A Heart Most Worthy by Siri Mitchell

A Heart Most Worthy

by

Siri Mitchell

There are many stories of immigrants to the USA and how they survived and prospered. This is the story of three young ladies from Italy who live in Boston around 1918 and are working in a high end dress shop. Luciana, Julietta and Annamaria are three young seamstresses earning their way at Madame Fortier's dress shop. There are many obstacles to overcome, being poor, not speaking English, prejudice and sometimes their own families interfere in how each young woman wants to lead her own life. There is history, intrigue and romance in this story and it is all interwoven to hold your interest to the end.
I would recommend this book to everyone. It was a really enjoyable read from beginning to end. I've read other books by Siri Mitchell and love her style of writing and choice of settings. Although you can't judge a book by it's cover, I really do like looking at the woman and the beautiful dress that she is wearing. It really adds to the story to picture the type of clothes that women wore at that time in our history. I'm sure that poorer women would only wish to have such beautiful clothes as the women who were able to buy dresses made at Madame Fortier's dress shop.
I received this book to read and review from Bethany House Publishers.

Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer

Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer

Marianna Sommer was born and raised in Indiana within a strict Amish community. She expected to remain in Indiana and eventually marry Aaron Zook. Her older brother Levi had moved to Montana and that is where her family decides to move also. Marianna is not obliged to move with them, but chooses to do so to help her mother who is expecting. On the train and once the family arrives in Montana, they discover how nice so many people are. It also becomes apparent that the strict rules of the Indiana community are not the only right way to lead your life in God's way. The realization that a happy life devoted to God and family is possible outside of the strict rules comes as a bit of a shock to Marianna.

I enjoyed reading this book very much. I'm glad that Marianna was able to see a new side to her relationship with God and with her friends and family. The recipes at the end of the book are also an added feature that I'm sure many people will enjoy. This book was a step above the other Amish family stories that I have read. I think it presented a more real look into what it is like to be Amish in our modern times.

I received this book from Litfuse to read and review.

Here is a link to buy the book.

http://triciagoyer.com/contemporaryfiction.html#BesideStillWaters

Here is a link to a contest that the author is having and a picture of a really sweet salt and pepper set that is part of the contest prize.

http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/2011/04/beside-still-waters-giveaway.html