"What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days," by Holley Gerth

"What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days," by Holley Gerth

We all have days that make us want to pull the covers back over our heads and eat a dozen cupcakes.

Thankfully, Jesus said we don't "live on bread alone"--that includes cupcakes--"but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4). What we really need is truth.

If you're tired, discouraged, or feel a little empty inside, my prayer is that by the end of our time together, you'll be refreshed and nourished in a way that will sustain you through whatever the future may hold.

Remember, you're not alone, my friend.
In this uplifting book, Holley Gerth invites you to be filled with the strength, peace, and joy that come from God's promises. Each of the 52 devotions based on the Psalms will help you remember that God is good and we're all in this together. 

This is a cute looking book is it not?  It's such a fun and happy looking book it makes you want to pick it up. This book is not one you read from front to back all in one day..............it could be done it's not that long.  It's a book you want to pick up read a chapter or two and digest what has been written.  It's a food for thought book, it makes you think.

There is something for everyone in this book.  It's full of inspiration and joy not just for when you are having a hard day, but when you need a few words to get you going on a slow start to the day.

I especially enjoyed chapter 3, "God is Thinking about You Today."

God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish ~ Psalm 9:18

Stars out of 5: 5 This is a book to keep forever.  It would make a lovely gift also.  It is well worth buying or borrowing from your library.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"The River," by Beverly Lewis

"The River," by Beverly Lewis

She looked once more at the dreaded river. Since Anna's death, it had been such a barrier . . . a place and a moment she could not seem to move past.
         
A line I can't move beyond...
The River

Tilly and Ruth, two formerly Amish sisters, are plagued by unresolved relationships when they reluctantly return to Lancaster County for their parents' landmark wedding anniversary. Since departing their Plain upbringing, Tilly has married an Englisher, but Ruth remains single and hasn't entirely forgotten her failed courtship with her Amish beau.

Past meets present as Tilly and Ruth yearn for acceptance and redemption. Can they face the future in the light of a past they can't undo?

I liked how this book was written from both sides of the Amish life.  Tilly and Ruth's characters were well thought out and very believable.  The confusing feeling they experienced from returning to see their parents after being away from the Plain life for a number of years was well written as well.

I think there is the perception that an Amish/Plain life is one of no stress and no discomfort or evil happenings.  This story tells you differently and there are a couple of surprises in it you don't see coming.

Ruth and her Amish beau is a good story and you are pulling for them to work things out and then the story changes and you don't want to see them together, so it keeps things interesting.

Stars out of 5 : 5 A really enjoyable and believable book by Beverly Lewis.  I really like the way she writes and it's a page turner, where you need to know what happens next.  It is also a bit with a few twists and turns in it that continues to make it interesting.  It's a book well worth reading, that's for sure.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"A Light in the Wilderness," by Jane Kirkpatrick

"A Light in the Wilderness," by Jane Kirkpatrick

Three very different women. One dangerous journey. And a future that seems just out of reach.
Letitia holds nothing more dear than the papers that prove she is no longer a slave. They may not cause most white folks to treat her like a human being, but at least they show she is free. She trusts in those words she cannot read--as she is beginning to trust in Davey Carson, an Irish immigrant cattleman who wants her to come west with him.

Nancy Hawkins is loathe to leave her settled life for the treacherous journey by wagon train, but she is so deeply in love with her husband and she knows she will follow him anywhere--even when the trek exacts a terrible cost.

Betsy is a Kalapuya Indian, the last remnant of a once proud tribe in the Willamette Valley in Oregon territory. She spends her time trying to impart the wisdom and ways of her people to her grandson. But she will soon have another person to care for.

As season turns to season, suspicion turns to friendship, and fear turns to courage, three spirited women will discover what it means to be truly free in a land that makes promises it cannot fulfill. This multilayered story from bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick will grip your heart and mind as you travel on the dusty and dangerous Oregon Trail into the boundless American West. Based on a true story.

I kept saying, "that is so unfair," throughout this book, as Letitia had so many set back's throughout her life, in part because she was coloured and also because she was a woman.  Weaker women would have thrown in the towel and given up, but one thing Letitia had in spades was tenacity.  She also found positive things even when the chips were down.  I would have wanted to strangle Davey at some of the stupid things he did.

The friendship between Letitia, Nancy and Betsy was also lovely to read about; and what they learned from one another went above and beyond normal friendship.  What I didn't realize was that this book is based on a true story.  Make sure you read the author's note at the end, as you will find it interesting.  I found this to be a "meaty" book and one you wanted to savour, not rush through.  Lots of depth and substance in the pages.

Stars out of 5 : 5 I am a big fan of Jane Kirkpatrick's work and this didn't disappoint.  She brought all the characters to life with her descriptions.  I also appreciate how easy I have things compared to these ladies.  You had to be strong to survive their way of life.  Well worth the read especially if you enjoy pioneer stories set in the 1800's.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Tried and True," by Mary Connealy

"Tried and True," by Mary Connealy

Saddle up for a wildly fun ride with the Wilde sisters!

Kylie Wilde is the youngest sister--and the most civilized. Her older sisters might be happy dressing in trousers and posing as men, but Kylie has grown her hair long and wears skirts every chance she gets. It's a risk--they are homesteading using the special exemptions they earned serving in the Civil War as "boys"--but Kylie plans to make the most of the years before she can sell her property and return to the luxuries of life back East.

Local land agent Aaron Masterson is fascinated with Kylie from the moment her long hair falls from her cap. But now that he knows her secret, can he in good conscience defraud the U.S. government? And when someone tries to force Kylie off her land, does he have any hope of convincing her that marrying him and settling on the frontier is the better option for her future?

I read this book in a day.  It is a light hearted book with fun characters.  However I find it hard to believe the three sisters got away with being "men" in the Civil War.  It does have a couple of little twists in it that keep the story moving along.  It's one of those "shopping list" books, where you can read the book and be thinking of other things also.

Stars out of 5 : 3.5 I do want to read the rest in the series as I think altogether they will be good books.  However as a stand alone book, this doesn't have too much "meat" in it.  The story line is a bit weak for me and too many things tend to be unbelievable with the Kylie character.  If you're looking for a book to read in a day this is a good one.  As I said before I think/and am hoping the other books in the series will be more "meaty."

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".