Second Chances Review

Second Chances by Sarah Price is a 304 page novel in the Amish fiction genre.  It is published by Realms Publisher and released on June 2, 2015. To purchase your copy through Amazon, click here or from Barnes & Noble, click here.

second chances

Overview

At twenty-five years of age, Anna Eicher has never married. When she was seventeen, her parents convinced her to break off her courtship with Freman Whittmore, the youngest son in the Whittmore family and her best friend. Afterward, a distraught Freman moved away from Lancaster County.

Eight years later Freman has returned to visit his sister, who is renting the Eichers’ house for the winter. Now the owner of the largest dairy farm in his church district, Freman has neither married—nor forgiven Anna.

Although he begins courting someone else, Anna hopes to convince him that she has never stopped loving him. Will Freman be persuaded to forgive Anna and open his heart again?

My Two Cents

Have you ever wanted to please everyone around you so much that you lost yourself? Have you took their advice to make them happy and found yourself miserable? Have you ever made a decision and immediately knew you would regret that decision forever? These are issues our main character, Anna, was contemplating in Second Chances. I really connected with Anna. I think many people have struggled making others happy at the risk of losing themselves and their own happiness. Anna’s sisters and father took her for granted never stopping to think of her sacrifice nor the love she has shown them.  It was just what was expected of her and she always did met those expectations because she loved them.

What I love about Sarah Price’s writing is there is always something I can apply to my own life after reading her books. Second Chances left me contemplating the fine line between love and sacrifice for your family and letting your family take advantage of you.  There were places where I felt as if Sarah was writing my story. Sarah has a such a way of writing that it draws you in and you can see the world through her characters eyes.

Sarah does a wonderful job retelling Jane Austen’s Persuasion yet stays true to the Amish culture. The themes of love, forgiveness and mercy are beautifully intertwined into this charming story.  I could not put Second Chances down from the time I picked up.  This must be on your summers TBR list.

I give Second Chances 5 out of 5 stars.  This is Sarah at her best.  My favorite book so far!

Thank you to Sarah Price for a free copy of her book. No monetary compensation was received and all views expressed are my own.

About the Author

Sarah Price’s family emigrated from Europe in 1705, settling in Pennsylvania as part of the area’s first wave of Mennonite families. At nineteen, she befriended an Amish family and lived on their farm. Twenty-five years later she splits her time between her family in the New York City metro area and a home that she shares with an Amish woman in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where she retreats to reflect and write. As a masterful storyteller, Sarah Price prides herself on presenting an authentic Amish experience for her readers.

Giveaway

To celebrate the release of my favorite author, Sarah Price’s new book, I am giving away two copies of Second Chances! To enter, click on the words “Entry-Form” below:

This giveaway ends June 30 at 11:59pm PDT.

An Empty Cup Review

Congratulations to Trixie O. The winner of The Matchmaker by Sarah Price. Thank you to all who entered!

An Empty Cup by Sarah Price is a 252 page novel in the Amish fiction genre.  It is published by Waterfall Press and will be released on April 14, 2015. To purchase your copy from Amazon, click here or Barnes and Noble, click here.

Overview

Amish woman Rosanna Zook lost her self-confidence within the confines of a loveless and abusive marriage. In the years spent quietly dealing with her burdens and dutifully caring for others, she forgot her sense of self and ability to feel. But after her first husband’s untimely death, she gets a second chance with Reuben Troyer, a godly man who welcomes Rosanna and her two children into his life.

Despite the love and respect she finds in her new marriage, Rosanna soon learns that juggling the demands of her family and church community is more than she can handle. When Rosanna becomes ill, she is forced to confront a hard truth: one empty cup cannot fill another. For a woman who has spent her life giving, will Rosanna finally be able to let go and receive?

My Two Cents

Many novels bring enjoyment to their readers, not all do this and bring life applicable lessons with them.  An Empty Cup deals with deep and real issues; many of which we as women experience on a daily basis.  There are several teachable moments where we learn that even good things can be made into negative when we do not keep our lives balanced. This affects not only ourselves but others around us as well.

Price’s characters and storyline are very realistic. It is easy to feel empathy for Rosanna, the main protagonist, and see yourself through her. Even though An Empty Cup deals with difficult issues, it is not a struggle to read. The issues are handled with wisdom and provide tension to the story. As I finished this book, I found myself reflecting on Rosanna’s struggles and giving my life a good hard look. 51CYe-pgQ3L._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. It’s one that the reader will be able to read again and find encouragement.

About the Author

Sarah’s family settled in Pennsylvania when the first wave of Mennonites emigrated from Europe in 1705.  She divides her time between her home outside of New York City and an Amish farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania where she writes and reconnects with her Amish friends and Mennonite family.  To learn more about Sarah, visit her website at sarahpriceauthor.wordpress.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fansofsarahprice.

A special thank you to Sarah Price for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

Giveaway
Enter for your chance to win a copy of The Matchmaker by Sarah Price by clicking on “Entry-Form” below:

An Amish Spring

An Amish Spring by Sarah Price is a 72 page novella in the Amish Christian fiction genre published by Amazon Kindle Services on March 21, 2015. Click here to order your copy.

Overview

It’s springtime in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Drusilla Riehl has just turned eighteen. While she’s attended youth gatherings and singings in the past, something feels just a little bit different now. As the eldest child, she has a lot of responsibilities, especially with her aging grandparents living in the smaller house attached to the Riehls’ farmhouse and with Drusilla’s mother expecting a baby soon. Follow the story of this young Amish woman as she comes of age in the springtime of her life, balancing her commitment to faith, family, and friends.

The Amish Seasons Series, a four-part series, follows the story of Drusilla Riehl as she passes through the seasons of life. The first of a four book series, An Amish Spring introduces readers to the Riehl family and their Amish community, both Amish and Mennonite, and will be sure to delight as you learn more about the Amish religion and culture from Sarah Price, one of the leading bestselling authors of Amish Christian fiction who bases her stories and books on authentic experience growing up Mennonite and living among the Amish.

My Two Cents

As the cold of winter is passing, we see spring bloom in the life of Drusilla (Dru) Riehl. Dru is a sweet, caring girl who genuinely cares for her family as well as others.  An Amish Spring follows her life through the spring of the year.  We get a glimpse of authentic Amish life through events, such as a barn raising, and we see how a young girl starts thinking differently about life through them.

An Amish Spring is a truly delightful story with real characters.  Price’s knowledge of the Amish life shines through and gives the story credibility. Her descriptions of the setting and characters bring the story to life in the mind of the reader.

The four part series reminds me of the serials done in the Victorian Age by great authors like Charles Dickens. Best of all, the series celebrates the start of each new season! I am looking forward to watching Dru through each one.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. It’s a book not to miss!

About the Author

Sarah’s family settled in Pennsylvania when the first wave of Mennonites emigrated from Europe in 1705.  She divides her time between her home outside of New York City and an Amish farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania where she writes and reconnects with her Amish friends and Mennonite family.  To learn more about Sarah, visit her website at sarahpriceauthor.wordpress.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fansofsarahprice.

A special thank you to Sarah Price for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

The Matchmaker Review

Emma Weaver is twenty-one years old and has found a passion for playing matchmaker with her friends.  Her neighbor, Gideon King, warns her about interfering in people’s lives, but she disregards his advice and plans to set up Paul, the son of the bishop, with her friend Hannah.

The Matchmaker pic

But when Paul misinterprets Emma’s attention, believing she has feelings for him, he begins asking her to ride in his buggy after Sunday singings and shows up at her house for Friday evening visits.  As she tries to repair the damage that’s been done and mend the hearts that have been broken, she finds herself in trouble with the community.  Will she learn her lesson and stop meddling in the affairs of others?  Will she find a love of her own?

The Matchmaker is so enthralling you will not want to put it down! The main character, Emma, is someone we can all relate too.  We have all tried to help a friend and it ends in disaster! This book takes us down a winding road of twists and turns, not knowing what will come next but you can not wait to find out.

Sarah has done an excellent job  of giving us insight into each of her characters and the situations they are in.  Her characters have depth and I can see Sarah shine through in them.  Sarah shows us her characters – both their feelings and their situations – instead of just telling us about them.  This is what makes her work true literature.

Sarah’s intricate knowledge of the Amish language and culture merges lovely with her retelling of Jane Austin’s Emma to create a timeless book as unique as the original. Never read classic literature or Jane Austin? That’s okay! You will be drawn into The Matchmaker and will be waiting on the edge of your seat for Sarah’s next installment of Jane Austin’s classics. When you are finished reading The Matchmaker, you will have read a great book and you will want to reflect on how you can be a better friend.

The Matchmaker is a 304 page fiction book by Sarah Price and published in the Christian fiction Amish genre.  It was released on February 3, 2015 and can be purchased on Amazon for $9.99 for ebook or 14.99 paperback.

Sarah’s family settled in Pennsylvania when the first wave of Mennonites emigrated from Europe in 1705.  She divides her time between her home outside of New York City and an Amish farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where she writes and reconnects with her Amish friends and Mennonite family.  To learn more about Sarah, visit her website at sarahpriceauthor.wordpress.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fansofsarahprice.

Giveaway!

In honor of Valentine’s day, I am giving away one copy of The Matchmaker. Want to win?  It’s easy! To enter, comment below and follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/simpleharvestreads. Want an extra entry? Follow my blog. Contest ends Sunday, Feb 15 at midnight PST. One winner will be chosen through Random Picker.

The winner of the giveaway is Susanlulu2013! Congratulations! Please e-mail simpleharvestreads@gmail.com with your information.

Review of Plain & Simple Traditions: Amish & Mennonite Holidays

For years, Sarah Price has entertained her readers with her Amish romance novels. Now, she shares her knowledge about how the Amish and Mennonites celebrate the holidays based on her first-hand experiences with her Amish friends as well as growing up with Mennonite family.

This book contains stories, hymns, decorating tips, and (of course) recipes so that her readers can also delight in having a plain and simple holiday, just like the Amish and Mennonites.

It is always fun and interesting to learn about the holiday traditions of others.  Sarah’s first-hand knowledge of the Amish and Mennonites makes Plain & Simple Traditions special because the reader can trust its truthfulness. This book contains pictures and stories of Sarah’s family which makes you feel like you are a part of it! As the reader, you feel as if you have a window into her family. With both recipes and decorating ideas, this will be a book you cherish and come back to for future holiday celebrations. My family has immensely enjoyed the recipes Sarah has shared. Waiting for another holiday to eat them again is not an option for them!

Whether you are looking to learn more about the Amish & Mennonite traditions, wanting to add to your own traditions, craving some new dishes to try or yearning to know more about Sarah Price herself, you will not be disappointed with this book!

Plain & Simple Traditions is 170 page non-fiction book written by Sarah Price and published by Price Publishing, LLC.  It was released on December 15, 2014. It can be purchased through Amazon for $2.99 for the e-book and $13.49 for paperback.

Sarah’s family settled in Pennsylvania when the first wave of Mennonites emigrated from Europe in 1705.  She divides her time between her home outside of New York City and an Amish farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where she writes and reconnects with her Amish friends and Mennonite family.  To learn more about Sarah, visit her website at sarahpriceauthor.wordpress.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fansofsarahprice.