Beyond All Measure by Dorothy Love ~ review

Since I started reviewing books for Booksneeze I have found myself reading books that I normally wouldn't have chosen otherwise, but most of the time I am pleasantly surprised by liking them. With "Beyond All Measure," its no different. Its a historical fiction set during 1871. I like the fact that the setting of the book was in the south shortly after the civil war, I have always enjoyed fiction and nonfiction alike set during this period and this book was excellent. The writer draws you into the story allowing you to feel as if your transported back in time. Her writing flows smoothly and the way she weaves a nice spiritual message into the story made it even better.




Ada Wentworth feels as if she has been deserted by everyone including God. She has lost everything she holds dear and finds that she must find a way to support herself. She decides she will leave Boston to go to Hickory Ridge Tn, to take a job as a ladies companion for Miss Lillian hoping to be able to return to Boston someday to open a millinery shop. When she is picked up at the train station by Miss Lillian's nephew Wyatt whom she feels drawn to.




Will Ada decide that she wants to stay in Hickory Mills, and how will the relationship between Ada and Wyatt turn out, since his dream is to go back to Texas?




If you enjoy a nice inspirational read that is set right after the civil war, that touches on the subject of racial issues, but also gives the reader romance and inspiration as well, then you won't be disappointed in this book.

I was provided a copy of this book by Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.

The Final Summit by Andy Andrews

"The Final Summit" by Andy Andrews it the continuation of the story of David Ponder. In this story David is 74 and he misses his beloved wife who died unexpectedly. Most days he wishes he could just go to heaven and be with her again.Turns out David was a time traveler, someone chosen to travel back thru time and the wisdom he gleaned is what made him the successful man that he became. When he gets a summons from the archangel Gabriel, to sit in on what could be the final summit, a summit that will determine the fate of humanity! Before reading this story I hadn't read anything by Andy Andrews. I learned that there was a previous book in this series titled "The Time Traveler". Although I hadn't read it I had no problems reading this book, the author gives us enough information so that I didn't feel lost. Anyone looking for an interesting story, with historical aspects woven in will certainly enjoy this one. I really enjoyed this authors writing style and purchased more of his work! Highly recommended! I was provided a copy of this book by Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review. If you want to learn more about the book here is the product description: David Ponder is back. This time the fate of mankind is in his hands. This is mankind's last chance. Centuries of greed, pride, and hate have sent humanity hurtling toward disaster, and far from its original purpose. There is only one solution that can reset the compass and right the ship, and it consists of only two words. With time running out, it is up to David Ponder and a cast of history's best and brightest minds to uncover this solution before it is too late. The catch? They Are allowed only five tries to discover the answer. Readers first encountered David Ponder in The Traveler's Gift. Now, in The Final Summit, Andrews combines riveting narrative with astounding history in order to show us the one thing we must do when we don't know what to do. Many years have passed since David Ponder discovered the Seven Decisions during a divine journey through time. Now 74 years old, Ponder-has lost the one thing that mattered to him most: his wife, Ellen. Despite his personal and professional success, he now sits alone at the top of his 55-story high-rise contemplating the unthinkable, just as he did 28 years ago. However,just as things are looking their darkest, Ponder is informed through divinechannels that he is needed now more than ever. Together, with the help of hundreds of his fellow Travelers, from Winston Churchill to George Washington Carver to Joan of Arc, he must work to discover the one solution that will save humanity. Time is running out, and the final summit of Travelers must work quickly to avoid dire consequences. The Final Summit explores the historically proven principles that have guided our greatest leaders for centuries, and how we might restore these principles in our own lives...before it's too late.

Plain Proposal by Beth Wiseman

Miriam Raber is an eighteen year old amish girl who's lifelong dream is to become an Amish wife and mother, unfortunately for her though she has set her sites on Saul Fisher, an Amish man with a few secrets. The biggest issue he is facing is the fact that his dream is to become a professional chef, something that he could never pursue as an amish man, so he knows he will have to leave the faith if he is going to achieve his dream. How can a relationship between the two ever work, when they have such different ideas about the future? Will Miriam be able to change Saul's mind, or will she follow him right out of her Amish community?

As if this storyline isn't intriguing enough the author throws in the story of Shelby, an eighteen year old English cousin ( her dad left the amish faith) who after the divorce of her parents starts acting out and hanging around the wrong crowd, so her parents decide to send her to stay with the Rabers for the summer. Shelby arrives feeling as if she is being punished, and has lost all faith in God, can staying with the Rabers help her find her way back to God?

This book was filled with several plot twists, just when you thought someone was going to do something they did something totally different. It was so nice to see how Shelby grew throughout the story. I was honestly surprised at the choices that Miriam and Shelby made, although for Shelby if was nice to see her finally find a place where she felt like she belonged.

It is so refreshing to read interesting romance/fiction that is clean, enjoyable and also doesn't mind mentioning God as well. I really enjoyed this well written story and while it is part of the Daughters of the Promise series it can easily be read as a stand alone story. Fans of Amish fiction or romance will love this story!

Plain Proposal by Beth Wiseman is another fantastic Amish read provided to me by Booksneeze to review in exchange for my honest opinion and thetas just what you have gotten!

Seek Me With All Your Heart by Beth Wiseman

Seek Me With All Your Heart is the first book in what promises to be an exciting new Amish series title A Land of Canaan.
What made this story unique for me was the fact that it is set in Colorado. Several amish families are headed west hoping for a new start. Some are moving because they are looking for cheap land, while others are leaving hurtful pasts behind hoping for a fresh start.

The main story revolves around Emily Detweiler and David Stoltzfus. The two have issues from their past, each thinking that they are unworthy, but as their characters blossom and develop throughout the story, they realize God has a plan for them.

This book was a quick easy read filled with plenty of secondary characters to keep you entertained. Fans of Amish fiction will definitely be drawn to this story, but I think that anyone looking for a good clean read with an uplifting message would enjoy it as well.

I was provided a copy of this book by Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.

Curiosities Of The Civil War

What a fantastic book for anyone who is looking to find out little known facts of the civil war. I am a history buff, and while some of the things I read in this book I actually knew about, there was far more that I had never heard of. The great thing about this book is the ability to be able to pick it up and flip to a page and read something random and then put it down.

This book is broken down into nine sections and has a total of 44 chapters that are filled with little known historical facts. The book is wrapped up with a conclusion at the end.

I think this book would be perfect for anyone looking to learn more than just the obvious facts about the civil war. Whether your a history buff or just like to read interesting tidbits of information about the Civil War then I recommend you read this book.

I was provided a copy of this book from Thomas Neslon in exchange for an honest review.

An Amish Love

An Amish Love is a collection of three Amish stories that are sure to become favorites with fans of Amish reading. Seems like I have been reading alot of Amish stories lately, and I must say this book is one of my favorite so far.Each of the stories is a unique story of Amish love. The stories are written by some of the best names in Amish fiction. Beth Wiseman writes Healing Hearts, Kelly Long contribution is A Marriage Of The Heart, and Kathleen Fuller writes What The Heart Sees, which was probably my favorite story out of the three. Ellie is in an accident that causes her to loose her sight, when her boyfriend leaves her she wonders if she will ever have love and a home of her own, because no one will want a blind wife. When a young man returns to the community and meets Ellie, she soon realizes that their may be a chance for her after all. A very touching story.
If you have never read these authors reading the short stories in this novel will give you a real glimpse of their writing style. I also enjoyed the Amish recipes, and the reading group guide included in this book.

Even though I was provided a copy of this book for review by Booksneeze it in no way alters my opinion of this book.

An Amish Christmas December In Lancaster County

An Amish Christmas a previously released title by Thomas Nelson, but the twist is they have included a bonus story in this printing. I found this book a quick easy read, that really packs alot in to each of the stories. The stories do move along at a quick pace because they are novellas, but I felt like each of the stories were satisfying, actually making me want to seek out these authors to see what else they have written.
Another thing that I liked about this book was the fact that while the stories intertwine with each other, they can easily be read as stand alone stories.There is a glossary in the front of the book to help with the Amish words used, there is also a reading group guide provided with this book. I think the recipes included in the back were really an added bonus. Because of the nice binding and the fact that it is a hard back I believe it would make a great Christmas gift.

Inspirational fiction stories that Amish readers will love, these stories will uplift you, and would a great read anytime of the year!

Even though I was provided a copy of this book for review from Thomas Nelson's Booksneeze program it doesn't alter my opinion of this book.