Somewhere To Belong

Somewhere to belong Somewhere To Belong

Somewhere to Belong (Daughters of Amana, Book 1) Somewhere To Belong

BOOK SUMMARY:

Johanna Ilg has lived her entire life in Main Amana, one of the seven villages inhabited by devout Christians who believe in cooperative living, a simple lifestyle, and faithful service to God. Although she’s always longed to see the outside world, Johanna believes her future is rooted in the community. But when she learns a troubling secret, the world she thought she knew is shattered and she is forced to make difficult choices about a new life and the man she left behind. Berta Schumacher has lived a privileged life in Chicago, and when her parents decide they want a simpler life in Amana, Iowa, she resists. Under the strictures of the Amana villages, Berta’s rebellion reaches new heights. Will her heart ever be content among the plain people of Amana?

AUTHOR BIO:

Judith is an award winning and best-selling author of historical fiction for Bethany House Publishers. With a love of history, a dash of romance and a touch of mystery, Judith transports her readers to another time and place. Her passion for history and love of God keep her inspired. Judith and her husband are empty-nesters who live in the Flint Hills of Kansas.

MY THOUGHTS:

While I am a lover of Amish books I was almost more thrilled to find a book set in Amana.  I frequently stop at the Amana Colonies on my way to Chicago and  I have fallen in love with the historic place.  Judith Miller will take you back in time to when Amana was functioning as  a cooperative living set of villages.  She writes with a talent that keeps you interested and curious about what will happen next.  Two girls from very different worlds come together when Berta moves from Chicago to Johanna’s Amana.  They learn to cope and grow from each other’s flaws and when Johanna is in Berta’s Chicago the tables turn.  The story really shows what it is like to have “the shoe on the other foot”.

A copy of Somewhere To Belong was provided for review by Bethany House.

 

The Lost Children

lost children The Lost Children
The Lost Children The Lost Children

BOOK SUMMARY:

Josephine Russing owns 387 pairs of gloves. She’s given a new pair every week by her father, a sullen man known best for his insistence that the citizens in town wear gloves at all times. A world away, the children of Gulm have been taken. No one knows where they might be, except the mysterious and terrifying leader of the land: The Master. When a peculiar boy named Fargus shows up on Josephine’s property and then disappears soon afterward, she follows him without a second thought and finds herself magically transported to Gulm. After Fargus introduces her to his tough-as-nails friend Ida, the three of them set off on an adventure that will test everything Josephine has ever thought about the rules of the universe, leading to a revelation about the truth of the land of Gulm, and of Josephine’s own life back home.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carolyn Cohagan began her writing career as a stand-up comic, performing in comedy clubs all over the world. After studying physical theater at the Ecole International de Theatre Jacques LeCoq in Paris she began to write and perform award-winning one-woman shows and theater plays throughout North America and Canada. Since moving to Los Angeles she has worked as a freelance journalist, blogger, and red carpet host for Film Independent, a non-profit organization that produces the Los Angeles Film Festival and the Independent Spirit Awards. A passionate advocate for literacy among young readers, Carolyn mentors with the non-profit organizations Reading to Kids and Young Storytellers. The Lost Children is Carolyn’s first novel. She is currently working on a sequel entitled “Ida and the Unfinished City.” She’s also creating a performance piece based on “The Lost Children” that allows children to participate in the telling of the story by transforming them into physical elements of the scenes. In becoming the life on the story, children orchestrate and experience each moment of the story as their own and learn to develop confidence in their own unique ways of creative expression.

 

MY THOUGHTS:

This book is a good book for tween children.  In my opinion younger children may be frightened by the storyline.  The main character Josephine’s journey is one of growing up and learning self-confidence.  She stumbles upon a door that will take her to a different world.  During her travels she begins to get homesick, make friends (which she has never really had) and builds some self confidence.  There are many lessons to learn through the story.  If you child has enjoyed stories such as the Lemony Snicket series this book would be a good match.  If you are interested in purchasing this book visit The Lost Children The Lost Children.

A copy of this book was provided by J Squared PR for review purposes. 

The Bridegrooms

bridegrooms The Bridegrooms
The Bridegrooms The Bridegrooms

ABOUT THE BOOK:

It Only Takes an Instant for Love to Strike

Tragedy hits the Allenhouse family on a hot summer night in Ohio when a mother of four vanished. Eight-year-old Vada virtually grew up overnight and raised her three younger sisters while her father lost himself in his medical practice in the basement of their home.
 
Now, Vada is a grown woman, still making her home with her father and sisters. Her days are spent serving as an errand girl for Cleveland’s fledgling amateur orchestra; her evenings with Garrison Walker, her devoted, if passionless, beau.
 
Dizzying change occurs the day the Brooklyn Bridegrooms come to town to play the Cleveland Spiders and a line drive wallops the head of a spectator. The fan is whisked to the Allenhouse parlor, and questions swirl about the anonymous, unconscious man.
 
Suddenly, the subdued house is filled with visitors, from a flirtatious, would-be sports writer to the Bridegrooms’ handsome star hitter to the guilt-ridden ballplayer who should have caught the stray shot. The medical case brings Dr. Allenhouse a frustration and helplessness he hasn’t felt since his wife’s disappearance. Vada’s sisters are giddy at the bevy of possible suitors. And Vada’s life is awakened amid the super-charged atmosphere of romantic opportunity.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Allison Pittman is the author of Stealing Home, the Crossroads of Grace series, and her nonfiction debut, Saturdays With Stella. A former high-school English teacher, she serves as director of the theater arts group at her church. Allison makes her home in Texas with her husband and their three boys. Learn more about the author at www.allisonpittman.com

MY THOUGHTS:

Overall I enjoyed The  Bridegrooms.  I found it a bit slow at first but after I got into the story you start to realize how the beginning of the book is crucial to the rest of the story.  I love the format of the book being divided into sections of days.  The entire story takes place in a week but it is almost hard to believe as you read that you haven’t been part of the story for much longer than one week.  So much history entails this story.  There is a diverse group of characters and almost anyone can find someone to relate to in this novel. 

If you would like to see more reviews of this book or order a copy for yourself feel free to click the title link at the top of this post.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

The Right Call

I recently had the opportunity to finish reading “The Right Call” by Kathy Herman. This is the third book in the Sophie Trace Trilogy.  You can read my previous review of the second book as well.  Vanessa returns with Ethan from book two to be the primary characters in The Right Call.  This is a very easy and enticing read as you follow a story of gambling, secrets and the desire for people to be in control.  How do these characteristics fit into the Christian lifestyle and when we stumble how does one’s Christianity lead us to make different choices.  The twists and turns in The Right Call are going to lead you down these paths with the Jessup family. 

the right call The Right Call

The Right Call (Sophie Trace Trilogy) The Right Call

The downside to the book, it is the end of the trilogy and likely the retirement of the characters I have grown to love.  I am sure Kathy Herman’s next series will be just as brilliant but I am often disappointed when I finish a series of books that I have really poured myself into reading.

A copy of The Right Call was provided by B&B for the purposes of review.  No other compensation was provided.  Opinions are 100% mine.

The Busy Couple’s Guide to Sharing the Work & the Joy

busy couple The Busy Couples Guide to Sharing the Work & the Joy

The Busy Couple’s Guide to Sharing the Work and the Joy The Busy Couples Guide to Sharing the Work & the Joy

I have really enjoyed reading The Busy Couple’s Guide to Sharing the Work and the Joy by Kathy Peel.  The book is incredibly easy to read and follow.  The tips are helpful and not demeaning to either spouse.  You also get a great man point of view with excerpts from Bill Peel, Kathy’s husband.  The book talks about managing several areas including

  1. Time and Schedule
  2. Home and Property
  3. Menus and Meals
  4. Relationships with Friends and Family
  5. Finances
  6. Special Events
  7. Yourself
  8. Team Building

I really want to encourage you to pick up this book if you and your spouse struggle with who should do what or the who does more argument.  The tips and suggestions in this book are a great place to begin working out the who does what and making it a semi-peaceful journey.  Kathy speaks of her own past struggles and shows you a simpler way of dealing with your spouse without making you want to pull out your hair.  She also talks a lot about how to include the entire family and has several great family time ideas scattered throughout the book.  This book is definitely not just about work but the joy that comes in a harmonious home.

This is a Mama Buzz review. The product was provided by Tyndale House.