The Orphans' Amish Christmas by Tracy Fredrychowski (A Willow Springs Mystery)

I loved this novella.  It was full of the Christmas Spirit and goodwill feelings. It's a cozy mystery that will keep you guessing.  It is an enjoyable read and there is just enough mystery to make things very interesting.  I loved the outcome and it leaves you in a very sweet and Christmassy mood.  Things keep happening and you will wonder why and who is the culprit in the story. I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Crimson Dress by Jennifer Spredemann

This was an Amish retelling of The Scarlet Letter.  It was a book that will really make you think!  It is a book that will show that we all have our shortcomings and none have attained perfection.  We all are learning, experiencing, and growing in Christ.  I honestly don't know what to say without giving away the story.  And the story will definitely bring unexpected events. It is a teaching story of love, forgiveness and repentance.  It is well worth reading.

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

A Lady of Refinement (Women of Courage) by Linda Weaver Clarke

Another sweet and clean and definitely enjoyable book by Linda Weaver Clarke.  I love the cover and have to admit, the look of a cover really influences my first thoughts of a book.  If I don't like the cover I don't read or buy the book.  

I love how the author weaves her ancestors' stories into her fiction.  What a wonderful way to preserve your ancestors' stories while writing an engaging and interesting story.  I loved the way the character of Jonathon grew throughout the story and how he learned to impress the woman he was hoping to court. I loved how Serenity was not as "refined" as her Welsh auntie had hoped for her to be.

It's a great story and I am so happy to have read it.  I enjoyed it so much!

I received an ebook copy from the author without being required to give a positive review..  All thoughts are my own.

Medical Mystery by Richard L. Mabry, MD

Another great book by Richard Mabry.  I really enjoyed trying to figure who the perpetrator was and I just wasn't sure till the very end.  But I won't tell you!  You will just have to find out for yourself!  And there was a romance along with the crime.  So an all around good read that will keep you guessing!

Being that the author is a retired medical doctor, he sure knows how to make a murder mystery real.  What caused the unexplained death and who?

If you enjoy a great mystery, you will definitely enjoy this one!

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

Requilted With Love by Carrie Fancett Pagels

 This is a sweet novella by Carrie Fancett Pagels.  It is a historic view of life in 1889 Michigan.  Sarah is hoping to win a blue ribbon at the state fair and there are lots of other quilts that will be in the competition.  She requilted a wedding quilt when that marriage to her fiance was not to be.  

It is a very enjoyable book.  I love the time period when it seems life was much simpler and yet still full of excitement and challenges and new things to explore.  I am sure you will enjoy reading this story.

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

Second Chance Homecoming by Linda K. Rodante

 I just discovered I had this as an e-book that I had purchased and I won a paperback copy from the author.  And which version did I read?  Why the paperback, of course!

Because it was of novella length, I finished it in one sitting.  It was a light, easy to read and enjoyable romance of two people who had once had hopes for one another but didn't work out at that time.

Very sweet, Christian and fun to read.  I recommend for a relaxing and nice story.  

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

The Christmas Wish by Melinda Curtis

The Sunshine Valley widows love to make matches.  The lucky recipients of their match making are Rosalie and Everett.  They seem an unlikely couple at first, he being in charge of tightening the budget strings on their towns coffers.  Including Christmas.  Including jobs.

But there are decisions and hurt feelings to deal with and so how they deal with things makes for an interesting read.  The book is of novella length and very fun to read.  I loved the dogs in the story.  I'm glad this will be a series and more is on the way!

I received an ebook copy from NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing.  All thoughts are my own.

Her Second Chance Forever Groom by Lorana Hoopes

This was a grab you from the start book of novella length.

Left behind by a young man seeking to have a football career, Mia marries and that did not have a happy story.  She's on her own now, with a son, trying to nurture and support him financially.  This was an emotional and heartfelt story with Christian values, and a story of improving one's self to make a better life.

When former boyfriend, Emmitt returns to town, how is this going to turn out?  Great story with all the feels!

You will really enjoy this fast and fun read.

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

Emergency Case by Dr. Richard Mabry MD

Suspense at it's best.  This author knows how to write suspense, that's for sure!  The book doesn't waste any time getting you engaged.  It happens from page 1.  A great who-dun-it and wonderful mystery.  You will not want to put this down. 

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

Lawfully Redeemed by Lorana Hoopes

This was a part of the Lawkeeper Series by Lorana Hoopes.  It was a novella length and a quick read.

I enjoyed the book about a K-9 officer, Dani who is on her first case and meets Calvin, brother of Chris, the person who she is investigating.    Chris is in trouble with the law and Calvin tries to help him make things right.

This was a sweet, clean romance and fun to read.

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

The Perfect Bride by Debbie Lynn Costello

Loved this novella by Debbie Lynn Costello!  I love castles, and the time period so much.  Often travel to Europe just to explore the old castle ruins.  It's so fun to imagine the lives they lived there.  Even some of the things that weren't so good, lead to very interesting historical knowledge.

I loved that I even learned some new vocabulary as the terminology was probably quite different in those years.

The story between Avice and Philip was very well written and I could imagine something like that happening.  I loved the ending.  Not what I thought would happen!

I really enjoyed this book.

I received an ebook version of this book from the author.  No review was expected.  All thoughts are my own.

Love Conquers All: A Star Lake Romance #3 by Lorana Hoopes

This is book 3 of  the series called A Star Lake Romance.  I haven't read the previous books, but it was definitely a stand alone book.  This story relates the story of Lanie, freshly divorced and Azarius Jacobson, also divorced.  As they meet after not having seen one another in years, a spark is kindled.  Their story is one of learning to trust others, trust God, and to overcome the not always so easy to deal with problems that life sometimes throws at you. 

The book is fairly fast paced so there is no time to get bored.  It's an interesting book and covers real-life issues.

I enjoyed it and will be reading more from this author.

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

Surgeon's Choice by Richard L. Mabry, M.D.

This latest novella by Richard L. Mabry, M.D. is an absolute must-read.  There is no down-time in this book.  The action starts and keeps going to the very end.  I had a hard time putting this down to do anything other than read!

This retired Medical Doctor turned author has applied his medical knowledge and experience to a realistic and captivating mystery.  It kept me spellbound till the very end.

I highly recommend this well-written and exciting book.  I look forward to anything this author produces!

I was provided a pre-publication copy of this novel by the author, but the review is my own opinion.

Doctor's Dilemma by Richard L. Mabry, M.D.

I grew up a fan of mystery books.  And I really enjoyed this one.  It is the second book I have read from this author and both of them were really good.

This book had mystery and a little romance and kept my interest throughout.

Tyler Gentry, M.D., finds himself working at a new job only to start receiving threatening messages. The book has some exciting scenes and keep you guessing till the end.

So glad I had an opportunity to read this great mystery.

You can learn more about the author here.

I received a free copy of this book from the author for my honest review, which I have given.  All thoughts are my own.

The Orphan Bride by Brandi Gabriel

This book by Brandi Gabriel was the first I have actually read about orphan trains.  I found it quite interesting.  In fact I felt like I would like to find out more about this and searched it on the internet and found some interesting facts at this link.

This was a really nice historical novella which held my interest throughout.  The characters are interesting and you instantly like most of them.  It is an enjoyable Christian and clean read.

Lucy and Travis, twins, are separated when Travis was adopted and she remained with the orphan train.  Their paths moved in different directions and with different results.  Lucy cares for Joan on the train and takes on a mother role to her.  But neither knows what their future holds.

I really enjoyed the story and wouldn't mind reading a continuation of this book.  Very nice read!  I highly recommend it.

Texas Maker by Eric M. Nishimoto

This book by Eric M. Nishimoto is also illustrated by him, as well.  beautiful artistry for a well researched novella.  The story is based on historical fact, mixed with some of the authors words to make an interesting and appealing story.  The story appeals to me as I also have founding fathers as ancestors in Karnes county, Texas.

For this founding father and historical figure, whose name is given to the Texas county, this is a great way to carry on his memory.  Good read!

The Christmas Secret by Wanda E. Brunstetter

This novella by Wanda E. Brunstetter was a nice read, although shorter in pages, it still was just as enjoyable as a longer book.

Elizabeth and David are getting married at Christmas, or so was the plan until an unexpected turn of events which made it necessary for Elizabeth to make a hard decision in her life.

I liked the story although it seemed in some ways a familiar story line to me.  Perhaps because I have read similar stories in the past.

I did like it, but perhaps it was just a little too short.  I am a big fan of Wanda's but this probably wasn't my favorite of her writings. But it is definitely a nice Christmas story.  And some recipes are included at the end.  They sound great!

You can get this at pre-order at the following link.

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

Tea Shop Folly (A Teacup Courtship Novella) by Carrie Fancett Pagels

This sweet romance novella by Carrie Fancett Pagels did not disappoint.  The author has a wonderful descriptive way with words that makes you feel you are actually experiencing what you are reading in her stories.

This is a part of what appears to me as a 4 part series, with the other parts written by other authors.  I love historical romance and enjoyed the time period set in 1895 in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Lilly inherits a house full of beautiful teacups and Theo is the customer that seems to become enamored with Lilly or is it the teacups that interest him?

It was a sweet romance and I enjoyed the story very much.

I received an ebook copy from the author in exchange for my review.

Review and Interview: The Mystery of Ghost Dancer Ranch by Patrick E. Craig

I was very happy to get a chance to read another book by Patrick E. Craig.  This book was focused on teen readers and I believe it will be a good read for this age group.  Despite that fact, I found it intriguing and it held my attention throughout.  I love a good mystery and this also involved another topic I am most fond of, that of genealogy and family.  I loved it how it shared a family history that the two cousins in the book grasped and enjoyed.  History is fascinating and family history is wonderful.

The theme of the story brought in love of family, love of home and love of Christ.  There was a definite Christian theme and I liked seeing that as these days, so many influences are taking people in the other direction.  I believe books such as this one show that there is no shame in knowing what our beliefs are and that with Christ all things are possible.

The story theme of the Indian heritage of the family and the secrets that were hidden keep you turning pages till the end.  I enjoyed it very much and will definitely have my granddaughter read this.

You can get a copy of this book at the following link.

I received a paperback book copy from the author for my honest review.

And I am lucky enough to introduce you to the author, Patrick E. Craig.

Patrick, welcome to my blog.  We would love to find out a little bit about your book and about you. I am so happy that you have shared your thoughts!

What inspired you to write this book?

The two girls, Hannah and Jacie, are modeled after my two oldest granddaughters, Hannah and Jacie. We have called them Boo and Punkin since they were babies. The writing of The Mystery of Ghost Dancer Ranch came about through an interesting set of circumstances that i detail in the preface of the book. One night I had a dream in which a favorite Aunt who had always encouraged my writing appeared in my dream and, with that well-remembered stern look in her eye, pointed her finger at me and said, "You write!" The next morning, as I was reading the local paper, I noticed an ad in the classifieds: "For Sale, The Ghost Dancer Ranch." The whole story literally came to me in that moment and I set about to write it the next day. I have always been a fan of the Hardy Boy mysteries and in fact have sixty-eight of the Hardy Boy books in my library. As I cast about for a series title, The Adventures of Punkin and Boo popped into my head and so the series was born.

Will there be more Boo and Punkin mysteries?

Oh yes! The second book, The Lost Coast, is already written and I hope to have it out in time for Christmas. Following that will come many more; The Hidden Gate, The Chinese Grave, The Mystery of Spiderweb Canyon, The Lookout on Fire Mountain, and a whole bunch more that I have already put into my upcoming projects folder. In fact I have little scraps of paper stuck in my Bible and in my desk with notes on title ideas that I have to collect, thanks for reminding me.

I saw many scriptural references throughout this book.  Tell us about how that came to be.

I put the scriptures in because there is incredible wisdom in the Word of God and the Bible, whether people want to admit it or not, has the power to change people's lives. I became a Christian in 1984. Since then I have watched our world turn further and further away from the God who created us. Kids today live in a society that has no moral guidelines except to do what feels good and to accept everybody and everything, no matter how they live their lives. I hope that enough kids will read these books that even if they have no upbringing in Christianity, they might start asking the questions that will give them the kind of answers that will help them build a moral compass they can pin their lives on.

This was a very historical type of book.  Did it require lots of research?

Yes and thank goodness for Google! I've always been a history fan, especially American history so doing the research on this one was very interesting. I've always thought that the American Indians got a raw deal from the U.S. Government in many ways. The horse cultures of the great plains were magnificent in their simplicity and nobility and I hope I put some positive light on that for kids in this book. I'm currently writing a book set in Pennsylvania and the Ohio territory in the 1700s called The Amish Princess. In researching the book I found that William Penn was very honest with the Indians when he bought land from them in the late 1600s but his descendants were less than honorable when they took the historical homeland of the Delaware Indians away and drove them west. You can read about that when the book comes out in September.

What is your favorite genre to write about?

As you know, I am one of about seven men who write Amish fiction, but it is not necessarily a genre I would of chosen had it not been for a dare from Nick Harrison, my editor at Harvest House. I love writing about the Amish but I don't write light-hearted romances where everything turns out great just because the protagonist is Amish. I believe that everyone faces desperate situations in their life, even the Amish, and I write about those. My current editor, Lindsay Franklin, calls my books Amish Plus. And I am grateful for the opportunity to have been published by a wonderful company like Harvest House. The Apple Creek Dreams series helped me build a very loyal fan base that carried over into The Paradise Chronicles series, but I would definitely like to expand into Westerns, Suspense/Thrillers, more kids mysteries and even some Sci-fi. We'll see what the future brings.

What other things are you currently working on?

Well, I have The Amish Princess, book two in The Paradise Chronicles series coming out in the fall and I hope to release The Lost Coast, book two in The Adventures of Punkin and Boo by Christmas and a third one, The Hidden Gate, is slated for next year. I have a non-fiction book coming out called "Cracking The Indie Egg - Five Steps to Publishing Your Own Book" that I'm working on right now that will be an online course for ACFW in June, and then I have a series of vignettes from my life in the roaring 60s that I'm also writing as posts on Throw-Back Thursday on Facebook. And there are several more in my folder. So I'm a busy guy.

Thanks so much for sharing your time with us, Patrick.  It was a pleasure to feature you on my blog!  I am sure my readers are happy that they have gotten to know you better!

Author bio:

Patrick E. Craig is a lifelong writer and musician who left a successful songwriting and performance career in the music industry to follow Christ in 1984.  He spent the next 26 years as a worship leader, seminar speaker, and pastor in churches, and at retreats, seminars and conferences all across the western United States.  He is also the author of a Quilt For Jenna, The Road Home, Jenny's Choice and The Amish Heiress.  Patrick is represented by the Steve Laube Agency.  He and his wife Judy make their home in Idaho and are the parents of two adult children and have five grandchildren.

Return to Shirley Plantation by Carrie Fancett Pagels and a Giveaway!

Synopsis:

Abducted against his will, Matthew Scott is conscripted into the Confederate army because of his Copperhead senator father's political leanings. Injured at Marvern Hill, Matthew is taken by the Union army to Shirley Plantation in Virginia where he is tended by seamstress Angelina Rose, a freed slave.

Given an opportunity to leave the South and start a new life for herself, Angelina remained for the sake of her sister's orphaned twins who are still enslaved.  Will Matthew's return to Shirley Plantation settle a mystery concerning his father's past?  And will Matthew find the family he longs for?

My  Thoughts

This was a charming Civil War romance in novella length. Carrie Fancett Pagels apparently did some extensive research to get the details of this time period and setting.  The story is set at Shirley Plantation in Virginia.

The Story has some unexpected surprises making for a most fascinating tale.  This is a clean Christian romance and I highly recommend it.  It gives you a real taste of life during The Civil War time.  This was a truly enjoyable read!

You can grab your copy at this link.

The Author: Carrie Fancett Pagels.

Carrie has offered your choice of ebook or paperback copy of this sweet romance to a randomly chosen person who comments on this blog.  Blog open to US locations only.  If you let me know that you follow my blog, you get an extra opportunity to win.  Contest ends March 25th.