Romance

Through the Autumn Air (An Every Amish Season #3) by Kelly Irvin

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through

Pages: 368 (eBook)

Publisher: Zondervan Fiction

Published: August 14, 2018

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Widowed Mary Katherine has found herself fighting her children and the church elders over leaving her home for life in the Dawdi Haas. Her children think her facilities are failing but in truth Mary Katherine lives in a world of stories, whether through books or stories she concocts in her head and writes down later when she has the time. Everyone seems to think they know what is best for her. Instead of being able to follow her dream of opening a bookstore with her best friend who happens to be English she finds herself helping Widower Ezekiel in his restaurant and her friends in the new Amish Combination Store. As things heat up in the mysterious Amish break ins, Mary Katherine and Ezekiel find their friendship heating up as the days cool down. Can Mary Katherine find a solution to make herself happy along with everyone else?

The Every Amish Season books have been a delight to read. Through the Autumn Air has been my favorite of the three published so far. I love just about any book centered around books and reading. Plus I hope I am as spunky as Mary Katherine when I am sixty. I admire how she tries to stay true to her faith but herself as well. Can we truly enjoy life if we don’t stay true to ourselves.

If you are a fan of Amish fiction and are ready to read a story with some spunk hurry and get your copy today.

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

Death Over Easy (A Country Store Mystery #5) by Maddie Day

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death over easy

Pages: 304 (eBook)

Publisher: Kensington

Published: July 31, 2018

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Robbie, Adele, Buck and crew are back! In the next town over, the yearly Bluegrass Festival is going full force. Pan’s ‘N Pancakes is busier than ever with the opening of her bed and breakfast upstairs and all the festival goers. Unfortunately, one of the musicians is found dead in the beautiful covered bridge outside of town. Will Robbie help catch the murderer before tragedy strikes her once again?

I am so ecstatic to find this series set in Brown County, Indiana which is a scant two hours away from me. It’s fun to read about places I know and have been to when visiting Brown County. I wish I could visit Pans ‘N Pancakes the next time I am in Brown County. The dishes discussed are very appetizing to read about so I am sure they are delicious in real life. The author shares the Asian Noodle salad at the end of the book that I am excited to try.

I did appreciate the author cleaning up the language/grammar used by the locals. The story flowed much easier. A lot of the sayings used I have heard before so that was interesting to see an author use them appropriately.

Robbie and Abe’s relationship continues to progress nicely and takes a little more precedence in this book than the others. Thank you to the author for not having a love triangle for Robbie. So refreshing and enjoyable.

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

A Love for Leah (Amish of Pontotoc #2) by Amy Lillard

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leah

Pages: 352 (eBook)

Publisher: Kensington Books

Published: July 31, 2018

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Amish born but a practicing Mennonite, Leah has returned to her hometown of Pontotoc, MS to help raise her sister Hannah’s son and open her second hand store to help English and Amish alike. She does not expect to fall for newcomer Jamie, who is very set in his Amish ways. While he learns how to raise his nephew and help him overcome the effects of a devastating fire, he finds himself being frustrated and intrigued by Leah. Can they find a way to meet in the middle and follow their hearts?

A Love for Leah can be read as a stand alone novel in the series but my suggestion is to read the first novel, A Home for Hannah, first. I found myself re-reading pages to completely understand what was happening and the dynamic between Leah, Hannah and Hannah’s teenage son.

Leah is a great strong female main character. She is not afraid to voice her opinions and stand her ground. The bad side of her being so strong is she is a bit stubborn at times and cuts her nose off in spite her face. Maybe some thinking before spouting off would help her have a little more tact.

This is my first Amish book set in Mississippi and I am ready to visit again. The first book in the series has already been put on my TBR list and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

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

Her Fear (The Amish of Hart County #5) by Shelley Shepard Gray

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her fear

Pages: 288 (eBook)

Publisher: Avon Inspire

Published: July 24, 2018

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I could not put this book down which was perfect for a rainy, lazy Sunday. Shelley Shepard Gray has done it again. A five star read in her The Amish of Hart County series.

Sadie finds herself in Kentucky with relatives she has never met. On top of that she is pregnant. When her aunt falls ill and the EMTs are called she meets Noah, an Amish EMT. Sparks fly instantly but he doesn’t know she is pregnant and she doesn’t know he thinks something sinister is going on at the home. Will Sadie and Noah be able to overcome all the odds against them to pursue a relationship?

Sadie’s strength and strong, unwavering belief in God is amazing. If I ever found myself in a similar situation I hope I can have comfort that God has me. I hope I can be as forgiving as Noah if the time ever presented itself.

This series is a favorite of mine as it is set in my home state so a lot of places mentioned I either know of them or have been there. Shelley does a great job in making sure each book is connected but at the same time letting them read as a stand alone novel.

I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and the publisher, Avon Inspire. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

Cottage by the Sea by Debbie MaComber

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cottage

Pages: 352 (eBook)

Publisher: Random House Publishing

Published: July 17, 2018

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Annie is learning to adjust to life without her entire family. After eighteen months she has decided to go to one the place that she remembers from her childhood as a time of love and happiness. Will this place be the healing Annie needs?

A beautiful story or healing and love. You not only have healing from a personal tragedy, you have healing of a past that has frozen one to life of agoraphobia, and healing of animals that bring comfort and joy to all they touch.

I appreciate how Debbie Macomber can write about love without smutting it up. She keeps it clean and respectful. Her characters can argue nd get their point across without throwing out curse words every other word. You can rest assured that an impressionable young woman can read this book and walk away without being shocked.

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

Christmas in Evergreen by Nancy Naigle

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evergreen

Pages: 189 (eBook)

Publisher: Hallmark Publishing

Published: July 10, 2018

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

You cannot go wrong with a Hallmark Publishing book especially a Christmas book. You will find yourself full of smiles and happiness. Currently this is probably my second favorite Christmas book/movie from Hallmark (the first being Journey Back to Christmas).

Allie is leaving Evergreen, VT, her hometown, to try and make her relationship with her boyfriend in Washington, DC. When it comes time to leave to spend Christmas with him in DC anything and everything that can go wrong does. In the process of trying to leave she meets Ryan and Zoe, a father and daughter on their way to Florida to spend Christmas. Sparks are flying. Is it just the Christmas spirit or something more?

A clean romance with no foul language and no steamy sex scenes ( a chaste kiss or two). I would feel very comfortable giving this to a 13 year old reader who is wanting to move up to grown up books.

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

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 Spook in the Stacks (Lighthouse Library Mystery #4) by Eva Gates

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spook stacks

Pages: 309 (Hardback)

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Publisher: June 12, 2018

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Loved!

Lucy loves working as a librarian in Outer Banks, NC but is not a fan of Halloween. She knows she must suck it up and roll with the flow until she finds the body of Jay Ruddle during one of the library’s Halloween celebrations. Jay had narrowed it down to the library and a local college to leave his extension collection of historical documents pertaining to NC. Can Lucy find the killer and save the donation before the spirits of the holiday take over?

This is book four in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series but the first for me. I enjoyed reading about Lucy and all the library staff. I have already downloaded that first book in the series to my kindle so I may get caught up. I was able to pick right up with who was who even though I came in the middle of the series. Eva Gates does a great job in giving background info on important characters.

I had no idea who the killer was until it was revealed and that I appreciate as it means the author did a great job in keeping the info under wraps until it was time. She also does a great job in not having too many characters.

A series I am definitely going to catch up on. If you love libraries, librarians and books this is the series for you. It is clean with no foul language. Being that it is Halloween themed there are mention of ghosts and it is questionable if the marsh ghosts make an appearance. You will need to read to find out.

I received a complimentary copy from the author. Any and all opinions expressed in the review are entirely my own.