Book Review: Lovelier Than Daylight by Rosslyn Elliott

I was so happy on Christmas Day to open my Nook Tablet! The first book I downloaded was Lovelier Than Daylight by RosslynElliott as part of the BookSneeze program by Thomas Nelson Publishing. Though the book was more than three hundred pages, the story didn't feel long at all! The characters were believable and interesting. With my German heritage, I enjoyed the few German words thrown in as well! The story takes place during the Temperance Movement of the late 1800's. I don't have much knowledge about this time in history, but real history was woven into the story quite well. I love learning a bit of history this way. Susanna Hanby is a staunch prohibitionist preparing to begin college while staying with an aunt and uncle. She learns that her sister has disappeared and her six nieces and nephews given over to the county because of their father’s abuse of alcohol. Of course Susanna wants to rescue the children from the orphanages they were placed in, but is unable to because she is not married and unable to support them. She is determined to locate her sister and reunite the family. Johann Griere is the son of a brewer making a delivery to a saloon keeper in Susanna’s town. The two meet and are immediately at odds and yet strangely drawn to one another. The story develops around the town’s peoples attempts to rid themselves of the saloon and Susanna’s search for her sister. It moves quickly but not too quickly. The book includes intrigue, danger and romance… all things I love in a book!

*Ü* Blessings,

Kid's Piano Recital Today!

For my far-away family, I wanted to share my kiddos at their recital today....

This is Bea playing "The Danube Waltz" and then "We Three Kings"



Then, Little Man played the theme song from "Star Wars" and "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"



(the sound fades after the first song... oh, well!)

Bea also played "Minuet 3" on the violin... though it is hard to hear the violin over the piano that her teacher was accompanying her with



Daddy and I are so proud of our kiddos!

Darling G also played for us even though she's only been studying piano since September. Unfortunately, I don't think I have video of her performance... I'll have to video her at home and post it another time!


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Christmas Blessings,

Pleasantly Surprised by "An Amish Kitchen" (Book Review)

I recently read An Amish Kitchen, three stories in one book by authors Beth Wiseman, Kelly Long and Amy Clipston. I am not familiar with any of these authors but have read many other Amish fiction, and quite honestly wasn’t sure if there stories would hold my interest. I was pleasantly surprised with each one! “A Taste of Faith” by Kelly Long enchanted me from the start with the mischievous antics of the children next door to Fern and her gradual, yet realistic attraction to Abram. The romance in “A Spoonful of Love” was slower and longer to bloom, but the story was just as engaging. I had my doubts about the last story, “A Recipe for Hope”, but I think it turned out to be my favorite of the three. It brought tears to my eyes several times!

All of the stories are a short, fast read; they kept me interested in the characters and their circumstances. I would recommend this books to fans of Amish fiction, as well as to fans of romance. There are many Amish words and phrases scattered liberally through the stories, and the list of definitions at the beginning of the book is helpful… but sometimes I found the Amish term distracting. If you’ve read a lot of Amish fiction, many of the words will be familiar to you, but some won’t and it was these that I had to keep turning to the front for.

Lastly, I am excited to use the recipes at the end of the book – especially the soft pretzel recipe from “A Spoonful of Love”! – These are my honest opinions, I am not paid by Thomas Nelson (the publisher of this book) but have been provided with the book at no charge (through BookSneeze.com) expressly for my review.


*Ü* Blessings,

Book Review - Fresh Start by Doug Fields

I signed up with Book Sneeze and agreed to receive a book in the mail in exchange for an honest review of the book. The first book I requested and received was Fresh Start by Doug Fields, published in 2009 by Thomas Nelson.

Here are my honest thoughts...

I was very excited about reading the book Fresh Start by Doug Fields. The title captivated me and the cover design whetted my desire to read the book and take the steps necessary to make this fresh start in my walk with the Lord. In his book, Doug sounds like a sportscaster, and personally I had a hard time connecting to what he was trying to say. Perhaps his intended audience was the male population, I don’t know. What I do know is that the book, while full of great information, useful tips and examples from scripture, it did not move me. I found it hard to stay focused while I was reading. I had high hopes for the fresh start I desire, but this book just didn’t help me find it.

*Ü* Blessings,