Showing posts with label Inspirational. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inspirational. Show all posts

Sunday, 30 June 2013

A Wedding for Julia by Vanetta Chapman


A Wedding for Julia, the third book in a romantic series from popular author Vannetta Chapman, takes a last look at the Amish community of Pebble Creek and the kind, caring people there. As they face challenges from the English world, they come together to reach out to their non-Amish neighbors while still preserving their cherished Plain ways.

Julia Beechy is so stunned, she can hardly breathe. Her mother's announcement that she must either marry or move from the family home upon her mother's imminent death catches Julia by surprise. How can she leave the only home she has ever known? What about her dream of opening her own Plain café?

When Caleb Zook offers support, comfort, and a solution, Julia is afraid to accept it. Can she marry someone she barely knows? Is it the right thing to do? Is this God's plan for her future?

Caleb thought his time for marrying was long past, but he feels a stirring in his heart he cannot shake for this beautiful, forlorn woman. Amid the circumstances of this life-altering decision, the people of Pebble Creek weather the worst storm to hit Wisconsin in the last hundred years. Where will Julia and Caleb be on the other side of it?

 

A Wedding for Julia is a peaceful and inspirational read; transporting the reader into a world, far removed from the hustle and bustle of our lives today. The book looks at the Amish way of life and some very modern problems facing one of the women in the community. Julia Beechy has hopes and dreams, just like any other woman in today’s world, but her Amish way of life brings those dreams crashing down, when she is faced with a terrible dilemma; Marry a man she hardly knows or loose the chance to open her own restaurant and fulfil a lifelong ambition . Added to this, Julia also has the death of her father and the future of her invalid mother to worry about. Life is anything but easy and straightforward for this young woman.

 

A Wedding for Julia brings together beautiful prose, inspirational scripture and lives which are touched by the Amish way of living. As a reader, I found that the book gave a great sense of stillness and calm to my day. I found myself wishing the book could never end, just so that I could stay in the peace and quiet of the story. Whilst reading the book, I found myself admiring Julia’s strength and courage, which is conveyed so beautifully upon each page. Julia has several issues in her life to deal with and with the help of her family, friends and God, she achieves so much.  

 

Alongside the characters of Julia and Caleb, we are introduced to extended family members and new members of the community, all who adjust to their time in Pebble Creek in different and interesting ways. Vannetta Chapman has created a beautiful community, with interesting characters and a book which is both thought-provoking and entertaining.  

 

If you enjoy books with an inspirational theme, detailed characterisation and in-depth story line, then A Wedding for Julia would be perfect for you. Ms Chapman possesses a great depth to her writing, which pulls the reader along and immerses them fully in the world she has created. With personal touches added at the end of the story by the author, A Wedding for Julia is a book about love, which has clearly been written with love. Rarely do we see anything crafted so well and with such devotion. A truly enjoyable read.
 
Honey Bee Reviews says; Put the kettle on and grab this book.
 
 
 About Vanetta.
The first thing you need to know about me is that I write Fiction full of GRACE.  Every plot is different. The characters change. Some of my books are mysteries, others are novellas, and some are romances. But they all are stories of light, hope, and truth. Stories that at least for a moment touch the deepest places in our heart.

Tales that whisper hope. That speak of family and community. That remind us of God and His love.

What do I write? If I had to reduce it to four words, I suppose I’d say I write Fiction full of GRACE.
 

Sunday, 3 June 2012

Taking Chances by Tara Manderino

A gung ho PR person in charge of getting a reclusive country western singer to perform live at a small function is responsible for him possibly losing his ranch for children. Tyler Davidson would rather deal with a large concert hall audience than come face to face with a few people. Such thoughts are beyond Abie Halloway’s thinking, but as she learns to understand what the ranch means to Tyler and comes to care for him in this sweet romance / inspirational, she realizes she does not want to be the one to cause his downfall.
 
I relished the idea of reading this book. Not only do I enjoy country music and ranch living, (both ingredients of the story) but brooding heroes with secrets are a must. Taking Chances was a weekend read for me. I started reading on Saturday and finished it off on a lazy Sunday morning. It was an enjoyable way to spend my time and was exactly what I was looking for. If you’re looking for a sweet and gentle, Inspirational story, then you’ll enjoy this book also.
Abie and Tyler’s story is tender and touching; set against the backdrop of a ranch for disadvantaged children and the cut throat world of business. Tyler is a man with secrets and will do anything to keep them. But Abie’s strong and determined personality is just the thing to make him let go of his past and open his heart to new possibilities.
There are no real surprises with this book, but it is sensitively written and a pleasurable read. Smiles all round from this reviewer.
Excerpt:
“You really think I can’t do it?” Abie was incredulous. How could Matt even think her incapable? The tone of her voice echoed through the near empty conference room, sounding sharp even to her. She wouldn’t back down though.
Matt sat forward his palms splayed flat on the faux wood table. “Come on, Abie! Tyler never, absolutely never, does these kinds of performances. I tried to get him before, remember?”
Unable to resist the challenge in Matt’s voice, Abie cocked her brow and sat forward.“I can get him – signed and delivered.”
Mitchell’s Promotions was in the top five slot for event planning corporations in the state, if not the country. Abie’s meteoric rise through the ranks proved she was one of its rising stars. She intended to keep pushing that spectacular rise to the top. Right now, she would settle for the vice presidency.
“There are other musicians out there that would love the exposure,” Natalie interrupted. She shrugged and sat back in her chair. “If this guy doesn’t want to do it, pick someone else.”
Matt and Abie both turned to stare at her. Matt cleared his throat. “I realize that you are new to the area, but Tyler is hardly just a local name.” At Natalie’s blank look, Matt ran a hand through his hair, ruffling it and then leaned forward in the plush swivel chair, his arms supported by the conference table. “Okay, you’re not a country music fan, I take it.”
“Not even close. I’m a Metal Head.”
Abie watched Natalie play with the row of silver studs and loops on her left ear, an action Matt seemed oblivious to. Abie swiveled back and forth in her chair studying the latest addition to the team. Natalie wore a long sleeved black and white polka dot tee shirt, red flared pants and black and white men’s oxfords; conservative dress for her. She had a single silver loop hanging from her right eyebrow which was in harmony with the plethora of assorted loops and studs in her ears. Matt had insisted she would appeal to the younger clientele; she would be the stereotypical Metal fan. Abie bit back a grin. While Matt knew he was right on one level, it hadn’t registered with him that Natalie’s appearance, or her singular taste in music, would also have drawbacks. “Tyler is one of the biggest names in the music industry.” She kept her voice even, stating a fact.
Natalie stopped chewing her gum for a moment.” Yeah? How many records has he made?”
“Fifty charted singles and a dozen platinum albums on the Country, Rock and Christian charts. There are Tyler wannabes throughout the country.”
“With all of the cross over, why doesn’t he perform?”
“He does perform, just not at small gatherings,” Abie corrected her, “because he says it will take him away from what he really wants to do – his real life’s work.” Abie tilted her head to one side and leaned back in her chair. “I believe that’s what the article said.”
Matt turned his chair to grin at her. “You believe? If you read it once you know that you have the article memorized, Abie.”
She returned his grin. “True. So, I’m the one to approach him.” Abie straightened her spine. This was her assignment. Already the few facts she knew about Tyler Davidson assembled in her brain. As soon as Matt said okay, she would gather the rest of the information.