Monday, December 31, 2018

Melinda and the Wild West by Linda Weaver Clarke Audible Version



I just finished listening to this very interesting book by Linda Weaver Clarke.  It was certainly my favorite of all the books from this author.  I guess this could be because it deals with times and places that I could really relate to, especially living in Utah and being familiar with Idaho and Bear Lake.  I really enjoyed her narrator, Carolyn Kashner, who did a wonderful job interpreting the various characters.  This is the original version and was very well done.  She is an excellent narrator.  I enjoyed the fact that I had this Audible book on my cell phone and could stick my phone in my pocket with my ear buds and listen while I worked, rested, and "multi-tasked".  It was really enjoyable.

As easterner Melinda heads west to Idaho to teach school, she finds a most exciting beginning to her new life, a bank robbery.  This book has many events that were of actual history of the places that she writes about.  I love how she wove fiction and history together to keep the reader involved with the characters, times and places.  This book was written about some of the events and places in the lives of her ancestors.  This also has a special appeal to me as a genealogist.  And there is always something special about bringing real events out in your reading.  Much more believable!

This is a very family friendly romance set in a difficult but fascinating time in history, as the doors to the west were opened to those seeking a better life for themselves.

I really enjoyed the book and have enjoyed all the books of this series.  I recommend it!

You can find this book at the following link.

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

Abby Finds Her Calling by Naomi King

This was a great read.  I enjoyed it so much.  It's the first book of the series and now I need more!  Abby is a Maidel and lives alone and is the town's seamstress, sewing and mending relationships.  Although the story is about her sister and her relationship with James Graber, Abby plays an important role.

I really enjoyed this book and hope to find the next book in the series.  Very good read!

Saturday, December 29, 2018

Winter's First Frost by Kelly Irvin

Good book dealing with life's changes and people coping with them.  I loved that the book was placed in an Amish community I have personally visited and enjoyed.  I have not read other books of this series, and was probably a bit confused with the characters in the beginning.  As soon as I understood each of them, I was taken in by the story.

Enjoyed it very much!

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

Thursday, December 27, 2018

Husband by Arrangement by Angel Moore

I really enjoyed this sweet story of an arranged marriage.  The main character, Rena found herself expecting a baby, alone.  Her father arranged for her to marry the sheriff.  Rena had a very difficult time forgiving herself of her past and often blamed herself for the problems that came to her father and her husband.

It was a nice book of forgiving, and of healing.  This is the first book that I have read from this author and very glad I did.  Left me feeling very happy that I had read this book.  I will be looking for more of her writings.

Highly recommended!

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Inside an Amish Home: A Rare and Intimate Portrait by Herald Press Editors

This was a very short read.  I think it took me about 10 minutes or less.  So I was a little disappointed.  I was hoping for some new details that I was not familiar with from having read many Amish novels.  There were quite a few photos which was nice.

It might make an interesting piece on the coffee table, but for serious readers probably needs some more depth and research.  Maybe add some recipes since there are many photos about cooking etc.

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

The Eries Canal Brides Collection by Johnnie Alexander, Lauralee Bliss, Rita Gerlach, Sherri Wilson Johnson, Rose Allen McCauley, Christina Miller, Ramona K. Cecil

Sweet, clean stories written by seven great authors.  I love the area and the historical settings.  I love all the various series of these  collections.  I enjoy the Christian themes.  There is even a bit of suspense and action along with the romance, of course!  It's very easy to be able to recommend this book to you!

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

Monday, December 24, 2018

With You Always by Jody Hedlund

I totally read this series out of order.  I just located book 1 at the local library and since I had read books 2 & 3, I really needed to read book 1 as I was totally enthralled with this series.

I really loved book one, but if I had to do it again, I would have tried it in order.  It would have helped to explain the story better in proper order. 

But regardless, I still loved book one and I am glad I didn't just pass it up!  This is a great book and the author writes so well.  It keeps you reading without wanting any interuptions!

Highly recommend this series!

Sunday, December 23, 2018

The Bishop's Bride by Elizabeth W. Watkins

This is a book that I actually grabbed from the local library for my mom, who is a voracious reader.  I usually don't have time to read most of the books I pick up for her, but she told me I had to read this one.

So I read it too, it was very entertaining, although the book I picked up had a different cover, than this one.  It was a quick read and full of lots of crazy experiences of an LDS Bishop.

Friday, December 21, 2018

Out of the Smoke by Gerald N. Lund

I was really excited when my husband got me book 5 of this series.  I had a hard time waiting for this one to come out.  I loved the continuing stories of both the German and the American people in this cast of characters.

I personally relate to this book because my parents experienced lots of this in Germany before and during the War, having heard many of their experiences which directly coincided with the events in the book.  It's an excellent description of the lives of German people in these fateful years.  Looks like there is more to come!

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Searching For You by Jody Hedlund

This was book 3 of this series.  I recently read book 2 and knew I had to keep reading this series.  Again Jody Hedlund has written an enthralling story of the orphan trains and lives of those who were placed in families, not always because of the right reasons.  It was a heartwarming and touching story, starting out in New York and the rough existence that Sophie experienced there causing her to take two children that she greatly cared for to find homes with what she hoped would be a loving family.

This is a great book.  And because I missed book 1, I will have to get a copy to read.  I have to admit, this author is becoming one of my faves!

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

Monday, December 17, 2018

Ellie's Redemption by Molly Jebber

Set in Charm, Ohio, this is the second book in the Amish Charm Bakery series.  It is the first of the series that I read but actually didn't realize that it was book 2 at the time.  I don't feel that I was in any way confused by the fact that I hadn't read book 1 and it can clearly stand on it's own.

The story of Ellie and Joel was a story of love at first sight with bumps and bruises along their way.  The biggest problem being that of Joe's mother as she hears bits and pieces about Ellie's passed through the Amish grapevine.  Convinced that Ellie is just trouble, she makes it clear Ellie is persona non Grata.

Will Joel's mother keep the young couple apart or will she ever find it possible to forget and forgive?

This is a sweet romance and an enjoyable read.

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

Saturday, December 15, 2018

A Quilt For Jenna by Patrick E. Craig

Heartbroken and alone, Jerusha finishes her quilt and prepares it's sale.  As she and her driver head out on a soon to be tragic evening, a story enfolds which shares the hurt and heartache that she has experienced.

This is book 1 in the Apple Creek Dreams series.  I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting.  There was lots of drama and heartfelt expression in this book.  The author set the book in the time period of WWII and thereafter.  Jerusha blames her husband for the loss of her child, something she can't get past.  She has lost her faith.

The story shows the importance of friendship through different cultures, love of family, and the need for a trust in God to help soften the sting of the hardships that life can bring.

If I could give this 10 stars, I would definitely do so.  It was that good.

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

Thursday, December 13, 2018

The Rancher's Homecoming by Anna J. Stewart Book Return of the Blackwell Brothers

This was the last book in the series!  I have now read 4 of the 5 and hope to read the Rancher's Rescue, as well.  This seems to be the culmination of the four other stories with the return of the brother, Chance to the family ranch.

It's a love story for Chance as he struggles with memories of his late wife.  It's a wonderful story, just like the other three I have read.  I love this series.  I definitely wish it would continue...such good reading. 

This is the first book from this author that I have read.  She's good and I will be looking for other titles that she has written.  I highly recommend this book and the series as a whole.  So glad I read them!

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

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Jerusalem Rising Adah's Journey by Barbara M. Britton

I have been surprised how much I have enjoyed Biblical fiction.  This is a new author for me and I was lucky to win this book.  It is a great story.  The author brings the Bible years to life.  I would expect it would require quite a bit of research to do this.  Great job!

Loved it!

Monday, December 10, 2018

Kappy King and the Pie Kaper by Amy Lillard Book 3 of the Amish Mysteries Series

This is the 3rd book in this series that I have read.  I definitely enjoyed them all.  This was a light, happy and "cozy" mystery and kept my attention.  Loved the interaction between Edie, the shunned Amish and Kappy, the Amish young woman.  As the mystery enfolds, there are lots of odd clues to work with and to figure out.

It's a fun "who dun it" type book and a captivating one.

I received a copy from NetGalley and the author.  All thoughts are my own..

Saturday, December 8, 2018

The Bilionare's Christmas Miracle by Lorana Hoopes AUDIBLE Version

I really enjoyed this.  It was the first "billionaire" book that I had read and listened too, so I wasn't really sure...but it was really good.  Loved the Cinderella type storyline.  I enjoyed the characters and pretty much everything else.  It's a good book.  I recommend it!

I was surprised that the author narrated her own book.  I haven't seen that before.  But she has a really pleasant speaking voice and did a good job with expression and character differences.  

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

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge Laurel's Dream by Pepper Basham

This is another in the My Heart Belongs series.  It was also the first time that I have read a book by this author.  I really enjoyed it.  I especially liked how the mountain culture shown through including the language that they would use and their beliefs and lifestyle.  It's a hard life in the Appalachians and Laurel wants things to change. 

The new teacher in the mountains tells of life and things outside of this place and receives harsh responses to his teaching ways.

I think this was a really good book and I think people will love it as much as I did.

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


Sunday, December 2, 2018

This Homeward Journey by Misty M. Beller Heart of the Mountains Book 5

Anxious to travel by horse to Canada with her 12 year old son, Rachel sets out on her own to find her brother.  She is leaving behind a late husband whose addictions caused anything but a happy life.  No longer trusting she refuses to travel with some men who are going in the same path as she had planned.  But things change as a close call with a bear, makes Rachel realize that there is safety in numbers. 

I loved this book.  Exciting from page one till the end.  I have enjoyed the whole wonderful series by this author.  You will not be able to put it down.  I did find myself a bit frustrated with Rachel in refusing help so often.  But that was the type of woman she was.  The book shares a story of faith, trust and the importance on relying and trusting in God.  Really loved how the story proceeded, the characters and that the author can really create a wonderful read.  Highly recommended.

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