Love's Awakening

Love's Awakening is the second book in the Ballantyne Legacy series by Laura Frantz, and the book was just as well written, if inot better than, the first. The book follows the story of Ellie Ballantyne, as she travels' back to her family home after attending school in Philadelphia. As she is traveling home, she meets Jack Turlock, who has a less than perfect home life in a family that is the enemy of the Ballantyne family. Soon they find themselves spending more time together when Ellie opens a school for young girls and begins to teach his young sister. As a realtionship begins to form between herself and Jack, she begins to question if she could ever have a place in their family since they are pro-slavery and they make whiskey.

I really enjooyed the main characters in this story, and I liked the historical focus on the book. It was intersting to read a book that contained information about the Underground Railroad because I don't often have a chance to read those types of books. In terms of the characters, Jack is a great example that no matter what type of family you come from, you are able to overcome and move beyound your background. I'm looking forward to the next book in this great series.   

 Available September 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

 Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have 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."

The Invention of Sarah Cummings

The Invention of Sarah Cummings, by Olivia Newport, is the third book in her Avenue of Dreams Series based in Chicago. Sarah Cummings was introduced in the Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow book when she began working for the Banning household. As soon as I read about her in that book, I didn’t particularly like her, and it took a good majority of the newest book for me to start liking her. Sarah always seemed to think she was too good to be working for the Banning family, as she had dreams of being a part of the upper class. Sarah invents a new identity, Serena Cuthbert, which allows her to create a place for herself in upper society. She is able to keep up this charade by dressing the part by re-fashioning the gowns given to her by the Banning family.  

 

I really have enjoyed all of the books in this series, and I ended up enjoying this book, but I didn’t really connect with the Character of Sarah as much as I had the others in previous books. I don’t know if this book would have been as enjoyable if I had read it as a stand-alone, but I did end up liking the growth of the main character as she found out what was important in life.  

 

Available September 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have 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."

All in Good Time

All in Good Time, written by Maureen Lang, is a part of The Gilded Legacy Series, and it focuses on Dessa Caldwell’s plans to open Pierson House. This will be a place for former prostitutes in Denver to live once Dessa is able to get a bank loan as final financing for her project. Henry Hawkins is the owner of the bank, and he has no desire to become involved in the Pierson House. His business partner, and family member, becomes involved and gives Dessa the loan which intertwines the stories of Dessa and Henry. They both have pasts they are trying to hid, but through forgiveness they are able to grow, both in their faith and personal lives.

 

Maureen Lang is one of my favorite authors, so I was really excited to read this book. I really enjoyed it and the characters she created. They were very likeable and relatable in that many people have something in their past they aren’t proud of. I look forward to reading more stories that she writes.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have 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."

A Season for Tending

A Season for Tending is the first book in the Amish Vines and Orchards Series by Cindy Woodsmall. The book introduces the reader to many interesting characters including Rhoda Byler, Samuel King, and Samuel’s young sister Leah. Rhoda is most herself when she’s tending to her herbs and berries and helping those in need. Rhoda must deal with rumors being spread about her due to her premonitions about trouble and her healing through herbs from her garden.  A few hours away, Samuel King has an apple orchard that is facing difficulties that him and his brothers are trying to resolve while his sister Leah goes through her rumschpringe. Samuel and Rhoda meet through Leah, and Samuel is soon trying to find a way to partner with Rhoda to help with his family orchard.

 

I always like to read books by Cindy Woodsmall, and I was not disappointed with this book. Her characters were relatable, and I liked reading more about the rumschpringe time of Leah. I cannot wait to read the next books in this series. If you’re interested in this book, you can read the first chapter here.

 

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review."

A Surprise for Lily

A Surprise of Lily is the most recent book in The Adventures of Lily Lapp series by Suzanne Woods Fisher that I have read, and it is just as cute as the other books in the series. This last story in the series looks at Lily in 5^th grade, and the changes she is facing in her life are similar to what any girl her age would face. This book is not only relevant to Amish children, but it makes a great story for children to understand how the Amish Community lives.

I was given this book free of charge for an honest review.

Available August 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.