Search results for 'along wooded paths'

Mini-Book Review: Breath of Heaven

20 Nov

Breath of Heaven by Deborah Raney is the 3rd book in the Camfield Legacy series. The book features newlyweds Natalie and David Chambers as they settle into marriage and the mission life in South America. Both are committed to bringing the gospel to the Timone people, but they are not on the same page when it comes to beginning their own family. To complicate things, guerrillas are coming closer and closer to their village, threatening their work and their lives. I really liked Raney’s take on the life on the mission field. Missionaries are certainly not exempt from conflicts — Breath of Heaven presented real people with real problems acting in a way all can relate to. The addition of a suspense-filled story line, including kidnapping and human trafficking, kept me turning the pages — I really could not put this book down. And the themes of guilt/unworthiness and unforgiveness made me think.

I have not read the other books in this series, but that did not hinder me from enjoying Breath of Heaven. But I think starting at the beginning is a good plan for those who are new to the series.

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I received a complimentary copy of the this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

HER FAMILY’S LEGACY HAD BEEN FULL OF DEEP SORROW.
AND NOW IT LOOKED AS IF HER LIFE WOULD FOLLOW THE SAME PATH.
BUT HER GOD WAS STILL IN THE BUSINESS OF REDEMPTION.

After a joyful wedding in Kansas, Natalie Camfield Chambers is back in the village of Timoné in South America with her beloved husband, David Chambers. But the adjustments to married life while serving on the mission field in a remote Colombian village along the Rio Guaviare are more than either Natalie or David bargained for. The growing unrest in the country only adds to the challenges they face.

When the village is invaded by guerrilla soldiers and one of their Timoné neighbors, a young mother, goes missing, Natalie and David find themselves caring for her small daughter, even as Natalie has begun to suspect that she is carrying their own child.

When a trip by boat on the Guaviare turns treacherous and ultimately deadly, Natalie and David face the fight of their lives. Their faith—and their love—will be tested in ways they never dreamed, and the decisions they make will echo for generations to come.

Deborah Raney‘s first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched Deb’s writing career. She has now written more than forty books, including novels for imprints of Random House, Simon & Schuster, and HarperCollins. Deb served on the board of the 2500-member American Christian Fiction Writers for 18 years and teaches at writers conferences around the country. Her novels have won RWA’s RITA Award, the ACFW Carol Award, the National Readers Choice Award, and the HOLT Medallion. She is also a three-time Christy Award finalist. Deb is a recent Missouri transplant, having moved with her husband, Ken Raney, from their native Kansas to be closer to kids and grandkids. They love road trips, Friday garage sale dates, and breakfast on the screened porch overlooking their wooded backyard. Visit Deb on the Web at http://www.deborahraney.com.

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Book Review: Along Wooded Paths (And Giveaway!)

16 Mar

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.

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 Interrupted was 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.

My Impressions:

Along Wooded Paths is the second book in the Big Sky series.  (Please read Beside Still Waters (book #1) first — these books build on each other and you will lose something of the story if you don’t.)  It presents the continuing story of Marianna Sommer and her spiritual and emotional growth.  Marianna left Indiana for Montana to help with her Amish family.  She left behind a young man and all that made her feel secure.  But the move freed her from a past not her own and the legalism that restricted her worship.  In Montana, she finds an Amish community much more comfortable in relationships with the English.  She also finds a God of relationships she never knew.

In Along Wooded Paths, Marianna has discovered the rich life of prayer and communion with God that the Bishops in her old community never spoke of.  She also uncovers a heart of compassion for people of all faiths and circumstances. But with the assurance that she is finally in the place God wants her, she is unsure where God is leading her heart.  Aaron, her boyfriend from Indiana, arrives unexpectedly and her  budding romance/friendship with an Englishman, Ben, is put in a new perspective.  All in all Marianna is faced with lots of decisions sure to effect her life — decisions about love, marriage, family, and faith.

Goyer’s characters are well-written and believable.  The story flows well, and the reader is left with a sense that the story is only beginning.  Fortunately, I have only a few months to wait before Beyond Hope’s Valley (book #3) arrives!  I am really looking forward to finding out the rest of the story.

Highly Recommended.

(Thanks to Broadman and Holman for the review copy of Along Wooded Paths. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

Giveaway!

I am giving away a copy of Along Wooded Paths. To enter just leave a comment including your email address.  I will choose a winner randomly on March 30.  Good Luck!

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Book Review: Beyond Hope’s Valley

4 May

After an extended stay in Montana, where Amish traditions are different than in her home state, Marianna Sommer returns to Indiana for two reasons, first to help her brother and his girlfriend prepare for a baby and their wedding. Second, to plan her own wedding to Aaron Zook — a marriage she’s been dreaming about ever since childhood. And yet, although she had missed the idyllic farms and families of her upbringing, Marianna is surprised that Indiana is somehow making her long now for Montana.  As months pass, secrets that were hidden in winter’s frozen grasp thaw and take on a life of their own.

The truths about a child, about a past relationship, and about God’s plans are being revealed. Walking through a valley of questions, Marianna must hold on to hope as she decides where and with whom her heart truly belongs. For more about this story, watch the interview with folks who inspired the Big Sky series.

Tricia Goyer is the award winning author of thirty-four books including Beside Still Waters, Remembering You,and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences and is the host of Living Inspired. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.

More info: Living Inspired and www.triciagoyer.com.

My Impressions:

Tricia Goyer has another winner in her final installment of the Big Sky series, Beyond Hope’s Valley.  The story which began in Beside Still Waters and continued in Along Wooded Paths, follows the life of a young Amish woman, Marianna.  Her faith journey is portrayed in a natural and very realistic way.  And her waiting on God is a wonderful lesson.

The story opens with Marianna back in her old community of Amish in Indiana. The English man that she cannot get our of her head or heart, Ben, is back performing at concerts across the country.  The old worlds they both go back to feel alien, even though everyone they care about feels that’s just where they belong.  As they turn to God for guidance, they both receive the same answer — wait.  Beyond Hope’s Valley is a quiet book.  There are no chase scenes or runaway buggies, but just an honest searching for the will and purposes of God.  I liked that about it — normal people struggling with what God wants for them and where He would have them live.  It was also interesting to see a character who has separated herself from the world struggle as much as the character who has put himself right in the middle of the world.  It proves that the only real place to be is right in the middle of God’s plan.

If you haven’t read books 1 and 2 of this series, you are in luck, because now you can read the whole series without any delays.  And if you have been waiting to see what would happen to Marianna and Ben, you will definitely enjoy this last book.

Highly Recommended.

(I received Beyond Hope’s Valley from LitFuse.  The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To read what other reviewers have to say, click HERE.

To enter my giveaway of Beyond Hope’s Valley (ending May 14), click HERE.

Celebrate with Tricia and enter to win a custom-made Amish Wall hanging in the colors of your choice … and much more! 

One fortunate winner will receive:

  • Custom Amish Wall Hanging {You choose the colors!}
  • An Amish Doll {Sweet.}
  • Amish-made basket {It’s picnic season!}
  • Doilies, potholder and an Amish cookbook {All items form Bird-in-Hand, PA!}
  • Three book Big Sky Amish series {Be swept away by this captivating series.}

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 20th. Winner will be announced at “All Things Amish” Author Chat Facebook Party on 5/21. Tricia will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from her website) and giving away books, gift certificates and more!

So grab your copy of Beyond Hope’s Valley and join Tricia on the evening of the May 21st for a fun chat, trivia contest (How much do you know about the Amish?) and lots of giveaways. (If you haven’t read the book – don’t let that stop you from coming!)

Don’t miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 21st!

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Mailbox Monday

19 Sep

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A Girl and Her Books and is being hosted by Amused By Books.

Received For Review:

Heiress by Susan May Warren.  The beautiful and wealthy heiress daughters of August Price can buy everything their hearts desire. But what if their desire is to be loved, without an enormous price tag attached? When one sister betrays another for the sake of love, will she find happiness? And what happens when the other sets out across the still untamed frontier to find it–will she discover she’s left it behind in the glamorous world of New York society?

Set in the opulent world of the Gilded Age, each woman discovers that being an heiress just might cost her everything she loves.

Love on The Line by Deeanne Gist.  In 1904 Texas Ranger Luke Palmer arrives in Brenham, Texas, with one goal–to capture the gang of outlaws led by Frank Comer. Undercover as a telephone repairman, he uses his days on the range to search, not realizing there’s another pair of eyes watching him.

Georgie Gail, switchboard operator and birder, heads out on a birding expedition, but instead of sighting a painted bunting, her opera glasses capture her telephone man, armed and far away from telephone lines. Palmer is forced to take this alluring troublemaker into his confidence and unwittingly puts her in harm’s way. The closer he comes to the gang, the further she works her way into his heart–and into trouble. Soon it’s more than just love that’s on the line.

Along Wooded Paths by Tricia Goyer.  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.

Pirate Of My Heart by Jamie Carie.  When her doting father dies, Lady Kendra Townsend is given a choice: marry the horrid man of her cold, money-grubbing uncle’s choosing or leave England to risk a new life in America with unknown relatives. Armed with the faith that God has a plan for her, Kendra boards a cargo ship and meets American sea captain Dorian Colburn. But the captain has been wounded by a woman before and guards his independent life. A swashbuckling man doesn’t need an English heiress to make him slow down, feel again, or be challenged with questions about his faith-or so he thinks. It is not until Dorian must save Kendra from the dark forces surrounding her that he decides she may be worth the risk.