Book Review: An Amish Love

I am still kicking myself for choosing this book.  I do not usually read contemporary Christian fiction, most of all love stories.  I fell prey to my love of learning about different cultures.  Big sigh. 

I do not like being negative.  I do not think this is a horrible book.  It is just not my genre.  I love good historical fiction.  I guess I was hoping for a similar experience.  I love learning through literature, good literature.  This book is not literature.  I was hoping to gain insight through good descriptive writing into a culture that I find very interesting, the Amish. 

I am certain there are redeeming qualities of  An Amish Love, Three Amish Novellas by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, and Kelly Long, if you are into such books.  I was not able to get past the stereotypes, poor descriptions and lack of insight into the Amish culture.

The three novellas are set in the same town.  Three different love stories are presented with similar themes.  Each set of characters has made poor choices and there are consequences to pay.  The one neat thing is that they all seem to meet up at one restaurant in town in the different stories. 

The stories are quick to read.  If someone really likes Amish fiction, I think they would like this book.  There are also recipes at the end and a study guide.  The point of the study guide is if you want to have a group discuss the book. 

NOTE:  I received this book free of charge from the publisher for my honest review. 

Book Review: Voices of the Faithful Book 2

I received my copy of Voices of the Faithful, Book 2, just in time for the new year.  My first impression of this devotional book is,"Wow!"  The cover is very beautifully done.  Turning the book over, I learn another nifty thing about this book,  all the royalties support the work of The International. Mission Board.


On opening the book, I learn that it is dedicated to "the faithful brothers and sister in Christ who lost their lives while serving Him internationally in 2008 and 2009."  I am momentarily humbled and remember there are so many who sacrifice everything.  In the acknowledgments section, we are given the charge:  "May these stories inspire you to pray for the nations like never before and perhaps challenge you to participate in missions by going on a mission trip or starting a career as a missionary."

Now I reach the Foreword.  (Of course, at this point, I want to jump ahead and get into the meat, but I must be a good, patient reader.)  Again, the reader is encouraged to let these stories strengthen their faith and desire to pray for God's work in this world.

The introduction is invitingly written by Beth Moore, to whom the idea for this and book 1 belong.  Mrs. Moore urges us to use this book to feel connected to brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world.  She reminds us that prayers matter.  Furthermore, she says, "If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you are tremendously gifted to do something that can make God famous in your sphere of influence, however big or small." 

Each month is introduced by Kim P. Davis, a missionary.  As well as each month's entries has a theme.  January is "Prayer, the Priority."  February is "God, Our Loving Father."  March is "Divine Appointments."  April is "Jesus, the Sacrificial Lamb." May is "Follow Me."  June is "The Power of the Story."  July is "Lost and Found."  August is "Making Him Known."  September is "Lessons from the Young."  October is "From Adversity to Triumph."  November is "Be Encouraged." December is "Hope for the World."

Each entry includes a verse from the Bible and a response from a missionary.  There is also a prayer at the end of each entry.  All go together with the month's theme.  

Personally, I am very excited to have the chance to read this book with my children this year.  In our studies, we are studying God's work in the unreached world .  It is my hope that this book will further encourage us to remember missionaries and the unsaved all around the globe. 

I received this book from Thomas Nelson free of charge in exchange for an honest review.   If you would like to receive awesome books to review, click here.