Facing the Dawn by Cynthia Ruchti

This book grabbed me on page one.  It felt actually quite poignant to me as I read of the trials that Mara was facing.  She has many struggles to deal with which can bring out the tears in anyone.  You feel her pain. You know this is a Christian book as you find hope in Jesus who is always there, and even when we don't realize it.  I enjoyed the Christian aspect of this book.

You can feel how alone she feels and remember your own personal times of struggle.  The book will move you and perhaps make you want to take a break from reading yet it is hard to do so.  I often have a difficult time reading books like this but it is worth sticking with it.

I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing.  All thoughts are my own.

Rebel Light by Marilyn Turk Coastal Lights Legacy Book 1

This is a great Civil War period read.  I really enjoyed it from page 1 till the end.  It was a very interesting read with some unexpected turns in the story, which I really liked.  The book is during a time of great stress in our country and deals well with the events of these times and is heartwarming and a Christian read.  The characters you either loved or absolutely didn't and the descriptions of the times and places were well done without being overdone.  

It was a very enjoyable book and I can't wait to read the next book!

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

The Amish Homecoming by Rosalind Lauer Joyful River Book 1

 This story was an enjoyable Amish romance.  This story revolved about three Amish teenage girls whose formerly Amish mother had passed away. As their father struggled between his police work and raising 3 girls who definitely needed their mother, he decides to take them to his sister-in-law to stay for a year.

It was a surprise to their Amish family as they suddenly appear.  It was a story of learning about one another's cultures and lifestyle.  A story of learning to understand, to serve and to help each other when help was needed.  It was a story of personal growth and love.

I enjoyed this story, which was sweet, clean and a fun read, with some twists and turns, to remind us that all things are still in God's hands.

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

When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin

 This cover fascinates me, all in black and white with one very little exception.  But the book really, really fascinated me!  Especially since my parents lived in Germany during the War and this book definitely was close to the stories of my personal family history.  It contained romance, drama, action, suspense, just about everything that I love when reading a book.  It rang true to the times and the history was spot-on.  I loved it.

The characters were great.  Evelyn was a strong female lead character.  I totally felt the fear she felt at certain times in the book.  So engaging and so beautifully written.  I totally felt as though I was there experiencing the events that took place. Peter was a wonderful strong male lead character that I was rooting for throughout the book!  

I loved this book and this author has an amazing way of capturing a reader's attention.  Do I recommend this book to others?  That's a clear YES!  It was wonderful.

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

The Teacher by J.E.B. Spredemann Amish Country Brides Series

 Martha and Jaden knew each other from early years.  As they grew their paths went in different directions until a chance meeting at a wedding.  They begin to write and a friendly relationship starts to build.  As they reconnect, Jaden holds back and Martha struggles to know what he is feeling.  

The author deals with tough subject matter and lots of emotions.  This book will stir your soul and cause you to think and analyze how would you handle the same situations. 

It's a good book, which really makes you think.  And a story of God's Grace.

I received an ebook copy from the author.

Guest Post With Shelley Shepard Gray and a Giveaway!

I am super excited to welcome Shelley Shepard Gray on my blog today.  I have loved her books for many years and have read both her Amish titles and other genres, as well.  She is going to share what is upcoming in this year.  I can't wait to read all of them.  They all sound so good!  

Shelley is offering a set of her two books for a lucky commenter!  So don't forget to leave a comment! 

Welcome Shelley! 

Shelley Shepard Gray Guest Post

I sometimes feel that 2021 is going to be my year of sharing what I did while quarantined in 2020.’ Last year I wrote five novels and three novellas, all of which will be released this year. Though I usually write a lot, last year I had a little more time than usual to sit at my computer since all of the trips we’d planned to take had to be canceled or rescheduled. I’m blessed that several publishers gave me the opportunity to write novels for them.

I thought it might be fun to share what is releasing this year!

First off is are three novels in my Berlin Bookmobile Series! January brought A Perfect Amish Romance and the series will continue in May and November with An Amish Surprise and A Christmas Courtship. All three of these titles feature an English matchmaking bookmobile librarian named Sarah Anne. Sarah Anne is a retired accountant, is great at listening, and meddles just enough to help three couples find love. Since both libraries and writing about the Amish are two loves of mine, I couldn’t have been happier to spend my days writing these books.

Next up in May is my novella in the Amish Midwife Collection. I was invited to join authors Amy Clipston and Kelly Long and I couldn’t have been more happy about that. My story in the collection is titled A Midwife for Susie, and it features a midwife struggling to recover from a past traumatic experience. She falls in love with her best friend and next door neighbor along the way. I’ll be with Amy Clipston and Kathleen Fuller for another Amish Novella Collection in August. This one is all about Amish Schools! My novella is titled Wendy’s Twenty Reasons.

July brings my first titled with Love Inspired! It’s called Widow’s Secrets and it’s part of a Cold Case series! This book is set in Adams County in southern Ohio. The main characters are not Amish but there are a few secondary characters. My heroine is a widow, works in a diner, and paints big abstract paintings on the side. The hero is a detective who needs to prove himself by solving a ten year old cold case involving the widow’s husband. As you might imagine from the title, there are a lot of secrets involved that have to be revealed.

September’s release of Edgewater Road launches the Rumors in Ross County series from Blackstone Publishing. These are standalone novels, with each book coming out once a year. Edgewater Road is the name of the street where most of the romantic suspense action takes place.

Finally, the beginning of October brings An Amish Bakeshop Trilogy! I teamed with authors Rachel Good and Loree Lough for a group of Christmas stories set in Lancaster County, PA. My story involves a baker known for her famous ‘Christmas cakes’ and an old boyfriend who returns to town after a long absence.

If you like to read, I’m hopeful that you might want to give one of these books a try! And, if you’re wondering what I’m doing this year…I’m writing again! I’ve got some fun surprises in store for 2022.

Thank you to Sonja Nishimoto for graciously inviting me to visit her blog! I’m also happy to share that I’d love to give away a set of the two books for someone who comments-signed copies of both A Perfect Amish Romance and Amish Midwives!

No matter what you choose to read this year, I wish you many hours of enjoyment!

Blessings,

Shelley 

 

Shelley Shepard Gray Bio

 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray writes Amish and Inspirational romances for Simon & Schuster, and Kensington, Harlequin, and contemporary women’s fiction for Blackstone Publishing. With over a million books in print, and translated into more than a dozen languages, her novels have been Holt Medallion winners and Inspirational Readers Choice and Carol finalists.

Shelley has been featured in the Philadelphia Enquirer, Washington Post, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She has also been interviewed on NPR as well as numerous regional radio stations. Publishers Weekly calls her Walnut Creek series “A slow-burning, enjoyable romance… Embedded in this quaint story is a poignant message about the importance of community, compassion, and doing what’s right rather than what’s easy.”

Shelley has hosted several well-attended ‘Girlfriend Getaways’ for Amish reading fans. Her most recent Girlfriend Getaway, hosted with bestselling novelists Amy Clipston and Suzanne Woods Fisher in Sugarcreek, Ohio, was filmed by BuzzFeed and highlighted on NetFlix’s Follow This episode on the popularity of Amish fiction.

Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned her bachelor’s degree in English literature and later obtained her master’s degree in educational administration. She now lives in southern Colorado near her grown children, walks her dachshunds, bakes too much, and writes full time.

 

 This giveaway closes on Feb. 24th.  Please include your email address in a safe format with your comment.

Texas Trails by Caryl McAdoo Cross Timbers Romance Family Saga Book 6

 

This was book 6 of a series, and although I haven't read the earlier books, it was totally good as a stand-alone book.  The story is about a young man wanting to make his own way in the World and going against the plan of a strong-willed mother.  As he organizes a cattle drive, it becomes a little more than expected as they continue their journey.  

It's a story of overcoming a painful experience and finding love and happiness.  This is a very good, clean and sweet western romance that will leave you smiling and wanting to read more books just like this one.

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

The Baby Next Door by Vannetta Chapman (Indiana Amish Brides Book 7)

 I love this series!  I was so happy to read this sweet and fun read!.   I say fun because there were some humorous parts that were light and make you laugh.  It was so enjoyable to read Grace and Adrian's story.  Grace has a secret that weighs her down and keeps her from the happiness that she hopes for.  Adrian runs a quirky and fun farm zoo of sorts and decides that tours for the Englischers would be a good way to earn some money.  He engages Grace into his tour plans and from there the story unfolds.  

It's just a good book and I really enjoyed reading it!  I am sure you will too!

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

Catching Mr. Right by Carol Ross Seasons of Alaska Series

My Review

I just finished this book and noticed it was book 7 of the Seasons of Alaska Series.  This was the first one that I have read, so I think I have some catching up yet to do!  But the book was a fine stand-alone book, regardless.

The story is in the Louisiana Bayou region and the lead character is Victoria Thibodeaux, a strong female lead and resort owner.  She's a single mom and a very competitive one when it comes to business matters!  She is determined to become a spokeswoman for an important sports company.  I especially enjoyed the fishing, as my husband has taken me on many of his fishing adventures.  I found the whole fishing theme to be a new area of reading for me, which was definitely fun.

I loved to see the great personalities of the characters and the great writing that developed them into a very interesting storyline.

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

Intriguing Escapades by Linda Weaver Clarke

Linda Weaver Clarke has a new book in her series "The Adventures of John and Julia Evans".  It's book 5 and a great addition to the continuing family saga.  It contains 4 short stories and if you have read the previous books, you will see familiar and new characters to bring interest and excitement to her stories.  The stories are set in my fave places, Utah and a little in Texas.  She brings them up to our current time, during the Pandemic.  The stories are mysterious and interesting and you will surely enjoy the mystery and perhaps some romance to keep things very interesting!

These are clean and enjoyable stories and definitely entertaining!

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

A Dance In Donegal by Jennifer Deibel

 

Wow!  This was the first book that I have read from this author.  But it won't be the last.  What an amazing book.  I was instantly engaged on page 1 and honestly, it was impossible to put down.  The book tells the story of Boston-born Moira, whose Irish mother has told her of her life in Ballymann, Ireland.  After her mother's passing, Moira is headed to Ballymann as a teacher at their school.  She isn't instantly greeted by people that want to get to know her, rather the people have superstitions, and have an instant dislike for her, with the exception of a few, who welcome her with warmth and love and open arms.

The descriptions are vivid and you become totally involved with her life, the events that happen, and feelings she is feeling.  It's a story of great emotions, of highs and lows, fear and everything in between.  It's a story of faith, and forgiveness.  

There is a little village map at the beginning of the book, which I enjoyed and could visualize the locations of story happenings. I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading many more books from this talented writer!

I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing.  All thoughts are my own.

The Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fisher

 

Fantastic book!  I loved it.  I didn't want it to end.  Lucy Wilson is asked by Cora Wilson to help her as Cora serves as Education Superintendent.  Lucy has no idea what she is in for as she starts working with the mountain people who are mostly illiterate.  There are a couple of storylines in this book.  Lucy's work with the mountain people and her memories of her missing sister, for which she blames herself.

It is wonderful to see the changes that happen in Lucy's life and the struggles she has and sees in the poverty of the people here.

This book was amazing.  I was totally taken in by it and could envision the people, the surroundings, and the events that happened.  This book was definitely one of my favorite books.  That good! Honestly it was probably one of the best books I have read in quite a long time!

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

The Robin's Greeting by Wanda E. Brunstetter Book 3 Amish Greenhouse Mystery

 I have now read all three of this series by Wanda E. Brunstetter.  So I have become very familiar with the characters.  I am really enjoying them.  I even am getting an attachment to annoying neighbor Virginia, who likes to "spy" on her Amish neighbors.

The family suffered severe losses in the beginning of this series and this is the story of their greenhouse that they work so hard at only to have unexpected setbacks which again cause loss and sadness.  But this adds an interesting mystery to the series that keeps you wanting to read and find out who is behind all of this.  There is romance, family conflict and all things which make for a great read.  It is very enjoyable.  Glad I didn't miss the last book in this series!

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

Stage Fright by Kate Lloyd

 Kate Lloyd has a way of writing that will engage you.  This is another travel story, which I could so relate to.  Because my grandson went on a 7 country choir tour to Europe 3 years ago and we were able to meet him at one point on the tour to hear them sing.  It was amazing to listen in these wonderful European settings.  This was very realistic and fun to read.

Jessica is very concerned about her stage fright and the trip and roommate situation is not always what she planned and hoped for.  The description of the places traveled to are written with great detail and has you feeling that you are there!  This book has a bit of mystery, romance and travel experiences which will captivate you.  It's a great read and I am glad for the chance to enjoy this very interesting novel.

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