Money Secrets of the Amish by Lorilee Craker

Money Secrets of the Amish: Finding True Abundance in Simplicity, Sharing, and Saving

My Review:

When I received this book - I was really excited about learning little unknown tidbits that the Amish had been keeping to themselves.

I was not disappointed.

 Of course, it is the simple method of "save more - spend less" but there is also how to do it.  Practical living!

The author spends a lot of words explaining bartering (how it works in today's world), garage shopping tips, and even tips on buying furniture or decor.  

The book is written with informative information that includes humor and lets you peek in the lives of the Amish culture.

I appreciate the work ethic the Amish have in this book.  I also value the wisdom that comes from those - that have no debt.

I would recommend this book in a heartbeat - the only thing it is missing is a great Amish recipe, like shoo-fly pie. 

I can't wait to share this book with my kids.  I think it would even help them spend more wisely!

From the publisher:

Discover the money-saving and wealth-building secrets of America’s thriftiest people, the Amish.

Author, journalist, and descendant of the Amish, Lorilee Craker, was just like the rest of us, feeling the pinch from the financial fallout of 2008. As a freelancer, her income was going the way of the dodo—family dollars seemed like an extinct myth, the bank account some archeological evidence of past prosperity.

Then, inspired by a news segment covering her people, the Amish, and how they emerged from the economic crisis unscathed, she realized it was time to get back to her roots and learn a thing or two about their time-tested approach to personal finances. While the middle-class was wringing its hands over the family budget and the wealthy were weeping over their slashed portfolios, the Amish were content as always, spared from the cares of the world and worldliness. They not only had financial health to support their lives, they exuded a wholeness that eludes so many when the financial bottom drops out.

In Money Secrets of the Amish, readers go on an “Amish money makeover,” learning the choices, secrets, and disciplines that safeguarded the contentment and the coffers of America’s favorite plain folk by spending less, saving more, and getting happier doing it.

Blessings to you!  You are loved!

Note: I was sent complimentary copy for review purposes only. This review has not been monetarily compensated. The review was my honest opinion and views and not influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Too Rich for a Bride by Mona Hodgson Book Review

Too Rich for a Bride: A Novel (The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek)

Life in the late 1800's had to be tough.  Whether it was sickness, providing for your family or just surviving it was bound to be difficult.  But, being a lady and being a business woman on top of that - was the ultimate hardship.

This book takes you back in time when the Wild West was real.  It is a tale of Christians  taking a stand for what is right when deceit is looking for easy victims.

I really like this book.  It provided a way to turn to God even when all of life seem to close in around the characters.  It also provided a desire to do what is right amidst all adversity.

This would make a cute Hall-Mark movie!  However, I could not recommend this book for younger eyes due to some of the adult issues.

It was a short delightful read that would be good on a road trip or a rainy weekend!

Blessings to you!  You are loved!

Note: I was sent complimentary copy for review purposes only. This review has not been monetarily compensated. The review was my honest opinion and views and not influenced by the sponsor in any way.

The First Gardener by Denise Hildreth Jones Book Review

The First Gardener

Ever read a book and just realized you have gone through a whole box of tissues?  This is one of these books!

Each character became likable and then true tragedy hits home.  I won't give away what happened but it should touch everyone's heart.

One of the things I didn't like about the book was that the author would lose me.  I would be reading and didn't realize we had been put in a different time or place.  I would have to go back and make sure that I didn't miss something but it just wasn't stated.

However, this book is one I would give as a gift.  The story is just that good!

Even the ending was unexpected - which is always a sign of great novel!

This book, I would think would make anyone would appreciate the "garden of life" and "gardener" a little more!

Blessings to you!  You are loved!

Note: I was sent complimentary copy for review purposes only. This review has not been monetarily compensated. The review was my honest opinion and views and not influenced by the sponsor in any way.

The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz

 
 Colonel's Lady, The: A Novel 

 From the publisher:

To the trail-weary and frightened women, Fort Endeavor seemed unwelcoming at first, but Roxanna Rowan  knew they needed to get to safety as quickly as possible in The Colonel’s Lady (ISBN: 978-0-8007-3341-4, $14.99, 416 pages, August 2011) by bestselling author Laura Frantz. Deep within the Kentucky Territory, Fort Endeavor could provide a new life for genteel spinster Roxanna as long as she was with her father.   She had to find him in the mass of all these soldiers. But where was he? 

Shortly after arriving at the Kentucky fort commanded by Colonel Cassius McLinn, the Colonel tells Roxanna that her officer father has died. Penniless and destitute, Roxanna accepts the Scrivener position once held by her father.  Before long, Roxanna discovers secrets that her father uncovered shortly before his death. Who could she trust with this discovery that she found in her father’s Scrivener desk? Could she trust the Colonel? Was his attraction to her real or was he hiding his own secrets including her father’s death? Roxanna needed answers that only the Colonel could provide. 

My Review:

This is one of those books that kept my interest.  Being that my hubby is from Kentucky, it was nice to learn some of the history behind the great state.


Most of the characters in the book warmed my heart.  It gave me a greater appreciation for the frontier life.  This is one of those books that gives you insight to our forefathers, who braved the hard conditions of life. 

 I love when a novel has a great ending but not in the way I thought it was going to happen. However, I did feel the author could have made this book into a series.  It seemed part of the story was still missing at the end.

As a Christian novel, I just didn't see it.  But, it still was a great story that provoked good works.  Due to some of the adult nature - I would be careful of little eyes reading it.

Blessings to you!  You are loved!

Note: I was sent complimentary copy for review purposes only. This review has not been monetarily compensated. The review was my honest opinion and views and not influenced by the sponsor in any way.


“Available August 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”