Enclave by Thomas Locke

After the Great Crash, America is now structured as enclaves. With no real federal government, everything is loosely governed and a sad excuse for what it once was. There is hope in Catawbe that a young trader named Caleb will be the hope of the future, but he knows that he is hiding information that will surely be the end of his life. 

One of my favorite characters in this book was Kevin Ritter. There isn't really a specific main character, but several men that come together to find a better life for their families. Kevin is a deputy sheriff who lost his job because he is caught working for the Underground Railroad. 

While this genre is not my go-to, this story swept me off my feet and didn't let go, even after the last page was turned. I loved the characters, and I really appreciated the storyline of a rebuild after global disaster. While the reality of that seems almost impossible with our current infrastructure, it's also a warning that realistically, anything can happen! 

This book was provided by the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. 

Wait For Me by Susan May Warren

When you're reading the sixth book in a series, you really have to wonder what it is that keeps the stories alive. You've jumped into the fire and it's almost like a mystery as to what is going on with the characters and their possible back stories.  

I was wrong to even think that. 

Warren does not disappoint, even reading this book as my introduction to the series. The battle between love, man, and nature is enough to leave you on the edge of your seat even more than a movie of its kind. The way the characters come to life left me captivated and absolutely certain that I have to read the first five books in this series as soon as I can. (I've already acquired them, that's how good this book was!) 

Pete and Jess's relationship was dear to my heart because my own romantic entanglements echo their story. All of the things I look for in a good book; danger, romance, and the inclusion of God in their lives was present, and it was a delightful, fast paced read. 

While I imagine this story is better with having read all the backstories of the previous five books, it stands alone quite nicely, and keeps you wanting more. The one upside of reading the last book in the series first is that it's not over for you! Just the beginning. Happy reading, my friends, I know I will be!

This book was provided by the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. 

The Light Before Day by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Siblings Henry and Hitty Macy have inherited a fortune from their grandmother, Lillian Coffin, but it comes with certain conditions and stipulations. They must each marry a Quaker in good standing in the eyes of the community, and if they choose to give up their fortunes, the inheritance goes to the thieving business partner of their father's. 

They each attempt to satisfy the will's conditions, but times are changing, and fulfilling their grandmother's wishes is a lot more difficult than either of the could have imagined. 

Any book Suzanne Woods Fisher writes is worth the read, but this book and this series held a special appeal to me with the historical value and Quaker roots of its people. It's not often that I can weave myself into a story - I am more of an observer from the outside looking in - but this author has a way of pulling you into the story and not letting you leave, long after the tale has been told. This is the kind of book that will have you pondering its unread mysteries while you go about your day, and you simply cannot wait to get back to it and find out what the answers are. If you have limited time to read or don't read often, make time for this book and series. It will stay with you for the rest of your life. 

This book was provided by the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review.

The Sound of Distant Thunder by Jan Drexler

Katie Stuckey and Jonas Weaver are both romantics. Seventeen-year-old Katie is starry-eyed, in love with the idea of being in love, and does not want to wait to marry Jonas until she is eighteen, despite her parents' insistence. So much can happen in a year. Twenty-year-old Jonas is taken in by the romance of soldiering, especially in defense of anti-slavery, even though he knows war is at odds with the teachings of the church. When his married brother's name comes up in the draft list, he volunteers to take his brother's place. But can the commitment Katie and Jonas have made to each other survive the separation?

My Review

The setting of this book was very different than what I am used to with Amish fiction, and I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it very much! The setting created a tumultuous setting due to the Civil War, and the internal conflict created by the war intrigued me from the beginning. It's hard to think of the Amish in the background during that time, but I'd honestly never considered that the Amish were already in the United States when the war had begun. Before this book I had never considered that they might have been pulled into the draft or even compelled to fight. I knew that the Anabaptist way is non-resistance, but it finally hit me when reading this book that their beliefs were probably shaped due to situations arising where they had to define their faith and stance on hot topics like the war. 

The characters were compelling, and I enjoyed Katie's innocence as she falls in love with Jonas. I was surprised by a development in the first few chapters that concerned Katie, and after that particular revelation I understood why she was so dependent on Jonas and his love. I dug into the book after that, because I related to her life so much. I cannot ruin the book for anyone by relating certain elements, but I highly recommend you pick up a copy and read this author. The setting, the characters, the word imagery - all ties into a book that makes you feel like you can fall into and become a part of. 

This book was provided by the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review.

An Amish Homecoming

Four brand new Amish stories of coming home.

No Place Like Home by Amy Clipston

Estranged daughter Eva Dienner has been staying with her in-laws since her husband was killed in a fire, but now she wants her son to meet his maternal grandparents. Upon her return, Eva finds that the man her parents always intended for her is living in their daadihaus and running the dairy farm for them for free, despite her suspicions of him taking advantage of her family. Eva knows she should put the past behind her, but is she ready to move into the future?

When Love Returns by Beth Wiseman

Hurricane Harvey forces Sarah Zook to return to the home she fled six years ago when she couldn’t face her stern parents’ reaction to her unplanned pregnancy. Upon her return, Abram King can think of nothing but the pain she caused him—until he meets Sarah’s daughter and realizes that he never really stopped loving Sarah. Sarah and Abram must find a way to face the truth of their past so they can rekindle their first love.

The Courage to Love by Shelley Shepard Gray

After the death of her Englisch husband, Irene Keim seeks a fresh start by staying with her new friends Mary Ruth and Henry Wengerd in exchange for helping them around the house. But when Mary Ruth and Henry’s son Marcus comes around, he isn’t pleased with the woman they’ve taken in and is determined to push her out. Misunderstandings abound, but both Irene and Marcus learn that people aren’t always what they seem.

What Love Built by Kathleen Fuller

Independent and headstrong, Carolyn is determined to forge ahead with the opening of her bakery, a lifelong dream, in the Birch Creek home she left ten years ago. But she’s in over her head and needs help with the cleaning, shopping, and deliveries. Carpenter Atlee Shetler is visiting Birch Creek to escape the memories of his late wife. He takes a job renovating the new bakery and finds the project—and its owner—to be much more than he bargained for. Both Carolyn and Atlee must face pains of the past if they want to have the bright future God has planned for them.

My Review:

My initial thoughts about this book was a bit reluctant to dig into it, with it being 4 stories in one, and thinking it was a reprint of older material. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was completely wrong and I got so engrossed in this book that I read it in almost as many sitting as there were stories! Each author brought her own flair to her story, with engaging dialogue, a peek into Amish life, and not a single moment of boredom. The one aspect that I really appreciated was the fact that this was not a traditional "Amish" read. These stories were fresh, exciting, and appealed to my Englisch ways. 

These stories were written by four of my favorite authors of the genre, with a very Prodigal son like feel. They were coming home stories that made me think about how hard it must really be to life that lifestyle, to have that faith, and then to face adversity despite their Godly living. It really made me realize that they are people, just like us, with the same struggles and trials. And that made them very relatable and as real as the people we surround ourselves with. 

This book was provided by the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review.

Catching Christmas by Terri Blackstock

As a first-year law associate, Sydney Batson knows she will be updating her resume by New Year's if she loses her current court case. So when her grandmother gets inexplicably ill while she's in court, Sydney arranges for a cab to get her to the clinic.

The last thing cab driver Finn Parrish wants is to be saddled with a wheelchair-bound old lady with dementia. But because Miss Callie reminds him of his own mother, whom he failed miserably in her last days, he can't say no when she keeps calling him for rides. Once a successful gourmet chef, Finn's biggest concern now is making his rent, but half the time Callie doesn't remember to pay him. And as she starts to feel better, she leads him on wild goose chases to find a Christmas date for her granddaughter.

When Finn meets Sydney, he's quite sure that she's never needed help finding a date. Does Miss Callie have an ulterior motive, or is this just a mission driven by delusions? He's willing to do whatever he can to help fulfill Callie's Christmas wish. He just never expected to be a vital part of it.

My Review:

This book was a pleasant surprise for me. I avoid Christmas books like the plague, and I have yet to read an actual "Christmas story" of any kind. Terri Blackstock's first book in the Newpointe 911 series was my first novel at nine years old, secretly read because my mother didn't think I was old enough. So out of curiosity and respect for the author, I gave this book a chance.

It is very hard to write a review for this book because I want to just sum up everything that happened. I want to tell you what happens to Sydney and her horrible job. I want to say why Finn is doing what he's doing for Miss Callie, even though it's hard for him to lose money on her fares. I want to shout from the rooftops about the twist at the end that took me by surprise, but really, I should have seen coming because Callie is a character to behold.

One of my favorite things about Callie's personality is her lack of filter. She is not vulgar in any way, but she is an opinionated woman with enough life to make any young person feel like they need to step up their game. At almost 30 years old myself, I want to be just like Callie when I grow up.

I would love to see this book be turned into a Hallmark movie. It would be a movie I would watch on Christmas Day as a tradition, and a teaching tool for my sons to show them that making time for others is always the right thing to do. Family is important, and no one knows that as much as Finn...

This book was provided by the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review.

Through the Autumn Air by Kelly Irvin

The mother of ten, Mary Katherine, is an empty-nester who lost her husband four years earlier. She misses him so much, she still talks to him. When a mysterious English stranger breaks into her house looking for food, it heralds the beginning of a new chapter in the widow's life. Mary Katherine turns to her good friend, Ezekiel, who needs a cook at the restaurant he started after his wife died earlier. When they both set out to separately make sure their new friend isn't caught up in an investigation, their paths keep crossing. Will Mary Katherine learn to love again, without the fear of diminishing the strong love she had for her first husband?

My Review

Widow Mary Kay's children have finally left the nest, and she is free to live her life to the fullest. But her controlling sons and bishop are not supporters of her dreams, and a chance to be happy again could be just what she needs. Her biggest supporter is her late husband, Moses, whom she has wonderful conversations with. She knows it's her writer's imagination at work, but it brings her comfort despite his loss. 

Another member of the community, Ezekiel Miller, has also suffered the loss of a spouse. His wife Lucy was taken suddenly, and like Mary Kay, it has changed everything for him. 

I really love how the writer gets you, as the reader, emotionally invested in these characters. Anyone can write a story, but the only way to sell books is to breathe life through the pen and bring the people they write about to life. There were characters from the previous books in the series, so anyone who likes to read in order should do so. It really adds to the sense of community and familiarity to the story, and of course, this being the third book in the series, the writer's style should be comforting as well. 

I wanted Ezekiel and Mary Kay to get together so bad, and things just kept happening! I wanted to jump in my car and find whatever Amish community that the author was writing about, find them and help them along! 

This book was provided by the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. 

The Midwife by Jolina Petersheim

Beth Winslow's life has not been at all what she planned. After her mother left when she needed her most, Beth has floated through life to where she finds herself that day, the day the professor asks her to become a surrogate. Thinking it will erase the wrongs of her past and help pay for her college, she agrees and signs on the dotted line. But when preliminary tests show that there may be something wrong with the baby that she carries, she flees to the Mennonite community deep in the heart of Tennessee to keep the child and the secrets of her past safe.

Rhoda Mammau is the head midwife in a crumbling house from the Civil War Era inside a Mennonite community for unwed mothers. She has given her life to the girls and their babies, and she intends to be there until the day she dies.

The problem with secrets is that they don't always stay secrets. Amelia knows that she is in trouble and her only choice is to leave and clear her head before she makes a decision. Having read about the Mennonite community in Tennessee that takes unwed mothers, she packs her things and sets out to see if they hold the answers she seeks.

What everyone doesn't realize is that everything is connected, and when one thread is pulled, entire lives will unravel.

I didn't realize how involved I would become with the characters and their stories. Mentally I knew things would tie together, but to read the words unfolding from page to page, I couldn't stop reading. Much like when you watch a movie and you can't look away. I'm nursing a baby right now, so I was able to read for hours while he was feeding, and trust me when I say you're going to want some quality time to read this novel - because you're not going to want to put it down!

a Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers

After four years of absence from the book reading and reviewing community, this is the book that pulled me back in. My other half had dragged me into Hobby Lobby and on their bookshelf near the front, this book called to me from its designated shelf. I am one of those people that can't stand to pay more in person when I can just get it online for less, but this time the price difference was just pennies, and I asked Jake if he would get it for me. I had paid for our date that day, so I didn't feel bad asking him to purchase it, but I specifically wanted him to buy it for me because my ex-husband burned my library of thousands and thousands of books. The memories were not at all good ones, but I knew if I could just get my foot in the door with reading Christian Fiction again, I could somewhat erase the past and build a new future.

Running away from an abusive husband is hard to do after seven years, but I ran about as far as I could manage and joined the Army in August of 2014. My journey in life had brought me to a place very similar to Bathsheba's, in the end I paid the price just as she did, twice, but God has blessed me and I now have a year old son, with another on the way. His ways are not our ways, and it took a bad seven year marriage, four years in the Army, two miscarriages, and a lot of bad experiences to get me to where I am today.

Unveiled is about Tamar of the Old Testament, the woman whom Judah (Joseph's older brother) brought into his household and married her to his eldest son. She is a woman who had no future, no hope of being a part of the kingdom of God, but God grafted her into his Family.

Unashamed takes us to the dusty city of Jericho, where Rahab has a place in the wall. A woman with no way of having a voice in the world of men, she hides the spies whose parents have wandered the desert for 40 years after leaving Egypt. As a prostitute there is no reason why she should ever have been a part of the lineage of God's people, but she too, joined the faithful few.

Unshaken visits the life and story of Ruth; the famed Moabitess who followed her mother-in-law, Naomi, to the land of Israel after their husbands died in Moab. She is stubborn, but has faith that the God of Naomi is more powerful than her country's gods of clay and stone. She meets Boaz upon gleaning from his fields, and the rest is history. Boaz is Rahab's son, and he and Ruth bear Obed, who is Jesse's father, and the grandfather of King David.

Unspoken is the well known tale of David and Bathsheba, complete with the adulterous details of how one woman was the reason that an entire kingdom fell. It is sobering to realize that David's sin with Bathsheba did not end with one night; it extended to not only the rest of his life, but the loss of life of his sons and the kingdom itself. A particular detail was of interest to me in that Bathsheba was somewhere in the middle of what became a long line of wives. Those who had come before her had borne many sons, and yet her son Solomon, was given the crown. Which means that all the sons before him had to die. It's something that's a part of the history of it all, and yet it struck me anew as I read her story.

Unafraid takes us right to the part of the story that the last four stories have been pointing to - the birth of the Messiah. I can't say that I've read a lot of stories regarding Mary and her life, so this was a refreshing first for me. Mary is a woman of courage, just like her predecessors, but in this reimagining, she worries and frets more than anything before the Crucifixion. I think this is a possibility, because now I am a mother, and can understand her worries and her questions. In the end her faith and service to the Lord was rewarded.