Tuesday, May 14, 2013

The Promise Box by Tricia Goyer - Review of the second book in the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series



Lydyia Wyse left the Amish to live in the Englisch world because once she was told the truth about how she was conceived, she just didn't feel like she belonged. She called her parents some and visited them even less but when her mem passes away she returns for her funeral and is soon feeling like this is where she needs to be. She can feel God in her life again, some of that is because of her mem's promise box.

Gideon Hooley is a bachelor who has come to Montana to establish residency so he can hunt and when he sees Lydia taking pictures of an Amish home from the road, he runs over and demand she stop immediately. Little does he know that she is taking a picture of her own parents home.

Lydia and Gideon both have pasts that are troubling them. Lydia knows what happened in her past but is having a problem dealing with it. Gideon knows what happened to him but is looking for the secret that his parents are keeping from him. They are fast becoming friends but she's Englisch and he's Amish, his family would never approve. He's honest with her but she just can't tell him her true feelings about what she's doing.

By the end of the story you may need some tissues, yes, depending on how emotional you get, it can be a tear jerker. I found this book more enjoyable than The Memory Jar but would recommend both to you. Tricia did a wonderful job here, read and enjoy!

Friday, May 10, 2013

The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club by Wanda E Brunstetter - Review of the first book in the Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club series



In an effort to support herself widow Emma Yoder decides to teach quilting so she posts signs and advertises for students. She accepts six students and oh what a mixed group of students they are, three women and three men including one couple trying to save their marriage, a pastors wife, a biker who lost his drivers license and has to ride a bicycle, a widower with a young baby and a very troubled young girl who's grandmother actually signed her up for the class before she died.

Emma misses her husband terribly and has no interest in remarrying but she is being pursued by Lamar, a widower who doesn't want to live the rest of his years alone. When Emma gets shingles, Lamar fills in for her one Saturday and shares his interest in quilting with the students. Emma continues to brush him off though.

While they are learning quilting the students are all going through their own personal turmoil, will the quilting club students ever finish their wall hangings? Emma finds herself wondering if this was a good idea when she finds personalities clashing more than she feels comfortable with.

This was a pretty interesting story. With the differences in the students personalities, even the couple, you wonder if they will all continue to the end of the course and will they every find peace for themselves.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the NetGalley  <http://www.netgalley.com/> book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Place to Belong by Lauraine Snelling - Review of the third book in the Wild West Wind series



Cassie Lockwood is recovering from her gunshot wound on the Engstrom ranch, which she co-owns. She is learning what it's like to have a home, how to cook and how to take care of a home. Lucas Engstrom declared his love for her before he even met her, he'd seen her in town and fell in love then found out she was a co-owner of their ranch since her father had passed on years ago.

Cassie knows she isn't in love with Lucas but doesn't refuse him, just asks for time to think. She is also learning to have faith in God and asks if she is supposed to marry Lucas. Her feelings are more like brother-sister love not like husband-wife but she does know that a lot of couples actually fall in love after being married for some time. When Cassie finally tells Lucas she'll marry him, it seems like he's acting funny, won't even help to plan the wedding, just keeps saying anything she wants is fine with him.

The wedding is set for New Years Eve and things are falling into place. The morning after a wonderful Christmas it is discovered that Lucas has disappeared and no one knows where he's gone. When he isn't found and doesn't return the wedding is called off.

Now what is Cassie going to do? Will she depend on her arm getting better so she can win some shooting matches, will she find a travelling show to join up with, or will she continue to live in the Engstrom home with no Lucas, feeling like Ransom hates her but Mavis and Gretchen love her and want her to stay?

Lauraine came through again with a great book that you don't want to put down. I love Lauraine's writing style and look for her books whenever I'm online or in a book store. You won't be disappointed with this one at all. Wonderful job Lauraine!

Thank you to Bethany House for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255