Amish Country Ransom by Mary Alford

So I had to give the book 4 stars because it really wasn't all that Amish.  It takes place in the Amish country, as the title says and there are a couple of Amish characters that play a minor role but it was mainly about two characters, Jade and Ethan who were not Amish.  The book was an exciting read and I definitely wanted to finish it, but if you were looking for a typical Amish book, this was not such.  It was a good read, very exciting, and lots of action. It touched upon some sensitive topics, guns, rape and violence, so to be aware.  I won this book in a giveaway.  I was not required to review.

Hemlock and Homicide A Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Series. Book 13

This next book about Smiley and McBlythe was another excellent mystery by this author.  I loved the dog factor that is added into the book. As Steve, the blind homicide detective, adds a dog to his arsenal, we see that this dog has special abilities that does a lot for him. Heather is swamped with work at the time a murder occurs and Steve needs some additional help for this case and hires a driver, Rasheed.  There is a lot of action that occurs in the poisoning cases that Steve tries to solve. Rasheed is a new character that brings new and interesting things to the story.  I think you will like this mystery, the suspense and really enjoy all of Steve's special talents in solving cases!

I received an ARC copy of this book.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Henri's Regret: Forts of Refuge Prequel by Pegg Thomas

This book was the Prequel to the Forts of Refuge series.This book is filled with drama and action.  It's also poignant and heartwarming. I really enjoyed this book.  

The frontier life was so difficult and this book tells it like it was.  The research involved in this book must have been very intense and all-consuming.  It's a wonderful book and I am so glad to have had the opportunity to read it.  It must have been so hard to leave a civilization so different to forge new frontiers and deal with it's challenges and adventure.  And there is romance, as well.  A well written prequel that is well worth the time to read!  And then you will definitely want to read everything in the series! You will read about Henri in Maggie's Strength. You will be well rewarded by reading this prequel and the series!  So happy I did.  

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

What I Left for You by Liz Tolsma (Echoes of the Past Book 3)

This book was absolutely amazing to me.  I related to it in so many ways.  First this was a dual time book.  WWII and now.   I have heard so many of the experiences that my mother had in WWII in Germany and Poland that so well related exactly to this book.  That the author has written about her ancestral home is a real  connection for me and also the fact that the current day character Mckenna uses genealogical research methodology to find and unlock the secrets to their family's past is also amazing to me as that is my profession.  So this book held my attention from page one throughout the entire book.  It was a sad story as WWII stories usually are but dealt with a different cultural group of people called the Lemkos.  The book will hold your attention till the very end.  It was THAT good!  I highly recommend this book and am so happy that I read it myself!  It gives me such an understanding of the hardships in life and to appreciate all we have.  

I received an ARC copy of this book.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.