Almost Amish

Almost Amish: A Novel 

Paperback, hardback, ebook

July 1, 2012

by Kathryn Cushman

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers 
• ISBN-13: 978-0764208263

Julie Charlton is at the breaking point. She's overwhelmed and burned out, and in today's unrelenting society, her kids are, too. When her sister-in-law Susan, a Martha Stewart-in-training, lands the chance to participate in a reality TV series promoting simple living, and needs another family to join her, it seems like the perfect opportunity.

The location is an idyllic farm outside an Amish community in Tennessee. Julie, with her two children, joins Susan and her teenage daughter for a summer adventure. Susan needs to succeed in order to become self-sufficient after an ugly divorce, Julie needs to slow down long enough to remember what her priorities are and regain a sense of purpose and meaning. It becomes clear from the start that "living simple" is no simple matter. With the camera watching every move, Susan's drive for perfection feels a lot like what they left behind, while Julie suddenly finds herself needing to stand up for slowing down. With each new challenge, their season of "going Amish" gets more and more complicated, as each woman learns unexpected lessons about herself and her family.

My thoughts:  At first I wasn't sure what I'd think about ALMOST AMISH. Reality TV shows, English living as Amish (dressed in pioneer clothes?) and women's fiction.... Not a genre I'm a huge fan of, though I do read some. But this book - ALMOST AMISH grabbed me from the first page. I totally got Julie. Not perfect. Real. Gifted with organizing, but not cleaning. Gifted with seeing people, but not baking for school functions. And running ragged with all her and her children's and her husband's activities... Crazy. She needed a breather, and when her sister-in-law, Susan accepted a reality TV show position (for a needed boost with her career) she jumped at the chance to get away. 

But the situation is far from perfect.  They take out the  propane stove and put in a wood stove -- which neither woman had even seen one before, much less baked/cooked with one.  The producers "greeked' labels, meaning they didn't know what ingredients were what in some cases, and well, there were NO privacy. Julie found  herself going to bat over and over for her children and Susan because Susan wouldn't stand up for herself (afraid to risk her career plans) and the producers were running alll over them. . . 

Add a "handyman", a potential romance and lots of heart and realism and you have ALMOST AMISH. 

This was a beautifully written story that I totally LOVED. I have made decisions to slow our family life down as I grew older -- getting rid of TV, baking most meals from scratch, not eating out, and spending time together as a family. We have a reputation of being "The Waltons" around here - actually eating at the table as a family. . . etc.  I am not good at gardening, (Julie was) and not good at sewing (Julie was) but otherwise I totally related to her.  GREAT story. I haven't read much (if anything else) by this author, but I will look up more, based on this book. 5 stars.  

November Celebration Box Spotlight

Celebrate Lit November Celebration Box

The November Celebration Box is here! 

This celebration box is a unique, one of a kind box with goodies

 hand picked by the author just for you! These boxes are special 

because they are not sold anywhere else. There is a limited supply 

so be sure to get yours right away!

The November’s box features Carrie Fancett Pagel’s Tea 

Shop Folly. Sales for the November box will close on 

October 10 or while supplies last. The first 12 people 

to order will receive an ebook copy of the Maggie Award 

2016 finalist, The Substitute Bride.

The basic box includes:

• A minimum of 6 items handpicked by the author themed 
• around the book.
• A themed charm specifically chosen for this book.
• One lucky box will contain a special teacup and saucer that 
• no one else will receive.
• The first 12 people to order will receive an ebook copy of the 
• Maggie Award 2016 finalist, The Substitute Bride.

Along with the basic box, you can purchase the ebook, paperback 

or an autographed paperback book.

To purchase your box, click here.

Katie's Journey to Love 

Emma Raber's Daughter #2

Paperback, ebook, hardcover 

April 1, 2013

by Jerry S. Eicher

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers 
• ISBN-13: 978-0736952538

In book two of Amish fiction author Jerry S. Eicher’s new Emma Raber’s Daughter series, Katie Raber’s journey of discovery continues after her mamm’s marriage to Jesse Mast. Drawn back from the Mennonite world briefly by the miracle of Mamm’s changed heart, Katie finds she can’t totally abandon her new Mennonite friends.

Jesse’s oldest daughter, Mabel, refuses to accept Katie, creating conflict at home. Ben Yoder, the most popular boy in the community, also begins to attend the Mennonite youth gatherings in his attempt to run away from personal problems.

Overjoyed at the attention Ben pays her, Katie pursues the relationship willingly. When an opportunity comes to travel with her Mennonite friends to Europe to explore the roots of the faith, Katie can’t believe how much she is being blessed. Especially after a secret donor pays for the trip.

While in Europe, Katie learns the truth about Ben when he is arrested. As her world comes crashing down, she finds healing in her visit to the Alps and the land where her forefathers suffered so much. She returns home determined to mend the bad feelings with Jesse’s daughter, Mabel, and to continue on the path to healing without Ben.

Book two in the Emma Raber’s Daughter series.

My thoughts: KATIE'S JOURNEY TO LOVE is the second boook in this series, but it easily stands alone. I did read book one in the series where Katie and her mother are considered weird and were outcasts, but love and a family softened them both up. Katie's Mom is much more likeable in the book and Katie is coming out of her shell beautifully, making friends and overcoming her shyness.  I felt bad for her being forced to live with Mabel, when Mabel was so beyond hateful, and even though Ben did some bad things I absolutely loved him.  He did a dear, dear thing for Katie. 

I am anxious to read the third book in this series and need to see if I have it already before I race off to buy a copy.  

Mr. Eicher has been a hit and miss author for me, but this book KATIE'S JOURNEY TO LOVE was really good and I greatly enjoyed it.  If you love Amish fiction and haven't read this book, you'll want to. 

God's Little Lambs Bible Stories / Goodnight, Manger

God's Little Lambs Bible Stories 

Hardcover, ebook

September 27, 2016

by Julie Stiegemeyer (Author)

Qin Leng (Illustrator)

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
• Grade Level: Preschool - 3
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Zonderkidz 
• ISBN-13: 978-0310723646

Bible Stories for God’s Little Lambs is a storybook Bible written just for little ones. With a padded cover and simple, accessible text by Julie Stiegemeyer, children will learn about God’s love through stories such as Noah’s Ark, Jonah and the Big Fish, and Jesus Welcomes the Children. With soft brushstrokes and warm colors, Qin Leng provides illustrations readers will love to cuddle up with at bedtime or any time of the day.

My thoughts: GOD'S LITTLE LAMBS BIBLE STORIES is a sweet collection of illustrated stories popular with Sunday school children everywhere.  Some of the stories included are The Boy Jesus in the Temple, John Baptizes Jesus, Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, A Flood Comes Upon the Earth and more. It is a walk through the Bible from Creation to Paul. A great collection suitable for Sunday schools, Christian daycare and preschool, Church libraries, families and more. Suitable to a new mom for a baby shower gift or for a gift under the tree or stocking stuffer for your favorite toddler. 

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Goodnight, Manger 

Hardcover, boardbook, ebook

 October 11, 2016

by Laura Sassi  (Author), 

Jane Chapman (Illustrator)

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
• Grade Level: Preschool - 3
• Board book: 24 pages
• Publisher: Zonderkidz; Brdbk edition 
• ISBN-13: 978-0310755715

The board book edition of Goodnight, Manger, written by Laura Sassi and illustrated by New York Times bestselling artist Jane Chapman, tells the story of Mary and Joseph as they try to lull Jesus to sleep in the noisy stable after his birth.

It's bedtime for Baby Jesus, but who knew a manger could be so loud? Mama, Papa, and all of the animals try to lull the baby to sleep, but between itchy hay, angels' joyful hosanas, and three kings bearing noisy gifts, it's just too loud. Until Mama finds a way for everyone to work together to shepherd Baby into peaceful dreams under the twinkling stars.

With sweet, rhyming text in the style of Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site, Goodnight, Manger offers a unique twist on the classic manger tale, deftly weaving together the comforting and familiar routines of bedtime with the special magic and wonder of the manger story.

My thoughts; GOODNIGHT, MANGER is a very cute Christmas story about the birth of Christ. With colorful pictures and sturdy pages, it is the best book to read to little babies, making it ideal for church nurseries, day cares, and grandparents. Sturdy, as long as the child doesn't try to eat the book unsupervised for a long period of time, this should survive several years of babies. A great book. I would love this for my grandbabies. Recommended. 

Interview with Candee Fick and giveaway!

Candee is graciously offering to giveaway a copy of her new book to one

commenter. Please include contact information so we can contact the

winner. Leave comment below.

Where did you grow up and attend school? Are there any other authors in

your family? 

I’m a pastor’s kid so our family moved around a bit when I was young, bouncing

from the Los Angeles area where I was born to the plains of Colorado to the Rocky

Mountains to Nebraska and back to Colorado. I attended junior high and high

school in the Denver area before getting a Bachelor’s degree from Oral Roberts

University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I’m the only author that I know of in my family but

not the only bookworm.

How did you get started writing? How old were you? What made you want to start?

What did you enjoy reading as a child? 

As a child I would read anything I could get my hands on but especially loved

The Borrowers, Little House on the Prairie, Chronicles of Narnia, and The

Black Stallion. (Yes, I have an eclectic taste in literature!) My mom has a

clipping of a Christmas story I wrote that was published by the newspaper

when I was in 3rd grade, but I didn’t get serious about writing until high school

when I poured out angst-ridden poetry into a journal. My love of stories

continued to grow, but as I came across more books that left me emotionally

dissatisfied, I decided to try my hand at writing books instead of short stories.

However, as a busy mom, those attempts didn’t get a serious start until twelve

years ago.

How and when did you and your husband meet? Was it love at first sight?

What does he think about your being an author? 

My husband and I met when we were both teaching at a Christian school. I

remember seeing his name on a paper in the office and feeling a strange

inner recognition like I was supposed to know him. Of course, the first time

I actually saw him, he was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt for football practice

and I thought he was cute. However, it took a year of matchmaking students

dropping hints and then a nudge from a mutual mentor teacher to actually get

us on our first date and jumpstart our whirlwind romance. As for my being an

author, he has supported my dream and my book addiction financially for years,

but I don’t think he *got* it until he read my first published novel.

How old are your children? Do they read your books? Have any of them got

the writing bug, as well?

My kids are now 19, 18, and 12 and I don’t think any of them have read my books.

The oldest has a rare genetic syndrome and a limited mental capacity to read or

understand my stories. The middle is an athletically-gifted boy who only reads if it’s

assigned for a class and would never pick up a romance. The youngest is definitely

my bookworm and devours large books beyond his years (he read the Lord of the

Rings trilogy when he was nine) but is also at that awkward age where girls are

icky-ish and reading a book with kissing in it makes him shudder. However, he’s

got a wild imagination and has written several short stories, making him the one

most likely to write a book when he grows up.

How do you research the communities and people you write about? Do you

find yourself having to do a lot of research? 

So far, I’ve tried to write stories involving the community where I live so I’m at

least familiar with the general setting. However, when it comes to writing about

a college football program or a dinner theater or a certain profession, there are

a lot of intangibles to consider including daily schedules and the types of interactions

the characters would experience. I do enough Internet research to get a general

 understanding and then find a person to talk to in order to fill in the gaps with

the specific details that bring a story to life. I also try to spend some time in that

setting to soak it up with all of my senses and have often been surprised with a

new piece of information to add a fresh twist to the story.

Which is your favorite book? Do you have a character in your books you identify

with the most?

Of my books, my favorite book so far is Dance Over Me. The main character,

Dani, is a lot like me. Well, I haven’t been orphaned, in foster-care, adopted,

or been a professional dancer…but I have spent a lot of time on the outside

trying to fit into the popular crowd or searching for a place to belong. There

have also been times during my daily devotions where I’ve felt a frustration

at my inability to express how much I love God and I’ve even attempted to dance

 to an instrumental hymn in order to show that emotion. Like Dani, I’ve decided

there aren’t enough steps, or words, or even musical notes to express my gratitude

that God is at work behind the scenes in my life even when I can’t see Him.

BLURB: Danielle Lefontaine, a fledgling actress raised to the lullaby of Broadway,

searches for her long-lost brother and her place on the stage, but a jealous cast

member and numerous fruitless leads threaten to drop the curtain on her

dreams and shine a spotlight on her longing for a place to belong. Meanwhile,

Alex Sheridan is living his dream except for someone to share it with. When

Dani dances into his life, he hopes he’s found the missing piece to his heart

but fears the bright lights of a bigger stage could steal her away. Will the

rhythm of dancing feet usher in their deepest desires or leave them stranded

in the wings?

Ordering Links: PRINT: https://www.amazon.com/dp/193849939...

KINDLE: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JBFLO2...

BIO: Candee Fick is the wife of a high school

football coach and the mother of three children,

including a daughter with a rare genetic syndrome.

When not busy with her day job or writing, she can

be found cheering on the home team at football,

basketball, baseball, and Special Olympics games.

In what little free time remains, she enjoys exploring

the great Colorado outdoors, indulging in dark

chocolate, and savoring happily-ever-after endings

through a good book.

www.CandeeFick.com

https://twitter.com/CandeeFick

https://www.facebook.com/Author.Can...

https://www.pinterest.com/CandeeFic...

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/702901.Candee_Fick

https://plus.google.com/+CandeeFick

The verse that inspired the book (and the series) ---- Zephaniah 3:17 English Standard Version

 (ESV) 17 The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over

 you with gladness; he  will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. ----

ENDORSEMENTS: Candee Fick’s sophomore novel is a pure delight with its

combination of true-to-life characters, sparkling dialogue and fascinating

details of the inner workings of a dinner theater. From its heart wrenching

prologue to the swoon-worthy ending, this is a book for readers to savor,

one that left me asking, “What’s next?” ~Amanda Cabot, bestselling author

of On Lone Star Trail

Candee Fick creates insightful characters who navigate the waters of

professional jealousy and insecurity with compassion and restraint.

Filled with theatrical drama and heartfelt romance, Dance Over Me is a

must read that stays on your mind and in your heart long after the last

page turns. ~Audra Harders, multi-published author

If you are looking for a beautifully crafted story, pick up Candee Fick's Dance

Over Me, a contemporary romance. Heroine Danielle finds love when she is

least expecting it. Join her on her journey to love as she copes with heartache, 

disappointment, and betrayal by  relying on faith, hope, and forgiveness. This

will not disappoint! ~ Jane Choate, author of 34 novels, including The Littlest

Witness

Candee Fick brilliantly builds tension in Dance Over Me, adding just the right

amount of romance to balance out the drama. ~Laura V. Hilton, author of

The Amish Firefighter (Whitaker House)

‘My Sister’s Prayer’ Party with Leslie Gould and Mindy Starns Clark

 

From the Christy Award-winning team of Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould, My Sister's Prayer tells an epic tale of two women compelled to protect their sisters, confront their fears, and navigate the muddy waters of betrayal to find true love.




Join Leslie, Mindy, and other readers on Facebook on September 27th for an author chat party at 8:00 PM EDT (that's 7:00 Central, 6:00 Mountain, &; 5:00 Pacific)! Leslie and Mindy will be chatting about My Sister's Prayer, answering your questions about the book, and of course, giving away prizes too!




Get your copy of My Sister's Prayer so you're ready for a fun book discussion. You can order your copy and find out more about the book here.




We hope you can join the fun. Bring your friends who love to read!




We'll see you on September 27 for Leslie and Mindy's Facebook party. RSVP here.

See the Newsboys in Concert with Adventures in Odyssey

 



Want to be entered for a chance to win a free trip for four to hear the Newsboys, the award-winning Christian music band, in Dallas? Sign up to be a part of the movement to protect religious freedom for future generations: Bring Your Bible to School Day! Students from kindergarten to college will be bringing their Bibles to school and sharing God with their friends on October 6.




By completing the information on this page, you're automatically entered to win the chance to see the Newsboys with Focus on the Family and Adventures in Odyssey. Don't miss out on the chance to see a fantastic band with your family!

Plus Sign Up for a Free Two-Week Trial of Odyssey Adventure Club

 


Getting used to a new school isn’t easy, especially for someone as paranoid as Buddy Norman. In “A Predicament of Biblical Proportions” he envisions wacky worst-case encounters with townsfolk who seem like mobsters, snoops and fairy-tale tyrants—until he gets to know them. He’s also a little confused about Bring Your Bible to School Day. What’s it about? Should he participate? See Odyssey through Buddy’s eyes in this witty celebration of religious freedom.




Listen to this story through a two-week trial only on the Odyssey Adventure Club.

Amish Wisdom Harvest Bounty Giveaway!

Happiness is not perfect until it is shared.

Fall is officially here, and Suzanne Woods Fisher and the Amish Wisdom contributors want to celebrate the changing of seasons with a special Harvest Bounty giveaway! Enter the giveaway widget below for the chance to win to a set of 14 books, plus autumn-inspired goodies handpicked by some of the contributors. See below for a list of participating authors and prizes. One entrant will win, and he or she will be announced next Friday, September 30th, on the Amish Wisdom blog.

Suzanne Woods Fisher:

The Devoted and an Amish potholder set

Kate Lloyd:

Signed copy of Leaving Lancaster and folding tote-bag

Laura Hilton:

Winner’s choice of book, a dishtowel, potholders, a prayer journal and an adult coloring book

Jennifer Beckstrand:

Honeybee Sisters Cookbook and mini beeswax candle

Melodie Davis:

Whatever Happened to Dinner?

Amy Clipston:

An Amish Harvest, The Courtship Basket, and Amish goodies

Shelley Shepard Gray:

Signed copy of Snowfall and an Amish-made potholder

Emma Miller:

The Amish Bride and a fall-themed item

Adina Senft:

The Longest Road and an Amish-made pot holder from Lancaster county

Ruth Reid:

Signed copy of A Dream of Miracles and a Starbucks giftcard

Mindy Starns Clark:

The Amish Clockmaker, an autumn table runner and fall-themed decorative container

Molly Jebber:

Grace’s Forgiveness and potholders

Jan Drexler:

Mattie’s Pledge and a fruit of the Spirit coffee mug

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*Only U.S. addresses are eligible to win.