I thoroughly enjoyed getting to read Hannah’s story on how she became Amish with her three little girls. I already loved Daniel, the Amish dad, from Courting Daniel’s Daughter (Catherine’s story) and Saving Daniel’s Daughter (Rosemary’s story).
Imagine having to flee with your three young daughters to a new city and state, an entire new way of living and by the end of the night being married. This was Hannah’s story.
An emotional read that ends at Thanksgiving so an appropriate holiday read.
If you are like me and have found you have almost read all of @shelley.s.gray Amish books then @mindyesteele is your next author. I know Shelley would approve!
Sleigh Bell Sweethearts by @teriwilsonauthor is a charming clean Christmas romance that will have you wiggling your toes by the fire in happiness.
Northern Lights of Christmas is the Hallmark movie production of the book. A fun Christmas movie full of magic.
Both are excellent representations of the Christmas season. The movie is different than the book and not in a bad way. No matter if you read then watch the movie or vice versa you will be happily entertained.
I loved the book more mainly because Palmer, the reindeer had a much bigger role and made the story stand out.
Fix a mug of cocoa and relax spending time in Aurora, Alaska.
12 books total, 0 DNF, 5 new (new to me) books bought, 50 book donated, 0 non-fiction book read
L Library KO Kindle Owned O Physical Owned EL E-library (Libby/Overdrive/Hoopla) AB Audiobook KU Kindle Unlimited NG NetGalley ARC Advanced Reader Copy
Are you looking for family drama around Christmas? If so, A Merry Little Lie is the book for you.
Three siblings are coming home for Christmas and each has their own problems. The oldest, Jamie, has told everyone he has a surprise and would like to throw. Party the day before Christmas Eve. Speculation abounds.
The twins, Rosie and Becky, have been estranged since the night Rosie married Declan. Rosie has been struggling with the estrangement and it has now created a rift in her marriage. Rosie fears she won’t even make it to her first anniversary.
Becky was so emotional during her sister’s wedding that she ran and hid. Their childhood friend, Will, comforts her and has kept her secret. Becky fears going home.
A snow storm that impedes traffic creates obstacles for all and once everyone gets home the chaos ensues.
You will laugh and sigh with happiness as you follow the family drama but at the end you will agree family, whatever that may be for you, is what makes Christmas special.
This series is a quick read that always leaves you smiling and content. A perfect escape from the real world.
If you love weddings you will love this book. All but one of Lisa’s children are getting married. Some of your favorite characters make appearances along with new characters. I am looking forward to seeing how the new characters get matched with their forever loves.
Well, I am hooked. I will now be searching for the Tradd street series and quickly moving through this series to get all the “ghostie” vibes.
My fellow readers know, especially my cozy mystery friends, that I am not a fan of paranormal. I’ll read them but groan and moan the entire book. Not this book. It took me a bit but I was all in.
Nola returns to New Orleans to start her adulthood. She buys a fixer upper without realizing past occupants still reside there. The catcher, the occupants are dead and haven’t crossed over. There is one person who can help her cleanse the house. An old friend who saved her life.
Beau wants to help but something in the house is tied to the death of his parents after the disappearance of his baby sister.
Can Nola and Beau move past their past history to work together or will the past overtake them?
Royal Street series set in New Orleans
1. The Shop on Royal Street
2. The House on Prytania
3. The Lady on Esplanade
Tradd Street series set in Charleston, SC
1. The House on Tradd Street
2. The Girl on Legare Street
3. The Strangers on Montagu Street
4. Return to Tradd Street
5. The Guests on South Battery
6. The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street series set
7. The Attic on Queen Street
The Tradd Street series is first then the Royal Street series. You can read either series first but it was heavily suggested to read each series in their book order.
A beautiful modern interpretation of A Christmas Carol, which is a favorite of mine every Christmas season, with a Hanukkah twist.
I always connect With Jean Meltzer’s writing. I read her books and feel like here is an author who gets what it is like to be a woman who is struggling but continues to face the world. She also reminds us it is ok to lean on others and let them carry the load some days.
I heartily suggest reading the Author’s note for an insight on how the story came to be.
Welcome to Yoder, Kansas were just about everyone is a Yoder. Sissy leaves Tulsa to start over and help her aunt in the Sunflower Cafe when her cousin goes on bed rest. Unfortunately a few days in she finds the milkman dead in the cafe. The Deputy Sheriff has his eyes on her since she was heard yelling at the milkman previously. Sissy must clear her name before she ends up souring in a prison cell.
I really wanted to like this more than I did. Especially since I love Lillard’s Kappy King cozy mystery series. The writing seemed forced in spots and not well thought out. A few times I had to backtrack as I thought I missed something but no the story just jumped ahead.
This series is what I think of as Amish adjacent. The Amish are part of it but not the main plot or character.
I did enjoy learning a little Kansas fact here and there. I didn’t know it was the sunflower state.
I will read book two to complete the two book series. Hopefully it improves my thoughts. I hate writing a not so positive review.
I feel let down after finishing The Amish Ballerina. 🩰 I love Wanda Brunstetter’s older books but the last few have felt so different. Almost like her audience direction moved from adult to very young adult. I did notice that her granddaughter was a co-author and maybe writing for a younger audience is their intention to draw new readers to the subgenre of Amish fiction.
Overall it was an enjoyable read but not memorable.
Kentucky Book Lover 