The Englisch Daughter

Old Order Amish wife and mother Jemima has put her marriage and family ahead of herself for years. She's set herself aside. Raising four children, she's followed all the rules and has been patient in looking forward to her time to chase a dream of her own.

But when she finds out that her life savings for pursuing that dream are gone--and her husband, Roy, has been hiding a child with another woman--her entire world is shattered. Will she be able to listen to God and love Roy's child? With so much at stake, how can she and Roy fix their relationship before their lives come crashing down?

My Review: My attention was fully captivated by the story of, The Englisch Daughter, by Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall. The story was unlike any I have read in Amish fiction with a few twists and turns and a bit of mystery. All of the characters are well developed and the story is richly-layered with emotions that tug at your heart and demonstrate a faith determined to honor God despite circumstances. With each unexpected event, shattered dream, or moment of heartbreak, these characters, especially Jemima, turn to God... albeit, sometimes after trying to fix things themselves with poor results. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fiction.
 
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Waterbrook-Multnomah. This in no way affected my opinion. 

Buy the Book:
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WATERBROOK MULTNOMAH  

CINDY WOODSMALL is a New York Times and CBA best-selling author of twenty-five works of fiction and one nonfiction book. Cindy’s writing has been featured on ABC’s Nightline and the front page of the Wall Street Journal. She lives outside Atlanta with her husband.

ERIN WOODSMALL is a writer, musician, wife, and mom of four. She has edited, brainstormed, and researched books with Cindy for almost a decade. More recently she and Cindy have co-authored five books.

Free to Believe - Luke Goodrich

In Free to Believe, leading religious freedom attorney Luke Goodrich challenges both sides of this debate, offering surprising insights on the most controversial religious freedom conflicts today—including gay rights, abortion rights, Islam, and the public square. Goodrich shows that threats to religious freedom are real—but they might not be what you think.

As a lawyer at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, Goodrich has won several historic Supreme Court victories for clients like the Little Sisters of the Poor and Hobby Lobby. Combining frontline experience with faithful attention to Scripture, Goodrich offers a groundbreaking book—full of clear insight, practical wisdom, and refreshing hope for all people of faith.

MY REVIEW: This was an interesting read concerning several hot-topic issues that stay in our headlines. Worldviews continue to evolve, some for the good, some not, and our courts are not in agreement in how individual cases should be settled. Goodrich lays out several cases to bring clarity to the legal ramifications of how decisions are reached.

Goodrich says there are 3 major categories of Christian thought, although there are varying degrees of thought in between. 

• Pilgrims believe America was founded on religious freedom and that the Christian faith should be favored.
• Martyrs believe that 'religious freedom' is an excuse to retain cultural dominance and is a luxury.
• Beginners believe religious freedom is important but are not sure why or what it should look like.

Goodrich wrote this book to respond to adherents of each of the groups above... and to those who fall in between. I found myself viewing some things slightly differently after reading the thought process and legalities, and other times my point of view was enforced. I recommend the book for those who wish to understand why there is even some doubt on how some cases are handled. You may agree or disagree with his explanations but I enjoyed looking at some opinions from a slightly different angle from a logical, legal perspective.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free as part of WaterbrookMultnomah’s “Free to Believe” Launch Team. The opinions 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.”

Dear Grandchild, This Is Me

Dear Grandchild, This Is Me: A Gift of Stories, Wisdom, and Off-the-Record Tales.

 

This book is a special keepsake for your grandchild, inspired by you. It is a condensed diary of your life.


Being a grandparent is a wonderfully rewarding experience. With this valuable keepsake, you can gift your voice and memories to future generations. Whether providing snapshots of your childhood, details of your heritage, or your declassified personal “secrets,” your grandchild will treasure this glimpse into your unique story.

My Review: I love genealogy and family history so this is a book I am very excited about. I loved hearing stories from my parents and grandparents but some memories have faded over time and there is so much more I wish I had asked. This is a perfect opportunity to write down memories you wish to share and leave a legacy by sharing what you have learned over the years and teaching your grandchild about your values and faith.

 
Special Features:
* Built-in envelopes to stash special, private letters for specific occasions in your grandchild's future.
* A sheet of adhesive photo corners to adhere photographs and special memories throughout.
* Off-the-record questions to prompt fun stories.
* A family tree to trace your ancestry.
* Space to share your favorite recipes or those passed through the generations.
* A world map to showcase your travels.

Some of the questions are simple and straightforward. Others require a bit more thought. My one minor complaint is that there is too little room to answer some questions but you can always write more on paper and place it in one of the built-in envelopes.

The hardback book is beautifully illustrated and makes a perfect gift. Keep in mind, this is not a gift to give to a young child, but a wonderful keepsake to put aside for adulthood. This would be excellent to give to new or expectant grandparents so they could begin to write their memories and gather (or copy) special photos. Or, grandparents could buy one for each grandchild and began filling in the details as well as making each book uniquely personal.

I received an advanced readers copy of Dear Grandchild, This is Me for this review as part of the Waterbrook Launch Team. I was not required to write a positive review and all book review opinions are strictly my own

Jesus In Me - Anne Graham Lotz

In Jesus in Me: Experiencing the Holy Spirit as a Constant Companion, Anne Graham Lotz draws on her rich biblical knowledge as well as her personal story—including her recent cancer diagnosis—to help us understand that the Holy Spirit is not a magic genie, a flame of fire, a force, or a vague feeling. He is a Person who prays for us, guides us in our relationships and decisions, comforts us in pain, and stays by our side at all times. He is not an optional extra in the Christian life; He is a divine necessity. In this simple yet profound teaching, she explores seven key aspects of the Holy Spirit that will revolutionize how you understand and relate to this vital member of the Trinity.

My Review: The Holy Spirit is the person of the Trinity that many of us are not as familiar with despite numerous Biblical references assuring believers of the vital role of the Holy Spirit in our lives once Jesus ascended into Heaven. Anne Graham Lotz has written a book to help us grow in the knowledge of our special relationship with Him and why He is a necessity in our lives.

"The indwelling of the Holy Spirit — the seal — guarantees we belong to God." (page 193) That statement alone is proof of the importance of the Holy Spirit. He is our Constant Companion — our Helper, Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Counselor, Strengthener, and Standby. Anne goes into more depth of what each of these names truly mean before delving deeper into how we draw nearer to Him.

Personal stories that illustrate her experiencing the Holy Spirit, along with Scriptural references and stories make this a fascinating read as well as making me longing to lean more on the Holy Spirit and not treat Him as the less important member of the Trinity. I want Him to be very evident in my life. I highly recommend "Jesus In Me" to learn more of Him. The Holy Spirit is not just an option to be ignored.

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book for review purposes as a member of the Waterbrook Launch Team. However, I was not required to give a positive review.

Social Corner:
Jesus In Me site

Anne Graham Lotz Website

 

Anne Graham Lotz on Facebook

Anne Graham Lotz on Twitter

Anne Graham Lotz on Instagram

Something Needs To Change - David Platt

Something Needs to Change by David Platt is the mesmerizing story of the dangerous journey Platt made with several companions through some of the highest mountains in the world. Platt shares the details of the people he met, the experiences of eating and drinking local cuisine and sleeping in frigid altitudes, and of the emotions he felt and how the entire trek fit in with his daily, personal Bible study. Most of all, he shares the challenge he feels on what God wants him to do with all he encountered... and suggests that the reader prays about how God wants to use us to help make needed changes to make a difference...

Perhaps God wants to use you in a way you never imagined. The bland description above does not touch on the raw emotions as Platt describes the abject poverty and harsh conditions of the people living in remote villages. The lack of medical care, the isolation, and the drastic measures some take (or put on their children) to try for a better life; human trafficking is firmly entrenched as promises are made to people desperate for hope. Christianity is unknown in some areas and those who do turn to faith in Jesus when missionaries present the gospel are often treated with suspicion or scorn. The story Platt told about the honor of preaching in one village was touching and we are shown the tremendous faith that believers there have. But Platt also tells the stories of people, both local and abroad, who have given up all to care for these villages simply because they observed that something needs to change and they felt God equipped them to take on the challenge.

My attention was not fully engaged at times, but still, a very good read... and definitely left with something to think about.

Something Needs to Change releases September 17. You can learn more on Wednesday, September 18 when David Platt is offering a FREE SIMULCAST, giving a first-hand account of what he experienced and his prayers for the future.

Social Corner:

David Platt's Website

David Platt on Facebook

David Platt on Twitter

Disclaimer: As a member of the Waterbrook launch team, I was provided a complimentary copy of the book. Opinions expressed are my own.

Core 52 - Mark E. Moore

With Mark E. Moore's Core 52, you can learn the 52 most important verses in the Bible in a year. If you devote fifteen minutes a day, you can master one verse per week.

"While there are lots of one-year Bible reading plans, few help you understand the words that you're reading. What if we could introduce you to a Bible reading plan that would dramatically increase your mastery of the Bible in one year? Mark Moore coaches you through 52 of the Bible's most important verses. These are the "core" of the Bible. Each verse clears the path to master and manage dozens of other verses that run along the same principle path. At the end of this journey, you will move from curiosity about the Bible to competence in the Bible. It is the quickest onramp to understanding the whole of God's Word for your life."

My Review: This book is an excellent resource to use for memorizing new Scripture weekly, and for putting it into practical use. Ranging from topics like Creation, Jesus and Moses, Covenants, Communion, Baptism, Leadership, Racism, Resurrection, and more... there are answers to many of the questions people ask about Christian faith. We know that various denominations interpret some things differently than others, but this book does not appear to sway the reader to a particular denominational belief but explains what God's Word says while including diverse viewpoints to give a deeper understanding.

Each of the 52 chapters provides a verse to go with the topic along with several pages of in-depth study as well as sharing the key points. For those who want to pursue the subject further, there are 5-day plans with additional info. Do you want more? Check out the Overachiever Challenge! Finally, if the reader still wants to dig deeper, Moore gives you a Bonus Read suggestion of another book source on the particular topic.

Basically, you can put in as little or as much as you wish each week, but at the end of a year you will be more knowledgable about Scripture for your own personal growth or to share with others who ask about your faith. I definitely recommend it for your personal library as a study resource.

As part of the Waterbrook Launch Team, I received a copy of this book at no cost to myself for review purposes. I am not required to write a positive review but asked if I will give my honest opinion.

#Waterbrook #PenguinRandomHouse

No Ocean Too Wide - Carrie Turansky

Between the years of 1869 to 1939 more than 100,000 poor British children were sent across the ocean to Canada with the promise of a better life. Those who took them in to work as farm laborers or household servants were told they were orphans--but was that the truth?

After the tragic loss of their father, the McAlister family is living at the edge of the poorhouse in London in 1908, leaving their mother to scrape by for her three younger children, while oldest daughter, Laura, works on a large estate more than an hour away. When Edna McAlister falls gravely ill and is hospitalized, twins Katie and Garth and eight-year-old Grace are forced into an orphans' home before Laura is notified about her family's unfortunate turn of events in London. With hundreds of British children sent on ships to Canada, whether truly orphans or not, Laura knows she must act quickly. But finding her siblings and taking care of her family may cost her everything.

Andrew Fraser, a wealthy young British lawyer and heir to the estate where Laura is in service, discovers that this common practice of finding new homes for penniless children might not be all that it seems. Together Laura and Andrew form an unlikely partnership. Will they arrive in time? Will their friendship blossom into something more?

Inspired by true events, this moving novel follows Laura as she seeks to reunite her family and her siblings who, in their darkest hours, must cling to the words from Isaiah: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God."

My Review: We are introduced to the McAlister family in No Ocean Too Wide. When their widowed mother is admitted to the hospital due to illness, the 3 children (twins Katie and Garth, and 8-year-old Grace) remaining at home are placed into what they expected to be a temporary home. By the time the oldest sister finds out, the children have become among many British Home Children being sent to Canada. This is Book 1 of a trilogy and the focus is on Laura, the oldest, and Katie. 

The characters in the book are endearing, and sometimes frustrating with the decisions made at times, but this makes the story that much more relatable. The storyline of the British Home Children is one that seems unbelievable... yet it happened. The idea was built on a genuine concern about the best way to help children, but greed and evil also played a role in the lives of too many of these kids. There is also the matter of what was the cultural attitude of the early 1900s, including separation of classes. Laura is strongly attracted to the son of her former boss, but also has a distrust of wealthy young men. Andrew's interest in the child emigration program brings them together and provides a romantic, hopeful element to the story.

Author Carrie Turansky can be depended upon to develop characters you love and want to get to know better. The only thing I dislike is that... I want more of the people I met in this book but have to wait until the other books come out. I do recommend this heartwarming story of struggle, faith, love, and hope.

I received a free copy of this book as part of the WaterBrook Multnomah Launch Team. I was not required to write a positive review.

Buy the book!

Becoming Us - Robin Jones Gunn

Five young women, including beloved Gunn characters Christy Miller and Sierra Jensen, gather for a simple Christmas party and soon become unlikely best friends. Told from the viewpoint of Emily, a timid young mom going through a difficult season of life, the regular gatherings provide the much needed community she's longed for. As the women begin sharing their life stories in Becoming Us they are endeared to each other and find ways to challenge, encourage, and help each other become the nurturing mothers they wished they'd had when they were growing up. They see themselves as Haven Makers and unite to be remembered for what they do and not for what was done to them. (Amazon description)

Becoming Us by Robin Jones Gunn brings together 5 young mothers who connect and form a close bond with one another. The story is told mostly from the POV of Emily who has recently moved from North Carolina to California with her husband and young daughter. Unlike the others, Emily's child is not a baby or toddler, so that plus being in a very vulnerable season in her life causes her to be hesitant about forming friendships within the group. When an unexpected event thrusts her into a shared experience, however, she allows herself to be pulled into the group.

The transformation of Emily from a shy, lonely, timid woman who has allowed family to shape her life into a person emerging from the shadows strong in faith, confident in herself, willing to take risks, and determined to do what is best for herself, her husband, and her child is an encouraging story for anyone who struggles to find herself. Both Emily and her husband Trevor make strides to lean less on their own thoughts, understanding, and indecisiveness and to trust fully in God... which also is a lesson observed and adopted by daughter Audra.

For the fans of Christy Miller and Sierra Jenson, it will be a treat to revisit them in "Haven Makers" series. I know Robin Jones Gunn through her "SisterChicks" books, but now I want to read more. I give Becoming Us 5 stars and look forward to reading future books about these friends.

I received a copy of this book at no cost to myself as part of the WaterbrookMultnomah Becoming Us Launch Team. All opinions are my own.

RobinGunn.com
WaterbrookMultnomah.com
Becoming Us on Amazon

The Way of the Warrior - Erwin McManus

In The Way of the Warrior: An Ancient Path to Inner Peace, Erwin McManus shows becoming a warrior is first about finding peace. There are 8 Codes that Warriors practice to become proficient in The Way of the Warrior, each a necessary step in the pursuit of spiritual wholeness.

Using personal stories and Biblical practices that many are already familiar with, Mcmanus brings a sharper focus on how we need to apply these principles to our own life for a better understanding he guides readers to a deeper understanding of the importance of gaining inner peace before we are capable of becoming spiritual warriors. Humility, ownership, focus, clarity, strength, and vulnerability all play a part of making a person a warrior ready to "fight the good fight" Paul speaks of in the New Testament.

Honestly, I could not get into the book at first... which is odd since I have loved other books by McManus. So, I put it aside for a few days and this time connected with what he was saying. I find myself thinking of a warrior as a combative, aggressive, proud fighter, yet that is not completely truthful. As McManus points out, a true warrior has sterling qualities meant to lead others to the truth. Often the battles waged are our own weaknesses; if we are to be warriors, we must seek and find peace and strength within ourselves and in God.

Disclaimer:I received an unedited proof of this book as a part of the Waterbrook-Multnomah Book Launch team. I was asked to give an honest review. 

Ours For a Season - Kim Vogel Sawyer

An Old Order Mennonite couple's vows and beliefs are challenged in this stirring contemporary novel for fans of Cindy Woodsmall or Shelley Shepherd Gray.
  Anthony and Marty Hirschler are part of an Old Order Mennonite community in Pine Hill, Indiana. The couple has grown apart since a doctor confirmed they would never have children. Marty longs to escape the tight-knit area where large families are valued, and the opportunity to do so arises when her childhood friend, Brooke Spalding, resurfaces with the wild idea of rebuilding a ghost town into a resort community. Brooke hires Anthony to help with the construction, drawing the Hirschlers away from Indiana and into her plan, and then finds herself diagnosed with cancer. Moral complications with Brooke's vision for a casino as part of the resort and the discovery of a runaway teenager hiding on the property open up a world neither the Hirschlers nor Brooke had considered before. Will they be able to overcome their challenges and differences to help the ones among them hurting the most?

MY REVIEW: I always love Kim's books and Ours For a Season is no exception! Amish/Mennonite is not my favorite, but this one surprised me. There was more depth in the story with an unexpected range of topics. Marty's longing for a child has colored her world with a bitter outlook and has placed a strain on her marriage and her faith in God. So when her childhood friend offers the chance for Marty and Anthony to get away with an offer for his company to rebuild an abandoned community, Marty hopes to rebuild the relationship both with her husband and with her non-believing friend, Brooke.

The story of the tightly-knit group of Mennonites, along with a couple of people of no faith shows the bonds growing even stronger as Brooke battles a cancer diagnosis and a runaway discovered on the property sheds light on the plight of runaway teens and human trafficking. The challenges faced by the various characters bring new insight and strength and leads to surprising changes in their lives. I highly recommend this one!

I received a copy of the book at no cost to myself as part of the Waterbrook Launch Team as a #PRHpartner. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Daily Question for You and Your Child

The Daily Question for You and Your Child: A Three-Year Spiritual Journal by Waterbrook is an interactive journal that not only allows a bonding moment between parent and child daily but also creates a keepsake memory to last a lifetime. This 5.8 x 1.1 x 7.3" hardbound book asks a total of 365 questions ranging from questions on faith to encourage spiritual growth to simple questions about everyday life on to questions that help explore creative, fun thoughts, spurring on the child's imagination.

A fun feature of this diary is that there is space to answer these questions 3 different times. The suggestion is for 3 years in a row, but I admit, I would like to see the differences in a larger time frame... perhaps 3-5 years apart. Of course, you could buy several books (per child) and continue this tradition for many years. Reflecting back each year/time you revisit these questions is a perfect way to measure growth or changes. Plus, gifting the completed book to each child when he or she becomes an adult makes this a priceless treasure. 

 

Time flies much faster than we realize and the opportunity presented by this book to record your child's thoughts, and even more importantly, spend TIME with your child having a conversation is reason enough for me to recommend this book. And it's a perfect gift for parents to have available.

 

I received this book as a member of the Waterbrook Launch Team Program at no cost to myself. I was not required to write a positive review. #PRHpartner

 ENTER THE DAILY QUESTION SWEEPSTAKES!
HOW TO ENTER:
- Posting a video of your child going through 1-2 questions from the book The Daily Question for You and Your Child on @WaterBrookMultnomah’s Facebook Page as required in the applicable Sweepstakes announcement using the hashtag #DailyQuestionSweepstakes; or

- Posting a video to your Twitter account of your child going through 1-2 questions from the book The Daily Question for You and Your Child as required in the applicable Sweepstakes announcement using the hashtag #DailyQuestionSweepstakes; or

- Posting a video to your Instagram account of your child going through 1-2 questions from the book The Daily Question for You and Your Child as required in the applicable Sweepstakes announcement using the hashtag #DailyQuestionSweepstakes.