Could you fall in love with an ex-con? Especially if he served time for a crime he didn’t willingly know he committed.

Elizabeth has been staying with an elderly woman and helping her around the house. The woman’s grandson has returned home upon his release. While he is deciding his future, Amish or English, Elizabeth is trying to decide the same. Will they or won’t they?

The Preacher’s Daughter is book two of The Infamous Amish trilogy but can easily be read as a standalone. This series has a more serious tone than Patricia Johns Love Inspired books. All of her books have been wonderful and enjoyable reads.

An interesting start to a new to me series. This book has been on my cozy mystery bookcase for a bit. I’m sure I picked it up because it had donuts on the cover. Who can resist a really yummy donut.

My cozy mystery bookcase bingo started last week and theme one was donuts. Perfect time to read Glazed Murder. It was good but not “oh my goodness I have to drop everything” good.

After divorcing her cheating husband Max, Suzanne opens a donut shop in town. One morning while prepping donuts a dead man is thrown from a car in front of her shop. As Suzanne tries new recipes she is also trying to solve the murder.

There are 59, yes you read that correctly, 59 books in this series. Will I read them all? Maybe not but I will give another one a try when I need a donut book for cozy mystery bookcase bingo started bingo.

The Preacher’s Son is a clean romance filled with heavy topics. It makes you realize the Amish young people face the same issues as non-Amish young people. It’s easy to see the Amish way of life through rose colored glasses.

Isaiah finds himself caring for his sisters after their father is arrested for fraud. Unfortunately one sister runs away because she can’t handle the talk and scrutiny from the community. Isaiah finds himself working for the local bookbinder which puts him in daily contact with his unrequited love.

Bethany spends her time helping her dad in the family bookbinding business and trying to overcome the humiliation of her fiancé leaving the community. She finds herself facing a life altering situation. Can she trust Isaiah with the secret and her future?

This was my favorite of the three I’ve read. I was more engaged and invested in the story. At times I found it very hard to put down. I am still finding my way into romantasy. My logical brain wants to fight against the shape shifting.

Nesta is still my least favorite character. My heart breaks for Elain. I like Feyre but she can grate on my nerves at times.

If you haven’t already learned of the ACOTR reading background on YouTube look it up. It will change how you read the books. Adds an entire immersive reading experience.

I read this last month but just now posting my review.

A good mystery but one you have to stay on your toes to keep every character straight. A few times I was confused on who was who.

I’ve heard good things about this author so I was a bit surprised at the clunkiness of the writing. I later learned this was the debut novel of the author. I will look into more works by this author.

My suggestion is to write the characters down with notes to keep them straight.

This book was dangerous to read while my hubby slept beside me as I laughed so much. First published in 2011 there are many mentions and comparisons that some would find offensive nowadays. It was just the humor of that time. It is humor I grew up with and understand.

Single mom Hayley finds herself asking for a raise at her local newspaper job. In order to get that raise she must take over writing the food and spirits column from the retiring writer. Easy right? Not so fast, the other newspaper in town has its own food writer and she isn’t going down without a fight. Unfortunately Karen (how appropriately named) finds herself on the wrong side of a recipe and Hayley finds herself behind bars.

I will definitely be reading more of this series. Looks to be still going as the 17th book was published in 2024.

I have had this book for years to read and it never felt like the right time until now. A couple of years ago we lost my husband’s Uncle Randy to cancer. It was hard to see my hubby lose someone he loved. In reading this book I felt like Uncle Randy was talking to me through this book. He was an amazing man and so was the author of this book. To know death is staring you in the face and he kept finding the good in every day.

A lot of his wisdom is simple and you would think we would all know it but we don’t. Simple as do better, pay it forward, live as if today was your last. In today’s society we should be having seniors in high school read this book. It might help some find their way. It might help some realize not everything is easy and requires work. Starting at the bottom in a job is a good thing.

As a parent read this book with your teenagers. As a young married couple read it together.

4.5 stars.

I learn new historical facts each novel I pick up set during World War Two. That alone shows us how complex our world was during that period. When the Germans invaded Paris they overtook a multi-level Jewish-owned store called Lévitan and turned it into a work camp for prisoners. The prisoners spent their day sorting through illegally obtained goods during Jewish neighborhood raids. These goods were then separated for shipping to other areas or sold downstairs to non Jewish Germans. Many times prisoners found out the fate of loved ones when their family treasures were processed through the camp. Last Twilight in Paris takes us on a journey from 1953 to back during the war.

In 1953 while Louise is working at a local London thrift shop she comes across a mizpah that brings back memories. One such memory was the death of her friend that she always believed was not an accident. Louise travels to Paris with the necklace in hand and is determined to find out what happened to her friend and the other part of the necklace.

My suggestion is to run to your nearest book dealer and pick up this recently published read. Be prepared to fall into the story and stay until the last page.

Courting Daniel’s Daughter by Mindy Steele was an excellent start to a new series (Daniel’s Daughters). I enjoy a book that will keep me longing for more. This book includes mystery, secrets and romance.

Many years ago Jesse Plank ran away from Miller’s Crossing, Kentucky but not for the reasons the community thought. He returns to help his family and win the girl he has always loved, Catherine Raber.

In the outside Catherine is what you expect from a young Amish woman. She is serene, family oriented, and longs for a family of her own. On the inside she sees the harsh side that life can offer and is afraid to really love another outside her family. Can she trust another to love?

Pre-order the book today and find out if Jesse and Catherine find a way to love one another. It publishes in ebook form on 4/1/2025.

To get a head start on the series go ahead and read the standalone book, His Amish Wife’s Hidden Past. This is story of Catherine’s mom, Hannah, and how far she will go to protect her children.

I received a free advanced copy from the author with no requirement to leave a positive review. All words and thoughts are strictly my own.