The Post Card by Laura V. Hilton

David Lapp (from Promised to Another) survived a "code blue" when he was in a buggy/semi truck accident in Seymour, Missouri. Now after extensive therapy he has lingering mobility problems and is still struggling to find his place in the world. Lured away from Webster County by thoughts of closed buggies and a postcard friendship he's developed with an Amish girl in Jamesport, he moves north, hoping for a fresh start. He finds temporary work in the area teaching school, and also makes fishing flies and weaves baskets. He sells his products in the Amish markets in the Jamesport area.

Rachel Miller dreams of travel, but feels tied to her Amish life. She is being courted by Mark Graber, but wonders if there's more to life. When she sees David's name mentioned in The Budget, she strikes up a pen pal friendship with David while he's in the hospital and in therapy, consoling him when he and his girlfriend part ways. She never dreams that David will come north and move into her community. David is still fearful in the buggy, especially in high traffic areas. Feeling he's called by God to preach, David spends hours in the Bible, but the Amish discourage him, believing their ministers should be drawn by lot. Will David follow his call, even if it takes him out of the Amish church? Will Rachel realize her dream to travel?

I didn't realize, when I received this book, that it was the second in a series. But I have read enough of these types of books to pick up on different things that were said that led me to believe I wasn't at the beginning. But the book is still wonderful even if you don't know the back story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read a lot of Amish fiction - it's probably my favorite type of fiction. The culture of a slower paced life, focusing more on family and God - and of course the quilting! - draw me in. There are many different branches of the Amish community and I love reading how different authors portray the different communities. This story showed a difference that I have seldom seen explored - the idea that some Amish do not subscribe strictly to the Ordnung and the belief that the Bishop and the Pastors dictate what parts of the Bible are not to be followed. I loved that David and a few other characters (don't want to give any spoilers here) knew that they could be saved.

There were a couple of other reveals - that might not have been reveals if I had read the first book - that I wasn't sure where leading to where they led.

The characters where great - flawed but lovable. Some you just wanted to pray for because you knew they were wrong about things. And the descriptions - during the snow storm I wanted to get up and cover up with a quilt!

Highly recommended - whether you read the first book first or not - although I will be looking for that book shortly. And I will definitely be keeping my eye out for a follow up book to this one.

Jody

Thanks to Laura V. Hilton for providing me with this book for a fair and honest review.

Aloha Rose by Lisa Carter

When Laney Carrigan sets out to find her birth family, her only clue is the Hawaiian quilt—a red rose snowflake appliquéd on a white background—in which she was found wrapped as an infant. Centering her search on the Big Island and battling fears of rejection, Laney begins a painstaking journey toward her true heritage. Kai Barnes, however, is determined to protect the people he’s come to regard as family. He thinks Laney is nothing more than a gold digger and blocks every move she makes toward her Hawaiian family. As their conflict escalates, it puts at risk the one thing that Kai and Laney both want most—a family.

I simply love the Quilts of Love series. I have read at least ten of them and have not had a single one I didn't enjoy - so I was terribly upset to see that they are stopping the series at 25!

This book was just as good as every other one in the series. Set on the Big Island and using lots of Hawia'an terms (with a glossary in the back) and offering lush descriptions of the area, you felt like you were right there.

Twists and turns and some surprises I admit I didn't see coming made this a quite enjoyable book.

Highly recommended.

Jody

Steadfast Heart by Tracie Peterson

Despite her spoiled upbringing, twenty-year-old Lenore Fulcher isn't pretentious. She simply believes a marriage should be built on true love. Her father, however, thinks she's wasted enough time searching for the perfect husband. He wants to marry her off to one of his business partners--who is seventeen years her senior--an idea that is out of the question for Lenore.

Kolbein Booth, a young lawyer from Chicago, arrives in Seattle looking for his headstrong sister, who he believes may have answered an advertisement for mail-order brides. Sick with worry, he storms into the Madison Bridal School, demanding to see his sister, only to learn she isn't there. But Lenore Fulcher is, and something about her captures his attention.

Is this the man Lenore has been searching for? She may not have long to find out...

I always enjoy Tracie Peterson's books and anxiously looked forward to this one. But I struggled to get interested in it. The main characters, per the synopsis, are Kolbein and Lenore but the book seemed to be more about Abrianna. But other than that, I just could not get involved with these characters. I can't put my finger on what I didn't care for but it just didn't pull me in.

Jody

My copy of this book was generously provided by Bethany House Publishers for my honest review.

You Can, You Will by Joel Osteen

 


In this New York Times bestseller, Joel Osteen shares eight undeniable qualities of winners that can help you to reach your potential and achieve new levels of success in your life. You are created to be a winner. Get these eight principles deep down on the inside and boldly go in the direction of your destiny. 

Positive and inspirational - which pretty much sums up Joel Osteen himself - also sum up the tone of this book. With chapters like:

1. Keep Your Vision in Front of You - Dare to dream big dreams.
2. Run Your Race - Focus on your unique course and goals.
3. Expect Good Things - Anticipate great opportunities.
4. Have a Positive Mind-set - Take control of your thoughts and attitudes.
5. Commit to Excellence - Do your best and maintain high standards.
6. Keep Growing - Be proactive, be intentional, build on your gifts, and continually improve.
7. Serve Others - Invest yourself in others.
8. Stay Passionate - Light the fire within and approach life with enthusiasm.

 You can see the direction he takes in this book. Take your good qualities and build them up and use them to improve yourself and help others.

 Apply these principles to your life and see how you can grow and expand and reach the goals you are striving for.

Jody

My copy of this book was given to me free of charge in exchange for my honest review by Hatchette Book Group.  

Good Health, Good Life by Joyce Meyer

 

To do the work we are meant to do, our bodies need to stay in shape. In this compact read Joyce Meyer presents her twelve-key plan to address the "self esteem drought" which perpetuates the habits that cause poor health. As she explores each of the twelve keys for good health, she offers five methods for improving our physical and spiritual wellness.

This little book is divided into 12 sections making it perfect for a year long plan.

I decided to read through all the chapters - one a day and then go back and spend a month focusing on each individual chapter.

The topics include Get God's Help, Learn to Love Your Body, Exercise, Water Your Life, etc. All things geared toward helping you make changes that will enhance the body that God has given you.

Very helpful and enlightening.

Jody

My copy of this book was given to me free of charge in exchange for my honest review by Hatchette Book Group.