More than Happy: The Wisdom of Amish Parenting by Serena B. Miller and Paul Stutzman

This is probably one of my favorite parenting books that I have read in a long time. I get the chance to read quite a few, but I just loved the ideas in this book.

I like learning about the Amish anyway and enjoy Amish fiction, so it was no question as to whether I would be reading this book. I wasn't certain what to expect about this book, though, considering some people think Amish parenting is bad and others thing it is good. I loved the approach that Serena B. Miller and Paul Stutzman took in this book. They focused on the things the Amish did in parenting that led to happy, content children. Of course, you may not agree with everything, but I had a hard time disagreeing on the topics they chose to discuss.

I was impressed with how they taught their children from such an early age about work ethic. I also liked how their children weren't expected to be praised for helping the family. It was an expectation to give back to the family by helping. I will definitely be using their ideas on hanging up coats; however, I will be using it with shoes! And I can already foresee cleaning becoming much more fun with the quarter idea.

I could relate to taking my children almost everywhere I go and making them learn appropriate behavior in each setting. They work some with me and have learned to be quiet and helpful. The part that I think made me stop and ponder the most was about technology. Our kids are just coming into the age where they like iPads and all. We do restrict television a lot, as in we don't use it much, but I appreciated their reasoning on why they don't allow iPads, iPhones, or things like that. I can see how it takes me away from my children at times. I appreciated the awareness that it brought to me on that subject. I have also become more aware on working more together as a family so we have more time to play and spend together later in the day. I also appreciated the honesty of the Amish in this book. There is no question that they raise some of the most respectful, hard-working, and obedient children. I want that for my children, too.

This book was full of so much information that I will have to read it and re-read it. It's a book that will stay in my possession for many years to come and I can see it already as a great gift for other moms.

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I received this book free from Howard Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Fearless Hope by Serena B. Miller

I have enjoyed this series by Serena B. Miller.  Her writing includes romance, but they are very inspirational and hook the reader on the first page.  I also like the cover of this book. It is beautifully done!

I'll start my review by saying I wanted to give Titus a good talking to, as well!  I was so mad at him when the first chapter ended.  If he had only listened to his wife!  I admired her submission to him and how she let the subject drop, but I can only imagine how furious I would be and then completely heartbroken after what happened to him.

In the opening chapters, I was a little curious how Logan and Hope would end up meeting and how in the world he would let his fiancée go.  I never really liked her anyway, so I was anxious for her to leave.  I couldn't imagine how these two would cross paths. I loved how she creatively wrote their love story.

I liked Aunt Claire, too.  When Hope was at her lowest, Claire came to her rescue to push her.  I liked how raw Hope's emotions were and I felt like I was walking this road with her.  I would be thankful for an Aunt Claire in my life, even though I'd probably be mad at her a lot, too!

There were some light humor scenes in this book, too, which I appreciated.  There's also a deep revelation of Logan's past.  I like how the revelation comes to pass starting in the beginning of the book.

I really like the story of a real Amish wedding.  I'm always so fascinated by the Amish lifestyle and really liked this in-depth look at what a real wedding looks like.  It's neat how books are now starting to come with a little extra surprises.

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  I received this book free from Howard Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

 
 

Under a Blackberry Moon by Serena B. Miller

Since I read my first book by Serena B. Miller a few years ago, I have looked forward to reading her books.  I keep my eye out for her new releases, knowing that I definitely want to add them to my bookshelf!

This book was a little different from the others that I have read because it focuses on the Chippewa.  I really liked this because I know absolutely nothing about them.  I really liked the end part of the book where Serena B. Miller tells her readers where her idea for this book came from and why it is so dear to her heart.  I always tend to read that part first because I find that the story becomes even more dear to me, as well.  The fact that Moon Song held a special place in her heart made Moon Song extra special to me, as well.  I'm fascinated by all of the things I learned about the Native Americans.  So much research went into this book!

Moon Song is a widow and belongs to the Chippewa.  She finds herself in the middle of the white man's world when she comes upon their lumber camp.  The weather isn't conducive to much since it's so cold and winter is upon them, so she has to stay in order to be safe.  She knows her time is limited, though, and honestly, she wants to return back to her people where she knows their culture and their way of life. 

Skypilot is the one who is entrusted to get Moon Song safely back to her people.  Along their journey, they have to rely on each other for so many things.  They each see how their world could be if they did fall in love, but there are many differences that they would have to work through.  To be honest, it seems almost impossible for these two cultures to come together without a lot of compromise.  But love can make compromise desirable!

Full of adventure and romance, this book had me turning page after page.  It has a little something for all types of readers. 

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Hidden Mercies by Serena B. Miller

An unexpected romance blooms between two people who would typically be the most unlikely to be together.  I loved this angle for a story!  What better way to tell a story about redemption and forgiveness than to start with a tragedy and let something good blossom from it, much like God does in our lives in tragedy.

I really like Amish fiction, but I'm rather new to Serena B. Miller.  She writes beautifully and is able to tell her story in such a captive way that makes you just want to sit and read this book all day long.

The title of this book tells the story of this book.  It was a perfect title for it.  In order for Tom and Claire to even have a chance together, they have to find God's hidden mercies or they would never make it to the point where they could be together.  

There is apparently a book in this series that comes before it, but I have not read it.  However, I didn't feel lost or like I didn't know who the characters were.  She did a good job telling me what I needed to know for this book, but still made me want to go back and read the first book to see what I missed. I'm hoping that another book will be in this series since I'm now connected to so many of the characters!

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I received this book free from Howard Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

A Promise to Love by Serena B. Miller

I was so sad at the very beginning of this book!  I hate to see in the prologue that a man's wife has died and left him with 4 girls and a 3-month-old baby.  However, as the story went along, I became less sad and was able to reconcile the fact that perhaps Ingrid and Joshua belonged together.  However, to make them see that was a little harder to happen!

Ingrid was a delightful character, one that I sympathized with and felt sorry for.  I felt for Joshua as he walked through widowhood and had girls that he didn't know what to do with but dearly loved.  Then top it off with inlaws who were spreading rumors that he killed his wife and my heart was heavy for him.

When Ingrid is treated less than kind by Millicent, the lady who she is "hired help" for, she leaves Millicent for a nice, kind, older lady.  I actually loved watching Millicent get what she deserved.  I didn't like her from the beginning and I had a hard time with her throughout the book.

I was captivated by the book from the prologue.  It drew me in and got me to the point that I had to continue despite all of the house cleaning that needed to be done.  I just had to see how things ended up for Joshua and Ingrid and whether or not they could learn to actually love each other or if it would just be going through the motions.

I am looking forward to more books by Serena Miller since I am fairly new to her.  I have been pleased with her writing-style and at how well she can get her story across.

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.