The Betrayal By Beverly Lewis

The Betrayal, book 2 in the Abram's Daughter series, has the two love birds Leah and Jonas apart. Jonas takes an apprenticeship as a woodworker in Ohio. They are certain their love will survive the distance; however, neither plans on the meddling of Leah's own family. Jonas invites Leah to come with him to Ohio, but Sadie, having just born a son that she believes doesn't survive, is a mess. Leah feels it is her sisterly duty to stay with Sadie and help her through the tough time. Ida Ebersol, the girls' mother, birth's a baby girl and Sadie can't hardly take it. She longs for her own boy so much that she threatens to leave Gobbler's Knobb. Leah comes up with a plan to get Sadie out to Ohio with Jonas to sort out her mind and problems there. Eventually Leah is forced to tell on Sadie, due to her soon commitment to the church and the pressure of others who have managed to find out most of the details of Sadie's rumschpringe. Sadie finds out that Leah doesn't keep her promise and, angry at her sister, hides a very important letter Leah sent addressed to Jonas.

Meanwhile, twins Hannah and Mary Ruth are now of courting age. They are in their final year of grade school, and with high school being forbidden, Mary Ruth finds herself at odds with her faith. She wants to pursue being a schoolteacher, but needs to hide it from her family. Hannah, wants to help her twin, but feels that Mary Ruth might be pulling away from their sisterly bond that they have so closely shared.

I found myself getting angry at Leah's family for their role in changing her and Jonas' lives. I suppose that means that Lewis was able to get me invested into the characters enough to care.

4.5 of 5 flamingos.

The Covenant By Beverly Lewis

 

After reading a book like Unbroken, I needed to switch gears. I am also trying to read the books that I have that are part of a series so that I can clear more room off the shelves in a quicker manner. (It's quicker because it doesn't take me days to figure out what I want to read next, it's already picked out for me.)

Anyway... 

 The Covenant, book 1 in the Abram's Daughter series, is about Leah Ebersol and her family. They live in the heart of Lancaster County, Amish country. Leah, the second of four daughters, is her father's helper. She does mostly everything that a son would do, as Abram had no sons. Her elder sister Sadie was running about during her "rumschpringer" - the time when Amish teens are allowed to "try-out" the things of the world before committing their lives to the church - and would commit something that require of Leah a covenant of secrecy. In the meantime, Leah has troubles of her own. Leah's father has plans for her to marry the boy next door Smithy Gid; however, Leah has her heart set on Jonas Mast. She didn't want to disappoint her father, but her heart wasn't free to choose as it had already been set on Jonas from the age of 10. What would the church father's say? Would Sadie commit her life to the Lord as was expected of her, or would her sins find her out?

The book has plenty of Amish language, which immerses you even more into the culture. You feel like you are truly there. Looking forward to book 2.

4.5 of 5 flamingos. 

Unbroken: A Story of Survival, Resilliance, and Redemption By Laura Hillenbrand

Wow, what a story! I don't typically read books having to do with war (just not my thing), but for some reason I picked this one up. Maybe it had to do with the fact that it was $0.99 at Goodwill and I had heard really good things about it... I'm not certain, but what I do know is that I liked it. The story focuses around Louis Zamperini; while a terror in his boyhood, Louis developed (through the persuasion of his brother) an affinity and skill for running. If he could run fast, he couldn't be caught by the police, bullies, or whomever else was chasing him. He ran fast enough to get himself into the Berlin Olympics.

World War II came and changed Louis from a runner to a gunner. He would go on several missions, yet the one in May 1943 would be the one that sent him and two others into the Pacific Ocean. Louis ends up enduring prisoner camps that seemed destined to not only break his body and his mind, but his spirit as well. As I was reading, I found myself thinking, "How much more can one person take?" The pictures in the book were a bit haunting, but I did enjoy the look back in time.

The book was extremely well written and had me on a roller coaster of emotions throughout.

5 of 5 flamingos.

Side note: I did see the movie and it pales in comparison to the book. (as most movies do) If I hadn't read the book, I might not have understood some of the transitions of where Louis was going.

Loving By Karen Kingsbury

In Loving, Bailey begins to finally have peace. "Perfect love casts out all fear" and once and for all, with the Lords guidance, she knows that she has found it. She has found fulfillment in her new career back home in Bloomington and as she plans her wedding, she knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that she will be taken care of. Bailey has had many ups and downs over the recent years, but there are still quite a few ahead. 

4.5 of 5 flamingos

Karen wrapped up things quite nicely. I still don't know exactly how some of the other story lines fit in... I mean I guess I kind of do, but because there were so many other characters involved, I wanted to know everything about them. But, alas, I know I am a control freak and that's not always possible.

Longing By Karen Kingsbury

In book three of the Bailey Flanigan series, Cody is once again silent and Bailey must find out what her heart truly wants, Cody or Brandon. Brandon continues to make every effort to woo her and pursue her "like a dying man in a desert searches for water" as her mother would say. Still, she's terrified of the LA life and the paparazzi. Brandon promises to keep her safe, but after a crazy car chase and a near helicopter accident, Bailey has had enough. Meanwhile, Cody has become a local and national celebrity in his hometown for the work that he has done with the football team. Cody also gains the attention of a girl who seems to understand his new life. However, Cody soon has to deal with an unexpected loss. Will that send him back to Bailey or will the past finally stay the past?

4.5 of 5 flamingos.

Learning By Karen Kingsbury

The problem with finding a good series and not having internet readily available, is that I read more than one book before I can get to update the blog and then I forget what belongs to what book. I read this one in about 2 days. I had some free nights. and I am a fast reader, what can I say?

Bailey's dreams are taking off in NYC, and Cody is finding his way with the Lyle football team. Each is having their own successes, but are they each happy? Do they truly love each other or do they only love the idea of each other. Brandon is pursuing Bailey (like a dying man in a desert looking for water as her mother would say) and Cody has all but fallen off the face of the earth.

Tragedy strikes and Cody is forced to make some tough decisions. Bailey has her own test from the Lord and she feels like she's failed it miserably. Can she stand up for God in the midst of the Broadway culture in NYC, especially when she feels like she's not good enough?

Can Bailey make it in NYC or will she move back to Bloomington?

4.5 of 5 flamingos.

Leaving By Karen Kingsbury

I found this book on the sale rack at Books A Million. I noticed that this book was part of a 4 book Bailey Flannigan series and three of them were on the Sale rack. I haven't ever read any books by Karen Kingsbury but I know she's written a ton of them and so, some of them are bound to be good right? 

Well, thankfully I was right. The setting starts in Bloomington, IL. Though the series follows Bailey Flannigan mostly, there are several other stories that are woven in and you end up with 4 or 5 main characters. First there's Bailey, finishing up her last year of college and pursuing her dream to perform on Broadway. Then there's Cody Coleman, a few years older than Bailey who leaves Bloomington to the small town of Lyle to be closer to his mother (who is incarcerated) and teach football. Bailey and Cody have never seemed to be on the right page at the right time when it comes to love and a relationship. Will they ever be able to make it work?

Then there is Brandon Paul, famous actor who Bailey co-starred with on the film Unlocked. Something is changing in him and Bailey begins to notice him. Next there is Landon and Ashley Baxter... now to be honest...I'm still not sure I fully understand the connection of them to the Flannigans but I believe the Flannigans bought the old family home that the Baxter family grew up in. Something along those lines anyway...  

The book flows very well. So well in fact that I read it in about 3 days. Kingsbury writes the characters thoughts out and their prayers to God. I find that I can easily identify with Bailey, not so much in the Broadway dream sense, but in the fact that life is confusing (especially in relationships) and that it's important to look for the little ways that God speaks to us throughout the day. It reminds me that I need to be in the Word more not only to be ready for Him to speak to me but for me to have the words to be able to speak to others. 

4.5 of 5 Flamingos.