Light in the Mountain Sky by Misty M Beller - Review of the third book of the Call of the Rockies series

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(copied from Amazon.com)

This epic journey may seal her fate forever.

Determined to prove her worth, Meksem fiercely fought to earn her place among the warriors in her Nez Perce camp. When her half-sister is captured by an enemy e, she refuses to trust the rescue to anyone else. But her new friends insist on joining her mission, and she battles between relief and frustration at their presence. Especially the white man who peers at her as if he can see through the face of the warrior she struggles so hard to maintain.

Spaniard Adam Vargas thrives on adventure wherever his travels take him. He's fallen in love with this Rocky Mountain wilderness, as well as the spotted horses the Nez Perce tribe raise. His fascination with this Indian maiden-turned-warrior catches him off guard though, including the way she seems to be fighting for more than her sister's safe return.

The journey proves more perilous than any of the group expects, and the secret Meksem hides becomes impossible to conceal. If they live through this mission, the life they knew will never be the same again.

MY  REVIEW

Yes, I have to say again, I really enjoyed this book, Misty Beller is a wonderful writer. She pulls you right into the story as you go on this long, freezing, near-death trail. 

Cowboy Charm School by Margaret Brownley - Review of the first book in The Haywire Brides series

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When Texas Ranger Brett Tucker accidentally derails a wedding, he's determined to bring the estranged couple back together . . . but he never dreamed he'd start falling for the bride!

Texas Ranger Brett Tucker hates to break up a wedding, but the groom---notorious criminal Frank Foster---is a danger to any woman. So he busts into the church, guns blazing . . . only to find he has the wrong man.

STOP  THAT  WEDDING!

Bride-to-be Kate Denver is appalled by her fiance's over-the-top reaction to the innocent stake and calls off the wedding---for good. Guilt-ridden, Brett's desperate to get them back on track. But the more time he spends with Kate, the harder he falls  . . and the more he yearns to prove that he's her true match in every way.

MY  REVIEW

OH MY! This starts out with a bank, then it just keeps going. Very enjoyable and if you don't find yourself giggling I just don't know what to say. Now I have to get the next two books in this series.

Banished by Linda Byler - Review of the first book in the Long Road Home series

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The first book in The Long Road Home trilogy,

a unique and gripping Amish romance set in

the south at the turn of the century.

It was the early 1900s when Obadiah (Oba) and Merriweather's (May's) parents died tragically, leaving them orphans at ten and eleven years old. When none of their nearby relations volunteer to take them in, they are set on a train to Arkansas to go live on their Amish aunt and uncle's cotton farm. Once there, it doesn't take long to discover they will be treated cruelly, no matter what they do. AS the years to by, May shoulders more and more responsibility and Oba becomes increasingly rebellious.

When May encounters Clinton, a young black may, on the road one day, she sees a kindness in his eyes that she's been thirsting for. He is immediately drawn to her, too, but quickly reminds her that he is black and she is white. In that  time and place, there is no chance of starting a friendship. But still, they find themselves meeting discretely, spending more time together than is proper, finding joy and solace in each other's company.

When things to from bad to unbearable at the farm, May realizes she must escape from her aunt and uncle. an she turn to Clinton for help?

MY  REVIEW

I just about didn't read this book, as much as I have enjoyed other books by Linda Byler, it starts out letting you know as you read that this is not a typical Amish story. I do realize there are bad things that go on in Amish families/communities, just like there are in the Englisch community, but you don't read, or hear, about it that much. I did finish the book with sadness in my heart but hope for the future. Unfortunately the next book does not come out until March of 2022, and I see no date for the third book, after all it does say this is the first book in the series trilogy. Yes, my daughter already has the second book on pre-order for me and her mother-in-law, we share books, lol.

 

Hope in the Mountain River by Misty M Beller - Review of the second book in the Call of the Rockies series

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This epic journey is not at all what she expected.

Joel Vargas can't believe he's lost his older brother in the wilds of the Rocky Mountains after surviving their harrowing voyage across the Atlantic. And he can't shake the feeling that Adam--his only living relative--is in dire trouble. No matter what the cost, he and his band of friends won't stop until Adam is found. He's not sure if two Indian women they meet on the way will be a help or hindrance.

After the devastating loss of  her daughter and husband to a grizzly attack, Elan is desperate to find an escape from her grief. As she and her friend journey from their Nez Perce camp, through the mountains and toward the great river, a band of white men is the las thing she expects to find, especially as winter blows in full force.

When the dangers increase, accomplishing Joel's mission becomes the only hope for all their survival. If the elements don't consume them, Elan has a feeling life will never be the same for any of them.

MY  REVIEW

This is yet another great story by Misty Beller, I have enjoyed every one of her books. She goes into such detail and make you feel like you are right there in the story. I also appreciate the fact that they are all clean stories and the faith her characters either have or gain.

Murder with OOlong Tea by Karen Rose Smith - Review of the sixth book in Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery series

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In Pennsylvania's Amish country, Daisy Swanson finds

herself going back to school expecting to serve tea--only

to get a crash course in criminal justice . . .

The faculty of Willow Creek High School are having a get-together after the spring concert with refreshments provided, courtesy of Daisy's Tea Garden. Oolong tea and chocolate biscuits are just what the staff needs to help them unwind from Althea Higgins' demanding curriculum. Her lessons on such controversial subjects as school uniforms and underqualified substitute teachers are earning her an F from her colleagues.

But a failing grade was preferable to Althea falling victim to foul play. Daisy was there when her body was discovered in the school swimming pool, murdered by strangulation. Althea was certainly a strict, opinionated taskmaster, unliked by both teachers and students, but would any of them actually want to kill her? As Daisy starts asking questions, she gets a real education in Althea's history, discovering more that enough enemies with more than enough motives to cancel her classes permanently . . .

MY  REVIEW

I think we all had that ONE teacher, at least one, we just couldn't handle but had to. Do you think the other teachers maybe feel the same way and did that 'one' teacher have a past that was questionable? Interesting storyline!! This is the last book in the series for now, the seventh book will be out on 9-7-2021, although the audio came out yesterday.

My daughter has passed this series on to me to read and from here it goes to her mother-in-law. This has been a good series.

 

Murder with Clotted Cream by Karen Rose Smith - Review of the fifth book in Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery series

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A catering job has come in for Daisy's Tea Garden

in Pennsylvania's Amish country--but death

will be served before dessert . . .

Margaret Vaughn has hired Daisy to provide afternoon tea for her theater group. A local girl who left long ago for an acting career in New York, Margaret has returned home00with a multimillionaire husband in tow. But while Daisy bustles around Margaret's historic farmhouse, she senses that there's tension behind the scenes. Then she discovers the hostess on the floor of the pantry--dead and covered with clotted cream.

Barely recovered from her previous sleuthing adventure, Daisy joins forces with the former detective she's been dating to help solve the case. Should she cast suspicion on the stars of the upcoming play? Can Margaret's sister shine a spotlight on potential culprits? Or are there clues to be found in the victim's past? With plenty of family stress of her own to deal with, all Daisy knows is she better act fast . . .

MY  REVIEW

As much as Daisy would like to stay away, is she able to? While waiting for a grandbaby to arrive can she handle the sleuthing at the same time? Yes, another good story in this series. The series will be better if you read in order but I don't think it's necessary either.