Sunday, August 26, 2018

My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Clarissa's Conflict

I have been following the "My Heart Belongs" series from it's onset.  I doubt that I have missed any of the books, so far.  I hope that I am able to read them all.

This one grabbed me right away from page 1.  It takes place during the Civil War period.  Clarissa is a strong fiery character with red hair to go along with that personality.  She is a member of the Underground Railroad, actively helping the slaves.  She's pretty amazing.

You can tell that the author was well versed historically and this made the book more interesting to me as I love history.  Kind of goes hand in hand with my occupation of genealogist! 

The book flowed and read well.  Enjoyed it and it keeps me wanting to read more of this heartwarming series!

I received an ebook copy of this book from NetGalley for my review.  I received no monetary compensation.  All thoughts are my own.

Saturday, August 25, 2018

Too Blessed to be Stressed for Moms by Debora M. Coty

I loved this.  Each section has a scripture reference that gives you a real boost for the day. The devotionals share a story to uplift your spirits.  It's a beautiful book, inside and out. There are questions at the end of the chapters that help to analyze what you have read and how to better understand what was shared in the chapter. It's encouragement for busy moms and kind of reminds us not to beat ourselves up if we aren't the perfect mother.  This book is for Christians who want to place faith in God to find the help and answers that we need.

It appears that there is a nice series of these type of book by this author.  I would love to read them, too.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

The Rancher's Twins Return of the Blackwell Brothers by Carol Ross

This was the sweetest story.  I really enjoyed it.  I recently reviewed The Rancher's Redemption and this is a part of that series. 

As Lydia tries to escape a past situation, she finds a wonderful job as a nanny on a Montana ranch. Jon, the father of the twins who hired her had specifics that were required of his daughters' nanny, discovered right away, those specifics weren't met.  No way was she the experienced "ranching" nanny.  She was a great nanny, but the ranching requirements, nope, she didn't cut it. I loved how the new nanny and the twins hearts entwined and the feelings that they had together.  She won the girls over, but will she be able to prove she can fill those specific requirements?

She has a couple of weeks to try to redeem herself.  Will she do it? 

This was a wonderful book and wove in the stories of the previous Return of the Blackwell Brothers' characters.  I always enjoy seeing characters that I have come to know in other books of a series.  I love that continuity!

I recommend this wonderful story.  I received a copy of this book from the author.  All thoughts are my own.

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

As the Tide Comes In by Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall

This is the first non-Amish book that I have read from this author.  I had not previously read anything from Erin Woodsmall, but this book was absolutely breath-taking.  I had a  hard time putting it down.  So good. 

There is so much compassion and concern shown in this book.  I loved the characters, the transitions and everything about this book!

 I received an ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review.  All thoughts are my own.

Monday, August 20, 2018

A Christmas Prayer by Wanda E. Brunstetter

This Christmas book written by Wanda E. Brunstetter regarding a small band of western pioneers warms the heart.  It's a sweet story with some real sweet Christmas feelings happening here.  As the little wagon group has delays and some difficulties underway they find themselves in a desperate situation and find refuge in the mountains.  As they find themselves together for much longer than expected, feelings and plans change. 

I really enjoyed the storyline and it a really enjoyable read.  It is probably more of a novella length, but seems to develop the characters well.

I received an ebook copy of this book from NetGalley.  All thoughts are my own.

Saturday, August 18, 2018

A Simple Christmas by Charlotte Hubbard

I really enjoyed reading this book, a continuation of the Simple Gifts series of books.  It was fun to see the characters of the previous books actively participate in this latest book.

It's a Christmas story, but it was enjoyable even at this time of year.  Rosalyn Riehl is busy preparing hand-made wreaths for the holidays.  As Marcus appears on the scene, apparently a bit of a trouble maker in his not-so distant past, he sets his eye on Rosalyn, but her dat is a gruff sort and so who knows what excitement will happen!

This is a fun read and as with everything I have read from this author, this was a winner.  I highly recommend it!

I was given a copy of this book from the author.  All thoughts are my own.

Friday, August 17, 2018

Kingdom Files Who Was David? by Matt Koceich

This was such a nice way to introduce Biblical characters to children.  It is suggested from ages 8-12, but I am thinking younger children would enjoy their parents to read these simplified stories to help them grow their religious faith.

The stories are written in a way that children should be easily able to understand them. David was a very important character and portrays a strong role for young boys of all ages.  There were many things that in his later life were not exemplary and we see that even men of strong faith can fail when not living by God's commandments.  

Very good introduction for children.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Kingdom Files Who Was Esther? by Matt Koceich

This was such a nice way to introduce Biblical characters to children.  It is suggested from ages 8-12, but I am thinking younger children would enjoy their parents to read these simplified stories to help them grow their religious faith.

The stories are written in a way that children should be easily able to understand them.  Esther is a very important character and portrays a strong role for females of all ages to follow.

Very good introduction for children.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.


Thursday, August 16, 2018

Sarah's Special Gift by Linda Weaver Clarke

I love this series by Linda Weaver Clarke.  This was the Audible version and I was able to listen while doing other things.  Love that!  I enjoyed the narrator, Carolyn Kashner, 

Sarah's Special Gift was book 4 in the Bear Lake Family Saga series.  I really enjoyed it and it was a fun read for me since my daughter was also a dance teacher.  The difference though is the fact that Sarah has been deaf since contracting an illness.  As a result, it is truly a gift that she is such a wonderful dancer, not being able to even hear the music.

As she meets David, their lives become entwined and at the beginning he has no idea that she can't hear as she speaks well. 

I love how the characters of the earlier books are carried through into this book and you can see how their lives developed through time. And I love reading and listening to books about places that I know and recognize.  I look forward to the next book!  This series is wonderful and very enjoyable for all ages of readers.

I received an Audible version from the Author.  All thoughts are my own.

Sunday, August 12, 2018

Unforgettable by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

This book!  I loved it.  I also love the cover.  Past/Present and a beautiful German city.

The tragic story of the WWII time period and how a man was killed and lost to the World.  The story brings us quickly to a contemporary time period and with the dying wife of Ulrich, the man who was killed and her great granddaughter, Haley. 

This story takes me back to my mother's WWII life in Germany and lots of memories come to me as I read the events of the story and a mystery that needs to be resolved.

Great story.  I couldn't put it down!

I received an ebook copy from NetGalley.  All thoughts are my own.

Saturday, August 11, 2018

The Victorian Christmas Brides Collection by Carrie Fancett Pagels, Erica Vetsch, Suzanne Dietze, Rita Gerlach. Kathleen L. Maher, Gabrielle Meyer, Vanessa Riley, Lorna Seilstad, C. J. Chase

Love reading these novella collections  Which I seem to be happily collecting btw!  There are 9 stories set in the 1800 time frame and nice Christmas stories.  But great even for warm summer days!  There were several new authors for me.  And I enjoyed their style, their stories making for a wonderful reading collection.  It would be nice to see some of these stories developed into a full length book.  Great stories!

These were happy stories that leave you happy that you were able to read them.  Because of the time period involved, I am sure much research time was involved in the writings so that they would be true to the time.  And they were.

I received an ebook copy from NetGalley.  All thoughts are my own.

Thursday, August 9, 2018

The Rancher's Redemption by Melinda Curtis

This is book three of the Return of the Blackwell Brothers series. It is a good stand alone as I can tell you, because I have not yet read the first two books.  But am planning on doing just that!

Fighting over water rights and hard feelings between rancher's and responsibilities of family and ranch can cause serious problems and that's just what they have done in this book.  How will they resolve the problems that have festered for years?  Ben Blackwell has some things in his past that he wants to change about himself. But it will be difficult for him to resolve the issues without causing more difficulties.

This is a sweet romance and a very interesting, real-life type of book. With real-life problems to resolve.  I really liked it and hope to read many other books from this very good author. 

I received an ebook copy from the author and chose to review.  All thoughts are my own.

Monday, August 6, 2018

The Still Small Voice by Lorana Hoopes

This was a book that kind of makes you think.  If you are Christian, it is a good reminder to listen to the promptings that come to you when you are in tune, and listening for answers.  I found it very interesting and it was an enjoyable read. 

Saturday, August 4, 2018

Hearts of the Fathers by Darryl Harris

This book was one that I checked out of the local library where I live.  The synopsis in the back sounded like part of my life.  My mother lived in Germany at this time and experienced or witnessed many of the type of events that are written about in this book.  As did my father, who was drafted into the Hitler Jugend.  I actually got this book for my mom to read, and I wasn't sure if she really "liked" it, because she said it brought back too many memories.  But for me it was a most fascinating book. 

The book also talked about the hidden church records in the salt mines of which I have heard much, being a professional German genealogist and studying about the history of the War and what transpired with the many church books.

To me, it was a most interesting and captivating book.  Couldn't put it down. 

Friday, August 3, 2018

The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse


I definitely enjoyed reading this book by Kimberley Woodhouse.  It was a great combination of fictional and real historical characters.  She did a great job of combining the two very well.  As supporters of the Patriot cause Faith and Matthew make a great combination.  Although times are hard, they continue to forge ahead in a most worthy cause.

I am sure you will really enjoy this book.  And I am looking forward to the next in the series!  I have loved everyone of them so far!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.


Thursday, August 2, 2018

The Miracle Tree by Davalynn Spencer

This second edition by Davalynn Spencer did not disappoint.  The book had all the good feelings you like in a sweet romance.  It was a fun read and also had lots of parts that wouldn't let you close the book until the last page was turned.  I loved the faith inspiring parts.  As that is also an important part of my life and like reading about it and am happy to know others are too.  I have enjoyed the stories from this author.  You can always count on something entertaining and good to read.

I received an ebook copy from the author.  All thoughts are my own.