Reinventing Ruthie by Kate Lloyd

This is a story of Ruth Ann who has had her share of misfortune.  A husband who left her for another and then a terrible car accident. A difficult teenage daughter and aged parents.  I can certainly understand how all those things would wear a person down.  The story is real life events that many others have experienced.  I can relate to some of the issues as I am sure others will be able to as well.  It is definitely a good read.  I enjoy the author's style of writing.  I have usually read her Amish fiction, but this is definitely just as amazing a book as those, just totally different. I love how the story continues and how the talented writing tells a poignant story of an imperfect life and working through it all.

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

A Lancaster Family Secret by Kate Lloyd

I have read several books written by this author, but this one was definitely my favorite one. I totally related to Annette on her quest to find her birth parents.  As I am a genealogist, I have done this for several families, including my own.  

I loved Annette's character and how she grew in so many ways in this book.  I loved how things are not always as they seem and we often have to look deeper to know how and why things happen as they do.  

Annette and the Millers face several trials as the book continues and as they experience new changes and each comes to face their shortcomings, it is interesting to see how these challenges are faced.

This was a really good book with  a storyline that was realistic.  Real life problems.

I highly recommend this book!  

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

A Lancaster Family Christmas by Kate Lloyd

City girl meets Amish country for Christmas!  This was a really sweet contemporary Amish Christmas fiction,  Diana and Betsy go to Amish/Mennonite country for a Christmas with Betsy's family.  The story is honest and open.  No families are perfect, not even the Amish.  Diana also has past family issues that need to be dealt with.  This is a sweet story of overcoming trials, forgiveness and of course, love.  

I really enjoyed this wonderful and engaging book.  It was filled with Christmas peace and good feelings.  I enjoyed Diana's story and the changes that came into her life. If you want a good Amish Christmas book, you will love this one.

I received a complimentary ebook from the author.  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.

From Rome With Love by Kate Lloyd

 The day I was lucky enough to win this book, was truly my lucky day!  This was such a good book.  I was totally immersed in it.  The minute I started reading, it grabbed my immediate attention, and never let go.

I felt I was right there with Lucy as she tells in first person of her job as nanny of a teenage girl with lots of challenges and their subsequent trip to Rome for a Christmas trip.  The descriptions of the city were very realistic and I found myself in Italy, enjoying the trip and the interesting mystery that developed.  

I felt her thoughts as she was uncertain as to who to trust and who not to trust.  Who to believe?  I did have to laugh where perhaps others might not.  She had a fall and I so totally related.  Seriously, every time I go to Europe, I fall!  In fact, my last trip, I told my family, just wait.  I am going to fall and I did.  Must be the European cobblestones!

I enjoyed every bit of this book.  It had no dull moments and moved at a good pace to keep me reading.  I totally loved this book.  

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

Starting From Scratch by Kate Lloyd

I really enjoy Kate Lloyd's Amish books and this one added to that feeling!

This was a book of redemption, of misconstrued gossip and misunderstanding of truth.

As Jake and Eva try to redeem themselves, things seem to get in the way of that goal.  Yet they continue to work towards that goal.

This book has some romance, some mystery and suspence.  It is written in first person, Eva.  So you can understand her thoughts and feelings as the book progresses. 

In a well-paced book, Eva goes through the process of making important decisions in her life, never rushing to meet everyone's approval of being baptised into the faith.  I felt that she was a careful person, not wanting to make a mistake and wanting to do the best she could for both herself and others.

This was probably my favorite book from this author.  It wasn't a  "cookie-cutter" Amish, a term that I have seen regarding descriptions of some Amish books, but had a new and unique concept which was very enjoyable to me.

I highly recommend this read.  And it will keep you up reading late!

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

Leaving Lancaster by Kate Lloyd

I have done it again, read the books out of order.  This is book 1 in this series by Kate Lloyd.  This is one that I received free for Kindle at Amazon.com.  However, that was a while ago and it is no longer free.  Here is the link to where it is available.  I tend to grab the books when they are free and read them when I have the time, which is the case here.  However, it was so good, that I regretted putting this off for so long.

My review:  Esther and Samuel were two Amish youth wanting to experience the English world.  They were sure this was what was important for them.  After Samuel had to fight in Vietnam, Esther gave birth to Holly.  Samuel does not return and is MIA and eventually pronounced dead.  Holly grows up not knowing her father or her Amish roots.

Esther feels the need to return to Lancaster and to her family, but will they be able to forgive her, especially because Samuel's death can be connected to their wanting to leave and her influence in their leaving.  She and now grown-up Holly, return, thinking it might just be a short visit.  But as the story unfolds, many little secrets, new relatives and the peace of being home, extend their stay. 

This story was really a good read.  I enjoyed the characters very much and could see how it would be hard to return after having caused a big family and community rift.  The feelings of guilt and loneliness for family were also evident here.  I loved it, and have read the remaining books of the series and recommend them all.  Kate is a great writer.  One of the few books I have read lately, where I didn't pick up on lots of editing errors, typos, etc. 

You can find Kate's blog at the link below!

Kate's blog
 
Kate is clearly one of my favorite authors!

Forever Amish by Kate Lloyd

About the book: 

 

The latest book in the Legacy of Lancaster trilogy, Forever Amish introduces us to a young woman about to uncover a shocking secret and find an invitation to a new way of living. This is a story of forgiveness, legacies, and the ties that bind through generations.

It's the Last Thing She Expects to Find

Sally Bingham needs some time away to sort through the changes in her life and to rethink her upcoming marriage. Despite her ailing father's hesitations, she takes off for a bed and breakfast in Lancaster County for a weekend away. But her best-laid plans leave her in a near collision with a bishop's buggy and in the home of a mysterious Amish woman named Lizzie. Lizzie introduces her to a different perspective on life, a charming farmhand named Armin--- and opens a Pandora's box that will forever change Sally's life.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/xxswg

 About the author: 

 

Author Kate Lloyd is a passionate observer of human relationships. A native of Baltimore, Kate spends time with family and friends in Lancaster County, PA, the inspiration for her novels. She is a member of the Lancaster County Mennonite Historical Society. Kate and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest. Kate studied painting and sculpture in college. She's worked a variety of jobs, including car salesman and restaurateur.

 

Kate can be found at: website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

 

 

My review:

This new book by Kate Lloyd is the third in a 3 part series, Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy.  I have read the other two and it was fun to see when previous characters who you have learned to know and enjoy reappear in this third volume and blend right into this volume.  The book was so well developed that it would also be a great stand-alone book. 

As the book opened, it grabbed me from the first few pages and I knew I was hooked.  I could not put this book down, although I had to sleep, eventually.  Sigh…

As Sally Bingham’s marriage date is quickly approaching, she feels the need to sort through her feelings about the upcoming day.  She is not really sure of her feelings.  Having recently received many emails from an Amish woman, Lizzie in Lancaster County, she decides to go on a little get-away to visit. Just for the weekend… to clear her mind…She arranges to stay at a bed and breakfast, even though her very ill father is not too happy about her plans.

As she arrives, she has a bit of misfortune and things just don't go as she had planned .  Her bed and breakfast is flooded and her car needs repairs.  She is helped by Armin King, a handsome Amish man who introduces her to Lizzie and from then on, things are never the same for Sally.  Lizzie’s family is not your average run of the mill Amish family.  You can see they are people who do not always do exactly as they are taught to do, but rather you can see their true human nature, just like all of us.  They too, have to work at their lives and often learn through trial and error.

Sally finds out some hard truths about people she had trusted for her entire life.  She no longer can feel trust for others and is confused about many things in life that she discovers because of her little week-end visit to Amish country. 

This story is about forgiveness, faith, family bonds and ties that can’t be broken forever.  This book was quite different than any other Amish book that I have read.  I think it is a very worthwhile read for those who enjoy the Amish genre and even those who have never read Amish books. 

This is a 5 star book and I was so sad to see the story end.  I wanted to keep on reading!  Excellent book!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review. 

Blog Tour Landing page:

http://litfusegroup.com/author/klloyd



 

 

Pennsylvania Patchwork by Kate Lloyd

Photo used by permission.

Pennsylvania Patchwork is book 2 in the Legacy of Lancaster trilogy.  This is an Amish Novel written by Kate Lloyd.  Click here to see Kate's blog .

This was a fun book, with some romance, Amish, and some mystery, as well.  The main characters are Holly Fisher, her mother, Esther and grandma Anna.  When Esther was in her rumspringa years she headed away from the Amish faith, along with Samuel.  They were married and then Samuel left for military service while Esther expected their child, Holly.  They never saw one another again.  Holly never met her father and they lived in the "English" lifestyle and never returned to the Amish until many years had passed.

Esther and Holly come to Lancaster County and live with Esther's Mamm and Holly is suddenly finding herself with several suitors. Holly is enjoying life in the Amish community and does not feel the need to return to Seattle and the hectic lifestyle it represented in her life.

Esther finds Nathaniel and they begin a courtship and plan on marriage, when suddenly rumor has it that Nathaniel's first wife is alive and living in deplorable conditions.  You will need to read the book to see what happens, here!

Holly and Zach become engaged and soon a former woman in Zach's life appears, making life for Holly very difficult and uncertain. 

Many adventures are to be had in Amish country, old feelings to be healed that have festered for long years.  This is a book of forgiveness, second chances and hope of good things to come in life.  It was a happy and engaging book.  I really enjoyed Kate's first and second books and I look forward to reading book 3!