Crumpets And Cowpies by Shanna Hatfield - Review of the first book of the Baker City Brides series

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(taken from Amazon.com)

Detestable! Arrogant! Insufferable!
He'd been called worse...

Rancher Thane Jordan reluctantly travels to England to settle his brother's estate only to find he's inherited much more than he could possibly have imagined.

Lady Jemma Bryan has no desire to spend a single minute in Thane Jordan's intolerable presence much less live under the same roof with the handsome, arrogant American. Forced to choose between poverty or marriage to the man, she travels across an ocean and America to build a future on his ranch in Oregon.

MY  REVIEW

Oh my, oh my, oh my! ! ! What a great read this was. A bit emotional, a little anger and giggling, and even some laughing out loud. I have found this with each one of Shanna's books that I've read. What she does with words entertains me to no end. A definite book to add to your wish list or TBR pile!

A Woodland Miracle by Ruth Reid - Review of the second book in an Amish Wonder series

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Muscle weakness has left Grace Wagler with a broken body--and her childhood best friend has left her with a broken heart. She can hold her own in the timber camp (and do everything else the other women in Badger Creek can do), but in an Amish district where women outnumber men three to one, marriage is an unlikely prospect for a girl with bad legs.

Ben Eicher just arrived in Michigan from Pinecraft, Florida. When his most recent shenanigans proved too much for his daed's patience, Ben was sent to the Upper Peninsula to work in the lumber camp--and he's neither proud of his behavior nor thrilled about his new home.

But when Ben meets Grace, the struggling young woman quickly piques his curiosity. Of course, the last thing Grace wants is another friendship with a man who pities her. Tired of physical pain and romantic dead ends, Grace is ready to leave Badger Creek for the muscle specialist in Ohio, even if it contradicts her father's wishes . . .and Ben's.

Meanwhile, two dangerous men have found their way into the district. It isn't long before their unsavory plans ensnare Grace and Ben in a chase that will not only endanger their lives . . .but test their love.

MY  REVIEW

It has been so long since I read the first book in this series, I had to go back and read my own review! This one is just as good as I said that one was. Ruth does a great job of telling a story and this one deals with physical problems as well as emotional. I don't think anyone that has had to deal with a disability of some kind, yourself , a family member or close friend. This was an enjoyable book and I am looking forward to the third book in the series, "A Dream of Miracles".

the Husband Maneuver by Karen Witemeyer - Review of the short story in between book one and two in the Worthy Pursuit series

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(taken from Amazon.com)

Marietta Hawkins has been in love with ranch foreman Daniel Barrett since she came home from school three years ago. Unfortunately, her father's rule about hands not fraternizing with his daughter has kept him out of reach. She believed patience would prove a virtue in winning him over--until now. He is leaving. Starting up his own spread. To have any hope of maneuvering him into a proposal, she has to act fast or lose him forever. Fans of A Worthy Pursuit will enjoy seeing these characters again!

MY  REVIEW

Wow, it seemed like I was done with this book right after I started it. It is a fast read and what a tricky woman Marietta thinks she is, he dad didn't think so though! Yes, I had to read this before I could even do the review for A Worthy Pursuit, lol. You can also get a 'copy' of this story in the book, With This Ring?, an omnibus of novels with three other great authors and the stories they wrote! Another great book by Karen that I can recommend. (I read this as a stand alone book on my Kindle, not in the omnibus.)

A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer - Review of the first book in the Worthy Pursuit series

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(taken from Amazon.com)

Stone Hammond is the best tracker in Texas. He never comes home empty-handed. So when a wealthy railroad investor hires him to find his abducted granddaughter, Stone eagerly accepts.

Charlotte Atherton, former headmistress of Sullivan's Academy for Exceptional Youths, will do anything to keep her charges safe, especially the orphaned girl entrusted to her care. Charlotte promised Lily's mother she'd keep the girl away from her unscrupulous grandfather, and nothing will stop Charlotte from fulfilling that pledge. not even the handsome bounty hunter with surprisingly honest eyes who comes looking for them.

Wen Miss Atherton produces documentation that shows her to be Lily's legal guardian, Stone must reevaluate everything he's been led to believe. Is she villain or victim?

Then a new danger forces Charlotte to trust the man sent to destroy her. Stone vows to protect what he once sought to tear apart. Besides,he's ready to start a new pursuit: winning Charlotte's heart.

MY REVIEW

Yes, I really like Karen's books and I really like this one as well. When she writes a story she just pulls you right in and doesn't let you go, you don't want to put the book down. This comes highly recommended from me.

Secret Sister: An Amish Christmas Tale by Sarah Price

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(taken from Amazon.com)

After years of giving of herself to her family and community, Grace Beiler, an elderly Amish woman, is facing her first Christmas since losing her husband of fifty years to his battle with cancer. As she begins to reflect upon her own life, she wonders if she has properly fulfilled her promise to be a servant of God.

With Christmas drawing near, her depression becomes stronger until she starts receiving ittle gifts in the mail and left on her doorstep. She realizes that she has a "secret sister," but has no idea who it might be, for each gift seems to relate to different, important events in her life. Just when she thinks she might have figured out who the secret sister is, a new gift arrives with a different meaning.

Who is making this Christmas one Grace will never forget?

MY  REVIEW

I am going back and forth between three and four out of five stars for this book. For me the story was kind of slow but Sarah puts a lot of emotion in it. I understand the back and forth in time, I think it was needed for this story, but sometimes I get lost in that. I will say Sarah did a great job of writing and had a fantastic ending. I can recommend this as a good read and I have read, and will read more of, Sarah's books.

Want Ad Wedding by Cheryl St. John - Review of the first book in the Cowboy Creek series

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When Daniel Gardner convinced the residents of his Kansas boomtown to advertise for mail-order brides, he never expected the woman he once loved to respond. But Leah Swann steps off the bride train...pregnant and widowed and in need of a husband. Drawn to protect his fragile childhood friend, Daniel proposes a marriage of convenience.

Seeing her onetime best friend waiting to meet the bride train is a wonderful shock for Leah. After her first rocky marriage, a practical partnership with Daniel sounds perfect--as long as her heart doesn't get involved. But when she starts to fall for her husband, will her plans of a fresh start be ruined...or is a real marriage to Daniel exactly what she needs?

MY  REVIEW

Cheryl is just one of my favorite authors and she did not fail me with this book. I thoroughly enjoyed Leah's story and the way Cheryl tells it. I am really looking forward to the books to follow in this series both written by a couple of my favorite authors. The second is "Special Delivery Baby" by Sherri Shackelford (which I already have by the way) and "Bride by Arrangement" by Karen Kirst due out June 7, 2016. You can't lose my reading this book/series!

Montana Dawn by Caroline Fyffe - Review of the first book in the McCutcheon Family Series

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(taken from Amazon.com)

McCutcheon Family series. In the tradition of the great western romance, Montana Dawn tells the story of a woman yearning for a place to belong and a cowboy with a heart as big as the Montana skies...

A woman on the run...
Running from an abusive past, widow Faith Brown finds herself in a rickety wagon, about to give birth. With no one but her young stepson to help, Faith is both grateful to--and wary of--the handsome cowboy who comes to her aid. Her first instinct is to run, but the coming child has left her no choice but to accept the help of the gentle stranger,
A man who stands alone...
Cowboy Luke McCutcheon may come from a wealthy ranching family, but as the offspring of a Cheyenne warrior he's always felt he had to prove his worthiness to the rest of the McCutcheon brothers. When he stumbles across a lone woman about to have a child, his first intinct is to ride for help. Unwilling to leave the pretty widow, her young son, and her newborn unprotected in the Montana wilderness, he offers to take them along on his family's cattle drive.
No refuge from the past...
Faith accepts Luke's offer of shelter, but fears revealing the truth about herself. She's being hunted by a ruthless man who will stop at nothing to possess her. Although she's coming to care deeply for Luke, she can't risk the consequences of him discovering the secret of her nightmarish past. In spite of the danger drawing ever closer, Faith still dreams of a loving family and a home to call her own, if only she and Luke can stay together long enough to find their beautiful and bright...Montana Dawn.

MY  REVIEW

Carolyn has written a story that takes off right from the beginning and keeps right on moving with events that make you want to read faster. I did enjoy this story and the strength Faith showed throughout as well as the extremes she would go to protect her children. I will be reading more books in this series and would recommend it as a good read.