The Faith of Dolly Parton by Dudley Delffs

 The Faith of Dolly Parton by Dudley Delffs is a book written by an admitted fan who usually writes Christian literature.  This book on Dolly is focused on her Christian faith and is divided into 10 lessons.  This book focuses on how Dolly's faith keeps her grounded as well as willing to take risks in order to advance her career.  The writer explains how her faith keeps her grounded, helps her remember where she came from as well as remember to help those who came from Tennessee who were less fortunate than she was.  It explains how Dolly started right out helping her family just as soon as she started making money--well before she made it rich--and that as soon as she could help out her community and surrounding area she did.  She always credits God for all of her talent and successes.  She always says that there are more talented singers than she but that she was willing to go where God led her to go in her career.  This book also tells of times when Dolly got down and even considered suicide, even how she was going to do it but that God called her back in the form of her little dog to reconsider and then He made life better for her. 

This book also tells where her faith comes from-her family.  She tells of her mama's faith and prayer life.  She tells of her grandfather Rev Jake Owens who was a Pentecostal preacher and how she began her career at the young as of 6 singing during services.  But she also talks of finding a deeper faith at the age of 12 by visiting an old no longer used church building where she would sit and talk to God one to one and found a different more loving God than what she heard in the pastor's fiery sermons. This book introduces us to the loving God that Dolly found and lived with the rest of her life.  Not saying that it was all rosy but always Dolly found that God was there with her.

I enjoyed reading this book and seeing the faith of Dolly both before and after fame.  That fame didn't change her faith and that the faith she found as a child was big enough to carry her into the future and kept her grounded.  This simple faith was big enough for her no matter how her life and material possessions change she stayed the same faithful child of God.
I received this book from BookLook for this review.

Arms of Mercy by Ruth Reid

Arms of Mercy by Ruth Reid is the next Amish love story by Ruth Reid and is a part of the Amish Mercies series.  Catherine Glick has been dating Zach for 5 years which may not seem a long time to the reader but in Amish terms that is time to marry.  Catherine is waiting for her date for the evening to show up at the gathering at the Amish Table which was the restaurant that Catherine worked.  The fact that Zach was late was not unusual--he was always late.  Just as Zach arrived and the prayer is beginning who should walk through the door but her old boyfriend, Elijah.  Elijah had left the area 6 years ago and though he and Catherine had planned to marry he had married another without even telling her.  Then Zach tells Elijah that he can ride home with them and then Zach lets off Catherine first which of course led to an argument which surprisingly ended with Catherine proposing to him.  Catherine could tell that Zach did not want to marry her.  Catherine is embarrassed and so when the chance to help out her cousin in Florida with her bakery happened she decided to go.  Zach then decided that if she didn't go then he would marry her.  Catherine realized that not only did Zach still not want to marry her but just wanted to keep her home but Catherine wasn't all that hurt.  She decided that she needed to go to Florida to get away and clear her mind and think.   It would only be for 4 months and if it was meant to be then she would see then.  Little did she know that Elijah would be concerned about her going all that way by herself and he purchased a ticket to go with her to Florida and stay with his cousin, Toby.  Elijah wanted to talk Catherine into dating him and he had some explaining to do about that so called marriage that he so rashly entered into and spoiled his first chance for a life with Catherine.

Will Catherine and Elijah find their way back into each other's life?  This enchanting novel was such a delight to read.  The novel had so many twists and also the Amish lifestyle set up so many problems for Catherine and Elijah to work through.  Also Zach was in the picture.  He didn't seem to want to marry Catherine but he also didn't want Elijah to be there either.  Was it a jealousy thing or did Zach just have control issues?  Then the bus had a horrible accident.  How does this story end?  You will just have to read it.
I received this book from BookLook for this review.