Thursday, January 31, 2019

Stitched WIth Love Collection by Cathy Marie Hake, Tracey V. Bateman, Andrea Boeshaar, Sally Laity, VIckie McDonough, Janet Spaeth, Pamela Kaye Tracy, Carol Cox

I have read quite a few of these collections and this one was also very good and connected with sewing and quilting.  There are nine sweet stories and historical romance.   I love the values in this Christian themed book and will continue to look for these collections.

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

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Me and Jake by Boo Riley

This book was quite heart-wrenching and tragic.  It was a story of twin brothers, Ty and Cameron and Ty's dog, Jake.  The boys experienced some major trials and struggles as the story progresses.  It's touching how the story develops and the hand of God in their lives.  Truly an inspiring and healt-felt story that is well worth reading.


Monday, January 28, 2019

The Gilded Curse by Marilyn Turk

I won a copy of this book and was glad I did!  It's a fun read and I enjoyed it very much.  It has some mystery, intrigue and romance.  It is a very entertaining book.  The time period was one of my favorite time periods in historical fiction, that of the WWII time period.  I enjoyed that you didn't really know who the friend or foe was till the end.

Sunday, January 27, 2019

The Forgiving Jar by Wanda E. Brunstetter

One of my fave Amish authors.  The author's easy-reading style is great.  I have read the majority of her books.  I also read the previous book in this series.  I love how the characters continue as does their story.  I love the conflicts and the way things turned out.

The story was good, engaging and my favorite genre.  Will continue reading books by this author.  I recommend this book.

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

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Against The Wall by Roger P. Minert

This a pretty interesting book, non-fiction, about Johann Huber who becomes converted to the Mormon church during the church's early days in Austria and the trials and controversy he experienced trying to live his religion in a Catholic country.  He experienced a lot of persecution and yet he was very true to his faith.

I thought this was a very interesting book with lots of insights in a place and time when tolerance in people following a different road was almost not allowed.  Very good book with lots of research clearly visable to the reader.

Sunday, January 20, 2019

The Reconciliation by Susan Lantz Simpson

This was a really great read.  I think at some times in life, most of us need to reconcile for some mistakes in life, learn to live and cope and make the best of  what has happened.

This book has you thinking and it is a great read!

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

Friday, January 18, 2019

Seasons of an Amish Garden by Amy Clipston

The book includes four continuous novellas by Amy Clipston.  A group of young people hoping to make a remembrance for a deceased community member and his widow, take on a project of a garden and baked goods stand.  The profits from which will go to the homeless shelter near by. 

Their goals are very worthwhile as they work together to tend the garden, work at the stand and purchase supplies as needed.  As they work on the garden with love and caring, you can also see a similitude of how it represented their lives and how they must nuture their relationships with others as they would a garden.  I really loved the inner meanings of the stories and how each was woven together in love and kindness, just as they cared for their garden.

I felt this was a very inspirational book and really enjoyed it as well as the happy feelings it shared.

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

Thursday, January 17, 2019

Jenny's Choice Patrick E. Craig Apple Creek Dreams Series



There aren’t too many books that I absolutely can’t put down to do other needed things, but this was one.  I loved Jenny’s Choice and can tell you that this book is so enthralling that you won’t want to reach the end.  You want to keep reading.  Patrick’s book has totally touched my heart and caused some tears to come to my eyes as I went through this touching book.  The characters were well described and each of the main characters were strong examples of good Christians wanting to do what was right in their faith. 

Jenny and Jonathan Herschberger and their daughter Rachel are a happy Amish family in Paradise, Pennsylvania.  Jonathan takes a trip to see his parents and the tragic outcome causes Jenny and Rachel to continue life without Jonathan in their lives.

To bring solace to her life and with the encouragement of her parents, Jenny begins to express her feelings through her gift of writing.  She writes of her Amish life and her trials and joys.  Her writing talents are discovered by a handsome and caring publisher who finds himself falling in love with her.  Challenges come to her as opposition from the Lancaster bishop makes her writing seem worldly and wrong.  The bishop and her father do not agree on things which causes more unsettling problems in Jenny’s life.   Reuben, Jenny’s father, is a man of strong character who I felt was a wonderful support to Jenny throughout the trials she faces.

Jenny wonders if she should make a life with publisher Jeremy King but is not sure what God’s plan for her life is.  Even after many prayers, it seems the answer is not easily forthcoming.

Jenny experiences more loss and grieving and returns to her old home to begin anew.  It is here that decisions in her life need to be made. Will she marry Jeremy and leave the Amish church or stay alone and remain a faithful Amish woman who raises her daughter in the faith.  The decisions and results of her move home are a definite sign that God has watched over her and had plans for her.  Her life as a writer continues to bring her fame which is not the style of the Amish.  Will this pull her away from her Amish community? Or bring her closer to the path God wants her to follow.

A heartwarming conclusion leaves you wishing the book would never end.  I give this a definite 5 stars!  A wonderful read!
I received a copy of this book from the author.  All thoughts are my own.


Tuesday, January 15, 2019

A Faithful Gathering by Leslie Gould

I loved this book.  I see it as a very real storyline that I could imagine actually happening.  It was about a young Amish woman going on her own to become a nurse and her goals and aspirations.  She was a caring and kind person thinking of family first.  I felt that this story touched on past and present situations in such an interesting way, that it was very hard to put this one down.  Loved it!

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

Sunday, January 13, 2019

Kissed by the Country Doc by Melinda Curtis

I loved this book by Melinda Curtis.  I'm excited that this is a series and I want to read the entire series!  So good.  This is an amazing author!

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

The Runaway Brides Collection by Vickie McDonough, Terri J. Haynes, Rita Gerlach, Noelle Marchand, Darlene Panzera, Jeness Walker, Renee Yancy

Such a fun historical read.  And I love the different stories from some of my favorite authors as well as a few new ones for me that were absolutely wonderful.  It was a lovely collection and so enjoyable.

I love historical fiction and this really filled the bill!  Such a great set of stories!

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

The Alamo Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo

Love this series, loved this book and this author.  I was so happy to be able to read this.  And the story was so good and I loved the Christian feel to the book.  It was hard to put this one down.  I loved the trust and whole feel of the story. 

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

Thursday, January 10, 2019

The Billionaire's Cowboy Groom by Lorana Hoopes

This was a fun contemporary romance.  I read it in one day and it was fun and interesting.  It was a sweet romance of a man who followed his answers to prayer.  A wonderful Christian read.  If you like Christian romance, you will enjoy this book.

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

Author Guest Post by Linda Weaver Clarke



I  am happy to have Linda Weaver Clarke with an author guest post today.  She's a great author of clean Christian fiction.  You will love her books!  Welcome Linda!

Is It Possible To Only Have One Last Dance?

 

One Last Dance will keep you guessing until the end of the book. It is a Historical Romance with a mystery to be solved. This story is set in 1835 in the United States. You will learn the art of watercolor, dance the Boston Waltz, and fall in love all over again.

Felicity Brooks is a talented artist but her career is cut short when her father passes away. Realizing the importance of family, she travels home to care for her mother. When Felicity meets their new neighbor, a fine-looking bachelor, she soon discovers that he is hiding his true identity. Nicholas Adams is on a quest. But that is not all. When she finds out that someone is after a valuable heirloom…a precious treasure that her father discovered in his attic, her life takes a new turn. What could they be after that is so valuable?

“One thing that always keeps me reading this author’s books is her characters,” wrote Author Katrina Hart. “They are engaging, funny and passionate. I especially liked Mr. Adams’ character as he was both witty and charming with an air of mystery about him. I was impressed by Felicity’s character. She was a strong woman who had seen some of the world, only to end up back home where everything feels different. I liked the quirky bond between Mr. Adams and Felicity. He has her pegged from the start and from the moment they meet you can tell at some point sparks will fly, and they will challenge each other’s perspectives on the problem at hand, which made this book rather gripping. One Last Dance kept me guessing until the end and left me wanting to read this book all over again. If you like Historical Romance with a mysterious touch and well-developed characters, this book is a must-read.”

When Felicity finds out that someone is trying to steal a valuable treasure, the adventure begins. With the help of her neighbor, Nicholas Adams, they search for evidence. Who is breaking into her home? What are they after? When they discover some homeless boys, Nicholas wonders whether they are involved. While Nicholas and Felicity search for clues, they attend a county fair, enter a horse race, and toss a piece of cow dung in a contest.

One Last Dance is a historical romance with a mystery to add to the tale. Felicity has always been a strong and independent woman. Amongst mystery, loss, paintings, and a career, she is going to have to decide if love has a place in her heart.” --Author Anna Del C Dye

About Author: Linda Weaver Clarke was raised among the Rocky Mountains of southern Idaho and now lives among the red hills of southern Utah. Linda is the author of 24 books. She has written in several different genres, which include: historical romances, romantic cozy mysteries, a mystery suspense series, children’s book, and non-fiction. All her books are family friendly. To learn more, visit www.lindaweaverclarke.com.

Linda’s Website: www.lindaweaverclarke.com



Tuesday, January 8, 2019

The Amish Heiress by Patrick E. Craig The Paradise Chronicles Series

This series, The Paradise Chronicles, works together well with the Apple Creek Series.  How the author interweaves the events of past books into this one, makes for a wonderful book.  You don't need to read all the other books in sequence, because characters from past books are introduced carefully in this book, letting you know how they played a part previously to find where the characters currently are in their lives.  But you won't want to miss the others because they are so good.

Rachel Herschberger is looking for a future that is not what her father wants for her.  As she becomes the possible heir of an English ancestor, she finds herself aspiring to do those things her father has so warned her not to pursue.  She is a woman who knows what she wants and sets out after it, but is it the right choice for her?

Great book.  Read the other books and you will be very immersed in the story that spans several generations and comes together in a well-crafted book.

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

Monday, January 7, 2019

Mending Fences by Suzanna Woods Fisher The Deacon's Family Series Book 1

This contemporary Amish story was very good reading.  Luke Schrock is recovering after 3 times in rehab.  Living with Amos and Fern he becomes a useful hand on the farm.  However, he has obligations to fulfill.  That is to apologize to each and every person that he hurt or in someway did something to which he should not have done.  The list is long... And then he is to find out how what he did to them affected them and how he can rectify that for them.  He lives on the same farm as Izzy, also recovering and under the care of Amos and Fern.  There are some underlying story lines that will keep you totally engaged.

The storyline is very interesting and a good story of repentance, forgiveness, human feelings and issues in people's lives to overcome and deal with.

Luke is a very likeable character despite his flaws. Izzy too!  I was completely immersed!  I hope it's not too long of a wait for book 2!  It was a wonderful book!  You will want to read this one!

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

Saturday, January 5, 2019

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

I purchased this book from Costco.  It was the story of Lale, a Jewish man doing all he could to keep alive in Auschwitz.  I realized that it was based on a true story of this man.  I kept wondering which parts were fiction and which weren't.  I was pretty captivated for the most part with the book, being as my mom, aunt and grandmother were in two camps during WWII in Strakonice and Novy Kestrany.  A lot of the story hit home, although my mother was not Jewish, rather Christian.

Lale definitely had a position that appears to have given him more privileges than most.  I found that very interesting.  Having been to both Auschwitz and Birkenau in past years, I put my memories of it together with this book.  It made it more real in my mind.  I didn't like the cursing used throughout the book and could have done well without it.  I realize that people in the book were of the sort that would use the language, but having my own family experiences written down, I know that it could have been done without also.


Friday, January 4, 2019

The Crock-Pot Ladies Big Book of Slow Cooker Dinners by Heidi Kennedy, Katie Handing, Sarah Ince

So this book I discovered on NetGalley, but it was no longer available for request except through "the wish list".  So I wish requested it and received it!  I feel really lucky because the recipes are just amazing.  I have been a crock-pot cooker for ages.  But my cooking with it mostly was surrounded by the same meals, roast beef, roast pork and a few misc. soup recipes.  That was it. 

This book gives me wonderful ideas that never crossed my mind.  I will be making the recipe on page 78 for tonight's dinner.  And from there on, the choices are endless.  I'm so excited to try them all out!

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

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

The Road Home by Patrick E. Craig

Heartwarming.  Heart wrenching.  This book has it all.  An unlikely match, a 1960's hippie type and an Amish girl meet and feel God's hand in their futures.  Both come with baggage and issues, but they are led by a power greater than their own.

This book has all the feels.  Yes, I read it in one day.  Practically did nothing else.  It was that good.  I have to admit, this author is becoming one of my favorite Amish authors.  There were so many places in this book that I found where the quotations were so mark worthy.  Things I ould want to refer back to again at a later time.

This is book 2 of the Apple Creek Dreams series.  I read book one just recently and in this book, Jenny, is grown up and trying to find her birth family but her Amish adoptive father will not approve.  The storyline of the Rose of Sharon Quilt literally ties the two books together.

I had a special connection to this book as I am a professional genealogist, a topic which comes out in this book.  I know the feelings of wanting to find your biological family, as I was recently able to do this myself in 2018 after a 40 year search.  I know the need and the desire to know where you really belong and who you really are.

This book was a treasure!