When They Met Again (Letters From Lancaster County Book 2) by Leslie Gould

I enjoyed the first book of the series, so was very happy to receive book 2.  It is a touching story of Adam and Joanna.  Joanna has had an unfortunate time with Jacob and now she is less trusting to have a relationship.  As Joanna and Adam work together and as their friendship grows, it was enjoyable to read about them and grow to appreciate them both.  I loved the letter-writers.  And there was a line that I especially enjoyed reading and seeing in the story, a quote from Mammi Lu, "It's better to give others a piece of your heart than a piece of your mind. That's what Jesus would do."

A good story, and you won't want to miss it!  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.
 

The Shop Down The Lane by Leslie Gould (Letters from Lancaster County Series

I really, really enjoyed this story very much.  Its about a circle letter group.  Lois and Moses both join the circle letter group using names other than their own.  Lois holds some negative feelings towards Moses from years past having broken her heart and he has now purchased her place of business.  As they start receiving letters from the Birder's circle letter group, they find lots of things that attract each other to one another.  There are several twists to the story and I was hooked right away.  The characters were engaging and the story itself is sure to grab your attention and keep you reading! I have enjoyed this author's books so much and I look forward to the upcoming books of this series!

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

By Evening's Light (Amish Memories Book 3) by Leslie Gould

This book really hit home for me as Rosene tells her WWII story.  My family has stories of German life during this time as well.  It was very heart wrenching. This is Treva's story as she listens to her great aunt Rosene as she tries to find her direction in life. This dual time story was very captivating to me and I am sure it will be to other readers as well. Treva is quite an amazing person.  Amish and Mennonite characters brought a great story together. Be sure to read the dates at the beginning of the chapter to help you realize the time period the writing is about.  Because of my own personal background, I was deeply impressed with this book.  I received an ARC copy of this book.  So glad I was able to read it!  All thoughts and opinions are my own.
 

This Passing Hour by Leslie Gould Amish Memories

This was an interesting book as Brenna and Rylan become acquainted through a common class they both attend.  It's a different type of Amish story as we travel back in time to the World War II days and also a more current time period. Rylan was not a real likeable character in the story and Brenna was a very compassionate person.  The characters do show a faith in God as is shown as the family prays. The characters have challenges as they try to work through them. Brenna's relationship with Rylan, is not a relationship that her friend, Johann and her sisters feel is good and hope to see end.

The story of the POW's that work the farm which is something I recall from the previous book in the series and is an interesting part of the book and something I this was not aware of prior to reading about it in this series.

Amish fans will enjoy this different type of book, and will appreciate the historical events.  I recommend this most interesting book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This Passing Hour by Leslie Gould

Just Released!!!

 

A Brighter Dawn by Leslie Gould (Amish Memories Book 1

This was a very different Amish fiction book than what I first expected but was delightfully surprised.  It was a dual time period book, which I am not always fond of, because I often get a little confused which time period I am reading. But this one was very well written with a current time period and the time frame as WWII approaches. Having parents that lived in WWII Germany, this story held my interest as I recalled the stories my own mother shared with me.  And that is what happens in this book as Rosene shares Clare's story of helping family in Germany. The story is about the Anabaptist struggles through this time period and how they dealt with them.  The Current story also has a mystery to it in regards to the tragic death of Ivy's parents.  The book was very interesting and I enjoyed reading it very much!

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

Threads of Hope (Plain Patterns book 3) by Leslie Gould

This was such a nice story, full of emotions and real-life issues.  I loved how the women got together to quilt and visit and as they did they "went back in time" to hear a story that that happened to an Amish man as he leaves his home to serve in the military during WWI and leaves behind his conscientious objector status and becomes a soldier despite what is expected of him as a Plain man.  As Jane reads Amos's letters to her friends, Danielle, Tally, her mother and little Maggie, the letters come to be something they looked forward to and couldn't wait to continue to see how the story turned out. 

Tally is a caregiver to her mother and she and Danielle, a Plain woman who also joined the military, find some ties that bind them into one another's lives.  The story is very moving and touching with lots of feels that you won't want to miss.  I really enjoyed this book so much.  I understood Tally's stage of life as a caregiver and know personally the struggles this brings.  

I highly recommend this story.  

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

A Patchwork Past by Leslie Gould Plain Patterns Series book 2

 I really loved this book.  I enjoyed the present and past scenarios that were portrayed as Jane, the quilt shop owner tells Sophie the story of an ancestor who helped many during the time of the Chicago fire.  I loved the story and the historical aspects were a highlight for me.  I loved Sophie as she also has the goal to help the migrant workers she comes to know.  It's a very good book and there are some surprises at the ending.  It was a great book and I am so happy that I read it.

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

Piecing It All Together by Leslie Gould

I opened this book and it was off to a fast start.  No dull moments at all!  So good.  I enjoyed this book so very much.  This was one interesting book having a captivating story from the past and a similar situation to  those that came later.  I loved that!  The time-slip was very well done.  It was interesting to read of the Amish migrations which is still fascinating in this day. The character, Jane Berger, writes a local history column and knows stories of the past that are perfect for those in the modern days.  As she gets her quilters together and tells the stories, they touch the lives of those that need to hear them.

As is mentioned in the book blurb, Samantha's fiancee dumps her just before the wedding, yet later is he wanting to win her back???  And is she going to be tempted to do that???  Then there is a missing persons situation and who is blamed for the disappearance?  Lots going on in this book and you won't be skipping pages to get to the good parts because the whole book is that good!

This is book 1 of a new series and I am hooked and will not miss the opportunity to read all the rest to come.  Wow!  

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

A Faithful Gathering by Leslie Gould

I loved this book.  I see it as a very real storyline that I could imagine actually happening.  It was about a young Amish woman going on her own to become a nurse and her goals and aspirations.  She was a caring and kind person thinking of family first.  I felt that this story touched on past and present situations in such an interesting way, that it was very hard to put this one down.  Loved it!

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

The Amish Quilter by Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould

Loved this book, love the authors!  This is definitely a great book.  There was some romance, some mystery, all wrapped up together. It was very enjoyable to read.  The authors did an excellent job on this, the 5th book of the series. Although I haven't read the previous one, loved this one on its own.

And what a nice cover. 

So happy to have read this book.

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

Amish Weddings by Leslie Gould Book 3 Neighbors of Lancaster County Series

This was book 3 of an Amish Series called Neighbors of Lancaster County by Leslie Gould.  I had previously read book 2, Amish Sweethearts.  So I quickly spotted characters from the previous book appear and take part in this engaging story.  Although part of a series, I felt that even had I not read the previous book, this book could have clearly stood alone.

I was immediately drawn in and read constantly.  One of those books you can't put down.  I read it clear through till done.  I had to find out what happened.  It was a really engaging story and the people you meet are definitely ones that were interesting and had their own unique personalities.

The story showed imperfections and trials in the lives of these Amish people, not always perfect, but trying and sometimes needing to repent of mistakes they made.  It was realistic and I liked that about the book very much.

I received an ebook copy of this book for my honest review.

Amish Sweethearts by Leslie Gould

Amish Sweethearts was book 2 in the Neighbors of Lancaster County.  Unfortunately, I didn't read book 1, but I did get to read book 2.  This contemporary Amish story is set in the year 2010 which is a time period we can all relate to, of course.  I did feel that it was great as a stand alone novel sans book 1 as well.

The story of Lila and Zane was very interesting and has kept me quickly reading and hating to put the book down.  Zane is "Englisch" and Lila is Amish.  They have feelings towards one another but realize those feelings shouldn't and couldn't come to much because of Lila's faith in her religion, her loyalty to family and the fact that she was already baptized into the church.

As a result Zane signs up for the military and leaves Lila who was being courted by Amish man Reuben, much to the happiness of her family.  But was she happy?

The book is really good.  I enjoyed it so much.  Definitely an A+ for this one.  It is the first book of this author that I have read.  Will be reading more!