Saturday, April 27, 2019

Hearts in Harmony by Beth Wiseman (An Amish Journey Novel Book 1)

Book Description:

They both love music. Will God deny what brings them such joy? 
Musical prodigy Levi Shetler hasn’t touched a piano since he secretly played one years ago. His strict Amish community forbids instruments or the singing of any music not in their approved songbook. Levi asks God often why music tempts him when playing an instrument isn’t allowed in his world. 
One person knows Levi’s talents: Mary Hershberger, the girl who promised years ago to keep his secret. Mary comes from a more liberal district than Levi, but she’s facing family troubles of her own. The mutual care for an aging Englischer, Adeline, reunites Mary and Levi as young adults. They realize that, despite their differences, they have a shared love of music—and a shared confusion about whether their talents are God-given gifts or temptations luring them into the Englisch world. 
The couple realizes they must compromise or part ways, but a tragic accident shakes their decision. Both Mary and Levi will need to reconcile what they love with what their hearts say is right—because even as their passion for music brings them together, it could be what tears them apart. 
The first novel in the new Amish Journeys series by bestselling author Beth Wiseman, Hearts in Harmony explores how far the heart will travel for the melody of love.


About the Author:

Bestselling and award-winning author Beth Wiseman has sold over two million books. She is the recipient of the coveted Holt Medallion, a two-time Carol Award winner, and has won the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award three times. Her books have been on various bestseller lists, including CBD, CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly. Beth and her husband are empty nesters enjoying country life in south central Texas. Visit her online at BethWiseman.com; Facebook: AuthorBethWiseman; Twitter: @BethWiseman; Instagram: @bethwisemanauthor.





My Thoughts:

What is family?  Traditionally, we look at family as blood relatives.  However, author Beth Wiseman has created a delightful story which shows that family isn't just limited to the traditional definition, but it can be so much more.

Adeline, Levy, Mary, and Natalie.  At one time, all were strangers, each with his or her own challenges, struggles, and beliefs. However, a series of events unexpectedly brings these individuals together. As they come together, their bond is strengthened through moments of sadness and laughter, moments where beliefs are questioned, moments where challenges are faced, and moments where difficult decisions are made.  

Their story will immediately draw you in and keep you turning pages with its twists and turns.  There are moments that will have you smiling and laughing while others will have you reaching for tissue. But through it all, the bonds of love, faith and trust in God will bring their hearts together in harmony through the love of family.  

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.


An Amish Reunion: Four Stories by Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, and Kelly Irvin

Book Description:

From bestselling authors in the Amish genre come four stories about reuniting with those you love. 
Their True Home by Amy Clipston
When Marlene Bawell moved from Bird-in-Hand ten years ago, she was in the deepest of mourning for her mother. Now her family has moved back so her father can seek employment after being laid off. To help save money, Marlene works at the hardware store owned by Rudy Swarey’s father. She knew Rudy growing up and had a secret crush on him, though he never seemed to notice her. But just as a friendship between them begins to blossom, her life is once again turned upside down. Will Marlene ever have a chance to find her own true home?
A Reunion of Hearts by Beth Wiseman
Ruth and Gideon Beiler experienced one of life’s most tragic events. Unable to get past their grief, the couple abandoned their Amish faith and went in different directions, though neither could bear to formally dissolve the marriage. When their loved ones reach out to them to come home for a family reunion, Ruth has reason to believe that Gideon won’t be there. Gideon also thinks that Ruth has declined the invitation. Family and friends are rooting for them to reunite, but will it all be enough for Ruth and Gideon to get past their grief and recapture a time when they were in love and had a bright future ahead of them?
A Chance to Remember by Kathleen Fuller
Cevilla Schlabach, Birch Creek’s resident octogenarian matchmaker, is surprised when Richard, a man from her Englisch past, arrives in Birch Creek for a visit. While he and Cevilla take several walks down memory lane, they wonder what the future holds for them at this stage of life—friendship, or the possibility of something else?
Mended Hearts by Kelly Irvin
At eighteen Hannah Kauffman made a terrible mistake. Her parents and members of her Jamesport Amish community say they’ve forgiven her. But she feels their eyes following her everywhere she goes with eighteen-month-old Evie. Thaddeus, Evie’s father, escaped this fate by running away from Jamesport. Now that Thaddeus is gone, Hannah’s old friend Phillip is stepping up to be by her side. He has waited patiently for Hannah to realize just how much he cares for her. But when Thaddeus returns after two years, Hannah can’t deny the love she feels for him. Does the fact that Phillip has waited patiently for her all this time mean that she owes him something? Can she trust either one of them? Can she trust herself? She has repented and been forgiven by the One who is most important—her heavenly Father. But is she willing to risk making more mistakes by opening herself up to love?



My Thoughts:

An Amish Reunion is a collaboration by four authors.  The stories are about love, faith, hope, family, and healing, and yet, each story is different.  Each author has woven these themes into their stories in their own unique way making this collaboration an inspiring and delightful read.

Their True Home by Amy Clipston

After ten years, Marlene Baxwell returns back to her home town.  She reintegrates into the community and runs into Rudy Swarey, her former crush from their school days. A friendship blossoms, but will it become more?

A Reunion of Hearts by Beth Wiseman

Can a couple recover what they once had after suffering a tragic loss?  Does time heal all wounds?  Ruth and Gideon Beiler reflect on these as they are reunited after years of separation.  Will love and God’s faithfulness bring these two back together?

A Chance to Remember by Kathleen Fuller

Although one is Amish and the other Englisch, Cevilla Slabach and Richard Johnson were great friends in their younger days.  But decades have passed since they’ve seen or heard from one another.  However, life situations bring fond memories back to Richard and he decides to try and reconnect with Cevilla. Is love possible after all these years?

Mended Hearts by Kelly Irvin

Mistakes in life are painful.  Hannah Kauffman lives this every day as she feels her community has forgiven, but not forgotten. Even so, she works hard and is doing her best in raising her child as a single parent. When Thaddeus Yoder returns home, Hannah struggles even more, not just with what others think, but about what she feels for Thaddeus.  He also feels the pain of life’s mistakes, but is working to change and make things right.  Will their love grow?  Will it bring forgiveness and healing?

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

A Perfect Amish Match (Indiana Amish Brides) by Vannetta Chapman

Book Description:

Every courting disaster has led him to her.

An Indiana Amish Brides story

After three failed relationships, Amish bachelor Noah Graber would rather disappoint his parents than try again. But when matchmaker Olivia Mae Miller agrees to provide courting lessons, Noah’s perfect match becomes clear—it’s Olivia Mae herself! With ailing grandparents at home, she hadn’t planned on love or marriage. Might a future with Noah be everything she’s been missing?





About the Author:

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She is the author of over twenty novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series, Shipshewana Amish Mystery Series, and Plain and Simple Miracle series. Vannetta is a Carol award winner, a Christy finalist, and she also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She currently writes Christian suspense, Amish romance, and Amish mystery. She was a teacher for 15 years and resides in the Texas hill country. For more information, visit her at: 

My Thoughts:


Olivia Mae Miller’s stereotypical description of a matchmaker: “Old, maybe. Using a cane. Peering at you over my glasses and shaking my knitting needles at you.”

In reality this description does not even remotely describe Olivia Mae.  Old? Glasses? A cane? Not at all.  Olivia Mae is young, pretty, and never been married.  Yet, she’s known in her community as a very successful “matchmaker.”  And she’s also her grandparents’ caretaker. Although being their caretaker doesn’t affect her matchmaking skills, it constantly keeps challenges coming her way.

Enter Noah Graber.  Noah insists he’s “happily single” and that has no need for a matchmaker.    However, pressure from his family places him dead center in need of Olivia Mae’s matchmaking skills. 

What happens next takes these two on a humorous, challenging, faith filled, romantic  adventure that had me continually laughing and smiling (especially at Noah’s jokes) up to the very end. 

All in all, I found A Perfect Amish Match to be a thoroughly entertaining sweet, funny inspirational romance.  So, if this sounds like your kind of story, I highly recommend that you check it out.  And if it’s not your kind of story, check it out anyway.  You will be pleasantly surprised.

I was given a copy of this book.  All comments and opinions are my own.