Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Return to Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand - Review of the seventh book in The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series




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When it comes to matchmaking, Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin's unstoppable octogenarians Anna and Felty Helmuth never seem to run out of opportunities---or grandchildren...

Reuben Helmuth is plenty bitter, John King, his best friend---or so her thought---is engaged to the girl Reuben loved. humiliated, Reuben flees from Ohio to his grandparents' home on Huckleberry Hill, where he knows he'll find comfort. He's enjoying wallowing in his misery---until John's sister, Fern, shows up. She won't stop pestering Reuben about forgiveness---or trying to help him find love again. Yet Fern's efforts only reawaken Reuben's long-buried feelings---for her...

With her brother too ashamed to face Reuben, it's fallen to Fern to help mend fences. But as she and the Helmuths do all they can---even organizing a knitting club event filled with eligible girls---it ma take one more challenge to inspire Reuben to forget his heartache, recognize his own blunders, and embrace the true love that's right in front of him...


MY  REVIEW
WOW! I normally find a lot to chuckle about in this series, there were some 'slight' chuckles but Jennifer also made me a little weepy in spots with this one! Oh yeah, if this doesn't pull at your heartstrings, you have no heart. I just can not express how much I love this series and I highly recommend each book, the series, every time I write a review. You will LOVE it!!! Oh, and did I mention there is a new one, number eight in the series, coming out in December this year? Watch for "A Courtship on Huckleberry Hill" around December 26, 2017.

Monday, September 25, 2017

Home All Along by Beth Wiseman - Review of the third book in an Amish Secrets series




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Home. It's the thing Charlotte has always wanted most.
Will she finally find it among the Amish of Lancaster County?

Charlotte has spent much of her life trying to figure out where she belongs. After enduring an abusive childhood, she sets out on a journey her brother once took, landing her in an Amish community. Despite her outsider attitudes and her reluctance to accept the Amish way of life, the community embraces her. A quiet, handsome man named Daniel reveals his feelings for Charlotte, but she struggles to commit to him. Despite her desire for home and family, painful memories and fear threaten to destroy the peace Charlotte desperately seeks.

Just when Charlotte finally believes she is ready to bid farewell to her former life, a long lost relative resurfaces and throws Charlotte's life into chaos. When an illness erupts in Daniel's family and a shunned aunt and a prodigal son return, circumstances leave Daniel and Charlotte second-guessing the future they'd hoped to share.

Charlotte wants to believe that despite her heartbreak, god is leading her towards her true destiny. But how can she trust her choices amid so much personal calamity?

Home All Along is a soul-searching novel about a woman leaving the life she has known in search of love, faith, and a place to finally call home.


MY  REVIEW
Once you pick this book up to read, you will NOT want to put it down. Beth really puts you right in the middle of this story with so much grief, love, and faith, you will think you are right there in the middle and wonder which character you are and how you would handle it all. I will very highly recommend this as a must read, not only this book but the first two in the series also, "Her Brothers Keeper" and "Love Bears All Things". Also you will enjoy it so much more if you read them in order. WOW!!!!!

I was provided a copy of this book by BookLook Bloggers in return for an honest review. The above review are my true feelings.

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Wild Horses by Linda Byler - Review of the first book in Sadie's Montana series




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When the Miller family moved from Ohio to Montana, Sadie had to leave her beloved horse, the palomino named Paris. Still, she likes the Montana snows and her job at Aspen East Ranch serving the ranch hands.

Unexpectedly, Ezra appears, the man who seems to be perfect in every way and fully intends to marry Sadie. But does she love him back? And who is this fascinating Mark who helps to rescue a dying horse and shows up at the Amish hymn-sing though he is English?

Now Sadie's own close-knit family is falling apart. Will Dat let Mam seek professional help? Will Mam be willing?

Sadie finds some refuge in Nevaeh, a black and white paint. But when a dreadful accident involving wild horses occurs, Sadie must move forward into the unknown future.


MY  REVIEW
I got this book when I first saw it, but had so many books on my TBR pile, and kept acquiring more, sadly it took me a long time to get to it. I finally grabbed it and it is a beautiful story if you love horses, enjoying a great Amish book is an added bonus. Sadie is a horse whisperer, but her Dat does not like horses, so that is part of the story. But horse lovers beware you will be pulled into this series and want to read more. Great story, don't put off getting this book or reading it! Thank you Linda.

Sunday, September 10, 2017

An Amish Christmas Love by Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Ruth Reid and Kelly Irvin - Review


A charming novella collection of sweet holiday stories,
each celebrating love in all its forms, from four of your favorite Amish authors!

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Winter Kisses BY BETH WISEMAN
Three generations of Stoltzfus women are living under the same roof. At twenty-five, Naomi has never been married, and both her mother, Barbara, and her grandmother, Ruth, are widows. Each woman is nursing a broken or lonely heart until three men rent the daadi haus for a month, and the women find themselves with potential suitors. Secrets are revealed and hearts are opened, but will all the women find love?

The Christmas Cat by AMY CLIPSTON
Emma Bontrager is spending her first Christmas alone after her husband of 45 years, Henry, passed away in July. Although the Amish don't normally allow animals in their homes, a big, fat, orange barn cat keeps coming into Emma's house. She shoos the cat away, but it continues to appear in her house, settling on Henry's favorite wingchair. But the cat isn't the only Christmas visitor; a group of young people help bring the Christmas spirit to Emma, reminding her that love and hope abide.

Home for Christmas BY RUTH REID
When a misdirected GPS sends Ellie Whetstone to the wrong address, she inadvertently finds herself breaking into the home of Amish man Ezra Mast. Ellie hopes to fix up the house left by her aenti and sell it quickly, but a series of run-ins with Ezra and his young daughter have her questioning whether a hasty sale is the right move. Could this new place with its slower pace be the right home for Ellie?

Snow Angels BY KELLY IRVIN
As a young man enjoying his rumspringa, David Byler gave his heart to an Englisch girl, but he eventually realized he couldn't give up his Plain faith and family for her, so he let her go. He's found a new love in his Bee County Plain community, Molly Shrock. Molly has been patient, waiting for the man she loves to love her back. Just as he is ready to propose, David makes a startling discovery; Bobbie McGregor, his Englisch love, is back. Will Molly's prayers for a Christmas love be answered?


MY REVIEW
I always look for the novella collection books as there are such a variety of stories and writing styles by great authors. These are some of my favorite authors and enjoyed all of the stories, one was a little slow for me but that isn't saying it wasn't a good story as it was in the end. There is some great reading here so grab a copy and find out for yourself.

I was given this book by BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an hones review.

Friday, September 1, 2017

Brightest and Best by Olivia Newport - Review of the third book in the Amish Turns of Time series




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(copied from Amazon.com)
The collapse of a schoolhouse puts pressure on Amish families and their long-held educational values. Ella Hilty anticipates marrying Gideon Wittner and becoming a mother to his children. In a whirling clash of values, Ella seeks the solid ground that seems to have slipped away. Margaret Simpson, an English schoolteacher, wonders if she is losing her last chance a love. As the local authorities draw lines in the sand, Margaret puts romance at risk one final time. All eyes turn to Ella to make a sacrifice and accept a challenge that can bring unity to the Amish and understanding to the English.



MY  REVIEW
If you like stories about people putting their lives on hold for the benefit of others you will enjoy this book. Olivia does a great job of writing and keeping you glued to the story she is telling. I have enjoyed the first three books in this series and there are two more waiting for me to read!!!