Saturday, November 19, 2011

Come to a Blog Party ~ Giveaways and Fun!

 http://enjoyingthewritingcraft.blogspot.com/2011_11_01_archive.html
I love a party and I just found this one today. You still have time to join the fun! Winners announced on Monday, November 21st.

 

Thursday, November 10, 2011

The Christmas Singing written by Cindy Woodsmall {Review}

I just finished reading my copy of Cindy Woodsmall’s book, The Christmas Singing. After tears at the last paragraph, I turn the page and there I find the recipes for the mouth-watering wedding cakes I read about earlier in the book!



I have your attention now!!
You won't have to miss out on this wonderful story by Cindy Woodsmall. The recipes are included in this excerpt! http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Singing-Romance-Heart-Country/dp/0307446549#reader_0307446549

Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
The Christmas Singing
Now available!
Three years ago, at Christmastime, Mattie Eash’s life was everything she could hope for. That is, until her childhood sweetheart, Gideon, betrayed her.

Buy on:   Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Books-A-Million | Christian Book

This wonderful story could be read anytime during the year! It is rich in wisdom for our lives. Here is a sneak peek:

"She wondered if he remembered ... but it didn't make any difference, because she wasn't in this relationship to be honored or loved. She just wanted companionship and convenience."
     --The Christmas Singing, Page -184-

This story is about family and sparing pain from those we love. But... do we really? Do we lose ourselves in the process? While reading Mattie and Gideon's responses, I thought of Lamentations 2:14 in the Bible; my paraphrase: It is necessary for our iniquity to be exposed to release us from captivity. Do we settle for less or the fullness we can have? Truth really wins out.

This story is also about coming together in community. Do we put others before ourselves? I liked how the characters worked together and supported each other in their daily lives. Kindness and forthrightness both walked hand in hand. As a cake maker and decorator, Mattie concentrates on preparing special wedding cakes for her two friends' weddings, while Gideon is a builder and is striving to complete the almost-finished home for one of the engaged couples. I liked the descriptions of Amish wedding traditions very much; about the Choosing for the festivities, the clothing of the bridal party, the seating for the dinner, and that the close family members served and cleaned up. I enjoyed this book and will read it again. There are life lessons to be learned here.

 I received a free copy of The Christmas Singing from the publisher in exchange for a review in my own words.
Genre: Amish/Romance
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Publication Date: October 4, 2011


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