The Crows Call is a good story. I enjoyed it. The storyline is about the Kings. If you remember Michelle from the Prayer Jars series. Well, we meet up with Michelle and Ezekiel once again. You will be surprised when you do.

I am glad to see them once again. We get to see a bit more of their storyline. Though this takes place mostly around the King's greenhouse and the King's family. There something tragic that happens, and those remaining have to deal with it. They seem to deal with it in different ways.

Though this seems to be mostly Amy King and Jared's story? How will Amy deal with the tragic events that hit her and family? Wanda seems to show how everyone deals with grief in their way. Though we see each family member cope in different ways.

Henry seems to be the one that struggles the most. How will he deal with it? Everyone seems to tell him what to do. There seem to be a silver lining to his way. He seems to attach to a crow and when to train it. Will he be able to?

There is much to love about this cookbook. It is very similar to “Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Gatherings Cookbook” in format and design. It features spiral, lay-flat binding and gorgeous color photos throughout, as well as glossy pages that are easy to wipe off if lightly sullied by ingredients. Brunstetter opens her “Amish Friends Christmas Cookbook” with a concise history of the Amish and Mennonites and a succint description of an Amish Christmas, which focuses foremost on the birth of Christ. Between each section of the cookbook are more brief insights into an Amish holiday season. I particularly enjoyed learning about their “Second Christmas” on December 26 because that is my birthday, and I love that they spend it visiting with close friends and just relaxing. Also of note is that they observe “Old Christmas” on January 6, which is referred to as Epiphany in the English world.

With a Bible verse at the beginning of each category, this is a nice collection of recipes for the experienced cook. Due, I’m assuming, to limited space, the directions are laconic. Most do not express a serving size, an at times inconvenient omission. In a couple of the recipes, a hyphen was missing and it made the wording confusing: “Roll up jelly roll-style” should have been “Roll up jelly-roll-style”. I have to admit that I was disappointed by the fact that almost all of the recipes use store-bought, processed ingredients rather than homemade. None of the recipes are exclusively reserved as gluten-free, although some of them are naturally and the others can be made so by substituting gluten-free ingredients. It is neat that each recipe is credited with the contributor’s name and location. My favorite section was “Gifts from the Kitchen” because it featured items and recipes that could be gathered into gifts, such as the cookie or soup mixes in glass jars that you see in stores. The three indices at the end are very helpful, enabling a look-up of recipes by contributor, category, or key ingredients. While this may not be the best cookbook for novices or for those seeking recipes with solely homemade ingredients, Wanda Brunstetter’s “Amish Friends Christmas Cookbook” is nevertheless a beautiful and fun collection of recipes and facts.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

A Cousin Promise is done well. I know I read this way before starting my book blog. I really did enjoy this. This book is about Loraine and Wayne. Will Loraine keep her promise? Though Wayne seem to have had accident and was left crippled.

Will Wayne see is way and hold on to his happiness? I really can not remember much it been that long ago. If I ever do re-read this book again I truly hope it as good as the first I read it. I do not see why it would not be.

I remember some of it story and plot. I know that it was written well. I did enjoy the story none the less. Will Wayne be able to get over his struggles and look to god and faith. Will Loraine be able to get over her rejection with gods help? What will happen once Loraine old boyfriends returns? Who will Loraine choose to love and marry?

Ever seem like you are looking for answers to a question? What if you can not at first find those answers. Do you seem ready to give up or do let it go for the time being? Well you would not think I be asking this except this exactly how Sarah Marry feels about herself? Will she find out Who her biological father is or will she not.

The Healing Jar pick this up once again where we left off. We are told about Lenore and her backstory a bit and why she is where is when we open up the book. Lenore seem like she has questions of her own. Will she find love and start a family of her own?

We meet Jesse Smucker and his daughter that are new to the community. He seem determined to not marry as he loss his first wife. God seem to have a different plan for him and his daughter. While Jesse is looking for someone to watch his 6 month old daughter while he at work, Lenore is asked if she could watch her. She accepts.

There are surprises and twist as you turn the pages. We also know that Sarah is still has a mystery to solve and we also hear and learn about Michelle story a bit more. All three girls are still pulling with the mystery of who wrote the notes in the prayer jars.

This book is everything you want in a book. It a tear tearjerker as well as being heartfelt. You will feel emotions as you turn the pages. What and ending it has. I know I could not put this book down toward the end. I was crying tears while reading. This series is another great one and one that I am thankful that own. I hope you enjoy as well. I hope to see more from these characters.

A conclusion to The Prayer Jars trilogy, Wanda Brunstetter’s “The Healing Jar” neatly weaves together the characters and outcomes of the first two books while continuing and ultimately ending the saga. As such, it is best to read this series in order for a full understanding of the background and a richer reading experience. This is a good series for those who may be new to the Amish fiction genre because the Pennsylvania Dutch words are defined and described in context, but in such a way that it does not detract from the story. Amish customs are also explored. For instance, this book describes Amish funeral practices. Another interesting aspect of The Prayer Jars series is how it examines the relationships between Amish and English people who are from the same family and how they interact with one another.

Of the three books, this one was my favorite. Marketed as a romance, family drama also plays a leading role in “The Healing Jar.” This book is the most action-packed and emotional one in the series. Lenore Lapp is the main character, but Sara and Michelle also figure prominently. Brunstetter does a nice job of following each young woman’s life as the tale unfolds, intertwining them without disrupting the flow of the novel. The topic of marriage is a main focal point, and I appreciated that challenges and conflict are addressed rather than painting a rose-colored picture and leaving it at “happily ever after” because this made the story more true-to-life. This book has several surprises, and the suspense of how things would turn out continues to the last page. All three storylines conclude, and although I will miss the characters, I am glad that mysteries have been solved and secrets revealed. Following the story is a recipe for Philly pie and a set of discussion questions which are suitable for groups or individuals.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.