"Out of a Far Country" by Christopher Yuan & Angela Yuan

I first heard of Christopher Yuan several years ago when he spoke on singleness and holy sexuality at my college church. I listened to the podcasts of those messages (find them here) and was really encouraged as I live life as a single woman.

I knew that Yuan had written a book with his mother, Angela, and I added it to my mental TBR list. But then I recently saw it up for review (though I don't know why, as it was published in 2011), so I snagged it.

"No One Ever Asked" by Katie Ganshert

Several days after finishing No One Ever Asked, I'm at a bit of a loss at what to say. This book is deep, impacting, and so important ... so I guess I'll give it a go and hope that things come out as I intend! (Why is it that the best books are the hardest to write reviews for?)

"Isaiah's Daughter" by Mesu Andrews

While biblical fiction isn't normally one of my chosen genres, I've really enjoyed some of Lynn Austin and Connilynn Cossette's books. When I heard about Mesu Andrews' Isaiah's Daughter, I was immediately intrigued by this story of a captive who would become queen. And, for better or worse, I'm not well versed enough in Old Testament history to know what would happen in the story, so I figured it would all be pretty much brand new to me!

"The Road to Paradise" by Karen Barnett

The first thing that drew me to this novel? That cover. I think it perfectly captures the vintage spirit of the novel 🙂.

"Bringing Maggie Home" by Kim Vogel Sawyer

In Bringing Maggie Home, Kim Vogel Sawyer has written a novel that pulls you in with the mother-daughter-granddaughter dynamic and keeps you engaged with a decades-old mystery.

"Many Sparrows" by Lori Benton

Revolutionary War-era historical fiction isn't usually what I'd choose (I tend to stay firmly in contemporary land with occasional forays into the World War II era), but I'd heard so many wonderful things about Lori Benton's writing from bloggers and authors I respect that I decided to try out Many Sparrows.

I wasn't disappointed.

"Jane of Austin" by Hillary Manton Lodge

Simply delightful: Those are the words that spring to mind when I think of Hillary Manton Lodge's modern day twist on Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility.

"Life After" by Katie Ganshert

The last time I read a Katie Ganshert novel (not counting her YA dystopian series written as K.E. Ganshert), I closed the book with tears streaming down my face. While I wanted to read Life After, I wasn't sure I was emotionally ready for it. Turns out, while Life After is deep and emotional, it didn't wreck me in the way that A Broken Kind of Beautiful did. Yet it also left me with much to consider about God and His goodness.

"Together at the Table" by Hillary Manton Lodge

Last year, I read Hillary Manton Lodge's A Table by the Window and Reservations for Two. I was completely entranced by these stories of of love, family, and food. Once I started the final book, Together at the Table, I had a hard time putting it down!

"whatever is lovely" by waterbrook press

Adult coloring books have certainly become a craze, haven't they? My youngest sister has been into coloring for as long as I can remember, but I never really had any interest. Several months ago, though, I decided to try coloring as a stress reliever. It worked! I've never been particularly creative or artistic, but coloring inside the lines is something I can do. So when I saw Whatever Is Lovely up for review, I eagerly requested this coloring book.

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Color your way to peace and worship.

We live in such a busy, hectic world—but what waits for you inside this cover is a way to quiet the noise, express creativity, and spend some sweet time with God. Each page features an original design from one of a dozen different artists, beautifully illustrating a contemplative quote from an inspirational writer, a beloved hymn, or Scripture. 

When we create, we echo the heart of our Creative God who designed everything and gave us the capacity to recognize beauty. 

So go ahead! You have permission to pick up your colored pencil and be reminded of truth in a fresh way. 

To help set the perfect mood for worship, contemplation, and creative expression, a link to the “Whatever Is Lovely” playlist is included. 

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I'll be honest: I judged the book by its cover. How could I not? It's beautiful, and it made me very excited for the coloring pages I'd find inside. What surprised me was the variety within the pages. Some feature very intricate designs (like this one I haven't finished yet).

Others are quite simple.

Still others remind me of pages you might find in a kids' coloring book.

Each page has a Bible verse, a saying, or song lyrics incorporated into the design. The intent is truly to draw the user into worship. I really enjoy coloring while I'm listening to my favorite sermon podcast or some worship music.

The pages have good weight to them, and my markers (used in the second photo) didn't bleed through at all. The only thing I'd change would be to perforate the pages for easy removal so they can be displayed.

If you're looking for an adult coloring book for yourself or to give as a gift, I'd highly recommend this one. 4 stars.

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WaterBrook Press is committed to creating products that both intensify and satisfy the elemental thirst for a deeper relationship with God. By communicating encouraging and life-enriching truths, WaterBrook provides resources that can be trusted to be spiritually sound and readers will find to be captivating and enlightening. In providing these products as a Christian publisher, we hope that readers of all ages will gain a deeper understanding of God and live a life pleasing to Him.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Blogging for Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links on this page are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase a product, I will receive a commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"amish christmas at north star" by woodsmall, clark, flower, and ganshert

Several years ago, I tired of the Amish fiction genre. Now, it takes something big for me to pick up an Amish book—something like one of my favorite authors penning her first Amish story. When I heard that Katie Ganshert had an entry in an Amish anthology, well, I couldn't wait to read it!

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One night four lives entered the world by the hands of an Amish midwife, just outside North Star, Pennsylvania. 

Rebekah’s Babies, as they are called, are now grown adults and in four heartwarming novellas each young person experiences a journey of discovery, a possibility of love, and the wonder of Christmas.

Guiding Star by Katie Ganshert
Curiosity gets the best of Englischer Chase Wellington when he investigates the twenty-five-year-old disappearance of an Amish baby. When he finds adventurous Elle McAllister in Iowa will his discoveries upend her world? 

Mourning Star by Amanda Flower
Eden Hochstetler slips from her parents’ fudge shop to investigate the death of her friend Isaac.  Who is guilty? Isaac’s handsome great nephew Jesse, an angry Englischer, or someone else?

In the Stars by Cindy Woodsmall
Heartbroken Kore Detweiler avoids North Star after Savilla Beiler rejects his love.  But when he is unexpectedly called to return home, he and Savilla must join forces to keep a family together.

Star of Grace by Mindy Starns Clark and Emily Clark
Andy Danner left North Star to join a new Amish settlement in Mississippi. His little brother devises a scheme to bring Andy home for Christmas and unwittingly unleashes the power of forgiveness in a reclusive widower’s life.

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Since I came for Ganshert (and because her novella is first in the anthology), I'll talk about her entry first: Guiding Star. I've read Ganshert's women's fiction, romance, and dystopian YA, and I wondered how she would do writing an Amish romance. The answer is twofold: 1. She wrote a great love story. 2. She didn't write an Amish romance. That's because her heroine, Elle, was born Amish but raised by an Englisch family. Her interactions with her Amish family are very touching, but Elle and Chase are Englischers through and through. I found that to be refreshing—no one became Amish or left the Amish for love; through Elle, Ganshert gave an outsider's look into an Amish community. I also loved the build in Elle and Chase's relationship. 5 stars.

Mourning Star is a cute novella about two young women, Amish girl Eden and her best friend (and Englischer) Gina, who try to uncover the murderer of Eden's elderly friend Isaac. Along the way, Eden begins to fall for Isaac's nephew. This is a fun novella, though I did feel a little let down by the way the murderer was caught ... and by his motivation. Still, it was an enjoyable read. 4 stars.

In the Stars is the longest of the novellas in the collection, and I wouldn't have minded if it had been longer! Savvy broke Kore's heart when she unexpectedly ended their relationship. Her reasons (which I won't spoil here) are compelling, and I'm sure many women will identify in some way with her story. While I normally would scoff at this type of plot line, the fact that it's an Amish story makes it a bit more understandable. When Kore and Savvy are thrown together to care for some children, it's quickly obvious that they still care for one another, and I enjoyed watching them find their way back together. 4 stars.

Star of Grace turned out to be my favorite in the collection—a case of saving the best for last! This novella contains less romance than the other three, but it's also the most complete and compelling story. All Sam Danner wants for Christmas is for his older brother Andy to come home, so he devises a plan: if he can earn enough money to pay for Andy's train ticket home, surely Andy will come. He begins working for Vincent, a sad and bitter old man ... and as the two work together, both of their lives are changed. I loved watching Vincent's story slowly unfold and seeing how Sam's kindness to him rippled out to affect everyone around. 5 stars.

The prologue and epilogue (written by Ganshert) neatly tie together the various stories, and the epilogue answers several questions unresolved by the end of each novella. Overall, this is a wonderful collection—the perfect Christmas read! 4-1/2 stars.

Read the prologue and first chapter.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Ganshert's An October Bride (5 stars), The Perfect Arrangement (5 stars), A Broken Kind of Beautiful (5 stars), and Wildflowers from Winter (5 stars).

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CINDY WOODSMALL is a best-selling author of several works of Amish fiction and a non-fiction book. MINDY STARNS CLARK is a bestselling author of both fiction and nonfiction, coauthoring the Christy Award-winning The Amish Midwife. Her daughter EMILY CLARK is an MFA student. AMANDA FLOWER authored the Amish Quilt Shop mysteries as Isabella Alan and received an Agatha Award nomination for Maid of Murder. Christy Award winner KATIE GANSHERT is the author of A Broken Kind of Beautiful, three other novels and two novellas.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Blogging for Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links on this page are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase a product, I will receive a commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"a broken kind of beautiful" by katie ganshert

When I first started reading A Broken Kind of Beautiful, I wondered if I'd enjoy it at all. A story about a model? How could I relate to that? Oh, how wrong I was!

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Sometimes everything you ever learned about yourself is wrong.

Fashion is a fickle industry, a frightening fact for twenty-four year old model Ivy Clark. Ten years in and she’s learned a sacred truth—appearance is everything. Nobody cares about her broken past as long as she looks beautiful for the camera. This is the only life Ivy knows—so when it starts to unravel, she’ll do anything to hold on. Even if that means moving to the quaint island town of Greenbrier, South Carolina, to be the new face of her stepmother’s bridal wear line—an irony too rich for words, since Ivy is far from the pure bride in white.

If only her tenuous future didn’t rest in the hands of Davis Knight, her mysterious new photographer. Not only did he walk away from the kind of success Ivy longs for to work maintenance at a local church, he treats her differently than any man ever has. Somehow, Davis sees through the façade she works so hard to maintain. He, along with a cast of other characters, challenges everything Ivy has come to believe about beauty and worth. Is it possible that God sees her—a woman stained and broken by the world—yet wants her still?

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Every so often (and it's really not often enough, in my opinion), you come across a book that grips you from the opening pages and sticks with you long after you've turned the final page. A Broken Kind of Beautiful is one such book.

As I began reading, I did not like Ivy at all—which could have been a problem, considering she's the main character. But ultimately I connected with this book in a way that I don't often experience. I could go into great detail here, but that would end up being a bit too personal. (You should have seen my first draft!) I will say that I deeply identified with Ivy's step-mother Marilyn's story. Though I have no idea what it's like to be barren and have a husband who strayed, I do know what it's like to have your life not turn out like you'd planned. I know the pain of not having a husband or children. To see how God redeemed Marilyn's story—in a way she wouldn't have imagined—spoke to me.

I finished this book with tears streaming down my cheeks. It's not a romance in the traditional sense—while there is a bit of romance between Davis and Ivy, the real romance is between a Heavenly Father and his children. His pursuit of Ivy—and Davis—and Marilyn—is depicted beautifully. This may not have been the most romantic of books in the classic way, but it certainly touched my heart. 5 stars.

Buy the novel.
Read my reviews of Ganshert's An October Bride (5 stars), The Perfect Arrangement (5 stars), and Wildflowers from Winter (5 stars).

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Katie Ganshert was born and raised in the exciting state of Iowa, where she currently resides with her family. She likes to write things and consume large quantities of coffee and chocolate while she writes all the things. She's won some awards. For the writing, not the consuming. Although the latter would be fun. You can learn more about Katie and these things she writes at her website www.katieganshert.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"reservations for two" by hillary manton lodge

If you loved Hillary Manton Lodge's A Table by the Window, then hold on—you're in for a treat with Reservations for Two!

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Food writer-turned-restaurateur Juliette D’Alisa has more than enough on her plate. While her trip to Provence might have unlocked new answers to her grandmother’s past, it’s also provided new complications in the form of Neil McLaren, the man she can’t give up. 

Juliette and Neil find romance simple as they travel through Provence and Tuscany together, but life back home presents a different set of challenges. Juliette has a restaurant to open, a mother combating serious illness, and a family legacy of secrets to untangle – how does Neil, living so far away in Memphis, fit into to her life? 

As she confronts an uncertain future, Juliette can’t help but wish that life could be as straightforward as her chocolate chip cookie recipe. Can her French grandmother’s letters from the 1940’s provide wisdom to guide her present? Or will every new insight create a fresh batch of mysteries?

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When I read A Table by the Window earlier this summer, I couldn't imagine how the second book could possibly top it; I felt like it was a practically perfect novel. But Reservations for Two is special.

Reservations for Two picks up right where A Table by the Window left off—with Juliette embarking on her European trip to visit family. Her boyfriend Neil joins her in Europe, and together they try to solve the mystery of Juliette's grandmother's love life. But once they return to the States, things get messy. They still have to deal with a long distance relationship, Juliette's mother's cancer is progressing, and the new restaurant is about to open. Juliette has no doubt that she loves Neil, but she begins to wonder if love is enough ... especially when the restaurant's sous chef Adrian is charming, available, and in the same zip code.

I cannot remember the last time I read a book about adults that had a legitimate love triangle; usually it's clear which two people belong together. But the farther I got into Reservations for Two, the more confused I became (as did Juliette). Neil is absolutely wonderful, but distance becomes a huge factor in his relationship with Juliette. And Adrian also seems like a good match for Juliette. As we head into the third and final book, I honestly don't know which man I want Juliette to end up with.

While I loved Juliette's story, my favorite part of Reservations for Two was the letters Juliette found. Written by her grandmother, her great-aunt, and her grandfather, the letters reveal a history that Juliette's grandmother kept from her children and grandchildren. I loved discovering the history along with Juliette, and, as the letters end at a most inconvenient place, I can't wait to read the next novel to find out what happened to Juliette's grandmother next!

Reservations for Two is not a novel to pick up on its own—you absolutely must read A Table by the Window first. Put together, these novels are the first part of an incredibly interesting trilogy, and I have high hopes for the final novel! 5 stars.

Buy the book.
Read my review of A Table by the Window (5 stars).

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Hillary Manton Lodge is the author of Plain Jayne, a Carol Award Finalist, and Simply Sara, an ECPA bestselling book. A graduate of the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism, Hillary discovered the world of cuisine during her internship at Northwest Palate magazine. A storyteller at heart, in her free time she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, watching foreign films, and exploring new walking trails. She and her husband live in Portland, Oregon.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Blogging for Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links on this page are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase a product, I will receive a commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"a table by the window" by hillary manton lodge

A little over a year ago, several bloggers that I follow were absolutely raving about A Table by the Window. I immediately added it to my wishlist, and when I had the opportunity to get the second book in the series for review, I went ahead and bought A Table by the Window. It turned out to be even better than I'd hoped!

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The youngest heir to a French-Italian restaurant dynasty, food writer Juliette D’Alisa has spent her life negotiating her skill with words and her restaurant aspirations. When her brother Nico offers her a chance to open a restaurant together, she feels torn—does she really have what it takes? Should she risk leaving her journalism career?

After the death of her grandmother, Juliette discovers an antique photograph of a man who looks strikingly like her brother. As the truth behind the picture reveals romance and dark secrets, Juliette struggles to keep the mystery away from her nosy family until she can uncover the whole story. 

Inspired by her grandmother’s evolving story, Juliette resolves to explore the world of online dating. To her surprise, she finds a kindred spirit in Neil McLaren, a handsome immunologist based in Memphis, Tennessee. With a long-distance relationship simmering, Juliette faces life-shifting decisions. How can she possibly choose between a promising culinary life and Neil, a man a world away in more ways than one? And is it possible her Grandmother’s story can help show the way?

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Oh, my goodness. I could say so many great things about this book! It wasn't quite what I was expecting, but it was fabulous. I loved how it was a romance, but it was more about Juliette's life. Romance fit into it, but it wasn't the only thing. In fact, because Juliette and Neil have a long-distance relationship, he has a fairly minor role in the novel. Sure, he's present through emails, phone calls, and a visit, but overall, the novel focuses on Juliette, her job, and her family. To use food terms, Juliette's life in Portland is the cake, and the romance is the icing on top. (Wow, that was kinda cheesy ... but I stand by it!)

Packed into this novel is family drama, heartbreak, mystery, and romance. But I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the recipes! Several chapters end with absolutely mouthwatering recipes (usually something Juliette has cooked in the preceding chapter and often a recipe from her grandmother), and I would love to try them all someday. (Of course, most are packed with gluten, which isn't an option for me—I may have to get creative!)

I could very easily identify with Juliette—especially her feelings toward online dating and her desire yet hesitance to pursue her passions. Though Juliette is well into adulthood, this novel is almost a coming of age story as she comes into her own both personally and professionally.

A Table by the Window is one of those rare books that I absolutely couldn't put down—I read it in one afternoon. I loved Juliette's journey, her family is great, and Neil is fantastic. This is easily one of the best books I've read this year! 5 stars.

Buy the book.

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Hillary Manton Lodge is the author of Plain Jayne, a Carol Award Finalist, and Simply Sara, an ECPA bestselling book. A graduate of the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism, Hillary discovered the world of cuisine during her internship at Northwest Palate magazine. A storyteller at heart, in her free time she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, watching foreign films, and exploring new walking trails. She and her husband live in Portland, Oregon.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I purchased this book myself and chose to review it. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"when grace sings" by kim vogel sawyer

Continuing the story of the Zimmerman family, When Grace Sings exposes long-buried secrets and beautifully illustrates the grace and love of God.

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When trouble roars into quiet Arborville, Alexa and Anna-Grace find themselves the target for discord and exposed secrets. Can they continue to seek the God of all grace amidst the fog of confusion?

Alexa Zimmerman wonders if the Old Order Mennonite community in Arborville, Kansas, will ever fully accept her. Her family roots here aren't what anyone thought when she first arrived, but she is hopeful that her culinary and hospitality skills will win the skeptics over. The bed-and-breakfast she's operating needs to succeed so Alexa agrees to allow Briley Forrester, the hotshot reporter from Chicago, to stay as a long-term boarder not knowing his real motives for being amongst the Plain folk.

But when Alexa agrees to host her cousin Anna-Grace Braun, the presence of extended family brings out Alexa's insecurities and sets Briley on the trail to uncovering a web of hidden truths.

Plans for a secure future and the sweetness of young romance hang in the balance when Alexa and Anna-Grace have to face that their secrets are interconnected, binding the two in ways they could not have imagined. They must trust in a loving, heavenly Father and His plan for their futures.

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When Grace Sings is a wonderfully fascinating book. I almost passed on it because I'm tired of the Amish/Mennonite genre, but I've enjoyed Kim Vogel Sawyer's books in the past, so I took a chance. I'm glad I did!

Though When Grace Sings is the second book in the Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy, I was able to jump right in without having first read book one. (I'm sure I missed some things, but I never felt "behind" while I read.) The story is told from four perspectives: innkeeper Alexa's, reporter Briley's, bride-to-be Anna-Grace's, and Anna-Grace's fiance Steven's. This constantly shifting point of view could get old, but in this case, it works very well.

Out of all of the intertwining stories, I enjoyed Steven's the most. Steven's future is seemingly set when he is given his grandfather's farm in Arborville, yet what he really longs to do is teach. As he struggled with the pull between duty and dreams, I felt for him—and I found myself incredibly thankful to have grown up in a family where I had the freedom to make my own path.

As this is the second book in a trilogy, many threads are left unresolved at the end of the novel, and I look forward to reading the final book to see just how things turn out! (Anna-Grace in particular has a lot of story left, and I'm anxious for her to find out who she really is!) 4-1/2 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Sawyer's Sweet Sanctuary (4-1/2 stars), Song of My Heart (4 stars).

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About the author: Kim Vogel Sawyer is the author of twenty-nine novels, including several CBA and ECPA bestsellers. Her books have won the ACFW Book of the Year Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Kim is active in her church, where she leads women's fellowship and participates in both voice and bell choirs. In her spare time, she enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy. Kim and her husband, Don, reside in central Kansas, and have three daughters and nine grandchildren.

Find Kim online: website, Facebook, Twitter

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."