Chickens in Canaan Land

by Jessie Gussman

Don’t read this in bed!

Especially if you’re lying beside your sleeping spouse.

Or while you’re eating breakfast.

Or at work.

Or at the library.

Or any other time where silence is golden or you have your mouth full.

Hi! I’m Jessie Gussman and I get emails all the time from people who spewed their coffee/half-chewed toast/cereal out all over their e-reader.

Or who woke up their spouse while reading my newsletter because they were laughing so hard.

Or who save my emails until they get home from work because they don’t have the kind of job where howling and rolling on the floor is acceptable conduct.

But not every story in this book is laugh-out-loud funny.

Some of them will make you cry.

Some will make you think.

And some of them will make you shake your head and wonder how in the world someone like me has made it through life without being put in a straight jacket and carted away.

Not even close. I get paid to write love stories.

Lol Life is weird, I agree.

I’m a wife, mother and farmer by day, romance novelist by night and in my spare time, I write about my life from prison.

Kidding about the prison part. (At the time of this writing, anyway. No one has figured out if there was actually a body in the car that’s buried in my dad’s back yard – that story’s in the book, along with the time I caught myself on fire and my kid was laughing too hard to blow me out, how to charge a 1600 pound, angry mama cow (and why you’d want to), odd Amish courting rituals (involving frogs), and how not to fall out of your husband’s Peterbilt as he’s driving down the interstate.)

There is a lot of faith, family and fun in my fiction books, and WARNING: my real life has a ton of all that, too.

But life on the farm is not always fun. Sometimes it’s hard and sometimes it hurts and those stories are in here, too.

Thanks so much for choosing to spend a little time with me today!

Love,

Jessie

Books in the Stories from Jessie Gussman's newsletter series:

1. Chickens in Canaan Land
2. The Farm on Naked Creek

Genres: Nonfiction

Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2024

Reviews

[Cathy R Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been on this author's newsletter list for some time now, and it's one of the few newsletters that I always open, rather than deciding based on the title, or how busy I am, or... Anyway, this is a compilation of some of those newsletters, and despite having read many of them already, I really enjoyed reading through them again. The author draws on her life experiences to entertain, inspire and encourage. I definitely end up laughing frequently, but I also often find them thought-provoking in terms of my own life and my relationships with God and those around me. Whether or not you choose to buy this book (and I do think that it's a worthwhile collection), make sure you join the author's newsletter list to get more such stories each week!

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

[Ballet in AK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chickens in Canaan Land by Jessie Gussman (4 stars)

A collection of vignettes gathered from the newsletter of Jessie Gussman.

Filled with humorous, touching and faith-filled stories by a Christian romance author. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll enjoy yourself as you delve into Jessie’s life as a farmer of cows, a farmer of chickens, a trucking business co-owner, a mother, a neighbor to the Amish and much more!

I love Jessie’s sense of humor... it comes through in many of her romance novels. (Nobody can write banter like Jessie Gussman.) But I also love how she has a true talent for description in more serious moments, as well.

Jessie talks to her newsletter readers as though they are in the room with her and, since this book is a compilation of her newsletters, it is like having a visit with a friend where stories are shared in true stream-of-consciousness style.

*poor, **ok, ***good, ****very good, *****something special

[Susan Hamann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a fan of the author for quite a while. I subscribe to her newsletter and read each one. This book is a compilation of those newsletters. Although Jessie Gussman isn't known for her sense of humor,as she is a talented romance writer, she has a very good way with words in describing things happening in her life and it sounds like living on a farm with her family is one laugh after another. I know it is really hard work. But Jessie can see the humor in her every day life. I have always enjoyed her newsletters and I enjoyed re-reading them in this book.

The author provided me with an ARC of the book. This is my honest review.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute short stories, most I've already read, some were fun to read again, some not so fun. Jessie is so down to earth, proving she's human like the rest of us, with chillins, chores, school, faith, some not like us, cows births being chased by one, life on the farm, (hmmm big pass on that one)! I hold my nose driving through Idaho farms, as my hubby says.....awe nature. Sometimes I wonder about Watson, but again sounds like that's just how he is. If I was covered in that much "mud" and he said the comment, I'd have flung mud at him while walking away to my shower.
Being a mom of all boys, I can so see mine atleast 2 out of the 3 doing much the same as her oldest.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that Jessie puts a part of herself, her day, her routine(?) into her newsletters, and now this book for us, her readers, to enjoy. This book had me laughing out loud, crying, and wondering how in the world people can live with themselves sometimes. I truly don't know when Jessie finds time in her life to write, but when she does, it's an experience. I love Jessie's honesty, spirit, love, generosity, human-ness, kindness, parenting style, relationship with God. A great, uplifting read.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been receiving Jessie Gussman's newsletters for a couple of years now. It's the last email I open on Tuesdays because I always like to save the best for last. This book of newsletters is actually better described as a collection of short, real-life stories by Jessie that will leave you snorting with laughter, and sometimes, struggling with tears. They read like conversations between friends. Just as Jessie's fictional stories are delightful reads, her real-life stories about her family, their animals and life on a farm, among other things, are just as enjoyable and uplifting.

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this book. I love everything that Gussman comes out with, but this isn’t a romance. Or a story with a plot. In fact, initially I had planned to skip this one. But, I picked it up.These are enjoyable snippets of life filled with family and faith perfect to grab when you can only read for a few minutes (and you can’t trust yourself to stop reading a novel), though, these quickly get addicting too.

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Jan Tomalis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been following Jessie Gussman for a while now and I look forward to enjoying her newsletter every week. She writes in a down-to-earth style about her faith, raising kids and life on the farm. She can be very funny so be careful not to spit out your coffee while reading! As for life on the farm, there are also sad moments and Jessie handles them honestly. I am happy to now be able to save her newsletters in book form!
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however, I voluntarily wrote an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[Holly Bleggi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun book by Jessie Gussman! I loved the funny stories she shared about her life on the farm and the lessons she’s learned. This book will have you laughing from the very first page until the end. I also love that these are stories that she has shared in her weekly newsletter. If you want a fun book to read then this is a great one.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!
You know it makes sense I would read the second book after the first because I can relate to this book so much. With loads of humor, Jessie gives her fan one truly wonderful book. This is a faith-based writing that is so touching that it not only will inspire the reader but entertain you in a clean and wholesome way. Jessie’s real-life stories about her family and life on their farm made my day! This really is a must-read charmer! I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Anna B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chickens in Canaan Land is a compilation of some of Jessie’s best true life experiences that you don’t want to miss. I love the way Jessie shares her heart in a thoroughly authentic way.
Full of grit, humor, and encouragement, each story connects right to the heart in the easy and the hard things. I’m inspired to live life to the fullest and hold onto my faith.
This truly a book I highly recommend.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book of funny moments in the life of the author. Along with the fun, some are sobering but that is real life. I'd already read most of this book because I subscribe to her weekly newsletters, however, it was fun to read again. She just has a way with words and can draw you into her story no matter if it's a weekly newsletter or a full length novel. No wonder she is one of my favorite authors.

I received an ARC of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

* This book is so much fun! If you need light hearted or a pick me up, this is definitely a book to read. This is a book to keep and read again when you need a laugh. I enjoyed this book so much!

* I think I laughed through every single chapter! OMG! Keep in mind this is not fiction with stupid funny, but real life OMG situations. I can just see it all as it happens! Definitely a keeper to read when I’m struggling.

[Glendora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life At Jessie´s Place

What a wonderful way to end my days this week. I had fun, inspiration and joy before going to sleep each night. Some nights I wanted to keep on reading. Those were the hardest nights. I had to pace myself.
Honestly, you can’t go wrong by choosing any of Jessie’s books. Especially if you need to relax and let go of the world for awhile.
I’m not an ARC reader for Jessie but this is a n honest, unsolicited review.

[Sandra Hartzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had an Advance Readers Copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Jessie Gussman writes the best stories about her life, and this book is a compilation of those stories. There’s not a main plot, but the stories are about her family, are true and carry you through the book. It gives you great insight into Jessie and her life.

[Bonnie Theel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great! It gives so many insights to what it's like living on a farm. You can see these things happening in your mind. I laughed so much at some of the antics. This what went on on Jessie's farm, but I'm sure things similar to this goes on at many other farms. Thank you for showing us some of the things that happen in you personal life.

[Lori R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew when I received this book I would enjoy it because I have always enjoyed Jessie's newsletters. I got to catch glimpses into Jessie's life and life on her farm. I enjoyed reading the stories and laughing while I read about what happened. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Nati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessie Gussman at her best. All her knowledge, her faith, her funny but also her serious side condensed in a book. Her weekly newsletter is the highlight of my week, and I’m sure a lot I feel people feels the same. This book will lift your heart, teach you a thing or two, always bring an smile to your face and give you something to think about.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chickens in Canaan Land is a laugh out loud look at the author's life on the farm. I highly recommend this book if you want to read a realistic look at modern farm life. It is told with humor and grace by one of my very favorite authors. It includes adventures in parenting, being a good neighbor, and following God as well as life on the farm.

[Knight Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was complied of several months of Jessie's newsletters. They were thought provoking, often times humorous and sometimes sad. You get insight to her life as a Christian, wife, mother, daughter, and author. I enjoy her newsletters, but I cannot say that I enjoyed them in book form. I received an advance reader copy of this book, and I am voluntarily posting this review.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I look forward to Jessie Gussman's Tuesday newsletters because of her stories dealing with her animals. She can make what could be disasters funny. Now her family may not think she's as funny as the rest of us do but I thank them for sharing her and her stories with us. Treat yourself to this book and sign up for her newsletters.

[Jeannette Harbottle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of newsletters in one book

I love Jessie Gussman's sense of humor, and this book goes from one fun incident to the next. I appreciate the fact that running through it is her desire to reflect her faith through the way she lives.

[David Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chickens in Canaan Land is a collection of some of the author’s news letters that she emails to subscribers each week. Jessie Gussman is an excellent writer and this book gives one insight into her home life. Her stories are funny and very transparent. I recommend Chickens in Canaan Land.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun stories to read!

Love the insights (and humor!) that the author brings to us….her newsletters are always fun to read. Since I hadn’t been receiving them until a few years ago, it was great to be able to read them here.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is delightful. The author digs into the nitty gritty of family and working the farm, along with tugging at your heartstrings. You'll laugh and nod as you identify with all the emotions of life and family. A Chicken Soup for the Soul read.

[Mary Jane McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a collection of Jessie Gussman's weekly news letters and they are heartwarming, funny, sweet and definitely entertaining.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved it!
I've been reading this book to my husband every time we're riding in his truck together.
For us, there are so many laugh out loud moments.
Great book!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I laughed till I was rolling, this book is so funny and wonderful. I loved, it keep the stories coming Jessie!

[Diane B · Rating 5 out of 5]

And enjoyable look into the life of an author and busy wife, mother and business owner. She vulnerably shares her heart in every day circumstances!

[Tazzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of true stories from Jessie Gussman's newsletters.
Jessie Gussman's newsletters are a peak into her life on the farm with her family. She writes with such honesty, and transparency that you feel like you've been friends for years. One thing that stands out most is how important her relationship with Christ is, and that fragrance is carried through in these stories in the way she lives out her faith. Some of the recollections are sad, some are inspirational, some are spiritually challenging and the rest are usually a laugh a minute.
If you enjoy memoirs (especially about farm life), need a scriptural pick-me-up or have penchant for humorous stories, you may enjoy this book