My Amish Boyfriend

Book - My Amish Boyfriend

Author - Melody Carlson

Publisher - Revell

 272 pages, paperback




This is an entertaining read by talented author Melody Carlson.  Teenager Shannon and her ill mother are sent off to live with Amish relatives.  Shannon had no idea she was related to Amish and goes through  major culture shock.  She stays with her grandparents and gets to experience an authentic Amish life.  Through her experiences, we see a stark contrast between modern living in the "world" and the traditional Amish way of life. 

I was shocked by the Amish teenagers' behavior through their "sowing their oats" phase of life.  This included some use of alcohol. It saddened me. But made me realize that whether Amish or not, people can suffer from destructive behavior.  I loved reading about Shannon's days living among the Amish and how her mother was able to recover from her illness. 

Overall, I think this book would most appeal to teenagers. They would be greatly entertained and would also enjoy the experiences and lessons in the story.





* Disclosure - I received this item for review purposes.*





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The Manual to Manhood

Book - The Manual to Manhood: How to Cook the Perfect Steak, Change a tire, Impress a girl and 97 other skills you need to survive.

Author - Jonathan Catherman

Publisher - Revell

Pages - 288 pages, paperback


This is a book is geared to young men. It will teach them social manners along with practical skills.  Readers will learn how to tie a tie. This includes easy illustrations and instructions.  There are also tips on how to shake hands, how to introduce yourself to someone, how to ask a girl out, and how to meet a girl's parents.  You will also read about job interviews, how to shave, how to change a tire, do laundry, iron, cook, how to create a budget, how to live debt - free, how to read a tape measure, how to hang a picture, how to throw a football, and so much more.

There are 10 sections with subjects like: "Social Skills and Manners" and "Work and Ethics".  Each section contains several topics with instructions. 

The book is instructive with a sense of humor. It is entertaining and informative.  It will teach while holding your attention.  The instructions are short and to the point. There are tips throughout the book and each instruction includes an estimated time it will take to do the item explained.



* Disclosure - I received this item for review purposes.*





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Christmas from Heaven

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir takes part in a yearly Christmas tradition.  At each program,
some story is shared.  One of those true stories was read by Tom Brokaw.   This is from the book:

                                                       Christmas from Heaven

It is the story of "The Berlin Candy Bomber," Lt. Gail Halvorsen who was only 27 years old when he first gave 2 pieces of gum to children in Berlin.   This American pilot was delivering necessary food to the city of Berlin in 1948.    He noticed the children standing by the fence, watching.  They were sweet children who didn't ask for anything.  This moved him to share what he had.  It also gave him an idea.  He decided to share his own rations of chocolate and gum with the children. Other soldiers joined the cause.  They made little parachutes out of handkerchiefs and dropped down the treats to the children.

This kind act helped bring hope to the children and their families.  The entire story is told very sweetly in the book, "Christmas from Heaven."  You will also see beautiful illustrations by Robert T. Barrett.  There are even black and white photographs from historical archives.   Inside the book you will find a DVD. This is a short program showing The Mormon Tabernacle Choir performing while Tom Brokaw reads the story to listeners.  We also get to meet Lt. Gail Halvorsen at the end of the program.  This kind, humble man is now in his 90's and a delight to see. 

At the end of the book, we read more about the accomplishments and life of the Lieutenant.  It is impressive and makes one proud!

This is an excellent book for children and families.  The companion DVD is a marvelous resource.  The true story will inspire excellence and compassion in children.  It is a charming lesson in history.





* Disclosure - I received this item for review purposes.*

The Smart Woman's Guide to Retirement Planning by Mary Hunt

Book - The Smart Woman's Guide to Retirement Planning

Author - Mary Hunt

Publisher - Revell

Hardcover, 213 pages



Mary Hunt always has great ideas for managing money. In each of her books, I find inspiration and motivation!  In her latest book, "The Smart Woman's Guide to Retirement Planning" she shares what it takes to get control of one's finances with the later years in mind.

I was specifically intrigued by the latest resources in money management (including specific banks she considers trustworthy; online banking, bill paying, etc.). I also loved her revelation when she realized she, herself, was very close to the age to begin receiving Medicare, and she had a moment of panic!

Her insight and friendly advice on different types of investments, ideas for savings, and her wonderful "you - can- do - it" attitude is just what we need in today's difficult economy.

She compared taking care of one's health to taking care of one's finances.  When we neglect our health, eating junk food, ignoring our need for exercise, and live stressful lives, the result is damage and disease to the body.  This is very similar to our reckless, and careless approach to our money.  We can live financially healthy lives, or we can live in a financial mess! 

She reminds us that we are responsible for what we do with our money.  Here is a quote from the book:

"If you have a management style like the one I lived by for so many years in which you spend money until it's gone then white - knuckle it until you can manage to get more, you need a change. Your system doesn't work."  (page 57)

She tells us that in our lives, it doesn't matter how much money we made, it will only matter what we DID with that money.




*Disclosure - I received a copy of each book for review purposes.*

Review - Home to Heather Creek Books

1. "Before the Dawn" by Kathleen Bauer.

The story starts with an elderly couple, Charlotte and her husband Bob.  After the death of their daughter, they are given custody of their 3 grandchildren to raise. One is a young boy and the other two are teenagers.   The family adjusts to living all together on a rural Nebraska Farm.   There is a lot of grief to deal with and routines to establish.  The children barely know their grandparents and don't feel settled.  Charlotte was very unsure of her parenting skills and found it difficult to make decisions.  Bob's more set-in-his-ways view of life helped bring more stability to the family. This was a modern story with normal trials.  Overall the story is an interesting read, but was a little hard to warm up to the characters.


2. "Sweet September" by Kathleen Bauer.

The story continues and the family is more settled.  Life has become more normal for the family.  We deal with more than just grief this time.   The family seems to have bonded and there is more action and excitement.  There are a few mysteries and fun things happening.  Charlotte seems to have gained more confidence in the parenting of her grandchildren.   We meet the same neighbors in the same community from the last book, and get to know them a little better.


The author, "Kathleen Bauer" is the pen name of the various authors who actually write each story.  The first book was written by Carolyne Aarsen.  The second book was written by Tricia Goyer.  This gives each story a more unique perspective, even though it is an ongoing series. These wholesome stories are gentle Christian entertainment.




*Disclosure - I received a copy of each book for review purposes.*

The Secret Keeper by Beverly Lewis

Book - The Secret Keeper

Author - Beverly Lewis

Publisher - Bethany House

Paperback, 346 pages

Beverly Lewis is known for introducing the genre of Amish Fiction.  Millions of her books have been published.  She is a trusted and much loved author. 

In her latest book, "The Secret Keeper," she takes us through a beautiful story about a seeker who wants to be Amish.  The main character, Jenny, wants to leave her old life and go live with an Old Order Amish family. We get to see what it would be like through her eyes!  The storyline is peaceful, instructive and enjoyable. 

Jenny gets to wear Amish clothes, sew, bake, cook, do housework and go to church services. Any homemaker reading this book will be inspired to get right up and start cooking and cleaning!  One might even want to start mending!

There is a peaceful beauty in the way the author brings us into Amish life.  There were moments when the wisdom of the Amish people soothed my own personal worries!  The trials of some of the young people who considered leaving the Amish way of life, to join progressive churches was very sad.  I love the example Jenny set for them. 

There was a point in the story where I almost panicked. I didn't like the way it was going for Jenny. But as it all played out, I began to understand the reasoning behind her actions.  It had to happen the way Lewis wrote it.  Her wisdom in writing combined with her knowledge of the Amish world is incredible! 

Overall, this has to be my favorite of all her books thus far.  The last page, actually made me want to cheer!  It was an excellent story!




*Disclosure - I received a copy of this book for review purposes.*

The Letters by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Book - The Letters:  The Inn at Eagle Hill

Author - Suzanne Woods Fisher

Publisher - Revell

320 pages, paperback



What intrigued me most about this book was the idea of having one's very own INN!  Rose Schrock, and her children, had to move in with her mother-in-law because of financial difficulties.  The story begins after she becomes a widow.  Her husband had some investment problems and left Rose with debts.  Rose felt very strongly about paying everyone back, despite a bankruptcy.  Even if she could only send each person a few dollars, here and there, she planned to pay them all back.  This is part of the reason why she opened a little Inn.  She also wanted a way to support the family.

The story goes back and forth between the Amish community and Englishers in the outside world.  Some of the English people stay at Rose's Inn.   There is an intense contrast between those living in "the world" and the Amish.   One is full of intense, stressful troubles; the other has a great deal of support and help for whatever comes up!  I sensed the Englishers were the loneliest and most anxious people in the world, compared to the Amish.

In the beginning  of the story, I had a little trouble understanding what was happening or who was who!  But eventually I got the hang of it.  I enjoyed reading about the Amish neighbors and Rose's children.

Overall, it is an interesting story.  It is a long read, with some funny moments along the way.

Bonus!  The book includes a delightful recipe for Blueberry Cornbread, which was a specialty at the INN.



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



*Disclosure - I received a copy of this book for review purposes.*