Author: Kelly Long
Series: A Patch of Heaven #1
Publication Date: 2010
**Thanks to BookSneeze for providing this book in exchange for a review. The opinions are expressed are my own.**
Rating: 3.5/5
This book looked like a light summer read and it was just that. This Amish book has a clean and sweet romance and deals with the theme of what it means to forgive.
Amish novels are well-known for showing what it means to live a life of simplicity. Main character, Sarah, is a gardener who collects and grows heirloom seeds. She also learns how to quilt and these interests are incorporated throughout the story. Information abofut these interests is what fascinated me with the story and I would love to now read nonfiction about heirloom gardening.
I had a few disappointments with this story, however. Kelly's novel deals with the theme of forgiveness. Sarah learns to forgive a young man who struggles with bitterness. Matthew's family was shunned because of his father's abusive behavior towards his mother. In retaliation, Matthew commits arson against Sarah's family since her father was involved in the decision of the shunning. He finds Sarah alone and plans to attack her, but she instead shares God's love with him. It was beautiful that Sarah shared God's love with Matthew, however, I found this scene to be a bit unbelievable. I do believe in repentance and God's forgiveness, however I believe it is often a process over time. This scene was a bit to quick to be believed.
Sarah's Garden had a twist I haven't typically seen in Amish novels. I don't like to spoil novels for those who plan to read them. When I finished this novel I couldn't help but hope it had ended a different way. I think there is something beautiful to the Amish life of simplicity and I still enjoy reading about it, but I also think we tend to idealize the Amish culture a bit too much.
I'm glad I gave this book a read simply because I enjoyed learning about heirloom gardening so much. I think this book may have begun interest in a new hobby for me.
TO WIN THIS BOOK:
(1) ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION IN THE COMMENT BOX: DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE SEASONAL HOBBY?
(2) INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE FOLLOWING FORMAT PLEASE:
name (at) whatever (dot) com
(3) I WILL DRAW THE WINNER'S NAME SUNDAY JULY 18th.
12 comments:
I don't have a favorite seasonal hobby. I LOVE to read and crochet and I do those all year round.
wsmarple(at)gmail(dot)com
In the spring I love to take nature walks with my family.
~Steph
soklad@hotmail.com
http://fortheluvofsanity.blogspot.com/
I don't have a seasonal hobby. I love to read and do that all year long every day. I also live in Arizona so the weather is pretty nice all year long.
Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com
I love reading books about the Amish and this book sounds like it would be a great read.
I don't have a seasonal hobby as such. I am an avid reader and also enjoy scrapbooking and card making.
zabook(at)tpg(dot)com.au
Thanks for the review! These amish stories are very interesting but I agree, sometimes books on faith seem to rush to the conclusion they want and forgo the process. Might be a good pool-side book though :)
My seasonal hobby used to be apple picking and making applesauce in the fall. Now that I live in Florida, not Vermont, I buy it.
I love Amish books. My e-mail is: caralynnjames at yahoo dot com
Yes, I have a seasonal hobby...every Christmas I make handmade Christmas stockings for my entire family, then fill them with all kind of goodies.
debracollins(at)tds(dot)net
My seasonal hobby would be my flower gardens. I love to watch for the first little sign of green in the spring.
I really enjoy Amish books. I agree with you about the beauty of their simple lifestyle. It's a good reminder to just slow down in our lives.
choco1950 (at) netins (dot) net
I guess my seasonal hobby would be planting. I love to plant flowers in the summer.
Thanks
dcf_beth at verizon dot net
hi julia. i answered one of your Pick My Brain questions on my blog today...check it out when you have a chance. :)
jeannie
the character therapist
My seasonal "hobby" would have to be our vegetable garden. My husband had to take early medical retirement, so the garden is therapy for him and I help with it. Fresh-picked veggies are hard to beat!
Thank you for your honest review of Sarah's Garden, Julia. This book was already on my wish list and I would very much like to read it.
cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net
I'm not sure if it is seasonal or not but I do needlepoint and knit in the winter. I read all year long. In the colder months I work with my yarns. Please include me in the giveaway.
Thanks]
Heidi
heidijohnjeff(at)verizon(dot)net
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