Gone South

I confess. I committed the cardinal sin of judging a book by its cover and that's why it took me so long to start reading "Gone South" by Meg Moseley. I'm not particularly into Southern or Western themed-romance novels so when I picked what was the best option out of my blogging for books list, I didn't rush to start this book. I also thought it was a period novel because I neglected to see the jeans under ye old gown on the cover of the book. I told you I came, I saw, I judged.

I've never read anything by Ms. Moseley so was very open-minded when I actually began reading this Southern book. Main character Tish McComb has decided to make a major change in her life and purchase her family's historic home in Alabama. Unbeknownst to her, her heritage is not the shining example of family that her father characterized during her childhood and she finds herself as the new Yankee outcast.  Too bad for Tish, she doesn't learn this until she's signed away her life to her new mortgage and her new life in rural Alabama.

Because Tish doesn't have enough bad luck, she finds herself taking in a stray young woman, Mel, who seems incapable of making a wise decision. Mel has been ousted by her family, partially because of her inability to admit she makes poor decisions and partially because of a very unforgiving father and a doormat of a mother. Long story short, "Gone South" follows both women as they try to fit in with anything but Southern Comfort.

All in all, I was a little disappointed that the "Christianity" of this book was so understated. Aside from 3 characters saying prayers under their breath, there was very little mention of God or spirituality. It goes without saying that anyone of any religious persuasion could read this and not be offended.  There were some slow parts, and some overreaction on the part of the characters that I just couldn't relate with. Maybe it's just me, but I don't necessarily care that much about proving my deceased family members were great people in order to be accepted.

All that aside, I thoroughly enjoyed this book once I got into it. It was a relaxing read, and it was nice to escape to the South, a place I've never been. I recommend!

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

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The Winnowing Season

As the years have passed me by and my life has become complicated with mature, adult things such as work, bills, marriage and baby, I've grown an odd fascination for the Amish culture.  I get quite the stare when I bring up how I long to become Amish and live the simple life. True, I probably will never convert, but I will never lose my desire to live simply for God and family. Honestly, I most likely crave the willingness to be at peace with living such a life, rather than the lifestyle itself. Thus my love of Amish books was born, where I can vicariously live through the near perfect characters as they walk their way through all things Plain.

"The Winnowing Season" is the first book I've read by Cindy Woodsmall, and the second in this series. I didn't realize there was an earlier book until I started in the middle of a rather twisty tale. Had I known it was a trilogy, I would definitely have started with the first book, as this novel picks up where the previous one left off with little reflection on the story.  It was difficult for me to straighten out all of the characters, their relationship to one another, and comprehend the devastating storm which took place in the prior book which was a major driver for the second book's plot. That being said, it took me some time to become invested in the story.

Rhoda Byler and the King brothers have just purchased an old orchard in Maine and are on the brink of moving and beginning a new Amish community, when Rhoda is confronted with a meeting from her local Church regarding an incident that takes place in the first novel. The outcome will determine if she is even able to move, and is the first glimpse we see at both Rhoda's and Samuel's strong-headed personalities. As expected, she is cleared to move to Maine and thus the story continues.

The novel is told from several points of view at each chapter break and covers the journeys of Rhoda and Jacob's relationship, Leah's quest for freedom outside the Amish community, Samuel's search for love and faith, and Jacob's past, which he has been running from for years. The new community will face a variety of trials at the new orchard, such as weathering the unfamiliar Maine winter climate while trying to upgrade the property, meeting mysterious neighbors and rambunctious teenagers, and attempting to deal with the frequent absences of Jacob.  All in all, I was not particularly endeared to Rhoda, the main character. I found her to be rather unlikable for much of the book, and couldn't identify with her "short fuse" on most issues. Rhoda's attitude wasn't particularly helpful along the way.

I have to say that I appreciated Woodsmall's modern approach to the Amish. Unlike other authors, Woodsmall writes in a more current time period and addresses issues that are relevant to both Englischers and Amish alike, rather than placing her story 50 years ago when technology and values weren't challenged as much as today. I also enjoyed that her characters were not perfect, praying at every corner when something went wrong. While I would love to say that is a trademark of the Amish,  he Amish are people too and struggle with their faith like any other Christian.

If you enjoy Amish fiction like I do, I would recommend this book. However, I'd read them in order, and bet you would enjoy this one even more. I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

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