Falling to Pieces by Vannetta Chapman - Review of the first book in the Shipshewana Amish Mystery series

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Not your usual Amish buggy ride!

Deborah Yoder needs to sell her quilts. Callie Harper has reluctantly inherited her aunt's quilting store. Deborah is Amish, tall, and hearty, the married mother of five. Callie is English,petite, young, and single. They form an unlikely partnership when Deborah reveals her plan to auction her quilts ... online ... in a town where few residents even have electricity.

In the tiny community of Shipshewana, what could be more implausible?

A murder.

And when circumstances and a relentless detective point to a surprising prime suspect, Deborah and Callie set aside their differences and work together in an attempt to solve the mystery and catch a killer.

In Falling to Pieces, the first in a three-book series, author Vannetta Chapman blends the best components of Amish fiction with a great who-done-it twist. You'll be glad she did.

Two women, an auction, a dead body, and one friendship quilt. Shipshewana will never be the same.

MY  REVIEW

I have had this book for a while, as well as the second one, as I love Vannetta's books I thought I had already read them, but NOPE, I hadn't!!! Well I am sorry I waited so long to get around to them, better yet I thought I'd already posted my review, but NOPE to that too! This was a great example of the Englisch and Amish living together and becoming great friends and able to work together whether it be in normal everyday life or when things pop up to bring a little 'thrill' into life. Thrill as in solving a very serious, as in deadly, mystery. Yep, another winner for Vannetta.

Never Envy an Earl by Regina Scott - Review of the third book in the Fortune's Brides series

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(copied from Amazon.com)

The saucy Yvette de Maupassant is used to danger. She's spent the last 10 years spying for England in Napoleon's court. Now that her work has been discovered, she must hide, and what better place than the remote wooded estate of the Earl of Carrolton? Her friend Miss Thorn and that delightful cat Fortune place her in a position where she can pretend to be companion to the earl's sickly mother. Yet one look at the earl has Yvette rethinking why she wants to stay.

Gregory, Earl of Carrolton, is used to power. So why does one moment in the company of his mother and spinster sister leave him feeling powerless? And why does the look in a certain Frenchwoman's eyes leave him weak at the knees? As danger draws closer, Gregory and Yvette must work together to protect her, his family, and the future of England, as they discover the greatest danger and delight is falling in love.

The sweet, clean Regency romance is the sequel to Never Borrow a Baronet, Fortune's Brides: Only a matchmaking cat can hunt true love.

MY  REVIEW

Another great story in this series. Regina has the Regency genre growing on me. This book has more 'danger', and of course the love that grows in the background, than the previous two do. I don't think you would be disappointed with this series, yes, you should read the books in order to get the full enjoyment.

I was given an e-copy of this book for an honest review.

Arms of Mercy by Ruth Reid - Review of the second book in the Amish Mercies series

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He lost her once to a rash decision.

He will not lose her again.

On the eve of a new year, Catherine Glick is expection her bu of five years to propose. Instead, the unexpected arrival of an old boyfriend, Elijah, sends her life spiraling out of control. When a rash decision damages her current relationship, Catherine leaves for Florida to work in her cousin's bakery---anything to flee the source of her shame.

Elijah Graber knows he hurt Catherine when he left their Amish district six years ago. He's determined to explain his actions, even if it means following her to Florida. Perhaps their two-day bus trip together will provide enough time for him to make his case and win her back.

Just when Elijah is starting to tear down the walls Catherine has built, their bus skids on an icy road---and amid the mayhem and tragedy that follow, Catherine disappears. Elijah's friends urge him to prepare for the worst, but Elijah holds on to his hope in God and refuses to give up his search for Catherine. With supernatural nudging from the most unexpected places, Elijah sets out to find the love he once lost---no matter the cost.

MY  REVIEW

Ruth once again has given us an exceptional story of love, faith and determination. Have you ever had someone you love disappear? If so, of it is happens in the future, regardless of how they disappear, through their own actions or a catastrophic action/accident, just how long would you keep looking? How long would you have the faith that 'they' will return or be found?  I don't know if I have an answer, I would ask myself if it depends on the circumstance 'causing' the disappearance. Are they hiding, not wanting to return or is something else going on. An interesting story, ENJOY!

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers; book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Never Borrow a Baronet by Regina Scott - Review of the second book in the Fortune's Brides series

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(copied from Amazon.com)

After caring for a crotchety countess. Patience Ramsey wants a more purposeful position. So, when Miss Thorn of the Fortune Employment Agency offers her the post of assistant to amateur apothecary Augusta Orwell, Patience jumps at the chance. Then her new employer introduces her at an Easter house party as the bride-to-be of her nephew Sir Harold Orwell. Miss Thorn's cat Fortune may approve of Sir Harry, but Patience has no interest in borrowing the handsome baronet. She's had her heart trampled on by false promises before.

Sir Harry has enough on his hands trying to restore the family name while spying for the English against the French. But the pretty Patience could cover for him when he must ply his trade during the house party, so he convinces her to agree to the charade. As Harry's work brings danger closer, he begins to realize Patience embodies everything he could want in a wife. Can he convince her to overlook the scandals surrounding him and exchange their false engagement for a true love?

This sweet, clean Regency romance is the sequel to "Never Doubt a Duke", Fortune's Brids: Only a matchmaking cat can hunt true love.

MY  REVIEW

Regina never fails to impress me with her writing. This is a nice story about not wanting to fall in love, a little espionage, and mystery. I don't think you'll be disappointed with this good, clean, book. Oh yes, I think it would be best to read the series in order to get the full enjoyment of this one.

I was given an e-copy of this book for an honest review.

Murder On The Menu: A Humorous Romantic Cozy Mystery by Zanna Mackenzie - Review of the first book in A Recipe For Disaster Cozy Mystery Book series

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(copied from Amazon.com)

A dead celebrity chef boss. A sexy spy living next door. Lizzie's in big trouble...

Waitress Lizzie's horrible and much hated celebrity chef boss is dead; stabbed with a knife in his own restaurant kitchen. When the police discover she was officially the last person to see him alive, they put Lizzie right at the top of their suspect list.

Now, panicked and fighting to clear er name, she's forced to team up with her handsome and intriguing new neighbor, Jack Mathis. Okay, so Jack claims he's a former special agent on suspension from his investigative duties for reasons unknown, but Lizzie doesn't have time to ask questions.

Can she save herself from getting arrested and manage to resist Jack's considerable charms and gorgeous smile? Will they solve the mystery and track down the murderer before it's too late? Will Lizzie have to put her dreams of making cakes she can sell at the village store on hold as she languishes in a prison cell?

MY  REVIEW

I had a lot going on when I started this so it took me a while to get into the story, but when I did it was really good. I will read more in the series so I would recommend this as a good cozy to grab and take a break.

Never Doubt a Duke by Regina Scott - Review of the first book in the Fortune's Brides series

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(copied from Fantastic Fiction)

After spending the last ten years following her late husband on campaign, the irrepressible Jane Kimball finds herself badly in need of a position to support herself. Marriage holds no appeal; she's not likely to find a husband like her Jimmy again. But when Miss Thorn of the Fortune Employment Agency offers her a post with the Duke of Wey, Jane feels drawn to help the lonely widower with his three daughters. He may seem a bit aloof, but Miss Thorn'scat Fortune approved of him. Why should Jane doubt a duke?

Alaric, Duke of Wey, commands his staff, his tenants, and the halls of Parliament, managing vast holdings in England and across the seas. Why isit he cannot manage his own daughters? AS an old danger rears its head, he comes to rely on Jane's practical nature, her outspoken ways to navigate the waters of fatherhood. And when necessity dictates he take a wife, thoughts turn to an unlikely governess who might make the perfect bride.

MY  REVIEW

I read a lot of historical books but steer away from the 'regency' area but I really like Regina Scott books and said I'd give it a try. Needless to say she has pulled me in and I'm anxiously waiting for the next book in the series! There is determination, a little mystery, inner fear and of course you can't leave out the love. I would recommend this book even if you don't do the 'regency' storylines, I'm hooked!

I was given this e-book in return for an honest review.

Second Chance Amish Bride by Marta Perry - Review of the first book in the Brides of Lost Creek series

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Caring for her late cousin's young kinder is Jessie Miller's duty---even if it means seeing their father again. Years ago, she thought Caleb King might be her husband---until he met her cousin and Jessie's dream was cut short. Laid up with a broken leg and a demanding dairy farm, Caleb needs her.

But Caleb wants no woman around..and no reminder of the wife who abandoned her family before her death. Especially since he fears Jessie will throw a wrench in his plan to remain a single dad. She's gentle and kind, and if Caleb isn't careful, she may be just what his little Amish family needs.

MY  REVIEW

This is going to be a great series, as Marta does a wonderful job of pulling you into the story. She lets you see how strong, determined and full of faith Jessie is. The thing is she needs to forgive herself for her cousin's mistakes, that she couldn't keep her from making, as she is trying to help Caleb not make some mistakes with his children. Yep, a must read!