Meek and Mild by Olivia Newport - Review of the second book in the Amish Turns of Time series

BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB

Suddenly shun has become a serious word, for Clara Kuhn. As 1917 approaches, her Amish church's aging bishop is coming down hard on members who dally in untraditional practices--like offering Sunday school for children--and Clara's gift for telling Bible stories to little ones collides with new mandates. The young Pennsylvania Amish woman had always moved freely over the state line to visit family in the more progressive Maryland district, but now those visits are coming under scrutiny by some members of Clara's church.

On the verge of accepting Andrew Raber's marriage proposal, Clara is unsure what to make of his new hobby to rehabilitate an abandoned Model T. Just how hard can they push against the bishop's wishes?

As the chasm widens between Old Order Amish and the Marylanders, and tensions rise between longtime friends and close-knit family, Clara and Andrew must look inward to examine their own hearts and consciences and above all, seek Gottes ville--God's will.

MY  REVIEW

Olivia did a wonderful job of telling Clara's story and going into how the Amish can have discourse among themselves. Not only did Clara fear being shunned by the church but she felt like she was being shunned by her family, something she didn't share with anyone and bore the hurt herself. Great book, great story, great series and great writing. Can't wait for "Brightest and Best" comes out. Don't get excited it doesn't come out until August, you still have time to read the first two books in this series!

An Amish Man of Ice Mountain by Kelly Long - Review of the second book in the Ice Mountain series

BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB

(taken from Amazon.com)

Joseph King has good reasons to work an oil rig far from his beloved Ice Mountain . . . and to mind his own business. He hopes to protect his younger brother Edward from worldly influences. And maybe he can finally forget how yielding to temptation forced him to leave home in disgrace. Still, no honorable Amish man would let Priscilla Allen and her four-year-old daughter remain homeless, living out of their car. And how can he not be drawn to the feisty waitress's bravery and hidden strength . . .

Offering Priscilla a home on Ice Mountain as his wife-in-name-only gives her a place to start again. For Joseph, it's also an unexpected chance to regain his reputation and standing in the community. But Priscilla's warmth, caring, and determination to adjust to Amish society are renewing Joseph's long-buried hope. Now as his guilt and her wrenching secrets threaten the fragile trust growing between them, they will need the riskiest of miracles to put the past to rest--and fulfill a promise only love and renewed faith can bring.

MY  REVIEW

Amazing writing and such an unusual story for an Amish book. Kelly really mixes the Amish and the Englisch lives in this series. This book takes on a subject that you don't normally read about in a Amish story. There is some sexual content but nothing 'too deep'. I am enjoying this series and really looking forward to reading "The Amish Heart of Ice Mountain" when it comes out in October.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this e-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.”

Stranded by Debby Giusti - Review of the seventh book in the Military Investigations series

BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB

Colleen Brennan has one goal--take down her sister's killer. But chasing after evidence leaves her in the path of a tornado and stranded in an Amish community. With the killer nearby, Colleen must depend on the kindness of Special Agent Frank Gallagher. Although the army officer is recuperating from a battlefield injury, he wants to help the beautiful woman he rescued from the tornado's fury. He can tell she's hiding something important. But getting her to reveal her secrets may be his most dangerous mission ever.

MY  REVIEW

This was another good read by Debby, only the second one of her books that I've read, but I have enjoyed both of them now. I was on the edge of my seat sometimes and found it hard to put the book down. I like her writing style and will try to find some more of her books, I may just have to think about reading some more of her books. If you enjoy a good mystery you will enjoy this book.

The Amish Bride of Ice Mountain by Kelly Long - Review of the first book in the Ice Mountain series

BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
(taken from Amazon.com)

Like most Mountain Amish girls, Mary King has always dreamed of her wedding day. But she never imagined that a sudden, irresistible kiss would result in marriage to the handsome Englischer professor studying her unique community. Or that doing the truly honorable thing means keeping their relationship chaste so both she and Dr. Jude Lyons can someday go their separate ways.

But when Mary accompanies her husband-in-name-only to Atlanta to meet his wealthy, overbearing family, she's tempted more than ever by Jude's kindness, humor--and vulnerability. And when a wrenching misunderstanding causes her to return heartbroken to her remote Appalacian home, she's certain she's lost the real love they have found...and the shared future she's come to want so much. But a crisis of more than faith will work surprising miracles--and show Mary that love is strong enough to make the impossible come true.

MY  REVIEW

Oh my, oh my, oh my!!! This was one wonderful story and such a different take on the 'normal' Amish book. Kelly does a fantastic job and has you shaking your head and crying throughout. She just pulls you right in and you are experiencing the feelings of the characters. There is a lot going on with the families and community of this couple and how they handle things is really amazing. I highly recommend this book as an excellent read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this e-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.”

The Matchmaker by Sarah Price - Review of the second book in the Amish Classics series

BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB

Emma Weaver is twenty-one years old and has found a passion for playing matchmaker with her friends. Her neighbor, Gideon King, warns her about interfering in people's lives, but she disregards his advice and plans to set up Paul, the son of the bishop with her friend Hannah.

But when Paul misinterprets Emma's attention, believing she has feelings for him, he begins asking her to ride in his buggy after Sunday singings and shows up at her house for Friday evening visits. As she tries to repair the damage that's been done and mend the hearts that have been broken, she finds herself in trouble with the community. Will she learn her lesson and stop meddling in the affairs of others? Will she find a love of her own.

MY  REVIEW

What a good series this is. Have you ever thought you were doing something positive for others and then mess up not only your own life but other lives as well? I really like the way Sarah tells the story and lets the reader see how Emma handles each situation. She teaches a lesson about letting 'nature' take it's course and not trying to take the 'course' in your own hands, especially when your are messing with other peoples lives. Great read Sarah! I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, "Second Chances" coming out in June of this year.

August by Kit Morgan - Review of the first book in the Prairie Grooms series

BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB

Prairie Grooms is a series, so you'll want to read these books in order to have the most fun. Kit Morgan's books are fun, whimsical, sweet stories about the old west, its people, but especially about Clear Creek. One of the wackiest little towns in the old west!

Also by Kit Morgan:
The Prairie Bride Series, beginning with 'His Prairie Princess"

And:
The Holiday Mail Order Bride Series, beginning with 'The Christmas Mail Order Bride'

What happens when six English ladies are shipped off halfway across the world as mail order brides? EVERYTHING! Watch them go from a posh lifestyle in London to Clear Creek, a nothing of a town full of quirky characters, crazy livestock, and bumbling villains! Oh, and handsome grooms too!

Duncan Cooke, aka The Duke of Stantham, had a problem. He had a huge estate in England to manage, one not far from London, and it came with all the headaches one would expect with an estate in disarray. Including six unwed cousins, women no man would touch for fear of losing a limb, or worse. Strange things happened to all who tried to court them, so they were left unwed. But Duncan realized that his hometown of Clear Creek had exactly what he needed. MEN! And so with the help of his brother's wife Sadie, he concocted a plan to send his cousins to Clear Creek as mail order brides! He just hoped the calamity that often followed them, didn't find its way across the sea as well ...

(Taken from Amazon.com)

MY REVIEW

Yes, I will agree with the 'Back of the Book Blurb' this was a fun book and there are quirky characters, crazy livestock and bumbling villains. You will find this book very enjoyable but I think before I read the next ones in this series I might want to go back and start with the 'The Prairie Brides' series, I would suggest that you start there also. There are seven books in the first series and six in this series (The Prairie Grooms). I read this one pretty quickly and it looks like the other books are short stories also, but well worth the time. I think you will find yourself giggling as you read.