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04 May 2012

Review of Kelly Long's Arms of Love


Arms of Love
By Kelly Long
(Thomas Nelson, 2012)



This is the first Amish colonial I have seen. I applaud Kelly for tackling this time frame, which is a favorite of mine as the Founder of the Colonial American Christian Writers group, of which Kelly is a member.
 
Bibliotherapy: This book is full of more bibliotherapy uses than any other book I have read so far this year. We have loss of spouse, loss of parent, war, depression, PTSD, murder, love thine enemy/ friendships among enemies, child abuse, and sibling rivalry. For those of us with mental health backgrounds, there is a character whose behavior is consistent with Asperger’s.  Whew, I had to take a break after writing all that!  So, as you can imagine this is not a typical Kelly Long book. These colonial Amish characters are quite angsty and the story fairly dark. This book feels as though Kelly poured herself into it during a difficult time. Thus, the emotion on the page is very real.

Kelly is an amazing romance writer and her characters well developed. I really enjoyed the mature couple romance and I appreciate that Kelly gave us a realistic courtship. I’ve heard too many criticisms of short courtships after the death of a spouse. For this time frame and setting it makes sense. The hero and heroine are perfect for each other.

There is a strong spiritual thread and great explanations of the early Amish society and life.
Caution: I am one of those people who do not want to read violence on the page. While much of the abuse, etc., is kept off the page, there was some.

I read this review as a download through NetGalley via Thomas Nelson Publishers.  I am not required to post a positive review.  My opinions are my own. 


GIVEAWAY: We are giving away a copy of this book or any of Kelly Long's books this week.  Leave a comment to have a chance to win one of her many wonderful Amish books! 


42 comments:

  1. WOW, CARRIE! That is such an awesome review! I wish I could write them like that, I really do, but we are individuals and I have to write in my own way. I'm just a little envious. lol! I just love your insight in your reviews. Dale Cramer is another one who writes Amish historicals, and likewise Murray Pura, for those who are into Amish/historical. Can't wait for the second book in this series! It is a series, is it not?

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  2. Great review! I've been looking forward to reading this book since I found out about it, and can't wait to get my hands on a copy! Thanks for the chance to win it!

    lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. I can't wait to read this book! Please enter me!

    jennycohen104(at)gmail(dot)com

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  4. DIANA! You are the best!

    ELYSSA and JENNY, thanks for visiting!!!

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  5. Please enter me! Can't wait to get my hands on a copy!!

    Emreilly303(at)gmail(d0t)com

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  6. Thanks for the giveaway! Can't wait to catch up on all of Kelly's books!

    Dreilly316(at)gmail(dot)com

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  7. Please enter my name into the drawing! Thanks!

    Jreilly316(at)verizon(dot)net

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  8. I love your review CARRIE.
    I think I like the idea of this book, because it's historical Amish. I just downloaded a historical Amish book from NG by Murray Pura, DIANA! :)

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  9. Cool, MARIAN! We need to get acquainted with his work, I'm thinking.

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  10. EMILY, DEBBIE and JOHN,
    We will include you in the drawing! Thanks for visiting!

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  11. MARIAN, Let us know if we need to investigate and pray about having a Murray Pura week. Wonder what his testimony is? I was praying this morning that my own work will minister to others.

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  12. DIANA, I agree! Murray's book sounds interesting!

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  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  14. I won Murray's book, The Wings of Morning, and can't wait until it comes!

    *made a major typo and had to delete :)

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  15. Hmmm...wonder how Murray would feel about spending a week with us crazy ladies!? Haha I still have a few to read for reviews b4 I can get to Murray's. But I WILL get to Murray's!

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  16. I love Kelly's short stories!! I have yet to read one of her long novels, but I can't wait!

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

    ~Marissa

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  17. Unbeknownst to MURRAY, ANNE, I have two of his books! He thinks I only have one. ;) I really enjoyed Kelly's Arms of Love, b/c it was historical Amish, and it wasn't one of your squeaky, nicey Amish novels, b/c of what our country was going through at the time. But, I DO love the squeaky, nicey Amish ones, too! :)

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  18. I like any Amish ones so far! Can't wait to get to Kelly's book :) Hoping I win one too!

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  19. I also have other books to review first before I can get to Murray's, so I think he'll have to wait for our reviews. LOL
    I'm not much of an Amish reader, but historical Amish is a subgenre I haven't read before, so I'm really curious if I like it. I LOVE historicals, so I'll probably like historical Amish too.

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  20. ANNE, let us know what you think! DIANA, you are so funny! MARIAN, you ALWAYS have a huge list of books to read but you still get through them fast! You HAVE to read Kelly's books - you will love them!

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  21. MARISSA - more of Kelly is even better, lol! you have to read her full length books!

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  22. Haven't read much this week CARRIE. I've been feeling too GOOD to read. :))

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  23. Love historical and Amish. To combine is just great. Thanks Kelly!
    ldwrncpn@comcast.net

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  24. Great review Carrie and I am looking forward to reading this Amish story. Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  25. We really need to praise the Lord, because when MARIAN said she is feeling too good to read, she means it! The Lord has touched her, but I'll let her tell y'all about it, if she wants. She may want to wait, but anyway, it isn't my place to tell, but I PTL for Marian feeling wonderful!!!

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  26. Love amish books love to win thanks

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  27. LORI-I'm so with you! My favorite genres are historical and Amish, throw in a dab of suspense and I'm a happy camper! Good luck in the drawing!

    Hey, MISSKALLIE-Thank you for your interest in Kelly's book!

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  28. GREAT news about MARIAN. I don't know the specifics but hope to hear! APPLE BLOSSOM, we have you down!

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  29. you guys are FUNNY - Southern gals in the Lord are wonderful & I am not afraid of their craziness! - I never win anything from the South but great plot ideas and characters but I am posting here anyways cuz someday I may win a book! haha! great review & great chit-chat ;o)

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  30. OKAY, MURRAY - that sounded like a double dare. And since I know most authors do not have TIME to read too much I am wondering what you would do with a Kelly Long book if you won it, lol! THANKS! Oh, and I live in the MidAtlantic. I am the Zone Director! Diana is from Arizona and lives in the South. Marian is Dutch. That only leaves Teresa who did not comment. And yes, she is Southern!

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  31. I've lived in the south so long, CARRIE, I feel like a true southerner, although you didn't say when you came to visit me from VA whether I have a southern accent or not. I know it isn't as strong as Teresa's, for sure. HaHa I always included VA as being in the south when I lived on the west coast and read all my Civil War plantation books.

    CARRIE, did you know I am half Dutch? My mom was full blooded Dutch. MARIAN and I might be related, but I don't think she would claim me. lol!

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  32. CARRIE, you can read on FB why I feel so GOOD.

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  33. Why DIANA I can't believe you think I have a Southern Accent!! What gave it away??? Opening my mouth??!!! LOL! Yes I am afraid I'm as Southern as they get. I stayed in Pa for about 4 months one time and everyone would ask me to "tawk" and would giggle at me when I did. Never did figure out why 'cause I thought they were the ones that "tawked" funny! LOL! I'm a GRITS (Girl Raised In The South) and Proud of it!

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  34. Looks like I'm in good company hopeing to win a copy o!f this book. Since I've started reviewing books I've opened up to many other genres I wouldn't have read before. This sounds like a unique book and look forward to reading it. Teresa where from the South were you raised? I live in North Ga. and when I'd visit my cousins in Ohio they'd call their friends to liston to my accent. I didn't realize they tought it was funny! LOL Please enter me!
    Deborah M.
    debbiejeanm at gmail dot com

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  35. I'd love to win this book!

    ecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com

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  36. DEBORAH, yes, lol! Teresa is from SC! While I lived there over a decade, God didn't bless me with the acquaintance of Diana and Teresa until last year!

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  37. Great review! Thank you for the giveaway. I would love to read this book.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

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  38. thanks for the chance to read this beautiful story :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  39. Diana, I think you have a southern accent!

    I received Murray's book yesterday so I hope to get to it this week or next!

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  40. Sounds great!!

    ladette at live dot com

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  41. Kindly enter me in the drawing for your book. I cannot wait to read it!

    ddjordan_sbg_0803@yahoo.com

    Blessings to you!

    Denise

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