Review: The Cherished Quilt

The Cherished Quilt is the third book in the Amish Heirloom series by Amy Clipston. I was so excited to read this book and find out who the youngest sister would marry since she was one of my favorite sisters because of her sweet, giving nature. I was not disappointed in her story and am eagerly awaiting the fourth and final book in the series.

Christopher Hostettler is having a hard time handling his younger brother's death especially because it was a result of his own poor decisions. Not able to bear his dad's blaming him for his son's death, he decides to visit his uncle in Pennsylvania.

Emily Fisher's first meeting with Christopher doesn't go as she pictured it. Determined to be a friend regardless of his aloofness, Emily keeps being nice. Soon Chris becomes friends with her, and Emily starts thinking of him as more than a friend. But with Chris' troubled past will they be able to be more than friends?

I typically only read Amish fiction when I'm desperate for a book since most of it seems to be either poorly written or the same typical storylines, but with this series, I'm actually looking forward to reading Amish fiction! I love the character of Emily. She is sweet, kind, and forgiving and is just what Chris needs to forgive himself and move on. I really enjoyed Emily's story!

I was given this book for free from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill

The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen is the first book in the series Tales From Ivy Hill. Isn't the cover gorgeous?! It looks so peaceful and calm. This book reminds me of Cranford so if you like shows like that you will definitely like this story. The story itself is very well done and keeps you guessing who will be with whom and if the characters are good or bad.

Jane Bell has been widowed for a year and is still in shock that her husband left her in charge of the coaching inn, The Bell. Then when she found out that her husband had taken out a loan without ever telling her and they are about to lose the inn, she is propelled into trying to save the place. But they only have three months to come up with a plan to prove to the bank that they can make enough to pay it off. Will they be able to or is all hope lost?

First off, I want to say that it was hard for me to get into this book at first. The story moved differently and you read from several perspectives which has never been my favorite way to read a story. But after the first chapter, I became interested in the characters and really felt for their predicaments. Honestly, this book has become my favorite from this author simply because it had so much depth and mystery and realistic struggles with relationships and life in general. Even if you don't typically read stories from this time period, I highly recommend you try it out. It is just so good from the plot to the characters and to the myriad of problems scattered throughout the story. I was rarely bored or disinterested; instead I was invested in what would happen to the characters and couldn't put the book down.

I was given this book for free from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: The Silent Songbird

The Silent Songbird by Melanie Dickerson is a loose retelling of A Little Mermaid. The last couple of books from this author were not that great in my opinion, but I was happy to see that this story was better. From the very beginning I was hooked with Evangeline's story line.

Evangeline is a ward of King Richard II and has always been trapped inside the castle unable to go out because of the fear of someone taking her and using her as ransom. Dying to be free, she sings beside her open window often as she looks longingly out at the world around her.

When the king comes back from a trip and states that Evangeline is to marry his closest advisor, Lord Shively, she tries to get the king to change his mind. She knows Shively is a bad man trying to use her for his own gain, but the king will not yield to her pleas. Desperate, she decides to flee and joins another group of servants for protection. Evangeline covers her red hair and pretends to be mute so no one will figure out who she is. She is amazed at the kindness from the group's leader, Westley le Wyse, and he in turn is captivated by her. As they get to know each other, Evangeline wants to tell him the truth but is afraid to. What will Westley think when he finds out the truth?

I found this book very enjoyable and loved Evangeline's determination. She was sweet and kind but also firm in her decision not to marry just anyone. Plus, she had dreams and wasn't about to let them go, and I really liked that about her. She became my favorite character from Melanie Dickerson. I can't wait for more fairy tale retellings! It's always nice to be able to delve into a fantasy world for a little while, and this story was perfect for that.

I was given this book for free from Booklook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: The Pattern Artist

The Pattern Artist by Nancy Moser was an engrossing story even though I thought it was pretty unrealistic in a lot of ways and kind of irritating in others I still wanted to know how the author would get her character to her goal!

Annie Wood's dream is to become a ladies maid to one of her mistresses. She already fixes their dresses and redesigns them as needed to help the ladies maids out. She thought for sure she could rise in rank from a housemaid to her dream job since her designs were well received. But when Annie learns that the ladies maids accepted her work as their own, she realizes that she never had a chance to rise up the ladder. Furious, she escapes with another housemaid and her brother and they set out to live their dreams in New York City. But along the way her dream of becoming a ladies maid changes to a shopgirl and then to a designer. Will her dreams actually come true?

I felt the problems in the story were too easily resolved which made me struggle with the realism aspect. I did like the character's determination to make her dreams come true, but it just seemed too simple and incredibly fast. Also, Annie didn't really have any close girlfriends which made the story seem lacking in parts. But overall, I did like the story especially reading about the design process. I also liked that Annie wasn't perfect since she made some mistakes along the way to her dream.

I was given this book for free from NetGalley. No review, positive or otherwise, was required - all opinions are my own.

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Review: The Revolt

The Revolt by Douglas Bond is set in 1300s England and centers around John Wycliffe. I was enthralled with this story because of all the facts I learned from that time period. I kept telling my husband all the tidbits I learned because I was so excited. haha

Even though the book centers around John Wycliffe, he isn't the main character. Instead, the book focuses on Hugh West'all and how meeting John Wycliffe at Oxford caused him to think deeper about what it really meant to be a Christian. Then when Wycliffe wants to translate the Bible into English for the common people to be able to read and understand, Hugh nervously agrees to help. But it's a dangerous thing to do since the church could excommunicate them for what they are accomplishing in secret.

I've never read anything from this author and was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't dull or dry like a history book, but it was still packed with historical facts making this history loving gal super happy! The author did a great job explaining what the customs and laws were like in the 1300s so that you could understand how unfair and hard the peasants lives were.

I highly recommend this book to anyone. Trust me, you won't regret picking this book up from the library or the bookstore. It is definitely a must read.

I was given this book for free from Netgalley. No review, positive or otherwise, was required - all opinions are my own.

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Review: Newton and Polly: A Novel of Amazing Grace

Newton and Polly: A Novel of Amazing Grace by Jody Hedlund was an incredible story. I have read all of the author's books based on prominent people and not one of these books has ever been dull or lifeless. Her latest book is no exception. As I read this story, the characters came alive with feelings of love and despair, happiness and bitterness, and contentment and sadness.

John Newton is a rowdy, irresponsible, seventeen year old when he meets quiet, good, kind fifteen year old Polly Catlett. Immediately drawn to each other they try to remain just friends since they are both so young, but it proves futile. Then when John is impressed into the Royal Navy everything changes. Filled with anger and bitterness of the unfairness of his life, John decides to turn one day of Christmas leave into a week because a few hours with Polly is not enough. When Polly's father finds out he tells Newton that he's not welcome in his house anymore. Newton leaves furious, and Polly is devastated. Will they ever see each other again?

I never knew how amazing John Newton's story was until I read this book. Intrigued by how much was true, I immediately checked out his story before I even finished reading the book because I had to know more! I see now why he wrote such a moving, popular hymn, "Amazing Grace", for he truly did live an amazing life and was redeemed by God's free gift of grace. I highly recommend this book to any book lover, and I know you historical fiction fans like me will especially love this story of love, redemption, forgiveness, and grace.

I was given this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: A Heart Most Uncertain

A Heart Most Uncertain by Melissa Jagears is the first book in the Teaville Moral Society series. I haven't read any from this author before so was pleasantly surprised with her engrossing story. Honestly, I was in a reading slump since I couldn't find anything good to read, and this book pulled me out of it and had me reading any extra minute I could find. Yay for good authors with fantastic characters!

Lydia King was challenged by her future mother in law to get a donation from Nicholas Lowe. Determined to show her that she could be a good wife and helpmeet to her son, she sallies forth to somehow convince Mr. Lowe to donate to the church's project, quilts for the poor. After being turned away again and again, Lydia finally convinces him to help her. But Nicholas has some conditions in exchange for the sewing machines....

Lydia King's character was amazing. Yes, she had things to learn, but so did Nicholas Lowe even though it surprised him. haha I loved how Lydia helped him see that there was more to helping the poor than just supplying for their physical needs but also having compassion and empathy toward their desire for beautiful things, too. Yes, serviceable items work well and you can buy more of them, but what about giving them pretty, nice things to cherish and keep. I really enjoyed this book and how Lydia grew and changed throughout the story.

I was given this book for free from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: The Courtship Basket

The Courtship Basket by Amy Clipston is the second book in the Amish Heirloom series. I didn't read the first book,but it didn't matter. I immediately became engrossed in the story and this book has now become one of my favorite Amish books. It wasn't boring or slow or trite. Instead it was full and engrossing and real.

Rachel Fisher is devastated when she overhears her boyfriend and best friend talking about when they will be together. Shocked and hurt that her boyfriend of the last couple of years never really wanted to be with her, she holes up at home until she gets an offer to work as an assistant teacher in the learning disabilities school.

Mike Lantz has a lot on his plate. A sick father requiring constant care, working at his father's shop, and caring for his 6 year old brother, John. Overwhelmed and exhausted Mike doesn't have much energy left to deal with John's behavioral issues at school, but when things get worse Mike decides to send him to the special needs school.

Rachel immediately feels for John and spends as much time as she can helping him, but when her note home to his brother goes unanswered she assumes that means Mike doesn't care. Rachel decides to confront him and is dismayed when she finds out how wrong her assumptions were. Will she be able to fix things with Mike?

This book kept my attention the whole time, and I'm planning on reading the first book in the series ASAP! The characters were so well thought out and well written, and the struggles that each character faced were realistic and intriguing. I can't wait for the third book to come out but until then I'll be over here reading the first book.... ;-)

I was given this book for free from Booklook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

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