An Amish Family Christmas by Shelley Shepard Gray - Review of the fourth book in the Charmed Amish Life series

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Ever since his father died in a tragic fire, Levi Kinsinger has felt adrift. Having just returned to Charm, Ohio, Levi tries to fit into his old life only to discover he seems to have outgrown it.

When Julia, Levi's young widowed neighbor, asks for his help with a Christmas project, he finds a sense of purpose for the first time in months. She and her daughter are new to Charm and could use a friend, a task Levi takes seriously. Soon enough, his friendship with Julia grows into attraction, but Levi can't help harboring doubts. There's something about Julia that doesn't ring quite true . . .

Like Levi, Julia Kemp has survived her fair share of hardships--but only by hiding the truth of her past. Then she meets Levi and, for the first time, she feels hopeful. Little by little, she begins to imagine telling him her darkest secret and eventually ... perhaps even sharing her life with him.

Christmas is a time for family, and as the holiday draws closer, Julia and Levi will have to face their pasts together in order to find the healing, support, and love they so desperately desire.

MY  REVIEW

At first when reading this book I was thinking it hit close to home for some women I know and have known, it happens too often in life, Julia was smart enough and strong enough to get herself out of a bad situation sooner than later. Tears did come to my eyes while reading, I won't tell you when or where, you will have to see if you have the same emotions. A very good read for Christmas, for anytime as far as that goes. Grab a copy!

The Precious Amish Baby by Faith Crawford-Mail Order Bride: Inspirational Romance: (Clean Christian Historical Baby Romance) - Review

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(copied from Amazon.com)

A Pregnant young widow, her daughter and an Amish farmer looking for a bride. Will they find love?

In the year 1895, Mary Ruth Stoltz is pregnant with her second child by her husband Eli. After Eli's sudden death, she moves in with the Bishop and his wife, members of the Amish community that Eli belonged to.

When no suitable man is found in the community for Mary Ruth to marry, the Bishop informs Mary Ruth that a widower in a community a day's journey away, is looking for a mail order bride and that she will be going to meet him. If the match is good, she will stay to have her baby and be a mother to his five children, as well as her young daughter and newborn.

The move to the new community proves to be easier than the pregnancy itself. Will Mary Ruth find the happiness and healing she needs from her new family, as well as providing what they need from her? Only time will tell.

NOTE: This book includes bonus stories!
1. A Baby in Montana
2. Devoted to the Rancher's Baby
3. My Secret Amish Baby
4. The Billionaire Widow's Baby
5. Amish Love for the Secret Baby

"The Precious Amish Baby" is a 16,000-word stand-alone story in a series about young, adventurous mail order brides, set against the background of Amish communities. Other parts of the series:

Devoted to the Rancher's Baby
My Sister's Baby
My Secret Amish Baby
A Baby at the Doctors Ranch

The books are clean and all have a HEA, so no cliffhangers.

MY  REVIEW

These were short stories, I would categorize it as a 'collection of novella's'. I found them each one enjoyable and no two were alike at all. If you like Amish, mail-order bride and/or historical stories you will like this book, a pretty quick read.

The Preacher's Bride Collection by DiAnn Mills, Colleen L. Reece, Kimberly Comeaux, Kristy Dykes, Darlene Franklin and Sally Laity - Review

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It Takes and Extra Special Woman to Be a Preacher's Bride

Six men are dedicated to proclaiming God's Word--and six women wonder if they're cut out to support that calling. Being a helpmate to a pastor is no easy task. They must step out in a special kind of faith and love to become preachers' brides....

In this exclusive collection, readers will delight in six old-fashioned romance stories.

Remember Me by Kimberley Comeaux

Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy by Kristy Dykes

Miss Bliss and the Bear by Darlene Franklin

A Bride for the Preacher by Sally Laity

Renegade Husband by DiAnn Mills

Silence in the Sage by Colleen L. Reece

Spanning a variety of historical times and places, these stories will capture, inspire, and entertain readers--and remind them of God's unique way of weaving great joy and blessing into the lives of those who love Him and follow His will.

MY  REVIEW

I always enjoy the 'collections' books because they usually have stories by authors I really like and most of the time you find at least one and many two or three new authors you like. This book did not fail me in that area and as usual I enjoyed the stories also. There were at least a couple that took me a 'while' (as long as a while can be in a short story, lol) to get into but the stories ended up being very good. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction, historical christian fiction or mail-order bride books should find that they will like this book.

Thorns of Rosewood by G. M. Barlean - Review of the first book in the Rosewood series

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(copied from Amazon.com)

Gloria Larsen knows only three things about her birth mother: she was over forty, she lived in Rosewood, Nebraska, and she was accused of murder in 1974.

When Gloria is offered a job as a newspaper editor in the small town, she jumps at the opportunity to discover the identity of her birth mother. Digging into the past, she finds a story of the disappearance of a judge's wife and four friends accused of murder. Gloria tracks the now-elderly women to an assisted-living facility. This is Gloria's chance to write the story of a lifetime and finally know her heritage. Even if she can't learn the truth of her origins, she must find out what really happened to Naomi Waterman Talbot.

MY  REVIEW

Sit down, get a good grip, and hang on!!! You are going on one wild ride! This is a first book for me written by G. M. Barlean but I am DEFINITELY in line for more. Gina does a wonderful job of weaving this story and makes you want to keep reading, forget about sleep, housework, cooking meals, etc., just get through this book. There are some very interesting characters, the thorns, mystery and loyalty to friends. Oh, and you know how there is always that one girl who thinks she's the Queen of the school and even her 'friends' in her little 'elite clique' don't like her, well she's in this story too! Highly recommended by me.

Sofia's Tune by Cindy Thomson - Review of the third book in the Ellis Island series

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(copied from Amazon.com)

In Sofia's Tune, we meet Sofia Falcone, a young woman who has been living in New York only a short time when she is stunned to discover a family secret, one that soon sends her beloved mother into a mental institution. Scrambling to keep her job and care for her mother, Sofia is convinced confronting the past will heal all wounds, but her old world Italian family wants to keep the past in the past.

During this time, she encounters Antonio, a Vaudeville pianist with a street-smart dog, seeking to discover why his father was mysteriously killed. Their crossed paths uncover a frightening underworld in Little Italy. Bringing the truth to light may cost Sofia's mother's sanity, Antonio's career, and the livelihoods of countless immigrants. Change is on the horizon, but it may not bring what they expect.

MY  REVIEW

I think this has been the best book in the series, and oh what sad stories! I was pulled into this book right from the beginning. Cindy did a wonderful job and if you are not touched by the lives of Sofia and Antonio, especially Sofia's, then I don't know what will pull at your heartstrings. Grab a copy and get ready for a very good story with a touch of mystery to it.

Texas Twilight by Caroline Fyffe - Review of the second book in the McCutcheon Family series

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(copied from Amazon.com)

Texas Badlands, 1886
Fresh out of medical school, John McCutcheon finds his stagecoach under attack by brutal outlaws. With the help of a feisty acquaintance, Lily Anthony, he manages to fend off the assault. Lily is attracted to the charming cowboy-doctor, with his chiseled good looks and teasing ways, then heartbroken to learn he's engaged to be married.

Once settled in Rio Wells, Texas, John tries to ignore the fact that his cousin has taken a shine to Lily. When a bounty hunter shows up looking for a priceless jewel that Lily has found stashed away in her aunt's belongings, Lily fears her dreams of owning her own shop--and of finding true love--are about to go up in flames...or, could that just be the glow of a beautiful...Texas Twilight?

MY  REVIEW

Caroline had my interest in this story right from the beginning. A lot of action, great story and surprises. I can highly recommend this if you enjoy historical fiction with a few twists and turns in the romance area.