Category Archives: FaithWords

July 20, 2015 · 11:57 pm

Review: Balm of Gilead by Adina Senft

balmTitle: Balm of Gilead by Adina Senft
Healing Grace Series Book Three
Publisher: FaithWords
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Fiction
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

The third installment in the Healing Grace series finds young Amish widow Sarah Yoder facing her greatest challenge–herself.

Sarah Yoder hasn’t seen Henry Byler since he became engaged to an Englisch woman, which is best for her peace of mind. Since Henry never joined the Amish church, any relationship but a neighborly one is impossible. So she stays busy with her family, welcoming her son back from the ranch he’s been working on in Colorado, doing a little matchmaking for her sister-in-law, and making the teas and tinctures that heal the members of her church.

Then Henry seeks her out, desperate for a balm for his sensitive hands before his success as a potter is jeopardized, and Sarah must call on every ounce of strength to deny the cry of her heart. Yet there is Someone who just might have a special cure in mind-a healing balm with the power to change everything. But with Henry’s wedding only weeks away, is it already too late?

Review:

Balm of Gilead is the highly anticipated third installment in Adina Senft’s incredible Healing Grace series featuring Amish widow and herbalist in training Sarah Yoder. This latest addition concludes many of the story arcs from the previous novels but the story mainly focuses on Sarah’s Englisch neighbor Henry Byler and his upcoming wedding to B&B owner Ginny Hoschsteler.

In the three months since Henry proposed to Ginny, Sarah has kept her distance from her neighbor. She has concentrated her attention on continuing her training as an herbalist and she has become quite adept at treating the members of her community. Sarah is also eagerly awaiting her oldest son Simon’s homecoming since his job on a Colorado dude ranch is coming to an end. She has mended the relationships she inadvertently harmed and Sarah keeps the lessons she learned about overstepping her boundaries fresh in her mind when Henry unexpectedly asks for her advice about a PR request.

Henry and Ginny are eagerly planning their wedding when a worsening health issue sends Henry to Sarah for treatment. Once the lines of communication reopen between them, he finds it easy to continue to seek advice from her. A publicity request from a reality show would expose his pottery to a wider customer base, but Henry is very uneasy that this appearance would harm his relationships with his family and his Amish neighbors. He greatly values Sarah opinion but he is further conflicted when Ginny makes an unexpected revelation about her B&B. The proposed script leads Henry to a surprising conclusion when he reflects back on his long ago decision to leave the Amish community.

Sarah is much more comfortable in her role as a healer and although she is still very forthright when expressing her opinions, she is careful to think before she speaks. She is also quite vigilant in her effort to ensure that her advice will not override or interfere with God’s will in matters that are dear to her heart. Sarah, too, must reflect on what she hopes to accomplish when discussing life altering decisions with Henry and she unselfishly sets aside her own wishes and desires as she counsels him during a very difficult situation.

Balm of Gilead is a truly captivating and heartwarming journey of faith and love that is sure to be a hit with fans of the Healing Grace series. The novel is beautifully written and the storylines are realistic. The characters continue to grow and evolve as they struggle to overcome challenges that test their long held beliefs and ultimately strengthen their relationship with God. The fate of the characters is uncertain for much of the story and Adina Senft brings the story to an emotional conclusion that is heartfelt and emotionally satisfying.

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Filed under Adina Senft, Amish, Balm of Gilead, Contemporary, FaithWords, Fiction, Healing Grace Series, Rated B+, Review

July 5, 2015 · 11:58 pm

Review: Someday Home by Lauraine Snelling

someday homeTitle: Someday Home by Lauraine Snelling
Publisher: FaithWords
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Fiction
Length: 369 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A heartwarming story that celebrates how life-changing friendships can be found in all seasons of life.

The sprawling lake home Lynn Lundberg built with her husband has been an epicenter of joyful family life, from summer holidays spent around the water, to cookies baked in the kitchen with grandchildren in the fall. But since her husband’s sudden passing two years ago, Lynn has been lost in the grief and solitude she feels without him at home. She doesn’t want to sell the big family place, but she can’t exist there on her own much longer.

After hearing of a new way of living–where single women share responsibilities as housemates–Lynn thinks she’s found the answer to her prayers. Soon she meets two ladies with whom she could begin this journey. Angela Bishop, a successful real estate agent accustomed to the finer things in life, has just been jilted by her husband of twenty-five-years. Judith Rutherford, who has devoted her adulthood to caring for her ailing father, must leave the only home she’s known now that he has passed.

These three women seek a place to grieve, to laugh, and to be renewed. But coming from such differing circumstances, will the new challenges they face undo their plans? Or will they begin a friendship to see them through the years to come in this SOMEDAY HOME?

Review:

Someday Home by Lauraine Snelling is a lovely novel of new beginnings for three women who have experienced life altering events. This faith-based story is also a beautiful journey of resilience and forgiveness as they heal from the wounds of their past.

Lynn Lundberg is a widow whose busy days keep her loneliness at bay, but her empty nights are becoming harder to bear. When she learns about shared housing, she decides to give it a try as long as she can find the right women to move in with her. She meets Judith Rutherford at a crafting event where Lynn learns that she is looking for a new place to live while she goes back to college after devoting years of her life to caring for her elderly father. Through her son, Lynn learns that Angela Bishop, the mother of one of his friends, needs a place to live after being blindsided by divorce after 25 years of marriage. The three women begin the uneasy task of getting to know one another while trying to maneuver the intricacies of cohabiting with strangers.

Although he has been gone for almost two years, Lynn is still mourning her husband’s unexpected death. Although her days are a mix of helping run the family owned business and taking care of her grandchildren, she is struggling with a resurgence of grief and sudden anger at her loss. Praying for a way to ease her sorrow, shared housing sounds like the perfect answer to help herself and others in need.

Judith is stunned to discover that her father did not follow through on his promise to take care of her after his death. Although she has plenty of work experience, she has no job references or degree, so she decides to go back to college. The only problem is she needs an inexpensive place to live and with few options open to her, she tentatively agrees to move in with Lynn. Judith is a bit uncomfortable with Lynn’s grandkids, but otherwise, she is happy with their new arrangement. Eager to get started on earning her degree, she quickly signs up for classes and she is soon immersed in her studies.

While not exactly happy in her marriage, Angela is nonetheless stunned when her husband tells her he has filed for divorce. She has tried very hard to live up to his ideal of the perfect wife and she is a successful real estate agent. In the days immediately following the divorce announcement, Judith tries to accommodate his requests regarding the house and their finances, but when several of her real estate deals fall through, she begins to panic. After moving in with Lynn and Judith, Angela struggles with depression briefly as she tries to figure out what comes next both personally and professionally.

As to be expected, there are a few missteps and mistakes as the three women begin the next stage of their lives together. Lynn’s tendency to mother everyone is not always appreciated although her heart is in the right place. Judith ruffles a few feathers when she makes decisions without consulting Angela or Lynn. Angela easily transitions from her previous life but the lack of job opportunities is worrisome. The three women slowly form a surprising friendship as they try to help one another cope with the abrupt changes they are experiencing.

Although a little slow paced in the beginning, Someday Home is an overall compelling novel. The premise is quite unique and Lauraine Snelling skillfully weaves the spiritual aspect into the storyline without being overly preachy. It is an absolutely delightful novel of faith, family and friendship that fans of contemporary Christian fiction are sure to love.

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Filed under Christian, Contemporary, FaithWords, Fiction, Lauraine Snelling, Rated B, Review, Someday Home

May 27, 2015 · 11:58 pm

Review: A Flying Affair by Carla Stewart

flying affairTitle: A Flying Affair by Carla Stewart
Publisher: FaithWords
Genre: Historical (20s), Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Ever since Mittie Humphreys agreed to join dashing barnstorming pilot Ames for a joyride in his airplane, her lifelong love of horses has been surpassed by one thing–a longing for the skies. It seems she’s not the only one–with Charles Lindbergh making his victory tour in the Spirit of St. Louis, aviation fever is spreading across the country. Mittie knows flying is the perfect focus for the soaring ambition and taste for adventure within her, and whenever she can slip away from her duties on her family’s prosperous Kentucky horse farm, she heads to the airfield.

Considering their shared passion, it’s no surprise that Ames begins to vie for Mittie’s time. But when handsome British aviator Bobby York offers her flying lessons, he is equally surprised-and beguiled-by Mittie’s grit and talent. Driven to succeed, Mittie will do whatever it takes to compete in the Women’s National Air Derby alongside Amelia Earhart. But when Calista “Peach” Gilson, a charming Southern belle, becomes her rival both professionally and in love, Mittie must learn how to navigate her heart’s romantic longings as well as the skies.

Review:

Carla Stewart enthralls readers with her newest release, A Flying Affair. Set against the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties, this fascinating novel centers around Mittie Humphreys, a young woman whose love of horses is soon eclipsed by her passion for aviation.

Mittie is also captivated by fellow aviator Ames Dewberry, a daredevil who appeals to her adventurous side. With Ames constantly flying in and out of her life, Mittie begins flying lessons with newcomer Bobby York, but she is also intrigued by wing-walking as well. As competitions for women aviators begin springing up across the country, Mittie turns her attention to honing her skills as a pilot. Her introduction to Calista Gilson piques her jealousy as Calista forms friendships with both Bobby and Ames but surprisingly, their professional rivalry quickly turns to friendship.

Mittie is torn between helping her parents on the family’s horse farm and her interest in aviation. With her father still recovering from a riding accident, she puts her dream of learning to fly on hold until he is well enough to resume his duties.  She is headstrong and stubborn and while she respects her mother’s fears for her safety, Mittie still begins flying lessons with family friend Bobby while Ames teaches her how to wing-walk. Ames is more flamboyant of the two men and he talks Mittie into joining his barnstorming act as a wing-walker.

Ames is also the man who makes Mitte’s heart beat faster, but their romance simmers on the back-burner due to Ames’ long absences and sporadic communication. While Ames comes and goes, Bobby is always around and he is instrumental in helping Mittie achieve her goal of becoming a pilot. He is a quiet, unassuming presence in her life and although she is occasionally drawn to him, their relationship never really develops beyond friendship because of her infatuation with Ames.

Meticulous research, daring exploits and exciting adventures bring A Flying Affair vibrantly to life.  The novel is well-written with unique and interesting characters. The historical aspect of the plot is richly detailed and Carla Stewart beautifully incorporates fact with fiction. A fast-paced and riveting read that is sure to be a hit with anyone who enjoys a sweet, clean romance with a very light undercurrent of faith.

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Filed under A Flying Affair, Carla Stewart, FaithWords, Historical (20s), Rated B+, Review, Romance

February 4, 2015 · 11:58 pm

Review: Keys of Heaven by Adina Senft

keys heavenTitle: Keys of Heaven by Adina Senft
Healing Grace Series Book Two
Publisher: FaithWords
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Fiction
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Sarah Yoder is learning to help the people in her Amish community as a Dokterfraa, creating teas and tinctures from the herbs she grows. But her latest patient seems to have a problem that can’t be resolved with Sarah’s remedies-a woman who, in Sarah’s mind, would flourish anywhere other than where she lives. Meanwhile, as Sarah’s relatives attempt a little matchmaking between her and a visiting Amish man, she struggles to let God show her His choice of partner and not allow her friendship with her neighbor, Henry Byler, to grow into anything more.

Henry has seen some success as a potter since a major store commissioned his work for their catalog. But the trouble is they want to market him as Amish. Though he was raised in the faith and lives in Amish country, Henry has never joined church and doesn’t plan to. Which also means, despite the attraction between them, he must keep his distance from Sarah. But what will happen when Sarah and Henry are called upon to help a runaway whose Englisch family is blind to how lost their son has become? The plant Sarah calls Keys of Heaven can grow in impossible places, but it’s hard for people to find their own place, which creates quite a temptation for Sarah to take matters into her own hands…

The Review:

Keys of Heaven is an absolutely charming addition to Adina Senft’s delightful Healing Grace series featuring herbalist in training Sarah Yoder. This second installment expands on some of the storylines introduced in Herb of Grace while new story arcs keep this fabulous series fresh. While Keys of Heaven can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the previous novel to fully appreciate the characters’ personal growth. But the main reason I suggest reading them in order is because it is such a magnificent series!

Sarah is widowed mother of two and she has been struggling to make ends meet for quite some time when she begins an apprenticeship as an herbalist. Along with her herbal remedies, Sarah dispenses advice to her patients, but does she always know what is best for the people in her care? Her latest patient, Linda Peachy, is open to trying the herbs she prescribes, but Sarah’s suggestions for her personal life are not exactly welcome. Sarah gets a taste of her own medicine when her well meaning family tries their hand at matchmaking when an Amish man arrives for a visit. And last on her list of worrisome concerns, Sarah’s attempts to distance herself from her neighbor Henry Byler are complicated when the two offer to help an Englisch runaway explore his passion to become an artist.

Sarah is such a kind-hearted woman it is impossible not to like her. Her attempts to help her friends and neighbors are well-meaning but her efforts sometimes result in her overstepping her boundaries. This also leads to her sometimes passing judgment on her neighbors when she does not have all her facts about their situation. Despite the mistakes she makes in her overzealous efforts to help others, Sarah has a serene quality that is very soothing and when she finds herself becoming frazzled or unsure, her strong faith balances and comforts her.

The one person who continually keeps her off balance is her neighbor Henry. She is drawn to him but since he never joined the church, there can be nothing but friendship between them despite their mutual attraction. Sarah is nonplussed by her jealousy of Henry’s close relationship with Ginny Hochstetler, the owner of a local B&B and her idle speculation about the couple leads a misunderstanding that could lead to a permanent rift between Sarah and Henry.

In Keys of Heaven, there are quite a few secondary story arcs but the novel is very easy to follow. The different storylines add to the characters’ growth and make it easy for the subsequent books in the series to continue building on the previous story’s unresolved issues. In addition, the cliffhanger-ish endings will leave readers impatiently but eagerly awaiting the next novel in this outstanding series.

With the Healing Grace series, Adina Senft has crafted a warm and inviting community through her cast of well-developed and appealing characters, her gentle lessons of faith and storylines that are realistic and relevant in today’s world.

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Filed under Adina Senft, Amish, Contemporary, FaithWords, Fiction, Healing Grace Series, Keys of Heaven, Rated B+, Review

June 4, 2014 · 11:57 pm

Review: The Hatmaker’s Heart by Carla Stewart

hatmakersTitle: The Hatmaker’s Heart by Carla Stewart
Publisher: FaithWords
Genre: Historical, Christian, Fiction
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

For Nell Marchwold, bliss is seeing the transformation when someone gets a glimpse in the mirror while wearing one of her creations and feels beautiful. Nell has always strived to create hats that bring out a woman’s best qualities. She knows she’s fortunate to have landed a job as an apprentice designer at the prominent Oscar Fields Millinery in New York City. Yet when Nell’s fresh designs begin to catch on, her boss holds her back from the limelight, claiming the stutter she’s had since childhood reflects poorly on her and his salon.

But it seems Nell’s gift won’t be hidden by Oscar’s efforts. Soon an up-and-coming fashion designer is seeking her out as a partner of his 1922 collection. The publicity leads to an opportunity for Nell to make hats in London for a royal wedding. There, she sees her childhood friend, Quentin, and an unexpected spark kindles between them. But thanks to her success, Oscar is determined to keep her. As her heart tugs in two directions, Nell must decide what she is willing to sacrifice for her dream, and what her dream truly is.

The Review:

In The Hatmaker’s Heart, Carla Stewart whisks readers back to the Roaring Twenties and into the cutthroat world of hat designing. Nell Marchwold’s gorgeous creations dazzle an influential client and leads to extraordinary opportunities for the talented young designer. However her ambitious and overbearing boss refuses to acknowledge her achievements and goes to extreme lengths to keep her from leaving her position at his millinery.

An interesting blend of old fashioned values and forward thinking, Nell is a fascinating character. A truly gifted designer with an uncanny ability to create hats that highlight women’s inner and outer beauty, Nell’s struggles to establish a career in a male-dominated field are hindered by both the time period and unscrupulous shop owner Oscar Fields. Further hampering her efforts is her lifelong stutter which worsens when Nell is in stressful situations. As she undergoes unorthodox but highly effective therapy for her speech difficulties, Nell’s career begins to blossom when a rising fashion designer selects her to design hats for his upcoming fashion collection. This leads to a stunning chance to return to England for a short period of time and when she becomes reacquainted with a close childhood friend, Nell begins to question what is really important in life.

While The Hatmaker’s Heart mostly takes place in the design studio, key historical elements are briefly incorporated in the storyline. Nell’s boss is rather despicable but he is a fairly accurate reflection of men in the workplace and the time period in general. Nell’s visit to a speakeasy provides an intriguing glimpse into the criminal enterprises that began to surface during prohibition. The colorful cast of secondary characters highlights the changes in fashion and the emergence of new slang. This younger generation also demonstrates the growing shift of young women pursuing higher education and careers rather than marriage.

Carla Stewart brings The Hatmaker’s Heart vibrantly to life with a fascinating time period selection, a vivid cast of appealing characters and a unique storyline. It is a fast-paced and engaging novel that fans of faith-based historical fiction are sure to enjoy.

2 Comments

Filed under Carla Stewart, Christian, FaithWords, Fiction, Historical, Rated B, Review, The Hatmaker's Heart

July 17, 2012 · 3:56 am

Reunion by Lauraine Snelling

Title: Reunion by Lauraine Snelling
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
Imprint: FaithWords
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational, Fiction
Length: 330 pages
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Keira Johnson, a 50-year-old mother of two grown sons, believes she lives a good Christian life without secrets– until she discovers a life-jarring fact her late mother kept hidden all her life. Kiera was born out of wedlock, and the man she had always known as her father had adopted her as an infant.

Meanwhile, Keira’s beloved 17-year-old niece, Kirsten, has just discovered an unwanted pregnancy. Her boyfriend, Jose, is bound for college and Kirsten does not know what to do. As the family comes together for a reunion, Keira and Kirsten struggle with their fractured pasts and jumbled present. Will truth and honesty be the catalysts that allow the entire family to find peace?

Inspired by events in Lauraine Snelling’s own life, REUNION is the author’s finest novel to date.

The Review:

In Reunion, Lauraine Snelling deftly weaves a compelling story of faith, family and unconditional love. In the days leading up their annual family reunion, Keira and her niece Kirsten’s lives are in turmoil as they each deal with devastating news. Keira’s discovery that her late father is not her biological father leaves her questioning her identity. Kirsten’s unplanned pregnancy has far-reaching implications for many of the people in her life.

We tend to define ourselves by who our family is. In Reunion, Keira learns this lesson firsthand when she uncovers the shocking secret surrounding her birth. What is her role in her adopted father’s family if she is not related by blood? Should she tell the other members of her family? Most important, how could her mother, who is the most honest person Keira knows, hide the truth from her?

The storyline with Kirsten’s pregnancy is very well done and realistically portrayed. Her anger and emotions are age appropriate and believable. She explores all the options available and makes her decision based on what is right for her.

Underlying both women’s struggles are their strong faith in God and close family ties. Through scripture, they gain strength and guidance as they work through their problems. Their families are always there for them and give them their unconditional love.

A strong sense of community is also at the core of Reunion. With their lives in such chaos, it would be easy for all of them to lose sight of what is happening around them. But when a natural disaster strikes a nearby town, they are quick to offer aid.

Reunion by Lauraine Snelling is a beautifully written novel that is never preachy or angsty. It is a story with a great deal of depth and the themes of unconditional love, forgiveness and abiding faith will strike a chord with anyone who enjoys Inspirational fiction.

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Filed under Contemporary, FaithWords, Hachette Book Group, Inspirational, Lauraine Snelling, Rated B, Reunion