'Letters from Ruby' by Adam Thomas

About this book:

“When the newly ordained Episcopal priest Rev. Calvin Harper arrives in Victory, West Virginia, to be the pastor at an ailing parish, he has no idea how much he still has to learn about being a priest. Thankfully, Ruby Redding takes the young man under her wing and teaches him everything she has learned throughout her long, storied life. Seminary never taught Calvin that the only true way to be a witness to God s presence in this world is to remain in relationships with people no matter what life throws at them. His studies never taught him that detachment is the bane of ministry. He never learned that deep grief comes only from deep love. But in his first year in Victory, Calvin learns all this and more from Ruby, a woman so full of God s light that it can t help but spill onto the people around her.”


 Series: As of now, no.

Spiritual Content- Calvin is a Pastor, many prayers and sermons.

Negative Content- Two ‘What the h*ll’s (A police officer says one, then Calvin echoes it in his mind), A ‘heck’, Calvin drinks four beers, but later throws up saying that was four beers too many; One lady makes a comment about another lady’s chest.

Sexual Content- Aris says she had to coax her husband out of his workshop.

-Calvin Harper

                                                              P.O.V. of Calvin (With letters from Ruby)

                                                                       316 pages

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(and a half)

I found this book very interesting, the story line & the writing style. Ruby is so sweet and tells many stories from her life time in her letters to Calvin. Stories about how the Great Depression and WWII shaped her life.

Because of the Negative & Sexual content, ‘Letters from Ruby’ got lower stars.

*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

*I received this book for free from the Publisher for this review.

'Christmas in Apple Ridge' {3-in-1 Collection} by Cindy Woodsmall

Series:  The Apple Ridge Series, books 1-3

 

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Book 1- ‘The Sound of Sleigh Bells’ by Cindy Woodsmall

“Beth Hertzler works alongside her beloved Aunt Lizzy in their dry goods store, and serving as contact of sorts between Amish craftsmen and Englischers who want to sell the Plain people’s wares. But remorse and loneliness still echo in her heart everyday as she still wears the dark garb, indicating mourning of her fiancé. When she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth’s soul responds and she wants to help the unknown artist find homes for his work–including Lizzy’s dry goods store. But she doesn’t know if her bishop will approve of the gorgeous carving or deem it idolatry.
Lizzy sees the changes in her niece when Beth shows her the woodworking, and after Lizzy hunts down Jonah, the artist, she is all the more determined that Beth meets this man with the hands that create healing art. But it’s not that simple–will Lizzy’s elaborate plan to reintroduce her niece to love work? Will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she’s always dreamed of and a second chance at real love–or just more heartbreak?”

Spiritual Content-  Psalm 4:8, Many Scriptures & Prayers are said.

                 

Negative Elements- N/A

Sexual Content- Two almost kisses that get interrupted.

-Beth Hertzler

-Jonah Kinsinger                                                     

                       P.O.V. switches between Beth & Jonah

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Book 2- ‘The Christmas Singing’ by Cindy Woodsmall

“After Gideon coldly broke her heart, can the warmth of the season revive Mattie’s hopes?
Mattie thought her childhood sweetheart adored her until he abruptly ended their engagement on Christmas Eve.
Three years later, will learning the truth behind his rejection restore her Christmas joy – or open the door to even deeper heartbreak?
Spend Christmas with the Amish in this story of love, romance, heartache, and restoration.
Experience the holidays with the Plain folk and discover the power of second chances in this touching story from the author of the New York Times bestseller, The Bridge of Peace.
Gideon Beiler has loved Mattie Eash since they were children. But when faced with unexpected circumstances, he makes up an excuse to end their engagement. He doesn’t want to lie to her, but he believes that telling Mattie the truth will be more hurtful.  
Brokenhearted, Mattie moves from Apple Ridge, Pennsylvania to Ohio, where she pursues her longtime dream of becoming a cake decorator. She finds a new beau—a man offering the secure relationship Gideon has denied her.  
When Mattie is forced to return to Apple Ridge, she and Gideon must confront the suffering created by his dishonesty – and address the powerful emotions that continue to bind the two childhood friends.”

Spiritual Content- Scriptures & Prayers are said.

Negative Elements-

N/A

Sexual Content- A Kiss

-Mattie

-Gideon

                         P.O.V. switches between them & Sol

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Book 3- ‘The Dawn of Christmas’ by Cindy Woodsmall

“Sadie enjoys her freedom away from home and her mission trips to Peru, but after four years, her Old Order Amish family insists it’s time to come home and settle down. Levi, a bachelor who distrusts women after a family heartbreak, also has no desire for romance. To keep their families from meddling in their lives, Sadie and Levi devise a plan—but soon discover that the walls around their hearts are breaking down. Can they let go of their prejudices, learn to trust each other, and embrace a future together?”

Spiritual Content- Like the first two, Scriptures & Prayers are said.

Negative Elements- N/A

Sexual Content- Kisses

-Sadie

-Levi

              P.O.V. switches between them, Beth & Jonah

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 I really enjoy Amish fiction, and this one was very good! My favorite was the first one. :)

Don't forget to check out the Author's website, read chapter one, and buy it here! 

 

 

          

*I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

*BFCG recommends this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

'Fifteen Minutes' by Karen Kingsbury {Blog Tour!}

The Author

Fifteen Minutes by Karen Kingsbury

Reviewed by Books for Christian Girls

Fiction Addict Blog Tours

Genre: Drama

Publisher: Howard Books

Pub Date: October 29, 2013

Karen Kingsbury’s new book asks the question: What Would You Sacrifice For Fame? 

(Synopsis from Amazon.com) "Zack Dylan made a promise to God and his college sweetheart as he left his family’s horse farm in Kentucky to compete on the popular reality television show Fifteen Minutes: If he makes it, the fame won’t change him. 

Overnight, Zack is the nation’s most popular contestant, a country singer with the looks and voice of a young Elvis. As his star rises, Zack is asked to compromise and quiet his beliefs, and also something more. Something Zack could never have imagined. Just as America is falling in love with Zack, just as he’s on the verge of winning it all, his choices lead him to the brink of personal disaster. 

At the same time, Reese Weatherly, a therapeutic horse instructor, is no longer sure about her relationship with Zack, or the wedding they had dreamed about. While Zack advances from one round of the competition to the next, an offer comes to Reese—one that will take her to a home halfway around the world. 

Then Chandra Olson—reigning diva pop star and one of the Fifteen Minutes judges—intervenes. Chandra has suffered so much public pain and private agony since her days as a Fifteen Minutes contestant. Now she wants just one thing: meaning. 

Can Chandra’s private losses help Zack find his way, or will his fifteen minutes of fame cause him to lose the life he once loved? Fifteen Minutes is a story of character, compromise, and the cost of having it all. A story that raises the question: Who are the real winners?"

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 Series: As of now, no.

Spiritual Content- Ecclesiastes 2:17, Philippians 4:13; All three main characters pray; Scriptures are quoted.

Negative Content- Kelly’s boyfriend smokes weed; a ‘crap’ said by Chandra.

Sexual Content- Kelly says she used to be “America’s Sexist Sweetheart”; Kelly says “Hey Sexy” to her boyfriend; Zach shares some kisses and then lusts after that girl; A (random) girl tweets Zach saying the spot in her bed is his.

-Zach Dylan

-Reese Weatherly

-Chandra Olson

                                              P.O.V. switches between Zach, Reese, Chandra & Kelly

                                                                       353 pages

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I truly enjoyed this book, but because of the sexual content, I had to lower it. “Fifteen Minutes” by Karen Kingsbury really got me thinking; fame isn’t what it’s cracked up to be.

 Fifteen Minutes is available to purchase from Amazon.com & is in stores now!

 

*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

*I received this book as part of the Fifteen Minutes blog tour from Fiction Addict. I received no compensation for this review and only received a copy of the book for review purposes.  Review copy provided by the publisher.