artwork, I believe this book will hold the attention of any child who reads it or has it read to them.  

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400074488

Curiosities of the Civil War

Curiosities of the Civil Way by Webb Garrison is a unique and different view of the Civil War and those who were touched by it. While today these events cause no concern and may seem to be useless information, at the time they took place they held importance and had an impact on the outcome of many of the battles.

Name changes that some people did have lived with them through history. We don't even know their birth names now. Mr. Garrison tells us why many of these changes took place.Wives who followed their husbands into war and became nurses, spies or even soldiers are mentioned. The place of Negro soldiers in the war is also brought up - both the pros and the cons. Would you believe the most valuable item was the soldier's horse? How about newspaper men who traveled as doctors or even farmers just so they could get a story? These are just a few of the curiosities you will find in this book.

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.”