Short story by Murray Pura

The Last Waltz by Murray Pura


Mitchell Davis lay in a field surrounded by many soldiers some wounded -some dying-some dead.
He knew from the way that he felt he was not dead but gravly wounded and his thoughts turned to home and his beautiful wife Charity, he thought of how they had married young and had two sons -of their home in Ga and the fields he had worked.  He prayed to God remembering the story of Hezekiah and how he had been given more time and how God had stopped the sun and time for him.  He prayed that HE would be given one more day to spend with his beautiful wife, he talked his troops into taking him with them on their trip to Ga and the next battle, though many thought he would never be able to make the trip.  He knew they would pass his home and wanted to beg a short stay there before returning to battle.

By God's Grace he made the trip and spent a beautiful day with his wife, cutting wood for her to have through the coming winter, bathing with her in the nearby creek, loving her as he had wanted to all the months  and years he had been gone.  They talked as only two can -that have been separated so long.  Charity fixed him food to nourish his body for the time he would have to leave again, she knew they only had today and he must leave by sunrise.

All during the day Charity kept thinking she would hear Mitchell behind her and turn -to find him not there but see him through the window, many times she felt his presence and turn to find emptiness.
 
They had a ball room in their huge home and that night they waltzed to a tune they heard in their hearts, knowing they would soon have to part again but thankful God had given him this time.  It was a magical enchanted evening with stars so bright and pure sweet love enveloped them...

Morning light came all too soon and Mitchell ate a quick breakfast and left on his horse, Macon, Charity watched him go then went back to the house to do her chores and carry on.

There were sounds of war from the nearby battles for days and when she looked out one day she saw a bloodied horse, Macon was standing in the drive, he kept looking around as if to find his master.   Running she through her arms around the huge horse then cried and cried as she felt in her heart that Mitchell was now gone.
 Suddenly she felt a prescence behind her, she walked home with her chin up-cleaned Macon up-fed him then walked to her home knowing that all would be OK and she would live alone remembering "The Last Waltz" ......their last day.

Katie's Journey to Love by Jerry S. Eicher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series Emma Raber's Daughter, book #2 "Katie's Journey to Love" by Jerry Eicher


In book #1 we found Katie a young shy girl starting to make changes by going to Mennonite group gatherings and finding two girls who became great friends, Margaret and Sharon.  Her Mamm did not agree to these type friends and there was friction between the two.
Emma had met and married Jesse Mast so book #2 finds Katie adjusting to living in a larger family and the changes that involves.
Jesse's children were not pleased with Emma and her daughter moving in and the oldest daughter Mable in particular who had been doing all the "motherly" things since their mother had died years ago.
Mable wanted her "Datt" to marry the school teacher who she just knew would be a better choice.  The school teacher also had dreams of that happening too.
This story takes us a little further on Katie's journey as she is finally noticed by a young man that she has dreamed about for a long time,Ben.
There will be happiness - sorrow -betrayal and forgiveness needed.  Read and enjoy as I have this story of Katie and Emma finding Love.

I received this book from Harvest House Publishing for an honest review, thank you for sharing.


View all my reviews

Surrendered Love by Laura V. Hilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Surrendered Love by Laura V Hilton


This story has a bishops daughter Janna who is past the time most young people marry, she works in her community by shopping for folks that need the help and some that just need a break.  She enjoys doing this for folks and gives her life meaning until the day she spies a familiar face in the store...He is a policeman with a past of living amish who left long ago never letting anyone know his secret....
Hiram (Troy) Troyer has much guilt from the past but he still remembers the pretty face of Janna and he pursues her when he knows he has no right to.
The bishop sees a future for this young man back in the amish community and he lets his daughter know that she should see him, he feels the feelings between them will bring him back, letting him forgive himself,letting others forgive him and begin to live again instead of hiding behind "being a policeman".
one sister of Janna's left the community long ago and she has brought her daughter there hoping her parents can help the troubled young woman, Meghan test every boundry and is not happy living amish though she loves her grandparents.  It is soon seen that she is in trouble with the law after shoplifting, When Troy an english type comes around to see Janna this confuses her even more.
Troy the policeman wants to work with the Bishop and Janna who are joint gaurdians of the young girl, this will let him see more of Janna and also help a little...
I was totally surprised by the ending and how this couple was able to come to grips with all the worldly things around.  It made me think of the good and bad influences in our lives and of our choices we make that balance things.  you will enjoy this unusual amish story by Laura.


View all my reviews

Field of Daisies by Barbara Hattemer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Field of Daisies by Barbara Hattemer

I loved the cover of this book and the romance story sounded like it would be great about Lans and Andrea meeting as young children and going on to become so much more then friends.
But....the main story is about Alzheimer disease and Barbara tells it well because her family had it -generational.
The farm is an important part of the family where the children met and where they married in a field of daisies, so romantic..
Andrea and Lans fathers were business men and always working and or gone on business trips.  The families had wealth and all the things monies could buy but never enough "family time together".
This was one of the things Lans and Andrea had in comon and it was a part of why their friendship was so important.
They saw one another very little growing up yet a bond had been forged when they met at the farm and they never forgot one another.  Growing into teens and then into the college years they knew there was a special bond between them and they would one day be together.
Lans was a serious young man and Andrea was full of fun and happiness, they seem to balance each other.
After marriage they had two children and lived the good life and when her father invited Lans to become a partner in his firm it looked like life could not get any better.
They moved back to Pa and lived near the farm where they went with the children on many mini vacations where the family was together.  but soon Andrea's father died and Lans had full run of business and was busier then ever.
When Andrea found out her mother had alzheimers she spent more and more time helping her and less with her husband who was devastated she would choose her mother over him.
I hope you will read and understand all that life entailed for this mother and daughter to walk this journey and how it affected the family.  Andrea's faith waivered and she spent much time in fear that she too would catch this disease and knew her husband would not be there for her.
I loved reading the scriptures about Blessings and healing, We need our Fathers guidance daily to walk through a journey such as this one.


View all my reviews

Finding Home by Marianne Evans
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Marianne Evans writes a Christmas holiday book "Finding Home"

This story starts with Alexa being devastated when her fiance changes his mind after meeting another woman.  Alexa thought they would be together forever and could not believe he would change his mind so quickly.
She stays to herself a lot and goes over and over in her mind "what had been the problem" why was she now alone...what if?  what if??

Alexa had studied in London and had friends there that she felt the need to go see and knew being around them would get her back on to an even path in her life.
She had loved all the things there like "Big Ben", walks that led to fav places to eat.  she spoke by internet to Peter and his twin and soon decided a visit was the "right thing to do".
The threesome enjoyed much enjoyment together as they grew close once again after their time apart in London. Peter more then his twin, because he had strong feelings before when Alexa was there but felt she was too young for a commitment at that time.  Now all those feelings and more came back and he fell in Love all over again...
Alexa cared deeply for both of the twins and didn't realize how much Peter's feeling had changed for her.  She was basking in the good feelings of friendship and feeling so much better since she left the states.  She had met a man on the plane that was in banking and he was impressed with her and offered her a job opportunity with him if she decided to stay in London.
Finding Home is not always about finding the right HOUSE it is more about the place and who you are with.  Will Alexa find hers before it is too late?  Will she once again leave Peter and travel back to the states without giving Love a chance to grow for them?
I think you are going to enjoy this little book and the insight if gives to relationships and Home....


View all my reviews

A Home for Lydia by Vannetta Chapman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Pebble Creek Amish series book #2 "A Home for Lydia" by Vannetta Chapman

I found the story of the little cabins nestled along Pebble Creek so interesting in book #1 and now in the second book reading further how they needed refurbishing, I was able to meet more characters and love the introduction of Aaron Troyer.

Lydia was not happy to have someone coming to make changes, she was not good with changes...
Aaron was a farmer and that is all he wanted to do, he didn't want to travel far from home and help ..he didn't mind helping, it was the fact that it was not farming.

They needed to work together to make this vacation property profitable and Aaron and Lydia must both make changes they don't want to.
I liked reading of the friendship that Gabe and Aaron had from meeting at the beginning and Lydia and Miriam were friends so they talked many times.
Gabe and Miriam's relationship grew and matured in this book also.  They met fell in love and came together in book #1 and I like to read of characters going forth in their lives as the series progresses.
Vannetta writes a good book and keeps you turning the pages reading to find out what will happen as Love-friendship-adventures all play out.  This story also had little suspense as thefts were around and even came to the little plain shop at the cabins.


View all my reviews

If you liked the Kincade Brides series you are going to love reading this new series by Mary Connealy


Swept Away by Mary Connealy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A new series by Mary Connealy "Trouble in Texas" book#1 Swept Away...

When a cowboy is focused on revenge and meets a woman who is determined to distract him without even trying, there is going to be trouble in Texas.

Luke has been in the war and was part of the 'Regulators" team, these men are rough and tough and you will enjoy meeting every one of them from Dare who has done some doctoring, Big John is a Texas Ranger,Vince is the lawyer in the group,Jonas is the preacher man.
Luke with the help from his friends is going to get back his fathers ranch "SBarS" that had been stolen by a man named Greer who went around taking land from others by hook or by crook... not above murder as long as he had others do his dirty deed for him..
Greer had to be stopped before the town was gone and if anyone could change things around then Luke and his friends would...
Now the woman in this foray is just a slip of a thing who had been living with a family and moving with a wagon train, they were unkind in many ways to her and she was ready to make a move to leave them and strike out on her own when ..while crossing a river and raging waters swept her away from the train.  She became lodged in some boards from the wagons and knocked unconsious -then Luke found her along the river bank.
As Luke spends time around this hard working young woman who is real easy on the eye with her red hair and freckles that he is kinda partial too, he finds himself thinking of more then revenge.  Will Ruthy who he is always calling "Rosie" , convince him to give up his destructive path and be swept away by Love?
Mary writes a delightful story full of adventure and romance that you don't want to stop reading...come read this tale.


View all my reviews

I was given this book to review by Bethany House a division of Baker Publishing, thank you for the opportunity to read such a wonderful author...

LIH "Counterfeit Cowboy" by Lacy Williams

Counterfeit Cowboy by Lacy Williams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Counterfeit Cowboy by Lacy Williams

"A Con man with a conscience....."

Jesse Baker is just out of prison and wants to be a better person but old habits die hard and he is soon looking around the train depot for an easy mark when he spies Erin O'Grady, her beauty shines through though she is wearing older clothes that would make you think she is a maid.
Erin has had one to many upsets with her father and she is leaving town to visit a brother and his family.  She knows her father would not let her do this alone though she is not a young girl any longer.  so she tries to dress down from her station in life, hoping to not be noticed.
Jesse comes to her aid when she is pushed over by a person running through the depot.
Almost immediately a young boy who looks like a ragamuffin comes up to the couple and says he is Jesse brother and they had got seperated, the man and boy eye one another and Jesse knows the boy can see he is not what he claims to be, so lets Erin believe they are brothers and the three get on the train together.
You will enjoy reading this story as Lacy weaves so many feelings and antics between these three unlikely people on a train ride from Boston.
On this long Christmastime train ride hearts and courage are tested and true motives revealed....Can a journey that began with deception end up in redemption and just possibly "True Love" along the way?


View all my reviews