Ever Faithful 


I absolutely loved Karen Barnett's Vintage National Parks novels, including The Road to Paradise (set at Mt. Rainier in 1927) and Where The Fire Falls (set in Yosemite in 1929). I've been aching for the chance to read this one, and it did not disappoint. 

Elsie Brooks practically grew up in Yellowstone National Park. Her father is a ranger, and Elsie has loved working around the various campsites saving money to go to college. She dreams of becoming a teacher and making a difference in the lives of others.

The year is 1933 and the Depression has robbed many of their jobs. New Yorker Nate Webber wants to take care of his mother and siblings, but he can't find work anywhere, especially as an illiterate adult with a learning disability. He's a hard worker, though, and he jumps at the chance to sign on to the Civilian Conservation Corps, even though it will take him far from home.

Arriving at Yellowstone as a member of the CCC, Nate quickly rises among the ranks. The officers and rangers can see he has a natural aptitude for leadership and encouraging those around him. He finds ways to hide his lack of reading skills, certain that if anyone finds out he will be demoted and disgraced, and his family really needs the extra money he brings in as a crew leader.

Needing more funds for her college tuition, Elsie agrees to teach night classes to the CCC men. She wonders why Nate refuses to come despite his interest in Yellowstone and its history and geology. He attends their educational outings with obvious delight but avoids the classroom like the plague. 

As summer progresses a number of small fires lead the Yellowstone crew to suspect an arsonist is in their midst, stirring up the most painful memories of Elsie's past. Who could be behind such terrible acts? Can they find the culprit before lasting damage or loss of life occurs?

I loved both Elsie and Nate as characters, and the skillful writing kept me guessing as to the identity of the arsonist. Elsie's history and the scars she bears both on her heart and on her body made this a compelling story. There are many other layers in the plot that I don't have time to cover here, and all of them are very well done. I'd highly recommend this book for any fans of historical fiction.
 The Englisch Daughter


Roy Graber believes he's holding all the threads of his life together. Maybe poorly, but they're in hand. A year ago he was in a buggy accident that left him dependent on pain pills. While his wife Jemima and children were recovering, he spent one ill-advised night that he can't even remember with a former girlfriend from high school, and now he's the father of a baby born from someone besides his wife. Paying for Tiffany's medical expenses has completely wiped out Roy and Jemima's savings account, but when it comes time for the next big business purchase that they have been saving for, surely he can secure a loan.

Meanwhile Roy hires Chris Fisher to help him on their farm. Chris is immediately attracted to Roy's spirited sister Abigail, but he harbors secrets of his own that may make a relationship impossible. He loves boxing and is helping his brother repay debts by taking part in matches. 

Soon Roy and Chris both have their house of cards falling down around their ears, and the women are left picking up the pieces. Jemima is devastated by her husband's unfaithfulness and the multitude of secrets he's been keeping, and Abigail knows she doesn't want to enter a relationship with a man who is only halfway committed to the Amish way of life.

When baby Heidi needs rescuing, Roy feels strongly that he cannot turn his back on her, even if it means losing Jemima and his four other children. Heidi is no less precious in God's sight and Roy is willing to fight for her.

This book tackles a lot of very deep and difficult subjects. Is trust even possible after unfaithfulness or a string of bad decisions—or both? What does forgiveness look like with such grievous sin in the picture? What kind of boundaries should be in place as couples wade through these complex emotions? I give the authors much credit for not shying away or making light of any of these scenarios. While they are limited to addressing them within the scope of a novel, they do not go for easy answers. Each of the four main characters learn much about themselves and struggle with how to approach the situation. I would recommend The Englisch Daughter for anyone who enjoys deeply layered stories. The fact that this is Amish fiction is only one small layer among many.

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.
It's been a great year for books! Click on any title to read my original review, or click on the cover if you're interested in purchasing it.

In case you missed them, here are my posts on my favorite Non-Fiction, Novellas, Split-Time, and Contemporary stories from 2019.

More Than Words Can Say "More Than Words Can Say" by Karen Witemeyer
Abigail and Zach strike a marriage of convenience when she needs a man's name on the deed to her bakery. It doesn't take long to realize they are a more perfect fit than they could ever have imagined.

Where the Fire Falls "Where the Fire Falls" by Karen Barnett
Mystery and intrigue haunt artist Olivia Rutherford, while former pastor Clark Johnson just wants to live a quiet life as a Yosemite trail guide. Danger and need unite the two in a beautiful setting.

The Sky Above Us "The Sky Above Us" by Sarah Sundin
All Violet wanted to do was become a missionary, but WWII interrupted her plans. Adler Paxter is running, running, running from his bad decisions—and his story is one of the most powerful male story arcs I've seen!

This post contains affiliate links - click here for more information.
 Jesus Who Surprises


The Jesus Who Surprises is a look at all the ways our Savior shows up throughout the Old Testament. He's there from Genesis all the way through Malachi, sometimes more clear than others. Each chapter of this book ends with week-long Bible study activities for either individual or group use, and desires to promote the habit of seeing Jesus at work in our everyday lives as well as in the words of Scripture.

I appreciated the healthy dose of personal testimonies scattered throughout the chapters. It can be so faith-building to hear of God's working in the lives of others and know He desires to work on our behalf in similar mighty ways. We can never know how God will come through for us, but He has gone to great lengths to rescue us and have a relationship with us—He delights in walking with us through the ups and downs of life.

Some things from Scripture came to life in new ways for me in this book, and I got a lot from Dee's life story as well. I would recommend this for those looking for a Bible study or needing a reminder of how God is always at work even when we cannot see Him.

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
 Of Fire and Lions


I've wanted to read this book for a long time! Having followed it since pre-release buzz first began, it's been on my radar for quite a while. The stories depicted in the book of Daniel hold a certain fascination, as they show such big works of our God in undeniable ways. I was eager to see how Mesu Andrews would bring the story to light. 

The narrative style unfortunately took me out of the story before it even began. With back-and-forth settings, we open with Daniel as an old man, then rewind to the first day he was taken captive in Jerusalem, then ping-pong back to to old Daniel. Every time things would get interesting we'd be switched to another part of the story. I'm not a fan of non-linear storytelling, and it was exhausting to keep up with which characters belonged where and what was happening at any given time.

I also found the main character unlikable, and her journey not believable or interesting. I didn't even like Daniel very much. The most interesting scenes were any in which Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego appeared. I would have loved to see more of them.

The author did a great job setting the stage with vivid details. I loved her version of the fiery furnace, as it brought a whole new dimension of the account to life for me. She also did a good job showing the friendly relationship between Daniel and King Darius, and how distraught the young king was when he learned that one of his closest advisers was going to be thrown to the lions. There was plenty of good, enlightening Biblical content. I just wish Abigail/Belili had won my heart and that we could have progressed naturally through the story instead of the constantly shifting timelines.

I received my copy of the book from NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own.
No Ocean Too Wide 


When their widowed mother's illness and hospitalization leaves Katie, Grace, and Garth McAlister alone in 1909 London, the trio face hardship that soon lands them in a children's home. Although older sister Laura leaves her job as a lady's maid to try to reclaim her siblings, Katie and the others become part of the child emigration system and soon find themselves on their way to Canada.

Outraged, Laura uses an alias in order to be hired as an escort for the next group of children who will be leaving Britain. There is no measure she will not take to find each of her siblings and bring them home again.

While some children who make their way to Canada find loving homes, others face extreme hardship and abuse. The differing tales from the emigration system have put solicitors Andrew Frasier and Henry Dowd on the case to thoroughly investigate the various outcomes and turn in a report to the British government. Can Laura trust these gentlemen to help her, or would it be best to press forward on her own?

There is quite a bit of heartbreak in this book. I would not recommend it to sensitive readers or those who are triggered by accounts of child abuse. As Laura says in Chapter 19, "I don't take offense for myself, but I am offended for all the children who are suffering because of this broken system."

This is the first book in the McAlister Family series. As an oldest sister I could relate quite a bit to Laura. I hope there are happier days ahead for this family as the series continues!

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
Where the Fire Falls
This post contains affiliate links - click here for more information.


Olivia Rutherford has done everything in her power to shed the past and her old identity. She's changed her hair, her style, and her name. She has assumed a socialite persona and is trying to move in the right circles to allow her art career to take off. No one must ever truly get to know her. Her hard work might be beginning to pay off, but then she's commissioned to capture artwork for the one place she believes she must wholeheartedly avoid: Yosemite National Park.

Despite her protestations, her manager Frank insists that this Yosemite gig will set her on a fast track towards success and fame. While all Olivia really wants is to find a way to provide for the needs of herself and her teenage sisters, she feels like she has no choice but to follow through on the opportunity.

Having spent nearly three years trying to recover from the gossip that forced him to leave the ministry, Clark Johnson loves his work as a trail guide. He might not have a congregation, but he still communes with God every day through His beautiful creation. When he's tasked with escorting an artist who looks like nothing more than a shallow flapper and a small entourage of her friends, Clark realizes he's going to need all his faith and plenty of patience to put up with the citified group.

As we all know, the past often refuses to stay buried, especially if you're treading on familiar paths. Olivia comes to recognize the call of real beauty, real authenticity as she explores the grandeur of Yosemite. She's never been in more danger of being exposed, and quickly realizes that more than financial harm may come her way if her secret becomes known.

I enjoyed everything about this book. It's set in 1929 at a beautiful location, so it's got all the right points for this reader. I loved Clark's sustaining faith despite his own questions, and Olivia's strength in the midst of her brokenness had me cheering for her right away. This book has compelling characters, a fair amount of action, and a mystery that will keep you guessing. I'd recommend it for all historical fiction fans.

Check out the video below for a view of the natural Firefall at Yosemite, or click here if you're interested in purchasing this book.

Christmas Remedy


Holly Zook has respectfully pressed beyond the Amish social norms to become a pharmacy tech, and she is even pursuing further education with the support of her bishop. She sees the need for her people to realize that consistent medical care can save lives and reduce physical suffering. Understanding that this strange passion may lead her to a life of singleness, since working outside the home is frowned upon once a woman marries, Holly is willing to make the sacrifice.

Working at Greene's Pharmacy has been fulfilling for her, not just because she's able to help people, but also because pharmacist Lyle Greene has become a father figure in Holly's life after her own father's early passing. As our story opens Lyle is facing a health crisis of his own, and the complications that come with it may mean that the pharmacy has to permanently close its doors.

While fighting for her friend and the business close to her heart, Holly must work with Lyle's son Brandon, who is on the verge of receiving his pharmacist's license himself, and Joshua Smucker, a young Amish man from a neighboring district who has liked Holly from afar. As Christmas approaches, can they save Greene's Pharmacy and bring better awareness of medical care to Holly's beloved Amish people?

I appreciated Holly's determination to help her community and her willingness to push past tradition. I confess I found it hard to get into this book at first for a few reasons, but the more I got into the story the more I enjoyed it. I liked that the obstacles our characters faced all carried weight and were not easily overcome, because it gave the story a level of reality as they worked for a good outcome through all the trials.

If you enjoy heartwarming Amish fiction or holiday stories, this might be one for you to pick up!

I received an advanced reading copy from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.

No One Ever Asked


As far as I am concerned, Katie Ganshert is in a class by herself when it comes to tackling sensitive issues in fiction. If you haven't read her books yet, please consider checking them out!

"No One Ever Asked" tells the story of three women whose lives are connected by the merging of two school districts. Camille Gray is a go-getting mom of 3 whose life seems to be unraveling by the seams. Her husband is pulling away, her oldest is about to drive her to distraction, and when she speaks up at a school meeting she is branded as a racist.

Jen Covington's dreams of motherhood finally came true when she and her husband brought home their daughter from Liberia, but being Jubilee's mom is more difficult than anything she could have imagined. Was international adoption really the right choice for them?

Anaya Jones is just beginning her career as a teacher, and feels like she's turning her back on her father's legacy by accepting a position at a more upper class, mostly white school. She wonders if she can find her voice and make a difference or if she'll be marginalized and unheard.

This story deals with a lot of deep and delicate issues. How race is perceived in America. Adoption. Violence. Assumption of guilt. Marital problems. Sexual harassment. This is not a book to curl up and read on a rainy day. It's a book that will make you think, that will make you weep over divisions and preconceived notions between people. It's a book that aims to tear down walls and facilitate both self-reflection and discussion. 

This is a book everyone should read. And then let it make a difference in their lives.
As The Tide Comes In



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About the Book:

When an unthinkable loss sends Tara Abbott's life spiraling out of control, she journeys from North Carolina to Georgia's St. Simons Island. Although confused and scared, she hopes to find answers about her past - her life before the years of foster care and raising her two half-brothers as a young adult. Will she find steady ground on the island, surrounded by an eccentric-but-kindhearted group of older women called The Glynn Girls and a determined firefighter? Or will the truth splinter what's left of her identity into pieces?


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 How to be a Perfect Christian


This is a work of satire.


That's important for you to understand right off the bat. As a work of satire, it's brilliant and ingenious. It shows the foibles of American cultural Christianity in a way that will make you laugh out loud on one page and feel punched in the gut on the next when you realize that you may be guilty of some of this wayward thinking. 

The first part of the book is dedicated to helping the reader find the perfect you-centered church. There are helpful tips like making sure the church's name "sounds like either a retirement community or a natural disaster," a check list for what to look for in a worship leader, plus a quick breakdown of every denomination and what is acceptable to find in a statement of faith. I loved the section on how to avoid getting involved in ministry, or if you do give in to peer pressure and find yourself serving somewhere, listing out the highlights and low points of various ministries within the church. 

There's a whole section about how to convey your holiness and spirituality online. You're given tips for all the right hashtags to use and how to choose a profile picture that best portrays your Christian maturity. Don't forget to engage with everyone who disagrees with you so you can show your superior knowledge on all matters - "It's well known that the majority of converts to Christianity came to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior after a Christian friend just went nuclear on them online." (Chapter 5) 

The last part of the book details becoming the perfect Christian in your home and social sphere, and I didn't enjoy this as much because unfortunately it hit a little too close to home. For example, I didn't laugh when I read in Chapter 10 that Jesus's true intention in coming to earth was "to establish His kingdom through a political party, namely, the Republicans." I happen to know people who really and truly believe things like that, and I was actually raised in a home that comes close to matching the suggestions laid out in Chapter 8. It's different if you've lived it and have had to navigate those waters.

My favorite part of the book were the fake quotes from famous Christians through the ages, as well as the variety of charts and graphs creatively sprinkled in. Overall I'd recommend this title to everyone with a sense of humor, especially if you've been in the trenches of church ministry. This book will be making the rounds among our church staff!

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
It's always fun to look back at my favorite books on the year! It was hard to select only one for each genre, as there were so many good reads from 2017. You can click on any of the titles below to read my full review.

Historical Fiction




The Road to Paradise by Karen Barnett


This story set in 1927 in Mt. Rainier National Park has all the charm of classic literature, including a heroine who is a true lady while also standing up for what she believes. 


Young Adult Fiction

kids playing basketball


The Lewis & Clark Squad Series by Stephen Bly


I revisited these childhood favorites and thoroughly enjoyed them! This is a six-book series about a group of teens participating in a summer basketball league. It's all about fun, faith, and friendship!


Contemporary Fiction




"Life After" by Katie Ganshert

The sole survivor of a terrorist bombing tries to come to terms with her new lease on life while being wracked with guilt that she lived when others did not. Very thought-provoking and well-written.


Non-Fiction




"Women Who Move Mountains" by Sue Detweiler


While this is supposed to be a book on prayer, I found it more to be a book on walking confidently and securely as God's child. So much good encouragement!


Classic Literature




"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens


This tale may be short, but it is packed full of wonderful lines and thoughtful reminiscing. Ebeneezer Scrooge's gratefulness to be alive and able to change his ways gets me every time!


Novella





"One Enchanted Noel" by Melissa Tagg

Delightful characters with emotional depth set in a charming fictional small town. The whole Enchanted Christmas Collection is a real gem!



 


The Ohio-Kentucky frontier was a fierce and often frightening place to be in 1774. Clare Inglesby is reluctantly traveling west with her adventure-seeking husband when tragedy strikes. Philip is killed, their four-year-old son Jacob disappears, and she is left alone in the wilderness with a brand new baby. Determined to find Jacob no matter the odds, Clare is forced to depend on the kindness of one man to escort her into the foreign world of the native Indians.

Jeremiah Ring has a past full of mystery and is now able to fully blend in with either Indian or white man. He can't abandon Clare after he finds her in the middle of the woods, not when he may be the only one who can help her. Especially not once he realizes that his Indian family may be the key to discovering Jacob's whereabouts.

I have heard so many good things about Lori Benton's books! While I love historical fiction, I must admit I'm most drawn to nineteenth and twentieth century tales, so the intense wilderness theme and strong Native American plotline did not engage me as it might other readers. Another thing that detracted from the novel for me was the fact that the author took so long in spelling out the characters' backstories that I felt like I did not know them, and had stopped caring by the time the revelation came. I also could not relate to Clare at all. My favorite relationship within the story was Jeremiah's devotion to baby Pippa, which I felt was sadly under-utilized.

This novel is a deep well of loss, pain, fighting, determination, and learning to trust God and others when everything in life is beyond our control. I can see why its depth would speak to many.  Due to how interested I became in some of the minor characters I will definitely be reading more of this author's work in the future.

I received my copy of the book from LitFuse Publicity. All opinions in this review are my own. If you would like to see what other people are saying about "Many Sparrows," click here.


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an Amish woman drinks coffee


This conclusion to the Amish of Summer Grove series continues the story of Ariana and Skyler, two young women who were switched at birth. In Book One the mistake was uncovered, and in Book Two the women traded places, with Ariana going out into the world to learn new things and Skyler experiencing the Amish way of life for the first time. Ariana managed to reach an agreement with her biological family to go back to the Brennemans before the end of their one-year deal, but now that she is home she's met by a cacophony of inner voices telling her who she is and what she should believe. Has she lost herself in the midst of trying to navigate both Amish and English worlds? 

Meanwhile Skyler has remained on the farm, recovering from her bad choices in the past and learning about the joy of hard work and family togetherness. She isn't really thinking of joining the faith that binds her Amish family together, but she has come to value much about it. She gains clarity about her goals and dreams through the love and support the Brennemans offer her.

Though Skyler is flourishing, Ariana feels like she's drowning. Her district ministers are in a hurry for her to renounce any form of worldliness she came across while she was away, but she refuses to lose contact with her biological family or turn her back on the things she's learned. She would like to see reform within the Amish church to bring the Old Ways more into balance with the Bible, but that's a tall order for any twenty-year-old woman.

This book felt a bit like the series had become larger than the author originally intended. For example, in the first two books I felt like Lovina was a valuable point of view character to help us understand the anguish she felt at finding out the daughter she raised was not her own. In "Gathering the Threads," the scenes from Lovina's perspective were more confusing than anything, because all but one of them seemed like they would have made more sense if they had been presented from Ariana's viewpoint. I nearly felt the same way with Abram as a point of view character, although I did enjoy the wrapping up of his storyline. It just seemed like too many characters for this particular story.

I also did not like how the passage of time was portrayed in the later chapters of this novel. It seemed like it was the quickest way to show the progression of time, but was rather clinical and put distance between me as a reader and the journey of the characters. While I do believe the series ended as it was always meant to, I felt like we missed the joy of coming to Ariana's final conclusions alongside her. After the jump of so much time, we were reintroduced at the point of  Ariana's making decisions, rather than shown her growth and struggle to reach them. It felt rushed and was disappointing to me in that aspect.

That said, I still enjoyed this whole series and feel that this book in particular delves into some of the very real problems in the Amish faith. Cindy Woodsmall did an excellent job exposing them in an understandable way through Ariana's unique experiences. I look forward to Cindy's next release and all she'll bring to her readers in the future!

I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
 book cover featuring Mt. Rainier


Naturalist Margaret Lane is seeking refuge and refreshment in her new post at Mt. Rainier National Park. Leaving behind an engagement to a master manipulator, Margie hopes to reconnect with God and share the joy and beauty of His creation with those around her. It's not what might be expected of a senator's daughter, but Margie is perfectly content and ready to embrace the mountain she has loved all her life.

Having a woman on staff was not Chief Ranger Ford Brayden's idea, especially not one with so little practical experience who sees the Almighty in every leaf and flower. Ford isn't interested in faith, especially not after the accident that claimed his faithful father's life. Yet there's something pure and alluring about Margie and her sincere approach to life.

Margie has hardly settled in before it becomes clear that her former fiance has become aware of her location. Philip Carmichael will stop at nothing to reclaim Margie, or destroy her life if her cannot have her. His attention soon turns to wrecking everything she loves about Mt. Rainier and the beautiful national park. It's a battle of heart and determination in this first novel in Karen Barnett's Vintage National Park series.

I found this book thoroughly delightful. Margie seemed wonderfully old-fashioned even for the 1927 setting, with all the best qualities of classic heroines. She's a mix of quiet strength and gentle conviction. There is plenty of action to keep the reader glued to the pages, cheering wholeheartedly for Margie and Ford to find a way to beat Philip and his suave machinations. This unique and captivating story will appeal to historical fiction fans.

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
A woman sits by a pond 


Willow Tree Cafe represents everything to Robin - her plans, her dreams, her hopes. She opened it after her young husband's unexpected death, and it has kept her going through her grieving process. Now condominium developer Ian McKay wants to buy out Willow Tree and the surrounding businesses in order to put in a new project for his father's company. Robin's a fighter who isn't about to give up everything so quickly.

One thing I liked about this novel was that it took the main characters a while to come to understand each other. This isn't a "love at first sight" story, which felt refreshing. One thing I didn't like about the book was that it seemed to be lacking the Katie Ganshert depth and insight I've come to expect from her more recent releases. A Broken Kind of Beautiful is about a fashion model who finds herself floundering when the only identity she's ever known is slipping from her grasp. The Art of Losing Yourself is the story of two sisters raised by an abusive mother and how each took their pain and let it shape them in very different ways. Life After tells of one young woman's journey after being the sole survivor of a bombing. Each of those stories so unique and packs an emotional intensity that I felt was lacking here. This was Ganshert's sophomore release and I can tell she has grown since then.

I would highly recommend each and every one of the novels linked above, and I can't wait to see what Katie is going to publish next!



I have been drawn to Katie Ganshert's vulnerable writing style ever since I was first introduced to her, and "Life After" is a wonderful addition to her published works. With much depth and feeling, Katie explores what it means to continue living when your reality has been shattered beyond recognition.

Autumn Manning was taking the train home one spring evening when a bomb went off. Twenty-two people were killed in the blast. Autumn was the only survivor. This novel picks up on the one-year anniversary of the bombing, and while Autumn has healed physically, she remains broken and scarred emotionally. She feels unable to move on with life in any form, even though circumstances are going to force her to confront certain things, like the fact that after next month she will no longer be able to pay her rent. The time has come to consider getting a job and going out in public again.

Her reintroduction to society is sped up when a 12-year-old girl knocks on her door. It's Reese, a girl who lost her mom in the train explosion and who has been writing letters to Autumn all throughout the last year. Desperate in her own way for help and healing, Reese has come to Autumn in hopes that they can find something in a relationship with each other. 

Reese's father, Paul Elliott, can't believe his daughter has chosen Autumn Manning, of all people, to seek out. The more he tries to refocus his daughter away from the woman she has obsessed over, the more Reese shuts him out. He wants to help his daughter, yet is Autumn really the right person? 

At Reese's suggestion, Autumn begins putting together a video tribute for the victims of the bombing. This means contacting each family and sitting down for an interview. To Autumn's surprise this actually goes much smoother than she is expecting, but Paul pulls Reese away from the project and is adamant that their family will not be taking part. As the big day approaches for the video memorial's big screening, will Paul and Autumn be able to get on the same page? Will Reese be able to accept the things she can change and the things she can't?

I had a very hard time putting this novel down. It was very thought-provoking and gripping, even with such somber subject matter. Secrets and pain played a big part in the plot, but so did learning about life in the midst of tragedy. This is a story I won't be forgetting, and one I look forward to rereading in the future.

I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.



John Newton is best known as the man who penned the lyrics of the classic hymn "Amazing Grace." In her new release, Jody Hedlund offers a look into Newton's eighteenth century life, and the story behind the woman who inspired him through many tumultuous years.

Still a teenager when he met steady and sensible Polly Catlett, Newton fell head over heels in love with her. Though he was scheduled to leave and take up a job for his father's friend in Jamaica, he overstayed and missed his boat's departure by several weeks, causing him to eventually find other employment as a sailor. This wasn't the only time the rather irresponsible Newton missed out on work because of a desire to stay close to Polly. He really believed that with his charm he could recover from any setback and in time become a man worthy of Polly's hand.

Polly struggles with trying to be "good enough" to earn God's favor through a pious life and charitable actions. While she can admit that John's attentions turn her head, she doesn't think he would make a proper husband and provider. Her goals to further her education and find a suitable husband are somewhat in jeopardy by her father's resistance to the local smuggling ring and her cousin's abolitionist antics.

When Newton finds himself press-ganged into the navy, his lack of personal diligence soon puts him at odds with his captain and shipmates. Through whippings and storms and time spent in Africa, God is yet calling John to Himself. It is the remembrance of beautiful and pure Polly which helps Newton not completely give up on life, and eventually return to England as a changed man to try to convince her to marry him.

I was impressed with the restraint Jody Hedlund showed with this novel. The romance was gentle and not over the top. While by necessity she had to discuss and describe things relating to Britain's slave trade, it was not glorified in any way and kept to a minimum. As usual, the author did a wonderful job keeping things historically accurate. If you'd like more information about this novel, please click here.

Thank you to the publisher for my copy of the book. All opinions in this review are my own.



The year is 1915 when we rejoin the Ramsey family, whom we have followed in The Governess of Highland Hall and The Daughter of Highland Hall. With England embroiled in the Great War, many men are joining the armed forces, including Alex Goodwin, longtime friend of Julia and Jonathan. A fearless pilot, Alex agrees to correspond with Penny Ramsey when he is shipped off to France.

With Zeppelins bombing London, Penny and her sister Kate retreat to the safety of their family home in the country, bringing with them Kate's large family of adopted children. Helping with the boisterous youngsters keeps Penny busy, but not so busy to keep from missing her new friend and praying for his safety.

As Alex goes on missions and builds up a reputation, he takes great comfort thinking of Penny's sweetness and growing affection towards him. After a turbulent home life while growing up, it seems too good to be true that he could have a hope for a happy future. If he survives the war, that is. With the short life expectancy for pilots, Alex knows there's no guarantee for tomorrow.

While this book almost seemed to have too many characters, I would have missed any storyline that was left out. The novel was fascinating from a World War I standpoint, with an emphasis on the new ways war was being waged in the sky, with Germany thinking they had superior air technology with their Zeppelins. I also had not realized there were German internment camps in England during World War I, and the story of Marius being imprisoned for his heritage was very touching. I love learning history through a well-written story!

Through all the long and uncertain days, Penny, Alex, Marius, and the rest face challenges that will shake their faith. I greatly enjoyed this series by Carrie Turansky and would definitely recommend it to all historical fiction fans.



Life could not have changed more dramatically for either Ariana Brenneman or Skyler Nash. In this sequel to "Ties That Bind," the two twenty-year-old women who discovered they were switched at birth are now trying to fit in with their biological families. Ariana has agreed to leave her Amish home for a one-year trial period in exchange for her father not suing the midwife who made the mistake, while Skyler chose a year with her Amish family rather than going to rehab for a drug addiction.

Ariana has a sincere desire to do her best in getting to know her new family, but she is quickly overwhelmed by all they ask from her. Her biological father is an atheist who challenges the beliefs she was raised with, and he gives her a 'bucket list' of experiences she can pursue in order to earn points towards a visit with her boyfriend. The title of this book perfectly describes the confusion and self-doubt Ariana goes through as she navigates the changes that have been thrust upon her.

Meanwhile Skyler is determined to be as insolent and difficult as possible towards the Brennemans, feeling like her parents disowned their troubled daughter in exchange for a chance to bring home a brand new innocent one. She believes she can still find suppliers to keep her drug habit going, and as soon as she can manage it she plans to run away. Yet as she unwillingly helps around the farm and in the cafe that Ariana bought just before finding out about her heritage, something begins to change inside Skyler. If this is what working together and truly loving others looks like, maybe she could begin to accept the love and care the Brennemans are offering.

We also continue following Quill, the former Amishman who helps families who want to leave the Amish community. Having facilitated Ariana and Skyler reuniting with their biological families, he is the last person Ariana wants to reach out to, but he is also the only one who can help her make sense of all she is thinking and feeling.

I greatly enjoyed the second book in The Amish of Summer Grove series. Cindy Woodsmall has a way of drawing you in with characters you can't help but cheer for. If you would like more information about this story, please click here.

I received an advance reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review. All opinions are my own.

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