Review to be completed nearer to publication date ( )

A Real Page Turner!

The Road Home is book two in the Apple Creek Dreams Series. This book is about Jenny Springer, the little girl who was rescued by Jerusha in book one A Quilt for Jenny. After the rescue, Reuben and Jerusha adopted Jenny. Even though Jenny loves her adopted parents she has the burning need and desire to find out who her birth parents are.

I loved book one. I couldn’t believe that book two could be even better. Author Patrick E. Craig really knows how to keep you interested with twists, turns, and excitement. I picked this book up every chance that I got. I had to know about Jenny’s search.

This book isn’t just about Jenny as you will find out. There are so many other characters in this book that are not only interesting but very fascinating. Good characters as well as bad characters. I found myself with some very anxious moments because after all, I was drawn into the story as well. I had to help Jenny, didn’t I?

There are also some lessons to learn about turning everything over to God and allowing him to have control over our lives. I really enjoyed the interaction that some of the characters had with God. I will admit that I shed some tears at the end of this book.

I am looking forward to reading book three in this series, Jenny’s Choice. ( )

Title: The Road Home

Author: Patrick E. Craig

Pages: 356

Year: 2013

Publisher: Harvest House

Here is a novel that is not at all your typical Amish Fiction. First it takes place in the sixties, and is full of suspense and mystery. Patrick Craig is a story teller with his own technique. He’s not a rule follower, but just goes right into telling the story in his style.

I asked Patrick about his style. He had this to say. “I am fortunate to have inherited the… quality – I love to tell stories and I think that may be my saving grace, since my style seems to fly in the face of conventional wisdom. People seem like my books because of the story and the characters. So as writers, I think we will find the most success with a great story first, and then with strong characters.”

Another thing you must know about this author before I give my review is that he used to be a pastor. So he is already very gifted in sharing spiritual truths in a beautiful yet down to earth way.

Okay, so here is my review. This story follows Jenny, an adopted Amish girl, as she tries to figure out who she is. She goes on a journey to find out about her past, believing that she will feel complete, and whole by knowing where she comes from.

Johnny is a hippy that is on the run and finds himself in Jenny’s life. As they both discover their family roots and their love for each other, God works in their lives.

For the quilt lovers out there, there is a magnificent quilt in this story that is used to tie so much of their lives together and the truths of God’s love. There is praying, a strong deep amazing strength of prayer that is a foundation of this book. It is a beautiful gift.

I am not one to like a lot of description in the books I read. I did enjoy this story, with all of its twists and turns, mystery and the need to see Jenny through to find answers to her many questions. I also wanted more out of the romance. The best part by far for me was how the spiritual message of God’s love, salvation, and letting the Holy Spirit work in our lives––was told.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://TMWoodsBooks.com/blog . Also follow me on Twitter @TMWoodsBook, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/TMWoodsBooks . ( )

Title: The Road Home (Apple Creek Dream series)
Author: Patrick E. Craig
Pages: 368
Year: 2013
Publisher: Harvest House
Once in awhile a novel or two comes along that just snags one’s attention and won’t let go until the very last page is turned and word is read. The Road Home is just such a book. For a long time I didn’t want to read books containing Amish stories as they were mostly for entertainment or it seemed like there were so many coming out at one time it was overwhelming. So I decided not to read or review any books that contained anything referring to Amish until recently. Since then, I have read a couple of extraordinary Amish novels that went deeper with the people, story and scenes.
The Road Home is uniquely written as mainly a mystery as one adopted young lady desires to find out about her past. Her longing to know the truth is so deep within her soul that she sets out to locate her information. Before this, Jenny is remembering her past in dreams and how she came to live on an Amish farm and be the only child. When a young man enters her life “coincidentally” as Johnny thinks, the adventure takes off.
I think the adventure of the story both for many characters as well as deeper within the hearts of a few main players are what kept me reading to the wee hours of the morning. Here you will see how choices made by others can at times affect families for generations, both right and wrong ones. You will clearly see how God uses everything to bring us to Himself if we but humble ourselves and turn toward Him.
Throughout the book there are so many threads from various angles and characters one might wonder how the piece will look when finished. I can tell you it was extremely encouraging, filled with hope and God’s message of salvation. I found one theme showing us that whether young or old we can never stop learning, repenting and turning to the Lord. Above all was the message that God always is in control whether we see Him clearly at the moment or later on. He is always who He says He is!
I hope you will read this novel and find it speaking to your heart and mind. I didn’t know about the first novel in the series, A Quilt for Jenna, so I didn’t read it. I can tell you that this particular tale was worth reading all the way through from start to finish. Also, I plan on sharing with a friend and perhaps you will too after you’re done reading it!
My rating is 5+ stars.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457 ( )