The Heart of the Amish by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Book - The Heart of the Amish

Author - Suzanne Woods Fisher

Publisher - Revell

Paperback, 178 pages


The book consists of two parts. One - Everyday Friction and, Two - Turning Points.  Each chapter shares someone's story - an annoyance, a struggle, or some kind of situation where forgiveness is required. 

At the end of each chapter is a small section of "Reflections." This may include thoughtful questions or insights to help the reader in a sort of therapy to help them work through the concept of forgiveness in their own lives.

Next, each chapter ends with a boxed - in section called, "Plain Truth." These are fascinating tidbits of trivia, mostly about the Amish and other similar groups.

While many of the chapters include Amish related stories, some do not.  Also there are chapters about modern, sensitive topics that some may not feel the need to read.

This book would be most helpful to those who are struggling with bitterness and need help working towards of forgiving spirit.


*Disclosure - This book was provided for review purposes.*

The Love Letters by Beverly Lewis

Book - The Love Letters

Author - Beverly Lewis

Publisher - Bethany House

Paperback, 345 pages.


Beverly does a marvelous job creating a story that encourages peacefulness.  An Amish young woman, Marlena, has to leave her parent's home to spend time with her Mennonite grandmother.   Grandma needs help caring for her home and doing chores.  We get to know the neighbors and what the chores are like.  There is a young boy next door who is struggling to help with the work, but his father won't take the time to encourage him.  In the boy's wandering (as he plays in the community) he finds an old letter and meets a stranger.  There are a few different subplots that keep the story interesting.  Marlena's sister gets in an accident and her baby is sent to Grandmother's house for Marlena to tend.   Overall, it is an interesting story with genuine Amish - style dialogue that will entertain.



* Disclosure - This book was provided for review purposes.*

Review - Debt Proof Living by Mary Hunt

Book - Debt - Proof Living:  How to get out of debt and stay that way

Author - Mary Hunt

Publisher - Revell


Debt - Proof Living was first published in 1999.  This 2014 edition is revised and updated.  It includes the same premise - the same formula for living without debt, but also includes new information based on today's culture.

Mary gives you the tools to understand the thinking of modern consumers to help us realize why people today have accepted debt as normal. This dangerous problem has been slowly fed to us over many years.

Inside this book you will be given a clear formula to get out of debt and then how to "debt - proof" your life. 

There are 18 chapters, some of the titles are:

1. Debt- Proof Living.
2. Two Kinds of Debt.
3. Caught in the Debt Trap.
4. A Plan to Debt - Proof Your Life.
5. Where Does All the Money Go?
6. Step Away from the Edge.
7. Break Out of the Debt Trap.
8. Expect the Unexpected.
. . . .
18. Building Wealth on an Ordinary Income.

Mary does an excellent job teaching readers to get control of their financial lives.  This is her main book and one of the most important.



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

Review - Child of Mine by David and Beverly Lewis

Book - Child of Mine

Authors - David and Beverly Lewis

Publisher - Bethany House

The beautiful cover misled me to think the book was about the Amish.  It is, in fact, about a modern family who happens to have a shunned Amish woman working for them.  The story is about an English (non-Amish) woman, Kelly, who is searching for her daughter. 

We meet two families as we go along. We get to know Kelly (the main character) and follow her difficult life.  We also get to know Jack and his family.  Jack is the one who has an Amish woman working for him.

The book is full of modern sayings, which I consider "slang" talk of the young.   It is not a pleasant escape from our current world, as many Amish - based books tend to be.  

However, it is very well written, and will hold your attention to the very end. 


*Disclosure - I received this book for review purposes.

Bake Well with Immaculate Baking

Immaculate Baking Company introduces 4 products for your kitchens:

1. Yellow Cake Mix - This "Scratch Baking Mix" contains a very small number of basic ingredients.

It is listed as "All Natural" and with "NO Artificial Flavors or Preservatives."

2. A Chocolate Cake Mix - with the same great features as the Yellow cake mix.

3. A "Gluten Free" Double Chocolate Cookie Mix.

4. A Brownie Mix.

Baking instructions are very clear and easy to follow.

These look like a great alternative for traditional made- from- scratch baked treats.



* Disclosure - I received these items for review purposes. *

The World of Department Stores - Review

Book - The World of Department Stores

Author - Jan Whitaker

Publisher - Vendome Press

Hardcover, 264 pages.



This book is absolutely stunning! It is extra large at 12.9 x 9.8 inches.  It is packed with fascinating historical information concerning stores, malls, and shopping.  This book will give you an incredible look at social studies and a fantastic education in marketing!

Some of what you'll see inside:

1. Photographs of historic ads and sale posters.

2. Majestic pictures of beautiful architecture.  (Including a department store in Tokyo in the 1920's.)

3.  A Painting of customers shopping in a Paris store in the 1800's.

4.  Photograph of a Millinery salon in Mexico city in the 1920's.

5.  Both Modern and Historic photographs giving you an awe-inspiring look at shopping for necessities and the more modern shopping for entertainment.  You will be amazed at how marketing and creativity of the designers, and store owners, have created shopping to be a form of recreation.

6. On the inside sleeve of the cover, there are quotes by Oscar de la Renta, Leonard Lauder (from the Estee Lauder company) and Hubert de Givenchy.  All of these gentleman have read this book and briefly shared their inspiring thoughts!  What fun to read!

I have spent hours reading the text and looking at the pictures. I have shared it with guests in our home.  It is an incredible resource.


Those who would most enjoy the book:

1.  People who work in retail, or marketing of any kind.

2.  Students who want to study this type of history.  And also those who appreciate social studies and want to see how modern shopping and consumerism has changed us all.

The cost of the book is similar in price to a college textbook, and most certainly worth every penny.



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

Review - The Backyard Homestead

Book - The Backyard Homestead (Produce all the food you need on j ust a quarter acre!)

Edited by - Carleen Madigan

Publisher - Storey

Paperback, 368 pages.







I found this book to be both incredibly instructive and inspiring.  Inside you will find many illustrations, drawings, and encyclopedia like facts. It is fascinating and informative.

You are encouraged to start your own homestead, even if you have a small yard.  You learn how much food you can produce, based on the amount of land, and your specific needs.

You will learn how to start a garden, how to take care of the garden, and the many different types of produce you can grow - fruits and vegetables. Also herbs, grains, etc.  There are many little recipes in here, to inspire you with useful ways of using your harvest.

You will also learn how to take care of poultry to have your own eggs. It is like having a mini-farm!

There are so many useful items in here!  There is even a section that tells you how to make your own ice cream.

Overall, it is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to start a small garden, or start a complete homestead style mini farm.  Very well done!

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