Lilly’s Wedding Quilt by Kelly Long

She who has secretly loved him for years and he who is devastated at losing his lifelong love to another. No one in the tight-knit Amish community would have predicted the unlikely marital union of the dashing, outgoing horseman to the demure schoolteacher.

Lilly’s Wedding Quilt tells the lovely story of how a young man and woman, both headstrong yet both devoted to the Amish life and faith, are unexpectedly brought together by the combination of unforeseen events and the resulting expectations of their culture. Pure coincidence or divine intervention? Jacob and Lilly travel a rocky road past grieving and reconciliation of the past as they come to understand how God’s plan for their lives is so much more than they could have imagined.

Kelly Long's story-telling breathes life into her tale by taking the reader into the Amish culture...their manner of speaking, their perception of their world vs that of the “Englisher”, and their devotion to faith, family, and the Amish way.  One does not just read Ms Long's book, but rather experiences the events as they unfold.  An uplifting and enjoyable read!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

I give this one 5 stars!

The Final Summit: A Quest to Find the One Principle That Will Save Humanity by Andy Andrews



Never having read one of the author’s works, I began this one with a hesitant and preconceived expectation this would be an agonizingly dry chore. Little did I know that by the end of the first paragraph, page 1, the author would have my rapt attention for the duration of the main character’s quest to identify the one universal commitment to save humanity from extinction.


Already in what should be his golden years, David Ponder, an accomplished and successful business man, finds himself unable to climb from the deep void left by the death of his lifelong partner; his wife Ellen. While contemplating the unthinkable, he is convinced by divine intervention to join hundreds of history’s greatest leaders tasked with finding the one Decision that will save the world from complete destruction. With the sands of time running out, David and his fellow “travelers” commence a journey to sift through and identify the most essential from a list of powerful principles that have guided the decision-making of great leaders throughout history.


In a short 224 pages, the author’s story instilled in this reader a suspenseful search for that which implemented in real life, would surely change the course of humankind. Andy Andrews packs an intense thought-provoking journey like none other I've read before.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Gittin' there!

Yesterday we ended up with this....


 

...and this. 
 
 

 
 
 
After spending the morning pulling out, cutting up, and bagging blackberry vines, the piles looked like...hey, wait a sec!... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bonnie wonders aloud, why don't we burn the small brush in our new fire pit...
 

She's such a smartie!  :)