Book Review - The Curse of Misty Wayfair

BOOK REVIEW - THE CURSE OF MISTY WAYFAIR
BY: Jaime Jo Wright

The Curse of Misty Wayfair was an interesting read - it kept my attention throughout. I enjoy a good mystery and I was glad this book resolved in the way it did. There were twists and turns that kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed the dance between the past and present story - between Thea and Heidi and the way the author wove the stories of the two women together.

The curse that crossed a century was an interesting story line. The one hundred year old story of Misty Wayfair was carried on by individuals and seemed to never be resolved. The mental asylum that was still standing a century later provided a backdrop to the story both in the past and the present.

I am not a fan of ghost stories or scary stories as such but the resolution of this book had me relieved that the ghosts were actual individuals verses spirits or ghosts. Both Thea and Heidi's stories showed that knowing the truth will set you free!

Book Review - The Bride of Ivy Green

BOOK REVIEW - THE BRIDE OF IVY GREEN

By Julie Klassen

I have enjoyed every book I have read by Julie Klassen and the Tales from Ivy Hill series is no exception. The Bride of Ivy Green is the conclusion to this series. From the first book until the end of this one I was caught up with the characters and their life stories. In The Bride of Ivy Green I was not disappointed as Julie Klassen portrayed strong women characters who were independent and were making their way in life with or without a husband. Although I did love the conclusion that this third book in the series provided.

I appreciated the stories of second chances in The Bride of Ivy Green. Jane Bell's story of finding love again but particularly the story of her father returning with a little brother who needed someone to care for him. After so many losses, it brought this story to a lovely conclusion. I loved the story of Mr. Drake as well and the opportunity for a second chance he had with his daughter. These stories were a vivid portrayal of the fact that despite the consequences of our mistakes, good can come from bad, broken relationships can be restored and while things do not always work out the way we want them to - God has a much greater plan for us which happens in his time.

I thought the way the lives of the individuals stories were woven together made for a great book and series! 

Book Review - The First Love by Beverly Lewis

Book Review - The First Love by Beverly Lewis

This is a sweet and heartwarming story by Beverly Lewis. I enjoy this author because while the Amish are not immune to the struggles of life - it seems as if their life is simpler and I am always drawn in by the story.

Maggie is a young teenager who loses her Mom just at the time when she needs her. Not only that, her father very quickly remarries following her mother's death. Given the number of children he has to raise, Joseph did what he thought was best for the family by marrying Rachel. This story is of a tragic time in their family life and how trusting God is difficult but necessary.

Maggie also has a health condition that does not allow her to function as other teenage girls. She felt that finding someone to marry her would be difficult because of her condition. Maggie attends revival meetings with her cousins and meets people who encourage her in the faith and also testify to God's healing in their lives. So Maggie begins to pray for healing in her own life. As it often happens, healing is not always immediate and it does not always happen in the way we want it. For Maggie it was a lesson in trusting God and his ways. 

While the story does not center on Maggie's first love, I felt that her growing relationship with God was an important part of the story and was her first love as a teenager. She had a deep desire to know God better. In the end, she is able to deepen her relationship with a childhood friend and develops a relationship with him. 

I loved the way Lewis ended the book with an epilogue that resolves the story for us. While the family had many struggles, they didn't give up on one another or God and God saw them through.