The Thorn, by Beverly Lewis

 

The Thorn

Author: Beverly Lewis

Published By: Bethany House Publishers

Date Published: September 7, 2010

Genre: Romance, Christian Fiction, Amish Romance

Pages: 346

Recommended Age: Young Adults, Adults

Read & Reviewed By: Me

Rating: A/5

I borrowed this book from the library

Summary:

Two sisters, one name Hen left The Old Order to marry an Englisher but after having a child she begins to long for the Old Ways she left behind and decides she wants her daughter to grow up in the Old Ways instead of in the World. She takes her daughter and moves back home, and she hopes to woo her husband to join the Amish.

The other sister Rose is unsure of her own heart.  She is devoted to the bishop’s rebellious foster son, but she cannot marry him unless he is baptized into The Old Order so she allows another man to court her.

My Thoughts:

This is the first book I ever read by Beverly Lewis. I knew for many years she was a popular writer of the Amish; I even saw her books on display in the stores out in the Amish country I visit around Ohio, but I would never buy one.  How interesting can a romance book about the Amish be, or any fictional book about the Amish for that matter?    

But then I started going through..oh a “phase” (for lack of a better word), where I wanted to read books without all the “I can’t wait to yank your clothes off and take you right here and now” type books and more of faith based romance.  So after reading one Amish book I remembered the popularity of Beverly Lewis and went off to the library in search of one of her books.  I found The Torn, book one in the Rose Trilogy, and it was a great find.

I really enjoyed this book. It had the twinge of mystery I love.  Lewis’ characters are not flat like in other Amish books, but they are well-drawn three dimensional characters. It showed that the Amish people deal with the same issues we the English suffer: tragedy, marital strife, and secrets. I really liked how Rose took the time to get to know people who were less fortunate to her, and I did not like how everyone else in the Amish community.  I gave The Thorn five stars and a grade of an A, because it was superb reading.  I recommend The Torn by Beverly Lewis, even if you are weary of Amish reading, as I once was. You will not be disappointed.

Parents:

Language: None

Adult Content: None

Violence: None

Foever After, by Catherine Anderson

 

Forever After

Author: Catherine Anderson

Published By: Avon

Date Published: April 1, 1998

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 419

Recommended Age: Adults, Mature Adults

Read & Reviewed By: Me

Rating: 4/B

This book is from my personal collection.

Summary:

Heath Masters is the county sheriff in eastern Oregon, and when he meets his new neighbor Meredith Kenyon he senses she running from something and is lying about her past. He suspects that she may be running from an abusive husband.

About to lose her daughter in a child custody case, Meredith transformed from a city widow to a small town single mom.  She’s trying to run from her abusive late husband’s manipulative father.

My Thoughts:

I never read anything by Catherine Anderson, but when I read the synopsis on the back of this book it sounded like it would be intriguing, and it sure was. I was up until two in the morning last night reading this book. I was not able to put it down until I finished it.

Catherine Anderson weaved a story not only of romance but a tale of Domestic Violence, giving us a glimpse of what battered women deal with and the things they do to survive. I really admired the character of Meredith and how she fought to not be a victim anymore, but to be a survivor. As she finally tells Heath her story, the reader is able to see what a strong woman Meredith truly is.

I gave Forever After four stars and a grade of B because it resembled what life is like for most women, and as I got into the heart of the book I could not put it down. I believe Anderson did a fantastic job on this book.  If you already like Catherine Anderson books, or if you are looking for a book about a woman who overcomes such adversities to become a stronger person then I recommend Forever After by Catherine Anderson.

Parents:

Language: A lot of swear words.

Adult Content: Sex scenes, Adult Subject Matter, Heavy topics

Violence: gun fights, domestic violence, child abuse, murder

Mrs. Miracle, by Debbie Macomber

 

Mrs. Miracle

Author: Debbie Macomber

Published By: Avon

Date Published: August 1, 1996

Genre: Christian Romance, Holiday

Pages: 322

Recommended Age: Adults

Read & Reviewed By: Me

Rating: 4/c

This book is from my personal collection.

Summary:

Seth Webster’s heart never healed after he lost wife.  Now, with his Christmas approaching and the latest in a long line of housekeepers has quit on him. With two rambunctious twin boys to raise a lone who is he going to get to help him this late in the year?  The agency says they do not have anyone else to send out to him.

Then Mrs. Merkle shows up on his doorstep, and from the moment the warm, loving, and patient nanny appears everything is different. The kids take to calling her Mrs. Miracle.  Mrs. Miracle’s sassy spirit is infectious and gives Seth the courage to approach Reba Maxwell.

Reba Maxwell is a travel agent who has been hurt and betrayed, and is afraid to love again. After accepting to direct the children’s Christmas pageant at church and with a lot of encouragement from Mrs. Miracle Seth and Reba might be able to learn to take a chance on love again.

My Thoughts:

I never read anything by Debbie Macober before and I usually read Christmas themed books during the Christmas season, but when a guy I know told me that he had seen the movie of this book on the Lifetime network and liked it I was very curious; therefore, I acquired the book.

I was pleasantly surprised. It was a very sweet romance. It was also a reminder not to hold on to anger and grudges, and that sometimes there are two sides to every story, if one is willing to open their heart and listen. I really enjoyed the character of Mrs. Merkle.  I liked how she seemed to know everything that was going on, and how she would butt in and giver opinion on everything.  Sometimes Seth would get upset with her butting in, but in the end he would admit she was right.  I didn’t like the character of Harriet Foster, a widow who sees wrong doing and sin in everyone else, yet never steps back and sees that what she is doing is wrong.  I feel that she gets her just desserts in the end.

I enjoyed this book very much and am grateful it was recommended to me.  I may never have picked up the book otherwise, especially at this time of the year. This was a book I read in one day.  It was a warm-hearted romance that was easy read. I may pick up another book by Debbie Macomber soon.  For these reasons, I gave Mrs. Miracle four stars and a grade of B.  If you like sweet romances with a Christmas theme, or even ones with angels involved I recommend reading Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber.  It just may be the miracle you are looking for when it comes to Christmas romance.

Parents:

Language: One foul word and it was on page one.

Adult Content: None

Violence: None

Pope John Paul II: The Biography, by Tad Szulc

 

Pope John Paul II: The Biography

Author: Tad Szulc

Published By: Scribner Book Company

Date Published: December 28, 1995

Genre: Biography

Pages:  542

Recommended Age: Adults

Read & Reviewed By: Me

Rating: 2/C

This book is from my personal collection.

 

Summary:

The inside story of the negotiations involving John Paul II, Soviet President Gorbachev, and General Jaruzelski of Portland that led to Poland's and Eastern Europe's transition form communism to democracy.

My Thoughts:

I did not care much for this book; I regretted buying this book. I have read biographies that were much more interesting than this one. It bored me to tears and took me almost two months to finish this book and that is not like me. This book read more like a text book, which is why I gave it only two stars and a grade of D.  It gave a bunch of history on Poland, going back a hundred years before the Blessed Pope John Paul II was even born.  I do not recommend Pope John Paul II by Tad Szulc.  If you want to read a biography on Pope John II, I would recommend a finding a different author and one that covers Blessed Pope John Paul II’s entire life span.

Parents:

Language: None

Adult Content: None

Violence: None