'The Thorn (Rose Trilogy Book 1)' by Beverly Lewis

Genre: Amish Fiction

About: (From Beverly Lewis' website)
The Rose Trilogy is the stirring saga of two Amish sisters, and the events and decisions that change their lives.Spirited Rose Ann Kauffman has long enjoyed a close friendship with the bishop's rebellious foster son. Rose's older sister, Hen--who knows more than she should about falling for the wrong man--cautions her against him, but Rose is being courted by another, and so dismisses the warnings. Hen Kauffman Orringer's impulsive marriage to an outsider divided her from the People, a decision she regrets now that she has a daughter of her own. As Hen struggles to reclaim aspects of Amish culture, her very modern husband pushes back, and the two soon come to an impasse. Can she find a way to reconcile her longing for the Old Ways with the life she has chosen?


Why I wanted to read this book:

• I believe that no one does Amish fiction like Beverly Lewis and whenever she has a new book I'm the first on the list of requests!!

What worked for me:

•  I absolutely loved the premise of the storyline for this trilogy. I think Lewis is really taking risks in this book and writing about taboo subjects within the Amish culture and shedding some light on them.
•  Lewis portrays the Amish as real humans, not saints and that is why I really enjoy her books.
•  Many of us have went against our parent's wishes, but few of us are ever shut out of a way of life because of it. I'm intrigued by how strictly the Amish adhere to their customs, even though they themselves may not agree with what the Bishop dictates, they nonetheless follow it.
• The sister relationship in this book has many different layers. I loved both girls, Hen and Rose. I could easily understand how Hen's falling in love with an outsider made her make a rash decision to leave her Amish roots behind her. It isn't until she has her own child that she realizes something very important is lacking in her life and the life she wants her daughter to live.
• I can not wait until the next installment because I really need to know what is going to happen with Hen's marriage and Rose's love interests!!
• I have found myself just a smidgen in love with Nick who is the Bishop's foster son. He remembers enough of his previous English life that prevents him from embracing the Amish way of life.
  

What didn't work for me:

• I thought that Lewis made Hen's husband too much of a jerk. I can understand how he may be upset because she wants to start dressing plain again, but he takes it to an extreme that borders on abusive. 

Recommend? If you love Amish fiction then absolutely make sure you read this one. I've read all of Beverly's books and I can say that this one is my favorite of them all and I believe the next two will be outstanding!!!

My Rating: 4.75/5

Source:  My public library
The Thorn, Rose Trilogy Book 1
By Beverly Lewis
Published: September 1, 2010 Bethany House

 

© 2010, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday...What Are you reading?

Mailbox Monday

is hosted by Avis- She Reads and reads (October Host)
We share what books that we found 

in our mailboxes last week.

So Now you're a Zombie: A Handbook for the Newly Undead- review book for Marc from Chicago Review Press
The Blessings of the Animal- from the generous Mary @ Bookfan
The Wife's Tale (audio) - from Mary @ Bookfan

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Hosted by Sheila
One Persons Journey Through a World of Books
Weekly meme where we discuss the books you've read
and those you plan to read in the coming week.

Read and reviewed last week:

The House by Anjuelle Floyd- disappointing read 2.75/5

Death of a Glutton by M.C. Beaton- loved it!! 4/5

Tentative reviews for this week:

The Thorn (Book 1) by Beverly Lewis- Tuesday

Hummingbirds- TLC Tour Stop on Wednesday

Six Sentence Saturday books-

Dracula, My Love

Mr. Darcy's Diary

On my nightstand:

Fitness Friday Update #9

What I've been doing:
I've been eating my emotions that's what I've been doing!! I've had a few things happen in the past couple of weeks where I've found myself very upset and then the next thing I know I'm eating something that is totally not healthy for me but yet tastes so damn good! I've recognized this behavior and I'm really working on trying to make sure that instead of eating chocolate or something greasy, I either go for a walk or do something that is a healthy choice, not a destructive one. I have been walking more too which is a good thing!


Weight Watchers and Me:
I'm going to post some pictures of the mac/cheese that I'm going to make this weekend. It's a Hungry Girl recipe and let me tell you...it rocks!! My son loves it and that's a good thing. I made my first spaghetti squash ever the other day and that was pure bliss!!! I'm working my points and really trying to incorporate some new foods into my daily menu. I'm trying not to get too excited, but I'm only 7 pounds from my goal weight!!!!

Starting weight: 171
3/19/10: 168
4/1/10: 166
4/16/10: 164
4/23/10: 162
5/14/10: 161
5/28/10: 159
6/11/10: 155
6/25/10: 153
9/10/10: 153
10/15/10: 147

'Death of a Glutton' by M.C. Beaton

Genre: Cozy Mystery

About: (From Goodreads)
A greedy glutton meets a gruesome end in the latest Hamish Macbeth mystery. When the woman is found dead--and an apple stuck unceremoniously in her mouth--Macbeth has to postpone his wooing of the Tommel Castle Hotel proprietress, Priscilla, in order to solve the case.

Why I wanted to read this book:

• Several of my blogging buddies love cozy mysteries and this author. I found a bunch of them for 25 cents each last year at my library sale..I bought all that they had!!

What worked for me:

• The witty writing!! It will certainly keep me coming back for more.
• Hamish- I like him and am cheering on his love sickness for Priscilla!!
• The setting of the story- Northern Scotland
• The characters- funny, eccentric, but yet so believable!!
• It was a fast 176 pages.

What didn't work for me:

• I enjoyed it all..just a fun read!
  

Recommend?  Yes, especially to those that love cozies!! The ending has left me wondering though if the real killer was actually caught!!! You know that feeling of finding out you've been bamboozled??? That's how I felt in the end and I'm still wondering if this particular person got away with murder!! P.S. I read this totally out-of-order...I know can you believe it? And it was o.k. I never felt like I missed out on a thing!!

My Rating: 4/5

Source:  My own shelves

© 2010, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

'The House' by Anjuelle Floyd

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

About: (From author's website)
On receiving the very thing she wants—a divorce and the power to sell their house—over which they have fought the past year—Anna Manning learns that Edward, her soon-to-be ex-husband is dying from cancer.

Why I wanted to read this book:

• I was contacted by the author to see if I would like to read and review her book. I'm always interested in reading new authors so I welcomed the opportunity.

What worked for me:

•  The storyline drew me in and made me think what would I do in that situation. I can say that if I was married to the person as long as this character was I think I would have done the same thing.
• The drama between the family members felt very real. Especially the kids taking sides and going so far as to halt all communication with the other parent.

What didn't work for me:

• As hard as I tried I just never felt connected to Anna. I liked her but that wasn't enough for me to really enjoy this book.
• I had a hard time feeling compassion for the dying husband. He held on to his bitterness way too long for me to feel sympathy.
• I felt that the emotions were still on the surface level. The author needed to go deeper for me.

Recommend?  This isn't a book that I would rave about to my friends. I didn't feel satisfied when I finished reading it and not connecting with any of the characters just turned me off. I feel extremely bad about how this book turned out for me, because I know how much time, love, and devotion this author poured into her story. Please keep in mind that this is just my opinion. I would read this author again because I believe in second chances.

My Rating: 2.75/5

Because of my low rating I feel the need to post links from other blogger's who read this one and enjoyed it. Please visit this site so that you get a balanced look at this novel. (if you've read/reviewed this one please send me your link!)
Mind Fog Reviews rated this one 5/5

Source:  the author, Anjuelle Floyd
The House
By Anjuelle Floyd

 

© 2010, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday..What are you reading?

Mailbox Monday

is hosted by Avis- She Reads and reads (October Host)
We share what books that we found 

in our mailboxes last week.

 

The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy- Sourcebooks for review
Hummingbirds- TLC Tour Stop Oct. 20
It's a Book- a gift in the mail from Bonnie @ Redlady's Reading Room

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Hosted by Sheila
One Persons Journey Through a World of Books
Weekly meme where we discuss the books you've read
and those you plan to read in the coming week.

Read and reviewed last week:

Take a Chance on Me- loved this cheeky British Women's Lit 4/5

Running Around (and Such)- made me want to run away screaming 2/5

Tentative reviews for this week:

The House by Anjuelle Floyd- Tuesday

Purple Jesus- Thursday (hopefully!)

Fitness Friday Update- I really will post one I promise!! My husband took my laptop to work on Thursday night so I had no way to do my post..boo hoo!

Six Sentence Saturday books-

I Heart You, You Haunt Me (YA)

Dracula, My Love

On the nightstand:

24 Hour RAT- Hours 12-24 Update

Spartan Celebration went well into the wee hours of the morning while I did the following:

• started book 2 but somewhere around 11:15 or so I fell asleep on the couch with my book.
• Woke up around 2 am, rolled over and went back to sleep!!
• Got up at 6:30 am, made a pot of coffee, and finished book 2.
• As soon as I post this I'm going for an early morning walk with Bruce.
• Mowing the lawn (hopefully for the last time) later today.
• Laundry
• Being outside to enjoy the day. According to our weather guy it is supposed to be around 80 degrees today!!!!!!!!!

Whatever you do today, enjoy it, embrace life and keep that smile on your face!!!!