Month: August 2017

An Amish Christmas Love by Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Kelly Irvin and Ruth Reid

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an amish christmas love

Pages: 385

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Published: September 12, 2017

An Amish Christmas Love is a book of 4 Amish novellas that center around love after death.

In Winter Kisses, Naomi lives with her mom, Barbara, and grandmother, Ruth. They have rented the daddi house to 3 Amish carpenters for the month of December. Will one or all of the ladies find love with the carpenters?

The Christmas Cat is a little funny with sadness as a strong undertone. It is Christmas Eve and Emma is settling in to weather the snowstorm and her first Christmas Eve without the love of her life. Two young Amish couples on the brink of forever love have surprised her with Christmas Eve dinner and a chance to share her love.

Snow Angels takes us back to Bee County, Texas where a surprise rare snowstorm has allowed broken hearts to heal.

Home for Christmas brings Ellie back to her childhood home and into the path of Ezra and his daughter, Allison. Will Ellie’s dog, LuLu hold the answer to Allison’s illness? Can Ezra’s heart thaw after the death of his wife? Will Ellie revert back to the Amish way of life of her early childhood?

This would be the perfect book to pull out and read in the middle of winter with snow falling. You will find yourself warm and cozy and cheering for love to win.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an ARC to read in exchange for my honest review in my own words.

The Space Between Words by Michèle Phoenix

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the space betwwen words

Pages: 336

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Published: September 5, 2017

It takes a lot for a book to set me back on my heels and go speechless. This book did exactly that in a way that I’m still finding it hard to put my thoughts into words.

Jessica has flown from Denver to France to visit her roommate Patrick. Their plan is to tour the countryside looking for antiques. A change in plans and a snap decision alter their lives forever. When Jessica finds an old wooden box with a secret compartment filled with a mysterious letter she finds herself exploring memories she would rather forget.

Knowing the story has true events told in a fictional manner makes the story resonate more with you as the reader. You find yourself cringing with fright and wiping away salty tears of anguish as Jessica navigates her way back to a sense of normalcy.

Take a moment and read The Space Between Words and see if you don’t fall in love with Jessica like I did. You may just find your new heroine.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an ARC to read in exchange for my honest opinion in my own words.

When the Bishop Need an Alibi (The Amish Bishop Mysteries #2) by Vannetta Chapman

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when bishop needs alibi

Pages: 354

Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

Published: August 22, 2017/September 1, 2017

I am a fan of Amish fiction and mysteries and when a writer puts them together it is a homerun. I loved the first book, What the Bishop Saw, but the second is even better. I adore the bishop, Henry. I want someone like him in my life. Kind, caring, a great listener and thinks outside the box. He and Emma make the perfect team solving mysteries and as a romantic couple.

As with most of Vannetta Chapman’s works, you will not be able to put this down. I was able to read this book in a little under 24 hours as I was still reading at 2 am. I just had to know what was going to happen next. Every time the hubby woke up last night he was asking, “are you still reading?” Yes, yes I am dear.

Henry is your typical bachelor, Amish or English, in that he does like to eat at home very often so he goes to Maggie’s Diner in town. He has befriended a waitress, Sophia, and decides one day to draw her helping an elderly couple. That drawing spooks Sophia and raises flags for Henry that she may be in trouble. Unfortunately, he finds her body in the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge while watching a family of cranes. Discovering her body lands him in jail and sets the community on edge. Will Henry’s friends be able to use the drawings to prove his innocence? Hunker down with a good cup of tea because you are in for one wild buggy ride.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harvest House Publishers for an ARC to read in exchange for my own honest review.

A Plain and Sweet Christmas by Various Authors

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plain and sweet xmas

Pages: 448

Publisher: Barbour Publishing

Published: August 18, 2017

A great introduction to the world of Quakers, Amish, Mennonite and Amana fiction novels. If you have never read this genre but are interested this is a great book to get your feet wet.

I enjoyed the book but it helped me realize I am not a fan of stories involving the Quakers. Those stories do not grab my attention like the Amish and Mennonite stories. I really enjoyed the Amana story and wish I could find more.

The stories are short enough that it makes it the perfect book for the busy reader who only gets to read before bed or the reader who needs a book for the bus or subway ride.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest review in my own words.

 

The Beloved Christmas Quilt by Wanda Brunstetter, Jean Brunstetter and Richelle Brunstetter

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beloved xmas quilt.jpg

Pages: 400

Publisher: Barbour Publishing

Published: September 1, 2017

Three beautiful Amish stories intertwined through a Christmas quilt passed down through three generations. Each story shows how to overcome death to love again, martial strife and fear of new love.

I was very impressed with debut author, Richelle Brunstetter. She has her grandmother’s storytelling gift. I’m excited to see how she progresses.

This is the perfect book to give as a present for fans of Amish romance. The stories are short enough to read one story in a sitting. The progression from story to story is seamless. Your heart will be light and airy when you finish the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for an ARC to read and provide a review based on my own honest opinion.

Seeing Red by Sandra Brown

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seeing red

Pages: 432

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Published: August 15, 2017

What a story. I am still flying from all the plot twists. It has been a few years since I have read a romantic suspense from Sandra Brown and what a book to start reading her again. Excellent plot, lots of good suspense and perfect romance.

Kerra was one of the survivors of a hotel bombing when she was five years old and in the years since she has become a respected, top-notch TV reporter. On the twenty fifth anniversary of the bombing she wants to interview the Major, the guy who saved her and let the world know she is the little girl in the infamous photograph. In doing so, she unknowingly upsets the person behind the bombing and his “posse”. Will the Major’s son, Trapper, be able to overcome the rift between him and his dad in order to save the Major and Kerra before it is too late?

The passion between Trapper and Kerra is burn up the sheets hot from the beginning. If you are not a fan of graphic sex scenes in a books then this may not be the book for you. People will be “Seeing Red” as you read, red as in the blush of your cheeks.

Hold on to your hats ladies and gentlemen as you are in for a fast paced roller coaster. Once you start you will not want it to end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for my own honest review.

If the Creek Don’t Rise by Leah Weiss

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if the creek dont rise

Pages: 322

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

Published: August 22, 2017

It’s the 1970s in Appalachia, specifically Baines Creek, and Sadie Blue is coming into young adulthood the hard way. At seventeen she is pregnant and married to a no good drunk. Through the local healer, Birdie, and the new teacher will Sadie be able to learn how to save herself?

I thoroughly enjoyed this new voice in fiction. Leah Weiss writes with a beauty of a culture that is misunderstood but one that we all could learn from if we opened our hearts and eyes. She writes with a first person voice from several characters point of view. The main character being Sadie Blue who you cheer on as she struggles. Weiss uses the Appalachian vernacular that without would not make the story as moving and powerful.

A part of me would like to see a sequel letting us know how Sadie Blue’s fate plays out but at the same time I like the idea of the author leaving it up to my imagination.

I would recommend this book to any fan of fiction. If you like to read Silas House then you will like debut author, Leah Weiss.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review in my own words.

Any Dream Will Do by Debbie Macomber

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any dream will do

Pages: 336

Publisher: Random House

Published: August 8, 2017

Could you find it in yourself to give someone a second chance? What if that someone embezzled money to help a family member? What if that someone left you to face the consequences by yourself?

Debbie Macomber’s, Any Dream Will Do, follows Shay from her moment she embezzled money to “save” her brother to trying to get her life back together after a 3 year stint in prison. Macomber does a terrific job in showing all sides of what someone faces when they reenter society after time in prison. The ups and downs of trusting, making friends and learning to love.

One of my favorite aspects of this novel is the voice Macomber used. As I was reading, it almost felt as if I was reading a true story. The novel is told from both Shay’s and Drew’s first person point of view. You feel as if you are sitting in a cozy living room face to face with the characters and listening to them telling you the story.

Macomber makes the reader think how they approach similar situations in their life. Her use of faith is great. Mainstream fiction tries to shy away from having to much faith talk in it but I find myself as a reader looking for it more. Any Dream Will Do has a faith based plot but it is not overwhelming. I would recommend this novel to everyone I see. This book will be with me for some time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my own honest review.

The Blessing (Amish Cooking Class #2) by Wanda E. Brunstetter

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the blessing

Pages: 322

Publisher: Barbour Publishing

Published: August 1, 2017

Wanda E. Brunstetter never disappoints in providing a heartwarming read.

In book two of The Amish Cooking Class, she introduces 6 new members of Heidi’s Saturday morning cooking classes. Heidi is able to teach her students some new Amish recipes as well as share God’s word.

My favorite character is teenager Nicole. Since her mom left she has become the “mom” of the household and cooks all the meals. Her family is ready for some new dishes and her dad finds Heidi’s class. Over six weeks Nicole will learn more than cooking from Heidi. Will forgiveness be one of her learning experiences?

My least favorite character is Todd. Why? Because he is so full of himself. At times I found myself yelling at him to get over himself. Will Heidi be able to teach him that the world does not revolve around him?

I loved that Wanda brought back Kendra throughout the entire book. I cannot wait to see if she continues her story in the next book. I want to know what happens with the new love interest in Kendra’s life. (Hint, Hint)

I cannot wait to try the recipes in the back of the book, especially Chicken in a Crumb Basket. It sounds yummy and I think my picky teenager might even like it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for my own and honest review.

 

Mary’s Home (#3 The Peace in the Valley) by Jerry S. Eicher

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marys home

Pages: 352

Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

Published: August 1, 2017

After enjoying the first two books in The Peace in the Valley series I was disappointed with this book. The idea behind the story is good but the delivery was lacking. There was too much going on with both Mary and Betsy’ s story. Though at the same time there slow, drawn out sections. The story ended very abruptly as if the author was tired of writing.

I would recommend the first two books but not the third.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harvest House Publishers for a free ARC copy in exchange for my honest opinion.