Book Review and Giveaway: Plain Proposal by Beth Wiseman

This is a sweet, easy Amish romance.
Plain Proposal (Daughters of the Promise Book 5)
by Beth Wiseman

File Size: 872 KB
Print Length: 305 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (March 28, 2011)
ASIN: B004P5NRQ0
Genre: Amish, Inspirational, Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Miriam secretly vows to follow Saul no matter what the future holds. She never thought that future might take them away from their Amish community.
Miriam Raber could have her pick of any of the eligible bachelors in Lancaster County. But she only has eyes for one . . . Saul Fisher. He captured her heart years ago, and she's never looked back. Even when rumors circulate that Saul may leave their Amish community to pursue a once-in-a-lifetime apprenticeship, Miriam makes a bold assertion: she will stand by him, whether he stays or goes.
Saul Fisher has experienced an inordinate amount of loss in his short life. Raising his two brothers and caring for a grieving father who privately seeks solace in the comfort of his homemade wine, Saul has kept his father's drinking from the community. But if he leaves Lancaster, the burden of secrecy will be left to his young brothers. How does he balance this with the dream that burns bright within him?
As Miriam and Saul consider leaving their lives behind, God starts revealing things to Miriam that make her think twice about what it means to be a Daughter of the Promise, and what it means to make a home.
Experience this love story with a surprising resolution by one of the most popular voices in Amish fiction.

Review:
Miriam Raber, at eighteen, is a lovely young woman who hasn’t dated in her Amish community as she is waiting for the right boy. She has believed for years that Saul Fisher is the one for her. This troubles her mother as it is well known that Saul has had a couple of rumbles and now there are rumors that he has plans to leave the community. Why can’t Miriam be interested in Jesse who is interested in her? Jesse is handsome, kind, hardworking and an excellent choice for a partner.

Miriam is looking forward to her first outing with Saul when she learns that her cousin, Shelby, has arrived from the city. Shelby is disgruntled and wary after suffering through her parents’ divorce and getting herself into a bit of trouble which has resulted in her being ‘sent away’ to her Amish cousins. The Amish farm is a culture shock for Shelby and Miriam tries her best to make her feel welcome.

Saul cares for Miriam and wants the chance to spend time with her even though he knows he shouldn’t. He has dreams that will take him to the city if only things remain smooth at his home so he can comfortably leave his younger brothers with their father. But their father is still having struggles after the death of Saul’s mother and sister. Saul is torn between protecting his family, wanting to be with Miriam and pursuing his dream.

Miriam believes that she is willing to be with Saul no matter where he goes but she doesn’t understand his moods as he seems to be pushing her away. She doesn’t yet know the extent of his dreams or his home problems. Will she still be supportive when she learns the full truth?

Initially Miriam’s mother is judgmental of Saul and later misjudges Shelby for influencing Miriam. Later her father becomes controlling as he fears Miriam may choose to leave the community.

Miriam’s parents are walking a fine line between trying to hold on to their beloved daughter and allowing her freedom to make her own decisions. Saul is hiding secrets at home rather than seeking help from others in their community. Shelby is finding her way to rebuilding her relationship with God as she discovers benefits and peace in the simple lifestyle of the Amish community.

This is a sweet story with likeable characters. It reads quickly and easily and the conflicts create a good plot. I really like the premise of what it means to be “a Daughter of the Promise”. There are several faith issues reflected and there are good discussion questions at the end. There are also some yummy recipes. (I’m eager for my hubby to make the Overnight Blueberry French Toast.) I recommend this to readers who enjoy Amish romances.

This was our Ladies Book Club read for April. It qualifies for Mount TBR and "P" in Alphabet Soup Challenge.

GIVEAWAY:

One (very gently read) PRINT COPY - US Only

ENTRY FORM HERE

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For 3 Extra Bonus entries

(a) comment on the review, OR

(b) Visit the Author's website and tell me something you learned or like there.

* This contest is open to US for Print Copy.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) May 27, 2017. Winner will be announced in the Sunday Post on 2/26/17.
Winners are asked to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.

Book Review and Giveaway: An Amish Kitchen Anthology

This is a lovely collection of sweet romances served up with inspiration and yummy recipes too!
An Amish Kitchen Anthology/Collection
by Beth Wiseman (Author), Amy Clipston (Author), Kelly Long (Author)

• File Size: 666 KB
• Print Length: 337 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1401685676
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (December 18, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B008GVZ1YU

Genre: Amish Inspirational
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: December 18, 2012

The Amish Kitchen is the Heart of the Home – and the Ideal Setting for Stories of Love and Hope.

Fall in Paradise, Pennsylvania always brings a brisk change in the weather. This time also provides unexpected visitors, new love, and renewed hope for three women.

Fern has a green thumb for healing herbs and flowers, but longs for love to bloom in her life. The next-door neighbor’s oldest son Abram comes running into Fern’s kitchen seeking help for his little sister. The crisis soon leads to a promise of romance—until an incident threatens to end their growing attraction.

Nearby, Hannah runs her parents’ bed and breakfast, Paradise Inn—but her life feels nothing like Paradise. She longs for a man of integrity to enter her life, but never expected him to knock on the front door looking for a room. Will she be able trust Stephen with her future once she discovers his mysterious past?

When a storm blows a tree onto Eve’s farmhouse, she has little choice but to temporarily move her family into her parents’ home. Outside of cooking together in the kitchen, Eve and her mother can’t agree on anything. But this may be just the recipe for hope in healing old wounds.

Three Amish stories—each celebrating love, family, and faith—all taking place in a tight-knit community where the kitchen truly is the heart of the home.

Review:
This collection consists of three lovely stories that could be read separately but tie together beautifully. The themes of the first two stories, faith and forgiveness, are extended and wrapped into the final with a remarkable flow. I would be pleased to read more from each of these talented authors.

A Taste of Faith by Kelly Long
Fern is a bit on the plump side but thinks there must be a man who would appreciate her special talents. She has been taught by her beloved grandmother how to grow and use herbs for healing. She admires her next-door neighbor’s quiet son, Abram, but he seems to be a resolute bachelor.

Abram has been left in charge of the farm and his younger siblings, four mischievous boys and a sweet little sister. Abram is soon visiting Fern’s house repeatedly for one child crisis and injury after another. He slowly begins to see the special healing and loving touch that Fern shares with others.  Just as Abram decides he wants to court Fern, she sees him at the home of a widow in the community. She jumps to the wrong conclusion and thinks he has been making fun of her.

The characters are warm and the story flows easily with love and caring. It was beautiful how Fern recognized that God likes ‘to garden our souls.’ While working together in the kitchen, her grandmother encourages her to have  ‘a taste of faith’ and trust for a relationship that is God’s plan for her.

A Spoonful of Love by Amy Clipston
Hannah wishes her mother would recognize her abilities as she takes over managing the Paradise Inn, the bed and breakfast her parents established in their Amish community. Her father has suffered a stroke and her mother needs to be there to take care of him. Hannah feels her mother still looks over her shoulder and tries to control the lives around her.

Stephen is an Amish man who has come into town looking for room and work. He is unable to find a job among the local business but starts to pitch in on odd jobs at the Inn. Hannah’s brother agrees to hire him as a handy man since he has been unable to get by to help with the chores as he is busy with his own new family. 

Hannah’s mother is alarmed to have a single man living in the B&B. Hannah recognizes that Stephen is hiding pain from his past as they slowly build a friendship and discover they have a lot in common. But will  Stephen’s past turn Hannah against him or can she convince him that ‘a spoonful of love’ and forgiveness can help him move on to a sweeter future?

Ms. Clipston shares a strong message of God’s forgiveness, community forgiveness and the need to forgive oneself. The story is rich in “Deutsche” words which I enjoyed particularly since I grew up near Pennsylvania Dutch communities.

A Recipe for Hope by Beth Wiseman
Eve’s home is damaged by a storm and may take several months to rebuild.  Eve, her husband and three sons move in with her parents.  Although she has warm memories of times cooking in the kitchen, Eve has always had a strained relationship with her mother, Rosemary. Now Rosemary is suffering from Parkinson’s disease and is reluctant to seek modern help, relying only on herbal remedies.

Eve’s father is quiet, easy going and accepts the actions of the teenage twins, one of whom is sneaking out at night to visit a local girl. Rosemary doesn’t agree with the modern technologies that are allowed in many Amish homes and particularly doesn’t agree with how Eve is raising her sons.  The women clash with Eve feeling she can do nothing to win her mother’s love.

A crisis arises between the twins putting the whole family on edge. Can the boy's relationship be restored and can Eve and Rosemary come to a better understanding of each other?

There are several messages flowing through this story. Mother and daughter clash over tradition and more modern thinking, while the twins discover that first love doesn’t always run smooth. I felt sorry for the young girl whose behavior led to trouble, confusion and sorrow and hurt for her as well as the boys. I loved the Recipe of Hope that is shared at the end of the story - it brought tears to my eyes.

There is a wonderful Reading Group Guide shared at the back and many delicious recipes that are an extra treat. If you enjoy the rich history and inspiration of Amish stories I encourage you to pick up this collection.

I received this title through NetGalley for an honest review and giveaway opportunity from Thomas Nelson.

This story is set in Pennsylvania for my 2013 Where Are You Reading Challenge.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY FOR PRINT COPY FROM PUBLISHER - US ONLY.

USE ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit one of the authors' links and tell me something you find of interest.
Kelly Long
Amy Clipston
Beth Wiseman
* This contest is open US Only.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on February 15, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on February 16, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review and Giveaway: His Love Endures Forever by Beth Wiseman

I loved this engaging story!

His Love Endures Forever (A Land of Canaan Novel)

by Beth Wiseman

File Size: 692 KB
Print Length: 317 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1595548882
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 2, 2012)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English

Genre: Inspirational Romance

My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2, 2012

An unplanned pregnancy. An absent father. Can love really endure all things?

Danielle Kent is anything but Amish. But as destiny would have it, she has fallen in love with an Amish man.

Now she’s 18, pregnant, and hopeful that the child’s Amish father—Matthew Lapp—will do the right thing and marry her. She knows Matthew plans to leave his Colorado settlement for a life in the Englisch world. But that plan never included a baby.

When Matthew walks away from her and their unborn child, she has nowhere to turn. Her unlikely friendship with Levi offers some comfort—yet they have so little in common. This wasn’t the plan she had for her life, and she has never felt so alone. She doesn’t want to be pregnant. Doesn’t want to be Amish. Doesn’t want to trust God.

And yet.

God has plans beyond what her mind can imagine . . . loving plans to show a lost young woman that His love never fails but endures forever.

“Wiseman is among the best at writing moving Amish fiction.” —Booklist review of The Wonder of His Love

Review:
Danielle Kent had a difficult childhood. Her father died when she was young and her mother beat her. Danielle ended up at age seventeen moving in with an older, and old-fashioned couple who live near, although are not part of, an Amish community. Her ‘guardians’ Martha and Arnold have treated Danielle as their own daughter. Although they dress conservatively they do have electricity, cell phones and use cars, unlike the Amish families. Martha attends the Amish Sunday services on a regular basis and takes Danielle along whenever she will go.

Danielle is comfortable with the Amish and has been dating Matthew, an Amish young man of her age from a neighboring community. Matthew’s family are not happy that he is dating an Englisch girl but he is in the period of “rumschpringe”, the ‘running-round time, when a teenager has not yet committed into the Amish faith. In fact, Matthew does not want to remain with his Amish family.  He wants to go away to college and he clearly doesn’t want to marry and start a family with Danielle even though their union has resulted in pregnancy.

Danielle is found weeping by her best friend, Levi, another Amish young man who has not yet been baptized into the community but whose faith is very strong. Levi has been trying to encourage Danielle to trust God.
Levi always planned to be baptized Amish and raise a family in the Amish faith. But Levi has dreams that lead him to propose to marry Danielle and raise the boppli (baby) as his own. Danielle initially rejects this arrangement but then agrees. Levi’s mother is horrified that her son might marry an Englisch girl and live outside the Amish community. She consults with Sarah, the Amish girl Levi has dated a few times, to find ways to convince Levi not to marry Danielle. Troubles and misunderstandings arise.

I particularly loved the character of Levi whose faith is so strong as he prays and tries to follow God’s calling. Danielle is an injured soul and although she does not plan to live in the Amish community, she is willing to remain nearby.  She is determined to raise her child in a loving environment.  It is interesting, and wonderful, to read how this couple overcomes obstacles and how matters unfold for them as they grow in their relationships.

The story is very well written in plot, character and themes. Ms. Wiseman deals with the prejudices and snobbery of the Amish against the Englisch as well as exploring deeper issues of forgiveness and trust. There is a revelation by Levi’s mother that opens her heart and changes her attitude. I was delighted with the story and plan to encourage my ladies’ book club to read this or another Wiseman title.

Word notes while reading: Sweet, warm, faith issues, prejudices, beautiful message!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Levi shares excitement in his faith with Danielle:

“Because when you feel the Holy Spirit, or when God answers a prayer, it’s an amazing feeling, and you know you’re part of something so much bigger than just yourself.”  Location 2075.

Levi’s Mother shares her faith with Danielle:

“He is the only way. That’s what I’m saying. If you’re feeling alone or longing for peace, He is the way.”  Location 2673.

I received this title from Thomas Nelson for an honest Review.

This story is set in Monte Vista, near the Sangre de Cristo mountain range in Colorado for my Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also add it to my New Author Challenge list.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the Print Copy:

ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open US and Canada.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on December 14, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on December 15, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.