Monday, December 26, 2016

Sagebrush Christmas by Birdie L Etchison - Review



BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
(copied from Amazon.com)
Following a desperate letter from her sister, Jessida Wilcox travels from her cozy home in Kansas to Pell's Valley, Oregon, where she is surrounded by sagebrush, bitter winds, and blizzards--and heartbreak as she finds Abby dead and her baby orphaned. Cal Rutledge, the cowboy who buried Abby and saved teh baby's life, is drawn to the spirited Jess. She is turning the sleepy town upside down with talk of a Christmas program, a church, a school, and most important, a fight for custody of the baby. But does Jess have room in her ambitions for a simple cowboy? Is the Lord's plan for Cal and Jess to share a sagebrush Christmas, then part ways? Or could he have a life in store for them that surpasses all they thought the desert could provide? Fall in love with this inspiring love story and our entire collection of Christian romance novels from Heartsong Presents!

MY  REVIEW
This was a wonderful Christmas story, I have not read anything by Birdie (that I can remember anyway) but I have read man Heartsong Presents books and they are short but great stories. I would say if you enjoy Christian or Historical fiction you will enjoy this one.

Oh, and no I did not misspell 'Jessida', this is the way it is spelled throughout the book, it threw me the first time but it was spelled that way continuously, so I got used to it, shook my head each time and giggled as I started to read it subconsciously with a 'c'.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Christmas At Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard -Review of the second book in the Promise Lodge series


BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
As Promise Lodge's first wedding arrives, the evidence of a community building a foundation for the future is a cause for celebration. But the bishop's narrow-minded wedding sermon doesn't sit well with the Bender sisters, the town's courageous founders, especially widowed Mattie Schwartz. She believes marriage and family aren't the most important of God's gifts--even if she suspects her tender feelings for Preacher Amos Troyer run deeper than simple friendship.

Amos hasn't given up hope that stubborn, spirited Mattie will change her mind about taking another husband, but when an accident threatens to change the course of his life forever, he wonders if the Lord has sent him a message. He'll need faith, hope, and charity to find the right path--and a Christmas blessing to convince Mattie to walk it with him.


MY  REVIEW
A very good book with a lot going on, I could hardly put this down. Charlotte has done a great job of writing a book that starts out with a , 'REALLY?' sermon, and then brings it all together. It is a shocking sermon because it kind of goes against the reason the sisters and Amos started, and have planned for, Promise Lodge. Highly recommended by 'ME'.

The Cherished Quilt by Amy Clipston - Review of the third book in An Amish Heirloom series


BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
Emily Fisher is eager to meet the new employee at her father's shop in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania. But when Christopher Hostettler arrives, his cold demeanor freezes her attempts at building a friendship.

Longing for a fresh start, Christopher travels from Ohio to Bird-in-Hand. Christopher's heart is still wounded from memories of home, and making new friends is the last thing on his mind--he knows the pain that comes with losing those you love.  When Emily is kind to him, he tries to remain distant, but he soon finds himself stealing glances at her throughout the day.

When Christopher shares his tragic reasons for leaving home, Emily decides to make a quilt for him as a gesture of their friendship. The two are quickly falling in love when a family emergency calls Christopher back to Ohio without warning.

Emily finishes the quilt, in spite of her pain. But when Christopher receives it, will he have the courage to follow his heart?


MY  REVIEW
Yes! I really enjoyed this book and Amy did not fail to bring a few tears to my eyes. This is yet another wonderful story and I don't know how I'm going to wait till May for the next book in this series. I can easily recommend this book, this series, and very good reads for the Amish booklover.

Thank you to BOOKLOOK BLOGGERS 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

Sunday, December 18, 2016

The Courtship Basket by Amy Clipston - Review of the second book in An Amish Heirloom series


BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
(copied from Amazon.com)
Years ago, a picnic basket brought two hearts together. For Rachel and Mike, history may be about to repeat itself.

Rachel fisher is devastated when the young man she's loved for years leaves her to date her best friend. Her heart is broken, and she has all but given up on love. Determined to keep her mind off the pain, she starts teaching at an Amish school for children with learning disabilities.

Since his father became ill, Mike Lantz has been overwhelmed with the responsibility of providing for his family and caring for his six-year-old brother, John. When John joins Rachel's class and she learn that his mother is deceased and his father sick, she desperately wants to help the family, even with something as simple as a meal.

With her parents' old picnic basket, Rachel begins sending food to the Lantz family. As the weeks to by, John's grades start to improve, and the attraction grows between Rachel and Mike. They can't deny that their friendship is growing toward something more, but both of them are hesitant to risk a more serious relationship.

The last thing Rachel wants is another heartbreak, and Mike is worried about providing for his loved ones. Will the two be able to reconcile their past hurts with new hope for the future?


MY  REVIEW
I received "The Cherished Quilt" (the third book in this series) as a gift and since I'd read the first book, "The Forgotten Recipe", I knew that I had to read this series in order. So, yes, I purchased this one for my Kindle so I could read it immediately, lol. I was not sorry, except for the fact that I had not gotten it sooner, Amy really pulls at the heartstrings for this story. I loved the story and I think you will find yourself shedding a few tears for Rachel and/or Mike. As I said, you really should read this series in order and I'm anxiously looking forward to reading the next book. I also see that there will be a fourth book, "The Beloved Hope Chest" due out May 17, 2017. Each one of the first two, and I'm guessing the third one too, seem to be 'attached' to the Hope Chest, so I am guessing we will get the story to pull these all together in a heartbreaking love story that has got to be fantastic and possibly a real tear jerker, can't wait! ! !

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Sourdough Creek by Caroline Fyffe



BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
(copied from Amazon.com)
Clarksville, Nevada Territory, June 1851
Cassie Angel is used to taking care of herself. With a spirit adventure, and a need to stay safe, she departs a dying Nevada town for the golden opportunities that await in California--along with a new life. When charming Sam Ridgeway shows up, claiming to know her uncle, and offers her protection in her travels, she has no idea there is an ulterior motive involved.

(copied from Barnes & Noble)
Western Historical Romance set in 1851 Nevada Territory/California
Sam Ridgeway is on a mission. He's determined to find the deed to his gold claim, along with the low-down, thieving bum who stole it from his saddlebag. Arvid Angel would pay!

Cassie Angel has a plan. She and her little sister will sneak out of Broken Branch before being left alone in the dying town with despicable Sherman brothers. Thank goodness she now has a place to flee to. On his last visit, her Uncle Arvid stashed a deed to a gold claim in her dresser drawer. Even though it means traveling to California, she's set on trying her hand at gold panning-just like thousands of others flooding to that still-wild state. Unfortunately, before she and her sister are able to depart, Klem Sherman shows up looking for trouble. Just when Cassie thinks she is lost, a tall, good-looking cowboy appears and comes to her rescue.

MY  REVIEW
Yes, another great story by Caroline. I liked this book from the beginning and throughout. Do you trust a stranger or a relative, even though the relative has a questionable reputation himself? You'll have to read and see what Cassie finds out to be true and all she goes through to find that truth. Highly recommended by 'ME'.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Like A Bee To Honey by Jennifer Beckstrand - Review of the third book in The Honeybee Sisters series



BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
Shy, skittish Rose Christner is more comfortable tending to the beehives on the family farm and keeping her aunt's unruly cats in line than attending social gatherings with the rest of the die youngie. A childhood trauma and secret shame keep her heart under lock and key, and Rose just can't accept the sweet attention she's receiving from a handsome neighbor. But the more she shies away from Josiah Yoder, the more their families sneakily plot to bring them together. And when a vandal who's been plaguing the Honeybee Farm starts targeting Rose, Josiah's steadfast protection--and patience--just may lead her into his waiting arms...


MY  REVIEW
I have enjoyed this series from the beginning and fear it has come to an end! Rose, the youngest and the most affected, protected, scared, and forgiving has a lot to deal with emotionally. Is it brought on by herself, events of the past and present or just her personality? Guess you'll have to read and find out, then find out if she can move on and leave any or all of these events and emotions in the past. Did I say I LOVE Jennifer's books? Well, I do!!!!!

Plains of Promise by Colleen Coble - Review of the second book in the Wyoming series



BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
(copied from Amazon.com)
When Emma Croftner's "husband" is killed, she realizes he was already married to someone else. The house and life she thought she had belongs to someone else. She joins the Campbell's at Fort Laramie and must learn to trust God with her security. and only kind Lt. Isaac Liddle can break through the wall she's erected against ever loving again.


MY  REVIEW
Yes, another great book by Colleen. She writes about forgiveness and strength to go on with your life when it seems there is no future. When you make a promise, thinking you will never have to honor that promise, what happens when honoring it will change your plans for your future. What would you do?

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Where Leads the Heart by Colleen Coble - Review of the first book in the Wyoming series




BACK OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
(copied from Amazon.com)
The Civil War has taken the one thing Sarah Montgomery values most, her fiance, Rand Campbell. Only after she agrees to marry another man does she realize Rand is not dead after all. Set against the backdrop of fort Laramie, this exiting story of love lost and gained will take you to that dangerous time of the Sioux Indian Wars.

MY  REVIEW
A very good historical love story with ups and downs, I was near tears at the beginning even. I love Colleen's books and have already started on the second book in this series, "Plains of Promise". When I look at one website and it lists four books in this series, but on another they were listed as separate novels in 1997, 1999, and 2000. So I guess you can decide if you want to read them in order or not. You will enjoy them either way I think!