Betrayal ~ Where the Heart Lives #2 by Robin Lee Hatcher

About Book

It’s the turn of the twentieth century and drifter Hugh Brennan is a man well acquainted with betrayal. Hugh finds himself drawn to the attractive widow, Julia, yet when he looks into her eyes, he recognizes the same hurt that haunts him.

Julia Grace has little reason to trust men, but she’s going to have to trust someone if she’s to keep her ranch from the clutches of her dead husband’s half-brother. Is it possible God had a hand in bringing Hugh to her door?

The latest historical romance from award-winning author Robin Lee Hatcher and the second book in the Where the Heart Lives series, Betrayal will take you to the high desert of western Wyoming, through the crags of the Rocky Mountains, and into the hearts of two seekers learning to trust God’s love no matter the circumstances.

Published by Zondervan
Publication Date: November 12, 2012
ISBN 13: 9780310258094

Where to buy:  Zondervan, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD

About Robin

Robin Lee Hatcher is the bestselling author of over sixty-five books. Her well-drawn characters and heartwarming stories of faith, courage, and love have earned her both critical acclaim and the devotion of readers. Her numerous awards include the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, two RITA Awards for Best Inspirational Romance, Romantic Times Career Achievement Awards for Americana Romance and for Inspirational Fiction, and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. Robin currently resides in Idaho. 

For more information, visit www.robinleehatcher.com.

My Thoughts

Julia Grace was pushed into a marriage that was suppose to remove her from the disreputable occupation at which her mother worked .  Her mother wanted a respectable life for her daughter and so much more.  Julia's husband showed her no respect and often abused her even during her pregnancy.  She prayed for God's protection.  Then one day husband became ill and died unexpectedly.  This left her to run a cattle ranch by herself.
Her brother-in-law keeps  trying to convince her to sell him the ranch and for her to take the money and move on.  He even hired her ranch hands to work on his ranch leaving her without any help working her ranch.  But Julia is determined to keep the ranch.  It is the only real home she has ever had and it was rightfully hers.  

About a year after her husband's death, a stranger stops shows up at ranch wanting water for his injured horse and possibly a place to rest the horse until it has healed.  Hugh Brennan offered the beautiful young widow to work on the ranch in exchange for meals and a place to bunk in the barn.  He was a hard worker and saw what needed to be done and got busy getting it done.  If thought if he stayed busy hopefully it would keep his mind off Julia.  He knew she was keeping her distance from him.

The author kept my attention with this story of two broken souls that have more than God in common.  She also writes of secrets, betrayal, and a need for love and trust in oneself but most of all God.

This was a quick read mainly because I did not want to put the book down.  I just love when a book can grab me the way this book did.  My heart ached for all the trials and tribulations these two people had to endure to get to God's greater plan for their lives.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Zondervan for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  It is my own opinion.

If you found this review helpful vote yes or no here.

Blessed Are The Children ~ Heaven, God's Promise for Me by Anne Graham Lotz

What do we tell our children in this time of sorrow over the lose of so many precious children and loved ones?  I came across this children's book on Zondervan.  I think it would be a great book to share with children.  

Prayer for When a Young Person Dies

Lord God, source and destiny of our lives, in Your loving providence You gave us these children to grow in wisdom, age, and grace. Now You have called them to Yourself. We grieve over the loss of those so young and struggle to understand Your purpose. Draw them to Yourself and give them full stature in Christ. May they stand with all the angels and saints, who know Your love and praise Your saving will. 

Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving Day!! The First Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a 
Blessed Thanksgiving Day!

Love, 
Patricia aka Mamaw
and Family

ROAD TO the Christys - Visionary - THE CHAIR by James L. Rubart

 

2012 Blog Tour Travel the virtual "Road to the Christys" blog tour from Mon., July 9 to Tue., July 20th, 2012. Blog tour participants will be celebrating the 2012 Christy Award nominees leading up to the Christy Awards banquet in Orlando, July 16, and the winners after they are presented. Follow @ChristyAward, or like www.facebook.com/ChristyAward for a link to the first stop on the "Road to the Christys" blog tour.

Visionary

About Author

I'm a husband, dad, author, marketing guy--in that order, and live in the Pacific Northwest.

First novel, ROOMS, released April 2010. Second, BOOK OF DAYS, hits shelves January 2011.

Third, THE CHAIR will release fall of 2011.

The dream came true."

About Book

If someone gave you a chair and said it was made by Jesus Christ, would you believe them?

When an elderly lady shows up in Corin Roscoe's antiques store and gives him a chair she claims was crafted by Jesus, he scoffs. But when a young boy is miraculously healed two days after sitting in the chair, he stops laughing and starts wondering . . . could this chair heal the person whose life Corin destroyed twelve years ago?

As word spreads of the boy's healing, a mega-church pastor is determined to manipulate Corin into turning over the chair. And that mysterious woman who gave him the piece flits in and out of his life like a shadow, insinuating it's Corin’s destiny to guard the chair above everything else. But why?

Desperate, he turns to the one person he can trust, a college history professor who knows more about the legend of the chair than he'll reveal. Corin's life shatters as he searches for the truth about the artifact and the unexplained phenomena surrounding it. What’s more, he's not the only one willing do almost anything to possess the power seemingly connected to the chair.







Review by Melanie at Christian Bookshelf Reviews

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started 'The Chair' - because this is the first book that I've read by James L. Rubart - but I'm pleased to say that I really enjoyed it! It had suspense, drama, and a good story.

If you were given an ancient-looking chair and told Jesus Christ made it, would you believe it?

Corin Roscoe, the owner of an antiques store, is given a chair and told it was made by the most talented craftsman the world has ever known. He is then taken on an intense journey of grief, joy, sorrow, and restoration.

He lives with guilt over pain from the past, deals with claustrophobia, and is afraid of going in water because of something that happened when he was young.

I found many parts of 'The Chair' weird (which I think was the intent) and I felt as though I was reading a mystery. There was so much going on, but until the end you didn't know the full intent (and even now I'm still slightly confused). I feel there should have been at least one more chapter (or at least an epilogue) - the ending didn't feel like the end (if that makes sense).

I found the characters intriguing. People you thought were friends, were foes. And people you thought were against Corin, were actually for Corin.

'The Chair' puts a whole new light on James L. Rubart's books. I now plan to read other books by him in the future. I recommend this if you enjoy reading books that have a slightly weird plot, but are really interesting (kind of like Ted Dekker's books).

*Many thanks to B&H publishing and JKSCommunications for my review copy.*

The Fiddler (Home to Hickory Hollow, #1) by Beverly Lewis

About Beverly

Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, is The New York Times bestselling author of more than ninety books. Her stories have been published in eleven languages worldwide. A keen interest in her mother's Plain heritage has inspired Beverly to write many Amish-related novels, beginning with The Shunning, which has sold more than one million copies and was recently made into an Original Hallmark Channel movie. In 2007 The Brethren was honored with a Christy Award. She has been interviewed by both national and international media, including Time magazine, the Associated Press, and the BBC. Beverly lives with her husband, David, in Colorado.

Visit her Web site at www.beverlylewis.com for more information.

The Fiddler Q & A

1. You recently reached the #2 spot on The New York Times bestseller list, your highest position ever. How do you feel about your expanding popularity? 
I am continually amazed and truly grateful for God’s hand of blessing on my work, and for the opportunity to share His love through story. So many thousands of readers write to say my books speak directly to them, that they believe my intimate writing style is for their hearts and eyes alone, like an open letter from a friend. I also think the fascination with the Amish tradition has taken on a life of its own due to a general longing for peace and a less hectic lifestyle.

2. Your new series, Home to Hickory Hollow, returns to the fictional Lancaster County setting that graced your inaugural Amish series, tHe Heritage of lancaster county. (The first milestone in what eventually became the current “bonnet fiction” craze!) What led you to make that decision? So many readers continue to express their fondness for idyllic Hickory Hollow, which I created back in 1997 with The Shunning, the first book in The Heritage of Lancaster County. The longtime interest in that place has grown tremendously in recent years, in part because of the recent Hallmark movie adaptation of The Shunning, as well as the enormously popular musical, The Confession Musical. I took a poll on my Facebook fan page and discovered that readers were just “a-hankerin’” to come back to this beloved setting where it all began. Truly, Hickory Hollow is as real to me as it is to my readers, and fans will be in for some fun surprises! Although this new series offers peeks into the lives of some of the most memorable characters from The Shunning and its sequels, the primary characters in The Fiddler are brand-new, with compelling stories of their own.

3. In what way is this series different from your previous ones? 
Home to Hickory Hollow is really a collection of books rather than a continuing saga. Each novel will be a related stand-alone that can be read in any order the reader chooses. I wanted to write a series where readers can pick up any book and know they will find a satisfying and complete story.

4. Amelia Devries, the main character from The Fiddler, isn’t your typical leading lady. What inspired her? 
In this book, my passion for music, as well as the Plain community of Lancaster County, where I grew up, come together like a patchwork quilt. Like my protagonist, Amelia Devries, I studied violin, although I was never as proficient a fiddler as she! The story begins with Amelia at a crossroads: A classically trained musician, she’s been moonlighting on the fiddle circuit and is about to be found out. She subsequently takes a wrong turn in a rainstorm…which leads her to Michael Hostetler, an Amishman from Hickory Hollow with a dilemma of his own. The juxtaposition of an “English” girl with an Amish love interest really appeals to me, and I know my readers will love it, too. Readers can get an early peek at The Fiddler via the wonderful book trailer my publisher has posted on YouTube, as well as on my website and official Facebook fan page.

5. What are some story questions that run throughout The Fiddler? Is it possible to balance the expectations of our families and communities with our own hopes? How do we find our purpose in life? What can happen when our hearts are open to others? Virtuoso or not, everyone has talents and gifts that can make a difference in this world!

6. Fans have been ecstatic about the film and stage adaptations of your books. Are more in the works? It’s been an absolute joy to see my stories fleshed out for the screen or in live theatre, with fabulous music. The filming schedule is about to be released for the movie sequel, Beverly Lewis’ The Confession, the continuation of Katie Lapp’s saga from my Heritage of Lancaster County series. I’m delighted that Michael Landon, Jr., will once again be at the helm as director and co-producer, just as he was for Beverly Lewis’ The Shunning, available now on DVD. Also, due to its enormous popularity, The Confession Musical is expanding to more locations—opening on June 7 in Sugarcreek, Ohio at the Carlisle Inn, as well as opening for its third run in Shipshewana, Indiana at the Blue Gate Theatre, and its second run in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania at the Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant and Stage. My website and Facebook fan page offer more information.

7. What are you working on next? Presently I’m writing The Bridesmaid, the second novel in my new series, Home to Hickory Hollow. That will appear on shelves September 11, 2012.Facebook fan page offer more information.

8. How can readers keep up with your work? To sign up for my free newsletter, they can visit www.beverlylewis.com or my Facebook fan page, www.facebook.com/officialbeverlylewis. My website also features my monthly blog, book excerpts, delicious Amish recipes, and news about my upcoming book tour, which kicks off April 10 at Barnes and Noble in the Har Mar Mall in Roseville, Minnesota. I will be visiting bookstores and libraries in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota.Facebook fan page offer more information.

The Fiddler


About Book

Series: Home to Hickory Hollow, Book 1
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0977-2
ISBN-10: 0-7642-0977-9
Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5
Number of pages: 336
Publisher: Bethany House
Publication Date: Apr. 2012
Formats: Paperback | Hardcover | Large print

Amelia "Amy" DeVries, a 24-year-old violinist, is disillusioned with life and love after the collapse of her long-running romance. Weary of endless rehearsals and performances, Amy sets out on a road trip through the Pennsylvania mountains. She leaves her cell phone behind so life's demands can't intrude on her solitude. She doesn't know, nor care, where she will end up.

When her car breaks down deep in the mountains, Amy realizes the flaw in her "no cell phone" plan. She abandons her car and walks the winding roads, searching for help. Following the smell of woodsmoke and the sound of music, she finds a rustic log cabin. There she meets a young Amishman--and through him a community--that will change her life forever.

Where to buy:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Christianbook.com

 

My Thoughts

Englisher Amelia Devries is performing the opening act for a Tim McGraw concert in Philadelphia. Amelia is a champion fiddler going by the stage name of Amy Lee. But this is her secret life. In her real life she is famous concert violinist. As she is leaving the concert her agent and family friend has found out her secret and has come to confront her. He feels this is below her and that her ailing father would be very disappointed if he every found out. She agrees to call him once she gets home to discuss a tour overseas. This is not something she wants to do in fact she is considering taking a hiatus from performing with her violin. She feels more alive around the people at the country concerts.

As she heads home it comes a downpour or as we say around here a gully washer. She can't she where she is going and makes a wrong turn. She looses control of her car and blows a tire. As she tries to get her bearings she has no idea where she is all she see is fields. When the rain slacks up a bit she sees a faint light and realizes it is a small cabin. She makes a run for the cabin fearing what or who she was fixing to face. A handsome young amishman opens the door and without hesitation invites her out of the rain  and into his cabin. He introduces himself as Michael Hosteler. From the looks of the things sitting around the room, like a laptop and an iPod, she wonders what kind of Amish has this kind of technology.

The rain does not let up and from the sounds of the storm it would be tomorrow before the flat tire could be changed. So against better judgement she decides to wait it out. They end up sharing each others life story, to an extent, they decide to play chess. As it gets late they knew they should try to get some sleep. With the privacy of a curtain between the two sleeping areas it was difficult to not be aware of the stranger on the other side of the curtain.

The next morning after they had breakfast Michael's invites Amelia to visit his Amish community and friends. She agrees to go and makes new friends then decides to stay the weekend with her new Amish friend Joanna. It is such a peaceful place and she goes out into a field and plays her fiddle, but not the country music. She plays and practices the music she plays on her solo violinist tours.

What is going through her mind? Does she plan on staying with the Amish permanently? How does the community feel about her music especially since they don't allow such instrument as the fiddle?

Are Amelia and Michael becoming more than friends? Is Michael planning on leaving the Amish since he is so hesitant to join the church? He wants to further his education and enjoys his car and his new found electronics.

The author has given us two young people pondering and drifting from the lives there families expected and raised them to live. Confused as to what God's will is for their future.

This is a lovely coming of age story. The parents are so concerned and fearful for their children's future. I read something in "River's Call by Melody Carlson" that said, to "Sometimes we have to give up the oars and let them row the boat by themselves". But that is not so easy do when we want to protect them from themselves.

I hope I left you wanting to know more about God's will for Amelia's and Michael's  future.  So go get the book you will not regret reading THE FIDDLER by BEVERLY LEWIS.

I highly recommend this book!

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House for review. I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my own opinion.

WaterBrook Multnomah/Blogging for Books presents "Fearless" by Eric Blehm // Story of SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown

I received this newsletter from today 

and wanted to share it with my readers!

Dear Patricia, When Navy SEAL Adam Brown woke up on March 17, 2010, he didn’t know he would die that night in the Hindu Kush Mountains of Afghanistan—but he was ready. In a letter to his children, not meant to be seen unless the worst happened, he wrote, “I’m not afraid of anything that might happen to me on this earth, because I know no matter what, nothing can take my spirit from me.” Fearless is the story of Adam Brown, a man of extremes, whose courage and determination was fueled by faith, family, and the love of a woman. It’s about a man who waged a war against his own worst impulses and persevered to reach the top tier of the US military. Always the first to volunteer for the most dangerous assignments, Adam’s final act of bravery led to the ultimate sacrifice. Ashley and I are writing to you today to ask for your help in sharing Adam's life and ultimate sacrifice with others. Would you consider doing one or more of the following: Embedding this video about Adam's life on your blog or website. Emailing, Facebooking, Tweeting or Pinteresting (is that even a word!) a link to view Adam's video and or begin reading chapter one. If you have any connections to the military and would be able to put advanced copies in the hands of those serving in the military, we'd be interested in chatting with you. Drop us an email atinfo@BloggingForBooks.org and let us know how many copies you'd want and who you'd be able to give them to. Share with us how you helped spread the word on Fearless and you'll be entered to win a signed copy of the book and a $50 Visa gift card! As always, if you ever have any questions, please let us know. And feel free to invite your blogging friends and family to join as well atwww.BloggingForBooks.org! In Christ,   www.FearlessNavySeal.com Fearless on Facebook Follow the author or Twitter Ashley Boyer Senior Publicist WaterBrook Multnomah Chris Sigfrids Senior Online Marketing Manager WaterBrook Multnomah

Review: Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner

About Author:

I cannot remember a time when I wasn't driven to put my thoughts down on paper. I attribute this love for writing to a creative God and to parents who love books and more particularly to a dad who majored in English and passed on a passion for writing.

I was born and raised in San Diego, California, and am the second of three daughters. My first writings are a laughable collection of oddly worded poems and predictable stories I wrote when I was eight. My second-grade teacher gave me the journal I in which I recorded these poems and stories. To my knowledge I was the only student in her class that she gave a journal to; she must have seen promise in me. In high school my freshman composition teacher found all kinds of ways to encourage me to develop my skills as a writer. Without telling me beforehand, he read the first composition I ever wrote for him aloud to the class. That's how much he liked it. I have never forgotten how it felt to hear him begin to read something to the entire class and realize it was something I had written.

I didn't do a lot of writing in the years my husband was on active duty in the Air Force, when we were living overseas, or when we were raising our four children. When we moved to rural Minnesota in 1993 after seven years in the Air Force — five of them spent in Europe — I became aware of a gnawing desire to write a novel. I ignored it while the children were young, choosing to try writing articles for magazines. Nothing ever got published however, so I began to think my best days as a writer had already happened in high school with Mr. Barone.

In 1995, I was offered a job as a part-time reporter for my county newspaper. The publisher gave me my own weekly column, In 1998, I was named editor of the Mountain Lake/Butterfield Observer Advocate, the town's weekly paper, after the county newspaper purchased it. I was honored to win several awards over the years, but the best part of my four years as editor was having my paper named the Best Weekly Newspaper in Minnesota by the Minnesota Newspaper Association in 2002.

That year became a rather pivotal one for me as a writer. My beloved paternal grandfather died in July 2002 — my Papa — and his passing had a profound effect on me. I suddenly had an incredible urge to write a book; a novel. I knew I didn't want to come to the end of my life having only dreamed of writing one. I resigned as editor of the newspaper, which was a very hard decision to make, and set out to write Why the Sky is Blue. It took four months to write and ten months to be accepted by a publisher and I’ve been writing novels ever since. My favorite genre is contemporary fiction with a historical thread running through it.

Currently, my husband is an associate pastor at a church in San Diego, and a chaplain in the Air Force Reserves. When I'm not working on a new novel, I am directing the small groups ministries at The Church at Rancho Bernardo. I also enjoy teaching workshops on writing and dream-following, as well as spending time with my family, listening to or making music, reading great books, and traveling.

About Book:

A house shrouded in time.

A line of women with a heritage of loss.

As a young bride, Susannah Page was rumored to be a Civil War spy for the North, a traitor to her Virginian roots. Her great-granddaughter Adelaide, the current matriarch of Holly Oak, doesn’t believe that Susannah’s ghost haunts the antebellum mansion looking for a pardon, but rather the house itself bears a grudge toward its tragic past.

When Marielle Bishop marries into the family and is transplanted from the arid west to her husband’s home, it isn’t long before she is led to believe that the house she just settled into brings misfortune to the women who live there.

With Adelaide’s richly peppered superstitions and deep family roots at stake, Marielle must sort out the truth about Susannah Page and Holly Oak— and make peace with the sacrifices she has made for love.

Paperback, 336 pages

Published October 4th 2011 by WaterBrook Multnomah

ISBN 0307458857 (ISBN13: 9780307458858)

A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner (Chapter 1 Excerpt)


My Thoughts:
Susannah Page is rumored to be a Civil War spy for the North, labeled a traitor to Virginians and the South.
In present day she is known as a ghost searching for redemption of her past now haunting her home Holly Oak Mansion. Her great grandaughter does not believe Susannah is haunting the mansion.  She actually believes it is the house that holds a grudge against the past and is taking it out on the women of Holly Oak Mansion.

Now the mansion has a new resident Marielle Bishop and she soon learns about the haunting of the Holly Oak.  She is not sure what to believe and tries to uncover the truth.

I really got into all the history of Holly Oak Mansion  and  the residents of the mansion past and present.
The Civil War had done much damage to the Virginians. The fortitude of the South to rebuild their lives and their homes was heartbreaking knowing what they all went through.  The hardship of the slaves in the face of their freedom and rebirth of life must have been exalting.

How could anyone not feel as if their are ghost and hauntings  after so many lives and homes were lost in that war.

I highly recommend this book.

I rate this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:
I received a copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah/Blogging for Books.  In no way was I compensated for this review it is my own opinion.

******

Review - Land Beyond the Portal by J. S. Bailey

About Author:

J. S. Bailey; born as Jennifer Schmid on March 28, 1989; is a lifelong resident of Clermont County, Ohio. She is an alumnus of St. Louis School and Clermont Northeastern High School, and plans to graduate from Northern Kentucky University in December 2011.

Bailey has made various attempts at writing over the years and is proud to announce the release of her novel The Land Beyond the Portal, which is now available from all major booksellers.

Bailey enjoys reading books by her favorite authors. She is especially fond of the works of writers Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Ted Dekker, Erin Healy, Tosca Lee, Edgar Allan Poe, Roald Dahl, and Eoin Colfer; and always loves a good ghost story regardless of who wrote it. She is also currently trying to read the entire Bible--a feat which so far remains unfinished.

When she isn't working, studying, or glued to a computer screen, Bailey spends time with her husband, Nathan, in their Southwest Ohio home.

Find J. S. Bailey on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/J-S-Baile...

Find J. S. Bailey on Twitter!

http://twitter.com/#!/jsbailey_author

About Book:

As Laura placed her left foot on the floor, something clicked and a low, humming vibration filled the room. Suddenly she was surrounded by an intense, blinding white light, and she was gone.

It's a dark, snowy night when Laura awakens at the bottom of a staircase with a horrible headache and no idea how she got there. To make matters worse, she is alone in the house, snowed in by a blizzard, with no way to call for help. While exploring the house in a desperate attempt to trigger the return of her memory, she discovers a small room beneath the basement. She steps inside, and an unknown force instantly transports her to a mysterious, pastoral land.

She finds a quaint village that at first glance seems like a peaceful place; but Laura soon learns that peace is merely an illusion. Why are terrible rumors circulating about the village's leader? Why do the villagers worship a sinister deity who bears no resemblance to her own powerful and loving God? Most importantly, will she ever remember who she is and find her way home? In her quest for answers, she uncovers a myriad of forbidden secrets that might keep her trapped in The Land Beyond the Portal.

Paperback, 252 pages

Published July 12th 2011 by Tate Publishing & Enterprises, LLC

ISBN 1617773115 (ISBN13: 9781617773112)

My Thoughts:
Laura takes a fall down the stairs. She awakens at the foot of the stairs with a headache and a rather large bump on her head. As she tries to get her bearings she realizes she has no idea as to who or where she is. Exploring the house she stumble into the basement and through a hidden door. As soon as she steps inside she is transported through a portal into a land of greenery unlike the snow covered landscape she just left.

This is when things become even stranger for Laura. She is found by two children who are dressed out of the ordinary from herself. They take her to a small village. The author keeps you guessing as to what in their world is going to happen next. Laura makes friends but wasn't sure who to trust in the village.

I loved the ending and anticipate the next book. I will be gifting this book to my teenage grandkids. I think they will enjoy the book even more than I did.

I rate this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author . I was in no way compensated for my review it is my own opinion.

Was my review helpful yes or no.  permalink

Litfuse Tour: Along Wooded Paths (Big Sky series #2) by Tricia Goyer

Tricia Goyer Bio:

Tricia Goyer is the author of thirty books including Songbird Under a German Moon, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interruptedwas a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.


For more about Tricia and her other books visit www.triciagoyer.com

                                           About the Book:

 Although proud of living apart from the world, Marianna Sommer's newly relocated Amish family is discovering that life in the remote mountains of Montana requires working together with the Englisch.
As Marianna pours her life into helping those around her—and receiving their help—her heart further considers two directions. She's torn between the Amish man from Indiana whom she has long planned on marrying and the friendly Englischer who models a close walk with God like she’s never seen before.

Who should have young Marianna's heart? What is God asking of her through ongoing family struggles and this romantic and spiritual tension? The answer is found along the wooded paths.

Read an excerpt                          By the Book: Along Wooded Paths

Find out about book 1, Beside Still Waters, here: http://www.triciagoyer.com/contemporaryfiction.html#BesideStillWaters

Facebook Party and Live Author Chat!

Tricia is excited about her Amish "Big Sky" series! Come help her celebrate on October 18th on Facebook. She is having a party and announcing something big.

Party begins at 5:00 PM PST (6:00 MST, 7:00 CST, 8:00 EST)

During the first half of the party we'll be chatting right here on FB - She'll be giving away some great prizes and giving us a sneak peek of the next book in this series, Beyond Hope's Valley.

Then during the second half of the party we'll be heading over to her website for a Live Author Chat! RSVP for the FB party here - then head over and sign up for the Live Author Chat (here: http://www.triciagoyer.com/videochats.html ) - She'll be announcing some BIG news and hosting a Q&A. Don't miss a minute of the fun. Bring your burning questions ... and your friends!

Blog Tour Schedule:http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13430807









My Thoughts:
Along Wooded Paths, book 2 in the Big Sky Series picks up where Beside Still Waters, book 1 left off. Marianna Sommer left the Amish home and childhood love, Aaron Zook to move with her family to start a new life in a new Amish community in Montana. The new Amish community shares their daily lives with the Englisch that also live and work there. She is pulled between her Amish beliefs a new relationship with God that is unlike any she had ever thought possible. She has also become friends with an Englischer, Ben.  As they share their love for God, she begins to have feelings that she knows are not a possiblility if she is to remain Amish.
We often close our minds to new things especially if it involves religion and our roots. The author reveals that Marianna and her family had become prejudice to the outside world other than the Amish. Then they begin to wonder could the Englisch actually have a relationship with God that would allow them to enter Heaven's Gates.
Tricia has done it again. Another beautiful Amish novel. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
I recommend you read this book. If you have not read an Amish novel before, then this series would be an excellent place to start.

I gladly give this book a rating of 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:
I received a free print copy of this book from Litfuse. This review is my honest opinion.

CHERISHED Video and Song

I did a review on Cherished by Kim Cash Tate last month and the other day I cried while reading one of her post.  Kim  wrote a beautiful post about Cherished and the song Cherished on her blog a few days ago. I emailed Kim and asked permission to put that post on my blog to share with my viewers. Hope you enjoy as much as I did.

CHERISHED Video and Song

I’m really, really, really excited.  I’ve been waiting for the official release of CHERISHED so I can show you this video that I recorded with Christian rapper Da’ T.R.U.T.H. and his wife, Nicole.  I’m excited because it so perfectly captures what this book is about….redemption and restoration in Christ.  And I’m excited because I want you to hear the SONGthat goes with the book, featuring CeCe Winans!  Watch the video, marvel at the greatness of God…and of course, I hope you buy the book. :)

I want to thank  Christian rapper Da’ T.R.U.T.H. and his wife, Nicole for

their story that is parallel to the book Cherished.