My review of What She Wants by Sheila Roberts

What She Wants by Sheila Roberts was the first book I have read by Sheila Roberts.  It is also a little different than most books I typically read but I have been trying to read outside of my “box” lately too.  I read an ad about the book and it was one that grabbed my attention so much so that I went out in search of the book. The main character, Jonathan Templar, and his friends can’t get the dating thing to work out for them so when Jonathan starts reading romance novels for dating research, his buddies at poker night start wagering romance novels instead of money! 

Jonathan is stuck on a high-school love, Kyle has trouble seeing past attractive faces and bodies, and Adam, who is married, is in big trouble with his wife for taking her for granted and only making time for himself.  Single ladies and married women alike will probably be able to relate to this book and enjoy following these likable yet clueless men!  This is a fun, light, comical book to enjoy this summer.  And if you have a man in your life and can get him to read it… I would guess he could learn a few things from these bumbling men! 😉  

My take on The Winnowing Season by Cindy Woodsmall

The Winnowing Season by Cindy Woodsmall is the second book in the Amish Vines and Orchards trilogy series.  The third book is not yet released.  I read the first book with a Facebook Christian Fiction Bookclub I try to take part in when I can!  I have learned about new authors from following that I am so excited to try!  I have read some/most of Cindy Woodsmall’s books before this series. 

I think Cindy does a wonderful job of making her characters seem real and human!  She has a gift for making some characters likable, some lovable and some that I really do not like at all… but I  LOVE this!  In real life we are all flawed and have personality traits where some of us get along and some don’t. She does an amazing job of making her character multi-faceted. 

Since The Winnowing Season is a second book in a series, I do not want to say too much so I don’t ruin the first book  you.  The main character is Rhoda, a young Amish woman who has a God given gift and passion for growing herbs and fruit.  Rhoda is a hardworking single woman with her own business that she runs from growing things.  She pairs up with an Amish run Apple Orchard to help make both businesses profitable after a series of events.  In The Winnowing Season, Rhoda and the business she partnered up with are on a new adventure, trying to re-establish an old Apple Orchard.  They face many challenges and setbacks but strive to do and live as God is directing them.  This book does not come to a conclusion of life-is-great as many novels do, but it left me with peace and a realization to take things as they come with God’s timing to work and trust God along our life journey’s. 

If you like Amish fiction, I would recommend this and other Cindy Woodsmall books.  This does not happen to be one of my favorite books by Cindy, but I love following Rhoda’s journey and my stakes are set high… really high… as one of Cindy’s books is one of my absolute favorites so far.  I would love to hear from others if they have read any of Cindy Woodsmall’s books and what they love about them and which one is their favorite and why!  🙂  Happy reading!