Sunday, February 28, 2016

Petticoat Detective by Margaret Brownley - Review of the first book in the Undercover Ladies series




BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
(copied from Amazon.com)
Pinkerton detective Jennifer Layne is no stranger to undercover work. But posing as a lady companion named Amy at Miss Lillian's Parlor House and boots is a first for her. She's finally landed a high-profile case and is on the trail of the notorious Gunnysack Bandit, when one of Miss Lillian's girls essential to her investigation meets an untimely demise. Only a handful of people are in the house at the time of her death, including handsome Tom Colton, a former Texas Ranger determined to clear his brother's name. Amy has many reasons to suspect Tom of murder--and one very personal reason to hope that she's wrong about him.


MY  REVIEW
I have read some of Margaret's books before and enjoyed them, this one did not fail to entertain me as well. Also I have read other books involving the Pinkerton detectives which I really liked, again, this was another one that I really liked. There is some mystery, some giggles (like throwing of shoes in place of shooting), faith and some love. I would highly recommend this book as I continue on to read the next book in the series, "Undercover Bride".

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.”

Sunday, February 21, 2016

An Amish Christmas Quilt by Charlotte Hubbard, Kelly Long and Jennifer Beckstrand - Review




BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB

A WILLOW RIDGE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
Seth Brenneman didn't expect his holiday would include rescuing pregnant young Mary Kauffman and her tow children...or having unexpected feelings for the still-grieving widow. But when they must play the leads in an impromptu Nativity pageant, will their roles reveal their hearts--and work a miracle for a lifetime?

A CHRISTMAS ON ICE MOUNTAIN
Matthew Beider and Laurel Lapp's secret wish to marry is a gift their feuding fathers devinitely won't accept. Can rediscovering the joys and friendships of Christmas past finally turn their families' futures bright?'

A PERFECT AMISH CHRISTMAS
Anna Helmuth's grandson, Gideon, plans to spend Christmas on a beach in sunny Mexico. But Anna is quite sure he'd rather be with them, snowshoeing, ice fishing--falling in love. And she knows the perfect girl. Now it's up to the spirit of Christmas to work its magic...


MY  REVIEW
These three authors never fail me when I'm looking for a good book to read!  They all wrote beautiful Christmas stories and if you have not read any other books by these authors, you will be looking for more of their work after reading this. They tug on your heartstrings, give you some giggles and a lot of love.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Off The Grid by Ruth Hartzler - Review of the first book in the Amish Safe House series




BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
(taken from Amazon.com)
Kate Briggs is a U.S. Marshal who works in WITSEC, the federal witness protection program. After an attempt on her life, her boss sends her to live in a small Amish community until the mole is the agency is found. Will Kate, who is used to the ways of the world, be convincing as a sweet Amish woman?

When a murder is committed in the community, how will Kate assist the handsome police officer heading up the case without revealing her true identity?

And will Kate be able to leave behind her English ways as she finds herself off the grid in more ways than one?


MY  REVIEW
This was the first book that I've read by Ruth and it was very good, and also a pretty quick read. I enjoyed the story and it isn't over yet! How do you think you could handle living in an Amish community without knowing anything about how they live, act or even dress? Could you hide that you were really an 'Englischer' and having to learn their ways by watching them? I know I couldn't!

I think if you like Amish or mysteries, you will enjoy this book as much as I do. But a warning, you will have to read more to find out the end because this is a short book but you have to read the series evidently to find out what happens. I see two more books, this one I got for $.99, and so far the others are $2.99 each, this is for the Kindle and they are available in paperback at a higher price.

The only problem I had was that fact that there were many grammatical errors in the book. I am finding that this is a problem with most, not all, e-books and I feel it takes away from the smooth reading of a story.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

The Lady and the Mountain Fire by Misty M Beller - Review of the third book in the Mountain Dreams series




BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
(taken from Amazon.com)
Claire Sullivan has a soft spot for helping those in need. Sw when her widowed grandmother becomes blind, Claire is determined to travel to the Montana Territory to care for her. But she never imagined the country would be so wild compared to her North Carolina home. Even the local doctor doesn't seem to have a kind bone in his body.

Doctor Bryan Donaghue has worked day and night for two years to help the people of this wild Montana mining town. But no matter how hard he pushes, his efforts don't seem to make a difference in the quality of the townspeople's lives. Even the sassy granddaughter of the blind widow won't heed his instructions.

But when disaster strikes their rough mining city, Bryan's drive to help may have taken him too far. Can Claire overcome her deepest fears to save the man she's come to love?


MY  REVIEW
I am still being pulled into this series! I like that you keep up on the characters in each new book as new ones are added. You feel like you are reading about the continued growth of a family and all of the obstacles, personalities, as well as love and faith, it takes to keep that family strong.

I can highly recommend this book, this series by Misty as a great read.

Sunday, February 7, 2016

A Reluctant Bride by Kathleen Fuller - Review of the first book in the Amish of Birch Creek series




BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
Sadie Schrock swore she would never marry. All of her other Amish friends could court and marry---she was content to manage the family business and eventually take it over when her  parents are ready to retire. But all of that changes when a reckless driver kills both of her parents and seriously injures her younger sister. With mounting hospital bills adding to the pile of debt her parents left behind, Sadie is left with no choice: she must marry. And not just any man---the man who saw her at her weakest and walked away.

Aden knows what his brother did to Sadie years ago was inexcusable. And every day since the incident, Aden has lived with the guilt for not intervening sooner. When he is faced with the chance to protect Sadie once again, he can't let her down---even if it means living with the scorn of the woman he loves for the rest of his life.

Working alongside Aden at the store, Sadie realizes he isn't the same boy who once betrayed her. Just when Sadie starts to let her guard down and perhaps develop feelings for her new husband, dangerous secrets are revealed. Now everything Sadie has worked so hard to protect is threatened, and she must find a way to save her family---and herself.


MY  REVIEW
Oh my, oh my, oh my! ! ! If you don't find your heart bleeding for both Sadie and Aden, you don't have a heart! This story is just one huge tragedy in both of their lives. Kathleen, thank you so much for making me lose some sleep. I had a terrible time trying to put this book down. Let me just say that this is a definite winner in my mind and it comes highly recommended as a MUST read.

I have had this book in my TBR pile for quite some time when I saw that I could request the third book in the series, "An Unbroken Heart" coming out on March 16th, in exchange for an honest review. Boy am I glad I finally read it and I am purchasing the second book, "A Love Made New", which I thought I had but don't, as soon as I get done here.

The site I was looking at had the books in the wrong order and it looks like "An Unbroken Heart" is the second in the series due out in March. The third book is "A Love Made New" and it doesn't come out until September.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

The Amish Heart of Ice Mountain by Kelly Long - Review of the third book in the Ice Mountain series




BACK  OF  THE  BOOK BLURB
Young healer Sarah Mast always hopes for the best. But her betrothed's return from working Englischer oil rigs is confirming her worst fears. She no longer recognizes Edward King as the honorable man who's been courting her--someone who now wants his people to sell their precious mountain land to a drilling company. And no matter how appealing his touch, she can't see a future for them. Until a misunderstanding and the laws of the Old Order leave them no choice but to wed. Living together in Sarah's simple log cabin, surrounded by the love and faith of the mountain Amish, Sarah and Edward will have a heaven-sent chance to truly know each other for the first time...


MY  REVIEW
This book has a few mild sexual content areas, not to an extreme as to 'bad' or too many. The story is a real story of faith and how it can help you to overcome the obstacle's that may arise in your life. Kelly keeps you wanting more and has me looking for more books in this series. I would recommend this book/series as I find that Kelly is a great author, one of my favorites, and this series proves that.

This is the third book in this series but my fourth 'story' that I've read in the series. There was a short story in "The Amish Christmas Sleigh" book.

Monday, February 1, 2016

The Lady and the Mountain Doctor by Misty M Beller - Review of the second book in the Mountain Dreams series




BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
(taken from fantasticfiction.co.uk website)
Miriam Bryant has always dreamed of leaving the never-ending work of her family's remote mountain ranch to travel abroad as a genteel lady. She's thrilled when the opportunity finally arises, but a gruesome hunting accident crushes her plans, leaving her stranded for weeks in a mining town. The single bright spot in her disappointment comes in the form of this mojntain town's newest doctor...

Fresh out of medical school, Alex Donaghue is excited to join his brother's practice and prove himself in the mining town of Butte, in Montana Territory. But the tough conditions in the mines and the brutal winter are worse than he expected. Now a mysterious lung disease is killing patients he fought so hard to cure. The single bright spot in this dreary place comes in the form of their newest patient...

But when Miriam's life is threatened by the effects of a medical tragedy, will Alex have what it takes to save the woman he's come to love? Will Miriam ever find the place God created her for, or is it too late?


MY  REVIEW
Misty pulled me right into this story just like she did with the first book in this series! I had never read any of her books before but she has really gained a new fan. She just keeps the story going, making you want to read faster. This series, at least the two books I've read so far, come highly recommended from me. Adventure, love and faith pull it all together throughout the story.