Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar

From the publisher:
Before Christ called her daughter . . .

Before she stole healing by touching the hem of his garment . . .

Elianna is a young girl crushed by guilt. After her only brother is killed while in her care, Elianna tries to earn forgiveness by working for her father’s textile trade and caring for her family. When another tragedy places Elianna in sole charge of the business, her talent for design brings enormous success, but never the absolution she longs for. As her world unravels, she breaks off her betrothal to the only man she will ever love. Then illness strikes, isolating Elianna from everyone, stripping everything she has left.

No physician can cure her. No end is in sight. Until she hears whispers of a man whose mere touch can heal. After so many years of suffering and disappointment, is it possible that one man could redeem the wounds of body . . . and soul?
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I had expected to have more of the story about the twelve years of illness and her encounter with Jesus but instead that was probably the last 1/4th of the book.  At first I was disappointed. While I know this is Biblical fiction I wanted more depth into what we do know.  However, I can appreciate what Tessa Afshar did.  She created a backstory to help you get a glimpse into the words Jesus did speak to this woman.

Elianna has one bad strike after the next in her life.  It's like reading a train wreck that you know if going to be horrible but it just keeps coming.  The best parts to me were the last 1/4th.  That is where I felt Elianna's character was tested and grew the most.  In her isolation she could really turn to God and listen to Him.  And isn't that true for so many of us?  We resist and resist God until we are stripped of everything and then we listen.  It is a hard lesson.

My favorite line was when Elianna was going to touch Jesus' robe and she says, "Many have asked me what gave me the courage to do what I did that day. It was not courage, I say. It was desperation. Simply, I become more desperate than afraid. And in my desperation, I learned to hope. I never stopped being afraid. It was just that hope overshadowed  my fear."  

That was so encouraging to me spiritually and I think that other readers will be encouraged too when they read this.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. 

Simple Pleasures by Marianne Jantzi

From the publisher:
The mother of four young children and wife of a storekeeper, Jantzi writes about her daily routines and heartfelt faith with equal measures of wit and warmth. Sewing, cleaning, cooking, gardening, and helping to manage the store take up most hours in her day, but Jantzi finds time to pen columns for the Connection, a magazine beloved by Amish and Mennonite readers across the United States and Canada. Never sugarcoating the frustrations of motherhood, Jantzi tells it like it is, broken washing machine and bickering children and all. But through her busy days, Jantzi finds strength in simple pleasures of family, fellowship with her Amish community, and quiet time with God. 
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This book is a endearing and heartfelt book.  Readers will enjoy going through the day with Marianne Jantzi and hearing the stories from her life.  This is non-fiction but really allows readers to see what the Amish culture is like without all the "fiction" getting in the way.

From one mother to another I find it fascinating and interesting to see life from her point of view and her life.  I am always looking for ways to have simple and joyful moments in our home without all the "distractions" we have today.  This book provided some of that.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Night Night Daddy by Amy Parker Illustrated by Lee Holland

This soft covered board book is a sweet bedtime story told from the viewpoint of the child.  Many bedtime books are from the parent's viewpoint so it was nice to read it this way and read the love of the child for the parent.

The illustrations are beautiful and sweet.  The words and illustrations create a loving and fun relationship between a child and father. The only problem I had with this book is that on one spread the text changes from first person language "you" to "he" and that was awkward to read.   Otherwise I really enjoyed it. I think it is good for there to be books the emphasis each child with a parent. 

Amy Parker also has a book for a child and mother, and I find it nice to have both because it is important for children to each have their own special relationships with each parent.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Night Night Mommy by Amy Parker Illustrated by Lee Holland

This soft covered board book is a sweet bedtime story told from the viewpoint of the child.  Many bedtime books are from the parent's viewpoint so it was nice to read it this way and read the love of the child for the parent.

The illustrations are beautiful and sweet.  The words and illustrations create a loving and fun relationship between a child and mother.  Amy Parker also has a book for a child and father, and I find it nice to have both because it is important for children to each have their own special relationships with each parent.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Like Never Before by Melissa Tagg

From the publisher:
Maple Valley became Amelia Bentley's haven after her heart and her dreams of a family were shattered. But her new life as a newspaper editor is shaken when the small-town paper is in danger of closing. Her one hope: A lead on an intriguing story that just might impress the new publisher...if only she knew who he was.

After his biggest campaign success yet, widowed speechwriter Logan Walker now has the chance of a lifetime--a spot on a presidential campaign. But his plans are interrupted when he finds out he's inherited his hometown newspaper. He travels home intent on selling the paper and spending some much-needed time with his young daughter before making the leap into national politics.

But instead of a quick sale and peaceful break from his hectic career, Logan finds himself helping Amelia chase her story. She's scrappy, but wounded. He's dependable, but lost. They may butt heads more than expected, but a series of leads on Maple Valley's quirky unsolved mystery is just the start of the sparks that fly in the office and in their hearts.
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Melissa Tagg's Walker family will draw you in and you won't want to leave. This is the second series in the Walker family (plus a lovely novella about Seth Walker). Iowa will become a place you want to go visit, even if Maple Valley is fictional because it seems so wonderful and the people so real.  

Sometimes as a reader you end up really liking either the girl or guy but in this book both Amelia and Logan draw you in.  They are perfectly human and flawed.  Their confusing, wants, desires.  It all resonated with me as I read it.  You will not only find depth in this novel but humor and romance.  The main characters and supporting characters will all stay with you.  And you probably will end up with a hankering for some history after Amelia's love for history gets under your skin.

Spiritually I felt this book was on point.  There aren't always pretty answers that fix everything. Sometimes it is waiting and listening and having no plans.  I was touched by this story and I know others will be as well.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.