The Sheepish Scribe

Tempest's Course by Lynette Sowell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Intriguing story about an old quilt, a journal, and a family full of secrets. The story revolves around restoring an old quilt and I found that aspect fascinating. Quilts reflect a lot of our history in America and the people who work at restoration have an important job.

Kelly needs this job after leaving her last employment amidst a scandal. Tom needs a job after an injury cuts his military career short. Both wind up at Gray House, a building full of history and secrets. Can they both overcome their broken pasts to restore more than an old house and an old quilt?

Somewhere to Belong by Judith McCoy Miller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this glimpse into the Amana colonies. This isn't an area of history I knew much about, so it was fun to read and learn.

The characters are interesting and very diverse. I enjoyed Berta's selfish antics and growth as much as Johanna's steady walk. The overall theme of the importance of truth - and with it the consequences of untruth - is well portrayed.

Judith Miller leaves the door wide open for more books to follow and I'm sure I'll pick them up to see how all these stories end.

The Quaker and the Rebel by Mary Ellis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I liked this story. It's different, not your stereotypical North vs South Civil War romance. The hero is a southern aristocrat and the heroine is a northern farmer's daughter who happens to be an abolitionist to boot. Plenty of drama right there. Toss in the Underground Railroad, a clandestine cavalry unit, some freed slaves and it just gets better.

Historically speaking, it's a little shaky in a couple of areas, but nothing that seriously detracts from the story. It was just enough to make my inner history geek do a quick cringe before I read on.

There are interesting characters in this story, especially some of the secondary characters. I've read other books by Mary Ellis and she always brings in good, strong secondary characters to round out the story. I love that. An easy book to recommend for any age.

The Roman's Quest by Anne Baxter Campbell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Miriam is a young Jewish girl who falls in love with a Roman soldier named Julius. Knowing she'll never be allowed to marry someone outside her faith, she settles for an engagement to James. But when James decides to follow Jesus, and Julius decides to become a proselyte (convert to the Jewish faith), Miriam's life is turned upside down.

If you enjoy historical fiction with good, solid history as well as true-life historical figures, you'll enjoy The Roman's Quest. The story offers a nice look into what life was like when Jesus began His ministry. Anne Baxter Campbell does a wonderful job of setting the reader down into the ancient city of Jericho. Grab your clay pot and head for the well... there is a story to be told.

Promise to Return by Elizabeth Byler Younts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's not often that a book keeps me up late at night - but this one did! I couldn't put it down last night until I physically couldn't keep my eyes open. And after my chores were done this morning, I was right back into it and read until the end.

Elizabeth Byler Younts takes us back to WWII and an Amish community whose young men were drafted. They could honorably serve out their time at a CPS (Civilian Public Service) camp but Henry Mast couldn't. He felt God leading him to enlist.

Miriam Coblentz wanted nothing more than to marry Henry and live happily in their community. She couldn't understand the changes in him after being at the CPS camp. She tries to please everyone, but can she really please anyone?

Beautifully laid out, this novel will pull you through an emotional journey of love, loyalty, and faith. I highly recommend it!

A Little Bit of Charm by Mary  Ellis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Rachel King loves working with horses, but not like most Amish girls do.  She wants to ride thoroughbreds.  Riding in an Amish dress isn't exactly practical.  When Rachel takes a job at a thoroughbred horse farm, she doesn't expect to fall for the horseman as well as the horses.

An avid horse racing fan, I cringed at the repeated mention of yearling races.  Yearlings don't race.  Horses are started racing as 2-year-olds.  But it doesn't bother the story or the romance between Rachel and Jake.

The faith thread in this story is believable and interesting.  Choices - both Amish and English - can change a person, for either good or bad.  Realizing the choices for what they are takes discernment and often time. 

A gentle romance suitable for any age.  I highly recommend this one.



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I am blessed - incredibly blessed - to be part of an awesome group of writers known as the Quid Pro Quills.  We started as a spin-off from the American Christian Fiction Writer's Scribes group.  We've grown into an active, supportive, accountability, critique group.  And along the way, we've become friends.

Today, December 1, 2013, we are launching the Quid Pro Quills web page.  That's right... we're going BIG TIME!  Stop by and meet the ladies - known affectionately as "the Quids."  We plan to provide some fun stuff for readers who want a peek at the writers behind the quills.