Spring for Susannah by Catherine Richmond

Booksneeze has Provided Me with A Complimentary Copy of this Book.

With no prospects for marriage and her parents recently deceased, Susannah Freemont agrees to go west to the Dakota territory to marry her minister's homesteading brother, Jesse. But Susannah is painfully shy, doesn't see herself as worthy of love from either a husband or from God, and lives in constant fear that Jesse is going to ship her back to Detroit.

In spite of her petite size and the fact that Susannah doesn't look like she could survive on the prairie, Jesse quickly discovers that his new wife is a greater blessing than he even hoped for. The years she spent as her father's veterinary assistant allow her to save Jesse's ox and twin calves and to help neighboring farmers with their animals.

But Susannah's feelings of unworthiness are deeply rooted, and she can't believe that Jesse's praise-or the tenderness and love he shows-could possibly last. The thawing of her heart seems almost as distant as Spring in the midst of the winter blanketing the Dakota prairie.

This is a GREAT story for Catherine Richmond’s first book. It was so good, I just didn’t want to put it down. Susannah Underhill lives in Michigan and after her parents die, she has no one, so she decides to go to the Dakotas where Jesse Mason lives. Jesse is Susannah’s preacher’s brother,but when she arrives, it is not what she thought it would be, more rustic. She is very shy towards Jesse but will talk to his dog. As the book goes on, she starts to open up to Jesse, but tragedy happens and Jesse has to leave to find work to support her. He is gone for a long time and during this time, she finds out she is pregnant. But she survives on her own and when Jesse returns, he is surprised of how she managed to keep everything going.

It is such a great story, one you would thoroughly enjoy. I would suggest this book to my friends and family.

Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay

Paris, July 1942: Sarah, a ten year-old girl, is brutally arrested with her family by the French police in the Vel’ d’Hiv’ roundup, but not before she locks her younger brother in a cupboard in the family's apartment, thinking that she will be back within a few hours.

Paris, May 2002: On Vel’ d’Hiv’s 60th anniversary, journalist Julia Jarmond is asked to write an article about this black day in France's past. Through her contemporary investigation, she stumbles onto a trail of long-hidden family secrets that connect her to Sarah. Julia finds herself compelled to retrace the girl's ordeal, from that terrible term in the Vel d'Hiv', to the camps, and beyond. As she probes into Sarah's past, she begins to question her own place in France, and to reevaluate her marriage and her life. Tatiana de Rosnay offers us a brilliantly subtle, compelling portrait of France under occupation and reveals the taboos and silence that surround this painful episode.

I just finished this book in audio format. Oh, my gosh, this was such a good book and I did not want it to end. But, books have to end. I cried and cried throughout this book and am still crying for Sarah Starcynski DeFor Rainsford. How many people have stories like hers, oh my gosh. Thank you for opening my eyes to this horrible tragedy. I knew about the Germans but did not know about France. It's terrible that lives were shattered like that. Just because you were jewish. Terrible. I can't imagine what Sarah was going through in real life. Thank you, Tatiana for letting everyone know and not to let it die. We will always remember, we will never forget, well, at least I will never forget. I would suggest this book to all my friends and family, in fact, I have done that already. Thanks again.

Ella Finds Love Again by Jerry Eicher

This Advanced copy of this book was supplied to me by Harvest House Publishers in exchange for my review of Ella Finds Love Again.

She loves the widower Ivan Stutzman's children and enjoys caring for them. Although she is genuinely devoted to Preacher Stutzman and keenly aware of his desire to propose, her feelings for him stop short of romantic love. Yet Ella yearns for marriage and wonders if what she and Ivan have is enough.

When the handsome Englisha stops by and asks about converting to the Amish faith, Ella is intrigued and warily agrees to meet with him. Soon Ella realizes she's torn between her devotion to Ivan and his children and her growing feelings for the Englisha. With dire consequences at stake, Ella must determine what the truth is, if her feelings are dependable, and how to stay faithful to the will of God.

This is the 3rd and final book in the Little Valley Series by Jerry Eicher. I loved this series and this book so much, I didn’t want it to end at all. Ella loves Preacher Ivan Stutzman’s children but she is not sure how she feels about him. But, she had it in her mind that she would marry him because she loves the children so much. Then, an Englisha man shows up, and he causes her to wonder if she could have feelings again. But, she continues to care for Preacher Stutzman’s children and life goes on. Then tragedy happens and I am not saying what happens from here on out.

This book is so good, if you love the Amish as much as I do, you will love this book. You will laugh and cry like I did. It is a GREAT book. I would suggest this book to my family and friends, most definitely.
Enjoy this book as I know you will.

The Amish Midwife

This Book was sent to me by Harvest House Publishers in exchange for a Review.

A dusty carved box containing two locks of hair and a century-old letter regarding property in Switzerland, and a burning desire to learn about her biological family lead nurse-midwife Lexie Jaeger from her home in Oregon to the heart of Pennsylvania Amish country. There she meets Marta Bayer, a mysterious lay-midwife who desperately needs help after an Amish client and her baby die.

Lexie steps in to assume Marta’s patient load even as she continues the search for her birth family, and from her patients she learns the true meaning of the Pennsylvania Dutch word demut, which means “to let be” as she changes from a woman who wants to control everything to a woman who depends on God.

This book is the first book in "The Women of Lancaster County series. I can't wait until the second book comes out.

This book is one of the best books I have read. I wasn’t too sure if I wanted to read it or not but decided to give it a try. It is a GREAT book about someone who was adopted and trying to locate her birth family. When Lexie Jaeger’s dad passes away, he tells her about a little box and she looks on the inside of the box, and finds all kinds of things. Then she goes to Pennsylvania to try to locate her birth family and there are a lot of stumbling blocks because of secrets. But, this book is a GREAT book, this is one book I did not want to put down. I went on break at work and forgot about the time and was almost late to go back to work.

You will enjoy this book, it is wonderful. I most definitely would suggest this book to my friends and family.

Ella's Wish by Jerry Eicher

Harvest House Publishers supplied me with this book for a review in return.

Ella Yoder has moved into her dream house. In the stillness of the great house, Ella ponders her options. How is she to survive on her own? How will she ever forget Aden? What is to become of her?

Two would-be suitors soon make their intentions known, but Ella is unsure of her own feelings. As she agrees to take care of Preacher Stutzman's three motherless girls, Ella's heart is touched by their love for her. Could their affection be the answer to Ella's quest? Can God speak through the love of a child?

This is the second book in the “Little Valley Series”. I thoroughly loved this book as much or even more than I loved the first book in the Series. Ella moves into her new home which was built by Daniel, Aden’s brother. She decides to share the huge house with her cousin Ronda and her newlywed husband and then she finds she is not so alone with other people in the house. In the meantime, she is asked by Preacher Stutzman to take care of his 3 children during the week and he picks them up on Friday. She agrees to do this and she falls in love with the children.

The Bishop starts to call on her and I was shocked the way he treats her. As the story goes, Ella decides to not see him anymore. This is such a GREAT book, I believe everyone who loves the Amish as much as I do, should read this book. I would suggest this book to my friends and family, it is so Good.

Leaving by Karen Kingsbury

Zondervan Publishing has Provided Me with A Complimentary Copy of this Book.

The Bailey Flanigan series begins with Bailey leaving Bloomington for the adventure of a lifetime. She has won an audition for the ensemble of a Broadway musical in New York City.

She's determined to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but is she really ready to leave family and friends for the loneliness of the city? And what of Cody? His disappearance has her worried about their future and praying that their love can survive. In order to be closer to his mother in jail, Cody takes a coaching job in a small community outside Indianapolis. New friends, distance, and circumstances expose cracks in his relationship with Bailey Flanigan.

This book is the first book in the Bailey Flanigan Series by Karen Kingsbury. Karen is the BEST author of Women Fiction that I know of. I have read all of her books when she wrote the Baxter Series.

This book was GREAT. Once I started reading this book, I couldn’t put it down. It is a story about Bailey Flanigan and how she deals with her relationship with Cody Coleman. She doesn’t understand why Cody just left her in January but she feels she just has to move on. Then she goes and auditions for a play on Broadway in New York City. In the meantime, her and her family fly to Hollywood, California for the premiere of Unlocked and realizes the feelings she has for Brandon Paul, the big movie star and she feels she is not cut out for that but she has feelings for Brandon.

In the meantime, Karen touches on Ashley Baxter Blake and her family. That part will touch your heart big time, when she has to deal with Landon (her husband) having a health issues and the feelings with that are tough for Ashley to accept, so that part is ongoing as well. The Lord works through Ashley's heart also.

This book is one that I would suggest to family, friends or just anyone who love Karen Kingsbury’s writings. She is GREAT. I can’t wait for her next book.

Abigail's New Hope by Mary Ellis

Harvest House Publishers have Provided Me with A Complimentary Copy of this Book.

Amish midwife Abigail Graber loves bringing babies into the world. But when a difficult delivery takes a devastating turn, Abigail is faced with some of the hardest choices she has ever had to make. Despite all her efforts, the young mother dies-but the baby is saved.

When a heartless judge confines Abigail to the county jail, her younger sister, Catherine, comes to care for the home while Daniel works his fields. Catherine meets Daniel's reclusive cousin, Isaiah, who's deaf and thought to be simple-minded by his community. She teaches him how to communicates with his fellow man, and in so doing, discovers he possesses unexpected gifts and talents. Catherine makes a difference in all their lives and in return, finds love, while Isaiah discovers God, who cares not for our handicaps or limitations.

This book is a Good book. I believe that everyone needs to pickup this book and read it because it is a wonderful story. I thought it moved a little bit slow at first, but then it picked up speed and after that I could not put it down. Abigail Graber loved being a midwife, but when she supplies a drug to Ruth Fisher, she is sentenced to jail. Abigail writes to her sister and she comes to take care of Abigail’s family, her husband (Daniel) and her 2 children (Laura and Jake).

I believe that the Lord works in mysterious ways throughout the book, dealing with Abigail in jail and her husband has to learn how to cope without his precious Abby. But, when Abby’s sister comes to help out, different things happen. She falls for Isaiah, Daniel’s cousin and sparks fly between them. It is just a Great book and would suggest everyone read it.