5 comments about Born Amish.

1. Timely shipment and in great condition. I was very pleased with order.



2. It was so enlighting. It really was interesting to me to actually read about the Amish communitity.



3. This was an interesting book. However, the content was, in my opinion, limited. It was more like an outline with a few details. Information was interesting; but seemed to skim the surface of everyday Amish life.



4. This is the true story of how one woman made the change and left the Amish lifestyle. It tells of the personal struggles of leaving family and lifetime friends all behind to adventure into a new life and follow one's own convictions. Very well written and informative. You can almost feel the pain this lady went through to start her new way of life!
   I feel that all books are over-priced and for that reason I give this book only four stars!



5. this was good book.you can learn a lot.some of it is hard to remember,such as which type bonnet etc.but it was good.she could have even went into more detail of the mistreatment she felt she received from her family,but its the amish way not to offend.nadia rehmani -authoor of sharper than a two edged sword-one woman's walk into Islam and out.thats my story

5 comments about The Storekeeper's Daughter (Daughters of Lancaster County, Book 1).

1. I really enjoyed this book, The story was sweet and engaging and it was a fast easy read that let me live in a different world for awhile.



2. I have always been curious about the Amish and the way they live, the simple life. So when I found this book at the Library I had to read it and I couldn't put it down once I started. You can relate to the characters easily ie: Naomi a young 20 yr old Amish girl who promises her dying mother she would care for her siblings and to do this gives up her own love life. Its a touching book. I HIGHLY recommend this book!!



3. ...because before then, it was just basically chronicling how hard Naomi's life was.
   
   I will say this book was better than "A Sister's Secret", even though Grace and Naomi were basically the same character. Ms. Brunstetter seems to portray all Amish as good, and all English as bad. If you read enough of her books, you'll recognize this pattern.
   
   I will say there are as many advantages to being Amish as there is to being English. I would love to be able to cook and quilt and sew as well as they can (well, I can cook, at least, the other I can't do at all), not to mention being able to speak a second language. Though they may not be intellectuals, they are a very industrious people. I have to believe though, that if given the chance, a few of their men and women are brilliant enough to compose classical music or perform surgeries. I, personally, consider it a sin to waste a talent only God can endow an individual with.
   
   I do wish Ms. Brunstetter would paint at least one English character in a good light. In "A Sister's Secret", the news reporter was a jerk, as was the guy who wanted to buy their land, the English grandparents were cruel and jerked Grace's (the Amish heroine's) daughter away from her, then dumped her back off four years later when they could no longer care for her; in "Plain and Fancy", Laura Meade (an Englischer), was portrayed as Godless and snobby, not to mention her boyfriend back home and college acquaintance.
   
   That brings me to this book, where, again, Naomi's English friend Ginny, turns out to be not her friend at all (for once Ginny reunites with her English friend in Portland, she dumps Naomi like a hot potato and expects her to cook for them all the time--I think she just used Naomi so she would have someone to ride with her out there because she didn't have the nerve to drive halfway across the country alone), and then there's Jim and Linda Scott. Jim isn't a bad person, really, but he does do something really bad, and Linda, oh-my-gosh, what a nag! I really don't see how he put up with her. I have never understood this obsession with some people wanting to have a child. It's like they can't be happy (or don't allow themselves to be) unless they have one. It's not a tragedy being childless. A tragedy is when you do have a child and something, well, tragic happens to them. That's a tragedy. It's like people who can't be happy unless they're married. Sure, I would prefer to be married, but if you're not happily single, you won't be happily married.
   
   Anyway, that's how this Linda was--never happy. She no sooner had Zach/Jimmy than she wanted another (and she couldn't even handle the one she had!). Just something about that woman sickened me. She really came across as unbalanced.
   
   Having a child actually seemed to weaken the Scott's marriage (though all children are a blessing from God, they`re not always good for a marriage, as I think Jim only wanted to adopt to please his wife). I do think Zach/Jimmy being an illegal adoption put stress on Jim, thus putting stress on their marriage, but I don't think that was all of it. Linda was just a little bit fixated. The woman really grated on my nerves.
   
   It's funny, but the secondary romance between Abraham Fisher (Naomi's father) and Fannie Miller was much more interesting and emotional than the one between Naomi and Caleb Hoffmeir. I also think Fannie's daughter, Abby, was a bit over the top in her adoration of her mother. It was actually a bit creepy.
   
   I think it would have been harder for Naomi to come home if Ginny had been a nice, quiet girl, who actually showed something positive about being English. It's takes a more skilled author to have a hero or heroine have to choose between two good things, or a good and a better thing, than it is to have them choose between a right choice and a wrong one.
   
   Ms. Brunstetter takes a bit long setting the stage before the action starts, but once it starts, I don't want to stop reading. Because of her books, I no longer go by the fifty page rule, meaning if the story doesn't interest me by fifty pages, I put it down.
   
   The scene where Naomi comes home was so touching, I actually had tears rolling down my cheeks, and if an author can make me do that, well, she's written a pretty good story. (Now, if only she could make me laugh, too). She just needs to make her heroines (and their loves) a little more interesting.



4. Okay, overall, I liked the Daughters of Lancaster County series. Reading the first one - Storekeeper's Daughter - definitely made me want to read the second, then I *had* to read the third. It was more about needing closure on the storyline begun in book one than loving to read her books.
   With that non-glowing review as a starter, I would still recommend this series. I appreciated the display of faith in God's direction despite the world falling down around them. I have not read many books about Amish culture so I found that interesting.
   
   My 3 star rating is because I thought they were fine books, just not on my top 10 list.



5. This is a great book for people who don't want adventure or romance in their lives. For people who approve of staying home. For people who like to do chores.
   
   Do you know, the love affair between Naomi and Caleb was the boringest romance I've ever read? They never even kissed. These two are destined for a life of pious mediocrity.
   
   For people who approve of pious mediocrity, this is just the book for you.

5 comments about Recapture the Wonder.

1. The Lord has truly blessed Mr. Zacharias with wisdom, intellect, and clarity that most can only dream of. Thank God for Ravi's ability to write, and share his gift with us!
   
   In "Recapture the Wonder", Ravi paints a beautiful picture of this Wonder that is within the reach of each one of us. The way to experiencing it has never been hidden from us. We just overlook it in our busy day to day lives. Mr. Zacharias has presented nothing new in this book, but he has provided much needed clarity, which will aid many in revealing the awesome capacity for wonder that God has placed inside of all of us. The key, of course is not in us, or anything else in this world. The key to true wonder is found in God's word. And the true experience only comes by living in God's perfect will.
   
   For so many of us, it is unattractive to think of submitting to anyone's will but our own. We too often continue in our selfish pursuits, only to go to bed each night exausted and still starving for more. But, our desires can only be fulfilled through the One who put those desires there in the first place. Through Christ alone, we can be restored to an intimate relationship with God as it was intended to be from the beginning. In Christ, we can truly experience the joy and wonder of life that God wants for each of us. Mr. Zacharias' book brilliantly points us back to this truth.
   
   If you feel that something is missing in your life, read this book! It won't fill the hole, but it will point you exactly where you need to go.



2. An awesome book, although that shouldn't be a surprise coming from Ravi Zachariah. I found it to be invaluable. If you're prone to approach life from the perspective of intellectual skepticism, then you're familiar with the longings that this book attempts to address. Like C.S. Lewis, Ravi carefully steps up to one of the great voids in life and tries to gently lead you along the path of finding its fulfillment. If you remember a time when life was filled with adventure and hopeful potential, but have found that overshadowed by a pessimism masquerading itself as an empty 'realism,' come with an open mind and go for it! It'll sweep you off your feet!



3. This book is a good, simple book on wonder. It is not intellectually loaded like Winter's _Still Bored_, and it is not a poetic masterpiece like Weight of Glory or Manalive -- it is just a good, solid, straight-shooting book talking about some problems Christians can have after a while, where life just seems to always be the same old thing with no magic or sparkle, and some ideas on how to get wonder back, viz. by being grateful, immersing oneself in Christ's love, and practicing some spiritual disciplines.
   
   Zacharias` writing style is very good and pious, and the stories he shares exude love for Christ, which was very nice and uplifiting in an ordinary sweet sort of way. However, I was hoping for content that was a little more magical, with longing and wonder encased in poetic phrasing and literary suspense. Perhaps Zacharias' gift is more along the lines of straightforward prose -- I don't know, as this is the first Ravi book I've read. Just make sure you read this book for what it is, and enjoy it where it's good.



4. it's rare to find someone that conveys ideas both through linguistic skills and content depth- RaviZacharias does it! I guess growing up in Italy and attending the Univerisity of Bologna - has to do with how much I enjoyed his style of writing! ...the author talks about our spiritual quest in becoming a follower of Christ- NOT being a religious person.
   from page 78- chapter 3 "passionate persuit, misdirected search" 'it is not about a ritual; it is about a relationship. It is not about the posture of the body; it is about the need of the soul. It is not about the times of the day; it is about the timelessness of His presence...'
   ...could we be pre-programmed to re-unite with a higher power?



5. This is a wonderful book. As always, Zacharias is able to cut right to the heart of the matter and do so with a deft and insightful touch. For myself, I read the book because it sounded interesting but had no idea that it would speak to me as aptly as it did. The loss of wonder and joy is something that we overlook and underestimate frequently. But as Zacharias points out, this loss can effect much more than our happiness.
   
   A fantastic read if you are feeling jaded and a bit dog-eared by the world and it's stresses.

5 comments about Dark Harvest (Maplecreek Amish Trilogy #2).

1. I usually don't read "romantic mysteries" because they can be too much sweetness and not enough suspense. This book had plenty of suspense, which made me keep reading into the wee hours of the morning. I especially enjoyed reading about the Amish, as I have had several opportunities to visit places around the country where they live. I really enjoyed Kat Lindley, and I hope we find out more about her future life in the Amish community. If you liked this book, also read PLAIN TRUTH by Jodi Picoult. This is a mystery set in the Amish country of Pennsylvania.



2. A policewoman goes undercover in an Amish community to try and discover who is terrorising them. She quickly falls in love with the Amish lifestyle, and puts herself into practically suicidal situations to uncover the truth.
   
   This book took me a long time to finish - I read about three other books in the time it took me to reach the end of this exercise in tedium. You know you're in trouble when you can pick up a book after a week and continue straight on without having to refresh your memory. Dark Harvest is very tame, and the crimes committed against the Amish wouldn't make a seasoned pre-teen R.L. Stine reader blink. Harper mostly seems interested in telling us, over and over and over again, how wonderful the Amish are and how dedicated Kat is in regards to capturing the evil culprit causing them grief. I get the picture! Stop talking about it already and go find the guy!
   
   MIRA needs to find some crime writers more along the lines of Alex Kava. She's certainly had her share of duds, but she can at least strike a good balance between crime and romance, and isn't afraid to delve into darker territory.



3. Set in Amish country, the little town of Maplecreek is having all too many hate crimes and no one can seem to solve anything until..... an outsider comes in, disguised as Amish and uses her cop experience to the fullest.
   
   It seems the Bishops are prime targets as are the children. It is very suspenseful and intriguing to watch this story unfold and with it a sweet, sweet love story as well.
   
   I happened to read book three first, and this is book two, but they can be read alone or in series.



4. I just finished this book, the second one in the Maplecreek Trilogy. I CAN'T wait to start the next (and unfortunately the last) "Dark Angel". These books are so great. I couldn't put either one of them down once I started to read them. I just love Karen Harper as a writer. I wish she would write more about the amazing "Plain People" of Maplecreek. I felt like one of them while reading the first two books...



5. I love Karen Harper. She provides a great story and wonderful character interaction...she is also one of the few authors I can safely give to my mom to read. :)

3 comments about The Gentle People: An Inside View of Amish Life.

1. This book was packed full of Amish informaton about day to day life and an insight into the Amish way of living. I am continually amazed at their self-discipline and consistency in everything they do.



2. I enjoyed reading "The Gentle People: An Inside View of Amish Life". I recommend this book for those who are either doing a research paper about the Amish or is interesting in the Amish life or becoming Amish. This book makes me want to live with an Amish family so I can find out if the Amish life is for me.



3. Such a good book with so much insight into the Amish world, a must read for everyone.

5 comments about Twist of Faith: The Story of Anne Beiler, Founder of Auntie Anne's Pretzels.

1. Although I did find the "back and forth" between the past and the present to be a little confusing, overall, this book is well worth reading because it shows many of today's problems cut across all social classes and religions. For instance, I was quite amazed at Anne's daughters not wanting to go to school, trying homeschooling, partying, etc. I would have expected her children to be more ambitious, somehow, but perhaps those are my own biases. At any rate, it seems the Catholics are not alone in terms of predatory priests, and it is really shocking that a Mennonite preacher could get away with such abuse for so long. It just undermines the whole fabric of the community. Anne internalized things, blaming herself, when it fact, it was the behavior of others that was wrong. One of the major thoughts I have after reading this book is that Anne never set out to do any of this, and accomplished an enormous amount, whereas many children from upper class families set out to "conquer the world," and never manage to do so. There is a lot to be learned from someone who does not come from wealth, but then becomes successful. The fact that she has shared so much of this wealth does put many others to shame, those who do not consider helping others in need.



2. I really enjoyed book. It was a bit confusing going back and forth between time lines, but book was well worth re-reading to catch timing.



3. This was a great book and it was exactly what I expected.
   Everyone should read this book. I could not put it down.I loved it.



4. Anne Beiler's inspiring story of her life made it a very worthwhile book to read despite the layout of the book with mixing the past and present. The story about the tragic loss of her daughter cuts to the heart of any Mom. What I loved most was the tenacity to keep moving forward despite the many difficulties and challenges that she faced.
   
   As a Christian, I love the fact that she is not shy about expressing her faith in God and crediting Him for helping her through all the ups and downs in her personal and professional life. This isn't just about how the best pretzels on earth came about (although that part is fascinating) but it's about family, faith and finding fortune by persevering.
   
   After reading this book, what I realized most of all is that it's the journey that counts (not fame or fortune) and that's where you'll find your greatest blessings. Often they are right under your nose.



5. Book arrived in time and in excellent condition. I really enjoyed reading it, too. Not all that well-written it is still a fascinating - and amazin - true story of one woman's struggle to succeed.

5 comments about The Simple Life: Devotional Thoughts from Amish Country.

1. This is a delightful book that helps me to start my day "simply" every day. The stories are a gentle reminder to appreciate God's gifts in every moment. And the recipes are just wonderful. I have made the melt in your mouth biscuits so often that my book is permanently creased in that spot! And my kids love the haystacks and double treat cookies. This books is really jam packed with recipes and inspiration. Thank you Wanda Brunstetter! :)



2. I love this devotional! It helps me to slow down and enjoy life and all God has given to me. I have gone through the book once already, and now I am reading it again, but this time I'm sharing it with my husband. He is also enjoying it. The recipes at the end of each devotional are a nice addition. I have even tried a few!



3. I find this book to be such a great help to me in my daily life, I recently lost my 18 year old grandson in a car wreck, it's a great lost to our whole family, but Wanda's devotional has really helped me in many ways. I recommend this book to anyone, it can only inprove their spititual life.



4. I just received this book yesterday but have already looked all the way thru it glancing at the recipes...Which look very good. There is also little stories and bible verses..A good collection to my cookbooks.



5. This simple book is anything but simple, You get God's word and a wonderful story that can be applied to anyone. the recipe's were a nice bonus. My son even thought what a nice devotional book this was. May God bless everyone who reads it.

5 comments about Levi's Will.

1. Dale Cramer is a master storyteller--one of the best in the CBA (and the ABA for that matter). I usually gravitate toward the thriller/suspense/horror genre but I'll read anything by Dale Cramer. Levi's Will was a pure joy to read, simply because of Cramer's quality writing. Highly recommend it. A must read.



2. In 1985, sixty-year-old Will McGruder gets the sad news that his elderly father has passed away, and Will heads to Apple Creek, Ohio, for the funeral, accompanied by Riley, his thirty-five-year-old son. And, Will begins to re-examine his past, his relationships, his values, and his life.
   
   In 1943, nineteen-year-old Will Mullett decides he cannot stay with his rigid, dogmatic, Old Order Amish family, and heads out to face the evil, the challenges, the complexity, the diversity, and the beauty of the World.
   
   Will McGruder is Will Mullett.
   
   W. Dale Cramer has given us a wondrous gift of prose in this introspective fictional biography. Adeptly shifting back and forth between two time-lines (the days between Will's father's death and Will's father's funeral, and the decades between Will's departure from home and his father's death), we get to ride along as Will ponders such weighty issues as the meaning of life, the differences between rituals and relationships, the differences between religion and faith and beliefs and values, the tendency for people to parent their own children not very differently from how they were raised (despite vowing to do otherwise), and how to live with, and grow beyond, one's own mistakes. Mr. Cramer has created a realistic protagonist who is truly three-dimensional, in this character study of a character who is worthy of study.
   
   The writing in "Levi's Will" flows evenly and deeply. In Orson Scott Card's "How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy," Mr. Card cites the late Octavia Butler as a prime example of an author who loaded every line with meaning, and gives the first line of Ms. Butler's "Wild Seed" as an example. Mr. Cramer has gone a step further, in a way, as even the title, "Levi's Will" has many different meanings, all of which gradually emerge throughout this rich tale of humanity, grief, tragedy, triumph, and love.
   
   Chapter 36 of "Levi's Will" deserves special mention, as it is a turning point for the protagonist, and is a wonderful essay on the meaning of life, love, and belief. All of the bits and pieces of wisdom encountered by Will McGruder/Mullett finally coalesce into an epiphany that changes his world-view, and the reader gets to join that moment of wonder. Mr. Cramer manages to do this with finesse, and it really gives the reader a chance to re-examine his or her own beliefs and values, without feeling that the author is preaching or dictating the "Truth" or the "right" answers.
   
   In some ways, I am startled that I enjoyed this book, and that I wrote what I wrote in this review. While I have always held strong moral and spiritual beliefs, I long ago turned away from organized religion, because of the rigid dogma and ritual I had encountered. From reading the description and reviews of this book, one might get the impression that religion is the focus of the story. I see it differently. Religion is the context of "Levi's Will," but its focus is really on the beliefs, values, ethics, and morality that are supposed to be the true messages of religion. I think there is much that is of value in "Levi's Will" for the Christian, and for anyone of any other religion, as well as for agnostics and even atheists. At it's root, "Levi's Will" is a tale, well told, about values and the power of love.



3. My husband and I picked up a stack of CD's to listen to on a long car trip. Levi's Will had "Inspirational Fiction" on it so we thought it might not be too bad. We were immediately drawn in by the story and couldn't wait to get back to it each time stopped. Dale is an excellent writer, and the story was indeed inspirational. I was so impressed with his writing that I bought all of his other books. I thought they would be a great addition for our church library.
   Sorry to say, I have been disappointed. It seems to me he did not intend for women to read Bad Ground. As I read it, I kept thinking that my husband would really enjoy this story, but I felt I was intruding in a man's world. I haven't been able to finish Sutter's Cross. It started out pretty interesting, but it became obvious what was going to happen in the end. It just didn't hold my interest.
   I will never forget the story of Levi's Will.



4. As both a author and reader of Christian fiction I was impressed with Levi's Will. The characters seemed real and the story line was believable. I guess that I just like books that can hold my interest and make me think at the same time. I recommend this book. Time keeps me from writing a longer review but I wanted to get something posted.
   Tommy Taylor



5. Will is tired of being ostracized by his father and others in the Amish community because he has impregnated a young girl. He runs away from home, thinking that he can leave his past behind, but as the years pass, he discovers that some things are too big and too fundamental to run away from. Will attempts to come home and reconcile with his father, but the
   old man will not be budged. He will not share a meal or a conversation with Will, something that Will's sons notice and ponder.
   
   This book is about timeless themes--the relationship between fathers and sons, the destructiveness of unforgiveness, and the glorious possibilities of reconciliation and obedience to God. W. Dale Cramer is one of the best Christian writers of our day, blending harsh reality with the redeeming love of God. His characters are real and unforgettable. I heartily recommend this book!

2 comments about The Postcard/The Crossroads/Sanctuary (Amish Country Crossroads 1-3).

1. This was another one of her terrific books.She always writes in such a way that you can't wait to read the next one. Nadia Rehmani-writer of Sharper Than A Two Edged Sword-that can be found right her also on Amazon.



2. I received this book as a gift some time ago & put off reading it, thinking it was geared more toward female readers than male readers. I suppose that's true, but it doesn't matter much. I started reading The Postcard & finished within a few days. Now I have started reading The Crossroads at first to see what happens to the main characters next. This book is a good read, not even close to what I imagined it would be!

5 comments about Growing Up Amish: Insider Secrets from One Woman's Inspirational Journey.

1. Seeing that this book had received a 5 star review, I assumed it would be very good and informative. I was completely wrong. The book itself, does not specifically address her amish upbringings. She speaks of her own issues with her parents and siblings who used to tease her for being overweight. Honestly, there was nothing different about her experience that differed so greatly from the average American's. If one wasn't aware the author was writing about the Amish, they would have no basis to assume differently. Also, the book itself was very poorly edited. She would be speaking in 3rd person and then suddenly jump to first. Same thing with active and passive voice. And don't get me started on the number of times she used apostrophes incorrectly.
   All this having been said, this book is written at the level of a 3rd grader, however the material is in no way appropriate for that age group. I believe Ms. Olson had only the best intentions in writing this book but needed help getting her message across which she did not receive. If an editor could get their hands on this book and help her flesh out her ideas, I think this book could be greatly improved.



2. Being a teacher I had a difficult time reading this book. The grammatical and spelling errors were quite a distraction. It was not at all what I had hoped for. I read a lot of Amish fiction and wanted to know more of the factual information about this group.



3. This is NOT a story at all. This is just little tidbits about her feeling fat during her time as amish. There was more "lessons on how not to treat your own children this way," than really telling a story about her life. The book was way overpriced and there were Many misspellings.



4. This book was a gift for Mother's Day. It arrived in a timely manor and was in perfect shape. The price was very reasonable and since it was hard to find in book stores locally, was very convenient to be delivered to my home. I buy many books and products from Amazon and will continue to do so. With gas prices as they are, it will be that more and more gifts and personal items will be purchased this way... Thanks. ck



5. i am sorry i wasted my money. it is not worth what i paid for it. very dull and boring