Pages: 384

Publisher: Revell

Published: June 6, 2017

I would have given 3.5 stars if the option was available. The reason for 3/3.5 stars is the book started out very slowly for me. The blurb made the book sound so good I kept at it but it did not pick up for me until a little over a quarter of the way through it. The last forty percent of the book was very good.

A few years before the book starts Naomi adopted a young boy, Davey, her and her family found hiding in his family’s chimney after a tornado destroyed the property and killed his family. They have since moved to LaGrange, Indiana with other Amish families to start a new settlement. Davey befriends the new neighbor, Cap, and has his heart set on making him his new friend and dad. As Davey works on his plan, a few scrapes and almost near tragedies almost derail the plan. Will Naomi and Cap fall in love to create the family Davey so desperately desires?

As I mentioned before the book had its slow spots but it is a book I would recommend to others. The history woven into the story is very interesting. I also found it interesting as I have visited the modern day LaGrange, Indiana to see the Amish and I found it fascinating to learn about how it started.

This is the third book in a series. I have not read the first two but have put them on my list of books to read.

Pages: 368

Publisher: Zebra (Kensington Books)

Published: June 27, 2017

Could Promise Lodge sound any more perfect? Do they have problems? Yes, but the perfect part of it is they solve it as a neighborhood family.

Christine Bender, one of the founding sisters of Promise Lodge has fell in love with the new Bishop. Until, Leola, a young woman from Bishop Monroe’s home community comes to live at Promise Lodge. She claims she loves him and he has to marry her since “he ruined her”. No one can put their finger on it but something seems very off with Leola and her claims. Will the truth come out and set Bishop Monroe free to marry Christine?

I enjoyed this Amish novel for the different aspect it provided. Most Amish novels I have read frown up a Mennonite and Amish furthering their relationship to possible marriage and this one did not. The people of Promise Lodge let Mennonite and Amish live within the same community. Very well done. Acceptance at its finest.

I have not read the previous two novels in this series but that did not slow me down one bit. I was able to follow along and understand who was who. You can bet I will be running to the library to get the first two as soon as I can. This series has piqued my interest big time. I am already looking forward to the next one and this one has yet to publish.

Charlotte Hubbard has provided peace and feelings of acceptance with the Promise Lodge community. Sometimes we all just need a little of that in our lives.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zebra (Kensington Books) for an ARC of this book. Any and all opinions are my own.

Pages: 400

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Published: June 6,2017

The four stories are separate but intertwine in that they all deal with the hardships of young adulthood and merging your life with another in marriage.

In A Reunion in Pinecraft by Shelley Shepard Gray we learn that just because something is not what we expected, doesn’t mean it is bad. This was the perfect story to keep the Pinecraft series going.

In Summer Storms by Amy Clinton we learn you protect those that you love most but sometimes you also hurt those you love the most.

In Lakeside Love by Kathleen Fuller it shows outside beauty doesn’t always ensure happiness. One must look past physical beauty to the inner beauty to really know someone.

In One Sweet Kiss by Kelly Irvin you are taught that letting go is sometimes the best way to find love. This story has made me want to read the other books that take place in Bee, Texas.

These short stories are perfect for a summer day at the pool or beach. They allow you to stop and start very easily.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an ARC copy to read and provide a review based on my own honest opinion.

Pages: 352

Publisher: Kensington

Published: May 30, 2017

Pages: 352

Publisher: Kensington

Published: May 30, 2017

A delightful return to visit with Anna and Felty at Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin.

Anna and Felty are joined by their grandson, Reuben as he flees his hometown of Sugarcreek, Ohio after being jilted by his fiancé for his best friend. Soon to follow is Fern, his best friend’s little sister. Whatever is he going to do to make her see that he cannot forgive the two people he loved the most? Will Anna be able to work her magic on these two with her knitting or has she finally met her match?

From book one I have absolutely loved the wisdom that Anna and Felty share with the young’uns. My favorite passage in this book is: “The measure of a man isn’t how popular he is with friends, but how he treats those who have nothing to give him.” A lesson I think we all can be reminded of time and time again.

I appreciate that Beckstrand doesn’t feel the need for bible verses every other page. She gets the point across of living a Christian life through your actions to others and how you view the world.

Jennifer Beckstrand has done a wonderful job in making the characters come alive in the heart of the reader. You find yourself cheering, being angry and even crying when her characters do in the book. I am looking forward to another visit to Huckleberry Hill in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for an ARC of this book for my own honest opinion.