Monday, June 27, 2016

The Amish Firefighter by Laura V Hilton - Review of the first book in the Amish Firefighter series




BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
A Beautiful Young Woman Banished from Home
Abigail Stutzman thought it was bad enough being dropped at the nearest bus station and sent to live several states away with some relatives she'd never even heard of, much less met. But now, just a week after her arrival in Jamesport, Missouri, she finds herself at the scene of a barn fire. An intentional barn fire. And all fingers are pointed at her. She's desperate to prove her innocence and protect her reputation, but nobody's making that easy. And God certainly doesn't seem wiling to help.

A Brave Firefighter with an Agenda of His Own
Sam Miller is in the process of turning over a new leaf. Determined to atone for the follies of his past, he is a volunteer firefighter, and EMT, and a paramedic-in-training. With suspicious barn fires escalating, and his family being among the victims, no one is more determined to see the perpetrators brought to justice than Sam.

A Kindled Flame Neither One Could Have Anticipated
When their paths first cross at the site of a barn burning, the emotional intensity rivals the warmth of the flames. Soon, they must decide whether this fire is one they should feed or fight. And they'll discover that the truth can prove more dangerous than a blazing inferno.


MY  REVIEW
Laura captured my attention with this involved story about family secrets, unbelieving when the truth first comes out, and the effects on generations to follow. The old saying, "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practise to deceive!", sure does fit this book well. Another MUST read from Laura!!!

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Caterina by Shanna Hatfield - Review of the second book in the Pendleton Petticoats series




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(taken from  Amazon.com)
On the run from the Italian mafia in New York City, feisty Caterina Campanelli travels across the country to the small town of Pendleton, Oregon, trying to hid her past while she decides what to do about her uncertain future. Seeking comfort in her cooking, she battles her attraction to one of the town's most handsome men.


MY  REVIEW
Oh yes, another book that kept baiting me to not put it down. Shanna had me waiting for the shoe to drop, when it finally does you find out it's from the wrong pair, so to speak. Will the correct shoe ever drop? I can't say enough how much I enjoy Shanna's writing, and oh yes there are giggles in this book too.

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Journey's End by Renee Ryan - Review of the first book in the Gilded Promises series




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(taken from Amazon.com)
Having grown up on the mean streets of nineteenth--century London, Caroline St. James is used to fighting to survive.

So when her beloved mother--abandoned and ignored by her wealthy family--suddenly dies, the scrappy twenty-two-year-old devises a plan to right this terrible wrong. With nothing to lose, she sails to New York to find the man who turned a cold shoulder to her mother's suffering:  Caroline's grandfather. To settle the family score, Caroline infiltrates her grandfather's privileged world, hoping to sabotage his business from the inside. But as she sets her plot in motion, she meets Jackson Montgomery, a virtuous man who is struggling to recover from a family scandal of his own. As their friendship grows and Caroline begins to piece together the motives that led her family to turn its back, she is forced to make a decision: Should she risk everything in the name of justice? Or can she look toward the future and let love and forgiveness guide her instead?


MY  REVIEW
What a great book this was, Renee did a wonderful job of keeping me interested in the story. There is bitterness to overcome. If what she is told is true, who committed the crime, and why? If not why was she lied to? Oh yes, intriguing isn't it! You need to 'grab' this book as it is a great read. I hope to see more in this series.

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard - Review of the first book in the Promise Lodge series




BACK  OF  THE  BOOK BLURB
It's a better life, a fresh start--and a heaven-sent second chance. Founded by three Amish sisters determined to put misfortune behind them, Promise Lodge is a colony where faith's abiding promise can be fulfilled--and love can make all things new...

Energetic widow Mattie Bender Schwartz is working day and night to get Promise Lodge going. she's also hoping the change will help her son Noah's heart to heal after his broken engagement. But his former fiancee, Deborah, is looking for a fresh start too. Filled with regret, and cast out by her dat for a reason she can't yet reveal, Deborah can only pray Noah will forgive her foolishness.

Deborah is the last person Noah expected to show up at Promise Lodge. But with her cruel words still ringing in his head, he's reluctant to accept her apology--even if the Old Order ways demand he try. If only he could obey Christ's most important commandment: love one another.  But one thing is certain--his mother and aunts, and their beloved Preacher Amos, will do their best to help him get there.


MY  REVIEW
This is quite a different story involving the Amish but what an interesting one it is. There are some different personalities that come to Promise Lodge to see if they'd be interested in moving there and these will keep you reading and wondering. I have read some of Charlotte's other books and find this just as good as those. I can recommend this as great book with a very interesting story.

Thimbles And Thistles by Shanna Hatfield - Review of the second book in the Baker City Brides series




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(taken from Amazon.com)
Stubborn, mule-headed, independent woman! She's take that as a compliment... Maggie Dalton has no need for a man in her life. Widowed more than ten years, she's built a successful business and managed quite well on her own in the bustling town of Baker City, Oregon. Aggravated by her inability to block thoughts of the handsome lumber mill owner from her mind, she renews her determination to resist his attempts at friendship. Full of Scottish charm and mischief, Ian MacGregor could claim any available woman in Baker City as his own, except the enchanting dress shop owner who continues to ignore him. Not one to give up on what he wants, Ian vows to win Maggie's heart or leave the town he's come to love.


MY  REVIEW
Oh what a fix Maggie is in, lol, not only one man wants her but another is making moves in that direction also. Now what? Yep, Shanna had me giggling again. I did feel that this story moved a little slower but it didn't take away from the entertainment. Another book I would recommend as a good, fun and entertaining read. Keep them coming Shanna, I'll keep reading them!

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Crumpets And Cowpies by Shanna Hatfield - Review of the first book of the Baker City Brides series




BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
(taken from Amazon.com)
Detestable! Arrogant! Insufferable!
He'd been called worse...

Rancher Thane Jordan reluctantly travels to England to settle his brother's estate only to find he's inherited much more than he could possibly have imagined.

Lady Jemma Bryan has no desire to spend a single minute in Thane Jordan's intolerable presence much less live under the same roof with the handsome, arrogant American. Forced to choose between poverty or marriage to the man, she travels across an ocean and America to build a future on his ranch in Oregon.

MY  REVIEW
Oh my, oh my, oh my! ! ! What a great read this was. A bit emotional, a little anger and giggling, and even some laughing out loud. I have found this with each one of Shanna's books that I've read. What she does with words entertains me to no end. A definite book to add to your wish list or TBR pile!

Thursday, June 2, 2016

A Woodland Miracle by Ruth Reid - Review of the second book in an Amish Wonder series




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Muscle weakness has left Grace Wagler with a broken body--and her childhood best friend has left her with a broken heart. She can hold her own in the timber camp (and do everything else the other women in Badger Creek can do), but in an Amish district where women outnumber men three to one, marriage is an unlikely prospect for a girl with bad legs.

Ben Eicher just arrived in Michigan from Pinecraft, Florida. When his most recent shenanigans proved too much for his daed's patience, Ben was sent to the Upper Peninsula to work in the lumber camp--and he's neither proud of his behavior nor thrilled about his new home.

But when Ben meets Grace, the struggling young woman quickly piques his curiosity. Of course, the last thing Grace wants is another friendship with a man who pities her. Tired of physical pain and romantic dead ends, Grace is ready to leave Badger Creek for the muscle specialist in Ohio, even if it contradicts her father's wishes . . .and Ben's.

Meanwhile, two dangerous men have found their way into the district. It isn't long before their unsavory plans ensnare Grace and Ben in a chase that will not only endanger their lives . . .but test their love.


MY  REVIEW
It has been so long since I read the first book in this series, I had to go back and read my own review! This one is just as good as I said that one was. Ruth does a great job of telling a story and this one deals with physical problems as well as emotional. I don't think anyone that has had to deal with a disability of some kind, yourself , a family member or close friend. This was an enjoyable book and I am looking forward to the third book in the series, "A Dream of Miracles".

the Husband Maneuver by Karen Witemeyer - Review of the short story in between book one and two in the Worthy Pursuit series




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(taken from Amazon.com)
Marietta Hawkins has been in love with ranch foreman Daniel Barrett since she came home from school three years ago. Unfortunately, her father's rule about hands not fraternizing with his daughter has kept him out of reach. She believed patience would prove a virtue in winning him over--until now. He is leaving. Starting up his own spread. To have any hope of maneuvering him into a proposal, she has to act fast or lose him forever. Fans of A Worthy Pursuit will enjoy seeing these characters again!


MY  REVIEW
Wow, it seemed like I was done with this book right after I started it. It is a fast read and what a tricky woman Marietta thinks she is, he dad didn't think so though! Yes, I had to read this before I could even do the review for A Worthy Pursuit, lol. You can also get a 'copy' of this story in the book, With This Ring?, an omnibus of novels with three other great authors and the stories they wrote! Another great book by Karen that I can recommend. (I read this as a stand alone book on my Kindle, not in the omnibus.)

A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer - Review of the first book in the Worthy Pursuit series




BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
(taken from Amazon.com)
Stone Hammond is the best tracker in Texas. He never comes home empty-handed. So when a wealthy railroad investor hires him to find his abducted granddaughter, Stone eagerly accepts.

Charlotte Atherton, former headmistress of Sullivan's Academy for Exceptional Youths, will do anything to keep her charges safe, especially the orphaned girl entrusted to her care. Charlotte promised Lily's mother she'd keep the girl away from her unscrupulous grandfather, and nothing will stop Charlotte from fulfilling that pledge. not even the handsome bounty hunter with surprisingly honest eyes who comes looking for them.

Wen Miss Atherton produces documentation that shows her to be Lily's legal guardian, Stone must reevaluate everything he's been led to believe. Is she villain or victim?

Then a new danger forces Charlotte to trust the man sent to destroy her. Stone vows to protect what he once sought to tear apart. Besides,he's ready to start a new pursuit: winning Charlotte's heart.


MY REVIEW
Yes, I really like Karen's books and I really like this one as well. When she writes a story she just pulls you right in and doesn't let you go, you don't want to put the book down. This comes highly recommended from me.