Rescued by the Perfect Cowboy by Melinda Curtis

So I love this Monroe series and am so happy that I was able to read the next installment. Single mom, Sophie Monroe is starting a new business in "Second Chance".  What is Second Chance?  It is the town that grandfather Harlan Monroe gave to all his grandchildren to inherit.  And there was a stipulation.  They must all work together on the town to bring it to life.

Sophie has a set of twins who need child care, enter Zeke who volunteers for the job.  But her kids are pretty lively, should we say.  As Zeke recovers from an accident, he cares for the twins, but finds there might be more to this "job" than meets the eye. And Zeke holds back a secret from Sophie, something that makes him feel unqualified to be in Sophie's life.

It's a fun and wonderful addition to the rest of the series and I loved it.  It's such a good read!  You will absolutely love this book.  I highly recommend it!

I received an advance copy of this book.  All thoughts are my own.

Montezuma Intrigue by Linda Weaver Clarke (Audible Version)

This series has been full of intrigue, adventure, suspence and romance.  This book was great.  Lots of mysterious happenings and interesting action.  I love how the author writes about an area where she lives near, in Southern Utah.  I can also identify with this area, as I live in Utah as well. 

I love exploring the petroglyph areas and historical areas of Utah and so this book was captivating to me.  I loved the camping, the adventure and everything.  It was a great book to add to the series and because it was an Audible version, I could take it with me whereever I went.

The narrator Caroline Kashner is very talented making the Audible version very interesting and easily identified when a different character was speaking.  Great read, clean, enjoyable and very entertaining.

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

New Beginnings at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard

This book was a nice addition to the Pomise Lodge Series by Charlotte Hubbard.  I love how they have come together as a community of both Amish and Mennonites to work together for good.  I love that I was able to see some of the previous people I have met in their community and continue their stories. 

This was a nice, sweet story but shows how some relationships, even with those closest to you, sometimes still need some work to help and not hurt one another.

This is a good Christian read, showing people caring and nurturing others in their times of need.  Loved it.

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

Lost Memories and New Beginnings by Lorana Hoopes

I really enjoyed this latest book by Lorana Hoopes. There was a lot of suspence and I loved the storyline very much.  It was a great read and keeps you turning pages.  A quick read and very entertaining.  I enjoy the clean writing and the uplifting spirit of the book.

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

Educated by Tara Westover

My daughter suggested this book to me.  I am not really exactly sure what I think.  If everything is true that took place in her life, it is a tragic tale of a woman who sought to overcome.   There are so many bad things taking place in her life, it is almost impossible to fathom it all.  I don't know quite what to say about this one.  As she grows to womanhood and strays from the ways of her being raised, I cheer for her and wonder how much is actually just a memory or true fact.  Did all that really happen?

Well, it was interesting and I'm glad I read it and hope that her life has improved now.
I didn't agree with all the points on the LDS Church, and noted she mentioned "Christening" in the beginning, which is not something done in the LDS Church, also her views on polygamy were not  completely ontrack.  Her father definitely had issues beyond the norm and it was hard to watch her mother not handle things better with the abusive brother.

But I'm sadly certain, she wasn't the only one facing those horrible trials in life. 

An Amish Deception by J.E.B. Spredemann

Book Blurb:

Jacob King and his twin brother, Ephraim, have always been rivals at everything. But when Jacob deceives his father into signing a will that only benefits one of them, leaving Ephraim with nothing, his brother seeks revenge. Jacob flees for his life and journeys to another town to work for a distant relative. While there, Jacob falls helplessly in love with Rachel and seeks to win her heart.
Young Rachel Schmidt is instantly smitten when handsome Jacob King rolls into town. As time goes by, they court, fall deeply in love, and plan to marry. But Rachel’s father has other plans. 
Will past secrets destroy their chance at happily ever after? Will Jacob and Rachel’s love survive when their dreams are ripped from their hands? 

My Review:

This book was a continuation of the Biblical inspired Amish books by this author.  I have read several of them and just like the others this one was really good.  The characters took on similar roles as those in the Bible, but with a more modern twist and also with an Amish twist to them.  You will see the Bible characters in a new light and with different events, of course.  It was a fun and enjoyable read.  It was a quick read and had lots of ups and downs.  

I can't wait to read the next one!

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

More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer

This was the first book I have read from this author, although I have seen many of her books.  I really liked it although it was interesting that the character Abigail, felt she was heavy and yet the cover picture certainly doesn't indicate that. 

It was an entertaining read and this marriage of convenience seemed to be a good decision for both as they worked through their pasts and their concerns about them.  Each needed to work those things out before their marriage of convenience could go to the next level.  There may have been a little too much mention of the "marital relations".  Although the book was clean, it seemed to dwell on that a bit more than I would want it to. 

But it was a good read, longer than many books I have read lately, but enjoyable.

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

Summer of Suspense Sixteen Tales by 16 Authors

So I love a good suspense and a good mystery, and I was happy because there was also some Amish stories in this set as well.  They are really entertaining reads and I really enjoyed the stories by Vannetta Chapman and Rachel J. Good.  Yes, I'm just a little partial to the Amish stories.  But all the stories were attention getters and you can't just read "part" of a story or "part" of this anthology.  You have to read each of the stories. 

There was a wide variety of storylines and there were a few new authors for me, but many were authors whose books I won't miss!  It was a wonderful price, too, for so much to read and keep ya busy!  Highly recommend this one!!!!

The Yellow Lantern by Angie Dicken

I'm not sure how exactly I feel about this book.  I loved the previous book in the series, but this one was a little on the "uncomfortable" side for me.  The story is a historical fiction version of true events of some more gruesome times of grave robbing and body snatching.   The writing was good but it probably was not the type of book I would usually read.  But that being said, it was a page turner and full of suspense for any reader. 

I thought Josephine was an interesting character to say the least.   And I wondered how I would have handled the situation she found herself in?  Definitely an interesting read.

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

The Ice House Murder by Bruce Hammack A Smiley and McBlythe Mystery

This story by Bruce Hammack will keep you guessing till the end.  Lots of interesting characters and captivating plot.  With 10 days to resolve a case, Steve Smiley and his partner Heather McBlythe work at a fast pace with obstacles in the way.

You will enjoy this fascinating mystery!

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

Amish Outsider

I really enjoyed this book by Marta Perry.  Book 1 in the River Haven Series was really good.  I read it really quickly because the mystery made it a page turner for me.  I enjoyed the characters, their personalities and how they worked to help one another.  It was a very good read!

An Amish Spring by Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, and Vannetta Chapman

If you love Amish fiction, and how could you not, you will love these 3 stories in a wonderful compilation by the above authors.  They are definitely wonderful authors with a super talent.  To share the talent in one book, is fabulous!

A Son For Always Amy Clipston shares the story of Carolyn and Joshua as they prepare for their first child together, and how Carolyn's son Benjamin will fit into their family.  Although Joshua has adopted Ben as his own son, Carolyn feels the responsibility for his financial welfare.  Will she be able to trust and have faith that they are all now one family, rather than a family separated from past mistakes in life. Author: Amy Clipston.









A Love for Irma Rose Beth Wiseman. I loved this story of Josh and Irma Rose, their experiences as Josh ends up in jail, because he likes a little more excitement than the "usual" Amish person.  But was their a deeper meaning to why he was in jail?  Hmm. food for thought and a wonderful chance to find this book and read this story!  It was that good.










My husband and I have had a garden for all the years of our married life.  In our beginning efforts, it was quite a struggle for us to have it watered adequately, yet not too much, to keep the weeds down and to know how to properly deal with the little garden pests, both insect variety and larger animal variety. 
We often had problems that we had to “weather” out, such as late frosts after the garden was beginning to come up or early frosts when we not prepared and hadn’t brought in the harvest.  Hail and wind storms also wreaked their havoc upon our little garden plot.  It was and sometimes still is frustrating when things didn’t go as we had hoped and planned.  But so is our life, also not the smooth road we always hope and pray for.  We have to learn to “go with the flow” and accept what happens and move forward.  Yet we can find peace in our lives and grow and learn.  The garden holds many happy memories and fun as the kids and now grandkids help us harvest, weed and enjoy the fruits of our labors.

This wonderful story by Vannetta Chapman shows how the gardens in our lives help us to move ahead and as stated by the very talented author, Vannetta Chapman, Gardens will bless your soul. 

“They are a place to rest, to draw near, and to heal.”  I especially loved that line and marked it as I was reading the book, because that is how I truly feel about gardens, as well.

 Where Healing Blooms, Vannetta Chapman

Emma is a widow who lives with Mary Ann, her mother-in-law.  Mary Ann has a beautiful garden that she lovingly tends. Emma tries to find a purpose in life now that her children are grown.  She learns that a runaway Amish boy has been hiding in her barn.  She tries to know how she can help him at this troubled time of his life.  She leaves food and hopes that he will feel that he can trust her to help him.  She also is asked by the bishop to house an abused Amish woman and her two children.  They find a safe refuge at Emma’s and begin to work together. 

Emma begins to find some meaning to her life and purpose

Her old friend, Danny, has returned home after many years absence.  She had once hoped that they would marry, but Danny had disappointed her by moving away to pursue his life’s plans leaving Emma alone and to marry another.  Emma feels she is too old now to find love again in her life.

Mary Ann’s garden holds a secret which she reveals to Emma and Danny that may just change both of their lives.  

These stories will touch your heart.  These  authors share how faith can help you find peace, faith, endurance, hope and healing.  I loved them all!

When Mountains Sing by Stacy Monson My Father's House Series V. 1

Mikayla's life was going in the directions she chose, everything was good.  Suddenly the unexpected...a health issue that brings huge changes in her life, but changes not solely with her health...but with her entire being. Her life as she knew it.

Leaving her home to find answers brings even more life changing events. Some not so good, others good.  Learning, forgiving as well as overcoming becomes her life.

I related so personally to this book. It touched me very much.  Why, because I recently found my mother's father, in a similar situation, and I know that people make mistakes, they try to do better, and sometimes that is hard and difficult for others to understand that have not experienced those mistakes, and the feelings and longings to find the truth.

I really enjoyed this book.  I look forward to reading more of this fascinating series!

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