Monday, January 30, 2017

Seven Brides for Seven Texans by Multiple Authors

Seven brothers on the 7 Heart Ranch are given the ultimatum to get married within the year or lose their inheritance.  I loved these stories, easy and enjoyable to read, all seven of them.  Some of my favorite historical authors wrote these and they are all sweet, Christian reads.  And there's lots of reading to keep you busy for quite a while.  I highly recommend this excellent collection.  I am so pleased that I had the opportunity to read these. 

And I couldn't pick a favorite, I loved 'em all!

I was given an ebook copy from NetGalley for my honest review. 

You can grab your copy here!

Great News for Author Amy Clipston!



Zondervan author Amy Clipston sells 1 Million book units

Author’s momentum continues with May 9 release of “The Beloved Hope Chest”



(Jan. 2017) The Fiction team at HarperCollins Christian Publishing announced today that sales of author Amy Clipston’s books have exceeded 1 million copies.

"We are so proud of this major milestone in Amy’s writing career. Amy continues to be among the most beloved voices in Amish fiction,” said Daisy Blackwell Hutton, vice president and publisher of fiction. "Readers are looking for stories that bring them hope, and Amy creates beautiful stories that do just that—inspire and uplift.”

Clipston has published with Zondervan for nearly a decade. She writes both full-length novels and novellas and has written stories for both adult and young adult audiences.

"I'm so thrilled and honored to call HarperCollins Christian Publishing my home,” she said. “When I received my first offer, I never dreamed my writing career would last this long. I consider the members of my publishing team dear friends, and I'm excited to continue to publish books with them."

Zondervan’s most recent novel from Clipston is “The Cherished Quilt,” published in November 2016. The title is the third installment of her Amish Heirloom series, which culminates with “The Beloved Hope Chest,” releasing May 9.

Clipston’s writing has been praised by Publishers Weekly and Library Journal, among others publications. Her books have won awards and have appeared regularly on industry best-seller lists, including Christian Book Distributors, Christian Book Association and the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.

Clipston is New Jersey native and lives in Charlotte, N.C. She holds a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan College.



About Zondervan

Zondervan is a world-leading Bible publisher and provider of Christian communications.

Zondervan, as part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., delivers transformational Christian experiences through its bestselling Bibles, books, curriculum, academic resources and digital products. -

The Company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, MI. For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.
Author Amy Clipston!

Saturday, January 28, 2017

A Moonbow Night by Laura Frantz

This historical book by Laura Frantz was filled with in-depth descriptive details.  As Tempe Tucker leads Sion Morgan on a survey expedition they have many encounters with Indians and adventure. Ms. Franz can really make a picturesque book filled with what I would assume would have to be done through much research.  The book shares history, some romance, but mostly adventure.  There is no shortage of that.

Like with other books from this author, you can't miss and you will enjoy it.

I received an ebook copy from NetGalley for my honest review which I have given.

Monday, January 23, 2017

Stars in The Grass by Ann Marie Stewart

Having had my own personal family loss this year caused this book to have lots of meaning for me. The story takes place in a time period that I can easily relate to, the 70's.  It was a story of a happy family, living a very routine, and happy daily existence until an unexpected loss changed their world and turned it totally upside down.

9 year old Abby, her brother Matt, and her parents find that life has become difficult and that nothing is the same.  Each deals with their grief in different ways, and that grief literally pulls them apart.

The book was a touching story that was really easy to relate to and left me feeling happy that I had a chance to read such an inspiring book of hope and finding one's way in a dreary time of life.

I think this book will help many to heal and find solace.  I know it helped me.

I received a copy of this book with no expectations of a positive review.  These opinions are mine.

Sunday, January 22, 2017

More Than a Marriage by Amy Lillard

This is novella 3 of a 3 part series by Amy Lillard.  All of Amy's Amish books are great and this novella is no exception.  The story is about Tess and Jacob Smiley, newlyweds in Wells Landing, Oklahoma.

Tess is finding that Jacob is no longer the husband he once was and is not giving her the attention and time that she needs.  And to make matters worse, the English company he works for provides him with a cell phone that seems more interesting to him than does Tess.  As she watches her married couple friends, she longs for the attention those husbands share with their wives.  She decides to take a stand and hopes that this will make him think about what he is really missing.

I really enjoyed this novella and the fact that Tess didn't just let her marriage slide.  Rather she made several suggestions to her husband, which went unheeded. So she must take stronger measures, which she does.  Will these measures bring them together or pull them apart?

I highly recommend this book.  It is hard to put it down once you have started reading it.

I was given an ebook version for my honest review from NetGalley which I have done.

The author, Amy Lillard

Saturday, January 14, 2017

Katharina and Martin Luther by Michelle DeRusha

This book was especially fascinating to me, for several reasons.  First, I am a German genealogist, and having done my own family research find connections to the Luther family through one of my lines.  As a result, I too, did a lot of research on Martin Luther.  I also had many ancestors from the province of Sachsen, where the book and the lives of this couple took place, who were pastors in the Lutheran church.  Through my own research, I found that many of my Lutheran pastor ancestors knew Martin Luther, befriended him and experienced some of the trials of the Reformation, as did he.

So that being said, I was amazed at the amazing research that must have been required for this book.  It was really so interesting to see what type of lives the monks and the nuns had and experienced.  And what a remarkable and strong man Martin Luther was to so strongly work to bring about religious reform and freedoms.

A remarkable book and I feel so fortunate to have been able to read this.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review, which I have given.

A Secret Sacrifice by J.E.B. Spredemann

Book 5 in the Amish Secret Series was a very nice read.  I wasn't quite sure if I liked when Zachariah just left the Amish community for the military.  But as it turned out he had his reasons.  The Amish community they lived in seemed to be a little more easy going then some I have read about.  The book has a very interesting plot and I enjoyed reading the book very much.

The book shares lots of good teachings, love, forgiveness, selflessness and much more.  A very good Amish book which can be easily read alone even if you haven't read the rest of the series.

I recommend this book!
I received an ebook copy of this book from the author for an honest review which I have given.

The author J.E.B. Spredemann


Tuesday, January 10, 2017

An Uncommon Protector by Shelley Shepard Gray

This book by Shelley Shepard Gray was the first book from this author that I have had the pleasure of reading that wasn't an Amish book.  I was so delighted to read this captivating historical novel of Laurel, a young woman trying to make it on her own and finding many things hindering her goals.  As she requests to have an indentured servant who was apparently judged as a criminal she finds that this man was anything but a criminal as he helps in every way he can to protect both her and the property and animals she owns.  As others try to procure her property by using scare tactics in hopes of her relenting to either marriage or selling of her property she battles back with Thomas at her side.

I really enjoyed both the writer's style and the story as well.  It was a very good book and I highly recommend it.

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

Saturday, January 7, 2017

Two Suitors for Anna by Molly Jebber

This book is #3, in the Keepsake Pocket Quilt series.  I am not certain if I have read the first two or not, although I have read some of Molly Jebber's earlier books. However, it can easily stand on its own. 

The story of Anna and the two suitors vying for her hand in marriage was a sweet Amish romance story.  There are some trials and struggles in the storyline that make it interesting to the reader.  The writing was perhaps a little more simple in style than some of the other Amish authors that I have read.  I kind of noticed thoughts and feelings of the characters repeated several times just in slightly different wording making some parts feel a bit repetitive in nature.  

I enjoyed the story.  It was a sweet, clean romance and a pleasant story.  

I received an ebook copy from NetGalley for my honest review.

You can find this book for pre-order at this link.

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

The Memory of Love by Tammy Shuttlesworth with bonus book

This was a really sweet book and the first time that I have had the opportunity to read a book by this author.  It was an American historical romance with some very nice writing.  I enjoyed the story very much.

Callie Troyer joins a Moravian Brothers mission group and serves as their medical helper there.  A stranger comes to the mission also with medical training and seems to have an interest in her.  A part of her past and her future seem to come together in a most interesting way.  The story has its sad moments and trials as the pioneering souls fight to make a life.

A very nice Christian read.  I believe it was probably of novella length.  It comes with a bonus sequel, Healing Sarah's Heart.

Monday, January 2, 2017

Amish Weddings by Leslie Gould Book 3 Neighbors of Lancaster County Series

This was book 3 of an Amish Series called Neighbors of Lancaster County by Leslie Gould.  I had previously read book 2, Amish Sweethearts.  So I quickly spotted characters from the previous book appear and take part in this engaging story.  Although part of a series, I felt that even had I not read the previous book, this book could have clearly stood alone.

I was immediately drawn in and read constantly.  One of those books you can't put down.  I read it clear through till done.  I had to find out what happened.  It was a really engaging story and the people you meet are definitely ones that were interesting and had their own unique personalities.

The story showed imperfections and trials in the lives of these Amish people, not always perfect, but trying and sometimes needing to repent of mistakes they made.  It was realistic and I liked that about the book very much.

I received an ebook copy of this book for my honest review.

Death Finds a Way by Lorine McGinnis Schuzle

I have been following along on Lorine McGinnis Schulze's genealogy blog because I am a professional genealogist and when I saw her contest for her genealogy related mystery book I had to enter and I won the book!

As I read this I knew exactly the building that she described because I am employed there.  I thought of the "alley" she describes because it is at this alley where I often find myself walking.  It will give me a new more cautious perspective!

I really enjoyed her book, the genealogy steps she used and wrote about made total sense to me and the case that developed also made total sense.  Although I don't specialize in forensic genealogy, the steps and methodology are similar and necessary.  So the genealogy aspect of the book will interest and intrigue genealogists for certain.

I also enjoy a good mystery and this one kept me wondering as she presented a historical scenario and a modern day scenario in her book and it was interesting to see how they end up in the big picture.

I think I will definitely be watching out for more mysteries from this author!