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Ben, the local Amish rebel, finds himself in more trouble than he bargained for when agreeing to ask athletic Linda out on a buggy ride. He only agreed to keep his father from finding out his latest escapade. Will Ben find his way with the help of Linda, Esther, and Cathy?
If you like/love Beckstrand’s Huckleberry Hill series you will love this series as well. It is a laugh a minute. I finished reading this book a couple of weeks ago and I am still laughing when I think about Esther, Linda, and Cathy. Linda was a true joy of an addition to the series.
Esther is hilarious but has the biggest heart of gold. I love trying to guess what she will have behind her ear next. Cathy, the Englischer, will make you cackle with delight. I hope when I am an octagenarian that I am as spry and willing to try new things.
The love story between Linda and Ben is beautiful and feels like it is plucked from today’s world. I have come to learn that I like stories of angst and indecision and watching the characters work out their differences.
Each book in the series can be read as a standalone. Both books are clean, Christian reading and can be shared with the teenager in your life.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Kensington Books, through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
This is my favorite of the series so far. I love how the book focus’ on allowing yourself to feel what you feel but then you forgive and move on. I think as a society we are too focused on all the wrongs done to us or the ones we love and focus on hurting others or making others feel worse than we do. Smith helps show us how much forgiving can make our lives better without giving us a sermon.
Dixie and Gideon’s love story is beautifully written. A clean Christian read (no foul language or sex scenes) that can be shared with the teenager in your life. I found it hard to put down as I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next. I kept flipping the pages until I was at the end and wanted more.
Each book in the series can be read as a standalone.
Most Recent Release
Title:Pockets of Purpose, Book #2 in The Pocket Quilt Series Author: Laurie Stroup Smith Pub Date: June 30, 2021 ebook available at: Amazon
Paperback available June 30, 2021 ISBN: 978-1-7363662-3-3 Price: $14.99 Pages: 216 Genre: Amish
Hook: Surgical complications leave an Amish auctioneer searching for his passions and purpose.
Back Cover Copy: Two years after exchanging her first love letters with Gideon Petersheim, Dixie Yoder tucks his notes into her pocket quilt and travels from Pinecraft to Holmes County, hopeful for a future together. Upon her arrival, their relationship blossoms until the auctioneer has surgery to remove a cyst from his vocal cords. Complications from the procedure interfere with his healing, leaving him searching for his passions and purpose. Instead of leaning on Dixie through this tough time, he pushes her away and turns his back on God. Frustrated and heartbroken, she is torn between staying in Ohio with the new friends she has grown to love and packing her bags. Having lost everything, he must fight his way back to her, but his apology is long overdue. Only a grand gesture to show her how much she means to him will cause her to pause and reconsider.
Short Bio: While writing Amish fiction and contemporary romance, Laurie Stroup Smith strives to inspire readers to serve others. She writes full-time and lives with her husband and their two daughters in Cincinnati.Long Bio: While writing Amish fiction and contemporary romance, Laurie Stroup Smith strives to inspire readers to serve others. She was named a Finalist in the 2017 ACFW First Impressions Contest and a Semi-Finalist in the 2018 and 2019 ACFW Genesis Contests. She has been interviewed by Loveland Magazine and has been a guest on the Buggy Talk and Fierce Calling podcasts.
Before writing, Laurie earned a bachelor’s degree in both athletic training and exercise science and later obtained her master’s degree in health promotion and education. She now writes full time and lives with her husband and their two daughters in Cincinnati. Connect with Laurie on her website (lauriestroupsmith.com), Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Charlotte of Chapters Bed and Breakfast is offering a low-key author event for a popular romance author. What Charlotte did not prepare for was the death of an attendee. Can Charlotte solve the death while also trying to suss out who the mysterious visitor is next door?
I have determined after reading the first two books in the series that the series is just not for me. It has a secondary storyline of spy and espionage and that is not my cup of tea. It distracts me from the murder mystery and I find it makes the book drag.
Please give the series a try as you may love it. I heavily suggest reading book one first to get the background of the spy angle. I hope you find yourself enjoying the series.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in the above review are my own.
Sophie has agreed to be in charge of Old Town’s DIY Home Decorating Festival but first, she must pick up her BFF from the airport after an overseas vacation. Nina looks terrible but not as bad as a traveling companion who is discovered dead the next day. Can Sophie uncover the killer before the next place she picks up her BFF Nina is from the state pen?
Several years ago I stumbled upon this series and was instantly addicted. Sophie is the BFF we all want. She cooks, gives decorating advice, and gets to the bottom of all murders no matter what is going on in her personal and professional life. I am expecting to see Sophie walking down the street when I visit Alexandria, Virginia.
Most series feel a little stale by the 14th book and lose their luster but not the Domestic Diva series. Each installment keeps me begging for more. If you have read the series you know Natasha and she is still creating havoc but you have to love her. She keeps Sophie on her toes and makes life interesting. I have not always felt this way as a few books I kept hoping it was her murder Sophie would need to solve.
I’m sure you can pick up this series at any point and be OK but please start at the beginning to get the full beauty of the series.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Kensington Books, through NetGalley. All opinions expressed above are entirely my own.
Source: NetGalley and Audiobooks through Hoopla (library app)
This was not my favorite of any of the Bruntetter books. Two of the three main characters were unlikable especially Alma. I almost did not finish her story because she was so terrible. I understand she had suffered a tragic loss but it was no reason to be the way she was.
The story premises were good and I do suggest for fans of Amish fiction/romance. Just know that the characters may not be warm and fuzzy as we usually like.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Barbour Publishing, Inc., through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
Get your donuts, come get your donuts! This is the sound we are all longing to hear after more than a year of being socially distant from one another. Food vendors peddling their yummy food, children screaming with excitement at rides and games, and laughter from all. Even if you aren’t comfortable going out just yet Beyond a Reasonable Donut will provide some of this excitement. Emily and Nina agree to sell their donuts at the local fair and are having fun until a mime and a magician cause chaos. Things are further complicated when Nina gets home and the mime is found dead on arrival. Does Nina have an evil past? Will Emily solve everything in time for the wedding of two of her closest friends?
This series is so fun. It is delicious. I am so glad that Deputy Donut is not a real donut shop near me or I would be there every day! All the combinations sound divine.
I enjoyed this book centered on Nina and we got to know her so much more. She is a wonderful asset to the series and deserves to be highlighted.
This book in no way discusses covid or the pandemic. It is a wonderful escape from these issues.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Kensington, through NetGalley. All opinions expressed above are entirely my own.
Baby fever is all the rage in Harvest, Ohio. Everyone wants to celebrate Emily and her baby. The kicker is the baby shower is in less than a week and Bailey has to get everything put together. The last thing Bailey needs is to find herself in the middle of a murder investigation with the one Amish woman who hates her. Can Bailey find the killer and save the baby shower?
A delightful series that makes you crave everything fudge and candy-related. This time you will be dreaming of lemon drops, lemon pie, and lemon everything. Jethro is still trying to make himself the star but he has added a few friends along the way.
I love how Amanda Flower stays as true to the Amish as she can but at the same time gives them real-life issues.
A clean read for romance and mystery readers of all ages.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Kensington Books, through NetGalley. All opinions expressed above are entirely my own.
Sarah Anne has the best job I can imagine, a bookmobile driver in Ohio Amish country. She not only gets to ply people with books she also gets to travel through beautiful country and meet interesting people, Amish and English alike.
In this addition to the series, Sarah Anne gets to see into the lives of Miriam and Calvin as they navigate their way through infertility. She also meets a little boy who will change the lives of everyone he meets. Sarah Anne also finds herself navigating the dating scene as a later in life dater. Lots of laughs with some tears thrown in for good measure.
A clean read for the romance reader in your life.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Gallery Books, through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
Lucy and Conner are finally celebrating their engagement with family and friends but it gets derailed when her ex-fiance and his mother show up. They bring both murder and mayhem with them. Can Lucy save them and her engagement?
This cozy series is a pure joy to read. I love that it takes place in a lighthouse. For us bookwormies it is a dream come true. To live above a library. Can you imagine all those books at your fingertips any time you want! Sigh…
Book eight had a lot going on but never felt bogged down. I was surprised by the killer and did not guess it at all. The addition of the ex-fiance’s mother’s dog was a fun addition and gave some more life to Charles. He needs a companion every now and then.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
It’s finally Leanna’s turn to find love (again). All her cousins are married and have children or in the process of having children. Although her son is old enough to have his own job and to spend the evenings with friends she is worried about him. Especially when she gets a call late at night to come pick him up from the police station. While there she meets Emory and finds herself drawn to his calm spirit. Can they develop a friendship that leads to more?
This has been my favorite Amy Clipston series. I am going to miss the cousins and hope to see cameos of them in future stories just so I can get updates on their lives. Please don’t ask me to pick a favorite as I can’t. They are all wonderful.
Each book can be read as a standalone so the order is not highly important. My suggestion, don’t just get one at a time get them all as you will not want to wait. Clean reads with no cursing and no sex. Safe for just about any age.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Zondervan Fiction, through NetGalley. All opinions expressed above are entirely my own.
Kentucky Book Lover 