Month: December 2018

When Calls the Heart at Christmas (Heartfelt Devotions from Hope Valley) by Brian Bird, Michelle Cox

/ kentuckybooklover / Leave a comment

when

Pages: 179

Publisher: Broadstreet Publishing Group LLC

Published: September 4, 2018

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A Christmas devotional centered around the Hallmark TV series, When Calls the Heart. Stories from old and new are incorporated with family traditions, recipes and prayers to make you think of the real reason of the season, the birth of Jesus.

I am not a true Heartie (yet) as I have not taken the time to sit down and watch the series from beginning to end. I have watched a few of the shows and understand the phenomenon around the show. I love how faith is one of the main focus’ on the show. The same goes for this devotional. It is inspiring. I already have plans to start this devotional again on December 25 and read a devotion a day and focus my heart on the stories and prayers. I also cannot wait to make some of the yummy recipes that have been included.

For fans of the show new and old, this is a book to buy and treasure.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Broadstreet Publishing Group LLC through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

The Light Before Day (Nantucket Legacy #3) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

/ kentuckybooklover / Leave a comment

light

Pages: 368

Publisher: Revell

Published: October 2, 2018

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Henry and Hitty have inherited their grandmother’s vast fortune with a few hitches. They must live in her monstrosity of a house and marry a Quaker in good standing within six years. If they do not meet these requests conniving Tristam Macy will inherit all with no conditions. How will Henry and Hitty handle their grandmother’s request and what will they learn of themselves in the process?

I have absolutely loved this series. I found my love of Nantucket through a couple of other writers and it is on my bucket list to visit someday. I jumped at the chance to learn about the early days of Nantucket. Suzanne has taken the time to research and include true occurrences in this trilogy. My favorite is the third book. I know some readers felt the author rushed the ending and left a few things unfinished but isn’t that how life is? Not everything is tied up in a neat little bow. I also want to dream that she might have left it open to revisiting someday.

The trilogy is written in old English with “thee” and “thy” used very frequently. Once you get used to that you will find yourself falling into the story and not realizing the language difference. For this alone, I would say it is more appropriate for a mature audience. There is no sex or obscene language in the books.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Revell through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

The Coloring Crook (A Pen and Ink Mystery #2) by Krista Davis

/ kentuckybooklover / Leave a comment

coloring

Pages: 306

Publisher: Kensington

Published: November 27, 2018

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Florrie is living a life of happiness. She has a job as a manager at the local bookstore, she creates and publishes adult coloring books, has her own apartment and a new romance with a local police sergeant. What more could she ask for? Definitely not the murder of a vibrant member of the weekly coloring club. Is her murder over the recently surfaced oldest known coloring book or did Dolly have a sordid past? Florrie finds herself in the middle of the chaos that ensues from Dolly’s death. Join Florrie and friends as skeletons in and outside the closet are discovered.

This is the second Pen and Ink mystery and each one keeps getting better. I am not an adult coloring book fan but if I keep reading this series I may become one. There is something as you read that makes the back of your mind wiggle with a “maybe you should try it”. If you are an adult coloring fan, you need to buy the print format of the books as the cover is able to be colored by the reader.

The mystery is great in The Coloring Crook as the red herrings kept me guessing until the end. I had no idea who the killer was until revealed.

I am enjoying the budding romance between Florrie and Eric. The hiccup in this book was very entertaining. I cannot wait to see how it progresses in book three.

I am not a huge fan of Florrie’s whiny little sister who seems to not be able to survive without her big sister’s help and direction in her life. I hope Veronica “grows up” in the next book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

The Amish Sweet Shop by Emma Miller, Laura Bradford and Mary Ellis

/ kentuckybooklover / Leave a comment

sweetshop

Pages: 304

Publisher: Kensington

Published: December 18, 2018

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A sweet read to get you ready for Valentine’s Day. Perfect for the romance reader in your life.

THE SWEETEST COURTSHIP by Emma Miller
Grouchy Jacob Beechy is no match for his mother, who has taken it upon herself to find him a wife. Rose has come to town for a change of scenery and ends up crossing paths with Jacob’s mom. Come sit a spell in Beechy’s Sweets and watch love melt even the hardest heart in town. By the end of the story, you will be craving fudge with a side of romance.

THE SWEETEST TRUTH by Laura Bradford ***My favorite of the three stories***
A horrific barn fire several years ago changed the life Sadie thought she would have so she has made the life she feels most comfortable living. When a secret admirer starts leaving little gifts for her to find on her lunch break, Sadie’s heart starts to soften and she allows herself to dream again. This story will make you smile and your heart tapdance with happiness.

NOTHING TASTES SO SWEET by Mary Ellis
A freak accident suddenly widows Hannah who has just found out she is pregnant. Hannah is thankful for her job at the local hardware store but when the job is in jeopardy Hannah learns she is stronger than she thinks. A sweet tale of how sometimes romance can find a way to heal even the most broken of hearts.

I love reading Amish romance novellas during the holidays as the stories are usually short enough to read in between all the hustle and bustle. You are always guaranteed a happy ending and a smile. Even if Valentine’s Day is not your holiday, you will be happy to read these sweet stories. Grab a box of yummy chocolates, put on your fuzzy socks and curl up in your comfy reading chair for one of the sweetest reads of the season.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

Wreath Between the Lines (Cookbook Nook Mystery #7) by Daryl Wood Gerber

/ kentuckybooklover / Leave a comment

wreath

Pages: 213

Publisher: Beyond the Page

Published: November 8, 2018

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The holidays have arrived and so has Jenna’s older sister and family along with some holiday drama. As Jenna is trying to save her sister’s marriage, her father’s friend Jake experiences a horrific present in the murder of his friend. Jenna takes it upon herself to solve the murder in time for a holly jolly Christmas day.

This is my second book (but the seventh in the series) that I have read and it has whetted my appetite for the series. I am interested to read how it all started. I agree with other readers that each book can be read as a stand alone but you will get more from the series if you read in order. The author does a superb job in giving enough background information for new readers.

I love that the author includes recipes at the end of the book. A huge pet peeve of mine is reading about such delicious dishes and no recipes. It has been known to turn me off on a series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Beyond the Page through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

Kappy King and the Pie Kaper (An Amish Mystery #3) by Amy Lillard

/ kentuckybooklover / Leave a comment

kappy

Pages: 352

Publisher: Kensington

Published: December 18, 2018

Rating: 4 stars

It’s time for the county’s fall festival and annual pie contest. For more years than not Alma, the bishop’s wife has made the award-winning boysenberry pie. Unfortunately, Alma finds herself on the wrong end of a cast iron skillet. Can Kappy and friends find out who would want to keep the bishop’s wife from participating in the pie cook-off this year?

I love this Amish cozy mystery series. The titles make me smile, the cover art is fun and the stories have hilarity to them even if they do involve murder. Kappy is a hoot. She tries so hard to follow the Ordung but her curiosity get her in scrapes every single time.

This is number three in the Amish Mystery series but each can be read as a stand-alone novel. As with any series, if you start with a book other than the first you will know the outcome of previous books. I would feel very comfortable giving this book, the entire series, to a teenager as a gift. There are no steamy romantic scenes, no offensive language and the murders that take place are nowhere near gory.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

A Seat by the Hearth(An Amish Homestead Novel #3) by Amy Clipston

/ kentuckybooklover / 1 Comment

hearth

Pages: 352

Publisher: Zondervan Fiction

Published: November 13, 2018

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Priscilla jumped the fence close to seven years and has found herself returning to her parents with her son to protect him from his abusive father. Priscilla is not sure her parents’ house is the best place to be but it is the only place available. Will Priscilla abide her father’s wishes to return to the fold and find a husband who will be a father to her son?

As with any Amy Clipston novel you will find yourself unable to put the book down once you open it. Amy writes with heart and you feel that in each character.

Priscilla’s story will break your heart. She teaches us how abuse affects our lives and everything surrounding our lives. She shows us how easy it is for an abused person to go from one abusive relationship to another. It takes strength and courage to break the cycle and how the right love can allow the abused person to open like a beautiful spring flower after a cold, vicious winter.

Grab your tissues and mug of tea and settle in for a long night of reading.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan Fiction through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

Nipped in the Bud (An Orchard Mystery # 12) by Sheila Connolly

/ kentuckybooklover / 1 Comment

nipped

Pages: 212

Publisher: Beyond the Page

Published: October 29, 2018

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Newlyweds Meg and Seth are having trouble staying busy during their slow season. Well, that is until finding a dead body behind their house. When things start getting secretive between the different police departments involved both Meg and Seth can’t stay out of the investigation.

This is the first book in the series that I have read. I have several to read but have not done so. The reviews for this series are exceptional up until this one. The reviews range from “meh” to “love”. I am in the middle. There was a lot of talking and not much action. I am used to more action in my cozy mysteries. I felt like a was reading a book that had to be written.

Based on reviews for earlier books in the series I do plan on reading the series from the beginning. I hope I am not disappointed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Beyond the Page Publishing through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

The Teacher’s Bride (Amish Brides of Birch Creek) by Kathleen Fuller

/ kentuckybooklover / Leave a comment

teacher

Pages: 320

Publisher: Zondervan Fiction

Published: December 4, 2018

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Christian moved to Birch Creek to accept the teaching position and in hopes, it would widen his availability to find a wife. When a sprained ankle sidelines home for a few days, he has to depend on “accident waiting to happen” Ruby to cover his class. Will Christian be able to see past Ruby’s clumsiness to find the love she has to offer?

The Teacher’s Bride has plenty of laughs to offer between Christian and Ruby. You will be laughing out loud aplenty. I think many of yes will be able to relate to how both get nervous and tongue-tied and clumsy when wanting to impress someone.

My opinion on Christian’s sister, Selah, is still out. I had to remind myself several times as I was reading that she is only 19 years old and 19-year-olds can be very selfish and self-centered. I hope her story is explored more in a future novel.

I enjoy the way Kathleen Fuller writes. It like a warm hug on a cold night; comforting and welcoming. I would have no problems giving her books to young teen girls to read as they are clean and wholesome.

I received a copy of this book from Zondervan through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

In Peppermint Peril (A Tea and Read Mystery) by Joy Avon

/ kentuckybooklover / Leave a comment

peppermint

Pages: 285

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Published: November 27, 2018

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Callie has moved back to Maine to help her Great Aunt with Book Tea. A fun tearoom that is filled with sweet bookish clues from beloved mysteries. They’ve agreed to cater a small party at Haywood Hall for Dorothea so she can make an announcement regarding her will. Unfortunately, several things occur, one of which is murder, that prevents the announcement from happening. Callie has taken it upon herself to find the killer. Will she succeed?

My favorite part of the book: Daisy, the Boston Terrier. I wish she had made the cover of the book. As a Boston Terrier owner, I am a sucker for books with one on the cover or as a character. Daisy doesn’t do much but eat and sleep but alas that is the life of a Boston.

As a debut cozy this series has a lot of potentials. I am curious how the town will progress, the direction of Callie and Deputy Falk’s friendship and Callie’s job at Book Tea. I was disappointed no recipes were shared at the end of the book. As a culinary cozy mystery, I have come to expect them. I would have enjoyed learning more about Iphy’s “The Duel”. It sounded yummy to eat and look at.

I will definitely be reading the second book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.