Almost Amish

Almost Amish
by Kathryn Cushman

From the back cover:

Overcommitted and overwhelmed, Julie Charlton is at the breaking point. She knows she should feel blessed as a mother and wife - but she just feels exhausted. And then, the miraculous happens. Her sister-in-law Susan, a Martha Stewart-in-training, lands the chance to participate in a reality TV series about trying to live like the Amish and needs another family to join her. It's just the break Julie needs. But the summer adventure in simple living soon proves anything but simple. With the camera watching every move, Susan's drive for perfection feels a lot like what they left behind, while Julie suddenly finds herself needing to stand up for slowing down. Whether it's cooking, cleaning, or dressing differently, each new Amish challenge raises new complications...and soon each woman learns unexpected lessons about herself and her family.

My take:

When I first heard about this book, I was really interested in reading it. I have wondered at times what it would be like to live the Amish life and was curious to see how the author would portray a family doing just that. The book started out fairly interesting. I really was interested in Julie's story and how she was going to deal with Susan, her controlling sister-in-law. Then the further I got, the more drawn out the story seemed. By the time I was halfway through the book, I was ready for the story to be finished. While it wasn't an awful book, it just didn't keep my attention. I have to give this one 3 1/2 stars.


About the author:

Kathryn Cushman is a graduate of Samford University with a degree in pharmacy. She is the author of four previous novels including Leaving Yesterday and A Promise to Remember, which were both finalists for the Carol Award in Women's Fiction. Kathryn and her family currently live in Santa Barbara, CA. She enjoys hearing from readers at kathryncushman.com and on Facebook.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Five Miles South of Peculiar

Five Miles South of Peculiar

by Angela Hunt

From the back cover:

Darlene Caldwell has spent a lifetime tending Sycamores, an estate located five miles south of a small town called Peculiar. She raised a family in the spacious home that was her grandfather's legacy and she enjoys being a pillar of the community...until her limelight-stealing twin sister unexpectedly returns. 

Carlene Caldwell, veteran of the Broadway stage, is devastated when she realizes that a botched throat surgery has spelled the end of her musical career. Searching for a new purpose in life, she retreats to Sycamores, her childhood home. 

Haunted by a tragic romance, Magnolia Caldwell is the youngest of the Caldwell girls. Nolie spends her days caring for her dogs and the magnificent gardens she's created, but when she meets a man haunted by tragedy, she must find the courage to either deny her heart or cut the apron strings that tie her to a dear and familiar place.

My take: 

I tried several times to get into this book, but each time I sat down to read it, I found myself disinterested. I don't know if it is because it is the type of book I am not used to or not. I do know that one of my friends really likes this book. I just can't recommend it myself because it bored me. I really wish I had a better review, because I would love to give this one 5 stars. But because I couldn't get interested in it, I have to give it 3. 

About the author:

Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected in novels from this versatile author. With nearly four million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 100 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to non-fiction books to novels. Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine's Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark Channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. Also in 2006, Angela completed her Master of Biblical Studies in Theology degree. She completed her doctorate in 2008 and was accepted into a Th.D program in 2009. When she's not home reading or writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers' conferences. And to talk about her dogs, of course. She is also an avid photographer, using her photos to help find homes for her local SPCA's shelter animals.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Glass Road Public Relations. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

God Makes Lemonade

God Makes Lemonade

by Don Jacobson

From the back cover

In God Makes Lemonade you'll read stories from everyday folks - people like you and me who discover unexpected sweetness in the midst of sour circumstances. Some of these real life stories are laugh-out-loud funny, others are sobering, and more than a few will have you reaching for a tissue. But these true stories all have one thing in common: hope. 

There's no question that life gives us "lemons," like issues with health, employment, and relationships - truly sour circumstances we wouldn't wish on anyone. But when those lemons become lemonade, it's as refreshing as an ice-cold drink on a hot summer day.

God Makes Lemonade is a wonderful collection of stories from ordinary people who, with God's help, rise above unfortunate circumstances in their lives. This is the type of book I would want to pick up when I'm going through a discouraging time, or am having a hard time seeing the good in my life. 

One other thing that I really liked about this book was its unique cover, printing style, and fonts. It really is a beautiful book!

I would recommend this book to anyone who needs a spiritual lift. Five stars!

About the author:

Don Jacobsen's twenty-five years in publishing included serving as the president and owner of Multnomah Publishers, where he oversaw the production of more than 1000 titles and the sale of more than 100 million books. Now Don and his wife, Brenda - who has been mentoring mothers for more than a decade - are excited to encourage readers everywhere with God Makes Lemonade and support single moms through the LemonAid Foundation. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Glass Road Public Relations. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

I Am in Here

I Am in Here

by Elizabeth M. Bonker & Virginia G. Breen

In I Am in Here, Virginia Breen writes the story of her daughter, Elizabeth, who has severe autism that has left her literally speechless. She does, however, write using a "writing board," which allows Elizabeth to type out, letter by letter, her feelings through poetry. 

It was inspiring to read this book about a mother who never gives up on her daughter. I like how she describes the difference between people who see their struggles as problems, and people who see them as opportunities: 

I have come to see the world as divided into "Why People" and "How People." Why People cannot be at peace until they answer the question of why suffering has befallen them. They look backward and ask, "Why me?" How People, on the other hand, ask, "How can I move forward?" Having been dealt their hand in life, their focus shifts to how they can find whatever healing and wholeness is possible. -Virginia Breen, 18-19

She sees her daughter Elizabeth as being a "How Person," someone who keeps going even when things get tough. 

This book shed a lot of light on the inner world of autism for me. While I did know that people with autism could have very high IQ's, I did not know that such complex and beautiful thoughts  could be expressed through poetry the way that Elizabeth writes. 

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about autism, or anyone who works with autistic children.

This book is now available at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

About the authors:

Elizabeth M. Bonker is a thirteen-year-old young lady with autism who cannot yet speak but who writes deeply revealing poetry, which was featured on PBS's Religion & Ethics Newsweekly. She excels in school with an educational aide.

Virginia G. Breen is the mother of three beautiful children, two of whom are profoundly affected by autism. Besides working to heal her children, Virginia is a venture capitalist investing in high-tech companies, and she sits on both corporate and nonprofit boards. She studied computer science at Harvard, business at Columbia, and philosophy in Singapore. 

Elizabeth and Virginia live in northern New Jersey.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."