The Last Bride

Of her Old Order parents' five daughters, Tessie Miller is the last to marry. She has her heart set on Amishman Marcus King, but Tessie's father opposes the match.

Impetuously, Tessie and Marcus elope to the English world, then return to Hickory Hollow to live as singles, trusting they'll convince the Millers to give their love a chance over time. But when the unthinkable happens, Tessie faces the almost-certain censure of the People. Will she find a reason for hope in spite of her desperate plight?

This is the fifth book in the Home To Hickory series by Beverly Lewis. And what a fabulous addition to the series it is!

Tessie and Marcus throw caution to the wind when her father refuses to let them court and marry and elope. Hoping that they can change her father's mind and live together as man and wife, they meet secretly in the home Marcus is setting up for them.

But one day something terrible happens that will change everything. Can Tessie find a way to make her commitment to Marcus, her honor of her parents and her desire to join the Amish faith come together for a happily ever after?

Beverly Lewis is the absolute queen of Amish fiction. There is simply none better. And this story is just another jewel in her crown. Though this is part of a series, it, and all of the books in this series, can be read as stand alone novels.

Don't miss this one!

Jody

This book was provided free of charge by Bethany House Publishers for my honest review.

Through The Deep Waters

Born to an unloving prostitute in a popular Chicago brothel, timid seventeen-year-old Dinah Hubley was raised amidst the secrets held in every dark, grimy room of her home. Anxious to escape, Dinah pursues her dream of becoming a Harvey Girl, waiting tables along the railroad in an upscale hotel. But when she finds out she isn’t old enough, her only option is to accept a job as a chambermaid at the Clifton Hotel in Florence, Kansas. Eager to put everything behind her, Dinah feels more worthless than ever, based on a single horrible decision she made to survive.

The Clifton offers a life Dinah has never known, but blinded to the love around her, Dinah remains buried in the shame of her past. When a handsome chicken farmer named Amos Ackerman starts to show interest, Dinah withdraws further, convinced no one could want a sullied woman like her.  Despite his self-consciousness about his handicapped leg and her strange behavior, Amos resolves to show Dinah Christ’s love. But can she ever accept a gift she so desperately needs?

I don't know when I've read a book that has pulled me closer to God than this book. The message is not subtle but it's not pushy either -  it's just incredibly moving.

This book is wonderful reading entertainment - I couldn't put it down and read it in one day (staying up way, way into the night when I should have been asleep) but it's also a good story for anyone who is hurting. Anyone who feels unloved - anyone who needs to know that they are loved unconditionally.

The three main characters - Dinah, Amos and Ruthie - all have problems. Dinah is ashamed of her background. Amos has physical problems that are impossible to hide and make him a target of ridicule. Ruthie wants what she can't have. They are drawn with both strengths and weaknesses - just like all of us. And at the core, all three want the same thing - love.

Pick up this book - you won't regret it. Highly recommended.

Check out this link to read the first chapter:

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/SneakPeek_ThroughDeepWaters.pdf

And you can go here for more information on when the book will be available and how to order it:

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=221541

Jody

"I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review."