Tuesday, September 27, 2016

The Captive Heart by Michelle Griep

This was an AMAZING book. I loved it!  It grabbed me from page 1 and never let go.  This historical book was set in the "wild west" and Eleanor Morgan unexpectedly finds herself there, married to a man she didn't know and caring for his daughter.  Her experiences are breathtaking and sad, as well.

This is a book you can't put down and you don't want to have end.  I would love to read more from this author and would love to see a series!  If you want a captivating book, this is the book for you.  It's full of adventure, trials and some romance!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Friday, September 23, 2016

The Honeybee Sisters Cookbook by Jennifer Beckstrand, Tearsa Daines. and Alicia Johnson

I was the lucky winner of this amazing cookbook!  And I have just browsed through all the recipes and see that I will be doing some shopping next week for many of the ingredients, so that I can try them out.  They sound so good.

One that really drew my attention was the last recipe for Bienenstich Cake.  Every Easter I buy this from the German bakery.  Maybe I should get brave and make it myself.  The recipe sounds so good.
I also spotted quite a few tasty oriental style recipes.  But I am sure the Amish like to try them, too!

I loved how she wove her Honeybee sister stories into the cookbook, which made it extra fun.  I have read and loved them and can't wait for the next book.

The pictures of the finished recipes look good enough to eat.  So I definitely want to start trying these out.

You can find the book at this link.  Wasn't I just lucky!!

Thursday, September 22, 2016

The Rebels of Cordovia

I so enjoyed this fun book!  It has adventure, romance, a little mystery, history and action.  No boring moments here.  Linda Weaver Clarke's book is really entertaining and enjoyable. And it has a great ending!  Which I won't tell you about because you really need to read this book.

Rebels for the cause of the people, Robin and her rebels have to decide whether or not to join forces to protect the rights of the people. Placed back in the days of wicked and oppressive kings, the rebels work together for the freedoms of the common people.  Will they succeed against the governing forces?

The romance is sweet and the action is plenty.  I highly recommend this entertaining book!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for my honest review, which I have given.

Sunday, September 18, 2016

The Orphan Bride by Brandi Gabriel

This book by Brandi Gabriel was the first I have actually read about orphan trains.  I found it quite interesting.  In fact I felt like I would like to find out more about this and searched it on the internet and found some interesting facts at this link.

This was a really nice historical novella which held my interest throughout.  The characters are interesting and you instantly like most of them.  It is an enjoyable Christian and clean read.

Lucy and Travis, twins, are separated when Travis was adopted and she remained with the orphan train.  Their paths moved in different directions and with different results.  Lucy cares for Joan on the train and takes on a mother role to her.  But neither knows what their future holds.

I really enjoyed the story and wouldn't mind reading a continuation of this book.  Very nice read!  I highly recommend it.

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

The Love Letters by Beverly Lewis

Beautiful cover!  I purchased book because Beverly Lewis is a great author in my opinion.  The story description of the book sparked my interest.  Although Ms. Lewis is one of my favorite authors, this book was not my favorite of her writings.

It moved a little slower than I expected and although it has an interesting storyline, I sometimes felt that it needed something to move the action a little faster.

I enjoyed it but not as much as I had hoped to.

If You Were Me And Lived In Elizabethan England by Carole P. Roman

I was lucky enough to win this for the grandkids.  This very interesting children's book takes you back in time when life was so different.  A time when royals were in control.  It tells how life would be if you were a young person living in this time and place.  The culture was so fascinating and there are amazing illustrations of people and places.  There are portraits and descriptions of people that were well known during this period and a glossary to teach new words to the reader.

This book is a part of a multi-part series of cultures, countries and people.  Very good for youth to begin to understand the world around them.

I think these are great!

The Alliance of Isian by Serena Clarke (Audible Version)

I have just finished listening to another Audible book.  The Alliance of Isian was such a great story!  I loved the narration and being able to listen to it on my phone as I was doing other things.

The narrator Carolyn Kashner did a great job of bringing these characters to life.

My Review:


This book by Serena Clarke is a story of two kingdoms in what appears to me to be a medieval time setting during times of attacks from enemy kingdoms, a time of one kingdom seeking to gain power over the other.

Two royals of enemy kingdoms find themselves in an arranged marriage to bring together unity between their kingdoms. Gabrielle, the princess, who is also a very strong character in this book, is from Isian. In this kingdom magic is used for good. However, her new husband, Alec, the Tandorian, does not find this something tolerable. There are many differences in the kingdoms, both socially and in their customs and as Gabrielle and Alec work through their "Alliance" their two kingdoms must do so as well. This is not always with smooth sailing as spies and secret enemy plans try to cause this alliance to fail.

While I am not usually a fantasy reader, I did relate to the characters as they try to overcome the trials that they experience. The enemies often are in the form of magical creatures which cause destruction to their kingdoms and people. Gabrielle and Alec do not always see eye to eye and these conflicts cause some mistrust. In order for the kingdoms to unite and work together, it will first be necessary for their royalty to unite. How and will this indeed happen?

I enjoyed reading this book and reading a new "for me" genre. And I was happy that I read it because although fantasy, the characters faced real life issues and therefore made it easy for me to relate to their situations. I am sure that I will enjoy reading further books of this author's as well.

A very interesting and captivating read.

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this Audible book for my honest review, which I have given. No monetary payment was received.

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Sarah's Orphans by Vannetta Chapman

To say this book was good does not cover it well.  In the beautiful style of Vannetta Chapman, this book not only provides a great read, but it will touch your heart.  This was a wonderful book with so much love of your fellow man shown that you will not want to put it down.

As Sarah finds two orphaned children, being somewhat of an orphan, herself, she opens her heart to two young Hispanic children that are frightened and alone and trying to do whatever they can to survive.

It's a beautiful tale of love, human kindness and caring.  Paul Byler, Sarah's new neighbor is drawn to not only Sarah, but the family she is trying to care for after her mother leaves them.

I don't know how you couldn't absolutely love this book! It's that good.  If you enjoy a wonderful Amish book, this one should be on the top of your list!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my review.

Thursday, September 1, 2016

The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection

I always enjoy historical books and this compilation of 9 great stories by 9 great authors does not disappoint.  If you like thinking back to your younger days attending state or county fairs you will enjoy this set of stories.  Nine people entering the fair in hopes of winning the blue ribbon and ending up with quite a bit more.

These stories were sweet and refreshing.  I was really happy to have had the chance to read this book.  I enjoyed each of the stories very much.

I received an e-book copy of this book from NetGalley for my review which I have given.

Small-Town Dad by Jean C. Gordon

Neal Hazard is a electrician who raised his daughter and gave up opportunities for an education.  Now his daughter is grown and he returns to school  He meets a woman that was actually his prom date in high school who is a college advisor.

They start to rekindle old feelings and as a sudden guardian of a minor child, she finds herself in a new unexpected role with no previous experience.

The story was alright but seemed to move a bit slower than I would have hoped.  Nice theme but perhaps maybe it could have moved a little quicker or had a little more "action".  That said, it was a nice book.