Review: Plain Wisdom

Whoops.  Somehow I missed reviewing Plain Wisdom from Waterbrook Press.  I think I got this book...uh...a while ago.  But pregnancy brain and new motherhood brain struck again.  I finally finished this book, and am so glad I did!

Plain Wisdom is the work of Cindy Woodsmall, the best-selling novelist known for her stories of the Amish, and her true friend Miriam Flaud, a member of the Old Order Amish.  Through this book, they recount how their friendship developed and deepened, sharing stories of laughter and tears and nuggets of practical wisdom throughout.  The book is great for a new mom like me because the chapters are super short but very rich; I felt like a read something whole-heartedly in between trying to quiet my baby girl into her nap. 

Even though the text itself is great, I think my favorite part by far was the recipes Miriam included.  Oh my goodness, just reading the text of the recipes made me hungry!  I cannot wait to try out some of these recipes- they actually don't look too intimidating!

I highly recommend Plain Wisdom- it provides a nice change of pace from Woodsmall's usual books, and it is extrememly practical!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah as part of their Blogging for Books program. 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.”

Review: All for a Song

Dorothy Lynn Dunbar comes from a small town, and it seems her path in life is already laid out: she is engaged to the pastor who took over her father's pulpit and has a solid place in her church and community.  But when she visits her sister in the big city of St. Louis, Dorothy Lynn begins to wonder what her life could be like if she moved away from her hometown of Heron's Nest.  By chance she hears a woman evangelist speaking one night and is offered the chance to travel with her team and sing on stage.  Dorothy Lynn loves to write music and sing, but she never dreamed of performing for anyone.  But when the chance to help find her brother in California opens up, she packs up and joins the evangelist's group.  She promises her fiance she will return, but when she finds herself in California, will things change?

While the writing of All for a Song was good and the plot interesting, there were a few parts about the storyline that the author simply glossed over.  Dorothy Lynn's confusing and ambiguous relationship with one of the male characters is never really fully developed or explained, and at the end of the book, the reader is wondering just what actually happened between the two.  The writing method shifts between present day and the Roaring Twenties, where the bulk of the book takes place.  I liked this method of delivering the story, but at the end the book somehow felt rather incomplete, like I was waiting for one final thought to tie up all the loose ends. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. 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.”

Review: The Tutor's Daughter

Yay for more historical fiction from Bethany House!  When I requested The Tutor's Daughter, I did not realize it was the same author of The Girl in the Gatehouse, which I reviewed a while back and thoroughly enjoyed.  Julie Klaussen is a self-proclaimed Jane Eyre and Jane Austen nut, so I was especially excited to read her newest book.

Emma Smallwood grew up in her father's boarding school for young men, but when the opportunity arises for Mr. Smallwood and Emma to travel to Cornwall and serve as private tutors for the Weston family, they pack up, let their house, and embark on their new adventure.  Twenty-one year old Emma is eager to reunite with Phillip, one of the Weston brothers who graduated her father's school some three years before, but she is equally leery of running into his older brother Henry, who teased her mercilessly and played several pranks of her during his time at the Smallwood Academy.

The Smallwoods arrive at the Weston estate, and much to Emma's excitement, learns that her friend Phillip has taken a respite from his studies at Oxford.  She enjoys conversations with her old friend as she and her father settle into their roles as tutors for the two younger Weston boys when strange things begin to happen.  Emma awakens in the middle of the night to feel as though someone is in her room.  She hears music playing from the pianoforte at night, but finds no one at the keys.  Mysterious notes and messages are slipped underneath her door.  Emma's suspicions begin to escalate, and real danger becomes eminent.  Who can she turn to during this confusing time?

I enjoyed this story almost as much as The Girl in the Gatehouse and thought Klaussen wove an excellent tale.  Unlike most historical fiction novels, this one actually kept me guessing about certain story lines for more than the first few pages.  In fact, I didn't figure out the mystery on my own, but rather finally understood it as Klaussen continued her plot development; it was a nice surprise not to be able to completely guess the outcome of the book in the first several chapters!  I would recommend this book if you are looking for an enjoyable read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. 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."