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B is for Bonnet–reconciliation
B is for Bonnet
by Shelley Shepard Gray
After I finished reading A is for Amish, I listened to an audio version of B is for Bonnet. I had already decided which of the characters introduced in A is for Amish would be the protagonists in this second book in the series, and I was so wrong! Although all four of the siblings considering returning to their Amish roots show up in the next book (#2), the focus is on Jonny, the youngest boy, and their father Matt.
A lot of B is for Bonnet deals with reconciliation and forgiveness. Two new female characters are introduced for romantic interest. Treva (Amish) owns a coffee shop and Kennedy (English) is a house/pet sitter. Both English and Amish characters and ways of life are at the forefront as they deal with what it means to “live Amish” and face decisions about their future. The return of an ex-boyfriend, a health scare, and an accident are events in the book that move the plot along.
Callie Beaulieu is the narrator for the audio version. I’m sure it is hard transferring from male to female voices, but I was usually able to recognize which character was speaking.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Christian, Religion, Romance
Notes: 1. #2 in the Amish ABCs series. It could be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading A is for Amish first to get a solid base for the characters.
Publication: January 21, 2025—Kensington
A is for Amish–converting to Amish
A is for Amish
by Shelley Shepard Gray
Four siblings raised together in a dysfunctional way. Four siblings searching for where they really belong. This quartet unites to discover if they could not just survive, but thrive, for a year in the Amish community of their grandparents with whom they spent a lot of time growing up. Their parents had given up the Amish way and gotten divorced. Then they funneled most of their attention into finding their own happiness with another spouse. The children went back and forth between Mom, Dad, and grandparents. Martin, the oldest at twenty-five, assumed the role of protector and guide for the others, Beth, Kelsey, and Jonny.
Each at their own crossroad, they travel together from Cleveland to discuss moving in with their grandparents to learn the Amish way. Because Mommi and Dawdi are overwhelmed with the idea of training four adults at the same time, the young adults decide that just two of them should stay. Martin and Kelsey are the volunteers who remain. Martin, with a very successful career in finance, finds the transition more difficult; he just wasn’t used to working with his hands. Kelsey immerses herself in helping her grandmother and learning Pennsylvania Dutch. Other than conflict with a bossy hen, she has less trouble adjusting.
While Martin and Kelsey are dealing with the restrictions of Amish life, new cultural norms, and issues of faith, they are generally accepted into the community. Martin is enchanted with Patti, his grandparents’ neighbor, who was bullied as a child because of a port-wine birthmark on her neck. Spunky Kelsey captures the heart of Preacher Richard who is trying to help her assimilate. Martin and Kelsey are keenly aware of the need to separate their romantic feelings from the decision to become Amish. Not an easy task.
I had a lot of fun with this Amish novel. The characters are likable—except the one who shouldn’t be. Even his actions and attitude are interesting, moving the story along as he reveals his true nature. In my reading of previous Amish novels, there was usually a Bishop as there is in A is for Amish. This book mentions the selection process for a preacher: “even putting one’s name into the lot was stressful. Discovering the marked Bible was sometimes seen as both a blessing and a curse. No man accepted this fate easily—especially if he was chosen by the Lord to be a preacher at such a young age.” There is a lot of character growth in this novel, but not resolution for everyone. With four young adults as the focus, you can expect a “hook” to draw you into other books in the series about the various siblings.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Christian, Religion, Romance
Notes: 1.#1 in the Amish ABCs series
2. I did a brief Internet search on Amish bishop versus preacher/minister. It was interesting, and I unsurprisingly, as there are various Amish orders, found conflicting information on the role and selection process.
Publication: June 25, 2024—Kensington
Memorable Lines:
“Now I understand. You’re not afraid of giving up your life…you’re afraid that even after doing all this, you still won’t be happy.”
“We do,” Kelsey said in what she hoped was a gracious tone. “We have more than enough. I, for one, would be delighted if you joined us.” Of course the moment she said those words, she wished she could take them back. She sounded like a spinster in the middle of a Jane Austen novel.
“We’re all scarred one way or another, child. We live on earth, not heaven. But you mustn’t forget that our Lord doesn’t make mistakes. You were meant to be special because He sees all of us that way.”
A Light in the Window–Mitford, a good place to live
A Light in the Window
by Jan Karon
Earlier this year the members of my book club decided that for the upcoming months each person would select a book for all of us to read. I couldn’t have been more delighted when A Light in the Window was chosen as one of our reads. It is the second book in Jan Karon’s The Mitford Years series and a reread for me.
I enjoyed so much returning to the little town of Mitford where no one is perfect and everyone has hiccups in their lives. Yet the people there are good. Miss Rose has a screw loose, Edith Mallory gets carried away with romantic intentions on Father Tim, and the town is in danger of losing its café. These are just some of the problems in Mitford, but the focus of the plot is the relationship of Father Tim, the never-married Episcopal priest, and his neighbor Cynthia, an artist and the author of a successful series of children’s books. Father Tim likes Cynthia, but his inexperience makes him a reluctant suitor.
This major plot thread dominates A Light in the Window, but many other threads are woven into the book. It is a relaxing book, full of humor. The unexpected visit of Irish cousin Meg is a source of both humor and concern as are many of the stories in the book. There is character development as the characters mature and work through their problems. Themes include love, forgiveness, and trust. There are many denominations included in the book and there is an emphasis on how Father Tim and other preachers work together for the good of the people of Mitford and to further their exposure to the love of Jesus. Father Tim is an excellent listener and very accepting of others and their differences. At the same time, it is clear that he has standards and the townsfolk know they can count on him from his cooked hams to his pastoral care. There are a lot of characters, but the author makes it easy for the reader to distinguish them by their uniqueness. Father Tim’s dog Barnabas and his foster son Dooley are two of my favorites.
I very much enjoyed my return trip to Mitford and look forward to rereading more of the books in the series.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Fiction, Christian
Notes: There are a lot of characters in this book. Most of them were introduced in the first book. This book could be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading the first book in the series prior to reading this one. Both are relaxing and enjoyable.
Publication: 1995—Penguin
Memorable Lines:
He wanted to get at something more compelling, more life-changing—the process of personal confession, of personal relationship with Christ. He also wanted to point out that being a priest no more assured him of heaven than being a chipmunk would assure him of nuts for winter.
“Do you think God would have me batter through your locked doors?” “I think that you and only you could do it. I read something the other day—‘What is asked of us in our time,’ the writer said, “is that we break open our blocked caves and find each other. Nothing less will heal the anguished spirit, nor release the heart to act in love.’ Locked doors, blocked caves, it’s all the same. It is so hard to…” “To be real.” “Yes. Terribly hard. Frightening. But there’s no other way.”
Stolen time. He took her hand and turned it over to see the small, uplifted palm. He kissed its softness and placed her palm against his cheek. Stolen time. He would willingly be the blackest of thieves.
The Alto Wore Tweed–unpretentious protagonist
The Alto Wore Tweed
by Mark Schweizer
This is a very funny mystery and probably different from all other mysteries you have read. The protagonist of The Alto Wore Tweed is Hayden Konig, a man who wears several hats, but is predominantly chief of police and the only detective in St. Germaine, North Carolina, as well as choir master for the Episcopal church. He is highly qualified for both jobs, and music is his passion. He dates Meg, an investment counselor, who lives with and takes care of her aging mother. Hayden also has visions of being a mystery writer in the style of Raymond Chandler. He has several million in investments from the sale of a patent, but lives simply.
Hayden is a nice guy but is not one to butter people up or try to stay on everyone’s good side—especially the new rector at the Episcopal church, Mother Ryan, a woman who holds a “wimmym’s” retreat where the celebrants “ReImagine God in our own feminine image” and suggest new names for God such as Sophia, Moon Mother, and Wanda. The literally explosive, untimely ending to their retreat is hysterically funny.
The janitor at the church is found dead, and much of the book focuses on discovering how he died and who murdered him. Hayden and his staff of two are good at following clues, and I was convinced several times that I knew the identify of the killer only to have the investigation go in a different direction. The method the killer used was uncommon.
The style of writing is humorous, replete with puns and tongue in cheek repartee. The author inserts Hayden’s attempts at mystery writing throughout in a manual typewriter font. His reading audience is the choir as he inserts new chapters in their choir folders weekly for them to read when the service is boring.
The reader watches a Christmas disaster as the Rotary Club and Kiwanis Club create competing creche displays in subfreezing temperatures. What could go wrong when you have live animals, a bagpipe player, and a dromedary who thinks he hears his mating call? This book is the first in a series of 15 books with a distinctive kind of humor.
In discussing this with my book club, I discovered a variety of responses to The Alto Wore Tweed. I think we all agreed that the insertion of the Chandler style mystery was not done well and immediately became a distraction rather than an enhancement. I know I have a quirky sense of humor, and that was confirmed as some members did not find the book nearly as funny as I did. The characters are portrayed by caricatures; across the board almost no one is given a realistic depiction and therein lies the humor for me. There are MANY classical music references, most of which probably had significance which escaped me. If I had not spent some time in Episcopal and Anglican churches with a formal liturgy, I’m not sure I would have understood the format of the services. In conclusion, The Alto Wore Tweed is unconventional and innovative. Its plot is worth following with a complicated mode of murder. I certainly did not determine the killer correctly before the conclusion. Some may consider it irreverent, but it pokes fun at those who think too highly of themselves. Eccentric characters rule the day.
Rating: 4/5
Category: Mystery, Humor
Publication: 2002—SJMP Books
Memorable Lines:
“Oh man,” I said, suddenly remembering everything I had forgotten to bring with me. “Nancy, did you bring any gloves? Mine are in the truck.” “Right here, boss,” she said producing a box of physician’s disposable latex wear and a baggie from her purse. “What a babe!” I said. Then, remembering my PC rules, quickly changed to “I mean, thank you Officer.” Nancy snorted in good-natured disgust and handed me the box.
“On Friday, a woman came into the station and complained to Nancy that the night clerk at the Roadway had sold her baking powder instead of cocaine. She wanted to file a complaint. She even gave Nancy the baggie of powder.” Meg looked at me in disbelief. “Was it baking powder?” “Nope. It was cocaine all right. We drove her down to Boone. Told her she needed to file her complaint from the courthouse. About halfway there, she started getting scared and told us she’d decided not to press charges. Anyway, they booked her on possession and locked her up.”
“Bourbon?” he asked, as soon as I walked in. I may have been becoming a little too predictable. “Sheesh, Kent. It’s ten in the morning. At least we can pretend that we’re being civilized. Pour mine into this coffee.” I pushed his espresso across the desk to him and he poured a couple of fingers into both cups….I stirred my coffee with the end of my pen, wiped it on my jacket and waited for Kent to peruse the file.
education pathways 