I would really like someone to to tell me how as avid a reader as I am that this is my first Jill Marie Landis book I've read. I'm waiting, please telI would really like someone to to tell me how as avid a reader as I am that this is my first Jill Marie Landis book I've read. I'm waiting, please tell me. If I'd have know how much I would have enjoyed her writing I would have read her years ago. So glad I decided to give her a chance now. An attack kills all the members of a traveling wagon but a young woman who is grievously injured.Before slipping off to death she begs Dake Reed,a war rugged soldier traveling home from the Civil War to take her newborn babe and find him a mother. Cradling the baby in his jacket he travels on until he finds Cara James, the last survivor in her family who lives in a dug out alone. Being the typical man he thinks she has child care experience,but she doesn't. He is determined to return the baby to the baby's mother's family and has her bracelet to prove that this is her baby. Cara agrees to travel with Dake to take care of the baby after getting child care tips from a neighbor.There are many hardships along the way. Dake is also on his way home to his families plantation house after being summoned there by his sister in law,Minna. Her husband,who is his brother was maimed in the war and she needs Dake to come home and keep the creditors from taking the house. The beautiful thing is the baby,whom they name,Clay brings them together and creates a bond between them while they care for him. All this would be great and fine but then at about 80% in the action starts to happen and I just didn't see it coming! It really adds to the story. With one bad thing happening after another I really didn't have a clue who was responsible. I was holding my breath there for a bit when a certain character is missing and so much action is going on. This really captured my interest and I simply couldn't read it fast enough. I am on the look out for more books by this author! Pub Date 15 Aug 2017 Thank you to NetGalley and BelleBooks for a review copy in exchange for my honest review....more
The Promise Bride is book #1 in the Montana Brides series. I have read plenty of mail order brides books before. I do enjoy them and have no complaint The Promise Bride is book #1 in the Montana Brides series. I have read plenty of mail order brides books before. I do enjoy them and have no complaint there. I thought this one would be a pretty typical one as well. Well blow me away, this one really surprised me! It wasn't your typical mail order bride book. There was trouble right from the start. The twist and turns I just didn't see coming . What threw me for a loop was it was also a who dun it mystery as well. I eagerly read this and couldn't wait to get to the end so I could see how it turned out. Excellent plot and I can't wait to revisit Montana with the release of book #2 in the Montana Brides series. Pub Date 29 Aug 2017 Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a review copy in exchange for my honest review....more
Once again we are visiting the Belle Meade Plantation with this book, the third book in this series. We've come back to visit with a few familiar frieOnce again we are visiting the Belle Meade Plantation with this book, the third book in this series. We've come back to visit with a few familiar friends and make new friends while we are here. This historically accurate book mixes true events and places with fiction that wraps up to make this a book that you will read late into the night and it holds you captivated. I am a huge fan of historical fiction so I really appreciate the many visits the author made to Belle Meade Plantation and the countless hours she spent on research for this book. When I first saw the cover I have to admit I though she was in a wheelchair, that is what it looked like to me. I do believe now though that she is in a train car on Sylas Ruthledge's Northeast Line Railroad. This is master storyteller Tamera Alexander at her very best. I highly recommend it to you. Pub Date 08 Aug 2017 Thank you to NetGalley and Zondervan Fiction for a review copy in exchange for my honest review....more
The Return is book 3 in the Amish Beginnings series. This book is not a stand alone and the series must be read in order to fully understand the storyThe Return is book 3 in the Amish Beginnings series. This book is not a stand alone and the series must be read in order to fully understand the story. It starts with Anna's Crossing,continues with The Newcomer and continues with this book. I read the author said she may continue the series if there is enough interest. I sure hope she does. I have a lot of unanswered questions about the characters. Suzanne's books I have read many of them over the years and enjoyed them all. She is one of those authors that can seamlessly add historical fiction to her Amish books without it seeming like it's any effort at all. This book was inspired by true events and a very emotional book unlike any I have read by her and I look forward to reading her next book when it releases. Pub Date 01 Aug 2017 Thank you to NetGalley and Revell for a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion....more
The Blessing by Wanda Brunstetter is The second book in The Amish Cooking Class series . Spending time reading this book is like visiting with old friThe Blessing by Wanda Brunstetter is The second book in The Amish Cooking Class series . Spending time reading this book is like visiting with old friends as we revisit some of the characters from her first book in this series and catch up with their lives. We also meet a new cast of characters that Heidi open her Ohio home to as she teaches her 6 new students in a cooking class. There are 3 men and 3 women from all walks of life. They get to know each other and form friendships and just maybe a romance will develop slowly for a few of them. Wanda really pours her heart into her books and makes the characters come alive for us and we get to know them. I felt a lot of emotions as I read this and was glad to see the characters lives taking a turn for the better through hard work,faith,forgiveness and perseverance. Very enjoyable book and I look forward to getting to know the characters in Wanda's book 3 in the series when it releases. Pub Date 01 Aug 2017 Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, Inc. for a review copy in exchange for my honest review....more
Two stories set in the South after the Civil War. I enjoyed both author's writing style and look forward to more books in this series. Pub Date 01 Aug Two stories set in the South after the Civil War. I enjoyed both author's writing style and look forward to more books in this series. Pub Date 01 Aug 2017 Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for a review copy in exchange for my honest review....more
A fabulous collection of stories by some of today's top Christian fiction authors. People who think all hope of love is past find themselves with a seA fabulous collection of stories by some of today's top Christian fiction authors. People who think all hope of love is past find themselves with a second chance at love ,all in God's timing. I really love Barbour Collections,such beautiful covers and I can always count on beautiful faith filled inspiring stories. Pub Date 01 Aug 2017 Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, Inc. for a review copy in exchange for my honest review....more
I have read other books in the 50 States of Love series by Barbour and like the others this is a winner! I haven't read a Tracey Bateman book in yearsI have read other books in the 50 States of Love series by Barbour and like the others this is a winner! I haven't read a Tracey Bateman book in years but it was enjoyable to see and read 3 of her previously released short stories re released together in a new pretty cover. Pub Date 01 Aug 2017 Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, Inc. for a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion....more
The Promise of a Letter is the second book in the Amish Letter series. Even though this is part of a series it can easily be read and understood as a The Promise of a Letter is the second book in the Amish Letter series. Even though this is part of a series it can easily be read and understood as a stand alone. Reconciliation is what Roman and his brother's grandmother prayed for. In her last time on earth she knew it was her time to leave her earthly body soon and she didn't tell anyone because she was ready to see her husband who had passed twenty years earlier. She never stopped praying for a reconciliation between Roman and his older brother Daniel and each was delivered a letter telling them so after her death. Roman left the Amish way of life and Daniel was glad because as the older brother he felt responsible for his younger brother. He knew it was time for Roman to stand on his own two feet. Grandmother's death brings Roman back to the Amish community of Birch Creek. He doesn't plan on staying long especially with memories of working with employee, Leanna Chupp at his brother's machine shop. She is six feet tall and outspoken. He just doesn't need that but he does need a job once he decides to stay in the community awhile. They find themselves working together again and things start to change between. This book is heartwarming but a bit heartbreaking at the same time. I very much enjoyed it and look forward to reading book three when it releases. I am never disappointed when I read a Kathleen Fuller book! Pub Date 15 Aug 2017 Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson--FICTION for a review copy in exchange for my honest review....more
An avid reader of V.C. Andrews books I can say I've read all the books by this author since the start with Flowers In The Attic when I was 13. Say whaAn avid reader of V.C. Andrews books I can say I've read all the books by this author since the start with Flowers In The Attic when I was 13. Say what you want about these books but you either love this author's books or hate them. There is no middle ground here. All the books involve teenage girls involved in some sort of drama that makes you want to keep reading to see how it's resolved. Pub Date 14 Aug 2017 Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books for a review copy in exchange for my honest review....more
The years quickly pass for Kate Kennedy. A miners daughter in Scotland in the early 1900's she doesn't have time to morn her mother's death when she iThe years quickly pass for Kate Kennedy. A miners daughter in Scotland in the early 1900's she doesn't have time to morn her mother's death when she is 13. It is her duty to take over as mother to the rest of the bairn . Her childhood gone she works from sun up to sun down caring for everyone else but herself.Life is a true struggle but she doesn't seem to realize it, it's just her life and she must go on. She becomes a wife and mother and she still does her duty taking care of everyone else. She does find pleasure in having her own bakery and is glad to be able to provide for her family with the money earned. She does quite well at her baking! There are tragedies and some good times as well. I found this book to show just how strong the human spirit can really be! Fascinating book! Pub Date 10 Aug 2017 Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Zaffre for a review copy in exchange for my honest review....more
Is a second chance at true love really possible? After the death of her husband, down to earth Amish woman Esther Stoltzfus feels the need to start ovIs a second chance at true love really possible? After the death of her husband, down to earth Amish woman Esther Stoltzfus feels the need to start over in a new location. Her and her daughter,Diana move from Lancaster County to the Adirondack Valley of Michigan. There she meets handsome minister Isaiah Mast who also has suffered his own loss and seems to be the compliment to her family. Then she is introduced to Joseph Zook, her widowed neighbor down the road. Are either of the men right for her,and will all three of them eventually find the right mate for themselves? A beautiful story about second chance love full of redemption,sweet romance and healing. Pub Date 01 Aug 2017 Thank you to NetGalley and Harvest House Publishers for a review copy in exchange for my honest review....more
Phoebe's Gift is book 2 in the Peace in the Valley series by Jerry S. Eicher, After Phoebe Lapp's grandmother passes she moves to her farm. Her grandmoPhoebe's Gift is book 2 in the Peace in the Valley series by Jerry S. Eicher, After Phoebe Lapp's grandmother passes she moves to her farm. Her grandmother was a bit eccentric and before her passing she purchased three Assateague ponies. Her dream was to run a pony farm to help Englisher children who were struggling. Her grandmother believed Phoebe could take it over and run it for her. David Fisher helps out on the farm with the chores. His sister Ruth does not leave her running around period behind when the other teens do and wants to jump to the Englisher side. Phoebe's grandmother was trying to help keep Ruth Amish.Does Phoebe have the confidence in herself to run the pony farm? Is a romance the right thing for Phoebe and David to get involved in? A sweet romance with key forgiveness that was a great read. Pub Date 01 Aug 2017 Thank you to NetGalley and Harvest House Publishers for a review copy in exchange for my honest review....more
Mary's Home is book 3 in the Peace In The Valley series and my favorite book of the series. Mary has a tender heart and aims to please her parents andMary's Home is book 3 in the Peace In The Valley series and my favorite book of the series. Mary has a tender heart and aims to please her parents and do things right in the community . She is blindsided when the man she is to marry calls off their wedding at the last minute and her heart is hurting. On top of all that her sister Betsy, has been wanting to jump the fence for years from her Amish life to the Englisher world. Ever the good girl Mary tries to smooth things over with her sister and parents and running on an even keel. Visiting her elderly neighbor one day, as she often does she meets her neighbor's grandson, Willard. Willard's cause is a missionary in Kenya and he feels strongly about his cause and wants to solicit help from others for the street boys there. As feelings between Mary and Willard deepen Mary must figure out if it's God's will to further their relationship. If the relationship does progress is it worth it to leave her family and follow her heart? An Amish man in the community who has little dating experience in the dating field is convinced God has led him to Mary as his frau. Not feeling the same way she helps him to find his life's mate and he is very grateful. I really enjoyed this book and would like to see an update on the work in Kenya in a future book. Pub Date 01 Aug 2017 Thank you to NetGalley and Harvest House Publishers for a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion....more
I think just about everyone knows the little nursery rhyme about Lizzie Borden giving her mother and father whacks with the ax and killing them.Well tI think just about everyone knows the little nursery rhyme about Lizzie Borden giving her mother and father whacks with the ax and killing them.Well this is a debut author and she has written about the Borden murder case. Each chapter is the perspective of Lizzie,her older sister Emma,the housemaid Bridget or the enigmatic stranger Benjamin. The day is revealed through their words and thoughts. First let me say it was a Gothic historical and kept me reading in a creepy spellbinding way. The family is void of any love or closeness. I could just feel the evilness seeping out of Lizzie's pores. Her thoughts were very disjointed,like a quite mentally ill person. The whole family was very dysfunctional.Quite different perspective than any other Lizzie Borden story I've ever read. The killing takes place at the beginning of the book with Lizzie discovering her father on the couch after his face had been axed. Then the rest of the book you can just feel the pure evilness of Lizzie as it tells about her relationship with her father Andrew and stepmother Abby whom she hated. You get the sense she did it because of the way her father treated her. So it's a who dun it but we will never know. She was acquitted after spending 10 months in jail awaiting her trial. Very interesting and different book! Pub Date 01 Aug 2017 Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for a review copy in exchange fro my honest review....more
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