Falling in Love with God by Bob Hostetler

Book Description:  Every human heart longs to love and be loved. And every heart is unfulfilled until it falls in love with God.

Why does anyone want to ''fall in love?'' With anyone? Perhaps it is because we instinctively recognize that love is the most pleasurable of all human sensations. Love makes us feel good. It satisfies our deepest needs. And if falling in love with another human being can do all of those things . . . how much more powerful could it be to fall in love with God?

HOW TO FALL IN LOVE WITH GOD answers that question. Drawing from the ancient love story of Hosea, a prophet whose life and prophecy map how to fall in love with God, this book will fulfill the desires of all who long for a different--or deeper--relationship with God. This thoroughly biblical book will help and bless readers who long to love God with all their hearts . . . but just aren't sure why they don't, if they could, or how it happens.

My Thoughts:  As a christian I thought, "I need to read this book!"  Falling in Love with God seems like it should be a "given" when we are following Him.  But I think that reading about and recapturing that first love is why we, all, need a reminder of how to fall in love with God.  To know of God and to love God are two very different things. I want a heartfelt love!

I found it interesting that Bob Hostetler used the story of Hosea.  Hosea was faithful to God but when Hosea married a young woman she became unfaithful to him.  Yet, Hosea went to great lengths to win his wife back, even though she had truly turned her back on his love. Such a loving God we have!  God, like Hosea, woos us and wants us to return His love.  How can we not fall in love with such a wonderful God who loves us best!

That vacuum that many people try to fill with other"loves" is simply needing God the Creator's love.

Mr. Hostetler writes with a creative pen as he describes our need to be in love with God.  He includes stories of people and their relationships . . . how they fell in love and were wooed by their spouses.  

An interesting and beautiful read about our relationship of how to fall in love with God-the One who loves us most!  

A must read for those who love God and want Him to be first in their lives!

*This book was provided by Leafwood Publishers*

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Leafwood Publishers 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0891123741
• ISBN-13: 978-0891123743

{Kregel Blog Tour} Rainbows for Rainy Days (40 devotional readings that reveal God's promises) by Catherine Campbell

Book Description:  Catherine Campbell's experience as a nurse and as the mother of two girls who both inherited a rare genetic condition that required constant care until their deaths at ages 10 and 13 has given her a unique insight into suffering. As an inspirational speaker, she frequently encounters people with tragic stories. And yet she believes that God is Lord and that in both good times and bad, He is always good.

My Thoughts:  Rainbows for Rainy Days by Catherine Campbell is a collection of devotionals readings for 40 days.

Catherine Campbell has dealt with quite a bit of grief and yet she knows that God is there for her just as He was there with a promise of the rainbow when Noah and his family had gone through some rough waters.

This small, hardback book is chock full of encouragement with Scriptures at the top of each page where the devotional begins.

All of the devotionals are inspiring and encouraging but the one that "popped" out at me was on p. 24, day/number 36:  "Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9b.

Joshua faced the biggest task and the biggest fear of his life. God saw his fear and God was telling Joshua, I will be with you every step of the way. Yes, Catherine has had devastating lost in her life but yet she writes not of her experiences but she writes from God's Word to encourage others.

Such an encouraging read!

This book makes a great gift or it would make a great "card" for someone who is going through a rough patch in life.

*This book was provided for review by Kregel Publications*

• Visit Catherine's page HERE!
• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Monarch Books; 1st New edition edition
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0857212893
• ISBN-13: 978-0857212894

The Winnowing Season: Book Two in the Amish Vines and Orchards Series by Cindy Woodsmall

Book Description:  The tornado that devastated Kings’ Orchard pushed Rhoda, Samuel, and Jacob to make a new start in Maine. Are they strong enough to withstand the challenges of establishing an Amish community—and brave enough to face the secrets that move with them?

 On the eve of their departure to begin a new Old Order Amish community outside of Unity, Maine, Rhoda Byler is shocked to discover that choices made by her business partner and friend, Samuel King, have placed her and her unusual gifts directly into the path of her district’s bishop and preachers. She is furious with Samuel and is fearful that the Kings will be influenced by the way her leaders see her, and not what they know to be true—that Rhoda’s intuition is a gift from God. Jacob King won’t be swayed by community speculation. He loves Rhoda, believes in her, and wants to build a future with her in Maine. But when the ghosts of his past come calling and require him to fulfill a great debt, can he shake their hold before it destroys what he has with Rhoda? Samuel has a secret of his own—one he’ll go to great lengths to keep hidden, even if it means alienating those closest to him. Throwing himself into rehabilitating the once-abandoned orchard, Samuel turns to a surprising new ally. Book 2 of the Amish Vines and Orchards series asks: can the three faithfully follow God’s leading and build a new home and orchard in Maine? Or will this new beginning lead to more ruin and heartbreak?

My Thoughts:  The Winnowing Season by Cindy Woodsmall is book 2 in the Amish Vines and Orchards trilogy. I read A Season for Tending the first book in this series and was so glad I did.  I think one could read this book as a stand alone because Cindy Woodsmall writes each book as it's own story but I like to read books in order if I can. Also, there are references that come from the first book and it's nice to know what is going on.  It also makes for a much better story!

Cindy Woodsmall is a wonderful writer of Amish fiction bringing the characters to life on the written page.

There is a love triangle throughout this story.  But the "meat" of the story is about the Amish "pilgrims" who travel to Maine to restore and 80 acre apple orchard.  Plus, raise live stock, gardens, children and fix meals.  The Amish are very hard working and when they set their minds to a task it is completed.

They are also very family and faith oriented.  However, Rhoda's gifts are not entirely made clear except that they are leadings from the Holy Spirit.  

The reader keeps wondering which brother Rhoda will end up marrying? Jacob and Samuel both have great character and are hard workers.  

It seems that this was a trip for the younger set as no grandparents are mentioned, no weddings but a lot of hard work and some great food!

*This book was provided by Waterbrook/Multnomah for review*

Book Trailer 

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307730042
• ISBN-13: 978-0307730046

Light from Distant Stars: A Novel by Shawn Smucker

Book Description:  When Cohen Marah steps over his father's body in the basement embalming room of the family's funeral home, he has no idea that he is stepping into a labyrinth of memory. As the last one to see his father, Cohen is the primary suspect.

Over the next week, Cohen's childhood memories come back in living color. The dramatic events that led to his father being asked to leave his pastoral position. The game of baseball that somehow kept them together. And the two children in the forest who became his friends--and enlisted him in a dark and dangerous undertaking. As the lines blur between what was real and what was imaginary, Cohen is faced with the question he's been avoiding: Did he kill his father?

My Thoughts:  There are times when I begin reading a book and wonder, "What am I missing?"  This is such book.
I just could not understand what the author was saying in this story.  I was lost from page one.
Now if you're the type of reader who enjoys dystopia or "christian" science fiction, well, you may enjoy this read.
The story centers around the father of Cohen Marah.  Actually the story seems to be about the father...but, then again, I'm clueless about the story.  Just didn't get what was going on.
The author knows how to write, it is the story itself that I had trouble with.  Yes, I get that there was child abuse and the man wanted to let go of the ugly things.  However, the story part just never got to me.

*This book was provided for review by Revell*

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Revell (July 16, 2019)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800728513
• ISBN-13: 978-0800728519

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

We love peach cobbler and I was ecstatic to find a crockpot recipe on Pinterest.  It's delicious and so easy!  So great for those family get togethers!

Ingredients

1. 29 oz Del Monte Sliced Peaches in Heavy Syrup
2. 1 tsp cinnamon
3. 16.5 oz yellow cake mix
4. 3/4 cup pecans (chopped)
5. 1 stick butter (sliced)
6. Non-stick cooking spray

Instructions

1. Spray crock pot with non stick cooking spray. Layer remaining ingredients into crock pot in order shown. DO NOT MIX. Just sprinkle the ingredients on top of each other. Turn the crock pot on high for 2 hours. Remove from heat and enjoy with ice cream!

The Butterfly and the Violin (A Hidden Masterpiece Novel, Book 1) by Kristy Cambron

Book Description:  A mysterious painting breathes hope and beauty into the darkest corners of Auschwitz—and the loneliest hearts of Manhattan.

Manhattan art dealer Sera James watched her world crumble at the altar two years ago, and her heart is still fragile. Her desire for distraction reignites a passion for a mysterious portrait she first saw as a young girl—a painting of a young violinist with piercing blue eyes.

In her search for the painting, Sera crosses paths with William Hanover, the grandson of a wealthy California real estate mogul, who may be the key to uncovering the hidden masterpiece. Together, Sera and William slowly unravel the story behind the painting's subject: Austrian violinist Adele Von Bron.

A darling of the Austrian aristocracy, talented violinist, and daughter to a high-ranking member of the Third Reich, Adele risks everything when she begins smuggling Jews out of Vienna. In a heartbeat, her life of prosperity and privilege dissolves into a world of starvation and barbed wire.

As Sera untangles the secrets behind the painting, she finds beauty in the most unlikely of places: in the grim camps of Auschwitz and in the inner recesses of her own troubled heart.

My Thoughts:  Two plot lines, present day and World War II (historical), the author, Kristy Cambron, does an excellent job of writing two different perspectives at one time. The faith of two women is amazing.{not an easy feat}

The story of two women, Sera and Adele, who have been betrayed by those they love.  

World War II  . . . tangles and untangles in lives that are connected by  a painting.  A painting that seems to have a story all of out's own.  

Secrets abound but what is the secret of the painting that seems to bring so much pain?  

World War II stories are some of my favorite reads AND this is an amazing story!  However, I was more fascinated with and more engaged with Adele's story.  Adele risks everything as she begins to smuggle Jews out of Vienna.  Sera's story is more modern day and she is trying to find the "mystery" of the painting.

This is a  great read for history buffs and those who enjoy reading about World War II.

• Series: A Hidden Masterpiece Novel (Book 1)
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401690599
• ISBN-13: 978-1401690595

The Hawaiian Quilt by Wanda E. Brunstetter & Jean Brunstetter

My Thoughts: I love books authored by Wanda Brunstetter! And now her daughter-in-law, Jean, co-authors this wonderful novel, the Hawaiian Quilt.

This is not your "regular" Amish story.  In this lovely story about four Amish friends  who take a cruise to the Hawaiian Islands.  

The cruise is nice but the beds not.so.much to the four friends disappointment.  Love the real descriptions of the ship and the "funny.to.me" reason Mandy and her three friends decide to take a cruise because their Amish parents wouldn't approve of flying in an airplane.  

When Mandy and her friends decide to split up in to two groups of two to see more Hawaii and then share their experiences later at supper, Mandy loses her phone and this incident causes she and Ellen to miss the ship.

I love the Hawaiian Christian couple, Luana and Mikaio,  who take them in at the bed and breakfast and whose Hawaiian quilts fascinate Mandy.  

This is not your "regular" Amish read!  It's about stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing life and God's people.

Loved, loved this fantabulous read!  

Make sure to buy a copy for that Amish reader on your Christmas list!  

            *This book was provided for review by Barbour Publishing and the author*

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Shiloh Run Press (September 1, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1634092244
• ISBN-13: 978-1634092241