Book Review and Give-Away of AN HONEST LOVE by Kathleen Fuller

An Honest Love

Author: Kathleen Fuller

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

ISBN: 978-I-59554-813-9 (softcover)

Copyright 2010






Trying to get on with her life after the man she loved betrayed her, Anna and her mother moved to Middlefield where she can protect her heart and keep from ever being hurt again. Time and a new place seem just the things she needed to mend her broken heart. She put all her efforts and thoughts into the new gift shop she and her mother purchased. And then she meets Lukas. She can’t resist the attraction between them, and find herself falling in love. Her fear of losing Lukas forces her to keep a secret that she fears will destroy their future. Her decision to not trust him with her secret changes their lives forever. How will Lukas react when he finds out her secret? Will the path she chose keep them from an honest love?

Woven into the book is a second story of Elizabeth and Aaron that I found delightful. Elizabeth is not your typical young Amish woman and Aaron has a past that makes it difficult for him to forgive himself. Will Elizabeth’s outspoken ways which often have her regretting her words allow her to break through Aaron’s protective shell that keeps him quiet and standing on the outside of everything?

Although the two tales in this book are different, they blend together beautifully and both share heart-felt stories that keep you enthralled until the very end. Once again, Kathleen Fuller has captivated and transported me back to Middlefield, Ohio to the quaint and slower-paced Amish community in this second of her A Hearts of Middlefield Series. The first book in this series had me totally absorbed in the story from the very first page. AN HONEST LOVE captivated me from the beginning as well. I can’t wait to read the next in her series.

To say that my 14-year-old daughter enjoyed the book as well would be an understatement. When I asked her if she could describe the book in only one word – what would it be….she easily answered, “Awesome!” Enough said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kathleen started writing in 2000, and published her first short story a year later. Since then she has authored several short stories, novellas, novels, and has done a lot of freelance non-fiction work. She has also worked as an editor. She has a Masters degree in Special Education, emphasis on teaching the blind and visually impaired, and a Bachelors in Early Childhood/Elementary Education. She has taught all age groups ranging from age 4 to age 18. A few of her favorite things: her relationship with Christ, chocolate (of course!), autumn, a satisfying book, good friends, a sense of humor, people who don’t take themselves seriously, haunting melodies, and NFL football. If you’d like to know more about Kathleen, you can visit her at http://www.kathleenfuller.com/ and http://www.amishhearts.com/ .

Anyone who leaves a comment on this blog post between now and Thursday, May 6th, will be automatically entered in the give-away.  If you're a follower of my blog, your name will be entered twice when you leave a comment.  Be sure and check back on May 6th to see who the winner is ... I'll need you to e-mail me privately (see contact on my profile page) if you're the winner.

Happy Reading, everyone!

Give-away open only to US Mainland residents. Click on the page tab  "FTC Rule Complinace with Book or Prize Give-Aways" for more complete details on give-aways.

Sunshine Award

I am humbled and touched that Lee Smith over at Butterfly Blessings has bestowed upon me the Sunshine Award.  How sweet!  Thank you, Lee!  She has a beautful blog with lots of wonderful reviews, great information, and encouraging words.

This award is traditionally passed on to those bloggers that inspire others and show positivity and creativity.

So, I would love to pass this award on to some bloggers who inspire, cheer, encourage, and lift me up. 
The rules for accepting the award are:

1) Put the logo within my blog or on my post
2) Pass the award onto 10 fellow bloggers
3) Link the nominees within my post
4) Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog
5) Share the love and link to the person whom you received this award from.

Here are my nominees, please visit them and check out their blogs!  If you feel so led, please leave a comment.  It's always so encouraging to receive comments on your blog.  These are in no particular order. 
 
Kathleen Maher -- History Repeats Itself   http://kathleenlmaher.blogspot.com/
 

Keli Gwyn -- Romance Writers on the Journey  http://romancewritersonthejourney.wordpress.com/
 
Ralene Burke -- Faith, Hope, and Suspense  http://faithhopeandsuspense.blogspot.com/
 
Delia Latham --  The Melody Within  http://themelodywithin.blogspot.com/
 
Robin Prater -- Robin's Nest  http://robinsnest66.blogspot.com/
 
Kathi Macias -- Communicating the Vision....  http://kathieasywritermacias.blogspot.com/
 
Renee Lynn Scott -- Unlocking History Through Romance  http://www.reneelynnscott.com/
 
Stephanie Morrill -- Stephanie Morrill Books (Blog)   http://www.stephaniemorrillbooks.com/
 
Marcia -- One Little Pink Rose   http://onelittlepinkrose.blogspot.com/
 
Robin Jansen Shope -- The Diet Project  http://robinsdietproject.blogspot.com/
 
Thanks, ladies, for being so encouraging, uplifting, and putting a bright spot in my days! 
 
Blessings, 
Susan "Susie" Hollaway  
 
 
 
 

Book Review of THE NARROW PATH by Gail Sattler

Author:  Gail Sattler
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Release Date: May 1, 2010
Number of Pages: 279
ISBN: 978-1-426-70237-2
Copyright: 2010





 
 
 Although Ted was the most traveled and somewhat contemporary-minded in his Old Order Mennonite fellowship, he was shocked when he met the woman he was to pick up at the airport. She was more modest than many around her, but definitely not what he was expecting. He couldn’t even imagine what the rest of the congregation would think when they got a look at her.

But much to his surprise and dismay, most seemed to accept her. She tries hard to honor their ways, but still be herself and strive to accomplish her mission. Despite her mistakes and many blunders, she seems to fit in, which befuddles him – she reads her Bible on her cell phone in a community where no one even owns a dishwasher or microwave. But he couldn’t ignore his growing attraction for her when he begins to look at her heart. She finds him rigid, but kind, smart, and even very appealing in spite of his plain clothes and black hat – sometimes because of them. But can they ever agree on anything other than agreeing to disagree? Will they ever be able to succeed with her plan to help the church reach out more effectively? Too many of her ideas are not of their Mennonite ways.

Time passes quickly, even more quickly with an unexpected turn of events that forces them to work even more closely together. Just when Ted thought he knew Miranda, will she surprise him once again?

How can two believers – both Mennonite, but so different -- fit into each other’s lives? What do they do with their growing feelings? Can two people with such diverse traditions stay on the narrow path and commit to one another?

This was a delightful story that I enjoyed very much. Not only was an enchanting story presented, but intertwined are many lessons. How many times do we judge someone by outside appearances without looking at their heart? Do we assume we “know” them because of what they’re wearing or how they speak? This is a wonderful tale of how two people who came from seemingly different worlds find themselves truly more alike than they first realized. Will God’s plan be bigger than their traditions?

Congratulations, Gail, on sharing a story that not only entertains, but shows us that we should never be too quick to judge nor not make time to listen. And we should always look past the outside and at the heart. I’ll be looking forward to your next book.

Gail Sattler is a Heartsong Presents Hall of Fame author with 17 novels, as well as 4 Love Inspired novels, 12 anthologized novellas, numerous gift books, cookbooks, contributions to the One-Year Life Devotional, and books written with Debra White Smith. She is a longstanding member of East Ridge Community Fellowship, a Mennonite Brethren church.  She lives and writes in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. You can find out more about Gail and her books at www.gailsattler.com, http://gailsattler.blogspot.com, and www.mennoniteromancenovel.com

Happy Reading, everyone!
Susie

And the winner of RODEO SWEETHEART is ....

Ruthy!  Congratulations!  I hope you enjoy the book.  Please e-mail me privately (see e-mail contact on my profile page) with your address so your copy can be mailed to you. 

Happy Reading, Ruthy!

Blessings,
Susie

RODEO SWEETHEART Review and Book Give-Away

Author:  Betsy St. Amant

Publisher: Steeple Hill
Love Inspired

Release Date: April1st, 2010

Number of pages: 224

ISBN-10: 0373875932

ISBN-13: 978-0373875931

Copyright 2010

 

Sam found her dreams – all but one– buried under the back-breaking chores and financial responsibility on her family’s ranch. She struggles under the work load and monetary burdens to hold onto her father’s legacy. She holds tightly to the dream to make her father proud and bring his legacy back to what it used to be. When handsome businessman, Ethan Ames, comes to stay at the ranch, he annoys and intrigues her at the same time. His willingness to help and work hard on the ranch doesn’t fit with the image he portrayed with his expensive clothes and fancy sports car. Has she misjudged him? Despite how he makes her heart feel, her head says he can’t be trusted. He has a secret. He seems interested in her business, but not very forthcoming in sharing his own.

As her long suppressed dreams make their way to the surface, will her heart or head win? When she finally learns the truth – will it be too late for all of her dreams to come true? Love? Marriage? And will she really succeed, feel she’s made her father proud, and bring the ranch back to a real ranch, not just a dude ranch?

Even though Sam has allowed adversity and tragedy to distance her from God, will the circumstances she finds herself in draw her closer in communion with Him again? Can she relinquish control and let God have the reins of her life?

And what about Ethan? Will he be drawn to God in the quiet of Texas country, and in the process learn to take control in a whole new way, the way in which God desires?

Will they find God’s plan amidst all the struggles? Will she ever be somebody’s Rodeo Sweetheart?


This is a charming story and I enjoyed reading it. The author manages to include a lesson that shows, sometimes, we think we have to control everything. But we all know Who's really in control. If we give ourselves to God completely, He’ll show us what to do and give us the wisdom to control things according to His plan and not our own. Only through trusting in Him can we have discernment to trust others and make the right decisions.

Congratulations, Betsy, on a heartwarming story of how God can make new beginnings out of sometimes tragic endings! I’ll be adding you to my list of “don’t want to miss” authors.

About the author:

Betsy St. Amant lives in Louisiana and is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers group. Betsy is multi-published through Steeple Hill and has been published in Christian Communicator magazine and Praise Reports: Inspiring Real Life Stories of How God Answers Prayer. One of her short stories, ‘Kickboxing or Chocolate’, appears in a Tyndale compilation book, and she is also multi-published through The Wild Rose Press. Betsy has a BA in Christian Communications and regularly contributes articles to Crosswalk.com. She is a wife, author, new mother and an avid reader who enjoys sharing the wonders of God’s grace through her stories. You can find out more about Betsy by visiting her website http://www.betsystamant.com/.
 
 

Look for other books by Betsy St. Amant:

Return to Love, July 2009

A Vanentine’s Wish, February 2010

The Gingerbread Season, coming October 2010

 
By leaving a comment on this post, you'll be automatically entered in the drawing to win a copy of RODEO SWEETHEART, compliments of  Betsy.  If you're a follower and you leave a comment, your name will be included twice.  Winner will be announced on Thursday, April 22nd!  Happy Reading!

My Very First Writers' Conference

My first writers' conference was incredible!  Oh, I know.  Avoid purple prose punctuation.  Avoid the exclamation mark unless nothing else works.  It's overused.  I'm guilty of overusing the exclamation mark (and I'm working on that), but in this case, nothing else works.  It was absolutely incredible!

It was obvious these people had done this before.  It ran like clock work.  They were gracious and kind and genuinely wanted this event to exceed your expectations.  And it did -- at least for me.    They even entertained us with a few incredibly funny skits.  And yes, I snorted at least once during the conference.  Okay, more than once.  (blush)

Cecil Murphey was the main speaker and what a wealth of information he is.  For those of you who have heard Cec speak, you know what I'm talking about.  For those of you who haven't, get an opportunity to hear him speak whenever you can.  He's brilliant and truly has a heart to minister and teach other writers.  And he's funny!  Oops.  There's goes that sneaky exclamation mark again. 

I could write so much more, but blog posts aren't really supposed to be all that long.  And we all know I struggle with that, don't we?   I could go on for a really long time about this conference.  Seriously. It was that good.    

I find myself daydreaming about the conference.  Reliving it and savoring the moments.   I learned so much.  There's a special feeling you get attending an event like this with like-minded people.  People who love Jesus Christ and want to glorify God with their love of writing.  It was impressive.  (I really wanted to put an exclamation mark there instead of a period.)

I had a wonderful travel companion and roommate. She's kind, sweet, and very funny. What a precious new friend she is to me.  And  I became acquainted with some of the most amazing people at this conference.  New friendships have budded and I know will continue to bloom. Whoa!  Tears.  I'm getting tears in my eyes as I write this post.  Sniff.  Sniff. 

The memories of this conference will be with me for a lifetime.  God opened so many doors for me to attend this conference and He blessed me beyond what I could have dreamed would take place.  God knows the desires of my heart and I feel as if my cup runneth over with His blessings.  He gave me the gift of wisdom from Cec and other writers, sweet, sweet fellowship chatting in the gazebo and then the breakfast area inside because it got too cold.  Laughter and hugs abounded.  This conference was such a precious gift to me and so encouraging.   I loved it all.   

Oh, and I actually survived reading my devotional out loud in the read around time.  And the contest I entered?  They gave me a certificate for third place in the devotional category.  And unexpected blessing, to be sure.

I am so excited!

Good morning, friends.  I have many things to be excited about this morning!  My clogged waterline that was causing much heartache in the laundry department and backup into the bathroom sink (enough said) is now fixed and my kitchen sink is no longer leaking.  In fact, I have a whole new drain dealie (whatever it's  called) in my kitchen sink. Woo-hoo! It sure is pretty.  I never thought I'd say that doing laundry and dishes would be bliss -- but oh baby!  I'm telling you -- it's amazing and wonderful.  Having water where it's supposed to be and dry where it's not ... ROCKS!

It's been a little wearing lately with those other issues, then my computer crashed to boot.  Ha!  To boot?  I just realized what I wrote.  Okay, so that was a really bad "unintentional" pun.  (Pause so everyone can groan.)    But it's now fixed and I only have to get the stuff the IT guy saved for me onto it yet.  But at least most of it, he was able to retrieve.  Praise God!  I'll be learning how to backup things more efficiently in the future. 

God has been so awesome through this process.  He always is; we humans just  fail to see all the hidden blessings and His strength sometimes.  The hidden blessing in the looooong awaited fix on the washer line -- well, patience and appreciation.  I had to be patient to have things done in His time and not my own.  I also learned to appreciate the water backing up in the sink.   I could have been having to use a washboard.  Or worse yet, I could have been outside beating my clothes on a rock next to a creek instead of just getting a little extra cardio when running from the utility room to the bathroom to bail water out of the sink.   The whole beating thing would have been cold and uncomfortable, plus, I'd have to commute to a creek as I don't have one running through my back yard.  =)   Which is probably a very good thing, come to think of it,  because water-related issues seem to be a challenge for my family.  =P  So, yes, I even thanked God for the clogged waterline.  Now, I'm doing a happy dance, because laundry is SO much easier.  I really appreciate my washing machine and modern plumbing. 

And I'm so grateful to have my computer back and not have lost all my homeschool and 4-H information and all my writing.  Did I already say I'm going to learn to back up more efficiently? (giggle)


God placed a wonderful young man from our church in our path to fix my computer.  I say young, because he was born the year I graduated from high school.  Eeek!  Am I already old enough to even say that?  I guess so.  =)  He is such a godly young man and his wife was so sweet.  He blessed us in so many ways.  He put up with me and my many questions.  I've used computers, but when it comes to fixing or knowing all the ins and outs -- I'm lost!   God gave him an amazing gift and such a kind and gentle spirit to help others.  

Today is going to be a busy day because not only are we doing our typical homeschool day...... I'm leaving after our school day to go to my very first WRITERS' CONFERENCE.   Cartwheel!  Cartwheel!  It's only a few hours away and God provided a way financially for me to go.  God is an awesome God, He reigns......  He even provided me with a new friend who is attending and able to travel with me and she's a wonderful sister in Christ.  (Hi, Tammy.  Thanks, Kim Z, for introducing us. )   So, I am so excited about this conference that I can hardly sit still long enough to write this blog post. I am so pumped! Can you tell?

Cecil Murphey is the main speaker, with Deborah Vogts and Sally Jadlow presenting a workshop or two.  It's going to be awesome!   I have so much to learn and I can't wait to get there to start soaking up all the wisdom that will be shared.  I'll be writing a post all about it when I return, so be sure and check back early next week for the scoop!

[Insert here -- Loud sqeal of excitement.]  I feel as if I've been given some of those heaped up, pushed down, and overflowing blessings, and they're raining down on me.  Thank you, Jesus! 

Have a blessed weekend, dear friends.  I pray that God will bless each of you and allow you to see the beauty and wonder of His creation and in all that you encounter this weekend.

Joyful because of Jesus,
Susan (Susie) Hollaway

Me Graceful? Uh.....no.

'Ever have one of those days when you're so tired that getting out of bed just doesn't seem like a good idea?  I should have listened to myself this morning.  Sometimes talking to yourself is the only way to get the answers you really want to hear anyway, right?   =)  

I hit the off button on the alarm, swung my legs over the side of the bed, and the minute my feet hit the floor, I screeched, "Oh no!  I forgot about the muffins!"   Hubs likes these healthy bran muffins I make and likes to have them for breakfast and the occasional snack. I dash downstairs and see how many whole wheat mini bagels are left and expel a huge sigh of relief.  No muffs, as we call them for short.  Today, he was getting three mini bagels with low-fat cream cheese on them instead.   Thinking it was better than nothing and I was close to saving the day, I realized about two hours later that I'd forgotten to put his Nutra-Grain bar in his lunchbox for his break time. The words "pride goeth before a fall" reverberated in my head.  Another sigh -- just not one of relief this time.

It could have been worse, I thought to myself, as memories from years past flooded my brain as I recalled sending him an air sandwich.  That's a sandwich where I forgot to put the lunch meat in it, by the way.  And there was the time I sent him yogurt and applesauce, but no spoon. Oy vey.  I digress.  Let's just say, on my more tired mornings, I have managed to provide our family with stories to last generations.

Today was one of those mornings.  Nothing I touched seemed to want to work properly. I know this is a small thing in the grand scheme of the world, but we finally got to take advantage of the offer of new free cell phones, and believe me, we needed them.  Ours were dinosaurs in the cell phone world. So, I was pretty excited to set up my new phone and give it a go.   If I tried once, I tried 15 times to get the back off my new cell phone so I could put my SIM card in it.   It would not budge.  Given the day I was having, that battery cover was really beginning to tick me off.  Finally, late afternoon I had a stare down with that cell phone resting so innocently in its box on the counter.  Suddenly, I grabbed it, pushed down on the battery cover and slid it forward while scolding, "Get off there!"  It popped off.  Apparently, it needed a "good talking to."   

I won't bore you with all the details of my less than stellar day in the "graceful" department.  I'll just leave you with these words of advice.  Do NOT leave the toilet lid up if you've got your deodorant sitting on the vanity and you make any sudden moves.  I'm just saying. It's not pretty.

However, the weather was pretty wonderful today and dear daughter and I got in two marvelous walks.  All in all, we're healthy, we're happy, and I can pick up a new stick of deodorant at the store tomorrow.  All's well that ends well, as they say.

It's good to be back, blogger friends.  Have a wonderful weekend and may you rejoice in the celebration of our Savior's resurrection!

Blessings,
Susan