Daughters of Amana Book 1: Somewhere To Belong by Judith Miller

From the Bethany House website:


Johanna Ilg has lived her entire life in Main Amana, one of the seven villages settled by devout Christians who believe in cooperative living, a simple lifestyle, and faithful service to God. Although she's always longed to see the outside world, Johanna believes her future is rooted in Amana. But when she learns a troubling secret, the world she thought she knew is shattered. Is this truly where she belongs?


Berta Schumacher has lived a privileged life in Chicago, so when her parents decide they want a simpler life in Amana, Iowa, she resists. Under the strictures of the Amana villages, her rebellion reaches new heights. Will her heart ever be content among the plain people of Amana?


About Judith Miller:


Judith Miller is an award-winning author whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her novels, two of which have placed in the CBA top ten lists. In addition to her writing, Judy is a certified legal assistant. Judy and her husband make their home in Topeka, Kansas. Visit her Web site at www.judithmccoymiller.com.


My Opinion:


Having read Judith Miller's work before I knew I was going to have a great book to sink myself into. Set in Iowa in the Amana settlement the reader gets to take a look at a communal life of a segment of devout Christians. This is not your Amish fiction, it's a book that takes a peek into the lifes of those who believe in hard work, simple living and devotion to Jesus Christ while still keeping a fast moving plot line.


Thankfully there is no outward displays of affection or romance, even though the new family's daughter likes to ask her friend, Johanna whether or not she is in love with a man who works with her father. The only kiss comes at the end of the book and only after an engagement/courtship and impending marriage has been agreed upon - if I tell who is getting married then you'll not read the book.


Keeping up a fast pace with page turning dialogue and character conflict this book has it all when you're wanting to escape and leave behind the real world for awhile. There really was an Amana, which you can read about at the Amana Heritage website, so there is some truth weaved in making it an excellent historical fiction book.


**I was provided a copy of Somewhere to Belong by Mr. Hart at Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review, no other compensation was given.

"The Carousel Painter" by Judith Miller

"The Carousel Painter" is a great book from author, Judith Miller. I'd like to thank Jim Hart at Bethany House Publishers for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

From the Bethany House website:

"When Carrington Brouwer receives the enviable job of painting carousel horses for a factory in Ohio, she believes her future is secure. But after an expensive necklace disappears from the home where she's been staying, she's caught up in a search for the truth that puts her entire livelihood--and her developing relationship with the factory manager--at risk. Can she lead police to the real culprit before she loses everything? "

My Opinion:

I really enjoyed this book, maybe it was the fact that it was set in Ohio or the fact that it's a historical fiction. The amount of historical attributes really had me drawn in from the first paragraph. I was also drawn to the characters which were well developed and I could feel myself actually feeling like they were my friends and I was able to feel the emotions that the book evoked. The emotions ranged from sadness as Carrie has to deal with a new home after loosing her father, anger at man who wants to court her friend, and happiness when Carrie finds loves.


At the very, very end of the book there are a couple times where two of the main characters do kiss but since they are planning their marriage it didn't fluster me too much, even if I would have preferred they waited until they were married. Also the man who turns out to be a "cad" makes a couple of advances towards Carrington but she quickly puts an end to it and the man is found out in the end. If you're looking for a light read that will sweep you away into another time then this is the book for you!