Always Beautiful | Beth Wiseman Marathon

 

 Today I’m reviewing Always Beautiful, a novella from An Amish Miracle, by Beth Wiseman.

Here is a brief synopsis:

Always Beautiful by Beth Wiseman

Becky Byler is eighteen and overweight.

She is overwhelmed by the embarrassment she feels when comparing herself to other girls her age. Having lost all hope, she considers taking her own life.

As she stands before rushing water, unable to swim, Becky begs God for a miracle.

In just several months, Becky sees her prayers answered as food and temptation lose their hold over her.

She’s finally pleased with how she looks, but does she like the person she has become?

And has the man she has dreamed of been right beside her all along, loving her exactly as she is?

 

An Amish Miracle is a book of amazing miracles… read it today! – Tweet this!

 
MY THOUGHTS:

Always Beautiful is the third (and last) novella in this anthology, and the story I’m reviewing today…

If you’ve read the first two stories in this anthology, you’ve met Becky Byler. She was introduced during the previous stories, but this story is just about Becky!

After wishing she could lose weight for much of her life, she finally loses all the extra pounds she desires to lose… but does it make her happy?

Well, she thinks it does – at first.

I would never have imagined that Amish girls would have to deal with weight issues. Who could have guessed? And even if they did, would pride or self-image really matter to them? After all, wouldn’t they care less about the outward appearance and more about good character qualities?

But… maybe even young Amish men and women get caught up in appearance. Beth Wiseman writes a beautiful story. I found myself feeling Becky’s pain, and yet, I could feel the pain of other characters as well and it was enlightening and heart-breaking as well.

This story shows us that sometimes… even if God’s answer is yes, it’s not always the best thing for us.

 

Read this wonderful book of Amish Miracles by 3 amazing authors! – Tweet this!

 

And don’t forget to click below to find out how you can enter Beth’s GIVEAWAY contest!

Beth Wiseman Marathon | Giveaway!

 

And don’t miss the opportunity for EXTRA chances to win!

SEPTEMBER MARATHON… extra chances to win!

 

God bless you!

 

Review © 2015 DJ Mynatt

 

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An Amish Miracle | Mary Ellis, Ruth Reid, Beth Wiseman

Today I’m reviewing An Amish Miracle, by three of my favorite Amish authors… Mary Ellis, Ruth Reid, and Beth Wiseman.

Here is a brief synopsis:

Always in My Heart by Mary Ellis

Hope Bowman believes God is punishing her for giving up her firstborn son when she was a teenager. She’s hidden this secret from her husband, who is thankful for their daughters but longs for a son. Hope prays desperately, but the son God sends her isn’t a new baby but the fifteen-year-old boy she gave up years ago.

Always His Providence by Ruth Reid

Widow Rosa Hostetler has one month to pay her delinquent taxes before the county auctions her farm. She’s prepared to sell whatever is necessary to pay the lien, but she isn’t willing to request money from the community s widow fund. She s embarrassed and refuses to admit she needs help. Rosa depends on income from selling eggs, but when that income is threatened, only a miracle can help Rosa accept the kindness of a neighbor.

Always Beautiful by Beth Wiseman

Becky Byler is eighteen and overweight. She is overwhelmed by the embarrassment she feels when comparing herself to other girls her age. Having lost all hope, she considers taking her own life. As she stands before rushing water, unable to swim, Becky begs God for a miracle. In just several months, Becky sees her prayers answered as food and temptation lose their hold over her. She’s finally pleased with how she looks, but does she like the person she has become? And has the man she has dreamed of been right beside her all along, loving her exactly as she is?

An Amish Miracle is a book of amazing miracles… read it today! – Tweet this!

MY THOUGHTS:

I love it when three stories are connected… it’s like one long story.

Always In My Heart is the first novella and is by Mary Ellis… this story is about teenage adoption and it is such a wonderful story; I cried along with Hope as she shared her feelings about losing her son and believing that God was punishing her.

Hope Bowman has lived with a mistake for more than fifteen years… it wasn’t difficult to feel her pain, especially her feeling that she’s being punished because of her past. Although her parents made the choice – so it was really their mistake – and she wasn’t given a choice, she has always felt responsible for giving up her child.

Honestly, I could NOT stop until I had read the entire story. Always in My Heart is a GREAT Story! When you begin reading, you will begin wondering if things will ever work out, and if so, how it could all work out for everyone; I don’t want to give anything away, so I won’t say anymore – you can read it for yourself, but be assured that Mary Ellis does a superb job of bringing it all together in a fabulous story!

Always His Providence is the second novella and is by Ruth Reid. This story is about Hope’s best friend Rosa, who has a little problem with pride… not something unheard of – even among the Amish. Although she is committed to being Amish, Rosa’s pride may just cause her to lose her farm!

If you follow my blog, you’ve already figured out that I’m thinking “shame on you, Rosa. Just ask for help!” Poor thing, she’s wallowing in fear, but she’s determined that she’s going to go it alone! I didn’t think the story of a lonely widow would appeal to me much but it really did. It was amazing.

First one thing, then another, comes along to derail Rosa’s plans to save her farm. I won’t say any more, so that I don’t run all the wonderful surprises you’ll find in this amazing story! If you enjoy reading a story with lots of surprises, you’ll love Always His Providence!

Always Beautiful is the third (and last) novella, and is by Beth Wiseman. We’ve been reading about Becky Byler during the previous stories, but this story is just about Becky! After wishing she could lose weight for much of her life, she finally loses all the extra pounds she desires to lose… but does it make her happy?

Well, she thinks it does – at first.

I would never have imagined that Amish girls would have to deal with weight issues. Who could have guessed? And even if they did, would pride or self-image really matter to them? After all, wouldn’t they care less about the outward appearance and more about good character qualities?

But… maybe even young Amish men and women get caught up in appearance. Beth Wiseman writes a beautiful story. I found myself feeling Becky’s pain, and yet, I could feel the pain of other characters as well and it was enlightening and heart-breaking as well.

This story shows us that sometimes… even if God’s answer is yes, it’s not always the best thing for us.

Read this wonderful book of Amish Miracles by 3 amazing authors! – Tweet this!

You can read more reviews and more about the book… HERE

You can find more about Mary Ellis on her website… HERE

You can find more about Ruth Reid on her website… HERE

You can find more about Beth Wiseman on her website… HERE

 

God bless you!

 

Copyright © 2013-2015 DJ Mynatt

Always In My Heart | Mary Ellis Marathon

Today I’m reviewing Always In My Heart, the first novella in the anthology An Amish Miracle, by the miraculous  Mary Ellis.

Here is a brief synopsis:
Hope Bowman believes God is punishing her for giving up her firstborn son when she was a teenager.

She’s hidden this secret from her husband, who is thankful for their daughters but longs for a son.

Hope prays desperately, but the son God sends her isn’t a new baby but the fifteen-year-old boy she gave up years ago.

 

Is Hope being punished for her past mistake? – Tweet this!

MY THOUGHTS:
Mary Ellis excels at writing about interesting characters and intriguing settings!

Hope Bowman has lived with a mistake for more than fifteen years… it wasn’t difficult to feel her pain, especially her feeling that she’s being punished because of her past. Although her parents made the choice — so it was really their mistake — and she wasn’t given a choice, she has always felt responsible for giving up her child.

I actually read this story last month when I was preparing to read another novella in An Amish Miracle. Once I realized that the stories were connected, I decided to read all three stories in order — always the best choice to make.

Honestly, I could NOT stop until I had read the entire story!

Always in My Heart is a GREAT Story! When you begin reading, you will begin wondering if things will ever work out, and if so, how it could all work out for everyone; I don’t want to give anything away, so I won’t say anymore — you can read it for yourself, but be assured that Mary Ellis does a superb job of bringing it all together in a fabulous story!
 

 

Will Hope and Stephen get the son they’ve been praying for? – Tweet this!

 

And don’t forget to click below to find out how you can enter Mary’s GIVEAWAY contest!

Mary Ellis Marathon | Giveaway!

God bless you!

 

Copyright © 2013-2015 DJ Mynatt

The New Beginnings (series) | Mary Ellis Marathon

Introducing . . .

The New Beginnings

 Living in Harmony

 

Living in Harmony is the first book in bestselling author Mary Ellis’s New Beginnings series. It’s about fresh starts and love…and how faith in God and His perfect plan for our lives provides us with the peace and joy we desire.

Amy King—young, engaged, and Amish—faces difficult challenges in her life when she suddenly loses both of her parents in a house fire.

Her fiancé, John Detweiler, persuades her and her sister Nora to leave Lancaster County and make a new beginning with him in Harmony, Maine, where he has relatives who can help the women in their time of need.

John’s brother Thomas and sister-in-law Sally readily open their home to the three newcomers. Wise beyond his years, Thomas, a minister in the district, refuses to marry Amy and John upon their arrival, suggesting instead a period of adjustment and counseling.

During this time Amy discovers an aunt who was shunned. She wishes to reconnect with her, but this puts a strain on her relationship with John. Can John and Amy find a way to live in happily in Harmony before making a lifetime commitment to one another?

 

 

Love Comes to Paradise

 

Love Comes to Paradise is the second book in bestselling author Mary Ellis’s New Beginnings series. It’s about fresh starts…and how faith in God and His perfect plans provide the peace and joy all long for.

Nora King believes she is a woman in love. When Elam Detweiler leaves the ultraconservative Amish district of Harmony, Maine, and moves to Paradise, Missouri, Nora follows soon after.

But does she love the man or the independence and freethinking he represents? Although she finds good work in her new town, Nora can’t seem to capture Elam’s Englisch-leaning heart, no matter how hard she tries.

And then, unexpectedly, Lewis Miller comes from Harmony to offer Nora what every woman needs—a lifetime of unconditional love. As Lewis attempts to claim her heart, Elam’s interest piques. Will Nora come to her senses before Elam’s thoughtless choices ruin her reputation beyond repair?

 

 

 A Little Bit of Charm

 

A Little Bit of Charm, the third book in bestselling author Mary Ellis’s New Beginnings series, is about fresh starts…and how faith in God and His perfect plans provide the peace and joy all long for.

After the death of her parents and then watching both of her older sisters find happiness in homes of their own with husbands who adore them, Rachel King yearns for a new beginning.

Her cousin Sarah lives near a thoroughbred stable in Kentucky, and working around beautiful horses is Rachel’s dream come true. She leaves Lancaster County to find a job at Twelve Elms Stables and believes God has answered her prayers.

And then she meets Jake, an attractive and charming Englischman. At first she refuses to go out with him, but he eventually convinces her to give him a chance.

When Amish men who also wish to date Rachel start encountering strange mishaps, she wonders if Jake is really who he seems to be.

What does a young woman do when her heart is pulled in two directions?

 

 
 

Always in My Heart – a novella in the book:

An Amish Miracle

(Not part of the New Beginnings series)

 

 

 

Hope fears her past will continue to threaten her future.

Hope Bowman believes God is punishing her for giving up her firstborn son when she was a teenager. She’s hidden this past from her husband, who is thankful for their daughters but longs for a son. Hope prays desperately, but the son God sends isn’t a new pregnancy. It’s the fifteen-year-old boy she gave away years ago.

 

 

 

And don’t forget to click below to find out how you can enter Mary’s GIVEAWAY contest!

Mary Ellis Marathon | Giveaway!

God bless you!

 

Copyright © 2013-2015 DJ Mynatt.

March 2015 MARATHON | Mary Ellis

 

 

I am dedicating the month of MARCH on my bookshelf blog to:

MARY ELLIS

Mary has graciously offered to sponsor five (5) special giveaways!

ONE WINNER will be selected each Saturday during the month… these 4 WINNERS will each receive a copy of Mary’s latest release, The Last Heiress  — autographed — and sent to you directly from the author!

The GRAND PRIZE WINNER will be selected (and announced) on March 31st… and will receive Mary’s three Historical Novels – The Quaker and The Rebel, The Lady and the Officer, and The Last Heiress! 

WOOHOO!

 

Don’t miss this opportunity to win a book by MARY ELLIS! – Tweet this!

 

 

For a chance to win one of Mary’s books, do the following:

1) follow this blog (if you don’t) – and…

2) leave a comment for Mary (or me)

** Please put your first name in your comment (but don’t add your email address)

 

Now go enter! And tell all your friends about this contest!

 

Want to WIN an intriguing historical romance by Mary Ellis? – Tweet this!

 

Blessings!

 

Please remember that giveaways are limited to US residents only. Visit my giveaway rules page for a complete explanation of the terms and conditions of this giveaway.

Copyright © 2013-2015 donnasbookshelf.

Always His Providence | Ruth Reid Marathon

 

Today I’m reviewing Always His Providence, by the miraculous Ruth Reid.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This novella can be found in An Amish Miracle along with two other novellas by Beth Wiseman and Mary Ellis.

 

Here is a brief synopsis:

Widow Rosa Hostetler has one month to pay her delinquent taxes before the county auctions her farm.

She’s prepared to sell whatever is necessary to pay the lien, but she isn’t willing to request money from the community s widow fund.

She’s embarrassed and refuses to admit she needs help.

Rosa depends on income from selling eggs, but when that income is threatened, only a miracle can help Rosa accept the kindness of a neighbor.

 

Always His Providence by Ruth Reid is an invaluable addition to the collection – An Amish Miracle. – Tweet this!

MY THOUGHTS:

I promise to come back sometime next month and review all three novellas together, but for now, I want to feature Ruth Reid’s novella…

My! What an inspiring story!

Always His Providence is about Rosa Hostetler, who has a little problem with pride… not something unheard of – even among the Amish. Although she is committed to being Amish, Rosa’s pride may just cause her to lose her farm!

If you’ve been following my blogs, you know me by now, and you’ve already figured out that I’m thinking “shame on you, Rosa. Just ask for help!” Poor thing, she’s wallowing in fear, but she’s determined that she’s going to go it alone!

First one thing, then another, comes along to derail Rosa’s plans to save her farm. I won’t say any more, so that I don’t run all the wonderful surprises you’ll find in this amazing story!

Ruth Reid is such a FANTASTIC author! I’ve been reading Amish fiction for years, and I have many favorite authors of Amish fiction, but Ruth’s books will always remain on my TOP SHELF.

If you enjoy reading a story with lots of surprises, you’ll love Always His Providence!

 

 

An Amish Miracle – a collection of beautiful novellas by three very talented authors! – Tweet this!

 

You can read more reviews and more about the book… HERE

You can find more about Ruth on her website… HERE

And don’t forget to click below to find out how you can enter Ruth’s GIVEAWAY contest!

Ruth Reid Marathon | Giveaway!

God bless you!

 

Copyright © 2013-2015 donnasbookshelf.

February 2015 MARATHON | Ruth Reid

 

 

I am dedicating the month of FEBRUARY on my bookshelf blog to:

RUTH REID

Ruth has graciously offered to sponsor 3 weekly giveaways
and 1 (one) GRAND PRIZE giveaway!

 

 
ONE WINNER will be selected each Saturday during the month… these 3 WINNERS will each receive one of Ruth’s inspiring books — autographed — and sent to you directly from the author!

The GRAND PRIZE WINNER will be selected (and announced) on the last Saturday of this month… February 28th… and will receive three of Ruth’s books!

 

Don’t miss this opportunity to win a book by RUTH REID – Tweet this!

 

 

For a chance to win one of Ruth’s books, do the following:

1) follow this blog (if you don’t) and…

2) leave a comment for Ruth (or me)

** Please put your first name in your comment (but don’t put your email address!)
 
Now go enter! And tell all your friends about this contest!
  

Want to WIN an inspiring romance novel by Ruth Reid? – Tweet this!

 

Blessings!

 

Please remember that giveaways are limited to US residents only. Visit my giveaway rules page for a complete explanation of the terms and conditions of this giveaway.

Copyright © 2013-2015 donnasbookshelf.