Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Collision of The Heart by Laurie Alice Eakes - Review, this was published as "The Professor's Heart"




BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
Mia Roper isn't a typical nineteenth-century woman. Refusing to pass up the hard-won opportunity to prove herself as a journalist, she left Hillsdale, Michigan, hoping in vain that Ayden Goswell would follow her to Boston.

When the train bringing her back for her first major story crashes in a snowstorm outside town, Mia is stranded. Not even the survival of a fellow passenger, a toddler, can ease her heart's sudden ache at seeing Ayden, now a history professor at the local college, courting someone else.

Ayden's never gotten over the fact that the most fascinating woman he ever met chose her career over marriage . . . and he let her go. But marrying the department director's daughter could at least guarantee him a permanent job. It's a satisfactory arrangement, yet his kind, pretty bride-to-be has one simple flaw: she's not Mia.

As soon as the trains are running, Mia will be leaving again, unless she and Ayden can reconcile ambition and love--and take a leap of faith together.


MY  REVIEW
I have read several of Laurie's books and usually really enjoy them but for some reason I had a hard time getting into this one. I was so looking forward to reading it too as I love the cover as well as the author. It may not be a fair review as I had/have a lot going on in my life right now and it is hard to enjoy anything so PLEASE take a chance on this book, the story is good but with all I have going on maybe the book was too busy for me right now. Maybe I will read it again when, and if, things calm down for me. Like I say I normally really enjoy Laurie's books, so it is probably just me right now.

The Brickmaker's Bride by Judith Miller - Review of the first book in the Refined by Love series




BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
(copied from Amazon.com)
In the clay-rich hills of the newly founded state of West Virginia, two families tentatively come together to rebuild a war-torn brickmaking business.

Ewan McKay has immigrated to West Virginia with his aunt and uncle, promising to trade his skills the clay business for financial help. Uncle Hugh purchases a brickmaking operation from a Civil War widow and her daughter, and it's Ewan's job to get the company up and running again.

Ewan seeks help from Laura, the former owner's daughter, and he quickly feels a connection with her, but she's being courted by another man--a lawyer with far more social clout and money than Ewan. Resolving that he'll make the brickworks enough of a success that he can become a partner in the business and be able to afford to bring his sisters over from Ireland, Ewan pours all his energy into the new job.

But when Hugh signs a bad business deal, all Ewan's hard work is put in jeopardy. As his hopes for the future crumble, Laura reveals something surprising. Can she help him save the brickworks, and will Ewan finally get a shot at winning her heart?


MY  REVIEW
A great story that shows how faith can get you through anything. I have enjoyed Judith's books in the past and this can be added to my list of books that I really liked. Judith does a wonderful job of pulling you into the story, maybe wanting to slap someone really hard, many times even, oh yes, you have to read to see how cruel one person can be.

Saturday, January 14, 2017

The 12 Brides of Christmas Collection by Margaret Brownley, Mary Connealy, Diana Lesire Brandmeyer, Amanda Cabot, Susan Page Davis, Miralee Ferrell, Pam Hillman, Maureen Lang, Amy Lillard, Vickie McDonough, Davalynn Spencer and Michelle Ule - Review




BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
(copied from Amazon.com)
Christmas is the time for love--and weddings--and twelve historical women are on their way to the altar, whether they know it or not. In Nineteenth Century settings across the heartland of America, readers will experience heartfelt gifts, old-fashioned Christmas traditions, sweet romance, and inspiring faith from twelve acclaimed Christian authors, including Mary Connealy, Margaret Brownley, Pam Hillman, Maureen Lang, Michele Ule, Amy Lillard, Miralee Ferrell, Susan Page Davis, Diana Lesire Brandmeyer, Amanda Cabot, Davalynn Spencer, and Vickie McDonough.


MY  REVIEW
Put some of my of my favorite authors and some new authors together and what do you get? Twelve, yes twelve, wonderful short Christmas stories sure to bring a smile to your face. There is some great writing in this book so it is a winner in 'my book'.

Friday, January 13, 2017

Plain Secrets by Kit Wilkinson - Review




BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
After years on the Philadelphia Police Force, Elijah Miller thought he'd left his Amish past behind. But when the murder of a young Amish girl starts to raise suspicions, Eli has no choice but to investigate. He'll do his duty, even if it means facing the father who won't speak to him--and the woman who rejected him. Hannah Nolt is just as beautiful as Eli remembers, and this time, running away from his feelings for her is no longer an option. Because Hannah's in danger, and needs protection only Eli can provide.

MY  REVIEW
I really enjoyed this book, Kit did a great job of telling this story and not letting you know everything until the very end. Just try and figure out who, what and why, I couldn't do it. She does feed you bits of information here and there, just enough so you think you 'might' know the answers. Highly recommended if you like mysteries and/or Amish books.

Thursday, January 5, 2017

The Saddle Maker's Son by Kelly Irvin - Review of the third book in The Amish of Bee County series



BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
Rebekah isn't like her sister who left the Amish faith, but the watchful gaze of her family and small, close knit Amish community makes her feel as if she's been judged and found lacking. The men avoid her and the women whisper behind her back. She simply longs for the same chance to be a wife and mother that her friends have.

Tobias Byler only wants to escape feelings for a woman he knows he should never have allowed to get close to him. Moving with his family to isolated Bee County, Texas, seemed the best way to leave his mistakes behind. But even a move across the country can't erase the past that accompanies his every thought.

A surprise encounter with two half-starved runaway children forces Rebekah and Tobias to turn to each other to help a sister and brother who have traveled thousands of miles in search of lives of unfettered peace and joy.

In doing so, Rebekah and Tobias discover the key to forgetting the past is the one that will open the door to love and the future they both seek.

MY  REVIEW
This story is quite different, I think anyway, than most Amish books as it involves lost illegal immigrant children who were sent by their grandmother to find their father. It was a moving book and shows how far the Amish will go to be helpful for 'anyone'. This has been a good series, it is better to read the three books in order, so enjoy!

Sunday, January 1, 2017

The Cooke Brothers (Prairie Brides, Books 1-3) by Kit Morgan - Review of the first three books in the Prairie Brides series



BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
(copied from Amazon.com)
The first three books in the Prairie Bride Series are a great introduction to Clear Creek! One of the wackiest towns in the old west, and home of The Cooke Brothers! Three Englishmen taming the Oregon Territory with their fists, their guns, and impeccable manners!

His Prairie Princess: Harrison Cooke went to get his mail, discovered it was stolen, and set out after it. But he just wanted to retrieve his mail, not rescue a damsel in distress! Sadie Jones never dreamed the stage would be robbed and she herself taken along with the rest of the loot! After all, being kidnapped was the last thing on her mind that morning. Unfortunately it was the foremost thing that afternoon.

Her Prairie Knight: Colin Cooke saw Belle Dunnigan for the first time and thought he'd seen an angel! Until she walked into the arms of her aunt, Mrs Irene Dunnigan! The self-righteous, cantankerous owner of the mercantile ruled with an iron fist and hated everyone, especially the Cooke family! What a pity Belle was so attracted to Colin Cooke, the one man her aunt hated most of all.

His Prairie Duchess: Duncan Cooke was slated to become the next Duke of Stantham! Problem was he had to get married in the next thirty-eight days or lose it all. Worse, there wasn't a single female around the Clear Creek for hundreds of miles. Except one ...  Cozette Duprie lived life disguised as a boy for so long, she had no idea how to be a girl. And if her father had any ideas of marrying her off, who on earth would want her? No one. For how could any man want a wife who couldn't utter a word?


MY  REVIEW
An enjoyable read with some interesting characters, I think you will like the Cooke family and the towns people. The stories have a lot of action and could even make you giggle once in a while. Worth the time to check it out.