NIV Pink Bible new international version

I love my pink bible.It has a very soft cover and is not to large.I love the insert with messages of hope on them.I found nothing negative about it.
I think it would make a wonderful gift.

Homeless At harvard By John Christopher Frame

"Homeless at Harvard" is a memoir about a young man who lived among the homeless community at Harvard Square to better understand homelessness. He was taking a summer course at Harvard and had access to campus facilities, but he spent his free time on the streets and he slept on the streets. Much of the book was about his experiences on the street and about his childhood, but he also shared the stories of some of his homeless friends and included some of their thoughts "in their own words."

The writing was somewhat disjointed, though usually it wasn't hard to follow. The author would start the chapter talking about an experience he had while on the street--like learning to beg for money--and then he'd jump to a story from his past or to some thoughts he had about how he wasn't really homeless even though he was sleeping on the streets. Then he'd continue the original story. He also sometimes contradicted himself or the homeless people would--like someone said the homeless aren't all addicts or mentally ill, yet a few chapters later someone said they were.

I don't feel like I gained insight into why people are homeless, but I did learn some things about homeless people. The homeless in Harvard Square only lacked for homes--not food, not medical care, not alcohol or drugs, not lottery tickets, not cell phones or grills or digital cameras. A few of those begging money even had homes! Many were addicts. Even those who didn't think they were mentally ill didn't have an accurate grasp of reality, though sometimes that appeared to be a product of their upbringing. They had a very works-oriented, confused view of God, and even the author didn't view God as sovereign (i.e. in control of everything).

The author's conclusion was that spending time with the homeless and treating them like people will do more good than giving them your pocket change. The book didn't really show that to be true, but it is clear that giving them money doesn't help so spending time is worth a try.

I received this book as a review copy from the publisher through Booksneeze.com.

Downside up By Tracey Mitchell

Recently I was given a copy of the book Downside Up by Tracey Mitchell to review from Booksneeze. The book is a self-help type book that tackles rejection in the different facets of life, from family, career, romantic relationships etc. The author speaks in easy to understand language and gives examples from her own life as well as those of friends and acquaintances. The book is about 200 pages and while it gives each subject its due it is not so long that you feel like you are receiving information overload. It is written from a Christian perspective and helps you to view yourself not as others view you or how you might view yourself but how your Heavenly Father views you. It helps you realize that things are not always perfect and that is OK! It is how we deal with the imperfections of life that really help us grow and develop.

Initially I thought that a book about rejection would be depressing not uplifting. It was quite the opposite. I honestly found the book intriguing and really liked the way the end of each chapter was set up with a review, a quote and action items to reinforce the skills you just learned. It made me feel that this was a book you could return to over and over should the need arise. I cannot say it hooked me in but I found it to be an easy read and something that made a difficult subject more social acceptable per say. I would say if someone or something has got you down that this book would be a good first step to dealing with feelings that are not always easily explainable to others

I Call Shotgun By Tommy Newberry and Curt Beavers

love that there is a book that is by Dads for sons. You see so many books on Mothers and daughters, though maybe because I have not searched out books with this content.

You can read this book straight through or turn to the lesson you need. As a reader who read straight through, the letter format made the book easier and faster to read. Changes in fonts helped fiend off monotony. Text bubbles gave a modern take and look to letter writing.

I found this book very refreshing by using Bible verses and personal life stories to help explain the lesson. The letters are not demanding, my-way-or-highway. They are positive, understanding and relatable in nature. The Fathers gave their sons respect. As if they are writing in the same context or lesson they are trying to teach (i.e. to teach understanding, the tone of the letter comes from an understanding aspect), if that makes any sense.

Letters to Katie By Kathleen Fuller

Kathleen Fuller finishes up her Middlefield Family series in fantastic form with Letters to Katie. She promised me she would tie up loose ends of the series in this book -- and she did a superb job of fulfilling that promise.

The story is filled with great characters -- like Katherine, Johnny, Sawyer, Laura, and Cora -- many of whom are familiar "faces" from the earlier books. There is enough uncertainty in Katherine's and Johnny's story to keep you turning the pages, and the continuing struggle between Sawyer and his grandmother adds a whole other dimension of interest.

Kathleen has delivered a thoughtful message of people learning the importance of giving up personal goals to search for God's plans -- and the sometimes unexpected benefits of doing so.

I would highly recommend Letters to Katie to anyone who enjoys great Amish fiction. You will likely appreciate the story more, though, if you first read Treasuring Emma and Faithful to Laura.

Thanks to Kathleen and her publisher, Thomas Nelson, for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review

THE HEIRESS OF WINTERWOOD

By Sarah Ladd

The Heiress of Winterwood is a great story that really held my attention throughout the book. It has a gripping opening and a great story. The story is about a young woman who is about to inherit her family's estate, but only if she is married. She is engaged to a man whom she believes will be the right man to take her and her estate where it should be. However, in the meantime, she befriends a woman whose husband is off to war. A baby is born, but her friend dies and she has promised her friend to care for the baby. Her betrothed refuses to allow her to take care of the baby after they marry. So, she decides to go against everyone and propose to the baby's father.
The story takes several turns and goes in a different direction than I anticipated. While it felt like the baby's father and she would eventually be married, there were some uncertain plot turns. About halfway through the book, the story really became engaging such that I really wanted to read until it was finished.
This was a great story and I would read more from this author should I have the chance.

Moon Over Edisto By Beth Webb Hart

Moon Over Edisto is a compelling story of a family journey toward healing after one man's ultimate betrayal. The author Beth Webb Hart did an incredible job of writing sensitively about an extremely touchy subject. Her extensive character development allows readers to see the effects of extramarital affairs through the eyes of both children and adults.
There were many things that I enjoyed about this book. I was thrilled when the main character Julia was introduced as an artist at the beginning of the book. As a young painter, I strongly relate to Julia's journey toward discovering her voice in the art world. It was fascinating to read that, of all the places Julia had lived in and traveled to, her hometown of Edisto, South Carolina provided the richest art inspiration for her work.
I also enjoyed reading about Marne's sweet children, especially little Etta. Although I struggled to like Marne at first, her children immediately captured my heart. They were bright, creative, and very shy. They lived in poverty, yet did their best to make the best of their situation. I enjoyed reading about how Julia invested in the children's lives by teaching them to fish, taking the girls shopping, cleaning their house (even getting rid of the fleas), and giving art lessons. Julia exemplified what unconditional love looks like.
The only thing I disliked about this book was that I was left with many questions about Julia's father. The author describes the man as an idealism, loving dad. Yet, the man was easily swayed to have an affair with his daughter's best friend (gross!) and to divorce his wife. As I read, I kept thinking, If he was such an amazing man, why would he do that? I wish the author had included a major character flaw or a specific moment of weakness that might have given a sense of closure to the affair.
Overall, Moon Over Edisto is a very engaging, touching fiction book. The main character Julia displays unconditional love and grace that extends beyond what society considers to be fair. Her actions inspired me to extend kindness and grace to others, regardless of whether or not it is deserved. I give Moon Over Edisto four out of five stars. Due to the discussions of extramarital affairs, I recommend this book to readers at high school level and above.
In exchange for an honest review, Book Sneeze provided me with a complimentary book.

SHE SPEAKS

   By Michele Clark Jenkins

She Speaks: Wisdom from the Women of the Bible to the Modern Black Woman by Michele Clark Jenkins offers guidance for the African American woman based on the love of God for Jesus and us all.
This book takes the women of both the new and the old testaments and shows how God elevated these women even though man has put them down since the creation. Many of the featured biblical women have African descent but they all have God's love.
From Eve to Jezebel and Hannah, nearly all the major women in the Bible are represented here. There is a complete biblical reference and strong parallels between today's African American woman and each woman in the Bible.
There's not a lot of reading in the book, many pages have just a paragraph or a few sentences and a picture of a woman on them. I was surprised to find that the book had photos and color print as this is unusual and eye catching. This would make a nice gift book. Also I think that women of European, Asian and other descent could also benefit, as many of us don't clearly understand the African American woman's experience with her faith.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion here is entirely my own.

SISTERS IN FAITH

HOLY BIBLE

BY Michele Clark Jenkins

Stephanie Perry Moore

 

 

I love Bibles. My whole family just loves them. We have at least one Bible in every room (well not the bathroom cause that would be weird). So anytime I get the opportunity to review a Bible, I go for it! Sometimes I might get a little overzealous and not pay enough attention to the Bible and its intended audience. That was the case with the Sisters in Faith Holy Bible. It is a lovely Bible and I noticed all the beautiful women across the bottom of the cover but I didn't notice they were all African American or that it said "Encouraging and Empowering African-American Women with God's Truth." All I can say is I will try to pay better attention from now on and I love the Bible anyway!!
So even though I would not be the intended target of this Bible, I will give you my honest review and it will be a lovely Christmas gift to a wonderful African- American friend of mine. First of all the dust jacket is bright and beautiful. The cover itself is a rich purple (my favorite color!) and it is a hardback which insures it will be intact for many years. Inside the cover is a picture of church ladies in colorful dresses and hats and that same picture reappears on inside of the back cover. The Bible comes in the King James Version.
The features include:
Bible highlights
A Plan of Salvation
Overviews of each book of the Bible
Devotionals to delve deeper into the readings
Extra note taking pages
Maps
And so much more.....
This Bible is so feminine. I love the light colors, the delicate pages, and the notations of "She Speaks." These are small passages outlined throughout the Bible to help you better understand the females that are in the Bible. Stories of women like Sapphira and Mary, The Mother of Jesus. I believe any woman would really enjoy this Bible. I also think the beautiful extras geared towards African-American women will be appreciated by those women. This would make a wonderful Christmas gift (imagine giving a Bible on the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus!).
I received this Bible from booksneeze.com for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

AN ANGLE BY HER SIDE

By Ruth Reid

I couldn't wait to pick up this book! I really enjoyed the first two books in the Heaven on Earth series by Ruth Reid and I knew that this one would be another fantastic read! This author keeps getting better. She perfectly blends the Amish genre in seamlessly with angel fiction and the result is amazing. The second and third book really shows that the author is finding her niche. If you're looking for a great series to read this year then I strongly suggest these books.
About the Story:
Katie Bender is a twenty-nine year old school teacher and borders on "old maid" status in her Amish culture. After the death of her fiancée--Katie accepts that it may not be God's will for her to marry and have children and teaching becomes a passion for her. That is--until the school and her community is hit by a devastating storm that destroys everything in its path.
Seth Stutzman arrived in the community before the storm and as fate would have it--he is the one who helps Katie and her school children escape from the school's storm cellar. His presence in Hope Falls is a mission as well. He is there to help his brother-in-law who is still grieving the loss of his wife. The situation that Seth finds in the home is an emotionally charged train wreck. Amos has become bitter and depressed and his children are also suffering.
Amos has stopped going to church and refuses to help with rebuilding the community. Despite struggling with a hidden learning disability and a dark secret that has destroyed his confidence--Seth is determined to do his part. He jumps in on the relief efforts and finds encouragement in an old man that no one seems to know. Perhaps he is from a neighboring community?
What is unknown to Katie and Seth is that the friendly and helpful old man named Elias is actually an angel. He is watching over Katie and Seth and even Amos--protecting them from the fallen angel, Razzen who is bent on destroying lives and turning this family away from God and away from each other. I particularly enjoyed the struggle and the battle scenes that raged between Razzen and Elias. It is a very interesting and unique concept taking place within the story.
This book was a smashing hit. Once again I was pulled into the community of Hope Falls and hung on every bit of dialogue between the characters and also between the angel and demon. I thought it very interesting that these characters were not your run-of-the-mill-perfect characters that are often presented in books and rather had very real issues. Amos had his depression, Katie was often overbearing and Seth struggles with dyslexia. Very real characters that you can relate to! If you're looking for new Amish fiction to read that is unique--Ruth Reid's Heaven on Earth series is well worth the read!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com 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

MORE THAN A BUCKET LIST by Jennifer Barrow

More Than A Bucket List" by Toni Birdsong is a good title for people in all stages of life (teenager, young adult, middle age, retired) who wants some ideas for new challenges and undertakings in life. The book is around 260 pages and may be completed in a few sittings and contains such thoughts as:
1. Suggestions for praying over your business.
2. Historical US places to visit.
3. Famous personalities' previous jobs before they became famous.
4. Ways to practice compassion towards others.
5. Suggested books to read.
6. Places to visit around the world.
7. Bizarre places to visit.
8. Things to learn from your grandparents while they're still around.
9. Things to do at a public library.
10. Questions to ask yourself before you go online (perhaps your time can be better spent doing something else).
Some of the suggestions I have already done or plan to do in the future. I will pass the book on to our daughters to read so they may get come creative ideas on things to do with their lives.

ISLE OF SHADOWS

Enslaved in a world of money and power, Tessa dares to be free... Raised as courtesan to wealthy and powerful men, Tessa of Delos serves at the whim of her current patron, the politician Glacis. After ten years with him, Tessa has abandoned all desire for freedom or love, choosing instead to lock her heart away. However, when Glacis meets a violent death in his own home, Tessa grasps at a fragile hope. Only she knows of his death.
If she can keep it a secret for long enough, she can escape. Tessa throws herself on the mercy of the Greek god, Helios, but finds instead unlikely allies in Nikos, a Greek slave, and Simeon, Glacis's Jewish head servant. As Simeon introduces her to a God unlike any she has ever known and Nikos begins to stir feeling she had though long dead, Tessa fights to keep her heart protected. As an assai nation plot comes to light, Tessa must battle for her own freedom-- and for those whom she has begun to open her heart-- as forces collide that shatter the island's peace.
Tracy L. Highly started her first novel at the age of eight and has been hooked on writing ever since. She has authored nine novels, including Garden of Madness. Tracy is currently perusing a graduate degree in Ancient History and has traveled through Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Italy, researching her novels and falling into adventures. You can read more about her travels via her website.
My thoughts: I think this book has come a ways from when it was known as Shadow of Colossus. The cover is beautiful, as it provides a great setting for imagery. I like that the book comes with a reading group guide. None of the chapters are terribly long, though there are 42 chapters and 374 pages. This is my first book from Ancient History, and I actually liked it! Thanks BookSneeze for introducing me to Historical Fiction! Isle of Shadows- Book Review: 4/5 stars...
Disclosure: I received the book mentioned above for free in exchange for my time spent to read and review it.

Return to Sunday Dinner

By Russell Cronkhite

Return to Sunday Dinner by Russell Cronkhite (a professional chef himself) is filled with twenty-four manageable menus that will bring back the wonderful tradition of those Sunday dinners. None of the recipes have a list of 30 ingredients nor do they contain ingredients you've never heard of and few (if any) spices that you have to buy just for this recipe. Another piece that adds interest to this cookbook is that each recipe has a brief history given. Each menu has a story of the meaning includes easy time-saving and do-ahead tips for tasks you can complete the day before and the morning of the day you plan to serve your special meal. I think you'll also enjoy the personal touch added to the menus when you read the brief stories of the significance of Sunday dinners in another's life.
If you aren't hungry when you pick up this book, you will be within minutes and it will leave you looking forward to making your next "Sunday dinner". While I originally ordered this book as a gift, I don't think it is going anywhere. Whether for a gift or something for yourself if you love to cook for your family, you can't go wrong with Return to Sunday Dinner.
What should I fix this Sunday? Grandma's Fried Chicken? Sage-rubbed roast pork loin with cranberry-apple cider Glaze? Warm pear strudel with vanilla sauce? Amish potato rolls? Spiced pumpkin mousse cake? Is Sunday dinner more about the food or making memories? You decide.
I did receive this book free from Book sneeze in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review

A path toward love

by Cara James

When I opened up "A Path Towards Love", I really didn't have any expectations. I hadn't read this particular author's writing before, but I do always enjoy a good historical fiction read, so I decided to try it.
All her life, Katherine Osborne was raised to become a woman of New York society. To her parent's dismay, she runs off at the age of 18 and elopes with a young man that is not up to the high standards of a mate that her mother has set for her. They settle in Florida to manage her husband's family orange groves, but that is where the whirlwind romance ends. Quickly, Katherine finds herself in a loveless marriage and soon after, a young widow. Struggling to make ends meet, her father convinces her to travel up north for a month long vacation of leisure: swimming, canoeing, picnics, dancing. Oh, and don't forget that her mother already has her next marriage partner picked out: Randy, a non-committal, lazy son of an heir who is pressured as well into courting Katherine.
Enter Andrew, Katherine's dearest friend from her childhood and cousin of Randy. He also happens to work for Katherine's father as a lawyer for his company AND he's in love with the boss's daughter (Katherine). Andrew, unlike Randy, warn born into modest means and has not lived the life of luxury. Unfortunately, because of his lot in life, he has never been considered a favorable suitor for Katherine. As Andrew's affection grows, the more persistent Katherine's parents are that she becomes engaged to Randy.
I really did enjoy this novel, but I wouldn't say it was any different than any other historical romance. It's sweet, easy to read and has a predictable ending. BUT I did enjoy it. I would have enjoyed it more if she would have had more "distance" between Andrew and Katherine. Perhaps Katherine could have moved back down to Florida or maybe Andrew actually did end up going west to California. Through it all they could have exchanged letters, etc. I just felt like it could have been so much more. But I still liked it.
Technical critique: I read the Kindle version, and the beginning of the paragraphs didn't indent, so it was hard to tell when one paragraph ended and another began. I know it doesn't seem like a big deal, but it took away from the content of the novel. I hope that this is a feature that can be fixed as it was rather distracting and annoying.
I received this novel in exchange for my review from BookSneeze. I was not required to give a positive review, only an honest one

Cruel Harvest

by Fran Elizabeth Grubb

was a hollow existence: nomadic, extreme poverty and deprivation, with no comfort. Fran's father sold her older brother for five dollars, murdered her infant sister and sexually molested his other other daughters.
Fran could be excused if she were bitter. But she is not. Even as she watched her mother and older sisters run away from the family, disappearing one by one, even as she sought opt make sense of her circumstances, even as she struggled to get her young adult life on track, Fran was able to down what her father could not - love, enjoy life, embrace God.
There is more, much more, to this story. There is wickedness and despair. But there is also courage and hope. And a happy ending too.
This was a hard book to read but it is also one I did not want to put down. Fran Grubb handled the telling of her story with grace and dignity. Even without graphic details, one could envision the horrors of her life.
I am in awe that in spite of her tragic circumstances, she kept clinging to hope; believing in a God that did not seem to answer her prayers.
I was not ready for the book to end and hope she plans to share more of her life and that of her siblings as they one by one removed themselves from the monster they called "daddy". I hope that one day she is able to find Mary Anne and Millie.
While the book is filled with horrors, Fran's ability to love and forgive is the real story.
Should you buy the book? Without a doubt!!
I received this book free from the publisher through the Book Sneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Faithful to Laura

by Middlefield Family

The main character in this book is Laura Stutzman, a young Amish girl that fell in love with an "English" man named Mark. She was raised in the small, close knit Amish community in Etheridge, Tennessee. One day she met a handsome English man that helped in her family's bakery. The two teenagers fell in love but only later did she realize he was just using her to get the money from the bakery. After stealing the money, setting the barn on fire and locking her inside to die does she realize that he is not the man she thought he was. Now left with permanent scars on her face, she decides to go to Ohio to stay with some kin until she can face her parents. All she can focus on now is finding Mark and exacting her revenge for all he has done but her Amish roots are telling her she needs to forgive. However, Laura doesn't know if she can forgive and although meeting someone new is the last thing on her mind, her heart may have other ideas.
Sawyer is a "Yankee" that has been raised by the Amish since his parents' death when he was a child. Now, the time has come to choose which life he wants to follow, Amish or Yankee. To further complicate things, a lady claiming to be his grandmother shows up wanting him to come with her to New York so she will have an heir to leave her wealth to when she dies. Sawyer doesn't know which way to turn. Then he meets Laura and all of a sudden has someone he can talk to. He sees past her scars and looks into her heart. Is being Amish in God's plan for him and if so, can he ever get Laura to trust him after her previous experience with men?
I loved this book and although there are other characters and their stories intertwined, I found it very intriguing and hard to put down. I would definitely read more books by this author in the future.

The scent of Rain

by Kristin Billerbeck

It's Daphne's wedding day. She has given up her dream job for love with the perfect man and to start the perfect life. The only problem, the groom didn't show up for the wedding. Left at the altar heartbroken embarks on a new journey to reevaluate her life. She heads across the to the new home and job miles away from family friends only to discover nothing is really what it had seemed to be. Daphne is a professional "nose" hired to turn around a failing business, but suddenly her sense of smell has disappeared. Feeling like a fraud on her new job, Daphne sets out to support the new boss, Jesse, to help make the company flourish and so he doesn't lose his job.
I really enjoyed Daphne's character and riding the ups and downs with her as she discovered the true reasons behind her loss of smell. As she makes these discoveries she grows personally and learns to make better choices without losing her own identity. Daphne encounters many people to help her through this time and she She discovers kindness and caring, how to accept help and friendship, and how to give to others for the right reasons. She also realizes that God can work all these situations together for good and to show her the real meaning of love.

The Bride wore Blue

The Bride Wore Blue by Mona Hodgson is an intriguing historical novel. The third book in the Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek tells the story of Vivian, the youngest of 4 sisters. The choices she made both before the novel starts and during, are not the best choices, but understandable and definitely a part of the story. This novel is about unconditional love and forgiveness, as well as not judging others.
I loved Vivian with her spunk, and her insecurities, as well as her resourcefulness and desires to not be beholden to her sisters. How she didn't give up just because the first job she tried for did not work for her and that she did not look to a man to fulfill her.
Carter grows from a man blaming a prostitute for his father's death, to realizing that all people have reasons for doing what they do, and that it does not mean that God's Love and Forgiveness is not for them. Vivian's sisters are great characters, and I would love them for my own. I have not read the other sister's stories, but would like to go back and read them. Not because they need to be read in order to have this own make sense, but because I have found a great author in Mona and would love to read more of her novels.
I received this book free from Waterbrook Press through their Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review, which you have here. The opinions stated are my own.

Tis Scarlet Cord

Rahab was a young Canaanite girl in Jericho who hid two Israelite spies. In doing this she was able to save herself and her family from Joshua's army during the battle of Jericho. During this time Rahab learns of the one true God and finds favor with God and in turn is placed in the genealogy of Christ. That is essentially all we are told about Rahab in the Book of Joshua.
"This Scarlet Cord" by Joan Wolf brings the story of Rahab to life by letting us imagine what her life was like before and after she met her future husband, Sala. Rahab was kidnapped as a girl and rescued by Sala. Several years later they meet again. They soon realize their love for one another but he is an Israelite and she is Canaanite. Sala shares his religion and the one true God with her and in her time of need she beings to pray to God instead of the pagan gods of the Canaanites. When Rahab hides the Israelite spies and helps them escape they give her a scarlet cord to hang from her window. The cord will be a sign that she and whoever is in the house will be spared. After Rahab and her family leave Jericho unharmed, both her father and Sala's father allow them to marry. Many years later their descendent Joseph married Mary who was the mother of Jesus.
I have read and heard about the battle of Jericho since I can remember. But I never paid attention to Rahab and what an important person she was. Joan Wolf brings her to life and shows us that no matter what kind of a person we are God can and will use to for a greater purpose. I received a complimentary copy of this book to review fromBookSneeze.

Arms of Love

by Kelly Long

Kelly Long sweeps us away to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in the year 1777; to a tumultuous time in the history of our country, where the Redcoats, loyalists, patriots, and Amish pacifists coexist. It is also a time of great political unrest, and persecution towards the Amish sect, who, in spite of their peace loving dictates, find their hearts rebelling against the injustices perpetrated in the colonies.
In spite of the political uncertainty surrounding her, Lena Yoder, a beautiful young Amish woman, can barely contain her joy. She is in the throes of love with the handsome Adam Wyse, and her mother is expecting another child. Unbeknownst to Lena, however, in just a short time a promise that her dying mother exacts from her beloved Adam, will turn her world upside down, and she will find herself forced to turn to another for support, Adam's brother, Isaac.
Adam Wyse carries a dark secret of guilt and shame from being physically abused, and ponders joining the Patriot's cause to try to escape his problems, the worst of which is being unable to bear seeing his beloved Lena with Isaac. Can Adam ever overcome his demons?...and why does his father seem to delight in tormenting him so? Will Adam run off to war, and keep his promise to Lena's mother concerning her?...and is it too late for forgiveness and redemption between a father and son, and a lifetime of abuse?
This was the first book I have ever read by Kelly Long, but it won't be my last! She touches on some very heavy issues in this book; PTSD, child abuse, the controversial habit of unmarried Amish young people "bundling", to name a few. Her characters are realistic and not flawless as in some of the Amish books of today, and I loved the inclusion of an older couple's romance, which landed a tender, heartwarming touch to this novel. This is truly a heartrending story of love, redemption, and forgiveness