Book Review: The Innocent

From the Back:

She longs for peace--for her land and her heart--but can it truly be found at Harmony Hill?
Carlyn Kearney has spent two lonely years not knowing whether to mourn or to hope after she receives word from the Union Army that her husband is missing. When the war ends without further word, Carlyn finds herself penniless, in debt, and forced from her home. With nowhere else to go, she seeks refuge at the Shaker village of Harmony Hill.

The Shakers profess peace through simple living, but to Carlyn, the Shaker life seems anything but simple. When mysterious deaths disturb the peace of the village, Carlyn falls under intense scrutiny. Can a kind sheriff help her expose the true culprit?

---

My Reflections:

 

What interesting subject matter Gabhart's newest Shaker novel explores. I am intrigued by the foreign concepts of this teaching, and although I would not embrace the beliefs, the premise is at the heart of what we all yearn for to some degree; simplicity, peace, harmony.

 

Although I seriously don't know how this sect survives since the members are not permitted to marry. If a married couple joins this group they are split up. Even the children are segregated and not raised by their parents, no this is not for me, but such an interesting subject! 

Carlyn Kearney grew up the daughter of a travelling preacher. Her father an overbearing and unyielding man, thought women were not capable of interpreting scriptures. Her mother however instills a glimmer of faith which Carlyn holds dear.

 

Naturally when Carlyn met Ambrose her longing for love and acceptance drove her into his arms. Unfortunately the war tares the two apart and after two long years of struggle and heartache, with no word of his safety Carlyn has no means to support herself. 

The Shaker community seems like an answer to her prayers and offers much needed refuge. While Carlyn is grateful to the community for their provisions she struggles to conform to this tight knit group. Though they preach simplicity and peace there seems to be a sinister force at work laying low under that blanket of harmony and love....

I enjoyed Gabhart's The Innocent, It starts slowly and builds onto the character development and storyline. This may make some readers impatient, but I was able to relax and savour the pace I was glad I did, the ending was quite unexpected!

 

Before Gabhart's novels I only knew of Shaker chairs, I am so thankful I was able to read her novels to gain an understanding of this group of people. In fact her last books spurred me onto researching the Shaker people and the Belief's attached to them, love when a book makes you want to delve into a new area of study!

If you are looking for something a little different, this just may be the next book you pick up.

 

This book was provided free of charge from Graf Martin Communications in return for my honest review.

Thank you Graf Martin!

This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group - See more at: http://citygirlmovestothecountry-tanya.blogspot.ca/2015/07/book-review-hearts-made-whole.html#sthash.TvGQACYX.dpuf

 

 

 

This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group - See more at: http://citygirlmovestothecountry-tanya.blogspot.ca/2015/07/book-review-hearts-made-whole.html#sthash.TvGQACYX.dpuf

---

About The Author

1. 

   © Memories by Chris

   Ann H. Gabhart

   Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of Angel Sister, Small Town Girl, and Words Spoken True, as well as several Shaker novels--The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The Gifted--and...
   

   Continue reading about Ann H. Gabhart

---

The Adventures Of An Autism Assistance Dog

Our Family has had the extraordinary gift of receiving an "Autism Assistance Dog Guide" from the Lions Foundation of Canada.

Why A dog guide you ask?

What can a dog like this do for us?

Where can we go with our dog?

Where can you get more information?

Individuals with Autism usually experience many barriers in life. 

People don't understand the impact autism has on the family as a whole.

Often times we don't go to certain places because we know it may be too loud, too crowded, too hot, too cold, unsafe (some families have kids who bolt or are unaware of stranger danger) Another big unknown changes, something may not go as planned and set off a meltdown. The list of reasons is extensive, and although we don't face all these issues, some are definitely a big deal.

There is a multitude of challenges kids and adults with autism may face, It is a spectrum, after all, no two children are the same even within the same family. I love what the doctor told me "If you have met one child with Autism, you have met one child with Autism."

So our journey to apply for an Autism Assistance dog began early on after the diagnosis.
I was searching for answers and ideas on how best to support our child when I came across Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. I was intrigued and after much consideration and prayer decided to apply.

We got a call back the same week and within two weeks, and a gentleman came to our house to do an assessment/ home visit.

Then we needed to wait to see if we qualified. Two more weeks went by of anxious waiting until one morning we received a call telling us that we did indeed qualify.

The wait lists are quite long, so we patiently waited for the 1 1/2 to 2 years and got the call to come in for training!

I attended 10 days of very intensive training to finally graduate and take our doggy home with us. We have had him for just over a month now.

So what does our dog do for us?

Number one he is a best friend, He loves unconditionally, he is faithful, he is attentive and he is fun!
He provides a calming presence when stress and anxiety become too much.
He is a source of pride.
He helps facilitate conversations and also gets our family out in the community!

These are just a few things this wonderful dog does for our family!

Where can we go with the Guide dog?
almost everywhere!

A few of the places we have been in the last month are, an air plane, movies, grocery stores, pet stores, restaurants, library, and doctors offices, where ever we go our dog comes with us!

In a little over a month, we already see so many wonderful benefits to having this fabulous pooch in our lives, he is such a blessing!

If you have any more questions about our journey I would love to speak to you or direct you to the appropriate person who can answer your questions.

To get more information you can visit: www.dogguides.com

Here is just a little more about the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides taken from their website:

In the early 1980's Lions Clubs across Canada sought to develop a national project to reflect their service to Canadians with visual impairments. The result was Lions Foundation of Canada and its founding program, Canine Vision Canada, which was established in 1985. Since then the Foundation has grown to include additional Dog Guide programs: 
Hearing Ear, Service, Seizure Response, Autism Assistance, and newly introduced, Diabetic Alert Dog Guides. 

Lions Foundation of Canada's mission is to assist Canadians with a medical or physical disability by providing them Dog Guides at no cost. To do this, the Foundation operates Dog Guides Canada, a preeminent national training school and charity that assists individuals with disabilities through specialized Dog Guide programs. These Dog Guides are provided at no cost to eligible Canadians from coast to coast despite costing $25,000 to train and place. The Foundation relies on donations from individuals, service clubs, foundations, and corporations and does not receive any government funding. 

Book Review: Hearts Made Whole

From the Back:

1865
Windmill Point, Michigan

Can She Forgive the Hurting Man Who Costs Her the Role She Loves?


After her father's death, Caroline Taylor has grown confident running the Windmill Point Lighthouse. But in 1865 Michigan, women aren't supposed to have such roles, so it's only a matter of time before the lighthouse inspector appoints a new keeper--even though Caroline has nowhere else to go and no other job available to her.

Ryan Chambers is a Civil War veteran still haunted by the horrors of battle. He's secured the position of lighthouse keeper mostly for the isolation--the chance to hide from his past is appealing. He's not expecting the current keeper to be a feisty and beautiful woman who's angry with him for taking her job and for his inability to properly run the light. When his failings endanger others, he and Caroline realize he's in no shape to run the lighthouse, but he's unwilling to let anyone close enough to help. Caroline feels drawn to this wounded soul, but with both of them relying on that single position, can they look past their loss to a future filled with hope...and possibly love?

My Reflections:

Who wouldn't love a story with Windmill Point as the quaint and fascinating backdrop. I absolutely love the idea of living in a lighthouse, in fact I have a friend who grew up in a lighthouse, and I am always delighted to hear the stories this dear woman has to tell.

It was a pleasure to read  Jody Hedlund's newest book "Hearts Made Whole" #2 in the Beacon's of Hope series. The characters were authentic and stole my heart early in, sigh..Oh so good!

Caroline's plight tugged at my heart strings and made me stand up and root for her. After a traumatizing situation occurs, she must find a way to provide for her family, but her prospects are limited. Her lighthouse job is what keeps her siblings fed and sheltered, but in 1865 it is just not proper for a single woman to hold a position like this.

When Ryan Chambers is hired on as the new lighthouse keeper Caroline must handle the situation with tact and determination, something she is apt to do!

Ryan Chambers has had some rough years, he has survived the Civil War but his body and soul have taken a major hit. It will take a compassionate heart, patience and perhaps the help of a certain spunky ex lighthouse keeper for him to heal and try to recover. But there is the fact that he stole her job and her income to contend with...

All the trademarks of a great novel are present in Hedlund's newest novel, drama, gripping suspense, romance and a fabulous setting, not to mention an expertly woven storyline which seamlessly flows from her previous novel to this one. Just enough detail to fill the reader in. Suitable for a stand alone, but treat your self and start at the first novel in this series, Love Unexpected.
Brilliant work Jody Hedlund!

This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group

---

About The Author

1. 

   © Sarah Davis Photography

   Jody Hedlund

   Jody Hedlund is the bestselling author of seven novels, including Captured by Love, A Noble Groom, winner of the 2014 Carol Award for Historical Fiction, and The Preacher's Bride, winner of the 2011 Award of Excellence. She received a...
   

   Continue reading about Jody Hedlund

Book Review: Now and Forever

From The Back:

Saddle up for romance and adventure with the Wilde sisters!

Shannon Wilde is the middle sister--and the one who loves animals. She's established her own homestead and is raising sheep for their wool. Things are going fine...until Shannon gets swept over a cliff by Matthew Tucker!

Tucker seizes every opportunity to get away from civilization, but one particular walk in the woods ends with him sprinting away from an angry grizzly and plunging into a raging river, accidentally taking Shannon Wilde with him. Their adventure in the wilderness results in the solitary mountain man finding himself hitched to a young woman with a passel of relatives, a homestead, and a flock of sheep to care for.

As Tucker and Shannon learn to live with each other, strange things begin to happen on Shannon's land. Someone clearly wants to drive her off, but whoever it is apparently didn't count on Tucker. Trying to scare Matthew Tucker just makes him mad--and trying to hurt the woman he's falling in love with sets off something even he never expected.

My Reflections:

Hold onto you cowboy hats girls this is one tough and tumble story. I was thrilled to read Connealy's second book in her series "Wild At Heart" It was every bit as good as her first in this series. While it would be ideal to read these in order I feel this one could be a stand alone as there is enough detail and background information added to fill the reader in. 

Matthew Tucker is the strong, stubborn and rugged hero who win's the heart of Shannon, who right from the start falls head over heels for him, or was that into a raging river? Oh yes! From the start of this book the action gets rolling and the adrenaline kicks into high gear, you will not be sorry you picked this book up. 

Shannon Wilde the middle sister is a sheep loving firecracker who is sensitive yet knows how to keep moving when life gets hard. She inspires and encourages and knows when to accept help, even though she would just assume get it done herself. This girl is no wilting wall flower, she knows how to take care of herself! She like her other two sisters all served in the Civil war disguised as men. This has left her with scars seen and unseen, and Matthew Tucker may just be the man who can soften some of Shannon's edges.

a splendid read, perfect for a summer kick off. This is a sit by the river kind of book, you will loose yourself withing the pages of this one! 

It is always a pleasure to read Mary Connealy's novels, she is truly one of my favorite authors! 

This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group

1. 1. 

      Photo courtesy of Ginger Murray Photography

      Mary Connealy

      Mary Connealy writes "romantic comedies with cowboys" and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has over half a million books in print. She is the author of the popular series Wild At Heart, Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas,...

      
      

Book Review: A Worthy Pursuit

From the Back:

A teacher on the run. A bounty hunter in pursuit. Can two enemies learn to trust each other before they both lose what they hold most dear?

Stone Hammond is the best tracker in Texas. He never comes home empty-handed. So when a wealthy railroad investor hires him to find his abducted granddaughter, Stone eagerly accepts.

Charlotte Atherton, former headmistress of Sullivan's Academy for Exceptional Youths, will do anything to keep her charges safe, especially the orphaned girl entrusted to her care. Charlotte promised Lily's mother she'd keep the girl away from her unscrupulous grandfather, and nothing will stop Charlotte from fulfilling that pledge. Not even the handsome bounty hunter with surprisingly honest eyes who comes looking for them.

When Miss Atherton produces documentation that shows her to be Lily's legal guardian, Stone must reevaluate everything he's been led to believe. Is she villain or victim?

Then a new danger forces Charlotte to trust the man sent to destroy her. Stone vows to protect what he once sought to tear apart. Besides, he's ready to start a new pursuit: winning Charlotte's heart.

---

My Reflections:

I absolutely love every book penned by Karen Witemeyer, and her newest book A Worthy Pursuit is no exception. Her books tend to fly by and I often find myself wishing her books would last just a little longer.

This story starts with Charlotte Atherton, sneaking out in the wee hours of the morning with three of her pupils. Charlotte eager to protect and care for her little charges will stop at nothing to fulfill her duties. Now that the school has been closed, she feels she has no other choice to do anything but flee. Charlotte fondly called Miss Lottie forges a family tied together by need and love She will stop at nothing to protect them, even if it means to deny the tug of her heart, and harden her self to a certain tracker who is known to always get what he wants.

Stone Hammond is hired by his wealthy boss to find and retrieve his Granddaughter who he believes has been abducted. Stone must come to the bottom of the story and decide for himself the truth of the matter. First however he has to track Charlotte down and keep them all safe long enough to determine just who is telling the truth. Problem is the more time that goes by the more confused Stone becomes.

Witemeyer does a splendid job of weaving this story together from the cast of characters to the well thought out story line, you will not regret being hooked into this book, in fact I am sure you will be quite disappointed when you come to the last page, I know I was!

 This book has been provided courtesy of Bethany House and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Thank you!

About The Author:

1. 

   Photo courtesy of Amber Gilbert

   Karen Witemeyer

   Winner of the HOLT Medallion and the Carol Award, and a finalist for the RITA and Christy Award, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes historical romance because she believes in giving the world more happily-ever-afters. Karen makes her home in Abilene,...
   
   

   Continue reading about Karen Witemeyer

Book Review: The Midwife's Tale

From the back:

Martha Cade comes from a long line of midwives who have served the families of Trinity, Pennsylvania, for generations. A widow with two grown children, she's hopeful that her daughter will follow in her footsteps, but when Victoria runs off, Martha's world is shattered. 

Worse, a new doctor has arrived in town, threatening her job, and she can't remember a time when her faith has been tested more. Still determined to do the work she knows God intended for her, Martha is unprepared for all that waits ahead. Whether it's trying to stop a town scandal, mending broken relationships, or feeling the first whispers of an unexpected romance, she faces every trial and every opportunity with hope and faith.

My Reflections:

This book was something a little different for me. I simply love the series call the midwife so when this book became available I had to read it!

This is book one in the series titled: At Home in Trinity. In this story we travel back in time to the 1830 when modern medicine involved some practices that hindered healing instead of promoting it, like blood letting. Ugh! 

Martha Cade comes from a long line of midwives, she hoped her daughter would follow in her footsteps and also become a midwife, that is until she learns that her daughter had run away with a traveling theater troupe. Feeling discouraged and guilt ridden Martha returns home to the gossip and betrayal of her friends and family. 

After being away for three long months Martha must win back the hearts and trust of her "clients."

This is no easy task with the new doctor in town filling their heads with new medical advances and procedures. It will take everything Martha has in her to endure the strife and stress in her life, but the very lives of her client's depend on her skill and faith.

I so enjoyed Martha's character and dedication to her patients, she reminds me of my good fiend always there with an ear and kind word. Everyone should have a Martha in their lives! I also loved how we see the evolution of medicine, makes me wonder what we will think in a 100 years form now!

All in all a great summer read, it is not fast paced but it is interesting and thought provoking all at the same time. 

I received this book free of charge from Graf-Martin Communications in exchange for my honest review. Thank you Graf-Martin!

---

About THE AUTHOR:

1. 

   ©Linda Kruger

   Delia Parr

   Delia Parr is the author of sixteen historical and inspirational historical romance novels, including Hearts Awakening, Love's First Bloom, and Hidden Affections. The mother of three grown children, she was a long-time high school teacher in...

   Continue reading about Delia Parr

Book Review: Amish Promises

About

Journey Down a Quiet Lane in Lancaster County Where Love and Heartache and Friendship and Healing Meet
When Joel and Shani Beck arrive at their new home, they're looking for peace. Shani is thrilled to have Joel back from Iraq, but he needs time to heal, and the quiet of Lancaster seems just the place. They can't imagine any trouble with their Amish neighbors, the Lehmans, but things get off to a rocky start when their son is involved in an accident that injures one of the Lehman boys.

Eve Lehman has run her brother's household ever since the death of his wife, but Tim's a stern patriarch. Despite his protests, she's drawn to the new neighbor, Shani, and the two begin to form a strong friendship forged on faith and family. Things seem like they've quieted down until Joel's single and handsome army friend Charlie catches Eve's attention--a man unlike any Eve has ever met. Suddenly life for both families becomes more complicated than any of them could have ever imagined.

---

My Reflections:

Amish Promises by Leslie Gould is the first in her series of Neighbors of Lancaster County. It is a unique and quite simply a pleasure to read.

I have not read an Amish book quite like this one, it is about an Amish family and a English family living side by side. The English family, Joel and Shani Beck are looking to start fresh.

Shani is elated to have Joel home from Iraq, however she soon discovers the war has changed the man she loves. Thinking a quiet rural environment would be the ideal situation for her husband to heal and recover emotionally and physically, Shani moves the family to Lancaster County a picturesque and quaint community.

Trouble arrives at their doorstep early on when their son is involved in an accident with their Neighbors son.

Loved the characters, enjoyed the story-line, an adventure like no other, I so enjoyed reading this novel. I was sad to flip the last page and end the story, good thing this is only book one, can't wait for the next installment!

I received this book free of charge in return for my honest review from Graf-Martin Communications. Thank you Graf-Martin!

  About The Author

1. 

   Leslie Gould

   Leslie Gould is the author of the bestselling Courtships of Lancaster County series and coauthor, with Mindy Starns Clark, of the #1 bestselling The Amish Midwife. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Portland State University and has taught...
   

   Continue reading about Leslie Gould

---