This is the first book in this series I have read, but the story didn’t leave me missing anything from the previous books. Beverly Lewis is on my favorite authors list. I have never read one of her books I didn’t enjoy.
The story line was very different. While so many stories involve Amish who want to leave the life and become “Englishers”, this one is about an “Englisher” that to wanted to leave the world and become Amish!
From the time she was young, Jenny Burns had been drawn to the Amish faith. Everything about them and their way of life deeply touched her. The wealthy, materialistic, fast paced life of Jenny’s family always left her at odds with them and not fitting in. This made her long for the simple life even more.
After corresponding for many years with an Amish friend, Marnie, she met on vacation; she feels she is ready to make the move. She saves her money, sells her earthly possessions, and quits her job. Marnie arranges for her aunt and uncle, the Lapps, to welcome her into their home and help her during her year of “Proving”.
Being a “seeker”, someone from outside desiring to become a church member, the community meets her with distrust or open arms, there doesn’t seem to be a happy medium. Jenny struggles to adapt, learning the language and all the skills she must have to be a true Amish woman. While she is very happy, she finds the way of life more difficult than she thought, but most of all her image of the Amish people being “perfect” is shattered. She finds they are just as human as she is.
Accidentally she stumbles on a secret of another’s that she would have to reveal when she joined the church or she would not be holding true to the Ordnung. That combined with her homesickness for her family, whom she never thought she’d miss nor would miss her, makes her begin to question if she can stay. She had grown to love the people and one young man in particular. What should she do? The ending has an unexpected twist!
I always enjoy the details about daily Amish life but this book gave me something extra. It looked not only into the hearts and minds of the Amish characters but also through the eyes someone outside of the faith seeing it from the inside for the first time. I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Taste of Home has done it again! Another fantastic cookbook and great value! This hardback cookbook is a great addition to my collection. Taste of Home cookbooks are a favorite of mine. I can use the recipe knowing they have been thoroughly tested to make sure all runs smoothly in my preparation. I especially like this because I am not wasting my time or food investment throwing out a recipe “flop”.
Taste of Home Recipes Across America opens the door to a whole new experience in learning about and cooking family favorites from different regions in the U.S. that is different from your own. This way I won’t get in a rut of just “southern” cooking. I love the fact that the recipes come from 100’s of other cooks just like me all across the U.S., not just recipes from one person. This adds so much variety and creativity for my meals!
Northeast, South, Midwest, Southwest, West Regions are well represented with Main dishes, Sides and More, and Sweets. The color pictures of recipes are excellent. Recipe lay outs are easy to read and follow. I enjoyed the “dishing out about food” boxes on the pages that interesting information and history on different foods. Also included are color pictures from each region highlighting yearly special events and locations in those areas. This cookbook would be fun just to curl up in a chair with and browse through. There is so much to read and see!
The back of the book had two handy indexes. One listed the recipes in alphabetical order. The other was quite extensive and you could find the recipe by ingredient, regions, and type (appetizers, etc.). Finding it by ingredient is a bonus for me because I might have unthawed chicken and can’t decide what to fix, or I am craving something with eggplant and haven’t a clue what to make. These features make the cookbook very user friendly. Positively a cookbook you will want to own!
I received this book free from FBS Media. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Here is the perfect gift for the preschooler in your life! The cover is softly padded and washable with sturdy pages, making it perfect for those times when you snuggle together with your little one to share about God. I really liked the concept of “Teddy and me”. Most children have their favorite stuffed animal that is a comforting companion and very important to the child. The idea of this favorite “friend” sharing a special time is very appealing to children.
Old and New Testament stories are both included. Simple concepts and short stories make it easy for a young child to understand and help with short attention spans.
Engaging, colorful illustrations with the characters having a childlike quality, helps young ones further relate to the stories. At the end of each story is a rhyming poem or prayer related to the story’s lesson, and of course a picture of a child with their beloved Teddy bear. Not only do children love rhyming but it helps them to memorize and remember material.
This book is an excellent way to start a child on the way to loving God’s Word and understanding His love and care for them. The short prayers are a wonderful tool in teaching them they can talk to God. It is a beautiful book for the family library!
I received this book free from Kregel Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.