Friday, April 29, 2022

Amish Friends 4 Seasons Cookbook by Wanda E. Brunstetter


Mmmm!  This book has some wonderful recipes for each season of the year, using the harvest that is available.  There are 290 recipes with very tempting pictures to give you a wonderful idea of what these recipes look and taste like.  They are nicely organized by seasons with photos of Amish homes and some cute Amish sayings from some of Wanda's Amish friends.  Each recipe tells the name of the recipe contributor and where she lives.  Makes it nice and personal.  

I can't wait to try these recipes.  They look amazing.  I even saw a couple of ingredients that I wasn't familiar with so looked them up on the internet.  So I learned about some new things, as well.

I think this is a great addition to Wanda's cookbooks.  And I am delighted and excited to try out some new and very tasty looking foods.

I received a complimentary copy of this cookbook from Barbour Publishing and was not required to give a positive review.  All thoughts are my own.

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

When the Meadow Blooms by Ann H. Gabhart

This book...I don't even know what to say...  It was that good.  And it was literally "all the feels".  What I can say is, you absolutely HAVE to read this one.  Don't let it pass you by.   I can say that the characters were very well developed.  You love them because of their situations and their trials and their successes and their joyous experiences, as well.  Don't want to say too much about this one because I don't want to give anything away.  But I will say that it is so worth your time to read this one.  I will say that I loved the "crows".  As a child, I remember some crows in my little town and everyone knew them by name and they did all kinds of things that made them almost seem human.  

So yes, get this book, read it, because you will love it.  I am still thinking about it, even though I have closed the cover and finished every page.  One of those books that sticks with you!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to give a positive review.  All thoughts are my own.

Saturday, April 23, 2022

Healing the Rancher by Melinda Curtis (The Mountain Monroes Book 11)


Loved this latest addition to the Mountain Monroes.  I have enjoyed this entire series so much!  When Kendall Monroe arrives at the ranch to learn ranching, she definitely has a determination to succeed and the handsome, but scarred rancher she is working with is reluctant to take a chance at love and so they don't quite connect.  The storyline is very entertaining and you will totally love the characters, and their trials of faith.  As they struggle through life's challenges, they each have things to work out in their lives.  

This is a clean romance.  It's enjoyable and a great addition to the Monroe Series.  The characters are relatable and real.  And the cover is adorable, as well.

I received a copy of this book from the author without being required to post a positive review.  All thoughts are my own. 


Wednesday, April 20, 2022

The Healer by Jennifer Spredemann Amish Country Brides Series Book 10

Shiloh is so in love with Mikey, and there is nothing that stands in her way.  But Mikey may not be her father's choice for her.  And although that is a heavy consideration for her, she wants to follow her heart.  The story has some captivating twists that kept me reading and reading because I had to find out how things turned out.  

The story tells of life's realities and that yes, even Amish people aren't always perfect and need to repent.  I know how these family events can cause stress and longing as I personally recently found my 1/2 cousins in a similar life event.  So yes, life doesn't always turn out as planned and surprises come when we least expect them.  This can bring a series of emotions, both good and not so good.

I love the role Sammy played and his kindly ways and why he is as he is.  Yes, life is full of learning events.  The most important part of that is repenting, learning and growing from the lessons learned and of course, being responsible for those things that we need to make amends for.  

This book taught important lessons and was  good "food for thought" for all of us.

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

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

A Healer's Promise by Misty M. Beller (Brides of Laurent)


I haven't read a single book by this author that I didn't love.  And this one started out great and just kept right on!  It's a story of a little village in the Canadian Rockies in the 1800's.  The people are good people, but Levi, finds himself in a compromised position as an enemy to these people, but a man with a great heart, nonetheless. And Audrey's heart tells her he is a good person and helps him escape from his captivity.  I was enthralled as the story takes them away from her home and people in an effort to protect him.  

The characters are really likeable in every way.  There is lots of adventure and danger and action.  No dull moments to skim past quickly.  It is a well-written romance and speaks to me of faith and trusts.  Great book.  And you won't want to miss this one.  It is book 2 of a series, but reads well as a stand-alone also.  

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley.  All thoughts are my own.


Friday, April 15, 2022

A Promise Engraved by Liz Tolsma


This book kept my attention from page 1.  It was a very well done dual timeline book for the current time period and also the early 1800's.  I loved that the book took place in Texas, in fact close to where my early ancestors came just south of San Antonio in Karnes County just 20 years after this book takes place.  So I felt very "at home" as the story unfolded.

Occasionally I have a problem with dual time books, as I am not always sure "where" I am in a book, but had no difficulty with this book as it was very well developed in the two time periods. The two stories, past and present, were carefully detailed as to the events that occurred and I was trying to figure things out on my own as the book went along to know exactly how they would meet together at one point.  It was really good.

The author did a wonderful job on this very engaging tale.  Loved it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was not required to post a positive review.  All opinions are my own.

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Abigail's Peace by Pegg Thomas (Forts of Refuge #3)


I have enjoyed the historical fiction books that I have read from this author, which is what keeps me reading them!  Once you find something you enjoy, you continue to read these wonderful books.

The writing style and character development are excellent in this book.  The research must have been very in-depth to recreate such an incredible read.   This is a book in the 1700's time frame, which would require many hours of research to develop a precise and wonderful book of this period.

As Abigail arrives into the fort, she finds life is very different than what she was used to or was expecting and it was interesting to read about the Seneca and their side of things.  The book was a real page turner and I loved that!  Had to keep reading and not put it down!

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


 

Monday, April 11, 2022

Caring for Her Amish Family by Carrie Lighte


I really enjoyed this sweet story of Anke and her non-Amish nephew.  I loved Anke's loving character and her patience.  She was a great example to everyone, even the difficult characters.  It was sad how the community was not willing to welcome her nephew and made it very hard to have little Will feel a part of both the family and the community.

I enjoyed the character of Josiah and how he was the only one that was willing to help in the situation that Anke found herself in. I felt so strongly in favor of Anke and what she was doing to help her sister and nephew.  She was a strong person in the book and you can't help but cheer her on.

Great family story.  So glad I purchased this last month!

Sunday, April 10, 2022

Deadly Diamonds by Sarah Hamaker

Enjoyed this mystery-suspense story by Sarah Hamaker.  This is the first book that I have read from this author.  It is always nice to learn  about new writers and enjoy different types of books to enjoy.  There was a good storyline and some unexpected turns which makes for a nice story. It was a clean romance with added suspense.  So a nice and quick read.  

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Author with no obligation to post a positive review.  All opinions are my own. 

 

Saturday, April 9, 2022

The Amish Twins Next Door by Vannetta Chapman An Indiana Amish Bride's Romance


You just can't go wrong with a book from Vannetta Chapman!  From the first time I started reading Amish fiction, this author quickly became one of my faves!  She has excellent writing skills and can weave an interesting tale.  I haven't missed even one book of this series of Indiana Amish Brides Romance. They have all been great and are all stand alone books.  The characters are all new in each of the stories.

I totally enjoyed this sweet romance.  I loved the caring characters and the cute and ever-so lively twins. With two, there is always lots of  activity and these boys are no exception.  I really enjoyed this book as I did all the others.  So happy to have read such an uplifting book.  You won't want to miss it.

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

Friday, April 8, 2022

Amelia Moore Mysteries, Vol. 3 Audible Version, Compilation by Linda Weaver Clarke

I just recently finished listening to the Audible version of The Amelia Moore Mystery Series, Vol 3, Mystery on the Bayou.  I really enjoyed it.  As a young girl reading was my beloved pastime that my friends and I continued to do together through our elementary school years.  Mysteries were my favorite genre in those days, and I can see that my love for mysteries has not waned.

Linda writes a fun and interesting story line.  We find Amelia and Rick, two happy newlyweds in a cozy retreat for their honeymoon, only to be approached by a woman who asks Amelia to locate a son she gave up for adoption 16 years ago.  She has discovered she has a hereditary disease that she feels an urgent need to inform her son about.  Not knowing could be deadly for him.  Amelia takes on the case which leads her to Bayou country and a not so easy to resolve case. 

There are several twists and turns making lots of interesting listening. I enjoyed listening to the Audible version very much and if you enjoy cozy mysteries, with a little touch of romance, you will surely enjoy it as well! 

The narrator Carolyn Kashner has a great way of changing voices of each of the characters.  It's really enjoyable listening and relaxing to this fun Audible book after a long stressful day.  She is so full of expression and very talented!  I loved listening to someone "tell me a story".  I could listen as I drove to and from errands and even while fixing dinner.  It's a great way to "multi-task".

The second story in Vol 3, is The Lighthouse Mystery. It's a great cozy mystery and for me it was awesome because she often writes about places that I know.  This time her book took me to my old home in California, Palm Springs, and as she described it, I could totally visualize it!  Then they were headed to Ventura Harbor.  I used to live in Ojai which is very close by and trips to the beach in Ventura were a remembrance of years past for me!

But aside from this, the Audible book held my attention to the very end.  I loved this clean romance and the resolution to the mysteries.  I look forward to reading and listening to other books from this great author.

I received an Audible version of this book from the author for my honest review, which I have given.  All thoughts are my own.

The Sister Preachers by Gayle Sears


I grabbed this while shopping at Deseret Book the other day.  The title and cover immediately caught my attention and I knew this was a book that I wanted to read.  

The story is about the first female missionaries serving for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  (LDS) These young women were planning a trip to Europe but were both in for a big surprise by receiving an unexpected mission call.  

The story tells of the difficult trials that they experienced.  The women work diligently to clarify false assumptions about their church and its beliefs.  It was a very interesting book and I enjoyed it very much.  It shared the good and the bad times that these missionaries experienced during their mission.  I recommend this excellent Christian book.


Tuesday, April 5, 2022

The Master Craftsman by Kelli Stuart


This was a fascinating book with lots of history, intrigue and takes place in a dual-time style book.  It is modern time and as well as the time of the Bolshevik Revolution.    Ava travels to Russia for a treasure hunt masterminded by her estranged father, a man who is in quickly declining health.  We learn of the Faberge eggs and the mystery that surrounds them and the Faberge goldsmithing family.  

Ava travels with her mother and others that add to the interest that this story brings out.  The historical writings in this book appear so well researched and the author's knowledge of the culture and people are clearly portrayed here.  I loved the search for the missing Faberge egg and the adventure that they experience.  The Dual time was well done.  All in all, a very well written historical!

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

Saturday, April 2, 2022

The School For German Brides by Aimie K. Runyan


I was looking forward to this book because of my own family history.  I enjoyed the story quite a bit as I had heard of the school for German brides in a previous book that I had read.  The story is about 3 women of different backgrounds and experiences during the WWII period.  Each experiences difficult experiences and different lifestyles during this dangerous time.

The story revolves around Klara, a wealthy young German woman who is friends both with Tilde, a young Jewish Mischling (1/2 Jewish and 1/2 German) and Hanna, whose mother passed and she lives with her aunt and uncle who give her all the worldly things she could want or need, yet there is still something clearly missing in her life.  

I did think the main focus of this book would be the school for the German brides, and I had hoped to learn more about that experience itself.  All in all, it was an interesting book that was a very intriguing read.

I received and ebook copy of this book from NetGalley and William Morrow.  All thoughts are my own.