Murder Tightly Knit by Vannetta Chapman - Review of the second book in an Amish Village Mystery series

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Even before she heard of Owen Esche's death, Hannah Troyer knew something was amiss at The Cat's Meow yarn shop. The store has been closing at odd times, the ever-dependable Mary isn't always at her post . . . and an Englisch man has been loitering around back.

Now, as leaves of brown, gold, and orange blanket Middlebury, Indiana, Owen lies dead on the Pumpkinvine Trail. The only clues to the murderer's identity point in two very different directions--one of them leading right to The Cat's Meow.

The police call in a federal investigator, but Hannah and village manager Amber Bowman are in no mood to wait for them to figure out what they already know--that no one from the Amish Village killed Owen Esch.

Amber and Hannah need to work quickly to solve the murder mystery and bring harmony back to the Amish community.

MY  REVIEW

If you read the first book in this series, "Murder Simply Brewed" you will really love this one. There is a little more 'danger' and pulls the Amish community right into the middle of the activity. I am really enjoying this series and I think if you were a Nancy Drew fan you will really like this series. I'm looking forward to Vanetta's third book in the series, "Murder Freshly Baked", to come out in June of 2015.

I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in return for an honest review. The review I posted is my personal opinion of the book and I highly recommend it to others.

I also have a copy of this book on my Kindle that I got in return for an honest review, I received that copy from Net Galley.

Murder Simply Brewed by Vannetta Chapman - Review of the first book in the Amish Village Mystery series

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(taken from Amazon.com)

When the coffee shop manager is murdered in Middlebury's Amish Artisan Village, two women from different walks of life must join together to solve the mystery.

Spring has arrived in Middlebury, Indiana, and Amber Wright is optimistic about the growing profit from her collection of Amish shops--until she receives a call that Ethan Gray is dead. Hurrying over to A Simple Blend, she finds a solitary hole in the front window and the store manager lying next to the espresso machine, dead from an apparent heart attack. All the money is still in his register.

When Amber hires a young Amish woman, Hannah Troyer, to take over the shop's duties, the two women become fast friends--as well as amateur sleuths. The police believe Gray's death is a by-product of vandalism, but Amber and Hannah aren't convinced.

Clues that don't add up, a neighbor who is pulled into the midst of the investigation, a town with secrets to hide, and a blossoming romance--all will combine to push Amber and Hannah into unfamiliar roles in order to reveal answers to the mysteries around them.

MY  REVIEW

Vannetta did a good job on this mystery and I like that she has the English and Amish working together. I enjoy a mystery with sleuthing by amateurs, it seems they can dig up better clues than the authorities and I really enjoy it when they prove the experienced authorities wrong. This is the first in the series, I'm already reading the second, "Murder Tightly Knit" and will be watching for the third, "Murder Freshly Baked" to come out in June of 2015. This is looking like it will be a good series for Amish or mystery/cozy mystery book lovers.

I received this as an e-book from Net Galley with an agreement to give an honest review. The review above is my honest opinion of this book.

A Most Inconvenient Marriage by Regina Jennings - Review

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With few options of her own, nurse Abigail Stuart agrees to marry her patient, a gravely wounded soldier calling himself Jeremiah Calhoun. They arrange a quick ceremony before he dies, giving Abigail the rights to his Ozark farm and giving Jeremiah the peace of knowing someone will care for his ailing sister after he's gone--a practical solution for both of them.

After the war, Abigail fulfills her side of the bargain--until the real Jeremiah Calhoun shows up, injured but definitely alive, and wastes no time in challenging Abigail's story. Abigail is flummoxed. After months of claiming to be his widow, how can she explain that she's never seen this Jeremiah Calhoun before? How can she convince him that she isn't trying to steal his farm? And will she find a way to stay, even though this practical arrangement has turned into a most inconvenient marriage?

MY  REVIEW

I have enjoyed every one of Regina's books that I've read so far and this one was no different. She has a style of writing that keeps you interested and wanting to hurry through the book to see how it ends. Her character Abigail is a strong woman that follows through with a promise even though it was based on a lie by the person she made the promise too. I don't think anyone will find this book dull as there is a lot going on with Abigail and the Calhoun family. I would encourage any historical fiction lover to read Regina's newest book and if you haven't read any of her other books, be sure and grab those too!

I received this as an e-book from Net Galley with an agreement to give an honest review. The review above is my honest opinion of this book.

The Princess Spy by Melanie Dickerson - Review of the fifth book in the Healer's Apprentice series

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Margaretha has always been a romantic, and hopes her newest suitor, Lord Claybrook, is destined to be her one true love. But then an injured man is brought to Hagenheim Castle, claiming to be an English Lord who was attacked by Claybrook and left for dead. And only Margaretha--one of the few who speaks his language--understands the wild story.

Margaretha finds herself unable to pass Colin's message along to her father, the duke, and convinces herself "Lord Colin" is just an addled stranger. Then Colin retrieves an heirloom she lost in a well, and asks her to spy on Claybrook as repayment. Margaretha knows she could never be a spy--not only is she unable to keep anything secret, she's sure Colin is completely wrong about her potential betrothed. Though when Margaretha overhears Claybrook one day, she discovers her romantic notions may have been clouding her judgment about not only Cokin but Claybrook as well. It is up to her to save her father and Hagenheim itself from Claybrook's wicked plot.

MY  REVIEW

Even though this book was not my usual genre, and how I happened to pick the fifth in a series to read I don't know, I'm still shaking my head at that, I found the book very good. It is a young adult book but also fun for adults to read as well. This book is full of action, romance, adventure and not to mention faith. Melanie did a good job of developing the characters so much so that you felt as if you knew them personally. After you read this book you will find yourself going back to find more books by this author. A enjoyable read for everyone.

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers for an honest review and that is what I have given here.

A Love Undone by Cindy Woodsmall - Review

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A husband and son abandoned to forge a path alone,

A young woman who sacrificed her dreams.

How will the God of grace and hope

help them find their way?

At the age of nineteen, Old Order Amish Jolene Keim was on the brink of happily-ever-after when when everything changed, stealing the future she expected and burdening her with an unbearable decision. For the next ten years, Jolene threw herself into family life--and then she meets Andy Fisher. The horse trainer and father to a sweet nine year old challenges her and holds up a mirror to issues Jolene has been unwilling to face.

Andy is cautious about his deepening friendship with Jolene, but he believes she knows the truth about him--that he is a grass widower. As a man whose wife abandoned him six years ago, he is unable to divorce or remarry according to the Amish ways, Andy wrestled with God concerning his reality and he had found peace with the solitary future facing him...until he met Jolene.

As Andy and Jolene find themselves confronted by difficult choices, will they trust in God's guidance--or will the allure of their deepening friendship only lead to further temptation?

My  Review

It's been a while since I've read one of Cindy's books and how I have missed them! This was one wonderful love story about two very strong people. They were strong in their faith, strong in staying true to their family and the Amish beliefs, and willing to sacrifice themselves to do what was right in the eyes of their church elders and community. I would very highly recommend this book as a fantastic book.

I was given a copy of this book by Blogging For Books in return for an honest review. This is my honest opinion and recommendation of this book.

A Plain Malice by Amanda Flower - Review of the fourth book in An Appleseed Creek Mystery series

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(from Amazon.com)

The Amish community in Appleseed Creek's new bishop believes the best way to help his district in the struggling economy is to increase tourism. He invites Blue Suede Tours from Mississippi to visit the community and asks his district to host the southern visitors. The Troyer family agrees to participate in the tour with an old-fashioned milking demonstration on the family's dairy farm. But when two Mississippians die during the milk  taste test, the local police chief believes someone poisoned them, and Timothy Troyer's father is her number one suspect. Computer whiz, Chloe Humphrey, jumps onto the tour bus as an undercover tour guide in order to prove her boyfriend's father is innocent despite the Troyer family's reservations about her and Timothy's relationship. If they solve the crime, will Chloe and Timothy finally prove that they belong together or will the investigation be the final act to tear them apart?

MY  REVIEW

This has been such a great mystery series I had a hard time putting my kindle down so I could finish this story. I like the way Amanda has the police chief having to ask someone she 'appears' to not care for to help her out. Oh, and she does it in a demanding way that gives the impression, 'you will help me or you'll be sorry with the outcome of this investigation', leaving Chloe no choice so to speak. I would highly recommend this book, this series, to other readers who enjoy Amish stories or mysteries. Great job Amanda!

Season of Secrets & A Christmas to Die For by Marta Perry - Review

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Season of Secrets

Years ago, Dinah Westlake witnessed the murder of her cousin, but lost all memories of theat night. Now, her cousin's husband, Marc Devlin, is back in town for a true Southern Christmas. But when recollections of the night start to resurface, Dinah will have to uncover whether Marc is a murderer or the man she loves.

A Christmas to Die For

Tyler Dunn comes to Rachel Hampton's family inn seeking justice for a decades-old crime. Rachel wants to trust the attractive architect, but he's too secretive--until a shocking link to her past is uncovered. Suddenly Christmas in Amish country is full of danger as Rachel finds herself the target of a killer...

MY  REVIEW

I have read several books by Marta Perry and she did not fail me with this one. These two mysteries held my interest and kept me reading late into the night. Who says mysteries and Christmas don't go together, not I after reading these stories! If you like holiday stories and/or like mysteries I would recommend you find this book, take it home and read it, of course I expect you to pay for it first unless you find it in the library then you can check it out, lol, I know I'm glad I bought it.