Click here to view this photo book larger
Shutterfly allows you to customize your photo book just the way you want.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
The Fiddler
As much as I love to read, I really haven't had much time this summer. However, I was finally able to get started on "The Fiddler" by Beverly Lewis, one of my favorite authors. Once I got started, it was a quick read. I didn't want to put it down!
As always with Ms. Lewis' books, this book is set in Amish country. However, the main character isn't female, nor is she Amish. Amelia Devries, an Englisher who is also a classical violinist feels pressured by her parents, especially her father, also a renowned violinist, and her agent to continue growing her fame as a touring violinist. However, she feels like something is missing, and has been moonlighting as a fiddling champion under the name Amy Lee. On her way home from a fiddling performance, Amelia is caught in a rainstorm, gets turned around and lost in Amish country, specifically near a remote cabin close to Hickory Hollow, where a young Amish man, Michael Hostetler is also searching for his path in life. He escaped to the cabin to sort out his feelings and decide whether or not to follow in his father's and ancestors’ footsteps and join the Amish church. Amelia is invited to spend a weekend with a friend of Michael's, and Ms. Lewis weaves a story of soul-searching, family, and budding romance. The book takes some unexpected turns before revealing Amelia and Michael's decisions on what path they want to follow in life.
Overall, "The Fiddler" was an enjoyable read, taking me to Pennsylvania Amish country and once again, giving the reader a peak into Amish culture, this time from the viewpoint of an Englisher looking in and an Amish man looking out. So many of Ms. Lewis' books are from a young Amish girl's perspective, making this change was quite delightful.
I was provided with a copy of this book in order to review for the publisher, Bethany House Publishing, but was not required to give a favorable review.
Monday, May 21, 2012
The Messenger Review
I was recently given this amazing opportunity to review books and blog about them. How great is that? The first book I received from Bethany House Publishers was "The Messenger" by Siri Mitchell.
First of all, I will say that this is the first book I have read by Ms. Mitchell, and the time period, the Revolutionary War, is not one of my usual picks. However, I really enjoyed the book, and look forward to reading more of her books, and maybe I'll branch out to other books on this topic.
It did take a little time getting into the book, maybe because of the different time period, use of the Quaker language (ie, thee, thou, etc) mixed in the speech, or the writing style of switching back and forth every chapter between the main characters, Hannah and Jeremiah, speaking in first person. By the middle of the book, I was used to the style, and looked forward to reading the other character's viewpoint as the story progressed.
Overall, the story was well laid out and the slight bit of suspense kept me wanting to come back to finish the book. I especially enjoyed the note from the author at the end where she pieced together the factual history to the fictional story she had written.
First of all, I will say that this is the first book I have read by Ms. Mitchell, and the time period, the Revolutionary War, is not one of my usual picks. However, I really enjoyed the book, and look forward to reading more of her books, and maybe I'll branch out to other books on this topic.
It did take a little time getting into the book, maybe because of the different time period, use of the Quaker language (ie, thee, thou, etc) mixed in the speech, or the writing style of switching back and forth every chapter between the main characters, Hannah and Jeremiah, speaking in first person. By the middle of the book, I was used to the style, and looked forward to reading the other character's viewpoint as the story progressed.
Overall, the story was well laid out and the slight bit of suspense kept me wanting to come back to finish the book. I especially enjoyed the note from the author at the end where she pieced together the factual history to the fictional story she had written.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
The Messenger
I just got my first book to review for Bethany House Publishers. Of course, who can say no to free books? Since it WAS free, I expanded my horizens and went with an author I was not familiar with at all, Siri Mitchell. It's a historical fiction, but from an era I haven't read alot about, the Revolutionay War period, especially dealing with the Quakers. Should be interesting!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Book reviewer!
I just signed up to be a book reviewer for Bethany House publishers! I'm very excited since I love to read and I am constantly looking for new books to read! I'm just finishing up one of my favorite series by an amazing author - Karen Kingsbury. And I have a completely new author on hold at the library - Sara Evans, a book called Sweet By and By. Should be interesting given the good reviews on it. In spite of my insanely busy days, I always find time to read, especially now that I fallen in love with reading on the iPad. It makes it so much easier to pack several books to take with on a car ride or even just to read and turn the pages one handed while holding a sleeping Elijah!