Book Review:The Bargain by Stephanie Reed

About the book: Book one in the Plain City Peace series.
It's 1971, and Betsie Troyer's peaceful and predictable life is about to become anything but. When their parents flee the Amish, nineteen-year-old Betsie and her seventeen-year-old sister Sadie are distraught. Under the dubious guidance of a doting aunt, the girls struggle to keep the secret, praying their parents will return before anyone learns the truth-a truth that may end all hopes of Betsie's marriage to Charley Yoder.

Purchase a copy here

My Review: I really enjoyed this book! It gradually brought me in and I ended up really into the characters and storylines. I like how it just didn't stay in the Amish world. It went into the English world in the middle of the Vietnam war. It touched on many different subjects from that time period such as,war,hippies,peace and depression that many faced coming back from war and fighting during peace rallies right here in our own country. I am really hoping that two of the main characters (don't want to ruin storyline) get together. They are made for each other. I think one may sense it.  I loved the revival part. It was a well described part and made you feel you were right there under the tent. The book kept me reading til the end and waiting for book 2 too come out. I am really excited as to where the story goes and what happens.

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About the Author: Stephanie Reed lives on the outskirts of Plain City, Ohio, site of a once-thriving Amish community. She gleans ideas for her novels from signs glimpsed along the byways of Ohio, as she did for her previous books, "Across the Wide River" and "The Light Across the River."

More about the Author

Stephanie L. Reed is celebrating the release of The Bargain, the first book in her new series, Plain City Peace, with a Kindle Fire 'Bargain Bundle' giveaway!

 
  One winner will receive a 'Bargain Bundle':

• A Kindle Fire
• The Bargain by Stephanie Reed

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 27th. Winner will be announced at the Litfuse blog on October 28th.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by the Litfuse blog on the 28th to see if you won. (Or, better yet, subscribe to their blog {enter your email in the blog sidebar} and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox)!

Book Review:A home for my heart by Anne Mateer

I just got to read and review "A home for my heart" by Anne Mateer. I love historical fiction the best. This story takes place in the 1910. Sadie is assistant to the head matron of the orphanage where she grew up. As the head matron leaves and marries. The job goes to Sadie who now is in charge of the home and must strive to keep it open and keep funds going for the expenses. Blaine is the man she dreamed of marrying,but at the same time she becomes matron,he has bought his own farm. Plus she can't be married being a matron. Full of wonderful characters in this story. Some things didn't go as I thought they were going. It all lead up to a wonderful lesson to learn though. Don't try to prove to somebody your worth or that you're someone you are not. The only person you should be concerned about is how God sees you. It also gave such a great example of all the children that are good kids that needs homes. It was a sweet and simple story and I enjoyed it.

This book was given to me by Bethany house for my honest review.

Tennessee History Festival

This past weekend in Nashville TN they had the TN History Festival. I had been when we first moved to the area. This was my second time and I really enjoyed it. Tons of different things set up. I love seeing history in action and looking at all the things they used back then and the way they dressed! I love the dresses the ladies wore. I just think the dresses are beautiful. The event was held at Bicentennial Mall State Park. It's a beautiful park that overlooks the state capital in downtown. I went picture happy as usual. So this post has a lot of pictures. I hope you don't mind!!

 "All the different camps set up everywhere"

 "Can you imagine doing laundry by hand back then? We have it so easy in today time."

 "This lady was showing different items and how they were used. Here she is holding what they used to hear the heart. She had two people come up and try it and it really worked. She had lots of great information."

 "A spinning wheel. I loved her sign of what she called her area."

 "A old camera. He was great with information on photography back then. We have come so far. He also let me look through it while the cover was over me like they did back then. It was really neat."

 "Looking toward the capital"

 "I loved these dresses and how this picture turned out."

 "A game of 1860's style Baseball,played with no gloves."

 "What they used to cut off parts during surgery. Gave me chills just thinking about it" How far we have come in medicine"

 "How far we have come in the laundry department. Can you imagine having to do each piece by hand?"

 "They also had firing demos of different centuries of canons and guns."

 "They were very loud"

 "Abraham Lincoln"

 "I loved the veil" This was a reenactment of a 1860's wedding"

All through it I kept thinking this seems so real. I thought they were doing a really good job at creating one. Turns out this couple is very involved with their history things like this, that they decided to make this their wedding vow renewal for real. They thought this was the perfect time for it. I thought that was so sweet.

Well I hope you enjoyed taking this little day trip with me.

Review&Giveaway-EL Paso frozen entrees!!

You can now find premium, handcrafted, Old El Paso Frozen entrees for two in the freezer aisle of your local grocery store. Imagine coming home from work and digging into your favorite Mexican dish only to find delicious ingredients you can actually see including steak, chicken and rice. Talk about convenient—it’s the savory Mexican taste you love, without the hassle and ready in minutes!

With eight different flavors of fajitas, enchiladas, quesadillas and burritos, these entrees are sure to fulfill your dinner needs. On your way home from work tonight, swing by the store and head for the freezer aisle– your other half will thank you!

I got the chance to try these brand new products from EL Paso. They are located in the frozen section of your local grocery store. They have many different flavors to choose from. Chicken Quesadillas or Enchiladas or Beef Burritos. Even the Fajitas mix in a bag. So I choose the Beef Enchiladas as my choice. 

It is such a simple meal to make for two people!! All you do is pull back the film and put it on a pan and bake it according to the directions on the package. They smelled really good and I could not wait to try them. 

Here they are right of the oven. It had 6 in the box. It could possibly made into a meal for 3 because the two I ate kinda came together like one big one and filled me up. I always worry that frozen meals are going to taste processed. This surprise me and didn't taste at all processed. It tasted like it had come from a mexican restaurant. We really enjoyed the taste of it. Though it was a little spicy for my taste. I thought it was very good. All in all I would try it again because it is tasty and such a easy and simple meal to just throw in the oven.

Visit the EL Paso Website or Facebook

Now one of my lucky readers is going to win the same package I won!!

*Coupon for a free Entree of your choice

*Chip and Dip Bowl

*$10 Visa Gift Card

Just enter on the form below and a winner will be randomly selected to win.

Open only to the US

I am not responsible for prize shipment. It will be shipped to you by the sponsor myblogspark!!

Entry-Form

“Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.”

 

Book Review: The Secret Keeper by Beverly Lewis

Beverly Lewis has always been a favorite Amish author of mine. I just finished reading her latest book "The Secret Keeper". Jenny is from a nice English life but has always felt drawn to a plain lifestyle. She does not connect good with her family or modern stuff. She likes the old way. She has been friends and wrote letters to an Amish friend Marnie. After much thinking Jenny decides to make the change and go Amish. We are taken back to hickory hollow to Rebecca and Samuel Lapp house. You will know them from another series. We are introduced again to some of the characters out of other books. She goes about trying to form herself into the Amish world. A lot of the characters were seeking out things in their life. I loved this book. It was another great one from Beverly. A good read about trying to find peace within you and finding out where your true home is and where you truly belong in life. This book can be read separate from the series. I enjoyed it! 

I received this book free from Bethany house publishers for my honest review

Clouds of Cotton...

The clouds were beautiful out today!! These pictures don't show the true beauty it was in real. It looked just got puffs of cotton to climb up. 

Book Review:His Treasure by Sheri Rose Shepherd

I recently got to review this book "His Treasure" by Sheri Rose Shepherd. I fell in love with the cover. The cover along would make me want to buy it. This a wonderful little book for Women. It is letters of love from God. Including many ranges of topics from when your facing trials or needing comfort or encouragement. Each topic includes a letter from God. It has a treasure of truth quote and bible verse with each one! I really liked this little but big gem of a book. It's refreshing and encouraging to go to and read. Each letter writes to you as if God wrote to you. This would make a great book for any woman of any age to read and treasure!

I received this book free from tyndale for my honest review.

Book Review: A Christmas Gift for Rose by Tricia Goyer

About the book: Rose turned her back on the man she loves after he assisted the Englisch during World War II---only to discover she's an Englischer herself. Born in the midst of the hardships of The Great Depression, Rose grew up in Berlin, Ohio, in the arms of a loving Amish family. But she is overwhelmed by self-doubt when she learns that she was born Englisch and abandoned when her family moved West in search of work. Was she meant to be Amish or would she have been better off growing up with her own
kind---Englischers? When the man she loves leaves her behind, Rose is certain he left for good. Yet Rose discovers sometimes our greatest gifts are the ones we fear.

My Review:  I just finished reading this book. It made me get in the mood for Christmas at the front of the book with all the cooking going on. I liked this book. It was just a short simple story and I love to read them too. It wasn't dragged out and was kept simple. You could read it in a day or two if wanted. It's also one of the first Amish books where I seen a Amish go to the war. It dealt with the depression era and war. The effects that this all had on families. It was sweet story of a parents love for their child where they gave her a better life. Plus the lesson that no matter if you're alone or with somebody you are always with God! I enjoyed this sweet book!!

To read other reviews click here

About Tricia: USA Today best-selling author Tricia Goyer is the author of over 35 books, including the three-book Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series and "Lead Your Family Like Jesus," (co-written with Ken Blanchard). She has written over 500 articles for national publications and blogs for high traffic sites like TheBetterMom.com and MomLifeToday.com. She is the host of Living Inspired, a weekly radio show. Tricia and family live in Little Rock, Arkansas. They have six children.

Click here to learn more about the Author

To purchase the book click here

Tricia Goyer is celebrating the release of her first Christmas novella, A Christmas Gift for Rose, with a Christmas Gift giveaway! 

Enter to win a NEW Kindle Fire HDX for you AND one for a friend!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire HDX and one to give away to a friend!
• A Christmas Gift for Rose, by Tricia Goyer for you and your friend!

Four second place winners will receive:

• A Christmas Gift for Rose Christmas pack (includes a recipe card, bookmark, a signed book plate, discussion questions, and a Gathering & Giving handout!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 19th. All winners will be announced October 21st at Tricia's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Tricia's blog on the 21st to see if you won one of the great prizes! (Or better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)

I received this book free from the publisher for my honest review!!