A Season for the Heart by J.M. Hochstetler

 

 

This story is set in 1945. The Germans have surrendered but the WW2 is still raging on other fronts.  Ellie, a young Mennonite woman, is planning to go to college and train to be a teacher. Her grandparents are Amish and her family still cling to some of the old ways.  The are pacifists and fighting in the war is frowned upon. Her friend, Jude, had enlisted and has returned home injured. He enlisted over his parent’s objections. His relationship with the community is strained because of his involvement in the armed forces.  Out of respect for his mother, he tries to blend in but he struggles with the restrictions of the Mennonite community.  Ellie, also pushes the boundaries of the rules by having close relationships with “English” friends. She secretly tries wearing makeup and shortened dresses.  She also had been engaged to Ted, a young Methodist who breaks their engagement when he goes away to college. Ellie has been helping Jude’s mother on their farm and wants to help him as well. She becomes close to Jude but is torn between him and Ted, who returns and tries to resume their relationship.

This story touches on the topics of religious prejudice, abuse and PTSD

This is not the type of story I usually read. It is much edgier and graphic than what I am accustomed to. There is an account of an attemped rape that was more graphic than what you would usually find in a book about the Amish and Mennonites.

This is also not a book you can hurry through.

I liked the amount of information there was about the Amish and particularly , the Mennonites.  I liked that the author draws upon their personal family history. It makes the story believable. It was interesting to see how the two communities live together but yet apart.

The author also touches on abuse in families and how PTSD affects Jude and his fellow returning soldiers.

If you are looking for the typical, sweet Amish romance, this is most likely not the story for you. However, if you like more intense and edgy stories you should give this a try.  This is not a fast read so settle in and get comfortable.

I give this my personal rating of 3 out of 5 stars. I really wanted to love this book.  That being said, it is a faith based story with several scripture quotes, which was welcomed. The story line of a Mennonite girl torn between different cultures was appealing to me, as was the setting of the WW2 era.  The topic of PTSD was very interesting although it wasn’t called that then.

Why would a young Mennonite man enlist in the armed forces, going against his religious upbringing?

Which man will win Ellie’s heart?  Does she ever realize her dream of being a teacher?

At this point in my reviews I usually include a link to the publisher’s website but I was unable to find one.  This was another reason for my 3 star rating. Other postings state that the publisher is Sheaf House Publishers. A search for the title on Amazon, NetGalley or Goodreads should give you more information.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed  are my own.

A word about ARC books.   Advanced Reading Copies (ARCs) are a preview copy and are not a finished product. They may differ from the final published work and may include additional editing. 

 

Never Forgotten by Hannah Linder ~ a book review

 

This is a story of mystery, lost love, heartache and resolution.  While this story deals with topics like murder and abuse, it is approached in a way that is not offensive. It also is not overly “religious”.  While I don’t call this a strictly Christian novel, it is definitely clean.

The dialog between the characters is great, easy to follow and very engaging.  The story switches back and forth from England to America. The story line moves along and keeps your interest.

The story revolves around Simon, the second son of a wealthy Englishman and Georgina, the beautiful young English girl he is expected to marry.

Simon’s father expects Simon, as the second son, to enter the church clergy and to marry Georgina. Simon isn’t interested in the ministry and would rather pursue his art and painting, he leaves and ends up in America where he marries and has children.  His wife, Ruth, is brutally murdered by someone from England. Simon makes it his mission to discover who is behind it.

Georgina has always loved Simon and was saddened when he left.  When Simon returns to England to track down his wife’s killers, he discovers his father has died and his mother has become blind.  His father’s will stipulates that he must marry Georgina in order to inherit and his mother threatens to sell the estate if he doesn’t.

Georgina is being stalked by someone who is leaving her dead roses in places that no one should have access to.

Will Simon marry Georgina?  Who is the mystery person leaving dead roses for Georgina? Who can they trust?  Will Simon discover who murdered his wife?

This is from the publishers website:

“All He Wanted was Justice. All She Wanted was His Heart.
 
Georgina Whitmore, not accustomed to any man being unaffected by her charms, is plagued with the disappearance and rejection of Simon Fancourt. Twelve years later, Mr. Fancourt returns to British society with two children and a mad hunger for justice.
 
Racing against time, Simon works to uncover the men responsible for his wife’s horrific murder, protect his children, and fulfill his father’s unexpected will by marrying Georgina—the last thing in the world he wants to do.
 
Though her heart throbs to accept, she would rather lose him again than have his name without his love. She denies his proposal of matrimony, knowing it will cost them both. But as tragedies unravel and secret enemies narrow their sights on Simon, Georgina risks her life—and her reputation—to protect him and the children. Will the danger scorch them alive? Or will it, for the first time, open his heart to her?”

Go HERE to read an excerpt

I give this a 5 star rating, not something I give out very often!

 

I received a complimentary ARC * of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed  are my own.

 (* Advanced Reading Copies (ARCs) are a preview copy and are not a finished product. They may differ from the final published work and may include additional editing.)

A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber

 

A happy, heartfelt holiday romance with all the small town Christmas trimmings!  This is a clean enjoyable story with believable characters. It’s characterized as Christian but it doesn’t have enough Christian content for me to call it that. However, there was nothing objectionable in it either.  I really liked this one! It’s exactly what we would expect in a holiday tale from this author.

Hailey Morgan is a music teacher whose real passion is writing songs, but she doesn’t have a lot of time to do it and doesn’t get any support from her family or her former boyfriend.  Her best friend and fellow teacher, Katherine Stockton, gives her the opportunity to spend the holidays in a rustic, secluded cabin so she can concentrate on her song writing.  Over her family’s protests, Hailey decides to go to the cabin without telling them where it is.  Upon arriving at the cabin she is greeted by an intruder, a very scarey racoon.  The local handyman, Jethro or Jay as he prefers to be called, comes to the rescue. He also happens to be a former member of a rock band and they bond over their interest in music.

Hailey’s solitude is disrupted when her flighty sister, Daisy, shows up and crashes her vacation.  Eventually her family finds out where she is and shows up. Strained family dynamics, and an overbearing and manipulative mother  are combined with all the small town festivities of tree lighting, parade and caroling.

I was given a digital ARC of this book but as soon as I’m able, I’m going to find a hard copy to keep on my bookshelf for future Christmases.

This is from the publisher’s website:

“Hailey Morgan’s life has always revolved around music. She once had big dreams of becoming a professional songwriter, but the reality of life has led her to working as an assistant high school band teacher in Portland. As the holidays approach, Hailey dreads the annual tradition of spending Christmas with her family and dodging her mother’s meddling questions about her love life.

When Hailey’s close friend offers her the use of her family’s empty cabin for a rejuvenating solo holiday retreat, Hailey finally decides to do something to make herself happy. However, her arrival in the small town of Podunk, Oregon, is anything but peaceful when she discovers the cabin has been invaded by several wild animals. Luckily, Jay, the son of the town’s main store proprietor—and an incredibly handsome and charming former musician to boot—is more than willing to help.

Soon Hailey and Jay are nearly inseparable, chopping down and decorating a Christmas tree, sipping hot cocoa in front of a cozy fire, and best of all, playing music together. Jay’s positive feedback and encouragement inspire Hailey to believe she might succeed as a songwriter after all. But even in her snow-dusted oasis, family holiday drama still finds Hailey, interrupting and threatening her newfound peace and confidence. Meanwhile revelations from Jay present complications of their own. Suddenly her Christmas paradise has become a winter storm and Hailey must weather through the challenges to stand up for herself and embrace the holiday spirit.”

I don’t very often give a 5 star rating but this one deserves it! 

Go HERE to read an excerpt 

Go HERE to learn more about Debbie Macomber and her books 

 

 

 

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed  are my own.