Wednesday, February 12, 2014

"Jenny's Choice (Apple Creek Dreams Series, Book 3) by Patrick E. Craig (Review and Giveaway)


 About the book:   In the concluding novel to the Apple Creek Dreams series, Jonathan and Jenny Hershberger are happily settled in Paradise, Pennsylvania on the farm Jenny inherited from her grandfather. But when a tragic accident takes Jonathan's life, Jenny and her young daughter, Rachel, return home to Apple Creek, Ohio to live with her adoptive parents, Reuben and Jerusha Springer.

As Jenny works through her grief and despair, she discovers she has a gift for writing. A handsome young publisher discovers her work and, after the publication of her first book, Jenny is on the verge of worldly success and possible romance.

But when a conflict arises with the elders of her church, Jenny must ask herself how far she's willing to go to pursue her dreams.

A touching story of devotion and triumph over adversity.

My thoughts: This, the final book in the Apple Creek  Dreams Series by Patrick E. Craig, is written with a voice that is gentle yet strong in that it paints verbally the life of Jenny as she tries to journey through her existence without the love of her life. Her husband’s death that has devastated her and left her where she simply can not endure living on the farm they so loved. The book opens with preparation to move back home to her parent’s home in Ohio with her sweet daughter. Will she return to her farm in Paradise, Pennsylvania?

One of the tools Jenny  finds that helps her in this journey of reconciliation and adjustment is that of writing out the story of her feelings, memories, and desires as well as how God is working in her.  And then she meets a young, male, publisher who sees her talent and wants to publish what she has written.

Patrick E. Craig has written engaging characters whose strong faith and recognition of their weaknesses brings them to life for the reader. The book is not your “typical” Amish fiction although it is replete with their beliefs and how their beliefs of separation from the world govern their actions.

The surprise that awaits Jenny as she makes her choices is a surprise for the reader as well. Jenny truly has many choices to make.

“Sometimes I think life is like a rushing river that begins its journey high in the mountains, tumbles down over jagged rocks, rushes headlong over cliffs, and pours booming through nameless chasms until at last it escapes the harsh stone walls to the broad plain spread before it, flowing deep and quiet through lush meadows between banks that hold it tenderly.”  Page 11, Jenny’s Choice

“As they sat, the wind died down and the rain ceased to beat against the window. The clouds started breaking up, and a ray of sun broke through. A hush fell on the day, and peace crept over the land.” Page 67, Jenny’s Choice

“And so the days passed, and as the deep winter gave up its icy grip on Apple Creek and the first touch of spring began to melt the morning frost from the etched glass of the window in her room, Jenny slowly began to come back to life.” Page, 69, Jenny’s Choice

SPECIAL NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:  After reading Jenny’s Choice, and having read a bit previously about Patrick E. Craig’s career, I contacted the author and asked him a question: “How much of yourself have you written into the story?”  He has graciously answered my question and I am delighted to share it with you….. (But first please look at his website and learn a bit about him, then read his answer – CLICK HERE)…..

“Yes, there is a lot of Patrick in Jenny's Choice.  I lived in the Haight Ashbury in 1967 and was part of the San Francisco music scene for many years. I had breakfast many times in the restaurant on Haight Street where Jonathan meets  Shub in The Road Home.  The songs that Jonathan has success with in his secular life as Richard Sandbridge, Anna and Tonight, are songs that I wrote for Buddy Miles, an R&B singer from the sixties who played with Jimmy Hendrix in his last band.  The Christian songs, Crown of Thorns and Now I am Free (Deeny's song) are songs that I wrote after I got saved 'again' in 1984. I was a musician who thought that success was just around the corner, but the lifestyle led me farther and farther away until the Lord intercepted me. 

Jonathan's journey back to his faith roots is one that I took in my own life.  Through all the deception of the sixties, I always remembered my own upbringing in church and the salvation experience I had when I was fourteen.  I went to see a young preacher named David Wilkerson talk about his new book, The Cross and the Switchblade and gave my heart to the Lord.  As with Jonathan, the Lord kept his hand on my life through all those difficult times and finally I realized that He was indeed, The Way, The Truth and The Life and brought me back to Himself.”
GIVEAWAY:  Patrick E. Craig has gracious set aside a set of all three books in the Apple Creek Dreams Series for one of Chat With Vera’s readers. What a choice prize! All three titles! Now just use the Rafflecopter entry form below and let’s see who with get these books.  Begins February 12 & ENDS March 6 @ 12:01 ET. Open to continental USA addresses only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE:  I was provided a complimentary copy of Jenny’s Choice by the publisher in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. No compensation was received for this review.

27 comments:

  1. Before leaving the music industry to become a pastor, he wrote music for Bill Champlin and David Jenkins! He won a national editorial contest for an article he wrote about the death of JFK.

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  2. I would have to say when I got married! I remember my step-father's mother and sisters that they had finally seen a radiant bride!

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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  3. The most interesting thing I find is his name! My grandma's maiden name was Craig and her brother Dana Craig published two (I think it was two but I know there was one) poetry book MANY years ago. I like that he writes Amish books as well as adventure/mystery stories for young children, tweens, and teens.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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  4. Hearing how my teenage son had the opportunity and the courage to walk up to a complete stranger to share the gospel and pray with him. He had attended a conference that encourages and enables youth to share their faith.
    koho143 (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  5. Interesting things . . . Patrick Craig was a Pastor for 26 years, He has written a series for youth in the tradition of the The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew called Punkin & Boo Series (have to look into that for my kids).

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  6. I had no idea Patrick has been blessed with so many talents. One of the interesting things that stood out is him being a songwriter. Another is, that he was a pastor for so many years. He has quite an extensive and impressive background.

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  7. My most recent joyful moment was when we were able to get our furnace fixed. It may not sound like much but at the time, the temperature outside was -17°.

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  8. One joyful moment was the birth of our grandson on 11-7-13.

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  9. I had a scary moment then very joyful moment this week. My son was in an accident and taken to the hospital. I was one scared momma until the doctor told us everything was fine and that he'd just be sore. After seeing the wreckage I was so glad to hear good news.

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  10. A joyful moment was the birth of our children
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Merry

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  11. A joyful moment: A loving card/text/message at just the right, needed moment!
    Kelly (at) dkcountryarts (dot) com

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  12. Vera thanks so much for letting us know of another amish author, I have not read this one but sure will be looking for him now, stories look great.

    Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)

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    Replies
    1. You might enjoy reading my review of Patrick's "A Quilt for Jenna" http://chatwithvera.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-quilt-for-jenna-by-patrick-e-craig.html

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  13. one of my most joyous times in life was the birth of my first grandchild oh such love and joy I felt

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  14. the only way I can explain undying joy is the birth of my first grandchild

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  15. I love Patricks book and can't wait to find out what happens with Jenny!!!

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  16. My days are filled with happiness and joy with my six children

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  17. when I got married 36 years ago today!!!!!
    Blessings
    Diana
    joeym11(at)frontier(dot)com

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  18. Oh my, I would be so so happy if I could get my name drawn here. Such a great prize. Patrick can really tell a story. Maxie mac262@me.com

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  19. I found it interesting that he left the music business to follow christ. And that he wrote a series for youth.

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  20. A happy memory (that seems to fit with this book), is taking my then 2 year old daughter to the local Amish community (only about a mile from our old farm) once a week for produce and some bulk ingredients. She loved every thing, from the carriages and wagons, to visiting the feed mill where we got our grain for our goats, to visiting the lady we got our eggs from, who always had Laura a fresh turnover ready (usually peach or apple, but blueberry if they were in)

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  21. Things that I like about Patricks website in first, I like the set-up he has. And, I like that his stories are encouraging, inspiring, uplifting, and teaches the readers. And, I love this series where it covers 3 generations. I would love to win.
    Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

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  22. My 8 yr-old son giggling when I tickled him.

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  23. Patrick was a pastor for 26 years and he is also a professional song writer
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Merry

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  24. My happy moment was when my husband and I were surprised to find out we were expecting our son. :) We'd been wanting a child for 3-1/2 years! :)

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  25. My joyful moment was when I retired from my state job and realized I can now read all my books anytime, anywhere and anyhow!!
    Karen G.

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  26. He was a professional son writer and he's is an excellent writer of Amish fiction.
    Karen G

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