Jeb's Wife by Patricia Johns - Review

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Patricia Johns' sensitive storytelling brings depth and 

heart to this tender story of second chances, as an

Amish woman embarks on marriage with the 

gruff farmer next door...

Once, Leah Riehl prayed for a husband. The man she loved chose another, wanting the children that Leah can't provide. But she's found a measure of peace, keeping house for her brother, Simon, and teaching in a nearby town. Now though, Simon's debts to an Englisher gambling ring have left Leah with a desperate dilemma---and a surprising offer from her scarred, reclusive neighbor. Jebadiah King needs to marry in order to claim his family farm. A union, for appearances only, will help them both.

Jeb knows his scars make him a less than ideal husband, but he can be a useful one. It's the least that Leah deserves. But despite the promises he made to himself, Jeb can't help longing for his lively, warmhearted new wife. His first marriage brought heartbreak, but Leah's gentle smiles spark hope again. Are they willing to take the leap that love requires---and open themselves to all the challenges and joy a true marriage could bring?

MY  REVIEW

What an inspiring story! Two people who have been hurt by past relationships coming together to save a a mans life, can they make it work? Would you take less than perfect to save another, if so would you be able to life the rest of your life honoring the agreement you made in a hurry?

 

A Heart's Gift by Lena Nelson Dooley - Review of the first book in Love's Road Home series

 

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Is a marriage of convenience the answer?

"Franklin Vine has worked hard to build the ranch he inherited into one of the most successful in the majestic Colorado mountains. If only he had an heir to one day inherit the legacy he's building. But he was burned once in the worst way, and he doesn't plan to open his heart to another woman. Even if that means he'll eventually have to divide up his spread among the most loyal of his hired hands.

When Lorinda Sullivan is finally out from under the control of men who made all the decisions in her life, she promises herself she'll never allow a man to make choices for her again. But without a home in the midst of a hard Rocky Mountain winter, she has to do something to provide for her infant son.

A marriage of convenience seems like the perfect arrangement, yet the stakes quickly become much higher than either of them ever planned. When hearts become entangled, the increasing danger may change their lives forever.

MY  REVIEW

A good lesson about keeping secrets, promising things before thinking them out completely and then fretting about how to tell the truth. A story about inner turmoil and overcoming what the past has dealt you in life. WINNER!!

Faith's Mountain Home by Misty M Beller -Review the third book in the Hearts of Montana series

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(copied from Amazon.com)

Nate Long has always watched over his identical twin brother, Aaron, even when it  put him on the wrong side of the law. When Aaron is wounded in a shootout, the brothers are taken to Settler's Fort to recover. As Nate works to make reparations for their past, he marvels at the nursing Aaron receives under the care of a woman with all the reason in the world to resent him.

Laura Hannon knows what it is to start over, and she knows Nate's newfound faith is real. What she can't look past is how far he allowed himself to be led astray by his brother's weaknesses.

As a fledgling trust grows between Nate and Laura, they stumble upon a mysterious cave in the mountains that may not be as uninhabited as it seems. While working together to unravel the secrets surrounding the cave, will the new lives they seek for themselves include love, or does too much stand between them?

MY  REVIEW

A wonderful story that tells how you can turn a bad past around, if you let yourself change and not hang onto that past. Misty, I feel like I know her as I've read so many of her books and enjoy them so much, expresses fear, anger and forgiveness here. You should read this series in order.

Among the Fair Magnolias - Four Southern Love Stories by Tamera Alexander, Shelley Grant, Dorothy Love and Elizabeth Musser - Review

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During the most turbulent decade of our nation's history, four

Southern women---their destinies forged by birth and heritage---face

nearly impossible choices on their journeys in live . . . and in love.

To Mend a Dream by Tamera Alexander

Savannah Darby would do almost anything to revisit her family home. So when the new owner Aidan Bedford seeks to redecorate the house for his fiancee, Savannah jumps at the opportunity. But can she find the box her father supposedly hid there during the war before her assignment is completed? And before she sees yet another battle lost on the home front--this time, a battle of the heart.

An Outlaw's Heart by Shelley Gray

Seven years ago Russell Champion was betrayed by the two most important women in his life. Now Russell returns home, but is it too late to make amends with his mother and find closure with his true love?

A Heart So True by Dorothy Love

Abigail Clayton hopes to reconcile with Dr. Wade Bennett and become his wife. But her father insists she marry her distant cousin Charles Kittridge so the plantations of the two families will be joined. With her wedding looming, Abby must choose between duty to her family and the yearnings of her own heart.

Love Beyond Limits by Elizabeth Musser

Emily Derracott loves her childhood friend Thomas McGinnis, but she cannot marry a man who doesn't share her strong convictions about the freedmen. Besides, she harbors a secret love for someone else. But the prospect of becoming his wife is not only improbable--it is completely impossible.

Includes Recipes and Discussion Questions

MY  REVIEW

Four enlightening stories by four great authors. Lesson learned, be sure you know both sides of the story before you make permanent decisions that will affect the rest of your life.

Mrs. Mayberry Meets Her Match by Susan Paige Davis - Review

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(copied from Amazon.com)

Amelia Mayberry's rewarding career as a matchmaker is winding down. She'd like to close shop and spend her sunset years in peace. There's only one unfinished piece of business---an unsatisfied customer for whom she needs to set things right. Her late husband's friend wasn't happy with the potential bride Amelia sent his way, but she doesn't know why. The question is, will Lennox Bailey allow her to find him a new candidate?

MY  REVIEW

For a short story this was really good. I love the dedication Mrs. Mayberry has to make things right! Will she be able to accomplish the task to make her career 100% successful?

Dead-End Detective by Amanda Flower - Review of the first book in the Piper & Porter Mystery series from Hallmark Publishing

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THEY WERE THE TWO GIRLS DETECTIVE AGENCY.

NOW, ONE OF THEM IS DEAD,

AND THE OTHER IS SUSPECTED OF MURDER.

Darby Piper is in shock. Samantha Porter--her mentor and business partner at Two Girls Detective Agency--has died in a car crash, and it doesn't look like an accident. In fact, evidence is pointing toward Darby.

Darby had expected to inherit Samantha's half of the agency, but Samantha had recently changed the will to leave it to Tate Porter, her nephew, who returns to town.

Tate is on P.I. He's a veteran, a world traveler, and something of a mystery himself. But as he helps Darby delve into secret histories and real estate development plans, he does seem to have a knack for the job. Can Darby prove her innocence? And will the agency have a future?

This cozy mystery includes a free Hallmark original recipe for Berry Trifle.

MY  REVIEW

This is quite the story, not only is Darby a suspect, there are several others, although Darby is the prim suspect. The author kept me interested and made me want to hurry and find out who the culprit was. I did figure it out but wasn't real sure until the end.

I will say they need to do a better job of proofreading as there are many 'small' errors. You know kind of like when you type a comment and after you post it you see a typographical error, fix it, then find another error, lol. It was readable but does need to be proofread again.

 

When Secrets Strike by Marta Perry - Review of the second book in the Watcher in the Dark series

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IN LAUREL RIDGE, PENNSYLVANIA,

A COMMUNITY ONCE UNITED MUST SUSPECT ONE OF THEIR OWN

Amish quilter Sarah Bitler's dreams no longer feature a husband and family. Instead, she searches for success in the quilt shop within Blackburn House, a place once tarnished with deadly secrets. She refuses to let the past influence her future...until an ominous fire forces them to collide.

Firefighter Aaron King was the first to touch Sarah's heart--and the first to break it. Now a widower and father of two small girls, his return to Sarah's life brings her buried feelings to the surface. As a string of horrific incidents tears apart their community, an arsonist's wrath threatens to destroy them all. With Aaron as the only suspect, Sarah must follow her instincts to find the truth. But to protect an innocent man, she might risk her heart to Aaron again...and risk her life to an unknown killer.

MY  REVIEW

Another great mystery by Marta Perry. She keeps you guessing as the fires, and attacks, keep coming. Is it all one person, two or a group wanting to move in and take over a lot of the surrounding property? Hmmm, better get your copy so you can find out!!