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."

The Captive Heart

The Captive Heart

by Dale Cramer

Publisher's description of the book:

Ravaged by disease, preyed upon by ruthless bandits, the Bender family's second year in Mexico has taken a grievous turn. Faced with impossible choices, the expatriate Amish discover, more than ever before, what it means to live by faith and not by sight. But it's Miriam who must make the hardest choice as her heart takes on a new and dangerous course. With constant danger looming over her beloved, displaced Amish community, is she willing to sacrifice everything for a man she's forbidden to love?

Almost a year ago I reviewed Paradise Valley, the book that preceded this one. I loved that book and the interesting way that Dale Cramer presented Amish life. When I saw that the sequel was available, I immediately requested it. I had been waiting almost a year to find out what happens to the Benders in Paradise Valley! This book didn't disappoint. Though it did move a little slow in the beginning chapters, I was fully engrossed in the story less than a quarter of the way through. I loved reading both Rachel's and Miriam's stories. Now I am finding myself disappointed that I have to wait another year to find out what happens to Miriam!

I would rate this book a 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. If you enjoy Amish fiction, you will definitely enjoy this one!

About the author:

Dale Cramer spent his formative years traveling the world as an Army brat, then settled in Georgia at the age of fifteen when his father retired. After high school he became an electrician, a job that took him to places as diverse as power plants, stadia, airports, high-rise office buildings, and a hard-rock mining operation. Twenty-five years of experiences in the trades provided him with the wealth of characters, stories and insights that populate his novels. When he married his childhood friend, Pam, in 1975 he had no way of knowing they would not have children until fifteen years later. In his early forties, when Dale left his job to become a stay-at-home dad, he suddenly found himself with time on his hands, so he pursued a lifelong dream and taught himself to write. Using an online writer's forum as a training ground, he wrote his first short stories in 1996. As his writing skills improved he turned to novels, publishing his first work, Sutter's Cross, in 2003. Since then, Dale has published four more novels and garnered a measure of critical acclaim with two Christy Awards, a listing among Publisher's Weekly's Best Books of 2004, and numerous other Best lists. Dale and his wife Pam live in Georgia with their two sons. 

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."

Giveaway over at Legacy of a Writer!

Katie over at Legacy of a Writer is giving away one copy of the dvd version of Beverly Lewis' The Shunning! 

Here's a synopsis of the story:


Before she succumbs to cancer, the dying wish of Laura Mayfield-Bennett is to be reunited with the daughter she never knew. Unfortunately, that daughter, Katie Lapp, is a member of the Amish order. Katie is about to be married, but uneasy about the path ahead.  Now she discovers the secret her parents have kept from her: she's adopted. 

The film is based on the celebrated first novel of the best-selling "The Heritage of Lancaster County" book series from author Beverly Lewis. Stars Danielle Panabaker & Sherry Stringfield.


To read more about the movie, check out the Hallmark Channel's website here!


To be entered into the drawing, all you have to do is reply to her post here and answer the question, "Does the Amish life intrigue you? Why? Why not? Would you ever want to live among them for a time?" 


This is a great movie - definitely one to have in your collection!

Paradise Valley

Paradise Valley

by Dale Cramer

I always love a book that not only entertains me, but teaches me something. Whether it's a lesson in history or an occupation I knew little about, I am fascinated with learning about new things. This book didn't disappoint. Before I picked up this book, I had no idea that the Amish had ever settled in Mexico. And if I had known that, I definitely wouldn't have known why they would ever decide to settle there. In 1921, Ohio passed a law that required all children to attend public school 5 days a week. The Amish, wanting to shelter their communities from the influence of the world, school their own children. When it became a requirement to go against this belief, many of the Amish were at a loss as to what they should do.

This book is a fictional account of their settlement in Mexico. It is centered around the lives of the first Amish family, the Benders, to settle in Paradise Valley, Mexico. I enjoyed reading about the Amish and Mexican culture, and the every day trials of the family, including misconceptions about both cultures, and random bandit raids.

This book is the first in a three-part series, and I am very much looking forward to reading the next.

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."

Plain Wisdom: Book Review

Plain Wisdom

by Cindy Woodsmall & Miriam Flaud


Cindy Woodsmall, a Christian inspirational fiction author, co-wrote Plain Wisdom with her Amish friend Miriam Flaud. The two met through a mutual friend, and soon became fast friends themselves. As they spent more time together they realized more and more that they wanted to write a book together - a book comprised of wisdom from both "Englischer" (non-Amish) and Amish cultures, but with one single tie: a deep faith in God through the years.

This is the type of book that you don't have to read through all at once. Because it contains snippets of wisdom in short story format from both women in each chapter, I imagine it could be useful to read alongside a daily scripture reading or devotional. You can be reading another book, and still come back to this one without missing a beat.

I found it very interesting to learn more about the Amish lifestyle and traditions. I was also surprised at how open the Amish people are to the "Englischers," inviting them into their homes. At least in the example of the Flauds, they are understanding about the differences between the two cultures - never looking down on those who don't hold the same views, but very steadfast in their cultural traditions.

I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about another culture while being encouraged in one's faith.

Please click here to rank my review.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbook Multnomah. 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 & Testimonials in Advertising."