"The Scent of Cherry Blossoms" by Cindy Woodsmall

Wow, wow, wow!!!! It has been a long time since a book has totally engrossed me into its world. "The Scent of Cherry Blossoms" did just that.

The main character, Annie, is Old Order Mennonite. She is going through trying times with her mother, and her mother sends her to live with her grandfather. While there, she helps out at a diner that her grandfather partially owns. This is where the Zook family enters, and they are Old Order Amish. Twins Aden and Roman have been close all their lives, even after a farming accident took the use of Roman's legs and left their dad with problems. While Roman is away, Annie takes his place at the diner.

What ensues from here...only time will tell! Look for a story rich in love, faith, and family.

I love that this book included two types of Old Order religions, and that it addressed an Amish person with an acquired disability. A lot of Amish themed books tend to sound alike, but the author spun this one to where it would have a spark all its own. 

This book was given to me by waterbrookmultnomah in exchange for my honest review.

"Leah's Choice" by Marta Perry

Leah's Choice is the first book I've read that was written by Marta Perry, and I know that I will continue on with this series!

Leah has settled on the fact that she will never marry. She loves teaching the children of Pleasant Valley at the same Amish schoolhouse she attended as a child. Jolted by her fiance Johnny, Leah still lives at home with her parents and younger sister, Anna.

Daniel Glick wants an escape from Lancaster County and the memories that haunt him there. He moves to Paradise Valley with his 3 children.

Leah and Daniel meet as she is the schoolteacher. As time goes on, they begin seeing qualities in each other that they like. Daniel is also there for Leah during the time that she is having problems with her sister, Anna. On the other hand, Johnny shows back up, educated in worldly ways, and convinces Leah to help out with a project at the local medical clinic.

This book was very enjoyable! The author developed the characters nicely, and the setting of Pleasant Valley was a welcome change, as many Amish books are set in Lancaster county.

This book was bought on my own, and this review is all my own.

Seven!

I have 7 followers! I am so blessed!

I can't lift over 10 pounds for the next few weeks, so it looks like I'll have some time off work. So far today Sam and I have slept late, ate scrambled eggs, and cleaned up toys. He's enjoying some PBS while I'm enjoying some me time! Later we will do alphabet and number review.

I am at a standstill on what book to read next...which one would you pick? Vital Signs by Kathy Herman or Defending Jacob by William Landay???

Thanks to everyone who reads and follows. I am enjoying blogging!

Amy Clipston's "Roadside Assistance"

I have been a reader of Amy Clipston's for a long time now. Her "Kauffman Amish Bakery" series is one of my all time favorites! When Mrs. Clipston announced she was putting out a young adult book, I wasn't skeptical, but I wasn't excited either. My opinion sure changed after I read Roadside Assistance.

This book tells the story of Emily, a teenage tomboy who only has her dad left after her mom dies of cancer. Falling on hard times, the family of 2 moves in with Emily's aunt. Her cousin, Whitney, is the same age as Emily, and Whitney has a great faith in God while Emily has lost that faith in the wake of her mother's death. Emily's life and faith start to perk up when she meets the next door neighbor, Zander. Emily has worked on automobiles all her life, just as Zander has. They form a friendship that gets stronger over time. Zander and Whitney introduce church back into Emily's life, and she takes baby steps in getting back into the swing of it.

Her faith comes full circle when Emily, at the end of the book, learns to let others in and let the walls around her heart be torn down. Emily's character goes through lots of different situations that anyone can learn from, but especially teenage girls. The other characters in the book are also very relatable.

Roadside Assistance also shows that girls can enjoy something that is not typical for them to enjoy. Emily enjoyed working on automobiles. It gave her life and energy. It shows that when you enjoy something with all your heart, and you work hard at it, you can accomplish your goals.

I really enjoyed this book! Also, I saw where Mrs. Clipston announced via Twitter that she is going to write a sequel to Roadside Assistance, and I am SO VERY EXCITED!!!! I was so hoping that the story would continue! And when it does, I plan on getting it the day it releases!

--I bought this book on my own. This review is my own opinion!-

"The Prairie Romance Collection"

The Prairie Romance Collection is a collection of 9 short stories written by various authors. Each story has the common underlying theme of being set in the 1800s-early 1900s, but each take on a different direction with each story.

My favorite of the stories was "Freedom's Ring". It tells the story of a young woman who becomes a widow after her husband and son die on their voyage to the United States. With only her 8 month old daughter, this lady befriends a wealthy man on the ship, and from there, an unlikely journey and romance bloom.

The other stories speak of tough times on the prairie, lost loved ones, and trials of life. If you enjoy romance, historical, or any kind of Christian fiction, this short story collection will not disappoint!

Applesauce!

I've had a rough few days post surgery. All I can eat is applesauce! Breakfast, lunch, and supper I have applesauce. I might have a piece of toast or a banana, but for the most part, its applesauce.

I want badly to read, but when I start, I get sleepy. I'm taking several medications for pain and infection, so I stay laying on the couch a lot. I'm ready for life to get back to normal! I don't like being down! But I know God is going to get me back to normal!

"The Fiddler" by Beverly Lewis

As an avid reader of Mrs. Lewis, I embarked on "The Fiddler" expecting a great story, and I was not let down.

Amy Devries is an Englischer who is a violinist. Trying to find her own way in life, Amy has begun fiddling. One night after a concert, she has car trouble, and Amishman Michael helps her. This night is the start of a beautiful friendship, as Michael has his own issues with finding his own way in life.

In true Beverly Lewis fashion, this story flows beautifully, never lags, and paints a picture that every reader can imagine. I'm looking forward to the next installment in this series.

Tim Tebow's "Through my Eyes"

My latest read was Tim Tebow's "Through my Eyes". My first encounter with the Tebow image was when he played for the University of Florida. All I remember is that I got tired of hearing his name over and over! As an avid Alabama fan, I didn't like him. And then, his personal life and his beliefs came out. He was attacked. He stood firm. I was intrigued. Years later, I decide to buy and read his book.

Tebow goes through the integral parts of his childhood, which was stellar. He learned many life lessons, and his parents were always there to support and guide him. His high school years are highlighted by changes and triumphs. Picking a college was not an easy task.

Tebow spends a good bit of time talking about his time at Florida, and then somewhat goes into his beginning NFL years. Football is the main theme of this book, and the secondary theme is his faith. These are to be expected. As a woman who is a football fan, I understood most but not all of the football talk. If you are going to read this book just to have a look at Tebow's faith, you will have to read in between the lines of football, because Tim Tebow doesn't keep them seperate. Though that doesn't make it easy for me to read, I believe that it is a good witness. Tebow shows men, boys, and everyone that God is his #1.

I gave this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. His writing is good but there is room for improvement. His descriptions and references to Bible verses were spot on. But its not my new favorite, and I feel it just could have been a little bit better.

My first time!

This blogging thing is all new to me, but I feel as I need an outlet, so here goes! I'm Hannah, a happily married 28 year old wife and mom. I LOVE to read, and talk. This seems like it will be a good place for me to "talk" even when no one wants to listen to me.

This past Thursday was a day that was totally unexpected, as I saw the Dr. at 12:30pm and was in surgery for an emergency appendectomy at 3pm.  I'm very glad that its over, but the recovery is no fun. Soreness reigns, and all I can do is pray; through this, I know God is able.

I haven't been the best God girl, but I know I am His, even through moments of uncertainty. Was my surgery routine? Yes. Had the doctor done it before? Sure, and he took out my gallbladder last year. Was I scared! Yep. I was. What I am most thankful for is those that have taken time out of their lives to call, Facebook, text, etc. Good friends are hard to keep nowadays; life's busy-ness gets in the way of quality relationships. I am grateful for those few friends that I have.

My husband has been the man through it all! He cooks, he cleans, he takes care of me and Sam. I'm so glad he's here, even though he sees me in a mess all the time right now.