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Amish Celebrations by Beth Wiseman

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celebrations

Pages: 370 (eBook)

Publisher: Zondervan Fiction

Published: July 10, 2018

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Four stories that will change you for the better. Beth Wiseman does not hesitate to discuss depression, jealously, drugs, and abuse and how all those affect friendships, relationships and marriages. I admired how she tackled the subjects that everyone across every race, religion and social class experiences.

Whether you are a fan of Amish fiction/romance, Christian fiction/romance or are just looking for a book with some meat to it this is the book for you.

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.

Minding the Light (Nantucket Legacy #2) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

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minding

Pages: 336 (eBook)

Publisher: Revell

Published: July 10, 2018

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Once again we visit the Quaker Island of Nantucket and the world of whaling. Captain “Ren” Macy has been away whaling for six years when he returns to Nantucket to an ailing wife and six year old twins. He is extremely grateful for his wife’s sister, Daphne, when it comes to acclimating back in to the world of family. It is an unspoken agreement that Daphne will marry Tristam, Ren’s cousin and business partner but as she spends time with Ren she finds her feelings changing.

I have been anticipating my return to early Nantucket since reading the first book in the series, Phoebe’s Light. One of my favorite aspects of both novels is the 17 century diary each generation reads and learns from. Mary’s story is one of compassion and love. Daphne finds comfort and understanding in reading the diary.

Minding the Light is a book for all historical fiction lovers and clean Christian romance readers. It is written in the language of “thee” and “thy” but it does not take long to get into the rhythm of the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

The House at Saltwater Point (Lavender Tides #2) by Colleen Coble

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saltwater

Pages: 352 (eBook)

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Published: July 3, 2018

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

As far as Christian Suspense goes, Colleen Coble is the best.

Ellie has never forgiven herself for her part in the death of her youngest sister and subsequently her mother so she has always “mothered and babied” her other sister Mac. When her sister goes missing and is accused of stealing cocaine Ellie takes it upon herself to prove the Coast Guard wrong. Can Ellie save her sister and her sister’s reputation as her heart falls for the man trying to find and arrest Mac?

The Lavender Tides series is the Christian suspense series to be devoured. I thought The View from Rainshadow Bay was as edge of your seat reading as you could get but The House at Saltwater Point proved me wrong. My heart was racing through most of the book as Ellie was racing to find her sister. I enjoy learning as I read and appreciated how terrorism was handled in the book.

I adore how Colleen Coble can write stories within the story and not lose the importance of any of the stories. My interest has been piqued for the Hope Beach series. I see more books being added to my TBR pile.

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

The Perfect Catch by Cassidy Carter

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perfect catch

Pages: 270 (eBook)

Publisher: Hallmark Publishing

Published: March 27, 2018

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

After high school Jessica Parker stayed in Parker Falls to run her family’s diner and raise her son, Wesley. Lately both have been harder than she expected. Business has fallen off at the diner and her son is missing not having a dad to teach him baseball. Her high school love and MLB player, Chase Taynor has come back home as he awaits his new MLB home after a bad play that causes his team to lose the World Series. Jessica and Chase fall right back into the friendship they have always had but will Chase decide to stay in Parker Falls or will the call of fame and fortune lure him away?

This book is based on the Hallmark movie of the same name which I have not watched. It is a sweet story with a predictable ending but that is what you want and expect when it comes to Hallmark. You know you will finish the book with a smile.

A clean romance for all ages from a young teenager say 14 to my 90 year old grandma. No sex, no foul language and no violence.

I received a complimentary copy from Hallmark Publishing through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the review are my own.

Home on Huckleberry Hill (The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill #9) by Jennifer Beckstrand

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home huckleberry

Pages: 352 (eBook)

Publisher: Kensington Books

Published: June 26, 2018

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Our favorite octogenarians, Annie and Felty, are back playing matchmaker, but this time it is for their already married granddaughter, Mary Anne. Mary Anne and her husband, Jethro, are having marital issues. The straw that broke the camels back was when Jethro forgot their anniversary and went fishing with his friends. Mary Anne decided to move out…into a tent in their backyard. Her grandparents get wind of the move and decided to join her camping in the backyard. Pretty soon Annie and Felty have a slew of relatives showing solidarity to Mary Anne. Will Annie and Felty succeed in getting the younguns’ back together or is all hope lost?

This by far is my favorite Amish romance series. I mark on my calendar when the next book is coming out. Annie and Felty are the most loving and forgiving set of grandparents ever. They make you jump for joy, cry and sing with laughter.

I admire Mary Anne for moving out and standing up for what she felt was right. In all marriages we have tough times and need a moment to ourselves. Some just walk into another room but obviously Mary Anne felt that was not going to work.

Jennifer Beckstrand is the perfect writer to bring the fun side of the Amish to life.

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

The Summer Nanny by Holly Chamberlin

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summer nanny

Pages: 352 (eBook)

Publisher: Kensington Books

Published: June 26, 2018

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Amy and Hayley are used to the tourists descending on their town of Ogunquit, Maine when summer arrives. Amy, a recent college graduate, and Hayley, who just lost her job from the business closing down, have decided to be nannies for the rich summer people. Amy wants to save her money for her move to Boston but first she wants to buy some pretties she has been eyeing. Hayley hopes to move her mom and her away from her physically and verbally abusive father. Neither girl realized this would be a summer of growing and learning life lessons that change their futures forever.

The Summer Nanny is touted as a beach read and while I agree it is also filled with depth. It is in no way fluffy chic lit. Abuse in many forms play a huge role throughout the entire book. it shows you abuse doesn’t care about social class, age, gender or where you live. Mother-daughter relationships are also highlighted from several different aspects.

I found this to be a quick read with the short chapters. Language was appropriate for all ages. Romance was present but nothing more than a heated kissing session. Drugs are present but not prominent. Age appropriate for any reader 16+.

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

Murder at the Mansion (Victorian Village Mystery #1) by Sheila Connolly

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murder at the mansion

Pages: 328 (eBook)

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Published: June 26, 2018

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Kate left her hometown of Asheford, MD after high school graduation and never really looked back until she received a call from her high school best friend asking her to help save the town. The only thing the town has going for it is the Victorian mansion owed by Henry Barton. One town council member, Cordelia “Cordy” Walker wants to rip everything out and turn it into an upscale hotel and run it herself. As Kate tours the mansion and starts putting together a plan, she finds Cordy dead on the mansion’s front steps. Who would want Cordy dead or maybe the question should be who doesn’t want Cordy dead? Can Kate solve the murder and save the town?

An excellent first book in a new series by Shelia Connolly. I am very excited to see how the series progesses. The premise of building the town into a Victorian Village is very interesting. Normally I am not a huge fan of American Victorian literature, classic or modern, but this series may just change my mind. The history that is woven in throughout the book is given to the reader in a knowledgeable way but so filled with boring facts that you get lost. I learned a lot about Clara Barton and her work outside of the Red Cross that I had no clue about. I want to read more about it but at the same time I don’t want to ruin any future plot lines of the series.

There is a little bit of a romance but it plays very lightly in the background. It in no way distracts from the murder mystery. I hope it stays that way for a couple more books in the series so we can continue to build up the characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Before and Again by Barbara Delinksy

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before

Pages: 416 (eBook)

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Published: June 26, 2018

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Let me start off with this statement: You will be thinking “what if that had been me” the entire time you are reading. It will make you think about your own distracted driving and letting your kids have their privacy with their own electronics.

Maggie Reid used to be Mackenzie Cooper in another life. Maggie, as everyone knows her in her small Vermont town, lives a quiet but fulfilled life. She works at the local spa as a makeup artist and lives with her two cats and dog on the outskirts of town. No one knows her past, that is until closet friend’s son is arrested for computer hacking. As Maggie becomes the stability her friend needs her own life starts spiraling out of control. Will she be able to keep her past in the past?

I am still thinking about this book days after I have finished. We all know the dangers of looking at our smartphones while driving. What we don’t always think about is what could happen to our lives if we cause a serious accident while doing so. We don’t think about the legal implications that could stem from the accident. We don’t think about the guilt that would eat us up from the inside outside. We don’t think how it would affect our family, close and extended. Maggie makes you think about all those things.

Barbara Delinsky is one of the greatest women’s fiction writers out there and this is the perfect summer read to pick up as you leave for vacation. Beware as you read you will not hear anything around you and you may forget you are cooking dinner.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Kappy King and the Pickle Kaper (An Amish Mystery #2) by Amy Lillard

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kappy

Pages: 352 (eBook)

Publisher: Kensington Books

Published: June 26, 2018

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Kappy King had been living a quiet life on the edges of her Amish faith until Edie returned home to care for her special needs brother. Since then Kappy and Edie have been in the midst of murder investigations. This time it involves a young Amish girl who was killed in an auto accident delivering pickles to the store. Can Kappy and Edie find the killer before angering everyone in the town?

This is the second book in The Amish Mystery series from Amy Lillard and it is a treat to read. Each book reads as a stand alone but you get a lot of the back story in the first book, Kappy King and the Puppy Caper. Each book is a clean read with a light romance in the background. I would have no problems letting a teenager into mysteries read these books.

Edie is ex-Amish and is hilarious in her outfits. She is a great friend for Kappy in that she makes Kappy come out of her shell and be apart of the community. Kappy is a great friend for Edie in that she makes Edie think about her life decisions. You could not have two better friends for each other.

Grab yourself some pickles (white church pickles or green) and go to town reading about the latest adventures for Kappy King.

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

The Lost for Words Bookshop by Stephanie Butland

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lost

Pages: 368 (eBook)

Publisher: St. Martins Press

Published: June 19, 2018

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Loveday’s life has been hard since she was a child and to survive she found her solace in books. She’s carried that love into her adult life by tattooing her favorite first lines of books on her body and by working in a bookstore. When books start showing up in the store from her childhood she becomes terrified that someone has learned of her past. Is it time to share her heartbreaking past or run?

At first I could not get into the book and then all the sudden I could not put it down. It grows on you and then becomes a part of you. Loveday is a character that we can all relate to in someway whether the loss of parents in our youth or feeling like we do not fit in anywhere except between the pages of a book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Marten’s Press through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.