Kathleen Friesen

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Book Review: Patchwork Dreams

7/19/2015

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TITLE:  Patchwork Dreams (The Amish of Seymour, Book 1)

AUTHOR:  Laura V. Hilton

DATE: 2011

PUBLISHER:  Whitaker House

STARS:  *****

Ever since returning from her rumspringe pregnant and unwed, Becky Troyer has been a pariah in her Amish community in Missouri. Even after the young mother confesses her sin and rejoins the church, her peers continue to shun her, and she despairs the unlikelihood of marrying for love. It seems that her only hope is to eventually marry a widower with a family of his own. 

Becky's world changes when Jacob Miller arrives at her family's farm with the understanding that he will help with chores during the summer and then return to Pennsylvania. What Jacob does not know is that his father, who disapproves of Jacob's sweetheart, Susie, sent him away as part of a plan to introduce new blood into the Amish community of Seymour. In addition to his work around the farm, Jacob undertakes the task of cheering up the lovely yet listless Becky, inviting her to various youth gatherings and offering her the only unconditional friendship she's known. 

As their relationship grows, the two find themselves inexplicably drawn to each other. Will Becky and Jacob overcome their insecurities and self–doubts so that their love can grow, or will Jacob keep his pledge to Susie and turn his back on Becky, as so many others have done?


I fell in love with both Becky and Jacob within the first few pages of this story. Author Laura V. Hilton brings her characters to life with all its complexities. Becky carries the burden of her failure every moment of every day. She has knelt and confessed, but without real forgiveness from the community. As a result, she is bowed but not quite broken. I cheered for her when her back straightened and she stood up for herself.

Jacob was responsible for some of that courage as he challenged her to enjoy life again. Of course, his own problems interfere with his quest to bring a light to Becky’s eyes, with secrets and insecurity blocking their back-and-forth dance toward true love.

This story held me captive, and I thoroughly enjoyed my little visit with the Amish of Seymour. I look forward to reading the rest of this series. Patchwork Dreams earns five stars.

 


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Book Review: Swept Away

7/6/2015

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TITLE:  Swept Away

AUTHOR:  Laura V. Hilton & Cindy Loven

DATE:  November 2014

PUBLISHER:  Abingdon Press

STARS:  *****

Sara doesn’t think she wants love. But her grandmother has other plans.

Sara Jane Morgan is trying to balance teaching with caring for her ailing, stubborn grandmother. When school lets out for the summer, the plans are for Grandma to teach Sara Jane to quilt as they finish up the Appalachian Ballad quilt Grandma started as a teenager. But things don’t always go as planned.

Andrew Stevenson is hiding from his past—and his future. He works as a handyman to pay the bills, but his heart is as an artisan, designing homemade brooms. When Sara Jane’s grandmother hires him to renovate her home, sparks fly between Drew and his new employer’s granddaughter.

Still, it doesn’t take Sara Jane long to see Drew isn’t what he seems. Questions arise, and she starts researching him online. What she discovers could change her life—and her heart—forever.


I love this story. I have to admit, characters burdened by insecurities are easy for me to identify with, and Sara Jane and Drew Stevenson both carry feelings of self-doubt. The tentative relationship between these two as well as their individual relationships with Sara Jane’s grandmother, Sari, swept me into their world of disappointments and longings.

The author’s skill at realistic dialogue and sweet romance shines in this story, and I didn’t want it to end. Her ability to weave the heartache of dementia, tragic losses, and troubled relationships into a tale full of sweetness and hope amazes me. Swept Away easily earns five stars.


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Book Review: Dawn's Prelude (Song of Alaska #1)

7/5/2015

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TITLE:  Dawn’s Prelude (Song of Alaska #1)

AUTHOR:  Tracie Peterson

DATE:  September 2009

PUBLISHER:  Bethany House Publishers

STARS:  ****

Newly widowed Lydia Gray discovers that through an unforeseen fluke, she is the sole recipient of her husband's fortune. But instead of granting her security, it only causes strife as her adult stepchildren battle to regain the inheritance for themselves. Lydia, longing to put the memories of her painful marriage behind her, determines to travel to Alaska to join her aunt. Lydia's arrival in Sitka, however, brings two things she didn't expect. One is the acquaintance of Kjell Bjorklund, the handsome owner of the sawmill. Second is the discovery that she is pregnant with her dead husband's child. What will this mean for her budding relationship with Kjell? And what lengths will her stepchildren go to reclaim their father's fortune? Lydia soon finds her life and that of her child's on the line. 

When an accident claims the lives of Lydia Gray’s father and her brutal husband, she hopes for a simpler, happier life. But the terms of the men’s wills place her in jeopardy at the hands of her greedy, evil stepsons, so she flees to Sitka, Alaska, where her aunt Zerelda lives. The trip is more difficult than expected, and when Lydia finally gets to Sitka, she faints into the arms of Kjell Bjorklund.

Dawn’s Prelude deals with harsh topics of abuse and terrible greed, and the grievous subject overshadowed the romance and place in this story. Author Tracie Peterson paints vivid pictures of the various characters, and I came to care about Lydia, Zee, and Kjell, but not as much as I wanted to. At the same time, the tension-filled story line held me captive until the very end.

I plan to read more books by Tracie Peterson, and this one earns four stars.


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    I’ve always loved music, even before the writing bug hit. Grace notes are little extras, not the actual melody. Just something that adds to the feel of the music. My desire for this blog is to encourage and bless readers, to share a little grace.

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